Reynard Drake, solitary cybersecurity expert and curator of the Drake family fortune, would rather be chucked in the midden than forced to bed an omega, but as the selected Amethyst candidate for the mating experiment, he has no other choice. Resigned to his unhappy fate, he takes solace in the fact that one thing will never change—his virtual rival, Magpie, will always be there to keep him on … his toes, even if he has been strangely absent from the internet lately…
Diamond Disgrace Misha Vasiliev has a secret. By day he learns what it takes to warm a dragon’s bed, but at night he’s Magpie, renowned hacker and dark web service provider who steals from dragons in his spare time. His favorite target? Reynard Drake, whom he’s only ever seen in pictures, but whom Misha wants more than anyone else.
And now, with a faceless threat closing in on his cloister, quite possibly the only one capable of saving his life.
Magpie is a 64,000 word steamy omegaverse mpreg-ish romance set during the events of the Forbidden Desires series. It contains pretty things hidden where the sun don’t shine; a scandalous screenshot or two; plenty of laughs; its fair share of tense moments; and, of course, “Beagle!” For maximum enjoyment, Magpie is best read as a companion piece to the Forbidden Desires series.
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Magpie: the second Forbidden Desires Spin-Off story is a rather riveting addition to the series featuring two computer experts. Amethyst dragon Reynard Drake finds himself part of the most incredible game of cat and mouse. And against an interesting and worthy opponent, too! The elusive Magpie is Diamond Disgrace Misha Vasiliev and has been hacking his way into many dragon hoards. His favorite target? Not the treasure but the dragon–Reynard himself! He arranges to hack into the mating pairs’ records and switches himself for the Disgrace originally bound as a mate for Reynard and rocks the poor guy’s world. Stumbling across Reynard’s unusual carnal proclivities, Misha proves to be exactly what the dragon needs both intellectual and sexual.
Though unconventional, the relationship proves to be stimulating for both men and their relationship develops while mutual respect, admiration, and love grow. This is the case even when Reynard discovers that Misha is his virtual rival, Magpie. But Misha is being tracked by someone who knows exactly who he is, what he’s been doing, and where he is. This knowledge is linked to the abductions of the eggs that had to be rescued with the help of the Amethyst dragon Bertram Drake who knows all too well the dangerous nature of the quarry.
Just when readers may doubt the writers’ capacity to come up with an interesting pairing for one of the Drake men, they come through beautifully with a continuance of the mating program initiated by Drs. Drake and Lessardi. They continue with the impeccable world-building and the exceptional character development that furthers the series perfectly. The cohesion for the series prevails even though to the end of the fifth book. In addition, the authors maintain optimum pacing and balance that contributes to a can’t-put-it-down reading experience.
4.5 stars and probably the best in this series so far…
I loved this book. Our omega Misha of the Diamond Dragon clan is extremely domineering in the privacy of his new bedroom while our computer geek extreme Reynard is now dealing with a Disgrace who manipulated Harrison’s Omega list so that Misha could bond with him… reasons unknown until much later in the book. (Misha’s avoiding those unknown souls he stole from via dark cyberspace robbery. And they are out for more than just blood.) Possibly hiding out at Reynard Drake’s Victorian gothic mansion will spare him from dealing with his unknown cyber stalkers.
We have role reversals here. Reynard has hidden his deep, dark secret — he’s a sub, not a dom! And Misha has discovered that and has taken advantage of that, becoming Reynard’s dominating master. But there is a deadline ahead. Misha’s father, the head of the Russian Diamond Dragon clan, wants his discarded omega son back to use for political bonding, not as some experiment by Harrison. He doesn’t want Misha to bond with anyone that isn’t his choosing, least of all anyone from the Amethyst Dragon clan! But the Dragon Counsel’s order to participate in the Counsel’s sanctioned experiment to increase their numbers must be obeyed… so Misha’s father, Pyotr Vasiliev, is hoping that no bonding will occur between Reynard and his omega son. After all, omegas are property.
That’s the last thing Misha wants! But in order to have a happy-ever-after story, and we, the readership, are voting wholeheartedly for a bonding between Reynard and Misha will get their wish about halfway through the book rather than at the end. Great. No massive amounts of angst here, folks. Ditto for the sex scenes which isn’t nowhere as much as in the previous four books which is great. I was getting bored with all the gratuitous sex going on without a definitive purpose other than for any readership fapping.
But I am having problems with some of the herpetology scientific research that has still lingered in my head a lot longer than it should, superseding the great parts of this book. I know I’m probably splitting hairs (or scales) here, but really. Any pre-hatching injury to an egg that would cause that type of damage requiring three legs and one wing to be supported with braces after hatching would… would just not have happened. Most newborn reptiles have slightly flexible eggs that can stand a lot of compressive forces. The developing fetus’ and newborn’s bones are mostly cartilege which makes them quite flexible. (Even the shells of newborn turtles are still quite bendable until a few weeks after hatching.) Unfortunately, the injury suffered by an unhatched dragon would have killed the fetus, not cause the structural damage done in the story. The egg shell would have had to have been perforated. Also, there would had been spinal damage done before damage to the legs (“small parts”) as they would had been protected by the fetal lie within the egg. It makes for great story material… if it was, indeed possible. But it isn’t. And even now, I’m still bugged by it. I know the author didn’t want everything to be perfect with an eleven-egg lay. I understand that. But I don’t think this kind of damage could had been done without death being the general outcome. Instead, what should had happened is that the egg should have died in utero, its death stimulating the early laying event. Or perhaps I would have written it to had been a congenital injury rather than acquired. (This falls under the category of “sh*t happens.) I could have lived with that.
Another thing that irritated me is that though it was never specifically stated as such, it was suggested that the eggs “grew” after they were laid. Nope. Unless you want me to believe in another magical detail without breaking my already suspended reality check. In the case of birds, amphibians, and reptiles (and most likely dinosaurs), eggs do not change in size after hardening. Everything needed to develop a lovely baby is already there. In fact, eggs lose weight during incubation.
But I still can’t forget how CUTE little Paval is and how well-loved he knew he was despite his handicaps. Only goes to show you’re only as disabled as you think you are.
Still am p*ssed that I only have one more book to go in this series. I only wish more could had been written because this universe has definitely grown on me, and there is so much more that can be done.
Because of this book, I am purchasing all six once I get my next paycheck in the mail!
Magpie is the fifth book in the Forbidden Desires series and the second book in the Forbidden Desires Spin-Off series. I highly suggest reading all the previous books in the Forbidden Desires series before reading this one. Although it could be read as a standalone, it would end up being confusing.
Magpie is darker than the other books in the series, but it hints at what’s to come with future books. Misha and Reynard are cyber experts who have a rivalry with each other. A twist of fate has Misha and Reynard mated, but they still face difficulties and obstacles, especially from dangerous enemies. The story had a lot of action, snark, and sass.
The audiobook was narrated by Michael Ferraiuolo who did a great job with the narration. There was a lot of action that happened in this book and Michael performed it fantastically. The audiobook production was well done and I enjoyed listening to the book.
Wow what a series
This series is incredible and this book is as good if not better than the ones before.
Dragons, riches, families, old rituals and new science. With love flowing right through. What more do you want from a book. If you haven’t read the others I would recommend that you do so first as the characters hack stories that help. A must for all people with open minds.
I actually ended up liking this one more than I was expecting when starting it. The cyber foreplay and their different dynamics gave it a unique vibe. I like that these authors throw some diversity into their dragons and relationships and make it work for the couple. Reynard and Misha never really fit their roles in dragon society, but together they found a safe place to explore their needs and forge a bond that they needed to grow and change.
I loved getting more with all of the other characters. The suspense scenes were nervewracking, but I felt there were some loose ends that might come more to light if Bertram gets a book. But I still enjoyed this one and I am sad that I have finished all the books so far. I am ready for more. One little dragon already stole my heart too.
I have loved this series so much that I knew I would enjoy this book, but holy cow, this book was so much more than I was expecting. It’s full of twists and turns, the plot just keeps on chugging along (excellent pacing!), and there was virtually nothing predictable or expected. Like all of the other books in this world, I picked it up and couldn’t put it down. And the heat level was through the roof.
The best part about this book in particular – the constant support of Reynard’s family, especially Everard. He wants to be an aloof asshole so hard, but he cares way too much.
We got a few hints at the next book, but I expect it to be totally different (in a good way) from what I’m expecting. I can’t wait for more!
Magpie is the second book in the Forbidden Desires spin-off series by authors Piper Scott and Virginia Kelley. This is the first time I have read this series and I was not lost starting here.
This book is in Dual POV one of my favorite. It can really get into both character’s mindsets. It is very important to this story.
There are time jumps in this story. I am not usually a fan of them, but they do serve a purpose and work in this story.
Misha is an Omega and hacker. He is unlike any Omega he is strong, stubborn, and refuses to bow to anyone. I loved that about him.
Reynard has been playing cat and mouse with a hacker for years. He is dying to beat them at their own game. He is a sweet character who is polished and more submissive than most Alphas you meet.
Overall a great action-packed story. I loved the characters and I loved getting to know them more over time. They have each grown and are so much better together.
A KU read, I enjoyed this book 2 in the series. Misha aka Magpie is a wonderfully strong character and they way he makes Reynard his makes this book a great read!
I love every book in this series, and have enjoyed the audiobook versions as well. They’re hilarious, steamy and fun to read. Forbidden Desires is a series you shouldn’t miss.
Another brilliant spin off story to this series! The intrigue and power exchanges in this book were powerful and a pure delight! Once again these wonderful authors create characters with depth, humour laden dialogue and steamy scenes. Not to be missed – but MUST be read after the other Forbidden Desires books. Once again Michael Ferraiuolo brings sparkle, sizzle and feeling to these wondrous characters in the Audio edition!
Reynard and Misha
Both men work on the internet, they met each other more than once, virtual, as rivals and both feel the attraction.
Misha, aka Magpie, clever as he is, manipulates his future so he can be with Reynard.
Misha wasn’t a quiet breeze but more a tornado, entering Reynard’s life, unexpected.
Misha wants to be kept by Dragon Reynard, to win this privilege he has to convince Reynard to keep him and not being send back to his cloister. Misha will be everything Reynard needs, and oh boy in need he is! He’s happy to have his Magpie with him.
Misha needs a mark, Reynard’s mark, without it they will be separated forever. It’s a bit more difficult than it sounds.
I’m not sure telling more about this story, what I said above is just a tiny amount of the whole picture. There is so much story in this book. Not one page was boring, not one.
Misha and Reynard go through a tough time, with help from family and magic they can survive all the events.
We meet the beautiful dragon family of Reynard. They were all lovable and helpful.
Everald and Harrison are hilarious, they were a fresh wind.
I loooved the dragons, the eggs, the strong bond, the smoke and small licks of fire, the deep-rooted love. Delicious!
There are some devastating moments and events. It was all thrillingly written.
The bond and magic were healing. The love between Misha and Reynard overwhelming, their sexual encounters hot af and all well described, emotionally and physically.
This was an tremendous story, when you love a good written Dragon, shifter and mpreg story READ this one.