It's Ladies First In Love And War In "Soul Scorched

23127782Title:  Soul Scorched
Series: (Dark Kings #6)
Author:  Donna Grant
Format:  Print
Length:  352 pages
Publisher:  St. Martin's Paperbacks
Rating:  5 Stars

Darcy was floating on a cloud of pure passion. Everywhere he touched, Warrick was leaving a mark on her, forever changing her. She could feel it through her skin and muscle, through bone and into her soul. It was as if he was changing her. And she welcomed it…

Her power is a blessing.

Born on the Isle of Skye, Darcy is a beautiful woman of many gifts. Fortune-telling is her forte, and she remains the only Druid who could unlock the secrets—and desires—of a Dragon King. His name is Warrick. And now that Darcy’s seen into his dragon heart, nothing will ever be the same…

His passion is a curse.

Warrick never intended to put Darcy in harm’s way. But ever since she revealed a shocking truth, Darcy has been hunted by the Dark Fae, who want to use her powers for their own evil purposes. Now it’s up to Warrick to do whatever it takes to keep the woman who sets his soul on fire safe. But protecting Darcy means putting himself—and his entire race—in jeopardy. Is his desperate longing for one woman worth the risk of losing everything… for eternity?

Dive into Soul Scorched, the sizzling next novel in the Dark Kings series from New York Times bestselling author Donna Grant.






EXCERPT
Where did you go?” she asked. “You looked by turns concerned then angry, and I know you weren’t listening to me because I called your name twice.”
Warrick walked past her to the conservatory and clicked off the lights. He checked the spells, making sure they were all still in place.
“You’re freaking me out,” Darcy said from behind him.
He faced her then. “Have you ever slept here?”
One auburn brow rose. “No. Why are you asking?”
“We have a wee bit of a problem.”
“A wee bit?” she repeated. “It can’t be wee if it means I can’t leave the shop, and that’s exactly what you’re implying, isn’t it.”
Warrick walked to her and gently grasped her arm to guide her back into her office area. Once there, he reluctantly released her. “The Dark are here.”
“Here?” she asked in a voice that wobbled slightly. “We put up spells.”
“Aye, and it should keep them out.”
“But I can’t get home, to the one place I know they can’t reach me.”
Soul Scorched
“I’m afraid so.”
“How many are there?”
Warrick knew where she was headed with the question. “Too many. There are ten surrounding this building, and there are more on the way to your flat. We’d never make it.”
“They are persistent.”
Her quip didn’t hide the fear he saw in her fern green eyes. Warrick didn’t want her frightened. He wished to see her smile back, to see her gaze alight with mischief.
“I guess it’s good I didn’t eat all of my sandwich for lunch,” she said with a tight laugh. “I’ll split what’s left with you.”
Warrick waved away her words. “There’s no need. I’ll be fine.”
“And if we’re here for days?”
“No’ going to happen,” he promised.
That made her relax. “Good to know. So. What do we do?”
“Anything you want other than going outside.”
“Just when I was looking forward to a hot bath and my bed,” she said with a grin.
Warrick looked at her mouth as he recalled how close they came to kissing. If only Rhi hadn’t arrived, he would know how sweet Darcy tasted.
“How did you know about the Dark outside?” she asked.
Warrick tamped down his desires and focused on her words. “The Kings have a mental link. We can converse that way.”
“Do you get tired of always having someone in your head?”
“We have the ability to keep our minds shut, and only allow another in if we want.”
“Nice,” she said with wide eyes. “Do you have the ability to know who is trying to talk to you?”
Warrick found it hard to believe that he not only didn’t mind talking to Darcy, but that he wanted it to continue. He enjoyed her responses, and liked trying to figure out how she might respond to something. The fact she kept surprising him was only a bonus.
“Aye,” he answered. “All dragons spoke mentally until the Kings were able to shift.”
“It’s all so fascinating. A little scary, but intriguing.”
His spirits dampened a bit. “So I frighten you?”
She stared at him a moment before she gave a shake of her head. “The idea of the Dragon Kings, a wee bit,” she said, using his words from earlier. “But not you.”
They were just two steps apart, each on a side of the tiny office. He couldn’t remember the last time he wooed a woman.
Darcy was unlike any human he ever encountered. She was smart, sassy, and considerate. She smiled at him, laughed with him, and didn’t so much as bat an eye when he grew uncomfortable trying to find the right words.
She was obstinate, tenacious, compassionate, and sexy as hell.
It wasn’t just her beauty that captivated him, it was her mind and her conversation. She charmed him from the first moment they spoke, and he hadn’t been able to look away since.
He wanted her. Desperately.
He craved, he hungered.
He yearned.
All for her.
Their gazes were locked, the air thick with desire. Warrick closed the distance between them. He rested one hand on her waist and other around her back.
Her lips parted slightly as her hands came to rest on his chest. He lowered his head slowly, her eyes drifting shut just before their lips met.
My Thoughts
Dark Kings is a series that just keeps getting better. Some 6 books in, and there still seems to be nowhere to go but better still.
Soul Scorched features Warrick, Jade Dragon King, and more to the point, his stellar leading lady, Darcy.
Why do I make such a distinction between Warrick and his leading lady at such an early point in my review?
The answer to that is simple.
The story...is...about...her!

That's right!

This story is all about a human, Druid, from the Isle of Skye, who opens a Pandora's box, and winds up in the middle of a WAR!
Oh yeah!
There's also the part where she...
Ahhh...Ahhh...Ahh
Can't tell the whole story here.
But I can tell you this.

For the most part, Warrick is one of the more mild mannered of the dragons.  He spends a lot of his time either behind the scenes, or playing peacemaker.  So, seeing him front and center, saving Darcy from the Dark Fae is quite the surprise.
It seems that the Dark Fae are getting bolder than ever.  Even endeavoring to show themselves in broad daylight.
In answer to this, Constantine is forced to send his dragons closer to humans and human detection.
Unknowingly putting one of his dragons closer to the choice between duty and love than anyone ever thought possible.

The Reason?
To put it mildly. Darcy is a girl in very, very, deep (insert appropriate expletive here.)  But that is what happens to anyone who helps exiled Dragon King, and all around bad guy, Ulrik.
In her defense, she never knew the half of what she was getting herself into.  He didn't exactly come with a warning label.
 But Darcy is also a girl who proves time and time again that she is unafraid to stand toe to toe with the best of them, and unafraid to defend her actions.
Which is a good thing, because she spends most of her time doing just that.

It seems that Darcy has the ability to bring out that bad in just about everybody.  Constantine is so convinced that she is working for Urik that he interrogates her relentlessly.  Even though he is the one who calls for her protection in the first place.
The Dark Fae want her for...well?
And...then there's Ulrik?
Is it any wonder that she chooses the gentle and understanding Warrick as her go to?

Webs...upon webs...upon webs.  Bravo Miss Grant.
There is so much here to get angry, curious, upset, or just plain intrigued about.  That one is always anticipating the next word, sentence, paragraph, or page.
Things are lightening fast and frying pan hot, both plot and action wise; from the start of this book, right through to the end.
With focus shifted much further away from the Dark Fae side of things.  Readers are once again seeing a tale that is all about the dragons.  Well, them and a few pissed off Druids.  The Dark Fae meanwhile, are relegated to some very choice fighting scenes, and Rhi's part of the story. 

As always, no Dark Kings novel would be complete without all of the toe curling sex, and passion that have become trademarks of this series.  But be prepared to lose your heart this time around.  Because while Darcy does get her happily...
There are more than a few surprising storm clouds marring her walk into the sunset.

About Donna
Donna GrantDonna 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.


Buy The Book

Ink Slinger PR Presents: 7 Months



Tough, dry-witted, and intelligent, Ming has worked her whole life to be a successful lawyer, great friend, and dutiful daughter. Her focus has been on her career, but now she's thirty-five, and the last of her friends to be single. Ming knows what she needs... A man who communicates, who won't be intimidated by her position, a partner. She knows this, but all she wants is him...



After working side by side with his brother, Brock for years, Brady has followed his dream and become a police officer. Protecting and serving comes naturally to him, it's what he was born to do, which is why he doesn't know what to do with a woman who doesn't need his strength and protection.



For 7 Months, Ming has accepted what Brady had to offer, secret nights of passion with no hope of a relationship,. But feelings have developed, and now she wants more. When Brady doesn't want things to change, Ming has to decide if being with the man she loves is worth sacrificing everything she wants.


My Thoughts
7 Months is a story that take a very friends and family oriented path straight to the hearts of it's readers. 
Because while it is very clear that the attraction that keeps nights (and some mornings) very warm between Brady and Ming; has a far greater pull than either of the two ever anticipated.  When they agreed to their "scratch each other's itch " relationship some 7 months prior.

Making matters worse for these two.  The fact that everyone around them is either married, pregnant, or paired.

So, just what is it that is stopping these two "secret lovers" from taking the plunge, and resetting their relationship status from private to public?
That would be...each other.

Brady is a blue collar rocker/cop.  Who takes his oath to "protect and serve," in his role as a policeman, just as serious in uniform as out.  But with the calm, and collected, and very high powered attorney Ming.  It seems that the only service she requires is the sexy sort.
You know what they say about appearances however, and Ming is ready to see her urban knight in full regalia.

The obvious longing that these two have for a connection with each other, and their tentative steps toward more; go a long way in forging a strong emotional bond between this couple and their audience.
Brady and Ming are two good people, who are (or who can be) very good together.  If they could just find a way to communicate with their clothes on.    

 Luckily for readers, this book is not one that rests on it's romantic laurels.  With drama coming at our two skittish lovebirds from all sides.  Whether it be the impending birth of Bronagh's baby (Brady's sister-in law and Ming's best friend).  Ming's defense of Brady's friend Natalie, against her abusive husband in court.  Or a nail-bitingily intense story line crescendo for Brady and Ming, that must be red to be believed.   The drama that surrounds these two out of bed, just keeps coming.

Authoress, Bethany Lopez, does a wonderful job keeping her story readable.  With relatable characters, socially and emotionally relevant story lines, and settings that readers can live in.  7 Months is a world that one just cant help getting lost in.

Reviewer's Note:  7 Months is the 7th book in this series.  As such there are well established character relationships at work in this novel.  It is highly recommended that readers enjoy this series in its intended order. 

*I received a review copy of the above referenced work in exchange for the honest review provided. 


                      
   Buy The Book
7 Months (Time for Love, #7) By Bethany Lopez
Contemporary Romance
Release Date: Mar 24, 2016

Smashwords - http://bly/21G4Q2l


About Betheny
Bethany Lopez
Sign up for my Newsletter for more information about my writing: http://eepurl.com/Rcmrn Award-Winning Author Bethany Lopez began self-publishing in June 2011. She’s a lover of all things romance: books, movies, music, and life, and she incorporates that into the books she writes. When she isn’t reading or writing, she loves spending time with her husband and children, traveling whenever possible. Some of her favorite things are: Kristen Ashley Books, coffee in the morning, and In N Out burgers.
Bethany Lopez is represented by Marisa Corvisiero of Corvisiero Literary Agency.

 AUTHOR LINKS:
Website:  http://bethanylopez.blogspot.com/
Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5021061.Bethany_Lopez

                                             

Ink Slinger PR Presents: 7 Months Book Launch

7Months_BLITZ

Today we are celebrating the release of 7 MONTHS by Bethany Lopez. 7 Months is a contemporary romance title that is part of the Time for Love series. It is currently on sale for just .99¢, and for today only, you can get the entire Time for Love series for just .99¢ each!

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7 Months (Time for Love, book 7) By Bethany Lopez Contemporary Romance

 

7 MONTHS Synopsis:

Tough, dry-witted, and intelligent, Ming has worked her whole life to be a successful lawyer, great friend, and dutiful daughter. Her focus has been on her career, but now she's thirty-five, and the last of her friends to be single. Ming knows what she needs... A man who communicates, who won't be intimidated by her position, a partner. She knows this, but all she wants is him...

After working side by side with his brother, Brock for years, Brady has followed his dream and become a police officer. Protecting and serving comes naturally to him, it's what he was born to do, which is why he doesn't know what to do with a woman who doesn't need his strength and protection.

For 7 Months, Ming has accepted what Brady had to offer, secret nights of passion with no hope of a relationship,. But feelings have developed, and now she wants more. When Brady doesn't want things to change, Ming has to decide if being with the man she loves is worth sacrificing everything she wants.

 

Add 7 MONTHS to Goodreads

7Months_OUTNOW    

PURCHASE NOW - Release Week Sale - $.99

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    7 Months Teaser 4

  Series Sale

SERIES SALE!

Get each book in the Time for Love series for just .99¢ each! This sale ends TODAY!

8 Weeks (Time for Love, #1) | Amazon

21 Days (Time for Love, #2) | Amazon

42 Hours (Time for Love, #3) | Amazon

15 Minutes (Time for Love, #4) | Amazon

10 Years (Time for Love, #5) | Amazon

3 Seconds (Time for Love, #6) | Amazon

7 Months (Time for Love, #7) | Amazon

   

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

A1nt0F1SfnL._UX250_ Sign up for my Newsletter for more information about my writing: http://eepurl.com/Rcmrn Award-Winning Author Bethany Lopez began self-publishing in June 2011. She's a lover of all things romance: books, movies, music, and life, and she incorporates that into the books she writes. When she isn't reading or writing, she loves spending time with her husband and children, traveling whenever possible. Some of her favorite things are: Kristen Ashley Books, coffee in the morning, and In N Out burgers. Bethany Lopez is represented by Marisa Corvisiero of Corvisiero Literary Agency.
AUTHOR LINKS:
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