Review: Indirect Lines by Dana Marie Bell

Indirect Lines

Halle Shifters, #5
Dana Marie Bell


Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Date of Publication: December 1, 2015
Number of pages: 228
Cover Artist: 70,000

Available at the following retailers:
Amazon     BN     Kobo     ARe 

Dual Review: Bear Naked & Figure of Speech by Dana Marie Bell

Bear Naked

Halle Shifters, #3
Dana Marie Bell

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Date of Publication: February 11, 2014
Number of pages: 236
Word Count: 73,045

Available at the following retailers:
Amazon     BN     Kobo     ARe

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”.

Review: Bear Necessities by Dana Marie Bell

This is the first book in the Halle Shifters series by Dana Marie Bell.  I originally got this book because of the love I have for bear shifters from Shelly Laurenston's Pride & Pack series and I wanted a bit of a fix waiting for the next book to come out.  It seems many authors have done the werewolf and werecat thing, but so few have done werebears.  So when I find one, I have to check it out.

We are introduced to Alexander "Bunny" Bunsun, a bear shifter, as he is traveling with his cousin Ryan to the small town of  Halle, Pennsylvania.  He plans on checking in on his cousin and then heading back to Oregon to look for a she-bear and maybe settle down.  But before they even locate their cousin, Bunny wonders into a tattoo shop and scents his mate.  Tabitha "Tabby" Garwood is a wolf who has been been Outcast by her former pack and spent 8 long years living and running as a wolf.  She has only recently settled into town and is finally making a place for herself among the Pumas who live in and run the town. 

The story is told from their two viewpoints and switches back and forth.  It was quite a bit raunchier then Shelly Laurenston's series, but didn't center around sex.  The plot line is rich with details and there is something of a mystery to be solved concerning why another wolf is trying so hard to harass Tabby and her friends.  Bunny and Tabby's romance moves quickly, but as it is explained to Tabby's human friends, you just know your mate and you really want to be with them, staying away hurts.  

I believe that I this series is tied to another series by Ms. Bell, the Halle Puma series, but I didn't really feel that I missed anything vital by not reading this other series. Though I will say, that I will probably start the hunt for the other series, because the dialogue was great and the plot line moved at a nice pace.  It was a very enjoyable read by an author I had never read before.  I am giving it 3 stars on Goodreads, because it was a fun and fast read.

Goodreads:

To hold onto his love, he must release his beast. Halle Shifters, Book 1 Once a Bear sets his mind on a mission, it's best to stay out of his way. Alexander "Bunny" Bunsun is that Bear. Something's not right with his cousin Chloe, and he's come to Halle, PA, to sort it out, turn his Harley around and head home to Oregon. Until an enticing scent lures him into the local tattoo shop. There she is. An inked, Southern-drawled she-Wolf with lime-green hair. His perfect mate. Tabitha Garwood's rotten day just got worse. Her Outcast status makes her a target for harassment with alarming regularity. And now, in the middle of a root touch-up, looking like a half-melted Skittle, she's met her destined mate. The only upside? She finally has a protector in the form of a huge, tattooed, shaved-head Bear who vibrates with carefully restrained power. When Chloe is left for dead and Tabby is threatened, only Alex can keep his growing family safe. Giving Tabby the loving home she needs, though, could come at a price-Alex must give up the control he's worked a lifetime to attain. Which means someone could die at the hands-and claws-of his beast. Warning: This novel contains explicit sex, graphic language, a hunky Bear named Bunny and . . . Yes. I said a Bear named Bunny. I don't know about you but I'm not brave enough to make fun of it.