Title: Dragon’s Hoard
Series: Dreamspun Beyond 05
Author: M.A. Church
Narrator: Dorian Bane
Genre: Paranormal
Length: 6 hrs, 54 mins
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (12 December 2017)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖 4 Hearts
Blurb: To be loved by a dragon is to be treasured.
100 years ago, werewolf alpha Montgomery took a risk driven by desperation – he borrowed money from the ancient dragon Warwick Ehecatl, putting up the pack lands as collateral. Now the debt is due, and dragons don’t forget – or forgive. Warwick demands Montgomery’s son, Avery, and three businesses as compensation. As an omega, Avery knows he is basically useless to his pack, so he might as well agree. He soon has second thoughts, though. Warwick is fearsome, and he’s free to do as he likes with Avery.
Warwick knows his race’s reputation, and he even admits some of it is deserved. But he’d rather cut off his tail than let his innocent mate’s light go out. It won’t be easy, but buried deep, there’s something between them worth safeguarding.
Product Link: Audible US | Audible UK | Amazon US | Amazon UK
Reviewer: Prime
Review: I was really looking forward to listening to the audio of Dragon’s Hoard and I was not disappointed. I really do enjoy MA Church’s writing, from memory there has been far more paranormal stories by this author than contemporary, but I don’t think I’ve ever finished a book by Church truly disappointed.
Additionally, I was also looking forward to Dorian Bane. I love hearing Bane narrate paranormal/shape shifter stories, his deep, husky voice provides the perfect tone. The only thing that bugged me a bit was Bane’s pronunciation of the name “Warwick”, though I am not sure if that is just an accent thing rather than not pronouncing the name properly, the second “w” should be silent. This is kinda like how Americans pronounce the name Craig (“Creg” as opposed to Australia/UK saying “Cray-g”, it seriously sets my teeth on edge).
But apologies, I digress.
I am happy to say, in terms of both the author’s writing and the narration I was left a very satisfied reader at the end of Dragon’s Hoard.
Warwick Ethecatl is a surly dragon who like many dragons is very protective of his hoard. He is also a great businessman, often making loans to other paranormals. One day, one hundred years ago Warwick made a hefty loan to the alpha of one of the strongest wolf packs, putting all man’s pack lands and businesses up as collateral if he cannot pay in 100 years. Now that the century is up and with the alpha unable to make the payment, Warwick makes a deal, at a loss to himself in monetary value, but is more valuable in other ways. Once he sees the alpha’s son, Avery Montgomery, Warwick knows that this man is his mate and that he needs this man as part of his life, which also means Avery is to be part of his hoard.
Avery is a wolf shifter and an omega. Normally omega wolves are spoiled brats and can also be used as bargaining chips between packs. Even Avery will admit to himself that he is just a bit less spoiled than most, but he does know that like most other omegas he has also led a very sheltered life. Reaching his maturity at the age of 100, Avery finds himself being matched to prospective mates, all very eligible and very rich men. His world then turns completely upside down when he realizes that his father has almost cost the pack everything because he is unable to pay back the massive loan to the dragon. Avery agrees to mate with Warwick but this is only the start between the strong willed men, who have some serious chemistry.
This is a fun book and most fans shifter mating books will be pleased, although this doesn’t really go into the whole soul mate thing, it was fun to listen as the guys got closer and began to understand each other more.