I came to Hollow Oak to disappear, not to accidentally kill the dirt under my hands.

One touch, and the herbs curl up and die like I’m the Grim Reaper in gardening gloves.  The locals whisper “cursed druid” like it’s my middle name.  Fine. Let them stare.

But then there’s him—Corin Vane, the 6’5″ beekeeper bear who looks at me like I’m the only thing worth protecting in this frozen hellscape.

He doesn’t flinch when I brush dirt on his skin.  He leans in.  His honey-and-woodsmoke scent hits me harder than the mate bond ever should, and suddenly I’m the one unraveling.

The land’s rotting. The town wants me gone.  And this giant, quiet bear?

He’s decided I’m staying—wrapped around his claws, marked, claimed, honey-dripped… and apparently his forever.

Who knew salvation came with fur and a death glare for anyone who looks at me wrong?

Titles in the Shifter Mates of Hollow Oak series (connection to Hollow Oak Mates series) include:  Fetch Me a Mate ~ Panthering After You ~ License to Howl ~ Ain’t Lion, I Love You ~ Stripes Don’t Lie ~ Big Bear Energy ~ 

This is an adult 18+ story that contains language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

Title:  Big Bear Energy
Series:  Shifter Mates of Hollow Oak #6
Author:  Kala Aster and Milly Taiden
Published:  March 5, 2026
My Rating:  4.5 stars

Big Bear Energy is the sixth (and perhaps, final) story in the Shifter Mates of Hollow Oak series (which is a spin-off of the Hollow Oak Mates series), and brings us a couple who are not only fated mates, but caught up in battling a force intent on destroying not only the town but Chloe as well.  Corin, her tall, handsome, gentle giant of a mate, isn’t about to let that happen on his watch… not to the town he loves or the mate he’s devoted to.

Chloe has always moved on from every small town, driven by the fears and often-told lies of the citizens who refuse to trust her, firmly believing that her unique connection with the very soil on which their homes and businesses stand is endangered by her mere presence.  She doesn’t completely understand what lies between her and the land, knowing only that there is a connection, that she has the ability to heal the dirt from which crops, herbs, and flowers spring.  Her sister knows what Chloe is, but refuses to define her as it is purely Chloe’s journey to that discovery.  Now, the dirt beneath her hands is crying out, poisoned from an unknown source… and Chloe is ready to flee from the growing threat from the people she’s come to care for so much in this small, magical sanctuary in order to keep them safe… but will it?  Or will leaving only let the door to the town’s destruction stand wide open?

Only one man, Corin, keeps her focused.  A few friends defend her against accusations that she cannot answer… as Chloe and her mate, Corin, fight against an evil so vile that it does not care what it must destroy for its own purposes to be fulfilled.  Risks must be taken, and trust completely given before their happy forever ending can come true… or the town can be safe once again.

I enjoyed Big Bear Energy so very much.  It’s well-written, passionate, suspenseful, and emotional on so many levels.  The evil Chloe and Corin must face is truly vile, yet it was the reactions of the townsfolk, the people she knew on a daily basis, that broke my heart on Chloe’s behalf.  I would happily recommend this story, as well as the entire series (plus the one that started the Hollow Oaks adventure).  These stories are full of engaging, believable couples (in a paranormal fashion) facing down true evil and finding everlasting love… that’s an adventure worth taking.

I read this title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription.

This title is available at Amazon