Kris’ review of Dark Embers (Dragons Heat Book 1) by Tessa Adams.
King Dylan MacLeod is one of the last pure-bred dragon shapeshifters in existence—and ruler of a dying race, the Dragonstar clan. It falls to him to protect his people—and their ancient magic. He has one more duty: to provide an heir.
Like all dragons, Dylan can only procreate with his destined mate—for whom he’s searched for five hundred years. His dark, rampant sexual appetite has earned him quite the reputation, all in the pursuit of his one true match.
But his search is delayed when a deadly disease sweeps through the Dragonstars, and Dylan must venture to the human world to find a cure. He tracks down renowned biochemist Phoebe Quillum, never imagining the beautiful scientist will be the mate he’s been seeking for centuries. But no sooner do they meet then Phoebe and Dylan are besieged by an obsessive, overpowering sexual desire.
Their passion turns to something truer—and they know in their souls and bodies that they’re in too deep to get out. And when Phoebe is kidnapped by Dylan’s oldest enemy, he must risk everything to reclaim the only woman he’s ever loved, or his clan will be wiped out forever.
The book starts out with Dylan out searching for his mate and then returning home to find sister dying. Such a harsh beginning for him. He is mourning for his beloved sister but still trying to be strong and save his people. there is a terrible disease that is spreading through his clan and is killing off these immortal dragon shifters one horrible death at a time. it is fast acting and fatal once you start showing symptoms the person is dead in 24 hours. After watching his sister die, Dylan has decided to seek outside help, from humans.
So then we meet brilliant and beautiful Phoebe who is a research doctor trying to discover a cure for Lupus. But she has just lost her funding. Then this strange man shows up and offers her all the money she needs to complete her work if she will go with him and save his people. After a lot of sweet talking and cajoling that included a blood sample, she agreed to go. When they get there they are faced with his dying niece and the last of his family.
Dylan just cannot catch a break. I imagine if characters could actually talk to their authors this one would have been very mad at Ms Adams. He has been searching fruitlessly for his mate for the last couple hundred years, all of his family is now dead and his people are looking to him to save them. He is a little stressed, and handles it very well, it made me respect him a lot.
Pheobe is a scientist that has been given a puzzle so of course she has to try to figure it out. And that puzzle is Dylan and his weird blood and multitude of secrets. She is a strong character who knows what she wants and is not afraid to work to get it. She is a dedicated scientist with secrets from her past as well. Knows her limits so does not have any major TSTL moments.
I sooo liked this book. It was fast paced, good storyline and great characters. I had a very hard time putting it down. I wish that the climax of the book had been a little bit longer, but it was still very good the way it was. I cannot wait for the next book in the series.
4.5 out of 5
This book is available from NAL Trade. You can buy it here or here in e-format.
Oh I’m so glad you liked it! Hopefully the next one will be just as good. 🙂