Review of BY BLOOD AND MAGIC by Jamie A Waters

Sabine is a Fae trying to stay alive by alluding her family. She must find and collect certain artifacts to keep the dragon portal from re-opening. Sabine’s travels bring her and her friends to the high seas. When their ship is attacked by Merfolk, and her friends taken prisoner, she agrees to find their missing kinswomen. However, Sabine’s latest mission comes with a time limit. She travels to the desert with only a shape-changing dragon and pixie. Will Sabine find the Merfolk’s missing kinswoman?

Malek is a shape-changing dragon. He assists Sabine in collecting the artifacts needed to keep the portal closed. When his ship is waylaid by hostile Merpeople, Malek has no other choice but to accompany Sabine on her newest mission. The trio stumble upon dark and dangerous secrets in the desert. Will Malek be strong enough to keep Sabine safe?

I found Sabine fascinating! She is a Fae being hunted by her people. I admire how Sabine’s quick to educate others on Fae’s practices. She does not give away their secrets; instead, she imparts helpful ways for non-Faes to protect themselves against her people. I love how Sabine is able to admit her shortcomings and vulnerabilities. She is well aware of her strengths and weaknesses. What I like the most about Sabine is her protectiveness towards her friends. She refuses to allow any of them to suffer. If she could help, even sacrifice something, Sabine will do it to help or protect her friends.

Malek is such a dream. But, then again, I have a thing for dragons! I cannot wait to learn more about his secrets. I adore Malek’s consideration and patience with Sabine. He may be curious about her and her secrets, but he never once pried into her privacy. Instead, Malek patiently waited for Sabine to feel comfortable enough to confide in him.

BY BLOOD AND MAGIC is book two in Jamie A. Waters’ fantasy series, THE DRAGON PORTAL. I have not read the first book, so I have missed a great deal of the world-building and backstory. However, that did not hinder my ability to follow the story’s plot or the characters’ dynamics. The author does a great job of summarizing the important parts of the first story.

I have to say this story totally satisfied my high-fantasy needs. I wish there were more books in this genre. The characters kind of reminds me of my old role playing characters – the diversity of species races and such.

DARK BEGINNINGS box set by Donna Grant

DARK BEGINNINGS is a great way for newbies to try out Donna Grant’s writing. It is also a wonderful way for current fans to give her other series a try.

The three stories in this box set are different than her Highlander, Dragon, and Cowboy series. Two are set in and around New Orleans.

WILD FEVER, book one in the CHIASSON series

Vincent Chiasson comes from a long line of supernatural hunters. Their unorthodox occupation has ostracized them from their community. Olivia Breaux returns to her hometown after a work scandal forces her to leave Dallas. She wants to re-piece the shambles of her life, but Vincent Chiasson makes that difficult.

Readers who enjoy the television show SUPERNATURAL will adore this series. It almost has the same “vibe” while being wholly different.

MOON KISSED, book one in the LARUE series.

Myles LaRues co-owns a bar in New Orleans, Louisiana with his brothers. The LaRues are related to the Chiasson’s. Unlike their cousins, the LaRue branch is cursed, but they still follow the same ‘family occupation’. Addison Moore is a down-on-her-luck college student. When her intuition money runs out, she drifts into a bar to lick her wounds. Addison is brutally introduced to the supernatural world.

This series follows the same vibe and feel as the CHIASSON series. I love that the story takes place in New Orleans. It has a little more paranormal element than the other series.

PRINCE OF DESIRE, book one in the ROYAL CHRONICLES series.

Lucian Sinclair is a prince of a secret and hidden kingdom. He must find and bring his eternal mate back (willingly) to Drahcir within an allotted time. Lucian rescues his mate from ruffians intending her harm. Isabelle has lived her entire life in a small Scottish village. She also accepted the fact that she would always live there. A mysterious yet dangerous stranger swoops to her rescue.

This is the only story in the box set that brings to mind Donna Grant’s DARK SWORD series. It has the same feel and flavor yet wholly its own.