Veena’s review of Throne of Oak (Maggie’s Grove, Book 2) by Dana Marie Bell
Paranormal Romance published by Carina Press 10 Jun 13
I was at a lose end when I came across this book, and, having enjoyed other books by the author, decided to pick it up. I have often read books out of order in a series, but, unfortunately, this is one of those books which is so closely intertwined with the earlier stories that I would definitely recommend reading these in order. Despite that challenge, I still enjoyed the book and find the theme of a shapeshifting dragon vampire in love with a forest dryad very different and refreshing.
Maggie’s Grove is an interesting town where people come to seek sanctuary under the security provided by town mayor Dragos Ibanescu. The town is populated with many supernatural beings such as vampires, witches, shifters, and the surrounding forest houses many tree spirits and dryads.
The town’s serene existence is marred by evil as humans come hunting to eradicate the paranormal creatures who coexist so peacefully here, aided and abetted by practitioners of the black arts.
Maggie’s Grove is able to successfully band together and defeat the evil that threatens them. However, it seems that some residue has been left behind. Dryad Queen Mina Chastain is unable to leave the sanctity of her oak throne and fully bond with her bond mate, Dragos, who can only hold out so long before blood lust threatens to overcome him and destroy everything that he has built.
In addition, it appears that people from the town are disappearing, including Mina’s dear friend and fellow dryad. As Dragos and the leading council talk strategy to find and rescue their friends and family, the situation is further complicated with the arrival of Dragos’ family who have come to war with him.
I find the story short but sweet. The characters, such as the other dryads, who are actually warriors who defend the forest and guard their queen, a dragon shifting vampire, a vegetarian vampire, very novel. I am looking forward to the stories about some of the other characters that I met in this book.
Grade: B
Summary:
His past could end their future.
Vampire Dragos Ibanescu, Mayor of Maggie’s Grove, is about to lose his mind. His mate,
the dryad queen Mina Chainey, refuses to have anything to do with him after her ordeal
at the hands of an evil witch. If he doesn’t mate with her soon, he may lose control of the
beast within him—a force far more dangerous than anyone in town knows…Mina’s nightmares of her time with the witch haunt her. The Queen of the Forest can’t
muster the strength needed to fight her terror. Unable to leave the Throne, she vows she
will not accept Dragos until she can stand at his side as an equal. But the nightmares
are only growing in strength, and soon she realizes that there’s more to her pain than
simple fear.Dark forces are converging on Maggie’s Grove, and a horde of hunters stalk
supernaturals from the shadows. Only by uniting in body and mind will Mina and Dragos
find the strength to defend their home.
Other books in this series:
