- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 447; Kindle Edition - File Size: 947 KB; Audiobook - Unabridged | Expected Release Date: December 31, 2013 | Publisher: St. Martin's Press : Paperbacks | Obtained: NetGalley"Dark Heat" [Dark Kings Series, Books 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, & 0.4] by Donna Grant
Authors' Book Description : The Dark Kings are sworn to defend an ancient legacy of dragon magic. But their fiercest challenge lies in the modern world, where a woman’s love conquers all. These are their stories.
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.
The dark immortal warriors were never meant to experience human desire. But when Guy, a member of an ancient order of shape-shifting warriors, meets Elena—a mere mortal whose beauty and blind ambition shakes him to his core—all bets are off...
For centuries, 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 to risk his life for the dragons within—and resist the temptations of human love.
Banan has been waiting for centuries for someone like Jane. Guy knew it was love at first sight with Elena. Can two Dragon Kings commit to two immortal women for eternity? Or does fate have something else in store?
"Dark Craving" [Dark Heat Anthology, Novella 1] & [Dark Kings Series, Book 0.1]Author's Story Description : 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.
My Story Review : 4 out of 5 stars! Looking for a new beginning, a woman moves to Scotland to be closer to her brother and ends up getting more than she bargained for with her hot new neighbor!
It’s a great start to this series! I liked how “self-involved” it was, meaning the only danger this novella had was the main characters (along with their friends/comrades assistance) messing up their own love lives. Haldor (Hal) and Cassie are a very sweet couple, who’s story I enjoyed in its simplicity. It was also interesting reading about Constantine (Con) in a “fatherly figure” role, it made for entertaining and dramatic scenes.
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Author's Story Extras : Dark Craving - Overview | Dark Craving - Fun Notes | Dark Craving - Learn More About Hal!
Story Teaser :
"I'm not sure if I'm ready for this," she said to Duke. "I haven't slept in thirty-six hours, I'm freezing, and I'm driving a stick. On the wrong side of the road. This is a really shitty day, Duke."
In answer, he nudged his large head against her shoulder. She smiled and scratched him behind the ear.
Her morale fortified--by a dog--Cassie started the car and headed out on the M90 north toward Perth. ~ within Chapter 1
"Night’s Awakening" [Dark Heat Anthology, Novella 2] & [Dark Kings Series, Book 0.2]Author's Story Description : 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...
My Story Review : 3 out of 5 stars! A woman’s boss cons her into caving on the dragons’ private property and during the excursion she gets herself into serious danger, but once Guy finds her will her world turn out for the better or worse?
This novella was a hard one to completely fall for. I felt that way mostly because even though I liked Guy & Elena’s growing relationship instead of being mostly about them it was more about the storyline of the series and based around that. Nevertheless, in regards to Guy & Elena, I enjoyed how quickly they responded to one another and while Elena showed a few indecisive traits, I was happy with how swiftly she decided that Guy was the one for her.
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Author's Story Extras : Night’s Awakening - Overview | Night’s Awakening - Excerpt | Night’s Awakening - Learn More About Guy!
Story Teaser :
Right before he went over the side, she giggled.
"Something amusing?" he asked.
"I was just thinking of Jurassic Park, where the little girl was in this same position and she choked Dr. Grant." Elena laughed harder. "She was so scared of falling, and of the T. rex, of course, that she didn't know she was choking him."
"Well, let's no' choke me, shall we?" ~ within Chapter 3
"Dawn’s Desire" [Dark Heat Anthology, Novella 3] & [Dark Kings Series, Book 0.3]Author's Story Description : 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...
My Story Review : THIS NOVELLA WAS A REREAD:: Then (December 2012): 4 out of 5 stars | Now (January 2015): 4 out of 5 stars! Being a klutz and typically being looked over had never felt like positives to Jane until danger seems to slowly surround her, thankfully she unknowingly has one hot Dragon King looking over her. Hopefully, she’ll be able to handle and deal with the fallout once all the secrets are out in the open...
I’m very happy that I reread this novella since it made so much more since while reading it as a part of the series. I still enjoyed reading about Banan and his sweetly growing relationship to Jane, again. [READ MY PREVIOUS FULL REVIEW]
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Author's Story Extras : Dawn’s Desire - Overview | Dawn’s Desire - Excerpt | Dawn’s Desire - Learn More About Banan!
Story Teaser :
There was a soft knock on the door, and then it opened. Banan glanced behind him to see Rhys fill the doorway.
"Whoever that was willna be bothering you again," Rhys said to Jane.
There was a pause as Jane pulled both the knife and the pepper spray from her purse. She released the purse and flipped the knife open so that she held a weapon in each hand.
"Ah ... Banan, what's going on?" Rhys asked as he softly closed the door behind him.
Jane lifted the Mace toward Rhys. "Stop right where you are. I didn't invite you, and I don't want you up here."
"I've made a muck of things," Banan answered Rhys. ~ within Chapter 5
Teaser #2 ~ within Chapter 6
"Passion’s Claim" [Dark Heat Anthology, Novella 4] & [Dark Kings Series, Book 0.4]
Author's Story Description : Banan has been waiting for centuries for someone like Jane. Guy knew it was love at first sight with Elena. Can two Dragon Kings commit to two immortal women for eternity? Or does fate have something else in store?
My Story Review : For the full story I'm giving it 3 out of 5 stars it wraps up both novella's #2 & #3.
Part 1 – 3.5 out of 5 stars, Banan (being such the charmer he is) romantically proposes and binds himself to Jane in this sweet novella.
Part 2 – 2.5 out of 5 stars. Talk about communication issues! Guy is giving up on his feelings for Elena so she can have the happiness he thinks she deserves, if only he told her his reasoning before tensions between them had escalated. Yet, I’m happy I read about their bonding too even if it had dramatic results.
Story Teaser :
"You're thinking of stripping off my clothes."
"Oh, aye. I'm thinking of much more than that."
"I know," she murmured. "It's written all over your face when you look at me like that."
"I thought you liked it."
"I don't like it, Banan. I love it." ~ within Part 1 - Chapter 2
My Book Review : For the full book, I’m giving it 3.4 out of 5 stars!! I had originally only read "Dawn’s Desire," because I liked its book description the best, a few years ago and now that I've read all of the novellas prior to the full series I feel like I get the gist of this series even more. Plus I enjoyed getting to know Cassie, Hal, Elena, & Guy while getting to read more of Banan & Jane! Very cute, I'm interested to see where this series will go next!
I recommend this novel (and its individual novellas) to anyone who is a fan of Ms. Grant and/or to those who like paranormal romances!
Purchase This Book Here : Kobo (e-Book) : Dark Heat | Alibris (Paperback) : Dark Heat
My Previous Review(s) for this Series : Book 0.3
My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Midnight's Surrender
My Previous Mention(s) of this Author's Books/Characters : "Waiting On" Wednesday: Dawn’s Desire | Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2013 | Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2014
Author's Novel Extras : Dark Heat - Overview | Dark Heat - Excerpt
Book Teaser(s) :
