Dark Craving: A Dark King Story (Dark Kings)

The story was innovative and interesting. I enjoyed the characters and the imagery. My only complaint...no as long as the traditional paperback novels which makes it too brief a read for such a talented author.

Predictable plot and characters, with the last line "Maybe the fairy tales really were true." (Really? OMG!) At least the setting was imaginative, but it raised a question which was never answered, possibly dealt with in the next book. I'll never know....

Can I just say...that my ALL-time favorite shifter has always been "Dragon-shifters". OMG!!!
And...look at the cover...does it not make you want to go to the nearest online book store to buy it.
I actually pre-ordered this book and I found out that Heroes and Heartbreakers was going to give a first glimpse into the new series by Donna Grant, by posting "Dark Craving" on their site for 3 days. I jumped at the chance to read it before it downloaded to my Kindle...which by the way I'm still keeping my pre-order because this book is a "re-read" for me in the future...because I loved it that much.
Donna Grant definitely prepares you for what is ahead in the Dark Kings books. She sets her new trilogy off without confusion.
You're introduced to Cassie and how she is moving in with her brother, Dan in Scotland. She's already having a horrible time adjusting there. The airline lost her luggage and Dan is not there to pick her up. Instead, she is given keys to a small car and is given directions to pick up Dan's dog before she heads to his house. Where is her brother, Dan when she really needs him? She is trying to spend time with him since she hasn't seen him for 9 years and he's the only family she has left. She's had it rough...let's just say that.
Then the sexy Hal is introduced....and he did not realize that his life would change the moment he helps Cassie into Dan's house. He can not help the fact that she is attractive and that he may be falling for her. His kind is not supposed to fall in love with a human though...at least they haven't even fallen in love for years now.
Oh boy...I could go on and on what the story is about, but I do not want to give it away. I'm not spoiling this book for anyone. Let's just say if you haven't added this book to your to-read list or even pre-ordered it, you need to. Donna brings you a magical world of dragon shifters and what happens when humans end up in the middle of the sexy dragon shifters and their magic.
I recommend this to anyone who has read Donna Grant's books before, who loves reading about dragon shifters (like I do...oh how I love dragon shifters...*sigh), and loves the paranormal romance genre.
I'm looking forward to the 2nd book to the trilogy now. Is it the end of August yet? Because I think this will be the trilogy that will make me lose my patience on waiting. *sigh* At least I can look at the covers of all the books and drool at my computer while I wait. =) I want to find out more about this world Donna has created and maybe even hook myself a sexy shifter. (shhh...don't tell my hubby...) =)

Donna Grant has done it again, Another amazing story about highlanders, dragons, hero's and the woman who love them. This books has romance, wonder, and it keep u on edge thru the entire story. Passion in every word and she leaves you thrilled for the next books to come. Great read, highly recommend....

DARK CRAVING A Dark King Story by Donna Grant
OMG I never tought that I would love so much DRAGON-SHIFTERS.
Beautiful cover and nice choice of tattoo for her character in this fairy tale come true.
I loved her characters! Hal, a Dark King, a virile and handsome man, an immortal extremely
powerful Dragon King. He is also part man / part dragon. He can shift from a dragon form to a human form to be able to be part of both worlds. Dragon Kings were created to guard mankind and dragons. Cassie, a young and beautiful woman, who decided to come and live with her brother Dan in Scotland, to restart her life. And her life will be changed forever when she meets Hal, who can never fall in love with a mortal woman. With time,they started to trust each other and love and passion became part of their life...
You will understand more about Donna's other characters such the other Dragon Kings who share Hal's life, Rhys, Banan, Guy, Tristan, Constantine, the King of Kings, and Ulrik who's power to shift was taken from him and made him harmless. You need to read the story to know why. I love Ms. Grant's describe way of writing scenes in this amazing story. If you love Highlanders, Warriors, Dragon-shifters, then this book is for you. I read it in half a day, and could have read more..I could not put it down. another 5 stars for DARK CRAVING.

Dark Craving is a novella, less than 100 pages, that takes place in the Dark Warriors world. This is the second Donna Grant novel that I've read that's in this world but the novella can be read as a standalone.

I enjoyed Dark Craving. It was a quick read about a bunch of warriors known as Dragon Kings. Due to a war started by one of their kin when his human lover was murdered, the Dragon Kings were bespelled to not feel anything for mortals. All that changes when Cassie Hunter travels to Scotland for her brother and is rescued by Hal. Hal is inexplicably drawn to Cassie. The Dragon Kings are cursed so there is no reason for him to have these feelings for a mere mortal.

Since Dark Craving is not a full-length novel, the insta-love between Hal and Cassie is pretty quick. We skim the surface about the legend of the Dragon Kings and the magic that has allowed them to live among humans but never fall for them. I hope that we find out more about the magic, the Silvers and Ulrick as this series progress.

This can be read as a standalone. I've read the first book of the Dark Warriors series and what I've noticed in similarity is that American women travelling to Scotland never pack the appropriate clothing. LOL! Hopefully that will change with the next book.

I really enjoyed the story and will definitely follow the series. It was a quick read and I appreciated the interaction between Hal and Cassie. The dragon structure was interesting and I look forward to learning the how's and wherefore's of their lineage and history.

There were some unresolved issues that I'm sure will be delved into further in later books like why Tristan emerged after centuries of the Amber dragons being king-less; what caused the Silver dragons to move; and why did Dragon magic no longer work to dampen feelings for humans? Are the answers one and the same or closely linked. Only time will tell.

But at the end of the story I was left with one outstanding question. What the heck happened to Dan? Her brother was mentioned but never made an appearance in the story. I wonder if that fact will be relevant in future books.

Great start to the series.

Nice short story, but needed more. There could have been a bit more in the relationship building between Cassie and Hal. Yes it's a short novella, but it can be done. Also, having nothing about where her brother was and what happened with him was poor since she moved to be with him. There should have been a phone contact at least once and not just a mention of him and his wife being at the wedding at the end. And why can Cassie see their dragon tattoos move? I know there's two more books after this one, which I'm about to start the second, but I didn't get information from another reader who has read all three that it is explained. That's too much to go through 3 books and not have that addreessed.

Reviewed by Ann & posted at Under the Covers Book Blog

Donna Grant takes on dragon shifters in the first book of a brand new ebook exclusive series called the DARK KINGS.

With ancient magic, Hal is able to transform into a large green winged dragon. As a Dark King, he and his comrades are part of an immortal race that have the power to shift at will. However, this power must be honed. It is only after several centuries that a Dark King is able to control every single aspect of his powers.

American Cassandra Hunter travels to Scotland to see her brother, Dan. However, she is having the day from hell because once she arrives in Scotland, her luggage has disappeared and her brother has become indisposed. Now, Cassie must drive herself to Dan's cottage and pick up his Great Dane, Duke along the way. Exhausted, Cassie lets herself drift away.

She wakes up to find herself in her brother's cottage, safe and warm and she wonders how she got there. The answer pops up when she stumbles upon a hot Scot chopping up wood. And what a sight it is!

The chemistry is instantaneous between Cassie and Hal. Grant did a great job of establishing the romance early in this book. This was key because the book turned out to be much shorter than I had anticipated. Nevertheless, Grant is still able to develop the romance at a believable pace.

Something interesting happens when a naked man holding a sword (not that kind of sword :p) falls from the sky. Naturally, I approve of this because who doesn't like a dragon-tattooed naked man falling freely from the sky? I sure do. This naked man doesn't remember who he is. His presence became the perfect way to bring the backstory of the Dark Kings.

As the naked man (now named Tristan) learns about what he is, readers are also learning about the dragon shifter ways with him. I was sucked into this world and after devouring this book in a single sitting, I wanted more.

Grant crafts an amazingly well-written and interesting world with the dragons. I can't wait to see what's to come next!

*Review Copy provided by publisher

An e-novella and first in the Dark Kings paranormal romance series set in contemporary Scotland. The couple focus is on Hal and Cassandra Hunt.

My Take
Grant quickly sets up a variant on a dragon shifter species and leaves us hanging, wondering where the dragons went, how many dragon kings there are, why the magic has suddenly developed a glitch, and what that ancient deal entails.

I loved the start with all the attention Grant pays to setting the atmosphere and emotions. I do wish she had kept this going for the rest of the story. It would have been richer for it. That's not to say I'm not interested in the next in the series, Night's Awakening (Dark Kings, 2).

Dan is such a jerk! I'm anxious to meet this guy and find out what his deal is! What is with that car? What? He doesn't figure on luggage and carting that huge dog around? If he's on something of a friendly basis with the guys over at the distillery, wouldn't he have asked one of them to pick Cassie up?


Grant doesn't convey much emotion in this once past the beginning. Sure, I'm curious as to upcoming events, but I don't feel emotionally involved.

The Story
Chance--and the economy--have sent Cassandra Hunt to her brother's remote cottage in the Scottish Highlands. her brother's carelessness would have made this a deathly experience if not for Hall finding her half-frozen and locked out.

it's a visceral punch to the heart for both. Cassie knows it's one-sided on her part. No one who looks like Hal wants a woman who looks like her.

Hal. Hal needs to resist his attraction to this human. The attraction he feels is forbidden by their laws.
And something has gone wrong with the Dragon magic for the Silvers are stirring, a new Dragon King is born, and Hal can feel.

The Characters
Cassandra Hunt has been out of work for over a year and is desperate. She's made a deal with her brother Dan to renovate his cottage while she begins her life anew. Duke is the Great Dane whom Dan asked her to pick up.

Hal is one of the immortal Dragon Kings along with Constantine, the King of the Kings; Rhys; Banan; Guy Royston; and, Kellan, who tracks dragon history. Their stronghold and income is through the Dreagan Distillery.

Tristan is the new Dragon King. Born fully grown, tattooed, and sword in hand shortly after Cassie's arrival.

Ulrik was King of the Silvers until he went to war against the humans. Humans who hunt dragons down, but whom the Dragon Kings are sworn to guard.

Druids and Warriors are other magical groups with their own evil to face--Declan.

The Cover
All lilacs in the gleaming, torqued, very muscular, naked torso tattooed with a writhing dragon--its head and forearms covering Hal's pectorals and the rest of the dragon, its tail twisting back and forth on itself, covering his rib cage.

The title is Hal's response to Cassie, his Dark Craving for a forbidden woman.

I know this was a novella, but it was unrealistically rushed with a four day time span from meeting to in love. There were also some inconsistencies and editing issues. I look forward to reading one of the full length dragon books though.

This story introduces us to the Dragon Kings. While there could have been a little moire background, I suspect we will pick up moire as the series evolves. Hal and Cassie become involved quickly, but that is a recurrent theme in shifter stories, so no surprise there. All in all, a good beginning.

In this book, things with Cassie started slow but quickly came to light. I loved the raw passion in the characters. occasionally the story went a bit fast, but not too bad. There were times I felt ad if I were right there with Cassie experiencing everything. Amazing story. Looking forward to seeing if Constantine gets his own story as that would be a very strong woman indeed.

Its super short and it felt rushed. The author hints that there is a situation happening with the Silver's but you never find out what that is. Then there is Tristen but you dont really know his importance. Odd transitions. I dont feel like there was a connection between the characters either.