4.5 Wine Glass #Review for Dragon Fever by Donna Grant

Title: Dragon Fever
Series: Dark Kings #9.5
Author: Donna Grant
Format: Kindle, 140 Pages
Published: Evil Eye Concepts, Incorporated (July 26, 2016)
ISBN: ASIN: B018H97SZA
Links: Goodreads | Amazon 
Reviewer: Linda
Source: Author
Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5 Wine Glasses

A yearning that won’t be denied 

Rachel Marek is a journalist with a plan. She intends to expose the truth about dragons to the world – and her target is within sight. Nothing matters but getting the truth, especially not the ruggedly handsome, roguishly thrilling Highlander who oozes danger and charm. And when she finds the truth that shatters her faith, she’ll have to trust her heart to the very man who can crush it…

A legend in the flesh 

Suave, dashing Asher is more than just a man. He’s a Dragon King – a being who has roamed this planet since the beginning of time. With everything on the line, Asher must choose to trust an enemy in the form of an all too alluring woman whose tenacity and passion captivate him. Together, Asher and Rachel must fight for their lives – and their love – before an old enemy destroys them both…

Linda's Thoughts:
“Dreagan is Scotland," Asher said. "The land draws you in a way you can no' begin to understand. You feel the majesty and magic of the ancient land. From the tallest mountain to the lowest valley, in the leaves of the trees and in the currents of the streams, you feel an overwhelming and unshakable need to want to be a part of such a place. To want to belong.
It doesn't confine you. Instead, it cradles you, offering its beauty and solitude for those who answer its call. It's wild and free. It's fierce and unbreakable. It's home.”

DRAGON FEVER by Donna Grant is a Dark Kings novella that takes up right where SMOKE AND FIRE left off. It's an exciting, fast-paced, action-packed read that packs a solid punch.  This is the story of journalist Rachel Marek and the Dragon King of the Hunter Greens, Asher.

Rachel is known and respected for her well-researched exposés. Armed with information about dragons at Dreagan provided to her by a mysterious 'Sam McDonald,' Rachel badly wanted to shine the light of day on the existence of the dragons at Dreagan. Rachel's gut told her that her source, 'Sam,' was dangerous and shielded secrets of his own. She could accept that if it ended up giving her the shock-and-awe story she desired. Based upon 'Sam's instructions, Rachel attends a whisky convention in Paris where Dreagan will be represented by Asher. To obtain access to the secrets she needs, Rachel is determined to seduce Asher by hook or crook.

Asher is unhappily representing Dreagan at the whisky convention in place of Con. His daily schedule is daunting. Seeking a glass of Dreagon's Scotch whisky before he retires for the evening, he meets Rachel at his hotel's bar and is immediately attracted to her. They get along fabulously and, surprisingly, find that they share a common interest in books. Little does he know that she's on a mission to expose the existence of the dragon kings.

The danger, power and influence that Ulrick now possesses is becoming more evident and infinitely more scary at every turn. The dragon kings can do nothing but respond and their frustration at the increasingly more volatile situation is more evident with each installment in this addictive series.

Following please find a few of my favorite quotes from this read:

“He set his whisky tumbler on the table, but kept his fingers around it. "What do you see in my eyes?"...
"Tell me, lass," he urged softly.
She suddenly understood the term 'old soul,' because one sat before her now. And, as if opening a book, she caught a glimpse of Asher. The words then tumbled out of her mouth. "Endlessness. Sorrow. Agony. Distress. Rage.”
---

“The shadows parted and a large head took shape, looming above her.
Her mouth fell open when she spied the silver scales covering the wide head of the dragon. She took in the slitted obsidian eyes that were trained on her and tried to scream, but no sound came out.
The head moved farther out of the darkness to reveal a row of dark silver tendrils at the base of his skull and disappearing into the shadows. More of those same dark silver tendrils surrounded his mouth, which parted to show her rows of very sharp white teeth.
She could swear he smiled, a growl rumbling through his chest.
Death was staring her right in the face.
And there was no escaping it.”
---

“As good as that dress looks on you, I want you out of it.”
---

 “I'm going to brand myself on you so that whenever you dress, wash, or even think of being with someone else, all you'll feel, see and want is me.”

To truly appreciate the entire story with all of its nuances, I would recommend reading this series from the beginning. However, that said, newbies to the series should find plenty to like herein too. Donna is very good about filling in the basics needed by someone unfamiliar with the series' escalating tensions.

Once I started reading this tale, I could not stop until I'd finished it. Even though this is a novella, Donna gives the story the full-treatment with well-developed characters, a spicy romance and a warm-fuzzies HEA ending. There are a multitude of not-to-be missed plot twists involving Ulrich making it a must-read for fans of the series. I highly recommend DRAGON FEVER to anyone who enjoys steamy, well-written paranormal urban fantasy romances!



Suggested Reading Order:
The Dark Kings series is a spin off Donna's Dark Warriors Series and Dark Sword Series.
DARK CRAVING (Book # 0.1)
NIGHT'S AWAKENING (Book # 0.2)
DAWN'S DESIRE (Book # 0.3)
DARK HEAT (Books # 0.1 - 0.3 plus a bonus story)
DARKEST FLAME (Book #1)
FIRE RISING (Book #2)
BURNING DESIRE (Book #3)
HOT BLOODED (Book #4)
NIGHT'S BLAZE (Book #5)
SOUL SCORCHED (Book #6)
DRAGON KING (Book # 6.25)
PASSION IGNITES (Book #7)
SMOLDERING HUNGER (Book #8)
SMOKE AND FIRE (Book #9)
DRAGON FEVER (Book #9.5)
FIRESTORM (Book #10) - Coming in 2017!