So much happens between page 1 and page 407 that I can't even. Donna Grant just kept dropping hints, leads, and bombs, I had whiplash. I started wondering if she was worried her readers were losing interest and needed to reel us back in or what, but Flame never lets up and never lets one down. I need a nap.

This book features the King of the Navies, Cain, and Noreen, a Dark Fae and Other who is switching sides. But that says little; what happens is further machinations with the Others in their preparations for war with the Kings. An alignment of powers on all sides occurs; Reapers, Rhi, and individual Fae on the side of Dark and Light all over--even some resurrected dead come in to play. Who will side with the Kings? Noreen never thought she would be someone who would, but she can't let Moreann win. And she can't let her King lose; he's suffered enough already.

I almost can't take the wait for Inferno.

But... that nap first.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary advance copy of this book.

This book was really good! I love me some shifter romance! The characters were great and the story was exciting and sexy. Lots of action and suspense. Love it!

Cain is King of the Navy Dragons. He’s on a mission to find the person behind an anonymous email to help the Dragon Kings against their enemy. Noreen is a Dark Fae who hates the Dragons. She’s on the run because she wants to help the kings. They come together to face their desire and danger. They’ll rely on each other to find the truth. He’s promised to protect her. What happens when their desire becomes the Flame of love?

Flame has some unexpected twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of your seat wondering what will come next. Betrayal and desire combine for a thrilling story of love and desire. Two people who realize they have more in common than they think even though they’ve been enemies. They combine forces to fight a mutual enemy. Lives will be on the line as they find a way to defeat the enemy. Love conquers all and will fan the Flame of two people who realize that opposites and differences just won’t matter. Donna Grant continues to surprise. She’s written a book that you just can’t put down and will wanting her anxiously waiting for the next installment.

**Copy Provided by Netgalley and St Martin's Press for an honest review**

When i requested this book i stupidly did not realise that this is book 17 in a series. Although this CAN be read as a stand alone story, i do believe that i would have understood the plot as a whole better if i had read the previous books. That being said things were well explained and i could certainly follow what has been happening.

This is the first time that i have read this author and i am currently kicking myself, therefore i shall have to make time to read the full series at some point after having bought the collection of books before this lol. I don't want to have to wait for each book.

In this book we have Noreen a Dark Fae and Cain a Dragon King. Noreen is trying to escape the evil Moreann and has hatched plan into helping the Dragon Kings and helping them win the war, it is receiving the email that Cain is asked to discover more about Noreen, however what he finds is his mate and a woman he vows to protect. But is is all as it seems?

There are a few good twists and turns that i did not see coming and i was really drawn into the story so much that i read the book in only one day. I really loved the world building and all of the characters and have found them intriguing. This will certainly be a series that i will want to complete.

I look forward to reading more from this author.

These books are awesome and frustrating and sexy and soooooo good!

If you're looking for a self-contained point to jump in - this is not it. We are so deep in the story now that you would certainly miss out if you picked up the series here. That being said, I am 100% all in at this point! We need to have the big showdown and while this book gets us somewhat closer, we are still missing that final piece. So many hints and clues are dropped that I am dying to see where we get in the end.

So - what is this book about? Well, the big bad (aka "The Others") is still lurking about and the dragon kings are done waiting. When they get an email from someone claiming to have information, Cain gets tasked with getting whatever information he can out of the informant. Noreen, said informant, is sort of a member of the others. She was raised by the leader and has some jumbly memories because of it. She reluctantly goes with Cain, but from there, sparks fly.

Of course we get another wonderfully suited pairing (yay for dragon mate magic), but it definitely takes some twists and turns. Nothing is every truly easy for these guys. Overall, the story got pushed in the right direction, but like I said, we never got "there." Are we out of dragons yet? When do we get to see Con pair up properly? I spent probably more time in this book than I should wishing for that.

Flame is book #17 in Donna Grant's Dark Kings series. I'm going to start with a disclaimer: when I requested an ARC of this book on Netgalley, I had no idea it was so deep in a series as the cover and title did not indicate as such. This is the first book I've read in Dark Kings and my opinions are likely skewed by that fact.

Flame is backstory heavy, which was helpful to someone who didn't read the prior books. The fantasy setting, alternate Earth setting, and various types of magical people were described and thought-out quite well. The epilogue did a good job of setting the stage for the next book in the series.

However, after a few chapters of backstory it began to feel like bloat that an editor should have suggested large cuts to, and combined with lack of action and development by the main characters, it made this book difficult to get invested in.

Overall, I felt no attachment to the two main characters, Noreen and Cain. Their backgrounds are detailed well but due to being stationary most of the book, it didn't feel like I got to know who they currently are. They seemed to lack motivation to do anything other than talk and have a few rounds of sex. This pair falls in insta-love in less than a day, which is great if you are purposefully reading an insta-love novella and not-so-great if you're reading a 407-page story that should've given time for an organic romance.

Adding to the book's bloat were many chapters from secondary character points-of-view that were likely relevant to the series' overarching plot, but primarily irrelevant to Flame's plot. It was interesting to see the antagonists' view in a few of the chapters, but otherwise the secondary protagonists did practically nothing to further the story. I didn't do a count but it felt like at least half of the chapters were not from the main characters' point-of-view.

At 70% through the book, there is finally action. Though there's another spurt of inaction/backstory before the end, this is when it finally felt like the story picked back up for the first time since chapter four or five. The climax is interesting -- until suddenly it's left unresolved. That's not to say that the book ends there, just that the main plot of this book is left hanging to be finished in the next. After so much reading to get to this point, it left me unsatisfied.

There were days between my reading sessions of Flame because I simply lacked the interest to go back to it (also why my review is after its release date despite starting it prior). It's not that I was feeling lost in the story due to jumping in so deep in a series, but simply because the majority of the book was boring. I imagine that someone who has read and enjoyed the Dark Kings series up to this point would have a much better impression of the book than me. Unfortunately, Flame left me with no desire to check out the earlier books in the series.

As other reviewers have said, this book is part of a series. This book, which I thoroughly enjoyed I do think you need to have read earlier books to make proper sense of it. However, for those who have read earlier books I think this is particularly enjoyable. It starts to answer some of the questions that have been hovering in the past few books and develops the story well. The characters, for me, are now familiar and I enjoy seeing how they all interlock. I love the descriptions of the other worlds and the way the different 'species' are interwoven. I look forward to continuing to enjoy this series. If you have not read any then I suggest you start now.

I enjoyed this book. Noreen and Cain made a compelling pair that you are quick to embrace. The story is well written and engaging. Powerful emotions, drama, tension, turmoil, intrigue, excitement and danger are crafted into a potent combination that delivers a very enticing book that was a pleasure to read.

4 Stars

It’s not everyday that the enemy reaches out, willing to give up vital information. Is it legit or is it set up? Is the truth a lie or is the lie the truth. The deception is layered thick and something epic is on the rise. Donna Grant builds the anticipation for the ending of the series while giving readers a jaw-dropping story with Flame.

Noreen is an other and a dark fae. Her story is twisted and plays a bigger part than she could have ever realized. She has been victimized just as badly as the Kong’s themselves have. Things with her are not as they seem. I liked how as Noreen learned her own personal truth she adapted quickly, using it as a strength to move forward, doing what is right. There were many times while reading Flame, I wanted to dislike her but in the end she was truly an extraordinary character.

Cain is the King of the Navy Blue Dragons and has been tasked with finding the enemy source who sent them information. At first sight of her Cain knows he is done. At the first touch of her, he knows she’s his mate. Trust comes hard for the kings, he found truth and trust within an other. He was gentle, genuine, kind and compassionate. Was he blindsided by love or are more layers of deception being uncovered. Cain goes wholeheartedly into something that broke his heart and then healed it too. He knew the dangers to himself and the kings and he dove in head first. I so loved that about Cain.

Wow! Donna Grant has taken readers on an epic journey over the years with her tales of the Dragon Kings. Flame is the latest chapter in the overall story bringing us closer to the end. Flame gives readers the story of Noreen and Cain. An unlikely pairing but one that seems to have proven enemies can make the best lovers. Noreen and Cain were smoldering together. Their passion was intimate and deep. Cain was a gentleman among dragons. Even when he was feeling betrayed and hurt he was never Malicious towards the source of the pain. Noreen cares deeply and no spell could change those feelings. The two seem to have been almost made for each other. Many questions that have been lingering have answers come to light within the pages of Flame. A few old friends make important and impactful visits and a missing one returns. We see the king of kings and away we’ve never seen him before and some of the sacrifices that have truly been made. Flame is a story that has a lot of revenge, lies and deceit. Within those pages we were also able to get a story of compassion and love. Being the next to the last book in a series so much information lies within these pages and I believe a few hints to finally give us an answer to the biggest question we’ve all been asking.

4.5 stars--FLAME by Donna Grant is the seventeenth full-length instalment in Donna Grant’s contemporary, adult DARK KINGS paranormal/fantasy romance focusing on the Dragon Kings and the women they love. This is navy Dragon Cain, and Dark Fae Noreen’s story line. FLAME should not be read as a stand alone as the current story line continues to follow the ongoing series arc.

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, including the latest spin off about the Fae executioners known as the REAPERS. The Dragon Kings have a new enemy with the recent appearance of a group known as the Others, but their true identity and membership is currently unknown. As each Dragon King falls in love and finds his mate, King Constantine is pulled further away from the woman he loves, a woman he betrayed thousands of years earlier.

Told from several third person perspectives including Noreen and Cain FLAME focuses on the search for the truth, and the identity of the group known as the Others. An anonymous email to the Dreagon, the home of the Dragon Kings, finds Navy dragon Cain volunteering to ferret out the information the sender claims to know. Enter Dark Fae Noreen, a member of the Others, and the woman with whom Cain will fall in love. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Cain and Noreen, and the potential fall-out as betrayal is inevitable when dealing with the enemy.


Navy dragon King Cain knows he has found his mate in the Dark Fae Noreen but trust doesn’t come easily for the other Kings. Having been betrayed in the past, and the obvious issue of Noreen’s identity, the Dragon Kings struggle to accept Noreen at face value including Rhi, a powerful Fae who sees more than most. While Rhi battles between head and heart, her Dragon King slowly begins to spiral out of control without the love of the woman he had chosen to destroy.

FLAME, like many of the previous storylines, recounts and chronicles the history of the Dragons, the Fae, the Druids and humankind; the betrayal leading to war between the dragons and human but also reveals the reason for the Others-their determination, their drive, their goals and their vengeance. We are introduced to their leader, their members and the powerful magic that controls the world but a magic that is slowly dissipating from other realms with prolonged and nefarious use.

FLAME is a story of betrayal, secrets, vengeance and lies. A tale of powerful magic and manipulation, broken minds and broken souls. The premise is intriguing and emotional; the romance is seductive and intense; the characters are spirited, animated and impassioned.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

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I'm a late-comer to this series, but I do love these Dark King stories. I can't say that I've read all the books in this series, but from a paranormal romance perspective, I find that I just love the Dark Kings and what they stand for and the women that find them irresistable. I was intrigued by Constantine many books ago. Each book does bring us closer to the showdown between the Fae and the Dragon Kings.

Noreen warns the Dragon Kings that something bad is coming their way and Cain is sent to investigate. He is at first skeptical that Noreen is going against her clan, but eventually comes to believe her and understand just what she is risking by warning the Dragon Kings.

There is some insta-love going on here, which is part of the charm of this paranormal series, even though Noreen and Cain start out on opposite sides. I really like these books more for the romantic aspects but I've found the external conflicts between the Dragon Kings and The Others intriguing and I've gotten more interested in that part of the story as this series is in its last few books and that part of the story comes to a conclusion.

Overall, another good read in this paranormal series. There's a good buildup to the conclusion happening in this story along with the romance between Noreen and Cain.

An ARC was provided. This is my honest review.

*I received this book free from St. Martin's Publishing Group via NetGalley.*

Cain is a Dragon King who misses the time back when the land flourished with his brethren. He wants the peace and beauty of the Earth back, but knows it will never happen. Not until the Others are destroyed.

Noreen is an Other who finally realized she'd been lied to and betrayed. The Others weren't what she'd thought them to be. She wanted out and she wanted to let her once enemy, the Dragon Kings, know what she knew in hopes of righting a wrong.

Neither Cain nor Noreen expected to feel the instant attraction or for things to become so intense as fast as they did, but neither could deny the truth. They were fated to be together. It didn't matter that she was an Other, or that she was a Dark Fae, all that mattered was she wanted to do what was right.

"Because I knew I'd done the one thing the new me had never thought to do."

"Betray a Dragon King."

Flame is another Dark Kings novel filled with desire, confusion, betrayal, and intense heat. From beginning to end there's never a dull moment. It was an intense 'what's going to happen next' kind of story that had me turning page after page from beginning to end.

I love how the underlying plot plays throughout the entire series. It's getting close to something major happening and I cannot wait to find out what it is. These Dragon Kings are due for one hell of a victory.

I love the dark heroes (heroines). The sense of right v. wrong, light v. murky, honest v. untruthful makes for an intriguing look into not only the character, but the culture behind. For Noreen, and Cain, this difference in attitude becomes problematic and troubling in more than one instance. The revelations that become known just put into perspective how tiny life really is in the grand scheme. For long time readers of this series, many back-stories and themes are tied up and even more questions revealed. Hint - still waiting to know who Rhiannon's D. King is/will be. Highly recommend reading in order.

Donna Grant is one of those authors that you know is going to deliver an exceptional story, From the start this grabs 9n and doesn't let go.

It is Cain's turn to find his mate. Noreen comes over from the dark side. All the players are finally coming together for the final showdown. This book is what is leading up to the last book in this series. A lot happens and find out somethings about a few people's pasts. When you finally know who Con's mate is you can see it so clearly on the pages. I may actually feel bad for him but then again maybe not. If you have read this series you will enjoy this book. Con's book is going to be epic and I can't wait.

*I received a free copy of this book from the author/NetGalley and am voluntarily giving my honest opinion*

This is Book 17 in the Dark Kings series. Noreen knows that she’s basically committing suicide when she decides to tell the Dragon Kings what the Others are planning. But it has to be done! Now she has to convince Cain that she’s not trying to trick them. This will keep you on the edge of your seat as you read it. There’s a lot happening and it’s explosive! I voluntarily read and reviewed this book that I received from Netgalley.

Flame by Donna Grant places the Dragon Kings of Scotland at the end of a progressively developing war. As good as this news is, we are beginning to gauge the extensive toll it is taken on several principal characters. With the most important battle yet to come, some personal issues need to be properly resolved before the team can present a unified front.

Cain and Noreen suffer a challenging time during their budding romance. Their tale is tense and gripping. The couple's chemistry is fantastic, and their resolution is completely satisfying. Absolutely, under no circumstances, should you willingly miss this remarkable book. We are in deep guys and boy is there a stunning, informative, and exciting amount of lore addressed here. Many of my theories are this close to being revealed, and it is driving me crazy, in a pleasing way.

One warning, if the Dark Kings series is unfamiliar, it is probably inadvisable to start here. The couple's story is independent, but the backdrop has advanced over several books. Reading Flame will spoil the larger storyline if one starts at the beginning later, which I highly suggest doing.

Thank you, Donna Grant, for this brilliant book and amazing series! I am completely satisfied with what Flame delivers us readers and cannot wait for more.

Flame by Donna Grant is book 17 in the Dark Kings Series. This is the story of Noreen and Cain. I have read the previous book so that did add to my enjoyment of this one but I do feel you could make it a standalone book if you wish to do so. Cain is the chosen one to look into a possible informant who sent an email to them about The Others. The Dark Kings and the The Others are in a fight which opens this email up to danger but could be useful if not something else. Noreen is a Dark Fae and has been a part of The Others but now is doubting that choice. Noreen is the one that sent the email and when she meets Cain they both have mixed feelings toward each other. This was another exciting page turning read from this author!

Flame is packed with an incredible journey that will captivate and consume you. From the first page to the last your hooked. Dragons, Faes, love and friends this is an amazing read. How far are you willing to go to do whats right.

I love Donna Grant and have read many of her books. This is definitely on the top of my most favorites list. This story starts out with Noreen second guessing herself and which side she’s on. She wants to save the Dragon King’s but it might be to risky. In comes Cain who wants to help but also get an advantage on their enemies. The story between Noreen and Cain took an unexpected but interesting twist. The connection between them is felt from the moment they meet. I would also add that this book is apart of a series but can be read as a stand-alone. However, I highly recommend reading the whole series, as well as, The Reapers series.