Review: Donna Grant - Dawn's Desire

Dark Kings Series:
 
Book 3:
 
Dawn's Desire: Banan and Jane Holden
 

 
Purchase on Amazon: Donna Grant - Dawn's Desire
Summary:
For centuries, the immortals knows as the Dragon Kings have hidden their shapeshifting powers from the world. But when a mortal enemy threatens to expose them, the warrior Banan must leave his secret lair in the Highlands, risk his life for the dragons within – and resist the temptations of human love…
 
Jane Holden has never considered herself beautiful. But when the impossibly handsome Banan casts his gaze upon her, smoldering with sensuality, she feels like the sexiest woman on earth. Banan, however, is a man on a mission. He refuses to succumb to this modern woman’s charms – or his own desires. Two of his warrior brethren have already surrendered to forbidden love. But as the danger closes in, Banan realizes that he needs to possess Jane – mind, body, and soul. For she is more than his match. She is his destiny…
 
Review:
This story picks up right where the last one left off. Elena is being picked up from the airport and Banan is driving. The danger escalates in this book, the Kings know that they need to flush out the person or group that sent Sloan into the mountain.  The Kings figure Elena’s boss is one of the people behind the trespassing on Dreagon land.  To get closer to Elena’s book Banan is sent to watch his secretary, Jane.  The attraction between Banan and Jane is instantaneous and electrifying.
 
Jane is somewhat timid and very much so klutzy, she finds herself often feeling out of step with the world. She doesn’t have the best of self esteem, but being with Banan she starts to feel a confidence that she has never felt before. In the short time she has known him; she learns her appeal to Banan.  She also finds some of her confidence when she would normally shy away from anything dangerous she finds herself snooping for Banan. She comes along way in such a short period.
 
I really liked Banan, he was good for Jane.  His attraction to Jane was intense to say the least, and that attraction and attentiveness helped her overcome some of her insecurities. When Banan first met Jane, he knew that his feeling were more intense than they should have been, but he didn’t listen to warning bells that were going off in his head. He chucked it up to lust and didn’t realize how far he had fallen until it was too late and the danger had found Jane. 
 
With an outside threat the violence and intrigue escalates in this book. We see what the Kings are willing to do against an outside threat and that involves extreme measures. They only thing that I had a slight problem with on this book was it seemed shorter than the other two. I didn’t really feel like we had enough time with Jane and Banan as a couple like we did with Elena and Guy. I would have liked a little more time and not be so rushed. The ending gives an exciting peek as to what may come in the next books. I am looking forward to the next release.
 
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Review: Donna Grant - Night's Awakening

Dark Kings Series:
 
Book 2:
 
Night's Awakening: Guy and Elena Griffin
 
 
 
Purchase on Amazon: Donna Grant - Night's Awakening
Summary:
From goodreads.com
Fueled by dragon magic, the dark immortal warriors were never meant to feel human desire, much less fall in love. But when Guy, a member of an ancient order of shape-shifting warriors, meets Elena Griffin—a mere mortal whose beauty and blind ambition shakes him to his core—all bets are off…
 
Having left America to explore the Scottish Highlands, Elena suddenly finds herself lost in a dark cave—alone, injured, and utterly hopeless…until Guy appears from out of nowhere. Is she dreaming her own rescue when she falls into his arms? A man—and a passion—this strong is too good to be true. It’s only a matter a time before she learns the truth about the flames in his heart. And the dragon in his soul…
 
Review:
I enjoyed this book better then the first. I felt like the first book set us up but this one really took us into the story with the Kings.
 
The circumstances that brought Guy and Elena together were tragic to say the least. Elena has gone caving with her brand new boss, as she had only been in Great Britain a short while she felt obligated to go. She didn’t realize that this one caving trip would change her life forever.  After the tragic accident Elena is wounded and scared, when the Kings find her it is Guy that she gravitates to.
 
The attraction between Guy and Elena is pretty explosive from the beginning even though they both try to ignore the attraction. Elena is scared and doesn’t know what will happen to her, but it doesn’t take long for Elena to begin to turn to Guy to help her when it becomes clear the Kings are planning on holding her. She doesn’t understand where the feelings are coming from but she doesn’t really fight them, but instead goes with it.  Guy on the other hand is fighting the attraction as much as possible. He knows the implications of this intense attraction. He doesn’t realize how strong the protective instincts will become until Elena is placed in danger. Then all his protective instincts come out en masse.
 
This story is intense and fast paced; there is no room for boredom. The story jumps off from the beginning and does not let up even at the end.  The danger and intrigue of this story keep you engaged and you fall into the story. I really liked Elena she was strong and held her own even against all those testosterone filled men.  When things started getting more and more intense she still kept her wits about her.  Guy was also likeable, after seeing what Hal had gone through, he somewhat knew what to expect, but wasn’t really prepared for what it really felt like, so we got to go through the emotions with him.  His fear of rejection was a bit heartwarming. We knew there was no way Elena would really reject him, but he didn’t know that. So when he was dejected it really made you feel a bit protective of him which is surprising since he is such a warm but strong man. You don’t expect to feel protective of someone like that.
 
I highly recommend this series of novellas. It is very easy to get addicted to these men and each read is quick and entertaining. 
 
Rating:

A Look Back: 2012 So Far

So I was recently asked to do a post of my top books that have been released so far.  I totally should have don’t this in the beginning of July, but alas, July has come and gone. So this is going to be the” hey we are ¾ of the way through the year” pulse check on 2012 releases! LOL

This year has seen sooo many great releases from great authors new and well established.  The following list is my opinion on the books that I have enjoyed most this year so far.  I’m not going to limit the list to paranormal but include all genres in this post I have read, I will separate the non-paranormal into its own list. Admittedly I don’t venture that much outside of Paranormal, but if something catches my eye, I’ll read and post a review on my other blog www.goodromancenovel.blogspot.com .

Top 10 full length Paranormal:


1. Oracle’s Moon – Thea Harrison (This one is #1, because I have read it 4x already! I LOVED it that much!)
Get It: Thea Harrison: Oracle's Moon

2. Once Burned – Jeaniene Frost (This one is sooo close to #1, the only reason I put it as 2^nd was bc I haven’t reread it… yet. But I am dying to!)
Get It: Jeaniene Frost: Once Burned: A Night Prince Novel

From here is becomes so hard to rank in a specific order, so this part of the list is somewhat fluid:

3. Firelight – Kristen Callihan (Callihan is a newcomer and she started with a bang! This is the first in her historical paranormal romance. This series is totally unique!)
Get It: Kristen Callihan: Firelight (Darkest London)

4. Lothaire – Kresley Cole (Usually KC would hold down my top spot, but Lothaire was not my favorite of the series but it is still among the best of the year so far.
Get It: Kresley Cole: Lothaire (Immortals After Dark)

5. Moonglow – Kristen Callihan (This is the 2^nd in her series and I loved it just as much as the 1^st and damn did I cry in this one!)
Get It: Kristen Callihan - Moonglow (Darkest London)

6. Lethal Rider – Larissa Ione (Really 3-6 can all occupy the same place as I love them pretty much equally. This is the 3^rd of L. Ione’s Lords of Deliverance series and features my man Thantos! I want him!)
Get It: Larissa Ione: Lethal Rider (Lords of Deliverance)

7. Third Grave Dead Ahead – Darynda Jones (I just picked up this series a month or so ago and am kicking myself for not picking it up sooner. This is the 3^rd in the series and had me laughing from beginning to end. If you haven’t picked up this series you need to right away.)
Get It: Darynda Jones: Third Grave Dead Ahead

8. Tangle of Need – Nalini Singh (I am not used to N. Singh being this low on a tops list. Her work is always rock solid and among my favorites.  This book was fantastic but I felt it was more of a transition book to get us to the next book.  She does have a release out in Sept (Jason from the Guild Hunters that has the potential to rank #1 on the end of the year list. I cannot wait for it to come out!)
Get It: Nalini Singh: Tangle of Need

9. The Darkest Day – Britt Bury (This is another newcomer to the scene with her debut book. I gave this one a 4 star because of some issues, but it is on the list because I still think back to this book after several months so it has managed to stick out from the crowd.)
Get It: Britt Bury: The Darkest Day

10. Blade Song – J.C. Daniels (Technically this is not a newcomer as this is Shiloh Walker under a new pen name, but this is her 1^st book under this name. There is another unique book in the paranormal genre. It features a strong female lead and has the ability to stick out in memory much like The Darkest Day)
Get It: J.C. Daniels: Blade Song (Colbana Files)

Top 5 Contemporary and Historical:


1. Rescue Me – Rachel Gibson (Contemporary Romance. I adore Rachel Gibson, she can always make me laugh and this book is no exception)
Get It: Rachel Gibson: Rescue Me

2. Summer Nights – Susan Mallery (Contemporary Romance.  This is Shane’s story from the Fool’s Gold series. He is the 2^nd Styker brother and his story is the best! He’s a cowboy with a gentle wounded soul, his lady love is also quite lovable!)
Get It: Susan Mallery: Summer Nights (Fool's Gold)

3. Temptation & Twilight – Charlotte Featherstone (Erotic Historical Romance, this is the 3^rd in a series but I hadn’t read the 1^st 2 when I started this one. It didn’t matter, I still think of this book months later and I have since gone back and read the first 2 books which are equally good!)
Get It: C. Featherstone: Temptation & Twilight (Hqn)

4. Tempted by the Highland Warrior – Michelle Willingham (Historical Romance possibly erotica, its steamy enough to be. I have a weakness for tortured hero types and this one is tortured and disabled. Due to the horrors he experienced he can no longer talk. Even better that he is a highlander! Who can resist a tortured highland warrior? I know I can’t!)
Get It: Michelle Willingham: Tempted by the Highland Warrior (The MacKinloch Clan)

5. Seven Nights in a Rogue's Bed – Anna Campbell (Historical Romance . Here’s another tortured hero type that must overcome. This one has also managed to stick out in my memory as a great read. I wouldn’t even have picked it up from NetGalley if it hadn’t been for Jen from Red Hot Books. Thanks Jen for the rec!)
Get It: Anna Campbell: Seven Nights in a Rogue's Bed (Sons of Sin)

Top 5 novellas:


1. Angels Flight – Nalini Singh (I call N. Singh the queen of novellas because she can take 20-30 pages and gets so much into so few pages it almost feels like a full length novel! This book is a collection of 4 Guild Hunter novellas each one is amazing on its own, but together it’s unbeatable!)
Get It: Nalini Singh: Angels' Flight (Guild Hunters)

2. Try Me – Olivia Cunning (OoooWwwEeee this one is CALIENTE! It’s the first in her new band series. Soo freak’n good)
Get It: Olivia Cunning: Try Me (One Night with Sole Regret)

3. Unspoken – Kerrigan Byrne (Kerrigan Byrne is another newcomer to the scene; she has two paranormal historical novellas out. It features a berserker a mute one at that! This one was so damn good. I wish it had been longer. )
Get It: Kerrigan Byrne: Unspoken (Highland Historical #1)

4. Crazy on You – Rachel Gibson ( I adore Rachel Gibson! She doesn’t typically write novellas, this is the 1^st one in years and years and it was a great one. It features crazy Lily that we met in Daisy’s Back in Town)
Get It: Rachel Gibson: Crazy On You

5. Dark Craving – Donna Grant (I found this one because of Annie from Under the Covers Book Blog and I am glad she suggested it. It’s a dragon book! She’s got me on her dragon kick! Damn you Annie! Dragons aside it’s a great quick story that will leaving you wanting more.)
Get It: Donna Grant: Dark Craving

Review: Donna Grant - Dark Craving

Dark Kings Series:

Book 1:

Dark Craving: Hal and Cassandra Hunter
 

 
Click here to Get to Amazon page: Donna Grant - Dark Craving (Dark Kings)
Summary:
Goodreads.com
Fueled by ancient magic—and enflamed by human desire—the Dragon King known as Hal can transform himself at will into one of the legendary winged creatures he is sworn to protect. But one thing he can never do is fall in love…with a mortal woman.
 
Searching for her brother in Scotland—and succumbing to the freezing cold—Cassie Hunter awakens to find herself in the arms of a magnificent Highland warrior. Across his chest is the tattoo of a fiery dragon. And in his heart is a burning passion that, once unleashed, will consume them both…body and soul.
 
This is a story of destiny and desire, magic and mystery, warriors and lovers.
 
These are the forbidden cravings of the Dark Kings.
 
Review:
First I want to warn you, that this series is an eBook exclusive so these are not available in print. It is also a short, about 100 pages or so, but Grant makes every page count.
 
Cassandra has basically been alone most of her life, after a series of hardships she moves to Scotland to be closer to her brother, her only family. When her luggage is lost than her brother ditches her at the airport, and forces his massive dog on her and then forgets to give her the code to the cottage where she is sitting in the driveway freezing to death. She is truly having the worst day EVER! She is wondering if moving to Scotland is the worst mistakes she ever made.
 
Cassie wakes up not dead and on the couch of her brother’s cottage, but she has no idea how she got there. Enter out sexy, brooding, mysterious hero Hal! Hal and Cassie meet and instantly the sparks fly, Hal can’t figure out how Cassie has gotten past the spell that all Dragon Kings are under. And Cassie is left breathless and wondering how this sexy man got past all of her defenses with just one look, let alone the earth shattering kiss. Grant, gets this book started off on the right foot and sets the pace for the rest of the book. Through the entire book you are hit with romance, excitement, betrayal and secrets. Grant does not let up through to the last page.
 
Cassie and Hal’s attraction is intense from the very beginning; they both struggle with the feelings at first. But as the days pass, Hal becomes more and more attaches until he is ready to fight his “brothers” for Cassie. He doesn’t know what is going on with himself, or why their Dragon magic is failing, but he knows he can’t give up Cassie. He tells Cassie he wants her with everything that is in him but he has secrets he cannot share. Cassie agrees to be with him anyway, and just like that everything he thought not possible is now a possibility. Hal is sexy, mysterious, protective and puts his woman first, even above his fellow dragons. He is the quintessential alpha male and a dragon to boot! Are dragons ever not alphas?! I quite enjoyed Hal and all of his fellow dragons. Cassie, is so accepting of Hal and everything that he is or isn’t even faced with secrets she realizes that she can either accept them and him or give Hal up forever and that is just not a possibility for her. She might not have known him long but he quickly became someone that truly mattered to her. I adored Cassie she had such a warm heart! There was one thing that I didn’t like and that was we never met the brother until the very end, what a dick! He knew his sister needed him and he left her alone in a strange country. I highly suggest picking this book up! It is a great quick read and cheap at $0.99.
 
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