STEFAN'S MARK - Jaden Sinclair
Shifter, Book 1
Amira Press
ISBN: 0-9790649-1-0
March 2008
Erotic Paranormal Romance
Heat Level: Hot

New Orleans, Louisiana - Present Day

Sydney Martin's father told her there were werewolves but Sydney didn't believe it.  Watching from the shadows as her father and his friend, Mike Stan, beat up the man hanging on the wall, she wondered why.  After the two men left, and for reasons she didn't understand, Sydney couldn't resist taking a step or two closer.  From that moment on, Sydney's life has never been the same.  Something about him pulled at her, drawing her closer.  She wanted to touch him and feel his hands on her.  But why?  What was it about this chained man that made her stomach tumble with butterflies and her lips tingle for her first kiss?  Later that night he escapes, but not before giving Sydney her first sweet kiss and the whispered promise, "I will be back for you.  You are mine, Sydney."  Over the years Sydney thought a lot about the man and had erotic dreams about him that woke her up panting and needy.  However, Sydney never expected to see him again or that he would drug her and kidnap her.

Stefan Draeger has waited four long years to claim his mate, Sydney Martin.  The first time he'd seen her, sensed her hiding in the shadows of the basement, Stefan knew she was his.  He'd been captured while he was out hunting for his mate, and what luck to find her in the very house of his captors.  The night he escaped, Stefan gave Sydney a kiss and promised to return for her.  He also left behind his jean jacket which she now wears.  When he sees her in the New Orleans club, Stefan knows the time has come to claim Sydney as his mate and mark her.  However, the little minx is stubborn and uncooperative, so Stefan drugs her and carries her to his home.  The time of the full moon is drawing near and having his mate this close is pure torture.  If he doesn't mate with her soon, he's going to go mad.  Unfortunately, Sydney is fighting him every step of the way and his beast is just itching to get out and take what rightfully belongs to it...Sydney.

STEFAN'S MARK starts with our hero chained to a wall, waiting for the right time to escape, and ending up finding his mate.  Stefan isn't prepared for that or the fact that Sydney is too young to claim right now.  It doesn't stop him from searching for her though, and waiting in the wings until she is ready for him. Stefan is sweet, naughty, and dangerous all rolled up into one sexy package.  I mean, come on, he is a werewolf after all.  Sydney has lived under her father's thumb for too long and knows that he blames her for her mother leaving.  The scenes between Stefan and Sydney are heated and titillating, whether they are arguing or loving.  When Stefan comes for Sydney and plants a whopper of a kiss on her, she's all into it, until he says you're mine.  Then she gets all witchy and fights him.  Make up your mind, girlfriend!

Secondary characters include Stefan's brother and sister, Dedrick and Skylar, who try to help Sydney understand Stefan, his motives, and what to expect.  They also welcome her to the family even though she doesn't plan on staying.  There are a couple of surprises in store for Sydney and Stefan, as well as for readers.  I won't say anything more; otherwise it would ruin the story.

First in the Shifter series, Jaden Sinclair's STEFAN'S MARK is a fast-paced, exciting, and sexually charged romance that readers are sure to enjoy.

Sinclair Reid