This book was offered for me to review without me signing up for it. However, at the time I was unable to read and review it so I didn't download it. I had no idea it would reflect on my rating so I'm writing this review to explain what happened so it doesn't reflect on my rating and when I am able to buy and review the book I will update this review.

4.25 stars-- HEAT is the twelfth full-length instalment in Donna Grant’s adult, DARK KINGS paranormal / fantasy romance series focusing on the Dragon Kings and the women they love. This is dragon Nikolai the ivory, and MI5 agent Esther North’s story line. HEAT can be read as a stand-alone but for cohesion and backstory I recommend reading the series in order. There is a war approaching between the dragons, the fae and humankind, and the build-up has been on-going for several installments.

SOME BACKGROUND: The DARK KINGS is a spinoff from Donna Grant’s DARK WARRIOR series which in turn is a spin off from Donna’s DARK SWORD series- all set in the Highlands of Scotland. The Dark Fae and their King Taraeth, along with the Ulrik the Silver Dragon King and his uncle Mikkel have declared war on the Dragon Kings by exposing the dragon’s existence to humankind. The last wars between man and the world of the paranormal saw a great loss of life on all sides-but Ulrik wants revenge against King Constantine of the Dragon Kings; Mikkel wants to become King of the Silvers, and the Dark Fae want the Dragon’s hidden weapon and to rule Scotland and the rest of the world. HEAT overlaps with Donna’s new spin off series THE REAPERS who may be a potential ally with the Dragons Kings in their war with the Dark Fae and Mikkel, the silver.

Told from several third person perspectives including Nikolai and Esther HEAT continues the build-up towards war as Esther goes in search of her memories, stolen by a Druid working for the other side. Esther’s memories buried deep within her mind are her only connection to the who and what of her recent excursion where she posed a danger to the Dragon Kings and the women they love. For weeks, Esther has suffered with unimaginable nightmares that threaten to destroy the person she once was but nightmares that warn of what was and things to come. Partnered with Nikolai, the Ivory King, he and Esther go on a European tour searching for the truth only to discover that the truth has been buried for far too long. What ensues is the building relationship between Nikolai and Esther; Nikolai’s reconnection with the Dragon who raised him as his own; and the discovery that Esther, and her brother Henry are not whom they believe themselves to be.

Like all of the previous story lines HEAT continues to build towards war-a war the Dragon Kings are desperately trying to avoid. The Light Fae Rhi discovers that helping a friend inevitably helps the other side- a lesson learned too late for the fate of humankind. Mikkel continues to plot the demise of Ulrik and the other dragons, while Ulrik’s motives are no longer clear, or whose side he is on.

Once again there is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including many of the Dragon Kings, druids and witches, dark and light Fae, as well the return of the Reapers.

HEAT advances the series but a few weeks in time but reveals the potential for new alliances, and the fall out between Rhi and the fae. We have yet to discover the identity of Rhi’s Dragon King-the man who broke the Light Fae’s heart-I am hoping the identity is soon revealed. The premise is intriguing and revealing; the romance is fated and passionate; the characters are numerous, eclectic and colorful. HEAT is an informative, revealing and welcome addition to the Dark Kings.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

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This is not my usual genre of reads but I did enjoy it. This is the 12th book in this series. This book can be read as a stand alone but as the stories and characters are interwoven it would be better to read in order. This is definitely a hot and steamy read. This is a well written story with fantastic characters. I can't wait to read more from this author just in a different genre.



would recommend

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book

Heat by Donna Grant is Book 12 of the Dark Kings Series and is one highly recommended read...warning, start with Book 1 first; actually this series is a spin off from the Dark Warriors Series and Dark Sword Series, so best bet is to start even further then Book 1 of the DK Series...you won’t be disappointed.

Ms. Grant has the magical talent of weaving a story that is original and fresh no matter how many books into a series and/or where it spins off of...downright addicting and out of this world.

An ARC was generously provided in exchange for an honest review of which this is both honest and completely voluntary.

I enjoyed this paranormal book. Usually this genre is not my favorite but i did enjoy reading this story! Author is very talented.

So, what did I like about it?
I haven't read any of the Dark Kings books before, in fact, Donna Grant is a new-to-me author but I liked the way Ms Grant told this story, the pace her plot developed and the fantasy world that she crated. I liked that she gave us a prologue to set up what happened in the past to our hero, Nikolai, as well as an epilogue to establish what will be continued in future books.

I enjoyed the mystery aspect of this story and the way our lead couple were trying to solve it. I appreciated the various twists and turns that Ms Grant weaved into this paranormal romance story, not only with Nikolai and Esther's quest but within the other plot lines too.

I liked that there are a few plots running alongside the romance aspect in this book; Nikolai and Esther’s quest to find the Druid and restore Esther’s missing memories, the threat and power struggles within the Dark and Light Fae, the impending leadership battle of the Dragon Kings between the current King of Kings Con and the banished Ulrik plus the various mysteries concerning the druids and Reapers.

Having not read the previous books I may be able to view the story’s characters differently than existing fans; what I'm enjoying is that we have different sorts of bad guys here; downright evil sods, misunderstood rogues, friends turned into enemies and bad-turned-good heroes. I love that, it keeps us readers on our toes. ;-)

As a newbie to this series, I’ve gotta say, I really like Ulrik. I know he murdered mortals in past books and wants to kills all the so-called good guys but I can feel his pain, I hope my suspicions of romance on his horizon pan out by the end of the series. I also like the Druid, Eilish, she's intelligent and resilient. I appreciate an author who writes multidimensional characters that aren't good or bad but a multitude of grey.

So, ummm, was there anything I disliked about it?
As you can tell by my rating, I did like this book but there were a few things that took the shine off for me.
For example, I found the phonetic Scottish dialogue used throughout this book annoying and although it wasn’t a deal breaker it certainly didn’t help.

Jumping into a well established series, I was prepared to encounter background story arcs that continue from previous books and even go on to subsequent books. But although Ms Grant does a good job of giving the relevant information within these pages I should warn other newbies that a lot has happened in this series – a heck of a lot! I am sure that Heat is the sort of book that existing fans will love but as a new reader I felt as though there were too many cliffhangers by the final page.

And finally, I'm still in two minds about how I feel after reading our first sex scene with Nikolai and Esther. The sexual anticipation was being built really nicely but I just felt that we were rushed to sex; it felt too porno-film-esque and out of character, it unfortunately jarred for me.

So, basically what I’m saying is...
I liked this book; it was good. I love it when a story keeps me guessing, makes me chuckle, puts a lump in my throat, warms my ole romantic heart and sends tingles of titillation to my nether regions. Heat had me gripped and kept me turning the pages.

I had not read any of the previous books in the series, but I never felt lost. There was enough explanation about character relationships and events that I got the gist of what previously happened. It may feel repetitive to readers of the series, but there weren't the kind of bash you in the head type. It was more subtly done.

I really enjoyed the world building, and I was curious to see how things played out. That being said I found the main couple boring and their adventure mostly uninteresting. Esther wanted to recover her memories and Nikolai was her backup/security/sketch artist. It was them pounding the pavement, slowly putting together the pieces. But the kind of stuff usually left out of storytelling because it's boring. They did have a couple of action packed moments, but they were over as quickly as they began. Which made the instalove less palatable than usual, because without the high stress situations why would two complete strangers be willing to declare undying love to each other. I mean I guess there is magic, but that is a annoying cop out. The other characters and their stories had my complete attention, and that is why I will continue on with this series. I want to know what happens to so many others.

Having enjoyed some of the author's Reapers series previously, despite coming into the middle of the series on it, when I was approached to read this title, I decided to give it a shot. Unfortunately, I had quite a few problems with it.

I knew going into it that it was 12th in a series, but even then, I had hoped for some explanation on what had come previously. That didn't happen. The lack of "catching up" for new readers made it extremely confusing for me, to the point where I had to force myself to finish the novel. The hints to the Reapers in this novel were also quite confusing to me, which leads me to believe that there's going to be some weird convoluted reading order to the entire universe, much like Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark-Hunters Universe has, but that series doesn't seem to be interconnected and interdependent as this one is. I had a hard time understanding the paranormal (beyond the dragon shifter part) aspect as well and felt that it could have used more explanation. I didn't connect well with the characters, and really grew to dislike them over the course of the book.

Sadly, this is really only good for fans of the series, and leaves me wondering if I'll enjoy the upcoming Reaper novel, as I have no interest in continuing with the Dark Kings series.

Don’t let the fact that this is the twelfth book in this series put you off reading it even if you haven’t read any of the others - it works well as a standalone. It tell s the story of Esther, who is missing some memories after her mind restored after having been taken over by a druid. She is an agent for MI5 and is searching for a dragon who she believes can help restore her memory. That dragon is Nikolai, a Dragon King who has preferred solitude for centuries, but once Esther asks for help he finds her irresistible and is determined to help, even if it means interacting with others again - including someone he once held in high esteem but fate drove a wedge between them, Can he help restore her memories? Can they resist their mutual attraction? What really happened to Ulrik - and can he help?

This is a real page turner, once where the lyrics from the Johnny Nash classic -

"There are more questions than answers

And the more I find out the less I know,

Yeah the more I find out the less I know."

prove very true in this story! As they uncover more information, that information raises more questions and dilemmas - including trying to decide just who is on each side in the different factions. The background information is skilfully interwoven so new to the series readers or anyone who has missed any of the earlier novels can still relate to events in this story. I particularly liked how the author developed the relationship between the two main characters, not rushing things for them and showing how events impinged on their growing love. It is a highly entertaining paranormal romantic suspense that I thoroughly enjoyed reading and have no hesitation in recommending to anyone who enjoys this genre or fancies giving it a try!

I requested and received a copy of this novel. This is my honest review after choosing to read it.

Really good dragon shifter romance. Even if you normally do not read shifter romance, I think you'd like this one.

I read this story immediately after BLAZE and the action continued with Esther returning to London with Nikolai, a Dragon King. She has been tormented by anxiety caused by Druid entering her mind and blocking her memories and Nikolai is going to help her retrace her steps until that time. There's a lot of action and struggles between the Dark Fae and the Dragon Kings and the very powerful Druid. The big question is who will Ulrik support in the struggle?

Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for an ARC; all opinions are my own..

This was a wonderful story that reminded me why I love this author! It is a later book in the series so I can't say much except that the story continued the series arc and I can't wait for the next book!

this was very well written and a very interesting story.. it was hott and sexy.. i love the characters.. it is def not a standalone so i recommend reading the others first but this author is amazing. i loved it and am glad i read it

Having read Dark Kings #11 (Blaze) made the story a lot easier. However I was still trying to catch up on all the old enemies, feuds and grudges which were undoubtedly told in the first 10 parts of the series.

So indeed, the story gets better, if you have read the whole series. But although I missed the first books, I'm glad to have read this one. Nikolai is a seriously hunky dragon, who has awakened after centuries of sleep.

He offers his help to Esther. An MI5 agent, who is aware of all the magical creatures in the world. She has had an encounter with a druid (in a previous book), who has altered her memories. She is scared, but determined to find out who did this to her and to make sure she gets her memories back.

Together with Nikolai they retrace her journey in London, to find out what has happened to Esther. During their time together, they can't deny the attraction between each other. But where Esther doesn't want to rely on her memories and feelings, Nikolai doesn't know what to believe or who to trust after his long sleep. His old mentor Ulrik, has turned against humanity and is responsible for the death of humans. Or is he not? And what is his connection to the druid who altered Esther's memories?

While trying to find Esther's memories, another substory unfolds for Balladyn and Con. Will Light and Dark unite? Or will they be ripped apart by lies and deceit? The answer to that question will probably be answered in the next parts of this series.

For this part, 3,5 out of five stars from me. And a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.

Dark Kings #12, Dark World #31. I don't know what I was thinking jumping in at this point. I love Donna Grant's Contemporary and Romantic Suspense, but I was always afraid of her paranormal because it is already such a big series, even though it is divided up into different series they are all tied together. Aside from feeling lost with the huge cast a characters and their backstories and side stories I did enjoy the book. Nikolai and Esther's story was exciting and hot. I loved Nikolai he's a great character and his ability is pretty cool. I love how strong and determined Esther is and the romance between them fits in to place, there's hardly any angst with is good they have enough problems as is the extra angst would have just been silly and would have made it seem like it was making it more difficult than it had to be. I wouldn't say their romance was easy because Nikolai has some issues from his past that he has to deal with before they can really have a HEA.

Esther is trying to find the Druid who took away her memories and controlled her to the point she almost killed someone. Nikolai has the ability to draw whatever he sees in perfect detail, with his connection to Esther -she's his mate he knows it he's just waiting until she's ready to hear it- he can draw her past. So together they go to London and backtrack until they get to the point where she comes across the Druid. It's a good thing her hobby is collecting bar coasters they use those to retrace her steps. Visiting each bar and Nikolai draws picture after picture of her in those places until they finally discover one commonality each picture has besides Esther, she was being followed. There's a lot that happens in this book most of it is Nikolai and Esther's story but they are also dealing with Fae problems which I was completely lost with and then you throw in the reapers and the witches, although the witches/druids/warrior tie in is mainly with the main story.

Overall, the main story of Nikolai and Esther, I loved it was exciting and I really got invested in their story but with everything else happening I felt in over my head.

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

I received this copy from netgalley but nowhere did it say that it was book 12 in a series. It is very confusing to start with as you are thrown in to the story but if you have not read any previous books, you are lost as there is a huge host of characters in this book.

The actual story of Esther and her search for answers along with the help of the Dragon King, Nikolai was great, and I enjoyed their search for the Druid who messed with Esther's mind. Along the way, they found some answers BUT there were many unanswered questions at the end of the book.

It would have been nice to have the issue of finding Esther and Henry's birth mother solved in this book as I want to know the reason she gave her two children up for adoption and hide them so well. I am guessing that the Druid, Eilish, won't find her birth mother as Mikkel needs to keep her in his power so that he can continue to use her powers.

Esther may be a former MI5 agent but nothing really prepares you for when a Druid takes over your mind! She may have been rescued but she still feels that something is...off with her mind. There are huge gaps and she is sure things have been rearranged somehow. She also worries that the very people who took her in look at her sideways...is she still a threat to them, is she the weak link in their protection?

Nik may by a Dragon King but he is also a bit of an artist. When Ether finds his room covered in pictures of her, instead of being scared that he is a stalker, she realises he can see past her fears and into her memories. Maybe together they can sort through her failing memory and find what is lurking within her sub-conscious.

Another great book in the series. Esther is perfect as the emotionally damaged Esther, frantically trying to make sense of the gaps in her head. Nik is both Alpha male and sensitive soul, an unusual mix. Great pace to the book and nice to check in on the previously mated couples.

This is a series you really have to read from the beginning if you don't want to get lost!

4.5 Dragon stars!!!
Gifted read by netgalley.
Wow you would expect that by book 12 it would be boring, or repeats of previous books but this author and this series has nothing boring about it.
This series has all the syfy qualities of Lord of the rings, Game of Thrones, and Karen Marie Monings Fever series rolled into brilliantly told stories.
In this series you are introduced to the Dragon Kings, light and dark fae, reapers and druids and so much mythological stories set in and around Ireland. It is a testament to this author's brilliance that by book 12 you the reader are still sucked into each story and await the next segment in this in going saga.
You must read in order to fully understand and obtain the true meaning and depth of each book. Even though these books are a continuted storyline each deal with one of the Dragon Kings finding and loving his mate.
So fantasy, syfy, romance, mystery, mythology set in and around Ireland, what more could you want?! This author is amazing at world building and keeping each installment of her series fresh, intriquing and spellbinding!
Donna Grant 's Dark King series is one you will binge read and count down until another Dark King book is released!
Highly recommended reading this series!!

Wow! No one does Dragons better than Donna Grant.
I've been following the DK since the beginning and each book just keeps getting better.
Inside the pages of this book, there's angst and intrigue. There's secrets revealed and more made to discover the answers to.
But best of all there's a budding relationship that is sweet and careful and sexy.
After reading this book you'll be left asking, "Wait, is the 'bad guy' , really that bad?"
Seriously though, if you're a fan of PNR, the Dragon King world is the best place to visit.