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Bears of Grizzly Ridge #1
His to Protect
His to Protect is a full length stand alone bear shifter novel and the first in the Bears of Grizzly Ridge series. No Cliffhangers! This series contains: strong, sassy, curvy women; sexy alpha males; steamy shifters and sizzling sex scenes.
When Harper Bentley’s life begins a death spiral, she does what any self respecting woman would do—she heads for the mountains. More specifically, Grizzly Ridge. A brand new � and very remote � lodge in the wilds of Montana. The last thing she expects to find there is deliciously sexy Axel Jackson, who is more than a little wild himself and reigniting feelings she’d long since buried.
From the moment he lays eyes on her, alpha bear shifter, Axel knows Harper is more than just a guest at his lodge. Much more. She’s his mate. And whether his brothers believe in fated mates or not, nothing will keep Axel from what is his. But first he’ll need to convince Harper that what she’s feeling is more than lust. It’s fate.
When Harper Bentley’s life begins a death spiral, she does what any self respecting woman would do—she heads for the mountains. More specifically, Grizzly Ridge. A brand new � and very remote � lodge in the wilds of Montana. The last thing she expects to find there is deliciously sexy Axel Jackson, who is more than a little wild himself and reigniting feelings she’d long since buried.
From the moment he lays eyes on her, alpha bear shifter, Axel knows Harper is more than just a guest at his lodge. Much more. She’s his mate. And whether his brothers believe in fated mates or not, nothing will keep Axel from what is his. But first he’ll need to convince Harper that what she’s feeling is more than lust. It’s fate.
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First published January 26, 2016
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About the author
Elena Aitken
217books986followersElena Aitken is a USA Today Bestselling Author of more than forty romance and women’s fiction novels. Living a stone’s throw from the Rocky Mountains with her teenager twins, their two cats and a goofy rescue dog, Elena escapes into the mountains whenever life allows. She can often be found with her toes in the lake and a glass of wine in her hand, dreaming up her next book and working on her own happily ever after withher very own mountain man.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 398 reviews
March 13, 2023
Purch Amazon Aug. 12, 2016
by
Genres; Is there a genre for watching paint dry?
That may sound mean, but in reality this book is like that.
0 Stars
Way too much rambling inner dialog.
Highly repetitive.
What is supposed to be a quick read is taking forever because it is EXCRUCIATINGLY BORING!
The story is VERY slow moving. Makes a snail look like it moves at the speed of light.
Didn't find any typo/editing problems. The problem is strictly the story itself. In desperate need of blue pencil to mark out rambling & boring sections!
A complete waste of my time.
by
Genres; Is there a genre for watching paint dry?
That may sound mean, but in reality this book is like that.
0 Stars
Way too much rambling inner dialog.
Highly repetitive.
What is supposed to be a quick read is taking forever because it is EXCRUCIATINGLY BORING!
The story is VERY slow moving. Makes a snail look like it moves at the speed of light.
Didn't find any typo/editing problems. The problem is strictly the story itself. In desperate need of blue pencil to mark out rambling & boring sections!
A complete waste of my time.
December 16, 2022
4.5⭐️ I’m not usually one for insta love but I make an exception for mated mates 😍
Harper travels to Montana after finding out her soon to be ex-husband is gay, cheating, and pinning her for a crime. Axel recognizes the human as his mate instantly, much to his brothers regret. Can he convince her she’s his mate?
I thought this was so cute! Axel is a big protective teddy bear, it’s adorable. Harper was fun to watch - she just loses all logic with him and goes with her gut. Love them!
Harper travels to Montana after finding out her soon to be ex-husband is gay, cheating, and pinning her for a crime. Axel recognizes the human as his mate instantly, much to his brothers regret. Can he convince her she’s his mate?
I thought this was so cute! Axel is a big protective teddy bear, it’s adorable. Harper was fun to watch - she just loses all logic with him and goes with her gut. Love them!
July 5, 2018
This was a freebie thats been on my kindle for months. The story was okay. Insta-love between the MCs which is cute but their chemistry never really made an appearance.
I was more interested in the other brothers and their sister Kira. Also ended up skimming a lot to get to the end.
It is 100% safe, no sexual abuse and no OW/OM drama.
I was more interested in the other brothers and their sister Kira. Also ended up skimming a lot to get to the end.
It is 100% safe, no sexual abuse and no OW/OM drama.
October 24, 2024
His to Protect is a short hot steamy shifter romance. It wasn’t a wow knock your socks of book, but it was agreeable.
It had some funny moments and hot and steamy moments. I had a nice time getting to know the Jackson brothers that have started this new business. Harper and Nina were enjoyable. I was bit frustrated with Harper and her situation with her ex. She really should have left him once she knew. Axel was a deliciously sexy shifter, who helped Harper find out who she is. It was a sweet romance.
I did wonder if their is a series before this one. It felt like Bears of Grizzly Ridge series was a spin-off. Other then that I enjoyed this quick seductive romance.
Rated: 3 Stars
It had some funny moments and hot and steamy moments. I had a nice time getting to know the Jackson brothers that have started this new business. Harper and Nina were enjoyable. I was bit frustrated with Harper and her situation with her ex. She really should have left him once she knew. Axel was a deliciously sexy shifter, who helped Harper find out who she is. It was a sweet romance.
I did wonder if their is a series before this one. It felt like Bears of Grizzly Ridge series was a spin-off. Other then that I enjoyed this quick seductive romance.
Rated: 3 Stars
February 4, 2016
This is the first book by Elena Aitken that I have read and it will certainly not be the last. I started reading this book last night waiting for my son to get off work and let me tell you the book was so hard to put down. I finished it before going to bed.
Axel and his brothers have started a retreat in the mountains and they have asked Nina, a reporter, to come and write a story about Grizzly Ridge. Nina brings her best friend, Harper, who has been having a lot of problems lately to come with her as an escape. What better way to escape life's problems than going to a retreat. Especially a retreat run by three very gorgeous men. Every women's dream.
I think if you pick up this book you too would have a hard time putting it down.
Axel and his brothers have started a retreat in the mountains and they have asked Nina, a reporter, to come and write a story about Grizzly Ridge. Nina brings her best friend, Harper, who has been having a lot of problems lately to come with her as an escape. What better way to escape life's problems than going to a retreat. Especially a retreat run by three very gorgeous men. Every women's dream.
I think if you pick up this book you too would have a hard time putting it down.
July 16, 2016
This is probably a case of it's not you it's me since I picked this book up after I couldn't pick a book between all the books I wanted to read and figured a short hot shape shifter book might just hit the reset button but sadly no. I just fell further down the slope and dragged this book with me.
Check out my reviews here
Check out my reviews here
February 7, 2016
I really enjoyed this story and look forward to more of this series. Harper is out of a bad marriage and wants time away. She finds herself face to face with a male that touches her deeply, in a way she never experienced before. Axel is all alpha and readily accepts the idea Harper is his mate. Harper handles each problem with acceptance as it comes, even the surprise about her own past. These two were meant to be and are stronger for it.
I found this book on a free list.
I found this book on a free list.
March 30, 2019
Teaser - only part of the book. You have to buy the rest.
Normally, I don’t mind paying for a book. What I don’t like is being told it’s the whole book and getting part of the way through only to find it’s not and I have to pay to know the rest of the story. Letdown.
Normally, I don’t mind paying for a book. What I don’t like is being told it’s the whole book and getting part of the way through only to find it’s not and I have to pay to know the rest of the story. Letdown.
June 3, 2021
His to Protect is a cute insta-love shapeshifter romance about an bear shifter who runs an eco-resort in Grizzly Ridge, Montana, and the public relations expert escaping to Grizzly Ridge during a nasty divorce. It's short, cute, and predictable, but reading it is a fun way to spend an hour or two. This book would be a great vacation read.
January 7, 2018
A short and basic shifter romance about fated mating which is not all that great to start with, even before being irreparably marred by Gay Villains.
Seriously, the heroine finds out a few years into her marriage that she's a beard for her gay husband, stands by him as he discreetly dates men on the side, then he ends up staging at elaborate coming-out plot in the media while also embezzling from the company they run together. And his boyfriend is in on the crime, and is also the heroine's lawyer, so she can't even continue to use him for counsel because he's in on it.
So instead of doing the mature thing and getting a divorce, the gay villain husband and his gay villain boyfriend frame the poor, defenseless woman for their crime, not only ruining her professional reputation by making her look like an idiot for her failed relationship, but also doing their best to put her in jail.
And of course there are no positive representation of any kind of queer person anywhere else in the book. Just big, fiercely protective, insanely possessive, manly men--brothers, even--and the oldest one falls for the poor, defenseless woman.
Now, I have nothing against romantic heroes being big and strong and masculine. But when the whole point is that he needs to save/protect his woman from her evil gay ex...
Can we please stop with the blatant queer-bashing?
Seriously, the heroine finds out a few years into her marriage that she's a beard for her gay husband, stands by him as he discreetly dates men on the side, then he ends up staging at elaborate coming-out plot in the media while also embezzling from the company they run together. And his boyfriend is in on the crime, and is also the heroine's lawyer, so she can't even continue to use him for counsel because he's in on it.
So instead of doing the mature thing and getting a divorce, the gay villain husband and his gay villain boyfriend frame the poor, defenseless woman for their crime, not only ruining her professional reputation by making her look like an idiot for her failed relationship, but also doing their best to put her in jail.
And of course there are no positive representation of any kind of queer person anywhere else in the book. Just big, fiercely protective, insanely possessive, manly men--brothers, even--and the oldest one falls for the poor, defenseless woman.
Now, I have nothing against romantic heroes being big and strong and masculine. But when the whole point is that he needs to save/protect his woman from her evil gay ex...
Can we please stop with the blatant queer-bashing?
January 30, 2016
First is a three book series, His to Protect is a fantastic start. It's about shifters, bear shifters in this case, who have been banished from their family clan and home. The three brothers, Alex, Luke, and Kade Jackson, have built a lodge, the Den, in Montana mountains to offer hiking and backcountry skiing to vacationers.
Their first guest is a journalist, Nina, who is doing a write up on the Den. She brings her friend, Harper Bentley along with her. Harper is being ruined by her ex-husband , both personally and in her career. Nina offers her a way to escape the turmoil.
When Alex meets Harper, he knows she is to be his mate. The story wonderfully takes shape from there, forming a truly cool book.
Their first guest is a journalist, Nina, who is doing a write up on the Den. She brings her friend, Harper Bentley along with her. Harper is being ruined by her ex-husband , both personally and in her career. Nina offers her a way to escape the turmoil.
When Alex meets Harper, he knows she is to be his mate. The story wonderfully takes shape from there, forming a truly cool book.
February 4, 2016
I'm not a big fan of Paranormal Shifter books. However, I love books by Elena Aitken, so I thought I would give it a try, and I'm glad I did. I read the book in one sitting. I was intrigued by Axel, Luke, and Kade Jackson. The brothers were banished from the rest of their clan. They opened Grizzly Ridge Lodge. They had a reporter from Lifestyles Magazine, Nina, come interview the Lodge for publicity. She brought her friend, Harper, who needed to get a break. Harper was trying to get away from her ex, which ended up a nightmare for her. Can the brothers help her? Will sparks fly between Harper and one of the brothers? Read this awesome book to find out. I can't wait for the next book to come out!
July 24, 2016
This story was awesome...it wasn't just a romance but it had a bit of betrayal in there by Harper's ex. When Axel first meets Harper it is sorta funny that he goes all animal and macho. You will see.
Trent who is Harper's ex is a real piece of work...he is taking her to court so her friend Nina takes Harper to Montana to the Grizzly Ridge Lodge for awhile and that's where Harper meets Axel.
I like how the author didn't drag out the live story like some authors do. some authors wait till the very end for them to fall in love or get together but this author didn't draw it out. give kudos for that.
will read the next installment when I have a chance and money to buy it.
got this story in the Oh! Canada box set
Trent who is Harper's ex is a real piece of work...he is taking her to court so her friend Nina takes Harper to Montana to the Grizzly Ridge Lodge for awhile and that's where Harper meets Axel.
I like how the author didn't drag out the live story like some authors do. some authors wait till the very end for them to fall in love or get together but this author didn't draw it out. give kudos for that.
will read the next installment when I have a chance and money to buy it.
got this story in the Oh! Canada box set
February 3, 2016
His to Protect is the first book in a new series by Elena Aitken. Not normally a fan of Shifter novels, i can honestly say I was hooked from the first page and couldn't stop reading. Axel is a strong alpha Grizzly bear that knows Harper is his mate immediately upon seeing her. Harper is reeling from her divorce from a gay guy hell bent on ruining her career. Almost immediately they are lovers, the scenes are super sexy and the shifting is romantic as they run along the ridge together. Ms. Aitken is such a great writer that I highly recommend this book to everyone that loves Shifter books! Looking forward to reading the series.
April 1, 2017
Harper is at the lowest moment of her life when he friends take her on a trip, because Nina needs to write a travel article.
They go into the mountains where three brothers need the article to put their new Grizzly Ridge in the spotlight.
The moment Axel meets Harper he knows she is his mate.
What Harper doesn't know is that she has bear shifter blood in her body too.
The sparks fly between Axel and Harper in a very hot way.
When they are becoming happy together the evil ex from Harper shows up.
They took care of him for good, but that could have get more attention is what I think. He deserved more trouble back.
I like what happened in the last chapter.
They go into the mountains where three brothers need the article to put their new Grizzly Ridge in the spotlight.
The moment Axel meets Harper he knows she is his mate.
What Harper doesn't know is that she has bear shifter blood in her body too.
The sparks fly between Axel and Harper in a very hot way.
When they are becoming happy together the evil ex from Harper shows up.
They took care of him for good, but that could have get more attention is what I think. He deserved more trouble back.
I like what happened in the last chapter.
February 4, 2016
Although the book starts on a sad note, the Jackson brothers are starting over (on their own) as their clan has disowned them, it is a great story about the brothers and the first one to find his mate � Axel. Harper Bentley comes to visit the Jacksons� new getaway lodge with a friend and she and Axel “find� each other. It had the right amount of intrigue, suspense, edge-of-your-seat-ness, fun and HEA to make me want to be sure to read the rest of the series so I can know what happens to Luke and Kate. It was a fun book and I enjoyed it.
April 29, 2016
A fast and gripping read
This was a really good story that will make you angry for Harper, the main character. I loved the setting of the story and the drama involved in the plot. Although it was a little extreme, plenty of people put up with sorry spouses, too afraid to try to find someone better. Harper's husband was the trifecta of crappy husbands. She deserved better and Axel could be it. I loved the characters and the action that came about as the drama came to the mountain. It was a really good story!
This was a really good story that will make you angry for Harper, the main character. I loved the setting of the story and the drama involved in the plot. Although it was a little extreme, plenty of people put up with sorry spouses, too afraid to try to find someone better. Harper's husband was the trifecta of crappy husbands. She deserved better and Axel could be it. I loved the characters and the action that came about as the drama came to the mountain. It was a really good story!
November 12, 2017
The villain was so one-dimensional he was almost cartoonish. Worse, there's no motivation for any of the terrible things he is doing to the heroine, so none of it makes any sense. And worst of all, the author had made this character gay, and there are no other gay characters in the story, so her only gay character has been cast as cartoonishly evil for no good reason. It's offensive.
Want to read
October 23, 2018I have not read this book but understand from another reader that it paints the gay characters in the story in a bad light and does not include any gay characters who are good. I don't go for gay bashing. I'm glad that I did not pay good money for this book but got it free from Amazon.
April 20, 2018
Such a great read!
Definitely deserved the 5 stars. It was attention grabbing and very detailed. I love every second devouring this work at art!
Definitely deserved the 5 stars. It was attention grabbing and very detailed. I love every second devouring this work at art!
November 10, 2022
My friends are going to see this and judge me but oh well 😂
February 2, 2019
Harper needs to get away after her ex makes his coming out as gay, very public. So she and her best friend head up to the mountains where they meet the three brothers who own the hotel and just happen to be bear shifters. The best friend is there to write an article about the hotel and Harper came along with her. While there Harper finds out that her ex embezzled a lot of money from their shared company and he and his boyfriend are setting her up to take the fall for the entire thing and ruin her reputation.
Axel feels an immediate attraction to Harper and doesn't know how to act or control his bear who wants to claim her as his mate. But when he finds out that she's in trouble and needs a new attorney, he offers his attorney's phone number to help her. She needs a place to lay low and he offers his cabin so anyone snooping around won't find out she's there. Axel and Harper feel the mate bond right away and can't keep their hands off each other, so things heat up right away.
Things are going really good when 2 other reports start snooping around the hotel. They're up to no good but Axel's other two brothers are there to make sure they don't make too much of a mess of things.
There's a great twist at the end even though I knew where this story was going, it was a great twist.
Axel feels an immediate attraction to Harper and doesn't know how to act or control his bear who wants to claim her as his mate. But when he finds out that she's in trouble and needs a new attorney, he offers his attorney's phone number to help her. She needs a place to lay low and he offers his cabin so anyone snooping around won't find out she's there. Axel and Harper feel the mate bond right away and can't keep their hands off each other, so things heat up right away.
Things are going really good when 2 other reports start snooping around the hotel. They're up to no good but Axel's other two brothers are there to make sure they don't make too much of a mess of things.
There's a great twist at the end even though I knew where this story was going, it was a great twist.
October 31, 2018
This is a story that I wasn't really expecting much from. The writing was pretty mediocre, and the story was all right. I hate this lazy writing trope that most shifter paranormal romance stories use in which the writers try to say its fine that there is no real relationship development between the two main characters because they are "mates" and are "fated to be together." It is just lazy writing and unfortunately, this story uses that unfortunate trope. For that reason, I definitely knocked off some stars. It's an excuse to be lazy and make it instalove and I honestly am really tired of this trope, especially within the paranormal romance genre...
November 7, 2018
Bear shifters, need I said more?
A super sexy bear and a woman recovering from a lousy relationship in the mountains of Montana makes for a delicious story. I recommend this book to anyone who loves shifters.
A super sexy bear and a woman recovering from a lousy relationship in the mountains of Montana makes for a delicious story. I recommend this book to anyone who loves shifters.
April 24, 2018
Bear shifter first in the series
This is book one of a four book series where we go to Grizzly Ridge MO. I love shifter books and this was a good one, it had the mates fumbling along finding each other, it’s the family dynamics and a small mystery thrown in.
This is book one of a four book series where we go to Grizzly Ridge MO. I love shifter books and this was a good one, it had the mates fumbling along finding each other, it’s the family dynamics and a small mystery thrown in.
December 14, 2021
Okay
It was a good read in all, little boring at first.
If you like supernatural BBW kinda book, this is for you
It was a good read in all, little boring at first.
If you like supernatural BBW kinda book, this is for you
December 11, 2019
Worth another read
Great book for taking on vacation. Plus sized girl meets the mate of her life while in midst of divorce from homosexual husband and business partner after ten years of marriage. Things get bad when the ex blames her for all the bad things he and his new sexual partner were up to. Adult reads due to the nudity and sexual portion s
Great book for taking on vacation. Plus sized girl meets the mate of her life while in midst of divorce from homosexual husband and business partner after ten years of marriage. Things get bad when the ex blames her for all the bad things he and his new sexual partner were up to. Adult reads due to the nudity and sexual portion s
March 31, 2018
Super short but cute story. I needed a quick read to get back on track again.
February 2, 2016
Where do I start with this book. First of all, I love Elena Aitken' books. Her Castle Mountain Lodge Series are my favorite, full of humor, great setting for the books and some really hot lovin! His to Protect is not usually a genre of books that I read, just not into the paranormal scene, but having said that, once I skimmed over the "shifting" parts and got into the meat of the book, it wasn't a bad story. Great hot, steamy writing, a couple of funny spots, but you definitely need to like this type of paranormal to completely enjoy it. I enjoyed the Jackson brothers and the new business they created up on the mountain. Harper and Nina were an interesting addition to the story, not sure I was into the reason for Harper's relationship with her ex, a little bizarre for me. Am giving this book a 3.5 rating.
Overall, not a bad book if you're into the paranormal settings, just a little rushed in places. I was given this ARC book in exchange for an honest review.
Overall, not a bad book if you're into the paranormal settings, just a little rushed in places. I was given this ARC book in exchange for an honest review.
April 15, 2018
Nobody expects to just fall in love but a bear knows his mate the minute he sees her and she him
Life for Harper has been tough not only a cheating husband but cheating with another man and suddenly it's all her fault. Getting the chance of a few days away sounds like a good idea what she hadn't been counting on was meeting Axel one of three brothers running a activities and get away place on "Grizzly Ridge" Axel knew instantly he saw her besides all of what was going on she learned something very new about herself that the Jackson brothers sensed as soon as they met her ( I'm not giving that away you can find out for yourself) Trent her ex turned up thinking he could blackmail her into signing a confession but Axel sensed her fear and saved her again. Great fun read very hot hot and really hot bear shifters to boot. Well written good plot plenty of twists I recommend this time lovers and lovers of shifter stories
Life for Harper has been tough not only a cheating husband but cheating with another man and suddenly it's all her fault. Getting the chance of a few days away sounds like a good idea what she hadn't been counting on was meeting Axel one of three brothers running a activities and get away place on "Grizzly Ridge" Axel knew instantly he saw her besides all of what was going on she learned something very new about herself that the Jackson brothers sensed as soon as they met her ( I'm not giving that away you can find out for yourself) Trent her ex turned up thinking he could blackmail her into signing a confession but Axel sensed her fear and saved her again. Great fun read very hot hot and really hot bear shifters to boot. Well written good plot plenty of twists I recommend this time lovers and lovers of shifter stories
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