Amber Kell - Dragon Men Series - Series Recap & Giveaway
Dragons. Scaled mythical beasts known for their powerful imagery across the ages. But what happens when those same beasts can transform into equally impressive men. The dukes, lords and religious icons of the planet Dragait are looking for their mates. Where can they find those lucky few who can match the passion and wonder of a shapeshifting dragon. In this series you discover what happens when a dragon finds something more valuable than gold to hoard.
Mate Hunt
Joriah Eprion didn't know what sort of trouble he could get into when his father sends him to another planet to find a mate. Barely making it into the spaceport he tumbles into a sizzling attraction to a man sitting at the spaceport then falls equally for another man at a bar. Unable to resist either man he sets up a confrontation between two of the most powerful men in the kingdom both who are vying for his hand. Will Jory survive their courtship or will he become a pawn between two men used to getting their own way.
Some m/m/m scenes.
Carra's Review
As an introduction to the series, Mate Hunt gives readers some hot, possessive alpha male dragonkin (dragon shifters) who are both drawn to the same man during their planet's mate hunt. The premise of the story and series is unique in that, while there are dragon shifters finding their mates it is taking place in a world that has a touch of sci-fi but with a modern-day feel. There are traditions within the dragonkin societies of the planet, some that those from other planets are aware of and others that have visitors-like Jory-scrambling to learn how to navigate this unique world.
The immediate attraction that we see is easily attributed to the idea of mates, a concept that I have no problem with at all in this setting of paranormal/fantasy-this is actually one of my guilty pleasure favorites. I do confess that while I felt the pull between Jory and Val, I didn't really feel the same about Jory and Rai, and the end result with the gap between Val and Rai did make me feel like their trinity was a bit unfinished.
But this is a good start to the series, and with a shot of drama thanks to part of Jory's family, Mate Hunt kept me immersed in the story and piqued my interest for the rest of the series. 3.5 stars for Mate Hunt, and I'd recommend this to M/M paranormal/dragon shifter romance fans 18+ for adult language and M/M sexual content.
Mate Test
When High Duke Torrance Zelan is sent to negotiate mineral rights he didn't know that his uncle had already offered Tor’s hand in marriage. Still broken-hearted from losing his lover two years before, Tor isn’t prepared for his attraction to the dragon king. King Naron knows it’s wrong to trick the handsome duke, but the temptation to test Tor for compatibility is too much to resist. Out of all the candidates Naron knows which sexy lord he wants warming his bed.
Carra's Review
In Mate Test, the author's creativity with the Dragon Men world starts to shine with the character of Tor and his bond to a space dragon (not to be confused with a mate). I really liked how Tor was able to adapt to his circumstances. And even though this story is short, we still get to see depth in Tor and Naron's characters. While the story is not long, it does pack a concentrated punch and helps sate my desire for a fated mate/instant attraction tale.
I loved Tor's character, and while the whole idea of a "mate test" for me wasn't a big draw, that took a backseat to the characters and their interactions with each other which for me is what drove the story. The relationship between Tor and Naron developed just as quickly as those in the first book, but I felt more of a connection between them as mates here in Mate Test.
This was a 4-star read for me, and though it's a bit shorter than the first book it felt like a more satisfying story. Still recommended for M/M fans 18+ for the adult language and M/M sexual content...and while readers who don't care for insta-love type matches (even with fated mates) may choose to pass this series up, for me this hit the spot perfectly.
Mate Dance
Heading to a bar after a dance performance, intergalactically famous dancer, Raven, ran into a little girl beside the dead body of her grandmother. His one good deed in helping out the little girl, his one good deed would leads him into the arms of a dragon prince. Raven soon learns that once a dragon claims its mate, it will keep him closer than gold.
Carra's Review
Now, even though for me the beginning of this third book in the Dragon Men series is a bit too much of an obvious setup, the execution of the rest of the story more than makes up for it.
Raven was fabulous. He's kind and compassionate, and I really liked how he fought for what Prince Kaemon's daughter wanted. Kaemon I was on the fence about for a lot of the book since it felt to me like he was a LOT more concentrated on Raven than on his own daughter. But then I can also see another side where since he never knew about his daughter and just met her that it would be hard for him to relate and warm up to her, whereas the pull of a fated mate is overwhelming.
But Raven actually smooths a lot of this disparity over for me thanks to his attentiveness to the young girl and his willingness to stand up to both the Prince and King for what he believes.
Mate Dance gets 3.75 stars from me, and is still for readers 18+ for adult language and M/M sexual content (mmm...yes, these stories do keep getting yummier...).
Mate Healer
Lian Blythorpe avoids entanglements. Scared by his parents’ violent ending he vows to keep things light between himself and any partner. His plans are abandoned when he meets Nevair Dragonfang, the religious leader for an entire planet. One glance into Nevair's intense gaze and Lian melts. It only takes one time before Lian finds himself captured by his sexy mate and can't imagine life without him. Unfortunately not everyone is pleased with their mating and one man's jealousy leads Lian to a trial by fire he might be able to survive.
Carra's Review
Okay, it's safe to say that Mate Healer is my favorite book in this series (so far). A huge chunk of the reason why? Lian. He is absolutely amazing. He's selfless, filled with compassion for others, bold, daring, and goes after what he wants. He's the kind of character that I wish I could find in every book I read because he comes across as just about perfect. Oh, and let me not forget to mention he has incredible healing powers.
Nevair is interesting in his own right as the religious leader of the planet, a man who has been saving himself until he finds his mate...and when he discovers Lian, he just can't control himself any longer. The fact that Lian is his first in every way makes everything between them exponentially hotter.
There's plenty of drama in Mate Healer, not only because of the situation regarding the falling fertility rates among the dragonkin, but also due to the tension that starts to come to the forefront once again from those narrow-minded people who are opposed to the dragonkin themselves. And when things start to get out of control, events come to a head with a lot of turmoil, emotions and excitement-trust me when I say there's just so much packed into this story to keep you glued to every page.
I loved the interactions between Lian and Nevair, especially with the way Lian is so totally accepting of the dragonkin and Nevair in his dragon form. Lian's attitude actually demonstrates quite well how dragonkin are really just like everyone else-no matter what form they are in.
Mate Healer was a 4.5-star read for me, and it makes me excited for more stories in the series. As with the other books in the Dragon Men series, this is for M/M fans 18+ for adult language and M/M sexual content.
Carra's thoughts on the series overall...
Each of these stories has its own special twist that keeps adding to the overall allure of the series. As for me? If Amber Kell keeps writing in this series, I can guarantee I'll keep reading. I love the concept, love the alpha dragonkin males and their wonderful mates, and love spending time in the world of these Dragon Men! This series is definitely a guilty pleasure for me with the whole true/fated mate aspect, and I find the more I read in this world, the more stories I want ;-)
Author Bio
Amber Kell has made a career out of daydreaming. It has been a lifelong habit she practices diligently as shown by her complete lack of focus on anything not related to her fantasy world building.When she told her husband what she wanted to do with her life, he told her to go have fun.
During those seconds she isn't writing, she remembers she has children who humor her with games of 'what if' and let her drag them to foreign lands to gather inspiration. Her youngest confided in her that he wants to write because he longs for a website and an author name—two things apparently necessary to be a proper writer.
Despite her husband's insistence she doesn't drink enough to be a true literary genius, she continues to spin stories of people falling happily in love and staying that way.
She is thwarted during the day by a traffic jam of cats on the stairway and a puppy who insists on walks, but she bravely perseveres.
Website: http://www.amberkell.com
E-mail: amberkellwrites@gmail.com
GIVEAWAY!
No comments:
Post a Comment