I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of Ancient Desire by NJ Walters. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for providing an ARC to review.

Ancient Desire was a fun and fluffy fantasy romance. It had everything I like in a fantasy romance. Magic, shifters, and a character that is out of their element. Also, Lucias and Raine had oodles of sexy chemistry. The only negative was that the ending was a mild transition into future novels. This is fine, but if you are looking for a solid conclusion that wraps everything up...this isn't it. I give Ancient Desire a solid 3.5/5 and would definitely recommend it.

Back with the Forgotten Brotherhood- the crew you send in to take out the Boogeymen!

Raine has never met a myth she hasn't wanted to study. She believes in all things paranormal and even believes that she has interviewed a werewolf or two in her time. So following a guide to a cave where a carved dragon resides is right up her alley. She did not expect them to cause a cave-in and leave her for dead! With only a carved dragon for company, Raine does what she does best, talks.
Anything to keep her mind off her imminent death.

Lucius has been in a deep sleep - one he should not have been woken from. And certainly not by some puny female human! He's had enough of humans and just wants to sleep. But this chatty human has got under his skin and he decides that his duties as a Forgotten Brother trumps his wish to hibernate and he decides to bust them out and save the talkative teacher.

I really enjoyed the feel of this book. Yes there is action, adventure and flaming hot passion but there is also a lot of humour. The banter between Rane and Lucius is really fun and sarcastic and flirty. The dialogues between the Brotherhood members are very familial, heartwarming and pithy.

I enjoyed seeing the interactions between Lucius and his fellow Drakon - I love it when some of my favorite series cross-over. Raine may be out of her element with bad guys chasing her and trying to kill them, but she is no damsel in distress and she wants to be front and centre in the action. She feels used by the Angel Foundation and she wants her pound of flesh!

Gabriel is involved in something - right up to his halo (if he had one). I'm intrigued to see where this storyline is going to go. Rivka is also a loose end that needs clearing up!

There were things about this book I enjoyed and, overall, it kept my interest. I liked Lucius & Raine and their interactions with each other and while it is an ista-love story, I did however feel that something was missing in the relationship building as a couple. Also Lucius does require a little suspension of belief as he's almost "too perfect/brilliant" picking up new things & quickly managing in the modern world instantly although had been in a deep for several centuries. Also felt like a few questions/details were left unanswered (how did whoever arranged know that Raine was likely to wake him & why bother him when he was expected to remain asleep permanently). While the couple from book 1 makes an appearance and there is some reference to the other books' events, this works pretty well as a stand alone story in this world created by the author. The added reference/connection to her Blood of the Drakon series makes a nice treat to those who've read that series.

A college professor who has always been intrigued
By stories of mythical creatures and so has agreed
To be go on an expedition to seek to find
A huge stone dragon that'll blow her mind!

However, the dragon isn't really made of stone
Lucius is half human, half dragon and wants leaving alone
Asleep for centuries he shouldn't be able to wake
But Raine Carson's chatter and kiss is just what it'll take!

An explosion, a trap, a mystery, too
Who led her there and what did they plan to do?
So begins a fascinating adventure and romance
Where you're unsure who to trust or to give a chance.

Another story involving the Forgotten Brotherhood,
With assassins who are notorious but try to do good.
But centuries have passed since Lucius slept
He's unsure what's happened to the others just yet.

This story takes you into the action from the very start
Involving the reader in the drama and every part.
I thoroughly enjoyed this, though it leaves me wanting more
As the unfolding overall plot I still want to explore!

Who is behind the brotherhood finding their mates?
Who can they trust, who is manipulating their fates?
The story is enthralling, with intrigue and twists
I seriously hope the next books I'll not miss!

If paranormal romantic suspense you enjoy to read
This is one you should check out you need
For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.

Ancient Desire
Forgotten Brotherhood #5
N.J. Walters
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Nothing was supposed to wake the Drakon, Lucius from his Deep Sleep, and I mean nothing. But yet something or should I say someone has. The attractive human female has not only touched him, she kissed him too. Now Lucius is awake, and he's more powerful than he has ever been in 4000 years. And once he finds out who led this woman to his cave, well he'll get to take care of his 300 years of hunger.

Raine Carson has spent her life obsessed with myths and legends, and that's why she became a college professer. She loves what she does, but she never expected to come face to face with a Drakon, not to mention waking one up. Only, Lucius is nothing like anything she has ever seen or read about in her books. This man is part sexy scary and part terrifying, monster. Yet she wants him with a feirce hunger like nothing she's ever felt before.

Lucius used to be part of the Forgotten Brotherhood. They are a ruthless group of paranormal assassins. Now he's just not sure though, are his former Brothers allies or enemies?
What he does know is that someone is hunting him, and Raine is just as tangled up in this mess as he is. And you can bet your bottom dollar that he will protect her, even if it means unleashing his Dragon and all of it's power.

N.J. Walters is one of my favorite paranormal authors, and once again she wrote one heck of a fabulous novel. One of the best things about this book is you never knew what is going to happen next. Unpredictability is the best! The two main characters were definitely mates and you could almost feel their love and desire oozing off of the pages. It was also wonderful to visit with past characters from other books in this series. All in all I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone who is into paranormal books.

Wow!

This is my second favorite in this series (Maccus will always have my heart)! Their story is unique and their connection palpable. I couldn’t put it down!

I voluntarily read an advanced copy.

A paranormal romance with intrigue, humor, warmth, passion and a satisfying ending
Each book in this series is a standalone with previous book’s characters making cameo appearances. I have loved every one so far and this one is no exception. This is a well-written, steamy, fast-paced, intriguing paranormal story about “god-like” beings doing outrageous things. Along the way you will fall in love with these characters for their “humanness.”
Somebody has sent Professor Raine Carson who teaches about myths and legends at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to Lucius’ stone carcass in an abandoned North Carolina cave. For what purpose? After a very scary event, which the “statue” watches with one eye open, there will be a shift. Just when Raine is about to give up, who should appear? What if I said the stone dragon statue comes alive in a cave and Raine can’t believe her eyes?! Amazingly, Raine is more intrigued than scared, but only by a little. Lucius is awakened after the Deep Sleep of over 300 years. His dragon is even more powerful than before he fell asleep. How did someone awaken him? Who and why? He likewise is intrigued by the young woman who talks to herself constantly and can’t stay still. What is he to do? Let her die or save her…for what? Their passion is immediate and intense. There are bigger schemes afoot so Lucius calls on his Forgotten Brotherhood brothers for help.
Oh. My. Word. If you like reading about alpha males and the object of their attraction, read this book. Raine has overcome a lot in her life, but can she look the other way at the love Lucius offers her? I volunteered to read an ARC of this book through Entangled/NetGalley. The banter between Lucius and Raine is hilarious. Make sure to read the “Author’s Note.” This book was SO good!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Ancient Desire is book five in the Forgotten Brotherhood series by N.J. Walters. I adore this series. I love shifter book and Dragon shifter OMG…. I love how each book compliment the other books but can be read independently. I can’t wait to see what’s next.

Rating: 5/5

Nothing was supposed to wake Lucius from his Deep Sleep, but when Raine Carson is invited on an expedition, and one that she gets to put her years of teaching/learning about myths and legends, she comes across a large stone dragon. Raine was so excited to be there and get to learn more about who made this craving she not only touched it but kissed the dragon and awoken a very powerful, over 4,000-year-old drakon. She wasn’t scared but so intrigued with him and felt an overwhelming need to be with him. Then all is forgotten when someone tries to kill Raine, but little do the ones that brought those two together Lucius is alive, and he wants the blood of anyone who dare hurt what he loves.

If you like: fated mates, action, suspense, paranormal romance, and spice, then I think you should add this book series to your list.

This was my first book from N.J. Walters, and I am very happy with this author, I know that I will be reading the other books of this series. I really enjoyed the characters in this book, not just the MC, but also the SC as well. I know that Raine is one of my favorite female characters now, I love how she is not afraid to hold back what is feels, she is always willing to help out in anyway that she can; if that means fighting she will do her best, if she just needs to be there for support she is there and she does all that without being asked she just has this ability to know that her friends/loved ones need of he. I really enjoyed the banter throughout the book with Lucius and Raine, and Raines sense of humor throughout the whole book. Also really liked how relatable Raine was to me, I know that I love to talk things out loud like she does.

The book was fast paced, filled with action, suspense, drama and of course romance. I would have to say the spice level in this book was about 2. I enjoyed world building and character building as well, and who doesn’t love mythology/legends books.

I will be reading the previous books now as well as the next book of the series, I must know the mystery of how and why Raine was able to wake Lucius and who knew that she would be able to.

Thank you Netgalley and Entangled Publishing for allowing me the chance to read and review this book.

Another decent addition to the Forgotten Brotherhood series. Again, NJW continues to do a good job at creating a series that is full of uniquely independent stories all set within the same world. This latest installment compliments the other books nicely and adds to the previous developments of the overall story arc.

And while I found the concept of drakons to be the most exciting subject since reading about fallen angels in book #1, I'm finding that I'm not really suited for the romance of these books. I noticed this with the last few, but I'm personally struggling to get behind the whole insta-love between the characters, and I feel like this latest installment is the worst offender. I mean, I get that lust and attraction can be immediate, and that's fine, but they are literally saying “I love you” within a day of meeting each other. And just using the bond as an excuse for a connection doesn't work unless it's backed up with evidence/world-building the reader can see.

So not really my thing. So much so that, after five books, I may need to part ways with this series. But there is no denying that these books can fill any quick paranormal need.

Never wake a sleeping dragon - or in this case - drakon. Lucius has been in a deep sleep and functionally looking like stone in a cave deep in the smoky mountains for hundreds of years. When Raine is trapped in his cave, something about her wakes him. Lucius and Raine are pretty much irresistably drawn to each other - and as it turns out are fated mates.

I really enjoyed their relationship - and even though everything happened lightning fast - it was still really worked. At the end, the story leaves a lot of questions to be resolved - especially about why someone wanted Lucius to wake up and how they knew Raine was going to be his mate - so I am very interested to see where the story goes! I had not read any of the books in the Forgotten Brotherhood before reading this one - but I didn't have any trouble adjusting to the world or the larger storyline.

I received this via NetGalley as an ARC, but these opinions are all my own.

Will this turn into a one way journey or will there be more at the end of the road…

I do not know how things went but I in some way missed the previous book release in this series.
So I now added it to my too-long-list of books to read.
This book was fun, a bit different from the others, more a huit clos than a true quest, with a heroine so out of her depth yet never loosing her nerves, it was amusing to see her navigate the muddy waters of the paranormal world.
Raine is for some miss lambda, a professor who knows all about folklore and ancient beliefs, not probably the most glamorous field. With her fertile imagination, it also helped going through the harsh moments of her life. So when she is offered on a plater to write a book and explore some of these myths, how could she refuse even when it appears at time to be too good to be true.
Lucius is one of a kind, even if his species is rare, he is even more. So when he had enough of all the hunts, chases and stuffs his rarity lead him to, he chose to retire and enter the deep sleep, one he should never have awaken from.
Yet he is back with a babbling woman running circle around him.

I just adored how Raine could deflate the tension with her simple presence and her non-stop chatter. Thrown in the middle of a super beings war, she has no power, only her cleverness, amusing persona and a drakon well set on protecting his loquacious companion.

An action loaded read with big alpha males bulging their chest to show their strength and the women who stand by their side, not cowering when thunderbolts strike.
4.5 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen lovemaking scenes

I have been granted an advance copy by the publisher, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

Raine reminds me of myself in many ways... I laughed because she talks to herself, has her head in the clouds, believes in the myths and wants to have a happy outlook. (same as me) Lucius's confusion over his attraction to someone so different than he expected makes for interesting interactions. Together these two make a perfect couple: strength and silliness, calm and explosive action, home and hearth.

Another wonderful read in the Stone Brotherhood Lucius like all dragons has the ability to pout himself intio a deep sleep and he has done that due to the fact that he can no longer handle how humans are trying to destroy his race He never expected that it would be a small human woman who believed in myths and legends that would awaken him nor that she would be his mate. Many have laughed at Raine Carson for her fascination with myths but now she gets the last laugh when the stone dragon she kissed came to life but now she must deal with a man who has a ferocious beast inside him one he is more than willing to unleash to keep her safe

This is a wonderful read that keeps you engaged until the last page with plenty of visits from previous characters in the series

These Forgotten Brotherhood books are the right blend of broody guys and quirky, awesome women (and smut) to make the pages just fly by!

This book joins Raine, a bit of a weirdo who is obsessed enough with her research to blindly follow a guide out into the middle of nowhere to see a dragon statue. Oh, and it's in a cave. At night. Add all those things together, and you end up meeting Lucius, or at least what appears to be a statue of him. He's a drakon (a human/dragon shifter hybrid) who has entered deep sleep because he's given up. Raine's trusting nature ends up trapping her in a cave with him, which wakes up back up. The reason is obvious to anyone but these two.

Raine was a delight! She is quirky and awesome, rolling with the punches no matter how strange they get. She somehow never gives up, even trapped in that cave with a grumpy drakon. Lucius also grew on me as he adapted to life and taking a protector role. The usual cast of characters were nice to see, along with the ever building layers of betrayal and lies woven into the book's story. Overall, this was a great installment in the series.

Such a great addition to this series, I have to say I love me some draken. Sexy alpha men who are supernatural and will do anything and everything for their women, yes please. I'm also excited cause NJ said there will be one more book in this series, so here I am impatiently waiting for more draken.

Ancient Desire is the fifth book in N.J. Walters Forgotten Brotherhood series and while I have thoroughly enjoyed the previous books, I found this story lacking the same passion and intensity of past stories and the storyline itself had many gaps and little information. A disappointing read from a very talented author.

An action packed story where danger seems to be lurking around every corner. Our H/h, Lucius and Raine are either trying to keep from being killed, or figure out who is trying to kill Lucius or acting on the strong physical attraction they have for each other. I love that Raine has such a quick and witty mind and especially when debating with herself which can be comical. Its a great story that draws you in and holds your attention until the very end. It is definitely a story that I would highly recommend.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley and are voluntarily leaving a review.

If you're a fan of insta-love and mythical creatures, you'll enjoy this read. It's very formulaic, but an easy read. If you don't like weak heroines who fall for the strong love interest who always saves them, you might not like this book.

This was my first book from this author. The synopsis really intrigued me. It is a fast page turner, full of actions. Raine was very funny at times. It has some spice but they were not mind blowing.
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley. This is my honest opinion.