With TIGER MAGIC, the Shifters Unbound series is moving back to the Austin Shiftertown, at least for the time being. Tiger, who was introduced to readers in Mate Claimed as the first (and only) lab created shifter, has been sent to Austin from the Las Vegas area where he was discovered. Liam, leader of the Austin Shiftertown, is not quite sure what to do with Tiger. Tiger is following his orders, but Liam knows that it is because Tiger wants to, not because he is showing submission to the Shifter leader. As Tiger is not a 'registered' shifter, the collar he wears is not real, and won't send shocks into his body if he attacks a human or another shifter. The shifters are all wary and fearful of him, but the children in the Shiftertown love him, for reasons that will become apparent in the story.

Carly Randal's car has broken down in a remote area outside of Austin. Tiger, who has been out for a run as a shifter, helps get her car running again, and she gives him a ride. They walk in on her fiancé with another woman, starting a chain of events which throw the two together. Tiger immediately realizes that Carly is his mate, and makes his intentions known to her. Carly doesn't know much about Shifters, but she knows she is very attracted to the enigmatic Tiger. Unfortunately for both of them and their budding romance, the Shifter Bureau and the military presence overseeing the Shifters have taken a great interest in Tiger; and are making plans to take him into custody for more experiments.

Tiger has been shot several times by Carly's ex-fiancé Ethan while protecting Carly; and he quickly and miraculously heals from his injuries. Now, Lt. Colonel Sheldon wants to see what makes Tiger heal so quickly, and delve into whatever secret technology went into the creation of Tiger. Since the original lab where he was created burned down, there are no records of what Tiger's original purpose was. There will have to be DNA and blood taken, and new tests performed. Tiger, after spending nearly 40 years of his life in a lab already, has absolutely no intention of being captured and taken back. Problem is, he now has a mate to protect; and he will protect her at all cost to himself.

This is a very good, well-plotted story. While there is the requisite 'insta-mate' scenario, there is also a much deeper story about Tiger's background, and the future of the Shifters as a whole. The secondary plot about the plan to create a race of 'super-shifters' to aid in the military is both fascinating and repellent. The subplot with the rogue military Captain Walker Danielson was also quite interesting. Readers can only hope there will be more about him in future books, especially his relationship with Kodiak bear-shifter Rebecca. TIGER MAGIC is a great read, one any regular reader of the series would be well pleased with.

Book Summary

He doesn't have a name. He doesn't have a clan. The humans who held him prisoner for forty years have taken them away. He knew nothing but captivity until nearly a year ago, when he was released into the light. Now Tiger lives in the Austin Shiftertown, where he struggles to belong and searches for an identity.

Carly Randal thinks her fabulous life is complete—until her car breaks down on the side of the road, and a wild–looking Shifter is the only one to help her. Tiger takes one look at Carly and knows instantly—she will be his mate. As Carly is drawn into his Shifter world, she risks everything she has for that forbidden something she still wants: passionate love.

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