Review: Fast and fun read
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 8, 2013
I received a copy of this story for an honest review.Dragons' Mate is a fast, fun, and super steamy entry in the world of paranormal romance/erotica. For established genre fans, Dragons' Mate hits the ground running. Your blood will be boiling and juices flowing rather quickly. For paranormal newbies, this is a great vehicle into the world. You get all the fun (emphasis on fun) of dragons without having to know a complicated backstory or any detailed lore. Ovalle creates likeable characters, a good read and a really good time.The novella quickly introduces readers to damaged heroine Annie. Annie was a regular college student until she was brutally attacked one night on the way home from class. The attack smashes her security and her trust in men. In an effort to heal Annie leaves school for home and finds solace volunteering in a local animal shelter. Annie's luck shifts when two abused and injured dragons, Brand and Tine, are brought in. The three quickly form a tight bond."Uncomfortable sharing with anyone else what had brought her home; it seemed natural to tell the dragons. Maybe that was because they had been hurt also, but it just seemed right to tell them."Annie, Brand, and Tine form a unique little family. Little does Annie know that in an effort to protect her slowly rebuilt sense of security, Brand and Tine have hidden their ability to shift into men. When the dragons feel a change in Annie, they risk revealing their true nature to claim Annie as their mate. Annie must decide if the love and  passion Brand and Tine stoke in her are strong  enough to push her forward into a promising new life.As a reader I've noticed the tricky thing about novellas is getting enough information about the characters for me to care about them while still keeping a brisk pace with the overall story. I think Ovalle was very successful with that. I found Dragons' Mate to be a worthwhile read and if/when Beverly Ovalle writes another story I will definitely be picking it up.