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Dragon Forged

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Dragon Kings #10

by Donna Grant

Dragon Forged takes us back to the realm of Zora, with some familiar and much-loved characters, and introduces us to others.  This is a new location on Zora (Highvale), a world where the dragons from our beloved Dragon Kings found sanctuary after leaving Earth. In Highvale, those with magic are protected and safe, unlike in other parts of Zora.

Hector, the king of the Sea Green Dragons, finds himself restless and explores a cave in Iron Hall, a place where many have found sanctuary since coming to Zora.  It is still being explored and restored but Hector finds himself compelled to reach a hallway with turquoise light.  There he gets transported to Highvale to fulfill an ancient prophecy (against his will).  Emilia is a seer who has been haunted by a vision of Hector’s arrival bringing devastation to Highvale.  Hector finds his magic bound and is unable to return to Iron Hall or summon his fellow kings.

We are taken on a journey of treachery, political intrigue, and danger.  This story reads more as a fantasy novel with some romance towards the end, rather than a straight romance. (Definitely a slooooooow burn, not until 90% in do we get any serious🌶️) We have some beloved characters showing up to try to assist Hector and Emelia (Rhi and Con) and are introduced to another young character that we fall in love with immediately. (Teo) As always, the worldbuilding is top-notch and the descriptions are so that Dragon Forged could be read as a standalone,  but is so much better knowing all the backstory of Donna Grant’s Dark World. ⅘ Stars, only because I am a romance junkie and like when the romance storyline is in the forefront of the story, but an epic tale that sets up nicely for Marcus’ story releasing in January.

I am looking forward to listening to the audio version, as Antony Ferguson does an amazing job of bringing Donna’s characters to life.

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This Wild Heart, Wilder Family 5

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by Karla Sorensen

A breathtaking end to a favorite series.

Excuse me as I go blubber in a corner.  I thought waiting a week before writing my review would give me time to process all the feels that this book gave me, but NOPE!  Just typing that word “end” broughThis Wild Heart, Karla Sorensent tears to my eyes because I’ve come to love the Wilder family in all the previous stories.I said in my last review that Karla writes families that I wish could be mine in real life because of the depth she portrays in those relationships, and not just for the MCs.  And the way she brought some beloved characters from previous series into the story makes me hope that we’ve not seen the end of the Wilders.

I won’t share much in the way of spoilers, but Anya is the daughter of a previous book couple and she’s all grown up. She’s just gone through a very emotional and humiliating experience and is certainly not in a good headspace for a new relationship.  Parker is still dealing with (or NOT dealing with) the death of his father (another sob!) and the way the previous football season ended for his team because of him.

I spent a good portion of this book wanting to smack him in the back of the head, but Karla did it for me. My favorite character in this story might not even be the FMC and MMC, but Sheila, Parker’s beloved stepmother, who is still grieving the loss of her soulmate, but can still Mom the heck out of her family.

I’ll forgive Karla my tears since in her endnotes she shared how ending this series felt for her, and I look forward to WHATEVER she writes next. Well done, if I could give more than 5 stars, I wholeheartedly would.

Tammie

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The Bastard King

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by Donna Grant

The Bastard King is the first of a duology and a spinoff the the Dragon King/Dark King series.  The MFC (Kora) is a hellhound who has spent the past 500 years seeking vengeance for her lost family.  The MMC (Derek) is  a previously unknown dragon and is fierce and somewhat blustery.  He keeps his dragon part secret as Kora has a deep distrust of dragons. Derek has had his memories tampered with and mistakenly believes a terribly evil woman named Villette (whom we know from the Dragon King stories) will help him free his dragon brethren.  Eventually they come to trust each other enough to work together but not fully and when they come together it’s explosive.

The story ends on a cliffhanger, and being very familiar with Donna Grant’s work, I’m sure there will be a few big “ah ha” moments.  I’m looking forward to listening to the audio version on release day as I adore how Antony Ferguson has personified Donna’s characters previously.

Well done and looking forward to the conclusion, The Uncrowned King in January.

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Forever Starts Tonight

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by Karla Sorensen

Don’t ever want this series to end!

Here I thought nothing could top the last story in the series (Promise Me This), but once again, Karla proved me wrong.  These characters just keep getting better and better and if there was a way I could be adopted into this fictional story, I’d leap at it.

Poppy has been in love with scarred, broody Jax (her brother’s best friend) since she was fifteen.  Jax kept his distance until one night changed their lives forever.  I didn’t know how I’d ever come to love Jax, with his tendency to shut Poppy down cold and disappear for weeks and months at a time, but his character growth was phenomenal.  Throw in the funny, poignant Wilder family characters, and Poppy’s own quiet strength, spice, friendship and I’d give this book ten stars if I could. SO many tropes; brother’s best friend, age gap, surprise pregnancy, emotionally scarred hero to name a few. The audio book was perfectly narrated by Connor Crais and Samantha Brentmore and I had a giant lump in my throat for a large portion of this book.  I’ve read it and listened to it twice already, and this book will definitely by on my repeat list. Superbly done.  I both look forward to and dread the next book in the series because it will be the last.  I did feel pretty bad for Poppy’s boyfriend (he was such a Golden Retriever/Cinnamon Roll) so maybe he’ll get a HEA as a side story in the next/last book.  (Hint, Hint!)

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Rising Sun

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Book One of the Elven Kingdom series

By Donna Grant



Rising Sun is the first book in the spinoff series, Elven Kingdoms.  The book takes us back to Zora, the setting of the Dragon Kings series. 
As with most fantasy books, the beginning is a lot of details with new names, species and settings.  Donna Grant brings us to a world with SEVEN species of elves, each with special magic and appearances. Our FMC (human) has a tragic and violent past which she will need to face again (against her will).  Our MMC is a Sun Elf and DIA agent.  Neither is happy at first to be stuck with each other on a mission, but as they face incredible hardships and danger, trust and a friendship begin to bloom. 
The horrors faced by many in the evil place (Shaldorn) were a lot to handle.  (TW for many) We definitely want this horrible place dismantled and the evil ones to pay by the end of this very slow burn story.  There is a third quarter breakup and we do get annoyed at the MMC’s idiocy for a bit.  Absolutely loved the epilogue which leaves us desperate for more and gives us hope that there will be more intertwining with the previous series, as Donna is apt to do.  I’m also looking forward to hearing Shane East narrating the audio version.  Great start to an exciting,  new series, kudos Ms. Grant!

Book Reviews

Moments For You

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Carrie Ann Ryan

On the week that I’ve been listening to TTPD on an incessant loop, this book truly hits in the feels. (send help)

The author seems to funnel her experience with grief and loss into this amazing story and weave something beautiful. As with any of her books, it runs the gamut. Dealing with trauma, laughter, family camaraderie, intrigue, and some danger, even a reference to my favorite animated movie, Emperor’s New Groove!

Both Ridge and Aurora (named for the Disney princess) have experienced traumatic losses. While Aurora is taking steps to move past (not to forget) her loss, Ridge takes the male-coded “stuff it down deep” approach. As they give into their sizzling attraction (that kitchen scene!) and become closer, will they find their HEA while still honoring their pasts, or will a threat from the past take that from them? If you’re a reader of Carrie Ann Ryan, you know the answer to that so enjoy the journey. I certainly did.

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Dragon Kiss

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Dragon Kiss: A Dragon Kings Novella by Donna Grant

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This novella involves Alasdair and Lotti whom we met previously in Dragon Arisen, and takes you on an action-packed ride. They embark on their mission to retrieve a magical stone to protect the dragons on the realm Zora. A couple we met previously (Varek and Jeyra) join them on this quest.
There is much danger as Lotti learns about her magic and how to use it to protect those she cares about. After being alone her entire life, she is learning about relationships and how to cultivate them.
While most of Grant’s novels and novellas can be read as standalone, this one was more of a bridge between novels, filling in and expanding upon the building storyline. There is SO much action and adventure in this story and so much interweaving of multiple DG universes. As always, it leaves me wanting more, ASAP!
I look forward to the continuation of the beloved Dragon Kings storyline, and look forward to learning more about the new characters and species that we learned about in this and the prior installment.




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Want Me Forever

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By Kayla Chase

4⭐

The book seemed to get off to a slow start, but I’m SO happy I stuck with it.  Great story of Sabrina and Beckett in the small town of Starry Hills.  Sabrina (sunshine) had a tough childhood and still grappled with self-worth and self-doubt.  She’s vying for a promotion in the PR firm she works for and her nemesis is her competition. Beckett (grumpy) is the oldest sibling and feels responsible for making the family business (winery/vineyard) a success. He also suffers from guilt in regard to an event that would affect his family forever.

They got off to a rocky start (Beckett was an ass!) but eventually, they helped to heal each other and came together.  Sabrina fell for Beckett’s family as much as she fell for him. (They are fun and fantastic!)  There is some danger facing Sabrina and the winery, and their being together is forbidden because of her job.

Loved the bonus epilogue with a glimpse into their future. I’m looking forward to more of this family and Starry Hills in the next book.

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Heart of Glass

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by Donna Grant

Getting Curiouser & Curiouser…

This series, and its characters, just keeps getting better and better. This story brings us back to the Isle of Sky where someone (or something) is killing Druids.  Theo is the detective working to solve these murders before anyone else loses their lives, and he can’t afford any distractions.  Ferne is a druid that felt compelled to visit Skye, which is forbidden amongst her sect of druids and there are some serious consequences to her decisions.  Despite neither of them being in a place where a relationship is a good idea, they are drawn to each other. Can they work together to find out who/what is responsible for the deaths?

I love that we get to know some compelling, new characters and catch up with others.  I want to know ALL their stories, especially a long-lost friend who steps in to assist Fern and Theo.  Can’t wait for the next one!  In the meantime, I think a reread of the previous books is in order.

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Review of Silver Chimera by Zoe Chant

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My First Post!

Before I post my first review, allow me to introduce myself. I’m an educator who has been obsessed with romance novels since I snuck into a bag at my grandmother’s house and read a bunch of her Harlequin Romances at age thirteen.

Reading is my escape and my greatest pleasure and in my capacity as a school librarian, I encourage my students to find books, authors and genres that make them fall into a book as well.

I’ll share tidbits about my reading habits and history with subsequent reviews, and I’m new to the whole blog process, so bare with me. Next post, I’ll share which character/book started me thinking about writing my own blog about reading.

Silver Chimera by Zoe Chant

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I have said it before, but it bares repeating; Zoe(s) Chant create worlds that I wish I l could live in. Silver Chimera was the first of the Silver Shifters books that I had read. Somehow, I missed the previous books. I never felt lost as she gives plenty of background information on the other characters and events. Both the hero (Alejo) and heroine (Wendy) were relatable and warm characters. I loved how they blended their families and how patient and supportive Alejo was in coaxing an understandably reluctant Wendy into friendship and then more. The slow-burn was not agonizing as some are because of the way the both of them relate to their children and the team they became almost immediately.
I especially loved that the characters are both over fifty and how Wendy slowly overcame her self-worth issues with the support of the very lovable Alejo. (Relatable much?!) This was a sweet and heartwarming story, and I’m sure I’m not alone in wishing that Wendy’s ex has an anvil fall on his rotten head! Besides the very sweet love story, we have suspense from some bad guys, with appearances from some of the characters from the previous series (which I binged immediately after finishing Silver Chimera!).
I very much hope that we’ll see more in this series, and learn more about the mysteries in the garden as well as some of the other characters we were introduced to.
Well done!



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