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The Dragon Tree Legacy
At age thirteen, Major Wiley Gremillion sat with Aubrey Tarver under their dragon tree, sure of her future. She’d share her life with Aubrey and continue her family’s tradition of military service.
But as a sniper with Special Forces, code name Black Dragon, her enemies cost her a future with Aubrey. Walking away was the only way to keep Aubrey whole. Now retired, Wiley knows she’ll be alone, dividing her time between her canvasses and helping others with her unique military skill set.
Time hasn’t dulled the pain of losing Wiley for Aubrey, but she has to set that aside when her choices put her life and her family’s lives in real danger. The only way out is Wiley, but after so many years, Aubrey’s not sure that’s an option.
Aubrey’s first call sets off a firestorm that will take all Wiley’s experience to escape, and along the way they might find what they lost. Together they started their story under a tree, and they’ll fight to make sure it doesn’t end on the streets of New Orleans.
But as a sniper with Special Forces, code name Black Dragon, her enemies cost her a future with Aubrey. Walking away was the only way to keep Aubrey whole. Now retired, Wiley knows she’ll be alone, dividing her time between her canvasses and helping others with her unique military skill set.
Time hasn’t dulled the pain of losing Wiley for Aubrey, but she has to set that aside when her choices put her life and her family’s lives in real danger. The only way out is Wiley, but after so many years, Aubrey’s not sure that’s an option.
Aubrey’s first call sets off a firestorm that will take all Wiley’s experience to escape, and along the way they might find what they lost. Together they started their story under a tree, and they’ll fight to make sure it doesn’t end on the streets of New Orleans.
264 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2012
22 people are currently reading
201 people want to read
About the author
Ali Vali
58 books462 followersAli Vali is the author of the long-running Cain Casey "Devil" series and the Genesis Clan "Forces" series, as well as numerous standalone romances including two Lambda Literary Award finalists, Calling the Dead and Love Match, and her 2017 release, Beauty and the Boss. Ali also has a novella in the collection Girls with Guns.
Originally from Cuba, Ali has retained much of her family's traditions and language and uses them frequently in her stories. Having her father read her stories and poetry before bed every night as a child infused her with a love of reading, which she carries till today. Ali currently lives outside New Orleans, Louisiana, and she has discovered that living in Louisiana provides plenty of material to draw from in creating her novels and short stories.
Originally from Cuba, Ali has retained much of her family's traditions and language and uses them frequently in her stories. Having her father read her stories and poetry before bed every night as a child infused her with a love of reading, which she carries till today. Ali currently lives outside New Orleans, Louisiana, and she has discovered that living in Louisiana provides plenty of material to draw from in creating her novels and short stories.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 12, 2016
3 1/2 Stars. I'm a huge fan of Vali, so I feel the need to try to read all of her books. The blurb on this book caught my attention a while ago and I finally got to read this. I was surprised to find this actually take place in the "Devil" universe. While, Cain is not in this book, you will recognize some of the bad guys from the Devil series. Had I known this, I would have read this book, before Cain book 5. If my memory is correct, that's where this book fits in the timeline. But this book does stand alone, so if you have never read any Devil books, you could read this book without a problem. If anything, it might make you want to try the Devil series.
I really liked major Wiley, who this book is about. I found her to be similar to Cain. They are both very good at killing, but Wiley is the "good girl" version of Cain. I enjoyed this story and wondered how Wiley would get out of this mess she found herself in. The romance was OK. You could tell the characters really cared for each other, but something was missing for me. At the end, of the book, there was a pretty big plot point left open. I'm not sure if Vail was considering writing a book 2. Since this was written in 2012, it does not look good. I would love to see the Black Dragon, turn up in a future Cain book.
If you are a fan of the Devil series, I would recommend this book.
I really liked major Wiley, who this book is about. I found her to be similar to Cain. They are both very good at killing, but Wiley is the "good girl" version of Cain. I enjoyed this story and wondered how Wiley would get out of this mess she found herself in. The romance was OK. You could tell the characters really cared for each other, but something was missing for me. At the end, of the book, there was a pretty big plot point left open. I'm not sure if Vail was considering writing a book 2. Since this was written in 2012, it does not look good. I would love to see the Black Dragon, turn up in a future Cain book.
If you are a fan of the Devil series, I would recommend this book.
March 13, 2019
First of all, I have to confess that I’m an Ali Vali addict. I came to this addiction a little late in my lesfic reading career, but since I’ve found her books, I’ve been reading them voraciously. I flew through the ‘Dead’ and the ‘Devil’ series, and have now begun to read some of her individual books. My latest is The Dragon Tree Legacy, and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed this novel.
Probably one of the reasons I liked the book so much is the fact that it almost should be a part of the ‘Devil’ series. The setting is New Orleans not long after Katrina; the same setting and time period as several of the ‘Devil’ books. Most of the criminals are fairly major secondary characters from that series and even the illegal activities they are involved with came from the series.
The main characters of this novel are new however, and I do like how they are developed. Both are likeable but flawed characters. Both have made mistakes in their pasts that have caused the conflict they now face. Both have hurt the other one in the past, and now have to overcome that hurt to be together again. They have to learn to forgive themselves as well as each other. This is a theme you find in many of Vali’s stories.
You also find the importance of family as a theme. Family is obviously important to the author, and that flows through all of the books I’ve read by her. I love that theme, and I believe it makes her characters more human and the story more real.
I can highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good action-adventure story with strong characters and a lovely romance. Just heed this warning, her books are addictive. The craving may consume you as it did me.
Rainbow Reflections: https://rainbowreflections.home.blog/
Probably one of the reasons I liked the book so much is the fact that it almost should be a part of the ‘Devil’ series. The setting is New Orleans not long after Katrina; the same setting and time period as several of the ‘Devil’ books. Most of the criminals are fairly major secondary characters from that series and even the illegal activities they are involved with came from the series.
The main characters of this novel are new however, and I do like how they are developed. Both are likeable but flawed characters. Both have made mistakes in their pasts that have caused the conflict they now face. Both have hurt the other one in the past, and now have to overcome that hurt to be together again. They have to learn to forgive themselves as well as each other. This is a theme you find in many of Vali’s stories.
You also find the importance of family as a theme. Family is obviously important to the author, and that flows through all of the books I’ve read by her. I love that theme, and I believe it makes her characters more human and the story more real.
I can highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good action-adventure story with strong characters and a lovely romance. Just heed this warning, her books are addictive. The craving may consume you as it did me.
Rainbow Reflections: https://rainbowreflections.home.blog/
September 1, 2021
3,0 stars
Well it wasn't half bad, the assassination parts were downright interesting but no matter how often the author repeated that the kid was smart for her age I still couldn't believe that an eight year old child would talk and act like that. A mature sixteen year old sure but not a little kid. Which kinda annoyed me the whole time.
I also can't get over Aubrey's zen approach to all the shit stuff that happened. She seems to shake it all off within a few hours/days. Most people would be a gibbering mess but she just continued after a brief period of crying/hysteria. It was weird. No one is that accepting.
Well it wasn't half bad, the assassination parts were downright interesting but no matter how often the author repeated that the kid was smart for her age I still couldn't believe that an eight year old child would talk and act like that. A mature sixteen year old sure but not a little kid. Which kinda annoyed me the whole time.
I also can't get over Aubrey's zen approach to all the shit stuff that happened. She seems to shake it all off within a few hours/days. Most people would be a gibbering mess but she just continued after a brief period of crying/hysteria. It was weird. No one is that accepting.
April 26, 2021
I read this back in 2016 but I forgot how many players there were in this book, and that it's set in the Cain Casey world. What I loved and what I remembered about this book was the whole family affair of it all. With Aubrey and Tanith finding their way home to Wiley, and Wiley finally getting what she thought she could never have... her family. I hope we get a chance to see what's been happening for Wiley, Aubrey and Tanith.
April 14, 2016
Fast Paced and Highly Charged
This is the fantastic story of Major Wiley Gremillion, a former US Sniper and the love of her life Aubrey Tarver. Wiley left Aubrey to keep her safe but one night she gets a call that will forever change her life. Trouble has come for Aubrey and now its up to Wiley to save her... and their child.
This amazing story is so full of... well everything! There is danger, mystery, suspicion, deception, revenge, drugs, murder, guns, spy stuff and bad guys galore. There is love and patience, understanding and atonement. There is a reviewer with a huge grin because she loved this book so much! Seriously, it was everything one could hope for. The characters are wonderful and deep, the settings very descriptive and the plot, well I've covered that. You truly do not want to miss this one!!!! Im off to read it again.
This is the fantastic story of Major Wiley Gremillion, a former US Sniper and the love of her life Aubrey Tarver. Wiley left Aubrey to keep her safe but one night she gets a call that will forever change her life. Trouble has come for Aubrey and now its up to Wiley to save her... and their child.
This amazing story is so full of... well everything! There is danger, mystery, suspicion, deception, revenge, drugs, murder, guns, spy stuff and bad guys galore. There is love and patience, understanding and atonement. There is a reviewer with a huge grin because she loved this book so much! Seriously, it was everything one could hope for. The characters are wonderful and deep, the settings very descriptive and the plot, well I've covered that. You truly do not want to miss this one!!!! Im off to read it again.
January 30, 2018
Sort of the same as a Cain “devil series” book. With more violence and darkness. Loved Wiley but only getting 4 stars as I’m not a big fan of graphic violence and a couple scenes although not super descriptive of the gore, sure are violent. Still it’s Ali Vali and she rocks!
May 25, 2020
Intense thriller with a second-chance subplot. Retired military sniper ends up trying to save her long-lost love (and love's teenager) from drug cartels and dirty govt agents.
Lots of scheming, lots of action. Set primarily in NOLA.
Lots of scheming, lots of action. Set primarily in NOLA.
April 11, 2013
rubbish.. struggled to read a third.. too much going on & trying to link in with Casey Cain books..boring
Read
September 10, 2025Reclaimed love
Meet Major Wiley Gremillion, the Black Dragon, who walked away from the love of her life to keep her safe from being targeted by the enemies of her covert persona. Aubrey Tarver unwillingly accepts Wiley's absence from her life but in building a new one, she finds herself in the crosshairs of dangerous men she knows only the Black Dragon can protect her from.
Woven with the layered storytelling she is known for, blending familiar characters from her beloved New Orleans based stories with new ones for this latest addition, Ali Vali reminds us there is only one light that can guide the lost out of the darkness and back home, love.
Meet Major Wiley Gremillion, the Black Dragon, who walked away from the love of her life to keep her safe from being targeted by the enemies of her covert persona. Aubrey Tarver unwillingly accepts Wiley's absence from her life but in building a new one, she finds herself in the crosshairs of dangerous men she knows only the Black Dragon can protect her from.
Woven with the layered storytelling she is known for, blending familiar characters from her beloved New Orleans based stories with new ones for this latest addition, Ali Vali reminds us there is only one light that can guide the lost out of the darkness and back home, love.
September 30, 2020
Interesting premise and a lot of action makes this a good read.
This second chance, gritty romance is a treat to read. Childhood sweethearts part company when one, a highly trained sniper, fears her military career as become too dangerous when she witnesses her colleague’s family murdered in retribution for a mission they had been on. Never forgetting each other, they are brought back together when the one left behind finds herself and her daughter in the crossfire of drug lords in New Orleans. Interesting premise and a lot of action makes this a good read.
This second chance, gritty romance is a treat to read. Childhood sweethearts part company when one, a highly trained sniper, fears her military career as become too dangerous when she witnesses her colleague’s family murdered in retribution for a mission they had been on. Never forgetting each other, they are brought back together when the one left behind finds herself and her daughter in the crossfire of drug lords in New Orleans. Interesting premise and a lot of action makes this a good read.
May 17, 2017
I love Ali Vali's books. This particular one has a military component and (of course) a "love conquers all" romance. It has suspense and intrigue and well, it's just a damn good story. Just sayin', you should read it.
April 16, 2023
Another side story to Cain Casey's New Orleans
This book is another adjacent story to Cain Casey's New Orleans that hopefully will get a follow up or resurfaces somewhere in some story in the future.
This book is another adjacent story to Cain Casey's New Orleans that hopefully will get a follow up or resurfaces somewhere in some story in the future.
September 23, 2017
So very good
Another fantastic book by Ali Vali i didn't want to end. I can wait for more stories by this author
Another fantastic book by Ali Vali i didn't want to end. I can wait for more stories by this author
December 26, 2017
Just flat out addicted to Ali Vali's work. Loved this story.
Read
June 18, 2020Could not put it down. The Good Southern Don, A. Vali, out did herself!
April 8, 2022
4.25 good story in the world of Cain Casey
September 27, 2025
Fast paced
Meetings characters from the other series was more than welcome and coming across these characters in the other series felt like an awesome update.
Meetings characters from the other series was more than welcome and coming across these characters in the other series felt like an awesome update.
April 3, 2021
Fresh out of the Blue Skies duology, I felt a need to learn more about Wiley's story.
In hindsight I should probably have waited. In such a direct and immediate comparison, The Dragon Tree Legacy didn't quite live up to my expectations.
There is plenty of action in this story, but clearly not as much or as fast paced as in the Blue Skies books. And there's a lot of information about the criminal underworld that I sometimes struggled to process.
By the second half of the book, I couldn't be bothered to care about who the various criminals were and who was trying to screw whom.
That's partly on me for sure, but also partly due to the fact that those complex relationships did not have a direct effect on the plot and its protagonists like I've gotten used to in the Devil series.
Overall this wasn't half bad, and I might have enjoyed it more had I read it at a different time.
In hindsight I should probably have waited. In such a direct and immediate comparison, The Dragon Tree Legacy didn't quite live up to my expectations.
There is plenty of action in this story, but clearly not as much or as fast paced as in the Blue Skies books. And there's a lot of information about the criminal underworld that I sometimes struggled to process.
By the second half of the book, I couldn't be bothered to care about who the various criminals were and who was trying to screw whom.
That's partly on me for sure, but also partly due to the fact that those complex relationships did not have a direct effect on the plot and its protagonists like I've gotten used to in the Devil series.
Overall this wasn't half bad, and I might have enjoyed it more had I read it at a different time.
November 24, 2012
If you enjoy Ali Vali's "Devil" series as much as I do, you'll LOVE "The Dragon Tree Legacy." Put it at the very top of your Christmas wish list. NOW.
Wiley Gremillion, The Black Dragon, is a retired military sniper who finds herself tangled in two very complicated situations that end up actually being one big related mess. This is a love story and an intricate puzzle of missing drugs, missing money and shadowy bad guys that threaten Wiley's second chance at happiness with Aubrey.
I was at least two thirds through the story before the full picture came into focus -- I didn't even see the revelation about the baddest bad guy coming -- and then I had to guess what plan Wiley would lay out to solve the problem. The plot had so many twists, I've already decided that I need to read it again, slower, to see what I missed on the first read.
If I'm being cryptic, I just don't want to spoil this page-turning story for the folks who will get their hands on it when it releases in ebook Dec. 1 at boldstrokesbooks.com, and later in the month in print.
The best thing about this book: it feels like the first of a series. There are other bad guys still out there to disturb the happiness of Wiley, dragon-slayer Aubrey and their 8-year-old daughter, Tanith. I'm starting the clamor for a sequel now, because these characters are as addicting as the drugs the bad guys are selling.
Perhaps with a new tough girl prowling New Orleans and keeping order, Cain Casey can finally find the peace she's been seeking for her family. I'm already pacing the floor to get my hands on "The Devil's Orchard" scheduled to release some time next year, according to insider reports.
P.S. Although Wiley encounters several of the same bad guys who try Cain's patience, the infamous Devil does not make an appearance in the Dragon's story.
Wiley Gremillion, The Black Dragon, is a retired military sniper who finds herself tangled in two very complicated situations that end up actually being one big related mess. This is a love story and an intricate puzzle of missing drugs, missing money and shadowy bad guys that threaten Wiley's second chance at happiness with Aubrey.
I was at least two thirds through the story before the full picture came into focus -- I didn't even see the revelation about the baddest bad guy coming -- and then I had to guess what plan Wiley would lay out to solve the problem. The plot had so many twists, I've already decided that I need to read it again, slower, to see what I missed on the first read.
If I'm being cryptic, I just don't want to spoil this page-turning story for the folks who will get their hands on it when it releases in ebook Dec. 1 at boldstrokesbooks.com, and later in the month in print.
The best thing about this book: it feels like the first of a series. There are other bad guys still out there to disturb the happiness of Wiley, dragon-slayer Aubrey and their 8-year-old daughter, Tanith. I'm starting the clamor for a sequel now, because these characters are as addicting as the drugs the bad guys are selling.
Perhaps with a new tough girl prowling New Orleans and keeping order, Cain Casey can finally find the peace she's been seeking for her family. I'm already pacing the floor to get my hands on "The Devil's Orchard" scheduled to release some time next year, according to insider reports.
P.S. Although Wiley encounters several of the same bad guys who try Cain's patience, the infamous Devil does not make an appearance in the Dragon's story.
March 15, 2013
When we’re younger, we see a certain path for ourselves which we think will never change. Wiley and Aubrey thought they’d share their lives forever. When a major event rocks Wiley to her core, she must leave Aubrey behind to keep her safe from Wiley’s world. Wiley is now retired from the military and paints to help sooth her soul, and has a side ‘business’ of righting wrongs which can’t be fixed by ordinary means. Yet, when Aubrey calls her – frightened – Wiley puts everything aside to come to her rescue. Which stirs up old feelings and a new potential crisis.
I really enjoyed ‘The Dragon Tree Legacy’, especially when Wiley is expressing the different sides of her character – the sniper ‘Black Dragon’ and her “softer” side. The main characters, Aubrey and Wiley, leap off the page. I was happy when the secondary characters of their parents and Tanith (Aubrey’s daughter), were not flat foils to Wiley and Aubrey, but had a strong presence and characterization. I liked the story of the goddesses Tanit and Tanith, the two sides of a coin, which meant so much to Wiley and Aubrey. ‘The Dragon Tree Legacy’ is a solid and heartfelt story, with plenty of action and Ms. Vali easily engages readers to feel what the characters are feeling. I had only read one other book by this author (‘Balance of Forces: Toujours Ici'), but I’m definitely a fan!
I really enjoyed ‘The Dragon Tree Legacy’, especially when Wiley is expressing the different sides of her character – the sniper ‘Black Dragon’ and her “softer” side. The main characters, Aubrey and Wiley, leap off the page. I was happy when the secondary characters of their parents and Tanith (Aubrey’s daughter), were not flat foils to Wiley and Aubrey, but had a strong presence and characterization. I liked the story of the goddesses Tanit and Tanith, the two sides of a coin, which meant so much to Wiley and Aubrey. ‘The Dragon Tree Legacy’ is a solid and heartfelt story, with plenty of action and Ms. Vali easily engages readers to feel what the characters are feeling. I had only read one other book by this author (‘Balance of Forces: Toujours Ici'), but I’m definitely a fan!
January 3, 2013
This book. I really liked what the summary said but in the book it didn't really live up to its standards. But otherwise the book was good because in other books most like this plot they make the guns and shooting as dramatic as possible, whereas Ali Vali has subtlety brought the book into its climax and back down imputing small details as she goes along. This I liked because book in the end wasn't just about the action and the adventure but the romance and the unexplored explored territory in love.
This book is for people who like the white knight riding in on a horse to save the day while also for people who like the happy endings in the end. In other words this book is unreal because this wouldn't just happen in real life but this is what make it unique and appeals to people who's lives are really shitty and just want to escape.
October 3, 2013
Once again Ali had managed to pull me along with her story line, characters, and way with words. There is a ton of details in this book with a lot of characters to remember. I know I will need to read it again to catch some of what I missed, however, in true Ali fashion...I could not put this book down.
March 10, 2013
All of Ali Vali's books are excellent and very good strong characters. This did not disappoint with a very compelling story line. Very good read.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews