Bear’s Midlife Surprise: A Fated Mate Shifter Romance (Bear Mates Over Forty Book 4)(Paranormal Women's Midlife Fiction)

Bear’s Midlife SurpriseA Fated Mate Shifter Romance (Bear Mates Over Forty Book 4)Aline Ash © 2023 Aline Ash Bear’s Midlife Surprise, book 4 All Rights Reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locations is purely coincidental. The characters are all productions of the author’s imagination.Please note that this work is intended only for adults over the age of 18 and all characters represented as 18 or over.Kindle Edition Join Aline's FB group, Aline's Aliens, for sneak peaks, giveaways, and oversharing.Get notified of new releases and special offers by signing up to Aline’s Email list Table of ContentsAbout the Book:ForewordChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 5Chapter 6Chapter 7Chapter 8Chapter 9Chapter 10Chapter 11Chapter 12Chapter 13Chapter 14Chapter 15Chapter 16Chapter 17Chapter 18Chapter 19Chapter 20EpilogueAlso by Aline AshAbout the Author About the Book:What happens when a lifelong bachelor and a recent divorcee, both adamant about avoiding relationships, collide in a whirlwind of midlife passion and an unexpected surprise? JanuaryAfter a bitter divorce in her 40s, January swears off love, embracing her newfound freedom. Men are strictly off-limits and she has no regrets, except for one: not having children.When her sister June invites her to a secluded cabin retreat, January agrees cautiously, with one strict condition—no meddling or attempts at matchmaking.But destiny has other plans. A twist of fate lands January in the Greenacre clinic, where Tavish, a magnetic and captivating man, tends to her wounds. In his presence, a spark of attraction ignites, defying January's resolve to stay single.As January battles her conflicted desires, Tavish unexpectedly shows up at the cabin and June plays Cupid. But their night of passion brings an unforeseen mid-life surprise that changes everything. TavishTavish, a seasoned bachelor among shifters, believed his chance for a mate had long passed. After all, his bear remained silent for years. But when January storms into his life, an undeniable truth is striking—she is the one. The connection is electric, and in an instant, their world transforms.Tavish's bear roars with determination, leading them on a path to a passionate happily-ever-after that will surpass their wildest expectations.But what happens when January and Tavish's destinies entwine in a striking midlife twist? Bear Mates Over Forty ” Bear Shifters Series: Book 1: Midlife Bear Twins Book 2: Midlife Daddy Bear Book 3: Bear’s Midlife Miracle Book 4: Bear’s Midlife Surprise Book 5: Midlife Forgotten Mate Chapter 1January“Everyone thinks we’re crazy. No one goes to the cabin in the middle of winter.” January shuddered just thinking about it, even though her heat was blasting in the car. But when her sister invited her to the cabin in the mountains just a few hours from Seattle, she’d agreed because what else was she going to do? Stay home and brood?It wasn’t like she could even get out of the house—she worked from home. Why her sister had picked up and accepted a job in Washington when Arizona was a perfectly good state, January would never truly understand. But she had, and then she’d met Greg, and now she had a life and a family there.“Well, I’m already here and I’ve been here for hours. Crazy or not, I have the fire going and I can make you tea when you get your frozen ass through the front door. That’s why Greg leaves a huge pile of wood. So we can use the place in winter. It’s why we have a functional outhouse and not just one for décor. Sure, there might not be running water, but who needs that? We’re only here for a couple days. Surely we can rough it.”“Ugh. Is it too late to say I miss the city already? Is it too late to say that I miss Phoenix?”“You’ve had one hell of a road trip to get here. It’s only, what, half an hour longer? You can do it. I believe in you. Besides, we barely see each other anymore. This is our week away from civilization. It’s our time to recharge the old creative batteries.”By creative batteries, January knew her sister was crazy worried about her. She couldn’t be doing fine six months post divorce. She just couldn’t. First, her family hadn’t understood what she’d seen in Jotham, then they couldn’t figure out why she’d ever want to marry him, but she had, and they’d all come around. In the end, Jotham was one of the family. And he was loved. Probably more than she was at certain times. To her family, he was the perfect husband, the doting partner, the funny one, the outgoing one, the one who would always be there in times of trouble.Her mom still called him weekly. Which was fine. He’d been a part of the family for over fifteen years. January didn’t expect her parents or siblings to just drop him. That would have been harsh. She would never have done anything to turn her family against him. Really, it wasn’t a him or her choice. But when they asked her to explain to them what happened, she just couldn’t.“I think it’s more that you want to put your feet up and drink wine and not have to change diapers or make meals or clean the house for a week.” January said, smiling to herself. She knew her sister well.“Yeah, okay, it’s a break from my life too.” June’s voice was unabashedly unapologetic over the car’s speakers.At least the phone reception was still good. That was a plus about the cabin, or at least June promised it would be. Cell reception, internet, the whole deal. January wouldn’t have to miss one freaking heartbeat when it came to her work, which was good, because people weren’t so easy going when it came to having to wait for their floor plans and any changes they might