Review copy was received from Library. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Dragon Actually by G.A. Aiken Narrator: Hollie Jackson
Series: Dragon Kin #1
Published by Tantor Audio on September 27, 2016
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Length: 10 hours, 23 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
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It's not always easy being a female warrior with a nickname like Annwyl the Bloody. Men tend to either cower in fear - a lot - or else salute. It's true that Annwyl has a knack for decapitating legions of her ruthless brother's soldiers without pausing for breath. But just once it would be nice to be able to really talk to a man, the way, she can talk to Fearghus the Destroyer.
Too bad that Fearghus is a dragon, of the large, scaly and deadly type. With him, Annwyl feels safe - a far cry from the feelings aroused by the hard-bodied, arrogant knight Fearghus has arranged to help train her for battle. With her days spent fighting a man who fill her with fierce, heady desire, and her nights spent in the company of a magical creature who could smite a village just by exhaling, Annwyl is sure life couldn't get any stranger. She's wrong...
A female warrior gets a new lease on life courtesy of a reclusive, cranky dragon who finds the feisty hothead a breath of fresh air in his cave. GA Aiken’s dragon romance series was equal parts funny and spicy.
Dragon Actually introduces two stories in one volume, both set in a fantasy world of magic and myth. Annwyl, the Blood and Fearghus, the Destroyer are introduced along with the world of the series and the second story takes a step back in time to share the tale of Fearghus’ parents.
In Dragon Actually, the warrioress, Annwyl is trapped alone against a crowd of her sadistic brother’s soldiers and is near death until a black dragon comes out of his cave to dispatch the last of the attackers. Annwyl passes out from her wounds, but dreams of a dark, handsome man coming to her rescue. Fearghus is captivated by the temperamental human and, for the first time in his life wants to help.   Annwyl thinks a mysterious lethal knight is sent by Fearghus to teach her to fight while he curls up with her as dragon at night, Annwyl is confused about the two males and her feelings.
It was bantering, spicy hot, and reminded me what I love about light paranormal romance.
The follow up novella, Chains and Flames, about Fearghus’ parents, Rhiannon and Bercelak. In Dragon Actually, they are the parents. She’s something of a tartar and he’s an ultra alpha type. This brings it back to where this pair began. She’s a proud princess and he, the commoner her parents arrange for her. Rhiannon learns to submit to a masterful male who doesn’t break her spirit in a class difference spicy hot fantasy world paranormal romance.
I had a good time with both stories, but particularly Dragon Actually. Nothing huge happens until the second half and they banter their way through from friends to lovers. It was a surface read that doesn’t dig deep. The story doesn’t pretend to be more than it is and hit the spot for spicy entertainment.
All in all, I enjoyed what I got. I’m not in a rush to press forward with the series immediately, but I liked it well enough to definitely come back for more. Recommend to light paranormal romance fans.
Narration:
Hollie Jackson is a narrator I’m already familiar with and I liked the way she voiced the story and the characters. She caught the tone and did the humor and the steamy well.
Listen to a clip: HERE
As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing.Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many wonderful books, authors, and narrators.Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance.Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.
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Great review. I’m so glad you tried this series. I really love revisiting it. As you said it “doesn’t pretend to be more than it is and hit the spot for spicy entertainment.” I enjoying reading, but I think I enjoy the audio more. Fun banter.
I’m going to get to the rest on audio through the library now that I read the one lone book I had on my shelf. They are great fun.
I’ve read some of this authors books and really liked them.
They are perfect when you want light and easy. 🙂
Glad to hear that this worked out great and doesn’t overdo it too. Is there a level of spiciness that makes you DNF books or are you all in for whatever the author has to offer as long as it’s done right? Thanks for sharing, Sophia! 😀
Thanks, Lashaan!
I don’t DNF too often and mostly DNF for sex scenes if they are really badly written or are the only thing happening with no plot (character or relationship development). I’ve read some darker ones and some kinky ones at times and appreciated them for what they were. Lately, I haven’t been in the mood for lots of spice in stories so I lean away from too much heat. Great question! 🙂
Haven’t heard of this author but I think I’ve listened to Hollie Jackson. Must check this out. Sounds like a fun paranormal romance!
I think she’s also Shelly Laurenston. These were pretty funny and good light entertainment. 🙂
I’ve read both of these and quite enjoyed Dragon Actually. It was a fun, steamy romance. 😀
Oh yeah, a good time was had by all. 🙂
This sounds good Sophia and heck you had me at Dragons.
Haha, I’m the same, Kimberly!
Maybeeee. I’ve read two dragon books this year and they both were DNFs. I need a good one!
Oh no… this is light and comedy so it will be for when you’re in the mood for it. 🙂