Shifter's Innocent

One True Mate, Book 4

By: Lisa Ladew

Narrated by: Michael Pauley

He's hunted, she's living a lie, and an unlikely connection dooms them both...

Beckett Oswego has lost himself in his work for years, always looking over his shoulder for the killer who stole his father and brother from him. When he isn't working, he parties his weekends away. Work, party...party, work. Anything to keep his mind busy and off the constant pain from the past that haunts him.

Cerise Pekin has been captive for years, forced into a life of old ways and restrictions. Always planning her escape, she yearns for the day she can truly be free, but when a violent incident pushes her into the real world before she is ready, she quickly realizes that she is not prepared for survival.

When Cerise talks Beckett into helping her escape from prison, he knows she isn't his one true mate. However, with the intensity of the connection they share, he is compelled to help her in any way he can, which sends them both straight into the clutches of a common enemy. With no help from Beckett's pack in sight, they are forced to rely on each other...

©2017 Heat Publishing LLC (P)2017 Heat Publishing LLC

Good book, good narration

I really enjoyed this book. I do like it when things begin sweetly before they heat up in romance novels otherwise they should be stuck in the erotica section. This was very good.

To the people who constantly complain about narration. I get so tired of this because I know a narrator and there is a huge shortage of them. Most authors can only afford to share profit and when it comes down to it, that is 20% of sales which means 100$ a month if they sell quite a few.

People need to be more understanding. There are a few people that get paid like 200-400 a performance hour, but most narrators are lucky to make anything at all. Because the pay is low, there aren't many so be happy unless it is so dreadful. If its just that you don't love their voice, give them a break. You aren't doing anyone any favors by chasing them out of the business before they get good at the craft.

Bad reviews chase them away and we are constantly left with new people giving it a go before they get reviewed out. I like this narrator, but if you don't... he certainly doesn't deserve a bad review.

My true opinion...

Let me tell you first I am a lover of stories....well developed, well told stories. James Patterson is my favorite modern day writer but I MUST say Ms. Ladew you have created something so special with this series!!!! I literally could not stop listening (I'm an audio book girl). My life is so busy that audio books help me get the story while not having to sit and turn pages....I had the audio book but I still rescheduled half my day because I needed quiet so that I would not miss a word!!!! You don't know me but trust when I say , rescheduling my day is HUGE!!! This is now my favorite book in the series. The dragon is my favorite character!!!! I ADORE THE DRAGON!! Michael Pauley-BRAVO!!!! You could read me green eggs and ham and I would listen over and over and over! You two are a winning team. AWESOME IN EVETY WAY!!

Slow Start

This one took a while for me to get into. Once I understood the relationship between all the characters and their importance to the series as a whole, I love it. Beckett Oswego is a shiften and former military with a troubled past. Judging by his personality in the other books, I never thought he would have felt so lonely however I would imagine that knowing your mate is out there and seeing other pack members including your best friend. Cerise is a domestic violence survivor. She spent her entire life locked in a house mentally and physically abused. The only person She had any really civilized interacted with was her little sister Kaci. She starts breaking and entering to she can run away with Kaci and take her to her real parents. She is incredibly naïve about the world, never having rode an elevator or eaten fast food and not knowing how to interact wit members of the opposite sex. That makes the name of the series incredibly fitting. Cerise has the gift of incredible persuasion; she calls it "pushing". This gift is the perfect explanation for why Becket can't remember meeting her. Normally there's an instant love connection for Shifter Romances. In this one, there was but because Becket couldn't remember, a slow burn ensued. Kaci was a lovable addition to the group, so excited to see what her character will do in the future of the series. I'm so excited to see who gets a Mate next.

Michael Pauley is a perfect fit for this series. His accents are perfect and his male and female voices were distinctive.

While you could read this alone, I would Highly recommend listening the whole series.

I have been played with for the last time.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I have to say I loved Beckett. He is such an amazing character. He has so many layers. I loved that he did not follow the damaged formula. He knew his faults while understanding that he deserved happiness. He thought of others rather than himself.

Have you listened to any of Michael Pauley’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Michael Pauley is such an amazing narrator. I first listened to him when he narrated for Michelle Howard. When I found him I fell in love with his voice. He knows how to bring the story alive. Out of all the audiobooks I have listened to him there has never been a bad story. When I find out Michael Pauley eill be narrating I get excited becuase I know it will be great.

Any additional comments?

Lisa Ladew is such an amazinh author. I am so happy I gave her books a chance. I advise anyone who is hesitant about reading anything from her to jump in head first. You will not be disappointed.

Can I have a Beckett, please?

I really like this series and Beckett is a light hearted but very nice addition to it. He is so very likable that you just want one for yourself. I did find the very beginning of the story to be a little strained and hard to follow...like I only had half the story and had to play catch up. I also found some of the decisions in the book to be a little too forced for dramatic affect; there were obvious better decisions at hand. However, it did not detract from the enjoyment of the book. Michael Pauley, as always, does a wonderful job and he actually does a purposefully thick southern accent with charm. He helps you fall easily in love with the characters. Great listen.