This is the third book in the Embraced series and I have loved each one. These are set in a fantasy realm and certain babies are born with special gifts. The kings want to kill all these babies with powers so they are hidden away on a private island and do not know who there families are. Each book is about a different character and how they find their families and, of course, true love. Highly recommended

Charming book, I've been a fan of Sparks books for years and have reviewed some of them. What do I like most about them is that they're cute and fluffy reads that are absolutely charming. I can put the book down and pick it back up and be instantly transformed into the amazing world of dragons and princesses. They are witty and fun without all the drama that most people seem to be attracted to these days. I enjoyed Gwen and Silas as they embarked on an adventure that only seems to bring them closer. This is the third book in the series but it can be treated as a stand alone. I remember reading one of these a few years ago but it's not necessary to have read it to enjoy this one. The rules for dating a dragon are indeed simple and exciting as Gwennore makes her way through the challenges of getting close to Silas. The book has a superb cast of characters and hopefully there's a book planned for Brody. Thanks Netgalley for a superb read, and to the author...I'd like Brody's story next. :)

Mediocre romantic fantasy fiction. When an elven woman is kidnapped by dragons while trying to protect her princess niece, she immediately feels a kinship with a dragon who rescues her, whom she deems Puff. Once on the grounds of her kidnapper's kingdom, she almost instantly falls for a beautiful general in the army. This book had very poorly constructed mysteries -- it almost felt like it was meant to be dramatic irony but I couldn't tell because the writing was too dull. Almost everything about this book was predictable, from the starry-eyed main characters to the plodding plot. There were extreme hints dropped at other novels in this series based on the heroine's sisters; will definitely not be reading those.

Warning: This is a really long review.
Have you've ever read a book that has gotten you so consumed you don't want to do anything but finish reading the story? I'm cooking dinner but all I want to do is get back to my story. I'm wondering what's going to happen. And I feel like the story is continuing without me which is highly unlikely of course but I can't help feeling that way. All I want to do is read. Ok. That is how I felt while reading this story and having to stop to do things for my family.

Now about this story. I love that this is not a true historical. It may seem like it but it's not. It takes place in another time and place. May seem like a historical but their manner of speak is more modern and hilarious. There's no technological advances so it may appear like a historical but the reader just needs to remember that this is a made up world and just go with it. I loved that there's some paranormal elements like magic and special powers and gifts that certain individuals have. There's also dragons and elves and shape shifters. This series really has it all and I've been having so much fun reading this series. But I especially loved Silas and Gwennore in this story. He was definitely gorgeous and sweet and I loved his sense of humor in the midst of such turmoil in his country. And Gwennore was so honest and pure of heart and so brave. Definitely a sigh worthy story even with only one major sex scene. But the chemistry between them was there from the beginning and it was just so much fun reading their interactions. I seriously can't say enough good things about Eight Rules for Dating a Dragon. I highly recommend this story and this while series. You really don't need to read them in order but it'll make the experience so much more if you do.

*I voluntarily read an advance copy of this book*

The book features Gwen, an elf who was abandoned as a child and raised with several other girls whom she now considers her sisters, and Silas, a dragon shifter and general of his country's army. Gwen and her sisters were all born at a special time of year and as a result have inherited various magical talents. In Gwen's case, she can tell what's wrong with a person just by touching them. She's not specifically a healer, although she has studied medicine so that she can help people. Unfortunately, as an elf, she's feared and disliked by most people because the elves in this world are reclusive and warlike and constantly attack the other countries. The elves are currently at war with Silas' country, so when she accidentally ends up in his kingdom while trying to save one of her nieces from being kidnapped, everyone mistrusts her there. Silas saves her from being killed and is immediately attracted by her beauty, selflessness, loyalty and smarts.

Gwen soon learns that Silas' country is suffering from a supposed curse that has lasted for 500 years and she's kindhearted so she agrees to help Silas find the real cause of the problem. Both Gwen and Silas are enjoyable, attractive characters. Both are honorable people trying to do the right thing, so they make a good couple. I liked that they communicated openly with each and didn't try to hide crucial pieces of information as so often happens in these stories. The story did involve insta-love and I felt their romantic relationship wasn't as developed as it could have been but otherwise I enjoyed it very much.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Gwennore is one of the five adopted "sisters" who had been sheltered on the Isle of Mists. She is an elf who has suffered prejudice since coming to the mainland. During a celebration, she takes a "niece" to a high meadow to pick flowers, to get away. There, a dragon kidnaps the niece. Gwennore grabs on to the dragon's talon, not willing to let her niece go. Another dragon saves Gwennore from plunging to her death. Gwennore and her niece end up in the country of the dragons. There, the royalty suffer from madness, there is a curse and a plague, there are state secrets that are unsafe to know, mysteries, whispers in the forests, and the ability to communicate with thoughts, a war with the elves, and more.

And a General, Silas Drevenko, who is General Gorgeous. He also has many secrets of his own.

Gwennore has the gift of being able to diagnose ailments with a touch. She learned healing to go along with this gift. Silas convinces Gwnennore, albeit deceitfully, to stay and help heal his people. He will return her niece to her parents. Gwennore stays.

Gwen and Silas are undeniably attracted to each other--probably even in love with each other. But can Gwen trust Silas? He's keeping secrets from her. And would his people ever accept her, their enemy?
***
Settling in to read "Eight Simple Rules for Dating a Dragon" is like siting down to visit with a old, good friend. And that friend is Kerrelyn Sparks. "Rules" is a feel-good book filled with warmth and humor that will leave you with a sigh of satisfaction and a smile on your face.

Eight Simple Rules for dating a Dragon by Kerrelyn Sparks is the 3rd in a series. Gwenmore is playing with one of her adopted sisters children. A dragon swipes in and takes the child. Gwenmore feels it’s her duty protect the child and goes after her. Puff the dragon saves Gwen and takes her to the child and back to his country. Little does she known Silas is the dragon. He asks her to stay to save his country that in terrible trouble and needs a healer. Silas has fallen for Gwen and doesn’t want her to leave. I think this is the best in the series so far. Highly recommend lots of action and adventure plus romance. Love this author and can’t wait for more!

Eight Simple Rules for Dating a Dragon is an exquisitely outstanding journey of finding the courage to claim a love that threatened to consume and transform in the blink of an eye. I found myself falling in love with the extraordinary world and its fabulous characters that you meet along the way. It will leave your pulse pounding and stimulate all of your senses. You will find yourself losing your heart to the wonderfully original story and the magnificent cast of characters. Paranormal romance has always found a special place in my heart, and this is one is definitely no exception. The mystery, passion, and suspense left me hungry for so much more. This is one series that I would love to dive into and never come back.

Silas is fighting a losing battle trying to keep his family and country happy and prosperous. The harder he fights the worse things seem to get. When it seems that all hope is lost fate sends him help via a mysterious elf who challenges him every step of the way. She is intelligent, loyal, and brave, and he can’t help but be drawn to her. She is unlike anyone he has ever met. Even through Gwen found herself in Silas’s country through irregular means, she can’t help but feel a great sadness for all that Silas and his people have endured over the years. From a deep sense of responsibility and courage, she agrees to work with Silas to do whatever she can to help aid in the health and prosperity of his people.

Gwen has never known anything but insults and prejudice all of her life, so when Silas pays her honest compliments to her raw beauty and amazing mind, she doesn’t know how to take them. Silas tries to wipe away the pain in her past as best he can if she will only open her heart to him. Gwen has never needed courage until now to face a fierce and unconditional love and decide whether to accept it as it is or turn it away as another form of ridicule.

This is the first book that I have read by Kerrelyn Sparks, and I am completely in awe of this incredible story and astounding characters. My heart was immediately immersed in this world where you feel a depth of emotion that will touch your very soul while embracing a new world that will leave you absolutely breathless. If I have my way this will not be the last that I read from this fabulous author. I plan on savoring her extraordinary talent as much as I can.

This is outside my normal romance genres I typically read, and I had a hard time figuring out which tags to use. Paranormal romance? Supernatural powers? Usually when I use these tags they're in more of a contemporary fiction kind of setting, not a medieval-ish fantasy, but at the same time they sort of fit? The tags I am sure of are romance, fantasy, and dragons!

The world building is really interesting, with people born on one of the two lunar eclipses each year being granted special powers. It makes for a very eclectic cast of characters, as everyone has a different sort of power. It's also got shifters and dragons and a war with the elves. What's not to love?

Gwennore, our leading lady, has the ability to touch a person on one of their pulse points and get a reading for their state of health, and is able to know what, if anything, is wrong with them. It bugs me that the blurb for this book describes her as "An Elf able to track down the cause of an illness and heal it, she’s a valuable asset to her people." Her power is sensing the illness, and she's learned about herbs and things to heal but she doesn't have healing powers.

I really enjoyed Silas, aka General Gorgeous. Some of the things he said had me laughing out loud, especially in his banter with Gwen. ("Rejected again.") I love me a tall, dark and handsome man who is strong with a sense of humor.

This is the third book in The Embraced series and it can be read as a stand alone... sort of. Let me clarify: There are five adopted/foster sisters, and each book focuses on one of the sisters and her love interest. The romantic plot as well as the plot involving the sister in question's love interest is resolved within the book, but there is also a larger overarching plot that reaching across the books. I read this book without reading the first two in the series and enjoyed it, but I think I'd have enjoyed it more if I'd read books one and two first. There is enough backstory given that you can put it together and the story works, but it would be better with all the pieces. There are also DEFINITELY spoilers for the first two books. I'm going to suggest you read this series in order if you can (and if the plots for the first two books look interesting to you!) If for some reason you only read romances about dragons, you can sure read this as a stand alone and skip the first two books.

Eight Simple Rules For Dating A Dragon is a story that I have been looking forward to for a YEAR and so to say that I was excited is putting it mildly. Now I won't say that I loved this book as much as book two (which is still my favorite book this author has ever written) but there was so MUCH goodness in this book. And quite frankly, I was so mad that this book was only 400 pages...it honestly just wasn't long enough for me, I mean seriously people...I breezed through this book in like 2 hours....I never read that quickly but I definitely read this one in one sitting and before I realized it the story was over and I didn't want it to be.

So in book two So I Married A Sorcerer we get glimpses of the dragons and the realm that they live in, which they are super secretive anyway. But I was so intrigued by these "dragons" and most especially their general and future heir Silas Dravenko. This book starts out with our heroine who is Gwenmore. She is Elf and as such she is looked at by main with disdain and really dislike as a whole. But somehow she is next to find her "husband' according to her group of friends and adopted sisters. But she doesn't really believe in it. While playing with Luciana's young daughter, who gets kidnapped by a real fire breathing dragon, Gwenmore does what she has to and jumps a ride with the dragon. And when he kicks her off and she almost is killed, she is saved by another dragon, one that she can understand and one she bonds with on an intimate level without realizing who he really is.

They are taken to the realm of the dragons and the people who live in this hidden kingdom. A kingdom that has a King and Queen that are mentally disturbed and being poisoned. The people are suffering from a curse that has lasted for hundreds of years. But Gwenmore is a healer, and she knows the sciences of medicines and believes that she can help including helping them evade a war with Luciana and her husband.

It soon becomes apparent that the castle is full of dangers especially with an enemy that is poisoning the royal family and it is up to Gwen to discover why and who and to help put a stop at it so the country can heal from this "curse" that is plaguing them. But they meet up with the "circle of the five" including the chameleon they fought in book two but never defeated. And the man he takes the image and station of is NOT someone you would ever expect. I was really intrigued with this side plot of danger and intrigue that this "circle" is playing.

We learn more about Gwen's true heritage and that she is more than what she seems to be. And we see why she truly feels at home in the realm of the dragons and that her "dragon" is the man she is falling for, the future king of the realm of the Dragons. And boy the chemistry between these two is powerful. I just loved their sweet slow burning connecting that builds in this story. It honestly wasn't quite what I expected, since its slow but intense at the same time. You just become hooked on their romance and seeing their story just bloom in its own way.

We see how much this country has been suffering for so many years with fear in their hearts all the time, and I love that once Gwen enters into it, things just start to fall into place and we see some healing that begins. Especially when we learn about her parents and see her kind and gentle spirit just learn to blossom and grow stronger in this story. I felt such a kinship to the characters here and seeing both Silas and Gwen grow together and also start to rebuild a country that needs some true joy and healing. They make such a great team and work so in sync without even realizing that they are doing it.

I found this story to be a breathtaking installment into a world that is captivating and thrilling in the only way that Sparks can pen a tale....a TRUE JEWEL!!

I absolutely LOVED this book! It's the 3rd book of the series and it's my favorite. Why?

1) She's an elf. He's a dragon-shifter. Enough said. At least for me. Hahaha. But seriously, dragon-shifter romances are one of the tropes I really enjoy; so the fact that she's an elf is extra bonus points.

2) The banter between Gwen and Silas was gold. Their conversations/scenes were funny, witty, sexy, and so entertaining. Watching their relationship grow and evolve was such a pleasure. No insta-lust, insta-love destined-mate-recognition here. Their love story, their relationship developed at a nice, steady pace.

3) I loved that Gwen was spunky, fierce, loyal, brave, and sweet. I loved that Silas was strong and dominant but was also sensitive, caring, protective, and mischievous.

4) It's a dual-POV story.

Other reviews say that this book is okay to read as a stand-alone. I would have to disagree. There are too many characters from the previous 2 books that make an appearance in this book. If you didn't read the other books, I think it would get quite confusing to keep them all straight. Also, the underlying action/conflict is one that is connected to the first 2 stories as well.

I can't wait to read book 4!

I loved reading the enthralling and amazing third book in The Embraced series. I voluntarily reviewed the book through NetGalley.
When Gwenmore is dropped into the Kingdom of Dragons with the young princess, she wants the young princess returned in exchange for her help in healing the curse and the stopping the plague. The handsome, sexy General Silas, captivates Gwenmore's attention, but she must fight her attraction to save Silas, his kingdom, and get back home to her sisters.
Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written, full of romance and intrigue, and a must read love story.

Another great book by Kerrelyn Sparks! Her books always leave me happy and waiting for the next one.

As the third installment in a wonderful new series by Kerrelyn Sparks, this book continues to create an exciting world of magic and mystery! I love each new couple better than the last, and this one is no exception. Both main characters are lovely, with depth to them that is slowly peeled back as the reader delves through the book, and that made it a really enjoyable read.

It's been several years since the five adopted sisters left the Isle of Moon for their new lives on the mainland. Gwennore has accepted her lot in life, which she believes to mean that she will never marry, for elves are not accepted in Tourinian or Eberoni society. Finding solace in her sister's children, she spends as much time with them as possible. When her favorite child, Eviana, is kidnapped right in front of her by a fierce dragon, she grabs on to his leg and refuses to let go. Thus Gwennore finds herself captive along with little girl in Norveshka, the land of dragons, and things go from bad to worse when she realizes the Queen is mad and her only ally has too many secrets for her comfort. Now she must determine who she can trust, before it's too late.

Gwennore and her ally, General Silas Dravenko, are an extremely cute couple - seriously, their every interaction made me laugh out loud. Particularly Gwennore's nickname for him, General Gorgeous, which she doesn't realize is broadcasted to him every time she thinks it. The fact that Silas can read her mind and she doesn't figure this out for a while in the book makes it all the funnier, and once his secrets are revealed, the hilarity begins all over again. It's impossible for her to stay angry with him. He was so cute in how he kept up the pretense that they were lovers in order to keep her safe, and I loved that she didn't give in right away. Of course, I would have been happy had she given in a bit sooner, as it did seem to drag on longer than I would have preferred. However, their relationship was so entertaining that it didn't really matter when they became intimate. There were more important things to focus on. In addition to those two characters, there were also a lot of great secondary characters that will have you laughing just as much, such as the flamboyant Olenka, whose personality matched that of several people I have known over the years. Endearing and sweet, she was a nice addition to a great cast of characters.

As usual, I have finished a Kerrelyn Sparks book wishing I could jump right into the next book. I love her books so much, and I am eager to read the next. I imagine it will be Sorcha, but I am hoping we get Maeve's soon as well, who I think will end up with Brody (am I right?).

**I received a free copy via NetGalley and this is my honest review.**

Kerrelyn Sparks’ newest offering to her Embraced series, ‘Eight Simple Rules For Dating A Dragon’, is a fast pace and humorous story. This third story had an interesting mixture of paranormal with superstition. The love story was good too.
The heroine, Gwennore, must find courage in herself and use her special gifts through several events; a kidnapping and rescue, being unwanted in a new land at war with elves because she is an elf, and deadly plots that could cause her death. Despite all odds she will willing help to save a people from extinction from a supposed ancient curse while falling in love with the hero, “General Gorgeous” Silas.
The hero, Silas, while having his own secrets, tries to distract Gwennore from her fascination with a certain dragon that rescued her from sure death by coming up with rules for her about dating her dragon. This is all while he is protecting her and falling deeply in love with her at the same time.
The Embraced is my new watch for series. Already I cannot wait for the next story.

Love this series. I really appreciated that it was Dual POV - CANNOT stand when it's a romance and there's only one POV.

This is Gwen's book. Gwen has a talent, just like all of her adopted sisters. (By the way such a sucker for this series. 5 "orphans" all with different powers/backgrounds and they are all sisters with a books for each girl. I'm in hog heaven) With one touch she can tack down the cause of an illness and the path to healing it. And due to her mysterious heritage she sound out she could hear/communicate with dragons and super old trees interestinggggg.

Gwennore - the lovely Gwennie - was a very sweet character. I did get a little frustrated with her at times. The whole "Should I?" or "Should I not?" when it came to Silas - BECAUSE WE ALL KNEW THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION. Plus she kind of tried too hard to endear herself to others ya know? All I could think of was why hadn't she ever heard of "Those who matter don't mind - those who mind don't matter"

Silas was funny - I enjoyed his thought process and his abilities. LOVED Puff.

Over all the plot was great and I loved loved loved Kerrelyn Spark's writing. Cannot wait for the enxt installment!!

You will want to read this book because it's wildly entertaining and Kerrelyn Sparks is a mastermind at world building and a well thought out plot.   Her previous series set the bar pretty high, but with The Embraced she continues to exceed expectations on a new world full of fun and likable characters.  I can't wait to read more from this series.

I continue to a) LOVE this series and b) wish that the books were packaged a little less sensationally. As it is, I'm pretty sure all of my friends who like fantasy overall look at the covers and flee in terror, while I run after them shouting "Come back! It's not as trashy as it looks, I SWEAR."

I really enjoyed reading, Eight simple rules for dating a dragon. I thought it was cleverly written, I found the characters interesting with good chemistry between them. I didn't want it to end.