Where Sleeping Dragons Lie

Dragon Shifters of Elysia #1

by Cristina Rayne

An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here.


She just wants answers to a mystery.
He thinks she’s the key to ending his exile in her world.
Love was never supposed to enter the equation…

It’s in her friend’s rare books shop that Briana Wright first sees Taron Hildebrand, a too-gorgeous-to-be-real twenty-something Englishman dressed for a night at the opera rather than an obscure shop in midtown. Already unnerved by his uncanny, orange-tinted eyes, her alarm skyrockets with Taron’s powerful reaction to seeing the old hand-bound book she is carrying that nearly has her racing to the exit. A find in her recently deceased grandmother’s collection, it was written in a strange alphabet that Briana is dying to decipher. No way is she going to sell it, even when Taron offers her an obscene amount of money.

However, when Taron confesses that he thinks the book may be an old family heirloom he’s been trying to locate for years and professes to be able to read it, Briana never imagines losing her life could be the cost of learning its secrets. An enemy is hunting Taron for the precious item he carries, and to secure her help, Taron will have to come clean about his dragon shifter identity, his true reason for wanting her book, and his suspicions of Briana’s own heritage if he has any hope of finding his way home again in a time when his people need the item he is protecting the most.

Their hearts were never supposed to be part of their deal…

Genres: Dragons, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Shapeshifters, Amazon

208 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 12, 2016

About the author

New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author
I live in West-Central Texas with my crazy cat and about a dozen bookcases full of fantasy worlds and steamy romances. I also have a degree in Computer Science which totally qualifies me to write romances. Fantasy is my first love, and if I can inject a little love into the fantastical, along with a few steamy scenes, then all the better.

Reviews

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/1/2020)! 🎁

[Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A captivating read from beginning to end! An exciting storyline that leaves you breathless wanting more! Sexy steam filled chemistry! Emotionally heartfelt, enjoyable and fun! One heck of a twisted, intense rollercoaster ride! An amazing must read!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: https://bookbriefs.net**Where Sleeping Dragons Lie by Cristina Rayne is part of the Skeleton Key book series. I really love the set up of this series. It is a group of almost 30 authors, each one writing a book featuring a skeleton key that unlocks a secret world. But all of the books are vastly different. Different themes, different age groups and different sub genres. I just love that idea. So whether you like young adult, new adult or adult, you will be able to find a book for you. If you want to know more information about the series you can check out the website dedicated to the books.

Skeleton Key Book Series
One Skeleton Key. Endless Adventures.
https://skeletonkeybookseries.com

Where Sleeping Dragons Lie is an interesting book in the Skeleton Key series. I liked how different it felt from the other 5 or so books I have read in the series. First of all, this one was very much an action adventure. Second, a lot of the book took place in our world. Whereas, with the other stories, the main character discovers the skeleton key and unlocks the door almost immediately, this one was a bit of a search to find the key and to find out what is going on, and hat she seemingly was roped into.

What I also thought was different (though it didn't end up being too different, and that kind of bummed me out in and of itself.) was that I thought this book was not going to have any romance in it. I know that seems strange for me to say, but the plot was so focused on the adventure that I really didn't see any development of feelings between the main characters. Add that in with the fact that this is a fairly short novella, and my interest was piqued. I thought it was book a cool addition to the series to have a straight action/adventure without a quickly developed romance. So I was really digging it. But then at about 65% into the story, the main characters very suddenly kissed and the romance was all of sudden there. People that very much want to have a romance in their novellas will appreciate this, but I thought it was too rushed. I would have preferred to have simply continued with the adventure aspect of the story. The romance felt like an afterthought, and as a result it was just kind of there for me. I would have preferred it to have been incorporated from the start or not at all.

Overall, this is a good installment to the Skeleton Key series, but it is not my favorite of the ones I have read. It would be good for fans of dragon/witch rivalry books, and fans of fantasy novellas. This would have been a 4 star read easily if it was just focused on the plot and not tried to make a romance happen with the characters.

This review was originally posted on Book Briefs

[The Book Junkie Reads . . . · Rating 5 out of 5]

From The Book Junkie Reads . . .
Action & Adventure. Dragons. Books. Mystery. Sexy, hot man/dragon. Fleeing for one’s life. Wholly cow. Yes, I said that. Briana had not idea that a book she had could mean so much or cause so many problems. Not just for her but for others. Briana finally gets that adventure she wanted. But maybe now that was just a bad judgement call on her part.

I just don’t really know where to start. Firedrake Dragons. Wow. Taron sexy, hot, and on a mission to return home to his world and to save his brother. Cabak a dragon on the other side had plans to not allow any of that to happen. Briana caught in the middle of it all. She makes a decision that may change the direction of her life forever.

I got myself a fast pace, action packed, danger laden, adventure and romance to fill my reading nights. I got characters that make me turn the page and an adventure that speaks to me. I was not read for it all to end. What more could you be offered than a sassy, sweet, sexy heroine and a protective, alpha, shifter hero? Jump on board and grab the key to this door. Open it up and see what you will be great with on the other side.
**This ARC was provided via IndieSage PR via Kindle in exchange for an honest review.**

[Donna Hokanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the impossible happens.
First Mystery book show up in Briana Grandmothers rare book collection after her Grandmother passed away. Then a mystery man come into the book store that Carol owns and Briana frequents. The man is there to buy a book from Carol but when he sees the book Briana has in her position and was showing to Carol, the man (Taron) almost lunges at her and the book. Offers her half a mil on the spot for the book. The next day the man is back with someone else and say the book is a family heirloom. Next thing you know Taron take Briana, the book and himself out the back due to someone coming. And that’s when he first turns into a dragon. Mystery and intrigue. Well written and very entertaining to read.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant well worth reading
by doggymum3
What a great and very unusual shifter story ... more story than sex which is great but enough " heat " to make it for over 18's . Hopefully this is the start of a new series with a parallel word to explore and some great dragons to find out more about. well written with plenty of action and some suspense right to the last page

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Hanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dragon shifter romance with tons of hot scenes and a twisty plot that leaves you on the edge of your seat!?! Yes please and this one definitely delivers in the best steamy way

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Briana Bailon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️/ 1🌶️

Ever wondered what it would be like to meet a gorgeous man, but then found out he was actually a dragon?! Well, that happened to Briana, and she was in for a whirlwind of a ride when she met, Taron Hildebrand. This story followed, Briana Wright as she discovered an old, ancient book among her grandmother’s book collection that seemed unlike her other books. With questions lingering around the mystery of the book, and Taron happening to walk into the bookstore of Briana’s grandmother’s friend, it seemed like a happy coincidence until things turned out to be a bit dangerous for Briana.

Can I just say that, I was partly excited to read this book not only because it was my first dragon shifter book to read, but also… the main character has my name too! Haha I was living vicariously through Briana! So, basically you could say I was imagining alongside that it was in fact ME that met and fell in love with this beautiful British magical dragon haha. This story was filled with mystery, adventure, danger, and obviously dragons. I loved the idea behind Briana and Taron being brought together by this mysterious book that played into a bigger part in Taron’s home and more. Briana didn’t think the mystery book her grandmother owned was nothing more than a fascinating book, but when Taron showed interest and later revealed the secrets that lay within the book, it piqued Briana’s curiosity even more! I was most definitely intrigued and once the bits of excitement and danger came about, it added another layer of adventure to the story!

Dragon kingdoms, princes, witches, and an entire different realm was a whole new world for Briana to come across. As if meeting a dragon shifter wasn’t enough of a shock, Briana also found out that Taron was a dragon prince! Oh, and that she was apparently a descendant of an ancient witch bloodline?! Crazy stuff just kept poppy out when Briana least expected it, but it was exciting for me to read! This book wasn’t just a romance, if anything I felt like the romance was more of a minor subplot to the overall story. Most of the story was focused on Briana and Taron working together in order to restore Taron and his older brother’s kingdom from the ravages of war with another race of dragons and witches as well. With everything that occurred in the story, it was crazy to me that all of that happened so quickly to Briana, I can’t imagine what I would’ve done in her shoes… I’d probably freak out occasionally or just have high levels of anxiety. Nonetheless, this story kept getting more fascinating and was filled with lots of adventure!

Overall, this was a fun filled adventure with dragon shifters, little bit of romance, battles, and a magical world. I obviously loved that the main character also had the same name as me so, I was living vicariously through her haha. I thought Briana and Taron were great together, I loved the way they went from strangers to lovers, and getting their happily ever after. I would have loved if the story was written in dual point of views especially getting to see how each Briana and Taron started to develop feelings for each other, and all that they went through. I loved seeing the romance between Briana and Taron, while it wasn’t a major part of the story, when it appeared, I loved those moments. I felt like the ending was a bit rushed, but oh well. I also kind of love how everything played out for Briana, especially at the very end with Taron that was such a romantic and heartwarming moment! A fun read, and a first for me in dragon shifter romance, maybe I’ll read more in the future, but this will probably remain my favorite.

[Emily Wilkes-Bentley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Where Sleeping Dragons Lie by Cristina Rayne is an amusing story that is lost in an underdeveloped plot and an unconvincing romance.

Briana is a rare book collector and discovers an old book left behind by her late grandmother. She’s intrigued because it is written in a language that she has never seen before and has a picture of an unusual key. A handsome store patron, Taron Hildebrand, recognizes the book and claims that it is a lost family heirloom and offers a substantial amount for its return.

Taron then suddenly abducts Briana when an unexpected visitor arrives at the store. Once outside, he turns into a dragon and flies away with Briana clutched in one of its claws.

Eventually, they end up at Taron’s castle in England where he explains the origins of the book and reason for abducting her. Briana discovers that she is descended from a powerful witch and Taron is a dragon prince banished to her world through a secret portal.

Although the book kept me entertained, there were times that I chuckled at its absurdity. The plot needs to be expanded to soften the paranormal transitions. For example, Briana and Taron are calmly discussing the book and its contents when Taron suddenly kicks the door shut, abducts Briana, transforms into a dragon, and flies away with Briana clutched in one of his claws. She calmly accepts that dragons are real and soon after finds herself lusting after his naked torso. Too much, too fast, becomes too silly.

The courtship was unfulfilling and not what I expect from a paranormal romance. It felt more like a crush than a love story.

I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars. This book has a lot of potential that is lost in an immature plot and undeveloped romance. It also fulfills one of my biggest pet peeves: a novella being sold as a full length novel.

[Alda Pitka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Where Sleeping Dragons Lie by Cristina Rayne is an amusing story that is lost in an underdeveloped plot and an unconvincing romance.

Briana is a rare book collector and discovers an old book left behind by her late grandmother. She’s intrigued because it is written in a language that she has never seen before and has a picture of an unusual key. A handsome store patron, Taron Hildebrand, recognizes the book and claims that it is a lost family heirloom and offers a substantial amount for its return.

Taron then suddenly abducts Briana when an unexpected visitor arrives at the store. Once outside, he turns into a dragon and flies away with Briana clutched in one of its claws.

Eventually, they end up at Taron’s castle in England where he explains the origins of the book and reason for abducting her. Briana discovers that she is descended from a powerful witch and Taron is a dragon prince banished to her world through a secret portal.

Although the book kept me entertained, there were times that I chuckled at its absurdity. The plot needs to be expanded to soften the paranormal transitions. For example, Briana and Taron are calmly discussing the book and its contents when Taron suddenly kicks the door shut, abducts Briana, transforms into a dragon, and flies away with Briana clutched in one of his claws. She calmly accepts that dragons are real and soon after finds herself lusting after his naked torso. Too much, too fast, becomes too silly.

The courtship was unfulfilling and not what I expect from a paranormal romance. It felt more like a crush than a love story.

I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars. This book has a lot of potential that is lost in an immature plot and undeveloped romance. It also fulfills one of my biggest pet peeves: a novella being sold as a full length novel.

[Victoria Rebecca Hawkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's in her friend's rare books shop that Briana Wright first sees Taron Hildebrand, a too-gorgeous-to-be-real twenty-something Englishman dressed for a night at the opera rather than an obscure shop midtown. Already unnerved by his canny, orange- tinted eyes, her alarm sky rockets with Taron's powerful reaction to seeing the old hand-bound book she is carrying nearly has her racing to the exit. A find in her recently deceased grandmother's collection, it was written in a strange alphabet that Briana is dying to decipher. No way is she going to sell it,even when Taron offers her an obscene amount of money.

However, when Taron confesses that he thinks the book may be an old family heirloom he's been trying to locate for years and professes to be able to read it, Briana never imagines losing her life could be the cost of learning it's secrets. An enemy is hunting Taron for the precious item he carries, and to secure her help. Taron will have to come about his dragon shifter identity, his true reason for wanting her book, and his suspicions of Briana's own heritage if he has any hope of finding his way home again in a time when people need the item he is protecting.

Where Sleeping Dragons Lie is absolutely awesome read from beginning to end. The two main characters are awesome and the connection between the two is brilliant. This is the first book I've read by Cristina Rayne and wow was I surprised with this book and I loved it.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Briana is a young woman who's inherited many items from her grandmother and has just discovered a book that can;t be read due to the language which is not something anyone has seen before. Her friend Carol has set up appointments for appraisers to come look at the book. But the day that she discovered it Carol has some gentlemen coming to look through the books and when he spies the book in Briana;s hands, he literally goes still and makes all around do the same. The next day he returns with his personal appraiser and while looking at it, someone else shows up that causes Mr.Taron Hildebrand to react and close and lock the door. Then he transforms and grabs Briana and go out a side door. Briana is totally flabbergasted to realize that he;s transformed into a dragon, an honest to gosh real life dragon. They make their escape and Taron begins to explain to her what and who and where he is. Then again they have to make a mad dash to escape the other dragon and wind up in England. Briana discovers that she;s a descendant of a "witch" from Taron;s world and she;s actually materialized a key that will allow Taron to return to his world. Life for both starts to get adventurous and very interesting.
Fantastic story and read!! Will keep you enthralled to the last page!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brigitte · Rating 4 out of 5]

This paranormal romance revolves around Dragons at odds with different factions in their domain.

Tago has been banished from Elysia. Whilst on earth he goes in search of a way to find his way back. During his research he learns about this rare book which could hold the key!

Briana finds a rare book that she is unable to decipher due to the odd language it's written in. Tago is interested in purchasing the book, but during their discussion, they are disrupted. Suddenly Briana finds herself being flown away by a dragon. There is someone who doesn't want him to return and they find themselves being chased. He explains his actions to her and she discovers that there is a whole world that exists out there. There is a war brewing and she is stuck in the middle. There are some devious witches who are determined to reclaim what they view as being rightfully theirs.

It's an interesting world. It shows how much and how long Tago will fight for his kin and his people. He is a gentle soul with a wicked sense of humour. Briana is a history buff and sweet with it. Their romance happens rather fast and in the end she makes the decision that is right for them. It's a quick and enjoyable read.

[Sue Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Wonderful Dragon vs Witches vs Dimensions Story

Taron a fire Dragon shifter prince who was cast out of his dimension by powerful group of witches to earth over 200years ago. He has grown wealthy in his time there. Then he meets Braina a young human woman who has found a book that is about how to get back to his world. He kidnaps her to save her and the book from a dragon sent to kill him and prevent him returning. She has a thinning blood line of the witches from his world (this he doesn't tell her right away) . She has found a dragon key relic that can open door ways to portals and he pushed her through again to save her. Now she has to learn to live in his world. Can she except this? The witches are after her for the relic. The fire dragons and stone dragons are having a war. Can the fire dragon king win a battle to the death? Will she decide she wants to stay with her prince? Will she decide she wants to go back to her world? Would her prince return with her (leaving his world and family behind) should she choose that?

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book one of Dragon Shifters of Elysia series. An orange eyed english accented alpha dragon male, a book, his beautiful mate may be the key to putting a stop to a shifter war, is she and will she! Taron is a dragon who is searching for a book that may hold the key to the shifter war that has been going on for centuries, Brianna inherits the book from her grandmother which throws her into another world, a civil war and a possible HEA with the orange eyed dragon shifter that took her to his world. Will she be the solution to putting an end to this centuries old war? Get your copy and find out. Enjoy, I did!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Caroline Doig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Briana found a rare book in her deceased grandmothers collection she takes the book to a book store that she frequent’s. Taron has been looking for a book for a couple of centuries so he can go back home in the Dragon realm. While Briana is in the shop a man comes in Taron he see’s that Briana is holding the book that he has been searching for, Taron nearly jumps on Briana but he holds back instead he offers her a large sum of money for the book but then he takes her out the back of the shop and from there the adventure begins. I loved this story and the characters especially Briana she is a strong and sassy woman. A very entertaining read and I highly recommend this book it’s definitely well worth the read.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good enough, but slightly lacking for a first in a series. The world building went a little shy of actually helping me see this new world she enters. Strong women, strong men, and conflict is present. I like to have a good view of a world that is being built and though she tried a bit, it was too chaotic, maybe a prologue or something that gives a quick look at the past or even the current present. It has good characters and the characters felt real but the ending seemed rushed and overall it just didn't have that wow factor I like in shifter romance. Sex doesn't give scenes wow it is only sex, intimacy and connection create true romance and it felt like the connection was tenuous at best. A beach read or rainy day read, it goes fast.

[Fleur · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked how this all started with an old book no one knew anything about then everyone wanted it! Devilishly good looking Taron takes an interest in the book but something feels off about him to Brianna but she doesn't know what. Next thing Dragons are real including one chasing her and Taron, she has a magical key and other worlds exist though doorways. A great read with plenty of twists and surprise and you can't beat Brianna's sass and Taron's alpha male tendencies which he softens for her. I can not wait for book 2!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Christine Galletly · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...

I really enjoyed this story and I thought that it was fast paced and that suited the plot really well.

I found that the characters were strong and they worked well together. Their interaction was great and really enjoyable.

It was quite a short book but very well written and there was quite a lot of content packed in to the pages.

This was a really enjoyable story; it is 4 stars from me –highly recommended!!

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young woman inherits a book from her grandmother and suddenly her world gets unhinged. She is kidnapped, finds out she is more than she knew and has the key to change history in another world - and finally find love.
A story of nearly epic proportions, although short for the epic part, it is entertaining, thrilling and fun read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I honestly enjoyed reading the book and will keep my eyes open for more books from Ms. Rayne.

[Amanda Sauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun read. I love rare books and enjoyed that the story took place there and made the shop seem amazing (I totally want to go). I liked the characters especially the main female character. I love that she took things as they came and didn't freak out. There is a time and a place for freaking out, but she really keeps it together. I like the main male character and I liked how the story progressed. The dragon sleep was really interesting and i like that things didn't just work out. It was well written and well developed. I look forward to reading more in this series.

[Debbie Caswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Briana has inherited a rare book from her grandmother when she takes it to her friend carols shop to show it to her a rather dashing man offers her a half a million dollars. This books hold the secret to Taron getting back to his family and saving hi brother from the stone dragons but they will do anything to stop him When they attack Talon and Briana he turns into a dragon to save them so starting Briana adventure into the unknown and as they try to finish his quest emotions become involved between these unlikely partners

I was given an ARC of this book but this is a true and honest review

[Martha B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Heartthrob Dragon Shifter

What's not to like about a model-worthy dragon shifter who is protective but with a tender side. Which is why Taron is so appealing in Where Sleeping Dragons Lie by Cristina Rayne. Thankfully his heroine, Briana, is also a likable book-nerd with a courageous snarky attitude. Both personalities play well in this quick read stand-alone read. Also, the fantasy plot is well balanced and interesting with a steady pace and sweet ending.

Content 411: This book contains a moderate amount of mild swearing and a moderately described sexually intimate scene.

[Tracey CB · Rating 3 out of 5]

That was a fun little story. It is a sort of romance but the way it was written you focus on the adventure first. Which was fun. And a few random scorchy scenes as well.

Better than I expected considering I got it for free on Amazon Kindle... These free romances (this is my second one today) seem shorter than my usual 99p romances. I think the length and the writing reflect eachother. Probably why I keep mentally comparing them to fanfiction. Still I end up with a decent little story I can enjoy. Although I don't feel any pull to further explore the universe. Maybe I would if it were free?

[Adrian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm thinking this is the first dragon shifter book I've ever read. It was an insta-love story even though I feel like the author didn't want it to be.
I feel like the end was too rushed. And I feel like the beginning never got closure. I just have so many "what happened with...." questions still.
This was the first book of a series. A teaser for the second book was included at the end of this one and it looks as though it's characters from the same world but it's not continuing the story of the characters we met in this book.

[terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad!!

I enjoyed the story, but not overly enthused.
I liked the story line about the two dimensions Earth and Elysium, and the search for the key to the portal.
At times I found it a little confusing with the dialogue.
I found It was a little far fetched from the start, going from man to Dragon with no " Sorry this will probably shock you " changing and picking her up and flying!!
Otherwise, the story once it got going, was ok.
Not a strong story line, hence the 4🌟🌟🌟🌟s

[linda knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad but could be better

It wasn't a bad story per say but it also could have been a lot better. The Mc's are thrown together with very little to introduce the story or them and it results in you being unable to become invested in the story or characters. The story could have benefited from introducing the characters individually with a bit of backstory so you grow to care about them and their goals. As it is I just feel meh about the whole thing. I did finish it though, no intention of reading a second book.

[Ems · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dragons and magic

The story is very short even if it's about 200pages, but nothing is really happening. I expected more action and more magic, it felt more like following a woman finding information than any other action.

There were however times when it was a bit interesting and hot, but it did not make up for the lack of an intriguing story. For those reasons and errors i give this book 2 out of 5 stars.

I dont think i would recommend this book to anyone though, unfortunately.

[Georgie Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was enjoyable.It's a new spin on where dragons come from. In this story a long lost book is found. It contains the writings of a woman that went to another dimension and returned. A dragon that was exiled to our world thinks this books holds the key to returning to his world. The girl who owns the book is taken on an adventure of a lifetime.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Briana loved history and old books ...... until one day she found an mysterious book of her grandmothers and with it came a totally new lesson in history an undiscovered one at that.... let there be dragons.... and lots of them... will she make it back home...... i would add this book to your must read list if you enjoy dragon shifter like books

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.