The Right to Bear Arms (Wild Operatives, #1) by Vivienne Savage

The Right to Bear Arms (Wild Operatives, #1) Reviews

• 
  Mary Kirkland

  Daniela finally got the courage to leave and divorce her abusive husband. After the divorce she takes the insurance money from the house fire and moves to a cabin in the woods. She finally feels free and can do as she pleases. So when a bear ends up spending the night in her hammock outside, she starts feeding it even though her friends and family tell her she shouldn't. She starts thinking of the bear as hers because he always comes back in the morning for breakfast.
  
  Russell is a werebear who is still grieving his late wife who he lost to cancer a couple of years prior. He's not much of a cook so he doesn't mind stopping by Daniela's cabin for breakfast even if he didn't mean to fall asleep in her hammock that first night.
  
  They both find each other attractive but don't make a move until Russell comes to her rescue when her abusive ex comes visiting trying to get her back. Russell doesn't think he'll be back but he'd be wrong and the ex makes all kinds of problems for Daniela when he figures out that she now has a backbone and isn't going to come back to him. Daniela likes to cook and Russell loves her cooking so they make a really nice couple after getting to know each other a little better. Russell is a really nice guy, nothing like her ex so Daniela has a hard time at first understanding why he's interested in her because her ex really did a number on her self confidence.
  
  Russell is a retired Army vet from a very secretive special kind of unit. We find out more about that after Michael, Daniela's ex comes back around and puts both of them in danger.
  
  I really liked this shifter romance. it had a great romance and just enough danger from the ex to make it really exciting.
• 
  Coco.V

  🎁 FREE on Amazon today (1/15/2020)! 🎁
• 
  Clare O'Beara

  This is a well-written novella about a divorcée who moves to a wooded area and finds a black bear prowling her garden. She decides to feed the bear, which is not the usual advice, and it doesn't seem dangerous.
  More risky is her control freak ex, who comes after the lady. By this time she has met her nearest neighbour, a gentleman who is ex-Army, and in advising the ex to leave he decides to see more of the lady.
  She doesn't know that the hunky neighbour and the black bear are one and the same.
  
  The tale is written for adults with some strong language and bedroom scenes, but I would think mature young adults would be okay to read it and might learn a lot. This also struck me as being a tale with a plus-sized heroine who knows she should lose weight, but the good guy loves her as she is.
  
• 
  Mya

  This was a beautiful story. However, I would have loved an epilogue.
• 
  Vampress Bathory

  I wasn't expecting to like this one so much, but I did. It left me with a smile on my face. I loved the heroine but I especially loved the hero. He was so sweet and not that overbearing alpha we're used to in our usual PNR romance novels. I really want to read the next one!
• 
  Linda Levine

  Daniela has finally taken the action she should have years ago and left her abusive husband. She has her own home and is trying to enjoy her independence but her ex is still causing issues for her. She is way out in the country and has a lot of solitude. One of the happiest parts of her new home is that she has made friends with a bear. The bear takes a nap in her hammock and then gets a good home-cooked meal from Daniela every day.
  
  One day, her neighbor Russ, sees her ex harassing her and gets involved. It is the beginning of a new start for both of them. He is a widower and retired from the military and has been alone since his wife died two years ago. They have a very sweet romance and he gives her confidence again. Her ex was always on her about her weight. The one thing she does miss is her bear. He stops coming by. Russ keeps a secret from her as to where her bear has gone.
  
  I enjoyed the story very much. Daniela fits the profile of an abused spouse very well. The abuser gets them when they are young and keeps them isolated from others. They use verbal abuse to keep their self-esteem low and prevent them from thinking they deserve more. The author also mentions how neighbors tend to ignore the issue and not want to get involved. In this case, it took a tragic event to move her to action. I think it is great that the author took the time to really describe the abuse as it may make a reader more aware of signs around them. Maybe they can be the rare person to step in and try to help a victim. It resonated with me as I had a friend reveal just this week that they are the victim of domestic violence.
  
  Russ is a very attractive character. He was deeply committed to his wife and is motivated to help others. It is why he becomes involved in teaching self-defense to those in need after retiring from the military. He makes Daniela feel safe again and that is very important for someone who has been abused for so long. Their desire for another is evident and makes a great deal of sense based on the author's description of them. I also like how the author interweaves her family, her boss, and his friends into the storyline. You really feel a connection.
  
  I received a copy in return for a honest review
• 
  Heather Gilbert

  3.5 rounded up
  
  This was sweet and short, following a contemporary like format for romance, with the added kick off a paranormal element. Emotions build quickly, but it lacks the angsty feel of fate or threat many PNR’s have, instead offering up a couple that does the unthinkable - actually date and get to know each other. 😂 Like I said, it’s sweet. Oh, but there is a smidge of danger, but that is to be expected when dealing with characters like these.
  
  First person, multiple POV, HEA.
  Rating = R (there is erotica here)
  Romantic dynamic = M/F
  Character age range = 30’s? Early 40’s?
  
  Pros:
  - charming southern cowboy.
  - Interesting enough Plot.
  - Kinda adorable, really.
  
  Cons:
  - Very short. Book actually ends around 96%.
  - Not much to the plot.
  - Lacks the human making a bear explanation.
• 
  Erin Penn

  Another reviewer talked about how pleasant it was to have a paranormal romance without an over-the-top alpha, and, yeah, that is exactly what makes this story stand out. Don't get me wrong, the guy is still an Alpha - Texan, ex-army, gun-specialist, shifter teaching martial arts - but he is an alpha BEAR, and bears are so much more laid back than wolves. None of that hierarchy BS. Get them fed and they will roll over for a belly rub - anger them and get mauled. They are kind-of straight forward, politically speaking.
  
  And just what our heroine needs after a control-freak abusive relationship. The question is, after dealing with a human masquerading as an animal, can she deal with a animal masquerading as a human?
• 
  Judy Lewis

  ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTFUL !!!
  
  Title: The Right to Bear Arms
  Series: Wild Operatives
  Designation: Book One, Stand-alone Novella
  Author: Vivienne Savage
  My Rating: FIVE CAPTIVATING STARS*****
  Wow! I love it! The Right to Bear Arms is the first book of the Wild Operatives Series by Vivienne Savage and it totally rocks! This captivating series has now become my new guilty pleasure and the two talented authors that make up the Vivienne Savage dynamic duo writing team have captured my heart. This story is exceptionally well written and well edited. It has a little bit of everything so I have no qualms at all recommending it to anyone that loves paranormal romance. It's filled to the brim with danger, drama and dreamy love. And of course, let's not forget the handsome, hot, hunky shifters ! The characters are engaging, charming and well developed. The narrative is exceptionally well written in the first person with alternating his and her points of view. My favorite! The dialogue is well executed and flows beautifully. What didn't I like about this book? Not a darn thing! I loved it!
  Beautiful, curvaceous and now divorced Daniela Reyes has decided that a new start in a new home in a new town is exactly what she needs to recover from her abusive marriage. It's a real shame her ex-husband didn't get the memo. He seems determined to make her life a living hell. I guess it's a good thing that her new home comes complete with a new guardian black bear who seems perfectly content to lounge in her backyard hammock and become her new protector. Obviously, no one ever told Daniela to never feed a bear! He'll become yours for life! Oh, and let's not forget her brand new handsome, army vet neighbor who's as sweet and cuddly as a bear! Coincidence? I think not! Beautiful Latino divorcee-check! Handsome army vet bear shifter-check! Hateful, horrible ex-husband-check! Danger, drama and a bear of a secret-check! Heated attraction, sweet love and dreamy sex-you bet! That and a whole lot more! I can hardly wait to read Book Two of this series. Fabulous entertainment and an awesome read!
• 
  SassafrasfromAmazon

  
  I was captivated by the story. I loved Dani, who had lots of heart, even though she had been through a an abusive situation and subsequent nasty divorce. Russ is her only neighbor for miles and the house she is renting is isolated and surrounded by the forest. Russ is a retired vet and part of a special group of soldiers (you have to read it to find out just how "special." I fell in love with Russ because he not only had a fantastic body, but an easy, engaging personality. What I loved about the developing relationship between Dani and Russ was the fact that they got to know each other before hitting the sack together. My only problem was the fact that Dani approached a black bear, fed him, talked to it and looked it in the eyes. I thought Dani's actions toward this wild animal was beyond stupid--but then again, I kept reminding myself that this was a fantasy intended to be loosely based on a fairy tale. I don't believe I've read anything quite like this book. The story was told well, the characters were fleshed out and, I was entertained throughout.
  
  With some deliberation, I decided not to go into various aspects of the book with more specificity. To do so would necessitate getting into spoiler territory. Instead, I have given my overall impressions of the book and left out a more detailed account. If you can get out of your head (regarding Dani's interaction with a wild bear), and just enjoy the book, you'll love it. This is part of the Wild Operatives series which I fully intend to read. My thanks to Gypsypatti for recommending this author.
  
  NB: There is necessary and unavoidable violence in the book. While sex (and wonderful sex!) develops between Dani and Russ over time, it is not the prevailing force fueling the story; it is really the story/plot that is the primary catalyst.
• 
  Emily Lindsey

  If you want to read a book about love that is so powerful that it will pull at your heart and make you believe in second chances, then this is the story for you! Vivienne Savage has written a story that is so realistic and complete that I felt like I knew Daniella and Russ as people that actually exist in the real world! The pieces of the story were woven so smoothly that you don't even notice when the new layers are falling in place, it just feels like the story is growing by itself. The characterizations were realistic and true to life, you can feel Daniella getting stronger, Russ opening up and Mike getting more desperate as the story evolves! There were no parts of this story that didn't work.
  The first person delivery from two points of view worked well in this book as both Daniella and Russ were trying to get over something from their pasts while also trying to build a new thing. I think it was admirable for the author to show Daniella working at and being successful in moving past domestic violence while still remaining true to her real self.
  This story had some violence but it was never over the top and the details in the love scenes were graphic without being cheap. It's a thin line to work with and Vivienne Savage did it with style. What's more important was that this story showed a love that grew into a physical relationship instead of the opposite which is normally depicted in this genre.
  I completely enjoyed every aspect of this book and would recommend it to anyone who is looking to read about real love and real people, some of which also live as part time animals. I could not put this down.
• 
  Meiwilli

  Don't feed the bears...
  
  Welcome to the neighborhood...
  
  Recently divorced Daniella Reyes relocates to the town of Quickdraw hoping for a fresh start. Little does she know, trouble will follow.
  
  Daniella rents a large home just down the road from a retired military hunk who is quite easy on the eyes. In her new setting which is outside the city limits, Daniella is able to appreciate the wildlife, particularly a black bear that she finds sleeping in the hammock in her backyard. Daniella is drawn to the bear and begins to feed him when he shows up for regular visits.
  
  The Bear...
  
  Retired Army vet Russell Hawkins is the hunk that lives down the street from Daniella and is good friends with her landlord, Ian MacArthur, who has asked Russ to keep an eye on her because of her troubles. Of course, Russ agrees to keep an eye out for trouble and routinely visits Dani to check on her well being. Russ lives quietly with his fateful German Shepherd companion, Trigger. Russ is more than equipped and ready for the trouble.
  
  Self-defense classes and a gun...
  
  Just as it seems all is well for Dani and she is starting a meaningful relationship with Russ, her ex-husband Mike Rodriguez shows up to make her life miserable for no other reason than he can, and she allows it. Russ has been working with Dani so that she can protect herself and predictably she has to do so when Mike makes repeated visits to her home and threatens her safety.
  
  A well-written novella, though achingly predictable.
  
  On My Were Scale of Hotness, 3 stars.
• 
  Cheri

  I debated on my rating a 2 or a 3 star ... In the end I picked the 2 star because while I enjoyed the book. it was so short everything that happened, happened at warp speed and I like it to take time to get there. no insta love for me . even though this isnt written as an insta love type .. it felt like it because it was a short story. I like to get a feel for the characters and in a short story like this one its just not possible usually. I will read the next book in the series if its longer , I really hope it is.
• 
  April ♥"LOS" ♥

  This was a fun and sexy little read:)
• 
  Angela

  Well shoot, every other book I've read by Vivienne have all been 5 star reads!
  
  Although short and sweet, this just didn't always sit well with me. Her writing was nice to read and flowed well, but her characters were a little meh. Specifically Daniella.
  
  Ok, here's my problem with her: there is nothing wrong with appreciating the way someone looks. You can be in a relationship and think someone else looks handsome/beautiful. Nothing wrong with that. But to constantly talk about your boyfriends friends in sexual ways is NOT ok. Like she actually said that if Russ (the werebear) and his friends were all lined up that alone would make her organsm. Ummm, ok? Gross. Wrong. Just no. If she had said his friends were pretty hot once it wouldn't have bothered me. Like thats fine. Good to know they're just as attractive but to keep going on about it did not sit well with me.
  
  Russ was well, Russ. He was a shifter who really cared about Daniella's well being. Other then that I don't feel like him, or anyone else for that matter, were well rounded individuals. I mean it's a 150 page book, but I still would have expected more I think.
  
  Overall it wasn't bad and I did enhoy the story and story telling so a good solid 3. Passed the afternoon rather quick!
• 
  Karen Voitik

  >Book review – The Right to Bear Arms
  
  >I am an independent reviewer. This book is the first in the Wild Operatives series and ends in an HEA. Daniela rents a house in the woods after her divorce from an abusive husband. Russ is her closest neighbor and a bear shifter, unbeknownst to her. Daniela is used to being put down, so all of the wonderful complements from Russ are hard for her to accept. As soon as Russ realizes Daniela’s state of mind, he begins to shower her with positivity. I love how he decides to try again after loving and losing his wife to an illness.
  
  >Daniela is one sexy woman when she has a bit of confidence. She swallows her fear to allow herself to start something with Russ. Her interactions with his bear are hysterical. She actually falls for them both before she realizes they are one in the same. Some of Russ’ friends are introduced, hopefully for future stories.
  
  >This book is appropriate for an adult audience. I am giving this story 5 stars. The is romance and suspense, as Daniela’s ex turns scary stalker and a true threat to her safety.
  
  
• 
  Megan Riverina Romantics

  Rating: 3/5
  Heat Rating: 3/5
  Narrator Performance: Female: 4/5 Male: 4/5
  
  This was your average fun and enjoyable read/listen. Although the heroine was a victim of domestic abuse there weren’t explicit scenes of that abuse happening. I really liked the meet cute between Russ’ 🐻 and Daniella as well as all of the following interactions between them. I’d happily read/listen to more books by this author.
  
  Even though I enjoyed this short novel I think the narrators were better than the book. The woman had more skill but the man’s performance definitely stood on it’s own. Both of their speech pacing was wonderful though I wish that a little more emotion came through. Something that really bugs me about the woman’s performance was that she used an accent for Daniella when her name came up in the text and before her POV started but it wasn’t in the character’s speech pattern. I can understand not using it it for the internal monologues or narrative but it should have been used when she spoke to people. I marked down for it.
• 
  Elaine Kirby

  Very Good!
  
  Daniela had been in an abusive relationship before she finally divorced her now ex, Mike. But, Mike just keeps showing up like a bad penny until he gets his in the end.
  
  Russ is a bear shifter that’s been sleeping in Daniela’s hammock & eating the food that she gives him not realizing until later what he inner bear was telling him. That Daniela is their mate.
  
  This book had a small good vs bad plot, some steamy sex scenes & was overall a very good book.
• 
  Annemarie

  I liked this story! Daniela divorced her abusive husband and moved to the mountain to start over. She befriends a bear one morning, feeding him and talking to him. She then meets her neighbor Russell, a retired Army vet and a widower with a Army vet dog named Trigger. They are both hesitant to start a serious relationship because of their pasts, but they are drawn to each other. Can he tell her he's a bear shifter? Liked the ending.
• 
  Rosario Barrera

  Gotta love bears
  
  I enjoyed this book very much. It was sweet, funny and very romantic. It starts with a bear in a hammock and a woman who was physically and verbally abused. Daniela is starting a new life, so is Russell, a widower. From there on there are bears, food, love, and a smarmy ex. A great page turner, wonderful for a rainy afternoon.
• 
  Linda Rea

  I just loved this story! When Daniela got away from her abusive husband she settled into a nice quiet neighborhood where she meets Russ a retired Army man. When he stops to help her get away from her crazy ex they form a great friendship and then begin a relationship but Russ has a secret which may break them but so does Daniela.
• 
  Lisa

  Good read
  
  For a shorter story it is pretty well developed and I really liked the characters. Dani's bond with the bear before she realizes who it is is a pretty fun aspect of the story. The issues with her ex bring some drama to the story to keep things interesting. Overall, a good read that was easily read in one sitting.
• 
  Hildegart

  It was a toss up between three and four stars, but I just couldn't quite give it four. I typically read shifter novels because they are light reading, and this one was no exception. This author is better than most of the other authors I've read who write in this genre, and I will be keeping an eye out for her other stories.
• 
  The Sweet & Sinful Book Nerds

  4 stars
  
  This was a quick read that kept me wanting more. These two characters have painful pasts. But their attraction to each other won't be denied. I loved that Daniela has an open mind and doesn't just assume anything. Russ is a protector, but never makes her feel like she can't protect herself. This was a great read and I can't wait to get my hands on more!
• 
  Thelritta

  Good premise,
  
  I could have used a lot more background information on Russ, but I'm glad the ex situation was handled accordingly. I will be rereading this story because I love shifter tales. I'm looking forward to Ian and Taylor's stories
• 
  Sandie

  Most Excellent!
  
  Oh what a ride! A story of rebirth after an abusive marriage, Dani falls in love with a wild bear. Then she meets a wonderful man. A beautiful story and a must read. Thanks Vivienne Savage
• 
  Esther Phelps

  Self defense, bear
  
  Standing up for herself after being in an abusive marriage had perks. She found support and love with Russ. Even the shock of learning he is the bear she befriended early on.