DRAGON HEARTSTRING (Vale of Stars .5) by Juliette Cross-Dual Review and Excerpt Tour
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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 25, 2016
Demetrius Cade has long since let go of his prejudice against Morgonkind, the dragon hybrid race his father taught him to hate. But what he never saw coming was the Morgon woman who would finally teach him to love.
Shakara Icewing has watched Demetrius Cade from afar for years. Known as the most eligible bachelor and emotionally unavailable in all of Gladium Province, she sees him as the aloof, arrogant brother of her dear friend. But when they finally meet, she isn’t sure she can handle how deep and how fast they both fall.
An old enemy resurfaces and once more threatens those Demetrius loves. When Shakara plans to speak before Parliament against business tycoon Aron Grayson, she puts her own life in the line of fire. Demetrius will stop at nothing to protect the woman he can no longer live without.
••••••
Sandy’s Review: DRAGON HEARTSTRING is the prequel story line in Juliette Cross’s adult Vale of Stars amazing and complex fantasy series focusing on a dragon hybrid species known as the Morgons. This is Morgon healer Shakara Icewing, and human businessman/billionaire Demetrius Cade’s story line.
NOTE: There is a companion novella series entitled NIGHTWING (Soulfire #1 / Windburn #2) that introduces several of the characters and some background history into the war between the Morgons and humankind. I would strongly recommend reading the Nightwing companion series before starting the Vale of Stars series. Demetrius is Jessen Cade-Nightwing’s brother. Jessen was first introduced in Soulfire (Nightwing #1).
Told from dual first person perspectives (Demetrius and Shakara) DRAGON HEARTSTRING follows Morgon healer Shakara Icewing as she prepares to go before the Gladium Province Parliament in the hopes of pushing the ban for the weapon known as the Volt gun-a weapon designed to kill Morgons-but the designer of the Volt gun wants to ensure that Shakara never has the chance to speak before the Gladium Parliament. Enter Demetrius Cade –the son of a bigot with tightly held prejudices against the human/hybrid Morgon . What ensues are Demetrius’s attempts to protect the woman with whom he is falling in love; and the search for the person(s) responsible for the threats against Shakara’s life.
Demetrius is considered the most eligible bachelor in Gladium Province. A billionaire businessman with no known girlfriends but a man who has caught the eye of the Morgon healer. Shakara knows that it is rare for a Morgon female to find her mate amongst the human population but our heroine knows that the pull of the ‘Heartstring’ whenever in the presence of Demetrius Cade can only mean one thing-that Demetrius is her fated mate.
The world building continues to focus on the tepid but strained relationship between the humans and the Morgons-the animosity, prejudices, specieism, bigotry and discrimination aimed at the hybrid species of dragon and man. We learn a little more about the background as to the how and why of the Cade family’s prejudices.
There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Jessen and Lucius Nightwing (Nightwing),and their three year old son Julian; as well as Lucius’s brother Lorian and his mate Sorcha (Windburn). The requisite evil comes in many forms as the Grayson family continues to push for the integration and use of the Volt gun –a weapon they helped design and manufacture.
DRAGON HEARTSTRING is an engaging tale of fated mates; an encouraging story about one woman’s efforts to bring about change, and the man who is tied to her heart. The premise is imaginative; the characters are passionate and inspiring; the romance is seductive and provocative. Juliette Cross will captivate your imagination with her fascinating world of the Morgons of Gladium Province.
Barb”s Review:
Dragon Heartstring by Juliette Cross is a novella that is part of her Vale of Stars series. I have become a big fan of Juliette Cross’s writing and having read her Nightwing series, and the first two books of Vale of Stars, I have come to expect each new book to be another fantastic exciting story. Though Dragon Heartstring is not a full length novel, this book was another exciting, sexy, enjoyable fast read.
Demetrius Cade, who is Jessen’s brother, is our hero. Demetrius is a powerful and wealthy member of the Cade family. Over the years, Demetrius has changed his feelings about Morgonkind, having learned from his sister, and nephew that they are not bad, even if they are not human. Especially after watching a Grayson almost kill his sister. Demetrius makes it his business to visit Jessen and her family to become more comfortable with the Morgons, as well as to enjoy his nephew.
Shakara Icewing, is a powerful Morgon woman, who helps run her family’s business, and is a healer. She sees Demetrius on occasions, during events, and sees him as a loner, arrogant and a handsome eligible bachelor, whom she only looks from afar.
When Demetrius hears Shakara and Jessen discussing trying to ban a dangerous weapon that kills Morgankind, he pushes himself into the conversation. Demetrius wants to help, as he remembers how close Jessen came to death from one of those guns. He begins to spend more time with Shakara, as she plans her speech to the Parliament. Slowly, they both find themselves very much attracted to one another, as their chemistry is off the wall.
Demetrius becomes more and more involved in Shakara’s life, since he fears her life is in danger, as is Jessen’s. The Grayson family will fight the ban, as they stand to lose their business if the ban passes. We all remember that it was Aron Grayson, who tried to kill Jessen with that weapon. Demetrius will use his friends, and money to help protect those he loves. Shakara has fallen hard for Demetrius, and learns along the way he is indeed her mate. Shakara is a strong heroine, who is independent and stubborn, not allowing herself to listen to Demetrius’s fears for her safety, and finds herself in a terrible death defying situation. Will Demetrius be able to save her? Will Shakara allow herself to mate with a human?
Even though Dragon Heartstring was a shorter story, I loved every moment of it. Juliette Cross has a wonderful writing style that keeps us on the edge of our seat, not to mention a sexy romance. I have noted before in my reviews, that having likeable characters helps make the story that much better. In her series, Juliette Cross always has such great characters, as well as evil villains. If you have not read anything by Juliette Cross, it is time to start now.
Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Nightwing Series
Nightwing
Windburn
Nightbloom
Vale of Stars
Dragon Heartstring
Waking the Dragon
Dragon in the Blood
Copy supplied for review
“Isn’t it beautiful?” I asked, leaning on the railing, the warm summer breeze lifting my hair.
“Yes. Quite.”
I glanced over to find him staring at me, not the city. I smiled. “Do you know it’s rude to stare like that?”
“I’m sorry. I can’t help it. You are quite beautiful,” he said with sincerity.
I arched a brow. “Even with the wings?”
“Especially with the wings.” His gaze flicked to them. “You know, Shakara. You seem to have a misguided notion that I dislike Morgons, but the truth is far from it.”
“Well, if I may be so frank, your past proves you’ve had—I don’t know how to say it—issues with Morgonkind.”
His heavy gaze never left me. “Some of us learn from our past mistakes. And we change. At least we should anyway.”
His intense expression and bold statement were a challenge. One I wasn’t sure I was ready to explore. The conversation had turned from casual to serious in a heartbeat. And I realized in this, he was right and I was wrong. We should learn from our mistakes.
Changing the subject was my only escape. “So. What were you talking to Lucius about?”
He loosened his tie and pulled it off, folded it end over end then stuffed it into his inside jacket pocket. “You were watching me?”
“Yes.”
“So you lied,” he said, leaning forward with both forearms on the balcony wall, his left arm brushing mine.
“Did I?” I focused on steadying my voice.
“You said you didn’t know I was here at the party when I walked up to your table.”
“Oh, yes. I did lie.” I felt him staring but continued to gaze out at the city. “I didn’t want you to think I was stalking you or something.”
He laughed, leaning left, his shoulder grazing mine. On purpose, for sure.
My senses amped up. “You’re avoiding my question.”
“Am I?”
“Yes, tell me. I want to know what Demetrius Cade, who never speaks to his brother-in-law even at his nephew’s birthday party, could possibly have to say in a little one-on-one conversation.”
“You have been stalking me.” He smirked and pressed closer.
I arched a brow at him and whispered, “Tell me.”
“It was about you actually.”
“Me?”
“The hearing coming up.”
“Oh.” The wind lifted my hair in the night air. I tucked a strand behind one ear. “What about it?”
“As I mentioned at lunch yesterday, I’m afraid this hearing may bring some negative attention your way. Perhaps, even danger.” His frown was back. His lips tightened into a line as he studied me.
“I think you might be worrying too much.”
“No, I’m not. Which is why you might notice someone from Nightwing Security watching out for you at the clinic. And maybe elsewhere.”
“Wait. I’m going to have a bodyguard?”
“Yes. And don’t say you don’t want one. It’s necessary to be cautious about this. At least until the hearing is over.”
I couldn’t help but be a little surprised that Demetrius of all people would take the initiative to protect me. My father and aunt were bringing up clan members for the hearing itself, but they hadn’t prepared for any threats beforehand.
Before Demetrius’s scowl could deepen further, I made a bold declaration. “So what you’re saying is you’re worried about me.”
Just like that, his stiff shoulders rolled forward as if a weight had been dropped. He angled his body toward me, leaning one elbow on the banister and answered my teasing question more directly than I’d anticipated. “Yes. I certainly am.”
My nerves rattled inside me like marbles in a jar. It was all because of Demetrius. I was fine with him in crowds and loud clubs and chatty birthday parties. But alone with the heady mix of his cologne and his masculine scent swirling around me and with those dark eyes tracking my every move, my dragon wanted to stretch out for him and purr. The woman, the part of me who was confident in the clinic but shy in the bedroom, wanted to retreat and hide. As soon as I’d thought it, my wings twitched, brushing against him.
I gasped and pulled them tight again, “Sorry.”
“Don’t be.”
The air shifted, and I felt like I did that day in the elevator—breathless and trapped and extremely aroused at his nearness.
“Shakara,” he said softly.
“Yes?”
“May I take a closer look at your wings?”
“Yes.”
I turned for him, inhaling a deep breath, and opened them partway, keeping one hand on the banister.
“May I touch them?” he asked softly.
“Yes.”
I didn’t want to tell him how sensitive I was to touch on my wings. Some Morgons weren’t at all. But when Demetrius’s hands slid up the arches, sending a sensual shiver through my body, I thought I might come undone. When his fingers caressed along the side edge and back down, I gripped the banister tight.
“They’re quite beautiful,” he said. He had to notice my tremulous state. If he did, he made no note of it.
“Thank you.”
“You’re quite beautiful.”
When he moved his body closer, I could feel the heat of him at my back. He trailed his fingers along the underside of my wings where they were especially soft. He nuzzled his mouth close to my ear. “I want to touch you.”
Needing to hold onto something, I gripped the banister with both hands. I couldn’t breathe. I shouldn’t be behaving this way with him of all men. I felt as if I were stepping into enemy territory, venturing into places I wasn’t meant to go. And yet, he turned me on beyond reason.
“May I?” he asked.
“Yes,” I whispered, unable to resist him.
He swept my hair over one shoulder then proceeded to kiss his way up one side of my neck. One hand spanned my waist. He glided the other hand over the curve of my shoulder and down my arm, then laced his fingers through mine atop the banister. Yearning for his lips on my skin, I dropped my head back so he could have better access. He took full advantage, brushing feather-light kisses down the column of my throat.
“You know, there are many who would object to this kind of behavior.” He pressed an open-mouthed kiss to that tender spot between my neck and shoulder.
“What, what kind of behavior? There are others doing the same in their own corner of the rooftop.”
“No, couples like us.”
“You mean a Morgon and a human?” I asked, trying not to sound as breathless as I was.
“Yes.” He nipped up my neck with teeth. The sensation flushed me with heat.
“Do you care if people object?”
He stopped and turned me around by the waist.
“Does it bother you?” I repeated.
His voice dropped lower with an edge of strain. “I don’t know.” His fingers banded tighter at my waist. “But not enough for me to stop.”
Before I could form another thought, his lips were hard and determined on mine. The world be damned, for there could be no misunderstanding what he wanted now.
Juliette calls lush, moss-laden Louisiana home where the landscape curls into her imagination, creating mystical settings for her stories. She has a B.A. in creative writing from Louisiana State University, a M.Ed. in gifted education, and was privileged to study under the award-winning author Ernest J. Gaines in grad school. Her love of mythology, legends, and art serve as constant inspiration for her works. From the moment she read JANE EYRE as a teenager, she fell in love with the Gothic romance–brooding characters, mysterious settings, persevering heroines, and dark, sexy heroes. Even then, she not only longed to read more novels set in Gothic worlds, she wanted to create her own.
Juliette is a multi-published author, including her Nightwing series with Kensington Publishing and The Vessel Trilogy with Samhain Publishing.
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Great review, Sandy. I think Juliette writes consistently great stories, that people need to start reading her books.
Terrific review, Ladies. I too am enjoying this series. Thanks.
Fantastic reviews. Who doesn’t love a dragon!
Thanks for the great reviews. Looking forward to checking out this series.
Sounds like a realy good series. Great reviews.
Thanks for this double review. Sounds wonderful.
wonderful reviews. i usually do not read these types of stories, but you both make this sound very good.
Thanks for the great reviews. Sounds like a wonderful series.
Fantastic reviews, ladies. I look forward to reading this one.
Love the reviews, thanks.
Sounds awesome, Ladies.
Thank you so much, Sandy and Barb. Both very insightful reviews. I so appreciate you sharing my newest release with your readers.
XO, Juliette