Dragon in the Blood by Juliette Cross
Series: Vale of Stars, 2
Paranormal Romance
Released: July 26, 2016
Self Published

Reviewed by Sheena

While all seems quiet in Gladium Province, the Morgon Guard—the global justice force for the dragon hybrid race—knows their enemy is rebuilding its forces in the underground.
Valla Moonring, an assassin for an order of the Morgon Guard, is ordered to join an expedition through the Wastelands of Aria, a formidable, icy wilderness fraught with all manner of dangers, including outlaws, deadly weather, and big-game predators.
To her great distaste, she’s partnered with a Nightwing Security operative, Conn Rowanflame, a Morgon with the aggravating ability to get under her skin. While she takes her mission seriously, Conn’s confident charm throws her off balance, a dangerous place to be in conditions like these. Especially when cold nights require close contact.
Sensual attraction binds them ever closer, igniting a passion of unexpected force—soulfire. But when the hunters become the hunted, their bond could prove perilous. Even fatal.

“I’m not built that way…”

“What way would that be? With feelings?”

This is such a seductive and enthralling world! Mankind and dragonkind live long side one another in a hauntingly dark and beautiful world.  The Vale of Stars series is off to a tremendous start, book one, Waking The Dragon, was one of my favorite novels of 2015 and launched me into full on fan girl mode- my objective clear- to devour as much of this world as I possibly can.  If you haven’t yet read Waking the Dragon, I recommend you do.  You are missing out in ways that make me weep. Save us both, add it to your reading lists pronto.  After-all, it paves the way for the reason we are all here today, Dragon in the Blood.

What a journey!  Valla is sister to the hero in book one, a fierce assassin whose blood runs hot when it comes to the constant thorn in her side, a man that  makes her deadly striking hands twitchy, Conn.  Their mutual attraction smolders and it was a total kick to the heart to see the fearless Conn care enough for Valla to go against his every instinct and be vulnerable, even when to do so could mean he loses her forever.  Confident and cocky, Conn burrowed deep beneath Valla’s skin, always there, a stubborn awareness against her senses that refused to subside, try as she might to maintain an emotional distance from him.

“But don’t fool yourself.”

“About what?

“Your beast wants to play with mine. And I plan to give her what she wants.”

They fight, they make love and they hurt one another in ways only true loves can.  Valla comes from a tragic childhood, her innocent eyes opened to the dangers of bonding, mating for life only to lose your partner and give up on life from the despair.   Valla was never super keen on taking a lover, preferred to spend her time training and excelling in her assassins guild and Conn is her first intimate brush with sexuality, let alone with a male who commands her attentions in the most frustrating ways.

“You know what you need Valla?

“What?” she asked, panting.

I slid a third finger inside her readying her for me.  You need a man who understands you.” I nipped her shoulder and swept a kiss lower.  “Who accepts you strength as a warrior.”  I opened my lips over her nipple and sucked.  “And who can give you what you need as a woman.”

“And are you that man? she asked on a moan, her hips making small thrusts.  She ached.  Maybe even as bad as I did.

But I doubted it.

Whipping open my wings, I lay on top of her.  I pressed my weight down and spread her thighs wider with my knees, brushing my mouth over hers.

“You know that I am Valla.”

Valla is a complicated woman, too wary, too strong, too protective of her own heart to risk losing it completely, and as you can imagine, the dominant male is none too pleased.  Conn may be alpha to his core, but he has heart and his vulnerability inspired me to dream of shaking Valla.  Shaking her until her teeth rattled and she stopped holding Conn at arms length.

But when I spoke, the dragon had been leashed and my heart had been broken.  “I suppose that’s where we differ, Valla.  I liked my life just fine, too. Then I met you…here in Aria.  Really met you, and I discovered the woman behind the warrior.  Then I sort of loved my life with you in it.  Don’t worry.  I won’t accost you again.  You can lay your fears to rest on that score.

I left, and slammed the door behind me.

Poor  Conn.  Try as Valla may to reduce their connection to a physical imperative, he truly cares for her and handling her skittish ways definitely takes its toll.  Both exceptional in their respective professions, they are paired to join an elite task force, their operation taking them through a dangerously frozen tundra, the bitter cold a perfect background to their contentious affair.

Dragon in the Blood is literally, a literary gift.  A special present that the reader unwraps, unfolding the plot, like tissue paper, layer by layer.  I am chomping at the bit to run it down to its molecular origin, the only thing holding me in check is the realization of how damned good it feels to discover this series for yourself and to spoil a crumb of the experience would be criminal.  I will share that in addition to the push and pull of the romantic story line, hands down, Dragon in the Blood contains the saddest yet most especially beautiful blood sacrifice/promise/ oath scene I’ve. Ever Read.  I blubbered.  And I’m kind of a badass. Yet blubbered I did.

Remarkable.

Beyond Valla and Conn, in this second installment, we meet a host of new and intriguing characters are introduced and the impact that their appearance and survival make on the story is staggering.  The plot and arc are left wide open and I love it  What could possibly happen next. I have no idea, and given the recently unfolding events, the possibilities are endless and it is exhilarating!

The spectrum of emotions were artful.  I took sides, I switched allegiances, I ranted, laughed, gasped and clutched pearls until my finders were a mangled mess, throughout the novel.  My sole concern was with a particularly confusing action of the surprise villain- her motivations a little too muddy in relation to some of her more extreme reactions.  Left me head scratching, but Juliette Cross is adept at creating “how did I not SEE THAT!” moments for readers that perplex and delight so on the whole, I am not concerned.  Dragon In The Blood could manage to stand alone, but the background and wealth of appreciation you earn from reading book one is valuable.  For all of my returning readers, Kol is back and he steals every damn scene! Typical Kol to usurp his sister’s novel! To all the new readers, caution, these Morgan men will skyrocket to the tippy top of your book boyfriend lists and rankings.  I absolutely recommend giving this series a read. You won’t be sorry (Chapter 20- WHOA BABY!) – and I’ll have someone new to giggle and squee with, so, win-win!

Grade: A

Previous Juliette Cross Reviews: Forged in Fire, Sealed in Sin, Bound in Black

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