Once Upon a Tiger by Kat Simons - Review and Giveaway

(Erotic Paranormal Romance)

This review is in conjunction with a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Kat will be awarding a $50 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour, so make sure you comment and then follow the tour by clicking the tour banner, above, for more chances to win.

She’ll never run. Among the tiger shifters, Alexis Tarasova is regarded as fierce and dangerous, with a reputation that would make even the most daring tiger think twice about challenging her. Female tiger shifters may be rare and the mating run a critical part of their species’s survival, but Alexis is the only female Tracker and will not back down, even at the threat of tiger law. She will not be forced to mate. So when a handful of males band together to force her to participate in the run, Alexis chooses to stand her ground and fight instead.

He's forbidden to run.

Outcast from the tiger shifters after a vicious childhood attack left him mute, Victor Romanov has never taken part in the mate run. He’s never particularly cared, though, since the woman he loves refuses to take a mate. However, when he learns Alexis may be in danger, all bets are off. Nothing will keep him from her side.

Together, they're unmovable.

The chemistry between them burns wickedly hot and forges them into an unbeatable pair. Alexis knows that being with Victor means she will have to break another one of her people’s laws—a move that might push the tigers too far. But, for Victor, she will risk everything, including her life, and do what she thought she’d never do—run.

MY REVIEW:  This was a hot, interesting story that had quite a bit of meat in it considering how short it was.  At only 54 pages, I wasn't expecting much depth, but I was wrong!

Alexis is complex and has an interesting backstory full of murder and intrigue. She became a tracker for her clan, and is tough, smart and knows how to take care of herself. She's the only female tracker and was given leave to not have to be forced to mate -- something every female is required to do, due to declining numbers.  However, that's all about to change.

When she discovers the leaders have decided it's time she does her duty and get pregnant -- discovers it by finding a band of male shifters ready to force her to "run" outside her home -- she's determined to fight. And is surprised when her old friend and the male she secretly loves stands by her side to defend her rights.  Victor was badly injured as a cub and is mute.  Many shifters in their clan believe it's due to a mental problem, not physical, so he's not allowed to mate (and pass that on genetically).

There isn't a ton of conflict keeping the two apart, honestly, and they give in to their urges early in the story.  The sex is hot and well written and certainly steamed up my ereader, due in part to the awesome guy Victor is, inside and out.  Both Victor and Alexis are determined to do whatever it takes to be together, regardless of what the rest of the shifter clan decrees.  Their love is sweet, based in a solid friendship and respect, but there's no doubt of the physical attraction.  It's enough to make a romantic sigh.

A satisfying short read, I'm really glad I had a chance to pick it up.  Now I'm wondering if Joseph will get a story, because I've developed quite a crush on him!

4 flowers - This was a very good book! I'd recommend it to my friends.

Now enjoy an excerpt:

To Alexis’ surprise, Victor was standing at her door only a few minutes later. She swallowed and tried not to stare. He was magnificent, muscled and lean, with just the right amount of hair covering his human body. The hard cut angles of his face should have made him look harsh but somehow he just looked more compelling. Black eyes, closely cut dark hair, and a sexy half-smile that made her stomach muscles tighten, all combined to send her heartbeat pounding.

She’d never been around Victor when she was in estrous. In fact, since coming to terms with the knowledge that her obsession with him could never lead to a future, she’d made an effort to never spend time alone with him. He was the head security technician at the elders’ compound, so they crossed paths regularly. But she tried making sure there were others around to keep her from doing something stupid.

Unfortunately, she hadn’t always been successful.

She flashed on a recent memory of literally bumping into him in a corridor at the compound when she’d been too deep in thought to notice her surroundings. He’d held her arms while she caught her balance. The contact sent shivers of desire shooting through her body, forcing her to step back as soon as she could, then apologized.

He pulled a notebook from the back pocket of his dark jeans and wrote, You okay?

“Fine. The job I’m heading out on has me…” She shrugged. “It’s a tough one.”

A friend?

“No. Nothing like that.” She made the mistake of looking up to finish and got momentarily caught in the deep darkness of his steady gaze. Her stomach danced in giddy delight even as her heart tightened.

Kat Simons earned her Ph.D in animal behavior, working with animals as diverse as dolphins and deer. She brought her experience and knowledge of biology to her paranormal romance fiction, where she delights in taking nature and turning it on its ear. After traveling the world, she now lives in New York City with her family. Kat is a stay-at-home mom and a full time writer.

Website: http://www.katsimons.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kat-Simons/1430791730466744

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7554922.Kat_Simons

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Kat-Simons/e/B00HCMVVN4/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

BOOK INFO

Once Upon a Tiger (Tiger Shifters, #1)

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Once-Upon-Tiger-Shifters-ebook/dp/B00H9KEAKA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1387299356&sr=8-1&keywords=Kat+Simons

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/387432

AllRomance Ebooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-onceuponatiger-1373952-143.html