Still seeking a cure for the bio virus killing the Dragonstar clan a human hematologist joins the effort who also happens to be Quinn's mate.

dragon shifters

Hidden Embers
4 Stars

Synopsis
As the Dragonstar clan continues its struggle against the horrific virus decimating its members, their healer Quinn battles feelings of helplessness and despair. Luckily the solution is close at hand in the form of Jazz Kane, a hematologist who also happens to be Quinn's mate. The only problem is that she is human. Can Quinn accept both her humanity and her expertise?

Review
Note: Although this book continues from where book #1 leaves off in terms of the deadly virus, the necessary information is provided and it is possible to read Hidden Embers as a standalone.

The characters and plot are better developed than in the first book and there is more of a balance between the steamy scenes and the story.

Quinn is vibrant, gorgeous and sexy although his vulnerability and feelings of guilt and responsibility are taken a step too far - it is difficult to completely identify with a hero on the verge of suicide who is incapable of accepting that he cannot control fate.

In contrast, Jasmine's smart, take charge personality makes her a very likeable heroine. While she has difficulty opening herself up emotionally, she ultimately accepts Quinn and lets down her barriers.

Quinn and Jazz's romance is sexy and intense but has the additional emotional component that is missing from book #1. The one night stand plot device is entertaining as is seeing the characters cope with each other later in the story. There is also a good resolution to the dragon/human aspect of their relationship.

The virus/traitor plot gets progressively darker but is well written, especially the chapters presented from the traitor's POV. They really illustrate just how vicious and diabolical the character is and made me want to strangle the person really slowly. My only issue is that the revelation of the villain's identity is anti-climactic and they do not suffer nearly enough for their actions.

Overall, a good addition to the series and I look forward to reading Logan's book next. ( )

The second book in this series had more plot going for it than the first book. This is Quinn's story, and it tells of his struggle to find a cure for the virus that is quickly driving his clan to extinction. Neither he nor Phoebe are any closer to a solution, so she decides it's time to bring in another expert and her close friend, who works for the CDC, Dr. Jasmine Kane. When Quinn's younger brother falls victim to the illness, he leaves the clan to escape his pain. His retreat takes him to a bar somewhere in Texas.

Jasmine is still recovering from a car bomb incident. On hiatus from work at the CDC, she jumps at the intriguing case presented to her by Phoebe and makes her way to New Mexico. A flat tire somewhere in Texas leads her to her first encounter with Dylan. He reacts intensely and immediately to her presence and what do you know … a long night of passion ensues. By the next morning he knows exactly what she means to and for him, but his fated mate has given him the slip, or so she thinks.

Jazz had sass and she was a smart-ass. I quite liked her for speaking her mind and cracking jokes that were actually quite amusing. I couldn't fault her for the way she felt about men given her family background, but at times she was a harsh shrew when it came to pushing Quinn away.

Quinn may be a dragon and a total alpha male in the vicinity of his mate, but his compassionate side as a healer and scientist was always the more predominant feature of his character (totally swoon-worthy). He was the perfect mix of hard a** but vulnerable, self-flagellating but courageous.

The funniest scene was when Jazz drove away in a bad temper and he decided to fly after her in dragon form, only to shed his invisibility cloak alongside her car which left her cussing like a sailor. That was such a funny visual. There were quite a few funny moments between those two stubborn lovebirds.

The suspense was aped up by the POV of the traitor amongst the Dragonstars. It wasn't difficult to hate the individual responsible for the tragedies. Talk about cold-hearted and delusional! We also finally find out more about the virus and the secret is revealed as to how it works.

When the inevitable happens, the confrontation between Quinn and Jazz left me not liking Jazz one bit. During their most revealing argument, Quinn tells her that he'd never do to her what her father had done to her and her mother. She takes that as a slap in the face and storms away from him. Personally, I think he's right and was right to say that to her. Like the saying goes, the truth hurts. That is exactly why she kept insisting the sex between them was just a fling, and she was treating him as if he could act just like her father once did. I thought she was completely irrational about that fear when she could see how much compassion he had for the people of his clan. I didn't warm up to this heroine and her bristly nature. At least Phoebe kicked some hide.

The main battle scenes in this book and the last always seem to end too quickly for my taste. For all the talk about wanting revenge, the bad guys get off way too easily. I'm giving this 4 stars for darling Quinn and for the fleshing out of the plot, along with the horror and emotion evoked by the death of a young family. Oh, and for the hot dragon schmexing.

The next story is Logan's, and secretly I've been looking forward to hearing that warrior's story the most.
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