Mine to Possess (Psy-Changling #4) by Nalini Singh

Clay Bennett is a powerful DarkRiver sentinel, but he grew up in the slums with his human mother, never knowing his changeling father. As a young boy without the bonds of Pack, he tried to stifle his animal nature. He failed...and committed the most extreme act of violence, killing a man and losing his best friend, Talin, in the bloody aftermath. Everything good in him died the day he was told that she, too, was dead.

Talin McKade barely survived a childhood drenched in bloodshed and terror. Now a new nightmare is stalking her life--the street children she works to protect are disappearing and turning up dead. Determined to keep them safe, she unlocks the darkest secret in her heart and returns to ask the help of the strongest man she knows...

Clay lost Talin once. He will not let her go again, his hunger to possess her, a clawing need born of the leopard within. As they race to save the innocent, Clay and Talin must face the violent truths of their past...or lose everything that ever mattered.

Type: Paranormal Romance-Shifters/Psy
Heat: 2.5 out of 5
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

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A second chance at love, mixed mates (she's human and he's Shifter) and a bit of drama made for a pretty nice read, indeed. I'm still not entirely wowed by the Psy-Changeling world but it's growing on me and Mine to Possess was a nice addition to the series. I enjoyed it and the mix up of having a human as one of the main characters.

The quick of it is that children are disappearing and Talin--in a last ditch effort--goes to the one person she knows will help her find the kids she cares for...if only he knew she was still alive. See...years ago after he saved her life when they were children...she faked her death and ran from Clay. Yeah. Might have had a bone to pick with the heroine over that.

Clay was a wonderful hero. The males are definitely my favorite thing about the series. They're possessive and totally alpha. Growly and just flat out sexy. And Clay was no exception. He's got a bit more animal edge to him because of his past and is blunt in how he deals with people--totally loved that. And he'll do anything for those he cares for once he's given his word. Just an all around amazing guy.

Talin was an okay heroine but I did struggle with some aspects of her character. She really cares for others and is determined in saving those that are hers. But like I mentioned I didn't love that she pretended to be dead all these years and let Clay think she was...until she needed him. And then kept acting scared of him though he'd never once done anything to harm her when all he'd ever done was protect her even if it meant horrible things for him. So some grrs I had to overlook but thankfully Clay was there to keep me happy. The times between them were fairly entertaining even if they didn't go too steamy.

"Did the women say something to you?"

"Forget it." She drew back. "I was having a "woe is me" moment. I'm over it."

He knew better. "Tally."

She pressed her lips together. He waited. She blew out a breath. "Fine! I got interrogated about my intentions toward you."

He pulled her closer, holding her with his arms around her waist. "And what are your intentions?" he murmured, leaning down to brush his lips over hers. "Are you planning to divest me of my virtue? I'll even ask nice."

The suspense of children being snatched and in danger was interesting and kept me curious for the exact hows and whys. It was a little twisty and ended well.

Overall, Mine to Possess was a decent read. I loved little cameos of the cubs and the whole pack mentality of once you're in...you're in--The mob doesn't let you out. Go ahead and try. You're theirs and they'll fight to the death for you--I just love that. There was some nice humor and a little bit of steam and a happy ending for two people who have had a rough go in life and lost so many things and so much time. So not a bad read at all despite some heroine woes.

Have you read Singh?

Do you struggle with heroines?

Have a favorite second chance romance?

Or a soft spot for cubs?

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