When pastry chef Annabeth Jones goes on the run from her abusive fiance, the small town of Bearpaw Ridge offers her a safe haven. Nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, with friendly neighbors and a bakery/cafe that needs a new owner, it's the perfect place for her to start over.

Firefighter and bear shifter Dane Swanson knows at once that kind, curvy Annabeth is his fated mate. She's also human, in a world where shifters must keep their existence secret. Annabeth has no idea that Bearpaw Ridge's population is more shifter than human ... but if they're to be mated, Dane will have to find a way to tell her everything.

Wary of new relationships, Annabeth can't help warming to the strong, handsome man who can't get enough of her cinnamon rolls ... or her. But her fragile hopes are shattered when her ex tracks her down, determined to reclaim her.

Dane is equally determined to protect his mate -- but will Annabeth still accept him when he reveals the other side of his nature?

Heat is a novel-length steamy standalone paranormal romance with no cliffhangers.