ARC received for review

Lucius is a new character in this world. I was unsure about this to start with cause I was afraid we weren't going to see the rest of the boys. But no worries they are quick to find him and lend a hand. I loved Raine. She wasn't afraid of Lucius and his grumpiness didn't put her off

*I had the absolute privilege of getting an ARC from the publisher, Entangled Publishing, and Netgalley and I could not be more grateful. All thoughts and comments are my own.*

The Forgotten Brotherhood series just keeps getting better and better. And, Hello? Dragons! I LURVE the heck out of DRAGONS!!!!

Raine is in the rainforest searching for an ancient site where there is a rumor of a dragon statue in a cave. Only when she reaches the cave, the guide blows up the cave... with her in it. Lucius, said dragon...erm... statue, is awoken from his deep sleep by Raine and... well, fireworks.

Ancient Desire is my kind of book. I love the almost Indiana Jones/Tomb Raider aspect. And of course, Dragons! The book is filled with action, suspense, and hot sexy times as is typical for the Forgotten Brotherhood series. Plus we get a catch up with previous characters, which is always fun

I am definitely looking forward to more in this series.

Another great read by Ms. Walters. The Forgotten Brotherhood series just keeps getting better and better. And who doesn't love dragons? I LURRRRVVVEEEEE DRAGONS!!!! Lucius is awoken from his deep sleep by Raine and fireworks fly from that moment on. Filled with action, suspense, and hot sexy scenes [lus the previous characters make an appearance, which leads this to a wonderful story and HEA 5.5 stars

So I jumped in mid-series with Ancient Desire, and while there were a few moments of thinking I was missing info, I thought Walters managed to still make it a standalone story. It was a fast read and the characters were engaging. Raine was a talker and it was fun to listen to her constant monologue, and the chemistry between Raine and Lucius was awesome!

Ancient Desire is the fifth title in the Forgotten Brotherhood, and while many readers thought the series concluded here… I’m very happy that it did not since Hunter Avenged gives us such an amazing story (yes, I’ve completed this series). While each story can stand on its own, there is a story arch woven throughout all the stories within this series. For that reason, I would suggest reading the Forgotten Brotherhood in order, if at all possible.

Most of what you’d need to know about Ancient Desire can be found in the cover description. What you won’t find there is the emotional impact this story has. I loved Raine, she’s been brought into this fierce battle unknowingly, yet she stands strong with Lucius as his mate. Her only knowledge of dragons might have been from books, but she is a force to be reckoned with when fighting not only for her life partner but for her very life as well. I adored Lucius. He might have been locked away in this cave by magic, but he’s determined to take down those who betrayed him and threatens his mate.

The action is fast, the situation intense, and the relationship sexy and dangerous as Raine and Lucius face down enemies, fight for their lives, and search out answers that will identify friend from foe. I loved stepping back into this world once again, and would definitely recommend this story and this series to any reader who loves an intense romance, paranormal creatures, puzzles to solve, danger to be faced, and a love worth fighting for.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

I’ve read most of these books in this series. This one is now my favourite (sorry Maccus)

I was triggered into remembering that the author had done another series mentioning Drakon (not dragon) so I popped onto Amazon and found another series she’d written (Blood of the Drakon Series) and I remember reading a few of those (added the rest to my TBR 😉)

If your looking for fated mates/overprotective mate/? then look no further, this book has it all.
No necessary to read the previous books in the series, they all stand on their own, but I can’t guarantee you won’t want to read the rest of them, after reading Lucius😉

Last of the Drakon’s (or so he thought) Lucius had been in a Deep Sleep for a long time. Drakon can sleep until they become stone ?
Drakon are a hybrid, a Dragon for a father and a human mother, it takes less effort to become human for the Drakon than it did for their father’s.

I really liked Raine character, her nervous chatter had me smiling, her inner monologue had me chuckling. Her fierce independent streak had me cheering (so many give up their spine when they find their mate)

Raine is the reason why Lucius is awake! Being buried alone in the same cave

We get to catch up with the brotherhood (a band of supernatural beings who are the last line of defence, they are the ones you call when
The only niggle I have (and it’s a tiny one) I really would have liked a scene where Lucius finally reconnects with the Brotherhood (Pizza and Beer as Raine explains in the book)

Is this the last book in the series? I hope not 🤞
But when a possible storyline appears before your very eyes, you have to hope 😉 (or maybe a spin off series)

🦋

In ‘Ancient Desire’ we meet Raine, a professor who recently took time off to write a book. Raine has always been kind of a loner, and her work and passions are what makes her happy. So when she gets invited to visit a side of a dragon statue, she can’t decline. Unfortunately it is all a trap, and she finds herself trapped in with the statue. Soon Raine learns the dragon statue isn’t a statue at all.
Drakon Lucius has been in a deep sleep for centuries, and now the unthinkable has happened.. A young human woman walks in and wakes him up. Not on purpose of course, but still. Soon Lucius and Raine learn there is a reason they have been put together.

After reading a lot of contemporary romance novels, it was fun to read a paranormal romance for a change. I loved getting back into the world of the Forgotten Brotherhood. Sure, the romance and connection between Lucius and Raine was a bit sudden, and moved very fast. But I really enjoyed their connection.

The best part of this book was definitely how we get to read this book through both Lucius and Raine’s point of few. It was definitely giving me butterflies to read about Lucius feelings for Raine. And it really made this book fascinating to read.

The suspense part was a bit short, and left me with a lot of unanswered questions. But overall this book made for a very entertaining read

Another enjoyable installment in the Forgotten Brotherhood series. While not my favorite, Lucius and Raine’s story provided a much needed distraction from real life 😊.

*4.5 stars*

Fantasy meets reality in an action (and love) packed story…

Lucius and Raine were fire together! Mystery and deceit surrounded their initial meeting and what followed was equally explosive. Human, dragon, it’s all the same when trust was hard fought and, finally, won. Raine was super chill when faced with the reality of what she’d loved and studied for long. Good thing because Lucius was wary and cranky dragons were not always, umm, stable…

Their journey to get to the truth was full of action packed, as well as soul-searching moments. The chemistry between them was a constant friction and desire, and then love, were on the table. How it all played out was a well-written orchestra that sung throughout. The characters swung the steamy to life-threatening moments with grace (how do they do that??) and as a team, they were unstoppable…

Another amazing story in the series I can’t get enough of. Can’t wait for more!

This book took a bit of getting into buy once I did it was so addictive. I could not put it down. I would definitely recommend. It is very well written and the story behind the main characters is brilliant.

Ancient Desire is book five in Walters Forgotten Brotherhood series. This series follows the Forgotten Brotherhood, a group of paranormal assassins. The members of the Brotherhood have strict rules that they follow, including not harming innocents. Ancient Desire follows the story of Lucius, a drakon who went into Deep Sleep with no intention of rising. There is only one thing that can rouse a drakon from Deep Sleep: the mating call.

Raine Carson is a professor at a local college, specializing in myths and legends. When she’s offered a grant to further her research, she immediately accepts. It almost seems too good to be true when she gets a tip that there is a legit stone dragon in a cave in some remote part of somewhere. She soon learns that when it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Her guide, who is the same man that tipped her off about the dragon, blows up the cave with her inside it. Now she’s going to die in a cavern with a stone dragon for company. She has no idea that it’s no ordinary dragon. It’s a drakon–half human, half dragon.

Lucius doesn’t want to leave his Sleep. He knows that he’s too powerful to exist in the world and has no desire to be hunted. On the verge of waking, Lucius has no idea how one human woman could have woken him. At first he fully intends to stay Sleeping and let her die. Then he listens to her talk to him (she thinks he’s stone, not real) and he realizes that she has brought him something that he hasn’t had in too many years to count. Peace. He feels peaceful in her presence.

Now that he’s awake, he and Raine have to answer one question. Why her? What is so special about Raine that she was lured to the cave then trapped and left to die. Not only that, but she’s in danger now, something that Lucius can’t abide. As he becomes more and more awake, he realizes that the only thing that could have called him out of his Sleep was his mate. Mates are rare to the point of almost non-existent to drakons.

This was a fast easy read. I enjoyed Raine and how she talked to herself, her cat, the stone dragon. The woman couldn’t stop talking and it was so endearing. I loved that about her. I also loved how protective Lucius was over Raine. Although it wasn’t hard to put down, it was still an engrossing story. I can’t wait to finally get Sven’s book.

Rating: 3.75 out of 5.

Even though Raine had devoted her life study to myths and legends, she wasn’t a true believer. She had to adjust that thinking when she was not only led to the cave of a long-sleeping dragon, but unknowingly woke him up. That first meeting was filled with distrust on both sides. She was understandably terrified and Lucius was simply irritated and determined to figure out not only how she managed to wake him, but why she was led there and purposefully trapped with him in the first place.

The more time they spent together, the harder the attraction between the two of them was to ignore. They also had to figure out who was still trying to kill them and find someone they could trust.

I can attest to the fact that you can read each of the books in the Forgotten Brotherhood series as standalones. (Surprise, surprise..*sigh*) Even so, it was nice knowing that Lucius didn’t have as much to fear from his former brothers as he thought. I started the Forgotten Brotherhood series with Burning Ash, but even so, I really enjoyed getting to see the rest of the Brotherhood again – even the ones that I haven’t gotten to know as well… yet.

It was obvious by the end of Ancient Desire that the series is far from over because the mystery behind who is trying to destroy the Forgotten Brotherhood isn’t close to being solved. There were hints about what’s coming next and I can’t wait to see where things go from here.

The Forgotten Brotherhood is one of my favorite series. So, when another eye-catching cover popped up at Net galley, I did a little happy dance. 🙂

After a Fallen Angel (Fury Unleashed), a wolf shifter (Arctic Bite), a vampire (Burning Ash) and a werewolf (Bjorn Cursed), we now have a drakon. Not to be confused with a dragon of course. If you want to know the difference, make sure to read N.J. Walters Blood of the Drakon series.

Lucius – said drakon – has been in Deep Sleep for 4000 years. And while nothing is supposed to be able to wake him, a feisty little professor obviously was able. Because now Lucius is awake. And suspicious.

Raine couldn’t believe her luck, when she was selected for a mission to find a mythical statue of a dragon. But although she has been obsessed with myths all her life, nothing could prepare her for an encounter with an actual dragon (excuse me: drakon).

And although the drakon part is totally scary, the grumpy man part is totally hot. Soon, however, Lucius realizes that someone is targeting him and his professor. But after so many years, who is friend or foe? And how does the Forgotten Brotherhood fit into the story?

Has Lucius been betrayed by one of his brothers? I was very happy to see that Maccus made an appearance, with Morrigan of course. And if you’ve read the rest of the series, you’ll understand why I never doubted the loyalties of the Brotherhood. But who is behind all these recent events? As always, N.J. Walters keeps you on the edge of your seat! Awesome, as always, so of course five out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.

DNF at 25%. This is probably a "it's not you, it's me" type of situation, but I am not connecting with the writing style nor with the characters. So, one could ask themselves, what's the point in continuing to read the book then? I found I was starting to do everything except reading so I'm calling it quits.

To be completely honest, although I get why Raine (the FMC) talking out loud to herself furthers the plot, I find it slightly annoying so I am not particularly fond of her. I don't care much about the MMC either, and their interactions have caused me second hand embarrassment a few times now as they just seem forced and not very natural. I cringed when Lucius thought "mine!" even though I'm pretty certain it's setting up a fated mates trope, which is my favorite.

Anyway, it's clearly not a match, which is disappointing because I was looking forward to reading my first dragon shifter book and frankly, the blurb showed a lot of potential!

What I did like about it, was the fantasy aspect. I liked that Lucius was a "drakon" which was visible through his tattoos that were golden and pink, and that he had pink eyes. It definitely made it unique (at least compared to the books I've read so far).

This book is the perfect return to the world of The Forgotten Brotherhood - whose role is taking down the truly nasty creatures of this world .
Lucius ( a Drakon) did not want to wake up but when a mortal woman - Raine - is trapped in his cave he knows he needs to find out just what is going on ....... is her presence a coincidence or is something more going on .?
Raine has always loved mythology but when a dragon statue answers her rambling conversation with herself she wonders for her sanity .
To solve the puzzles surrounding them Lucius calls upon The Brotherhood ....... who just might have the answers they need ..
It was nice to watch their romance develop without the instant declarations that are so unbelievable in other books .
If you enjoy paranormal romance with exciting characters then this book and series is just right for you

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

Ancient Desire by NJ Walters is another awesome paranormal romance. Good blend of romance and suspenseful elements. Great overall book

ANCIENT DESIRES is an incredible read. The Forgotten Brotherhood series is one of my favorites by author N.J. Walters, though to be honest she hasn't written a bad book yet. ANCIENT DESIRES is the perfect return to the Forgotten Brotherhood.

Reviewed by Annetta Sweetko for Fresh Fiction

Complete review: https://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=79092

I had no idea this was part of a series when I started, and now I need to go back and read the other books. This book was fast and slow in the beginning, lots of stuff going on but slow with the other stuff. It was a good paranormal read and I look forward to the other books!

Unfortunately, this book just as the for me. I love a paranormal romance with a shifter. I think dragons are super cool. I just wasn’t a fan of the writing and felt that the characterisation was lacking.

I have mixed feelings about this one like I did the last. I loved the first two books but these last two have fallen flat for me and I find myself skimming. The insta-love felt more like she woke him so she must be his one. I thought her loner background would be more of a connection to the destiny of their connection. Other reviewers thought Raine was hilarious and I enjoyed her at first in the cave but her (self admitted) trait of rambling and talking wore on me. With the previous book I didn’t take to the heroine either. I love whenever the previous characters join up with the newbies and this time it’s Makkus but only Morrigan in the background with little to say or do (Raine did most of the talking). I did like Lucius being a new type of member of the brotherhood, a drakon - dragon father, human mother. I’ll keep up with the next but my favorite parts are the mix of Asher, Cassie (and her dad) and the others being more involved. Maybe banter between Asher and Raine was a missed opportunity.