As one of the youngest men ever to have the title of general in ancient Rome's great army, fame and fortune were Valentius Romulus's bedmates. He was chosen by the Fae for his mastery of any weapon. Though the Shields like to claim they are stronger because of his skills, he knows he is only alive today because the Fae found him before his demons could put an end to his life. Adventure and danger have always ruled Valentius's life, and he thrives on the thrill of the hunt. He is loyal to the Shields, willing to give his life to follow Hugh and the others to fulfill their oaths to save the world. Who would have known following such great men would lead him to Nicole. She is everything he has ever wanted in a woman and more. She is innocent, pure, and beautiful of face and spirit. And she deserves better than him. Yet, every time he thinks of her in the arms of another man, he finds that he cannot let her go. For better or worse, Nicole has bound herself to him. He just prays that the demons loosen their hold before the past catches up with him and repeats itself.
Donna is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over a hundred novels. Her most popular series is the breathtaking Dark King (aka Dragon King) series featuring dragons, immortal Highlanders, and the Fae.
In addition to her novels, Donna has written short stories, novellas, and novelettes for digital-first and print release. She has been dubbed as giving the “paranormal genre a burst of fresh air” by the San Francisco Book Review. Her work has been hailed as having “deft plotting and expert characterization” by Publisher’s Weekly and “sizzling” by RT Book Reviews.
She has been recognized with awards from both bookseller and reader contests including the National Reader’s Choice Award, Booksellers Best Award, as well as the coveted K.I.S.S. Award from RT Book Reviews.
Donna travels often for various speaking engagements, conferences, and book signings. She is also a frequent workshop presenter at national conferences such as RT Book Lovers Convention and Thrillerfest, as well as local chapters.
Born and raised in Texas, she also has ties across the border in Louisiana. Growing up with two such vibrant cultures, her Cajun side of the family taught her the “spicy” side of life while her Texas roots gave her two-steppin’ and bareback riding. She is never far from her faithful 80 pound dog, Sisko, or her three cats. She can often be found at the movies or bookstore with her children. Or buying makeup. And shoes.
I didn't like this one as much as I have liked the past books. I really didn't care for Val and Nicole was just too perfect. Nothing bothered her. People threw rocks at her and she was like well that hurts and walked away. She wasn't mad at the village. She just sat alone in her house waiting to die.
My daughter just started crying so I am cutting this short. I hope Gabriels book is better!
REVIEW: I had not read any of the previous storylines in Donna Grant’s Shields series and yet I did not feel that I was lost. Although there was mention of and, appearances by the characters from the first three stories, the storyline could have been read as a stand-alone. I did go back to read the synopsis for each of the previous storylines.
The premise that surrounds the series follows a group of ancient warriors, who with the help of the Fae, are tracking down and reuniting the remaining Chosen females that have been sent from another time and place. With each encounter and time travel, the Shields, as the group of men call themselves, must fight the Dark Evil in various forms including gargoyles, harpies, and a Gryphon who is reluctant to end the life of the woman he has been commanded to destroy.
Valentinus (Val) is our hero who discovers that the woman they have rescued is one of the Chosen and his attraction to the female is immediate. But Val hides a painful past and he hopes to never re-experience the loss of loved ones due to his own demonic passions and lustful ways. To keep Nicole safe, Val vows to keep his distance. But when left alone Val will discover that his feelings for Nicole go beyond guardian and charge. And once again, the past will catch up with him when magic is used to tempt Val to his previous ways.
Nicole wants Val and it is Gabriel who sees that Val is making a mistake with his refusal to admit his attraction to Nicole. But with Gabriel’s help, both Nicole and Val will finally succumb to their desires leaving Val with feelings shame and guilt.
Val is very very deep in the secret he hides from his fellow Shields but in this book everything comes pouring out creating quite a mess for he and his fellow Shield Gabriel. But to be fair Gabriel has some pretty intense secrets of his own that I can't want to discover in the next book.
So for this book wow. It moves quickly along then seems to be suspended in thin air as evil starts to line up things to tip the balance between good and evil.
Nicole is the woman they seek but her purity drove me a little batty but to be fair how could it be otherwise as she's not been around people her whole life. I must say she redeemed herself for me in the last two chapters by showing an internal hidden strength to be fearless. The monster is heartbreaking and I wonder if you will agree when you read the final pages.
Narrator Antony Ferguson, he never stops amazing with the depth of his character voices. 5 STARS he so unforgettable.
It's understandable why he has a hard x trying 2 have a future when he constantly thinks about the past and tries 2 live in it. Aimery could have tried 2 save him 2 get sum answers about the special circumstances of the women but didnt. Winery did the rt thing whether he gets in a little bit of trouble it was worth it 2 try 2 keep the balance. 2 bad esme couldn't come with them and a shield possibly. At least she did what was rt unlike all the others being stupid.
I can't get enough of Donna Grant and her stories - they are put together to wrap around your mind and pull you in until the story is finished - excellent read and Book #5 is heading in the same direct to not disappoint - Donna Grant is the best - just keep them coming you have a friend that just can't wait to read what you have up your sleeve next.
A Forbidden Temptation was fantastic with a lot of suspense, intrigue, twists and turns and steamy romance. We delve into good versus evil knowing that each Shield will find his one true love and ultimately conguer the demons enforced from the evil one. Book 4 is Val's story and how he overcomes his painful past and believing he doesn't deserve love only to realize that finding love with his mate Nicole, freed him from his painful past. Donna creates such vivid imagery with her writing that the reader gets swept away so easily becoming one with the story. A truly masterful author.
Finally, we get to learn Val's back story! He fascinated me since he is one of the few mortals left in the shields and he is from ancient Rome. This story is picking up with the Great Evil getting more hands on in the fight. I liked Nicole but she's not my favorite heroine in this series. I can't wait for the next book in the series so we can find out more about Gabriel! January 22 can't get here fast enough!
WOW!! I adored Val's story! This was a wonderful book full of adventure, friends, love and action! I love learning more about Donna's characters and 'watching' them fall in love! I love how all of these men try to push away the women they cannot live without! Val's story has been my favorite of the shields, thus far! I cannot wait for the final story! Thank you for yet another book, that left me wanting more Donna!
The fourth Chosen is found in the Highlands of Scotland, having been left bound to a small village by the Evil One. Val and Gabriel find Nicole fairly easily, since her village is being decimated by a gryphon and she's been left as a sacrificial offering. As usual, the Shields save the day and evil is thwarted yet again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Forbidden Temptation is the fourth book in this series. This is Val the Roman's story along with the Scottish beauty Nicole. This story took me on a emotional rollercoaster. DG gives us Val's background and we learn some secrets. Great addition to the series. Happy Reading!!
This story was good, not as good as her others in the series, but I wasn't ever drawn in much by Val.. in this book I found he had succumbed to his weakness too easily. I am really looking forward to Gabriel's story...
Another awesome installment in THE SHIELDS series! I didn't love it as much as Cole's book, but I liked it a little bit better than Hugh's. I can't wait for Gabriel's story! --Full review to come...
i enjoyed the book.did not expect that the creature that was sent to kill nicole was her brother.can't wait to see what happens in the last book in the series.