ARC Review: Fever (Dark Kings #16)

Fever (Dark Kings #16)

by Donna Grant

Blurb:

His kiss was fire and passion. She shivered, wondering how he knew just how to touch her, to send her spiraling into an abyss of pleasure…

For centuries, the Dragon Kings have lived among mortals, forsaking their true selves. But for Kelton, hiding in the realm of shadows—and existing only in the world of dreams—is no longer an option. A human woman claims to know that he, like other dark warriors of his kind, is real. That the legends about these powerful, seductive men with hearts ablaze are true. And that, with just one embrace, Kelton could destroy her…or love her until the end of time.

Bernadette Davies is an anthropologist who knows better than to fall into the arms of a Dragon King. But how can she resist Kelton when he’s so willing to share his secrets and bear his soul? He hasn’t met a beautiful, trustworthy woman like Bernadette in…forever. But once they give into their mutual desire, their worlds will never be the same. Soon Bernadette must face her dilemma: Should she expose the truth about Kelton in the name of science? Or join him in his battle with the dark forces—in the name of love?

Themes: Dragon Shifters, Fae, Paranormal

Rating:  4.75 stars

Heat Rating:  

Review:

 The long-awaited battle has arrived, and we will finally find out just who will fight and what side all of the power players will end up on…and the ultimate question of who will come out of it intact. I have been looking forward to this story for a long time, not only for the sake of another Dragon King finding love with his mate, but because we knew that it was truly time that Rhi come out her shell and take control of her destiny. We have watched her evolve and change into the powerhouse she has become, and we always knew it was her destiny to make a great change in the world and this is her time. That being said this story really did revolve around the love between Kelton and Bernadette, despite both of them resisting the pull between them from the very beginning. Donna Grant has the ability to take readers on an amazing journey through the supernatural world of shifter and Fae while still keeping the most fundamental of truths at the heart of her story, Love conquers all. I was a bit surprised at the ending and am dying to see where she will be taking the series now that so much has changed and, of course, we are all still dying to know the secret she has kept from the very beginning of the introduction of this series—the name of the King that stole Rhi’s heart.  If you are looking for drama, danger, magic, and heart you won’t be steered wrong with Fever and you will instantly be enchanted by Bernadette and her King’s love and devotion.

Bernadette is an anthropologist who has devoted her career to understanding the cultures around her and when she discovers the existence of not only the Fae but also Dragons in the world, she is determined to bring that to the public, despite the naysayers and obvious dangers.  When she finally finds the courage to make a public announcement, she knows she will be approached, but she is not prepared for the sexy dragon-shifter that enters her life. Kelton has been sent as a representative of the Kings to find out just what evidence Bernadette has, but he never expected to not only like the lass but to feel an instant connection to her. After speaking with him, Bernadette is determined to find the truth and knows the only way is to go directly to the source, despite the danger of traveling to Dreagan, and when she shows up on their doorstep, she knows her life will change forever.  Kelton never imagined she would show up at Dreagan, but once she is in their home, he’s not really sure he wants to let her go.  Soon they find themselves embroiled in a drama orchestrated by their enemy that puts Bernadette right on the front lines and only Kelton can keep her safe, but together they have to decide if they are willing to risk everything, including their hearts in order to defeat their greatest enemy and bring peace to the Kings.

I really loved getting to know Kelton and Bernadette and seeing them falling in love despite all the obstacles in their way and their own personal resistance to their fate.  Kelton was one of the few Kings that was happy about the spell that kept them from falling in love for millennia and he is determined that he does not find a mate now, despite his draw to her from the beginning.  His heart is obviously in the right place as he befriends Bernadette and tries to keep her safe from their enemies, but once their relationship becomes deeper his denial and resistance made me angry and want to punch him a few times. I understand the fear he was dealing with, but dang I want him to man—errr, Dragon up – and take his mate and keep her truly safe. Bernadette on the other hand was a woman after my heart.  While she was an unwitting pawn of an evil bitch to be sure for a good bit of the story, once she learned of her role, she came out of that pretty quick and found her spine. She was a smart lady to be sure, but she leads with her heart from the very beginning and when she starts to doubt her source of information, she doesn’t hesitate to jump into the deep end to try to find the truth.  She is the perfect match for Kelton’s stubbornness too and there is no doubt they were made for one another, and as they get deeper and deeper into their battle for their lives their connection shows Bernadette the fighter she truly is as she fights for both of their lives and a chance at a future together.

Fever is definitely a culmination of a long-time arc that so many of us have been dying for, an ultimate battle, and the ending of an era, but there are still so many battles left to fight and I cannot wait for more in this series.  Kelton and Bernadette’s love story takes us on a journey through the challenges of deciphering truth from lies and finding a way to embrace the love and trust that is offered at face value and the deep connections that can develop in a heartbeat. Kelton is a sexy beast of a Dragon King, even when he is being an ass and fighting his instincts and heart.  He stands for his friends and the world, working with the other Kings to keep the world safe from danger, but his main goal is to keep Bernadette safe, despite denying she is his mate.  Bernadette never imagined she would fall for a Dragon King, but once she meets Kelton there is no denying that he is the man for her.  I loved seeing her come to her womanly power and prove to herself that she is a match for Kelton in every way including her stubbornness and the power of her love.  Together they set the world on fire from the beginning even though they both pretend that their fling can have no future.  I am dying to see what comes next and find out where Donna takes this amazing story of love and magic.  The Dragon Kings and the other players in their world just keep getting more and more interesting and I honestly never know what might happen next.  I will say that if Ms. Grant doesn’t tell us soon who Rhi’s King is, I just might lose it, but I think most of us long-time fans feel the same way and truly believe that she secretly enjoys torturing us with that secret a little too much.  Another masterpiece of magic, mayhem, and love and I am so thrilled to have had to the chance to read and enjoy Fever.

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