Lions, Tigers, and Sexy Bears Oh My!

By Candace Havens

Lions, Tigers, and Sexy Bears Oh My! by Candace Havens

A Montana town where no one is who they seem....

Everything about runaway heiress Ainsley McLeon screamed trouble—from her luscious midnight locks to her Louboutin-clad toes. Yet sexy, stoic bar owner Luc couldn't deny the instant connection he felt to the tempting stranger…or the long-dead feelings she evoked. She could work in his pub until her truck was fixed but after that she had to leave town for good.

Ainsley traveled with her own emotional baggage and there was no way she'd fall for the bear-tempered Luc...no matter how many passionate nights she spent in his bed or how safe she felt in his muscular arms. Can these two opposites find love in the middle of a blizzard, or will Luc's darker side and Ainsley's past catch up with them?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
• Release date: Jul 22, 2013
• ISBN: 9781622668076

Candace Havens

Candace "Candy" Havens is a best selling and award-winning author. She is a two-time RITA, Write Touch Reader and Holt Medallion finalist. She is also the winner of the Barbara Wilson award. Candy is a nationally syndicated entertainment columnist for FYI Television. A veteran journalist she has interviewed just about everyone in Hollywood and you can hear Candy weekly on New Country 96.3 KSCS in the Dallas Fort Worth Area.

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Lions, Tigers and Sexy Bears, Oh My!

Candace Havens

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

Copyright © 2013 by Candace Havens. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce, distribute, or transmit in any form or by any means. For information regarding subsidiary rights, please contact the Publisher.

Entangled Publishing, LLC

2614 South Timberline Road

Suite 109

Fort Collins, CO 80525

Visit our website at www.entangledpublishing.com.

Edited by Shannon Godwin

Cover design by Amber Shah

Ebook ISBN 978-1-62266-807-6

Manufactured in the United States of America

First Edition July 2013

The author acknowledges the copyrighted or trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction: Christian Louboutin, She’s Having My Baby, John Wayne, Wharton School of Business, Marlboro, Ralph Lauren, Twilight Zone, Judo, Architectural Digest, Hell’s Angel, Jack Daniels, Chucks, FBI, LAX, Discovery Channel, Science Channel, Mister Rogers Neighborhood, It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Shiner Bock, Life of Pi, Goodfellows.

This book is dedicated to my fans. You are awesomesauce.

And Liz, thank you for the story.

Table of Contents

Cover

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Epilogue

About the Author

Chapter One

The icy air outside was too much for the heater of the well-used Ford truck. Ainsley worried her fingers would have to be forcibly removed from the steering wheel they were so cold. The blinding snow didn’t help. Even if there were somewhere for her to stop, visibility was zero. She’d been on the winding Montana road for hours without any sign of life. With her luck, she’d probably freeze to death in the wilderness. It had been that kind of day.

She imagined the headlines her sudden flight from her life in California would cause. Heiress to McLeon Fortune Disappears Without a Trace. She sniffed and stomped her Louboutin-clad left foot on the floor of the truck to keep it from getting frostbite. At least out in the wilds of Montana, she didn’t have to worry about her family trying to murder her. Maybe they’d get lucky and a bear would eat her.

Stop it. New life. Remember? We’re leaving all that behind.

But betrayal was a hard thing for her to forget. Especially, when it was done at the hands of those she trusted most.

She glanced down to make sure she’d turned the knob the right way for the heat and frowned. The salesman should have mentioned that the truck didn’t have heat and one of the headlights was broken. The guy hadn’t blinked an eye when she’d handed over five hundred dollars and said she didn’t want to have to worry about paper work. He’d given her the keys and put the money in his pocket.

Shivering uncontrollably, she hunched her shoulders and leaned forward. The wipers didn’t work so well, but she could see something in the road ahead. Pumping the breaks to slow down, the back of the truck shifted and slid sideways across the ice. Trees whizzed past her as she turned into the skid like she’d always been told to do, but to no avail.

Craaapppp, she screamed as she let go of the wheel realizing nothing she did would help. Everything happened so fast as the vehicle plowed through a snow bank and into a tree.

The force knocked her face and head against the steering wheel at the same time, the seatbelt cutting into her ribs and waist.

The truck sputtered and the radio made a strange squawking sound. Reaching over she turned it off. Coughing as if it gasped for its last breath, everything quit all at once.

She closed her eyes and she let go of the breath she’d been holding.

Out in the middle of nowhere without a cell phone, heat, or even a coat. Brilliant.

When she’d left Beverly Hills, she’d driven straight to the airport, bought a ticket to a place no one would think to look for her, and boarded the plane ten minutes later.

Grrrrrrrr. Something growled outside the door of the truck.

She locked her jaw to keep her chattering teeth quiet.

Twisting carefully, she tried to pop the button on the seatbelt but it didn’t work. Jamming her finger harder, her nail broke but the latch didn’t give.

Wonderful. Instead of freezing to death, I’ll be eaten by a wild animal. Part of her mind wondered which death would be worse, as the other side of her brain tried to find a way out.

Of course, she could have stayed in L.A. and let the guys with guns kill her.

Leaning toward the window, she used her hand to wipe away the frosted fog. There was no light to see anything but she sensed whatever it was that growled moved.

She needed light. Her purse had fallen to the floor during the crash. Using her leg, she hooked it over her toe and brought it to the seat. Inside she found the small diamond encrusted key chain with her initial. On the loop with the keys, there was a small penlight she used to find things in her bucket of a purse. Flashing it out the window, the prowling creature came into view.

No, way. She closed her eyes and opened them again. She must have hit her head harder than she thought.

The orange and black stripes were unmistakable.

What in the hell was a tiger doing in the middle of Montana? The huge monster’s eyes burned into hers.

Well, at least it would be somewhat exotic to die by tiger.

The beast, seemingly curious about the light, eased closer to the door and sniffed. As a child, Ainsley had been on safari with her mother and father and she’d seen what a tiger could do to its prey in a matter of seconds. The vehicle jiggled and a loud thump hit the bed of the truck. This was it.

Only ribbons of Ainsley would be left by the time it was done.

The perfect ending to the worst day of her life.

Well, not the worst. That had been last year when her parents died, but this was close.

Another large thump in the truck bed caused her to jump.

Glancing back, she saw the tiger’s nose pressed against the window, which was only a few inches from her head. Expecting a large paw to crash through the glass at any moment, she held her breath.

Nothing happened. Lovely, it was toying with her.

Just kill me, she screamed. It’s the least you could do. Don’t make me wait.

The tiger’s head popped back as if it understood what she said.

Then it sat there staring at her.

Tears welled, but she refused to let them fall. She was a McLeon. She never cried. Not even when she put her parents in the ground.

Sniffling, she willed herself to focus. She reached down for the seatbelt and tried unsuccessfully to undo it again.

When she turned back, the tiger continued to stare.

The absurdity of the situation wasn’t lost on her.

So, hang around these woods often?

The tiger made a noise that sounded like a snort and its big fangs poked out.

That’s it. I’m delirious. Now I think you’re laughing at me.

The tiger nodded. Or at least she thought it did.

Great. I can’t even die sane.

She’d read how hypothermia led to hallucinations. But she couldn’t decide whether it would be better if the tiger were real or not. Hypothermia was serious…but then again, a tiger in her truck bed definitely counted as a bad situation. Before she could say something else, a light blinded her. Shading her eyes with her hand, she could have sworn the tiger nodded at her again before jumping out of the truck bed and disappearing into the night.

Ma’am, a male voice called to her.

She started when a fist pounded on the window beside her.

Are you okay?

Yes, she mumbled. My seatbelt is stuck. She looked up and caught the dim outline of some kind of officer, his badge on his chest the only thing she could make out, then turned her attention back to her seatbelt latch.

Unlock the door, and let me see if I can help, the voice offered.

She did what he asked but the handle on the door didn’t work. No matter how hard she pulled, the thing didn’t budge.

Lean back, the voice ordered.

The sound of metal ripping was followed by a blast of freezing cold air that sucked the breath right out of her. Screaming seemed like a good idea, but the shock of the tiger—or the cold blast from the door being ripped open—caused a brain freeze, and not the fun kind from eating ice cream.

What the hell? the man asked.

What’s wrong?

Where is your coat? Why are you dressed like that? Were you on your way to some party? And at the very least you should have some blankets with you. The man shone the flashlight across the cab and then back at her.

She agreed that her skirt, blouse, and heels were hardly appropriate for the weather but she hadn’t had time to worry about that when she fled for her life.

Without waiting for an answer he brought out a huge knife.

Hey, she shouted but he ignored her as he sliced though the belt.

Then he stood there for a moment.

You can’t walk in those shoes.

Who are you? she asked, lifting her chin.

Don’t get all hoity toity with me lady. We don’t take kindly to that sort of attitude around here.

The words on the tip of her tongue were sharp and angry. So she did the only thing she could, she bit back her retort. This was no time to make enemies. This man wanted to help her out of a situation that was almost certain death.

Please forgive me, she said as her teeth chattered. I’m cold, hungry and scared to death. My body feels like someone pummeled me and did I mention I’m cold? She shivered uncontrollably.

Ah, hell. The man scooped her up out of the truck as if her five-foot seven frame weighed nothing. That couldn’t have been further from the truth. Her mother used to say Ainsley was big boned, but everyone knew it was her obsession with food that kept her a healthy size twelve-—maybe a ten if she double-Spanxed her curves.

Before she could breathe in the freezing air, she was inside a squad car with warmth blowing at her full blast. She held out her hands to the heat. Maybe she’d survive the frostbite after all.

The man opened the driver door and handed over her purse.

Thank you, she said.

Be right back, he said. She watched as he strode toward the truck. He shook his head as if he saw something in the bed of it. Maybe the tiger paw prints? Did she have a Life of Pi moment with the tiger? Was it all her imagination?

The officer pulled out a camera phone and took a picture before stuffing it in his pocket. Then he opened his trunk and pulled out some kind of bundle.

Wrap these around you, he said handing her three wool blankets. The scratchy material was rash inducing, but she wasn’t about to complain. She wrapped one around her shoulders, and another around her legs. She put the third one over her head.

You’re very kind, officer, she said, her teeth still chattering.

Sorry about being short with you. Comes with the job, and I was worried you had frostbite. I’m Deputy Conrad Joseph, he introduced himself as he put the car in gear.

I’m Ainsley, uh, Carter, she said trying to think of a name that would hide her identity. He’d caught her off guard with the introduction.

Well, Ms. Carter, care to explain why you’re trespassing on a protected preserve?

…

As the full moon neared, a wild vibe hovered around the bar as it always did this time of the month. The edgy energy meant Luc had to keep a sharp eye on the crowd. Tempers flared quickly in Clarksville, Montana; an all-out brawl might explode in a matter of seconds.

Patty picked up a tray laden with empty beer bottles.

Dammit, Luc hopped over the bar and grabbed the tray. More than once she’d strained her lower back. The last thing he needed was for her to collapse in the middle of the bar. Keen would kill him, or at least he’d try.

What the— Patty gasped as he lifted the tray out of her hands.

I told you not to carry the heavy trays. You call for me, Luc’s voice was gruff with concern. Keen and Patty were two of his best friends and if he hadn’t been so desperate for help in the bar, she’d be at home with her feet up and her pregnant body reclined.

Slapping at his hand, she tried to reach the tray. But with Luc at six feet five inches tall, she didn’t have a chance. I’m not an invalid, she grouched.

No, but I’d rather you not go into labor with half of our bar glasses in your hands. He pushed through the crowd at the large pine bar and set down the barware.

Chris, you’re on dish duty tonight, Luc pointed a finger at the young man on a stool at the end of the bar, who promptly nodded.

No one ever argued with Luc. That’s the way he wanted it. And the only pay Chris needed was a few

Reviews for Lions, Tigers, and Sexy Bears Oh My!

[beckymmoe_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

2 1/2 stars.This novel started out really strong. The scene where Ainsley just takes over the barmaid job that Luc denies her is quite funny--actually, every scene with Ainsley sweetly coercing the bar patrons into doing things her way is pretty darn amusing. Her stress eating during times of emotional trauma--especially when she learns Luc's (and the rest of the town's) big secret--made me chuckle. Some interesting tidbits about shapeshifters (Luc having to keep the temperature down in his home during the winter to prevent his body's desire to hibernate from taking over) made the world created here more interesting. Very promising stuff.However, on the whole I found this novel lacked focus and detail. Once the action of the plot really got underway, it bounced around a lot. High stakes embezzlement, FBI involvement, murderous cartels—readers are given just the barest of hints about these dire proceedings, only to find them quickly resolved with very little explanation. More than once things were mentioned by characters—an allusion to Doc's good news toward the end?—and then never really explained. I couldn't help but wonder if a higher word count wasn't needed to really flesh out the plot and action, because a lot of times it felt like I was missing something. Even their relationship seemed like a lot more telling us about their extreme chemistry and feelings for each other than showing it in action, and it all happens pretty darn quickly. Luc especially capitulated with very little fuss for a guy who had sworn off love and a family.An amusing couple of hours, but I really wanted more.I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[akmamma · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I am going to admit it, I signed up to read and review this book purely because of the title! Yep, it is not just the cover that sells me, but when a name like this can seize me and inspire me to giggle like a schoolgirl with my friend, who also ended up reviewing for the tour, well… it’s a winner! Great job Entangled and Candace!

Though you all have heard it, I am going to say it again, I am not a romance reader. I SWEAR TO ALL THAT IS HOLY… BACON! I just cannot stand traditional romance, and yet due to me being the host for Bewitching Blog Talk Radio and a fan of I Smell Sheep and my girls (yes I am outing you all) in my Gutter Girl Party Crew group, I have been sucked into the world of Paranormal Romance, specifically of the shifter variety. Yea, yeah, yeah… Keep laughing! One day when you look up and realize you are reading a Bodice ripping shifter book with tons of hot alphas you will be singing my song!

What makes this book, romance at that, something I would devote time not only to review, but also a recipe creation also? Well first off it is FUN! I mean giggling laughing fun. Runaway heiress who frankly is not entirely sure what she is running away from other than she does not want to get killed. Our girl Ainsley’s antics had me rolling my eyes with her outfit choice. The fact she’s not even prepared for a Montana winter? She could have bought a jacket with the rust bucket of a truck! I laughed at her calmly having a conversation with a Tiger who appears to be laughing at her after causing the crash of her sparkly new rust bucket of a truck… In the middle of Montana… In a SNOWSTORM *Giggle.. Snort.. Giggle*

She is rescued by the local sheriff (yeah yeah keep cackling) and ends up walking into a bar owned by Luc who is at present watching his waitress go into labor. Since this is not the best time to be without help, the moon is coming up on being full, (SHIFTER BAR, remember?), he is somewhat stuck when Ainsley walks into the bar. Girl walks into the bar…. Wait this could be a joke, right? Except it is not, it happens to be pure magic, playful and spontaneous magic!

Ainsley quickly sheds what could easily have been a spoiled rich girl attitude and takes on a bunch of shifters with ease and finesse, even when she finds out just what they are. She almost doesn’t bat an eye. Well actually she doesn’t, she just grabs the pan of brownies, locks herself into the closet and deals with it!

I loved the characters; they were strong, loveable and even with a few of them being shifters… they were real. Ainsley is not the skinny ass Paris Hilton rich girl. She is a hard working college graduate with a head for business and quickly takes on the role as head waitress and also the person who will heal Luc’s broken heart.

Biggest issue? It is too fast a read! This is the reason I am not going to give it five stars. It felt rushed, and I was frustrated. Still, what I was planning on being a silly Bodice ripping paranormal romance turned into one of the most fun reads of the summer! In honor, I recreated my brownie in a cup (I included my better than orgasms coffee in my cup so if you want it REALLY yummy, try Green Mountain Black Magic.. OMG down to my … lady-bits, good!)

[kmartin802_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Heiress Ainsley McLeon is fleeing gunmen who want her dead when she crashes her $500 truck into a tree in Montana. She was sure she saw a tiger in the truck bed, or, was she hallucinating. It doesn't take long for her to make a place for herself working in Luc's bar despite his surly nature and conviction that she shouldn't be there.Luc is a bear shifter who lost his parents, wife and child in a flood while he was away working for the FBI. He is determined to protect his heart by never loving again. And, most of all, he doesn't want to fall in love with a human woman for fear of hurting her with his bear-like strength. Ainsley is feisty and smart and frightened. Someone is trying to kill her and she is afraid that it is her uncle and her brother. She overheard them talking about embezzlement. Luc and Ainsley are so right for each other. Both have emotional baggage but both are strong people. And the chemistry between them warms up the Montana winter nicely. This was a fast-paced story filled with emotion. I found it very entertaining.