Ancient Guardian

4.25stars-spicy, captivating, edgy

ANCIENT GUARDIAN is the ninth instalment in Katie Reus’ contemporary, adult ANCIENTS RISING erotic, paranormal, romance series. This is ancient dragon shifter Orion, and doctor Violet Robichaux’s story line. ANCIENT GUARDIAN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

SOME BACKGROUND: Months earlier, several dragons rose from their sleep, and in the aftermath destroyed much of the city of New Orleans, Louisiana, in an apocalyptic showdown known as The Fall, but in doing so revealed the existence of the supernatural world to humankind. Ancients Rising focuses on the recovery of the city, and the group of supernaturals and dragons who have come to call New Orleans their home.

Told from omniscient third person perspective ANCIENT GUARDIAN follows several paths including the building romance and relationship between ancient dragon shifter Orion, and doctor Violet Robichaux. Approximately one year earlier Orion, an ancient dragon arose from a milenia of sleep unaware of the world around him. Fast forward to present day, Orion now lives and works in a small farming community but most of the people are unaware of Orion’s powers but the humans are in danger from the marauding vampires, and Orion has taken on the responsibility of protecting the people he now calls his own. Enter Dr. Violet Robichaux, and the woman with whom Orion will fall in love. Orion has not revealed his identity to Violet Robichaux but Orion’s dragon knows that the woman is his mate. What ensues is the building relationship between Orion and Violet, and the potential fall-out when our heroine is targeted in the hopes of taking down our story line hero.

Meanwhile, Violet’s sister Laurel may have found her mate in the dragon shifter Cale, and their sister Rose may or may not be attracted to Baris, a panda shifter with the ability to heal. As Violet and Orion’s territory struggles without a claim, it is suggested to Orion that he step up as Alpha in an effort to protect both the humans and the supernatural.

The relationship between Violet and Orion begins as a friendship but Orion knows that Violet is his mate. Biding his time in the face of the unknown, Orion struggles with demons from the past, memories of pain and heart break, and a personal belief that he is unworthy of love. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including Violet’s sisters: Laure (Cale), Rose (Baris) and their mysterious sister Mari, who may or may not have some military experience no one knows anything about. The return of Darius and his mate Hazel, as well as ancient female dragon shifter Prima add some cohesion and familiarity.

ANCIENT GUARDIAN is a story of power and control, betrayal and retribution, desperation and determination, acceptance, forgiveness and love. The premise is captivating and edgy; the romance is spicy and provocative; the characters are spirited, encouraging and animated.