ARC Reviews – Page 2 – This, that, and the other-my thoughts

Dragon Forged: A Dragon Kings Novel Book 10 by Donna Grant

5 Stars

What a Story!

This is a part of a very large Dark Universe that Donna Grant has created. With this, the 10^th book in the Dragon Kings series set mostly on Zora (an Earth like planet) we meet Hector, Dragon King of the Sea Greens. He is helping clean up a partially destroyed underground city, and inadeptly touches an artifact which sends him to another place he’s never seen before. A woman comes in, sees him, and tell him to follow her. She is Emillia who has magic that allows her to see limited visions of the future. She leads Hector to a door, and when he opens it, he is back to unfamiliar land but feels familiar. This is the beginning of an interesting and entertaining book that gives the reader a little more information about how the planet Zora works. Very well written, with interesting characters, I enjoyed it very much. Donna Grant has developed an intricate universe for all the different kinds of beings who populate her worlds. If you are a new reader, to get the full experience of the intertwined books, start with the Warriors. Follow Donna’s recommended reading order and you’ll be devouring these wonderful, exciting, imaginative, and heroic characters. I don’t know how Ms. Grant continues to write these excellent books, but I hope she continues for a long, long time.

I was given an ARC of this book by the author through BookFunnel, and this is my honest opinion.

An Irish Summer: A Novel by Alexandra Paige

5 Stars

A study in stubbornness

Our female main character is Chelsea, who is Jewish (which isn’t necessary to know for the story), who was working at a B & B in Boston hoping to be promoted. She finds out the owners of the Bed and Breakfast are closing it in one month, but the woman owner has family member in Galway, Ireland who is running a hostel and is willing to give Chelsea a summer job. After much denial about taking the job, she does, and then constantly moans about going back to Boston to “live” her life while traveling to Galway and then getting to the hostel. She meets the staff which includes the male main character Collin who is like a guide for the guests. Besides all the “I am going back to Boston as soon as I can” that is repeated over and over by Chelsea, the main part of the story is where she and Collin spend time together seeing the Ireland that surrounds her. I felt that the middle of the book was too long and seemed to take longer than the beginning or the ending. But the ending of the story was worth it. Other reviewers have given a synopsis of the story, so I will say that the book is well written, with the two main characters being developed as you would expect. Neither is completely likable at the start, but they do grow on you. Chelsea is very stubborn and doesn’t want to see that she has the opportunity to grow and learn. That takes the entire book to happen. I loved the setting of Galway and the looks at other parts of Ireland- we just returned from two weeks there and the descriptions were accurate. I look forward to seeing if the author will give some of the other characters in the book stories of their own.

I was given an ARC of this book through NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Tackled by Trouble: An Enemies-to-Lovers Rugby Romance (Scottish Rugby Rebels Book 1) by Beatrice Bradshaw

5 Stars

Stirling Rebels Rugby

Our two main characters, both 26, are Charlie Harrington, head of a new sports management company and Brodie MacRae, professional Rugby player with a gambling problem. Charlie has left her father’s firm after finding her former boyfriend cheating on her and her father defending him and his actions to Charlie. She has as her first client Brodie, whom the former boyfriend has accused of betting against his former team. Now traded to a new team in the league, he needs an improved image. These two get along like oil and water, with Brodie doing everything wrong.

With this the setup for the start of the book, the author Beatrice Bradshaw takes us through the workings of both a professional rugby team and a startup sports management company. This proved very helpful as most US readers might understand the management part of the book, but rugby play isn’t well known or understood here. Her care of the two main characters is detailed and insightful and helps the reader understand the challenges both are facing. I felt the story slowed down a bit in the middle of the book but overall was an enjoyable read. Well written with extremely well-developed characters and a storyline that kept my attention, Tackled by Trouble deserves 5 Stars. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

I was given an ARC by the author, and this is my honest opinion.

Storm Wood (Elven Kingdoms #3) by Donna Grant

5 Stars

Slow start, great finish

As several other readers have said, I also had a difficult time with the first quarter to third of this book. Neither of the two main characters, Farah, a Wood Elf, or Rohan, a human, impressed me. Neither one was likeable. In the background there are other characters who were more interesting having been in the prior Elven Kingdom books. But I continued to read, and little by little Farah and Rohan developed into characters who had more depth. The story was more action/adventure than romance which caught my attention and got me interested in what was happening. The romance was more behind what was happening around with Farah and Rohan. It does come into full focus at the end of the book which is different than how Donna Grant’s other books go. Different, not bad. I did enjoy Storm Wood, and how the author features a different Elf race in each, keeping a hold on the larger plot line that ties all the Elven Kingdom books together. I am ready to read the next installment in the series.

I was given an ARC of the book by the author through BooikFunnel and this is my honest opinion.

Storm Wood (Elven Kingdoms #3) by Donna Grant

Releases 13 May 2025

Deepest loyalty. Fiercest defiance.

I never wanted to fall in love. My sister’s disappearance damaged me for such things. I’ve devoted my life finding her—no matter where that leads me.

I could never have imagined it would bring me to him. A human with haunting celadon eyes and a determination that rivals my own. He’s strong, brash, and gorgeous.

Maybe that’s why I was caught off guard when he acknowledged that I was a covert agent. It’s a secret few know, and if word gets out, I’m as good as dead.

Too much rides on my identity remaining hidden. I have no choice but to help him navigate the perilous depths of the Below—and all who reside there.

But the lines that were once so vivid between us slowly begin to blur. We have only each other to survive and trusting him with my life is one thing. With my heart…that’s something I can’t even consider.

Yet, I can’t stop wondering what his lips would feel like against mine. I can’t help the ache I feel to be near him. And I can lie to him, but not myself. I crave his hard body next to me.

I never wanted to fall in love…but he stole my heart before I had a chance to safeguard it.

Now fate is pulling us apart, but I intend to fight for him. For us.

Even if it means my death.

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Donna Grant weaves a captivating story of daring choices, unlikely alliances, and the enduring strength of hope in the thrilling third installment of her acclaimed Elven Kingdoms series.

BUY LINKS:

✦ DG SIGNED PB → https://dgrant.co/4jh4jUD

✦ DG Store ebook → https://dgrant.co/4jh4jUD

✦ Amazon → https://amzn.to/4ildQbw

✦ Kindle → https://amzn.to/3ztgFH8

✦ Audible → https://dgrant.co/3RAMWBj

✦ BN → https://dgrant.co/4jAvadv

✦ Nook → https://dgrant.co/3XztZlf

✦ Nook Audio → https://dgrant.co/4ij8jlX

✦ Apple → https://apple.co/3MUJSh0

✦ Kobo → https://dgrant.co/3XWS5YF

Dragon Marked: A Dragon Kings Novel by Donna Grant

5 Stars

Wow, just Wow!

This book is the continuation of Donna Grant’s Dragon Kings series. Our featured dragon Is Merrill, whom we heard talked about in her earlier Dark Kings series. In this story we learn how much Merrill has taken on over the millenniums. But hiding inside he is becoming more and more angry, enough so that he has distanced himself from the other dragons and the Kings. Wandering on Zora, he chances to see a woman who he feels he must meet. The woman is Katia, who help the evil Villette in her quest to destroy all dragons. With this setting up an incredibly interesting story which also brings in other characters that have been featured in prior books.

Dragon Marked is an excellent book, but if you haven’t read at least the prior books in the Dragon Kings series, you may not understand or appreciate all that is happening. But…if the storyline sounds interesting, start reading because every book builds on the ones before. Donna Grant has created and entire Dark Universe encompassing Celtic Warriors, Druids, Fae, Reapers, and Dragons. For the most enjoyment start at the very beginning with her Warriors series. I cannot wait for the next book in any of her series!

I was given an ARC through NetGalley, and this is my honest opinion.

Some Like It Scot by Pepper Basham

5 Stars

Enjoyable read

I love stories that are set in Scotland, such a beautiful country with wonderful people. So, when I saw this book, I really wanted to read it. And I wasn’t disappointed. Our main female character is Katie Campbell, and American travel writer with no definite home. She has parents but her only sister has passed a few years prior. Katie is given an assignment to cover a 3-week Edwardian Experience at a Scottish home named Craighill House. Here she meets Graeme MacKerrow, whose family owns the house. He’s not very friendly and is overworked and is also raising his young nephew. Graeme does have a wonderful family who have large parts in this slow burn romance. Both characters are well developed and show honest emotions and are very real to life. I would hope that Pepper Basham would add additional books set here in the small village that Craighill House is located.

I was given an ARC by NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

The Folklore of Forever (Moonville #2) by Sarah Hogle

2 Stars

Confusing

This is book 2 of the series Moonville and I am sorry to say that I never connected with this book. I struggled with it from the beginning. Our main female character Zelda Tempest is one of three sisters and both of her sisters can do magic. But not Zelda who pushes the fact that she is a skeptic. The main male character is Morgan Angelopoulos, a man who wants to be magical so much that he hunts ghosts hoping

to find that they are magical. The story itself is scattered and just confusing. Neither main character caught my interest, and I’m sorry to say I couldn’t finish it. I have read other books by the author and all have been solid 4 stars. I’m sure some readers will enjoy the story and characters but not me. I was given an ARC of the book through NetGalley, and this is my honest opinion

Blood Skye (Skye Druids #6) by Donna Grant

5 Stars

A finely woven plot….

Another well written book from Donna Grant. She has taken us back to Skye, where an evil is still creating problems for the Druids on Skye. Our two main characters, Carlyle who was part of the London Druids, and Devon, whose real name is Song has been associated with the London Druids since she was very young. These two find themselves on the island of Skye where Carlyle has become a supported or the Knights who are fighting against the evil, and Devon has been sent to Skye to assassinate a Druid. From this Donna has woven another intricate story that continues from the previous Skye Druids books while also introduces some favorite characters from her Dark Universe books featuring the Dragon Kings. This is truly an outstanding book, and I cannot wait for the next in her Dark Universe series.

I was given and ARC from the author thru NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Blood Skye (Skye Druids #6) by Donna Grant

The only choice is surrender.

In my world, magic and danger go hand-in-hand. It has from my earliest memory. Magic was currency, and if you have it, you have power. I was shaped by some of the most influential Druids into a lethal weapon. Their weapon.

Until the night they betray me—and I wind up in the hands of my enemy.

He’s nothing but a job for me. To him, I’m the key to finding his father. Too bad I know nothing.

But right now, he’s the only thing keeping me alive, so I’ll do whatever it takes. Yet, if we’re going to survive, it means doing it together.

I’ve never allowed myself to care, to feel. To hope. He shows me a world that was always just out of reach, one I was never meant to be a part of—and a love that burns bright enough to scorch the earth.

Together, we will bring an empire to its knees.

Return to Scotland and New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Donna Grant’s Skye Druids, where magic and danger intertwine and a tale of passion, revelations, and new beginnings unfolds.

BUY LINKS:

✦SIGNED PRINT→ https://dgrant.co/4fAsD0q

✦STORE EBOOK → https://dgrant.co/4fAsD0q

✦Amazon→ https://amzn.to/40MCD1l

✦BN→ https://dgrant.co/3CHdaOY

✦Kindle→ https://amzn.to/3LCmggH

✦Nook→ https://dgrant.co/3M4kyFe

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✦Audible→ https://dgrant.co/3EpzblD

✦Tantor→ https://dgrant.co/3DudIrm