Search - Heart of the Dragon (Atlantis, Bk 1)

This book was so similar to those by Christine Feehan I was not at all suprised to learn this author and she are aquainted and have worked on numerous books together. An excellent read for lovers of Sci-fantasy and romance both. If you dislike the verbal use of certain body parts namely the c-word in reference to a man's member you will want to skip this one. Not for young romance readers. I personally found this book a bit of a fun read.

A human woman, while searching for her missing brother, stumbles into the lost city of Atlantis and meets the man of her dreams - but he is a dragon. I really enjoyed this book. Would have liked a bit more story and a little less "romance" but it was a good read.

Searching for her missing brother, Grace Carlyle never dreamed she would discover a secret world populated by mthological monsters-or find herself facing a sword-wielding being whose looks put mortal men to shame.........

I do not usually read fantasy romance, but this book did keep me interested.

“Heart of the Dragon”
By
Gena Showalter

Grace Carlyle, frustrated by her boring, predictable job and lack of romance in her life sets out on a potentially dangerous mission to find her brother who disappeared into the Amazon Jungle on a research trip many weeks ago. After her guide steals from her and retreats into the Jungle Grace finds herself wandering, looking for the way out. Instead of getting out of the jungle however, she unknowingly heads deeper in, finally coming across a strange portal…the entrance to the Mythical world of Atlantis.

Darius en Karigan Dragon Warlord of Atlantis feels Grace enter his world and runs to strike her down before she can bring peril to his homeland. Strangely drawn to her however, he finds he cannot bring himself to kill her like he has killed all the others who dared to venture into his homeland. After learning more about her Darius realizes that the city of Atlantis is in danger. Alex had not just gone missing, he is the subject of a conspiracy, a conspiracy to strip Atlantis of all its riches and murder its mythical inhabitants. Together, Darius and Grace must solve the mystery and save Atlantis from greed and deception.

In the words of my fiancé: “This book is horrible!” Personally, I find that to be a little harsh. I knew going in that “Heart of the Dragon” was a romantic fantasy, a genre that Showalter is famous for. That being said, I wasn't expecting much and ended up pleasantly surprised. The reading is quick and easy so it makes a good plane/beach read.

“Heart of the Dragon” got better the more I read. If you aren't familiar with Showalter's style the first part of the book might make you want to roll your eyes a tad with the obvious clichés and overly fantastic style that many romance novelists have adopted in order to “engage” the reader from the first page. This is probably what made my fiancé laugh and make fun of me when I accidently left my book in the bathroom after a bubble bath. In any case, this is a definite “chick book” and should have it written on the cover in large, bold letters.

Keeping all of that in mind, I honestly liked “Heat of the Dragon.” It was pointedly less serious than the book I'd just finished, had lots of fun, mystery, romance, and just a sprinkling of danger which will undoubtedly lure me back to more works by Showalter. If you're skeptical of romance novels stay away, but if you need something fun, short, and slightly mindless, this is a good choice. “Heart of the Dragon” held my interest, and even though I had to wade through a river of melted cheese to get to the heart (no pun intended) of the story I sincerely enjoyed it and continue to be a Gena Showalter fan.

3 ½ stars.

This is a typical romance book if you strip off the paranormal elements. Now with that being said....I liked it..I liked the idea that she has about Atlantis holding other beings. She changed my view of Atlantis. I used to think of it more like the Sci/fi show I love. At first when someone's review said a dragon, I was worried. Now if the dragon has a human form then okay I'm game. He did thankfully have a human form. I love it when a powerful woman can break through these stubborn men's built up emotional walls. He even cried and I found that endearing since he finally grieved for his long dead family. Fast, Fun, Romantic,Adventure read.
The author's heroine was not the petite perfect model shape. She wasn't obese but she did have a few curves. I found that more realistic and I approve!

This first book in the Atlantis series had interesting characters, an intricate story line and a fairly well-paced plot. Even with all that there was still something missing. The story never played out to its full potential and the characters never fully developed. These two things made the overall composition fall flat.

I would say the heroine was a ditzy blonde, if the story did not explicitly describe her as a redhead. Our hero and heroine spend most of the time thinking about the sex they "should not have," instead of getting on with the story. Sorry, Gena, but I need more story to keep my interest, and deeper protagonists. I"m canceling my request for the second book in this series.

Great read - fun and holds you to the end. A bit racing, but not vulgar.

A shape shifting warrior and a woman out in the jungle searching for a lost brother. A great paranormal world!!

Thos Atlantian males are gorgeous

So much fun! Nice easy light hearted read.

loved it 1st book i've read by showalter will read more

cute easy read with interesting storyline and likable characters.

great book. wish there was a part two.

Cute paranormal romance but not my favorite!

i love atlantis stories. this one was sweet, although i thought something was missing. the ending was a bit too easy after all the build-up and somethings were left unresolved.

Fantastic!

First book I have read by her. This was a "sweet" science-fi/romance story. Interesting characters but not enough about the dragon!

great read, can't wait for the next one.

Grace Carlyle's world was about to change . . .
Deep in the jungle on the trail of her missing brother, Grace never expected to find a secret world populated by mythological monsters -- nor guarded by a sword-wielding being whose beauty put mortal men to shame.
Darius en Kragin belongs to a race of shape-shifting warriors sworn to guard Atlantis and kill all travelers who stray within its boundaries. Yet when Grace stumbles into his realm, he finds himself tempted to betray his centuries-old vow.
Now their forbidden love will either bring their worlds together -- or tear them both apart.