09 January 2015

Hot Blooded Spotlight!

The Dark Kings must battle to preserve their dragon magic. But can one warrior fight his greatest desires? 
 As a race of shape shifting immortals who had been around since the dawn of time, these men of power and magic can shift into dragon form. For centuries they have ruled over all other creatures. When humans appeared, they protected them until they were betrayed and thousands of dragons were killed. But now a new evil is awakening…and the dragon warriors are being pulled into a war against their will. What they never expected was to find a love so powerful that it threatens to destroy everything they have ever known…
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23270436-hot-blooded?ac=1
I love fantasy and the recent surgence of dragon shifters definitely made me want to read this 4-part novel. Unfortunately, with Part 1, I was instantly disappointed.
Too many points of view. Too many different storylines. Thankfully, the author didn’t head hop – for the most part. Mostly, the points of view were separated. But still – far too many. And all the different plotlines. It was too much to get my head around. And yet, it was still interesting enough to make me want to read part 2. Thus the 3 star review rather than a 2.
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The Dark Kings are a race of powerful men who can shape-shift into dragons in a moment of fury—or passion. Laith is no exception. To most, he’s known as the owner of a local pub near Dreagan. But little do his patrons know that beneath his red-hot exterior lies the heart, soul, and cravings of a Dragon King—one who wields control by keeping his friends close and his enemies, just across the border, closer. Until a mysterious and seductive woman named Iona enters the picture, and sets his whole world off course. Will Laith dare to explore his deepest passions? Sworn to protect. Driven to desire. Is Iona worth the risk? He can’t wait to find out…

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22718545-hot-blooded?ac=1
Okay, in part 2, most of the storylines began to make sense. Unfortunately, we got even MORE points of view. I’m honest that overdone angst is liable to make me foam at the mouth and stop reading any book – and if I hadn’t already agreed to review all four parts, I would have stopped reading half way through this installment.
As if this wasn’t troublesome enough, there were three characters with similar names – so much so that I got confused every time Rhi, Rhy, or Ryder was brought up. Having three names so similar was baffling. And, there were quite a few typos in part 2. Added to it, there was 1 item and 1 place named that were eerily close to other series I have read – Chains of Mordaire and Dragonwood. I’m sure the author didn’t even know, but to me, they stood out – or leapt out actually – jarring me out of the story itself.
I couldn’t give this more than 2 stars and will admit I was not looking forward to the third part.
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For centuries they have fought to preserve their special brand of shape-shifting dragon magic. But one Dark King is about to come face to face with a woman whose power is a force to be reckoned with. Her name is Iona. She’s gorgeous, sly, and smarter than she herself might even realize. She’s come to Scotand to discover the dark truth about her heritage. What she never expected was to meet Laith, the owner of a pub near Dreagan—a man with the heart, soul, and spirit of a dragon. Will he destroy her? Or will she be the one to tame his rousing desires?
v
If this had been a trilogy for the big screen, I would have said this was the middle one – the one that people prefer to forget because it is a set up for the final installment. At least that was what I thought as I was reading it. Until I got to the end. It took 3 installments but I was finally hooked with this one and had to read part 4 – whether or not I had already signed up for it.
I hope at some point we find out exactly what kind of spell was used on Rhys – and maybe get him his dragon back. I mean, why Rhys of all the dragon kings? I’m utterly confuddled. Plus the whole thing was like a huge night time drama – which I hate. I will admit, I really cared nothing for the heroine by this point. Iona was colorless to me – very little personality and a huge chunk of stupidity thrown in. But I have begun to care for those of Draegon. Con with his machinations, Rhys, Laith… not to mention the Warriors (And those were really cool!)
I gave it 4 stars because I now feel invested in the lives of the Dragon Kings and their mates.
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They are men of danger, desire, and dragon magic. As old as time itself, this race of shape-shifting warriors have kept the balance of worldly power in check. But when certain breed of woman enters the picture, the future becomes an unkown entity. . .
The breathtaking conclusion to New York Times bestselling author Donna Grant’s Dark Kings e-series!
Iona and Laith’s desire knows no bounds. But now that Iona has learned the truth about her heritage, the question is: Can Laith risk the fate of his kind for the love of one woman? She harbors a secret that others would kill to possess. Will she complete him—or destroy him? Passion: For a Dragon King, it always comes with a price…
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22718547-hot-blooded?ac=1
Sigh. This ‘ending’ of Hot Blooded in 4 parts was a disappointment after part 3 – and yet nothing more than I expected at the beginning. The buildup to the fight, which was circumvented by a human? (sigh) And it wasn’t even the real fight. That is yet to be had in a future installment of the Dark Kings series. The fact the series is titled Dark Kings makes me wonder just who the heroes are in the author’s mind.
Too many half plot lines thrown in the air, too many points of view, and too much angst. The best part had to be the Warriors, in my opinion. It was clean of typos and the author definitely seems to know where she’s going with the tale. Thus, the 3 stars.
I won’t be reading any more of the Dark Kings series, but – if you are looking for an epic type read, somewhat reminiscent of Lord of the Rings in the multiple plot points, this series might be for you.

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