To Win the Guarded Heart

Dragons, Griffons and Centaurs, Oh My! #4

by Margaret Taylor

Join our Heroes and Heroines as they continue to Journey through The Five Kingdoms and beyond...

Will our stalwart Champions be able to finally defeat Golix and The Herd, or will Fate decide who lives and who dies.

Find out if Lanni, Mithrin, Terra, Phara, and Tian have what it takes To Win The Guarded Heart...

Genres: Paranormal, Fantasy

290 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 29, 2014

About the author

Margaret Taylor currently lives in San Antonio, TX and is scratching post for her five cats. She is an avid writer, a novice photographer and enjoys all things paranormal and science fiction! Just ask her, she'll tell you!

Her list of books include:

Wolf's Paradox - Book 1 of The Layren Series

A First Love Never Dies - Book 1 of The Spi-Corp Series

Saving His Love - Book 2 of The Spi-Corp Series

All In The Name of Love - A stand alone Romantic Suspense

Love's Prophecy - A stand alone Paranormal Adventure

She also has many other current projects in the works. If you visit her blog and ask nicely, she might be persuaded to post some tasty excerpts! *Bring Cookies as payment please!*

Reviews

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

My exact reaction at the end. Yes I turned into a cat and freaked out, ran off the bed.

It was an intense reaction but well warranted.

~*~*~*~PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE be aware this is the FOURTH in a series, there will not be spoilers for this book but there WILL BE for the first three books~*~*~*~*~

UGH I NEED THE NEXT ONE NOW PLEASE

So dear fans of this series, rest easy you will not be disappointed. I think that Margaret did a fantastic job of scaling back on the amount of characters we are reading their POVS but we are also introduced to a new pack - yes that was intended - of characters and oh boy am I excited about it! I am so very curious about them but I am also happy to see old favorites still around. I think that this series is wonderful, Goliax proves how far and willing he is to go to get exactly what he wants. He has out-maneuvered and out-smarted and out planned everyone yet again. Seriously I Am seriously considering changing teams for awhile. I mean i am no fan of the man but damnnnnnn its hard to not respect his never ending planning.

Goliax's plans and evility? (is that a word, i don't think so annynways) is never ending. this will throw some major punches and make you feel a little helpless. but never fear my dears! there is still hope and there is still love, and romance and Rixon....*Swoon*

I am a huge huge huge fan of this series and i really loved this book, i think in the last book there was a lot of jumping of characters this one got it under control and we still jumped but it was spread out and not as many characters.

Honestly i can't say much without giving anything away but all the good amazing pace is there again in this book. always moving without moving to fast, interesting, a little romantic, and just an awesome adventure that keeps you on the edge of your seat, and flipping to the next page as fast as you possibly can.

i am dying for the next one, if i haven't said it already ;) hehehe

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this one the journey continues with them chasing our hated nemesis. Golix by now has such a big head I am so surprised his body can still carry it. This author sure knows how to give you someone you just love to hate. He also has a guarded secret that I for one was shocked but exhilarated, making my heart patter. The Queen also has placed herself in a precarious situation that even though you are following the others you keep wondering back to what is going on with her. The group will find that things have become mighty strange indeed and people are not as they should be. This author will give you the most intriguing storyline to embark you on that is so original, and this I can say because having been reading for many a years that I don't recall ever coming across anything even remotely similar. That is what a reader craves because it enables them to go into new territory on a fresh adventure. This author has delivered that with each novel of this series building on it transporting you into it so you too can experience the thrill of being right there with these who are out to be the victors when this is said and done. The drama is to the point of overflowing you keep looking for a bomb from the ticking but wait that is your heart at times from the excitement. The love that some of the paired couples have for each other is the kind that some wish for. Love will also transeed reaching and communicating regardless what is being done. The author has aptly said it in the title of this series at the end of it "Oh My" hits it squarely on the head. Never a dull moment in this one being left thunderstruck at the end melded into where I was when I reached the last page-I shout OH MISS MARGARET-you have gone and done it this time, I am now speechless is how you have left me! Which many will tell you is quite a feat in itself. Received a copy for a honest review.

[Anna Salamatin · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this installment we are back with old friends and we meet some new ones as we continue on with Lanni Heegan, Mithrin Sylor, Fallon Heegan, and Fyris Taraxus as they return to the human world to find out what in all the Hells the bastard of a Unicorn was up to now.......Find Golix and put a stop to whatever evil he had in store for humanity.
They returned to the sand hill that Lanni and her twin sister Terra slid down entering this world from the portal home. Terra the newly crowned Queen is there to see them off as Lanni turned to wave one more time to her sister from the ledge, only Terra and Enon, the cavern's Dragon Guardian, were no longer alone, but surrounded by three Unicorns who as a group, their horns brightened to a blinding pulse of red and loose a volley of power that knocked Terra clean off her feet. and then turned to do the same to the group up on the ledge who made it into the tunnel seconds before the roof caved in around them......
And this is only the beginning, or should I say the end of the beginning, but for who? Is Terra buried in the cave in? Who will get to her first? I have to tell you right here that you are never going to believe what is coming but I promise it's above and beyond anything Margaret Taylor has dropped on us so far! The action never stops. I had to stop reading from time to time just to wrap my head around it all and all the possibilities from so many different directions. This one is truly mind boggling! And yep, there is a cliffhanger that left me speechless! I hope you have been following this remarkable saga, it's your only hope of surviving this one!

[Desiree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my God! Just when you think you might be getting somewhere in this series BAM!! Loads more stuff happens. Ok, you've sucked me in now, actually you had me at book 1 just saying. Now to be patient and wait for book 5. :)

[Melanie's · Rating 5 out of 5]

*This Book Was Given To Me By The Author In Exchange For An Honest Review*

With Margaret Taylor being one of my favorite authors there is always that moment of anticipation when I get the latest book for review. I won't lie ... the previous book was not one of my favorites (although still an amazing read) but her evil brain was just setting things up for this!

What a rollercoaster of a book! Seriously ... there is barely a moment to take a breath. I love the brief moments of levity that make you feel the need to spit your drink because the reactions are just so real, so sarcastic, and SO unexpected, but most of all I love the action and this book is jam packed with it.

We get to follow the characters we know and meet some new ones along the way but DAMN there are some twists and of course it wouldn't be pat of this series if the story actually finished. I read the last words and said "SHE CANNOT BE STOPPING THERE!!!!" but of course she did.

If you haven't started this series yet you can start the adventure with book 1 for free so I would definitely recommend it .... and I will finish by saying anyone wondering what to get me for my next birthday? An Evil Unicorn Army sounds just peachy!


An easy 5 out of 5 stars from me!

V""V


***Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official.
For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng ***

[Sandi Faulconbridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my freaking God! You have GOT to be kidding me! I thought this was a four-book series. I've just got to the end and it's 'The End ... For Now'. Aaaaarrrrrggggghhhhh!!!!! But actually, Yay, 'cause I'm really enjoying the storyline and characters.

This is a series about Dragons, Griffons, Centaurs and all manner of other mythical creatures set in a hidden land that is accessed through portals, in a futuristic Earth.

Terra and her twin sister Lani are hiking in the wilderness in a last-escape before Terra's marriage to save her family company. Whilst investigating a cave they stumble through a portal into a world on the brink of war. It just so happens that is full of monsters and creatures thought to be myth.

What a refreshing read. There are no vampires or zombies, just good old-fashioned mythical creatures. A nice twist on our belief that Unicorns are magical and good - they certainly aren't in this series! Well they are still magical. I particularly like the underlying theme of 'not judging a book by its cover' ... just because something looks monsterous and scary doesn't mean it is evil. Lots of interesting relationships (not just the romantic kind) and the character growth is ever-evolving. There are some good strong female characters - they are not weak-willed and all 'oh save me from the monsters'! Oh and of course there are the romances - lots of surprising matches :-)

[Jackie Villamor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just finished Margaret Taylor's 4th book in this Series of Dragons,Centaurs and Griffons, Oh My.. I had read her first book To Light The Dragons Fire back in June 2014 but then never got around to reading the other books in this series. So I reread book 1 to refresh my memory on all the characters. I was again Swept Up in her tale of Dragons, and I really enjoyed being able to finish one book and then immedialty jump into the next book. So many characters to keep track of, so much evil magic on the brink of winning,gut wrenching battles and torchure and a few beloved characters loosing!! Margaret Taylor has woven a very edge of your seat page turning tale. I kept reading until the wee hours of the morning until my eyes were burning. Now after finally finishing book 4 I'm not sure if I hate Margaret or love her. She has left us with a cliffhanger, I can just hear her laughing like Golix with a hint of evil in her laugh,then saying Yes Master Your Minions Are Ready, knowing we are dangling and Wanting More... I just hope she is able to give us another book soon!! I really want to stop my mind from silently cursing her..... This is a Must Read Series and I am giving five stars, a thumb up and a Big Thank You, Margaret Taylor!!!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the love of Gods... hehe, see what I did there? If you're reading this book, you should've read the first three, if not, shame on you. This is definitely a series that you have to read from start to finish. these are not stand alone books. Each book builds a layer upon layer of foundation to the world of the five kingdoms and the important characters. Our dear friend Golix is still up to his hijinks, he's now jumped to the human world and our friends can't figure out his end game. That's probably because they've only been dealing with this for a few months and Golix has been planning for hundreds of years. Something is nagging Terra, she feels that somehow Golix's plans are to rule both realms, but she can't figure out how. To add more to their already full plate, Golix's son starts attacking the big cities and there's nothing left when he leaves. On the scene now is Fallon, a cousin of the twins, that knows nothing of her true nature nor her heritage. It's not long before Golix digs her out and kidnaps her since she has strong Heegan blood. Everyone Golix has sought out has had their own part to play in his evil scheme.

[Patti Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK Ms. Margaret Taylor. You can stop now with the books that so hold my attention that I’m thinking from one chapter to the next what is going to happen. The way this book holds your mind is amazing. Some of the new characters make me cringe while others…whew, I’m still fanning myself. The story itself brings you through the kingdoms, including one very collldd new one. And of course it is a prison. That evil black unicorn Golix is of course still there trying to be the Master of all things in this world and the human world too. Will the good guys figure out what he is up to? If they do can they thwart his end game? You will need to read this installment to find out. Of course the author does have her signature suspense, battles and ending full of “AAGGGHHH!!! WHAT???? WHY????” Then sigh knowing you definitely need to read the next book. I truly love this series and am a huge fan of Ms. Taylor because of it.

[Ashley Martinez (ilovebooksandstuffblog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The adventure continues where the last book left off. This book focused more on Phara, Tian and more of the secondary characters.
The plot continues to thickens and the anticipation for what's going to happen next keeps me aways at the edge of my seat. This one started off a little slow for me. It's been awhile since the last book and it took me a bit to get the characters straight. As always there was an excellent balance of action and drama to keep you flipping the pages till the very end. One of my favorite things about this series is all the different characters and getting a chance to see their point of view. This book kept to that and we got to see new characters along with the others we know and love.
To Win the Guarded Heart doesn't disappoint and fans of the series will enjoy this installment. I can't wait to see more.

[Elizabeth Robbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are a few series that I will reread entirely before I start the new book. This is one of them. The author describes her books as seasons in a tv show, and she's completely right! Each book has several major plots that are begun and ended, while finishing in a ginormous cliffhanger. This is on purpose, which she explains at the end of the book. If you love paranormal creatures, you'll love this series.

[Lorraine Caruana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved, loved it. The fourth book in this series and it did not disappoint. All the old characters came together, and some new ones as well. I am so looking forward to the next one. Ms. Taylor, that is some cliffhanger you left us with. I am therefore as of now, hyperventilating and focusing on not freaking out. Come on Draven, I'm routing for you.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

Well plotted, excellent characters and editing problem much improved. Thank heaven. Was a major distraction in first 3 installments. I'm very invested in the series and look forward to book 5. Be ye warned, big cliffhanger ending....again.

[Michelle Janene Janene · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just finished this book. While Ms. Tayor is great at world building, and her books engrossing and fairly well edited--she has no clue as to how to end a story. From book 1 she leaves the reading hanging, a growing list of characters in peril, evil winning at every turn, and no success for the heroes.

This the 4th book called To Win the Guarded Heart has no winners for any of them many many many heroes. And again ends on a cliffhanger with no resolution. Published in 2015 there seems to be no hope for a 5th book. But even that would not guarantee Ms. Taylor would give her poor frustrated readers any hope of an ending. I've wasted a lot of time and money to be left hanging and annoyed. My advice--don't start.

[Susan Tuell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series was disappointed book number 5 isn't available