What do you think?
Rate this book
Bears of Grayslake #3
Roaring Up the Wrong Tree
Librarian Note: Alternate cover edition - ASIN B00MMQ7XGY.
What should Trista you do when faced with a hunky werebear who can’t decide if he wants to kill her or screw her?
Half-hyena, Trista has spent years rotating between Grayslake, Redby, and Boyne Falls. When the Grayslake Itan—the local clan’s werebear leader—orders a purge of all hyenas, she finds herself fighting to hold onto the hand-to-mouth life she’s created. Her carefully built existence is threatened further when a gorgeous werebear strides into her life and demands not just her heart, but her very soul. She’ll think about it, but not until her shift ends at seven.
Keen seems like a happy-go-lucky, sex-and-sin werebear, but that’s nowhere near the truth. In reality, his inner-animal wants to go on a bloody rampage and kill half of Grayslake—just because it can. After that, it wants to claim the seductive, curvaceous half-hyena female Keen can’t get out of his head. The animal doesn’t care that most bears wouldn’t mind a little hyena tartare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Nope, it peers at her through Keen’s human eyes and has one thought: mate.
When push comes to shove, Keen has to decide if he would rather have the family he was born with, or Trista-the woman who makes him realize that true happiness comes in a lush, hyena-shaped package.
What should Trista you do when faced with a hunky werebear who can’t decide if he wants to kill her or screw her?
Half-hyena, Trista has spent years rotating between Grayslake, Redby, and Boyne Falls. When the Grayslake Itan—the local clan’s werebear leader—orders a purge of all hyenas, she finds herself fighting to hold onto the hand-to-mouth life she’s created. Her carefully built existence is threatened further when a gorgeous werebear strides into her life and demands not just her heart, but her very soul. She’ll think about it, but not until her shift ends at seven.
Keen seems like a happy-go-lucky, sex-and-sin werebear, but that’s nowhere near the truth. In reality, his inner-animal wants to go on a bloody rampage and kill half of Grayslake—just because it can. After that, it wants to claim the seductive, curvaceous half-hyena female Keen can’t get out of his head. The animal doesn’t care that most bears wouldn’t mind a little hyena tartare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Nope, it peers at her through Keen’s human eyes and has one thought: mate.
When push comes to shove, Keen has to decide if he would rather have the family he was born with, or Trista-the woman who makes him realize that true happiness comes in a lush, hyena-shaped package.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 10, 2014
315 people are currently reading
758 people want to read
About the author
Celia Kyle
277Ìýbooks2,823ÌýfollowersCelia Kyle would like to rule the world and become a ninja. As a fall-back, she’s working on her writing career and giving readers stories that touch their hearts and *ahem* other places. Visit her online at | | |
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 182 reviews
September 10, 2014
Ugh. This is going to turn into one big spoiler filled rant :P
Honestly, I enjoyed the first two books in this series. Sure there were a few moments where the plot didn’t mesh well or whatever. It happens. I got over it fairly quickly. But I noticed a bad trend happening in the last book that has since carried over to this one. In a fantasy book, more especially in those that build an entirely different world for their readers, there’s a certain amount of rules that are constructed for the characters to exist in. They may parallel the rules of our world and society, or they may differ greatly. It’s up to the author to clearly define these rules and help the reader to understand them. There are several prominent fantasy authors who have created amazingly in-depth worlds with complex rules, which they convey with ease to their readers. This storyline is meshed with our own world, so the rules that govern these characters should be more focused on the rules between the shifters and not so much about everything else. Which should make it less complicated for readers to understand. The trouble I had with this story was that the rules were convoluted and I often got the impression that the characters themselves didn’t understand the rules or necessarily always follow them. It drives me nuts when an author screws around with their own rules or, worse, somehow conveys that they themselves don’t have a firm grasp on the rules but are simply throwing things around willy-nilly in order to further their plot.
Maybe I’m not grasping how the whole deal works (but then maybe the author isn’t explaining or offering enough for me to understand it all), or perhaps it’s really not that organized and is a total shitshow rule wise. Who knows? I just get tired of reading silliness. In the end it pretty much ruined what should have been a decent set of characters.
Honestly, I enjoyed the first two books in this series. Sure there were a few moments where the plot didn’t mesh well or whatever. It happens. I got over it fairly quickly. But I noticed a bad trend happening in the last book that has since carried over to this one. In a fantasy book, more especially in those that build an entirely different world for their readers, there’s a certain amount of rules that are constructed for the characters to exist in. They may parallel the rules of our world and society, or they may differ greatly. It’s up to the author to clearly define these rules and help the reader to understand them. There are several prominent fantasy authors who have created amazingly in-depth worlds with complex rules, which they convey with ease to their readers. This storyline is meshed with our own world, so the rules that govern these characters should be more focused on the rules between the shifters and not so much about everything else. Which should make it less complicated for readers to understand. The trouble I had with this story was that the rules were convoluted and I often got the impression that the characters themselves didn’t understand the rules or necessarily always follow them. It drives me nuts when an author screws around with their own rules or, worse, somehow conveys that they themselves don’t have a firm grasp on the rules but are simply throwing things around willy-nilly in order to further their plot.
Maybe I’m not grasping how the whole deal works (but then maybe the author isn’t explaining or offering enough for me to understand it all), or perhaps it’s really not that organized and is a total shitshow rule wise. Who knows? I just get tired of reading silliness. In the end it pretty much ruined what should have been a decent set of characters.
September 14, 2017
My review and an extended sample of the audiobook are posted at .
So we are back in Grayslake surrounded by bears. Keen is the youngest of four brothers. Each of his other brothers had a place in the inner circle of the clan. Ty, the oldest, is the alpha. Van is the enforcer. Isaac is the healer. Keen has been functioning as the clan’s Keeper. He knows the laws inside and out, but he has never been officially given the title. He has always felt a little apart from his brothers. It has made him a little bit bitter.
Trista is a half-hyena. Her father was the old alpha, who has caused all kinds of mischief in the area. So much that a purge has been called (all hyenas must leave the area or be killed). Trista has been living a hard life. Her father wouldn’t let her mother take her out of the area, but she was also only allow in the different areas on a “visit� which limited her time in each area. She knew all the laws and fought hard to stay in them. If she overstayed in anyone else’s territory, her life would be forfeit.
Keen is quickly taken to Trista and doesn’t take kindly when his family doesn’t treat her well because of her father. They don’t ever talk to her and learn that her father treated her like crap too.
I love the characters that Celia Kyle writes. They aren’t perfect, but their flaws make them better. I can see people I know (myself included) having to deal with some of the many issues that Celia Kyle makes her characters go through. Life isn’t easy for her characters, but I think they are better people for their troubles. I also think we see a lot of lessons learned throughout this series. And, the books are really funny too.
Narration
Kendall Taylor continues to do really well with this series. I really like all the voices that she does for each of the characters. She has no problems with the growing cast of male and female characters. I think her pacing and tone are really well done. I would recommend her.
**I like to thank the publisher for providing me with a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
So we are back in Grayslake surrounded by bears. Keen is the youngest of four brothers. Each of his other brothers had a place in the inner circle of the clan. Ty, the oldest, is the alpha. Van is the enforcer. Isaac is the healer. Keen has been functioning as the clan’s Keeper. He knows the laws inside and out, but he has never been officially given the title. He has always felt a little apart from his brothers. It has made him a little bit bitter.
Trista is a half-hyena. Her father was the old alpha, who has caused all kinds of mischief in the area. So much that a purge has been called (all hyenas must leave the area or be killed). Trista has been living a hard life. Her father wouldn’t let her mother take her out of the area, but she was also only allow in the different areas on a “visit� which limited her time in each area. She knew all the laws and fought hard to stay in them. If she overstayed in anyone else’s territory, her life would be forfeit.
Keen is quickly taken to Trista and doesn’t take kindly when his family doesn’t treat her well because of her father. They don’t ever talk to her and learn that her father treated her like crap too.
I love the characters that Celia Kyle writes. They aren’t perfect, but their flaws make them better. I can see people I know (myself included) having to deal with some of the many issues that Celia Kyle makes her characters go through. Life isn’t easy for her characters, but I think they are better people for their troubles. I also think we see a lot of lessons learned throughout this series. And, the books are really funny too.
Narration
Kendall Taylor continues to do really well with this series. I really like all the voices that she does for each of the characters. She has no problems with the growing cast of male and female characters. I think her pacing and tone are really well done. I would recommend her.
**I like to thank the publisher for providing me with a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
November 29, 2014
I find I quite dislike series books that make previous H's or h's jerks. Why have the person likable in 'their' book and then a total jerk in a later book? That happened with Van AND Ty in this story. When you add that to the fact that none of the other characters were really likable either I had a hard time with this book. I really liked the first two books in the series and am hoping the forth will be more like them.
March 2, 2015
easily predictable shifter read but it was decent
I was in the mood for a good shifter romance and this had that. I didn't love it but it was ok. I really like Keens character. Unfortunately mia was in this book too much for my preference. I just tire of her constantly ranting about "language". Overall the plot and characters were predictable but I'll probably still give other books in this series a try.
I was in the mood for a good shifter romance and this had that. I didn't love it but it was ok. I really like Keens character. Unfortunately mia was in this book too much for my preference. I just tire of her constantly ranting about "language". Overall the plot and characters were predictable but I'll probably still give other books in this series a try.
April 20, 2024
I read this without knowing there were two other books before it. This can be read as a stand-alone, but I think the characters and rules would be easier to understand if I'd read the first two books first.
There were parts that were fun, parts that were frustrating, and several parts where I was thinking: WTF?!? Their rule are seriously backward.
There were parts that were fun, parts that were frustrating, and several parts where I was thinking: WTF?!? Their rule are seriously backward.
January 2, 2015
The third book features Keen, the neglected baby brother, and Trista, the tormented half-hyena sister to the hyena Alpha.
The Good, The Bad and Everything In Between
Solid character writing: I started this book because I was in between ARC reads, and frankly I wanted to clear off my kindle. I was kind of meh about the earlier two books, and I didn’t have alot of hopes for this one. I was pleasantly surprised - it was unexpectedly touching, the story pulled me in and while there are always familiar elements in shifter romances, this one was well done.
A tortured, protective hero: I never realized how crappy Keen’s family was to him, which frankly made me like the heroes from the earlier books less. I will say that it made the entire family situation feel a little more real than what’s typically portrayed in these books - usually the family may exchange some banter, but there’s never this deep resentment and anger because of past actions and I enjoyed that realistic touch. It made Keen come alive in my mind, and differentiated him from the other Abrams. Other than this, Keen’s protectiveness of Trista, and women in his family in general, was lovely.
A long suffering heroine: Trista suffers for being a minority shifter (half hyena) and tortured by her half brother for as long as she can remember. Trista and her human mother spent most of her life never staying in one place for too long because of shifter laws.
No insta-love, really: Part and parcel of shifter romances are the instant connection (usually by the hero to the heroine) that prompts them to pursue a relationship. Keen is attracted to Trista right away, and he does his fair share of “mine� speak, but the actual love and relationship builds gradually. It’s when they start to share their pain and Keen stands up against everyone to protect Trista that you see their relationship start to blossom. I really liked the fact that this book is about two incredibly likeable leads who find solace in each other. As they were treated unfairly, you can’t help but root for them to stand together and tell everyone else to eff off.
Deus ex machina in full effect: The story was plugging along, building towards an tense and emotional climax�..and then, a plot twist comes along that pretty much wraps up all the problems up in a neat little bow. A bit too neatly. But I was so invested in rooting for Keen and Trista, that I let it work on me, and I only side-eyed it a little.
Standalone HEA: Yes, it’s part of this continuing series, and yes you’d benefit from reading the earlier books, but I don’t think it’s necessary.
The Bottom Line
I think it’s my fave of the series, an unexpected treat.
The Good, The Bad and Everything In Between
Solid character writing: I started this book because I was in between ARC reads, and frankly I wanted to clear off my kindle. I was kind of meh about the earlier two books, and I didn’t have alot of hopes for this one. I was pleasantly surprised - it was unexpectedly touching, the story pulled me in and while there are always familiar elements in shifter romances, this one was well done.
A tortured, protective hero: I never realized how crappy Keen’s family was to him, which frankly made me like the heroes from the earlier books less. I will say that it made the entire family situation feel a little more real than what’s typically portrayed in these books - usually the family may exchange some banter, but there’s never this deep resentment and anger because of past actions and I enjoyed that realistic touch. It made Keen come alive in my mind, and differentiated him from the other Abrams. Other than this, Keen’s protectiveness of Trista, and women in his family in general, was lovely.
A long suffering heroine: Trista suffers for being a minority shifter (half hyena) and tortured by her half brother for as long as she can remember. Trista and her human mother spent most of her life never staying in one place for too long because of shifter laws.
No insta-love, really: Part and parcel of shifter romances are the instant connection (usually by the hero to the heroine) that prompts them to pursue a relationship. Keen is attracted to Trista right away, and he does his fair share of “mine� speak, but the actual love and relationship builds gradually. It’s when they start to share their pain and Keen stands up against everyone to protect Trista that you see their relationship start to blossom. I really liked the fact that this book is about two incredibly likeable leads who find solace in each other. As they were treated unfairly, you can’t help but root for them to stand together and tell everyone else to eff off.
Deus ex machina in full effect: The story was plugging along, building towards an tense and emotional climax�..and then, a plot twist comes along that pretty much wraps up all the problems up in a neat little bow. A bit too neatly. But I was so invested in rooting for Keen and Trista, that I let it work on me, and I only side-eyed it a little.
Standalone HEA: Yes, it’s part of this continuing series, and yes you’d benefit from reading the earlier books, but I don’t think it’s necessary.
The Bottom Line
I think it’s my fave of the series, an unexpected treat.
November 29, 2015
Review originally posted at .
This author has been tackling tough subjects with this series. The previous book talked about domestic abuse of a secondary character. This book is no different. The heroine is half hyena. In previous books in the series the bear and wolf pack have had very bad run-ins with hyenas. They decided to run all hyenas out of their territory in a move called a “purge�.
Trista is half hyena. She has lived a tough life trying to follow rules in a world that she really doesn’t fit in. Even the hyena pack treated her poorly. Once her father died, she had the little bit of protection she had, stripped from her. Her half-brother is now in charge of the hyenas and he doesn’t like her.
Keen is seen as a happy youngest brother of the Abrams brothers. Looks can be deceiving though. Keen had a rough childhood. He did something that he now has to live with. His punishment was stiff and probably only made things worse. Now his bear just wants to kill everyone. Add to the fact that everyone keeps treating his fated mate like she is the scourge of the earth. Even his family is treating her badly.
This story was interesting. Normally this series has been mostly a fun-loving series. This story didn’t have the giggle moments that I’m used to in the previous books. There were a few here and there. Mostly this book touched on some tough subjects. It was interesting to see characters that I’ve come to enjoy, act like bigots towards a new character because of the way the pack of her species had acted, not because of her actions. Now I read this book before what happened in Paris and the book was written long before this all started. But, the story does hit very close to home.
This author has been tackling tough subjects with this series. The previous book talked about domestic abuse of a secondary character. This book is no different. The heroine is half hyena. In previous books in the series the bear and wolf pack have had very bad run-ins with hyenas. They decided to run all hyenas out of their territory in a move called a “purge�.
Trista is half hyena. She has lived a tough life trying to follow rules in a world that she really doesn’t fit in. Even the hyena pack treated her poorly. Once her father died, she had the little bit of protection she had, stripped from her. Her half-brother is now in charge of the hyenas and he doesn’t like her.
Keen is seen as a happy youngest brother of the Abrams brothers. Looks can be deceiving though. Keen had a rough childhood. He did something that he now has to live with. His punishment was stiff and probably only made things worse. Now his bear just wants to kill everyone. Add to the fact that everyone keeps treating his fated mate like she is the scourge of the earth. Even his family is treating her badly.
This story was interesting. Normally this series has been mostly a fun-loving series. This story didn’t have the giggle moments that I’m used to in the previous books. There were a few here and there. Mostly this book touched on some tough subjects. It was interesting to see characters that I’ve come to enjoy, act like bigots towards a new character because of the way the pack of her species had acted, not because of her actions. Now I read this book before what happened in Paris and the book was written long before this all started. But, the story does hit very close to home.
April 19, 2017
4.5 Stars
I loved this book! I love that Keen was such a hidden treasure. This was by far my favorite book so far. I loved that He had a dark past and that even though he was strong enough to be an Itan he chose to let others lead as it suited him better, even though he was stronger. I loved that he was immediately absorbed in Trista and that he protected her.
I love Parker, he's always growing and growling. I love that he is willing to apologize and he is extremely cute and loveable.
If I was Lauren I probably would cut Van- Just saying he needs a good swat.
I absolutely loved Trista and her inner strength. I wasn't sure how Ms. Kyle was going to be able to pull off the Hyena bit but I loved her. She was dealt a raw hand in life and there was much that was taken from her in a plot twist...
I cant wait to keep reading this series!
I loved this book! I love that Keen was such a hidden treasure. This was by far my favorite book so far. I loved that He had a dark past and that even though he was strong enough to be an Itan he chose to let others lead as it suited him better, even though he was stronger. I loved that he was immediately absorbed in Trista and that he protected her.
I love Parker, he's always growing and growling. I love that he is willing to apologize and he is extremely cute and loveable.
If I was Lauren I probably would cut Van- Just saying he needs a good swat.
I absolutely loved Trista and her inner strength. I wasn't sure how Ms. Kyle was going to be able to pull off the Hyena bit but I loved her. She was dealt a raw hand in life and there was much that was taken from her in a plot twist...
I cant wait to keep reading this series!
November 7, 2014
I love Celia Kyle's writing. Each new book just seems to be better than the last.
I really loved the first book which set up the marvelous bear clan of Grayslake and was then continued with which saw the hyena purge which then has consequences in this book.
I'd felt sorry for Keen in the previous 2 books and I'm happy that he got his HEA here.
This book was full of emotion and backstabbing vengeance and a bear who knew he wanted his woman even when she wasn't sure.
I really loved the first book which set up the marvelous bear clan of Grayslake and was then continued with which saw the hyena purge which then has consequences in this book.
I'd felt sorry for Keen in the previous 2 books and I'm happy that he got his HEA here.
This book was full of emotion and backstabbing vengeance and a bear who knew he wanted his woman even when she wasn't sure.
June 26, 2016
Definitely the darkest part of the series so far, but fills in quite a few details from previous subplots. The last Abrams I expected to be so dark and damaged inside was Keen. Van did not surprise me in the least.
Shows the darker, more historically traditional aspects of clan life in this world, but also gives a glimpse of how the world is being slowly changed and pulled away from some of the more damaging traditions.
Shows the darker, more historically traditional aspects of clan life in this world, but also gives a glimpse of how the world is being slowly changed and pulled away from some of the more damaging traditions.
September 24, 2015
Best book in the series
October 16, 2019
Ugh. I am not liking these books. The shifter sexism, racism/species-ism is just too much for me. Not enough escapism, too much stress and unhappiness.
I just re-read the blurbs and find them misleading, they infer a lighter, funnier book, with lusty mating.
And the actual story barely has the fated mate couple have any sexy times at all. The story has a good resolution, with recognition of the pain (emotional and physical) that both hero and heroine have suffered. Amends are made, but it wasn’t enough for me to read more from this series.
Bought as part of audible escape package.
I just re-read the blurbs and find them misleading, they infer a lighter, funnier book, with lusty mating.
And the actual story barely has the fated mate couple have any sexy times at all. The story has a good resolution, with recognition of the pain (emotional and physical) that both hero and heroine have suffered. Amends are made, but it wasn’t enough for me to read more from this series.
Bought as part of audible escape package.
July 27, 2015
4 stars
**fair warning...when I proofed my review, I realized that it might be considered a bit spoilerish. I don't feel like rewriting it so this is your warning***
This was a very good story. I liked Keen and Trista and was happy to see them get together. There is an inst- attraction/love connection and things move very quickly but it works well and I didn't doubt their commitment to each other once they both got on board with the relationship.
Trista is a half-human/half-hyena. Her mother slept with the leader of the hyenas and had Trista. He had a mate and a son so Trista was raised without a father and hated and abused by the hyenas in the area. She only stayed alive because she knows the shifter laws about how long she can be in any one place and be safe. With the more recent hatred of hyenas by other shifters, things have been tougher on her than normal (and her life hasn't been good by a stretch).
Keen is the youngest of 4 bear shifter brothers. His oldest brother is the leader (the Itan), his second brother is the enforcer and his 3rd is the healer. That left Keen with very little attention from either his parents or his brothers and when he needed them they weren't always there for him. Keen's brothers see him as the younger and less-serious brother and once they labelled him as that, Keen was never able to escape that pigeonhole.
Keen had taken on the position of the Keeper (the one that keeps the laws and such) for the clan for the past 7 months but as the story's beginning, his brothers are (once again) showing their inability to see Keen as a grown man with a responsible position and basically treating him like crap and putting him down. The confrontation ends up with Keen not having the Keeper position any more and wondering how to get his brothers to take him seriously (because apparently doing a good job doesn't work). In Keen's need to escape his brothers, he leaves the clan home and stops in a gas station where he meets Trista. He realizes she's a hyena and part of him wants to run her out of town but his bear is very interested in making her theirs and keeping her (not caring that they'd barely met Trista). Trista is already having a bad day and catching Keen's attention is the last thing she needs. She tries to escape his notice and get away but Keen eventually tracks her down.
Keen's thoughts of running Trista out of town end quickly and he soon finds himself behaving protectively and wanting to help her. Trista hasn't had anyone to reply on in her life except her mother and her mother has been dead for a while. When Keen decides to help her she doesn't plan to accept but when her luck turns even worse, Trista gives in and lets Keen help her. This has mixed results because Van has a big issue with Hyenas and he (and even to a lesser extent, Ty) goes way too far in his efforts to split them up. Keen's bear is determined that Trista is his and he isn't taking crap from anyone so Keen stands up to his brothers to protect Trista and in the process ends up declaring Trista his mate. She's a bit freaked but they have this attraction between them and she decides to take the chance to trust him. So they decide it's them against the world (figuring that love is on it's way) and start working on making a home together. Unfortunately, there are threats coming from multiple angles. Reid (the local wolf Alpha) has had a hard-on for killing Trista because of who her blood is (no matter that her "blood" would love to kill her more than anyone). Trista isn't the only one to get visited by a ghost from the past and Keen has similar issues which reach out to threaten their possible happiness. There's some definite testing of family bonds and some forming of new ones as trouble is confronted. Thankfully, things work out well and Trtista and Keen end the story planning their well deserved HEA.
I enjoyed this story very much. Both Trista and Keen were likable and interesting characters. They also had somewhat tragic childhoods that marked them deeply. When they recognized each other as mates, it's like they finally saw a chance at hope and grabbed on tight. Overall, I liked the story and the characters (except the bad guys obviously) and am going on to read book #4 in the series next. I'd recommend this story. :D
**fair warning...when I proofed my review, I realized that it might be considered a bit spoilerish. I don't feel like rewriting it so this is your warning***
This was a very good story. I liked Keen and Trista and was happy to see them get together. There is an inst- attraction/love connection and things move very quickly but it works well and I didn't doubt their commitment to each other once they both got on board with the relationship.
Trista is a half-human/half-hyena. Her mother slept with the leader of the hyenas and had Trista. He had a mate and a son so Trista was raised without a father and hated and abused by the hyenas in the area. She only stayed alive because she knows the shifter laws about how long she can be in any one place and be safe. With the more recent hatred of hyenas by other shifters, things have been tougher on her than normal (and her life hasn't been good by a stretch).
Keen is the youngest of 4 bear shifter brothers. His oldest brother is the leader (the Itan), his second brother is the enforcer and his 3rd is the healer. That left Keen with very little attention from either his parents or his brothers and when he needed them they weren't always there for him. Keen's brothers see him as the younger and less-serious brother and once they labelled him as that, Keen was never able to escape that pigeonhole.
Keen had taken on the position of the Keeper (the one that keeps the laws and such) for the clan for the past 7 months but as the story's beginning, his brothers are (once again) showing their inability to see Keen as a grown man with a responsible position and basically treating him like crap and putting him down. The confrontation ends up with Keen not having the Keeper position any more and wondering how to get his brothers to take him seriously (because apparently doing a good job doesn't work). In Keen's need to escape his brothers, he leaves the clan home and stops in a gas station where he meets Trista. He realizes she's a hyena and part of him wants to run her out of town but his bear is very interested in making her theirs and keeping her (not caring that they'd barely met Trista). Trista is already having a bad day and catching Keen's attention is the last thing she needs. She tries to escape his notice and get away but Keen eventually tracks her down.
Keen's thoughts of running Trista out of town end quickly and he soon finds himself behaving protectively and wanting to help her. Trista hasn't had anyone to reply on in her life except her mother and her mother has been dead for a while. When Keen decides to help her she doesn't plan to accept but when her luck turns even worse, Trista gives in and lets Keen help her. This has mixed results because Van has a big issue with Hyenas and he (and even to a lesser extent, Ty) goes way too far in his efforts to split them up. Keen's bear is determined that Trista is his and he isn't taking crap from anyone so Keen stands up to his brothers to protect Trista and in the process ends up declaring Trista his mate. She's a bit freaked but they have this attraction between them and she decides to take the chance to trust him. So they decide it's them against the world (figuring that love is on it's way) and start working on making a home together. Unfortunately, there are threats coming from multiple angles. Reid (the local wolf Alpha) has had a hard-on for killing Trista because of who her blood is (no matter that her "blood" would love to kill her more than anyone). Trista isn't the only one to get visited by a ghost from the past and Keen has similar issues which reach out to threaten their possible happiness. There's some definite testing of family bonds and some forming of new ones as trouble is confronted. Thankfully, things work out well and Trtista and Keen end the story planning their well deserved HEA.
I enjoyed this story very much. Both Trista and Keen were likable and interesting characters. They also had somewhat tragic childhoods that marked them deeply. When they recognized each other as mates, it's like they finally saw a chance at hope and grabbed on tight. Overall, I liked the story and the characters (except the bad guys obviously) and am going on to read book #4 in the series next. I'd recommend this story. :D
September 6, 2014
Yes, I'm a Celia Kyle fan girl. Love her quirky sense of humor and how most of her heroines are on the curvy-esque side. This one is more serious than most others she writes and also the first two in this series, but I think this is one of her best books. Trista is half-hyena, and she has definitely had a very hard life up to the time she meets Keen (the youngest brother of the Itan Ty). Keen has been hiding his strength since he was a kid because it's not good to challenge the (alpha) Itan, especially if he's your brother.
Kyle deals with issues of prejudice, "retraining" to fit in, and mass extinction of a population (the hyenas) from the area. Serious stuff, but handled very well. I was so captured by the story of Trista and Keen and both their histories.
And, as usual with a Celia Kyle book, there is humor and lots of sexiness. What surprised me the most is that characters I liked from previous books in this series were given shades of dark because of their prejudices. Characterization like that is not easy to find in shifter books.
I don't give many books five stars, but this one was five stars for me.
Thanks for reading!
Kyle deals with issues of prejudice, "retraining" to fit in, and mass extinction of a population (the hyenas) from the area. Serious stuff, but handled very well. I was so captured by the story of Trista and Keen and both their histories.
And, as usual with a Celia Kyle book, there is humor and lots of sexiness. What surprised me the most is that characters I liked from previous books in this series were given shades of dark because of their prejudices. Characterization like that is not easy to find in shifter books.
I don't give many books five stars, but this one was five stars for me.
Thanks for reading!
May 25, 2023
Trista is a half hyena and half human trying to use shifter law to keep a step ahead of the wolf alpha that has been harassing her and her mother for years and also the Bears who ordered all hyenas purged from Grayslake territory. Her life gets even more difficult when she is evicted from her crappy apartment and all her stuff taken including her money stash. Enter Keen Abrams the youngest brother of the local Itan of the Bears. A little insta attraction and Keen's inner beast is telling him she's Mine and the challenge begins as he tries to convince a very damaged and fearful Tris to trust that he can protect her and keep her safe, something she has never felt or known.
This was a heart wrenching story of two very damaged characters finally finding peace and security together which they never had from their families. And a hope for a future that too quickly becomes threatened and possibly out of reach. This series edition sucked me in and didn't let go.
This was a heart wrenching story of two very damaged characters finally finding peace and security together which they never had from their families. And a hope for a future that too quickly becomes threatened and possibly out of reach. This series edition sucked me in and didn't let go.
April 5, 2020
Ughh ..
I dropped this book at 39% because I couldn't take it any more!!
This book was all over the place!! I felt like I was reading a different series than the last two!
BUT MANLY, because I HATE when authors go and ruin previous characters by making them assholes in later books!! WHY??!! OH WHY??
We continued reading the series because we LOVED Ty & Van!!
and now she went and ruined them for me .. I've re-read a couple of times .. but now I'm deleting it from my Kindle because as it turned out Ty is an asshole and we got cheated in the first book ..
I'm really disappointed ...
I dropped this book at 39% because I couldn't take it any more!!
This book was all over the place!! I felt like I was reading a different series than the last two!
BUT MANLY, because I HATE when authors go and ruin previous characters by making them assholes in later books!! WHY??!! OH WHY??
We continued reading the series because we LOVED Ty & Van!!
and now she went and ruined them for me .. I've re-read a couple of times .. but now I'm deleting it from my Kindle because as it turned out Ty is an asshole and we got cheated in the first book ..
I'm really disappointed ...
September 15, 2014
WOW! I have liked both the books in this series so far but...
AH!! This was the story was soo sad but also empowering at the same time. Trista is a half-hyena and she meets Keen a full werebear and its action packed from then on. With a wolf pack chasing Trista going on twenty years and Keen has the strenth and know how of not just any old Itan(or Alpha) but is in fact better than almost any bear. He supports Trista in a way that she has been missing and the way that Trista empowers him in his struggle to find a place in his clan and family. Such a great book!!!!!!
AH!! This was the story was soo sad but also empowering at the same time. Trista is a half-hyena and she meets Keen a full werebear and its action packed from then on. With a wolf pack chasing Trista going on twenty years and Keen has the strenth and know how of not just any old Itan(or Alpha) but is in fact better than almost any bear. He supports Trista in a way that she has been missing and the way that Trista empowers him in his struggle to find a place in his clan and family. Such a great book!!!!!!
September 5, 2015
My favorite book by far from the series.
I have noticed that all the characters, till now, portrayed by Celia Kyle have inadequacy issues in regards to clan and family members.
From the first books I would have never guessed than Keen would have so many issues to deal with in relation to Ty and Van. I was a bit disappointed with Ty's new found idiocy considering that shifters have strong ties and the Alpha in this case the Itan usually is a fair and just character (the good guy).
But Keen and Trisha's story was moving and wonderful so I enjoyed the fact that there were no "buts" and hesitations when it came to their mating.
I have noticed that all the characters, till now, portrayed by Celia Kyle have inadequacy issues in regards to clan and family members.
From the first books I would have never guessed than Keen would have so many issues to deal with in relation to Ty and Van. I was a bit disappointed with Ty's new found idiocy considering that shifters have strong ties and the Alpha in this case the Itan usually is a fair and just character (the good guy).
But Keen and Trisha's story was moving and wonderful so I enjoyed the fact that there were no "buts" and hesitations when it came to their mating.
August 28, 2014
I love the couple and the world building. I love the culture of bear and hyena.
However, the motivations of the secondary characters which really control the plot of the book make little sense. Such rabid and hate and quick turn around. Heroes from past books behaving very badly.
I enjoyed the romance and the lead characters are well developed and engaging but these other elements not so much
However, the motivations of the secondary characters which really control the plot of the book make little sense. Such rabid and hate and quick turn around. Heroes from past books behaving very badly.
I enjoyed the romance and the lead characters are well developed and engaging but these other elements not so much
August 26, 2014
I really loved this book and can't wait for the next one in the series. Please do not make me wait too long. All the books in this series are highly entertain. Highly recommend this author if you like good one liners and snarky comments.
April 12, 2019
This is my favorite in the series. Each couple has problems they must deal with--internal and external. But Keen's issues left deep scars that he had to deal with especially since some of them were caused by his family.
June 14, 2017
I liked the first book in this series, the second one was okay but not as good as the first. The third left a lot to be desired. I'm sorry but I think Keen is a whiny bitch. Why would you follow someone who is that unstable?
Keen has trouble keeping his bear in check and he beat up people when he was a young man to the point where he though he had killed them. He blames everything on his parents. His brothers got ALL the love/attention and he got "nothing". Keen is the fourth son and last son with three older brothers that are slated for high positions as the leader, second in command and healer. It's only natural that there would be little time for anything or anyone else when you have a situation like that. I mean, yes, his parents could have made a little more effort but blaming them for his life being such a sorry state is beyond stupid.
BTW, yes, I know and understand the meaning of parents not having enough attention. I am the third of three girls. My eldest sister has some mental issues and my older sister was my father's "son" so was spoiled by him. So where do you think that left me? You don't blame others for your lot in life, you suck it up, move on and/or learn by watching others. You don't beat the sh*t out of someone else and then get all pissed off when they send you away. The parents had three other children to look after who again are going to have large responsibilities when they are older. Plus Keen's mother didn't really want to but she followed her husband.
Trista is also kind of dumb. She has been in the territory of bears how can she not know the smell of a bear? I mean yes, her mother wasn't all bear but still.
This book just kind of irritated me. A man who would have sucked being a leader but thankfully didn't and a girl who isn't all that bright.
Keen has trouble keeping his bear in check and he beat up people when he was a young man to the point where he though he had killed them. He blames everything on his parents. His brothers got ALL the love/attention and he got "nothing". Keen is the fourth son and last son with three older brothers that are slated for high positions as the leader, second in command and healer. It's only natural that there would be little time for anything or anyone else when you have a situation like that. I mean, yes, his parents could have made a little more effort but blaming them for his life being such a sorry state is beyond stupid.
BTW, yes, I know and understand the meaning of parents not having enough attention. I am the third of three girls. My eldest sister has some mental issues and my older sister was my father's "son" so was spoiled by him. So where do you think that left me? You don't blame others for your lot in life, you suck it up, move on and/or learn by watching others. You don't beat the sh*t out of someone else and then get all pissed off when they send you away. The parents had three other children to look after who again are going to have large responsibilities when they are older. Plus Keen's mother didn't really want to but she followed her husband.
Trista is also kind of dumb. She has been in the territory of bears how can she not know the smell of a bear? I mean yes, her mother wasn't all bear but still.
This book just kind of irritated me. A man who would have sucked being a leader but thankfully didn't and a girl who isn't all that bright.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 16, 2017
I actually liked the previous books in the series but this one drove me crazy! First of all WHY would you make the main characters from the earlier books such unlikable jerks in this book. If they were jerks first and then redeemed in their books I could go for it. But I hate when I like a character in their book and then really dislike them in the next book. That was the case with both Van and Ty in this book. My second problem was that a lot of this book just made no sense in the respect that the "rules" of this society only seemed to apply to Keen and Trista. Or maybe they were the only ones who were willing to go along with them even if it meant they'd die? I mean everyone else is just breaking the rules all over the place with no punishment. Then there is the fact that the shifters are supposed to be able to smell a lie and yet when one of the shifters lies about a situation everyone just goes along with it even though he has a big grudge against the person he is accusing/lying about. Finally, I don't understand why the wolves are entering bear territory and deciding punishments and other things against bears? Really? It makes the bear alpha seem weak and spineless. Finally, So while I liked Keen and Trista that's about all I liked about this book.
December 4, 2019
Review initially posted on kittylishareviews.blogspot.com.
Trista is a half hyena shifter who had had to fight for every day of her life. Her dad didn't want her, her half-brother wanted her dead, and even after he was gone the Eton's rules decided that there was a purge on all hyenas. So long as she didn't stay in one place over 12 hours she was safe from the bears.
Keen may seem like the play-boy younger brother of the Eton and Keep of the clan rules, but he was so much more than that. For one he didn't like having to use the women but his bear didn't give him much choice. Until he scented Trista and his bear had to have her no matter the cost.
As always I have a soft spot for paranormal romances. I look for features of my own mate in every book and I am rarely disappointed. Especially when it comes to the gruff and over-protective types; but I love him. Within the book we get to see a male stand up for what's his while the females tries to decide if she should stay or run like she has always done. Personally I chose a random audiobook and had not read the others in order to have known some of the characters first hand. As this is book 3 I have little doubt that I will get around to reading others.
I didn't want to give too much away but 2 outcasts that everyone looked down upon finding each other will always be at the top of my list of books to read.
Trista is a half hyena shifter who had had to fight for every day of her life. Her dad didn't want her, her half-brother wanted her dead, and even after he was gone the Eton's rules decided that there was a purge on all hyenas. So long as she didn't stay in one place over 12 hours she was safe from the bears.
Keen may seem like the play-boy younger brother of the Eton and Keep of the clan rules, but he was so much more than that. For one he didn't like having to use the women but his bear didn't give him much choice. Until he scented Trista and his bear had to have her no matter the cost.
As always I have a soft spot for paranormal romances. I look for features of my own mate in every book and I am rarely disappointed. Especially when it comes to the gruff and over-protective types; but I love him. Within the book we get to see a male stand up for what's his while the females tries to decide if she should stay or run like she has always done. Personally I chose a random audiobook and had not read the others in order to have known some of the characters first hand. As this is book 3 I have little doubt that I will get around to reading others.
I didn't want to give too much away but 2 outcasts that everyone looked down upon finding each other will always be at the top of my list of books to read.
January 13, 2020
I'm still reading the book, but I just have to pop on and say, "Poor Keen." I just feel so bad for him, for the way his brothers treat him as if he's nothing. It's just really sad.
Hopping on again to say what a jackhole Trista's half brother is. Proves exactly why some hyena's are probably part jackass.
I'm done reading now and, wow, talk about an emotional rollercoaster ride. Keen and Trista both have traumatic pasts and they have each had to learn how to cope with those pasts. If any two people are desrving of a HEA, it's these two. I'm really glad that they made the decisions they did at the end. I think it's going to be a bright future for them. Also, I'm glad that Keen's family has finally managed to get their heads out of their butts and that Trista has found new family. I got to say that I also really love the fact that Lauren and Mia don't wilt under their men or any men for that matter. Plus, I get a good laugh every time Mia shouts Language at someone. Well done to the author for writing another great story.
Well done to the narrator for bringing the characters and the story to life. I wasn't crazy about some of the voices she chose, but she still did a really good job. Looking forward to listening to the next story.
Hopping on again to say what a jackhole Trista's half brother is. Proves exactly why some hyena's are probably part jackass.
I'm done reading now and, wow, talk about an emotional rollercoaster ride. Keen and Trista both have traumatic pasts and they have each had to learn how to cope with those pasts. If any two people are desrving of a HEA, it's these two. I'm really glad that they made the decisions they did at the end. I think it's going to be a bright future for them. Also, I'm glad that Keen's family has finally managed to get their heads out of their butts and that Trista has found new family. I got to say that I also really love the fact that Lauren and Mia don't wilt under their men or any men for that matter. Plus, I get a good laugh every time Mia shouts Language at someone. Well done to the author for writing another great story.
Well done to the narrator for bringing the characters and the story to life. I wasn't crazy about some of the voices she chose, but she still did a really good job. Looking forward to listening to the next story.
Read
January 13, 2020I'm still reading the book, but I just have to pop on and say, "Poor Keen." I just feel so bad for him, for the way his brothers treat him as if he's nothing. It's just really sad.
Hopping on again to say what a jackhole Trista's half brother is. Proves exactly why some hyena's are probably part jackass.
I'm done reading now and, wow, talk about an emotional rollercoaster ride. Keen and Trista both have traumatic pasts and they have each had to learn how to cope with those pasts. If any two people are desrving of a HEA, it's these two. I'm really glad that they made the decisions they did at the end. I think it's going to be a bright future for them. Also, I'm glad that Keen's family has finally managed to get their heads out of their butts and that Trista has found new family. I got to say that I also really love the fact that Lauren and Mia don't wilt under their men or any men for that matter. Plus, I get a good laugh every time Mia shouts Language at someone. Well done to the author for writing another great story. I look forward to reading the next one.
Hopping on again to say what a jackhole Trista's half brother is. Proves exactly why some hyena's are probably part jackass.
I'm done reading now and, wow, talk about an emotional rollercoaster ride. Keen and Trista both have traumatic pasts and they have each had to learn how to cope with those pasts. If any two people are desrving of a HEA, it's these two. I'm really glad that they made the decisions they did at the end. I think it's going to be a bright future for them. Also, I'm glad that Keen's family has finally managed to get their heads out of their butts and that Trista has found new family. I got to say that I also really love the fact that Lauren and Mia don't wilt under their men or any men for that matter. Plus, I get a good laugh every time Mia shouts Language at someone. Well done to the author for writing another great story. I look forward to reading the next one.
December 26, 2019
I spent a couple of days off around Christmas listening to the audiobooks of the first four in this series, and they were a fun background to Christmas cooking and other activities. For the most part, they were like cotton candy - light, fun and sweet - except I was surprised by how bloody and gory they became (I came to expect it after the first book, but it was a little startling initially). I think this author will join my list of books to read when I need something low-angst.
November 27, 2021
³Ù³Ü°ù²ú³Ü±ô±ð²Ô³Ùâ€�
2.5 but raised to 3 because I like Trista.
Well the family drama kept it fresh.
It’s weird that Ty and Van come off as the bad guys in this when they were the heroes in their own stories. That always messes with me so it made things interesting. Not good or bad, weird. And thought-provoking.
The women were supportive. I wanted them to ask why she couldn’t shift though, or have it explained to Trista. I wanted the reveal that they were basically abusing a victim and not a bad guy like they thought. I wanted excuses as part of the drama but I was ok with what I got.
Some things bothered me but I can’t recall them. They were big enough to bother me, but not enough to remember.
Overall this book probably had the most drama and it entertained me.
2.5 but raised to 3 because I like Trista.
Well the family drama kept it fresh.
It’s weird that Ty and Van come off as the bad guys in this when they were the heroes in their own stories. That always messes with me so it made things interesting. Not good or bad, weird. And thought-provoking.
The women were supportive. I wanted them to ask why she couldn’t shift though, or have it explained to Trista. I wanted the reveal that they were basically abusing a victim and not a bad guy like they thought. I wanted excuses as part of the drama but I was ok with what I got.
Some things bothered me but I can’t recall them. They were big enough to bother me, but not enough to remember.
Overall this book probably had the most drama and it entertained me.
September 20, 2018
I liked Keen in the previous books. I liked his light hearted nature and his sense of humor. The fact that he lost that in this book (and that it was really just a mask anyhow) kind of bothered me.
This book also lost a star because Mia is the absolute worst. WORST. A quarter of this book is spent with Mia scolding other characters for cursing, allowed or in their head. Having a character think a curse word and then Mia returns with "Language!"... oh for fuck's sake. It's not cute, it's not charming. It's down right annoying.
Otherwise, I enjoyed Keen/Trista's story. It wasn't as strong as the other stories in this series, which is a shame because Keen.
This book also lost a star because Mia is the absolute worst. WORST. A quarter of this book is spent with Mia scolding other characters for cursing, allowed or in their head. Having a character think a curse word and then Mia returns with "Language!"... oh for fuck's sake. It's not cute, it's not charming. It's down right annoying.
Otherwise, I enjoyed Keen/Trista's story. It wasn't as strong as the other stories in this series, which is a shame because Keen.
February 22, 2021
Hunted by the Bear (Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance Bears of Grayslake Book 3 )
The love story of Trista and Keen. Keen is\ was the keeper of the Grayslake clan but everyone thought of him as a playboy. Trista is on the run from everyone. She does not stay in one place more then 12 hours. When Keen saw Trista he want her. IfWho is Trista and why does the Alpha of the wolves want her dead?
The love story of Trista and Keen. Keen is\ was the keeper of the Grayslake clan but everyone thought of him as a playboy. Trista is on the run from everyone. She does not stay in one place more then 12 hours. When Keen saw Trista he want her. IfWho is Trista and why does the Alpha of the wolves want her dead?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 182 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.