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Dragons of the Darkblood Secret Society #1
Playing with Fire
I've always done my best to work hard and stand apart from my father’s shadow, but it seemed like he was setting me up to fail. When he assigned me a new client, Adventure Isle--a run down amusement park in the middle of nowhere--I knew I’d have to find the investor of a lifetime to succeed. I was looking for an investor with more money than sense. What I found was a man who had no money, but he did have a daughter named Shayne--a gorgeous, ball-busting daughter that I wanted from the second I laid eyes on her. She controls the money, but she also controlled my heart. But just when I find myself in her bed, exactly where I want to be, she gets a call. Her father is dead; killed by a dragon. And things are about to get a whole lot more complicated when she learns that I’m a dragon, too... Playing With Fire is a 30,000 word novella with steamy shifter scenes intended for readers 18+.
- GenresDragonsRomanceParanormal
196 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 28, 2017
79 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
Meg Ripley
172 books460 followersGrab a free copy of Alpha's Midlife Baby, the prequel to the Fated Over Forty series, when you sign up for Meg's newsletter ==> https://www.authormegripley.com
Meg Ripley is an author of steamy shifter romances. A Seattle native who’s relocated to New England, she can often be found whipping up her next tale curled up in a local coffee house with a cappuccino and her laptop.
Meg Ripley is an author of steamy shifter romances. A Seattle native who’s relocated to New England, she can often be found whipping up her next tale curled up in a local coffee house with a cappuccino and her laptop.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 21, 2024
3.5 stars
An enjoyable read with Shifters and mates and trouble around every corner. The pages kept turning because I wanted to know what happened.
Keeping a secret has never been so big.
Enjoy!
An enjoyable read with Shifters and mates and trouble around every corner. The pages kept turning because I wanted to know what happened.
Keeping a secret has never been so big.
Enjoy!
May 31, 2018
Wow what adventures this box set has will shows you how love can conquer through anything and any situations... Beautiful wrote and expressed. I will give my insight to each book individually..
Playing With Fire
Jason and Mary Shayne story is truly the beginning of understanding the importance of security secrecy and source of outlets. The three Ss. Each one of those Ss is instrumental in staying alive for a dragon and for other dragons. Jason is the son of the president of the Darkblood Secret Society so he knows that the Ss should be at the top of everything.. but what happens when your heart and your duty are at different ends. Mr Cross gave his son the impossible task of finding funds for a project that means something to the family. At first Jason doesn’t know or care why he was given such a hard task but once he notices that his mom was a part of the historic history of the place. While looking for investors to help bring Life` back to this once loved amusement park his good friend Victor recommends a person who he has done lots of business with. What Victor didn’t say was that the vestor he recommended was a Dragon enthusiastic. Meeting the Mr. Simmons was of course a no brainer. At first glance you think wow this guy is rich and a little nutty but he also happens to have some access to secret dragon knowledge.. but how and from who? Then there is also the fact that he has to meet and convince this guy named Shayne in order to get the guy to invest. While still around he stops at a bar and meets a beautiful woman who owns the bar and rocks his world.. what he didn’t realize that shayne and Mary where one and the same. So now stuck in a hard place has to make decisions to proceed.. add into the mix that someone kills Mr Simmons and he suspects another dragon. While looking into it he has to tell the secret of being a dragon and of others to a cop but Mary doesn’t believe him, until of course her life is put on the line and he will do anything to save her. Will his father the president be ok with it all? What about the secret? Will they be discovered? Are they all now in danger? Will there be any future for him and Mary?
Playing With Fire
Jason and Mary Shayne story is truly the beginning of understanding the importance of security secrecy and source of outlets. The three Ss. Each one of those Ss is instrumental in staying alive for a dragon and for other dragons. Jason is the son of the president of the Darkblood Secret Society so he knows that the Ss should be at the top of everything.. but what happens when your heart and your duty are at different ends. Mr Cross gave his son the impossible task of finding funds for a project that means something to the family. At first Jason doesn’t know or care why he was given such a hard task but once he notices that his mom was a part of the historic history of the place. While looking for investors to help bring Life` back to this once loved amusement park his good friend Victor recommends a person who he has done lots of business with. What Victor didn’t say was that the vestor he recommended was a Dragon enthusiastic. Meeting the Mr. Simmons was of course a no brainer. At first glance you think wow this guy is rich and a little nutty but he also happens to have some access to secret dragon knowledge.. but how and from who? Then there is also the fact that he has to meet and convince this guy named Shayne in order to get the guy to invest. While still around he stops at a bar and meets a beautiful woman who owns the bar and rocks his world.. what he didn’t realize that shayne and Mary where one and the same. So now stuck in a hard place has to make decisions to proceed.. add into the mix that someone kills Mr Simmons and he suspects another dragon. While looking into it he has to tell the secret of being a dragon and of others to a cop but Mary doesn’t believe him, until of course her life is put on the line and he will do anything to save her. Will his father the president be ok with it all? What about the secret? Will they be discovered? Are they all now in danger? Will there be any future for him and Mary?
February 6, 2017
It’s so sad when one does everything they can to please a parent but never being able to, nothing is right or good enough. When his father gives him another assignment he is sure to fail at he really gives it his all. He must find an investor to put this park back on its feet. The investor is found the only think he has to do is talk the man’s daughter into letting him invest his money.
From the moment Jason eyes met Mary at the bar he knows he is lost. They end up spending one hot passionate night together say good bye and walk away. When they meet again Jason is in for a few surprises and this is where things get really interesting and very complicated. When her father ends up dead killed by a dragon Jason finds his life just got even more complicated. How will she feel when she finds out he is a dragon to?
The story is filled with mystery and conspiracy along with adventure, betrayal, murder, fear, lust, love/hate as well as a lot of hot sexy steam reading. There is no doubt your e-reader will be sizzling as these two burns up the sheets. I thought the characters were great, the supporting one added a lot to the read. It was well written and moved at a fast pace that kept you interested in the story. The characters blend well together with passion you can feel. I really enjoyed the read.
********************
From the moment Jason eyes met Mary at the bar he knows he is lost. They end up spending one hot passionate night together say good bye and walk away. When they meet again Jason is in for a few surprises and this is where things get really interesting and very complicated. When her father ends up dead killed by a dragon Jason finds his life just got even more complicated. How will she feel when she finds out he is a dragon to?
The story is filled with mystery and conspiracy along with adventure, betrayal, murder, fear, lust, love/hate as well as a lot of hot sexy steam reading. There is no doubt your e-reader will be sizzling as these two burns up the sheets. I thought the characters were great, the supporting one added a lot to the read. It was well written and moved at a fast pace that kept you interested in the story. The characters blend well together with passion you can feel. I really enjoyed the read.
********************
December 22, 2017
Great story
Jason works in finance , for his father, indirectly. He is up for a promotion, and is handed a near impossible account needing investors. A recommendation form a friend leads to and eccentric man with an uncomfortable dragon obsession. Which leads Jason to his daughter.
Mary/Shayne a bartender by night and a no nonsense business women by day. While she shoots his investment proposal down, she is happy to share a few drinks and take him home. Then her father ends up dead and Jason suspects a dragon. Secret societies, family politics, and a mild manner financial advisor determined to see justice done for a man he though of as a friend and for a women with two names he is falling for.
A light and steamy murder mystery, with dragons. Loved Jason and Mary/ Shayne. This book also contains several additional novella lengthy stories.
Jason works in finance , for his father, indirectly. He is up for a promotion, and is handed a near impossible account needing investors. A recommendation form a friend leads to and eccentric man with an uncomfortable dragon obsession. Which leads Jason to his daughter.
Mary/Shayne a bartender by night and a no nonsense business women by day. While she shoots his investment proposal down, she is happy to share a few drinks and take him home. Then her father ends up dead and Jason suspects a dragon. Secret societies, family politics, and a mild manner financial advisor determined to see justice done for a man he though of as a friend and for a women with two names he is falling for.
A light and steamy murder mystery, with dragons. Loved Jason and Mary/ Shayne. This book also contains several additional novella lengthy stories.
May 14, 2018
I received an ARC of this e-book as a part of the new boxed set, soon to be published, from the author in exchange for my honest review.
I liked the story in general, it had some sudden twists that I didn't see coming and also made me second guess my own thoughts. It has a steady tempo throughout the whole novel. I didn't really feel connected to any of the characters, not sure as to why.
Also, I must say that I appreciated the lack of cheesy/gooey ending with "love you" declarations and stuff, I much preferred this sassy version!
I liked the story in general, it had some sudden twists that I didn't see coming and also made me second guess my own thoughts. It has a steady tempo throughout the whole novel. I didn't really feel connected to any of the characters, not sure as to why.
Also, I must say that I appreciated the lack of cheesy/gooey ending with "love you" declarations and stuff, I much preferred this sassy version!
January 12, 2018
The story kept me interested. I liked Jason to a point but would have liked to see a bit more confidence within himself. Shayne/Mary definitely had a strong spirit and personality. They had a connection from the start.
March 15, 2018
I’m a big fan of shifters and the paranormal and let me just say this one did not disappoint! Jason and Mary’s story is so sweet and cute! The trials they overcome to be together is pretty amazing! Love it!
May 10, 2018
Arc review for honest review. Jason is a Dragon shifter dark blood when checking out adventure Isle to get investors he has to impress Shane Simmons otherwise known as Mary he had intimate relationships with very cute
January 3, 2018
I enjoyed this book - the characters were likeable, and the adventure and romance great. Looking forward to #2.
March 11, 2017
This is a cute, easy read, 194 pages, but doesn't seem that long.
Jason is a dragon shifter. His new client needs funds, and those funds could come from a big fan of the mythical creature. But first, Jason has to get through the man's daughter, Shayne. But Jason and Shayne have met before, he knew her as Mary. Will she help??
Like I said, cute easy read. Told from both Shayne/Mary point of view, we don;t get Mary for a while, and I was beginning to think it would be single point. But its not, and I was happy about that!
I do think more could have been made of Vincent, and what he did, and why, but for a fairly short book, it gets to the point. I did like that Jason is able to help his client, and save the amusement park.
First I've read of this author, it looks like my to-read list just got a whole lot full of dragon shifter books! And y'all know how much I does love me some dragons! I like the way Meg thinks, plots and tells hr story.
solid four star read.
*same worded review will appear on Goodreads, Booklikes, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, and Barnes and Noble**
Jason is a dragon shifter. His new client needs funds, and those funds could come from a big fan of the mythical creature. But first, Jason has to get through the man's daughter, Shayne. But Jason and Shayne have met before, he knew her as Mary. Will she help??
Like I said, cute easy read. Told from both Shayne/Mary point of view, we don;t get Mary for a while, and I was beginning to think it would be single point. But its not, and I was happy about that!
I do think more could have been made of Vincent, and what he did, and why, but for a fairly short book, it gets to the point. I did like that Jason is able to help his client, and save the amusement park.
First I've read of this author, it looks like my to-read list just got a whole lot full of dragon shifter books! And y'all know how much I does love me some dragons! I like the way Meg thinks, plots and tells hr story.
solid four star read.
*same worded review will appear on Goodreads, Booklikes, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, and Barnes and Noble**
February 10, 2017
*I received an ARC of this book free from Red Lily Review Club in exchange for an honest review*
Jason isn't sure if his father is setting him up for failure or if there's a little sentiment left in the old man, either way he doesn't want to fail. After seeing pictures of his mother at the amusement park he wanted to revitalize it, to bring it back to back to its glory with a bit of a modern twist. Mary, on the other hand, thought differently, and until she was on board then his plan was pretty much a simple pipe dream.
When Mary's life is turned upside down and Jason only adds to the crazy she'll pull away, but it doesn't take long for the truth to come to light. She'll realize not only had he not lied to her, but that her father wasn't as batty as she once thought.
Playing with Fire is a fast paced love story with a little murder mystery suspense added in.
The part I didn't like is that there are no chapters. Every time you see ***** just expect it to move forward.
My Favorite Moment is a little office rendezvous make-up visit.
Jason isn't sure if his father is setting him up for failure or if there's a little sentiment left in the old man, either way he doesn't want to fail. After seeing pictures of his mother at the amusement park he wanted to revitalize it, to bring it back to back to its glory with a bit of a modern twist. Mary, on the other hand, thought differently, and until she was on board then his plan was pretty much a simple pipe dream.
When Mary's life is turned upside down and Jason only adds to the crazy she'll pull away, but it doesn't take long for the truth to come to light. She'll realize not only had he not lied to her, but that her father wasn't as batty as she once thought.
Playing with Fire is a fast paced love story with a little murder mystery suspense added in.
The part I didn't like is that there are no chapters. Every time you see ***** just expect it to move forward.
My Favorite Moment is a little office rendezvous make-up visit.
February 13, 2017
I received an ARC for “Playing With Fire: Dragons Of The Darkblood Secret Society” by Meg Ripley and I loved this story. The premise tickled me. Father-son issues, here; a whimsical father who spends too much money and adores dragons with a mostly no-nonsense daughter, there. Add in an aging theme park, a love interest, a murder mystery and well, DRAGONS; what’s not to like?
The story was well-plotted out and for those who don’t like sex scenes, these weren’t particularly over the top. The addition of dragons as investment bankers was a marvelous take on a dragon’s hoard. And the normalcy of the love interest kept it well seated in (almost) reality.
Overall, this is an enjoyable read. The characters are great, the interactions were fun, and it was an all-around decent story.
The story was well-plotted out and for those who don’t like sex scenes, these weren’t particularly over the top. The addition of dragons as investment bankers was a marvelous take on a dragon’s hoard. And the normalcy of the love interest kept it well seated in (almost) reality.
Overall, this is an enjoyable read. The characters are great, the interactions were fun, and it was an all-around decent story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2017
I received Playing with Fire/Dragon Shifter Romance as a free copy from the publisher, Red Adept Publishing. The gifting did not determine the review/rating, which reflects my honest opinion. This book has an interesting plot, but I wish there'd been more time devoted to world-building. The reader gets enough information to follow the simple storyline, but there were missed opportunities to add some depth to the book. Jason and Shayne/Mary were good characters, and I enjoyed the sub-plots and would read other books by this writer.
April 3, 2017
I really enjoyed this odd little dragon-shifter murder-mystery. As improbable as the whole story is, as transparent as the plot devices are, the book is rescued from eye-rolling mediocrity by its subtly tongue-in-cheek tone, and the sincere charm of the main character, Jason. Think Agatha Christie meets Oscar Wilde, minus the devious red herrings and the biting sarcasm. It's a really good read, and I'm eager for more by author Meg Ripley.
April 10, 2017
i tried a few times to get into this book and for some odd reason i couldn't. would read a little of it then put it down then picked it up and then put it down and would always go to other books. so just gave it up returned and went from there.. so can't tell u to much about this book. sorry
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May 27, 2017I enjoyed reading the book, however; it could have been a little more in-depth with the characters. I feel it was a little rushed in some chapters compared to the other books that this author has written previously. There was more than just 1 book inside. So it left me a little confused as well, as I thought it was going to be a full length book of 20,000 words or more. To my disappointment of only being a short read :-) I am going to venture on through and continue reading some of the other stories in there as well. Happy reading :-)
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews