Heart of a Naga

Monster Hearts #2

by Cara Wylde

I've traveled the world, put distance between me and my past, never spent too much time in one place. When the father who abandoned me reaches out and tells me I'm the only one who can help him with a top-secret project, I don't hesitate. All I've ever wanted was for him to see me; that's why I became a scientist.

In the IMRA research labs, they study alien monsters. I've been passionate about snakes since I was a kid, so I'm used to being around the cold-blooded reptiles. But when Dad shows me his test subject, the temptation to run is overwhelming.

This isn't just an alien snake. It's a gold-skinned naga! Sixteen feet long tail, shimmering scales, deep, intelligent eyes. And venomous beyond belief! He's already killed one lab assistant, and if I don't turn out to be the snake whisperer I think I am, I'm next.

Genres: Romance, Aliens, Paranormal, Science Fiction, Monsters, Fantasy, Monster Romance

161 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 16, 2022

About the author

Cara Wylde loves to write about strong, feisty women and their hot Alphas who will do anything to make them happy. Her books are filled with romance and just a dash of mystery, suspense, and that eerie atmosphere she fell in love with reading too many gothic novels. With a master's degree in Comparative Literature, she can't help but play with tropes and themes from various genres, trying to come up with fresh perspectives on the paranormal characters her readers love so much. Vampires, shape-shifters, demons, witches... Cara will always make sure they get their own twists.

When she's not writing, Cara is reading, planning her next story, or daydreaming. Her idea of pure heaven is a day filled with nothing but her laptop, a huge coffee pot, relaxing music, and a new, exciting project.

Reviews

[Lisa Bing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful 'monster' romance and I love that it was not only well paced, it also had just enough of everything (drama, danger, emotional angst) to have me madly flipping pages. I'm really loving this series :D

[Karen Nastasio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this book was brilliant and I fell in love with so many characters but her father is a piece of work and a user and all Becca wanted was for him to love her but that never happened that’s why she became a scientist. Now out of the blue he calls her for help because she is the leading Reptilian Expert and her passion is snakes and now she is at IMRA research labs where her dads works but it’s a top secret facility and the study and experiment on aliens and the one she has been brought in for is a Naga- half human half snake man and seeing him for the first time makes her drawn to him. Kailish is a Prince and he and his men came to earth for a special planet that can cure his people but he and one of his men are captured and imprisoned now they are being tested on and when he bit a assistant she die now the evil doctor brings in a new female and she is gorgeous and all he wants to do is get his hands on his mate and hopefully if he bites her she will survive and be his true mate. Can Becca save them man she has fallen in love with and his friend and them out or doe’s her father stop her. Great book.

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

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Snake Alien and the Scientist

This story finds a sweet but shy, brave but bookish herpetologist (snake scientist) taking care of and then falling for a naga (half man half snake alien). I really enjoyed Becca’s struggle between science and belief, trying to balance her scientific career with her emotional responses. There’s not to many naga-alien stories out there, and I liked how reptile biology was integrated into the story. A well written and entertaining story.

[Sam Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok

Decent enough - well written and ok for the genre. The reptilian aspect just didn't really do it for me this time.

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

[Rebecca Grove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Becca had a rough childhood growing up. Her scientist father valued his work more than his family and he walked away from his wife and daughter. She wasn't that close to her mother. In hopes of earning her father's approval, she became a scientist herself in college. She became a herpetologist and made a name for herself as a snake whisperer. Then her dad calls her and invites her to join his project. To her great shock, her dad and his people have captured an alien naga and are doing research on him. When the alien killed her father's last assistant, he called his daughter in. Becca is horrified at how her dad and the others are treating Prince Kai. It is very clear that he is sentient being and Becca believes it is wrong to experiment on him without his permission. She is also very attracted to Prince Kai who seems more human than her dad. However Prince Kai keeps calling her his mate and she is unsure what to do.

Prince Kai and a few of his men had come to Earth to harvest a plant that was common on Earth but not on their plant. They can use the plant to make medicine to cure the pandemic that is killing their people. Kai didn't take serious precautions on Earth so he and one of his men are captured. Kai is very annoyed at how he is being treated and very concerned about his man. He hates the doctor in charge but when the doctor introduces him to Becca, he is definitely interested. Kai is wondering if Becca can be his fated mate but to find out he must bite her. If she survives, they are mates.

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

[JML · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great second book !

I do love me some monsters first Orcs and now a Naga! Kai is Prince of his people captured while On a mission to earth to collect a plant that will help save his people. One of his friends is killed and he is placed in a cell and studied. Becca is a young world renowned scientist who has dedicated her life to the study of snakes. When her estranged father who is also a world renowned scientist asks her to come work for him because he needs her specialized help. When she agrees to help her primary reason is to please her father and gain his acceptance. When she meets Kai all bets are off. When Kai sees Becca for this first time he knows she is different than any other human he's met this far. As the get to know one another he realizes that Becca belongs to him that she is his fated mate. Becca, has morals and wants to help Kai, she may be a scientist but what they are doing to Kai is wrong. When unexpected danger descends Kai and Becca must decide if what they have is true and real and Becca must decide if love is more important than her life of science. This is wonderful read just enough danger and angst with lots of heated passion. Highly recommend! I hope they'll be more book in this series 🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥🔥💖💖💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖💖🔥💖🔥🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖💖🔥💖🔥🔥💖🔥💖🔥🔥

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting story centered around Herpetologist, Rebecca Bishop who has been enticed by her emotionally distant father, also a scientist to join him on a top-secret project.
When she arrives at the IMRA research lab Rebecca is astounded by what her father is working on.
Naga Prince Kailash of the planet Kitania has traveled to Earth through a portal seeking a plant not available on his planet to cure the sickness decimating his people and in the process is captured by humans and turned into a science experiment.
Kai is immediately intrigued by the new assistant his hated capturer has brought in and though Becca clashes with her father for keeping the obviously sentient being imprisoned she follows his orders to try and get the samples he needs from Kai. Of course, an attraction soon flares between the two leading into an exciting turn of events that will keep the reader eagerly turning pages.
This was a great weekend afternoon read and I enjoyed the story but wished it had been just a little longer.

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

[Fay J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Becca has always been overlooked. First by her father who was more intersted in advancing his scientific career than his family and then by her mother who when she got herself a new husband and children pretty much forgot she had ever had a daughter. Now a distinguished herpetologist in her own right when the chance comes to work with her father on a project she feels that she has to do it. Only her subject is not quite what she was expecting, not at all! Kai has only himself to blame for the fact that he is stuck on this paltry little planet. He rushed in when he should have been more cautious and look where that has got him. However the new assistant who has been tasked with taking samples from him is rather intriguing. Now why is everything so different with this one?
I loved this. There is so much to these two and you do feel that you get to know them so well despite this being a shorter book.

[Rachael]

Blurb:
I’ve traveled the world, put distance between me and my past, never spent too much time in one place. When the father who abandoned me reaches out and tells me I’m the only one who can help him with a top-secret project, I don’t hesitate. All I’ve ever wanted was for him to see me; that’s why I became a scientist.
In the IMRA research labs, they study alien monsters. I’ve been passionate about snakes since I was a kid, so I’m used to being around the cold-blooded reptiles. But when Dad shows me his test subject, the temptation to run is overwhelming.
This isn’t just an alien snake. It’s a gold-skinned naga! Sixteen feet long tail, shimmering scales, deep, intelligent eyes. And venomous beyond belief! He’s already killed one lab assistant, and if I don’t turn out to be the snake whisperer I think I am, I’m next.

[Tima · Rating 4 out of 5]

Becca, the human female lead, has huge abandonment issues since her scientist father left her mother and her when she was a child. When he asks her to come work for him, she comes running, only to find that he wants her to draw samples from a sentient reptilian humanoid, Kai, the male lead.

Kai is a prince of his people and is biding him time, expecting rescue but he recognises Becca as his mate and acts to make her his.

This story is dual POV, well written, and an interesting read. I sympathised with Becca and felt how much she wanted a place to belong. Reading how Kai convinced her that he would provide a space that her biological family never had was sweet, and the intimate scenes were sweet and hot.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Laure · Rating 4 out of 5]

Becca has always wanted her father's approval and love, so when he calls, she drops everything and flies halfway across the world to meet with him. She is completely unprepared for the shock of a Naga, a sentient snake like creature captured by humans and the subject of a scientific study which her father leads, and with which he insists he needs her help. Becca will have to choose between her father and the creature he wants her to study, which could become the greatest adventure of her life, or her greatest heart break.
I thought these were wonderful and well written characters, Becca's relationship with her father was very realistic, and I enjoyed the sometimes very steamy interactions between Becca and Kai. A little danger, and a fascinating twist, I think this is a must read.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[kymagirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kai (H) is a naga prince who's been imprisoned by a scientific organization, IMRA, with questionable ethics in their treatment of him. Becca (h) is a herpetologist who's been brought into the research project by her father, with whom she has a distant relationship. As Becca and Kai get to know one another, their relationship progresses very quickly beyond scientist/subject - they start to forge an emotional connection and are physically attracted to one another. Kai wants to return to his own planet, with Becca. Lovely naga romance story that slow builds the sexual intensity through the story for Kai and Becca to find their HEA. It's always nice to have the romantic love element and not just be series of sex scenes collected as a novel. Not sure what will be next in the series, but I've been loving the series thus far!

[Kristine L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great story. I couldn't put it down. It's fast paced and the characters are interesting. I kept waiting for Becca to finally realize that Kai was the only one for her. I hated IMRA the research lab and was really glad that Becca was fascinated about the Naga. I loved Kai and his character he was so regal. There was danger, action, adventure, acceptance, passion and love. I'm glad that his family finally accepted Becca. I hope that there is a story about his sister and her mating ceremony. The hurt and anger about Kai's friend Namish could be felt through the writing on the pages. Would love to know what kind of baby they were having. It leaves a lot to the imagination. Highly recommend.

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

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebecca is a well known herpetologist that has traveled around the world never staying in one place very long.
Abandoned by her scientist father and not close to her mother and her half siblings she has no need to stay in one place.
Her father reaches out to her saying she is the only one that can help him on a top secret project.
He's as cold as before and is putting her in danger.
Rebecca is expecting to find a large snake of some type but is flabbergasted when she sees the Naga Prince Kailash, all 18 feet of him.
It's Becca's job to get specimens from him, he killed the last woman that tried.
Rebecca doesn't agree with how he is being treated and they both have a dangerous attraction to each other.
I was given this ARC book by Booksprout and voluntarily reviewed it. 4.8⭐

[Spinneretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

Becca & Kai

A reknown herpetologist, Becca is excited to be invited by her estranged father to work with him. She is even more surprised to discover that he wants her to work with an alien naga!
Half snake-half man, Kai is a prince from another realm, one who came to Earth on an urgent mission. He never expected to be captured by them, nor did he expect to meet Becca…

This was an enjoyable sci-fi romance, and a little amusing when you consider that her fascination with reptiles leads to her finding a naga mate.
There are all sorts of misunderstandings and cultural issues, as well as an opportunity for Becca to find her own inner strength, rather than just accepting what she is given.
A fun and quick to read sci-fi romance story, for SFR fans.

[Sara Gomez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart of a Naga


Trying to finally get the recognition and love she’s been craving since childhood from her dad, Becca has thrown herself into being the best in her field. Her dad offers her a once in a lifetime opportunity to come and work with him and she thinks this is her chance to prove herself to him.

Prince Kai has came to earth thru the star portal for a solution to a sickness on his planet, but things didn’t go as planned and he ends up captured and his guard and friend was killed. During his captivity he was less then helpful with providing samples for the experiments. Imagine his surprise when he finds out the daughter of his captors is his fated mate.

Grab your copy today and happy reading.

[Tallyho · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did I want there to be a bit more VIOLENCE? Yep. *I'm a petty b#tch.*

Other than that, and the fact that this is definitely a slow burn in terms of ...deeds being done... (that was one FRUSTRATED rooster, folks)...this book was a great read! Another entry onto my "doubly-endowed" shelf, which I was glad to see, as 75% of naga books do not follow that particular bit of snake anatomy! I was sucked in with the world/culture building for the Naga. This author's books are definitely on my TBR shelf!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Thank you for the ARC!

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this story. After reading Cara Wylde stories of her orcs i was wondering if she could possible top those stories. And of course she just has, this delightful story is so good and i really hope to see more stories like this to come.

Beccas father offered her a job of a lifetime. He knew she had a degree in studing snakes , so when she saw the man/snake she was shocked. He was a prince of Nagas, captured when they came to earth to get some plants for some of their dying kind.
However she is soon drawn to him, bitten by him he declares she is his mate. can she possibly help him.

This story really is a good book, i thoughly enjoyed it.

[Linda C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Becca was a herpetologist. Her father had never been part of her life. But now he needs her expertise. She goes to the laboratory, signs the non-disclosure forms and received a translator. She is shock to see the sixteen foot snake man. He father tells her he is an alien.
Kailash is a Naga Prince that was captured and imprisoned in this lab. His venom had killed the last assistant. This new assistant is beautiful to him. He tells her that he is a Naga Prince from Kitania.
This is a good story about how fated mated can overcome anything. Has a HEA.

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

[Nan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Becca is a well respected herpetologist who has been estranged from her scientist father for years. Out of the blue, he asks her to meet him, offers her a job and drives her to a lab in the middle of nowhere. There is turns out her test subject is a Naga, a mythical half man/half snake being. And that’s not nearly all. Kai is also an alien and the Prince of his people. Becca agrees to do her job but her allegiance swiftly switches to Kai after seeing how he was treated there. Kai is a great character; equal parts arrogance and confidence and concern for his people and in particular, for Becca. I received an advance copy of this book and voluntarily left a review.

[Dena · Rating 4 out of 5]

friends to lovers in 60 seconds flat

This was such an active story with imprisonment, other worlds, aliens and high emotions. I honestly couldn’t keep up with these well developed characters. Rebecca has a strained relationship with her father. He asks her to come work on a project and she is delighted. However when she finds out she doesn’t know what to do. Kai is from another planet and he is angry that is friend was killed and he is a prisoner. When he meets Rebecca for the first time he realizes that he might have found someone interesting? These 2 are quite a couple and I was happy to have read about them.

[Lora Knudsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Becca and Kai had their ups and downs, but they made it through all issues that came up. I loved that Kai was passionate about his love for Becca and she just didn't know how to take that at first. They made each other stronger. If you are looking for a book that makes you feel good and smile but also has action and some sad parts, this is the book for you. I highly recommend this book and cannot wait for the next one.

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

[Elisa Castro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hama Ritual

Heart of a Naga is book two in the series Monster Hearts by author Cara Wylde. Ok firstly I love Cara Wylde’s work- yet this book is brilliant. I wasn’t to sure in the beginning, I mean a snake. I have now changed my mind and decided this is my favorite so far. It has everything you could want in a book. There’s suspense, action drama, and so much more. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
Enjoy!!

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

[Caroline Doig · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been 3 years since Becca’s father walked out of her life now Becca is a Herpetologist studying snakes now her father has asked to meet her he wants her to join his team but he won’t tell her what it’s about because it’s confidential and that peaked Becca’s interest but she signed up anyway and what Becca saw astounded, intrigued, shocked and even scared her a little her new job was not going to be easy but Becca was up for a challenge. I loved this fantastic story and the characters and I highly recommend this book.

[Mistie Best · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing story!

Cara knows how to write a story that pulls you in and gives you all the feels and this one is no exception. Kai and his quella will make you fall in love right away. You'll be invested in Kai's story and the history of his people. Watching the struggles they face to try to get him out of captivity and back to his home made for such an amazing story. Loved it!

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was surprisingly different and yet the same as other sci-fi romances. I loved how the author went on to show how Becca life was after she left with her prince, Kia. How his family reacted to her upon their first meeting and how no one other than Kia could understand her because of the universal translator they were given during Kia's captivity on Earth.

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

[Nina Diab · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I've read ten other books by this author and was really excited when I saw this would be a naga romance. I don't like snakes IRL, but I've always loved the mythical nagas (go figure, right?). I was really interested in this storyline and fascinated by the alien naga species in this world. Unsurprisingly, Kai won me over very quickly. I really liked Becca. This was a fun read and I hope we get more books in this world. Wonderful! 5 stars.

[Michelle Fortune · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was immediately enthralled again with IMRA and cannot wait to see if there will be more set with this group. I am curious to see if there are more people who will find their love matches elsewhere. Becca is like every other girl and you immediately feel as if you know her. You fall in love with Kai all on your own and wish that you could find the same type of love that they end up having.

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

[Leanne Bryson · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first half of this book was just was a bit too tedious and dragged a lot for me. I get the sci-fi monster romances are meant to stretch your imagination, but this was too much for me. I was not a huge fan of book 1, Heart of an Orc, so maybe this isn't the series for me. Fortunately you can read this series for free with your Kindle Unlimited subscription.

I received an ARC from Booksprout and this is my honest review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart of Naga is book two in the Monster Heart series and is a fast paced love story between Becca a human herpetologist and Kai a Naga Prince. Kai was captured by the IMRA and Becca was brought in as the new lab assistant since the last one was killed by Kai. This is a well written story with danger, suspense, drama, intrigue, interesting characters, and a happily ever after. Heart of Naga is a great addition to the series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.