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Silver Dragon Shifter Brothers #1
The Dragon's Oath
Deacon
In hindsight, demanding a human woman swear herself to me in exchange for the life of her father wasn’t my best idea. But I saw her and I wanted her, and I needed a mate. After shouldering the responsibility of all shifter-kind for so long, I acted selfishly. I knew what breaking her word would cost her. Ava is the one who made an oath to me, but I might sacrifice everything to save her from it.
Ava
I’m supposed to hate Deacon, and I shouldn’t believe his story about dragon shifters blending in the human world, but the longer I’m around him, the harder it is not to fall under his spell. I humor the oath I made and try to get to know him, but I’ve got one foot out the door. I’ve been duped by false promises and handsome faces before, and I’m not giving up everything for a man again. Only Deacon isn’t just a man. And he has secrets that could threaten more than my heart.
In hindsight, demanding a human woman swear herself to me in exchange for the life of her father wasn’t my best idea. But I saw her and I wanted her, and I needed a mate. After shouldering the responsibility of all shifter-kind for so long, I acted selfishly. I knew what breaking her word would cost her. Ava is the one who made an oath to me, but I might sacrifice everything to save her from it.
Ava
I’m supposed to hate Deacon, and I shouldn’t believe his story about dragon shifters blending in the human world, but the longer I’m around him, the harder it is not to fall under his spell. I humor the oath I made and try to get to know him, but I’ve got one foot out the door. I’ve been duped by false promises and handsome faces before, and I’m not giving up everything for a man again. Only Deacon isn’t just a man. And he has secrets that could threaten more than my heart.
Kindle Edition
First published April 6, 2022
431 people are currently reading
373 people want to read
About the author
Marie Johnston
100 books1,058 followersMarie Johnston is an award-winning, best-selling paranormal and contemporary romance writer. She grew up in the upper Midwest and planned to go to college for English. Didn't happen. She started college in accounting and was awful! Grabbing her inner science geek by the pocket protector, she changed to microbiology and medical technology where her only writing involved scientific articles and procedures.
Eventually, she left full-time work for full-time baby raising but kept thinking, "one day, I'd like to write a book." Finally, before any more time passed, Marie decided to buckle down and write. She loves it!
Eventually, she left full-time work for full-time baby raising but kept thinking, "one day, I'd like to write a book." Finally, before any more time passed, Marie decided to buckle down and write. She loves it!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
April 10, 2022
I enjoyed this story about Dragon shifter, Deacon & human, Ava. Ava just got out of a bad relationship & is on a camping trip with her dad when he suddenly falls ill. Deacon hears Ava’s cries for help & answers, but the only way he can help is by tying her to him with an oath. Ava agrees without understanding all it implies. Ava & Deacon have a connection they both feel, but Ava is scared because of her past. The more Deacon shares with Ava the more conflicted she is.
There is some information Deacon is keeping from Ava & the two are on a timeline of sorts. When push comes to shove, will Ava stay & face the oath that she made, or runaway because of her past?
This was a quick, sweet read with low angst, which I appreciated. I enjoyed Deacon’s character. He was patient & kind to Ava as she attempted to figure things out. We got to meet Deacon’s brothers & a dragon from another clan, along with Ava’s best friend. I’m looking forward to more from the Silver brothers.
May 30, 2022
an excellent suspenseful paranormal story with many twists, another very enjoyable read from this author.
April 10, 2022
Another fun read and the start of a new series by Marie Johnston. I do love dragons. Deacon and his brothers are part of the Silver Clan. Deacon, the leader of the Clan, needs to mate by his 35th birthday or be terminated, as the rules of the society are very strict and repercussions severe, especially if oath’s are given and then broken.
This is the premise for his and the human, Ava’s story. Deacon and his dragon may be drawn to her from the moment he sees her, but he’s already agreed to take part in an arranged marriage with the daughter of the leader of the Jade clan, Venus, before both of their 35th birthdays. Never mind that his youngest brother Penn obviously has a huge crush on Venus, and I know that his other brother, Steel, just has to end up with Ava’s best friend, Avril. At least that is what I hope for in the continuation of this series. My only wish was that Ava and Avril weren’t written as the type of women who allowed loser boyfriends to walk all over them the way they did before meeting the men of the Silver Clan.
But, having said that, this was truly an enjoyable read and I’ll admit I may have even shed a few tears towards the end, even though I knew that Marie wouldn’t disappoint us and we would get our HEA for the couple.
The beginning chapters did start off a little choppy with past and present tenses being intermixed, sometimes from one sentence to the next, but eventually it all smoothed out. The spelling mistakes were very minimal and most of the storyline was well edited. There was only one tiny part that I caught that should’ve been picked up during the editing process. 3/4 of the way through the book Venus talks about her brother Lachlan, the leader of the Jade Clan, being mated, but her younger brother, whom she didn’t like, still being available. I only remember this because of the comments made up to this point I really thought that this elusive, and often mentioned brother, would feature in one of the books in the series when he found his own mate. So I was rather disappointed when I read that sentence. Then at the very end of the book Deacon talks about hoping for his brothers, and maybe even Lachlan, to find their mates. But Venus must’ve been correct that Lachlan was already mated since she was due to turn 35 in one month, and as leader of his clan, her brother must be older than her so he would’ve had to already be mated. I guess I’ll just have to wait for future books to see which way Marie had intended to go with his story, or lack of one.
I do look forward to Venus and Penn’s story next in ‘Dragon’s Promise.’
This is the premise for his and the human, Ava’s story. Deacon and his dragon may be drawn to her from the moment he sees her, but he’s already agreed to take part in an arranged marriage with the daughter of the leader of the Jade clan, Venus, before both of their 35th birthdays. Never mind that his youngest brother Penn obviously has a huge crush on Venus, and I know that his other brother, Steel, just has to end up with Ava’s best friend, Avril. At least that is what I hope for in the continuation of this series. My only wish was that Ava and Avril weren’t written as the type of women who allowed loser boyfriends to walk all over them the way they did before meeting the men of the Silver Clan.
But, having said that, this was truly an enjoyable read and I’ll admit I may have even shed a few tears towards the end, even though I knew that Marie wouldn’t disappoint us and we would get our HEA for the couple.
The beginning chapters did start off a little choppy with past and present tenses being intermixed, sometimes from one sentence to the next, but eventually it all smoothed out. The spelling mistakes were very minimal and most of the storyline was well edited. There was only one tiny part that I caught that should’ve been picked up during the editing process. 3/4 of the way through the book Venus talks about her brother Lachlan, the leader of the Jade Clan, being mated, but her younger brother, whom she didn’t like, still being available. I only remember this because of the comments made up to this point I really thought that this elusive, and often mentioned brother, would feature in one of the books in the series when he found his own mate. So I was rather disappointed when I read that sentence. Then at the very end of the book Deacon talks about hoping for his brothers, and maybe even Lachlan, to find their mates. But Venus must’ve been correct that Lachlan was already mated since she was due to turn 35 in one month, and as leader of his clan, her brother must be older than her so he would’ve had to already be mated. I guess I’ll just have to wait for future books to see which way Marie had intended to go with his story, or lack of one.
I do look forward to Venus and Penn’s story next in ‘Dragon’s Promise.’
April 11, 2022
This is the first book in the new dragon series. It is a standalone read with a HEA.
It all starts with Ava, as she is dumped by her cheating bf and loses her job all in the span of one week. She goes on vacation to visit her dad. He loves fishing. It is his happy place since his wife passed. So Ava and her dad go on a fishing/camping trip. She is always just along for the ride. So when her dad passes out while driving the boat, she is left to somehow get it back to shore in time to find help to save him.
In comes Deacon. He and his brother are working in the area. Deacon hears someone call for help. He is drawn to the voice. When he sees the most beautiful women he’s laid eyes on, he asks for an oath. He can save her father, but he needs her word that she will be his. She has no idea what this entails, but needs help to save her dad. So, Deacon being the leader of the Silver dragons can heal him and miraculously does. He then sticks by her side and her dad is taken to the hospital for monitoring. Ava has no idea why this gorgeous guy is staying with them, helping her, and overall inserting himself into their lives.
Once Ava’s dad is released, Deacon has a way of talking them into going fishing on his property. He and Ava are getting closer. He has a huge secret to tell her. I liked both the main characters and their family and friends. I can see where the next books can go and am excited for those journeys as well. In the end, Ava has a choice to make…. She’s ruined on trust from her ex. and she doesn’t know the consequences of breaking her oath to Deacon. I’m happy to say after some turmoil, she does see the light. I would highly recommend this story. There isn’t a lot of paranormal activity and sex like some books. This story was a journey of falling in love and trusting. I can’t wait for the next book!
It all starts with Ava, as she is dumped by her cheating bf and loses her job all in the span of one week. She goes on vacation to visit her dad. He loves fishing. It is his happy place since his wife passed. So Ava and her dad go on a fishing/camping trip. She is always just along for the ride. So when her dad passes out while driving the boat, she is left to somehow get it back to shore in time to find help to save him.
In comes Deacon. He and his brother are working in the area. Deacon hears someone call for help. He is drawn to the voice. When he sees the most beautiful women he’s laid eyes on, he asks for an oath. He can save her father, but he needs her word that she will be his. She has no idea what this entails, but needs help to save her dad. So, Deacon being the leader of the Silver dragons can heal him and miraculously does. He then sticks by her side and her dad is taken to the hospital for monitoring. Ava has no idea why this gorgeous guy is staying with them, helping her, and overall inserting himself into their lives.
Once Ava’s dad is released, Deacon has a way of talking them into going fishing on his property. He and Ava are getting closer. He has a huge secret to tell her. I liked both the main characters and their family and friends. I can see where the next books can go and am excited for those journeys as well. In the end, Ava has a choice to make…. She’s ruined on trust from her ex. and she doesn’t know the consequences of breaking her oath to Deacon. I’m happy to say after some turmoil, she does see the light. I would highly recommend this story. There isn’t a lot of paranormal activity and sex like some books. This story was a journey of falling in love and trusting. I can’t wait for the next book!
September 5, 2022
Ava, fresh out of a bad relationship, goes on a camping/fishing trip with her father. He takes ill, and Deacon and his brother Steel, sense something is wrong and rush in to assist. Deacon is immediately smitten by Ava's beauty. He wants her for his mate and determines that the best course of action is for her to swear herself to him if she wants him to save her father's life. She does, and so begins the tale of secrets that Deacon wants to slowly reveal to Ava so that she can be his...completely.
Deacon and his brothers, Steel and Penn, are dragon shifters; but not just any dragon shifters. They are the 'Silvers', the alphas of the shifters. Deacon is the eldest and the leader, followed by Steel and then Penn. They live in an area called Silver Lake, and this is where Deacon takes Ava and her father, up on his release from the hospital, to live until Ava's father recovers.
Seemingly tough, Deacon is so intune with Ava and does what he can to convince her to stay with him. He wants her to be his mate in every way possible. But this girl is damaged; her past relationship did a number on her so trust is not her forte. She has no idea about what it means to be 'sworn' to a dragon shifter. Add Deacon being 'sworn' to someone from the Jade Shifters, wed by a certain age, and the situation does a downward spiral.
Eventually, Ava's life is placed in jeopardy and there is no way that Deacon will allow her to perish. He sacrifices everything to save her.
Aww, there's nothing like a budding, foolish shifter love. No matter what happens, you know that it is going to end well for the protagonists.
Deacon and his brothers, Steel and Penn, are dragon shifters; but not just any dragon shifters. They are the 'Silvers', the alphas of the shifters. Deacon is the eldest and the leader, followed by Steel and then Penn. They live in an area called Silver Lake, and this is where Deacon takes Ava and her father, up on his release from the hospital, to live until Ava's father recovers.
Seemingly tough, Deacon is so intune with Ava and does what he can to convince her to stay with him. He wants her to be his mate in every way possible. But this girl is damaged; her past relationship did a number on her so trust is not her forte. She has no idea about what it means to be 'sworn' to a dragon shifter. Add Deacon being 'sworn' to someone from the Jade Shifters, wed by a certain age, and the situation does a downward spiral.
Eventually, Ava's life is placed in jeopardy and there is no way that Deacon will allow her to perish. He sacrifices everything to save her.
Aww, there's nothing like a budding, foolish shifter love. No matter what happens, you know that it is going to end well for the protagonists.
April 20, 2022
a new series 🐉 ♥️
A new series by an author heading to my automatic TBR list.
Deacon is a dragon shifter, his kind live in secrecy, they only share their secret with their mates! Living the quiet life has Deacon wishing for more…..
Ava out of work and with no love life has retreated to her childhood home. Spending time with her father is the only good thing in her life. But her world comes crashing down around her ears when he almost dies!
Deacon and Ava’s worlds collide when her father has a heart attack on his boat, Deacon comes to her rescue, but will save her father at a price!
Ava thinks he’s joking, no one wants her, everyone she knows lies to her, so maybe this handsome stranger is just a little unhinged, best play along until she can escape…..
It did remind me a little of beauty and the beast (the beast saving a life in return for a favour)
Spending time with one another teaches both a few lessons, it teaches Deacon that leaving things till the last minute can cause nothing but trouble! And for Ava it teaches her that not all men are liars, and that she can trust Deacon.
But with a few secrets hanging over Deacon, can he get Ava to trust him before the council find out what he’s done? And if Ava finds out, will it break their bond before it’s fully set?
We have brothers Penn and Steel. And the amazing Venus (who isn’t related, but plays a major part in this book and possibly in future books)
First book in a new series, and I’m hooked and ready for more.
🦋
A new series by an author heading to my automatic TBR list.
Deacon is a dragon shifter, his kind live in secrecy, they only share their secret with their mates! Living the quiet life has Deacon wishing for more…..
Ava out of work and with no love life has retreated to her childhood home. Spending time with her father is the only good thing in her life. But her world comes crashing down around her ears when he almost dies!
Deacon and Ava’s worlds collide when her father has a heart attack on his boat, Deacon comes to her rescue, but will save her father at a price!
Ava thinks he’s joking, no one wants her, everyone she knows lies to her, so maybe this handsome stranger is just a little unhinged, best play along until she can escape…..
It did remind me a little of beauty and the beast (the beast saving a life in return for a favour)
Spending time with one another teaches both a few lessons, it teaches Deacon that leaving things till the last minute can cause nothing but trouble! And for Ava it teaches her that not all men are liars, and that she can trust Deacon.
But with a few secrets hanging over Deacon, can he get Ava to trust him before the council find out what he’s done? And if Ava finds out, will it break their bond before it’s fully set?
We have brothers Penn and Steel. And the amazing Venus (who isn’t related, but plays a major part in this book and possibly in future books)
First book in a new series, and I’m hooked and ready for more.
🦋
October 17, 2024
Deacon
In hindsight, demanding a human woman swear herself to me in exchange for the life of her father wasn’t my best idea. But I saw her and I wanted her, and I needed a mate. After shouldering the responsibility of all shifter-kind for so long, I acted selfishly. I knew what breaking her word would cost her. Ava is the one who made an oath to me, but I might sacrifice everything to save her from it.
Ava
I’m supposed to hate Deacon, and I shouldn’t believe his story about dragon shifters blending in the human world, but the longer I’m around him, the harder it is not to fall under his spell. I humour the oath I made and try to get to know him, but I’ve got one foot out the door. I’ve been duped by false promises and handsome faces before, and I’m not giving up everything for a man again. Only Deacon isn’t just a man. And he has secrets that could threaten more than my heart.
This was a very enjoyable dragon shifter romance and it included a very interesting storyline. I loved how the author brought the two main characters together and the personalities were absolutely brilliant. The book was so good I had a hard time of putting it down and I got completely sucked in. Marie Johnson was a brilliant book this is the second book I've read by her and wow this was a phenomenal book to read.
In hindsight, demanding a human woman swear herself to me in exchange for the life of her father wasn’t my best idea. But I saw her and I wanted her, and I needed a mate. After shouldering the responsibility of all shifter-kind for so long, I acted selfishly. I knew what breaking her word would cost her. Ava is the one who made an oath to me, but I might sacrifice everything to save her from it.
Ava
I’m supposed to hate Deacon, and I shouldn’t believe his story about dragon shifters blending in the human world, but the longer I’m around him, the harder it is not to fall under his spell. I humour the oath I made and try to get to know him, but I’ve got one foot out the door. I’ve been duped by false promises and handsome faces before, and I’m not giving up everything for a man again. Only Deacon isn’t just a man. And he has secrets that could threaten more than my heart.
This was a very enjoyable dragon shifter romance and it included a very interesting storyline. I loved how the author brought the two main characters together and the personalities were absolutely brilliant. The book was so good I had a hard time of putting it down and I got completely sucked in. Marie Johnson was a brilliant book this is the second book I've read by her and wow this was a phenomenal book to read.
August 13, 2022
Life's choices
A superb read one that I found extremely hard to put down.
Ava and Deacon are a couple who find denying their feelings towards each other almost impossible..
As Ava is somewhat skittish due to her experience with her ex, leaves Deacon making sure that whatever Ava's decision is he accepts, he refuses to push her into what is paramount for him in his life, giving her the chance to make her own decisions.
Author Marie Johnson has woven a magical tale of how deeply the actions of those in our past can deeply affect the choices that are made in the future.
After sharing the secrets of himself and his clan with Ava, he finds that no matter what might happen to him on his birthday his love for Ava made sure she was not cornered into making a major life altering decision through persuasion or pressure, all he wants is for her to decide if they would be mates because she believed 100% Deacon was the shifter for her and as a human accepted him and his families secrets, no matter what she was faced with.
Family and friends continually try to influence Deacon into pushing Ava into accepting the promise she had made, but after a lifetime of following the rules and laws of his clan to be the leader his people deserved he refused to be pushed into a corner to do what is best for the clan when finding his mate was the one choice he made of his own not permitting laws or rules to influence his decision.
Protecting Ava and their live was the central most important choice he had made and was determined to follow it through by protecting her from the desires of others.
A fascinating novel that is totally realistic in both the shifters reactions and feelings along with Ava's fears after what her ex had put her through, one could easily believe what Ms Marie Johnson had written could easily be real, it would be so easy to step into the world she has created.
If paranormal is a genre you enjoy then do not pass this book by I highly recommend you add it to your collection.
A superb read one that I found extremely hard to put down.
Ava and Deacon are a couple who find denying their feelings towards each other almost impossible..
As Ava is somewhat skittish due to her experience with her ex, leaves Deacon making sure that whatever Ava's decision is he accepts, he refuses to push her into what is paramount for him in his life, giving her the chance to make her own decisions.
Author Marie Johnson has woven a magical tale of how deeply the actions of those in our past can deeply affect the choices that are made in the future.
After sharing the secrets of himself and his clan with Ava, he finds that no matter what might happen to him on his birthday his love for Ava made sure she was not cornered into making a major life altering decision through persuasion or pressure, all he wants is for her to decide if they would be mates because she believed 100% Deacon was the shifter for her and as a human accepted him and his families secrets, no matter what she was faced with.
Family and friends continually try to influence Deacon into pushing Ava into accepting the promise she had made, but after a lifetime of following the rules and laws of his clan to be the leader his people deserved he refused to be pushed into a corner to do what is best for the clan when finding his mate was the one choice he made of his own not permitting laws or rules to influence his decision.
Protecting Ava and their live was the central most important choice he had made and was determined to follow it through by protecting her from the desires of others.
A fascinating novel that is totally realistic in both the shifters reactions and feelings along with Ava's fears after what her ex had put her through, one could easily believe what Ms Marie Johnson had written could easily be real, it would be so easy to step into the world she has created.
If paranormal is a genre you enjoy then do not pass this book by I highly recommend you add it to your collection.
August 16, 2025
I liked the story a lot more than I expected to. I was skeptical because other dragon shifter books I had tried were not so great. This was a pretty well-written story. Easy, swoony (Deacon), sassy (Venus and Penn), sweet (Dorian), and interesting.
I can’t give it a fourth star though because of Ava. I find Ava quite insufferable with her, no one picks me, I’m not special attitude that lasts far too long in the beginning. And then just when you think she’s finally gotten over her woe is me attitude, she has a major relapse and adds dumbness in too. Clearly Deacon could make his life easier and pick ANY other girl, but he didn’t. Ava was not compliant at all. And I’m sure he could’ve found one much more compliant but Ava’s selfish attitude believing she’s being manipulated is all she can see🙄 so she annoyed me to no end. Thank goodness for Venus!!
It all ends well though and Deacon was just adorable til the end. “As many as you’ll let me get away with.” 😍
I’ll definitely read more by this author.
I can’t give it a fourth star though because of Ava. I find Ava quite insufferable with her, no one picks me, I’m not special attitude that lasts far too long in the beginning. And then just when you think she’s finally gotten over her woe is me attitude, she has a major relapse and adds dumbness in too. Clearly Deacon could make his life easier and pick ANY other girl, but he didn’t. Ava was not compliant at all. And I’m sure he could’ve found one much more compliant but Ava’s selfish attitude believing she’s being manipulated is all she can see🙄 so she annoyed me to no end. Thank goodness for Venus!!
It all ends well though and Deacon was just adorable til the end. “As many as you’ll let me get away with.” 😍
I’ll definitely read more by this author.
Read
April 10, 2022A fated mate dragon shifter romance with a slightly overbearing yet sacrificing dragon king and a very jaded human
Deacon definitely took the long way around the lake with regards to Ava and their mating. He knows Ava is his fated despite having coerced an oath from her his sense of chivalry will not allow the final bond to be anything but her choice
This presents all sorts of problems
Ava just got out of a bad relationship and is gun shy when it comes to being a human carpet for another man -enough so that she warps the truth to keep her heart safe
But can she deny the truth that is before her?
Venus is an absolute blast - at times she lacks the brain to mouth filter
I have to admit despite how jaded Ava was I did enjoy this first in the series and have all kinds of questions - I know I am impatient and they will be answered in the books to come - I can still whine about it though
Deacon definitely took the long way around the lake with regards to Ava and their mating. He knows Ava is his fated despite having coerced an oath from her his sense of chivalry will not allow the final bond to be anything but her choice
This presents all sorts of problems
Ava just got out of a bad relationship and is gun shy when it comes to being a human carpet for another man -enough so that she warps the truth to keep her heart safe
But can she deny the truth that is before her?
Venus is an absolute blast - at times she lacks the brain to mouth filter
I have to admit despite how jaded Ava was I did enjoy this first in the series and have all kinds of questions - I know I am impatient and they will be answered in the books to come - I can still whine about it though
October 18, 2024
Oaths and mates
I really enjoyed this. I like the different take it had on mates and shifters and humans and oaths. The chemistry between this couple could be felt. Their chemistry was hot.
Ava's recently found out she's been cheated on, dumped and lost her job. So realistically she's going to have some Hang-Ups but thankfully there's a nice balance between it affecting her and her future relationship and her moving forward.
I love when someone is set to marry someone else and there's ow drama, and in this case the OW drama didn't really happen and Ava and Venus became friends, which I don't normally like, but works out really well on this book.
Venus shifting, and then Ava asking Deacon shift were done well.
I respected that after he forced her into an oath he was going to take responsibility for anything fulfilled instead of putting that on her. If you like shifters or dragons I recommend this book.
I really enjoyed this. I like the different take it had on mates and shifters and humans and oaths. The chemistry between this couple could be felt. Their chemistry was hot.
Ava's recently found out she's been cheated on, dumped and lost her job. So realistically she's going to have some Hang-Ups but thankfully there's a nice balance between it affecting her and her future relationship and her moving forward.
I love when someone is set to marry someone else and there's ow drama, and in this case the OW drama didn't really happen and Ava and Venus became friends, which I don't normally like, but works out really well on this book.
Venus shifting, and then Ava asking Deacon shift were done well.
I respected that after he forced her into an oath he was going to take responsibility for anything fulfilled instead of putting that on her. If you like shifters or dragons I recommend this book.
April 12, 2022
This is an interesting premise, which I expect from Marie’s books, though I did not find the story quite up to Marie’s normal standards in terms of either character development or plot depth. However, the world-building is solid and the idea that there are shifters hidden quietly among us is cool. Despite having forced Ava’s hand, Deacon is a really good guy, and Ava’s ability to truly see Deacon sells their instant attraction. It was a quick, undemanding read and now I’m anxious to see what happens to Deacon’s brothers, and how much he teases them when they fall too. I’m also fascinated by the glimpses of the compromises and accommodations shifters would have to make to live undetected among humans, and I hope the next book continues to explore that facet as well. I received an advance copy in return for my honest review.
May 3, 2022
This is a new PNR series, which I was eager to read having started with Marie Johnston's other PNR series before her more traditional romance series.
This was a good start to the series, with a good story line, as well as getting to know the background of this new world with Dragon shifter communities and all the different characters.
This story focuses on Ava, who is on a fishing trip with her dad when he collapses with a suspected heart attack in the centre of the lake.
Deacon, helps to save her dad, but only once she gives her oath to be his, not that she really understands what that means. She has a couple of weeks left on her vacation, and needs to spend time getting to know Deacon to understand him and the consequences of the oath she had made.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
This was a good start to the series, with a good story line, as well as getting to know the background of this new world with Dragon shifter communities and all the different characters.
This story focuses on Ava, who is on a fishing trip with her dad when he collapses with a suspected heart attack in the centre of the lake.
Deacon, helps to save her dad, but only once she gives her oath to be his, not that she really understands what that means. She has a couple of weeks left on her vacation, and needs to spend time getting to know Deacon to understand him and the consequences of the oath she had made.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
April 11, 2022
Love PNR - Especially Dragons!!!
Eva lost her boyfriend and her job within 48 hours. She is now fishing/camping with her dad for two weeks to reset. While out on the lake, her father collapses. As she wrecks the boat on shore, a handsome stranger says he can save her dad; at the price of “Swearing herself to him”.
Deacon claims to be the leader of the Silver clan - a dragon shifter. OK her dad is healthier than he has been in 20 years; but really?
Deacon seems too good to be true, and she was just burned by her ex. She doesn’t know the ramifications of not keeping her oath. Love this take on dragon shifters, and the whole story actually. A terrific read.
*** I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book ***
Eva lost her boyfriend and her job within 48 hours. She is now fishing/camping with her dad for two weeks to reset. While out on the lake, her father collapses. As she wrecks the boat on shore, a handsome stranger says he can save her dad; at the price of “Swearing herself to him”.
Deacon claims to be the leader of the Silver clan - a dragon shifter. OK her dad is healthier than he has been in 20 years; but really?
Deacon seems too good to be true, and she was just burned by her ex. She doesn’t know the ramifications of not keeping her oath. Love this take on dragon shifters, and the whole story actually. A terrific read.
*** I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book ***
April 13, 2022
Ava swears an oath to Deacon while in the midst of her father's health emergency. An oath promising herself to him, but she doesn't know all the consequences of keeping or breaking the oath. I love how Deacon is take charge-ish, but not so overly alpha and I can still like/respect him. Ava has a lot to overcome - her trust issues alone are troubling, but Deacon's secrets... She has an amazing best friend, and I love her close relationship with her father. This is the first book in a new series of dragon shifters, and I can't wait for more. I've only ever read the author's contemporary romances; this is my first paranormal book, and I'm really loving it! I received a copy of this book from the author, and this is my honest review.
April 15, 2022
4.5***** stars. Not your run of the mill PNR dragon story. Ava and her father are on one of their fishing trips. It’s not her favorite thing but she wants to spend time him especially since her mother passed. He appears to have had a heart attack and Deacon and his brother rescue him to get him on shore. Unbeknownst to Ava, he is a dragon healer and brings her father back with his heart completely repaired. But she must swear an oath to him first and she does, without knowing the repercussions. There is a whole cast of interesting characters with unexpected interactions and behaviors. Nicely written and very enjoyable reading.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book
May 11, 2022
I'm new to the paranormal romance genre and I didn't know what I was missing. This is Ava and Deacon's story. It can be read as a stand alone but future books will be about Deacon's siblings. Ava has recently been dumped and let go from her job so she's camping with her dad to escape when he suddenly has a heart attack. Ava screams for help and Deacon hears. Deacon using his dragon abilities saves her father but only if Ava promises an oath to him. Little does Ava know what all that entails. Deacon tries to win her over, keeping Ava from breaking her oath all before his birthday in a few weeks. This was a quick read, with some spice and low angst. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series and I'm hoping we get a book with Ava's best friend.
April 10, 2022
A new series, a good start
Having lost her job and then her boyfriend in one day, Ava joins her father on a fishing trip. She never expects her dad to collapse in the boat while they’re in the middle of the lake. She also doesn’t expect to meet the most gorgeous man, who extracts a vow from her, promising to heal her father. And he’s a dragon shifter. Wait, what?
Dragon shifter Deacon feels a pull toward the woman who drives her boat up on his land. Taking advantage of her father’s collapse, he extracts a vow from her to be his. Now he has to explain what her vow means. And what the consequences are if she doesn’t honor it.
Having lost her job and then her boyfriend in one day, Ava joins her father on a fishing trip. She never expects her dad to collapse in the boat while they’re in the middle of the lake. She also doesn’t expect to meet the most gorgeous man, who extracts a vow from her, promising to heal her father. And he’s a dragon shifter. Wait, what?
Dragon shifter Deacon feels a pull toward the woman who drives her boat up on his land. Taking advantage of her father’s collapse, he extracts a vow from her to be his. Now he has to explain what her vow means. And what the consequences are if she doesn’t honor it.
April 10, 2022
I have only read Marie Johnston as a contemporary author and so expanding into her para stories was a delight. The Dragon's Oath features the same themes I am attracted to in "real" stories: drama, mystery, romance and more. Deacon's understanding of what human nature entails is a far cry from how Ava acts. And that confusion causes no end of troubles. Ava's history with trust has been more "miss" than "hit". Both want more than words can express but neither know how to yield. Can the secret that Deacon keeps be trusted to the one who may hold his future? Can a promise made under duress be honoured when the truth comes out? Book 1 of a new series.
Read
September 21, 2025DNF’d at 30%. Wasn’t really anything wrong with the writing, but the way the story was playing out wasn’t my cup of tea. The dragon shifter was a jerk, in my opinion, for using her fathers heart attack as a way to manipulate her and force her to swear an oath to him… an oath that she had no understanding of the implications of making. But obviously she wasn’t about to let her father die. So she made an oath for something she didn’t understand at all. And then he proceeds to say she’s his mate and can’t leave, but she’s a headstrong woman and so there’s lots of back n forth and he refuses to fully answer her questions. - I got frustrated and annoyed and finally decided not to finish.
May 2, 2023
It’s an enjoyable book, my only reason for the 3 star is my age, I come from a time where your word was a bond, a promise, stronger than that and an Oath was unbreakable. I get that she gave her oath under duress, but it didn’t even phase her, it was just, „nope, not gonna do it, to bad quite sad I’m going home and you and your oath can get bent“. He worked hard to make up for a situation in a desperate moment and she kept threatening to blow him off like yesterdays dust. That just rubbed me the wrong way, and I honestly didn’t like Ava at all.
June 2, 2023
Ava und Deacon
Ein Romantsy der anderen Art. Dieses Buch beinhaltet einen flüssigen Schreibstil und wird aus der Perspektive von beiden Protagonisten erzählt.
Leider konnte mich die Geschichte von Ava und Deacon nicht wirklich mitreißen und halten. Sie war anderes als man es erwartet und doch fand ich die Idee dahinter gut. Leider wirkt sie nicht ganz ausgereigereift, da es oft wirkt als würde eine Erklärung bei gewissen Ereignissen fehlt, genauso wie eine gewisse Tiefe fehlt. Die Gefühle wirken nicht wirklich ernsthaft sondern eher oberflächlich.
Ein Romantsy der anderen Art. Dieses Buch beinhaltet einen flüssigen Schreibstil und wird aus der Perspektive von beiden Protagonisten erzählt.
Leider konnte mich die Geschichte von Ava und Deacon nicht wirklich mitreißen und halten. Sie war anderes als man es erwartet und doch fand ich die Idee dahinter gut. Leider wirkt sie nicht ganz ausgereigereift, da es oft wirkt als würde eine Erklärung bei gewissen Ereignissen fehlt, genauso wie eine gewisse Tiefe fehlt. Die Gefühle wirken nicht wirklich ernsthaft sondern eher oberflächlich.
June 5, 2023
Ava Moods
I dislike Ava's moods. She is constantly complaining about Chad conduct, and how she was treated. Always playing the vitcm, and never taking any responsibility for letting herself, being put in the situation in the first place.
Then with Deacon, comparing her ex to him. Knowing she took the Oath to save her father, then get an attitude. If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen ,Ava.
I dislike Ava's moods. She is constantly complaining about Chad conduct, and how she was treated. Always playing the vitcm, and never taking any responsibility for letting herself, being put in the situation in the first place.
Then with Deacon, comparing her ex to him. Knowing she took the Oath to save her father, then get an attitude. If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen ,Ava.
December 18, 2023
Dnf - 25%
This isnt really bad, I just couldn't get into it. I feel like there isn't enough explanation. We are told dragons don't have fated mates so there is no real explanation for what Deacon did other than selfishness. I'm sure plenty of people would enjoy it, it just didn't pull me in. I can only really get on board with insta love when it's a fated situation and this is expressly not that so it feels more like just lust.
This isnt really bad, I just couldn't get into it. I feel like there isn't enough explanation. We are told dragons don't have fated mates so there is no real explanation for what Deacon did other than selfishness. I'm sure plenty of people would enjoy it, it just didn't pull me in. I can only really get on board with insta love when it's a fated situation and this is expressly not that so it feels more like just lust.
April 13, 2022
This is a fun fast read that has sweetness, secrets and mystery - and dragons, of course ;) There was also great chemistry, an oath that had big ramifications and a romance that really had me flipping pages. Since this is series opener, I'm excited that we'll have more stories to come set in this world. Good fun!
May 8, 2022
Fitting Title!
I love Marie's contemporary romance books, but this is the first of her paranormal stories I've read. It was just as smooth flowing and easy to read, with great characters! The book had drama, humor and some steamy romance that made my Kindle smoulder. I'm looking forward to the continuing story with Penn and Venus.
I love Marie's contemporary romance books, but this is the first of her paranormal stories I've read. It was just as smooth flowing and easy to read, with great characters! The book had drama, humor and some steamy romance that made my Kindle smoulder. I'm looking forward to the continuing story with Penn and Venus.
July 3, 2022
Really enjoyed this story!
Ava is freshly out of a relationship. Deacon is the leader of the Silver (dragon) clan. He comes to her aid and is immediately taken with her. This is a good start to this series. I loved Deacon and Ava. Can't wait to read Venus' story next. Has a HEA. And steamy scenes. Cute story.
Ava is freshly out of a relationship. Deacon is the leader of the Silver (dragon) clan. He comes to her aid and is immediately taken with her. This is a good start to this series. I loved Deacon and Ava. Can't wait to read Venus' story next. Has a HEA. And steamy scenes. Cute story.
November 19, 2022
Honestly it was pretty good until 95%. I get why she changed her mind and I'm happy with the ending but they didn't even have a single conversation about why she left or how she felt. Instead they swept it under the rug like it never happened. It would have been more meaningful if he apologized and put her worries and insecurities at ease.
February 22, 2023
Three and a half stars
Deacon’s his dragon clan’s leader, and is bound to secure a mate before his next birthday. When a vacationing Ava and her father cross his path and he has the chance to save Ava’s dad and act on the attraction he senses between her and himself, he takes it.
Marie Johnston’s story is entertaining and the shifter world building interesting. Curious to see how Deacon’s brothers’ stories will unfold.
Deacon’s his dragon clan’s leader, and is bound to secure a mate before his next birthday. When a vacationing Ava and her father cross his path and he has the chance to save Ava’s dad and act on the attraction he senses between her and himself, he takes it.
Marie Johnston’s story is entertaining and the shifter world building interesting. Curious to see how Deacon’s brothers’ stories will unfold.
February 23, 2023
I enjoyed this story! It was interesting and had interesting characters. They could have been developed a bit more and I think there was a preview of a few upcoming sequels, though this was a stand alone. I would recommend it. It wasn't the best I've ever read, but certainly not the worst! I did find a few editing errors I marked, but not enough to distract from the story.
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