Fire of a Dragon by Alisa Woods
Fallen Immortals #3
Narrated by: Joe Arden and Maxine Mitchell
Release Date: April 4, 2017
Genre: Adult, Paranormal Romance
Source: I received a complimentary copy from Tantor Media. This did not affect my review or my rating.
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Challenges: #AudioChallenge, #2017NewRelease, #COYER
Goodreads
Synopsis
**START with KISS OF A DRAGON (Book 1)**
Lucian is a Dragon Prince of the House of Smoke...and he's dying. He has to spawn a dragonling to uphold the treaty that keeps the mortal world safe from the immortal Dark Fae, but a dragon's mate rarely survives the birth of a young dragon... and he can't force the horror of another woman's death on his hands. When he rescues a beautiful woman from a demon roaming the streets of Seattle, he has to seduce her without losing his heart.. and before he turns into a feral dragon and breaks the treaty forever.
The FALLEN IMMORTALS series is a modern Beauty and the Beast story with flaming HOT dragon shifters, vengeful Dark Fae, and beguiling fallen angels. Only readers over 18 should embark on this epic series of dangerous love.
Fire of a Dragon was more exciting than its predecessor mainly because there's more going on than just the romance. ;)
**There may be some minor spoilers ahead...
Lucian and Arabella have overcome all the obstacles thrown their way. They're united and now all should be good, yeah?
WRONG.
There are still forces at work against them and the treaty that would maintain peace and it was nail-biting excitement as I watched the events, trying to figure out what was going to happen, who was behind it, and why.
With danger, intrigue, and combat, oh, and some romance ;) Fire of a Dragon was a great listen.
Joe Arden and Maxine Mitchell adeptly brought the story to life!
Chosen by a Dragon by Alisa Woods
Fallen Immortals #4
Narrated by: Noelle Bridges and Roger Wayne
Release Date: May 9, 2017
Genre: Adult, Paranormal Romance
Source: I received a complimentary copy from Tantor Media. This did not affect my review or my rating.
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #AudioChallenge, #2017NewRelease, #COYER
Goodreads
Synopsis
Leonidas: I am a Dragon Prince of the House of Smoke...and I am cursed. Falling in love was never in the cards for me. An angry witch made sure of that - if I lose my heart, I lose my life. Only now, a treaty guaranteeing peace will die with me, unless I convince some hapless human to fall in love with me and bear my child - a dragonling born of magic and a love that's true. But I know nothing of love. Five hundred years of guarding my heart and opening my bed mean I've got zero chance at this. Yet if I fail, it won't just be my death but countless others. Rosalyn: My luck has never been good. Being a witch who can't do magic sucks on most days - it's even worse when your mother's cancer can't be cured. But I'll do whatever it takes to turn our luck around, including stealing magic-healing blood from a shifter. Besides, they owe me - a hot-as-sin shifter seduced my mother, got us thrown out of the coven, and ruined my life. One of them can bleed a little to make things right. And a dragon prince with his wacky Mating Game and blood ten times more powerful? The perfect mark. My luck might just be turning good after all. Contains mature themes.
Who knew I'd find Leonidas' story so compelling?!? Maybe it was because the groundwork had been laid, and I already knew Leonidas to a certain degree. Maybe it was Roger Wayne and Noelle Bridges' engaging narration. Whatever it is, this Dragon Prince's story had me listening every chance I could.
Leonidas was cursed long ago by a witch. Should he ever fall in love, he's doomed to turn into a feral dragon. So naturally he'd pick a witch to help him fulfill his duty with the treaty. He could never love a witch after being cursed by one, right??
Roselyn is a hedge witch - a magic cripple. Her mother's powers were bound due to an affair with a shifter and she's never been able to learn how to harness her magic. She answers an ad for a shifter looking for a mate figuring she can steal a little blood to help solve a few of her problems. When she learns the shifter is a dragon? Well, she figures her luck is changing.
These two were such compelling characters. Leonidas is actually very vulnerable with the opposite sex - craving real intimacy, which he can't have - instead of the slam-bam he's partaken of since his curse. It was sweet seeing how thoughtful he was with Roselyn. I felt for Roselyn. Her predicament was frustrating and not of her doing. The unfairness of that struck a chord with me. Then seeing her try and fail at almost everything with Leonidas...it was endearing.
Bridges and Wayne were amazing. Their delivery, pacing, and range with voices really made the story vivid. I did think the recording of Bridges' early chapters was a bit "tinny" but that seemed to resolve as the recording when on.
I'm very eager to see what happens next with Leonidas and Roselyn!
Kiss of a Dragon by Alisa Woods
Fallen Immortals #1
Narrated by: Joe Arden and Maxine Mitchell
Release Date: January 31, 2017
Genre: Adult, Paranormal Romance
Source: I received a complimentary copy from Tantor Media. This did not affect my review or my rating.
Rating: 3.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #AudioChallenge, #2017NewRelease
Goodreads
Synopsis
Lucian: I am a Dragon Price of the House of Smoke...and I am dying. Five hundred years is truly enough for a man like me. A monster. Yet a ten-thousand-year treaty will die with me, if I don't spawn a dragonling to take my place. My two brothers are no use in this task. It falls to me, the eldest by a hair's breadth, and yet, I cannot face the horror of another sealing. Another death. Another woman's blood on my hands. Arabella: I was saved from death in a dark Seattle alley by an impossibly beautiful man who swooped in on golden wings. Now he's taken me to his lair, opened my eyes to a world of immortals I didn't know existed, and given me an impossible task - find him a mate. Then, and only then, will he set me free. He needs her more than he wants; she wants him more than she should; and the fate of both the mortal and immortal worlds depends on not just repairing their hearts, but finding a love that's true...
I was in need of some paranormal romance and this one...well, I have one word for you: DRAGONS. LOL It fit the bill, needless to say.
In a nutshell, Lucian Smoke is the "crown prince" of the House of Smoke - a dragon family in the unique and precarious position of protecting humanity. However, Lucian needs to find a mate ASAP in order to procreate and thereby continue protecting humanity according to a treaty. Enter Arabella.
These two were crazy hot together but refused to accept their attraction. Lucian because of his history and his "duty", Arabella because of her history and Lucian's being a dragon. It was rather entertaining watching them both fall, almost without their knowing it happened. Even though they knew each other a relatively short time, their feelings developed organically and they both did some emotional growing. It did end on a bit of a cliffhanger so I was happy I already had book 2 handy.
Joe Arden and Maxine Mitchell continue to be a favorite narrating due of mine. I do wish Arden's voice for Lucian felt more consistent with those of his brothers but that's a nitpicky thing and I still enjoyed his chapters. Mitchell did well with having distinct voices. And they both excelled at conveying the emotions of the story.
Heart of a Dragon by Alisa Woods
Fallen Immortals #2
Narrated by: Joe Arden and Maxine Mitchell
Release Date: March 14, 2017
Genre: Adult, Paranormal Romance
Source: I received a complimentary copy from Tantor Media. This did not affect my review or my rating.
Rating: 3 Bookworms
Challenges: #AudioChallenge, #2017NewRelease
Goodreads
Synopsis
Lucian is a Dragon Prince of the House of Smoke...and he's dying. He has to spawn a dragonling to uphold the treaty that keeps the mortal world safe from the immortal Dark Fae, but a dragon's mate rarely survives the birth of a young dragon, and he can't face the horror of another woman's death on his hands. When he rescues a beautiful woman from a demon roaming the streets of Seattle, he has to seduce her without losing his heart...and before he turns into a feral dragon and breaks the treaty forever.
Heart of a Dragon picks up where Kiss of a Dragon left off. Lucian and Arabella both being stubborn but to opposite ends.
I have to say that I admired Arabella's tenacity. She's made her decision with regards to Lucian and she's determined to get her way. She's fierce in her feelings for him and undeterred, no matter the obstacles thrown at her - by Lucian or those intent on keeping them apart.
Lucian, on the other hand...his actions honestly left a bad taste in my mouth. While on the one hand I understood where he was coming from, on the other I felt his actions were selfish and cowardly. Not the decisions made by one who would be a leader nor those of one on whose shoulders so much rested.
There were some revelations in this installment but not enough to fully understand the bigger picture. And although some things are resolved between Lucian and Arabella, not everything was and it was a bit frustrating. However, I'm invested in the characters and the outcome so I will see their story through.
Arden and Mitchell were excellent. They continue to keep the narration exciting and the pacing just right.
Jaxson by Alisa Woods
River Pack Wolves #1
Release Date: September 5, 2015
Genre: Adult, Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchased on Kindle
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Challenges:
Recommended by: Lola @Lola's Review and Lorna @Rabid Reads
Goodreads
Synopsis
Three brothers. Three Secrets. One hope to save the shifters of Seattle.
Former SEAL Jaxson River would give his life for his brothers and his pack, but if he doesn't claim a mate soon, he'll be forced to step down as their alpha. There's only one problem: Jaxson's dark secret would kill any mate he claimed. With someone kidnapping shifters off the street--and only Jaxson and his brothers, Jace and Jared, to stop them--now is not the time for his secret to come out.
Curvy Olivia Lilyfield is a half-witch orphan with a dark secret of her own. She wants to atone for it by doing good in the world, so when she finds a wolf being tortured in an alley, she doesn't hesitate to help...even though wolves and witches mix like matches and TNT.
Olivia's dangerous magic means she can't let anyone get too close--but Jaxson can't keep his hands off her, and his kisses are more than she can resist. As they race to save the disappearing shifters of Seattle, the true danger lies in loving each other. They're playing with magical fire...and their secrets could end up destroying them both.
Jaxson is a complete novel with HEA, the first in the River Pack Wolves trilogy (Jace and Jared coming soon).
Contains scorching shifter sex, alpha military heroes, and sexy witches. Only readers over 18 should dive into the deliciously hot world of the River brothers.
I believe I first saw a review of Jaxson @Lola's Reviews but I also saw Lorna's review @Rabid Reads. Regardless which came first, when TWO of my blogging friends are recommending a book, I *had* to read it. And once again, neither Lola nor Lorna steered me wrong. Jaxson was an exciting read and worthy introduction to the River Pack Wolves trilogy. Thanks, ladies!! :D
I really enjoyed the action and suspense that the mystery provided. Wondering what was behind the kidnappings and what the kidnappers were doing to shifters and why kept me curious and engaged. While some of the scenes were simplistic, I still appreciate the details of the operations executed in Jaxson's pack's attempts to retrieve victims as well as solve the "why".
But my favorite part of the story is Jaxson and Olivia. These two were so selfless and compassionate about others - putting themselves in danger to help or protect others - they're good people. They had some fun banter and even though some of their getting acquainted seemed to happen off-page, their insta-love felt natural...particularly considering Jaxson's mating instinct. Although Olivia felt it as well.
I also liked my introduction to the secondary characters and I look forward to Jaxson's brothers' stories. Especially since the mystery wasn't solved and I'm equally as eager to figure it all out as are Jaxson and his pack.
Fire of a Dragon by Alisa Woods
