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Shifting Dreams by Elizabeth Hunter Narrator: Liisa Ivary
Series: Cambio Springs #1
Published by Audible Studios on November 14, 2014
Genres: Mystery, Mythology, Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Pages: 316
Length: 10 hours and 10 minutes
Format: Audiobook, eBook
Source: Bought, Free
Purchase Links: Amazon*Kobo*B&N
Goodreads
"If Jena knew anything from growing up in a town full of shapeshifters, it was this: Everything changed."
From Elizabeth Hunter, author of the best-selling Elemental Mysteries, comes the first novel in the new Cambio Springs Mysteries, Shifting Dreams.
Somedays Jena Crowe just can't get a break. Work at her diner never ends, her two boys are bundles of energy, and she's pretty sure her oldest is about to shift into something furry or feathery. Added to that, changes seem to be coming to the tiny town of Cambio Springs, big changes that not everyone in the isolated town of shapeshifters is thrilled about. Caleb Gilbert was looking for change, and the quiet desert town seemed just the ticket for a more peaceful life. He never counted on violence finding him, nor could he have predicted just how crazy his new life would become. When murder rocks their small community, Caleb and Jena will have to work together. And when the new Chief of Police isn’t put off by any of her usual defenses, Jena may be faced with the most frightening change of all: lowering the defenses around her carefully guarded heart.
©2013 Elizabeth Hunter (P)2014 Audible Inc.
August – Do the Hustle (suggestions: single moms trying to make ends meet, work-related struggles, shady characters with ulterior motives / agenda).
For this prompt I picked Shifting Dreams featuring a single mom trying to make ends meet.
Shifting Dreams is book one in the Cambio Springs series by Elizabeth Hunter and narrated by Liisa Ivary.
I picked up Shifting Dreams as a free ebook, but I ended up listening to the novel instead. I’m on an audiobook kick this year (2025). This is my second taste of Author Elizabeth Hunter and my first time with Narrator Liisa Ivary.
The opening scene had me smiling and the meet-cute for our leads was fun. We’re treated to a small-town full of shifters who are trying to keep the town alive and their shifter identities secret. It’s got Native American mythology woven in with small town politics, cute kids, large groups of family and friends (everyone knows everyone in this town), a murder mystery and different shifter dynamics that all build up the story.
Jena is a widow and single mom shifter of two boys. She’s got some hang-ups on love since she lost her husband young. Jena is an excellent mom, loyal, and protective.
Caleb is a divorced cop looking for a change and ends up in this small-town full of secrets. Caleb has swagger, a protective streak, and is capable of doing his job. He’s also got a hidden vulnerable side due to darkness in his past that just adds to his charm.
Both, Caleb and Jena, have issues to overcome and of course the whole shifter secret which Caleb slowly figures out. The attraction between Jena and Caleb was instant and held some nice charm. The romance takes it time to build due to their issues and the secrets of the town. Jena’s reasons for her push/pull seem reasonable, but she did give Caleb whiplash at times.
The side characters were nice. Jena has a great group of friends that support and help her along the way. The townsfolk were an interesting group of characters, suspects or a combo of both.
As for the murder mystery, the investigation was sadly more dull than intriguing for me. Caleb is in the dark at the start about the shifters, but he has great instincts that he listens too and they are tell him people aren’t being honest with him. We do find out who the murderer is and why.
There are some suspenseful scenes and some sex scenes. As well as an epilogue at the end which points to the next book, where Alex McCann, the alpha wolf shifter, will make his move on Teodora Vasquez.
All and all Shifting Dreams was an ok listen. I really like Cambio Springs with it’s interesting community and the secret it needs to protect yet this small-town has this desperation for jobs and growth. I adored Jena’s kids and loved how Caleb took his time with the boys and won them over. I also like the Native American mythology added into this story. The Coyote that shows up to help or guide Caleb was interesting. The murder mystery was so-so and the romance takes a long time to develop. To me it felt like a Contemporary Romance read with a dash of Paranormal elements added in.
Audio: Liisa Ivary did a good job narrating.
Rated: 3 Stars
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Sounds like an okay read. I tend to do that at times as well, with freebies find the audiobook for free from the library to read them. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
https://lisalovesliterature.bookblog.io/2025/09/11/book-blitz-review-with-giveaway-never-marry-the-best-man-whatever-it-takes-4-by-julia-kent/
I did look at my library, but they didn’t have it, so I bought it on sale. This year audiobooks have been my thing. Easier to get books in. It was ok. I liked it. Not something I’d read/listen to again, but still enjoyable. Thanks Lisa for visiting!
I got this one as a freebie, too. You remind me that I need to read it. Sounds like a neat set up.
The TBR Theme’s are helping me pick out old titles I’ve had in my eLibrary and on my TBR for a while. I actually bought the audio on sale since Audiobooks have been the best for me this year. It does have an interesting set up. Thanks for checking out my review. Happy Reading!
I loved this one much more than you! I thought there was a real sense of humor and I loved that.
After I finished this I went to your site and read your review. I noticed you enjoyed it more then me. Thanks for checking out my review and visiting.
Oh, I got scared for a hot minute when I thought I missed posting my September TBR review! Glad you are catching up. I wanted to read this author.
Ya, I’m a month behind. I’m waiting on my library request for Sept prompt for this challenge. Hoping to get it and be able to post this month. I seem to read the first book and then never go on with the next for Hunter. I’ve tried one other book by her. It was ok too. Thanks Jen for visiting.