~Review:Fire Rising (Dark Kings #2) by Donna Grantt~

Tristan, the newest Dragon King, is having a tough time fitting in. Despite his ability to transform into a proud, strong dragon at will, no one knows where he came from or how he became a Dragon King, including himself. When trouble arises in the form of the mob, Tristan is going to have to put aside his questions and band with the other Dragon Kings to protect Dreagan. As if things weren’t complicated enough, he is about to find something worth fighting for more important than the Dragon Kings…

Sammie Miller, pub owner in Oban, has been scorned by her business partner—and former lover. Used as a front for money laundering with the mob, Sammie is in great danger once she realizes what has happened. Barely escaping, she plans to rest at Dreagan for only a day before going back on the run. When Tristan swears to protect her, Sammie thinks his efforts will be in vain—the mob is too powerful, and it will take more than the average man’s devotion to keep her safe. But the closer she gets to Tristan, and the more he learns his secrets, Sammie can’t deny that having a Dragon King who worships you, body and soul, isn’t such a bad thing…

Overall Rating:  4.5 Rockin’ ★★★★☆

Sammi has been betrayed by her ex-boyfriend and business partner.  He has been laundering mob money through her pub and skimming off the top for himself.  You don’t double cross the mob, you die when you do!  When Daniel confessed what he had been doing it was already too late, the mob was there to collect their pound of flesh and would not that she knew nothing about it.  Sammi knows that if she can escape and go to Jane, her half-sister, she will be safe for a few days.  She had to get away, stay alive and find her way to her sister without leading the mob to only family.  By the time Sammi arrives at her sisters, she is at the end of her rope.  Her only hope is that she can rest and recuperate for a few days and then leave before they find her. She knows that Jane will try to help, but she must not share anything with her about what has happened in order to keep her sister safe from harm. Tristan feels an instant need to protect and to take care of Sammi.  He cannot explain the feelings she arouses in him, he just knows that he must help her and keep her safe.  As Sammi wakes she realizes that she is not alone, that someone is taking care of her in her sister’s home.  He is the so everything and she is drawn to him as she has never been to another.

Tristan was a fantasy that Sammi knew she could not allow herself.  She had to get away as quickly as possible to protect them from those that were following her.  She has no idea that her sister’s husband and his friends are dragon shifters or Dragon Lords.  They follow Sammi as she leaves the protection of Dreagan.  It is a good thing that they do because it is not just the mob but also M15 and the Dark Fae that want her.   Sammi knows that her only hope is to disappear.  She heads into the mountains hoping to lose those following her.  Tristan discreetly follows at a distance to watch over her.  He knows that this is not going to be easy because every contact with Sammi gives him visions of another, an Immortal Warrior named Duncan.  Could this be his past?  Tristan knows that he will do anything necessary to keep Sammi safe.  She calls to him on a physical and emotional level and even though he knows that he should not give into the need he finds that he cannot stop himself.  He will protect and defend her from the evil that is trying to snare her and use her to bring down the dragons.

Why does he get flashbacks of his former life when he touches Sammi?  Who is trying to destroy the Dragon King’s? How does Sammi fit into this plan of outing the dragons to the human world?  Is Sammi his mate?

Hero –Tristan: 5 stars
Heroine –Sammi Miller: 4.5 stars
Steam: 4.5 stars
Plot: 4 stars
Cliffhanger: No

Would I recommend this book: Yes! If you enjoy paranormal romance this book has it all and will take the reader into the fascinating world of the Dragon Kings and their mates. Love, mystery and betrayal are woven throughout this intriguing tale.

Would I read other books by this author: Yes! This author is an incredible paranormal romance writer and I have enjoyed reading many of her series.  I really want to read the next installment in the Dragon King’s saga.

***Received an ARC of this book from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review***