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Aurum Court Dragons #1
Ashton Drake
When Ashton Drake’s family calls him home to help keep his cousin Jasper, the king of the mountain, in line, Ashton wants to laugh. He knows he’s in no shape to help anyone. His sanity is hanging by a thread; he’s failing at the job the Drakes sent him to the city to do; and many days he can’t even handle his own dragon.
The beast breaks out within hours of him returning to his hometown, but it settles when it sees Makenna, Ashton’s high school sweetheart. Ashton doesn’t know what she’s still doing in town. She should be singing on a stage somewhere. But it’s good she’s around. In her presence, Ashton and his beast come to a unified, sane purpose.
The trouble is, Makenna doesn’t seem to want Ashton around. She can’t forget that Ashton left her, and besides, she’s busy trying to pay off the debt left after a family member’s illness. She doesn’t have time for an out-of-control Drake, even if she could ever trust him again.
Ashton knows what he needs to keep his sanity, his community, and his king.
But Ashton doesn’t know if he can win Makenna back.
The beast breaks out within hours of him returning to his hometown, but it settles when it sees Makenna, Ashton’s high school sweetheart. Ashton doesn’t know what she’s still doing in town. She should be singing on a stage somewhere. But it’s good she’s around. In her presence, Ashton and his beast come to a unified, sane purpose.
The trouble is, Makenna doesn’t seem to want Ashton around. She can’t forget that Ashton left her, and besides, she’s busy trying to pay off the debt left after a family member’s illness. She doesn’t have time for an out-of-control Drake, even if she could ever trust him again.
Ashton knows what he needs to keep his sanity, his community, and his king.
But Ashton doesn’t know if he can win Makenna back.
Kindle Edition
First published February 2, 2019
90 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
Emilia Hartley
117 books461 followersReading wasn't always Emilia's passion, but over the years she developed an irreplaceable love for books. She writes about large, protective alpha males and their strong, sexy female mates.
If you enjoy steamy shifters and fated mates, then you'll LOVE Emilia's books!
If you enjoy steamy shifters and fated mates, then you'll LOVE Emilia's books!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
May 7, 2021
I had been pretty excited to read about the world-building from the synopsis, but unfortunately, it fell quite short of expectations. The Aurum Bank was barely mentioned, and most of the book was just spent on the FMC Makenna stressing about bills, and following how the MC Ashton was so magically attracted to his ex due to his beast while trying to keep his king Jasper from flying out of town and exposing the dragon shifter community.
We don't get any information on how the Aurum Bank is run, why it's failing so horribly, why Jasper is out of control like this, why he doesn't have his court around him, how their dragon shifter society works at all, what is the whole deal about fated mates and the mate bond, and more. The came out of nowhere, and nothing was figured out about how it was started before the book ended. It was just waved off in favor of giving a reason to have the two main characters move in together.
Most of the writing was just surface level exposition, and while I'm glad the featured couple ended up in a solid relationship, I wasn't very enthusiastic about the writing or the series in general. I started skimming pretty heavily about a third of the way into the book.
The huge font and double-spaced formatting of the Kindle e-book on both my Paperwhite and the Kindle Android app was highly irritating as well, but I didn't count that specifically against my review.
We don't get any information on how the Aurum Bank is run, why it's failing so horribly, why Jasper is out of control like this, why he doesn't have his court around him, how their dragon shifter society works at all, what is the whole deal about fated mates and the mate bond, and more. The came out of nowhere, and nothing was figured out about how it was started before the book ended. It was just waved off in favor of giving a reason to have the two main characters move in together.
Most of the writing was just surface level exposition, and while I'm glad the featured couple ended up in a solid relationship, I wasn't very enthusiastic about the writing or the series in general. I started skimming pretty heavily about a third of the way into the book.
The huge font and double-spaced formatting of the Kindle e-book on both my Paperwhite and the Kindle Android app was highly irritating as well, but I didn't count that specifically against my review.
November 9, 2020
After living for several years in the city, dragon-shifter Ashton returns to his quiet mountain village hometown after being summoned by his cousin Griffin to help reign in Jasper, their newly crowned king of the Drake clan. Ashton had needed to return home anyway with the news that their family banking empire was starting to crumble and there wasn’t anything he could do in the city to save it. And with being cooped up in the city for so many years, his own dragon had started to feel restless and ready to burst from his skin out of control, just like Jasper’s dragon, and take over, possibly permanently. On returning home, he finds his old high school girlfriend, nearing burn out as she works three jobs, and the pull of attraction to her is just as strong as when he left. But he crushed her heart when he broke up with her, and it will take more than a simple sorry to win her back, even if she might be the key to keeping his dragon under control.
Not too sure who the guy on the front cover is supposed to be since it said Ashton’s hair was dark and he doesn’t wear glasses. And this really ought to be checked over for typos one more time (I read this in the box set). The typos weren’t overwhelming, but they were scattered around. My favorite typo was the “giggling green Jello.” Since when does Jello laugh? Every time I read a shifter book, they always refer to the animal nature as being separate from the human. With them inhabiting the same body, you’d think they’d be one in the same, a blending of animal and man. In this series, the animal and the human are Jeckyl and Hyde, switching between the two with little connection between the two, so that the human can look remotely on what the dragon feels and wants as a foreign creature. But enough of my quibbles with shifter books (and why I usually skip them since the market has gotten so flooded with them, especially the types I see the most often: wolves, dragons, and bears (which no one seems to portray properly). Even though I don’t care for shifter books, I gave this one a chance, since I loved the idea of the guy having to win back a former girlfriend whom he had broken up with in the past. I love seeing the long up-hill road of having to win her back and the groveling, and the having to admit that they’ve both grown and changed since the past. I loved that they both had mutual background, and all the moments they spent together really enriched their characters fully rounding them out. I loved that Makenna had so many problems of her own, and tried to block out Ash from her new life as much as possible, giving him and even harder task to break back in to her heart and life. And I even loved his own dragon clan problems, fighting with his cousins to keep them under control. The clan problems are obviously a problem to be addressed over the book series, so we don’t get entirely a fix here, but I did love the final portion of the book. It had a lot of humor to it as Ash attempted to learn to fix things. I also loved Ash’s personality. His optimism, his determination, and his humor. Makenna seemed rather one note, determined to keep working, to keep everyone else out of her problems, to solve everything herself and not ask for help. She was rather frustrating as a character, and besides their shared past where they were rascals together, I had trouble seeing what he saw in her. Also, the sex scene felt rather abrupt and out of character for roughness, and more of a possession/claiming thing which also felt out of character for both parties. I also loved Ash’s cousins Griffin and Jasper, and their stubbornness to be recluse and shut the world out (I don’t understand why yet, which I’m assuming will be revealed more in the next books -I’m assuming the cause of the fire might be addressed in future books as well, so I’ll let that slide for not having an answer here as well), but I definitely look forward to reading the books starring them (I have the box set). You have to admire the humor of the sign with paint dripping to tell everyone to stay away. I also loved that the village was brought into this. It wasn’t just a background setting. Some of the diner regulars added color, and the staff at the diner supported Makenna on several occasions, while the village actually knew about the dragon shifters, so the Drake boys weren’t continually worrying about hiding from the humans (though tourists obviously didn’t).
Not too sure who the guy on the front cover is supposed to be since it said Ashton’s hair was dark and he doesn’t wear glasses. And this really ought to be checked over for typos one more time (I read this in the box set). The typos weren’t overwhelming, but they were scattered around. My favorite typo was the “giggling green Jello.” Since when does Jello laugh? Every time I read a shifter book, they always refer to the animal nature as being separate from the human. With them inhabiting the same body, you’d think they’d be one in the same, a blending of animal and man. In this series, the animal and the human are Jeckyl and Hyde, switching between the two with little connection between the two, so that the human can look remotely on what the dragon feels and wants as a foreign creature. But enough of my quibbles with shifter books (and why I usually skip them since the market has gotten so flooded with them, especially the types I see the most often: wolves, dragons, and bears (which no one seems to portray properly). Even though I don’t care for shifter books, I gave this one a chance, since I loved the idea of the guy having to win back a former girlfriend whom he had broken up with in the past. I love seeing the long up-hill road of having to win her back and the groveling, and the having to admit that they’ve both grown and changed since the past. I loved that they both had mutual background, and all the moments they spent together really enriched their characters fully rounding them out. I loved that Makenna had so many problems of her own, and tried to block out Ash from her new life as much as possible, giving him and even harder task to break back in to her heart and life. And I even loved his own dragon clan problems, fighting with his cousins to keep them under control. The clan problems are obviously a problem to be addressed over the book series, so we don’t get entirely a fix here, but I did love the final portion of the book. It had a lot of humor to it as Ash attempted to learn to fix things. I also loved Ash’s personality. His optimism, his determination, and his humor. Makenna seemed rather one note, determined to keep working, to keep everyone else out of her problems, to solve everything herself and not ask for help. She was rather frustrating as a character, and besides their shared past where they were rascals together, I had trouble seeing what he saw in her. Also, the sex scene felt rather abrupt and out of character for roughness, and more of a possession/claiming thing which also felt out of character for both parties. I also loved Ash’s cousins Griffin and Jasper, and their stubbornness to be recluse and shut the world out (I don’t understand why yet, which I’m assuming will be revealed more in the next books -I’m assuming the cause of the fire might be addressed in future books as well, so I’ll let that slide for not having an answer here as well), but I definitely look forward to reading the books starring them (I have the box set). You have to admire the humor of the sign with paint dripping to tell everyone to stay away. I also loved that the village was brought into this. It wasn’t just a background setting. Some of the diner regulars added color, and the staff at the diner supported Makenna on several occasions, while the village actually knew about the dragon shifters, so the Drake boys weren’t continually worrying about hiding from the humans (though tourists obviously didn’t).
February 6, 2019
Aston and Makenna's story is a second chance at romance because they were high school sweethearts before Ashton left her.
Unbeknownst to him, she was his mate and as the years pass by, his dragon becomes unstable and it isn't until he returns to his hometown and sees Makenna again, does he realize that she's his true mate.
Many years of pain and rancor have passed so it will be a hard task for Ashton to get Makenna to give him a second chance after he broke her heart. This story truly was awesome and it was a great paranormal read :)
Unbeknownst to him, she was his mate and as the years pass by, his dragon becomes unstable and it isn't until he returns to his hometown and sees Makenna again, does he realize that she's his true mate.
Many years of pain and rancor have passed so it will be a hard task for Ashton to get Makenna to give him a second chance after he broke her heart. This story truly was awesome and it was a great paranormal read :)
March 6, 2020
A very in dept first book so far from just delving into the world of the Aurum dragons. Only a few times did I turn the page back to make sure I read right about things. The plot was good, and the timid nature of the heroine in this book is relatable.
Makenna is shocked to hear her high school sweetheart is back in town... well not really but seeing him is that is for sure. He still makes her heart race. But she is not falling for any of his tricks this time. He left her and that is that.
Ashton knew he messed up when he seen is love again. He never should of left, but he thought he was doing what was right. Now his dragon is almost as out of control like his new king's dragon. But not that bad yet. Can he convince her that she still loves him deep down.
Makenna is shocked to hear her high school sweetheart is back in town... well not really but seeing him is that is for sure. He still makes her heart race. But she is not falling for any of his tricks this time. He left her and that is that.
Ashton knew he messed up when he seen is love again. He never should of left, but he thought he was doing what was right. Now his dragon is almost as out of control like his new king's dragon. But not that bad yet. Can he convince her that she still loves him deep down.
March 3, 2020
Finding home
This has to be one of the best beginnings to a series. I loved the honest family dynamics and the way nothing came easily to any of them. The author showed how, no matter the pay scale, each character had their own set of issues. This book is emotionally intense and full of action adding to the draw to find out the ending. I already can’t wait to read the next book and see if the dragons manage to find the peace they need.
This has to be one of the best beginnings to a series. I loved the honest family dynamics and the way nothing came easily to any of them. The author showed how, no matter the pay scale, each character had their own set of issues. This book is emotionally intense and full of action adding to the draw to find out the ending. I already can’t wait to read the next book and see if the dragons manage to find the peace they need.
February 3, 2019
This was a good read and a promising start to this series. I liked Ash and felt for him. I felt for Mak but I found her quite unlikable. She was so eaten up by bitterness and envy that she came across as a serious witch. I mean, let it go already. Other than that the book was pretty enjoyable. I am posting an honest, voluntary review.
February 4, 2019
arc review I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. McKenna is human and after Aston drake a dragon shifter breaks her heart and things get hard for her ,now is is back in grove again. Awesome story
March 4, 2022
Not bad
I liked the story very much. I loved how Ashton didn't try to take over all of Mackenna's problems. After reconnecting they learned how to be there for each other through thick and thin.
It was romantic.
I liked the story very much. I loved how Ashton didn't try to take over all of Mackenna's problems. After reconnecting they learned how to be there for each other through thick and thin.
It was romantic.
October 18, 2020
Yep. I have to be that one person to pan this 'book'. Usually, I just ignore bad writing, but this one is a new low. First, kindle version was double spaced with enlarged font (and yes, I know how work my Kindle after 10 years!) This is NOT a book report; but, a plot to pad the book. Second, Oh, Dear LORD! The writing was so bad, I bailed at 6% (somewhere in chapter 2). Metaphors were atrocious ("Ashton had gone off to work at the family bank while an anchor had wrapped around her ankles." Huh??? Bank? Anchor?), repetitious sentences (I GET it; she's pathetic and he's a jerk!!) Third, there is absolutely no logical flow: Scenes randomly jump around and random tidbits are tossed in for no apparent reason. I kept having to backtrack just to make sure I didn't miss something during the first read. Last: The story line is so over-used I could predict the rest of the book and there is NOTHING to recommend the series. Not a SINGLE ORIGINAL THOUGHT! It felt as if this was written by a 12 year old for other 12 year olds. The whole opening, I was imagining a Scooby Doo scene where everyone over-reacts and just runs stage left then back stage right with no thoughts involved. This was beyond stupid. I can be pretty forgiving of new authors while in their learning curve; but, that implies effort. This shows NO effort. THAT's probably my biggest complaint. Do yourself a favor and move along. This one is not for anyone with a modicum of education. Deleted from Kindle.
February 9, 2019
This felt like there was more prior to this story even with this as book 1 but it felt like it should be a middle of a series, there was Infor missing as to what is going on with his cousins and one is the new King of the Drake Dragons of the Mountain. The only drama was with debts that were her aunts medical bills and working 3 jobs a day, the other was a unknown fire that took out her apartment and almost claimed her life. More inter dialogue then conversations and Makenna will to keep Ashton away from her and her fragile heart. He didn’t fight for her he just put himself in her life and used his sexappeal to get her where he wanted, his mate.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 4, 2019
Makenna was working three jobs now to pay for her family member’s medical bills. Her career plans after high school were shattered. As she started to walk back into the restaurant from the kitchen, she stopped abruptly in the doorway. She could not believe that Ashton was there, sitting at a table with his family! Even with her boss yelling at her to wait on them, she could not. Her boss saw her panic and sent her to take the trash out while another waiter covered Table 4.
Ashton was losing control of his dragon. There were too many faces all around him. Everything crowded him. He needed space and left the restaurant to go into the woods where his dragon took control. His father had requested he come home because his cousin Jasper, their new king, was losing his humanity and the family needed to help him. His father didn’t know that Ashton was struggling as well. As Ashton’s dragon tore up the trees in a rage, a huge golden dragon appeared in front of him. This was Jasper, but Ashton could not see Jasper within the dragon’s eyes. Before he knew it, the gold dragon knocked him down and Ashton had to fight his own dragon for 20 minutes to regain control before it retaliated against the other dragon. He couldn’t keep doing this. Even his own father wouldn’t be able to keep him under control. He stepped out of the woods and Makenna stared at him. She asked only when he was leaving, but he told her this time, he wasn’t. Then she hurried back inside.
Despite the fact Ashton had left her 7 years ago to work in his family’s bank and left her behind, Makenna worried about him and took him food from the diner since she knew he had not eaten. He asked why she hadn’t left Grove, but she turned and drove away, feeling like a fool for worrying about him. Ashton’s troubles with his dragon was worsening and he didn’t want to drag her into anything dangerous, but both of them were in pain.
Ashton was again struggling to control his dragon but it broke free and smashed the surrounding trees. Maybe his cousin would come again and this time kill him, taking him from his misery? Ashton could not regain control until he heard music. His beast followed the sound and Ashton recognized the beautiful voice and music of Makenna. The song was sad, but his beast was no longer raging. He felt his human and beast sides were at last balanced. As he looked at her, he made a decision. Although he would have walked away if she had found someone else, because she hadn’t, he would do everything in his power to fill her life again and bring happiness and joy back to her music. Could he really do that? Could he control his dragon and do what he needed to regain her love and trust? Could he ask for her forgiveness? Or was it too late for both of them?
I love this author’s stories, and this is the start of a new series with dragon shifters, my favorite! The characters were well described, both their bad and good qualities. The story line is starting off well with tension over how the unruly dragons will be contained before their actions become noticeable to the humans who mostly don’t know about them. There is lots of action in this book, so grab your copy and get started on a whole new adventure!
Ashton was losing control of his dragon. There were too many faces all around him. Everything crowded him. He needed space and left the restaurant to go into the woods where his dragon took control. His father had requested he come home because his cousin Jasper, their new king, was losing his humanity and the family needed to help him. His father didn’t know that Ashton was struggling as well. As Ashton’s dragon tore up the trees in a rage, a huge golden dragon appeared in front of him. This was Jasper, but Ashton could not see Jasper within the dragon’s eyes. Before he knew it, the gold dragon knocked him down and Ashton had to fight his own dragon for 20 minutes to regain control before it retaliated against the other dragon. He couldn’t keep doing this. Even his own father wouldn’t be able to keep him under control. He stepped out of the woods and Makenna stared at him. She asked only when he was leaving, but he told her this time, he wasn’t. Then she hurried back inside.
Despite the fact Ashton had left her 7 years ago to work in his family’s bank and left her behind, Makenna worried about him and took him food from the diner since she knew he had not eaten. He asked why she hadn’t left Grove, but she turned and drove away, feeling like a fool for worrying about him. Ashton’s troubles with his dragon was worsening and he didn’t want to drag her into anything dangerous, but both of them were in pain.
Ashton was again struggling to control his dragon but it broke free and smashed the surrounding trees. Maybe his cousin would come again and this time kill him, taking him from his misery? Ashton could not regain control until he heard music. His beast followed the sound and Ashton recognized the beautiful voice and music of Makenna. The song was sad, but his beast was no longer raging. He felt his human and beast sides were at last balanced. As he looked at her, he made a decision. Although he would have walked away if she had found someone else, because she hadn’t, he would do everything in his power to fill her life again and bring happiness and joy back to her music. Could he really do that? Could he control his dragon and do what he needed to regain her love and trust? Could he ask for her forgiveness? Or was it too late for both of them?
I love this author’s stories, and this is the start of a new series with dragon shifters, my favorite! The characters were well described, both their bad and good qualities. The story line is starting off well with tension over how the unruly dragons will be contained before their actions become noticeable to the humans who mostly don’t know about them. There is lots of action in this book, so grab your copy and get started on a whole new adventure!
June 24, 2020
Ashton is part of the Drake family, they live under the rule of the Gold dragon.
He’s back after trying to save the bank that keeps them safe on the mountain. He’s also here to keep his cousin from showing the world that dragons exist!
Makenna was going to be a singer, a success, but she never made it that far.....
Being called back home by her ill relative, Makenna put aside her dreams and worked, she’s trying to pay off the hospital bills and other bills that slowly mounted up!! There are not enough hours in the day to earn money, so the last thing she needs is an old flame coming back into her life!! She needs money, not fun!!
Ashton knows he should leave her alone, she’s told him enough times, but she soothes his dragon, he’s not crawling out of his skin when she’s near. But how does he get her to slow down? How does he try to help? Yes he can throw money at it, but Makenna is an independent woman, she won’t take his help.
But when a fire almost takes her away from him, Ashton is going to do everything in his power to help her.
Being with Ashton is easy, loving him is natural, and when a fire makes her re-evaluate her life, she decides to let him in.
She knows all about his dragon, so he doesn’t have to hide that from her, she knows all about the generation after generation of dragons who look after the mountain and the people that live on it. So what’s holding her back from committing to Ashton?
I liked this book, I liked the fact Ashton wasn’t prepared to like going back home, it’s not until further on on the book you realise why he’s happy to go home.
I loved Makenna, a hardworking young woman, she didn’t take the easy way out when her aunt died, she faced her responsibilities and paid off the bills that accrued during her aunt’s illness.
I like how she wasn’t going to fall for her “old flame”, just because he was back. She really made sure he was back to stay before she let him back into her life.
(There is a backstory, it’s concerning his cousin the King, Jasper will star heavily in all the books until his is told in the last one.)
So do you need to read in order? Yes, all the characters are in all the books, so it makes sense to read them the way they are set out.
I must admit I’ve read quite a few books from this author recently, I’ve enjoyed her work, so when I got the opportunity to read this series I jumped at the chance.
🦋
He’s back after trying to save the bank that keeps them safe on the mountain. He’s also here to keep his cousin from showing the world that dragons exist!
Makenna was going to be a singer, a success, but she never made it that far.....
Being called back home by her ill relative, Makenna put aside her dreams and worked, she’s trying to pay off the hospital bills and other bills that slowly mounted up!! There are not enough hours in the day to earn money, so the last thing she needs is an old flame coming back into her life!! She needs money, not fun!!
Ashton knows he should leave her alone, she’s told him enough times, but she soothes his dragon, he’s not crawling out of his skin when she’s near. But how does he get her to slow down? How does he try to help? Yes he can throw money at it, but Makenna is an independent woman, she won’t take his help.
But when a fire almost takes her away from him, Ashton is going to do everything in his power to help her.
Being with Ashton is easy, loving him is natural, and when a fire makes her re-evaluate her life, she decides to let him in.
She knows all about his dragon, so he doesn’t have to hide that from her, she knows all about the generation after generation of dragons who look after the mountain and the people that live on it. So what’s holding her back from committing to Ashton?
I liked this book, I liked the fact Ashton wasn’t prepared to like going back home, it’s not until further on on the book you realise why he’s happy to go home.
I loved Makenna, a hardworking young woman, she didn’t take the easy way out when her aunt died, she faced her responsibilities and paid off the bills that accrued during her aunt’s illness.
I like how she wasn’t going to fall for her “old flame”, just because he was back. She really made sure he was back to stay before she let him back into her life.
(There is a backstory, it’s concerning his cousin the King, Jasper will star heavily in all the books until his is told in the last one.)
So do you need to read in order? Yes, all the characters are in all the books, so it makes sense to read them the way they are set out.
I must admit I’ve read quite a few books from this author recently, I’ve enjoyed her work, so when I got the opportunity to read this series I jumped at the chance.
🦋
February 9, 2019
Loved it, great start to a new series
Ashton Drake is dragon shifter. He has been away from Drake Mountain for the last 7 year, working in the city at the family bank. Each year away his dragon has become harder to control. The call home to help with a family crisis is a blessing.
Mckenna is a human, 7 years ago Ashton broke her heart when he left. They had plans for the future that she tried to follow on her own. A family crisis of her own brought her back and now she is struggling with the aftermath. Her broken heart is something she has never gotten over.
When Ashton sees Mckenna, she is all his dragon wants. He knows he never should have left. He knows leaving her was the worst thing he could have done. Now he has a second chance.
Ashton has another job to do. His cousin Jasper is the new king of Drake Mountain and his dragon is putting everyone in danger of exposure. Their town is a haven for shifters and human's alike. Only the locals know all.
Jasper has been isolating himself. Their cousin Griffin has been trying to contain the situation but he needs help. Jasper needs a court. The Drake boys have been called home. Until Ryker and Wyatt make it home, its up to Griffin and Ashton to keep Jasper's dragon on the Mountain.
A great second chance romance. Fast past, a little steamy. Loved Ashton and Mckenna's story. Can't wait for the rest of the Drake cousin's stories. I love Emilia's books they are an automatic buy for me, I know I will get a great story.
Ashton Drake is dragon shifter. He has been away from Drake Mountain for the last 7 year, working in the city at the family bank. Each year away his dragon has become harder to control. The call home to help with a family crisis is a blessing.
Mckenna is a human, 7 years ago Ashton broke her heart when he left. They had plans for the future that she tried to follow on her own. A family crisis of her own brought her back and now she is struggling with the aftermath. Her broken heart is something she has never gotten over.
When Ashton sees Mckenna, she is all his dragon wants. He knows he never should have left. He knows leaving her was the worst thing he could have done. Now he has a second chance.
Ashton has another job to do. His cousin Jasper is the new king of Drake Mountain and his dragon is putting everyone in danger of exposure. Their town is a haven for shifters and human's alike. Only the locals know all.
Jasper has been isolating himself. Their cousin Griffin has been trying to contain the situation but he needs help. Jasper needs a court. The Drake boys have been called home. Until Ryker and Wyatt make it home, its up to Griffin and Ashton to keep Jasper's dragon on the Mountain.
A great second chance romance. Fast past, a little steamy. Loved Ashton and Mckenna's story. Can't wait for the rest of the Drake cousin's stories. I love Emilia's books they are an automatic buy for me, I know I will get a great story.
February 3, 2019
Loved the first book in the new series, hopefully we have plenty of dragons to go. Ashton has returned to his small hometown from his lonely life inn the city. Finally he can breathe again. His new task is to get his king to settle down and be, well, kingly. Jasper has taken to staying in his dragon form and going his best to leave his kingdom's boundaries, not a good thing when humans are not aware of the existence of your species. The King's first advisor, Griffin, needs help to keep Jasper corralled. More help is on the way, but right now it is just the two of them. Unfortunately, Ashton is distracted by his former lover, and apparent mate, Makenna.
Makenna is not happy to see Ashton return to Grove. She really does not have the time or energy to avoid his advances. He left her to seek his fortune elsewhere and now he needs to own that. She is trying to work three jobs and pay off debts, she does not have time for his shenanigans. It is too bad her heart refuses to listen to her any better than Ashton does. No good can come of letting him back into her life, she has regrets to atone for and he is not one of them. Really, he's not.
I was given an advanced copy of this book by the author. My review is voluntary.
Makenna is not happy to see Ashton return to Grove. She really does not have the time or energy to avoid his advances. He left her to seek his fortune elsewhere and now he needs to own that. She is trying to work three jobs and pay off debts, she does not have time for his shenanigans. It is too bad her heart refuses to listen to her any better than Ashton does. No good can come of letting him back into her life, she has regrets to atone for and he is not one of them. Really, he's not.
I was given an advanced copy of this book by the author. My review is voluntary.
February 5, 2019
Starting over anew
I am glad to be reading this author's new series! The book is a short and sweet story that will pull on your heart strings in one sentence and have you giggling at the very next one. This seems like a second chance type series.
It is about a new dragon king and his court if dragons. There are three dragons introduced in this book, Jasper the gold king, Griffen a silver dragon and Ashton a copper dragon.
Ashton has been called back to his home town because Jasper is losing his humanity Ang it is Ashton's job, as a member of the court, to help him. Makenna was Ashton's high school sweetheart. He broke her heart when he left to go to the city when he graduated, then broke up with her. She wanted to be a singer but circumstances prevented that from happening.
Now he is back and she is the only thing that can sooth his troubled dragon. Can she forgive the last and give him a second chance? Or are both of their responsibilities too much for a new relationship to start?
I am glad to be reading this author's new series! The book is a short and sweet story that will pull on your heart strings in one sentence and have you giggling at the very next one. This seems like a second chance type series.
It is about a new dragon king and his court if dragons. There are three dragons introduced in this book, Jasper the gold king, Griffen a silver dragon and Ashton a copper dragon.
Ashton has been called back to his home town because Jasper is losing his humanity Ang it is Ashton's job, as a member of the court, to help him. Makenna was Ashton's high school sweetheart. He broke her heart when he left to go to the city when he graduated, then broke up with her. She wanted to be a singer but circumstances prevented that from happening.
Now he is back and she is the only thing that can sooth his troubled dragon. Can she forgive the last and give him a second chance? Or are both of their responsibilities too much for a new relationship to start?
February 3, 2019
Enjoyable start to this new series. Lots of background information that must be understood before you get a clear picture of the issues in the present day. Makenna always meant to leave Grove, but when she had to return to her Aunt, she was bitter. Enter Ashton who did manage to leave, and her feelings are conflicted. Ashton and Makenna are mates but it takes a lot of work on both their parts to determine that it is better to leave the past behind and concentrate on the future. These are quite realistic characters, as life is never easy and often there is misunderstanding between those who are meant to be together. I did like the interaction between the cousins. Jasper will certainly be a challenging character to write about I am sure. The series looks to have more Dragon cousins to bring forward, and I look forward to reading about the next one.
I received a copy of this book from Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I received a copy of this book from Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
February 14, 2019
Makenna works hard at three jobs to take care of her family. Then one night when she's working at the diner she sees Ashton and his family. She refuses to wait on them and her boss has her do trash duty instead. Once Ashton is alone she asks him how long he is back and is stunned when he says for good. Ashton is having some issues controlling his dragon so he has stayed away from Makenna. While he is in dragon form he hears beautiful music that calls to him and sees its her and knows that this time he won't be able to stay away. Will Makenna give Ashton a second chance?
This is a great story that will captivate you from beginning to end. The chemistry between them is off the charts hot. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book to any book lover.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a great story that will captivate you from beginning to end. The chemistry between them is off the charts hot. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book to any book lover.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 15, 2019
A really good shifter romance with a second chance.💞🐲💖💞
Makenna has been in love with Ashton since they were kids but he didn't feel right about having her wait for him while he went off to the city to work, so he broke up with her when he left. Makenna had big dreams for herself too as she wanted to be a singer. So when her turn came up, the following year, she grabbed it and moved on. But life isn't always fair, as Makenna learned, and she came home after a death in her family. What happens to both of them, apart, finally convinces them they are stronger together but not before they almost lose each other again.❤️️💗🔥❤️️
This book had me giggling and crying throughout it because of the chemistry between Ashton and Makenna and his family.❤️️😍
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Makenna has been in love with Ashton since they were kids but he didn't feel right about having her wait for him while he went off to the city to work, so he broke up with her when he left. Makenna had big dreams for herself too as she wanted to be a singer. So when her turn came up, the following year, she grabbed it and moved on. But life isn't always fair, as Makenna learned, and she came home after a death in her family. What happens to both of them, apart, finally convinces them they are stronger together but not before they almost lose each other again.❤️️💗🔥❤️️
This book had me giggling and crying throughout it because of the chemistry between Ashton and Makenna and his family.❤️️😍
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 19, 2019
Flying Free
Ashton Drake has been working at his family bank for years. He's returned home to help his cousins Jasper and Griffon. All these men are dragon shifters. The main issue is Jasper is to be king of their clan, but he's out of control and his cousins are returning home to protect their king and the kingdom. Ashton has been hiding his true nature while working at the bank. His happy demeanor and his dragon is over shadowed by the responsibilities he takes on when he returns home. But when he reconnects with Makeena his high school sweetheart his focus changes. Ashton will not miss his second chance with Makenna, he realizes the mistake he made with her and he won't do it again. Great characters, plot development and redemption. Can't wait to read the rest of this series.
Ashton Drake has been working at his family bank for years. He's returned home to help his cousins Jasper and Griffon. All these men are dragon shifters. The main issue is Jasper is to be king of their clan, but he's out of control and his cousins are returning home to protect their king and the kingdom. Ashton has been hiding his true nature while working at the bank. His happy demeanor and his dragon is over shadowed by the responsibilities he takes on when he returns home. But when he reconnects with Makeena his high school sweetheart his focus changes. Ashton will not miss his second chance with Makenna, he realizes the mistake he made with her and he won't do it again. Great characters, plot development and redemption. Can't wait to read the rest of this series.
February 5, 2019
I received this book for Free to Give My True & Honest Review.
Here we have high school sweethearts who ended when Ashton Drake a Dragon shifter move to the city to work in the family bank & broke his human girlfriend MaKenna's heart though I think he thought he was giving her a chance to follow her dreams, but things didn't go like that for her due to having to go back to the mountain town & her life changed. And changed again when Ashton has come home again to deal with family matters also. He can't keep away from her as she's the ONLY person who can help his dragon to keep calm & though she herself tries to keep away from him and finds like she herself can't either & she though can feel they are each other's Mate.
This is a lovely love story between two old first loves....
Here we have high school sweethearts who ended when Ashton Drake a Dragon shifter move to the city to work in the family bank & broke his human girlfriend MaKenna's heart though I think he thought he was giving her a chance to follow her dreams, but things didn't go like that for her due to having to go back to the mountain town & her life changed. And changed again when Ashton has come home again to deal with family matters also. He can't keep away from her as she's the ONLY person who can help his dragon to keep calm & though she herself tries to keep away from him and finds like she herself can't either & she though can feel they are each other's Mate.
This is a lovely love story between two old first loves....
February 16, 2019
Ashton and Makenna seemed to have it all until he left her suddenly. Her life is not what it was back then and she is not sure she is happy to see him back. It doesn't mean she doesn't want him.
Makenna is trying to do her best under the circumstances and it has not been easy. Ashton had his reasons for leaving but now has to return to take care of family business. I didn't blame her for being reluctant to take another chance on him. He really hurt her. I do think she put too much on her plate when it wasn't her debt to pay.
They definitely have great chemistry and you can feel the connection. Ashton wanted to do the right thing but went about it in a hurtful way. I was happy to see them get another chance.
I am voluntarily reviewing a copy I received.
Makenna is trying to do her best under the circumstances and it has not been easy. Ashton had his reasons for leaving but now has to return to take care of family business. I didn't blame her for being reluctant to take another chance on him. He really hurt her. I do think she put too much on her plate when it wasn't her debt to pay.
They definitely have great chemistry and you can feel the connection. Ashton wanted to do the right thing but went about it in a hurtful way. I was happy to see them get another chance.
I am voluntarily reviewing a copy I received.
February 19, 2019
McKenna's heart was broken by Ashton Drake when he left her and he moved into the city, but now he's back. She's became financially in trouble when her aunt died she claimed all those medical debts. She now works three jobs and it's very hard on her. Ashton has moved back because he's having severe problems on controlling his dragon inside of him. He is never forgotten McKenna he loves her but he's trying to get her back. When he gets her to go out with him, he finally sees the bills and he starts working with her paying them off and she's working with him on controlling his dragon. This is a happily Ever After Story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 23, 2019
This book melted my heart! Ashton by Emilia Hartley reminded me of how important first love can be. I was drawn into the story’s achingly sentimental reality of how important it is to value and keep in touch with all those we love. This book is a quick fun read. The character’s human and dragon are both snarky and fallible. Their interplay humorous and interesting. This book with its fun character interactions and fast paced dialogue has an important moral attached to its sexy and funny plot. However, you’ll have to read the book to figure out what the moral is because I don’t do spoilers. I recommend Ashton to anyone who enjoys reading a quirky, funny, love story that ends with a happily ever after.
February 3, 2019
This is a NON-SPOILER REVIEW. Ashton Drake by Emilia Hartley is Book 1 in the new series Aurum Court Dragons. I enjoyed this first glimpse of Emilia Hartley new series. While I really enjoyed the story, I thought the characters were a little rough around the edges. This is a slightly different take on dragons and their relationships. There is a bit of heat to this story so... Mature Readers Only please. Mackenna and Ashton's story is sweet, spicy and has lots of humor and snark. I can't wait to see where this series goes next!
This honest and voluntary review was made possible by reading a copy through Booksprout.
This honest and voluntary review was made possible by reading a copy through Booksprout.
February 4, 2019
Ashton left Makenna behind years ago - she tried to get her music career off the line, but when she came back and her Aunt was dying from Cancer, she gave everything up to care for her - and try to take care of all of the bills. When Ashton comes back, she doesnt want to get involved again - she feels like she has enough on her plate - but he perseveres. He is trying to save his brother, the King of the mountain - will they be able to take care of their responsibilities and still find a life together? I so enjoyed this book - I want more!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 5, 2019
A dragon that doesn't have a clue. He's just winging it! (So sorry but I couldn't help myself!)
Ashton left years ago to go and work at the family firm in the city and he left the love of his life Mackenna behind, alone and shattered. Now he's back. Can she forgive me? Can they move forward? And can they stop the crazy ashed new king from burning the entire town to the ground and escaping the Grove?
I loved this book. Why? Mainly because the dragons in it are totally broken. They are not perfect by any means and they're floundering.
A book that was extremely easy to read and has me excited and eager to find out what happens next on the Dragons' mountains
Ashton left years ago to go and work at the family firm in the city and he left the love of his life Mackenna behind, alone and shattered. Now he's back. Can she forgive me? Can they move forward? And can they stop the crazy ashed new king from burning the entire town to the ground and escaping the Grove?
I loved this book. Why? Mainly because the dragons in it are totally broken. They are not perfect by any means and they're floundering.
A book that was extremely easy to read and has me excited and eager to find out what happens next on the Dragons' mountains
February 6, 2019
Ashton is a dragon shifter, cousin to the new dragon king. He had been sent to work in the city by his uncle but hiding who he was made life difficult - and something had been missing. Being called home to help the new king find his balance, he meets his highschool sweetheart again - and knows what he was missing. But persuading her that he was the right man for her was not easy.
A good story, with believable emotions, people who try hard to find what is missing in their lives. The book, too, shows balance - a little bit of romance, of sadness, of tragedy, of humour. Nothing ever is perfect.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A good story, with believable emotions, people who try hard to find what is missing in their lives. The book, too, shows balance - a little bit of romance, of sadness, of tragedy, of humour. Nothing ever is perfect.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 10, 2019
Makenna is struggling with the mounds of debts that were laid at her feet. Ashton left his hometown and now is struggling with his dragon. She refuses to be hurt again, but Ashton's dragon has other plans. Will Makenna give him a chance again? Will Ashton be able to help her realize they can work together to solve both of their problems?
I honestly liked both of these characters. I loved how Makenna was determined to do what she could to take care of things herself, even if the end result was her exhausted. I loved how Ashton was determined to do what he could to help her and prove that she didn't have to be by herself. Good read!
I honestly liked both of these characters. I loved how Makenna was determined to do what she could to take care of things herself, even if the end result was her exhausted. I loved how Ashton was determined to do what he could to help her and prove that she didn't have to be by herself. Good read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2019
As the first of a new series, this is a winner. A slightly different take on shifter madness. Mackenna and Ashton haven't seen each other for years and she still knows him better than even his own family. I was not very happy with her in the beginning. I didn't like her poor attitude. I did like that even with her bad manners, she cared enough to watch out for him and help him with his control issue. Ashton had so much on his shoulders trying to help his cousin the new king. This is going to be a really good series if this is anything to go by. I requested an advanced reader copy from Booksprout and am under no obligation to leave this review.
June 9, 2019
Audio Dragons- into
Ashton was finally home and looking to have Makenna as his mate. Makenna is busy working to pay off a debt that is not her own. I enjoyed how these two learned each other again. They both had to discover who the other had grown to be over the last several years. The secondary characters have their own issues. I hope to see the issues addressed in the next book.
I like the family dynamics between the Drake cousins. They read more as siblings. I am looking forward to the continued growth. I hope to see that in the next book. There were some areas that could have used some additional proofreading. All in all, this is a quick summer read.
Ashton was finally home and looking to have Makenna as his mate. Makenna is busy working to pay off a debt that is not her own. I enjoyed how these two learned each other again. They both had to discover who the other had grown to be over the last several years. The secondary characters have their own issues. I hope to see the issues addressed in the next book.
I like the family dynamics between the Drake cousins. They read more as siblings. I am looking forward to the continued growth. I hope to see that in the next book. There were some areas that could have used some additional proofreading. All in all, this is a quick summer read.
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