What do you think?
Rate this book
Crescent Lake Shifters #2
Her Festive Dragon Mate
When dragon shifter Renata returns to her hometown for the holidays, she meets bubbly middle school teacher Celine at the local Christmas market. Her interest is immediately sparked but there's one problem. Celine doesn't date shifters.
Can Renata convince Celine to give her a shot or will she start the new year all alone?
-
Her Festive Dragon Mate is a fated mates paranormal romance featuring a dragon shifter and her bubbly mate. It includes a standalone f/f grumpy-sunshine romance and a dash of steamy goodness. It is part of the Crescent Lake Shifters series.
Can Renata convince Celine to give her a shot or will she start the new year all alone?
-
Her Festive Dragon Mate is a fated mates paranormal romance featuring a dragon shifter and her bubbly mate. It includes a standalone f/f grumpy-sunshine romance and a dash of steamy goodness. It is part of the Crescent Lake Shifters series.
152 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 5, 2023
21 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
Arizona Tape
236 books786 followersArizona Tape lives her dream life hanging out with her dog and writing stories all day.
Her favourite books to write are urban fantasy and paranormal romances with queer leads, stories that she wished were around when she was younger.
When she’s not writing, she can be found cooking up a storm in the kitchen, watching shows that make her cry, or trying her hand at her new hobby of the week.
She currently lives in the United Kingdom with her girlfriend and her adorable dog who is the star of her newsletter. Sign up here for adorable pictures, free books, and news about her books: www.arizonatape.com/subscribe
Facebook Page: http://facebook.com/arizonatapeauthor
Reader Group: http://facebook.com/groups/arizonatape
Bookbub: http://www.bookbub.com/authors/arizon...
Twitter: http://twitter.com/arizonatape
Instagram: http://instagram.com/arizonatape
TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@arizonatape
Her books are available on all retailers and can be requested from most public libraries.
Her favourite books to write are urban fantasy and paranormal romances with queer leads, stories that she wished were around when she was younger.
When she’s not writing, she can be found cooking up a storm in the kitchen, watching shows that make her cry, or trying her hand at her new hobby of the week.
She currently lives in the United Kingdom with her girlfriend and her adorable dog who is the star of her newsletter. Sign up here for adorable pictures, free books, and news about her books: www.arizonatape.com/subscribe
Facebook Page: http://facebook.com/arizonatapeauthor
Reader Group: http://facebook.com/groups/arizonatape
Bookbub: http://www.bookbub.com/authors/arizon...
Twitter: http://twitter.com/arizonatape
Instagram: http://instagram.com/arizonatape
TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@arizonatape
Her books are available on all retailers and can be requested from most public libraries.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 9, 2023
The Holidays, carols, parties and the Christmas Market are supposed to make you feel happy but Renata isn't. As far as she is concerned it's all "commercialized" but she is home for a bit and helping out her uncle with his coffee booth at the Market. A dragon shifter searching for her destined mate, her grouchiness is a result of a failed sacred mating ceremony. Sure she has her mating mark but nothing else! It is hard to be a grouch around Celine (though she was when they first met). A middle school teacher, bubbly, enthusiastic caroler and lover of hot chocolate, Celine finds herself drawn to the Dragon Roast and glum Renata. Dragon kin, she is also searching for her mate but restricted by the mating mark she carries. Hot chocolate and Christmas spice with secrets will magic happen?
Tape does a fine job of slowly growing the attraction between the lead characters. There are ups, downs and love of family before the HEA.
A quick read that made me smile.
I rec'd a copy through Booksprout. My review is voluntary.
Tape does a fine job of slowly growing the attraction between the lead characters. There are ups, downs and love of family before the HEA.
A quick read that made me smile.
I rec'd a copy through Booksprout. My review is voluntary.
December 28, 2025
Cute short and sweet
This book is cute short and sweet. Not much heat and spice. This book had a HEA. Worth the quick read
This book is cute short and sweet. Not much heat and spice. This book had a HEA. Worth the quick read
February 10, 2023
I received a free copy from the author and voluntarily reviewed it.
Her Festive Dragon Mate is a sweet paranormal romance read set around Christmas with a bit of heat toward the end. Dragon shifter Renata is not a fan of the holidays, but agreed to help run the coffee stand at the Christmas market. That's where she meets middle school teacher Celine. They quickly grow fond of one another and it slowly grows into more.
This was a fun romantic read. I liked how Celine and Renata met at the Christmas market and grow closer throughout the book. While it's a fated mates romance, they don't know at first whether they're fated mates and so their dating feels pretty normal. I liked the Christmas setting and it was fun to read about these two. There is a bit of drama later on with a miscommunication issue, but while I didn't like the drama I did like how it got resolved and how the person who caused it also was the one to apologize. There also is a bit of uncertainty as Celine knows she has a fated mate, but not who and doesn't want to date for fear of betraying her mate.
I am not a big fan of the whole fated mates concept, but I liked how it was clear that while they're fated mates it's still up to them to make the relationship work and both characters realize that. Even so it felt sad the dragons would never feel fully complete without their fated mates, which seemed to go against the whole free will thing again. I felt like I was missing a few details about the whole fated mates things and the lake and shifters, but that's probably as I jumped in at book 2. Luckily there were enough details for me to piece things together, but I felt like you would understand things better if you read the series in order.
To summarize: This was a fun and romantic read, mostly sweet, but with a bit of drama and heat later on. I liked the Christmas setting and the festive atmosphere and how Celine and Renata met and their connection grows into more. I enjoyed reading about them and their romance. I wasn't a fan of the miscommunication that occurs, but I liked how it got resolved. I am not a big fan of the fated mates trope, but I like how they emphasized there is still work involved in making the relationship work. I felt like I was missing a few details about how the whole fated mates thing worked with the lake, but there was enough for me to get the gist of things. The epilogue wraps things up well and I liked the ending.
Her Festive Dragon Mate is a sweet paranormal romance read set around Christmas with a bit of heat toward the end. Dragon shifter Renata is not a fan of the holidays, but agreed to help run the coffee stand at the Christmas market. That's where she meets middle school teacher Celine. They quickly grow fond of one another and it slowly grows into more.
This was a fun romantic read. I liked how Celine and Renata met at the Christmas market and grow closer throughout the book. While it's a fated mates romance, they don't know at first whether they're fated mates and so their dating feels pretty normal. I liked the Christmas setting and it was fun to read about these two. There is a bit of drama later on with a miscommunication issue, but while I didn't like the drama I did like how it got resolved and how the person who caused it also was the one to apologize. There also is a bit of uncertainty as Celine knows she has a fated mate, but not who and doesn't want to date for fear of betraying her mate.
I am not a big fan of the whole fated mates concept, but I liked how it was clear that while they're fated mates it's still up to them to make the relationship work and both characters realize that. Even so it felt sad the dragons would never feel fully complete without their fated mates, which seemed to go against the whole free will thing again. I felt like I was missing a few details about the whole fated mates things and the lake and shifters, but that's probably as I jumped in at book 2. Luckily there were enough details for me to piece things together, but I felt like you would understand things better if you read the series in order.
To summarize: This was a fun and romantic read, mostly sweet, but with a bit of drama and heat later on. I liked the Christmas setting and the festive atmosphere and how Celine and Renata met and their connection grows into more. I enjoyed reading about them and their romance. I wasn't a fan of the miscommunication that occurs, but I liked how it got resolved. I am not a big fan of the fated mates trope, but I like how they emphasized there is still work involved in making the relationship work. I felt like I was missing a few details about how the whole fated mates thing worked with the lake, but there was enough for me to get the gist of things. The epilogue wraps things up well and I liked the ending.
March 4, 2023
Two people, both having 'fated' mates, but they haven't found them yet. One loves Christmas, one not so much. The Christmas Market brings them to the same place, but will they figure out their connection, before it's too late?
Loved this one, the banter between the two FMCs is fun, makes you laugh. I know I want to find myself some Hot Chocolate with extra whipped cream with Christmas spices.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Loved this one, the banter between the two FMCs is fun, makes you laugh. I know I want to find myself some Hot Chocolate with extra whipped cream with Christmas spices.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 15, 2023
This is book two of the Crescent Lake Shifters series and the main characters are dragon shifter and barista Renata, from Silver City, and middle school teacher Celine, a dragonkin who lives and works in her hometown of Crescent Valley. Celine is at the local Christmas fair with students and volunteers who make up a choir, to sing Christmas carols and raise some cheer. Renata is running a small hut/stall for her uncle’s coffee shop in Silver City, Dragon Roast, to help spread news of his drinks and earn some extra cash for her and his business. It also gets her away from her parent’s home in Drakefield, for a few hours a day, as she is not exactly full of Christmas cheer and doesn’t really like the holidays after a bad experience a few years ago! There is an almost instant connection between the two women, but not a good one to start with, as they clash over Celine’s love of Christmas and Renata’s hate for it all. Celine goes over to apologise for being so forceful with what she said and the two then notice their attraction to each other grow. Celine can’t stay away from Renata’s hot chocolate blend, with an extra whip and a festive spice mix added on!
Celine hasn’t exactly dated for the past three years, after she took part in the Crescent lake mating ritual and ended up with a mating mark, but with no idea of who her mate actually is! She has tried dating and asking to see shifter’s mating marks is a bit personal and when they don’t match, means she faces yet another disappointment! Renata also had her own heartbreak, taking a girlfriend she thought could be her mate, to one of the rituals, only to find she definitely wasn’t and this has ruined that time of year for her ever since! Renata loves her city life and is only in her hometown to help with her uncle’s stall, whilst Celine is happy in the small town where she grew up and loves teaching young children. They only have a few weeks to figure out if they are compatible, but keeping her mating mark secret is not the best way, when she finds out what exactly Renata is. But when exactly is the right time to tell someone you are falling for, that you have such a mark and it reacts every time they are together, she thinks to warn her off considering her as a mate.
The news when it comes is a huge shock to Renata and leaves her reeling, just as she thought the two of them might have a shot of being together. Of course, Celine worded her comment really badly and that didn’t help! Celine had given up dating shifters because of her mark, never believing she would be able to find the one person she was meant to be with, after not finding them three years ago at the morning after meeting. Can Celine persuade Renata of the truth about her mark, or has she left it too late to fix a simple misunderstanding? A grumpy dragon and a bubbly teacher find their perfect match, but both are wary after failed mating rituals and reluctant to try again. There are lots of coincidences trying to bring them closer together, as the fates are wont to do. All it needs is for them both to have faith and communicate to each other and clear the misunderstanding, to have their HEA ending! I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
Celine hasn’t exactly dated for the past three years, after she took part in the Crescent lake mating ritual and ended up with a mating mark, but with no idea of who her mate actually is! She has tried dating and asking to see shifter’s mating marks is a bit personal and when they don’t match, means she faces yet another disappointment! Renata also had her own heartbreak, taking a girlfriend she thought could be her mate, to one of the rituals, only to find she definitely wasn’t and this has ruined that time of year for her ever since! Renata loves her city life and is only in her hometown to help with her uncle’s stall, whilst Celine is happy in the small town where she grew up and loves teaching young children. They only have a few weeks to figure out if they are compatible, but keeping her mating mark secret is not the best way, when she finds out what exactly Renata is. But when exactly is the right time to tell someone you are falling for, that you have such a mark and it reacts every time they are together, she thinks to warn her off considering her as a mate.
The news when it comes is a huge shock to Renata and leaves her reeling, just as she thought the two of them might have a shot of being together. Of course, Celine worded her comment really badly and that didn’t help! Celine had given up dating shifters because of her mark, never believing she would be able to find the one person she was meant to be with, after not finding them three years ago at the morning after meeting. Can Celine persuade Renata of the truth about her mark, or has she left it too late to fix a simple misunderstanding? A grumpy dragon and a bubbly teacher find their perfect match, but both are wary after failed mating rituals and reluctant to try again. There are lots of coincidences trying to bring them closer together, as the fates are wont to do. All it needs is for them both to have faith and communicate to each other and clear the misunderstanding, to have their HEA ending! I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
February 8, 2023
If there's one thing my brother hates, and I used to hate although I've grown over it, it's going to those big family parties where everyone is with their partner. He hates feeling alone and he hates being confronted with the fact that he is alone. While reading the book I had to think a lot about him and the woman I used to be when having a partner was almost a life goal. I was therefore even more thankful that I got an arc for this book via BookSprout.
What I loved about this book is that we saw two sides of the Christmas coin. We had one girl who loved and enjoyed Christmas. Who was caroling and staged plays with the kids she's teaching. And there was one girl who thought all those traditions were forced and uncomfortable and couldn't really enjoy them. And the fun part is that although they had some discussions about it, they actually tried to understand each other.
I also really loved the plot with the mate marks. The more books in this world and series I read, the more I start to understand how everything works. I love how a mate mark appearing just means that your mate has been attending the same ceremony. It still takes effort to find said mate and then it also takes effort to make the relationship work. This book also mentioned that not all mates are matches made in heaven. I love that take on mate bonds!
And I last but not least loved how the romance between these characters developed. They both had a mate mark and they couldn't be sure if the other was their match. That caused a little drama here and there, without it being drama for the sake of drama, but it most of all meant that these women had to decide that the other was truly worth fighting for, worth taking risks for and worth taking leaps for.
I'm already looking forward to the next book in this world.
What I loved about this book is that we saw two sides of the Christmas coin. We had one girl who loved and enjoyed Christmas. Who was caroling and staged plays with the kids she's teaching. And there was one girl who thought all those traditions were forced and uncomfortable and couldn't really enjoy them. And the fun part is that although they had some discussions about it, they actually tried to understand each other.
I also really loved the plot with the mate marks. The more books in this world and series I read, the more I start to understand how everything works. I love how a mate mark appearing just means that your mate has been attending the same ceremony. It still takes effort to find said mate and then it also takes effort to make the relationship work. This book also mentioned that not all mates are matches made in heaven. I love that take on mate bonds!
And I last but not least loved how the romance between these characters developed. They both had a mate mark and they couldn't be sure if the other was their match. That caused a little drama here and there, without it being drama for the sake of drama, but it most of all meant that these women had to decide that the other was truly worth fighting for, worth taking risks for and worth taking leaps for.
I'm already looking forward to the next book in this world.
January 6, 2023
Can TOTALLY relate to Renata!!!
It’s not just a common love of coffee or the practice of adding spices to hot chocolate (try chili powder – sooo yum!). My given middle name is René and my internal conversations are *exactly* like ones I’ve had in the past when I used to celebrate Christmas (former Cradle Catholic). I STILL correct people about when winter actually starts (sorry, but not sorry).
Renata’s complaint about the ‘commercial aspect’ at this time of year is spot on. Growing up in So Cal when brick & mortar stores were the thang, traffic was absolutely horrendous in the evenings and on weekends. Working retail was even worse, but as Renata pointed out, ‘there was no place for sour faces in the service industry’.
Our town also has a winter holiday market (Chanukah). We have one day & evening of vendors selling handmade goods like tie-dyed t-shirt braided into necklaces & bracelets, car & home emergency kits, and even honey products like the author mentioned (I just finished my lip balm that I bought last year). Markets like these are an awesome time to meet up with friends, run into acquaintances, and support local artists. And perhaps to pick up one’s mate!
Celine’s ‘spirit’ provides a nice balance to Renata’s ‘grinch’.
So... while I’m waiting for ‘Her Fake Dragon Mate’ to release around 10 March, I’m going to follow up on Celine’s idea of adding spices to my cinnamon toast…and add some ground ginger to my morning espresso.
It’s not just a common love of coffee or the practice of adding spices to hot chocolate (try chili powder – sooo yum!). My given middle name is René and my internal conversations are *exactly* like ones I’ve had in the past when I used to celebrate Christmas (former Cradle Catholic). I STILL correct people about when winter actually starts (sorry, but not sorry).
Renata’s complaint about the ‘commercial aspect’ at this time of year is spot on. Growing up in So Cal when brick & mortar stores were the thang, traffic was absolutely horrendous in the evenings and on weekends. Working retail was even worse, but as Renata pointed out, ‘there was no place for sour faces in the service industry’.
Our town also has a winter holiday market (Chanukah). We have one day & evening of vendors selling handmade goods like tie-dyed t-shirt braided into necklaces & bracelets, car & home emergency kits, and even honey products like the author mentioned (I just finished my lip balm that I bought last year). Markets like these are an awesome time to meet up with friends, run into acquaintances, and support local artists. And perhaps to pick up one’s mate!
Celine’s ‘spirit’ provides a nice balance to Renata’s ‘grinch’.
So... while I’m waiting for ‘Her Fake Dragon Mate’ to release around 10 March, I’m going to follow up on Celine’s idea of adding spices to my cinnamon toast…and add some ground ginger to my morning espresso.
February 23, 2023
Our heroines are instantly attracted to each other, but one issues stands in their way. Can our heroine find a way around this issue, or is the relationship doomed before it even starts?
This is book two of the series, but it is written as a standalone. Start at any point.
This is an urban fantasy story with a FF romance and shifters. The story is well written and easy to read with an intriguing setting. The setting is well developed and it is fun getting to explore it a bit. The characters are great and I love both of our heroines. They have great chemistry and I really enjoyed watching them work through the obstacles. Overall. a fun story and I look forward to seeing what comes next.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.
This is book two of the series, but it is written as a standalone. Start at any point.
This is an urban fantasy story with a FF romance and shifters. The story is well written and easy to read with an intriguing setting. The setting is well developed and it is fun getting to explore it a bit. The characters are great and I love both of our heroines. They have great chemistry and I really enjoyed watching them work through the obstacles. Overall. a fun story and I look forward to seeing what comes next.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.
January 10, 2023
Arizona Tape continues to avoid the insta-love trope of most fated mates books in their Her Festive Dragon Mate. This time Renata, dragon, is working at a Christmas market when she doesn’t like anything about the holiday until she meets Celine, dragonkin, who adores all things Christmas. The author works the opposites attract to make a delightful holiday romance. The book gives the reader additional insights into the dragon world in more worldbuilding. I also like that the reader meets at least one character who will star in the next book in the series. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 10, 2024
Lots of flirting and Christmas fun in this one. It will make you want hot chocolate.
Renata hates Christmas, so she volunteers to work the Christmas markets so she can avoid hanging out with her family. It’s very much opposites attract, as Celine is a bubbly Christmas-joy filled school teacher singing carols at the markets with a local choir.
These two have a natural connection, and it developed well over the course of several meetings. The conflict made sense, and was resolved nicely. There’s a bit of steam at the end, but for the most part it’s just sweet conversations and blushing in public with a holiday background.
Renata hates Christmas, so she volunteers to work the Christmas markets so she can avoid hanging out with her family. It’s very much opposites attract, as Celine is a bubbly Christmas-joy filled school teacher singing carols at the markets with a local choir.
These two have a natural connection, and it developed well over the course of several meetings. The conflict made sense, and was resolved nicely. There’s a bit of steam at the end, but for the most part it’s just sweet conversations and blushing in public with a holiday background.
October 24, 2023
This was ok. I’m not sure these short stories from this author are for me. This is another fated mates shifter romance. These all exist in the same universe where jumping into a lake puts a mark on you that matches your shifter fated mate. It’s pretty formulaic and because of the length, it runs thru all the beats of meet cute, reluctant attraction, tentative dating, 3rd arc breakup, make up, HEA at a really fast clip. It’s a bah humbug grump meets cheery sunshine - could be fun for the Holidays, if you don’t mind the rush.
January 23, 2023
I like the ideea of true mates - someone to be your perfect match.
But also, this can put a little pressure to someone to find their mate.
And the ideea that someone exist there for you, may make you to put distance to all around you. So, was fate or love?
For that, Renata and Celine’s story was so sweet, and a little sad.
But a pleasure to read it.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
But also, this can put a little pressure to someone to find their mate.
And the ideea that someone exist there for you, may make you to put distance to all around you. So, was fate or love?
For that, Renata and Celine’s story was so sweet, and a little sad.
But a pleasure to read it.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 27, 2023
Celina know she has a fated mate out there somewhere. She just hasn’t meet her yet. So when she meets Renata she is attracted but afraid to start anything. This was a fun, easy read that had me laughing. These two were opposites in every way. One love’s Christmas and one is a grump. I would recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 28, 2024
Celine has been marked but as of yet has not found her match!
Celine got the mark 3 years ago and never met her mate and why does keep going back to that kiosk with the beautiful woman behind it to get hot chocolate? She wants to find her mate but seems everyone she meets is not hers or maybe she is standing in front of you? Short but somewhat YA story. Enjoy !
Celine got the mark 3 years ago and never met her mate and why does keep going back to that kiosk with the beautiful woman behind it to get hot chocolate? She wants to find her mate but seems everyone she meets is not hers or maybe she is standing in front of you? Short but somewhat YA story. Enjoy !
December 29, 2024
This was book 3 on my Christmas Paperback TBR.
It was a short novella that I got last year from a bundle and never got the chance to read it. This year I made a point of taking accountability for my purchases and included it in my Christmas TBR for 2024. I have to say made me feel a little resentful of the book as I would side eye it and mutter "my self-punishment." After finishing I'll Be Home I decided I needed something short and light and with great reluctance I started reading it. I was surprised to find out it was F/F as I hadn't even bothered to read the blurb on the back. I very quickly got into the story and I finished it in one sitting. Although short a lot happened and I got very invested in their mating. The story felt complete and I really enjoyed it. I am thinking of reading more in this series.
4 stars
It was a short novella that I got last year from a bundle and never got the chance to read it. This year I made a point of taking accountability for my purchases and included it in my Christmas TBR for 2024. I have to say made me feel a little resentful of the book as I would side eye it and mutter "my self-punishment." After finishing I'll Be Home I decided I needed something short and light and with great reluctance I started reading it. I was surprised to find out it was F/F as I hadn't even bothered to read the blurb on the back. I very quickly got into the story and I finished it in one sitting. Although short a lot happened and I got very invested in their mating. The story felt complete and I really enjoyed it. I am thinking of reading more in this series.
4 stars
January 13, 2023
a hot holiday flirt leads to some hurt feelings
is there a mate involved? in the way? someone she sees in the mirror every day?
love interrupted works to find a way.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
is there a mate involved? in the way? someone she sees in the mirror every day?
love interrupted works to find a way.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 10, 2023
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. It is quite romantic as destined mates find each other during Christmas. Celine is the one to take the steps to explain and verify that she is mates with Renata while finding Renata's Christmas spirit again.
June 15, 2023
Wow, another fantastic storyline
Wow, another fantastic storyline. I loved the main characters their connection was embedded throughout the story, and it flowed perfectly, definitely a must-read congratulations
Wow, another fantastic storyline. I loved the main characters their connection was embedded throughout the story, and it flowed perfectly, definitely a must-read congratulations
March 2, 2025
A very rom com feeling Christmas story, complete with opposites attract, miscommunication, and a heavy dose of Fate throwing them together until they finally get a clue...that they were made for each other. It was a delightful and engaging read.
September 9, 2023
Be you b gun hubby hubby hbY
By bbh y
Y but but.
HuhHyb
By bbh y
Y but but.
HuhHyb
October 25, 2023
lovely series
Great characters and story. Wonderful romance with a beautiful ending. Low angst, light steam lots of heart and wonderful ending.
Great characters and story. Wonderful romance with a beautiful ending. Low angst, light steam lots of heart and wonderful ending.
November 15, 2023
A positively HEA love story. With mild moments of strife from other invested people trying to interfere or even derail there mating
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2024
This was okay, kinda felt rushed. Didn't hate it ultimately.
May 26, 2024
Celine & Renata are the cutest couple!
December 28, 2025
Funny and pleasant read
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews