Under A Bear Moon by Carrie S. Masek is a young adult novel which is available from  Hard Shell Word Factory.

Lynda Malone is high school student who helps out at the Chicago Animal Protection Society in her spare time.  When a local man's dog is fatally injured in a mysterious attack she is understandably upset about the incident.  She has no way of knowing that the new student in her science class is responsible for the attack, or that her friend is not completely human.

Greg Ursek has just moved to Chicago with his very protective parents.  A normal student by day, but by night Greg, like his father and ancestors transforms into a bear with the rising of the moon.

When Greg first catches the scent of Lynda while in the form of a bear he knows instantly that she is his mate.  Tracking her down in her human form they form a shaky friendship which is marred by Greg's lack of compassion for the animals Lynda loves to care for.  Lynda does not know that it is Greg's guilt for his own actions during the moonlit hours and the fact that animals can sense the bear within him that cause him to shy away from her work.

Slowly through the year Lynda and Greg's friendship grows.  But as the nights draw in and winter approaches Lynda begins to suspect that something is not entirely normal about Greg.  In the summer it is not so noticeable, but in the early nights of winter it becomes apparent that no one ever sees Greg after the sun goes down.  Not to mention the fact that Greg is almost asleep during his classes as the need to hibernate comes over him.

No matter how hard he tries Greg is unable to lead a completely normal life.  After school activities and parties are out of the question if they mean staying out after dark.  At nearly 18 years of age and unable to stay out if it is dark it is understandable that Greg does not make a great many friends during his school year.  Less people to ask awkward questions means that he can keep his secret for longer.

But his secret cannot be kept forever, and not from his girlfriend Lynda.

When Lynda runs from an over amorous date who took her to a party that Greg couldn't go to she finds herself face to face with a dangerous gang.  Rescued by a bear she is afraid to tell the police in case they think she is crazy.  But she knows what she saw and when she and Greg meet up with the gang again Greg is faced with the choice of giving away his secret or losing the girl he loves.

This e-book novel is unusually arranged with the main story told within the chapters but also with interludes between the chapters detailing some of the times when Greg is a bear telling how he would see things.

Working up nicely to the dramatic climax this is a young adult book that can be enjoyed by older readers too.  The new twist given to the werewolf legends in this original and engaging story of the werebears who live within human society makes for a fascinating and exciting journey for the reader.  Meticulous in detail and wonderfully told this is a delightful story that should not be missed by any reader who love the legends of the shapeshifters.
 

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Under A Bear Moon by Carrie Masek is available from  Hard Shell Word Factory

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