Reviewed by Amber
TITLE: Twisted Roses
AUTHOR: Skye Dragen
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 141 Pages
BLURB:
Payne has always had trouble fitting in, and being abandoned by his parents has left him reluctant to trust anyone. He knows he’s different, but he has no idea how different until his grandfather invites him to Blackwater Falls—a beautiful estate he’s offered as his inheritance. Payne thinks it’s too good to be true, and it turns out he’s right.
Walking the wooded trails of the estate begins to awaken something in Payne. As he discovers his Fae nature, he learns his family’s legacy: to serve as caretakers to a preserve for Sidhe, Fae, and other magical creatures. Word of the return of the long-lost Fae prince reaches the preserve’s inhabitants, and Payne must navigate a world of political intrigue he can’t begin to understand as various factions seek to entice him to their Courts.
Dragon Aden Canicus offers to tutor Payne, and the tension between them is instant and growing. But prickly and aloof Aden keeps Payne at arm’s length. Unable to trust their connection when his family is threatened, Payne seeks other allies. Their direction leads him down a dangerous path where a dragon’s affection is the least of his concerns and may even end his life.
REVIEW:
I’ve been on a mission to get out of my “comfort zone” books. I gravitate towards normal every day Joe’s finding love. I’ve really wanted to try something new and see if I liked it. So, when this book came up for review I jumped on it. I LOVE the idea of a Dragon Shifter. There is something so fundamentally cool about a man that can shift into a friggin DRAGON!!! And this Dragon did not disappoint! This book on a whole did NOT disappoint!!
Payne thinks of himself as an ordinary guy. He likes staying under the radar, being left alone, and working his ordinary job at the bar. Payne’s bitter and angry at the world, however. He was abandoned by his mother and father at an early age and he still bears those scars. His father did find him again, when he reached adulthood but the damage to Payne’s psyche has already been inflicted. So, when his father drops in on him again he is anything but nice. His father explains that he needs to come and visit with his grandfather, because he is ill and wants to leave Payne his families inheritance, Blackwater Falls, and animal preserve on the outside of town. After some convincing Payne agrees, and his life changes forever.
Once in Blackwater Falls Payne finds out all is not what it seems. In this magical place he learns that his father didn’t abandon him, he learns of mythical creatures, fae, sidhe, and dragons. He also learns his mother was a Sidhe handmaiden who named him Payneful, due to Sidhe beliefs.
While learning the way of this new land and coming into his birthright he meets Aden. Aden is a dragon he’s also been appointed Payne’s teacher and advisor. Aden is beautiful and scary. He’s everything you think a dragon should be and so much more. It becomes quite apparent rather quickly that there is more to Aden and Payne that meets the eye. There attraction for each other is quite literally out of this world but Aden does a really good job at deflecting all of Payne’s advances.
But when they do eventually come together….HOLY CRAP, my head almost popped completely off. Aden is so hot; dominate, powerful, loving and caring. He was such an awesome character to read about. I loved him so hard in this book.
I’d say if I had one complaint it would be Payneful’s character. I honestly didn’t find him likeable. I was annoyed with him throughout most of the book. He was so whiny and predictable. All the danger he sought out was excited as much as it was frustrating. I appreciated his drive to save his family, I just feel as though he acted like a spoiled child for most of the book. But again, everything else totally made up for that.
This book is an absolute must read for anyone who likes supernatural type stories. Although, even if you’re not I’d say give this one a try….it’s well worth it!!
RATING: 
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