Author Lora Leigh has been leading up to this book in a number of previous volumes in her Breed series. It's finally Cassie's turn to be the leading lady. Readers met her as a child and have followed her formic years as she learns to become the formidable Breed Lawyer and pack princess that she is destined to be. Now she has come into her own, and her mate has finally decided to make a move. But her mate isn't just any Breed - Dog is a Coyote known to be loyal to the nefarious Council, and the bounty hunter who nearly took Cassie down not long ago.

I enjoyed getting to know Dog. His past connected well with the character he is and he holds strong to his own code of conduct. His sense of duty and irony know no bounds. I was a little disappointed in Cassie. There was a lot of build up toward her own story, and she seemed to me to lose some of her personal strength that made her such a charismatic character in earlier books. In the court scene, she was easily befuddled when the opposition acted in a way she didn't anticipate. It helped move the plot along, but it appeared a reversal in character.

This is a great addition to the supernatural romance genre, and I would recommend it to those who enjoy books by Christine Feehan, Gena Showalter, and J.R. Ward

* Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a digital ARC in return for an honest review. *

HOLY COW! I was beyond hooked with this book. It is the first Breed book I have read and I am ready to binge read them all. First it was scorching HOT. Second there was so much going on that I was afraid to stop reading. Cassie and Dog have a rough start, not sexually, but just the way their mating happened and the circumstances surrounding it. There were so many twist in this book that I just had to go along for the ride. I believe it would have been easier to pick up on some things and know the who was who, if I had read the others in the series. Did it really distract me to the point I couldn't enjoy the book? Nope not at all.
Cassie is a kick a$$, alpha female. Dog is alpha as well, but also seems a little arrogant. Combine these two and there is a mating and journey that burns the pages up. They are good for each other and actually complement each other. That is when Dog realizes that Cassie is more of a partner, an equal.

Cassie Sinclair finally meets her mate. He is a surprise to her and others. But he has known for sometime that Cassie is his mate. He has been watching over her for years and coming to her aid when necessary. Even though he is a surprise he is not what others assume. There is a surprising side to him. The mating between he and Cassie will bring out the beast that Cassie has been holding inside and will finally complete him. They both will reveal a side of themselves that others have never seen.

I was so excited to see more of Cassie. I was even more excited for her to mate Dog. There were many turns in this story. Some were not unexpected, some were. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I am looking forward to the teaser for the next book too. Khi and Lobos.

What a joy ! Cassie’s story, finally. I did not guess who her mate was until I discovered what kind of Breed he was. I should have known as I reread “Dawn’s awakening” (Cassie is prominent enough in this book) and “Wake a sleeping tiger” (last book published) to prepare for this new chapter.

The relationship reminds me of the one between Anya and Del-Rey in “Coyote’s mate”. Lots of fire between the 2 main characters. As for the main story, many questions are answered and new ones emerge as new characters and story lines are created. Mrs Leigh excels once again.

I was on the fence about this book until about 40% through it. There were things happening that I was not into. I often make fun wonder why Holly takes notes while she’s reading a book, but I was all about it while I was reading this book. All about it. I was furiously highlighting and writing notes, something I have never, ever done. Therefore I was pretty surprised that I finished reading the book and actually liking it.

Cassie Sinclair was first introduced in Elizabeth’s Wolf. She was a precocious 8? 10? year old girl. A psychic that was often visited by ghosts. It was a ghost that helped save her and her mother’s lives all those years ago. That was what eventually brought Dash Sinclair to them as well.

The book begins when Cassie is eighteen. She can feel herself in the cross hairs of a rifle and knows she is going to die. She’s had the vision, she knows there is nothing that will change it. That is where Cassie is wrong. What she doesn’t realize at the time is that the man behind the gun discovers that Cassie is his mate. He obviously can’t kill her then. Which was reassuring.

Now we are flashed forward six years. The only Breed Cassie can ask for help from when her sister is kidnapped is the mysterious stranger that was supposed to kill her and didn’t. Over the past six years, he has helped her more times than she can count. She doesn’t know why she is drawn to him, but drawn to him she is. This time there is a catch to receiving his help. One night in his arms. As a virgin, Cassie is hesitant, but at a woman she is far more curious than she should be. Promising him one night, she gives in. Then the unthinkable happens. While in his arms, she discovers that she is his mate. This horrifies Cassie, especially when she realizes that he has known the past six years.

Dog has stayed away from Cassie for his own reasons. Known as a Council dog that does their bidding, Dog isn’t liked among Breeds. What few people know is that he is, in fact, undercover trying to find the twelve people that head the Genetics Council. Dog has an agenda and a mate wasn’t on it. Still, he can’t stay away from her although he gives her six years before he claims her. Six years of freedom for her and six years for him to do his work with the Council.

Dog knows that Cassie is different. As a “halfling”, Cassie is half Wolf, half Coyote. This is something the wolves won’t forgive and the coyotes won’t forget. She’s stuck between two worlds, so she does the only thing she knows how to do. She makes herself invaluable to the Breed Council and Jonas, the leader of the Breeds. She doesn’t realize until it’s too late how fast everything can change. Suddenly she’s cast out, as everyone knows she is the mate of a Council Breed. She herself isn’t sure who Dog is. There’s the man she came to know over the last six years, who came each time she called. Then there is the Breed in front of her. The Breed that is far more intense and passionate than she had ever guessed.

So what was my problem with this book? This stupid as shit law the Breeds have where another person can challenge the mating of a couple. Not only that, but the Breed Tribunal can force mates from each other based on someone coming in from the outside and saying “you might be my mate, not that persons”. It was g.d. ridiculous.

While talking to Dog regarding the Tribunal listening to her argue against the separation:

“But they can force me away from you until that time.”

My note here stated “WTAF”.

Then there were contradictions like this. After Cassie and Dog already talked about how they could be separated (see above).

But it was firmly established the fact that mates couldn’t be separated by order or decree.

Huh???

“Brannigan just received confirmation of the receipt of the peition and was given the go-ahead to have your mate taken to the doctors until the Breed Ruling Cabinet could convene.”

Note: “For fuck sake” Honestly, how can anybody force anyone to do something they don’t want to do?

I really didn’t have high hopes for this book after that, but everything changed. Omgosh, you guys. There’s a scene toward the end where Dog leaves Cassie. When Cassie realizes it, she is broken. It was actually really powerful. Then everything changed and it was awesome. So although I had a few problems with the book (see above), I still really enjoyed it and think that LL did right by Cassie.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

This review will be posted closer to the release date.

This book is about The one and Only Cassie Sinclair, the pride of every Breed Branch. But in this tale, we get to meet her mate. We also get to find out some pretty Interesting things, in general, about the entire breed world. I can’t lie We have all seen Cassie's type of Mating before in some of the previous characters relationships, in several of the books. But Now we get to really meet a grown-up Cassie. We get to see Cassie with her mate and her family as she develops a more mature sense of oneself. Old friends come together along with new friends to basically Change life as we know it. This is the Breed book you’ve all been waiting for and its one you will certainly want to read again and again.

As for my thoughts, it is totally a five out of five stars. I had some hits and a missing moment with it. I had a missing moment with Cassie thoughts as a Mate. I felt like as a Breed lawyer, she would have had more Knowledge when it came to the mating aspect of things. But boy do I love the end, it's so bloody delicious. As for her Mate, well I feel like he is simply a distraction for the readers. He is not that big of a deal in the reality of everything (evil Smile). He is Cassie mate, he wants what is best for her but he is not the biggest Secret that this book keeps from you all. This story is made of secrets of all kinds. I also love the discussion in here about DNA which is coming from many different characters, not just one. I love how grown up Cassie becomes, it's not our little Cassie anymore. But I also love how Lora develops Cassie and gives her a complex breed adult personality. Cassie just really comes to understand more about her mate, her genetics and her life in the Breed world in my opinion.


I am not going to lie, Cassie is very scared of things because they happen so fast but at the same time she can handle them. She is unsure of how to proceed with these things but she eventually learns. She becomes a fierce unstoppable beautiful Breed female that nobody has seen before and she will make history. Cassie will be a force to be reckoned with, just you wait. I honestly just can’t wait for fans of this series to read this book. Its exciting my very center to talk about it right now. (giggly screams)

As for the rest of the book, it will take place, in a place that we all know but haven’t seen much of before. Old favorites will gain new information about themselves. Brand new people are coming into the light. We get more information on a few of the lesser known breeds especially Cassie Mate. We also find out who knew about Cassie mate before everyone else. Oh and the best of the best, a brand new baby is coming. This book is all about family, it has family everywhere. oh Did I mention, Secrets everywhere (grins). I only have an Arc and I have read this book twice already. I honestly just could go on and on about how amazing it all is and how lucky I am to have read it. I seriously can’t wait until you all read this book because in the end Cassie Mate, is not that big of a deal to me, it is so not.

For me was a bit slow to get into, maybe I was just expecting so much as we have been waiting for Cassies story forever. But then wham, it just took off and I could not put it down. Loved it.

As a fan of the Breed series for years, I have been anxiously awaiting Cassie’s story, the princess of the Breeds, the hybrid, the most valuable Breed some may say. While I was anxiously awaiting her story, I was also worried that the pedestal that I put her story up on wouldn’t live up once I read her book and discovered who her mate was. Well while I won’t spoil who her mate is, even though I am sure many others have, I will say that Cross Breed exceeded my expectations and more. Cross Breed reminded me of the beginning of this series, that intensity, that build up of trust and connection, the intensity of the mating heat.

Cassie and her mate, can I just say that it is killing me not to say who her mate is, but I can say that he is the perfect match for our favorite hybrid princess breed. Their connection was years in the building, the protectiveness, the danger, the emotions, the angst and the what the hell moments all build into what very well may be my favorite book of this series so far. We have waited for Cassie’s love story and we get it with the addition of suspense, drama, danger and everything we expect a breed mating to be. I laughed, I cried, I threw my kindle at one point because, well I can’t say the reason why I threw it, but I have a feeling I won’t be the only one who does.

Lora Leigh knew how much fans of this series have waited, wanted and needed Cassie’s book and she didn’t disappoint at all. Cross Breed is everything I have come to know and love in a Breed series book and I can’t wait to continue reading more about the breeds who hold special places in my heart. Cross Breed is a must read book if you are a fan of this series and it needs to be at the top of your TBR list.

Cross Breed by Lora Leigh is an intense paranormal romance tale. I was sucked into the whole Breed and Human world. Scientists took children away from their families only to use their embryos for creating half humans and half animals. Taking sperm from coyotes and wolves the government thought they could create an army to use as a weapon against others. Only it backfired on them in ways they did not expect. Eventually, enough human families had missing family members used and killed for these experimentations. The offspring were not looked at as monsters by the majority of the humans. But that did not mean that others were not disgusted with the Breeds and hybrids. 

A young woman, Cassie, is overpowered by the feelings of lust and lack of fear towards a man who first aimed to kill her. He knew she was his mate when he saw her at eighteen. But he never went to claim her until 6-years later. One challenge between, and a night of exotic passion lead to distrust and anger. No matter the danger towards them both, their mating heat keeps increasing and only they can help each other survive its brutal wave. 

Dog, aka Cain, is a coyote Breed. But he lets the council who created him think he's undercover for them. Dog wants to get the info to take them out and destroy them. The council are the ones responsible for creating the Breeds and Hybrids like himself. Anger and loss is all Dog knew until his mate. Cassie gives him hope and tears his world upside down...but he'll do everything in his power to keep her alive and with him. 

Lora Leigh created a world full of drama, risks, and heat. I felt the instant attraction between both protagonists. They reeled me in deep. The plot is full of adult language from time to time, some fighting but not graphic, and a little bit of BDSM is inside the sex scenes. I recommend this paranormal romance to all adults.

I was happy to finally have Cassie's story. I loved that she was mated to Dog, and that Dog is so much more than we thought he was. I was surprised that Cassie's parents opposed the match but glad they came around through all the events that happened around them. Another good entry to the Breeds series.

Cross Breed Notes

Cassie Sinclair’s book is finally here ya’ll!!

Reader’s of Lora Leigh’s Breed series have waited for what seem’s like forever to get the beloved character’s book. More importantly to find out who is Cassie’s mate! Lora did something different with this book. Normally she will tell us who’s next to get a book, which she did hence why we know it’s Cassie’s book. Then she’ll tell us the name of the mate for the person that we know. This time Lora did not do that. She left reader’s guessing and i’m sure had quite a bit of fun with it as well.

Well the wait is over! if you don’t want to find out who Cassie’s mate is, then stop reading right now!

Warning over! Cassie’s mate is……. DOG!!!!!


Okay now that we have that big reveal out of the way we can get to the nitty gritty of the story and whether Lora did Cassie and Dog Justice with this book or not.

The book starts off with a flash back to a time and place that we know oh so well. It takes us back to Seth’s Island in Dawns Awakening. Where if you’ve read the book there was a sharp shooter whose bullet almost killed Cassie. This time you actually see when they first met and their first interaction with each other.

6 years later we find that Cassie has been calling in favors over the year to this mysterious breed she met all those years ago. These favors don’t come without a price, small though they are. After calling in the latest favor which saved both of Cassie’s sisters. Yes that’s right Cassie has sisters!

Dog is tired of the game he’s been patiently playing these past years and decides to up the anti. He saves his mates sisters in exchange for one night in bed with him. He thinks he can abide by Cassie’s rules but as heat and desire explode out of control one night of passion leads to a lifetime of matehood.

That one night sets off a series of events that will either bring Cassie and Dog together or tear them apart forever. As you can guess a mating between the breeds most beloved( is she really though) Cassie and a Coyote known everywhere for his notorious ties to The Council creates some serious waves.

An attack on Cassie, Rhyzan claiming a potential mating with her, a founding council member setting their sights on Dog, are just some of the things you get in this book. I’m not going to go into super detail or give away ALL the spoilers so READ CROSS BREED!


I don’t know about most readers but i imagined when Dog found his mate he would be SUPER Possessive. Like one of the most territorial breed mates. Not saying that his mate would’ve tolerated it but you know how alphas do. What I got was very surprising.

Dog had one true territorial moment. That moment when Dog went after the breeds who knocked Cassie to the ground. We saw a coyote primal come close to being let out. I guess I was expecting more of that especially after what Rhyzan was claiming. That’s my one complaint about Dog.

Cassie was what I expected as a person and that doesn’t come as a surprise since you’ve known her for many many years now. She was also something I didn’t expect and it’s huge part of the book so I won’t dive into what that is However I just wish we could’ve seen more.

Ultimately here’s what I wish I would’ve gotten to see in the book. A more territorial Dog or more accurately more situations for dog to become more primal. Cassie interact with her sister. What actually happened to the little girl in the last book. More of _______ Cassie and the full potential of it. Also semi spoiler even though it doesn’t happen in the book. I would’ve loved to see an actual serious attempt made by the council to take Cassie.


There are author’s who reader’s may like or love their book’s. Then there are author’s who to a reader exceed all other’s. Author’s who can force overwhelming emotion out of the reader. It feel’s like a punch to the gut with the force of the emotion, whether it be anger, sadness, love, lust, terror, possessiveness, betrayal. For me one of those author’s is Lora Leigh.


The epilogue which gives the reader’s the answer to who the next Breed book is going to be about, packed that gut punch. I won’t give it away but the raw emotion that Lora put’s into the heroine of the next book and the sense of betrayal from one’s mate that she has, left me wanting more and having to settle to wait until next year when the book will most likely be out.


P.s. there was mention in Cross Breed about Reptile breeds. I need more clarification on this seeing as it was used in a sarcastic way. But still ... do they exist? Also WHEN CAN WE GET A WINGED BREED BOOK!!!

I probably should have read the whole series before jumping into this one, but I have a weak spot for shifter romances, was hooked by the description, and ready for something new to read! Overall I enjoyed the story, but it didn't make me want to run out and read the first gazillion books before this one. Things I liked: strong female coming into her own, tortured soul hero, the sexy scenes (although the author may have used the word 'pre-cum' a little too much). Not so much: matings where the female has no say, lack of communication and trust in the male side, no POC or LGBT characters, random people popping into the story (however they may have been shout outs to previous books I haven't read), and were they really shifters? I couldn't tell...

Yes, the wait is over my friends. Over the decade we have been all patiently waiting for this story, and it is so darn good you guys!
Breeds series, is one of my all time favourite series, it has had some ups and downs over the years but it is safe to say this was all round 5 stars, Cassie is everything and more. She is all grown up and she is mated, to her mate! Thank you Lora, thank you for providing us with this kick ass story. The main couple is perfect. I'm not going to tell you who the main guy is, I wasn't spoiled and I wont do that here. Reading this book just confirmed again why Lora is a queen in this genre, she is just that good. You will be shook, you will be flicking them pages quickly to see what happens next, and among other things too lol don't be a prude, you know what I mean! I am all about this smutty goodness right here, and with the overall arc continuing, the plot thickens.

Bring it on!

I cant wait to see what happens in the next one, because HOLY SHIT I did not realize who and who are mates and that person is taking the serum to stop the heat coming on, I am shook! It is going to be so hot though, and to see what happens with the plot.

I cant wait for everyone to read this book!

an arc was given to me for an honest review.

Lora Leigh! Yes! Loved this long awaited story! I always enjoy these books and this one did not disappoint!

Wow !!! This book was absolutely perfect !

That being said I can't really review this one indepth without spoiling the big secret for other fans. Just let me say that this book is some of Lora Leigh's finest work. In my opinion it will be very hard to beat. I can say that readers are in for more than one surprise because, as we all know, Lora Leigh always keeps us guessing with the intricate world of the Breeds. She definitely chose the absolute best mate for Cassie, but let it be said that our girl was pretty bad ass in her own right.

So this book has been a long time coming for most readers. Everyone can rest assured that Lora Leigh created an amazing suspenseful story that was loaded with Breed passion, deep emotion, intricate twists, and action. Cross Breed gets FIVE FLYING STARS from this ecstatic reader !

I have been waiting years for this book and was not disappointed. Reading this book has made me want to go back and re read some of the previous books in the series
I loved Dog's backstory. I loved the relatinship between he & Cassie. It was fun to visit with some characters from previous books. My favorite part was how Cassie came into her own, she is no longer someone small & helpless.

This story was a long time coming! As a dedicated reader of Lora Leigh's Breeds series, I've been waiting for Cassie's story for quite some time. If you're familiar with the series, we met Cassie when she was a young girl and she orchestrated the relationship between her mother Elizabeth in the third book of the Breed series, Elizabeth's Wolf. Since then we've seen her grow up throughout the other novels to eventually become a force in defending Breed Law. Ms. Leigh teased her pairing in Dawn's Awakening when she thought she was going to die and could 'feel' the assassin that was on the island. He later broke into her hospital room to make sure she was all right.

But it's been something like twelve or thirteen books since that happened and even with all of the foreshadowing, I was completely surprise to find out who he was. At the same time I was smacking myself that I didn't figure it out. Dog is a coyote shifter who all believe is aligned with the Genetics Council, so when it is revealed that Cassie is his mate, she goes from being fiercely protected to quickly shunned from Breed society. Now, Cassie has to decide if she can trust Dog or if he's going to betray her to the Council. After all, the reward for her capture is the highest the Genetics Council has ever set.

I loved the dynamics between these two characters. They are both so smart but really bad at dealing with their own emotional states. He tends to shut things away and she ignores her own needs to help others. This time they must deal with everything that's right in front of them while navigating their biology, Breed Law, and the Genetic Councils interference. The conclusion reveals the secret behind Cassie's guardian fairy, forces Dog to make some drastic choices and reveals more about the mystery behind Breed genetics. Couldn't stop reading!

Another great story from Lora Leigh in her Breeds series. I have always wondered about Cassie from the first time I read about her in Elizabeth’s Wolf and wondered who she was and who she would end up with. Leigh is a master in weaving a story and bringing other characters from her previous books into the present.
Dog has always been in the picture, but only Jonas and a few others actually know how important he is to the Breeds. Since he has never pledged allegiance to the Breeds most, including Cassie, think he is a Council “dog”. Is he, or isn’t he, but Cassie knows if she needs him, he will be there as was proven when he rescued Cassie’s sister. But there is always a payday, and Dog calls his in. Will they be able to figure it out their relationship in time? There is another player in the picture from Dog’s past. How will it all turn out? Read to find out!
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This has been a long time coming. Elizabeth's Wolf was the first book I read in this series and I fell in love with the sweetness that was Cassie. Due to what I read I knew I had to read the entire series and this launched my reading challenge for last year. I accomplished my goal and have been highly anticipating this story with each of the other stories I read. As the series has grown and the Breed world has expanded more about her has been uncovered. This has lead the world of the Breeds into a new direction from the beginning. Who Cassie is and what she can possibly do has been one of the biggest mysteries of this series.

Cassie has always been my favorite character and finding out who her mate is happens to be what I've been dying to know. I know I'm not the only one, we began getting hints several books ago and there have been fan theories flying all over the place and I have to say I have been very satisfied in finding out who her mate was and watching their story unfold.

Picking back up right where Wake A Sleeping Tiger left off, we are back in the world of the Breeds on the brink of war because Cassie is missing. She has always been the Breeds biggest weakness and their strongest advocate, for her to go missing and for more secrets about her abilities and existence to be unveiled has sent many of the packs reeling.

For the first time in a long time, we get Cassie's perspective on everything unfolding, as she makes a devil's bargain to gain something for another who needs he, she also sees this as a way to gain something for herself after always putting the health and happiness of the Breeds before herself; her greatest fears are unveiled and we realize the weight that has been set on her shoulders. Cassie is Dane's daughter to the bone and despite her mix of genetics and the fact that she's a natural born Hybrid and one who was never in the labs makes her a hot commodity for many. I could sit here and wax on about who and what Cassie is, but she tells that story the best herself.

I can't even go into detail without ruining the surprise on who her mate is so I'm not going to. I am going to say that this one lives up to the good writing of some of the older books, where the case and the intrigue is balanced out by the mating bond and the effects on their lives. Despite the fact that Cassie has given so much and is friends with and works with Jonas there are those amongst the Breeds who see her as an enemy, and when they beleive she's vulnerable strike at her. It's sad to see the disadvantages to mating with someone no one trusts. Jonas once again has his hands in so many different pies and so many lives depend on his decisions, that it's interesting to see him so flustered throughout the story as Cassie tries to navigate being this Breed's mate and the woman everyone else expects her to be.

I absolutely loved that her mate just wanted her, not the Breed lawyer, not Dane's daughter, not Jonas' friend but Cassie herself. He saw her better than she saw herself and having realized for years that she is his mate gave her the space to come into her own. When he realized he needed her just as much as she needed him he began a campaign to win her and introduce some fun into her life. I loved that they developed a working relationship before this and that Cassie used him as her one little rebellion. It was the one secret she has and it was something only her mate could give her.

I really loved the reappearance of Graeme and his twin Cullen and their mates. It gave me such a thrill to realize we were going to get a few more stories out of the Breeds yet and I can't wait to dive back into the world. With Cassie's mating, some Breeds who have been hidden and out in the cold have come in and been introduced tot he Breed world. An even greater enemy of the Breeds had been introduced and a chance to learn the names of the twelve Chairmen of the Council has been presented.

I loved how balanced between learning more about Cassie and learning more about her mate and how this impacted both their lives. I can't wait to see where this world leads and how the stories unfold. I'm looking forward to the Breed couple we see coming up because it's going to be one heck of a story.

★★★★★

RECOMMENDATIONS

Ghostwalker Series by Christine Feehan
The Psy Changeling Novels by Nalini Singh

I was hooked and couldn't stop reading until the book was done and even then I wanted more. I highly recommend my loves, get yourself a copy. and as always Happy Reading my loves,