“THE PANTHER'S LAIR by Esmerelda Bishop was truly a romantic and carnal shape-shifter erotic romance! The hero, Raimond Decoudreau, is a shape-shifter, a panther, who owns a bar/club called The Panther's Lair. He is one alpha hero! He acts strong on his animalism instincts in both his human and panther form. His draw to the heroine was strong magnetic pull that he knew that he found his mate in her after many years.
Heroine, Sydney Chase, is recently out of a domestic violence relationship, and has always been in a romantic relationship. She vows that with her failure rate in them and always suffering the broken heart, her focus would be on her physical needs, with one night stands. Sydney heads to The Panther's Lair to search out in her one night physical affair and meets the owner, Raimond and she reacts immediately to him with his first words, strong of a French accent along with using some French endearments, his sexy body, his scent and his eyes, that often change to yellow. Sydney reminds herself often to enjoy the sex and make nothing more of it. As she takes more charge in their sexual activity, she makes some independent moves that gives her a feeling of control and strength.
Unknowingly, Raimond bonds Sydney to him, with their first lovemaking, with a mating custom. The session was very erotic, carnal, raw and intense with their sexual reactions. Concerned she may be taking on feelings in from their session, she leads him in different directions so that he would not be able to find her again. Sydney's past catches up to her and Raimond is there to assist but things move too fast for Sydney to comprehend who and Raimond really is. Yet Raimond can't give her up on his soul mate, but too he can't force Sydney to love him.
THE PANTHER'S LAIR by Esmerelda Bishop is over too soon! Its that kind of book that you don't want to end and hate to say goodbye to the hero and heroine (here's begging for more stories from this author!) Raimond's endearments, especially, 'Mon âme soeur', My soul mate could be felt just as much by the reader as the character! I could feel and see the goosebumps throughout reading this book. The mating called, archaic human custom, was so unique and sensual to read! Even-though not much more is given regarding any other panthers or shape shifter characters or its world, it gave all it needed to tell their story. Sydney's friend has a part in the story with little background who could be one to possibly have her own story and a HEA as well (Happily Ever After) (Just saying) The author did super in bringing about the mating custom smoothly right at the time it occurred. When the ending did come for this book, it was adventurous, gripping as well as so moving to read. Raimond is one special hero that said so much with his actions as well as his beautiful words. Sydney was a strong heroine that fought some difficulties both physically and emotionally in her life but could see and feel when it was love and didn't fight it long. It was great to see this not dragged on but confronted between them in resolving. It made it smooth reading as well as bringing out all the parts that made this book. This author Esmerelda Bishop made it so special with Sydney and Raimond in THE PANTHER'S LAIR. A first read of this author but here's hoping for more from Esmerelda Bishop! ”
CathieCaffey wrote this review Tuesday, February 15, 2011.
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