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Supernatural Bonds, Book Eight

Though he has no intention of shackling himself to a female, Tielo has devised a poker invitational to bring potential human mates to Drake’s Lair for his fellow dragons. Club co-owner Pierce has also set a plan in motion—to see his partner mated. When their two schemes collide in the shape of Lyra, smoke and flame result, literally.

For Lyra, the invitation to an evening of high-stakes poker is the answer to a prayer and her chance to help a family in need. But her confidence wavers upon entering Drake’s Lair, where the male members role-play as dragons and brazenly display their sensuality.

None are as dangerously distracting as Tielo. The gold-and-silver “dragon” could be her downfall, and not just at the poker table. Because despite his attempts at denial, overwhelming need and lust blast Tielo the instant he meets Lyra. He’ll have her beneath him before the night is done, his essence inside her, his claim undeniable.

For dragons, mating is no game…and Tielo is playing for keeps.

98 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2012

15 people are currently reading
209 people want to read

About the author

Jory Strong

64 books424 followers
Jory has been writing since childhood and has never outgrown being a daydreamer. When she's not hunched over her computer, lost in the muse and conjuring up new heroes and heroines, she can usually be found reading, riding her horses, or hiking with her dogs.

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5 stars
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74 (30%)
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Profile Image for The BookChick .
1,454 reviews425 followers
December 27, 2012
My Rating: ★★★½

Book Description:
Though he has no intention of shackling himself to a female, Tielo has devised a poker invitational to bring potential human mates to Drake’s Lair for his fellow dragons. Club co-owner Pierce has also set a plan in motion—to see his partner mated. When their two schemes collide in the shape of Lyra, smoke and flame result, literally.

For Lyra, the invitation to an evening of high-stakes poker is the answer to a prayer and her chance to help a family in need. But her confidence wavers upon entering Drake’s Lair, where the male members role-play as dragons and brazenly display their sensuality.

None are as dangerously distracting as Tielo. The gold-and-silver “dragon” could be her downfall, and not just at the poker table. Because despite his attempts at denial, overwhelming need and lust blast Tielo the instant he meets Lyra. He’ll have her beneath him before the night is done, his essence inside her, his claim undeniable.

For dragons, mating is no game…and Tielo is playing for keeps.

My Thoughts:
This was a fairly enjoyable story and a first Jory Strong book for me. I appreciate Strong's artistic license in crafting a shifter story, with a dragon as its star, focused on an interracial couple.

Tielo was the typical alpha male. Cocky. Stubborn. Self-assured. Aaaaaand, felled by a woman, his true mate, upon first meeting her. I liked Lyra as a female lead. She had honorable intentions in wanted to go to Drakes Lair so that she could attempt to win at Texas Hold 'Em so that she could help the Ochoas, a struggling family.

The plot is pretty straight forward. Lyra wants to win. Tielo wants to remain unmated. But, as the story progresses, both of their desires begin to shift and neither is nearly as interested in retaining their original focus. As the game is played, Tielo lets go of his resistance for a mate and fully acknowledges that Lyra is his. His motivation shifts to having her in every manner possible. Lyra gives into the temptation that is Tielo but retains a firm grip on what she came to Drakes Lair for.

A steamy and smexy game of strip poker ensues and in the process the two let go of their inhibitions (inward and outward) and pull toward each other. In the end, Lyra and Tielo find their happily every after and they both end up doing good for a family in need.

A quick, uncomplicated and enjoyable read for a rainy day.



Reading Time: 1.5 Hours

For more reviews, visit The BookChick with Kick blog
Profile Image for Annie .
2,506 reviews941 followers
November 28, 2012
Posted on Under the Covers

Tielo the dragon decides on hosting a poker party to lure potential human mates to the club, Drake’s Lair. This is where Tielo meets his mate, Lyra, a schoolteacher who is interested in the high stakes of the game Texas Hold’em to win money for a family in need. However, despite her good intentions, she doesn’t understand just how authentic the role-playing of the members as dragons goes until she becomes the object of their desire.

This is my first read by Jory Strong and I enjoyed her writing style and voice. DRAGON GAMES delivers a strong start where the author creates distinct personalities for both the hero and heroine. My only issue with this is the fact that this novella is only 76 pages and our protagonists don’t actually meet until around page 40. For me, 30 pages isn’t enough to create a believable romance and this is where I think the book faltered a bit. If this were a full-length novel, then I believe that the author would have been able to explore their desires more deeply and penned a stronger romance. Unfortunately, everything seemed very rushed in the end, even with a wonderful start.

I also wished to see more dragon antics. Most of the focus was on the poker game and the seduction, so readers don’t really get a full on taste of what Strong’s heroes could potentially be. Again, I only wish the story was longer to further explore this avenue.

All in all, DRAGON GAMES is a quick, sexy read. While not the strongest in plot or romance, it does deliver strong characters and scorching sex scenes.

*Review Copy provided by publisher
Profile Image for Katherine.
5,400 reviews42 followers
January 30, 2013
I bought this one from Kobo.

I've read all the previous books in this series. I really like the world and the characters that Ms. Strong has created. This entry was good, and I felt it was weaker than previous installments. I loved revisiting the dragon mythology, it was nice to see old characters, and I liked the two main chars, but it all felt a bit perfunctory. The book contains the same explicit language, similar sex scenes, and not enough of the chase - it was all, 'You're my mate, I want you, let's have sex, we're mated and oh you're a dragon? Ok.' And the fully human heroine had no reservations about him being a dragon or that supernatural beings exist.

Regardless, I'm reading the next book. I hope there is a next book. I like Ms. Strong's voice.
1 review
May 22, 2014
I thought that it was amazing and that I will read this again. there were no words to explain this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
69 reviews
April 13, 2022
Hot!!

I could not put this book down! One I am a sucker for bwwm books! The writing was pretty fluid I never got lost or even upset because the storyline was too slow! There were always hot scenes throughout the entire book and the author knew when to insert certain vocabulary or phrases to entice readers adjust a little more. This was my first bought book from this author and I can’t see what else she has.

-S
Profile Image for TinaMarie.
3,515 reviews38 followers
June 5, 2018
Teolo devises a plan to lure prospective mates to the Dragon's Lair and finds himself caught. Lyra is intrigued by the invitation but more importantlyl she wants to win in order to help a troubled family. This is a hot night of poker that leads to a dragon claiming.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Romancing the Book.
4,420 reviews221 followers
May 25, 2013
Reviewed by: Victoria
Book provided by: Publisher
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book

: Dragon Games by Jory Strong is the eighth book in the supernatural bonds series. I chose this book because I love reading paranormal stories about dragons. Then you combine dragons and hot and steamy erotic romance, what could go wrong?

I found Lyra a very strong character with a heart of gold. She enters the poker game to help a struggling family get back on their feet. Tielo really did not show up in this story until around halfway through. Tielo was a strong character portrayed as a man with a good heart looking for a good time until he meets his mate, Lyra. Once Lyra and Tielo got together sparks flew. They had excellent chemistry together. The sex scene was blistering!

The author did a great job on the story line. It was very authentic (if you overlook the dragons turning into people part). She hooked you in the first chapter and did not you go until the end. The ending seemed a bit rushed, and the story could have been much longer.

I would have loved it if Lyra and Tielo had more time alone together besides the one scene. I would have liked to know how the family she was trying to help thought of her intentions. Overall, I thought this story was fabulous.

Profile Image for Diane T..
351 reviews36 followers
November 17, 2012
Dragon Games was another strong story by a wonderfully talented writer. I've been a fan of Ms Strong's for years and eagerly follow several of her series. Reading Dragon Games reminded me of why I enjoy her work so much. The fact that she included several of the characters from previous books was just the whipped cream & cherry on the top of this delightful treat!
24 reviews1 follower
April 16, 2023
Sizzling

Lyra is desperate to help a family in need. Tielo is desperate to remain unmated. In a poker game they both gamble and win. This story contained my favorite 4H ingredients: heart, humor, heat, and happily ever after. Only learned about this author about two weeks ago and I'm hooked, especially on her BWWM romance stories.
14 reviews
November 29, 2020
Very entertaining.

This book kept my Interest from beginning to end. I found it very entertaining. I recommend it as a good. read
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews

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