Hunt of the Dragon (Vale of Stars 4) by Juliette Cross-Dual Review & tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 7, 2021

Photojournalist Krissa Nadeem ventures into the wilderness to record the destruction by the Larkosian army. When she captures on film the Morgon Guard’s top most wanted enemy in hiding, she sets in motion a journey that will change her life forever. Not just because of the secret she uncovers, but also because of the man who will become her protector. And more.

Bowen Huntergild, stealthy and deadly assassin, is at the head of the task force searching for the Bloodback witch who killed his sister in a blood sacrifice. When Krissa turns in her finding on film, he teams with her to discover the witch’s hideout in the wilds beyond Drakos. While he focuses on the job, his dragon stirs, warning him that destiny has more intimate plans.

What neither of them realize is that this one photograph could be the salvation or the doom of them all.

•••••••

Sandy’s Review: HUNT OF THE DRAGON is the fourth and final instalment in Juliette Cross’ adult VALE OF STARS paranormal/fantasy romance series focusing on a dragon hybrid species known as the Morgons. This is twenty-something photojournalist and human Krissa Nadeem, and forty-something Morgon assassin Bowen Huntergild’s story line. HUNT OF THE DRAGON can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion.

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. This is not a series about dragon shifters but a hybrid species with specialized powers, wings and the ability to fly.

Told from three first person perspectives (Krissa, Bowen, Mykah) HUNT OF THE DRAGON focuses on the hunt for the person responsible for killing Bowen’s sister Lena. Krissa Nadeem is a human, a photojournalist who has captured the image of Bekkanine Bloodback, a murderer, a priestess who uses dark blood magic for evil gain, and as such Bekkanine has now given birth to something the Morgons have not seen in thousands of years. In an effort to capture the witch who took his sister’s life, Bowen enlists Krissa Nadeem to reveal the location of the priestess and her son but to Bowen’s surprise, Krissa is his mate, and his ‘soulfire’ burns with the need to claim our heroine as his own. What ensues is a cross country journey on the hunt for the priestess, and the potential fall –out as a war is on the horizon with Larkos Nightwing and the Larkosian army, a marauding army of soldiers, killers, rapists and slavers.

Bowen Huntergild never thought he would find the one woman that set his soulfire aflame. Flying our heroine on a cross country journey finds our couple up close and personal as they search for the priestess who took Lena’s life. Krissa Nadeem is best friends with Moira (Waking the Dragon) and Jessen, already mated to Morgan men, and as such our heroine is acutely aware of the Morgon’s soulfire and their need to mate but Bowen and Krissa are on a mission, a mission that will see a mating, and the recovery of a young boy whose existence is unlike anything anyone has ever seen.

The relationship between Bowen and Krissa is one of immediate attraction but begins as a working assignment to locate a killer. The sexual tension is palpable; the chemistry is sizzling and hot. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is as large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including most of the previous story line couples from both series including Demetrius and Shakara, Moira and Kol, Conn and Valla, as well as Lucius and Jessen, and Lorian Nightwing (Nightwing series). We are introduced to Mykah, and the return of Bastien Silverback. Here’s hoping the author has plans for new spin off series.

HUNT OF THE DRAGON is a story of betrayal, revenge, power and control; a story of family, grief, vengeance and reflection. The character driven premise is complex, detailed and entertaining; the romance is passionate and seductive; the characters are dynamic, charismatic, strong and determined. HUNT OF THE DRAGON is a wonderful ending to a fantastic series.

Reading Order and previous Reviews

Nightwing Series

Soulfire
Windburn
Nightbloom

Vale of Stars series

Dragon Heartstring .5
Waking the Dragon
Dragon in the Blood
Dragonfire

_______

Barb’s Review:
Hunt of the Dragon by Juliette Cross is the 4^th and final book in her fabulous Vale of Stars series.  I am a huge fan of Cross, having read most if not all her books.  She is an amazing author, who never fails to give us terrific exciting stories (paranormal world), with great couples, fantastic secondary characters, action filed and steamy. Hunt of the Dragon was a great addition to this series, and as always, I loved our wonderful couple.

Krissa Nadeem, our heroine, is a journalist who also excels in taking great photos. She just came back from secretly observing the evil Larkosian army destroying various towns and people. One of the pictures she took and thought was destroyed has gotten the attention Kol Moonring, who calls her to a meeting.  As nervous as she is, she is surprised to see Bowen Huntergild, one of the most powerful Morgons, also attending the meeting.  Seems one picture Krissa took was that of a witch and her son (who is a dragon), and both men want to know where she took it.  The witch in question is the one who killed Bowen’s sister, and the boy is a rare full dragon.  Kol tells Krissa that she will go with Bowen to find the place she had been, in order to find the witch and her son, who they want to protect.

Bowen Huntergild, our hero, works for Kol and the Moonring Guard, and is determined to enact revenge for his sister’s death, but he knows that the witch maybe able to help them turn the tables against the evil Larkos Nightwing; and the boy needs to be protected, as he is the only living full dragon, whom Larkos will try to kill.   Larkos is known as the Blood King, and he has brought about destruction across all cities, moving along the way to destroy the remaining Morgons.  He needs to be stopped, but so far, the good guys have not been successful.  Will the boy who is a dragon, Mykah be the one to save them all?

When Bowen and Krissa begin their journey, they both begin to sense something between them. He fairly quickly, knows she is the one for him, as he can feel the soulfire within.  Krissa was a great heroine, smart, savvy, and tough, but she also knows there is something between her and Bowen that pulls on her emotions.  Bowen was a fabulous hero, not only a great warrior, but he was so sweet with Krissa, and treated Mykah like a son. I really liked Mykah too, as we watched him slowly trust our heroes, as well as see how quicky he magically ages and becomes powerful.

What follows is a very exciting, action packed adventure that will bring back many of our favorites from the earlier books, as well as those from the original Nightwing series.  I loved seeing them all.   In a short time, Bowen and Krissa will succumb to the soulfire burning within, with each bonding together.  I will say they made such a great couple; I loved them together

Hunt of the Dragon was a fascinating read, from start to finish. To tell too much more would be spoilers, and since this is the finale, you do not want to miss a thing, as this was an amazing climax.  Juliette Cross has done an amazing job writing this story with a wonderful satisfying conclusion. Hunt of the Dragon was exciting, action packed, suspenseful and steamy romance.  If you have not read Juliette Cross, what are you waiting for?

Copies supplied for 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.

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