Heart of the Hunter

Dragon Chalice #1

by Tina St. John (Pseudonym), Lara Adrian

Desperate to rescue her kidnapped brother, Ariana of Clairmont joins forces with Braedon le Chasseur, a seductive knight with a mysterious past--and a dark legacy he struggles to deny. Allied in a quest for a legendary treasure, they encounter powerful enemies skilled in dark magic...and discover a love beyond enchantment.

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction

402 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2004

About the author

Pseudonym of Lara Adrian

A Michigan native and descendant of Mayflower passenger Governor William Bradford, Tina St. John makes her home in coastal New England with her husband, the inspiration for all her heroes and her most devoted fan. The couple are the caretakers of two rescued felines who have trained them to surrender treats, tuna, and belly rubs on command.

She quit a full-time corporate job to pursue her dream of becoming a published author. In 1995, Tina St. John sold her first completed manuscript, Lord of Vengeance, and has since gone on to pen several more acclaimed medieval romances. She was frightened of vampires as a child. Luckily, she has overcome this fear and uses that early fascination to drive her paranormal romance novels as Lara Adrian. Her stories mesh fear, sensuality, and power into vampire romance fantasy novels and today she is well-known for the popular Midnight Breed series. She believes that “vampires as heroes in romantic fiction…are the ultimate bad boy.” Her books have been licensed in over sixteen countries. She is also a RWA RITA finalist and Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice award recipient.

Reviews

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Posted on Under the Covers

As a fan of Lara Adrian’s Midnight Breed series, I thought it would be nice to explore her previously released medieval romances under her pen name, Tina St. John. I was expecting a good romance, as is the case with all of Lara Adrian’s work, but I had no idea that Tina could craft such an intricate and engaging story like HEART OF THE HUNTER turned out to be.

Ariana of Clairmont is on a mission to reach France and free her brother from the hands of his captors. Upon receiving a ransom note demanding her brother’s work, Ariana gathers her brother’s precious research and places them in a satchel for her to carry on her trip. Though Ariana is a well-bred woman with manners and beauty, she certainly holds her own against the scummy men she encounters on her trip. When her bodyguard is killed and her means of travel to France has backfired on her after a particularly close call with death, Ariana finds herself within the arms of a man who just happens to be called Le Chasseur – The Hunter.

Braedon is a knight with a dark past. His scar running along the left side of his face causes others to fear him, but Ariana sees more to him than the disfigurement the marks his face. She sees his strength, his virility and her way out to France. So although Braedon does all that he can to leave the woman after saving her life, Ariana sticks to him like a tick, never relenting until she gets what she wants.

And in the end, she does get what she wants because Braedon begins to soften around her, revealing the secrets of his past to her in slow increments. What I liked about Braedon and Ariana’s relationship was that it wasn’t a simple love at first sight thing, nor did Ariana swoon over Braedon because he had once saved her life. Their relationship worked because they willed it. They worked together, learning to trust one another as they try to meet their goals.

A few twists and turns that occur will have readers enchanted and enamored by St. John’s writing. For those of you who love her writing as Lara Adrian, I would recommend these books to you because there are a few similarities between the Midnight Breed series and the Dragon Chalice series. You can expect the same great action from the Adrian books in St. John’s books as well. I thought HEART OF THE HUNTER started off strong with some great fight scenes, but it only got better as St. John revealed a few secrets. You’ll also find the same loyalty and fierceness of the Order members in Braedon, the hero of this book.

I should mention that the paranormal aspect of this book isn’t as prominent until the latter half. I loved the entire notion of this series. The Dragon Chalice series is based on a quest to find a mythical cup that possesses great power and it’s this epic adventure that makes me hope you give Tina’s writing a shot! Readers who enjoy books by Donna Grant, Karen Marie Moning’s earlier historical and Kresley Cole’s Sutherland Brothers series will be sure to enjoy this series. I loved it and I’m sure you will too!

[Belinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,75 stars - English hardcover - I have dyslectia -
I am blusing a over. Expliced adult sences - when a high Born lady has to cross the Chanel to rescue her brother who is captive she is rescued by a man every body says is no good. Somehow she triggers an other part of him. And then is their a mistic cup and people who are shapeshifters- 🌺🦋🌺

[Sadie Forsythe · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ok look, I chose to read this by scrolling through my Kindle and going, "Oh, historical paranormal romance with dragons. Yes please." I didn't look farther than that. I didn't notice I'd had the book since 2012 or that the first edition on Goodreads is from 2004. Because if I had, I wouldn't have bothered with the book. I would have know in advance how much I'd dislike it.

As Suzanne Brockmann recently addressed in her RWA speech, the language of romance novels used to be a lot different, back when penis wasn't allowed, etc. So you got a lot of 'velvet covered steel" and "pearls of womanhood."

And OH MY GOD, while I'm no fan of cunt, I'll take it over "glove of her womb" a hundred times over! I am Modern Woman, hear me...panic over the fear of accidental pregnancy for my whole sexually active adulthood. Unless the point is implanting semen in said womb and impregnation, do no put the word womb in a sex scene. JUST DON'T, especially in a historical where prophylactics don't exist anyhow. And it's used over and over here, "glove of her womb," "entrance of her womb," just "her womb' (which is even worse), "fist of her womb," and of course her climax floods her womb and her womb expands and contract with orgasm. OMG, stop!

There was nothing erotic in these sex scenes. And that's before I address things like, " He didn’t wait for her permission. In truth, he wasn’t sure he was asking for it..." or ""Tell me to let you go, Ariana. If you do not...ah, God, if you do not...” He had no will to wait for her denial." Yeah, when it came to sex he was all about doing what he wanted.

I'll grant that Adrian at least provided a little foreplay and the hero didn't pound away like a jackhammer in a vagina that should be bone-dry for all he touched it. And the heroine had her own sexual agency. But sadly I had trouble with that too. The word innocent/innocence is used about a million times to describe her (especially in regard to being a virgin), as well as guileless, naive, naïveté, etc. Then, BAM, she's giving head like a boss with no instruction. How exactly would such an ingénue, as she's supposed to be, know anything a blow jobs? Tell me, how?

And then there was the fact that as soon as the hero decided to help and protect the heroine, all this started: “That’s right. From now on, I decide our course of action. ‘Tis the only way.” “...and do whatever I tell you. Understand?” “Don’t ever disobey me again, do you understand? If I tell you to do something, know that I have my reasons. I must be able to trust that you will do as I say, not question me or defy me.” (These are just a few example.) And I'm all reading this book like, Dude, you are just some rando off the street. Who are you to take control of her like that? I don't care if it is historical. You're not her father, brother or even her husband yet! Fuck off. But of course she lets him make all the decisions and falls in love with him instead. Plus, any time she tried to do anything on her own she went and did something stupid, like almost get raped. (And it's worth mentioning, just in case this dumpster fire isn't obvious enough, she initially met him and then he immediately saved her from being raped and sold into sexual slavery. Because of course he did. What else would happen to a woman out in the big scary world of men? It's certainly the only thing that ever seems to happen to them in books like this.)

For those like me who like historical paranormals, know that there are no dragons in this book and the paranormal aspects are almost nil. They certainly aren't well integrated. So, as you might guess, I hated this book. This is the sort of book that kept me from reading heterosexual romances for so long. The industry has moved forward, things have gotten better. But this shit can go die.

[~*~Princess Nya Vasiliev~*~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE THIS BOOK!

What an enchanting, fantastical, engaging tale! Very intriguing plot/premise. The telling and world building of this world & characters are done superbly. I could not put this book down. I had to make myself stop reading it several times for fear of the story ending too soon. I wanted to live, breathe & love in this world, forever.

Braedon... My GAWD! This man is just utterly devastating. In his words, action, & thoughts. I was in a constant state of awe & arousal.


Ariana I love this chick. She is so strong. Selfless. Fearless in the face of fear. The lengths she went to & what she endured to get to her brother, Kenrick WOW.

She & Braedon were perfect for one another. They balanced each other well. They had the emotional as well as the physical bond. And let me just say... WHOA!


I love this story and I can't wait to dive into books 2&3. Book 2 is to be about Kenrick, Ariana's brother.

So keep in mind this is a series concerning an on going saga. One that continues through the different books, but with different characters/love interests being the main focus along side the on going plot. You get an HEA with the main characters of this book, but the resolution of the plot, appears to be on going.

I love series' like this. So I would highly recommend this book. Hoping book 2 is just as great *crosses fingers*

[Mara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I downloaded this book on the strength on Lara Adrian's name (and it was free :D).

If someone had told me Tina St. John was Lara Adrian, I wouldn't have believed them. The writing is weak, as are characters and world-building. The beginning is almost un-linked with the rest of the story. The paranormal facet too shallow to be interesting. Above all hero and heroine were bland, she is way beyond naive, she gets into the "stupid" area on the line.
The ending is predictable (yes, I know this is romance. I'm not talking of HEA, but the scene before that).

All in all I wasn't invested in the book and I'm not going to read the remaining 2. I'm not saying it's bad, I simply do not care for it.

[Debra Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finished Reading March 26, 2016

I liked the theme of the story. I did not like the pace. It would start picking up, then slow down again. There is intrigue, action and mystery infused throughout. Also the Adult romance scenes where really HOT. All must haves for a good read.

My main problem was with the main female character, Ariana. She was way to slow to understand the danger she was in and that Braedon wasn't her enemy. To much of the story was taken up with her internal thoughts, which were repetitive and inane. Braedon also had repetitive thoughts that took up too much space without adding to the story-line.

Will I read Book#2 in this series? Yes.
Why? This is a Lara Adrian book done under her other pen name. She is the author of The Midnight Breed. They are OUTSTANDING and each book is better than the one before it. So even though this book drove me crazy with its pace, I continued to struggle through it.

Do I recommend this book? Yes. I think most readers will truly enjoy it.

Prch Amz March 2, 2016

[Ronda Tutt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting Concept.

First let me say that I love Lara Adrian's Midnight Breed Series so when I saw she had written this I had to try it.

The story was a very interesting start for a series, it started off slow for me but the character buildup of Ariana's quest kept me intrigued and when she ran into this mysterious Braedon le Chasseur who has a semi-torturous soul I had to keep reading.

Ariana and Braedon's romance was very sweet especially towards the end. I did get aggravated a little with Ariana's immaturity but it was short lived once she realized she needed to trust the experienced Knight Braedon.

The story's plot of the Dragon Chalice kept my interest as well. Now that two of the cups are found out of the four I want to know what happens when all are found and what kind of power the beholder will receive. I really enjoyed the magic of the shape shifters and hope to read more about the paranormal being exposed to the historical period.

I look forward to reading about Ariana's brother and him finding the next Dragon Chalice cup.

[Gilgamesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very a interesting read. The novel was well written and the characters well developed...finally someone in medieval romance who knows how to write passion and intimacy. The raw yearning and need of Ariana and Rae for each was palpable and when fulfilled pure magic. It was another beauty and the beast undertone. So the romance for me was good....but the mystery was not very well developed. There were too many unexplained components: the two factions of shifters, the dispatch of seekers, and finally Rae's mother's story.

Despite all this the love story was so engaging that I forgot about all the plot holes. I am probably not going to read the rest of this series...but I will be reading other books of this author.

[Kat Desi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, that's it - this is my 2nd Lara Adrian (a/k/a Tina St. John) read and it's convinced me to read the rest of her work. From the very first chapter, I've been hooked! Her writing style is simply captivating and her characters are very much engaging. I especially loved the fantastical essence of the book! I got this as a freebie on Amazon ages ago and I regret that I didn't read it sooner.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written story and well developed characters. Will definitely read the rest of this series.

[UltraMeital · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

I'm not sure what I was expecting but this was, well, different. While there is a definite Paranormal element to this one, it takes quite a while until we understand where it comes from and there are STILL many questions left unanswered. I guess the world building in this one was more of a "you get the information you need as you go" and I gotta say, I'm not a fan. Yeah it means there's a HUGE element of mystery to this one but I felt too much in the dark and so it was less engaging for me. That being said, as this IS Lara, once the action starts I really enjoyed the pace.

Ariana of Clairmont is on a mission. After receiving information her brother is being held prisoner in France and will only be freed if she comes by herself with his ransom - his life work journals about the magical "Dragon Chalice"and where it can be found - she sets up for the journey. But before she even set sails across the sea her bodyguard is killed and her savior doesn't really feel like the "saving" type. Getting him to accept accompanying her to her destination is also a difficult task especially as she can't really tell what he WANTS from her or WHY is he really doing all of this for her.

Braedon "le Chasseur" ("The Hunter") is frustrated with himself getting stuck somehow in Ariana's business. While he acts as if he's helping her, he is mostly trying to return her back home, especially when he realizes what she is tangled in now is exactly what almost killed him (but DID kill some of his best mates) less than two years ago. He might be the best hunter with amazing instincts but what Ariana is after will need much more of that. There is dark magic involved and he would rather they both turn away from it before it's too late.

Yet Ariana is determined. She doesn't care about the legends of the "Dragon Chalice" and it's otherworldly powers, all she wants is her dear brother - and only living family - free of his prison, whole and safe. But though she is annoyed with Braedon's at times high handed behavior she comes to understand his reasoning aren't mean ones they might be selfish in a way but he means her no harm, on the contrary and as they become a sort of "team" together trying to get away from Silas de Mortaine - the big bad villain - and his strange enforcers, things start to change between them. The suspicion turns to trust, the mutual attraction turns into affection that's where it gets difficult for Braedon to do the right thing.

This book was mostly about their journey to saving Kenrick (Ariana's brother) as well as learning more truths about Braedon's past and though there was a lot of action of them trying to get away from their pursuers, as well as drama between the two of them - it wasn't as engaging as Lara's previous work (or her more current one actually). I was bored and annoyed at times, with both MCs. Braedon's high handed behavior, Ariana's silly and immature stubbornness. I just wanted to understand what's happening and for them to actually get going with their quest as well as finding more about the Dragon Chalice. I guess somewhere after the middle is where the story REALLY takes off and from there I was truly engaged.

The next book in the series will be Kenrick's and will follow the next adventures on the Dragon Chalice. I haven't written a lot about it in this review as I don't want to spoiler. I'll only say there are actually 4 pieces of the Chalice and to unleash all it's power you need to have all four parts. There is still much to uncover and villains to get rid of. That's enough work for more than Kenrick and his love interest in the next one.

More Reviews HERE

[Katharina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kleine Rezi folgt!

[Anna (Bobs Her Hair)]

Slowly backs away from ebook

Sometimes you just know when a book will not work for you. So after barely 3% and seeing GR friend with very similar taste I reminded myself I don’t force myself to read books for pleasure.

Kindle Freebie 3/28/2015

[Vanessa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Never read this if you are unprepared for VERY detailed descriptions....

[Belinda Vlasbaard · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,75 stars - English Ebook

The prologue was amazing, I actually got really excited when I read it. It was like I had a dramatic storyteller in my head who just knew the right things to say to get the listener entranced.

That was where my excitement ended though. I thought it was going to be just this action-packed, rollercoaster of twists right from the get-go, I was excited. No, not at all. Instead it’s full of lengthy descriptions and a bunch of sitting and talking. Because of those lengthy descriptions it was like a movie playing in slow motion. It took a couple of a sentences to say he was putting his elbow on his knee. So this book was not for me.

[|Stephanie| · Rating 4 out of 5]

The world-building, writing and characters kept me engaged from start to finish and I loved how the romance blossomed. I thought this was a reread but realized for the first time in months I’m reading a new book I haven’t read before. That’s progress after my very long reading slump. I plan to read book two because I really liked the heroine’s brother and want to get more of his story. 4 Stars!

[Candace N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart of the Hunter is a completely enchanting story! This story held my complete attention. I started reading it on a whim, I wasn’t even sure if I’d like it but it blew me away. I absolutely loved it! The story and characters are very well developed and very intriguing! The writing is fantastic, I felt exactly what the characters were feeling. No hesitation, 5 big well deserved stars!

[Gabz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Couldn't get into this one, try as I might. I wasn't fond of Ariana of Clairmont and the hero didn't make me fall in love either.

But I suppose my biggest issue was the promise of magic in a world where I really wasn't expecting it. Yes, the book starts with a magical prologue. But the setting for the story is the real world, a historical kind of setting that isn't high fantasy so I didn't know what to do with this.

[Sugar Skull Confessions · Rating 3 out of 5]

Warning: This review/rating is based on my feelings, thoughts, likes and dislikes. You should read the book to form your own opinion/thoughts. Read on!

Rating: 3 Stars
Cover: I like it
Cliffhanger: Nope
Triangle: No

Well, the first 50% of this book was just painfully boring for me. I kept reading some of it then stopping and leaving it alone for days. I started it in October last year, and I was finally able to finish it! I should deserve a medal or something. I know that there are some books that are not as interesting from the beginning and they get better later on and it really bothers me to DNF a book, I don’t care if it takes me months, I will finish the book. If I ever have a DNF, is because not even with magic would I finish it.

One thing that had me just shaking my head was the first time they played “hide the bishop”, oh my god, his manhood was described with so many different words, hers too, and their feelings just went on and on and on, I was just yelling, “just do it!”. The next time they did it, were described way better and I was glad, because, poor Arianna…

Like I said, the first 50% was ugh, so I won’t talk about it, after that, I started to get invested in the story, the characters were more relatable and I wanted to know if they would get the Chalice or not or if they would rescue her brother. And I liked her brother, I’m pretty sure he has a book.

I can’t say I will read the next books in the series, maybe they get better, maybe they won’t, but I’m just not sure if I want to find out.

[Esra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lara adrian'ın midnight breed serisini daha çok sevsemde bu seriside bence konu bakımından oldukça sağlam. iş karakterlere gelince o kadar emin olamıyorsunuz. Özellikle kadın karakter. Başlarda deli cesareti sahibi ama bir okadarda kırılgan ,çıt kırıldım asillerden birisi olarak karşımıza çıkıyor arriana. Abisini kurtarmak için ejder kadehinin yerini gösteren çok önemli belgeleri kendrick'i kaçıranlara teslim etmek zorunda. bunun için yola çıkan arriana elbette zorluklarla karşılaşıyor. onu kurtaranda avcı hisleri yeteneğine sahip yarı shifter breadon. Annesi diğer alemden shifter babası ise insan. ama kendisi bunun farkında değil. Sadece kayıp olan şeyleri bulma yeteneği olduğunu sanıyor varda zaten. Ama bu özellik anne tarafından geçmiş :P Mecburen ana'ya yardım etmek zorunda kalan breadon başlarda ana'nın sadece ayak bağı olduğunu düşünsede onun masum güzelliği karşısında yelkenleri suya indiriyor elbette. Kitabın başları yavaş ilerlesede sonlara doğru gelen aksiyon ve define avı 4 yıldız vermemem sebeptir.
Kitabın sonunda mutlu sonla bitsin zorlamasından pek hoşnut kalmışta değilim. ve yazarın seriyi diğer kitaba bağlayan kısmıda zayıftı. Ne yazarlar biliriz biz bir son yazar diğer kitabı ağzın açık beklersin bir sene :D

[Shelley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ariana goes in search of her kidnapped brother, being saved from peril by Braedon le Chasseur, a mysterious knight from France.Without realising, they are both becoming entangled in a dangerous hunt for a magical chalice and they need to overcome suspicion of each other and their own pasts in order to survive.

A predictable historical romance, the first of a trilogy, I took up because of the author, Lara Adrian whose paranormal romances I enjoyed very much. an inoffensive story, though with an irritating heroine, I have to admit to enjoying the paranormal series far more.

Braedon's heritage and tribulations never really make an impact, which is a shame. Perhaps the story would have been better from his point of view from the beginning. Ariana is just too naive for the 13th century. Those girls had to be savvy; it seems to have been a time without compassion or (despite the code of chivalry) honour. Araina came across as a victorian miss, and I have found this to be the character many historical romance authors prefer. But then, if the heroine didn't get herself into predictable situations, there wouldn't be a story would there!!

Despite the whinging, it was ok.

[~Leslie~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of Lara Adrian's books that she wrote before the Midnight Breed series came out. I love historical paranormal stories and I love her other work, so this seemed a no-brainer. There are some really good things about this story and yet in the end, it doesn't completely work. It is enjoyable however. The backstory of a a parallel world and the dragon chalice that holds the 4 stones is an interesting one. And even though this is the first in the series, it feels like you jumped in the middle of something. But the biggest problem with this story is that I just didn't care for Arianna, who is trying to rescue her brother, and Braedon, who is a knight escaping his past. He's just surly and a little mean but then he's in love. And she's naive and stubborn and annoying and then she's having sex with him. The writing is good but it definitely bogs down towards the end. But overall not bad.

[Merissa (Archaeolibrarian) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is predominantly a historical romance with teasers of the paranormal genre inserted here and there.

The author has done a good job of writing about the two main characters, Arianna and Braedon. It is a case of insta-lust on both sides but, of course, Arianna is a virgin and a lady so she would never act on such shameful feelings ... will she? The relationship as it progresses shows a building of trust and love which makes a nice change from insta-love.

There are enough open endings in this to make you want to continue with the series but to be honest, I'm not sure if I will. It was enjoyable but I'm just not sure if I found it compelling enough to continue. I would read more by this author though so it's not all bad.

[RomanceIsMyJam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh rejoice I am done! I finally finished this book. Praise be!
I am not reading anymore of this series. The synopsis was intriguing and the prologue was promising. And then it all fell apart. It is agonizingly slow and boring. It was painful/torturous to finish this book because of the pace. More action would have helped. And dragons! This book really needed dragons. And like others I expected dragons. I am not even sure why I was under the illusion there would be dragons. Lame and obviously my oversight.
I would read the Midnight Breed series but it isn’t in Kindle Unlimited so I am done with Lara Adrian for now. Moving on to better books. Peace and love.

[Maryse · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF-30%

There are many books that I start and put down for a while, knowing that when I'm in the mood again I will read them again. This is not one of those books. If it has taken me this long and I still don't feel inspired to try it again, I know I shouldn't waste my time.

As another reviewer said, I downloaded this book on the strength of Lara Adrian's name but that alone can not save this book for me.

I found the characters boring and the story uninspiring. I definitely won't be continuing with the series and am thankfully that this was a free book on Amazon.

[Martina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mal wieder richtig schöne Fantasy-Romance!
Ich hätte zwar gern schon etwas mehr Hintergrund erfahren, aber ansonsten hat mir das Buch sehr gut gefallen, da ich einfach das Setting mag - mittelalterliches England, egal ob grausam realistisch oder romantisch verklärt (hier findet sich übrigens ein hübsches Mittelmaß), ich liebe es!
Die Charaktere waren relativ modern, das könnte vielleicht etwas stören, aber es ist ja Fantasy, und da ist ja fast alles erlaubt.

[Georgia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yawn. This book was so boring. The heroine was naive and subtly pompous. Ooh the big man has a scar and he looks scary so he must be a terrible person, wah wah wah. He saved her life multiple times and she acts like he's so below her. Nope. Didn't like it. More than that, the book was just BORING. Nothing happened. I got 50% through and don't plan on finishing the book. Additionally, there is no chemistry. None.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a fan of Laura Adrian I knew I had to get this book. This being the first book in the series I loved it. The only thing I was a little blah about was the end. I felt like it was a little rushed at the end. I would recommend this book to anyone.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Lara Adrian books. At first I didn't like Ana with her high n mighty character but when this started heating up with Braedon I started to see her I a different light. If u like historical with dangerous sexy men fighting for the greater good while trying to follow his heart def a must read.

[Bianca · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
nice read, but not an I-can't-put-it-down
I'm going to read the others of the series, though.
Kisses all around!