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~**~ ARC Review: Heat (Dark Kings #12) by Donna Grant ~**~


***4 Stars***
Sooooooo, I kinda did a thing I don’t typically do...like ever.

I read a book that was apart of a series and I haven’t read the series.

*drops head and winces a little, then snaps head back up*

Well, I have read something of the series, but it was a novella, so I’m not all too sure it counts, but at least I know something about the world right?

Okay, maybe not, but let’s cut this part off for now and get to the nitty gritty. Despite not reading any other novels in the series, my curiosity was peaked by the whole recovery of memories issue with Esther and how a Dragon King could help her retrieve them, so I went against my own OCD and dove in and I really enjoyed their story. It was intriguing, sweet, smexy, filled with intrigue and had me wishing I’d started from the beginning, but also had me wanting to continue with it regardless because of that ending.

I had a great time getting to know Nikolai and Esther. Nikolai, for all the big and bad Dragon King that he is, is a quiet sort of soul. He observes more than anything, but has no problem making his opinion known when it’s important, and his magic is really, really cool. Esther, on the outside is calm, cool and collected, but that has more to do with her training and the fact that her mind was scrambled by a Druid. I loved her determination to hunt down the Druid in order to retrieve her memories, but also the fact that she didn’t go off the rails. She was logical in her pursuit and as the fog started to lift, I loved the bright and golden heart it revealed.

Their journey to their HEA was an interesting one considering the reason why Esther needed Nikolai’s help with retrieving her memories, there was no where for her to hide, but on the flip side, Nikolai was just as transparent so their mutual attraction built as they got to know each other on an emotionally intimate level. With all that was going on around them, the angst was kept to a minimum and I liked how their relationship evolved at a good pace.

As I said in the beginning, I haven’t read any of the other books in the series, so jumping head first into the 12th book in the series was definitely outside my norm. But, I will say that though I didn’t pick up on the little threads of connections between the characters, I never felt lost when it came to the main series arc. Ms. Grant did a great job of getting the reader caught up with all that was going on without it being a huge information dump and moving things forward. I really liked a lot of the secondary characters and with all that happened throughout the book and that ending, I’m thinking that I’ll be needing to keep an eye out for the next book because things look like they’re going to get even more interesting.

~ Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley & voluntarily reviewed ~

Nikolai is a dragon shapeshifter who knows well the meaning of loss. Orphaned and raised to be a Dragon King, he never accepts defeat. Now, Nikolai prefers his solitude . . .until a beautiful, irresistible woman calls upon him for help—and Nikolai’s whole word goes up in flames.

Ever since MI5 agent Esther woke to discover her mind taken over with magic, she feels like stranger to herself. She looks to a notorious dragon, one who has the power to help her find her memory. But as she and Nikolai come closer to discovering what really happened to her, a dangerous passion ignites between them. Can this lone Dragon King help the woman he’s grown to love to uncover the truth about her past—or will a deep and fiery danger tear them both apart?

Release Date: January 30th, 2018

Donna is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over forty-five novels. Her most popular series is the breathtaking Dark King (aka Dragon King) series featuring dragons, immortal Highlanders, and the Fae.

In addition to her novels, Donna has written over forty short stories, novellas, and novelettes for digital-first and print release. She has been dubbed as giving the “paranormal genre a burst of fresh air” by the San Francisco Book Review. Her work has been hailed as having “deft plotting and expert characterization” by Publisher’s Weeklyand “sizzling” by RT Book Reviews.

She has been recognized with awards from both bookseller and reader contests including the National Reader’s Choice Award, Booksellers Best Award, as well as the coveted K.I.S.S. Award from RT Book Reviews.

Donna travels often for various speaking engagements, conferences, and book signings. She is also a frequent workshop presenter at national conferences such as RT Book Lovers Convention and Thrillerfest, as well as local chapters.

Born and raised in Texas, she also has ties across the border in Louisiana. Growing up with two such vibrant cultures, her Cajun side of the family taught her the “spicy” side of life while her Texas roots gave her two-steppin’ and bareback riding. She is never far from her faithful 80 pound dog, Sisko, or her three cats. She can often be found at the movies or bookstore with her children. Or buying makeup. And shoes.

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