Hot Blooded: 1-4 (Dark Kings #4) by Donna Grant-a serial review

Read all four part of this sensational e-series—and look for the full volume of Hot Blooded in January 2015 from St. Martin’s Paperbacks.

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HOT BLOODED: Part 1 (Dark Kings #4)

ABOUT THE BOOK: Part 1–Release Date December 9, 2014

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The Dark Kings soldier on in their fight to preserve their dragon magic. But eternal doom is always close behind…

SWORN TO PROTECT

His name is Laith. To most, he’s known as the owner of a local pub near Dreagan. But little do his patrons know that beneath his handsome, charming exterior Laith has the heart and soul of a Dragon King—one who wields control by keeping his friends close and his enemies, just across the border, closer. Until a mysterious stranger enters the picture, and sets his whole world off course…

DRIVEN TO DESIRE

Iona is a woman with a mission: To learn the truth about her dead father. She’s returned to Scotland only to learn that she’s part of an ancient pact with Dreagan—one that will threaten the fragile peace with the Dragon Kings. Gorgeous, sly Iona isn’t like anyone Laith has ever met before . . . and she harbors a secret that others would kill to possess. Will she complete him—or destroy him? Passion always comes with a price…

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HOT BLOODED Part 1 is the first installment in Donna Grant’s adult, contemporary, Dark Kings paranormal romance serial. This is Dragon King Laith and photographer Iona Campbell’s storyline one that introduces a little more about the neighboring land and family bordering on Dreagan Estates.

With the recent death of Iona’s father John Campbell, there is no longer a human guardian of the doorway leading onto Dreagan land. Iona had long since moved away and Scotland was no longer her home. Upon her return, the truth about Dreagan and the Dragon Kings will have to be revealed because it is only a Campbell heir who is privileged with the secret about Dragons.

We are introduced to Laith, a Dragon King and proprietor of the local watering hole known as The Fox and The Hound pub. Laith and Iona’s attraction to one another is mutual-they both feel the pull but Iona believes herself to be not of the marrying or relationship kind.

Several of the Dragon Kings are present including the King of the Dragons Constantine, Tristan and Sammi as well as Kellan, Ryder, Rhys, Warrick and Hal. The Light Fae Rhi will make an appearance but her current status is questionable and she is unwilling to stick around to be examined more closely.

Part 1 introduces the players and premise in Donna Grant’s new HOT BLOODED Dark Kings storyline. As Iona begins to search for answers about her father’s death and its connection to the Dreagan lands, there are other people following Iona seeking the information that has been kept hidden for hundred of years. Has Ulrik’s magic returned or is someone else pulling the strings behind the scenes?

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HOT BLOODED: Part 2 (Dark Kings #4)  by Donna Grant

Release Date: Part 2– December 16, 2014

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The exclusive e-serial continues! From New York Times bestselling author Donna Grant comes the HOT BLOODED: PART II, second sensual Dark Kings tale set in the wild Highlands of Scotland, where love and danger collide…Heat infused her wherever Laith touched. Breathing became difficult as he caressed up her sides until he cupped her face. His head lowered, and she rose up to meet him. Their lips met, sending sparks of desire and need zipping through her. He moaned, low and needful, causing her knees to weaken. She wrapped her arms around his waist and simply held on. A WARRIOR WITH EVERYTHING TO LOSE Iona harbors a secret that others would kill to possess and Laith will do whatever he must to keep her safe. But what burns between them threatens to consume them both. Will she complete him—or destroy him?

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REVIEW: The continuing story of Dragon King Laith and Iona Campbell follows our couple as they dance around their attraction to one another. Laith has kept secret his connection to Dreagon Industries and Iona’s safety is at risk when mercenaries come searching for the secrets to Dreagon lands.

Part 2 looks closer at Iona’s family dynamics where the truth about her father was never revealed. Raised by her mother-a woman with issues about men-Iona never knew the real man that everyone purports to be kind, gentle and a true friend. But John Campbell never had the chance to reveal the family legacy, and in this, Iona has been placed in a precarious position with Dreagon Industries.

Once again, the ensemble cast of characters tells of history, friendship and concerns about the future of the Dragons. While Rhys struggles with his own inner dragons, Rhi’s lightness is quickly turning to the dark.

HOT BLOODED part 2 continues to build up the suspense while Iona struggles with everything she does not know. Her attraction to Laith deepens but all of the important and significant information has yet to be revealed.

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HOT BLOODED: Part 3 (Dark Kings #4) by Donna Grant

Release Date: Part 3-December 23, 2014

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The passion—and peril—reaches the boiling point in HOT BLOODED: Part III, the third installment of this exclusive Dark Kings e-serial from New York Times bestselling author Donna Grant.

She smiled and stood before diving into the water. Laith walked to the pool. The rumble of the waterfall was drowned out by the roar of his desire. Every instinct within him demanded he claim her, that he mark her as his. Mate, a voice whispered in his head.

A DANGEROUS LOVE. Danger is closing in while desire pushes Laith and Iona into deeper waters. Body and soul hang in the balance for the two lovers. Nothing will ever be the same.

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REVIEW: HOT BLOODED part 3 reveals a plethora of information about the Dragon King history, The Warriors and the Druids, as well as recounting some of the previous storylines premises. While Laith recounts the events that led to Ulrik’s loss of power, Iona will learn first hand that there is more to discover about the world of the supernatural.

The relationship between Laith and Iona steps to the next level. Laith believes that Iona may be his mate but Dragon King Con gives warning that the human female cannot always be trusted-for it was a human female that betrayed the Dragons –thousand of years earlier.

The storyline continues to reveal more about Rhys but we are still no closer to the truth about what has happened and who is responsible for the attack that has left the Dragon King in pain and unable to completely shift. Hopefully, his attraction to Lily, is the beginning of something much bigger.

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HOT BLOODED: Part 4 (Dark Kings #4) by Donna Grant

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 30, 2014

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A DARK KING AND HIS MATE. In HOT BLOODED: Part IV, the situation goes from bad to worse. Laith, Iona and the Dark Kings are preparing for a showdown. Winner takes all, but neither Laith nor Iona can stand to lose, especially if it means losing each other

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REVIEW: Part 4 find the Dragon Kings in a battle with the Dark Fae. Con believing Ulrik is behind the attack against Iona set about to gather more information as it pertains to Ulrik’s use of magic and who is pulling the strings. As the secret behind the doorway to Dreagan is revealed, the Kings are on high alert for anyone entering the realm without permission.

The relationship between Laith and Iona becomes one of love and understanding. Iona’s past and experience with love has hardened her belief against the possibility but Laith is a dragon who is determined to make Iona his mate-forever.

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HOT BLOODED is a revealing storyline in the Dark Kings series as Donna Grant builds towards a showdown between the Dragon Kings, their one time friend and fellow Silver Dragon King Ulrik, and the Dark Fae. The Campbell family and their lineage have protected the secret gateway to Dreagon for millennia but with modern technology and a little bit of ingenuity, the Dragon King’s secret is about to be revealed. While the Dark Fae continue their hunt for the location of a mysterious weapon known only to a few, someone behind the scenes is choreographing a war that will destroy the Dragon Kings-once and for all.

Donna Grant perfects the serial and series format by recounting the history, the detail and the previous storyline information so that readers are reminded of what happened and what is to come. The ensemble cast of Dragon Kings, Druids, Warriors, Light and Dark Fae are colorful villains and traitors, friends and allies, lovers and mates. No one is safe when the Dark Fae work their magic but black magic is darker than most. HOT BLOODED is a story of suspense, mystery, action and romance. There is a war on the horizon and the Dragon Kings had better be prepared.

SERIES READING ORDER for Dark Kings

.1 Dark Craving
.2 Night’s Awakening
.3 Dawn’s Desire

1. Darkest Flame
2. Fire Rising
3. Burning Desire
4. Hot Blooded

Copies supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy