Type of bind: Mass Market Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
EAN num: 9780373770571
ISBN number: 037377057X
Label: HQN Books
Manufacturer: HQN Books
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 384
Printing Date: September 01, 2005
Publishing house: HQN Books
Sale Popularity Level: 196872
Studio: HQN Books
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Brief Book Summary:
Grace Carlyle's world was about to change . . .
Deep in the jungle on the trail of her missing brother, Grace never expected to find a secret world populated by mythological monsters -- nor guarded by a sword-wielding being whose beauty put mortal men to shame.
Darius en Kragin belongs to a race of shape-shifting warriors sworn to guard Atlantis and kill all travelers who stray within its boundaries. Yet when Grace stumbles into his realm, he finds himself tempted to betray his centuries-old vow.
Now their forbidden love will either bring their worlds together -- or tear them both apart.
Don't miss this sexy new story from the author of The Stone Prince and The Pleasure Slave.
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Rated by buyers -
"Heart of the Dragon"
By
Gena Showalter
Grace Carlyle, frustrated by her boring, predictable job and lack of romance in her life sets out on a potentially dangerous mission to find her brother who disappeared into the Amazon Jungle on a research trip many weeks ago. After her guide steals from her and retreats into the Jungle Grace finds herself wandering, looking for the way out. Instead of getting out of the jungle however, she unknowingly heads deeper in, finally coming across a strange portal...the entrance to the Mythical world of Atlantis.
Darius en Karigan Dragon Warlord of Atlantis feels Grace enter his world and runs to strike her down before she can bring peril to his homeland. Strangely drawn to her however, he finds he cannot bring himself to kill her like he has killed all the others who dared to venture into his homeland. After learning more about her Darius realizes that the city of Atlantis is in danger. Alex had not just gone missing, he is the subject of a conspiracy, a conspiracy to strip Atlantis of all its riches and murder its mythical inhabitants. Together, Darius and Grace must solve the mystery and save Atlantis from greed and deception.
In the words of my fiancé: "This book is horrible!" Personally, I find that to be a little harsh. I knew going in that "Heart of the Dragon" was a romantic fantasy, a genre that Showalter is famous for. That being said, I wasn't expecting much and ended up pleasantly surprised. The reading is quick and easy so it makes a good plane/beach read.
"Heart of the Dragon" got better the more I read. If you aren't familiar with Showalter's style the very first part of the book might make you want to roll your eyes a tad with the obvious clichés and overly fantastic style that many romance novelists have adopted in order to "engage" the reader from the very first page. This is probably what made my fiancé laugh and make fun of me when I accidently left my book in the bathroom after a bubble bath. In any case, this is a definite "chick book" and should have it written on the cover in large, bold letters.
Keeping all of that in mind, I honestly liked "Heat of the Dragon." It was pointedly less serious than the book I'd just finished, had lots of fun, mystery, romance, and just a sprinkling of danger which will undoubtedly lure me back to more works by Showalter. If you're skeptical of romance novels stay away, but if you need something fun, short, and slightly mindless, this is a good choice. "Heart of the Dragon" held my interest, and even though I had to wade through a river of melted cheese to get to the heart (no pun intended) of the story I sincerely enjoyed it and continue to be a Gena Showalter fan.
3 ½ stars.
Rated by buyers 
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Grace Carlyne's day if going from bad to worse! Having traveled to the Amazon forest from NYC in search for the missing brother, she has been bush-wacked by her guide and left to roam the forest! Oh, how she wants to believe that around the subsequent foliage plant is the local Starbucks so she could get her mocha frappuchino!
Instead she falls into a cave - which leads her through a portal to the legendary city of Atlantis. She discovers the narrations in the journal her brother has sent her, are real! Upon arriving at this portal (as there are more than one) she is greeted by Darius en Kragin, Guardian and leader to his people - shape shifting Dragons.
He has never faltered in his duty through the centuries - he has killed without mercy any traveler that has stumbled through the portal to protect not only his race - but all the inhabitants of Atlantis from the humans that dwell on the surface. When he sees Grace - he hesitates. He can't bring himself to kill her - after he has noticed the medallion that hangs from her neck.
Darius brings her into his palace and locks her in his rooms. He needs to know how and why this mortal woman (albeit an incredibly sexy and juicy morsel of a woman) is in possession of the dragon medallion - what is more worrisome is that the necklace belongs to his tutor and mentor.
When Grace escapes and returns to her world - Darius is forced to go up to the surface to seek her out. Darius' time is short - he cant stay on the surface long or he will die.
As he finds Grace - they both discover an evil plot to infiltrate Atlantis and his mentor and many dragons have been killed in the skirmish. Fighting his growing attraction for Grace, Darius realizes the grave danger that his world is in and now he has to figure out a way how to save the day.
I had no idea that this book was so unique and that Showalter's writing talent was so incredible! Darius and Grace's story is fantastic! She has crafted an unbelievable subterranean world inhabited by surreal creatures - this is a paranormal extravaganza! It has shape-shifting dragons, vampires, nymphs and evil humans! With terrific sexually charged scenes, a concoction of erotica and X-files and a hero and heroine to die for - you will devour this one and race to the store for the rest
OKAY - SO NOW WHICH OF THE DRAGONS DO I GET TO PICK???
Rated by buyers -
Grace Carlyle, is a young adventuress in search of her missing archaeologist brother in the Amazon jungle. She stumbles upon Atlantis and it's Guardian, Darius. The romance develops from there. The chemistry between Darius and Grace is sizzling. The story was funny, passionate and fast moving. It has an Atlantis twist with some Greek mythology and also brings in other mythical creatures. I'm looking forward to reading the subsequent book in the series.
Rated by buyers 
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I thought the idea of this book was really unique, but when it came to the actual story, certain things were a little off. Actually, just one thing was off and that was the heroine. In fact, I wouldn't really even call her a heroine because she kind of missed the whole being a hero part. She didn't really do anything. She just kept making everything worse. For example, when she's trying to get information about her brother and tells Darius to "leave the questioning to her", she failed terribly. While reading, I was thinking to myself, "why are asking these questions. These questions aren't going to get you anywhere." Eventually Darius has to take over for her and get the information they needed. After reading the scene I felt like her questioning was just a waste of time. Of course later Darius makes a comment on how proud he was with her in that situation and that she did well. I thought to myself "you're a liar, you just want to get in her pants."
Rated by buyers -
WOW!!! What a great book, I really truly, loved it! I am so surprised that it was as well written as it was and that the character development and steamy love scenes were as good as they were. Two thumps up. This is a great read for any paranormal romance reader.....enjoy!
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