Review: Two Thousand Blades (Kings of Chaos Book 3) by Jocelynn Drake

Rating: 5🌈

Never has Jocelynn Drake’s fantastic fantasy series, Kings of Chaos, leaned so heavily and culturally into its Chinese mythological roots as it does beautifully in Two Thousand Blades.

When Two Thousand Tears dramatically ended, so many major traumatic events had happened. The Elf King had been ended. But the invasion, lead by the Elf Queen, was successful and the East Coast was falling fast as the otherworldly forest spread. But more devastating, the Clan lost a brother as a dragon sank down into the battle and stole Xiang away from his family and those fighting against the Fae.

Drake’s clear love of Chinese mythology and culture has always been used beautifully against the various otherworldly themes and mythologies at play in this series. But in Two Thousand Blades, she allows them full rein.

This tale becomes a vivid tapestry of ancient history, gods come to life, otherworldly internecine war, magical blades, and forever love. Memorable, emotional and immensely powerful.

It’s Xiang’s background. His family and past so cemented in their original home so far away and Kai, the one who becomes everything to him. The swirling mythology of which is well known today and is attached via footnotes and addendums here by the author.

It’s how Drake builds their relationship, the slow reveal of identity, and the meshing of the two ongoing conflicts/locations that work together so seamlessly here. We see the Clan of 2,000 Chinese vampires, their mates, friends and allies in Hartford fighting the Fae and desperately seeking a way to find their brother Xiang. And we have Xiang and Kai in the Dragon’s cave with Xiang equally seeking passage home, answers about their location, and the dragon.

The relationship between Xiang and Kai is revelatory personally and historically. It’s a great way, narratively, for Drake to bring the history of the Clan’s history, their horrific transformation into vampires, and their defeat of their master.

Without venturing into spoiler territory, this is an exciting, high stakes, action packed storyline where even if you think the Clan has come out ahead, nothing is as it seems. The clan and its family will have its major brutal challenges ahead and angst filled romances to come.

We know who is next as the ending is a bit of a stunner and cliffhanger, both in the best way possible. So now it’s waiting until Two Thousand Shadows comes out in December.

Until then, I’m highly recommending all the books in this series. Read them in the order they are written for character and plot development. Just a superb series in every aspect.

Love the covers, the concept. Fantastic.

The Kings of Chaos :

✓ Two Thousand Dreams #1

✓ Two Thousand Tears #2

✓ Two Thousand Blades #3

◦ Two Thousand Shadows #4 – Dec 13, 2024

Buy link

Two Thousand Blades (Kings of Chaos Book 3)

Blurb

There’s no escape from a dragon’s hoard.

Xiang thought his biggest problem was going to be defeating the fae.

Nope.

Right now, it’s escaping this dragon’s hoard.

The dragon, who tried to eat his clanmate, grabbed Xiang instead, and now Xiang is trapped.

And he’s not the only one who needs to escape the dragon’s lair.

Kai is serving as the dragon’s assistant and helping to keep Xiang from going crazy with boredom.

Xiang is sure there’s more to this sexy man beyond his sad eyes and stuffy personality, but learning all of Kai’s secrets is going to take time.

First, Xiang needs to steal Kai from the hoard, and hopefully win his heart in the process.

But will they be able to escape the reach of a very possessive dragon?

Two Thousand Blades is the third novel in the Kings of Chaos series. This book contains a stubborn vampire falling in love with someone who isn’t quite who he claims to be, shifters, vampires, a nosy family who wants all the spilled tea, other non-human surprises, snark, angst, magic, treasure, found family, brotherly bickering, chaos, pouting, cuddles, one very possessive dragon, and an endless love that crosses lines drawn by war

• Publication date: May 31, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 360 pages

Fantasy Asian Mythology

The Kings of Chaos is a spin-off series from the Lords of Discord and Princes of Mayhem series.

Lords of Discord :

Claiming Marcus

Saving Rafe

Waking Bel

Embracing Winter

Healing Aiden

Visiting the Variks: A Short Story Collection

Princes of Mayhem

How the Necromancer in the Gold Vest Ruined Saved My Life :

Disaster #1: Fun with Family

Disaster #2: Pet Problems

Disaster #3: Date Night

Disaster #4: Who Woke the Dead?”

Review: Inferno (Drake Security Book 4) by Mika Nix

Rating: 3.75🌈

Drake Security, the fated mates series about a family of dragons finding their bonded mates, is now on the fourth brother.

Co-written by K.M. Neuhold and Mia Monroe as Mika Nix, book four follows Valentino Drake, the one brother we know as busy being in touch with his love life instead of the brothers’ business. It takes a younger brother’s wrong doing and throughly bad decision making to bring Valentino back into the fold and help find his own unique mate.

First off, I loved the storyline of Valentino and Montrose, the demon. Montrose is a fantastic character, probably my favorite next to Lake . He’s intriguing, powerful enough to hold his own with his dragon, and dramatic enough to make any scene that involves him a little richer. Put them together and they are a great combination of riches. Dragon and demon.

Unfortunately there is an element that I found almost as irritating as I loved the romance part of the book. I feel that the authors probably have future plans for him but honestly there’s so much to character of Mac, the younger brother, that just gives me a narrative headache. As the authors created him, and as his part plays out in the book, Mac came perilously close to making me stop reading. Yes, his actions and that they spring from a certain problematic aspect of his personality are the ignition point of the story. I feel if it had only been that one factor, that one theft, it would’ve been, maybe, woven into his youthful status better. However, it’s his continued forbidden thievery that causes so much pain and danger to him and those around him. Without the Drake brothers, even at the end, having Mac feel any deeper remorse for his actions and crimes. Maybe the last one because he was so far in trouble. But all the rest? Not really.

It’s send him back home, and a new threat is here. What happened to ending this one? Because parts of Mac’s story felt unfinished.

So yes to the romance of Valentino and Montrose. They were great and could have used some of the narrative space assigned to the more irritating Mac. No, to the younger brother and his storyline who actually wanted to make me put down the book because of his personality, behavior, and lack of finality to his story.

I’m wondering if the next is the series finale for Drake Security. Sounds like Lord’s story. I’ll definitely be there for it. This was a fifty/fifty book for me.

Drake Security:

Hot Head #1

Smoulder #2

Wild Fire #3

Inferno #4

Buy link

Inferno (Drake Security Book 4)

Blurb:

I know I should keep my hands off of Montrose. But the one thing dragons and demons have in common is how much we love to play with fire.

My youngest brother has always had a knack for getting himself into trouble, but this time he’s stolen from the wrong demon and it might just be the last mistake he ever makes.

I have no reason to trust Montrose, but my dragon does anyway. There’s something about the vibrant, sassy incubus that calls to me, no matter how hard I try to resist.

Saving my brother’s scales should be top priority, but this inferno between Montrose and I just keeps heating up.

If fate put him in my path, can I trust that we’ll make it to the other side of this disaster together? There’s only one way to find out…

• Publication date: May 3, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 253 pages

Review: Under a Spell: An MM Paranormal Romance (Mages and Mates Book 3) by Andy Gallo

Rating: 5🌈

Well, that was one fabulous romp through a fantasy romance! Mages and Mates has turned into a fantastic series, full of great characters, dynamic relationships, and an intriguing overall series storyline that’s continuing to bring new mysteries and magical elements with each novel.

Under a Spell starts with a murder investigation. A mage ambassador has been killed at the estate of the ruler of the dragons, a mysterious and deadly case for political and magical ramifications.

Sent by the Mage Council to run the investigation is two of the Hollen brothers, diplomat Otto Hollen and mage, Leothius Hollen. We’ve met both before, primarily Leo, but now, since the events of previous books, he’s matured and grown more serious about his profession.

Gallo’s ability to grab the reader’s attention starts immediately. It’s dramatic scenes, engaging personalities, and instant sizzling rapport between Leo and Gundhram, King of the Dragons. They go from awful first impressions to worse second impression and high drama to an unexpected twist that arises from slow revelations .

It’s such a wild and fast paced ride. Gallo weaves a fabulous romantic story with an ever growing darkness that threatens not just those present but the entire world.

It’s black magic, and ancient Guardians waiting to be replaced with their newly discovered counterparts, and the truest villain, who’s always eluding discovery. Gallo’s imaginative, hair-raising storylines weave with high energy and a lot of suspense towards an ending where everything points to even more disaster and chaos coming quickly for the remaining unbound Hollens and Guardian pairs.

It’s an extraordinary series and a fabulous tale. I highly recommend this and the series. Read them in order for events and relationships development.

Mages and Mates:

✓ Spell It Out, prequel

✓ Break the Spell #1

✓ It Spells Trouble #2

✓ Under a Spell #3

◦ Cast a Spell #4 – Nov 26,2024

Buy Link

Under a Spell: An MM Paranormal Romance (Mages and Mates Book 3)

Blurb

Leothius Hollen arrives in Presque Isle, Maine, home of the dragon rulers, to investigate the murder of the mage ambassador. The last thing he expects is to run into the sexy as sin guy who stood him up when he was in gryphon territory. No, that’s not true, the really last thing he expects is the guy is actually King Gundhram. Wait, nope, the absolute last thing he expects is that Gundhram is his mate. What did he do to the universe that the guy who humiliated him, turns out the be the guy he has to spend the rest of his life with?

Gundhram never wanted to rule, but the death of the mage ambassador left his sister in a bad spot, and he returned to Presque Isle to help her deal with the mage inquisitor sent to investigate the murder. How much did karma hate him that the inquisitor turned out to be the guy he’d rejected ten months earlier, but couldn’t get out of his thoughts? Or that this hotter than dragon fire mage still singed his scales like no one else. Finding out they were mates, however, was the ultimate pay back.

Before they settle into the whole mate thing, someone tries to murder Gund’s sister, and Leo nearly dies trying to save her. Once Leo recovers, he and Gund discover the attempted murder was just a diversion for the real threat. When they try to prevent that ultimate threat, they learn, there is an even more ultimate one waiting in the wings. With all the threats emerging, spending the rest of their lives together might not even be long enough to have a proper date.

Under a Spell is 75K word, fated mates romance with a grumpy dragon king, a snarky mage, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after. This is the third book in the Mages and Mates series and includes a jealous ex, some very revealing spandex, and a mystery with more layers than you’d need to wear to go outside on a frigid winter day in Maine.

• Publisher: ; 1st edition (March 26, 2024)

• Publication date: March 26, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 268 pages

Check out the latest tour and giveaway for The Hencha Queen by J. Scott Coatsworth

J. Scott Coatsworth has a new queer sci-fantasy book out, Tales from Tharassas book 3: The Hencha Queen.

“A richly painted world that is both beautiful and sinister, evoking landscapes that are as much science fiction as Tolkiensian fantasy. 5 stars.” –Ulysses, Paranormal Romance Guild

SILYA COMES INTO HER OWN, BUT WILL SHE BE ENOUGH?

Silya finally has everything she always wanted. She’s the Hencha Queen, head of the Temple, and is working to master her newfound talents. So why does the world pick now to fall apart?

Her once-nemesis Raven is off riding dragons, and their mutual friend (and her ex) Aik is nowhere to be found. Meanwhile, a new threat menaces the Heartland from the East, and if she can’t convince a reluctant Gullton city council to prepare for the worst, she may lose everyone and everything she’s ever cared about.

As she uses her magic-like abilities, wit and sheer determination to try to save the city, she’s joined by Raven and his new friends. Will their help tip the scales? And will they finally find out what happened to Aik as a dark storm threatens to sweep them all away?

Forget messy. Things just got apocalyptic.

Universal Buy Link

About the Series

The Tharassas Cycle is a four book sci-fantasy series set on the recently colonized world of Tharassas. When humans first arrived on planet, they thought they were alone until the hencha mind made itself known. But now a new threat has arisen to challenge both humankind and their new allies on this alien world.

Books 1 & 2 are on sale through March 31st for just 99Â¢ each (eBooks, all vendors). And if you buy one (or all three) of the main series books, email scott@jscottcoatsworth.com and let him know and he’ll send you a free copy of Tales From Tharassas, the prequel.

See All the Pre-Release Deals

Giveaway

Scott is giving away an eBook copy of Tales from Tharassas, the prequel, to everyone who enters the sweepstakes:

a Rafflecopter giveaway https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d47308/?

Excerpt

A sharp crack filled the wine cellar. Kerrick swung the heavy mallet back and then assailed the flopwood boards that blocked the tunnel entrance again. The ancient wood splintered under the blow, sending shards clattering across the stone-paved floor.

It felt good to work out his frustrations. Still, the stubborn wood held out against his assault.

He rested the mallet on the black-tiled stone floor, wiping the sweat off his forehead with the back of his hand. Even after a hundred years, the barrier was strong. Heâd tried to pry the boards out of the solid stone, but theyâd been fastened in too tightly. Brute force it is.

âYouâre doing great!â CorâLeaâs voice was artificially bright, and she was as tall as he was, maybe a little taller, peering over his shoulder at the sealed tunnel entrance.

Silya had tasked her with bringing him down here to check out these hidden caverns under the Temple, in preparation for the coming war. Important, sure, but also clearly an excuse to get him out from underfoot while she prepared for her official Raising.

He grunted. âThanks. These boards are hard as iron.â And hard as Silyaâs will.

One day things would be different between them, once this crisis was over. I just have to be patient.

Coral laughed. âIâm sure a big, strong man like you can break through them easily.â She squeezed his bicep appreciatively.

He shrugged her off. He wasnât sure if the gawky initiate was flirting with him or just trying to encourage him to get on with it, but either way, he wasnât interested. âStand back.â He hefted the hammer again, and she scurried out of his way.

He suppressed a smile, swinging the mallet around for another heavy blow.

Craack.

This time the board buckled inward visibly. Another few hits should do it.

He pulled back the heavy iron hammer again and hit the same spot with blow after blow. Craack. Craack. Craack.

The mallet broke through and a board fell away into splinters, clattering across the stone floor. One down, three more to go. âWhy did they seal this cavern up?â

CorâLea gestured at the natural chamber. âThere was a winery here before the Temple. Sister Dor said they used to use it for extra wine storage.â She looked around the natural chamber, which was now filled with wooden shelving holding a variety of bottled food stores. âWhen Jas ordered the Temple to be constructed, they kept this wide cavern and blocked off the rest of the tunnels.â

âJust in case the gully rats got in?â That thief Raven had apparently made his home in one of the underground tunnels. Who knew who elseâor what elseâlived down there?

CorâLea snorted. âMaybe.â

Are tunnels all connected, somehow? That was one of Silyaâs most urgent projects, to map out the network of caverns beneath the city. Another reason she sent me down hereâto get me out from under her robes.

A few more whacks at the next board served to both break it and let out his frustrations at the situation preventing him from doing his sworn job and keeping them apart. And at what she said was coming.

Craack. Craack. Craack.

The board snapped in half, and he judged that heâd cleared enough space to step through into the blocked-off tunnel. âHand me that lantern?

CorâLea complied, taking the opportunity to brush his hand.

He rolled his eyes. I should be flattered. But his heart was already taken.

It was times like these he wished his brother Enrick were still alive. Heâd know what to do. Heâd been absurdly confident about everything, even though heâd been younger than Kerrick.

Kerrick wasnât great with women.

He took the lantern and stepped over the bottom board, holding it in front of him. The bright light temporarily blinded him as he sought to get his bearings.

âWhat do you see?â CorâLea peered through the hole behind him.

His sight adjusted, and the tunnelâs walls came into focus.

He whistled. Stacked along the side of the tunnel were hundreds of crates, all strapped together in groups and sealed. âItâsâ¦ I donât know what it is. But Iâll bet Silya will be surprised.â Theyâd have to find a place to put all this stuffâwhatever it was, it was likely rotten after all this time. Silya needed somewhere to store people, not ancient goods.

CorâLea stepped carefully over the splintered boards to join him. âWhat do you thinkâs inside them?â

The long row of crates disappeared into the darkness. Who knew what the ancients had considered valuable enough to stash down here. Coin? Lost treasure? âOne way to find out. Does the Temple have a crowbar?â

Author Bio

Scott lives with his husband Mark in a yellow bungalow in Sacramento. He was indoctrinated into fantasy and sci fi by his mother at the tender age of nine. He devoured her library, but as he grew up, he wondered where all the people like him were.

He decided that if there werenât queer characters in his favorite genres, he would remake them to his own ends.

A Rainbow Award winning author, he runs Queer Sci Fi, QueeRomance Ink, Liminal Fiction, and Other Worlds Ink with Mark, sites that celebrate fiction reflecting queer reality, and is the committee chair for the Indie Authors Committee at the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA).

Author Website: https://www.jscottcoatsworth.com

Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/jscottcoatsworth/

Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/jscottcoatsworthauthor

Author Mastodon: https://mastodon.otherworldsink.com/@jscottcoatsworth

Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jscottcoatsworth/

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8392709.J_Scott_Coatsworth

Author Liminal Fiction (LimFic.com): https://www.limfic.com/mbm-book-author/j-scott-coatsworth/

Author QueeRomance Ink: https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/j-scott-coatsworth/

Author Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/J.-Scott-Coatsworth/e/B011AFO4OQ

Review: Prince and Betrothed (Perilous Courts #5) by Tavia Lark

Rating: 4.75🌈

Prince and Betrothed is the penultimate book in the second group of stories about three princes from a specific Kingdom. The beginning three books centered around the three Sandrelle Princes of Silaise, and the second trilogy focusing on the Dire Princes of Draskora (which has the dragons and Scalestone).

In all those novels, other important Kingdoms, like Fellrin with its mystical enormous Fellcats and home of the guild that trains the powerful human vessels known as grails. Various characters from other countries have interacted with the Kingdoms and their characters .

But these two Kingdoms have been portrayed as the most powerful and politically influential. Mostly due to their unique geography which affords them their magical resources, whether it’s the coveted Scalestone, or dragons which need the Scalestone, or some resources equally elusive or hidden.

Prince and Betrothed is a standout in many aspects of this series. One I absolutely adore the couple. Forced engagement/marriage isn’t a favorite trope of mine but it really does work here with Sei and Marek. They are thrown together immediately by needs of transport (fantastic), and then by necessity as dramatic events warrant new arrangements.

Those events were Vana’s , Prince Marek’s brother, in Prince and Bodyguard #4, and like all the novels here, a must for background information as well as the couple.

But this is far better. Because Lark goes for depth and development in Prince and Betrothed , filling in plot gaps that the previous novels left open.

Marek and his bond with his dragon, Loska, their history, as well as ability to communicate with each other, it’s all well developed within the story and Marek’s relationship with Sei. Loska himself becomes a vivid personality, a distinctive character with a voice that’s sounds old and otherworldly, yet whimsical in some ways.

Osric, the Fellcat is also a great character, and I could not have enough of his presence.

Lark has a dark storyline that’s getting progressively darker with the ruling King Dire. Each book hints at his and his wife’s horrific magical powers and secret plans. This book moves that arc smartly forward.

However, it’s the wonderful romance and growth that we see between Sri and Marek that makes the story. Combine that with the sort of heartbreaking fragility that comes off that last brother and the poisonous plotting of their King father, and this novel is one fabulous bit of storytelling.

One last brother to go in this Kingdom. That’s the hardest one and probably the most broken, Kazia Dire.

I can’t wait to see how this plays out.

If you love fantasy romance, I’m sure you have found this series. But if not, read them in the order that they are written for characters and events that develop.

I highly recommend them ! Especially this one.

Perilous Courts:

🔷Prince and Assassin #1❤️

🔷Prince in Disguise #2

🔷Prince and Pawn #3

🔷Prince and Bodyguard #4 ❤️

🔷Prince and Betrothed #5 ❤️

🔷Prince of Agony #6 – Feb 29,2024

Buy Link:

Prince and Betrothed (Perilous Courts Book 5)

Blurb:

Being claimed shouldn’t feel so lonely.

Sei’s power isn’t truly his. As a grail, his role is to serve a mage by augmenting their magic. He’s equally nervous and excited about his arranged betrothal. After a life without intimacy, Sei will finally fulfill his true purpose as a treasured, valuable grail.

There’s only one problem: Sei’s new betrothed is the legendary Marek Dire.

The dragonrider prince is powerful, intimidating, and larger than life—or at least larger than Sei. Prince Marek doesn’t want a husband, especially one like this. Sei might be captivating, but he’s also too delicate and obedient. Marek vows to break the betrothal, and he refuses to use Sei as a grail.

No matter how much Sei wants to be used.

But Marek underestimates Sei. Wielding kindness as a weapon, Sei discovers unexpected tenderness in Marek—and new fierceness in himself. But being a grail in power-hungry Draskora is dangerous, and Marek still fears two things. That someone else might hurt Sei…

…or that Marek himself will.

Prince and Betrothed is a high fantasy gay romance, with an arranged marriage, dragons, and shameless displays of affection. The Perilous Courts series is best read in order, and Prince and Betrothed continues the three-book arc about the princes of Draskora.

Review: Dragon’s Dawn (To Kill a King, #1) by Sam Burns and W.M. Fawkes

Rating: 2🌈

Upon completion, I’ve found that there’s a few interesting things about the book and some really problematic aspects of the story that make it less compelling reading.

Let’s start with the world building. Half of the information and history or perhaps less, is included here. And that arrives at the end of the story. Which means the reader and actually the characters are operating on incomplete knowledge and assumptions.

We can assume the world is based on arranged marriages that has nothing to do with affection. The people here are bonded to animals. When that started and why ? Don’t know, no history. We get zero information about how each being acquired it’s bonded animal. Only that the type of animal is indicative of status. Dragon high, I would imagine mouse low, or something. Blood has something to do with it but what is not specified.

So immediately, some of the most important and intriguing elements are missing. This type of choice continues throughout the book. Even worse is that when some of the missing pieces are hinted at, as in many children tragically die because the father has forced them to bond with animals they can’t control, do we get more? No. It’s dropped completely and not brought back up.

Instead the reader is dumped into a politically charged situation that we won’t be given any time to “hear about “ or process the various family members of Genys, the MC who’s to be married off the the man bonded to a dragon, Prince Mikhail Vasiliev. The royal family is the Vasilievs and there’s a whole Russian themed world going on here with dachas and other Russian elements, but it’s haphazard at best. Russian names, objects, but Kings not Czars. Should have just gone with it.

We get no sense of who Genys is before he’s married and actually not much of one after. He’s a very young 19 years old, who’s been protected by a strong mother. Genys is bonded to a mink, Grusha. Mink cute , no magic. But his character traits are all over the map. He’s an innocent but he’s not. Socially adept but not. He’s a sexual person but he’s a young 19 who’s been protected by his mother and out of his element. The authors did such a weak job of creating Genys that it’s hard to establish a connection with him.

Now another thing about this aspect of the universe, there’s no magic . The main one seems to be the one where you and the animal are one in a bonded sort of way here. So Genys gets a cute pet basically and Mikhail/Misha gets a dragon to ride if the dragon is amenable and not a jerk. But if something happens to the animal, it happens to the person too, a fact acquired later in the story. So it’s a narrative tool primarily for the plot for book 2. So they are one and the same but they aren’t the same.

Please define the elements when it’s this important to your story, authors.

Is that substance enough in the form it’s in to make this element a huge aspect of the book? Not here it’s not. It’s just missing too much foundation.

Both authors reach wide when going for a wider arc and plot line but they focus more on book 2 than on the story that’s laying the foundation for the series and events that follow. How do I know this? They include the first chapter of book 2 at the end of this story. SMH. Incredibly frustrating to see those events that should have been folded in here in some manner.

That’s like saying, if you are running a race, “ok I’m going to have to move sections of it around, let me get back to you about the map. “

And no I didn’t even like the romance, not that there was any, or relationship ( not much of that either) between the two main characters. No chemistry, no communication, zero respect. But they then immediately say I love you. Yes , it’s one of those.

The more I think about it, the problematic area far outweigh the few interesting ones. And there’s a King who’s not in his right mind but that’s not even a minor issue here. So much isn’t even addressed because there’s such a lack of world building, the animal bonding is nonsensical, and that’s a major part of the series.

When there’s an issue with even the smallest to the largest of characters, then the narrative becomes a storyline that’s constantly stumbling.

I’m surprised to find that with Sam Burns. And I won’t be recommending this.

To Kill A King series:

✓ Dragon’s Dawn #1

◦ Dragon’s Dusk #2 – Sept 28, 2023

Buy Link:

Dragon’s Dawn (To Kill a King Book 1)

Blurb:

Trapped in an arranged marriage with a beast of a prince, Genya has nothing but his beauty and wits to help him survive.

For nineteen years, I have carved myself into a dutiful son, a courtier of unimpeachable wit, and a genuine delight at a tea party. Now that my success in society has planted me in the path of Mikhail Vasiliev, it’s clear I’d have been better off keeping my head down.

Prince Mikhail is the second son of a traitor. Third in line to the throne, he has a reputation for violence, debauchery, and being a thorn in the side of his cousin, King Dmitri. That is, until the king decides to get him out of the way—by marrying him off.

To me.

Suddenly prince of a brutal, frozen land, I have no choice but to spy on my father’s behalf. From the morning of our wedding, my beastly husband and I have been at odds, but if I cannot win him over, I’ll find myself in the jaws of his colossal red dragon.

By the time I realize there is more between us than hostility and mistrust, it is too late. The die has been cast, the knife thrust, and our private battle is set to topple the whole kingdom.

Beauty gets tied to a real beast in this MM high fantasy romance, featuring: the cutest companion mink to ever bite the hand of a prince, two reluctant husbands who hate each other everywhere but between the sheets, and a heap load of court intrigue to ensure things go perfectly wrong for our murderhimbo and his slinky courtier beau.

Review: Wild Fire (Drake Security #3) by Mika Nix

Rating: 4.75🌈

This series just got immeasurably better. Wild Fire, the third in this series about a clutch of dragonshifter brothers finding their fated mates, is my favorite to date.

It’s not that I find the authors, K.M. Neuhold and Mia Monroe, have just written two really fascinating characters, it’s that I don’t remember reading anything that resembles them in another book before. And that’s even more compelling here.

A dragon who’s uncaring about assembling his own hoard , and thrives in the cities and masses away from the smothering isolation of his brothers. And a wolfshifter who has a compulsion to amass a hoard , who needs his space away from his pack, who’s more interested in his own world than his pack’s. A yin looking for their yang.

This switch in characteristics is unexpected and so narratively rewarding.

It makes for a sensational journey or hunt when both Arson Drake and Draydon start on their remarkable continental quest for art treasures and find themselves falling into a surprising relationship with each other. One that carries definite overtones of Romeo and Juliet, as dragons and wolves are enemies up to this stage.

The two person perspective works so well as Arson and Draydon fight the attraction that pulls them together from country to country, their inner beasts empowering their decisions as well. The authors writing as Nix have given the reader two powerfully defined beings that are unique and unable to stay apart. And are trying to explain to themselves why, and if it even matters anymore.

Anything outside of that narratively has to come across as being less interesting because of how rich and powerful these two are.

The elements with the vampires are necessary for being the tool to bring the Montagues and Capulets together, I mean , dragons and wolves , but it comes across as just that. A narrative tool.

Could have been anything, unless it’s going to be included in another story.

Which is set up here by bringing in a new character and younger brother from another “clutch” who’s in trouble.

Interesting but there’s still a couple of unmatched brothers from the original group needing mates. Guess Lord and Tino will have to wait.

Anyway, Wild Fire (Drake Security #3) by Mika Nix is a sure fire winner. Fabulous characters, marvelously plotted romance, and twisted personality traits I really appreciated.

It helps to read the series in order to understand the characters, the events, and the relationships. Lake especially. He’s so over the top divine!

Highly recommended!❤️

Drake Security:

✓ Hot Head #1

✓ Smoulder #2

✓ Wild Fire #3

Buy Link:

Wild Fire (Drake Security Book 3)

Description:

He’s my nemesis, my rival, and the man I can’t get out of my head. We may be star-crossed but there’s enough heat between us to start a wildfire.

I’ve never been one to follow the rules, but sleeping with a wolf shifter might be over the line, even for me. So, why can’t I get him out of my head? Or his scent out of my nose. Even on the other side of the world, I swear I can still smell him.

Everyone has a hobby, mine just happens to be stealing from the rich and powerful to give back to the rightful owners. A native art exhibit in Sydney is the last place I expected to see Draydon again. I can’t shake the feeling that he’s here for the same reason I am… and here I thought larceny couldn’t get any more fun.

I’m a dragon without a proper hoard and he’s too jaded to even trust his own pack. But we’ve already lit a fire that’s getting out of hand.

Stealing Draydon’s heart might be my most impossible heist yet.

Review: Prince and Bodyguard (Perilous Courts Book 4) by Tavia Lark

Rating: 5🌈

In one sweet, moving, and foreboding scene from the Prologue, Lark manages to set her characters and simultaneously break our hearts even before the present day story begins.

It’s a succinct , heartbreaking sentence and we’re pulled in and completely crushed emotionally.

I’ve been a huge fan of Lark’s Perilous Courts series since I read the amazing Prince and Assassin book with it’s haunting, damaged character of Whisper, one of the famed Kennel hound assassins who ends up with a Prince of the intriguing Silaise Kingdom, Julien. It was my favorite book, until now. Mostly because of the Kennel Hounds aspect and the character of Whisper who has managed to remain such a strong, complicated character throughout the series.

Stories one through three centered around the three Princes, their magical abilities, and the power structure of their matriarchal Kingdom of Silaise.

Now Lark switches focus to a new realm but one that’s had a huge impact on the other stories and kingdoms. That’s Draskora, an island Kingdom that’s incredibly powerful, incredibly wealthy and with a magical ability for weather. But more importantly, it’s has two things no one else has and everyone else wants. Scalestone, a purple stone that is mined and dragons that need Scalestone. The kingdom that has one, controls the other.

Its people are also known for their purple colored eyes (see Whisper), an effect that comes from the Scalestone. A harsh, cruel place that is mirrored by its rulers, King Imrik, his bloodmage wife, and his three sons, two of whom are adopted through coercion treaties with neighboring kingdoms forced to give up their sons. The other a natural son considered spoiled if a bit unstable.

Prince and Bodyguard starts the Draskoran three son arc.

This is the story of how Vana Kaiskara Tellik of the Kingdom of Kaiskara became Vana Dire, adopted son of Imrik, wielder of storm powers, along with his bloodguard Daromir Azri.

It’s got everything. Magic, dragons, political schisms within the ruling family, layers of pain and damage to the characters and unbelievable chemistry to the dynamics between Vana and Daromir.

The author continues to weave her world arc threads into the ongoing drama, here bringing back characters from prior novels as well as elements such as the Kennel Hounds, and Fellrin fellcats, which will help set up the next novel.

It’s a series that is playing out like a huge board game but we can’t yet see all the pieces. I’m sure Fellrin or Kaiskara is coming,knowledge of each of those places have been very interesting but limited.

And the prize or prizes at stake are Scalestone and dragons which will see that whoever has them has the power or potential to control what the other kingdoms are able to do logistically, monetarily and influentially.

But as rich as this is in details, as layered in cultural fabrication and depth of imagination, it beats at its center a heart that’s guaranteed to make you weep more than once , and then want to shout for joy.

It’s that fabulous a story and a journey for two men over time.

Yes, definitely my favorite. And one I’m highly recommending, along with this incredible series. But it has to be read in order to understand the complex character relationships, the situations and story development.

Perilous Courts:

🔷Prince and Assassin #1❤️

🔷Prince in Disguise #2

🔷Prince and Pawn #3

🔷Prince and Bodyguard #4 ❤️

🔷Prince and Betrothed #5 – Oct 31,2023

🔷Prince of Agony #6 – Feb 29,2024

Buy Link:

Prince and Bodyguard (Perilous Courts Book 4)

Description:

Vana Dire can’t show weakness if he wants to survive the Draskoran court. The only man he can be vulnerable with is Daromir—Vana’s magic-bound bodyguard. The binding lets them share each other’s pain, and Vana depends on Daromir’s comfort as much as his services as a guard. Vana could never risk their friendship.

Even if he craves far more than Daromir’s loyalty.

Daromir Azri sees a side of Vana nobody else sees. Behind closed doors, the cold, elegant prince is kindhearted. Vulnerable. He needs Daromir. If Daromir’s devotion sometimes feels like something else? Daromir must be mistaken. His duty comes first, and he’ll do anything to protect Vana—including one thing he’s never done before:

He’s keeping a secret.

Then their magic bond changes, and suddenly Vana and Daromir don’t just share pain anymore. Each shared sensation pushes their friendship to the breaking point, just when Vana and Daromir need each other most. They’re facing a mysterious ambassador, a chaos-stirring prince, the consequences of past schemes—

And an assassin seeking Vana’s life.

Prince and Bodyguard is a gay fantasy romance with pining, hurt/comfort, and codependent cuddling. The Perilous Courts series is best read in order, and Prince and Bodyguard begins a new three-book arc about the princes of Draskora.

Review: How To Date A Dragon (a Here Be Dragons prequel) by Louisa Masters

Rating: 3.5🌈

How To Date A Dragon is a short cute prequel to Louisa Masters Here Be Dragons series. This quick romance between Hagen, a dragon, and real estate agent, the vampire Jaiden is about 88 pages long. That doesn’t allow much time for character or relationship development. It comes with the expectation that the reader is already familiar with the characters and the world building behind it.

The purpose of Hagen and Jaiden meeting is to find the location for what will become in the series Here Be Dragons, the seat and home of the dragons on Earth. They meet hot and heavy, go on a couple of romantic dates, and then the epilogue flashes forward to find them into an established relationship.

It’s sexy, the couple engaging, and the entire thing short. Definitely a story that could benefit from more exposition and length. But it’s a cute addition to Louisa Masters series and dragons.

Read it if you’re a fan of both!

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › How-Da…How To Date A Dragon (Here Be Dragons)

Description:

Tip #1 for dealing with dragons: be prepared for anything

My whole life, I thought dragons were majestic, wise, and fearsome creatures. Not to mention fictional. It’s been less than a year since that last belief was debunked. Dragons are real, they’re now living among us, and I’m the lucky realtor who gets to sell a house to their leader. I just have to impress his representative first. No problem—I’m a professional.

Except the dragon rep turns out to be the guy I hooked up with last night, and he’s fast disproving everything I believed about dragons. Unless “wise” actually means “addicted to glitter” and “majestic” is a euphemism for “overgrown frat boy.”

Hagen might actually be the most annoying person I’ve ever met, yet I can’t resist going on a date with him. One thing’s for sure, someone needs to write me a how-to guide for dating a dragon… glitter not included.

Related to: Here Be Dragons

Review: Hot Head (Drake Security #1) by Mika Nix

Rating: 2.5🌈

Review note: This review contains several spoilers so please be aware prior to reading.

Mika Nix is the combined name of authors K.M. Neuhold and Mia Monroe who have co-written this series about dragon shifter brothers and their path to HEA with their fated mates.

Nico is one of a group of dragon shifter brothers who own and operate Drake Security. They live together in a complex/compound of single mansions and alternate taking on different clients as they are approved.

The latest is the son of wealthy businessman Lake Forrester II, Lake Forrester III. He’s a victim of a short term relationship gone very wrong, and now he’s got a stalker.

Nico been hired to protect Lake and stop the stalker.

I’m a fan of dragons and the authors so wanted to see what they had in store for us readers with the new series.

I found some interesting stuff, some problematic issues small and large, characters that I liked, and a overall good thread that was entertaining.

First the positives .

I liked the idea of brothers banded by clutches. That while they have other siblings, the stretch of years between clutches renders each group more relatives than close family.

The family is distinct, with each brother having a different personality. They have chosen names and their dragon names, which are supposed to be hard to pronounce but just end up being French which I found hysterical.

The romance is a found soulmate one so it’s a relationship that is quickly established and sweetly sexy if one sided dominant. I had some issues with the dynamics and relationship that begin with the character of Lake.

It has a HEA that will make most readers happy and it’s a swift read in the genre that gives you a new series to look forward to.

For myself there are some things that the story lacks or I had issues with. They include:

🔷The paranormal/human world history needs some work but I get the impression it will be addressed with each brother. This includes a lack of cultural context and knowledge here of dragon culture or history that lets soulmates fall into a almost mythological category but still be able to call “dad” up for soulmate bonding details.

🔷Dragon Bigotry. I was really surprised at this. Paranormal bigotry between two species, right down to ugly stereotypes and name calling. While I think the authors are setting up a dramatic narrative for a Romeo/Julian situation here, it leaves a bad taste for me. Especially when the authors chose to use a well known werewolf mating technique (knotting) as a dragon’s while making the werewolf/wolf shifter the lesser/ill-regarded species. it’s explained it’s only about territory and history but while making remarks about how they all “stink, are rank,..”. Humans too are not regarded highly. But it’s not as though the dragons exist within a isolated world. They live and do business within a human society.

So they come off as judgmental and prejudiced.

🔷A dragon that talks human when In dragon form. That bothers the wildlife biologist in me. Yes I’m aware dragons aren’t real but if a author is going to treat them as though they are (spaces big enough for them to transform etc) then narratively do so in other ways too. Perhaps have them speak telepathically , not like a human. Because what about a dragon’s bone structure, mouth and jaw shape makes that feel realistic or believable. Nothing. A telepathic form of communication has a far higher probability than than a dragon palette that’s able to throw flames and speak French.

🔵Issues that earns a huge narrative side eye:

🔷A big issue. Lake’s personality. He can seem like a giggly rich young man or an intelligent emotionally neglected one who’s absorbed just enough business sense from his family to make him a believable, layered figure. It varies honestly.

🚨 Spoiler alert 🚨

But he’s extremely likable which makes the events towards the end disturbing. He’s abducted, there is an attempted sexual assault that’s extremely real, followed by a death. The expected narrative response to this would be emotional trauma and some kind of needed recovery. Does that happen? No. It’s fluffed off, like a bad minute, and it’s onto some hot sex.

There’s so many things that are deeply wrong about this treatment but it starts with the fact that if authors use SA as a story element then give it the serious consideration it is due. To say nothing of being abducted and physically assaulted.

It all happens, then a watery eye, a giggle, and I’m fine. Let’s have sex. If as authors you needed Lake to be in danger, then surely another way could have been used that wouldn’t have made SA such a superficial element.

🔷And finally , that whole disposal of the body nonsense at the end — last spoiler🚨

What possible difference does it make if you remove a heart if you are going to burn the body and the scene of the crime to the ground so no one special “scents” are left. Might as well leave it in. It’s so nonsensical.

Yes got the heart out. Signature move. Now everyone who see it will know it is us. Well done. Now toss it back on the fire with the lot . Burn it all up. Ashes ashes, that’s all that is left. So glad you went to the trouble of digging out the heart that’s ashes now along with everything else. SMH.

The more I got into the storyline the more puzzled and irritated I was. Elements didn’t add up, aspects of the story were just not necessary or given the depth of exposition required, or the tale just swung fluffy and fantasy wise. Oh look, we’re flying.

It was almost as though the authors couldn’t decide whether to go serious, funny, romantic, sweet, mystical, murderous, and kept swinging between them instead of melding them.

They are setting up the “Quiet” shy Hemingway brother for the next book. It’s called Smoulder. Oh no.

I’m sure I’ll go there if only out of curiosity.

I’ll let everyone make their own decisions.

Drake Security:

✓ Hot Head #1

◦ Smoulder #2 – TBD

Hot Head (Drake Security Book 1)324Kindle Edition$5.99

Description:

Protecting him is my job. Finding out he’s my fated mate wasn’t part of the assignment.

Lake Forrester III entered my life like a wrecking ball. Drake Security, my firm with my brothers, was hired to protect him from a stalker ex, but what Lake doesn’t know is that he’s not dealing with your average unhinged human. The unhinged wolf shifter he unknowingly dated will stop at nothing to get Lake in his clutches.

Just another day in the life of a dragon body guard.

The one thing I never expected was for Lake to be my fated mate. To say my protective instincts are on overdrive is an understatement. I’ll move mountains to keep him safe and delight in tearing the wolf apart with my bare hands if he gets too close to my mate. If it unleashes all out war with the wolf packs, so be it. I never claimed to be the level headed one.

In the meantime, my only focus is Lake and his safety. If anyone hurts him, it’ll be the last thing they do. My dragon will make sure of it.

Hot Head is book one in the exciting new series, Drake Security. It features a dragon bodyguard with anger issues, a fabulous human with more money than friends, an ex on the loose, and fated mate goodness. Dive into Hot Head and feel the burn.

**Drake Security features dragon shifters with NO MPREG**

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