Flora Reviews... Possessed by a Dark Warrior (Eternal Mates #9) by Felicity Heaton

Possessed by a Dark Warrior (Eternal Mates Series #9)

By Felicity Heaton

Read: 31^st May – 4^th June 2016

Format: Kindle

My Goodreads Rating:  5 Stars

...So what’s this book about?

Possessed by a Dark Warrior is an emotional, passionate, action packed paranormal romance story. It is classed as a long novel (approx 147,000 words 317 pages) within Felicity Heaton’s Eternal Mates series.  As with most of Ms Heaton’s work, this book contains material of a sexual nature and some graphic violence and as such is only suitable for adults.

The official blurb says

A powerful warrior and commander of the dark elf legions, Bleu is a loyal and devoted male, and one who has never failed in anything—except one thing. Love. When an elusive female dragon shifter surfaces in Hell again, giving him a mission to hurl himself into, he gladly returns to his hunt for her and the deadly blade she stole from his prince seven centuries ago, but as he closes in on his prey, fate reveals she is far more than his enemy.

Having escaped from the black market arena and her life as a slave, Taryn sets her sights back on the task she began seven hundred years ago when her brother stole a precious sword, but in the three centuries she’s been a captive, everything has changed. Corrupted by a craving for power, her brother has become dangerously obsessed with finding the blade and using it to claim the ultimate treasure—the position of King of Hell.

Faced with having to end her beloved twin to stop him from bringing all of Hell to its knees before him, will Taryn be strong enough to use the very blade he seeks against him? And when Bleu finally catches his elusive prey, will he listen to his head as it demands he complete his mission or his heart as it demands he claim his eternal mate?

Possessed by a Dark Warrior is the ninth book of the series and features many characters, references and revisits situations already described in previous books, so I don’t know if it can successfully read as a standalone story, although Ms Heaton uses her am sure that readers you don’t need to read the other books in the series to enjoy this one, however,

 ...so, what did I like about it?

I am already a big fan of Ms Heaton’s Eternal Mates series and love her writing style! Her world building is amazing; it is her mix of fantasy and reality that captures my attention right from the start. Her characters are never black or white, good or evil but a complex mix of positive and negative traits and emotions which they either have to embrace or overcome; Bleu and Taryn are no exception. Their historical ‘baggage’ plays a major part in this adventure and has shaped them into who they are and how they deal with what life throws at them.

I have already mentioned in previous reviews how I love the way Ms Heaton makes the most explicit sexual scenes very romantic – I think she’s a very talented writer because, for me, a story is only really erotic if I’m emotionally connected to the characters involved, Ms Heaton gives her characters such depth that they do become real, but it’s not just her main characters, I find all of her characters complex, multifaceted and completely believable due to their very real human virtues and foibles even though most of them are mythical, paranormal beings.  We have learned a bit more about a few existing Eternal Mates characters here in this tale and have been introduced to a couple more that I’m sure we’ll be seeing again in future instalments.

This story made me giggle, gasp in shock and shed a tear or two. Of course, I got caught up with the passion (who wouldn’t *blush*) but the tender insights into both Bleu and Taryn’s doubts, their feelings of “mate-unworthiness”  and the growth of their trust in each other’s love was heart-warming to read.

So, ummm, was there anything I disliked about it?

Not a thing, the story was perfect.

(My only complaint is, I was already a bit in love with Bleu from previous books and feel a wee bit heartbroken that he can no longer be mine… ;-) )

So, basically what I’m saying is...

I really enjoyed this paranormal romance tale. It was a great read that made me smile, cry and feel all warm & fuzzy inside with well written erotic thrills, heart pumping fight scenes, breathtaking aeronautic acrobatics and tons of romantic gestures. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy reading stories about the lengths we go for our siblings, betrayal, inner strength, forgiveness and of course, soul saving love. 

 So, have I ignited a spark of interest for POSSESSED BY A DARK WARRIOR in you? 
Just click on the links below and check out the book yourself or visit Felicity Heaton’s website to find out more.

See POSSESSED BY A DARK WARRIOR on Goodreads.com

Buy POSSESSED BY A DARK WARRIOR on Amazon.co.uk

Visit FELICITY HEATON’s website

Flora Reviews... Feel The Burn (Dragon Kin #8) by G.A. Aiken

 Feel The Burn (Dragon Kin #8) 

by G.A. Aiken

Read: 30^th November – 5^th December 2015

Format: Kindle

My Goodreads Rating:  4 Stars

...So what’s this book about?

This is the eighth novel in G.A. Aiken’s popular Dragon Kin series. It is a paranormal romance story based in a world of dragon shape-shifters, although I would be just as happy to place it in the fantasy and/or epic genre too.

The official blurb says:

War makes strange bedfellows.

I, Gaius Domitus, one-eyed rebel dragon king of the Provinces, know that better than most, since I have to fight off half my ungrateful family on a regular basis to keep law and order here in my lands. But I never expected to have to consort with a barbarian human woman.

Kachka is beautiful, if you like them fierce—and of course I do. But she keeps complaining about how spoiled and decadent I am, and how a feared Daughter of the Steppes has no time for foolish dragons. I think she likes my eye patch, though. It is quite dashing. With death always at our tails, we take our passion like we take our allies. As they say, love the barbarian you’re with…

I was lucky enough to be given an e-copy of this book for free from the publisher (Kensington Books) via Netgally.com in exchange for a fair review. 

Thank you.

 ...So, what did I like about it?

This is the second book that I’ve read written by Ms Aiken and I must say that I find her writing style very easy to read and although I haven’t read enough of her Dragon Kin Series to know (or remember the many relationships of) the multitude of “families” that feature in this book, I was once again pleasantly surprised at how quickly I was submerged into the world.

I loved the fact that the background story and the quest/adventure that our main characters were on was almost more significant in this tale than the romance between Kachka and Gaius. So often in paranormal romance stories the authors forget that we (the reader) want to be gripped by the whole experience; an engaging narrative that’s more than just X meets Y and they fall in love – bam - the end.   

I enjoy a story more if the lead female character is intelligent, resilient and has a good sense of humour and I wasn’t disappointed here. Kachka was all of these and more. In fact, I liked the way that Kachka, Gaius and all of the characters in this story were written, none of them were flat 2-dimensional creations, they all felt very real for me, I loved the way that Kachka’s team grew and evolved along their journey, all of which meant that I engaged with their story. 

Oh, and like most Brits I do love a bit of banter – this story has plenty of it! I found myself COL (Chuckling Out Loud) throughout.

...So, ummm, was there anything I disliked about it?

Not really, no.

This book only missed out on a 5 star review from me because of the confusing amount of family relationships. There seem to be a lot of aunties, uncles, cousins, etc which as a new reader to this series, I found daunting and at times confusing. Perhaps Ms Aiken could create a Family Tree that could be printed at the beginning of the book. However, by the time I was less than halfway through, I stopped worrying about my lack of background knowledge and just “went with it”.

When talking about her series’ reading order, Ms Aiken does say on her website :

I, personally, prefer the order in which the books were written because I tease or hint about the romances of the older dragons during the full-length novels. Then in the anthos, some of the humor payoff comes out of having read those novels first.

...So, basically what I’m saying is...

This is a highly entertaining, well written and engaging novel. It is first-rate paranormal romance story, passionate, funny and thrilling with an attention-grabbing background adventure to boot that fans of this genre will enjoy. The Dragon Kin series is already a firm favourite with many and I will be seeking out the earlier books in this series to read for myself too!

So, have I sparked an interested for FEEL THE BURN in you? Just click on any of the links below and check out the book yourself.

See FEEL THE BURN on Goodreads.com

Buy FEEL THE BURN on Amazon.com

Buy FEEL THE BURN on Amazon.co.uk

Flora Reviews... Dragon On Top (Dragon Kin #0.4) by G.A. Aiken

 Dragon On Top (Dragon Kin #0.4) 

by G.A. Aiken

Read: 18^th – 22^nd October 2015

Format: Kindle

My Goodreads Rating:  4 Stars

...So what’s this book about?

This novella was originally published in September 2011 as part of the four story anthology “Supernatural” and is a prequel story in G.A. Aiken’s popular Dragon Kin series. It is a paranormal romance story based in a world of dragon shape-shifters and I must confess to have never read any of the Dragon Kin books before.

The official blurb says:

Try a little dragon tenderness.

I am Glheanna the Decimator. I am a warrior. A soldier. I know no fear. No pain. No mercy. I do, however, know acute embarrassment! How could I not after getting dumped by a bastard dragon in front of my own troops? So I tuck tail and return to my cave, drowning my sorrows in ale—as is my family's way. But instead of leaving me to my misery, I've been summoned to the Dragon Queen's court.

As if my life wasn't pathetic enough, Her Majesty now has me escorting the highborn Bram the Merciful through dangerous territories—not exactly the best use of my military training. And just so he can negotiate with enemy dragons instead of battling them? Honestly, what has my world come to? Then again…Bram is quite easy on the eyes. And the perfect distraction for what ails me. Perhaps I'm looking at all this the wrong way. Maybe there is a place for a little “mercy” in my life…

The publication date for this book is 27^th October 2015 but I was lucky enough to be given this book for free from the publisher via Netgally.com in exchange for a fair review. 

Thank you.

  

...So, what did I like about it?

I found Ms Aiken’s writing style very easy to read and although I haven’t read any of her Dragon Kin Series before I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly I was submerged into the world.

I do like my female characters to be intelligent, resilient and with a good sense of humour and I wasn’t disappointed here. Ghleanna was all of these and more, of course she could kick-ass but she also had a hidden vulnerability that added a further depth of realism to her character. Bram, as her “love interest” was just as engaging and complex. In fact, I liked the way that all of the characters in this story were written, none of them were flat 2-dimensional creations which helped them to become real to me and so engage me in the story.

I also appreciated the fact that the background story/adventure was just as significant in this tale as the romance between Ghleanna and Bram. So often in paranormal romance stories the authors forget that we (the reader) want to be gripped by the whole experience; an engaging narrative that’s more than just X meets Y and they fall in love.    

...So, ummm, was there anything I disliked about it?

Not really, no.

This book only missed out on a 5 star review from me because at the beginning I found it difficult to work out the whole dragon/human image and form the scenes in my own imagination. However, I must say that by the time I was halfway through this wasn’t a problem.

When talking about her series’ reading order, Ms Aiken does say on her website :

I, personally, prefer the order in which the books were written because I tease or hint about the romances of the older dragons during the full-length novels. Then in the anthos, some of the humor payoff comes out of having read those novels first.

...So, basically what I’m saying is...

This is a highly entertaining, well written and engaging novella. It is first-rate paranormal romance story with an attention-grabbing background adventure to boot that fans of this genre will enjoy. 

The Dragon Kin series is already a firm favourite with many, I can now see why and after reading this story I will be seeking out the other books in this series to read too!

So, have I sparked an interested for DRAGON ON TOP in you? Just click on any of the links below and check out the book yourself.

See DRAGON ON TOP on Goodreads.com

Buy DRAGON ON TOP on Amazon.com

Buy DRAGON ON TOP on Amazon.co.uk

Buy DRAGON ON TOP on Nook

Buy DRAGON ON TOP on KOBO

Buy DRAGON ON TOP on Google Play

Buy DRAGON ON TOP on iBooks

Dark and Damaged - new box set

I've just added this box set to my wish list. It looks really good and I can't believe it's only 99p on Amazon UK!!

Here's the blurb:

Eight all-new, never-before-published hot paranormal romances by eight New York Times best selling authors. Tortured alpha-male bad boys will ignite your darkest, most secret desires in these stories about vampires, shifters, dragons, fallen angels, werewolves, demons, psychic warriors and ghosts.

THIS BOXED SET INCLUDES:
FELICITY HEATON – Her Sinful Angel (Her Angel Series)
JENNIFER ASHLEY – Lion Eyes (Shifters Unbound)
CARIS ROANE – Blood Flame (The Flame Series)
ERIN KELLISON – Tempted by Fire (Dragons of Bloodfire)
ERIN QUINN – The Resurrection of Sam Sloan (A Novella of the Beyond)
LAURIE LONDON – Rebel’s Desire (Iron Portal)
BONNIE VANAK – Redemption (Werewolves of Montana Mating Mini)
COLLEEN GLEASON – Raging Dawn (A Gardella Vampire Hunters Novella)