Friday, June 12, 2015

Waking the Dragon by Juliette Cross w Giveaway!




Waking the Dragon
Vale of Stars
Book One
Juliette Cross
Genre: Urban Fantasy Romance
Publisher: Kensington Publishing
Date of Publication:  June 9, 2015
ISBN: 978-161650723-7
ASIN: B00ONTR98A
Number of pages: 288
Cover Artist: Valerie Tibbs
Book Description:
The Gladium Province is on the verge of civil unrest as humans and Morgons, the dragon-hybrid race, clash once more. But amid disorder can also arise passion…
When the bodies of three human women are discovered in Morgon territory—with the DNA of several Morgon men on the victims—it’s just a matter of time before civil unrest hits the Province. But for ambitious reporter Moira Cade, it’s more than just a story, and it may mean risking her own life.
Descending into the dark underworld of Morgon society, Moira is paired with Kol Moonring, Captain of the Morgon Guard, for her protection. Fiercely independent, Moira bristles at his dominance, and defies his will at every turn. Yet resistance proves futile when passion flares between them, awakening powerful emotions within both, body and soul. But as the killings continue, can their fiery newfound bond survive an even greater evil—one that threatens all of humanity, Morgonkind, and Moira’s very soul?...
Available at    Amazon   BN   Kobo   Kensington
Excerpt: Prologue
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
The beautiful blonde froze.
Silence.
She peered down the darkened corridor of the cellar beneath the Vaengar Stadium. No one.
The Morgon with black hair and black eyes at the bar had told her the restroom was this way. The only sound was the wafting crackle of the torches. The only sight was long shadows cast by flickering flame. An eerie tendril of fear snaked up her spine. Even half-drunk, something primitive warned her of danger, like the innate foreboding a deer senses when the tiger stalks unseen from the trees.
She shook it off, flipped her long hair over one shoulder, and walked on, knowing the restroom must be just around the bend up ahead.
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
She stopped again and spun around, unable to tell from which direction the sound came.
“Bennett? Is that you?” A hollow echo of her voice reverberated down the empty corridor. “Stop it! You’re scaring me.” The last came out a faint whisper. A presence—corporeal, malevolent, and drawing closer—plunged her into icy fear. Her pulse quickened. A hiss of wind pressed the thin fabric of her mini-dress to her thighs. The flame on the wall guttered to nothing, then relit anew.
Tick.
Tick.
Directly behind her. She whirled and stared up at a massive Morgon man who stood only feet away. A behemoth silhouetted by the flambeau. His pointed wings, half-open and huge, kept the rest of him in shadow, as if the light itself repelled him. She could see nothing but his eyes—amber orbs with serpentine slits, bright as the torch-flame. Her breath hitched in her throat. She fell back against cold stone, scraping her bare shoulders against the rough cavern wall.
He passed near a sconce, the light illuminating hard, angular planes, the ancestral lines of the dragon sculpting his face in stark relief—more beast than man. Her heart thrashed against her ribcage.
“I—I lost my way, I think. I should go.” She gestured in the direction she had come, inching along the wall.
He moved with lethal grace, angling closer in slow, even steps.
Tick.
Her gaze dropped to his large hand. Claw-tipped fingers spread wide, the sharp nail of the index tapping the stone. She bolted left, only to find a wall of six Morgon men blocking her exit. They’d materialized out of the shadows in silent stealth. Unmoving, watching. Backing against the wall, she swiveled her head from those blocking her path to their master stalking closer.
“What—what do you want from me?” Her voice cracked, primal fear ripping through her gut.
By now, she’d reached the pinnacle of terror, petrified in place. Tangible evil seeped into her skin as the sinister creature loomed, enveloping her in his shadow. Something screamed for her to run, while a compelling power rolling from the beast kept her pinned in place. It was as if his very presence demanded obedience, subservience.
The beast braced one arm next to her head, her panic filling up the confines of their space. He inhaled a deep breath, drinking her fear in like the sweetest nectar.
“Will she serve, my lord?” A voice of authority from one of the Morgons in shadow—sultry but edged like a razor.
Her chest rose and fell, drawing the beast’s gaze. He leaned closer, trailing one claw lightly over her swelling breasts. Viper-swift, he clamped her mouth with his other hand, stifling her screams, and continued his exploration of her naked skin with the blade-like nail. Her rapid pulse beat frantically at the base of her neck.
“Perhaps.” One word, grating and broken. The voice of a monster.
He snaked his claw across the bottom of her throat, then down the line of her cleavage, pressing just enough to scrape the skin, a thin line of red rushing to the surface. Keeping her immobile with his crushing weight, he scraped a drop of blood from her breasts. He opened his mouth, revealing a row of sharpened teeth, the canines most prominent. Reeking of menace and power, he licked the tip of his claw.
“Perhaps.”
His voice fell to a raspy whisper. A rumbling growl rattled her bones. A flash of flame and shadow and all was black.



My Review
I am already a majorly hug fan of Ms Cross. I love her writing. I also will tell you that the prequel series that leads to this book, Soulfire and Windburn, are awesome and though not even necessary to read first- you'll enjoy this one more if you do. Now with that said..: "dat was some damn goodness der!!" Yeah yeah my accent comes  out when I get excited- and the very thing of this whole novel makes me over the top excited! Oh yeah! This might be one of the best books- if not the best- written by Ms Cross. And I love me some Jude, he's seriously hawt! But these Morgon men, I'm drooling and walking around chasing my tail for them!! And this one pits the little sister of our famous Jess with the scary dominant Kol who has some serious tendencies that while blow your socks off :) oh and before I forget- I LOVED seeing Jess, Sorscha, Lucian and Lorian!! 

Moira might come from money and a wealthy background but she'll never let you see it. After everything her father did to her did Jess, and their family, Moira cut herself off. Sure, she visits and says hello but she won't touch his money and she will not be controlled or turned into a headless woman. She never forgot how her family treated her sister so she makes sure she is dependent on no one but herself. And she wants a name for herself. She's a reporter. Or trying to be  a good one. In college and the head writer for her college paper, she knows if she gets the story on the new serial killer going around, it'll be her big break. She was not prepared for the consequences of her actions . None of them. Becoming a hunted prey, the wanted woman for the scary Kol, the brave woman to help prevent more murders. She's hilarious and strong and had a great little snarky attitude. I loved her. And she at least asked for help from her Morgon men family members with this story on the murders. 

Kol is captain of  he Morgan guard. He's intense. He's flipping gorgeous. And he loves to push Moira's buttons. Oh yeah he's got a thing for her but she's human and he does really like humans. He's your broken beautiful bad boy every girl wants if you're not terrified of him lol! And he has the most hilarious come backs and zingers for Moira and her attitude. He is a special character. And though I finally understand his family and all that drama I'm excited to learn more about him and his sister Valla and brother Kieran. 

I loved the plot. Really is he really still alive!!! Why can't he just die horribly lol yes I'm still asking that! This is a fascinating mystery surrounding dragon myth and lore and I loved the building of suspense. I mean it was intense midway through but wait til you get to the last 20%- my jaw is still a little sore. And there's not a happy time for all- there's loss and I'm heartbroken for them. And the little twists of ladies being the scary part is freaking awesome!!

With all this goodness said- what the hell are you waiting for? Everything this author writes is absolutely amazing. She makes magic happen with words. I am a life long fan and her books are all must haves! And I'm so excited to know who the next book in the series will be about! :) see it totally pays to be a stalker hahaha or on the lovely author's street team! 5 MAGNIFICENT DRAGON PAWS!!!




About the Author:
Juliette calls lush, moss-laden Louisiana home where the landscape curls into her imagination, creating mystical settings for her stories. She has a B.A. in creative writing from Louisiana State University, a M.Ed. in gifted education, and was privileged to study under the award-winning author Ernest J. Gaines in grad school. Her love of mythology, legends, and art serve as constant inspiration for her works. From the moment she read JANE EYRE as a teenager, she fell in love with the Gothic romance--brooding characters, mysterious settings, persevering heroines, and dark, sexy heroes. Even then, she not only longed to read more novels set in Gothic worlds, she wanted to create her own.
Juliette is a multi-published author, including her Nightwing series with Kensington Publishing and The Vessel Trilogy with Samhain Publishing.







Tour giveaway

$20 Amazon GC
2 bundles of Soulfire and Windburn, books 1 and 2 in the Nightwing Series
a Rafflecopter giveaway


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