Tempting the Beast

I won't rehash the plot. I agree with the other 5 star reviewers - this book is amazing. From the plot to the hot - it's all in here. Merinus is an amazing female lead - strong, no nonsense, but not hard. Callan is loyal and sexy but also tortured by a horrific past. These are PERFECT lead characters - there wasn't a downside to them. I loved them both!

The idea that science could create secret breeds is extremely intriguing and utterly believable - who knows what things they can do now! Great action can be found here too - and not only between the sheets although this romantica is probably THE BEST I've read - and I've read a lot believe me.

This book is worth every penny - it's one for the keeper shelf to be re read multiple times and savored. I owe a big debt of thanks to the ladies over at the Paranormal Romance thread here as they were the ones who recommended this under the "steamy" label. It certainly was that - but I certainly wasn't expecting such a great story too. Color me impressed.

If you like romantica (or erotica or mucho steam in your romance) then do not hesitate to pick this one up - I just downloaded the next 3 to my Kindle.

I'm not what you'd call a huge fan of paranormal stories - I don't go out of my way for vampires, shapeshifters, Carpathians or immortals - but every once in a while I indulge (mainly MaryJanice Davidson's wacky, sexy vamps and werewolves). If I gotta read this sort of story I prefer it to have some relationship to a possible reality. I always liked the show DARK ANGEL before it got canceled about genetically engineered soldiers created in secret labs in the not so distant future. Well Lora Leigh's "Breed" series are very much in that vein (but much more erotic!!). In Ms. Leigh's stories, a shadowy, ruthless, degenerate group called "The Council" operates secret labs where they do genetic experiments with the mission of creating ruthless and disposable soldiers. Their creations are part human and part animal due to the animal DNA used to create them for specific purposes. There are two "Breed" series (so far): one with feline DNA and one with wolf DNA. TEMPTING THE BEAST is the first book in the Feline Breeds series and it's a great read. BTW, her Wolf Breed stories are all ebooks (no pb releases so far) and are not available at the store (...)and so far I've read short story WOLF'S HOPE (the first in the series) and her most recent, ELIZABETH'S WOLF (which was awesome!).
Reporter Merinus Tyler wants to expose the Council for the disgrace they are, feeling that if the American public knew what they were doing, they would be outraged and take the "Breeds" to their hearts. Callan Lyons, one of the few breeds ever to escape the Council is not so sure. He's survived by his cunning and animal instincts and the last thing he wants is a reporter snooping around and exposing him (and his pride) to danger. But he is unusually attracted to the spunky Merinus and though he tries to stay away from her, he eventually gives in to his attraction and kisses her. That kiss starts a "mating frenzy" that neither can fight and Callan must face the fact that Merinus is his mate. But how is he to keep her (and his pride) safe from the assassins that the Council regularly sends to kill him? If Merinus should fall into their hands (especially if she were pregnant), she would become no more than another experiment to them, her life no longer worth living. How can he keep them all safe? Is Merinus right - is the best thing to come into the glare of the public spotlight and try to live as close to a normal life as possible? Merinus's father, seven brothers and senator uncle are all willing to help, so has the time arrived to "hide in plain sight"? Will they ever really be safe from the Council?
Lora Leigh writes several different types of erotica, some of which I'm not particularly interested in (3-ways, bondage, etc), but I do enjoy these Breed Series stories. The males are uber alpha with their animal instincts, heightened senses and hot looks. Her heroines have to be strong with lots of backbone to keep from being totally dominated by these males. And the sex is hot with the animal DNA adding some really interesting aspects into the mix! Definitely not for the faint of heart, but for those who enjoy this type of story highly recommended!
Second in the Feline Breeds series is THE MAN WITHIN about fellow breed Tabor and forthcoming will be KISS OF HEAT about Merinus' brother Kane and Callan's breed "sister" Sherra (there's a history between these two and a sexual tension you can't ignore - can't wait for that one!). And I can't say enough about how great ELIZABETH'S WOLF was (since I can't review it here!) but check it out!!

It's hard to pick a favorite from this absolutely mind blowing, intense and powerful series. If you've never read the Breed's, you must. Once you get started, you'll never stop and always want more! My all time favorite ever, period. ❤️?

This book is a wonderful store that will make you cry for and cheer for all the breeds. And make you hate the counsel for what they did to them and to the women and children! Thank god no sure thing can be done in this day and age!!!

One of the best authors ever, the Breed books will bring you into another world of posability. Each book consistant with the others! Cannot say enough about the fantastic concept and writing she has done!

I am a big fan of shifter stories. I thought the story was good. I liked the chemistry between Merinus and Callan.

I will say the Merinus seems to handle the situation almost to well about being mated to a shifter, I thought that could have been a little better. Callan was good just the way he was. No excuses just did what came to him. Period. The secondary characters I felt were really good and Mrs. Leigh did an excellent job planting seeds for future stories that makes you want to read as fast as you can to get to them. I can't wait to get to Kane and Sherra's story as well as Dawn. As usually the sex was great. VERY HOT, no holds barred........

This book is nearly entirely erotica (sex), but the plotline fills in an interesting hole in Leigh's Breed series. The tale takes place after some breeds have escaped captivity/scientists, but before they go public. M-- and her family are ordinary humans who have developed a plan to make the breeds' situation public, hold the scientists accountable, and stop the scientists evil experiments. M-- is the only daughter (7 brothers) and so convinces her family that she should be the one to approach C--. He is an escaped feline breed (lion) living in hiding from the scientists efforts to recapture. When they meet, the mating instincts take over.

None of the breeds know anything about mating, and their working through this was part of the enjoyment. The book is focuses heavily on the erotic aspect of mating, to the point of being inconsistent with other books--I suggest you ignore that inconsistency. This is the only Leigh/breed book I know of where the mating itself is enough of an unknown to be the plot twist keeping him and her apart, and I thought it worked well. The book hinted of an earlier yet story, but didn't name it and this one is called #1.

I really just want to know what was up with this woman she's so stupid she wants to put somebody at risk in order for a story and she thinks people will be OK with it I find it highly dumb why would you want to bring somebody else's life so you can have a story why would you want to put a whole pride in danger so you can feel better because youjust a sheltered girl with seven brothers who you always say are going to do something and hurt him what type of bitch are you I really don't get it it's so stupid it's steamy good sex but other than that it's really irritating that she is only thinking about herself The writer try to give her a strong female lead not going to be's not going to submit to the Alpha and I'm just thinking like you don't have to fully submit you can think of the whole picture you obviously haven't grown up enough to actually think of other people besides what your brothers can do and what you think is best and not looking at everybody who struggling

Lora Leigh has a created a world in which genetic experiments have introduced humans with animal dna... these humans have some of the characteristics of the animals they share dna with.
They were experimented on and kept locked in laboratories.
Tempting the Beast is the first of the Feline Books this is the Story of Callan Lyons a Feline breed fighting for his freedom and the survival of his pride.. Callan and a few others had managed to escape their prison. Trying to live with out detection- along comes Merinus a reporter. Through distrust comes love but with the Genetics Council hot on their trail.. which they live long enough to embrace it.....
If you have never ever read Lora Leigh before here is an author with extraordinary talent who writes with passion and emotion.
Her books will make you run through a gumut of emotions.
TEMPTING THE BEAST is erotic sensual and passionate with strong characters that remain in your mind longer after you have read the last chapter.

You have two strong individuals, put them together and let the sparks fly... Callan is the definition of Alpha Male. He's sexy, hot and dominant. And Merinus is no TSTL heroine. She's smart, funny, feisty and a total smart ass. Their sex scenes are erotic and explosive. Hell, I wanted to jump into my Sony ereader, poof Merinus away and submit to him. LOL! This is on my top 5 best erotic book I've read. Granted, I'm not a big erotic book reader because of the lack of storyline. But anyway, since I thoroughly enjoyed Tempting the Beast, I plan to read the next book, The Man Within.

Meh. There was so much arguing and grandstanding and not much doing other than having sex until the end. I'd have to say the last 20% was my favorite and redeeming part of the entire book. It's sad that it took me so long to get interested -- if I wasn't a person who completes what she starts, I would have bailed on this book long before it got good. Or if all I wanted was soft core sex scenes. The book wasn't bad, it just wasn't great or what I expect from a long standing series.

I have read all the breed books and everything written by Lora Leigh. By far this is the best series ever written. The imagination put into this series is astounding. Lora Leigh is a fantastic author. I love all her novels. I recommend this series to everyone.

I agree with CeCe, "More like 3.5" I actually stop reading to write a comment, but CeCe had already written exactly what I wanted to say. I was so irritated by Merinus I wanted to throw something, or cry just as much as she did in the book! I have never felt like this toward a fictional character, from a fictional book...ever!

Merinus was also one of the most annoying leading ladies I have ever had to suffer through. It seemed both she and the author were confused as to who she really was. I honestly get tired of authors creating great alpha males and then trying to come up with an equally strong counterpart for them who comes off as a strubborn, irrational, screaming shrew an is no where near the males equal in anyway. Stubbornnes is not a writing shortcut for strength and a woman's smart-aleck response does not necessrily put them on equal footing or put the man in his place.

There is the attempt to portray Merinua as a hard-as-nails chick. A strong woman more than equal to Callan (an alpha male), but the only sign of that inner strength was her foul mouth. When she attempted to stand up for herself it was not on her own two feet but her brother's brawn. I lost count of how much time she spent crying. She did not seem smart enough or mature enough to handle the assignment of reaching out to Callan on behalf of the family news business. For the first three quarters of the book she was more like a spoiled princess threatening to have her brothers beat Callan up. She was almost enough to put the book down...

After reading so many positive reviews, I couldn't wait to read this first book in the new "Breeds" series by Lora Leigh.

I found this book really difficult to get through, but I stuck it out nonetheless. I found the idea of creating shifters by DNA manipulation fascinating, but unfortunately, other than the concept, I found the book very irritating.

The sex overload was way to graphic for my taste, the characters not very established and their interactions very superficial/physical based. The main character, Marinus, a journalist on a job who confusingly becomes the mate of a genetically engineered man/lion. She lacks the typical strong heroine characteristics. Her mate Callan is leader of his pride, a group of mixed-breed humans on the run from the evil council who created them. It's her job to bring him in for protection, which makes for a great plot, but one that is marred by an overdose of sex. Basically, Callan and Marinus are in heat the entire book, from page one onward.

What a shame. This book could have been so much more in my opinion. Great ideas, but characters need more depth and the storyline needs to be more of a focus.

Sorry, but I won't be reading the rest of the series.

Tempting the Beast is full of heat, emotion and intensity. The first in Lora Leighs Feline series, this book introduces us to the breeds, who have a mixture of human and feline DNA. Merinus Tyler is a determined reporter, and she wants information on Callan Lyons, a very secretive feline breed. Little does she know that getting involved with Callan will bring changes and dangers that she never anticipated.
Lora Leigh writes an intriguing and HOT book full of emotion. These characters are wonderfully written, and you won't be able to put this one down as you watch Callan and Merinus find their way through danger while running from the Genetic Council.
If you love Romantica and Romance, this is your book! Don't miss it!

I just absolutely love the Breed series. I was hooked from the very first book. This series is brilliantly written as is all of Lora Leigh's books. Amazing plots, twist, descriptive,vivid, fluid details and characters you just fall in love with. So well written it draws you in and you feel like you are actually there with them. There's not a book that Lora Leigh has written that I didn't like. For a fantastic read I would suggest any Lora Leigh book. Such a brilliant and talented writer. ''''''''

If you like smoking hot reads you can never go wrong with Lora leigh. I only rated this book 4 stars because if you continue to read her books they only get better and better. She's my favorite author of all time and has been a definite 5 star writer for years now.

Um ... was there a plot in between all that sex? TEMPTING THE BEAST by Lora Leigh is basically a porno about a journalist named Marinus who becomes the mate of a genetically engineered man named Callan who is half-human, half-lion. Callan is leader of his pride, a group of mixed-breed humans on the run from the evil council who created them. It's a fascinating concept that is marred by an overdose of sex. I love romances, but I never thought I'd complain about too much physical loving. This one overdid it. Basically, Callan and Marinus are in heat the entire book, from page one onward. I think there's a graphic love scene, like, every other page. Raunchy ones, too. Believe me, this book is not for the faint of heart. Anyway, I like the idea behind the series ... I just don't know if I want to dare reading book #2 (this is book #1 in the series). Sometimes too much detail is a scary thing....

I am not going to describe this book, I see that has already been done. This was an excellent story for Lora's breed books. There was romance, lust, love, hate, anger (NOT TO MENTION VERY STEAMY)...just about everything you can ask for in a good read. If you enjoy Lora Leigh's books you will love this one.
I highly recommend this book, along with all of the breed books I have read so far. I will be checking out more of Lora's books.
Keep them coming Lora, we are not disappointed-so far you have received all 5 stars from me on all your books.

With only passably decent storyline. Okay, I know it's erotica....but, sheesh! Why is it so hard to find a book with imaginative, graphic sex AND an intriguing storyline? I've only read a couple of Leigh's books, and can't figure out her popularity!! I'm annoyed with her frequency of cuss words in that it implies a deficiency in either her vocabulary or imagination. I'm also particularly annoyed with her choices of terms of endearment for her characters..."Baby" & "Babe" just DON'T have the same appeal on paper!

This book was recommend to me by a friend.. Wow!! I was very surprised to the say the least.
This is the story of Callan and Merinus. You are introduced to Callan who has been altered by scientist for thier evil purposes. But thier humanity still remains intact. This is a fight for survial for the Breeds. Merinus is a reporter seeking the truth or is it myth about these Breeds.
Great sexual tension with Callan and Merinus. This is not your average romance this is erotica. I am now hooked on the breeds. I can not wait to find out what happens to the other Breeds..
Great Job Ms. Leigh you now have another fan to add to your list.

Tempting the Beast is the first breed book in Lora Leigh's Feline Breed series and is by far one of the best books I have read!
A genetic experiment is created by The Council, a group of sadistic scientists attempting to make the ultimate soldiers, and from this experiment comes the Feline Breeds.
Callon Lyons is mysterious and shady, one of the few male Feline Breeds. Merinus Tyler is an adventurous reporter unwilling to accept no for an answer. Combined they create a sizzling story that sears the pages, and is unforgettable.
Lora Leigh does a fantastic job weaving these two characters together. Tempting the Beast introduces The Genetics Council and the many atrocities performed on these wonderful characters. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a unstoppable tale of romantica!

This book SUCKS. There is zero character development whatsoever. The plot is completely unbelievable & not fleshed out, the two characters come across as very bland & one dimensional. Case in point:
Merinus: She's supposed to be this tough as nails badass reporter chic. However she cmes across as being whiny, stupid & naive. First of all she gets a call giving her directions to the lair where these breed are supposed to be. Just becase there's supposed to be a "story", she decided to jump in her car, at night(!) & drives into the wild with NO idea where she is going. She is then captured, escapes being raped & decides the story is more important than her life.
Another thing I hate aboout many paranoral books, eg Black dagger brotherhod is the use of sex as a sign of love. Like we are so turned on by the sight of each other, the man is always & i mean always fighting a boner when near his lady love, the woman can't fight his charm (!) Whatever happened to a relationship gradually growing, based on love, on mutual respect?

Lora Leigh has created a captivating world within our own. Merinus Taylor is a reporter in search of an unbelievable story. It is a story of genetically enhanced warriors who have escaped from their creators. What she discovers is even more wild than her wildest imagination. She concentrates her focus on Callan Lyons, a man she is sexually drawn to like no other man she has every met. This world of breeds has many twists and turns and leaves the reader wanting to know more. The breeds love as deeply as they hate and the sexual eroticism of this book is not to be missed. A wonderful book to begin the breed feline series.

This is where it all began...My love affair with the Breeds and my quest to read everything that LL writes.
What a great beginning to this incredible journey through the imagination of one woman and her ability to make you believe in the romance and the horror of the Breeds existence prior to the telling of their stories. Even though this series is about the Breeds, the alpha ways of her characters seem to remarkably resemble humans as well.
I hope you're read these stories and enjoy them as much as I have.

Yet again another SPECTACULAR book written by Lora Leigh. I suggest starting with this book if you are going to read the following stories in this excellent series.

A quick re-cap of this story involves lead characters Callen Lyons and Merinus Tyler. Callen is a lion/human who has been running most of his adult life to get away from scientist's who consider him nothing more than an experiment. Callen's other goal is to try and keep his secret from human knowledge. The heroine, Merinus Tyler is a reporter who seeks Callen out to not only get his story but to try and keep him safe from the people determined to capture him. What neither expects is to learn the other is their soul-mate. Something that only happens once in a person who has an animal spirit as well as a humans. Meeting one's mate causes them to go into heat. Requiring them to mate with great frequency, which creates great love scenes throughout the enite book.

If you like possessive, Alpha male type men who love to dominate their mates and want nothing more than to make the mate happy than this is your book. The love story between these two main characters is romantic, sexy and humorous at times. Also there are STELLAR supporting characters that will be mentioned throughout the series IF you continue after "Tempting the Beast" which in my opinion is an absolute MUST!!!

This is the first of many feline breed stories written by Lora Leigh, which details how Callan's group of felines have fled captivity to make a life for themselves. The heroine Merenius is a woman who is determined to get a story and assist in the feline cause.
This is a highly charged, highly erotic and highly sexual story. Not only did I like the sex scenes, I enjoyed the creative plot, the characters that I know I will be seeing later and will hopefully have their own story, and I also loved Callan and Merenius. I especially liked the fact that the heroine was not weak-kneed, but was strong and thought for herself. She didn't let anyone push her around (Yay, girl power!). I can't wait for the next feline story. This is a must read that CAN NOT be missed!

What to say about the book, well once you read the first book you can't stop. This series is one of the best you will ever read. When I first read this book OMG loved it, couldn't wait to read anything in this series. I was lucky there were three out at that time. had to wait after that for each book. Good news for new reader no waiting you can start and enjoy the world of the Breeds now, created by the amazing Lora Leigh!

I'm waiting again for next book and the day it comes out I will lock door unplug phone tell ever one ( I have my new Breed book...I'll be back when I finish ) that's how much I love this series! Oh yeah I read series twice, will read again in the future it's that good!

As always read about books to make sure this is what your looking for.

Happy Reading!

Awesome book. I have read all of them and just now getting to write a review. The first couple in this series were the best. I love reading them over and over.

Off to read the next one... Again :)

Tempting the Beast is the 1st Feline Breed Book in the series.
I personally recommended this book highly, once you've read this book, you will have to pick up the next in the series. Tempting the beast is highly erotic, and will leave you on the edge of your seat with suspense.

Lora Leigh has created a captivating world within our own. Merinus Taylor is a reporter in search of an unbelievable story. It is a story of genetically enhanced warriors who have escaped from their creators. What she discovers is even more wild than her wildest imagination. She concentrates her focus on Callan Lyons, a man she is sexually drawn to like no other man she has every met. This world of breeds has many twists and turns and leaves the reader wanting to know more. The breeds love as deeply as they hate and the sexual eroticism of this book is not to be missed. A wonderful book to begin the breed feline series.

This is where it all began...My love affair with the Breeds and my quest to read everything that LL writes.
What a great beginning to this incredible journey through the imagination of one woman and her ability to make you believe in the romance and the horror of the Breeds existence prior to the telling of their stories. Even though this series is about the Breeds, the alpha ways of her characters seem to remarkably resemble humans as well.
I hope you're read these stories and enjoy them as much as I have.

Yet again another SPECTACULAR book written by Lora Leigh. I suggest starting with this book if you are going to read the following stories in this excellent series.

A quick re-cap of this story involves lead characters Callen Lyons and Merinus Tyler. Callen is a lion/human who has been running most of his adult life to get away from scientist's who consider him nothing more than an experiment. Callen's other goal is to try and keep his secret from human knowledge. The heroine, Merinus Tyler is a reporter who seeks Callen out to not only get his story but to try and keep him safe from the people determined to capture him. What neither expects is to learn the other is their soul-mate. Something that only happens once in a person who has an animal spirit as well as a humans. Meeting one's mate causes them to go into heat. Requiring them to mate with great frequency, which creates great love scenes throughout the enite book.

If you like possessive, Alpha male type men who love to dominate their mates and want nothing more than to make the mate happy than this is your book. The love story between these two main characters is romantic, sexy and humorous at times. Also there are STELLAR supporting characters that will be mentioned throughout the series IF you continue after "Tempting the Beast" which in my opinion is an absolute MUST!!!

This is the first of many feline breed stories written by Lora Leigh, which details how Callan's group of felines have fled captivity to make a life for themselves. The heroine Merenius is a woman who is determined to get a story and assist in the feline cause.
This is a highly charged, highly erotic and highly sexual story. Not only did I like the sex scenes, I enjoyed the creative plot, the characters that I know I will be seeing later and will hopefully have their own story, and I also loved Callan and Merenius. I especially liked the fact that the heroine was not weak-kneed, but was strong and thought for herself. She didn't let anyone push her around (Yay, girl power!). I can't wait for the next feline story. This is a must read that CAN NOT be missed!

What to say about the book, well once you read the first book you can't stop. This series is one of the best you will ever read. When I first read this book OMG loved it, couldn't wait to read anything in this series. I was lucky there were three out at that time. had to wait after that for each book. Good news for new reader no waiting you can start and enjoy the world of the Breeds now, created by the amazing Lora Leigh!

I'm waiting again for next book and the day it comes out I will lock door unplug phone tell ever one ( I have my new Breed book...I'll be back when I finish ) that's how much I love this series! Oh yeah I read series twice, will read again in the future it's that good!

As always read about books to make sure this is what your looking for.

Happy Reading!

Awesome book. I have read all of them and just now getting to write a review. The first couple in this series were the best. I love reading them over and over.

Off to read the next one... Again :)

Tempting the Beast is the 1st Feline Breed Book in the series.
I personally recommended this book highly, once you've read this book, you will have to pick up the next in the series. Tempting the beast is highly erotic, and will leave you on the edge of your seat with suspense.

Tempting the Beast sets a very interesting story line for the Feline series. It introduces the reader to the main pride and briefly outlines the difficult and interesting journey they have travelled so far. In very human terms it describes the struggle to understand the mating process and it's effect on the Callan and Merinus. It is fast paced, addictive and keeps the reader entertained. After reading this book, I purchased the others in the series.

I'm more of a fantasy reader than a romance reader,which is why this book did not attract me like it did most of the other reviewers. Which is why I gave it four stars instead of five. It was still a good book with an interesting topic. The characters were interesting, but I thought the writing a bit slow and amatureous. She picked up steam as she went along, though and got better in the end. A lot of steamy sex--mostly through the animalistic sense than human, which was sorta of creepy--especially considering how many of ya'll out there thought it was hot; and that is why I dropped it down another star to three.

I only have 8 words to describe this book by Lora Leigh. THE BEST SHIFTER ROMANTICA I HAVE EVER READ!!!!!!!!!! Whoever reads this, please just read this book and then you will know the true reason of why everyone has fallen in love it. I am buying book #2 of the Feline Breeds series for sure!!!!!

This was the frist of Lora Leigh I read.I am hooked I could not put the book down. I am ready for the next one.This is a hot and erotic book. If you love alpha males this is your type of book .You will fall in love with Callan along with Merinus as they go through the twist and turns of this story. This is a must read !!!!

This was by far the worst book I have ever read!! The dialog was terrible, the plot was thin, and the main characters were not very well thought out. For example, the author kept stressing how strong and independent the female character was but whenever she got into trouble she would always look for one of her seven brothers to bail her out. The heroine comes across as a spoiled brat who is overindulged by daddy and her big brothers. This was the first, and last book I will ever purchase by this author.

I thought this book was okay. The romance sceens are hot and I do mean H O T but the back story could get a little confusing I think. This is the first in the series and I can't imagine the rest of the series as any less confusing. Maybe it needed more ground work or maybe they are going to bring it around in other books. It was a good read but I think there are others books out there that are better then these.

This is a fabulous start to the story of the breeds created by some mad scientists. Callan, a lion breed, falls in love with a journalist, Merinus. As they attempt to hide from the world, her family of seven brothers and the Genetic Council who created him, the danger they face cannot stop their love from growing. I really enjoyed reading this beginning to this saga.

Callan and Merinus' story is heartbreaking, uplifting, and worthy of being read. With everything going on around them, they manage to butt heads admirably. I loved how Merinus held her own against such an alpha male.

Discovered this book today and Don't how I missed it. I love entire Breed series, they feel like family now. This story is one I wanted to read from beginning, how it all started...... Going to read next book now.

I am so glad I found the book about the Beasts again. I really enjoyed reading about Callan and Merinus. Hopefully the next book will be about Kane and Sheera. This is by all means should be rated five stars. Thank.