DRAGON IN THE BLOOD (Vale of Stars #2) by Juliette Cross-a dual review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N /

Add to your GOODREADS shelf

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 26, 2016

While all seems quiet in Gladium Province, the Morgon Guard—the global justice force for the dragon hybrid race—knows their enemy is rebuilding its forces in the underground.

Valla Moonring, an assassin for an order of the Morgon Guard, is ordered to join an expedition through the Wastelands of Aria, a formidable, icy wilderness fraught with all manner of dangers, including outlaws, deadly weather, and big-game predators.

To her great distaste, she’s partnered with a Nightwing Security operative, Conn Rowanflame, a Morgon with the aggravating ability to get under her skin. While she takes her mission seriously, Conn’s confident charm throws her off balance, a dangerous place to be in conditions like these. Especially when cold nights require close contact.

Sensual attraction binds them ever closer, igniting a passion of unexpected force—soulfire. But when the hunters become the hunted, their bond could prove perilous. Even fatal

••••••••••••••••••

Sandy’s REVIEW: DRAGON IN THE BLOOD is the second installment 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’s Guard/Nightwing Security Conn Rowanflame, and Officer of the Assassin’s Order Valla Moonring’s story line. DRAGON IN THE BLOOD can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading the series in order for backstory and history.

NOTE: There is a novella companion 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.

Told from several first person points of view including Valla, Conn and the priestess, DRAGON IN THE BLOOD focuses on the hunt for the Blood King- a beast of a Morgon believed to be descended from the original dragon Larkos, and a man who has amassed an army of Larkosians that rape, pillage, and sacrifice human females in the name of power and control. As three trusted members of the Morgon Elite, Conn, Valla and Bowen Huntergild are sent out to find the Syren Sisters Coven to seek out the whereabouts of the Blood King and his priestess, while searching for Bowen’s missing sisters who had been abducted by the Blood King’s men. What ensues is the building romance between Conn and Valla; a journey through harsh lands and wicked cold; and the introduction of Bastien’s Bastards-a group of outlaw Morgon’s who have promised Conn their allegiance in return for protection from future prosecution for sins of the past.

Valla is Conn’s soulfire-his mate- but our heroine does not recognize the burning need and desire between the couple. Valla was raised by her brothers, and is determined to be one of the best Morgon guards, and has no time for relationships or men. Throughout the story, Conn’s ‘burn’ for Valla increases, and yet, he too, has a difficult time recognizing his soulfire mate. The sexual attraction and heat is palpable. There is no denying the dance of want and need. The limited $ex scenes are intimate and intense.

There is a large ensemble cast with several secondary and supporting roles including many of the previous story line characters (Kol, Paxon, Gisa, Lucius) as well as Bowen-a Morgon hunter-who is searching for his sisters Serena and Lena; Bastien Silverback-an outlaw Morgon who has been accused of horrendous crimes against his family; the Priestess whose magical powers call forth the ancient rites and rituals, as well as her lover and confidant Decimus. There are a number of Bastien’s ‘Bastards’ who play secondary roles including Kera, Madera, Rafe, and Lyla. Madera will challenge Conn to a dual with Conn as her prize if she wins. And we cannot forget about the bar owner Orlik; and Brother Silvanus-a man who helps our trio on their journey towards the Syren Sisters Coven.

DRAGON IN THE BLOOD is a wondrous tale of betrayal and revenge; romance and fated mates; fantasy and drama. The icy journey through Aria finds Conn, Valla, and Bowen facing more than the cold but a pack of beasts known as the wulving, and the Larkosian army sworn to defend their master and leader. The premise is intense and impassioned; the characters are enchanting and dynamic; the romance is a story of fated mates whose soufire burns for no one else. Juliette Cross’s imagination with captivate and arouse your senses.

Barb’s Review:
Dragon in Blood by Juliette Cross is the 2^nd book in her Vale of Stars series.  I have read two of her series and I have loved both of them; her Nightwing and Vale of Stars series are amazing.  Most of you may not know of Juliette Cross, but after reading this book, I will say it time to discover her and her fantastic exciting stories.

In Dragon in Blood, we have two amazing main characters, and will still get to see some of those from the previous books.  Valla Moonring, is our heroine, who is the sister of Kol, the captain of the Morgon Guard and our last book hero.  Valla is not only beautiful and independent, but she is also a valued member of the Morgoan Guard.  Kol sends Valla on assignment to meet with the Syren Sisters, to gain information about the Blood King, whom we met in the last book.  At first Valla is happy, until she finds out that Conn Rowenflame, a Nightwing security expert, will be her partner on this assignment.  Valla hates Conn, since he is arrogant, cocky and always teases her.  Having been brought up by her serious brother, Valla wants nothing to do with an Alpha, like Conn.  Bowen, another warrior, who is looking for his two kidnapped sisters will lead the mission.  The three of them will travel through dangerous territory, which will include the Larksonians, who belong to the Blood King; an evil witch, monsters, and a gang of thieves.  Despite all of this, the hardest part for both Valla and Conn, is trying to control their attraction for each other, as they spent a lot of time working closely.  Conn is determined to win Valla, but at the same time does not want a permanent relationship, as he has too much fun chasing all women. Easier said than done, as Conn begins to see that Valla is indeed his mate, and he must fight the Soulfire within him to not scare Valla off

What follows is a very exciting adventure that will bring in some very nice new characters, and well as some evil.  Each step of the way, they meet danger and must fight together to reach their destination.  Another pov is the evil witch, who has her own plans that do not include the Blood King.  As we race to the finish, Cross keeps us on our toes, with so much action, dangerous situations, not to mention a romance that that becomes hotter and hotter, until it reaches the heat of soulfire.  Will Valla and Conn ever get past their own independence?  Will they survive?

Juliette Cross has once again created another wonderful story that has a bit of everything; hot sexy couple; action, suspense, great secondary characters, evil villains and excellent writing. Dragon in Blood was wild, crazy exciting, action packed and steamy adventure.  Do yourself a favor, discover Juliette Cross.

Copy supplied for an honest review

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.

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Pinterest / Amazon Author Page / Newsletter

Save