Shifting Dreams (Cambio Springs Book 1)

I loved this book. I was hooked! I highly recommend it as had a real story line behind it. You get to understand the people better and understand where they come from. If you are looking for something you will struggle to put down, then you need to read this book!

Every book Elizabeth writes gets you engaged from the first page. You become so involved with the characters that you are sad when you have finished reading. There is nothing she has written that I haven't thoroughly enjoyed. Can't wait for her new book to come out in October.

A wonderful story and a very good writer. Elizabeth Hunter is a marvelous storyteller. She is capable to create very credible characters and to make you believe in anything. Cambio Springs Mistery is a very good series. Thank you! Looking forward for the next title. Read the books from Elemental World series.The first title:Building From Ashes (Elemental World) Also very good.

Her world is as in depth here as it was in the Elemental World Mysteries, but because Hunter only had one book to explain everything in it seemed very rushed and cramped. 4/5 definitely, just because its still a wonderful story that will, hopefully, open the door to much more Cambio Springs novels.

Great book - interesting from beginning to end. Fell in love with Jena's boys. I hope she doesn't stop here though. I would like to see what happens with Low and Bear.

Elizabeth has another winner on her hands!

Before reading this book I thought that the shape-shifting paradigm in modern fantasy was played out, but then I had the same misconception about vampire novels before reading "A Hidden Fire."

The town of Cambio Springs pops with life on the page; Hunter's well-rounded world encompasses small-town politics and neighborly interactions at the local diner while it manages to render even small quotidian elements of life beautiful, even as a supernatural weft is woven through the story. The relationships, notably the relationship between Jena, her family and Caleb, were the beating heart of the story, grounding the supernatural elements, driving the plot, and even bringing tears to my eyes.

"Shifting Dreams" is a book to savored rather than skimmed through for the interesting plot points. I finished it the same day I bought it (even as I attempted to savor it!) and now feel bereft, waiting with baited breath the release of WHATEVER Elizabeth Hunter chooses to publish next. This book is WORTH EVERY PENNY (and more!)

I like this book. I had also read the short story Long Ride Home, which introduced Jena Crowe to me. This picks up a few years later. I love the characters. They're believable despite their unusual gifts. I'm looking forward to the next one.

All of Elizabeth Hunter's stuff is good. I really loved this new book. My new crush is definitely Caleb. All the other characters were great too, the kids, Jena, everybody. The book was funny, clever, and I can't wait for book two. Loved the ending of this one.

I've enjoyed Hunter's Elemental World books but the residents of Cambio Springs are actually more up my supernatural alley.

Outsiders pretty much have to marry in to learn the secret that the residents of Cambio Springs are keeping, but the town is dying, there are no jobs and families are being forced to move away from the only place that they will ever truly be able to be themselves. That freedom from hiding is what brought young widow Jena and her two sons back home to Cambio Springs and her extended family.

As a single mom, Jena is too busy for a relationship, but when she decides to enjoy a flirtation with a handsome stranger from out of town, she expects some smooches but no entanglements after they say goodnight. Caleb Gilbert, is 'not just passing through' though, and has been hired as Cambio Springs' new police chief in conjunction with a scheme to bring new life to the town and entanglements are just want he comes to want with the smart and capable Jena. But when there's a murder in the close knit community, Caleb quickly realizes that he is trying to solve a puzzle where all the pieces don't fit and everyone in Cambio Springs is lying to him.

I really enjoyed my first full length visit to Cambio Springs, an out of the way desert town with a secret. I really loved the swaggering and sharply intelligent Caleb and the fact that even though Jena really makes him work it, he is relentless in his pursuit of getting her to give him a chance. I also really loved all of the supporting characters in Jena's friends and family - including her kids, who feel like real kids. And because I really liked the connections in the community, I didn't mind the relaxed pace of the story. I also really liked how Caleb's own secret makes it so that he ends up truly belonging in his new home.

Now, the wait begins, I can't wait to see Hunter does next in her series. I wouldn't minds seeing more of Caleb and Jena, though I can see potential in Jenna's girl friends for some hard to get HEAs. ETA: it looks like I'll get my wish the next book is Alex and Ted's but we will still get to see more of Jena and Caleb and the gang:)

If you missed the prequel short, A Long Ride Home, you might want to check it out in order to tide you over until the March 5th release date for Shifting Dreams, the short gives a little background for the Jena's situation and it is also really quite touching.

Complimentary copy for review courtesy of the author - release date is March 4th.

Shifting Dreams is the first installment in the Cambio Springs series. Jena Crowe’s husband died young which isn’t very common in the community she’s from. Left with two boys she doesn’t have time for guys except for the rare one passing through and Caleb is just what she needs. Little does she know that he’s the new police chief that was hired in town and that he won’t be leaving anytime soon. Jena’s longtime friend Alex has return to town will plans to build a hotel that will change the springs forever bringing jobs but not everyone is thrilled.

While Caleb is one of the few human’s living in the springs he is the only one who doesn’t know the true secret of the people who live there. Jena is a bird shifter her true form is that of a hawk while her husband was a wolf but he never shifted. When her grandmother as well as the council member who opposed the hotel is found murdered it’s going to be for Caleb to figure out what’s really going on. While Jena is determined she doesn’t want a relationship Caleb isn’t willing to give up and Jena may not be able to resist him forever. While the pair work together to solve her grandmothers murder, how long will Jena be able to keep her secret? Will they find the killer?

I like Jena she married even though she knew it wouldn’t last forever and that he would die long. She’s not your typically shapeshifter since she’s a hawk and she’s also not trapped in just one form which I liked a lot. I knew from day one Caleb was a perfect match for the stubborn shifter it just works well for the pair, and he accepts her even when he learns that she has feathers. The chemistry between these two just works from working the case to sweeping her off her feet.I also liked that we had a little insight into the supporting characters like Alex and Ted.

I’ve had this one on my wishlist for a while but never seemed to get around to it yet but decided that it was time to give it a shot. I’m a huge fan of shifter novels so I had some bright expectations and Shifting Dreams doesn’t disappoint. I enjoyed the unique concept for the shifters having a true from but the flexibility to take other forms as well as reptile shifters. Shifting Dreams is a supernatural mystery that is hard to put down with an intriguing story, captivating characters and just enough romance to complete a complex story. This is my first book by the author but I’m a quick fan her writing style is smooth it flows from start to finish and is well written. I’m a fan of the human shifter love story but this is my first where the female is the main character, and I liked it a lot. A beautiful story to complement the beautiful cover, highly recommend for fans of shifter romance and mystery. I've already picked up the next to in the series can't wait to see what is going to happen next in Cambio Springs.

Strange things happen in Cambio Springs . . . people are clannish, secrets are guarded, an outsider never quite fits in. Caleb Gilbert rode into town toting some heavy emotional baggage, but he was determined to make a home and a place for himself as the chief of police. He runs into a wall of resistance from some of the strange locals who don't cotton to outsiders as they protect their secrets at all costs. Jena Crowe is a widowed mom with two young boys, making ends meet by running her parent's diner during the day and tending bar at night. Sparks fly when Caleb & Jena meet & share one electrifying kiss on Caleb's first night in town. In the weeks that follow, he pursues Jena as diligently as she pushes him away. Why won't she let him get close? How can he break through her guard? Late one night, Caleb is called out to the scene of a murder to find a very naked Jena sitting on the porch crying. He senses her lies when he tries to question her. . . in fact, Caleb knows that everyone on the scene is lying to him. The murder victim is a tribal elder, found lying naked in a pool of blood, bearing some strange deadly scratches. As Caleb investigates the scene, he realizes that something is very wrong here. The evidence just doesn't add up, and he can't catch a murderer if no one will tell him the truth. What is going on in this town? Who & what are these people?

There's a fascinating cast of characters in Cambio Springs. Caleb is so sexy, so gorgeous. And while he pretty much rode into town on a white horse, he's also in need of some TLC himself. He left a past that haunts him and carries a saddle bag full of self-inflicted guilt. Jena's simply afraid to love and trust again, afraid of being left alone once more if another man either dies too young as her first husband did or simply rides out of town like most outsiders eventually do. Caleb has his work cut out for him once he decides that he wants to be the man in Jena & her son's lives. Sooner or later, everyone must choose whether or not to allow someone close enough to help them close the door on the past, accept the present, and move forward into the future. And while trying to convince Jena that he's the real deal, Caleb is experiencing some strange sensations/dreams of his own. There's an intriguing supporting cast that I know will be fodder for future stories . . . I look forward to reading their stories, especially Ted & Alex and Ollie & Allie.

Shifting Dreams is a hard book to describe without spoilers. You really need to live and experience the story as you read it. I found this book to be different than other series I've read by Hunter, but just as captivating in its own way. The town of Cambio Springs is an intriguing mystery. Like a present, this book builds anticipation, unwrapping the mystery of the town & people one page at a time. I was quickly hooked by Hunter's writing style (as always) and found this book to be an unique, often funny, fascinating, and yes, even sexy read. A Must Read!

I love Elizabeth Hunter's imagination and world building. I read her other series, so I wanted to start reading this new series. Although it is drastically different from her other worlds, there are still other worldly creatures in this book and they do not disappoint. The way she built up the town and characters is great, because you feel like you are right there and can imagine what everything looks like. I loved the complexity of Jena's life with her boys and how well she takes care of them as a single Mom. Spoiler alert.........I was super sad that her grandmother died and for such a ridiculous reason, but it certainly added to the story. I'm sorry that she had to lose her husband and her grandmother, but it made her who she was and made it that much harder for Caleb to win her trust. Another spoiler here - one of my favorite parts of the book is when her son turns for the first time and he calls for Caleb to help him through it. I didn't know who killed her grandmother until just before she revealed who it was, so it was fun to have that mystery going back and forth trying to figure out who-done-it.

Thank you for another fun read Ms. Hunter.

Interesting and unique! I enjoyed SHIFTING DREAMS but it felt a LITTLE like it was written for a YA audience, even though it has explicit sex and the H/h are 30+ years old. However, the mythos was unique. I liked it.

I began the series with the short prequel, Long Ride Home: A Cambio Springs Short Story. It is not necessary to read the prequel, because very little happens, but die hard fans will want to.

SHIFTING DREAMS takes place three years after the prequel. It is set in Cambio Springs, a small town off the beaten path in the Mojave Desert of Southern California. Hunter portrayed the setting better than many authors in this genre. Her imagery brought to mind the smell of creosote, the Palo Verde trees, the red canyons, the everlasting dust, the intense heat, etc.

Hunter writes dialogue well, drawing several chuckles. The romance was okay, but it didn't move me to any depth. Sex didn't occur till the relationship had developed (kudos to EH). What I liked best were the murder mystery and the sense of community -- the interactions with interesting secondary characters. For example, the whole town must use the same church building but the denomination varies each week. Hah! I also loved the developing bond between Caleb (the hero) and little Aar-Bear.

The plot felt a bit contrived, because I didn't buy the reason Cabel Gilbert was hired to be the Police Chief for Cambio Springs. I did buy the premise for murder, even though it felt a bit hasty. The suspense was pretty good, actually, and kept me on my toes, which I like. I was able to guess who done it, to some extent. Smexy times in the midst of a potentially deadly suspense scene?? Grrrr!

-- CHARACTERS --

Our heroine, Jena Crowe is a widowed mother of two with a degree in culinary arts. She runs her family's restaurant, the Blackbird Diner, in Cambio Springs, and can shift into a hawk, an eagle, etc. She belongs to one of the oldest families in town (seven founding families run the town council). Jena is strong and fierce, but sometimes stupid, like when she left Caleb alone in the canyon that time, and went to Ted's house. I ♥ her two boys, especially Aaron (Bear), who is quite perceptive at only 8 years. Hunter portrayed his older brother Lowell, Jr. (Low), age 11, as a typical teenager. I also enjoyed Jena's grandmother Alma the owl, her father Tom the raven, and her mother Cathy, the normal human. I look forward to hearing more about her assorted friends: Allie the fox, Ted (Teodora), the mountain lion, Alex, the wolf, Ollie (Oliver) the bear, etc.

The hero, Caleb Gilbert, is an outsider. Most likely, I was supposed to feel angst for Caleb's tragic past, and empathize with his yearning for acceptance, belonging, and forgiveness. The recipe for a sympathetic hero was there, but I just didn't feel it. Instead, I simply liked Caleb. He's a good guy, solid to the core, protective and dedicated to justice, good looking, good humored, and cocky, with that brash male swagger I love. Sexy! Plus, he loves kids and old ladies. What's not to like? ツ

The ending gets a bit gruesome, when the murderer was finally caught. But pretty captivating, for all that. The coyote was interesting.

The epilogue points to the next book, where no doubt Alex McCann, the alpha wolf shifter, will make his move on Teodora Vasquez.

Content: Sex (a few scenes), some cussing (with F-bombs), no profanity (nice!), 3 typos.

Let me just say that I'm in love with Hunter's writing. I adored her Elemental series a few years ago, and I was super jumpy claps happy to be asked to review her Cambio Springs series. I was a little fangirly, I'll admit. Although I haven't read a shapeshifter book in the paranormal romance genre yet (Thanks to not loving the wolves from Twilight) I was all ready to give this a go with Hunter attached to the book.

So I'm going to review the two books as a whole. In Shifting Dreams we meet Jena Crowe, a single mother running a diner by herself. We are shown her life through her perspective and also the life of Cambio Springs. The cast of characters is rich and complex. Right away, you are thrown into the shifter life and become very comfortable. The world building is flawless. We are then introduced to the male protagonist, detective Caleb Gilbert. Even though he's human, there are some interesting things going on with him. Jena and Caleb are thrown together when something very tragic happens.

The plot, the pacing, the development is so well-done. Hunter served up a very suspenseful romance that almost seems at times that the paranormal aspect wasn't even the forefront. It's just normal life for Cambio Springs.

I loved the complex relationship between Jena and Caleb and the other relationships we see: Alex and Ted, and Ollie and Allie.

In Desert Bound we learn of the story of Ted (Theodora) and Alex. Ted is the town doctor and Alex is the prodigal son coming back to Cambio to lead the reins of the new hotel development and maybe his people. They have a long history, one that is full of mistrust, heartache, and feelings of abandonment. Ted works hard to not fall for Alex again, but she can't help herself when she has to work so closely with him when another murder rocks the close-knit town.

Again with this book, Hunter has captured my interest and made me fall in love hard with her characters. In Desert Bound not only did I love Ted and Alex, but she made me want to know more about Ollie and Allie's relationship. Like I NEED TO KNOW MORE NOW.

I can't stress how good these books are, so you're going to have to read them for yourself

This was my first introduction to Elizabeth Hunter, and I am so happy that I found her through a book blogging friend of mine. I listened to the Audible edition, narrated by Liisa Ivary, and this is just another example of how a good narrator can take a good book and make it even better. Her smooth delivery led me through the book, introducing me to the characters and the world in a smooth and well-modulated way.

The story itself introduces us to Cambio Springs, a shifter town – a dying town since the military base closed down. Without something good happening, the town will disappear, and the safety of its inhabitants as well. A bar, a small school, and a tiny café are about it. Seven extended families started the town when one of their number had a vision of a crow flying over hot springs. And one of those springs is very, very special.
Jena Crowe is a single mother, trying to keep her two boys fed and a roof over all their heads. After losing her husband three years ago she is lonely, but so busy she has no time to make any changes to that situation. Here comes Caleb Gilbert, the new Police Chief – a normal, apparently. Well, maybe not.

The story is interesting, the mythology well written, and it kept my attention quite well. There are some congruency issues that should have been caught by the editor, but they weren’t enough to be completely irritating. As another reviewer pointed out the Caleb character was pretty dumb at times – an officer who makes the kind of mistakes he makes is a dead man – clearly illogical for someone with his background. I really enjoyed the world building the most about the book. Interesting world building, to me, is just as important as character development. Ms. Hunter does just that.

I will be trying out her other books when I get a chance. I picked up A Hidden Fire: Elemental Mysteries, Book 1 narrated by Dina Pearlman. Right now it is on sale at Audible for $1.99, what a great deal!

** Reviewed as Book Reader Chronicles **

In this new series by Elizabeth Hunter, you are introduced to a new kind of shapeshifter in a completely new, refreshing book about the type of shifter-community that resides in Cambio Springs, which is a small town nestled in the desert. I enjoyed the style of writing that Elizabeth has, the descriptive wording, the sheer storytelling that really pulled you into the world, and the romance that slowly built. It was unlike any book I’ve read before.
“His hand gripped her thigh a little harder, and she turned to look at him. As soon as their eyes met, he gave her the softest, sweetest smile she’d ever seen. ‘You fit, Jena Crowe,’ he whispered. ‘Like the right pair of shoes.'”
Jena Crowe is a widowed mother of two boys. She works at her family’s small diner, and helps out her best friend Ollie at his bar when needed in the evenings. It’s during a shift at the bar that she meets Caleb-just-passing-through-Gilbert, and it’s his sweet charm that make her do something she never does; Make out with a man she just met. But she thinks that since he’s just passing through, no harm no foul. It isn’t until the town meeting that she realizes he’s here to stay.
“‘Do you know?’ he whispered. ‘Do you know what you do to me?'”
Caleb Gilbert is a decorated police officer from New Mexico who left on early retirement. But, he can’t turn down the job of being the Chief of the town of Cambio Springs. It’s just what he needs, a small town and to escape his ever increasing hard job in both homicide and narcotics. He feels at peace when he’s in Cambio, and he can’t quite explain why. He can explain why he’s very interested in the witty woman who works at the diner, and that may be why he likes eating there so much, beside the good food. It isn’t until a murder happens in the quiet, law-abiding town that Jena and Caleb have to work together to figure out who did it. But there are things Caleb doesn’t know, and the town is banding together to make sure he doesn’t find out. which makes Caleb’s job incredibly hard.
“Then he leaned down and pleaded in her ear, ‘Stop watching me walk away, honey. I’m standing right here.'”
Boundaries are pushed, feelings are outed, and bad things are going to happen. I absolutely loved this story and the way it played out. It kept you enraptured and somehow worked in details without your mind realizing it was. The relationship between Jena and Caleb was a very mature telling of two people on the path to finding peace. There was a long, slow build-up, but it was completely worth it. It created the passion well before there was any. It was the perfect book to refresh your pallet because there is nothing else out there like this, and it was amazing.
“‘Aaron slowly slid the Mason jar on the coffee table. ‘I’m just gonna leave that out for now…'”

**I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review**

Elizabeth Hunter does it again. No matter what this woman writes, it is absolutely perfect. And with Shifting Dreams, as usually, she doesn't disappoint.

The book tells the story of Jena, living in a town of Shapeshifters and the new police chief Caleb that moves to Cambio Springs. From the beginning there is an attraction between them, but baggage, responsibilities, secrets and a murder in their town don't make it easy on their budding relationship. Will they make it against all odds?

What I love about Elizabeth Hunter's stories is that she writes about the lives of adult characters without it being too serious or too heavy. There is still enough lightness in it, without it being about high school kids. And what she does perfectly well is creating strong female lead characters. She doesn't write about helpless damsels in distress. Her heroines are strong, fierce and confident. Sure, they have their baggage, but who above the age of a newborn doesn't. But they don't wait around for a prince to save them. They don't need a man to lean on. They choose to have a man in their life that they can lean on when they want, but who can also lean on them. I love how the relationships she describes are very equal and how the women put the men into their place if they try to treat them like helpless girls. At the same time she doesn't make the women come off as bitches or the man as spineless. She just creates wonderful characters in strong beautiful relationships.

Her writing style with Cambio Springs, just as much as with her other books, completely transported me into a different world. Reading the book I felt like I was in Cambio Springs and man, did I enjoy my trip there. All the characters were adorable, especially Jena and Caleb, Jena's boys and her friends Ollie and Ted as well as Old Quinn. Finishing the book I ended up feeling homesick. I want to go back to Cambio Springs so I hope that we won't have to wait for the next book too long.

A fabulous thing about this book is that it doesn't end on a cliffhanger. There are still stories to be told but it leaves me cosy and satisfied until the next book comes out.

NOTE: For maximum enjoyment of this book spend 99 cents and buy the short story prequel Long Ride Home: A Cambio Springs Short Story , I promise you will not regret it. Read it before this novel.

This was an excellent novel with all the things that make great novels. The writing was excellent, the story was compelling, the characters were interesting and the mystery revolved around the romance (or maybe vice versa)

The story is multi-faceted in that you have to deal with the reasons behind Caleb's reasons for coming to Cambio Springs, Jena's reasons for avoiding him, a murder and a BIG secret.

The love/hate romance of Caleb and Jena is the core of the romantic part of the story but solving the murder is the other major event and when you realize that the new Chief of Police is an "outsider" (meaning he is unaware of the shifters in this small town) makes his job a LOT harder since it becomes obvious that the murder seems to be committed by a shifter and nobody will talk to him about such things.

Throw in a lot of unemployed people needing jobs and the murder ties in with the possibility of a new hotel resort being built which would benefit the town and you have all the necessary elements for a good murder mystery then add it the romance and the paranormal aspect and it all melds together perfectly.

This is such an excellent paranormal read! It has all of the world-building of urban fantasy, an intriguing mystery, and an intense but not overwhelming romance. You'd think that would be too much to fit into one short book, but Shifting Dreams instead merged all of the elements into a cohesive and page-turning whole.

One short note --- the "epilogue" is entirely teaser for book 2. There is nothing to do with book one (or even with book one's protagonists) in it. So, feel free to skip the final chapter unless you want to dive into book 2 immediately. Of course, you *will* want to dive in, so why am I warning you?

I've read the first in Ms. Hunter's Elemental Series and while I was the waiting list for the second book at the library, I checked out this book to read as well. The style is very different, but I was pleased to find I enjoyed this book very much. One scene was laugh out loud funny and I don't find that very often. Some lovely family stuff too.

I read this pretty much all in one go which tells you how hard it is to put down. I hope to be enjoying more of Ms Hunter's books soon.

There is no doubt - Elisabeth Hunter is an amazingly talented story - teller. Her writing is fluid and enticing; her suspense is tense and keeps you guessing till the last moment. But her main strength is in creating absolutely magnificent, diverse characters. I Loved Jena and Caleb. I loved their strength and vulnerabilities, loved to see that while the initial strong attraction is there, the actual relationship is allowed to develop through the book, loved their warmth and humor. Is this book a suspense mystery or a romance? Well, to me it wore both hats with an exceptional style and panache. I became a devoted fan after blitzing through Elemental Mysteries series and everything else that Ms Hunter wrote so far. Can't wait for another visit to Cambio Springs or anything else which comes from the pen of this fantastic writer.

Caleb comes to the little town of Cambio as the new Sheriff, not knowing the secrets that's hidden there. Falling for his landlady could be easy, if she wasn't so against it. Nevermind the hot makeout session they had before he moved into her trailer..
Jena's got her reasons not to fall head over heels for the hot new Sheriff, a big one is the fact that almost all of the town is shifters, and he can't know about that..
But then tragedy strikes, and now Jena & Caleb need to work together, trying not to act on their feelings.

Action, suspense, shifters and smutty fluff in a great combo, and another favorite series from Elizabeth Hunter!

I love how Hunter can write paranormal books in which the paranormal elements are both so integral and so elegantly entwined in the story. Unlike many authors, she doesn't write exposés on mystic creatures; she writes well-constructed tales of characters who live, breath, and love in real time, who just happen to have a little something extra about them. Their conflicts are human, and as such, the reader develops an immense simpatico with each, rooting for or against in a desire for resolution and not out of a lust for the magical. Her voice is engaging and regulated to both tempt and taunt the reader with just enough tease and release to keep you on the edge of your seat

As many of you know I am a very big Elizabeth Hunter fan. Hunter's Elemental Mysteries series is one of my favorites. Shifting Dreams is the first book in an all new series and after reading this first book in the Cambio Springs series I am so excited about what is to come from this world!

Cambio Springs, where Shifting Dreams takes place, is almost a character itself. All the people that live in this special town are also the keeper of its secrets and vice versa. I truly loved all the back story, rich history, and folklore that Hunter created/adapted to bring in all of the paranormal elements that flow through this town that makes it what it is. I have always been a big fan of any type shifter story and it is always refreshing to me to have the history of why people are shifting in the first place... I was given that in Shifting Dreams.

What I love most about Hunter's writing is how real she makes her characters, regardless of all the paranormal world they are living in.

Jena is a widowed mother of two boys who is completely devoted to her family. What I really liked about Jena is that she didn't complain about the hardship in her life. She took what she was given and worked with it to the best of her ability. I loved how strong Jena was, but I will say her ability to be so stubborn towards love with our main man Caleb drove me a little nuts. (More on that later) Jena's two boys are really who stole my heart. Low, Jena's oldest son, is tough. He feels very protective of his mom and brother and takes that very seriously. Bear, the younger of the two brothers, has an uncanny ability to know things about people and because of this he has an easy way with people because he knows who he can trust. Put in the fact that Bear is just plain cute and you have a character that I am really wanting to see more of.

Caleb is new to the small town of Cambio Springs and has no idea what he has gotten himself into by taking the job of sheriff. Caleb has a past that he wants desperately to get away from but he soon discovers that he can't hide like he wanted in this small town. I really liked Caleb, and not just because he was hot, strong, and totally sure of himself in a charming way... When a murder takes place in the town he goes above and beyond to solve what happened even after being blocked by many of the townspeople to protect their secret.

The relationship between Caleb and Jena was fun to watch unfold. Caleb tried to get to Jena at every available moment and let me tell you Jena did not make it easy for him at all. I love the two of them together and as Shifting Dreams progressed I wanted all four (Jena, Caleb, Bear, and Low) of them to be a family. Elizabeth Hunter did not write their story as an easy get together, but maybe that is why I cheered for them so hard.

I think anyone could enjoy Shifting Dreams, especially fans of Mercy Thompson, or any shifter romance mystery. I am so excited to continue with this series!

Happy Reading,
Rebecca

*I received this book for an honest review

If you like Patricia Briggs or Faith Hunter novels, give Elizabeth Hunter a try. Honestly, I wasn't expecting much from a Kindle Unlimited offering, but the storytelling here was excellent. I'll be reading more!

I really enjoyed this story; so I'm moving straight to the second of one in the series. Cant wait to learn more about the residents of this unique town. Looks like it is going to be a great new series to enjoy.

I got this book from the Kindle lending library. I had never heard of the author, but I do enjoy paranormal romance. Well it was really great--I would say on par with one of my favorite authors, Charlaine Harris. I hope others who enjoy this genre will give this book a try--I know I am looking forward to the next one in the series!

Nice beginning to a new series. The plot is good, the writing solid and fast paced. But the best thing is that the author knows how to create characters that develop depth and engage the reader in the story.

In the small town of Cambio Springs, things aren't really what they seem. The citizens are cut off from the rest of the world by a secret - they are able to shift into animals.

Shifting Dreams is the first (and only!) book I've read about shape shifters and when I started reading this book, I had no idea what it was about. So you can imagine my surprise when I found out that it was about a town where residents are shape shifters. However, the book kicks off with a humorous start and I was immediately drawn into the story and the characters' lives. Unfortunately, I felt that too many characters were introduced in the first few chapters of this book and initially I found it very difficult to keep track of who was who. However, when I started getting into the story and started getting used to the characters, I ended up really liking most of them and I felt that the author developed the characters really well.

Jena was an especially strong character and I couldn't help falling in love with Caleb. There was so many sparks and chemistry between them and I really looked forward to seeing their relationship develop. There were also a lot of humorous parts when these characters got together which were very well written and which I thoroughly enjoyed.

I think that what really kept me on edge while reading this book was its `mystery' element. I've always loved whodunit books and therefore I really liked the fact that part of this story had this investigative element.

After reading this book, I will definitely be reading more books by Elizabeth Hunter. If you are a fan of paranormal books with a bit of romance, then this will be a book that you will definitely enjoy.

I'm a big fan of Elizabeth's Elemental series and enjoyed reading her other books as well. The Cambio Springs first book is set in a desert town full of shifters, and takes a different spin on "supernaturals" that I found refreshing. Because this book is the first book in a new series the challenge of setting up the feel of the book setting, developing a plot, and establishing a relationships between all the characters it felt a little rushed to come to a conclusion. That is my only reason for giving it four stars..wish the store had a 4.5 option. This book is another great addition for Hunter and I look forward to more books in this series.

Ms. Hunter has become one of my favorite authors. I love her stories and her writing is addictive.

The story of Caleb and Jena was great. There were some things that needed a bit more editing but minor enough that it didn't distract from reading. I enjoyed being in this shifter world and look forward to reading more about the Cambio Springs residents.

Read from March 07 to 09, 2013

After completing Elizabeth Hunter's Elemental Mysteries/World books I was wary about her new Cambio Springs series... how could it possibly measure up? I'm so happy my fears were for nothing because Shifting Dreams more than measured up! Ms. Hunter continues to create richly drawn characters, settings and background detail that make you eager for each person's story, not just the main protagonists. Cambio Springs is yet another world she's developed that will make you fully imagine it could exist within our own.

Hunter makes the shift into this genre deftly because she is a very readable and entertaining writer. No surprises in the story that makes you think her interpretation is different from other novels about the edge of reality in the dusty southwest. It's just good entertainment although I enjoyed her vamp series better because I found it more original.

I liked it. I have enjoyed all of Ms. Hunter's books. Well written, right up there with some of my favorites; Michelle Sagara West's Cast series, Lynn Kurland's Nine Kingdoms, Christine Feehan's Drake Sisters, and Robin D Owens The Summoning series. I will be reading everything she writes. My only complaint is that my favorite authors should be able to write as fast as I read. Thank you, Ms. Hunter

ok, this is my first time reading this author.
she is one to put on the watch list!!
I loved this book!
could not put the thing down!
now i am wanting more from the shifters of Cambio Springs!!!!!
bring it on!!!!!

Easy, uncomplicated read with an interesting twist. This is a perfect book to take to the beach. There's an immediate chemistry between the hero and heroine. there were some unexpected twists and I was able to see 'the end' from a mile away but I still enjoyed the trip.

I read this book in less than 24 hours and I loved it. A little confusing at times with so many characters and trying to keep them straight but just like every one of her other books, she drew me in to a fantastic tale.

Another great story from Elizabeth Hunter. I've read all her books and enjoyed everyone. Shifting Dreams was no exception. Couldn't put it down. Just sad that now I have to wait until another book is released. I never thought I would become a fan of "paranormal romance" but Elizabeth Hunter has me craving more. She's become my favorite author of all time.