Veena’s review of Night’s Blaze (Dark Kings, Books 1-4) by Donna Grant
Paranormal Romance published by St. Martin’s Press 31 Mar 15
This is a great series where each book peels away hidden layers and secrets in the story, thus keeping the reader hooked. As I’ve read and enjoyed each book in the series, there’s been the nagging desire to know what’s hidden behind the innuendos and all the facts that don’t seem to add up to a whole. Well, wonder no more.
At the risk of letting the cat out of the bag, a lot of pivotal hidden facts get revealed in this story that will take the reader by surprise. The author wraps up this book with the dragons barely holding on to the winning side, thanks to their allies.
Of course, Ms. Grant keeps some mysteries still close to her chest so she can keep the reader hooked and guessing, and, of course, the cliff hangar at the end made my jaw drop, and I can’t wait to see how this will impact the future evolution of the series arc.
Rhys is the dragon King who’s up first. He’s been dealing with the loss of his ability to shift into his dragon, as well as with the associated anger and despair. He’s in love with Lily, who works at Dreagan, but in his despair he can’t see a future with her. When he would have given it all up, Rhi comes to his rescue and brings him back to his brethren, while a top secret meeting is taking place between the enemies of the Dragon Kings. Henry, their own contact at MI6, is exposed and healed by the light fae, causing him to fall in love with Rhi.
This part is really laying out the board for the rest of the story to come and is somewhat predictable.
Grade: B
Summary:
Did she have any idea how he fought not to go to her? How it went against everything he was not to take her and make her his?
Rhys is a king who walks in darkness. However, an innocent kiss from one woman slayed him as nothing in his very, very long life had ever done. It physically hurt for him to tear his lips away from hers–and to turn his back on her for eternity. But can a Dark King ever forget the pleasure, the cost, of true passion? One woman is about to put him to the ultimate test…
Now that Rhys is back, he acknowledges his attraction to Lily and determines to go after her and at least get some short-term solace while he protects her from the horrors of her life, which we start to get a glimpse of. With Lily’s awareness of her possible stalker and Rhys, I thought it might be revealed that she has supernatural powers, but, alas, her secrets are very different and again quite unexpected.
This part really focuses on growing the friendships between Rhys and Lily and Lily and the other mates of the Dragon Kings. Poor Lily, despite all she’s seen in her life, she is definitely not ready for Rhy’s secrets, particularly as he can’t demonstrate the truth of his claims. Again, it’s a build up for the thrilling conclusion and the secrets yet to come.
Grade: B
Summary:
He was virile, persuasive, and masculine. His rugged good looks turned heads, but in a suit, he looked dashing and powerful. A combination no woman could ignore. And he was sitting next to her. Lily wanted to run her fingers through his long, dark brown waves and pull his head down for a kiss. And if he didn’t quit looking at her as if he wanted to take her right there, she just might.Lily Ross is taking the first step in building a new life for herself. Still reeling from a relationship that nearly broke her spirit, Lily is wary of her attraction to brawny, brooding Rhys. The passion burning so brightly between them is a potent temptation, but any entanglement is destined to end in disaster. Yet when a spectre from Lily’s past threatens their growing bond, Rhys is forced to choose with his heart, or lose this woman who has become his one chance at salvation…
This part really takes off and the secrets revealed here will blow you away. Lily and Rhys consummate their physical relationship, while the tensions between Ulrik and the rest of the Dragon Kings escalate.
Poor Lily is caught between her old world and an abusive boyfriend who’s blackmailing her into betraying her lover and her love and friendship with the folks at Dreagan.
Grade: B
Summary:
The desire–and danger–reaches the boiling point in NIGHT’S BLAZE: Part III from New York Times bestselling author Donna Grant.
Lily forgot to breathe. She reacted instantly, desire tightening, coiling within her until her chest heaved. Rhys wasn’t just sexy. He was the god of sex, skilled and proficient in the many ways to bring a woman to her knees with a seductive smile.
“If I go back in that bed, I wouldn’t ever want to get out.”
Rhys’ grip tightened on her waist. “Is there anything wrong with that?”
As their newfound passion blazes, Rhys is determined to know Lily, body and soul. But as their lust burns hotter, danger looms closer. Yet as Rhys and Lily stand together to protect the growing intensity between them, one troubled past–and a powerful secret–could tear them apart forever…
As we move into the thrilling conclusion of Rhys and Lily’s story, poor Rhys is forced to see his worst nightmare come true. The inconsistencies between what the Dragon Kings believe as truth and what Rhi sees emerge through Ulrik’s actions and continue to mount. It’s exciting to be in the know of some of the truths still hidden from the kings, and I can’t wait to see it all evolve as they work out the truth for themselves.
Rhi has become one of my favorite characters in the series. I love that we get to go deeper into her motives and heart, though, of course, much is still hidden from us. The cliffhanger where the author ends the story made me gasp and I can’t wait to read the next chapters in this series. The speculation behind who her Dragon King lover is continues to plague the readers. I can’t wait for this reveal, but, in the meantime, it seems like the author is going to introduce us to a whole lot of new dragons as Con determines to wake up the sleeping kings to come to the defense of Dreagan.
All in all, a great chapter in the Dragon Kings.
Grade: A
Summary:
Rhys scrubbed a hand down his face, his mind rushing through every nuance of his plan. Every turn was danger for Lily. It made him break out into a sweat. He couldn’t lose Lily. She was the only reason he could face each day. Without her…he was nothing.
Lost in breathtaking passion, Lily and Rhys burn for each other. Yet not all is well. As a destructive force moves to destroy the bond growing bond they share, Rhys is forced to make a choice that will change their lives irrevocably: Lose the woman who has become his salvation? Or be consumed by desire…
Overall Grade: B+
Other books in this series:
