ARC Review: Dragon Lost (Dark Kings #16.5)

Dragon Lost (Dark Kings #16.5)

by Donna Grant

Blurb:

Destinies can’t be ignored. No one knows that better than Annita. For as long as she can remember, it's been foretold she would find a dragon. A real-life dragon. She’s beginning to think it was all some kind of mistake until she’s swimming in one of 
the many caves around the island and discovers none other than a dragon. There is no fear as she approaches, utterly transfixed at the sight of the creature. Then he shifts into the shape of a thoroughly gorgeous man who spears her with bright blue eyes. In that instant, she knows her destiny has arrived. And the dragon holds the key to everything.

All Royden wanted was to find an item his brother buried when they were children. It was supposed to be a quick and simple trip, but he should’ve known nothing would be easy with enemies like the Dragon Kings have. Royden has no choice but to trust the beguiling woman who tempts him like no other. And in doing so, they unleash a love so strong, so pure that nothing can hold it back.

Themes:  Paranormal, Dragon-Shifters, Fae

Rating:  4 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

Damn, that story was so not long enough. This series has gotten really intense as it moved on and it was nice to see a simple story where the focus was on the couple falling in love and the passion between them.  Donna Grant’s magic with romance and skill with story-telling shines even in this simple story, but I really do wish it had been longer, because Royden and Annita were interesting characters I would have liked to see more of. Annita has known her whole life she was destined to meet a Dragon, though what that really means for her future and in the long run is a mystery to her. She has lived her entire life on her family’s estate in Crete, awaiting her destiny and wondering how her life would change, until one day it happens in the most surprising of places and ways.  Annita’s always been pulled to the underwater caves below her family’s island estate, but one day the pull is truly undeniable and she walks into the dark only to come face to face—if only for a single second—with a huge dragon, until suddenly he’s replaced by the sexiest man she has ever met. Royden has returned to his old stomping grounds searching for a family heirloom lost for millennia hoping to reconnect with his dragons and family.  When Annita stumbles across him in dragon form, resting in his family caves, he is totally surprised by her acceptance of him and her story of her destined fate to meet a dragon. I loved getting to meet these two and see them find love, the sweetness of their emotional connection not cluttered by the danger and drama of recent stories in the series and see the simplicity of their deep connection. Royden was a sexy beast with a lot of emotions to work through and internal turmoil that Annita was able to help him come to terms with as they fell in love deeply and quickly.  Annita was a sweet and simple woman.  She showed her courage and strength in many ways as well as in how she pushed and pushed to make Royden accept her presence and explain his truth to her, so they could have a chance to learn about one another and have a future together.  The passion that flared as they accepted their fated love was hot enough to heat the ocean around them as they frolicked, while the depth of their connection shows that sometimes the length of time you know someone doesn’t mean anything to the strength of the love that develops. I am dying to know what comes next in this world and find out more about Rhi and her King in coming stories.  I understand that this main arc is ending in two more stories (OMG I am DYING for Con’s story) but that the series will continue with more Kings finding their mates and possibly another new arc beginning.  Donna Grant will always be one of the Queens of Paranormal Romance for me and will remain one of my favorite authors, earning herself a place on my shelves and in my heart. Another masterwork of love, despite my wish for it being longer for my personal enjoyment. ;)

*eARC provided by author for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.