Veena’s review of Hot Blooded (Dark Kings, Book 4) by Donna Grant
Paranormal Romance published by St. Martin’s Press 30 Dec 14
Things are definitely heating up in Dreagan’s corner of Scotland as enemies of continue to mount and make significant inroads into the Dragon Kings’ defenses. On the flip side, for all the gloom and doom, love seems to flourish as the kings continue to find mates. I don’t know how far deep into the dragon kings we are, but Ms. Grant continues to keep me coming back for more. I actually sat up all night devouring all four parts of this story, while I battled with a terrible cold, and isn’t that a great testimonial for how much I enjoyed this story.
Laith is King of the blacks. He runs the pub in the village, staying connected to the gossip mill. When John Campbell, human guardian of Dreagan secrets, is murdered, Laith takes on the role of guarding John’s successor and reading her into their secrets. Not a tall order at all, since Iona is young and beautiful and raises strong feelings of possessiveness and lust in him.
She left as a young child when her parents divorced and has never returned to this corner of Scotland. She definitely suffers from wanderlust that she indulges through her job as a photojournalist traveling the world with backpack in hand. Strange yearnings for her father and Scotland have her journeying to her childhood home for the first time in twenty years, only to learn of her father’s death while she is en-route.
Back home she finds things are not at all what she expected or believed, plus, for the first time in years, she’s making friends and putting down roots.
As Iona buries her father and explores the village, she finds things are definitely as she’s been led to believe all her life by her mother. Contrary to her beliefs, her father has left her a significant chunk of cash and tried his level best to maintain a relationship with her, failing which he hired a private investigator to stay close to his daughter in the only way allowed to him.
As Iona explores the worlds around her home and strikes up friendships with Laith and others from Dreagan, unbeknownst to her every step she makes is under scrutiny. The author builds up a lot of suspense around all the secret activity which is ongoing. Suspicions seem to point to Ulrik, but there is no proof yet.
Rhi also makes her reappearance. Despite the darkness and despair that remains in her after her kidnapping, she’s unable to stay away from Dreagan and makes her reappearance seamlessly traveling between her Queen’s court, Dreagan, and Ulrik. Hers is one story I am really looking forward to hearing. I hope we don’t have to wait until the end of the series for it, though.
Things seem to be getting serious between Iona and Laith. Is there a true future for them? Laith is a dragon king bound to Dreagan, while Iona is a rootless wanderer with all her worldly goods in a backpack traveling wherever her job and whimsy take her. Can she actually put down roots in her corner of Campbell land and mate with a dragon king?
The answers are not readily available. Con, king of kings, knows it’s a bad idea to mix love and duty. But things are heating up and controversy swirls around Iona as her unseen watchers come to light. It seems that she’s being tracked by someone using a mix of dragon magic and dark fae magic. Laith calls upon the warriors and druids for help in protecting her, especially since she is a descendant of Hayden Campbell and, thus, family to them.
Hot Blooded Part 4
I really love reconnecting with the Warriors as they unite with the Dragon Kings to fight against the dark fae and not only keep Iona safe but also help rid Dreagan of the dark fae.
The story progression as each book builds on the last is superb. The mix of clues and hints, not just on the outcome of this story, but how the series will evolve definitely keeps the reader hooked.
There are so many questions that I want answers to, so I’ll definitely continue to come back to the series as these questions are answered and resolved.
Grade: A
Summary:
Laith was powerless not to respond.
Their eyes met again, held. He felt an uncontrollable, undeniable pull to this woman and he fought against it. Hard. It was more than just lust. This…feeling…was on another plane all together…
DARKNESS AND SECRETS SURROUND HIM
His name is Laith. To most, he’s known as the owner of a local pub near Dreagan. But little do his patrons know that beneath his handsome, charming exterior Laith has the heart and soul of a Dragon King—one who wields control by keeping his friends close and his enemies closer. Until a beautiful, mysterious stranger enters the picture, and sets his whole world on fire…
SHE IS HIS SALVATION
To learn the truth about her dead father, Iona has returned to Scotland only to learn that she’s part of an ancient pact with Dreagan—one that will threaten the fragile peace with the Dragon Kings. Gorgeous, sly Iona isn’t like anyone Laith has ever met before…and she harbors a secret that others would kill to possess. Will she complete him—or destroy him? Passion always comes with a price…
Other books in this series:
