Dark Warrior Untamed

Talions #3

by Alexis Morgan

In Alexis Morgan’s electrifying new Talion adventure, a sexy warrior fights to save his headstrong lover from the crossfire of an evil plot to overthrow the Kyth’s leader.

He questions everything. No one thought Chief Talion Greyhill Danby would report to work so soon after wrapping up his affairs in London. Then again, he didn’t expect to find a beautiful spy with a major attitude in his new office. Clearly the Kyth’s Grand Dame doesn’t trust him to do his duty—to protect her.

She fears the truth. Piper Ryan isn’t keen on the arrangement, either. Matching wits with an ancient warrior isn’t in her administrative job description. But sharing space with the red-hot head of security could have unexpectedly tempting benefits . . . if he doesn’t dig into her secret past.

Opposites always attract. When threatening e-mails result in danger, the fiery sparks between Piper and Grey grow scorching hot. They must defend the throne from a deadly invisible attacker, but will their raging desire keep them together . . . or will their burning suspicions tear them apart?

Genres: Paranormal Romance, Paranormal, Romance, Fantasy, Ebooks, Magic, Urban Fantasy

360 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 27, 2010

About the author

Alexis Morgan grew up near St. Louis and received a B.A. in English from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. She and her husband have made the Pacific Northwest their home for more than thirty years, where she launched her career as a writer. She is published in paranormal romance, fantasy romance, American West historicals, and most recently, contemporary romances with her new Snowberry Creek series.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars, maybe 5 I haven't decided yet :)
Kelly and I will do a review together for the demonlover site

[Laurie Garrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark Warrior Untamed is the third book in the Talion series, I liked the first two, but this one was much more enjoyable. Morgan brings in a HUGE surprise to the Kyth’s Grand Dame and to the whole warriors themselves in this book, its a huge spoiler I hope no one tells. Now that I planted something in your mind to look forward to I will let you know what I can tell you. You get two villains that wants nothing more that to take down the Grand Dame, adventure, hot romance, one huge secret, one hot headed teen, that Gray has to knock down a few notches.

I really like how the author writes everyone into play, so you get the past hero and heroines and other characters along with the new hero and heroine. I also really liked the addition of the Teen Sean, at first I though he would get on my nerves, but he settles down enough to where I really enjoyed him and now I hope he will get his own book in the future.

Gray and Piper doesn’t look like from the outside that they belong together a bit more than a blind goose. You have Piper with tattoos, dark hair with purple and dark pink strains. She was a excellent heroin to me for Gray he needed to be taken down a few notches;) Gray is great with his British attitude and his proper way of dress.

When Gray comes back he finds a new addition to his office and that is Piper. He really doesn’t like it, but its only for a bit until she is in her new office. When Piper gets a weird email they both are thowned together into a adventure that almost cost Gray and Piper their life. Piper has a huge secret that no one knows and when she finds out Gray has had a PI on her she has to tell it all. All of this in the middle of a villain that wants nothing more than to take out the Grand Dame and the rest of them. It made me keep wanting to keep turning the pages to see what is to happen next.

[TXreader Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I prefer Morgan's Palladin series to the Talions. It is an OK story, not a page turner. The characters are not as intense for my taste and lack that spark that keeps me hooked. I enjoyed Grey and Piper, but overall they seemed kind of tame to me. Good enough for a Sunday afternoon, but not a trip to the bookstore to get the first copy. I took off .5 stars for the numerous grammar errors in the book. If the author/editor doesn't care enough to proof read, why should i care enough to own it? I'm sure that is just my own pet peeve, but if you are proud of what you write, you should make sure it is error free so the rest of us will be proud to own it. I will still read future books in this series, I'll just wait for them to make my wishlist as a swap.

[Cindyg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one hell of a story. It picked up right were it left off. I thought I'd have trouble remembering the characters...didn't happen. Everyone is back and the main characters: Grey & Piper where just great. It was such an easy read for me that I got it done over the weekend. I liked the story line, the pace and the people. Just the way I like my storied to be. The Talions are awesome protectors and one can help by being drawn to them. I know I am.
Highly recommend this one and am really looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Michelle the Romance Witch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitly a 5 star worthy story...sadly the hundreds of egregious grammar/editing errors cost this story a full star. Awesome storyline, great charcters, heat & passion, and suspense. But I can never enjoy books that are missing words, or using the wrong words on EVERY OTHER PAGE...honestly I will happily edit for free to prevent these types of future literary tragedies from being published...of course I'll keep reading Ms. Morgan's books but I beg her to get a better editer for the next book.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really don't enjoy the Talions as much as the paladin's. Don't get me wrong the stories are good. It seems she needs a proof reader. There are so many errors in this book, and it's one of my pet peeves.

All in all this was a very good story, a lot of suspense and romance.

[Emoore0916]

Will come back to read wasn't liking Grey wasn't liking Piper, the storyline was weak and boring and the interactions between the two annoying.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

As much as I do like the Talions series, I like the Palidins series more. I would recommend this book and series to anyone.

[S.j. Thompson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I jumped into this series with the third book, so I wasn't clued in to what this paranormal world contained. The author didn't recap or give any back story on the Kyth or what/who they are so I just surmised that they are some sort of immortal beings having a variety of superpowers. These kinds of silly stories are a guilty pleasure for me, i call them my "corny porn" because the sexy time scenes are so over the top silly and i giggle whilst rolling my eyes at them. This particular book was poorly edited. There were far too many errors and the plot rolled along like a shopping cart with one flat wheel. Still, it was a fun read, and whenever i come across anything by Alexis Morgan in a thrift store or a garage sale, I'm sure to scoop it up!

[Sandy M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know the majority of books are written to be stand-alones and sometimes that works. Sometimes it works a little bit. And sometimes it doesn’t work well at all. In this case, it works a little bit. But however you cut it, a good book is a good book; reading in order just gives the reader more pleasure in the long run.

I really enjoy Alexis Morgan’s books. While this is my first book in her Talions series, I’ve read the first several in her Paladins series and loved them all. She has such imagination when it comes to the worlds she builds for her characters and storylines. And that’s where I wish I’d read the first two books in this series beforehand.

I wanted to know more about the Kyth, the people of the hero, Grey. We get a little bit thrown in to give us an idea of who they are, but I needed more. I was curious about how they came to be, wanted to know more about how their world works, and I’m sure that the end of the second book, Dark Warrior Unbroken, when their current leader is killed would have given me better insight when I began DWU.

Now, all of this is not to say DWU is not a terrific book. It is. Very much so. I just feel my understanding of the relationship between the characters, the new leader and her consort, and a few other things would have been heightened, especially when I asked myself “Why?” a few times during certain scenes.

Grey has just relocated to the Puget Sound where he will lead other Talion warriors in protecting the Kyth’s Grand Dame, Kery Thorsen. Things don’t start off well when he finds his office is occupied by Kery’s new assistant, Piper Ryan. Fireworks of the pissed-off kind, with fiery undercurrents of another kind, start flying. They butt heads from the beginning and it doesn’t look like they’ll be getting along any time soon.

Only until threatening emails begin to come in, that is, screwing with Piper’s computer, which makes her look guilty, and only until other information comes to light to throw doubt and guilt Grey’s way. Their mutual war escalates and turns instead in the direction of trying to find the evil set on destroying Kery.

While Piper is glad to have Grey around when danger hits too close to home, she’s still wary that he’ll continue to dig into her past. She knows her secret will come out eventually, she just hopes it’s not Grey who discovers it. But will telling him about it first make any difference, because after getting to know the man, he’ll probably toss her out anyway.

But the more they work together to keep Kery safe and find who’s behind the danger that just keeps coming, their attraction grows, and I have to say that Grey and Piper have become a favorite couple of mine. They talk to each other and respect each other. They listen to one another, give in when the other’s idea may work better, and they love so deliciously. Grey and Piper are very dynamic together, indeed.

Ms. Morgan gives us twists and turns that come out of nowhere, keeping the story fresh and alive. I always enjoy how she brings back all of her characters from previous books and still keeps the featured hero and heroine front and center. Doing so makes her series ultimately more complete for the reader.

Especially if they’re read in order.

See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com

[Bookaholics · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark Warrior Untamed by Alexis Morgan
Paranormal Romance
4 1/2 stars


Dark Warrior Untamed is a sensational new addition to the already wildly popular Talion series. Fast moving and quickly engaging this book explores the new Chief Talion, Greyhill Danby as he tries to discover who is threatening the Kyth’s new Grand Dame.

Greyhill (AKA Grey) has just been assigned as the new Chief Talion and as such his number 1 responsibility is to secure the royal family’s safety. But in his rush to take over command he quickly butts heads with the freshly hired aid to the Grand Dame. Her name is Piper Ryan and she is young, brash and spunky. Her colorful mop of hair, tattoos and irreverent style are in sharp contrast to the rigid and formal Englishman Grey. But they are forced to work in the same office due to construction at the mansion. While both find the other intriguing their relationship kicks into high gear when Piper receives an anonymous and threatening email. The danger escalates when a bomb explodes and puts Grey into the hospital. His injuries only make Grey suspect a plot to dethrone the fledgling reign of the current Dame. He is determined to prevent it. But many Kyth are jealous of the 'upstart Dame' and seek to harm her and fill in the power vacuum. Can Piper and Grey team up long enough to protect the Grand Dame or will they let their animosity and attraction for each other get in the way?

Dark Warrior was en extremely enjoyable read. The 2 main characters are opposites but this made the interplay between them especially in the beginning fun to read. I really liked sassy and saucy Piper as she refuses to be intimidated by the stoic and formidable warrior Grey. The best parts between them were when Grey inexplicably finds himself looking out and actually taking care of Piper even though he suspects she has an ulterior motive and maybe a threat to the his ruler. I felt that the 2 of them complimented each other and as they explored the mystery behind the series of threats toward the Grand Dame I became more intrigued. The author does an exceptional job of initially diverting the reader from the real culprit and when the villain was revealed I was still intrigued to see how they hoped to pull their coup.

Mystery, amoral villains, and strong, likeable couple make for my new favorite in the Talion series!

Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club

[SheLove2Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful and much anticipated addition to the series. Grey Danby is the new Chief Talion, taking over the position from Ranulf, the Kyth Grand Dame's new Consort/husband. He is not trusted at first, being from the London faction of the Kyth, nor does he easily trust. He's worked hard to get to this position in life. He's loyal to the Kyth's new Grand Dame, he just has to prove it.

Right away he clashes with Piper, the Dame's assistant. They are interesting mix: he's British and somewhat stiff but not upper crust: he was a true London street kid before learning he was a Kyth. Piper is petite with pink and purple highlights in her dark hair, tattoos and is open and friendly to those around her. For total opposites, these two are insanely attracted to one another and the romance is sizzling. But each has secrets that they don't want others around them to know.

What I liked about this is that Morgan didn't use any tired plot devices to further the story along. Piper has a secret but she doesn't wait until its too late to share it with those important to her. She also doesn't put on a tough front: when she's faced with a potentially devastating situation, she waits until the action is over and then falls apart and cries like any normal woman would. No unbelievable heroics or TSTL behavior. (Woot!) On Grey's part, he doesn't insult Piper with the oh so very tired "you're too good for me" or "my life is too complicated" crap that would keep a couple apart. He realizes that he has something interesting going on with Piper and he pursues it. That's not to say he doesn't do his best to try and keep her from harm, but that's just ingrained behavior on his part. Piper likens him to a Jaguar (the car): sleek on the outside and powerful and dangerous under the hood. ;-)

For me this was MUCH better than Dark Warrior Unbroken and just as good if not better than Dark Warrior Unleashed.

4.5 stars

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've loved getting to know the people in Alexis Morgan's series of the Talions. This book was no different but let us into the world a little more. The Talions as the Grand Dame's guards are more than that. They are the protectors, the guards and the judgment of their kind.
Gray came to us at the end of the last book. He came in and was suspected of being a plant by the British and those who stood against Kerry being the Grand Dame.

Paige was a cool breeze on a hot summer night. She came in during the time laps and has taken up root in Gray's office and the Grand Dame's life. (without Gray's approval as Chief Talion)
One of the "kids" we also met in the last book becomes quite the man in this book, Sean, steps up and yes made me cry! He has taken on his Talion training and his showing true promise, but has his same attitude; but he wants to prove himself worthy of being a Talion, and only Gray holds the key to how he can do that.
All in all we learn things about Kerry and sadly the Packard is no more, there is heart ache and pain to be had to find love and joy.

I do have to say, Alexis this is another match made only in your mind! Paige and Gray are just perfectly wrong but perfect!

Gray came to us at the end of the last book. He came in and was suspected of being a plant by the brittish and those who stood against Kerry being the Grand Dame.
Paige was a cool breeze on a hot summer night. She came in durring the time laps and has taken up root in Gray's office and the Grand Dame's life. (with out Gray's approval as Cheif Talion)
One of the "kids" we also met in the last book becomes quite the man in this book, Sean, steps up and yes made me cry! He has taken on his Talion training and his showing true promise, but has his same attitude; but he wants to prove himself worthy of being a Talion, and only Gray holds the key to how he can do that.
All in all we learn things about Kerry and sadly the Packard is no more, there is heart ache and pain to be had to find love and joy.

I do have to say, Alexis this is another match made only in your mind! Paige and Gray are just perfectly wrong but perfect!

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has been languishing in my pile of review books for an appallingly long time, and it was only in the throes of my snow day today that I finally got to it. It was a decent enough book, but I think my lack of familiarity with the first two books made reading this one a little less enthralling than I would have hoped.

The back story is easy enough to figure out. The Talions, a supernatural race of immortal warriors, are going through a transition phase, so to speak; their old leader has died and chose a complete unknown as her successor, passing on all the power, authority, and responsibility of her office without so much as a by your leave for history or tradition. This has caused a number of cases of knotted knickers in the past two books and brings us to this installment, where the head of security for the Grand Dame (which is their name for their ruler) is responsible for assessing any and all threats to their monarch, beginning with the innermost circle and circling outward from there.

Greyhill Danby is the dude in charge of all that, and he's relocated from England to Seattle to do the best job he can. Imagine his chagrin, then, when he walks into his office and finds someone else already sitting there. Piper Ryan was just hired as the assistant to the Grand Dame and she pushes Grey's buttons from the word go. While these two find that their interactions don't have to be all prickly and nonsensical, besides the initial "spark" it was hard to see what these two really had in common.

The plot moves along at a good pace, with treachery in the ranks of the Talions, political grandstanding, and trust issues abounding around every corner. At the end of the book, elements are wrapped up satisfactorily, with plenty of room for future installments. It wasn't a bad book; it wasn't the best book I've ever read. It just was, and if you're a fan of this series or are interested in trying one like it, then I would recommend starting at the beginning and (perhaps) getting it from the library.

Overall Grade: B

Check out more reviews and other good stuff at What Book is That?!

[Ally · Rating 3 out of 5]

No one thought Chief Talion Greyhill Danby would report to work so soon after wrapping up his affairs in London. Then again, he didn’t expect to find a beautiful spy with a major attitude in his new office. Clearly the Kyth’s Grand Dame doesn’t trust him to do his duty, to protect her. Piper Ryan isn’t keen on the arrangement, either. Matching wits with an ancient warrior isn’t in her administrative job description. But sharing space with the red-hot head of security could have unexpectedly tempting benefits, if he doesn’t dig into her secret past. When threatening e-mails result in danger, the fiery sparks between Piper and Grey grow scorching hot. They must defend the throne from a deadly invisible attacker, but will their raging desire keep them together, or will their burning suspicions tear them apart?

Oddly enough while reading this I had a really strange sense of deja vu. Somewhere in between, I've either read this before or read something really similar recently. But I'm fairly sure that neither is true.

I felt let down by the third installment of the Talions series, Dark Warrior Untamed.The set up is really great between Grey and Piper, especially at the start of the book. Both character's really appeal and you can see the romance working out really well but it just didn't, the romance just felt lacking. Which didn't help the overall story with Grey and Piper.

However, I enjoyed the obvious twist in the plot about who the baddie was and why. Because technically there was more than one baddie and I enjoyed the fact that I was sat there arguing with myself while reading Dark Warrior Untamed about who the 'supreme' baddie really was. I was sat there going no its to obvious it can't be so and so but that was what really made me stay with Dark Warrior Untamed more than the romance storyline.

Oh and the secret, once you start reading it becomes quite clear and if you don't get it in three guesses good for you because then you won't feel as disappointed as I did. It may hold your attention more too!

[Starry]

He questions everything. No one thought Chief Talion Greyhill Danby would report to work so soon after wrapping up his affairs in London. Then again, he didn’t expect to find a beautiful spy with a major attitude in his new office. Clearly the Kyth’s Grand Dame doesn’t trust him to do his duty—to protect her.

She fears the truth. Piper Ryan isn’t keen on the arrangement, either. Matching wits with an ancient warrior isn’t in her administrative job description. But sharing space with the red-hot head of security could have unexpectedly tempting benefits . . . if he doesn’t dig into her secret past.

Opposites always attract. When threatening e-mails result in danger, the fiery sparks between Piper and Grey grow scorching hot. They must defend the throne from a deadly invisible attacker, but will their raging desire keep them together . . . or will their burning suspicions tear them apart?
_______________________________________________________________________
Piper has to work with Grey in his office, and she's hiding a secret that she's scared to reveal... mostly because she knows things will change if it is revealed. But later on things go from bad to worse when Piper starts to get threatening emails from someone saying " the reckoning is coming closer...".

#57

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this series based on how much I like the Paladins but it's just not happening for me. I got the first 3 books of this series before starting to read them and afterwards I'm still not into it. I really wanted to be into it, the characters are all interesting and I want to know more about them but I'm never really given more. Even after 3 books I still have only a superficial relationship with all of the characters. There's action, adventure, romance (not very paranormal), and some sex just thrown in. There's no chemistry going on here between me and these characters and I guess it wasn't working for anyone else either because this series ended with this book. Too bad because there was undeveloped potential here.

[Book · Rating 2 out of 5]

What can I say I didn't love the first book but I didn't hate it either so I decided to read the next two. I can't I say I like this book any more than the first. It also lacked enough characters or complexity to make it very interesting. I couldn't believe the Dame's choice in Chief Talion and he was so turn up over one kill. How more inappropriate can you be for your job than this guy was. Again, where are all the people of this race? I really liked the other story of this author but this series lacks quite a bit. It's not terrible but it is somewhat predictable and just lacks so much depth and complexity. It was again just ok for me.

[Maria FantastikaRomance · Rating 5 out of 5]

By some strange cosmic intervention, this is my first Talion book, even though it is the third in the series. But that´s OK. The book is soo good. And since Ms Morgan is such a skilled writer you can read her books as stand alone`s even if you do get a better feeling for the characters and milieu if you read them in order.

The story of Piper and Gray is well written, funny, exciting and sad all in one. They complement each other perfectly. He opens up because of her and she grows more responsible because of him.

Guess if I am going to order the two first books in the series NOW!

[Stacie]

A continuation of the Talion series. The story of Greyhill and Piper. Piper is the older sister of the Dame of the Talions from a previous story. She is working for the Talions when she meets Greyhill. He is the Chief in charge of security and the safety of the Dame. The end up having share office space and become involved. Then they start receiving threats and attacks that threaten the safety of everyone around them. Pretty decent read but reading the previous stories does help to understand the background behind this story.

[Bennita · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of those books that I just had trouble really getting into. The subplot overshadowed the romance. The romance aspect was so-so. I didn't really feel a huge connection between the H/H. Their relationship seemed purely sexual. I didn't connect with them. There was a definite need for more romantic connections. Also, the villain needed more development. She had a motive, but nothing else. I find that in a lot of romances. There's not much character development with anyone other than the H/H. This book gets three stars basically for the subplot.

[Maja - BibliophiliaDK ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book didn't really impress me. I found the plot to be old and unoriginal and sadly Alexis Morgan's writing seems contrived to me. It was as if she tried to squeeze to much into too litle space. And it didn't really work out. She even tried to be mysterious and surprise the reader, but the plot sort of made that impossible. But still, the book wasn't a complete waste of time. Reading about hulking, hansome guys is never boring or a waste.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miss this series. I was just getting into it when I found there were no more books written. Instead, the Paladin Series was the main writing done. Couldn't even go there! I was too upset there would not be anymore of the Talions written. What I read of the Paladins, was something about guys who die all the time and come back to life. Someday I may read one, but that just doesn't appeal to me at this time. Nor did it appeal several years ago, when I read the Talions.

[Irene Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have now read all three books in this series and loved them ! I hope there will be a fourth, the world building was really good and I liked the characters and could get involved with them. I enjoy a series has has all the main characters throughout each book so I can see how they get on after their HEA's.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Piper is a mystery to Chief Talion Greyhill Danby and their love is revealed when Grey ends up in the hospital.

Grey knows love complicates things but he can't get Piper out of his mind or her smell off his body.

Together they solve an upstart's deadly claim to the Grand Dame who rules their kind.

Great read!

[Melindeeloo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my favorite of the Talions so far, I really liked leading man Grey. The heroine likens him to a Jaguar - the car, not the cat but now that I think about it that would work too - (paraphrasing here) sleek on the outside and powerful and dangerous under the hood.

[Jeannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just gets better and better! I have to say that Grey and Piper are my absolute favorites! The story was fast paced and the plot moved along well, even bringing in previous characters. Fantastic!

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

The cover is much better than the book. First book in this series was really good, 2nd, not so much. This one the plot seemed really forced. Used up all the good ideas in the first book, this one left me not caring.

[Carole-Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ohhh - really fell for Greyhill Danby - such a hunky Talion.

Like Morgan's other Kyth stories, the action is page-turning, well thought out, and riveting at times. The relationship building between Grey and Piper is very good, and the HEA is thoroughly welcomed.

[Cassie Leach · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know what's keep me from loving this series, but I just think it's ok. It was one of the more interesting of the series, and it wasn't bad, but it was....ok.