Wounded, with a target still on his back, Kieren Moonring has been hiding in the last place his Morgon enemies might find him—the Sisterhood of Light. In the human convent on the southern shores of Primus, his body heals quickly, but his soul is broken. Bitterness and fury fill that gaping chasm that was opened by the evil Larkosians. While Sister Liana tends to the recovering Morgon man hiding … man hiding in their convent, she can’t stop or disguise her growing attraction. What disturbs her more is when he begins to uncover her past that is best kept buried. Her secrets will only lead to more danger for herself…and for Kieren.
What angers him most about Liana is her unwavering belief that hope can cure the world. Her naïve and misguided ideals will get her killed. And when she becomes the next target…bloody hell, if he won’t murder the whole world to keep her safe.
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Dragon Fire is book three of the Vale of Stars series by Juliette Cross. This novel is haughty beautiful. The romance is sweet and builds over time.
It’s been awhile since we’ve had a new book in the Vale of Stars series, but Juliette Cross managed to take us right back to the world of these amazing half human, half dragon beings called Morgons. I love Cross’s Morgans and I get so excited for each new installment that comes out.
Kieran was wounded in Waking the Dragon while protecting and saving Kol’s mate from one of the Larkos dragons. He’s sent off to the a human convent to heal, recuperate, and hide from the Larkos hunting him.
Liana is a Sister at the convent and has been living as a Sister of Saint Portia for six years. She’s adjusted and accepted this life until Kieran comes to the convent. Then all she can think about his him and life outside.
The romance is a nice slow burn. Kieran knows what Liana is to him, but he’s decided that he won’t be the reason she forsakes her vows as a Sister. Their’s more to Liana, her history, and why she’s a Sister. We soon learn her past as events unfold and both, Kieran and Liana’s, futures change.
As the story progress things are drawing closer to war. We’re treated to brutal fight scenes between good and evil, love and hate. The author keeps us on the edge of our seats and entranced up to the last page.
Dragon Fire is full of action and passion. I can’t wait for the next installment.
** Trigger Warning: I wanted to put out their that this novel might have some triggers. We have one chapter near the begging that showcase a scene of rape and abuse. (I cringed while reading.) In this scene it’s The Larkos Army, our bad Morgans, doing what they do; enslaving the week, capturing human women, and working towards the goal of ruling the world.
Rated: 5 Stars
He’s been hiding in the last place his Morgon enemies might find Kieren Moonring while he recovers from his injuries. She can’t stop or disguise her growing attraction for the man hiding in her their convent, not to mention that Sister Liana has past that is best kept buried. When Kieren’s greatest fear comes true and his enemies target Liana, he will murder the whole world to keep her safe.
This gripping ‘Vale of Stars’ romance is full of stunning twist that not only knock the Morgon and human world to their knees but the readers as well because this story holds them spellbound and the strong, vivid characters demand readers’ complete attention. The romance of this story has Kieren falling more and more for Liana but she is a Sister in the convent which means she is forbidden but Liana holds a deep dark secret that could change everything or make him want nothing to do with her, which keeps this HEA is suspense as well as keeping emotions high and the passions burning hotter and hotter throughout.
Exhilarating suspense builds throughout this fast paced plot with lots excitement, thrills and some really stunning twists that takes readers by surprise. The story is so vividly descriptive with all the wonderfully unique and fascinating characters that readers have to come to love that it easily captures the imagination and brings to it life so that readers thoroughly immerse themselves into the story from beginning to end.
Kieren, an injured dragon shifter took refuge at the human convent where Liana is a Sister of Light, and his mate. Kieren believes their love is forbidden and just when you think he has to walk away, trouble follows him to the convent. His sole focus is protecting his mate, even if he can’t have her.
I’m a sucker for a good forbidden love story. This author did a really good job of portraying the yearning both Kieren and Liana have for each other. The dream walking was pretty hot and now I really want to know what other gifts these dragons have.
I’m kicking myself for not reading the previous books in the series first. This is a pretty exciting dragon series where the start of a war breaks out in this book. I can see there was build up to it in previous books that I need to find out more information on. Thankfully, I didn’t feel lost when it came to Kieren and Liana.
There were multiple characters that I’m really intrigued about. In fact, I felt the whole cast of characters were an interesting lot. I’m pretty excited to go back to book one and learn more. And well….dragons. Enough said!
DRAGON’S ARE SEXY!!
“Oh, Liana,” he said gravel-deep, shaking his head. “You have no idea what you’re offering. What you’re asking for.”
I jumped at the chance to read the new arc for Dragon Fire!!! Another fabulous book by Juliette cross full of sexy Dragon warriors !! Kieran was wounded in his battle protecting and saving kol’s mate from king larkos and his band of murderous dragons. While he heals at sisterhood of light convent he meets liana and his beast wants to claim her,but outside of his visits in her dreams where both he and liana give in to their mutual attraction, he has to keep his distance theirs a target on his back and he is being hunted by the larkos! Awesome storyline and strong characters with lots of passion and sensuality! Their be nothing more sexy then a dragon lover,so much fire!!
***5 ‘You’ve Stolen My Mind’ Stars***
So. Much. Goodness.
Not that I’m surprised. I mean ever since reading the first book in this world I was hooked…the history, the images of just what a world populated not only by humans, but dragon hybrids would look like and the characters themselves…I swear I fall deeper and deeper in love with them (the good, not crazy psycho ones ~ though I will state that I do reserve the right to fall for a crazy psycho one if he turns out to be the good kind in the end ~ just sayin’) with each book and this one served up a whole bunch of the goodness! Alpha AF males with a whole lot of heart, fiery females who can handle their business when necessary, a whole bunch of smexy and some gut churning crazy that had me wincing a time or two, but mixed all together kept me turning the pages until the very end!
Kieren and Liana were so much fun and I simply adored them. Kieren is the much, much less grumpy and growly twin of Kol (whom I also adore) but has just as much honor and a need to do the right thing, even if it hurts. He was all kinds of Alpha AF charming and protective and when the dragon came out to play…well, things definitely got interesting. Liana or “Sister Liana” was definitely an enigma at the start for various reasons. But as the her own story unfolds what I saw, and loved, was a woman who cared deeply and would do all she could the protect those that needed it.
As for their journey to their HEA, I loved the slow burn goodness of it because there were a variety of reasons, most of them quite valid, behind both of them hesitating to take the steps to becoming more than just friends. But it did give them the time to get to know each other and make the growing connection between them even stronger and hotter, so when that very necessary step was taken (thanks to a little bit of meddling) it was all kinds of explosive. There isn’t a lot of angsty-ness going on between them, push/pull yes, but angst? No, but that is mostly due to the life and death gauntlet they find themselves in and there were definitely moments were the anxiety was kicked up a few notches, but I loved how everything worked out for them in the end.
As always (broken #fangirl record time) the writing was engaging and the pacing was very good, as were the multiple first person POV’s. And as for the the whole psychocrazy Larkos/Larkosians story arc, things just got a lot crazier and the stakes just got higher for all involved and I’m totally looking forward to seeing where it all takes us. And then there are the supporting cast of characters. I loved catching up with the Nightwing and Moonring crew and all those that are loyal to them, a few were missing but hopefully we’ll catch a glimpse or two of them in future books. Bastian and Bowen are still the two I’m most fascinated by of the non-mate crew and Madera and Rafe have now been added to that list, but no matter who the next one to fall is, I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book!
Note: These books are not standalones and should be read in order.
~ Copy provided by the author & voluntarily reviewed ~
**********Contains Spoilers**********
Man, Juliette has done it again. This was a fantastic book. It started with Kieren healing at the the Temple of Saint Portia Covent after he’d suffered gravely when trying to keep Moira safe and ending up killing Barron Coalglass, who happened to be a fellow Senators son so Kieren wasn’t meant to kill Barron he was meant to face a tribunal for his crimes so Kieren’s life is in danger so he’s healing but also hiding until he can go to the Senate and tell them of what happened at that the Larkosians aren’t just a band of thugs they’re highly trained army lead by Barron but their “king/god” is King Larkos. While Kieren was healing he met Sister Liana and to make matters worse was that his dragon had chosen her as his mate but the Sisters have pledged their life to worship. I loved how they got to know each other especially with the help of Kieren’s dragon magic of Dream Walking even if Liana didn’t realise that the dreams that she was having of Kieren weren’t just dreams. What Kieren didn’t actually know was Liana wasn’t with the Sisters of Saint Portia because she’d pledged her life to worship but when she was 17 years old she’d m*rdered the man who had m*rdered her father so it was either pledge 15 years at the Temple of Saint Portia or jail so she of course chose to become a sister. I loved how their relationship progressed and loved that Kieren was trying to respect the vows that she’d taken and never pressured her into doing anything and that Liana had to show him that she wants him and tell him how she ended up a Sister. Man, the Larkosians are extremely sick and there is a lot of graphic scenes of their brutal treatment and r*pe of the human women that they’ve enslaved so that may be triggering for some. Liana was bad a*se in her own rite especially what she did by saving Kieren’s life. I’m looking forward to reading the conclusion of the Vale of the Stars Series and Bowen’s story, I’m hoping he gets justice for what his sisters’ went through being enslaved by the Larkosians and Lena’s sacrifice of her life given so the Bloodback High Priestess for the Larkosians could turn her baby into a full dragon to defeat King Larkos. I’d definitely recommend this book, series, universe and author to everyone.
Loved, loved, loved!!!
One thing I know for sure… Juliette Cross writes some kickass paranormal stories. SERIOUSLY. When I’m reading her books, I never want them to end!!!
Not only is this world she created amazingly awesome and easy to visualize, the characters are strong and fierce and complex and lovable and so well-developed and I just want be friends with all of them. Annnnd maybe climb a few of them like a tree. I won’t even apologize for that comment because these Morgon men are hot AF.
Taken to a convent to heal from serious wounds, Kieren finds himself drawn to one of the Sisters. But being with her in the way he craves is wrong. Very wrong. He knows this. And SHE knows this. Best of luck trying to keep these two apart.
Liana is at the convent for a reason. But it’s not the reason Kieren thinks. The chemistry sparks and sizzles and explodes between these two. The sexual tension so delicious and thick, I could cut it with a knife.
I loved Liana. She’s brave, she’s a fighter, and she’s fierce when she needs to be. She should never be underestimated. Quite the badass in a stola.
This book gave me all the feels I had in the other books. The ones I loved, and craved, and needed. Every single emotion imaginable.
Passion,
heartache,
lust,
swoony butterflies,
those lovely tingles…down there.
And the burning…holy hotness, I swear I could feel their soulfire!
So vividly and expertly penned, I felt like I was watching a movie play out in front of me. I felt as if I was in the middle of those battles, or flying while wrapped in Kieren’s arms, feeling the wind in my hair, while strapped tightly against his big, 7-foot frame, all muscly and hard and sexy and staring into his beautiful dragon eyes…oh, oops…sorry, I digress. Anyway, I could easily imagine everything.
The mystery and suspense continue in this third book of the Vale of Stars series. The nail biting goodness kept me guessing all the while turning the pages. I love this series hard!
I need more!!
After wounded in battle saving Kol’s mate, Moira, Kieren Moonring is sequestered in a convent of human nuns. The last place enemies and allies would think to look for him, Kieren heals his broken body while fighting the demons in his mind. Luckily for him, one nun keeps his mind off those hunting for him, even if only for a minute.
Sister Lilian is fascinated by the Morgon man taking refuge in their protected convent. Uncomfortable with her growing attraction to Kieren, she’s even more uncomfortable with him discovering her less than honorable past. She has secrets that no one would understand.
When Kieren’s enemies come knocking on the convent door, he’s forced to flee, making sure to take the one thing with him he wants and needs the most….Liana. Thrust into the Morgon world, and what that means for a human, scares Liana but losing Kieren terrifies her. Together they must figure out who in the Morgan court is betraying them to the enemy before anyone else is kidnapped or killed.
Holy cows is Juliette Cross a master at writing dragon romances – actually, anything she’s written, really. I love all her books. They are filled with passion, realism, and chemistry. I was engaged from the start and couldn’t put the book down. Her ability to create paranormal stories with romance, action and a solid plot is what keeps me coming back.
I enjoyed the slow-burn between Kieren and Liana. The story is fast-paced but not so fast you miss things or events seem rushed. The continued tie-in to Blood King Larkos and his evil intent kept me on the edge of my seat as the Morgons and their beloved humans strive to free those captured and end the reign of the Blood King. The ending of this book has me eagerly waiting to see where we go in book 4.
Sweet Mother, Mary, and Joseph! Kieren Moonring has done fallen for a Sister… or has he? Sister Liana has been aiding in his recovery, going on long walks and sharing shy glances with red checks for awhile now. Is she all that she seems? Hold on to your dragon Moonring, things are about to get heated.
“My dragon uncurled from his slumber, stretching and sniffing the air, a thrumming growl of satisfaction filling my chest. Yes. Liana was looking at me with desire.”
I loved this latest addition to the Vale of Stars series. The cunning and mysterious ways author Juliette Cross has in her writing ability is phenomenal. She keeps you invested and anticipating the next book as soon as you finish the last. I want more flights, more intrigue, and more saucy banter between brothers and allies. My smirky smile was firmly in place while reading.
As always my kindle bleeds blue with so many highlights. As a reviewer its always a pleasure to have a deep well to pull from in the quotes and passages of a book. Cross always delivers.
“I need you…like the sun needs the sky.—Like the stars need the night.—Like a dragon needs flight.”
Another 5-Star Read
4.5 stars–DRAGON FIRE is the third instalment in Juliette Cross’ amazing adult VALE OF STARS paranormal, fantasy series focusing on a dragon hybrid species known as the Morgons. This is Morgon Kieren Moonring, and Sister Liana’s story line. DRAGON FIRE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and history.
NOTE: There is a novella companion series entitled NIGHTWING (Soulfire #1 / Windburn #2) that introduces several of the characters and some background history into the war between the Morgons and humankind. I would strongly recommend reading the Nightwing companion series before starting the Vale of Stars series.
Told from three first person points of view (Kieren, Liana, Dakian) DRAGON FIRE follows in the aftermath of an injury that almost killed our story line hero. Healing and in hiding at the Sisters of Saint Portia convent Kieren would meet his future, his mate in the guise of Sister Liana, a woman with secrets of her own. An attack by the Larkosians, a rogue group of Morgons, against the Sisters of Saint Portia finds Kieren and Liana on the run, hoping to find help along the way. What ensues is the building relationship between Kieren and Liana, and the potential fall-out as Liana becomes the obsession of the Blood King’s right hand man, obsession that burns with vengeance and retribution.
DRAGON FIRE is a story of power and control; destruction and obsession; family, friendship, and fated love. Liana struggles with the death of her father, and the revenge that forced our heroine into a life with the Sisters. Kieren knows it is only a matter time before his enemies discover his whereabouts but our hero has no idea that betrayal was but a dragon’s flight away.
The relationship between Kieren and Liana is one of immediate attraction but Kieren believes Liana is off-limits, a Sister of Saint Portia, a woman raised to serve and obey. A series of shared dreams and fantasies finds Kieren hoping for a future with the mate of his heart. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and strong, secondary and supporting characters including Demetrius and Shakara (Dragon Heartstring #.5), Kol and Moira (Waking the Dragon #1), Conn and Valla (Dragon in the Blood #2): Lucius and Jessen (Soulfire), Lorian and Sorcha (Windburn), Bowen, Craven: Bastien Silverback and his ‘bastards’ Madera and Rafe. The requisite evil has many faces including the Blood King Larkos, and Larkosian Lieutenant Dakian.
DRAGON FIRE is the prelude to war, a war between the Morgons and the Larkosians, a war meant to kill and destroy. DRAGON FIRE is also a story of discrimination and specieism, dominance and rule, authority and control. The Blood King Larkos is demanding his seat on the throne, and in doing so, sets out to destroy everyone and everything in his way, but most especially to rid the world of the human vermin. The fantastic premise is engaging and energetic; the romance is seductive and moving; the characters are strong, complex and spirited.
Dragon Fire is book three in the Vale of Stars series by Juliette Cross. Wow! I just have to start with that. It’s been awhile since we’ve had a new book in this series but Juliette managed to take us right back to the world of these amazing half human, half dragon beings called Morgons. We have three different factions in this world. Those that live in Gladium that believe that Morgons and humans should each benefit from the strengths of the other and live in equality and harmony. Those that feel that one or the other is beneath them and should remain segregated. And the third, a band of cultist Morgankind called the Larkosians, ruled by the evil King Larkos, who believes that Morgans are above all and that human’s only place is to serve them.
“Life needs to be ruled by love, not fear.”
Liana Lexington or Sister Liana is who we know her as in the beginning, has been living at the Temple as a Sister of Saint Portia for six years now. She has adjusted to this quiet life of servitude. Then “he” came, the man who has taken up a place in her thoughts in both her wakeful times and in her nightly dreams. While he is healing from his injuries, they have spent many hours together quietly talking about mundane everyday things, and getting to know each other at the same time. Each day that passes, her heart longs for him more, longs for things that she can never have. When he is healed, he will be leaving and she will remain.
“Like a balm to the soul, she eased the tension, the persistent ache that rested between my sternum whenever she was near. It was her touch that soothed it.”
Kieren Moonring was brought to the Temple to both heal, and be kept safe, hidden. He never anticipated Sister Liana. He was increasingly drawn to her, needed to be near her. He knew what she had become to him. But he wouldn’t be the reason she left this life she had chosen. He wouldn’t force her to break her vows. When it was safe for him to leave, he would do so, alone, somehow. But for both Kieren and Liana, as a series of events unfolded, the decision was made for them and both of their futures changed course.
“You’ve stolen my mind…”
“Taken my heart without my permission…”
“Ripped my soul right out of my body with those beautiful hands.”
“I didn’t stand a chance. You, with your strong spirit, your easy smile, your gentle touch.”
As the Larkosians spread their evil, killing and taking human women as prisoners, Kieren, Liana, and the others are drawn closer to war. But Liana specifically has gained the attention of Dakian, second only to King Larkos. He wants her for his own, but Kieren will stop at nothing to keep her with him, safe.
This was such a beautiful love story as truths are revealed and Kieren and Liana fall in love. But, it is also an edge of your seat, brutal fight between good and evil, between love and hate. Juliette keeps us gripping our e-readers right up to the last page wondering how this was all going to turn out. I couldn’t put it down.
The war between the good Morgans and the Larkosians will continue in the next book, Hunt of the Dragon, which will be Bowen Huntergild’s story. I hope Juliette is typing fast because I can’t get this book in my little hands fast enough!
4.5 Stars
If you want sexy-sweet, chemistry-laden, all-out action-filled fantasy romance, Ms. Cross is the way to go. In Dragon Fire, Kieren Moonring finally falls head over wings, and to none other than a lovely sister in the convent where he’s been recovering from the last fight.
I’ve freaking loved Kieren, especially when he went all out to protect his brother’s mate. Now he has his own mate to protect, but things are not so simple. It’s not only that he’s now a wanted man and could be facing blade justice, but he just can’t claim sweet Liana. He was fierce, protective and had a lovely possessive streak a mile wide. He could also kick some serious ass: Morgon male perfection, people.
I loved how Liana was more than what met the eyes. She was one tough cookie and wasn’t afraid to give her all when it was necessary. I absolutely adored watching her melt Kieren’s walls.
I really liked how we get some downtime at the beginning of the story to really connect to Kieren and Liana and witness them realize their feelings for each other. And once the action starts full force, it was impossible to put down.
I must confess that the lack of open communication between a couple drives me crazy, and there was a bit of this with Liana not wanting to reveal her past as well as Kieren withholding Morgon-stuff from Liana. It came to the point where I wanted to sit them both in front of me and bitch slap the truth out of them. Fortunately, they realized they were in impending danger and opened up… eventually.
Action packed, sexy and suspenseful, Dragon Fire is an excellent addition to this most fabulous series. I strongly advise reading these books from the very start (as in the Nightwing novellas) for maximum character and story arc enjoyment. Now, there’s a certain baby dragon in the loose that I’m really curious about, so please Ms. Cross, get cracking on the writing 😛
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book*
In a continuation of the Vale of Stars series, Kieran Moonring discovers Sister Liana of the Sisters of Light temple is more than meets the eye. Evil continues to brew in this next installment of Juliette Cross’s Morgon world. Through it all Liana proves to be braver than Kieran expects of a Sister of Light. A must read for fans of half-dragon heroes. This is a stand-alone romance but I would suggest reading in order.
Holy freaking Hades!!! I can’t shout out loud enough how much I absolutely loved this book!
When Kieren is left to convalesce at The Temple of Saint Portia, his plan is to return to the Senate House in Cloven to not only argue for his life, but to make them understand that there is an evil that is threatening humans and Morgons alike. But as each day passes his thoughts are less on the world outside the safety of the convent and linger far too willingly on the sweet and pretty Sister Liana. When the time arrives for him to leave his heart aches for what he will be leaving behind.
”My body was strong, even if I’d taken on a new injury since I’d been here. A sweet wound in the shape of Sister Liana.”
Liana did not choose to live her life cloistered within the walls of the temple, but she has found a certain amount of peace there despite the fact that she will never find solace from the burden that she carries. For the last several months however, even that peace has been disturbed as her thoughts and eyes travel far too often to the beautiful man she has helped to care for. But when a lifelike dream turns into a nightmare, she realizes that she may have the opportunity to live a different life.
” Now, I was a planet tilted off its axis. A brighter sun had appeared in my system, pulling me away from the world I knew before. All else paled in comparison to the magnificent Morgon man standing before me.”
Kieren was absolutely EVERYTHING that I love in a hero! His body, mind and soul have only one purpose and that is to protect Liana. I was giddy with romantic joy each time his protective instincts showcased themselves, but when he got possessive…holy heck! I was left in a swoony puddle of goodness.
”I couldn’t explain it if I tried. Why the dominant animal that lived inside me needed her near me, within my protection, like I needed air in my lungs. It was older than time, this savage compulsion. If I’d been a true dragon like my ancestors, and not half human, I would’ve already tucked her beneath me, spread my wings in a show of dominance, and melted them with a breath of fire. But Morgons were more civilized, so I pretended I didn’t want to maim them for looking too appreciatively at Liana, keeping her close to my side.”
While Liana is a docile, quiet and obedient Sister of Light, when things take a turn, she is more than strong enough to face it front on. She is a wonderful heroine in that she has the strength and courage to do what needs to be done while still maintaining that sweetness. And when the time comes to take a stand for what she needs and wants, she is fierce in her demands.
Together this couple were just so perfect. Everything about them felt as though there were no other way for them to go. Nothing felt contrived or overdone. Even when they each had to make decisions that could affect how the other might view them, the author did not use a heavy hand which helped their changing relationship to feel as though there were no other way it could’ve have gone.
This is a relatively fast paced read with lots of action and I wouldn’t have skimmed if my life depended on it. The chemistry and heat between Liana and Kieren was heart pounding, meltingly believable. There are plenty of secondary characters that all played important roles, several who we’ve met before and that I loved seeing again.
It’s no secret I’ve loved every one of the books in this series, but this is by far the best of them!