Mating the Predator by Shea Balik

81DJl302lDL._SL1500_Title: Mating the Predator
Series: Paranormal Wars: Stone Haven, #4
Author: Shea Balik
Genre: Paranormal
Length: Novella (106 pages)
Publisher: Siren Publishing, Inc (July 17th 2014)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 4.5 Hearts
Blurb: Zeke Torres was always picked on because he was a scared mouse shifter. When his mother married a hawk shifter, he had to suffer through his stepbrother’s cruelty on a daily basis. He fought hard for his independence and vowed to never be under the control of anyone else.

Rangi Ku was an eagle shifter and Director of Communications for the Alliance’s Northern Territory. Working late one night, he was shocked when his computer was hacked (a feat that no one had ever done), with a message asking for help. He saved the man who hacked into their network, and was surprised to find Zeke was his mate.

When Alek, their Alpha Primus, accuses Zeke of being a traitor, Zeke must find the courage to put aside his reservations and trust Rangi to protect him. A predator mating his prey may not seem plausible, but Rangi is determined to show his little mouse he is more than just a bird of prey.

ISBN: 978-1-63258-035-1

Purchase Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/mating-the-predator

Reviewer: Leigh

Review: This book is part of a series and should be read in order.

I loved Zeke. He has been beaten down all his life and is scared. But he is also smart. When his stepbrother, who is hiding from the Alliance, takes over his apartment, he is living in hell. When Zeke gets the chance to contact the Alliance, he does it to get help. After receiving a beating that leaves him on the verge of death, he meets his mate Rangi another predatory. Instead of walking away in fear, he instead allows himself to trust that Rangi will not hurt him as his stepfather did to his mother.

Rangi is amazed he has found his mate in Zeke. He wants to protect him and assure him that he will never hurt Zeke. He thinks Zeke is adorable. He gives no thought to the fact that Zeke is a mouse. In fact, he tells Zeke that he is not his eagle, and that the shifter does not make the man. When it looks like the Alpha is going to railroad Zeke as a traitor to the Alliance, Rangi is willing to take him on to protect Zeke. He treats Zeke at all time as the precious gift he is. I loved the relationship between Zeke and Rangi. They are so cute together once Rangi convinces Zeke to trust him. Rangi never doubts Zeke and fights when he is accused of being a traitor.

This was a great addition to the series. The writing was very fast paced and the secrets about what has been going on are being revealed in each book. There is a complex level of betrayal going on in the Alliance and I like that this book reveals another piece of the puzzle.

The MCs have their own love story, but also have a part in finding out the mysteries going on. Characters from other books make regular appearances and keep their sometimes quirky personalities. Each book fits into the cohesiveness of the series and adds its own unique twist.

I enjoy the world the author has created and look forward to more.