I am a huge fan of the
stories created by Ella J Phoenix and was eager enough to read VAMPIRE LEGACY,
book four in the Dragon Heat series but honored when Ella asked me to copy edit
it as well. We didn’t agree on everything but in the end, the result was her
amazing story with a bit more polish, which I’m proud to have provided. Do check out the excerpt.
***although
I was involved in the editing, this story belongs completely to Ella, and when
she provided a final eARC, it is in exchange for an honest and unscripted
review. Wearing my reviewer hat here so other than mentioning that I found a
few unrejected errors, I’m not going to discuss her writing.
Blurb for VAMPIRE LEGACY:
When Tardieh discovers a letter from his late
father, he opens a door to old memories. The letter from Petran is a tale of
intrigue, attempted murder, and betrayal, but leaves more questions than
answers in its wake.
Petran, the King of Vampires, an ancient monarch
known for his cunning ploys and many lovers, knows the animosity between
draconians and vampires is brewing in Romania. Upon discovering his draconian
neighbor has fallen ill with a strange Curse, Petran is determined to discover
the cause, and a cure. In doing so, he finds an unexpected ally in his
neighbor’s daughter, a striking Draconian Duchess.
All Lady Natalia, the Duchess of Moldavia wants
is to save her people from a Dragon Lord’s tyranny but she’s only a woman, who
has no place meddling in politics. With his health failing, her father has big
plans for her, so when the King of Vampires agrees to help her find a cure for
the Curse plaguing her people and her father, Talia begins to see him as more
than an old family friend. He awakens desires in her she knows she should not
have but cannot resist, or deny him.
***Warning: this novel contains hot, steamy, descriptive
sexual scenes. Enjoy***
There’s
always been tension between the vampires and the draconians throughout the
centuries but it doesn’t mean friendships can’t be cultivated between some.
Petran, the King of Vampires and Somenski, his neighboring draconian Lord have
such a friendship so when Petran hears his old fire-breathing friend is nearing
death’s door, he travels to visit the old dragon. Upon arriving, he is greeted
by devastating sickness, a Curse as the draconians have taken to calling it,
and a beautiful red-haired Duchess who sparks more than a passing interest in
him.
Talia has
been away in London at school but upon returning, she discovers some unknown
disease is systematically killing off her people, and now her father has fallen
ill as well. Life for her is turning in a fashion, which she cannot control, her father
is dying, he wants to marry her off to the ruthless Lord Kalaur, and her loyalty
to the rebel, Ivan Milek puts her life in danger if discovered. The King of
Vampires is a man she should avoid but his offer to help her, his discovery of
her connection to the rebels and willingness to keep silent, as well as her increasing desire for him, turns her life upside even
more.
If you’ve
read any of this amazing series, you know there was a strained relationship
between Tardieh, the modern King of the Vampires and his father, the
assassinated King of the Vampires. This is the story of what led up to Tardieh
being taken captive and tortured by the devilish, Vrajitor before Zoricah
rescued him and returned him to his castle where he discovered his father and
family had been murdered. This is the story of Petran’s -- Tardieh’s father.
VAMPIRE
LEGACY by Ella J Phoenix is action-packed, intrigue driven, and holds more
twists and turns than the most thrilling roller coaster. I’m not going to give
you any more than I have because this one has to be read to be experienced.
There are many questions along the way, but so many answers as well, and then
Ella leaves us with yet another mystery to carry us over into the next book. No
worry, just as in the first three books, we get our happy ending.
I highly recommend
VAMPIRE LEGACY, book four in the Dragon Heat series by Ella J Phoenix because
it’s a riveting tale of paranormal adventure mixing old world with new, and it
takes the reader on a page-turning journey that ends in a way you would never
expect. If you haven’t read this series, I highly recommend you start at the
beginning with DRAGON HEAT but if you love paranormal romance, this series is
for you.
Happy
Reading Everyone!
Excerpt from VAMPIRE LEGACY:
From the corner of his eye, he saw a slight
change in Natalia’s posture. While the two dracos discussed what she should or
should not do in preparation for her new life, Natalia kept quiet as tradition
dictated, but Petran could sense her turmoil inside. Her eyes searched, her
fingers twitched. It was clear that she was enjoying the conversation as much
as he was.
Slowly, a plan formed in his head.
He had to protect his territory at all costs. If
the marriage between the two draconian families brought them as one, Kalaur
would have free passage to Petran’s lands, and that was too dangerous even to
contemplate. No, he needed to stop the marriage, and there were only two means
of doing so—finding another, equally profitable prospect for Kalaur, or making
the lovely Natalia unfit for matrimony of high class. The latter seemed a much
more attractive option. And why not? Deflowering such a beautiful rose was
hardly a sacrifice in Petran’s mind. If any rumors of promiscuity would reach
the ton, her future as Duchess of Cossack would be dismissed like a serf
begging for money. Kalaur valued his reputation too much to jeopardize it with
a disgraced bride. Poor Somenski would suffer the blow, of course, but there
was little Petran could do to prevent that misfortune. He was fond of the old
dragon, but not enough to risk his country for him. After all, losing a good
neighbor was nothing compared to losing a crown.
“So, I’ll see you at the Open Games, Petran.”
Kalaur’s words brought him back from his
machinations. “Yes, you certainly will,” he replied promptly. “Your opening
ceremony has cost me a small fortune already.”
“How so?”
“My wife, Hillia, believes it is a fair reason
to buy the entire dress collection from every single couture master in Paris,”
Petran replied not bothering to feign his disgust. Then he turned his attention
to his new target. “Are you planning on attending the games, milady?”
“I’d love to but I’m afraid my father won’t be
fit enough to travel by then,” she replied softly.
“Nonsense,” her father grunted in disapproval.
“I want you to go and enjoy your time there. This may be your last Open Games
as a Somenski.”
“So may the Gods in Apa Sâmbetei allow you to be
fit enough to go as well, old friend,” Petran added. “If Kalaur’s magician is
as good as he claims, the cure is within reach.”
“Of course, he is as good as I claim him to be,”
Kalaur barked, but didn’t explore Petran’s bait any further. “And I plan to
officially announce the engagement at the closing ball, so you better be there
Somenski.”
“I haven’t made up my mind yet,” Somenski
replied. “I’m still considering your proposal, Kalaur. Don’t push me.”
“Fine but for once, my neighbor, time is not our
friend.” Kalaur stood up and started making his way back to the balcony. “I
must go now. Those godforsaken outlaws are driving my militia mad.”
“Are you still having trouble with the rebels?”
Petran asked in a nonchalant manner, but he knew very well, Kalaur and his
so-called invincible dragons were taking a beating.
“Not for long,” the draco grunted in reply.
“They’ll soon feel what it really means to oppose their Lord.”
Petran nodded in acknowledgement and watched
Kalaur step out of the balcony and jump. After a heartbeat, a large black
dragon emerged from the shadows and disappeared into the waterfall.
“I thought dragons weren’t allowed to shift at
whim anymore,” Petran stated with a blank face. “Shouldn’t he have asked your
permission first, Somenski, since he’s in your lands?”
Somenski threw his head back and let out a loud
laugh. Yes, of course it had been a joke, just like Kalaur’s reign.
“Kalaur’s laws apply to anyone but him,” Natalia
muttered quietly.
So she does have a mind of her own. Interesting.
“Oh, my Talia, you won’t be doing me any favors
by antagonizing Kalaur,” Somenski warned softly. “He may be my only chance for
a cure.”
“I pray for Apa Dobrý every night, father,”
Natalia replied. “They wouldn’t be so cruel to strand you this way.”
For a moment, Petran let himself admire the good
daughter Natalia had become, and a hint of envy unsettled his heart. If only
his own son was as compliant as she was. Tardieh refused to learn, to abide by
Petran’s instructions. He was as indifferent to the rules as the rebels who
ransacked the draconian states.
“Well, old sod, I too must be on my way,” Petran
said standing up. “I don’t have rebels to deal with but I must find shelter for
myself and my kind before sunrise.”
“Nonsense,” Somenski bellowed, then coughed
furiously. When it subsided, he carried on. “You will spend the day here. I
have enough dark rooms in this castle and Talia has already arranged proper
accommodations for you and your entourage. I will not take no for an answer.”
Petran was counting on that. “If that is your
will, your lordship,” he replied bowing low in friendly mockery. “I will not
refuse.”
Somenski let out another loud laugh, and this
time he managed to hold off the coughing fit. “You dare mock me in my own
house, you blood sucking fool!”
“Of course, where else would I do it?” he
replied with an impish shrug.
More laughter reverberated in the room and
Petran’s was in the mix. His gaze met Lady Natalia’s for a fleeting moment. A
shy smile lifted the corner of her cheeks. By Apa Dobrý, she was truly
beautiful. He definitely understood why Kalaur was rushing to take her as his
wife. But now Petran was in the race, and judging by the way her grey eyes
gazed at him, Kalaur had a serious contender against him.
About the Author:
from Ella...
I was just
nine years old when I discovered my passion for the paranormal world. That
passion led me to a bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts where I had my first
taste in writing, conjuring children’s plays and re-writing Shakespearean
masterpieces to suit the modern times (Yes, he’s still cringing in his grave).
After years
travelling around the world, translating other people’s novels and devouring
paranormal romances, I realized the real world wasn’t fun without a touch of
magic, and decided to purge my own crazy stories into paper, well, into word
doc, to be more precise.
My busy
life with a demanding full time job and a very loving husband (I’m so not
complaining!) doesn’t allow me much spare time, but somehow every night I find
myself in front of the computer, exorcising the millions of stories stored in
my sanity-challenged mind.
My novels
are tales of love and passion between strong female leads and hot heroes,
bathed in paranormal magic, of course.
I live in
Sydney, Australia, the land of koalas (which are not bears), kangaroos (which
are not boxing champions) and Vegemite (a black spread that should have never
been invented. Seriously, don’t try it).
If you
want to know what I’m up to, just look for me on Facebook and Twitter.
***click on links above or cover below for purchasing information, remember even pennies per sale using my links help keep this blog alive. Thank You.
DRAGON HEAT – book one
VAMPIRE THIRST – book two
WOLF HUNGER – book three
