SummaryCassidy Warren is a dominant shifter female, second in command after her brother Eric, the Las Vegas shiftertown leader. Heartbroken and angry over the slaying of her mate a year ago she’s vowed to hunt down his murderers and make them pay for their crime, but while out honoring his memory it is she who becomes the hunted. An unknown enemy stalks her, and Cassidy’s focus quickly turns from revenge to survival.Detective Diego Escobar is still grieving the loss of his partner—and wanting his own revenge—when he’s sent out on a trespassing call at a construction site, coming face-to-face with a gorgeous, naked shifter woman and becoming a target himself to the foe that is after her. Chasing a suspect around an unfinished skyscraper is never an ideal situation, especially for a man terrified of heights, and who can’t seem to lock eyes on the inhumanly speedy perp that has already taken down two other cops and is shooting at him. When Cassidy saves him from plummeting to his certain death Diego decides to cut her some slack—after being forced to arrest her—putting his own ass on the line to keep her from the harsh punishments doled out to shifters who break any law--no matter how minor. Being forced to babysit a gorgeous shifter is by no means an inconvenience, until Diego learns that her stalker hasn’t given up, and won’t until she’s bled dry. The pair not only set out to capture and neutralize the threat to her but also to bring the men responsible for the death of Diego’s partner to justice—both of which come with more surprises and danger than either ever imagined!ReviewI LOVED that this book was centered around an alpha female. Cassidy is strong and fearless, but as at the same time is loyal, generous and caring. As second in command she has responsibilities that are seriously hampered by her probationary confinement, AND by having a hot latino cop shadowing her through shiftertown. Even though it has only been a year since the passing of her mate Donovan, she’s instantly drawn to Diego and puts up little resistance in being with him—physically that is—but she’s hesitant to open her heart, and even more so about imposing the troubles being with a shifter will bring upon Diego. Even when she starts to feel the beginnings of a Mate Bond, she resists—not because she doesn’t want him, or because he’s human, but because she’s unwilling to be so selfish as to knowingly make his life harder just for being with her. That’s probably what struck me the most about these two, was just how selfless they were. Diego uses his badge to stick close to Cassidy, and to force his involvement in her pursuit of her murderous stalker, but he does so to protect Cassidy (to see that she is both unharmed and to keep her from breaking any laws that would see her imprisoned or executed). He repeatedly puts himself and his job on the line for her, without ever expecting anything in return. Likewise Cassidy is equally as devoted to helping Diego catch his partner’s killers. This book may not have the same amount of action the other books in the series do but it doesn’t skimp on the emotions. Usually heroines annoy me with their narcissism but Cassidy was something else—the way she handled and resolved her own problems floored me, I was literally slack-jawed and speechless. I’ve never respected or admired a heroine as much as I did her at that moment. I wish I were able to handle something so profound and devastating with such compassion, prudence and insight. She’s perfect for Diego, who never takes anything for himself and is always taking care of others regardless of the impositions to himself. Their story is a rare instance in which the characters *deserved* the other (not just wanted/needed /couldn’t-live-without)! Another excellent book in the Shifters Unbound series. I've rad a lot of shifter stories where the norm is for the male shifters to find their mates who are human women. I like that this story twists it around!In Jennifer Ashley's Pridemates series, the shifters have been sectioned off into shifter towns, forced to wear collars that tame their wilder nature, and limited on technology access and ways to earn money. What the humans don't realize, is that this has actually been good for some of the shifters. It's kept them from going feral, where their animal nature takes over their humanity. Police detective Diego Escobar assists in what should be a simple task of arresting a trespasser. It's high up in an unfinished skyscraper, which he is still dealing with PTSD over a previous case where he had lost his partner, and he comes face-to-face with his first shifter: the shockingly naked Cassidy Warren. He finds himself circumventing human laws to protect this feline beauty, who happens to be the sister of the Alpha of the shifter town closest to the city.Cassidy is still heartbroken over the death of her mate a year ago. She is tracking down his mysterious killer, one who could bring danger to all shifters. She can't believe that this cop is rekindling the flames of her mating desire, and once they start, nothing and no one can put them out! And the tables have turned, where Cassidy becomes the hunted, and only by facing his own fears and inner demons can Diego be able to save her!I really enjoyed this novel! The characters are multi-dimensional, and have interesting back stories that make this such a compelling read! Both of the main characters are drawn to each other, and I love how Diego and his family are so open with no prejudices compared to other humans around them! I also loved the different Shifters we meet in this story. Cassidy and Diego really learn to trust each other, and help each other to find closure for both of their situations! When they head to Mexico, they find out exactly what happens when shifters go collarless with the wrong type of leader! Loved how everything ties together in this novel!
