I have been a fan of this author for a long time because she is good writing on this theme. I couldn’t get into this book at first, but it grew on me. Silas is adorable as a man and as a dragon. Gwen is a strong heroine. Strong enough for a man like Silas. The story just dragged on too long for me, and the bad guy is still out there, which means more books will follow.. Maybe Socha’s book? It’s a good read though.

Oh this was a lot of fun! Not quite what I expected based on the plot, but I did enjoy it + will probably eventually check out the rest of the series.

This is the third story in The Embraced series and out of all three, I think this one is my favorite.

The author does a good job writing these, even though they are a part of the series, to be read as a standalone. In my opinion, I think you should read them in order before you dive into the third one. The world that the author builds from book one is not just fascinating, but it will help you understand the characters much better.

Silas and Gwen were truly a couple that deserved their happily ever after. Their chemistry was so good and the banter throughout the story gave me so much joy and laughter.

As paranormal stories go, this one is one of the best out there. Worth the read, as is the whole series.

Melanie for b2b

This book was enjoyable for when I get into the mood to read a shifter book but it didn't absolutely grab and enthrall me. The main character was pretty meh to me.

The embraced series by Kerrelyn Sparks should not be overlooked by the reader who likes a little fantasy with their romance. This series is absolutely awesome. This book, the third in the series, is my favorite so far. 's. Sparks is a very talented writer, so much so that you believe the characters and settings are real. Her imagination seems to know no bounds, although there is a common thread in the books, each is very different from the others. Five embraced children are raised on the Isle of Moon, separated from their birth families, though very different from each other, raised as sisters. This is Gwennore`s story. An elf, she is often scorned and nor accepted by others except her sisters and their families. When she and her sister`s daughter are taken by dragons, her adventure begins. The story is fast paced, loaded with intrigue and danger. Will Gwen find acceptance and love in the land of the dragons? What is the secret the dragons are keeping? Whole heartedly I can say this is one of the best series I have read. I don't want them to end.

If there are only 8 simple rules for dating said dragon, why did it feel like a million obstacles stood in the way? This story had an intriguing plot, and I was sucked in immediately at the thought of starting the series with Book 3 because our main characters seemed so compelling. Unfortunately, the story dragged for pages upon pages of angst. It took the author too long to get these two love birds together. By the time anything significant happens, the story is just so close to ending, it didn't feel like we really got a chance to enjoy their relationship.

Also, the book is very simply written. So it was easy to get through, and to understand, so I did give it an extra start because of that. But I would recommend starting at Book 1 so you get a better idea of what kind of world our characters exist in.

The lore and magic didn't seem hokey, so I enjoyed the creativity that Sparks was able incorporate into her storytelling.

Overall, 3 Stars, but had potential for more, if there had been a bit more steam in this story.

Rating: 4/5 Penguins
Quick Reasons: steamy, sexy romance!; I'm such a sucker for shifters and stomach-flutters; this was a fun, lighthearted, quick read; action-packed, awesome fight scenes; DRAGONS FOR THE WIN!

HUGE thanks to Kerrelyn Sparks, St. Martin's Publishing, and Netgalley for sending a free egalley my way in exchange for an honest review! This in no way altered my read of or opinions on this title.

<blockquote> "What? You intend to come back?"
"Of course." He leaned over her and stroked her cheek. "How could I resist?"
She pushed his hand away. "Don't tempt me."
"To do what? Kiss?"
"No. To use the dagger."</blockquote>

Akin to other shifter romances I've read, this was one super steamy, sexy read! My little Penguin heart pitter-pattered its way through the pages as quickly as I possibly could--mostly because I'm addicted to those pesky little love butterflies. I especially loved the "rules" aspect of this particular read--just when I thought the author had forgotten and let that train slipslide off the track she'd laid, she brought it back to the forefront. There was a sense of, "yeah, things might have just fallen off the tracks a little bit...let me bring you back now" to it that I particularly enjoyed.

On top of that, there was an actual STORY in this--it wasn't all bedroom scenes and "falling into each other's eyes, ripping each other's clothes off." Instead, Kerrelyn Sparks made sure to wrap these characters into a world and a journey that I not only cared about, but found myself craving. Every time I tried to put this book down, I inevitably found myself picking it right back up again!

<blockquote>Rule number eight: There is only one mate for a dragon, and he will love her forever." </blockquote>

This was, without doubt, one of my favorite erotic novels of late--and I read it quite a while back, so that's saying something! I really enjoyed that the story played out so much, and that there was more focus on the heart of the journey than on the character's romantic affairs. I really enjoyed following them through this--and cannot wait to pick up another Kerrelyn Sparks novel in the future (I'll be looking to see if there are more for this series, no worries!) Be careful turning these pages, Penguins--here, there be dragons.

This was definitely a part of a series. But I have not checked it yet.

I loved the both the characters especially Gwen and wavering confidence on herself. The stay with these people showed me that she is or capable of a lot of things and all of them good.

Got an ARC for a Kerrelyn Sparks book. So excited!!! Thank you publishers & NetGalley.

I truly loved this book. I wish that I had gotten to it sooner. Kerrelyn Sparks continues her Embraced series with the same humorous and hot magical fantasy theme here. I reviewed the prior book, So I Married a Sorcerer, and I am up to date on the current events in the series. I don't think it would be hard to pick this up if you haven't read any of the other books. It picks up and rolls with it. It isn't a high fantasy novel, so if fantasy isn't your thing, I would still pick this up if you are a historical person. It has a little of that feel to it. Don't get me wrong, there are dragons, and Gwennore is an elf.

Gwennore is an elf and the countries her "sisters" rule overlook down on her. The Elves are seen as violent creatures. So when her two married sisters try to play matchmaker with the three single sisters, it leaves Gwennore feeling desperately lonely. All the men sneer at her and make fun of her appearance. She is constantly being talked about through the whole book. They're calling her names, constantly saying she is going to kill everyone. So Gwen is constantly doubting her self-worth. She has mastered all the languages, she is extremely loving to her adopted family, she even has a good sense of humor that you only see with Silas.

Silas reminds me of my husband. No seriously!!! He really has that same rotten but funny humor. He makes you smile when you want to be mad. When you're serious he knows just the way to frustrate you but make you happy. Silas is much like a teenage boy too. He is from one of the three cursed clans. So women would adore them from afar, but never risk actually dating them. They fear the curse that makes them go mad or lose any children they would bear. 

I loved their relationship. I love the development of the story, the world, and where it is going. I am excited to see what the deal with the elves is. Damn... I don't want to say anything because I don't want to spoil anything. I will say you don't see much of the elves. You only hear them being mentioned. So it really has piqued my interest. I think Sorcha gets her book next, and I think we get to see the elves. The only thing that bothered me truly, was that I could not wrap my mind around how to pronounce Gwennore. So every time I would read her name, my mind would stutter. It would take me out of the rhythm of reading, and take me out of the book world for a minute.

An excellent addition to the series, Eight Simple Rules for Dating a Dragon is the perfect fantasy romance read. Once again, Sparks whisks the reader away into a world that's just as enchanting as the story itself. There were important threads carried over from the last book, so I urge everyone to start with that book first so you can truly appreciate Gwen and Silas. Those two are scorching hot (and that's not meant to be a dragon pun!) Both characters are well-written and immersed enough in their own back stories that it makes the developing romance between them all the better. Definitely worth it to spend a day engrossed in this books!

This is a fantastic addition to the "Embraced" series. The story was well written with great characters and a well developed plot. Gwen was a strong, brave, sweet and protective character. Silas was sexy, smart, brave and charming. I loved the relationship between Gwen & Silas, their attraction was instantaneous. This was a fantastic read that I really enjoyed and highly recommend.

This book was great! I loved the premise and the characters. The story stayed interesting and never got too slow. The romance was the right mix of steamy and romantic.

I used I read a lot of paranormal romance before I switched over to strictly Young Adult. Recently I have been missing some of the more adult stories so I tried this book out. Although it was good I just feel like this type of writing just isn’t for me anymore, I still rate the book highly because I did read it very quickly and it was fairly enjoyable I just didn’t like a lot of the mainly sexual content.

Eight Simple Rules is really very funny! It takes the times of old with dragons, elves, trolls and shifters and made them endearing. When a princess child in her care is kidnapped Gwenmore grabs on to the dragon that took her but he shakes her off and is saved by another dragon she named Puff. When she get to the castle in a far away land she is saved by the dungeon by Silas the general who claims he has known her for a while, but saying that just made everyone think they were lovers. The queen of the land has mistaken the princess child as her own and is very sick and Gwen thinks someone is poisoning the queen as does Silas but no one believes them because she is Elven and he is next in line for the throne. It’s up to Silas and Gwen and the few friends they have made to try and save the kingdom from war and certain destruction. I enjoyed Silas and Gwen and the situations they got themselves into, I am looking forward to reading more about this land.

Well, what can I say about this book. I thought it was okay. I don't think I really liked Gwennore as much as I liked the others. Again the Chameleon! He still wants Brigetta?! But why? I'm hoping theres more to it than an infatuation/obsession maybe. I'm STILL wondering if Brody and Maeve are going to get together and I believe Sorcha's book is next and will her tall and handsome stranger be from Norevsha? I look forward to the final books in this series.

I liked this book better the other two because the story started off strong. I did like how Gwennor and Silas interacted with each other throughout the book since Gwen was asked to help Silas' family. I hope the next one will continue strong.

I just didn’t love this. At all.

Despite the title, dragons weren't the main focus of the story as I'd been hoping it would be. Also, the plot and the romance were VERY slow moving, the latter being almost nonexistent.

I felt the pacing was in slow motion, Gwen hardly used her gifts (and had a weird gift where she could talk to trees) and the relationships Gwen felt with some of the other female characters felt contrived and forced.

More dragons. More romance. More cowbell.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free eARC in return for an honest review.

First book by this author. Found it difficult to get into. Not bad, but not great either. But apparently I have to keep talking about a book I didn't enjoy much because my review needs to be at least one hundred words.

What a wonderful story this was! It had a fantastic cast, a smoking-hot romance, and fabulous world building. I found myself easily devouring Eight Simple Rules for Dating a Dragon. I've also made it a mission to go back and read more from Kerrelyn Sparks as she is clearly talented.

Gwennore was raised with 5 other women – her adopted sisters – in a convent on the Island of Moon. They were abandoned by their family’s because they were born Embraced (with magical powers). Gwennore is an Elf who can magically sense illness in others. She’s been training as a healer, but she isn’t as knowledgeable as she’d like to be. Still, when she’s accidentally kidnapped and realizes the realm is suffering under a curse, she agrees to help figure out the cause. General Silas Dravenko, aka General Gorgeous – has nothing to do with that. Really.

Silas is immediately attracted to Gwennore. He’s willing to do whatever he has to do to keep her close. The truth is, he needs her help. His Queen is being poisoned and his family is living under a curse. If Gwennore can help him figure out what’s really going on, he can’t pass that up. If he gets to spend time with her in the meantime? All the better.

I really liked Silas. He was such a great character. His jealousy was cute and I loved how he kept trying to get Gwennore to admit he was just as awesome as her favorite dragon. I also really liked the 8 rules for dating a dragon.

I wanted to like Gwennore just as much, but I didn’t really connect with her the way I did the previous heroine. She rarely used her talent and not much was explained about it. She constantly waffled, suffering from major bouts of self-doubt and angst, then standing up for herself. Her constant back-and-forthing got old, fast. The romance between them moved very slow. I wanted to see them get together, but honestly by the end I wasn’t very invested in them.

The end was too rushed and I really struggled with a lot of inconsistencies in the story. None of the major conflicts of the books were resolved to my satisfaction. I don’t want to include spoilers, but I will say I was highly dissatisfied with the brief paragraph in the epilogue that magically fixed everything. There wasn’t enough dragon in this for me, either. I’d have loved to see more.

There were parts I enjoyed (mostly Silas and his struggle with Gwennore’s love for the dragon), but overall I was underwhelmed. I definitely didn’t enjoy it as much as the previous book.

3 out of 5