Blurb:
Since she was a child, Chloe has endured horrible nightmares about a Native American prince living in a time long forgotten. She never understood why, until she finds a stone that matches the one in her dreams. It has unimaginable powers, powers Chloe doesn’t understand. Fueled by memories of someone else’s past, she sets off on a wild quest for the stone’s birth place, hoping to also find answers to her foreboding dreams.
On the outside, Mason Green looks like a hard working, self-made millionaire, with too busy a life for romance. Very few people know the real reason for his self-imposed seclusion. It’s safer that way. But when a sexy historian shows him a supernatural stone from a forgotten tribe, Mason is intrigued - maybe the relic is the salvation he’s been waiting for. Ignoring the irrational attraction that threatens to crack the cask around his heart, Mason agrees to help Chloe.
As their wild quest becomes a dangerous mission, they must find the relic’s birthplace before Mason’s past catches up to them.
Review:
Chloe has just aquired her dream job: working at the Smithsonian Instutite in Washington, D.C. When she stumbles across a stone with Native American markings as she's archiving items, she's amazed to see it light up at her touch. Deciding she needs to find the mystical land of Manataka, she travels to Arkansas and hires a guide - Mason Green.
Mason is Native American with a huge chip on his shoulder. He takes the job with one purpose: to take the Tula stone and end his curse of immortality. The guilt and shame he bears from his life 200 years ago is too much and life has become meaningless over so much time. Then Chloe marches into his life and becomes his "little tornado" as they search for Manataka.
This is a great read. There were a few plot holes but nothing that ruined the story. It was full of steamy sex scenes and, I have to say, Phoenix is one of my favorite fighting-scene writers. I had figured out who the villian was, but was still surprised by his second ("real") identity.
The characters were my favorite part of the story. Mason is a character you hate to love, and Chloe is just so damn sweet you can't help but empathize with her. Watching them fall in love was too much fun.
This is the second book by Phoenix I've read and I am so impressed by the lore and worlds she creates. I envy her imagination. I hope she turns Manataka into a series!
Rated 4.5 Zs
Blurb:
Zoricah, the draconian demigoddess, has limited time to uncover a series of killings before one of her own meets the same fate. Determined not to let that happen, Zoricah has no other choice but to ask for the help of her race’s archenemy.
Tardieh, the Vampire King, has long learnt not to trust the Dragons but when the flames of passion ignite between him and Zoricah, he finds himself torn between overwhelming sexual heat and his centuries-old distrust.
Together they have to overcome their own prejudices before it is too late for their races and their love.
Review:
Wow! Talk about hot! And I'm not just talking about the dragon fire!
Zoricah, demigoddess, leader of the dracos, is on a mission to stop the maniac who is abducting and killing women of all kinds - draco and vampires alike. In her efforts, she tracks down Tardieh, king of the vampires, to enlist his help. Two hundred years ago, she saved his life, and she's banking on that debt, but dracos and vampires are sworn enemies, and he harbors suspicions that Zoricah is the one behind his father's murder.
Miscommunications aside, they unite to save draco Drew's twin sister. When they find her, Deirdre is pregnant with some hybrid being that is slowly killing her, just as the other women were before they died from the monster inside of them.
The two join forces with their small groups of elite fighters and track down the man responsible. At least, they think they do. The tension between the two groups is believable and suspenseful. It adds a dynamic that really enhances the story.
This book was fantastic. The romance was steamy, the story was gripping, and the whole thing was bursting at the seams with creativity. I have to admit, I was worried when I saw there was a short glossary at the beginning of the story. But Ms. Phoenix is wonderful at inserting short explanations in with the made-up words so I never once had to look back at the glossary. And her lore is amazing. She has created a world where I would definitely like to live!!
There are surprises at every turn in this book, and it will keep you wanting more. Including the cliff-hanger epilogue!
I'm giving this book 5 Zs. I'm certain you will enjoy it as much as I did!
