Review: Cynful by Dana Marie Bell

This is the second book in the Halle Shifters series by Dana Marie Bell.  I believe it is linked to the Halle Pumas series, which I have not read.  In this book, the story from Bear Necessities continues.  We knew that Julian DuCharme, nurse and good friend to Tabby was the mate to Cyn, Tabby's boss and mentor at the tattoo shop.  But he could not claim her because "it wasn't time yet".  Now that Julian feels ready, Cyn is dragging her heels.  

The point of view switches between Julian and Cyn.  While being in Cyn's head, we get a much better understanding of why she is dragging her feet about finishing the mating with Julian.  Julian, on the other hand, shows us the more serious side to his personality.  From Bear Necessities, I was really afraid he was just a big goof ball, but that is just one part of him.  When tragedy strikes, Cyn starts demanding her mate change her.  Apparently the changing of a Spirit Bear mate is much different then for the other shifters.  I can understand why Cyn really wants her animal protector, with as many times as Julian ends up in near critical condition.  The tables seem almost reversed for them, with Cyn being the protector and Julian being the nurturer.  

The dialogue continues to be top notch and the plot had enough twists and turns to keep me entertained and guessing.  This book wasn't as raunchy as the last, but the smexy scenes are well done and not over the top. I am giving this book 4 stars on Goodreads because with the cliffhanger, I abso-have to read the next one to find out what happens.  I will be seriously looking to find the books in the Halle Puma series, because Ms. Bell has made me a fan.

Goodreads:

Julian DuCharme, a rare Spirit Bear with legendary healing powers, is finally free from the threat of death, finally free to claim his mate—but she’s not having it. While his Bear screams it’s time to mate, the love of his life wants to date.

Holding his Bear in check while convincing her he’s not out to control her won’t be easy. She’s stubborn and a closeted geek—in other words, perfect for him.

Cynthia “Cyn” Reyes, owner of Living Art Tattoos, thinks Julian is the hottest thing on two legs. That doesn’t mean she’s going to roll over for his masculine charm. She watched her mother flounder when her father passed away, and she’s determined to never lose herself to someone else. Not even a man who would jump the moon for her, if she asked that of him.

When the women of Living Art are targeted by a killer, Julian doesn’t think twice about pouring out his last drop of power 
to keep Cyn safe. But it’s Cyn who’ll give up everything—her independence, even her humanity—to keep a terrifying vision 
from coming true.

One of his death.

Warning: This novel contains explicit sex, graphic language, a tattooed heroine and the Bear who loves her. Maybe he’ll finally convince her to tattoo him with “Property of Cyn”.