After Dark Review of What a Dragon Should Know by G.A. Aiken

Synopsis: "Only for those I love would I traipse into the merciless Northlands to risk life, limb, and my exquisite beauty. But do they appreciate it? Do they say, 'Gwenvael the Handsome, you are the best among us - the most loved of all dragons?' No! For centuries my family has refused to acknowledge my magnificence as well as my innate humility. Yet for them, and because I am so chivalrous, I will brave the worst this land has to offer. So here I stand, waiting to broker an alliance with the one the Northlanders call The Beast. A being so fearful, the greatest warriors will only whisper its name. Yet I, Gwenvael, will courageously face down this terrifying...woman? It turns out the Beast, a.k.a. Dagmar Reinholdt, is a woman - one with steel-gray eyes and a shocking disregard for my good looks. Beneath her plain robes and prim spectacles lies a sensual creature waiting to be unleashed. Who better than a dragon to thaw out that icy demeanor? And who better than a beast to finally tame a mighty dragon's heart."

My Review: By far my favorite of the series so far! I absolutely love Dagmar! She was a brilliant change from the hardened warrior women/ assassins of the previous two books. Dagmar's character was well developed and so interesting with her calm unassuming look and yet a ever working mind behind. I also began to like Gwenvael a little more, he is still not near my favorite of the brothers but I do like him better than I did before. The story line was very interesting as well, a great continuation from previous events, yet still unexpected.        

My Rating: Because of the quirky characters and the different plot line I give this one a rating of Four Paws!

After Dark Review of About A Dragon by G.A. Aiken

I have added After Dark Reviews to my blog as a way of notifying you of a review of a book with Adult themes and scenes. From now on I will keep my reviews of all books I read that have explicit scenes in them for late night posts for those of you who prefer to avoid them or easy to find for those of you who seek them out ;)

Synopsis: "For Nolwenn witch Talaith, a bad day begins with being dragged from bed by an angry mob intent on her crispy end and culminates in rescue by - wait for it - a silver maned dragon. Existence as a hated outcast is nothing new for a woman with such powerful secrets. The dragon, though? A tad unusual. This one has a human form to die for, and knows it.According to dragon law, Talaith is now his property, for pleasure...Or otherwise. But if Lord Arrogance thinks she's the kind of damsel to acquiesce without a word, he's in for a surprise...Is the woman never silent? Briec the Mighty knew the moment he laid eyes on Talaith that she would be his, but he'd counted on tongue-lashings of an altogether different sort. It's embarrassing, really, that it isn't this outspoken female's magicks that have the realm's greatest dragon in her thrall. No, Briec has been spellbound by something altogether different - and if he doesn't tread carefully, what he doesn't know about human women could well be the undoing of his entire race...

My Review: About a Dragon was even more entertaining than the first book in the series. I love the arguing and the banter between Talaith and Briec. But truth be told I fell in loved with Eibhear even though he was a sub character in development for later in the series. It was definitely an interesting turn of events to involve the gods and add some conflict, and there is some definite foreshadowing to more danger and adventures for more books!

My Rating: A great follow up to Dragon Actually, and leads me to the next books in the series without hesitation. I give it a rating of Three Paws and Stump Wag!

After Dark Review of Dragon Actually by G.A. Aiken

I have added After Dark Reviews to my blog as a way of notifying you of a review of a book with Adult themes and scenes. From now on I will keep my reviews of all books I read that have explicit scenes in them for late night posts for those of you who prefer to avoid them or easy to find for those of you who seek them out ;)

Synopsis: "It's not always easy being a female warrior with a nickname like Annwyl the Bloody. Men tend to either cower in fear-a lot-or else salute. It's true that Annwyl has a knack for decapitating legions of her ruthless brother's soldiers without pausing for breath. But just once it would be nice to be able to really talk to a man, the way she can talk to Fearghus the Destroyer. Too bad that Fearghus is a dragon, of the large, scaly, and deadly type. With him, Annwyl feels safe-a far cry from the feelings aroused by the hard-bodied, arrogant knight Fearghus has arranged to help train her for battle. With her days spent fighting a man who fills her with fierce, heady desire, and her nights spent in the company of a magical creature who could smite a village just by exhaling, Annwyl is sure life couldn't get any stranger. She's wrong? And just wait until you meet the rest of the family?"

My Review: A fantastic start to a series! I love Annwyl's brutalness, talk about your ultimate heroine and strong woman character. I really enjoyed the story line and how everything plays out, you know whats coming but you don't know until it happens how it will play out. It is also a fun change from the more used wolf and cat shapeshifter paranormal books, the dragons and the fantasy elements are great. Like I said its a great start to a series and I look forward to reading more books in the series.

My Rating: I love dragons, and dragons who turn into smoking hot knights, Oh My! I give this book a rating of Three Paws and a Stump Wag!

After Dark Review of The Beast in Him by Shelly Laurenston

I have added After Dark Reviews to my blog as a way of notifying you of a review of a book with Adult themes and scenes. From now on I will keep my reviews of all books I read that have explicit scenes in them for late night posts for those of you who prefer to avoid them or easy to find for those of you who seek them out ;)

Synopsis: "Some things are so worth waiting for. Like the moment when Jessica Ward "accidentally" bumps into Bobby Ray Smith and shows him just how far she's come since high school. Back then, Jess' gangly limbs and bruised heart turned to jelly any time Smitty's "all the better to ravish you with" body came near her. So, some things haven't changed. Except now Jess is a success on her own terms. And she can enjoy a romp - or twenty - with a big, bad wolf and walk away. Easy.

The sexy, polished CEO who hires Smitty's security firm might be a million miles from the lovable geek he knew, but her kiss, her touch, is every bit as hot as he imagined. Jess was never the kind to ask for help, and she doesn't want it now, not even with someone targeting her Pack. But Smitty's not going to turn tail and run. Not before proving that their sheet-scorching animal lust is only the start of something even wilder..."

My Review: Sooo much better than the Pride #1 book! It felt like it had a much more developed plot and characters. I absolutely love Jess, she reminds me of the geeky girl I hide sometimes too. I love the whole Wild Dog pack, all the sub characters were fantastic. Bobby Ray is such a sweetie, though a little dense at times. I really can't wait to read the next ones in this series, I hope they bring in more of Smitty and Jess and I can't wait to see what happens with Mitch!        

My Rating: This was a fun one to read and I really couldn't put it down so it gets a rating of Four Paws!

Weekly Reading List

Its Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Shelia at Book Journey. Share what books you have finished in the last week, are currently reading and what might be coming up next!

Okay, so I got a little distracted yesterday by the book I was reading and forgot to post!

What I Read Last Week:

Links will take you to my review

The Mane Event by Shelly Laurenston

The Beast in Him by Shelly Laurenston (Review coming)

And a few other quick reads I can't remember

Currently Reading:

Sabriel by Garth Nix - PB - on page 203 of 496

The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke - PB - on page 18 of 348

A Clash of Kings by George RR Martin - on my Nook, page 20 of 1439

Taste Me by Tamara Hogan - Nook - on Page 30 of 384

Next Books to be Read:

Catundra by Stephen Cosgrove - Childrens/Bedtime stories

Holes by Lewis Sachar - Middle Reader/ 2011 Challenge

She Walks in Beauty by Lord Byron - Poetry/ 2011 Challenge

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs - Rhodie Readers Book Club