Taste And See That Passion And War Are Deliciously HOT In "Smoldering Hunger"

Title:  Smoldering Hunger
(Dark Kings #8)
Author:  Donna Grant
Format:  eARC
Length:  352 pages
Publisher:  St. Martin's Press
Rating:  4 Stars
 
TEMPTING FATE
Darius is back. Edinburgh thought it had seen the last of this seductive Dragon King, but that was before Darius found something worthwhile. He just can't stay away from the impossibly beautiful Dr. Sophie Martin-even though he knows that a passion this strong could prove detrimental...for them both.

CRAVING DESIRE
Sophie tried to forget her encounter with smoking-hot Darius to no avail. He's in her dreams, tempting her. But her association with Darius catches the attention of another, putting her
in mortal danger. . .and Darius, who has vowed to protect her, is her only hope. But can she trust the notorious dragon shapeshifter? The only thing she knows for sure is that she cannot resist him.  -Goodreads

My Thoughts
* Reviewer's Note:  Characters appearing in Smoldering Hunger are continuing a story line directly related to (Bk. 7) Passion Ignites.  Therefore it is strongly suggested that one reads Passion Ignites, in order to fully understand  the interrelationship of both stories to each other, and to the overall series.

Smoldering Hunger marks a definite change in tempo on all fronts, from the unexpected lull that readers were treated to in its predecessor, Passion Ignites.
While embers of both story and passion may have found a spark in book seven. It is quite clear from the outset, that things in book eight have been allowed to reach 5-alarm fire proportions!
   
With Thorn newly mated to the fiery Lexi, and  happily ensconced back at Dreagan.  The fight to keep the streets of Edinburgh safe from the deadly desires of the Dark Fae has been left to Violet Dragon King, Darius.
Reveling in his newly found solitude, Darius longs for little more than the pleasure that he finds when facing and defeating legions of Dark Fae in battle.
A pleasure that is now eclipsed in new and overpowering ways by the sheer intensity that is her.
Dr. Sophie Martin!

Readers and Darius were first introduced to the intriguing Dr. Martin, when she was sent to tend to Lexi in Passion Ignites.  A story which allowed her a very low key role in said book.  A role which is then revisited and expanded upon in a big way in Smoldering Hunger.
The fact that this leading lady and her irresistible leading dragon have found a way to become closer than close between books, is further evidenced by the scorching sex scene/dream sequence that greets readers in this story's opening pages.

Sophie and Darius's exhibitionist sexual tendencies aren't the only goings on singing this book's pages.  It seems that things with the Dark Fae are taking a turn for the...absent?
That's right!
The Dark Fae are being killed right and left, and no one has a clue as to who is responsible.
Things in Rhi-land are more up in the air than ever.  With Rhi still unsure where she belongs.  Balladyn laying on the charm  thicker than the snowfall of a Canadian blizzard, and Constantine still unwilling to trust that she has the best interest of the Dragon Kings and their mates at heart.  There is also a bittersweet link between Rhi's past with the kings and Darius that is not to be missed.

This book is an awesome reminder of the reasons that Donna Grant inspires such a fierce and unwavering loyalty in her readers.
A perfect mix of characters and stories that readers know and have become invested in, and plot twists character additions, and story elements so new that they still have their tags on.

Darius stands out among the Dragon Kings because of his "down and dirty" persona.  You know right from the start that he is the type of man tailor-made for all action, and no regrets.
The fun comes in finding that the straight-laced Dr. Martin has more than a little raunchy kink in her bedside manor.  At least where a certain someone is involved.

The only negative to be found in this story is the glaring disconnect between Ulrik's story line, and that  of Sophie and Darius.  But this is not something to fret over, given that Smoldering Hunger appears to be a gateway to a dramatic climax in the coming Smoke and Fire.

*Reviewer's Note:  I was provided with copies  of the above referenced literary works for the express purpose of review.  All opinions expressed therein are mine, and have been in no way influenced by St. Martin's Press or those acting on their behalf.

 About Donna
 Donna Grant is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than forty novels and novellas spanning multiple genres of romance.

She was born and raised in Texas but loves to travel. Her adventures have taken her throughout the United States as well as to Jamaica, Mexico, and Scotland. Growing up on the Texas/Louisiana border, Donna’s Cajun side of the family taught her the “spicy” side of life while her Texas roots gave her two-steppin’ and bareback riding.

Her childhood dream was to become a professional ballet dancer and study under the amazing Mikhail Baryshnikov. Though she never got to meet Baryshnikov, she did make it to New York City and performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Later, Donna’s love of the romance genre and the constant stories running through her head prompted her to sit down and write her first book. Once that book was completed, there was no turning back.

Donna sold her first book in November 2005 while displaced from Hurricane Rita, a storm that destroyed portions of the Texas Gulf Coast. Since then, Donna has sold novels and novellas to both electronic and print publishers. Her books include several complete series such as Druids Glen, The Shields, Royal Chronicles, Sisters of Magic, Dark Sword, Dark Warriors, and her new series, Dark Kings.

Despite the deadlines and her voracious reading, Donna still manages to keep up with her two young children, four cats, three fish, and one long haired Chihuahua. She’s blessed with a proud, supportive husband who loves to read and travel as much as she does.
You can contact Donna any time.
 

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