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Denali Heat #1
Arctic Shift
She believes in myths . . . can she believe in destiny?
Denali Heat, Book 1
Unlike her adventurous sister, Ruby is perfectly content to let her mind be the wanderlust while her body stays safely in Chicago. Melanie wouldn't be out of touch this long without a damned good reason, though. Which means it's time for a giant step outside her comfort zone.
While Denali National Park is like another planet, the myths and legends that saturate this wild land are right up her alley. The wilderness guide waiting for her-naked in her bed-looks about as safe as a polar bear.
Carson's people are kin to the great beast, right down to the white hair. Before Ruby ever set foot in Alaska, his inner bear knew that Melanie's little sister was his mate. He's doing his level best not to let his primal needs scare her, but everything about her sends his urge to possess her into overdrive.
To his surprise, revealing he's a shifter only stimulates her innate curiosity. Warming her with the perfect fire of their lovemaking, easy. Convincing her that real love isn't a myth-and making her want to stay in his home, his bed, his heart-now, that's a problem . . .
Warning: cozy flannel PJs, a naked shifter, incredible food and some fireside sex hot enough to melt the polar ice caps . . .
Denali Heat, Book 1
Unlike her adventurous sister, Ruby is perfectly content to let her mind be the wanderlust while her body stays safely in Chicago. Melanie wouldn't be out of touch this long without a damned good reason, though. Which means it's time for a giant step outside her comfort zone.
While Denali National Park is like another planet, the myths and legends that saturate this wild land are right up her alley. The wilderness guide waiting for her-naked in her bed-looks about as safe as a polar bear.
Carson's people are kin to the great beast, right down to the white hair. Before Ruby ever set foot in Alaska, his inner bear knew that Melanie's little sister was his mate. He's doing his level best not to let his primal needs scare her, but everything about her sends his urge to possess her into overdrive.
To his surprise, revealing he's a shifter only stimulates her innate curiosity. Warming her with the perfect fire of their lovemaking, easy. Convincing her that real love isn't a myth-and making her want to stay in his home, his bed, his heart-now, that's a problem . . .
Warning: cozy flannel PJs, a naked shifter, incredible food and some fireside sex hot enough to melt the polar ice caps . . .
77 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
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321 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
August 28, 2010
Here is the warning label; Cozy flannel pj’s. A naked shifter. Incredible food and some fireside sex hot enough to melt the polar ice caps… Now when I read that I was in love already! And ready to start the book. I sum this one up as sizzling hot! I love the way Lissa can take a short novella and make sure you understand what’s going on, then she tops it with the most incredible sex you just can’t ask for anything more. One thing I love most about Lissa writing is a plus size woman can have the hottie!
This one takes you to the cold Alaskan forest. There you find a shape shifting family, now I not telling you what they are, but I will give you a clue one name that’s in the warning label is what they are. Lissa explains why they are shape shifter very well in this eBook. This is the first book in the series, I found it was an excellent start.
Now who ever thought a shape-shifter hottie could cook, well this one can, he not only cooks in the bed he also cooks food and bakes wonderful brownies. Carson has a thing for his brothers new mates sister and he just cant wait to see her and claim her as his mate. Ruby is in Alaska to find her lost sister or at least she thinks she is lost. She hires Carson to help find her sister. As she settles in her hotel rooom and sleeps she has a dream about a shifter claiming her then next thing she knows someone is naked and hard in her bed, when she looks she finds the man that was just in her dream, in her bed! Now you have to read and find out what happened when she found him in the bed;)
This one takes you to the cold Alaskan forest. There you find a shape shifting family, now I not telling you what they are, but I will give you a clue one name that’s in the warning label is what they are. Lissa explains why they are shape shifter very well in this eBook. This is the first book in the series, I found it was an excellent start.
Now who ever thought a shape-shifter hottie could cook, well this one can, he not only cooks in the bed he also cooks food and bakes wonderful brownies. Carson has a thing for his brothers new mates sister and he just cant wait to see her and claim her as his mate. Ruby is in Alaska to find her lost sister or at least she thinks she is lost. She hires Carson to help find her sister. As she settles in her hotel rooom and sleeps she has a dream about a shifter claiming her then next thing she knows someone is naked and hard in her bed, when she looks she finds the man that was just in her dream, in her bed! Now you have to read and find out what happened when she found him in the bed;)
October 18, 2010
Book One in Lissa Matthews Denali Heat series Arctic Shift takes place in the cold depths of Alaska, a perfect setting for the heat that happens when Carson and Ruby are on the page together.
Ruby is a Mythologist and takes to the idea of Shifters quite easily. She travels to Alaska to locate her missing sister, not knowing her sister is living and in love with another shifter and is about to meet the Bear shifter who believes she is his mate.
My Thoughts:
I LOVED Arctic Shift like WOAH! When a book comes with a warning that says: "cozy flannel PJs, a naked shifter, incredible food and some fireside sex hot enough to melt the polar ice caps…" you know it is going to be good!
I love when a man just knows what he wants and who he wants. Carson has been dreaming of his mate ever since he saw her picture, just knowing she is the one and is determined to keep her. He is a wonderful character, Alpha but without the boorish dominant tendencies. He loves his family, is very protective over them and he isn't afraid to show his woman how he feels. And he cooks! actually makes meals, not just nukes it. Oh it had me swooning, how can you resist a man who can cook?!
Lovely paced, beautifully written, the author sets up the book well so you don't feel it is rushed in any way. There is some fabulous scenes, my favourite being Ruby waking up to find a huge gorgeous naked man in her bed. You need to read it for that alone and i loved her reaction. Ruby is an awesome character!
I can't not tell you about the sexy time. oh goodness! Carson is so so sooo delicious you will be as anxious as i was for the lovin' to begin, and when it does...HAWT! Lissa Matthews never leaves a sexy time scene missing of anything, I think i'd love her for that reason alone heh! I do like when an author doesn't skimp on details.
Favourite Quote:
"he kissed like a starving man afraid he’d never eat again"
I am so happy this is the beginning of a series, i am anxious to get onto the next Bear brother and back into the Denali world. This is a wonderful start to a series. For anyone wanting a great character based story full of growly Bears, fantastic romantic scenes and a delve into a world giving a different aspect into Shifters, Arctic Shift is for you.
I loved it and will happily read it again. Carson is now stacked safely on my book boyfriend shelf...and did i mention he cooks? swoon!
Ruby is a Mythologist and takes to the idea of Shifters quite easily. She travels to Alaska to locate her missing sister, not knowing her sister is living and in love with another shifter and is about to meet the Bear shifter who believes she is his mate.
My Thoughts:
I LOVED Arctic Shift like WOAH! When a book comes with a warning that says: "cozy flannel PJs, a naked shifter, incredible food and some fireside sex hot enough to melt the polar ice caps…" you know it is going to be good!
I love when a man just knows what he wants and who he wants. Carson has been dreaming of his mate ever since he saw her picture, just knowing she is the one and is determined to keep her. He is a wonderful character, Alpha but without the boorish dominant tendencies. He loves his family, is very protective over them and he isn't afraid to show his woman how he feels. And he cooks! actually makes meals, not just nukes it. Oh it had me swooning, how can you resist a man who can cook?!
Lovely paced, beautifully written, the author sets up the book well so you don't feel it is rushed in any way. There is some fabulous scenes, my favourite being Ruby waking up to find a huge gorgeous naked man in her bed. You need to read it for that alone and i loved her reaction. Ruby is an awesome character!
I can't not tell you about the sexy time. oh goodness! Carson is so so sooo delicious you will be as anxious as i was for the lovin' to begin, and when it does...HAWT! Lissa Matthews never leaves a sexy time scene missing of anything, I think i'd love her for that reason alone heh! I do like when an author doesn't skimp on details.
Favourite Quote:
"he kissed like a starving man afraid he’d never eat again"
I am so happy this is the beginning of a series, i am anxious to get onto the next Bear brother and back into the Denali world. This is a wonderful start to a series. For anyone wanting a great character based story full of growly Bears, fantastic romantic scenes and a delve into a world giving a different aspect into Shifters, Arctic Shift is for you.
I loved it and will happily read it again. Carson is now stacked safely on my book boyfriend shelf...and did i mention he cooks? swoon!
October 19, 2010
Totally Awesome! Sexually Hot!!!
Such a sweet and short story but full of desire and sweet bliss between Carson and Ruby. If I was Ruby I would of never got out of the bed. I'd stay in his embrace and let him devour me for eternity.
I wanted more of the story and more from the happily ever after between Carson and Ruby.
Such a sweet and short story but full of desire and sweet bliss between Carson and Ruby. If I was Ruby I would of never got out of the bed. I'd stay in his embrace and let him devour me for eternity.
I wanted more of the story and more from the happily ever after between Carson and Ruby.
February 20, 2015
I liked the basic idea behind Arctic Shift, but in its novella length there is a bit too much cutting to the chase as polar bear shifter Carson and destined mate Ruby come together. You have to be willing to accept that heroine Ruby is remarkably calm about waking to find a humongous, albeit gorgeous, naked stranger wrapped around her in her hotel bed and also of finding out that there is some reality to the myths she's dedicated her life to studying. Though, totally ignoring the stalker angle, having a totally hot guy, who is also a gourmet cook, willing to wait as long as it takes 'to make you his' is pretty nice fantasy.
Even with the quick connection this would have made a good full length novel - and a more satisfying romance - if Ruby had made Carson follow her back to Chicago before committing to a life in the wild's of Alaska. One other odd little thing, with quick glimpses into the courtships of two other mated pairs - Carson's parents, and Ruby's sister and Carson's brother, it felt like Arctic Shift should have been the third book in a series or a fill-in connected short instead of a series starter.
Still if you are looking for bearshifters - I was looking for more after reading Shelly Laurentson's last two books - Arctic Shift is short and sexy and fits the bill.
Even with the quick connection this would have made a good full length novel - and a more satisfying romance - if Ruby had made Carson follow her back to Chicago before committing to a life in the wild's of Alaska. One other odd little thing, with quick glimpses into the courtships of two other mated pairs - Carson's parents, and Ruby's sister and Carson's brother, it felt like Arctic Shift should have been the third book in a series or a fill-in connected short instead of a series starter.
Still if you are looking for bearshifters - I was looking for more after reading Shelly Laurentson's last two books - Arctic Shift is short and sexy and fits the bill.
September 23, 2010
The 4 stars is for the sexy, story line. 2 stars for the writing, because we get jerked to points in the books, but there is no explanation how we got there.
This was sweet, sexy and erotic read. Ruby is on her way to the Alaskan North to locate her missing sister. When she wakes up in bed with her naked, silver haired guide, she realizes that her cold sex life is about to get a lot hotter. Is she willing to put her heart on the line with this sexy shifter that she basically just met? Man if I could only find a man that could cook like this...never mind the mighty, magical wang and the instant orgasms....wha...what...I just didn't type that. lol :-)
This was sweet, sexy and erotic read. Ruby is on her way to the Alaskan North to locate her missing sister. When she wakes up in bed with her naked, silver haired guide, she realizes that her cold sex life is about to get a lot hotter. Is she willing to put her heart on the line with this sexy shifter that she basically just met? Man if I could only find a man that could cook like this...never mind the mighty, magical wang and the instant orgasms....wha...what...I just didn't type that. lol :-)
January 18, 2014
First paragraph: Ruby shivered. She might be riding in a truck and the heater might be cranked up to high, but the cold permeated the windows and it was all she could do to keep her teeth from chattering. “I can’t believe Mel would still be up here. There’s nothing except snow and woods and not a whale to be found. Her work is down by the water. It was only supposed to be a weekend trip.” The last was muttered into her hands as she exhaled warm air into her glove-covered palms trying to warm them.
This book was, unfortunately, just "meh" for me, sort of like the opening paragraph. Well written, but not catchy. The characters of Ruby and Carson felt like they just went through the paces, but there was no real heat between them. At least, not that I could feel.
In short, city-girl Ruby goes to the wilds of Alaska to track down her missing sister Melanie. Melanie, of course, is not really missing - she's just gone "native" after having found her "mate", a polar bear shifter named James. And James' brother, Carson, sees one picture of ruebenesque Ruby and falls in fated love as well. They meet, they go through the motions - talk, eat, sleep, fornicate. They talk some more. They go through the motions again. They decide to stay together.
I think the most I got out of this book is a recipe for sausage, shrimp, green peppers and onions served over a bed of rice. Carson can come cook for me anytime!
This book was, unfortunately, just "meh" for me, sort of like the opening paragraph. Well written, but not catchy. The characters of Ruby and Carson felt like they just went through the paces, but there was no real heat between them. At least, not that I could feel.
In short, city-girl Ruby goes to the wilds of Alaska to track down her missing sister Melanie. Melanie, of course, is not really missing - she's just gone "native" after having found her "mate", a polar bear shifter named James. And James' brother, Carson, sees one picture of ruebenesque Ruby and falls in fated love as well. They meet, they go through the motions - talk, eat, sleep, fornicate. They talk some more. They go through the motions again. They decide to stay together.
I think the most I got out of this book is a recipe for sausage, shrimp, green peppers and onions served over a bed of rice. Carson can come cook for me anytime!
August 5, 2012
Ruby just wants to figure out why her sister fell off the radar. Leaving Chicago and coming to Denali, Alaska is the last place she wants to be but if it gives her answers then she will do it. Waking up in bed to a naked Adonis was not part of the plan though, even though she would like to cozy up and have her wicked way with him her sister comes first.
Carson knew that Ruby was his mate the minute her sister Melanie showed him her picture. He has been waiting anxiously to meet her especially since he began to dream about her. Worried that she is going to run when she finds out he is a shifter, he is confused when she doesn't balk instead she has a ton of questions she wants answers too. How is he going to convince her she is his mate, if all they do is talk, time to get creative.
I thought the overall concept was a lot of fun, loved the beginning thought it was a hoot. It got a little muddled towards the end though because Ruby is a thinker and was confused on if she could commit to Carson. I am going to read the next one though and see what happens with this series.
Carson knew that Ruby was his mate the minute her sister Melanie showed him her picture. He has been waiting anxiously to meet her especially since he began to dream about her. Worried that she is going to run when she finds out he is a shifter, he is confused when she doesn't balk instead she has a ton of questions she wants answers too. How is he going to convince her she is his mate, if all they do is talk, time to get creative.
I thought the overall concept was a lot of fun, loved the beginning thought it was a hoot. It got a little muddled towards the end though because Ruby is a thinker and was confused on if she could commit to Carson. I am going to read the next one though and see what happens with this series.
September 15, 2010
I enjoyed reading this story very much. Aside from the scorching hotness that is Carson, I really liked Ruby and how she was a 'regular' gal. Also, I must say I absolutely loved that Carson was chef extraordinare in the kitchen...being a LOVAH of food, the dishes that he cooked up for Ruby made my mouth water.
Of course, food wasn't the only thing that made my mouth water...and I will say no more, you will just have to go read for yourself. Hurry!
Of course, food wasn't the only thing that made my mouth water...and I will say no more, you will just have to go read for yourself. Hurry!
July 13, 2015
Oh my. This was even less than "meh", this was WTF. Constant info-dumping, no real chemistry between the main characters, shifters that aren't really shifters, and then it just ends more or less in the middle of a scene, and with no real resolution?
So sorry, I usually like her writing, and the Lone Stars Sweets and Bad Boys Of Racing series are auto-buys for me. But this is definitely not one of her better works.
So sorry, I usually like her writing, and the Lone Stars Sweets and Bad Boys Of Racing series are auto-buys for me. But this is definitely not one of her better works.
October 3, 2010
DNF. I thought the whole thing was silly. The storyline junmped around so much it was hard to find the flow of the story. The author will have to try a little harder to impress this reader.
October 16, 2010
Loved the characters but the writing was choppy. Loved how Carson was such a good cook though. All the food scenes made me hungry.
February 27, 2019
"3 out of 5 stars. It was better then I hoped but towards the end of the story it kinda dropped off it's good momentum. So, it made me ..."
Read more of this review and a TEASER here: https://frommetoyouvideophoto.blogspot.com/2010/09/made-grade-denali-heat-series-book-1.html
Read more of this review and a TEASER here: https://frommetoyouvideophoto.blogspot.com/2010/09/made-grade-denali-heat-series-book-1.html
September 18, 2018
3-3.5⭐️'s I like her writing, but the heroines back and forth on this one wore me down. With novella length stories that much back and forth and doubt leaves me feeling like they aren't going to make it to a HEA. I like romance FOR the HEA. But still, a lot better than average. Maybe I'm expecting too much, so it's probably just me.
February 17, 2018
Excellent premise. But somehow the writing was abrupt and the ending... not so much. Overall a godo read.
May 13, 2012
This book has a LOT going for it. Lissa Matthews. Shifters. A super-HOT cover. And it’s a quick read. I was a goner * grin *
Ruby is the sensible stay-at-home sister, unlike Melanie who disappears at the drop of a hat. However, when she fails to stay in phone contact, Ruby’s instincts are alerted and she heads off to find her, convinced something terrible has happened. Melanie was last seen in Denali National Park, Alaska and that’s where Ruby goes. Ruby is a researcher of myths and legends, so when her helpful driver starts talking about shifters in the region, she’s intrigued.
Melanie is in trouble, but the nicest kind. She’s met and fallen in love with a bear shifter and by a strange twist of fate, his brother Carson recognizes Ruby to be his mate. This was a slightly weak point to me. He made this decision based on seeing her photograph and listening in to her voicemails… but hey. Shifters are strange beasts.
Even though it’s Melanie’s sister and she’s on her way there, Carson knows the hardest part is ahead. Will she like him? Is there any chance she’ll love him and accept him as her mate? He turns up at her motel for their first meeting only to find her sound asleep in her room.
Carson Jennings sighed and scrubbed a hand over his face. He was tired. Tired of dreams, tired of wandering the woods at night, restless, tired of waiting on the woman to show, and now that she was finally damn here, he couldn’t get her to wake her ass up and answer the door.
So he did what any horny, mate-obsessed bear-shifter does… he breaks into her room while she sleeps.
Melanie had been concerned with how her sister was going to take that bit of news, but it didn’t really matter much to him. He’d convince her, coax her, seduce her, whatever it took.
The sooner he got her in front of Melanie and proved that the other woman was alive, safe and sound, in love with James, the fool-headed romantic brother of his, the sooner he could get Ruby into his home and into his bed.
At this point, I felt a fluttering of annoyance for Carson. I don’t like guys – or shifters – that ride roughshod over feelings… even sexy alpha males can’t get away with that for long! However, suspending belief a little longer, I didn’t know whether to be shocked or amused when Carson throws caution to the winds and gets into bed with the sleeping Ruby.
He gently slid an arm around her, pulling her even closer. His cock was screaming hard, and he had half a mind to pull her the rest of the way on top of his body and at least burrow his dick between her flannel-covered legs, but he figured that might be going a little too far without first introducing himself.
* Relief * Thank you Lissa Matthews, your light touch has pulled it off.
He kissed the top of her head, and she moaned. He closed his eyes and tightened his arms, smiling for the first time in weeks, and let much-needed sleep take him.
Uh oh. You can guess what happens… she wakes up and finds a strange man in her bed…
He was unlike any man she’d seen before, except… “Oh wow.” Incredible was spot on.
“What wow?”
“You. You’re beautiful and… naked. In my hotel room. In my bed, in my hotel room. Naked.”
But since this is fiction, and she’d been dreaming of being in bed with a man-bear-thing, she doesn’t immediately kick him in the balls and call for Hotel Security.
His touch, his presence was comforting in a way she couldn’t explain. Her fingers simply curled into the soft hair beneath them, and she marvelled at the strength of the heart that beat there. Adding in the fact that he was gorgeous didn’t hurt.
You have to not only suspend belief to read this, but string it up from the ceiling where you can’t possibly bump your head on it. Once you’ve done that, and simply let yourself enjoy the story, it’s great! I love Lissa Matthew’s easy style of writing, the way she draws her characters and her dialogue.
“Ask it, Ruby. You know you want to.”
Silence ensued, until she licked her lips and took a deep breath. “Carson, are shifters real?”
Here we go. “Yes.”
“Are you one?”
Of course things don’t go perfectly. How can they?
“She’s a city girl and she said she can’t move up here.” That was the f*cking rub of it. She said she couldn’t. Why? Why couldn’t she? Was it her job? Did she have a boyfriend or lover? He hadn’t thought to even ask that, just taking fate at her word that Ruby was his.
In summary, a light, fanciful quick read – and hot as is mandatory for Lissa Matthews. I’m rating this a happy 4 out of 5, only because it took me a little while to be convinced by Carson that he wasn’t simply going to bludgeon Ruby over the head and drag her back to his lair * grin *. He stole my heart, but it took him a little longer than I’m used to.
Ruby is the sensible stay-at-home sister, unlike Melanie who disappears at the drop of a hat. However, when she fails to stay in phone contact, Ruby’s instincts are alerted and she heads off to find her, convinced something terrible has happened. Melanie was last seen in Denali National Park, Alaska and that’s where Ruby goes. Ruby is a researcher of myths and legends, so when her helpful driver starts talking about shifters in the region, she’s intrigued.
Melanie is in trouble, but the nicest kind. She’s met and fallen in love with a bear shifter and by a strange twist of fate, his brother Carson recognizes Ruby to be his mate. This was a slightly weak point to me. He made this decision based on seeing her photograph and listening in to her voicemails… but hey. Shifters are strange beasts.
Even though it’s Melanie’s sister and she’s on her way there, Carson knows the hardest part is ahead. Will she like him? Is there any chance she’ll love him and accept him as her mate? He turns up at her motel for their first meeting only to find her sound asleep in her room.
Carson Jennings sighed and scrubbed a hand over his face. He was tired. Tired of dreams, tired of wandering the woods at night, restless, tired of waiting on the woman to show, and now that she was finally damn here, he couldn’t get her to wake her ass up and answer the door.
So he did what any horny, mate-obsessed bear-shifter does… he breaks into her room while she sleeps.
Melanie had been concerned with how her sister was going to take that bit of news, but it didn’t really matter much to him. He’d convince her, coax her, seduce her, whatever it took.
The sooner he got her in front of Melanie and proved that the other woman was alive, safe and sound, in love with James, the fool-headed romantic brother of his, the sooner he could get Ruby into his home and into his bed.
At this point, I felt a fluttering of annoyance for Carson. I don’t like guys – or shifters – that ride roughshod over feelings… even sexy alpha males can’t get away with that for long! However, suspending belief a little longer, I didn’t know whether to be shocked or amused when Carson throws caution to the winds and gets into bed with the sleeping Ruby.
He gently slid an arm around her, pulling her even closer. His cock was screaming hard, and he had half a mind to pull her the rest of the way on top of his body and at least burrow his dick between her flannel-covered legs, but he figured that might be going a little too far without first introducing himself.
* Relief * Thank you Lissa Matthews, your light touch has pulled it off.
He kissed the top of her head, and she moaned. He closed his eyes and tightened his arms, smiling for the first time in weeks, and let much-needed sleep take him.
Uh oh. You can guess what happens… she wakes up and finds a strange man in her bed…
He was unlike any man she’d seen before, except… “Oh wow.” Incredible was spot on.
“What wow?”
“You. You’re beautiful and… naked. In my hotel room. In my bed, in my hotel room. Naked.”
But since this is fiction, and she’d been dreaming of being in bed with a man-bear-thing, she doesn’t immediately kick him in the balls and call for Hotel Security.
His touch, his presence was comforting in a way she couldn’t explain. Her fingers simply curled into the soft hair beneath them, and she marvelled at the strength of the heart that beat there. Adding in the fact that he was gorgeous didn’t hurt.
You have to not only suspend belief to read this, but string it up from the ceiling where you can’t possibly bump your head on it. Once you’ve done that, and simply let yourself enjoy the story, it’s great! I love Lissa Matthew’s easy style of writing, the way she draws her characters and her dialogue.
“Ask it, Ruby. You know you want to.”
Silence ensued, until she licked her lips and took a deep breath. “Carson, are shifters real?”
Here we go. “Yes.”
“Are you one?”
Of course things don’t go perfectly. How can they?
“She’s a city girl and she said she can’t move up here.” That was the f*cking rub of it. She said she couldn’t. Why? Why couldn’t she? Was it her job? Did she have a boyfriend or lover? He hadn’t thought to even ask that, just taking fate at her word that Ruby was his.
In summary, a light, fanciful quick read – and hot as is mandatory for Lissa Matthews. I’m rating this a happy 4 out of 5, only because it took me a little while to be convinced by Carson that he wasn’t simply going to bludgeon Ruby over the head and drag her back to his lair * grin *. He stole my heart, but it took him a little longer than I’m used to.
December 24, 2011
Oh wow! Okay where to start! This is an awesome **first** paranormal book by Ms. Matthews!
***brief moment to do a happy dance ~ yayayayayay***
It is a short story, but I will tell you that it will leave you wanting to know more about the ice polar bears! And also after reading, I now want to move to Alaska ~ pronto! Ms. Lissa did an awesome job at story building. She has definitely set this story up for more to come. I can not wait to learn more about the men in this family. I know if I peek around enough, I know I can find a brother or cousin for myself. **So that means we want more Ms. Lissa ~ said with pouty eyes**
First, we meet Ruby. She has not heard from her sister Melanie in quite some time. Mel went up north to work and has not been in touch with her family for a while. So Ruby takes matters in her own hands and takes a trip up north to Alaska to find her sister. Will she be prepared for what she finds (or who she finds) when she gets up there?
First off, I love that Ms. Lissa kept it real ~ Ruby, like Ms. Lissa's other heroine's, she is not your average, skinny little girl. She is a full figured woman and I love every inch of her. Ruby is an amazing character She is a woman who thinks (sometimes out loud, which I love ~ cuz I do that) about every angle, every way, everything about things. She needs to know the hows and whys and everything else before she leaps. She is a woman whose job is to practically live outside the box. She is a mythologist (primarily Greek and Roman). So understanding fairy tales, things that are not "real" to you and I ~ is what Ruby excels in. So when presented with a live, walking-talking, "fairy tale" what does she do...?? Given the chance of lifetime... finding her soul mate... the one destined for her... Does she accept things at face value and take what is being offered... Or does she run, hide and buried herself in her research?
Carson... I think the only thing you need to know about him is that the man is Sex on a Stick. I mean... from his stance, his body language, his eyes, his soul... You will want to crawl in his lap and eat him alive (or maybe the other way around ~ did I say that out loud)! Carson is a man that is very devoted to his family, his culture, his very livelihood. He is very primal, raw... and all man! He believes in his mission in life... Preserving his family secret. But when he sees Ruby, his mission jumps track a bit... His passion runs a little deeper in another direction... His devotion... To one woman... His mate.
I will give you this... from the moment you read chapter one, page one... as you turn the pages... you will not be disappointed. I will tease you a bit... Wanna know how Ruby first meets Carson ~ Ruby wakes up with Carson in her bed ~ naked! Wanna talk about making first impressions huh, lol! These two set the stage for the world which you are about to be welcome in. Is it crazy folk , is it real... are you intrigued to find out the answers? Come with Ruby and Carson to not only find Melanie... but maybe find love, happiness, a sense of belonging... and the life you never knew you could have!
Ms. Lissa put a fresh spin on a paranormal tale. To find out what that spin is, you are going to have to read the book... I don't give away those kinda of secrets.... Well, if it means Carson coming to find me... I might reconsider... Nah! Go get the book! =) The pace of the story was excellent... the lovemaking... very hot. I am telling you ~ you are going to want to find a polar shifter after this book. ((And we had some debate about the shifter being a bear... and what would happen if he attacked you. But you have to remember you are his mate... the only thing he would do is rip off your clothes to make hot, raw, real, primal love to you!)) I am soooooooooo looking forward to more paranormal from Ms. Lissa!
Honey, you rocked my erotic world... and you are rocking the paranormal. This book had it all!
And let this sentence set in... really set in... And tell me you don't want your own Carson!
"He'd spend time in her world before she became immersed in his. He'd give and take and compromise and work with her to get them where they needed to be in order to live forever as lovers, as friends, as mates."
Now who does not want that!?!?!?!?! Go... Get... The... Damn.. Book...NOW!!!!!
***brief moment to do a happy dance ~ yayayayayay***
It is a short story, but I will tell you that it will leave you wanting to know more about the ice polar bears! And also after reading, I now want to move to Alaska ~ pronto! Ms. Lissa did an awesome job at story building. She has definitely set this story up for more to come. I can not wait to learn more about the men in this family. I know if I peek around enough, I know I can find a brother or cousin for myself. **So that means we want more Ms. Lissa ~ said with pouty eyes**
First, we meet Ruby. She has not heard from her sister Melanie in quite some time. Mel went up north to work and has not been in touch with her family for a while. So Ruby takes matters in her own hands and takes a trip up north to Alaska to find her sister. Will she be prepared for what she finds (or who she finds) when she gets up there?
First off, I love that Ms. Lissa kept it real ~ Ruby, like Ms. Lissa's other heroine's, she is not your average, skinny little girl. She is a full figured woman and I love every inch of her. Ruby is an amazing character She is a woman who thinks (sometimes out loud, which I love ~ cuz I do that) about every angle, every way, everything about things. She needs to know the hows and whys and everything else before she leaps. She is a woman whose job is to practically live outside the box. She is a mythologist (primarily Greek and Roman). So understanding fairy tales, things that are not "real" to you and I ~ is what Ruby excels in. So when presented with a live, walking-talking, "fairy tale" what does she do...?? Given the chance of lifetime... finding her soul mate... the one destined for her... Does she accept things at face value and take what is being offered... Or does she run, hide and buried herself in her research?
Carson... I think the only thing you need to know about him is that the man is Sex on a Stick. I mean... from his stance, his body language, his eyes, his soul... You will want to crawl in his lap and eat him alive (or maybe the other way around ~ did I say that out loud)! Carson is a man that is very devoted to his family, his culture, his very livelihood. He is very primal, raw... and all man! He believes in his mission in life... Preserving his family secret. But when he sees Ruby, his mission jumps track a bit... His passion runs a little deeper in another direction... His devotion... To one woman... His mate.
I will give you this... from the moment you read chapter one, page one... as you turn the pages... you will not be disappointed. I will tease you a bit... Wanna know how Ruby first meets Carson ~ Ruby wakes up with Carson in her bed ~ naked! Wanna talk about making first impressions huh, lol! These two set the stage for the world which you are about to be welcome in. Is it crazy folk , is it real... are you intrigued to find out the answers? Come with Ruby and Carson to not only find Melanie... but maybe find love, happiness, a sense of belonging... and the life you never knew you could have!
Ms. Lissa put a fresh spin on a paranormal tale. To find out what that spin is, you are going to have to read the book... I don't give away those kinda of secrets.... Well, if it means Carson coming to find me... I might reconsider... Nah! Go get the book! =) The pace of the story was excellent... the lovemaking... very hot. I am telling you ~ you are going to want to find a polar shifter after this book. ((And we had some debate about the shifter being a bear... and what would happen if he attacked you. But you have to remember you are his mate... the only thing he would do is rip off your clothes to make hot, raw, real, primal love to you!)) I am soooooooooo looking forward to more paranormal from Ms. Lissa!
Honey, you rocked my erotic world... and you are rocking the paranormal. This book had it all!
And let this sentence set in... really set in... And tell me you don't want your own Carson!
"He'd spend time in her world before she became immersed in his. He'd give and take and compromise and work with her to get them where they needed to be in order to live forever as lovers, as friends, as mates."
Now who does not want that!?!?!?!?! Go... Get... The... Damn.. Book...NOW!!!!!
September 12, 2010
Ruby is a mythologist and travels extensively to various exotic locales to visit museums and do research, but her next destination is a little less exciting. Her sister Melanie has gone missing while doing research in Alaska. Ruby knows there is something fishy about the situation so she heads off to a very remote location in Alaska to a local hire guide and search for her. She goes in search of her sister, but what she actually finds may be more than she can handle.
Carson is anxiously awaiting the one woman that has haunted his dreams since he first saw her picture. Melanie is his brother James' mate and has a plan to lure Ruby into coming to Alaska by simply not answering her phone. Ever since seeing Ruby's picture and listening to her voice via the concerned messages she left for Melanie, Carson is convinced that she is fated to be his mate. Convincing Ruby to accept him and his nature is easy, but convincing her to stay with him is proving to be a little more difficult.
Let me just start by saying that I'm excited this is a series. In the story we briefly meet Carson's other eligible brothers and I can't wait to learn more about them. I was a little disappointed with how easily Ruby accepted Carson to be her mate. I prefer a little more 'cat and mouse' chasing in a story, but Lissa Matthews does a great job of creating characters that really compliment each other. Ruby being a plus size woman makes her more real, so she's instantly relatable to a lot of women. Carson being a cook has to be one of the sexiest traits about him as well as how protective he is of his family and now Ruby. My favorite part of the story has to be when Ruby wakes up in her hotel room on her first day in Alaska and finds Carson in her bed naked. You have to read the story to find out why he did it and what she does after she found him. This was a very smooth relationship building based story. Recommended reading for those that like a light paranormal romance with humorous elements and a very likable couple.
Carson is anxiously awaiting the one woman that has haunted his dreams since he first saw her picture. Melanie is his brother James' mate and has a plan to lure Ruby into coming to Alaska by simply not answering her phone. Ever since seeing Ruby's picture and listening to her voice via the concerned messages she left for Melanie, Carson is convinced that she is fated to be his mate. Convincing Ruby to accept him and his nature is easy, but convincing her to stay with him is proving to be a little more difficult.
Let me just start by saying that I'm excited this is a series. In the story we briefly meet Carson's other eligible brothers and I can't wait to learn more about them. I was a little disappointed with how easily Ruby accepted Carson to be her mate. I prefer a little more 'cat and mouse' chasing in a story, but Lissa Matthews does a great job of creating characters that really compliment each other. Ruby being a plus size woman makes her more real, so she's instantly relatable to a lot of women. Carson being a cook has to be one of the sexiest traits about him as well as how protective he is of his family and now Ruby. My favorite part of the story has to be when Ruby wakes up in her hotel room on her first day in Alaska and finds Carson in her bed naked. You have to read the story to find out why he did it and what she does after she found him. This was a very smooth relationship building based story. Recommended reading for those that like a light paranormal romance with humorous elements and a very likable couple.
September 23, 2010
3.5 Stars
Ruby has flown from Chicago to the wilderness of Denali National Park in Alaska to search for her sister Melanie. She will need a guide to help her find her sister. What she didn't expect was to find the gorgeous guide naked and in her bed. Carson and his people are native to the area and are kin to the great polar bear. Their is something primal inside of them that recognizes their mates. Carson's brother found his mate in Melanie and upon seeing pictures of her younger sister, Carson knows Ruby is his. They will need to work together to overcome obstacles and concerns that are threatening to keep them apart.
Ruby is a mythologist. She is an intelligent woman with an open mind and doesn't have a problem with who and what Carson is. What she fears is the commitment and huge change that would come with them being together. Carson has had the chance to come to terms with Ruby being his mate but fights the urge to just claim Ruby. He wants her to want to become his mate and stay with him because it is what she really wants and he is willing to give her the time she needs to make that decision. Ruby is a nice smart girl who is set in her ways and Carson is more adventurous and doesn't have a problem telling Ruby exactly what he'd like. Their relationship moves fast but is still sweet and steamy. There is no question of their compatibility in bed but to be together sacrifices will need to be made from both sides for their relationship to be permanent.
Lissa Matthews gave an interesting twist to the shapeshifter genre that is a refreshing break from the norm. Her characters aren't too complex and their is not battle of good vs. evil but it wasn't necessary for me to enjoy the story. Arctic shift is great for PNR fans and Carson being a fantastic chef won me over instantly. I'd be willing to move to Alaska for a man who can cook like that and look as good as he does doing it.
~Stephanie G
Ruby has flown from Chicago to the wilderness of Denali National Park in Alaska to search for her sister Melanie. She will need a guide to help her find her sister. What she didn't expect was to find the gorgeous guide naked and in her bed. Carson and his people are native to the area and are kin to the great polar bear. Their is something primal inside of them that recognizes their mates. Carson's brother found his mate in Melanie and upon seeing pictures of her younger sister, Carson knows Ruby is his. They will need to work together to overcome obstacles and concerns that are threatening to keep them apart.
Ruby is a mythologist. She is an intelligent woman with an open mind and doesn't have a problem with who and what Carson is. What she fears is the commitment and huge change that would come with them being together. Carson has had the chance to come to terms with Ruby being his mate but fights the urge to just claim Ruby. He wants her to want to become his mate and stay with him because it is what she really wants and he is willing to give her the time she needs to make that decision. Ruby is a nice smart girl who is set in her ways and Carson is more adventurous and doesn't have a problem telling Ruby exactly what he'd like. Their relationship moves fast but is still sweet and steamy. There is no question of their compatibility in bed but to be together sacrifices will need to be made from both sides for their relationship to be permanent.
Lissa Matthews gave an interesting twist to the shapeshifter genre that is a refreshing break from the norm. Her characters aren't too complex and their is not battle of good vs. evil but it wasn't necessary for me to enjoy the story. Arctic shift is great for PNR fans and Carson being a fantastic chef won me over instantly. I'd be willing to move to Alaska for a man who can cook like that and look as good as he does doing it.
~Stephanie G
August 14, 2015
Arctic ShiftLissa Matthews
Reviewed by SFF Dragon
I really enjoyed this book and have read/re-read it five times whilst waiting for the next one. I liked the story, short though it was and read it in a couple of hours with breaks. The main characters, Ruby and Carson, were interesting and the different take on shape-shifting was good although I did wonder, without giving spoilers, how the process was possible at the time when it must have first been done (at least 70 years before the book is set) given that we can only just do this type of thing now.
Having an interest in myths and legends, and, well... all things unexplained since I was in my early teens (early 70s), I especially liked the idea of a Mythologist. The story did lack a certain element of romance, being based primarily on lust rather than any tender emotion, but reading between the lines, I think and hope that the characters will eventually fall in love. Perhaps, at some point, the author will actually get around to writing another book in this 'series' so we can find out.
I bought this book on 3rd October 2011 as the first book in the Denali Heat Series and it had already been out over a year then. After having this book a year and a half since then, I'm still waiting for the second book in the series and keep wondering why?. This one is pretty short. One book does not a series make! Come on Lissa, it's past time to be getting on with it. Please.
I gave this book 4 stars, but had it not stopped where it did, and given more of the rest of the story from this point onwards, I probably would have given it 5 stars. This review was originally posted on Amazon UK on 5th June 2013.
Reviewed by SFF Dragon
I really enjoyed this book and have read/re-read it five times whilst waiting for the next one. I liked the story, short though it was and read it in a couple of hours with breaks. The main characters, Ruby and Carson, were interesting and the different take on shape-shifting was good although I did wonder, without giving spoilers, how the process was possible at the time when it must have first been done (at least 70 years before the book is set) given that we can only just do this type of thing now.
Having an interest in myths and legends, and, well... all things unexplained since I was in my early teens (early 70s), I especially liked the idea of a Mythologist. The story did lack a certain element of romance, being based primarily on lust rather than any tender emotion, but reading between the lines, I think and hope that the characters will eventually fall in love. Perhaps, at some point, the author will actually get around to writing another book in this 'series' so we can find out.
I bought this book on 3rd October 2011 as the first book in the Denali Heat Series and it had already been out over a year then. After having this book a year and a half since then, I'm still waiting for the second book in the series and keep wondering why?. This one is pretty short. One book does not a series make! Come on Lissa, it's past time to be getting on with it. Please.
I gave this book 4 stars, but had it not stopped where it did, and given more of the rest of the story from this point onwards, I probably would have given it 5 stars. This review was originally posted on Amazon UK on 5th June 2013.
December 20, 2010
I'm not quite sure what to think of this book. I feel like there was something missing overall. On one hand, being the first in a series tells me that there's more to come and the rather abrupt ending will have more resolution somewhere down the line. On the other hand, I kept waiting for some sort of conflict to pop up. And I literally mean some sort of conflict. Any sort of conflict. Everything that could have potentially been conflict fizzled out. Even the one big thing that might have caused some sort of rift between our main characters was told in a round-about way that didn't get us up close and personal with the incident.
As for the characters, I never felt much of a connection to them. Everything that happens comes fast and furious, starting with the first time Carson sees Ruby in person and climbs naked into her bed while she was sleeping (which, quite frankly, I would not have taken half as calmly as she did) right on down to the first time they tangle up the sheets. I'm not saying this is always a bad thing except that I never felt like I really got to know the two of them. They were there. They fell in deep lust with one another. They boinked. End of story.
Even after writing this out, I still don't know how I feel about this book- except that I'm still waiting for something more to happen.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
As for the characters, I never felt much of a connection to them. Everything that happens comes fast and furious, starting with the first time Carson sees Ruby in person and climbs naked into her bed while she was sleeping (which, quite frankly, I would not have taken half as calmly as she did) right on down to the first time they tangle up the sheets. I'm not saying this is always a bad thing except that I never felt like I really got to know the two of them. They were there. They fell in deep lust with one another. They boinked. End of story.
Even after writing this out, I still don't know how I feel about this book- except that I'm still waiting for something more to happen.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
June 11, 2011
2.5 Stars
Ruby's sister Melanie has gone missing. Determined to find her Rubys sets off to the wilds of Alaska to where she last heard from her, but she finds much more then she bargained for when she finds her guide naked in bed with her...
I can't put my finger on it, but there was something missing for me in this book, I normally really like Lissa Matthews but for this book I didn't feel it. It felt a little rushed and like we were only getting half a story, the ending was really abrupt, I turned the page expecting more only to see that it had ended. And I did like the main characters Ruby and Carson but I didn't love them, and I didn't feel the connection and heat between them.
Bt what I did lie was the shifter idea, it was slightly different for the normal shifters you get as they don't fully shift, but they still have the instincts of a polar bear, it was a little like the Lykae from Kresley Coles Immortals After Dark.
But although I don't think this was her best novella, and Carson was no Vinter, I did like it, it was a fun story and I would read the next one in the series.
Ruby's sister Melanie has gone missing. Determined to find her Rubys sets off to the wilds of Alaska to where she last heard from her, but she finds much more then she bargained for when she finds her guide naked in bed with her...
I can't put my finger on it, but there was something missing for me in this book, I normally really like Lissa Matthews but for this book I didn't feel it. It felt a little rushed and like we were only getting half a story, the ending was really abrupt, I turned the page expecting more only to see that it had ended. And I did like the main characters Ruby and Carson but I didn't love them, and I didn't feel the connection and heat between them.
Bt what I did lie was the shifter idea, it was slightly different for the normal shifters you get as they don't fully shift, but they still have the instincts of a polar bear, it was a little like the Lykae from Kresley Coles Immortals After Dark.
But although I don't think this was her best novella, and Carson was no Vinter, I did like it, it was a fun story and I would read the next one in the series.
September 14, 2010
Hunter’s Review
Wow. This was a fun book. The author did a wonderful job of setting up this book so that you fall in love with both the characters and the location—which feels a little bit like a character unto itself.
The reader can easily relate to Ruby. Could you give up your city life and run off to Alaska believing only in destiny? It would be hard. But Carson is steadfast, even in his bear ways, and he cooks to boot!
It was easy to fall in love with these characters. I can’t wait for her to write the next one so I can go back to Denali and see all of them again. I love shifters. I love this book. Please write another one soon!
5 Tea Cups!
Wow. This was a fun book. The author did a wonderful job of setting up this book so that you fall in love with both the characters and the location—which feels a little bit like a character unto itself.
The reader can easily relate to Ruby. Could you give up your city life and run off to Alaska believing only in destiny? It would be hard. But Carson is steadfast, even in his bear ways, and he cooks to boot!
It was easy to fall in love with these characters. I can’t wait for her to write the next one so I can go back to Denali and see all of them again. I love shifters. I love this book. Please write another one soon!
5 Tea Cups!
August 11, 2011
Cute first in series introduction to polar bear shifters.
Ruby has come looking for her missing sister Mel. Carson knows where she is. In his brother's arms & bed. Carson has been looking forward to meeting Ruby, from staring at her pictures & listening to her voice on voicemail, he knows she is his one.
This little story is well written but fairly predictable. Nice world building and use of Alaskan articness.
Not sure if I'll bother with the series. We'll see.
Ruby has come looking for her missing sister Mel. Carson knows where she is. In his brother's arms & bed. Carson has been looking forward to meeting Ruby, from staring at her pictures & listening to her voice on voicemail, he knows she is his one.
This little story is well written but fairly predictable. Nice world building and use of Alaskan articness.
Not sure if I'll bother with the series. We'll see.
July 12, 2011
I thought the concept for this book was awesome, unfortunately, the reality fell far short. This was a "I saw her picture and knew she was my mate" He crawls in bed with her, naked, they've never met, and does she scream? No she cuddles up and thinks, " hmm, why aren't I freaking out?" There was no emotional connection in this book, it jst left me wanting more. More drama, more plot, more emotion, just more
August 14, 2011
Very short and unusual take on shifter erotic romance. My rating's really 3.5 stars - it could be much better if it were at least a little longer and it ended somewhat abruptly. I also felt like I'd been plunked down in the middle of a story. It's labeled as a series but there isn't any more of it, which is frustrating. What there is, though, is very sexy and really caught my interest.
January 4, 2011
Definely made me want to move to a colder area, just so i can find myself a very warm man, delicious read, thanks Lissa :)
July 22, 2011
Super hot novella with Shifters and even hotter sex...whats not to love!!
October 16, 2011
Disappointed
October 12, 2011
HORRID!!! This shouldn't even be classified as a shifter story...they couldn't even shift.
January 5, 2012
Some really good moments but in general the story felt a bit rushed. Interesting ideas were introduced (e.g. the dreams) that were not really explored.
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