Searching for her missing brother, Grace Carlyle never dreamed she would discover a secret world populated by mythological monsters—or find herself facing a sword-wielding being whose looks put mortal men to shame.
But there he was, Darius en Kragin, one of a race of shape-shifting warriors bound to guard the gates of Atlantis, and kill all travelers who strayed within its borders.
Now Grace's life was in his hands, and Darius had to choose between his centuries-old vow and the woman who had slipped beneath his defenses and stolen the heart of Atlantis's fiercest dragon.
Heart of the Dragon Review
Heart of the Dragon is part of the Atlantis series by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Gena Showalter. The story follows Grace Carlyle, a young woman who braves the wilds of South America in search of her missing brother. Unfortunately, Grace stumbles upon a cave leading her to the mythical world of Atlantis- and straight into the presence of Darius en Kragin, a dragon king sworn to protect the mythical realm. Darius has spent the past couple hundred years keeping his promise to protect Atlantis- even taking the lives of the possibly innocent people who unwittingly stumbled upon the world. This difficult task led to Darius suppressing his feelings and forced him to maintain a cool indifference in his demeanor and life. However, his emotions become fractured, and his impulses less controlled, when he comes face-to-face with Grace.
Darius and Grace build a rocky and unstable alliance in their quest to find Grace’s brother, while contending with their undeniable attraction to one another. Grace’s time in Atlantis, while short lived in the beginning of the book, was fraught with wonder and entertainment. I greatly enjoyed getting to know the other dragon warriors under Darius’s command. I was slightly disappointed when Grace had to flee Atlantis (though I understand her fear for her life since Darius was intent on killing her- though with no great deal of enthusiasm for the task). Luckily, I got to experience more of the mythical realm through Grace’s brother.
The chemistry and attraction between Grace and Darius was palpable and undeniable- so much so that I found myself irritated whenever Darius went on about how he still had a duty to kill her. I was more than three quarters of the way through the novel when Darius had an epiphany about his relationship with her and decided not to kill her. His insistence on ending her life throughout a majority of the novel (despite getting to know Grace and realizing she would never lead people to Atlantis to kill everyone) would be my biggest complaint. Other than that, the characters were delightful and the story was fun and fast-paced. I was so entertained that I finished it in ONE evening!
After Nightland’s vicious attack on the domes, the safety and perfection of the world within the glass has been contaminated. Desperate to rebuild, outsiders are allowed into the domes to help, breaking the cardinal rule: outsiders and Domers must always be separated. But the city is in shambles, rumbling into chaos without the Vampers of Nightland to keep order, and one name is carried on the wind: Nola.
Clinging to Jeremy, Nola struggles to find a way to exist in the domes, turning her back on all she learned in the city. But when one of the outsiders brings the dark secrets of the domes to light, the line between survival and murder blurs against the spectre of the dying world.
Can Nola follow the dark path laid out by the Domes? Will the dangers of the night become her new sanctuary?
About the Author:
Megan O’Russell is the author of the young adult fantasy series The Tethering, and Nuttycracker Sweet, a Christmas novella. Megan’s short stories can also be found in several anthologies, including Athena’s Daughters 2, featuring women in speculative fiction. Megan is a professional performer who has spent time on stages across the country and is the lyrist for Second Chances: The Thrift Shop Musical, which received its world premiere in 2015. When not on stage or behind a computer, Megan can usually be found playing her ukulele or climbing a mountain with her fantastic husband.
Embyr tends her tavern while keeping her dangerous parentage a secret, until she's attacked by a hellhound and saved by one of the most feared men in history.
For the last eight hundred years, Ryder McLennon, the infamous leader of Death's Horsemen, has used his army to hunt the vampire who killed his wife. He's earned a reputation as a murderous madman. But in Embyr, he discovers something that could turn the tide of battle in his favor. Her control over fire can reduce an enemy to ash and her flippant disregard of him heats his blood in ways no one else ever has. She's beautiful, powerful and completely different from her violence-loving brethren.
Embyr finds herself thrust into a war she wants no part of, targeted by a vicious vampire because of her cooperation with Ryder. As she learns to wield her demonic powers without letting the madness of her race overcome her, she also has to fight her attraction to a killer bent on her seduction.
Review
By: April Hughes
Fire’s Kiss is a standalone, paranormal romance novel written by author Brittany Pate. The story follows Embyr, a half-demon tavern owner, who hides on the fringes of society afraid to reveal her ominous parentage. Embyr lives a quiet life on the edge of the town Al’Din, her parents have perished, and she is close to only one person- a former female assassin with a fondness for ale. However, this all changes when the leader of the formidable Horsemen shows up in her tavern one evening wearing a grotesque mask made of animal’s skins. This leader, Ryder McLennon, rumored to be a heartless savage, convinces Embyr to assist him in his war with the vampire named Atrarius.
The intensity and chemistry between Ryder and Embyr remains consistent throughout the novel. It never dims, not from the moment Ryder first corners Embyr in the tavern, from when he spirits her way to his castle and helps her unlock the power lying dormant within her, or when he leaves for an incredible length of time and returns to win her heart again. The story was rapidly moving and constantly kept my rapt attention with the interesting barrage of characters- half-demons, Horsemen, vampires, knights, dark mages, assassins, and even a Hellhound shifter. Embyr constantly grew as a character- she started off as a fearful, reclusive young woman merely experiencing life in small doses on the edge of town, only to blossom into a formidable half-demon that did a fair share of turning foes into dust and morbidly roasting the flesh off her enemies. While Embyr grew tougher, Ryder learned to soften up a bit-though it took six years for him to do so (probably the only time in the book where I was slightly disappointed in him- though I understood his reasoning…well, a little).
Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect when I first started reading Fire’s Kiss. The author was a new one for me, and the story sounded a little like the romantic version of Dungeons and Dragons…boy was I surprised! I finished the novel in ONE day- I clutched onto my kindle like I was afraid someone would rip it from my hands and read till my eyes burned. I haven’t been this engrossed in a novel in a LONG time. FIVE stars for Fire’s Kiss!
Do yourselves a favor and pick up this thrilling and fast-paced novel today!
Brittany Pate lives in Texas with her husband and son. She is a longtime lover of all things fantasy and romance. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys narrating audio books and drinking entirely too much coffee.
When Kahlym cal Jhuen, freedom-fighting leader of the Chandar Stria, breaks into a prison ship controlled by the Rimmarian Thrall, he only expected to rescue two of his crew. But when he discovers a terrified female during his escape, he is immediately captivated by her unique beauty and makes a snap decision to take her with him. However, his good deed backfires when he learns he has stolen the Thrall Emperor’s prize.
Down to her last dollar, Evainne Wagner expected nothing out of the ordinary when she stepped out of her Boston apartment. Instead, she found herself in the middle of an intergalactic firefight, complete with strange soldiers with deadly weapons pointed directly at her. Salvation arrives in the nick of time in the form of a mysterious leather-clad warrior, skidding in and whisking her away. Trusting her heart, she follows, hoping to find answers as well as a way home.
Safely on board his ship, he learns more about her and her rare skills, triggering the memory of a half-forgotten prophecy spoken at the time of his cursed birth. Outcast because of a cruel twist of fate, he finds unexpected acceptance, even affection, from his new passenger.
Could she be the one who holds the future of his people, as well as his own heart, in her tender hands?
About the Author:
Tessa McFionn is a very native Californian and has called Southern California home for most of her life, growing up in San Diego and attending college in Northern California and Orange County, only to return to San Diego to work as a teacher. Insatiably curious and imaginative, she loves to learn and discover, making her wicked knowledge of trivial facts an unwelcomed guest at many Trivial Pursuit boards.
When not writing, she can be found at the movies or at Disneyland with her husband, as well as family, friends or anyone who wants to play at the Happiest Place on Earth. She also finds her artistic soul fed through her passions for theatre, dance and music.
A proud parent of far too many high school seniors and two still living house plants, she also enjoys hockey, reading and playing Words With Friends to keep her vocabulary sharp. She is currently the treasurer of the San Diego chapter of Romance Writers of America and loves spending time working with such amazingly intelligent and creative writers.
New York Times best selling author Gena Showalter returns with a sizzling Original Heartbreakers tale, featuring a rough, tough bad boy brought to his knees by... a kindergarten teacher?
The king of one-night stands...To inherit--and destroy--his father’s business at long last, Brock Hudson needs a temporary wife. The ruthless ex-military heartthrob has always avoided romantic entanglements. Women are sweet, but vengeance will be sweeter. Or so he thinks. Only one woman will do, but the vulnerable beauty is more than he bargained for—sexier, wittier, and utterly irresistible.
The queen of the deep freeze…After an abusive first marriage, Lyndie Scott has sworn off relationships. But still she longs for a child of her own. Turns out, the brawler who used to frighten her with only a glance is the answer to her problems. She agrees to his proposal, with a caveat: spend every night in bed with her, then walk away for good when it’s time to divorce. Even if she’s pregnant.
A marriage of breathtaking inconvenience... As the days pass too quickly and the nights heat up, Brock battles a sense of possession and obsession. Will the former commitment-phobe convince his wife they’re better off together, or will she pack her bags and go?
“I expect you to be amazing in bed,” she said. “Like, beyond my wildest expectations. You’ll need stamina to keep up with me.” Maybe. Probably not. “I want orgasms!”
He made a strangled sound. His pupils expanded, overshadowing all that luscious green. “I will give you orgasms. I will give you more orgasms than you can count.”
“Also,” she continued, as if she weren’t fighting a wave of lust right that second, “I firmly believe in the Ten Commitments.”
He crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m a little light-headed after all that orgasm talk, but I’m also listening. Do tell.”
“A boy shalt not lie to anyone, ever, not even to flatter, cheat with so much as a look, steal even when desperate, harm others in any way, or make excuses for bad behavior. He shalt compliment when merited, help when needed, treat others with kindness, always, consult his girl when making big decisions, and do his best, not just what’s good enough.”
His gaze searched her face. “The commitments are basic human decency for anyone, not just a potential temporary husband and possible sperm donor. I accept.”
Surprising. And welcome. “When our relationship ends,” she said, “you can go back to your man-whorish ways with my blessing.” A pang cut through her chest, and she swallowed a moan. Did the pang spring from jealousy? Or regret? No, no. Neither one. Probably came from indigestion. Because of the wine. “While we’re together, we’ll be having unprotected sex—if you agree to my terms—so I’ll need you healthy. Speaking of, you’ll have to get tested. I will too.”
“I won’t want a lifelong commitment because of a child,” he said, his tone soft.
Oh, the gall of this man! “I’m not hoping to trap you, Brock. Believe it or not, being married to you isn’t the bow on top of a gift but a burden to bear in order to get what I want.”
“Burden.” He traced his tongue over his teeth, the very picture of masculine pique. “Stop, please. Your flattery is going straight to my head.”
What, had she hurt is feelings? No way, no how. But…
Maybe? The thought disconcerted her, and her shoulders rolled in. “I’m sorry,” she said, and sighed. “I never meant… it’s just…” Another sigh. “Maybe this is a mistake.”
“Now wait just a second.” He swooped in, kneeling in front of her, placing his big, strong hands on her knees. “Getting naked with you does not strike me as a mistake.”
The warmth of his skin burned through her pajama pants, caressing her skin, and she gasped. Tingles erupted and spread, different parts of her reacting in different ways. Between her legs, liquid heat pooled. Her lower belly quivered. Her breasts ached.
Eyes ablaze, he said, “I want you, Lyndie.”
She gulped. “You can have me.”
“If I give you a baby and walk away.”
“Yes.”
He stared at her for a long while before nodding. “Very well. I’ll get a temporary marriage and you’ll get a baby.”
Can’t Get Enough is the 6th novel in The Original Heartbreakers series by New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter. The story follows Brock Hudson, a man determined to avoid romantic obligations by sticking to a one-night rule. Despite having grown-up with a mother who was obvious in her hatred of him, Brock’s experience in the military, and the lasting friendships he made there, showed him that family isn’t always blood related. It was his friendship with his two comrades that led him to Lyndie Scott, a shy and distant Kindergarten teacher. Their meeting is fortuitous because for Brock to inherit his father’s estate, he needs to find a woman willing to marry him, and divorce him, all within a month. And Lyndie Scott is perfect…
Lyndie’s childhood was reflective of Brock’s…not perfect at all. Her mother died when she was little and Lyndie was left to the mercy of her abusive father. She managed to escape him by marrying young to a sweet-talking man with aspirations to be in law enforcement. Unfortunately, the man was merely a wolf in sheep’s clothing and turned out to be as horrendous as her father. So, when Lyndie’s husband died, and she tasted true freedom for the first time, she started counseling and was determined to be independent. That is, until she met Brock Hudson and found herself thinking more about him than she should.
When Brock approached Lyndie with his ludicrous plan to get married (and divorced)- a stipulation to winning over his father’s estate- Lyndie agrees under one condition…that he gets her pregnant and then signs over all legal rights to the child. Brock, being the infamous king of one-night stands, agrees.
That’s when all the fun happens…
I am hardly ever disappointed with a novel written by Gena Showalter…and this one was NO exception! Lyndie was wonderfully unique and surprisingly quirky for someone having lived with abusive, suppressive people. Her flippant quotes, her hilarious wine-drinking episode the night Brock showed up to “propose”, and her wonderful accumulation of animals, makes her an entirely likeable character. As for Brock…there’s a reason the women in town fan themselves when he walks into a room. Not only is he drop dead gorgeous, with muscles to spare mind you, he is also considerate of Lyndie’s feelings and fears and entirely respectful of them. He goes from being determined to be the one-night stand king, to Lyndie’s happily forever after. It was thrilling to watch Brock’s feelings develop from determined to leave, to determined to stay. Lyndie slowly began to change from desiring to be entirely independent, to allowing Brock to make her breakfast in the morning.
Brock and Lyndie have become delightful additions in my library of “Characters I am Truly Fond of”. Though I have finished reading it, I already can’t wait to pick it up and read it AGAIN! FIVE stars!
Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of the spellbinding Lords of the Underworld and Angels of the Dark series, two young adult series–Everlife and the White Rabbit Chronicles–and the highly addictive Original Heartbreakers series. In addition to being a National Reader’s Choice and two time RITA nominee, her romance novels have appeared in Cosmopolitan (Red Hot Read) and Seventeen magazine, she’s appeared on Nightline and been mentioned in Orange is the New Black–if you ask her about it, she’ll talk for hours…hours! Her books have been translated in multiple languages.
She’s hard at work on her next novel, a tale featuring an alpha male with a dark side and the strong woman who brings him to his knees. You can learn more about Gena, her menagerie of rescue dogs, and all her upcoming books at genashowalter.com or Facebook.com/genashowalterfans
I discovered my love of reading at an early age and spent a great deal of my time devouring novels from mysteries like Nancy Drew, whimsical fantasies like Harry Potter, and eventually the turbulent and passionate stories in the romance genre, I found myself engrossed in a completely different world than this one. I believe it is through my experiences and the books I read, that I have developed a keen interest in a myriad of things. For that reason, The Vagaries of Us represents multiple areas of interest
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Heart of the Dragon 
Boy of Blood
Fire's Kiss 
Brittany Pate lives in Texas with her husband and son. She is a longtime lover of all things fantasy and romance. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys narrating audio books and drinking entirely too much coffee.
To Discover a Divine by 
Tessa McFionn is a very native Californian and has called Southern California home for most of her life, growing up in San Diego and attending college in Northern California and Orange County, only to return to San Diego to work as a teacher. Insatiably curious and imaginative, she loves to learn and discover, making her wicked knowledge of trivial facts an unwelcomed guest at many Trivial Pursuit boards.
Can't Get Enough 
