Just finished the newest Forgotten Brotherhood book, which is as awesome, action-packed, and spicey as the others! Lucious is awakened by accident by Raine while she is on an expedition studying myths and legends. Little did they know they were thrown together by someone's plot. The other members of the Brotherhood come in for an assist as they try to get to the bottom of who is setting them up. The book ends with a setup for the next one but can be read as a standalone.

I rounded up because that's just how much I love Maccus. This book started out really good. These two worked really well together for me and it was believable learning about both of them as they got closer. And I was super excited when the new couple finally went to meet up with Maccus. But afterwards, things kind of went down hill for me. There was just an overwhelming amount of sappiness after, with "I love you" being thrown around left and right and way too much talk of feelings. Ugh, feelings. Honestly, it was kind of boring. Speaking of the word love. The number of times these two thought of them having sex as "making love" was ridiculous. You do not make love with someone that you literally just met and know nothing about because you do not, in fact, love them. So stop calling it that.

Raine is a college professor that is kind of obsessed with mythical creatures. When word gets to her that a huge dragon statue has been found in pristine condition inside a hidden cave, she jumps at the chance to check it out. A grant from The Angel Foundation makes it so that she can take a year off of work to write a book about it, and they even send her with a guide. The statue is even more fantastic than she could have ever hoped for and she is beyond excited. Of course, it's all too good to be true. Betrayed by her guide, she finds herself trapped in the cave and wondering why they would go thru all of this to kill her there. But soon she finds herself not as alone as she thought when she somehow wakes the sleeping dragon.

Lucius is a drakon. Born between a dragon and a human woman, he can take either form. Having lived thousands of years, he had had enough of being an outcast of his own people and hunted by the humans. So he had decided to enter the deep sleep with no desire to wake again. Until this tiny human comes along and does the impossible. Now he has to decide if he will let her die, or reveal himself to her. Despite his better judgement, he can't just lay there and do nothing. Giving Raine the fright of her life. Well, so far anyway.

When these two escape the cave, they decide that the best course of action is to work together to try and figure out why Raine was sent into the cave and if she was sent there to die, or if they knew she was the key waking Lucius. And it seems that somebody is hell bent on killing these two, even showing up at Raine's home. Really, there's only so much that they can do on their own and that's when it's time to try and reach out to the brotherhood. The meeting with Maccus could have no doubt gone better, but considering everything, it pretty much went down as one should have expected. With no new answers, but at least more help, Raine and Lucius leave to try and go somewhere safe. Let's just say they failed. Another big fight where Raine does something just so goddamn stupid I couldn't help but feel she deserved what happened leads to Lucius doing something that will change her life forever. Oh, and Maccus puts an end to everything because he's just that awesome.

Despite the sappy moments, I'm loving this series and look forward to the next one.

Ancient Desire is a fascinatingly captivating journey that will prove to deeply inspire and radically recenter our hearts and our motivations. The gentle nudge that we receive from these stunning characters should serve to open our eyes to truth and heartbreak and a whole world of possibilities. Life is more then just a collection of objects that show our accomplishments. It is a culmination of choices and experiences that shape and mold who we are at our very core. We have much to discover and learn, but it is up to us to ensure that we leave people and things the better for us passing through this short time on this planet.

Lucius has been inexplicably pulled back into the world he thought he left behind. Looking for a reason to his re emergence, the only answer he finds is a woman named Raine. She is a professor who is looking for items of myth and legend. Truth seems to drive her, but what her true motive is for her interference in his life is still a mystery. Raine had no idea what she would find in her search for answers. Her mind is left reeling at what her discovery has uncovered. Can they trust the other in their quest to find answers, or will the danger that lurks and whispers leaves one or both of them dead?

Raine and Lucius left me reeling and swooning at their introduction and subsequent interactions. Not knowing why she has such a strong effect on him, Lucius struggles with how to interpret and label what they are to each other. With limited experience with the softer side of life, he knows he much tread carefully as they both figure out what is going on what they are are to the other. Raine lets her heart lead her as she opens a whole new world filled with wonder and danger. Nothing will stop them in their pursuit of knowledge, and nothing will deter their hearts from journeying into something breathtaking and precious.

N J Walters ripped the heart from my chest with this painful yet liberating epic adventure. I never saw the nuclear twists and deadly turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. All I could do was hold on by my fingertips as this whirlwind of a story turned my world upside down. Gasping for breath I prayed that this wicked journey wouldn't end, but even as my prayers were not fulfilled, I found my heart changed and touched by the brilliant characters in this stunning tale. I can't express the depth and breath of the impact that this story has had on my willing heart. Nothing will prepare you for this wild adventure, but above all nothing will prepare you for the genius and the passion that you will find yourself immersed in. Don't fight it; instead invite every last part of if it in to stay and change you for the better of all.

Dr. Raine Carson is a researcher of myths and legends. She discovers a stone statue of a dragon deep in a cave in the Smoky Mountains. Raine is injured in an explosion and stuck in the cave. Much to her surprise, the dragon statue comes to life, revealing a large "drakon" with rose gold scales and pink eyes. The drakon is actually Lucius, a multi-thousand year old shifter who has been sleeping for almost 300 years.

I DNF'd this one unfortunately. There were too many continuity errors that really stuck out. Within minutes of waking, Lucius asks Raine what year it is (2022) and realizes he's been sleeping for nearly 300 years. But a couple sentences later, he makes a reference to Bram Stoker's "Dracula," which was published in 1897. If he was asleep for almost 300 years in a cave, how would he known about the published story of Dracula? Raine's constant talking to herself also got very annoying. It seemed like an easy way for the author to describe a character's feelings about a situation without thorough explanation. With some editing this one could be a lot better.

Dragons, angels, intrigue, and true mates. One day can change everything! A fun adventure and steamy dragon heat, a fun read for sure.

This is the first time I’ve read from this series and I have to say I love it and cannot wait for the next instalment. I will definitely be reading the books which came before in the series.

Lucius half dragon, half human had gone into a deep sleep centuries ago, he was disappointed with the world and had decided to give up on it!

Raine a college professor was lured into a cave hoping to find a rare Dragon stone only to find that once there, someone tried to kill her and that she had woke up Lucius from his deep sleep.

Madly attracted to each other, Lucius was conscious that the only power that could bring him from his deep sleep would be his chosen mate and that Raine was that person. Trying to find out who was hunting him and who would dare to hurt Raine, they embark on a journey of discovery full of twists and turns to see if they could find the answers they were looking for.

If you love paranormal reads of dragons and mythical creatures full of steam and romance, this one is sure to please. I loved the way Lucius was very protective of Raine but still had a soft side and that Raine although human was just as protective of her Drakon.

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

I really thought I would like this. Unfortunately, it was a big disappointment. The first 50% I was really pleased with, but a romance novel with lackluster sex scenes just isn’t worth the trouble. I seriously felt nothing reading these. The first spicy scene or two I was like okay maybe this is just a slow burn but no. Telling the reader that the sex is amazing without actually writing a scene gets annoying real quick.
Additionally, I’m not sure if it’s a formatting issue but there are a ton of places where a space is missing and the words run together. A few times is understandable for an ARC or even a new release, but after the first 20% it was almost every other page.
I had trouble feeling anything for the characters after they revealed the mating trope which is sad because I absolutely love mating bonds done well, but this became instalove really quickly. Raine didn’t have any personality really. It’s pretty unfortunate that we get these dropped backstory lines at the beginning about having been hurt before and understanding how it can be to be discriminated/hated and a mention about foster care but then literally nothing else. Dropping a single line does not constitute character development. Why bother putting it in at all if it’s not going anywhere.
Honestly for a romance novel about fierce assassins it’s various fantasy/paranormal powers, this book was bland. Not a good time.

This series is the bomb!!

Raine was sent to explore a cave and what she finds is out of this world. She warm and honest unlike what he has learned to mistrust.

Honestly, if she waited for Lucius to ask, she’d be an old lady before they found out anything.

Lucius has been in a deep sleep for a long time. Many things have changed but this crazy human woman brings out his protective side.

“I would never risk you.” It appeared she not only understood that, but also wasn’t afraid to use it.

Raine is spunky and Lucius is serious. Opposites do attract. I’m so glad to have another book in this series even if it is someone we don’t know. I fell totally in love with this couple.
I’m also super excited that we’ll be getting another story. Hopefully not to far in the future.

I received an advanced reader's copy of Ancient Desire by N.J. Walters from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this novel!

The main characters, drakon Lucius and college professor Raine, were kind of awesome together. I liked their witty banter, sizzling chemistry, and their story arc. This was a solid romance novel and I found it to be well written. The plot was engaging and the pacing moved swiftly.

Forgotten Brotherhood meets Drakons???? You know I was there for that and then some!!! This did not disappoint, and the easter eggs throughout were happy making. There was so much that happened in this fast-paced story, with all the secrets, doubts, subterfuge, and unknowns we’ve come to expect from the series. There was also caring, bonds, belonging, and support that is woven into these stories. So many BIG things happen, it was crazy the amount of times I gasped as things unfolded. This was an up-and-down, emotional, and satisfying ride and I was glued to the pages as it happened <3