With Hearts of Flame (Deluxe Limited Edition): A Dark Academia Romantasy Novel of Vampires and Dragons Featuring Stenciled Edges and Illustrated Endpapers (Bloodwing Academy, 4)
Briar Boleyn
A Polar Expedition: and Other Stimulating Research Opportunities: A Cozy, Gaslamp, Bear-shifter Monster Romance (Shades of Sanctuary Book 1)
by Kass O'Shire
About this book
Magical researcher Sirin has everything she needs for a solo trek through the Arctic: a sledge heaped with supplies, a fistful of insubordinate audacity, and—unknown to her—-the eye of a polar bear shifter stalking her every move.
Sirin is determined to find the source of magic before it disappears. Nothing, not expulsion from her guild, becoming the laughing stock of the magical research community, or the threat of certain death on the taiga will stop her. Not even the careful and patient trailing of a shifter who shouldn’t exist.
Berne is a simple bear. He likes spending time rolling around in the snow, a good meal, and apparently, round little scientists. Of which, he realizes, Sirin could be both. When his duty to protect a thousand-year-old secret is tested by the undeniable pull he feels towards her, Berne can't help but sink his teeth into the one solution that will let him keep his adorable prey—a mating bite.
Exploration has never been so stimulating.
A Polar Expedition: and Other Stimulating Research Opportunities is the first standalone novel in The Shades of Sanctuary, where vibes are cozy, heat is high and the mates are monstrous.
Tropes:
💙 Plus sized scientist x Cinnamon roll polar bear shifter
💙 I bit her so she’s mine
💙 Light (semi-romantic) stalking
💙 Spicy chasing
💙 She’s bossy ... he’s desperate to be a house husband.
- Publication Date
- May 25, 2026
- ASIN
- B0BV7H2664
Reader Reviews
July 17, 2023
This read as a fantasy romance AND an informational guide to the world. I haven’t read a fictional novel with cute little footnotes I think ever and it was so original and hilarious and sometimes heartwarming. This is a slow burn, like last 1/4th and the epilogue slow burn- but it was freaking WORTH IT. Quality over quantity for me everytime. We’ve even got primal play and shifted form play. Plus size POC FMC which is an absolute standout for me, there can never be enough inclusivity IMO. This...
June 26, 2024
I think that I built this one up a bit in my head. I had really high hopes, and this was VERY good. But it wasn't what I was expecting. I love the footnotes. I love that Siri is this sassy little thing! She's so oblivious. It's pretty adorable. She's so smart, and she's so good at research and field observations. But then she has to interact with people, and she has got nothing. Except some pretty cute snarks in the footnotes. Berne is also really funny. Such a gentleman. I'm looking forward to...
August 15, 2024
I laughed, cried, gasped, & clutched my non-existent pearls while reading this hilarious novel of arctic exploration. Sirin, is a headstrong scientist who is determined to find the source of all magic in her world by setting out on an expedition. Berne, is a burly polar bear shifter who has vowed to protect his people from being discovered. But, when Berne runs into Sirin, he finds himself battling with his loyalty to his people and his need to protect her. If you’re a fan of shifter romance...
April 25, 2026
First time reading this author. I loved this book from begining to end. It delivers on all its promises. Berne is such a cinnamon roll!! And Sirin is sassy and stubborn. The characters are so real and genuine. I will be reading all the other books in the series and already have her newest one (Tiny Tree) pre-order from her site! )
July 9, 2025
⭐️ 4.25 - the magic system in this was so fun and different from a lot of other books I've read! Sirin was so cute and driven by knowledge and I loved how the book was set up like her published findings! It was easy to follow, quick, romantic and a great start to a fun series! Berne had me giggling and blushing and I loved how smitten he was from the beginning. The resolution was solved very quickly and kinda pushed under the rug, but I also understand why, still cute regardless. )
