Dragon Bound (Elder Races Novels) [Mass Market Paperback]

This author was a guest blogger on Nalini Singhs website and after reading her teasers about this book, I decided to check out her website, and there she had 3 excerpts and even before I finished reading the 1st I knew I would be downloading this book (thank god for Kindle, which meant no waiting around 24 hours for a delivery)and could start to read it straight away.

I LOVE THIS début of this series. The book begins with our heroine Pia, whose slimy ex boyfriend has blackmailed her into stealing something precious from the Boss of all Boss the New York Wyrkind Dragos, who is a Dragon shape shifter (now usually at this point I may lose some of you who aren't into these shapeshifter fantasy paranormal books, but I urge you to stay with me) who has lived for thousands of years and in turn over those thousands of years has collected quite a hoard.

Pia's mother at all times,(whilst alive) advised her to protect her true self from others, but in a maudlin moment thinking she might be in love reveals a long held secret to said Slimy boyfriend (before she realises what a moron he is and dumps him,)and he uses this knowledge to get her to steal something so he can pay of his gambling debt and get in with some shady shadowy underworld figures who may or may not be trying to kill Dragos.

Suffice it to say that Dragos soon unearths the loss and goes after her, initially with vengeance in mind, and he can't help slowly becoming amused and then intrigued by this thief who leaves an apology note behind.

Pia isn't all she seems and despite Dragos, after listening to her side of things decides to forgive her, wants her to reveal all her secrets to him, and is less then happy when she declines to do so. Pia is a lovely 3 dimensional character, showing equal sides of her Scared/Feisty and vulnerable personality, but above all doesn't allow Dragos to dominate her to the extend that she loses herself. Dragos character had so many layer, part Lord of the manner, part petulant child when he doesn't get his own way, part cold blooded killer. but throughout you can see how he tries to reign in his more dominating side as he falls for Pia. Their banter is so sarcastic and funny that I had to smile and laugh throughout the book, not to mention that Dragos when allowing his temper to get the better of him, demolishes nearly everything including a perfectly good bedroom lol!

The background characters all come alive and have a part to play in this story, and I can't wait to read their stories too. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series of the Elder races, which will focus of Tiago one of Dragos Sentinel and Tricks who is an Elven Queen.

Some people may suggest the Nalini did it better with Raphael and Elena in the Guild hunter series, but the only parallels to draw to that book is that New York is ruled by 2 ruthless cold blooded gorgeous creature from another dimension and leave it at that.

Try the book, and I bet you'll be pleased,I was!

Dragos Cuelebre, Lord of the Wyrkind demesne, is an ancient dragon who takes on a human form. He has led all of the Wyrkind for centuries from his demesne based in New York. As founder and head of Cuelebre Enterprises, Dragos is very powerful, financially, politically and magically. He can be selfish, callous, possessive, territorial, wicked, cunning, and ruthless - and those are his kinder traits.

Then something happens that has never before been accomplished. Someone manages to locate his hidden horde and steals a small object. Finding the horde is a miracle in itself, but to somehow slip through all the magical wards and traps - and survive - should have been impossible. Worse, none of Dragos's wards ever warned him of an intruder. His bellow of rage shakes all of New York. He would find and tear the little thief to pieces.

Pia Giovanni's late mother had engraved the lessons into her mind. Pia was never to tell anyone about herself. She was to blend in with the humans. Stay under the radar and avoid scrutiny. Never tell anyone that she was half human and half something else. She was to live her life in secret. But her mother is dead and Pia did not want to be alone. She told one minor secret to her boyfriend, Keith, the man she once loved, while they had been tipsy. No lock can hold her. She can open any lock as if it was not there. Uttering that single fact marked the end of life as she knew it. Months after Pia broke up with him, Keith reappears and blackmails her into stealing an object, any object, from Dragos's secret horde. Pia takes a secret pleasure in retrieving a simple copper penny for Keith instead of anything valuable. Her conscience has her leaving another penny in its place, along with a short note of apology. Before handing the coin over to Keith, she returns the favor of blackmail. To get what Pia stole, Keith has to read a binding spell. Never again would Keith be able to use her or tell any of her secrets. When the Great Beast roars and all of New York trembles, Pia knows her theft has been noted. She must leave everything and everyone she cares for behind. There is no doubt that the massive dragon would find her. Dragos has never shown mercy. Her circumstances would not matter. He would find her. He would rend her to pieces. Pia can only run to dely the inevitable.

Pia makes it to Charleston, South Carolina. It is the seat of the Elven Court and the Wyr, especially their leader Dragos, cannot trespass without breaking all sorts of treaties. So Pia is standing on the beach, feeling safe and secure, at least for the moment, when a humongous dragon dives from the sky, morphing into the form of Dragos, as he pounces upon his prey - her. Stalling, Pia starts answering all of Dragos's questions while wondering when he would begin dishing out justice for her crime against him. Once she finishes explaining how and why she committed the theft, Pia is shocked to hear that Dragos is sparing her life. Of course, she will have to make recompense by serving him (at Cuelebre Enterprise) until he deems the debt is paid.

Upon catching his little thief, Dragos realizes that, for the first time in centuries, he is not bored. Pia constantly surprises him and he is eager for her to remain close. Until Dragos releases Pia, she is his! But getting her safely back to Cuelebre Tower in New York turns out to be a challenge. The Light Fae, goblins, the Dark Fae, and even the sadistic Dark Fae King, Urien Lorelle, stands in the way.

***** FIVE STARS! This is the first title of the Elder Races Series. My synopsis explains the main characters, what first brings them together, and some challenges they must overcome; however, it does not really do the story justice. All the obstacles I mention do not even cover the first half of this book. The second half is in New York, where the pair will face much more danger. Secondary characters (who play vital roles and who may have their own story in the future) have their backgrounds developed. In other words, I cannot name and/or describe the other people and events without more than tripling my review and possibly having spoilers. (I refuse to write spoilers!)

The author has (basically) kept the world as we know it today. Since it is familiar to me, I feel a connection with the story. It is believable to me. Other authors have done this. The "Sookie Stackhouse Series" is a good example and I feel that Harrison's world and characters are just as well done. Readers will find themselves hooked immediately and dread having to put the book down for even a brief time. I warn you not to being reading this story until you are sure that you have plenty of alone time. With this one story, the author has made a fan of me. Thea Harrison's writing is exceptional in every way. *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

I saw this book mentioned on Nalini Singh's blog so i decided to read the book and have to say it was great. Pia, our heroine, is half wyr and half human. What kind of wyr she is is a mystery and I am not spoiling it you need to read the book. Dragos is an ancient dragon, normally brutal but when it comes to Pia he mellows, slightly! He is charmed by her and she makes him laugh. Dragos on the other hand scares her (kind of as it does not stop her from saying the most irreverent things) but he also makes her feel warm and safe. If you like Nalini Singh and Alyssa Day, Shelly Laurenston etc then you will like this book and should give it a try. Personally I am running out of authors to read and this one is a nice addition.