Scorch My Lips: Dragons of Blood and Bone #4: A Dragon Shifter Romantasy

by Ava Ward

I've been Excommunicated from my dragon clan—and I want revenge.

As punishment for not doing their bidding, the Black Dragon Knights have banished me from the Blood Dragons of Norway and Sweden.

They've ripped out all my memories of home and clan that make me who I am; now, my inner dragons are wrathful, wanting to punish them back.

It doesn't help that I'm being pushed by my Third Drake—a dragon notorious for killing all those who wrong him.

As our inner dragons twist up into a poisonous wildfire, I fight the darkest beast inside me; if I give in, I'm no better than a murderer, all my nobility lost.

As my Third Drake goes rogue, flying off after those he wants to punish, can my other drakes and I get him back?

Or will his darkest magic devour me—making me wreak retribution on those who've wronged me, as well?

An Amazon #1 bestselling series in Fantasy Romance, Urban Fantasy, & Romantasy, the Dragons of Blood and Bone is a scorching, slow-burn dragon shifter romantasy with multiple mates.

Perfect for fans of fierce heroines and fated mates, this series features a badass dragon FMC with deadly magic, hot enemies-to-lovers tension, and possessive alpha drakes.

Full of forbidden magic and set in a modern Viking romantasy world packed with passion and betrayal, this series contains mature content and cliffhanger endings that will leave you desperate for more.

314 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 25, 2025

Reviews

[B. Koe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another PHENOMENAL paranormal romance MUST-READ!
Want to read an ABSOLUTELY phenomenal paranormal romance - one that every discerning paranormal romance reader should have in their library?!! Then purchase your copy of SCORCH MY LIPS today! While the FOURTH book in a series is rarely better than the first, SCORCH MY LIPS, book four of author Ava Ward’s series Dragons of Blood and Bone, is just that – BETTER!! First, Ms. Ward’s descriptions are so deep and detailed, readers can’t help but feel at home in the dual worlds. Yes, you read that right, there are two amazing worlds in this series! But rest assured, no one does description better than Ms. Ava Ward. Not only did this reader feel right at home in the Twilight Realm, she also had to take a beat or two with every return to real life because Ms. Ward’s writing had me enveloped in her breathtaking fictional world. Then there are the characters. All of the protagonist characters in this fourth book of the series are dragon shifters of immeasurable power who are focused on doing everything they can to save their Twilight Realm as well as the world where mere mortals roam. In this marvelous reverse haram, Rickyava, our heroine, is beyond strong; steering her mates through unwarranted rejection, a perilous search for one mate who seems bent on revenge and finally bonding with a virtual stranger to strengthen their bloodbond to a level that may make them powerful enough to stop those who wish to destroy the Twilight Realm and enslave the mortal world. With fast-paced suspense, lots of heat (mature audiences – ages 25 and older), and all the feels a romance reader longs to experience, author Ava Ward’s SCORCH MY LIPS is hours of top-level entertainment. I volunteered to read an ARC copy of SCORCH MY LIPS, and this is my voluntary 5+STAR review. I STRONGLY suggest you purchase your copy of SCORCH MY LIPS today! Read a novel a day! 😉

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

And Ms. Ward does it again with a real scorcher of a book, in this the 4th highly emotional book in the series. Rikyava has been excommunicated by the Balck Dragon Knight's High Council, they have furthermore erased all her memories of Sweden and those she loves back home, and she is livid and out to seek retribution. She and her bonded mates are also seeking the Dragon of all Souls, the black dragon their true enemy, in order to kill him. However her 3rd bonded mate who looks angelic but is more of a demon, full of darkness and wrath, goes rogue and she and her two other mates need to reign him in before his darkness overpowers her. Bjorn her 1st mate is being overcome by the force of anger of the bone mages in their bonding, as he is now the sole blood mage and Rikyava knows it is time for her to seek her 4th mate, to bring harmony back into the fold before she loses Bjorn. Seems fate had already decreed who her 4th mate was meant to be, and she and Bjorn go to look for him in Iceland, however when they find him though the pull is there she is damned if she would let fate choose her mate. But what fate wills always happens, and it is imperative if they are to save their bonding. I loved this roller coaster of emotions book, it kept me enthralled from start to finish. It has the heat, but also so much rage and wrath at the injustices all of them have suffered, it also has love and loyalty, as well as betrayal and so much darkness. It is a story about fated mates, enemies to lovers, romance, action, adventure and topping it all a kick ass heroine who binds them all together. However can they all survive their ordeals and venture forth to defeat the Black Dragon who is still their number one enemy? For answers we have to wait for book 5 and I am dying to go on reading!

[Shivani McFarland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Ava Ward's imagination and the energy she brings to this series. Rikyava has lost her memories and sense of self, her three drakes along with Laerke head to France to her storm dragon cousin's castle for healing and to stop and regroup after that awful curse that was cast upon her. Mikkel and Laerke are off the rails and so much is just going all wrong. But hope prevails in 'Scorch My Lips' Ava's fourth book, as Rikyava's fourth mate comes into the fold, and what a wonderful mate he is. I would love for all my relationships in the past to be like that of Baldur's and Rikyava's, lucky dragon. Ms. Ward works her word magic with her beautiful imagery from clothing, to meals and landscape rich in detail. Her characters are real to life with intense emotions, passion and all the feels. And don't forget the steam, this is five chili pepper hot that will wake you up and get your mojo goin'.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another heartstopper of an episode

Ava certainly knows how to pull you in and keep you on the edge of your seat, and this one is no exception. I love her vivid imagination and the world she has created for all three of her series (Royal Dragon Shifters of Morocco, Vampire Masters of Italy and Dragons of Blood and Bone). Dragons, vampires and fae laugh and love and live life to the fullest, despite being beset throughout their respective series by all manner of evil.
As always, the language is sensual and evocative, perfect for the opulent Twilight Realm. Ava paints such pictures with her words, it's easy to imagine the sights, smells, sounds of everything. Rikyava and her drakes are larger than life and spill out of the pages, with Baldur an exceptionally interesting character who I couldn't help but love.
I can't wait to see what's in store for them in the next book.

[Abbella DiNoto · Rating 4 out of 5]

grrrrrr STOP DRAGGING THIS OUT

I find myself skimming a lot, racing through the fodder/filler to get to the meat of the story. And quite frankly it is annoying. Dragging this out for more books. Every time I think we are near the end She goes and. Obliterates and takes an about face. It’s not like a great twist . It’s more like 1 step forward in moving the story forward to forgone rightful conclusion. And nope turn around and go back 4steps to retrace path and blast out a wall to make a new door. Just to walk the really long way, to never get to the destination and then we have to wait for another year . I’m honestly no sure I care about the ending anymore. I just want a conclusion!

[Jessica Meadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 4 in Ms.Ward’s series and I am tempted to say this series is quickly replacing her Vampire Masters series as my favorite. This book continues the saga of Rikyava, a formidable heroine navigating a world filled with magic, passion, and danger. Ms.Ward combines intense romantic tension with a high-stakes fantasy adventure which is definitely one of my favorite genres to read about! Did I mention it’s a reverse harem? Hehe definitely a steamy time! Ms.Ward can always balance heartfelt moments with thrilling plot developments. I can’t wait to see what Ms.Ward does with the fifth book!

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 4th book in the series which continues Rikyava's quest. A new bonded mate is needed and the book focuses on the struggles to balance the bond so the quest can continue. There is at least one more book to go to complete this series but it is starting to feel like it is one book to many. I'll stick with it to the end but impatient for it to be over now.
Ms Ward continues to impress with her complex imaginative dragon world. The steam continues and is well balanced with the story.
I've recommended all along that readers should wait till this entire series is completed, then read all books in one go. The story will flow better and be more enjoyable that way as some of the complexity leads to needing to revisit previous books to refresh memories of the plot, so much more enjoyable as a continuous read.
I'm keen for the next book and, in usual Ms Ward fashion, the many more twists and turns to come!
I received an ARC copy in return for an independent and unbiased review.

[Esmeralda Silva Tenazinha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 4 and its as intense as always! Rikyava was Banished and She Lost all her memories. Now he has to continue to fight the evil dragon while having a mate that runs off to kill his enemies and another One that is having a hard time being the last One of his kind. She needs balance on her Bond mates and that means She has to find her last mate. Fate as always has her own agenda and things get a lot more dificult and a lot hotter. The world is vivid and very compeling. Now we just have to wait for the Next book

[Shana Pare · Rating 5 out of 5]

By all the Dragon Gods...

...Absolutely incredible. This book simply leads the charge into the fight between good and evil. Baldur is amazing, and I love the way he balances Rikyava and the other drakes, not to mention little sisters. I am seriously going to be holding my breath until Book Five is ready.

Marvelous work, Ava! You should be proud.

[Queen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scorch My Lips: Dragons of Blood and Bone #4 🐲🩸🦴!!! All's fair in love and war! Rikyava is complete with all of her life mates. They and all their combined powers are ready to rumble and save the world. Can't wait for the show down between the Black Dragon and those that wield it! 🙃

[Karen Leatherlife · Rating 5 out of 5]

DEVOURED this book!
I love the series. I first was introduced to them in the Royal Dragon Bind series and desperately wanted to know more about these characters. Ava Ward definitely delivers.
I cannot wait for the next book. Please Ms. Ward, write faster!!!

[Cleocutie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great continuation of Rikyava and her men’s story as she lost her memories and has to set to find her fourth mate to help keep the balance. It is full of emotion and twists and turns that will keep you spellbound until the very end.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving book 4 in the Dragons of Blood and Bone series. Ava Ward takes it up a notch with the romance, magic, dragons and danger with this book. A must read series and I couldn’t put it down. If you are looking for a great writer and lots of twists and turns this is the series for you.

[Sandra Singleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of the Dragons of Blood and Bone series. If you love this genre this is a well-written plot and the characters carry the book. Wish there were more books coming in the series.