He’s found his mate. But can he convince her that he’s her man?
Working for the Paranormal Protection Agency has never been boring, but shadow-dragon Duke didn’t expect to meet his mate in the line of duty. He certainly didn’t expect a warrior every inch his match, or for her to slap him across the ass with her tail and take off across the city.
With Baron on a very personal protection detail, Duke has to fly solo on the pair’s investigation into the warlock who nearly killed Baron’s mate. Just one problem, his mate is working with the warlock. So, dead or alive, he has to bring her in…
She found the one thing she didn’t want. Her mate. Now she needs to get rid of him before he ruins her mission…
Sleeping for centuries has its drawbacks, Chase knew that going in. What she didn’t expect was to wake with a Warlock’s spelled collar around her neck and to find her charge, the Queen’s daughter, in a cage. Vowing to free them both will take skill and strength and she doesn’t need the distraction of a hot as hell male dragon trying to make his claim on her. Even though her heart aches to complete their joining, she can’t. Not yet.
The mission, or her heart. Can she have both? Or will she need one to complete the other?
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Dragon’s Chase Excerpt © 2014 Mina Carter
Some dragons had all the luck.
Tucking a strand of hair the wind had blown across his face behind one ear, Duke watched his brother helping a diminutive female—his new mate, Honor Croft—into a waiting cab.
Testament to the heavy shit that had just gone down, events that included a horde of Red Caps and a crazed warlock trying to kill the girl the PPA had been paid to protect, heavily armed guards surrounded the vehicle, watching everything around them closely. As a group, they breathed a sigh of relief when Baron slid into the vehicle next to his mate and shut the door. As experienced as all the guards were, they were still a little wary of the big dragon. They were around both brothers.
Duke paid them no mind, transferring his attention back to the new couple, just visible through the windows of the cab. His brother was one lucky bastard. Not only had he saved the day, but he’d gotten the girl as well.
Finding their soul mates had been on both brothers’ minds since they understood the difference between little girl and little boy dragons and now Baron had found his. He could hold her in his arms, keep her safe, and Duke was as jealous as all hell.
Of course, Baron would probably have appreciated not dying first. Duke sure as fuck would have preferred not to watch his brother breathe his last breath, broken body bleeding out onto the concrete beneath his feet. But true love conquered all…. That’s what they said, and the gamble Duke had taken when he’d made Honor eat the rarest ‘diamond’ in existence; a Dragon’s Tear.
It had worked, the lucky son of a bitch had been healed and now Baron and Honor were on their way to a safe-house where Honor could be protected. And practice making little baby shadow-dragons if the twinkle in Baron’s eye was anything to go by. Which left Duke to track down the murderous bastard who had tried to kill his brother’s mate, and find the she-dragon who had taunted and teased him until he didn’t know up from down.
A she-dragon.
His mate. He’d been so surprised that he’d almost fallen out of the sky. Then she’d slapped him across the ass with her tail and run away….
Duke’s lips compressed into a thin line. Oh, she’d pay for that. He just had to find her first.
Crouching, he gathered the energy within himself, holding it deep inside as a rolling mass of chaos. It built, simmering like inferno-heated champagne as the bubbles tried to escape at high velocity. His scales tried to push through his skin, and his bones ached with the pressure of holding the change back. With a roar he leapt into the air and let it all go. His dragon-form exploded out from his body like some nightmare-inducing jack in the box.
The roar deepened as his throat changed, and he snapped his wings out to their full spread. A soft click sounded deep in his throat a second before a gout of flame lit the night sky. Beating his wings, he took no more than a few seconds to reach the top of the Croft building. He circled it, using the tiniest of air currents to glide in a graceful loop.
Guards scurried over the roof, looking like ants to his non-human vision. Heat rose from them, bringing the scent of blood and soft flesh to his nostrils. Instinctively his mouth watered. So soft and crunchy…most humanoids made great snacks.
As if sensing his thoughts, the guard on the corner turned and looked at him, his eyes flashing amber in warning as an earthy scent hit Duke’s nostrils. Werewolf then. Yeah, not so good if the snack was more than capable of clawing its way out of your belly through your ribcage. Talk about aggressive indigestion.
Movement at the corner of his eye got his attention. Turning his head, Duke spotted Iliona—his boss— motioning him to land. He lifted his wing and banked sharply in mid-air, scattering the guards below. Heavy wing-beats kept him hovering in the air just above the human woman, her arms folded and hair whipping about her face as she waited for him to land.
The instant he touched down with a claw, he called the change and folded his dragon-form neatly back within the man. A roll of his neck reset the shirt across his shoulders, his clothes thankfully reappearing when he made the change back to human, and he took the last few steps to stand in front the Paranormal Protection Agency’s head honcho.
As always, she wore a smart business suit. No skirt this time, but pants, and her jacket hung open. Two things caught Duke’s attention. The ornate pendant at her throat pulsed with power, pulling at the dragon part of him. Pretty and powerful, such a trinket was everything the creature loved and his fingers itched with the need to reach out and touch it. He resisted, curled them into fists at his side as he flicked a glance down at the Glock in the holster playing peekaboo through the open edges of her jacket. The fact that she packed heat to match the sheathed knife the other side made him blink. It was serious when the boss came out on site fully armed...
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
Duke has met his mate, sort of. She is the first female dragon he has seen in his life and she disappeared as quickly as she appeared.
Chase is shocked to see another dragon - she hasn't seen one in ages. Although since she has been under Seller's spell since she was awakened she hasn't exactly had free rein to do as she pleased.
A fateful encounter brings the two together only to rip them apart once more. Duke is frustrated and irritated to know that Chase doesn't trust him to tell him all her secrets.
These Dragons are hot and sexy, loving and loyal. I can't wait to read more about the PPA and the forces they encounter.
Angela – ☆☆☆☆☆
Now that his twin, Baron, has found his mate and has taken her to a safe house to keep the Dragos from killing her, Duke is tasked with finding Sellers and insuring the safety of his brother’s mate ... permanently. An added bonus, Duke has recognized his mate as being the dragon working for Sellers, but things are not always as they seem. As expected, Ms. Carter has crafted a delightful novella full of action, magic, love and smoldering hot dragon sex - come on, they’re fire-breathing dragons, you know the sex is hot.
In Dragon’s Honor, we learned that Duke was the less sociable of the twins. In Dragon’s Chase, we get to delve deeper into his personality and find that he is just as endearing of a character as all of Ms. Carter’s creations. So it was not surprising to me that Chase is a strong, fiery warrior with a heart so full of love for her charge - in short, she is the perfect mate for Duke. Because of the magic that Sellers employs, Duke and Chase’s path is not an easy one, which only makes for an even more enjoyable read. The introduction of new PPA operatives and the brief inclusion of past characters just makes the story that much more enjoyable.
Ms. Carter’s consistent writing skills give the reader characters that are a blast to spend time with and a story to immerse oneself in - whether it is a 30 page novelette or a 116 page novella is irrelevant. I absolutely loved Dragon’s Chase and am looking forward to the next installment of the Paranormal Protection Agency series.
Also Available in the Paranormal Protection Agency Series
It was supposed to be a simple job. Bodyguard duty for a wealthy businessman's daughter. But the Paranormal Protection Agency don't do simple so shadow-dragons Baron and his brother Duke find themselves going undercover as human of all things. Their mission: to protect Miss Croft and dig up some dirt on her father to tie him to the illegal trade in paranormal slaves rife in the city.
Dissent and rumors amongst the staff at the Croft house make them wary, but neither expect redcaps and trolls to attack in the middle of the night, or for the most startling revelation of all: Honor Croft is Baron's mate.
When a crazed warlock steals her away, will Baron be willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to save her?
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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
Honor Croft knows something isn’t quite right about one of her father's employees, Lambert Sellers, but she doesn't know how odd he really is.
When her father hires Baron Smith to be her personal bodyguard, she agrees under duress, just to keep Daddy happy. Well, if she had to admit it, herself as well. Mr. Smith was one well-built body guard and wonders just how personal they could get.
Baron, a dragon shifter in a world of few dragons, knows Honor is his true mate the moment he lays eyes on her. Vowing to protect her with his life, he enlists his twin's help in keeping her safe.
Not knowing who or what is after her, Baron and Duke must be ever diligent in their duty to protect Baron's mate, because if she is lost, so is Baron.
Another wild ride from Ms. Carter. Love the dragon shifters and the men of the PPA.
Angela – ☆☆☆☆☆
After reading and loving the Strathstow Sharks and the Paranormal Protection Agency box set (Volumes 1-5), I was so excited to get my hands on Dragon's Honor because I've been dying to read a longer piece of Ms. Carter's writing. I'm pleased to say that she did not disappoint. In this novella, twin dragon shifters, Duke and Baron, are assigned to protect the daughter of a wealthy CEO with questionable business practices. Expecting to be stuck with a brainless, spoiled socialite diva, Baron is taken aback when Honor meets none of his preconceived assumptions, especially when his dragon recognizes her as their mate.
To make matters even more interesting, Honor responds to Baron's dragon without realizing or understanding her instantaneous reaction to him (and we do find out why later in the book). Despite her attraction, she is not happy when she learns that her father has hired Baron as a bodyguard for her and none too soon as the threat to her decides the wait is over and sets into motion its plan to acquire her. What follows is an action-packed thrill ride that include Ms. Carter's signature sex scenes - super hot with chemistry so intense it's a wonder my Kindle didn't overheat.
Dragon's Honor confirms yet again that I am a Mina Carter fan. Her writing is tight and entertaining and it doesn't matter if I'm reading a 30 page novelette or an 85 page novella, I get lost in the world she creates and enjoy spending time with her characters immensely. I'm off to read Dragon's Chase now!
This book contains the following novellas:
Hard as a Rock, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, Protect and Service, Seduced by Santa, and
Close Protection. The first five books in the PPA series now bundled together.
Hard as a Rock
Iliona's had a rough day, so the last thing she wants is a whiny ex on her doorstep throwing accusations about which of her co-workers she's sleeping with. When he starts throwing punches and one of her hunky gargoyle co-workers rushes to her rescue, Iliona is more interested in what exactly he's been doing on the ledge outside her bedroom window...
And whether he's interested in more than watching.
Between a Rock and a Hard Place
There's nothing like a bit of Gargoyle lovin'... Unless it's double the lovin'
Iliona is used to dealing with all kinds of paranormals thanks to her job with the Paranormal Protection Agency. Even so, an office break in by a banshee nearly has her heading for the pearly gates, and she needs a little 'me time' with her live-in, live on the building lover, a gargoyle named Cal.
But Cal's got some plans of his own. Plans that involve Iliona, a candle-lit room and some up close and personal time with himself and his 'twin' Granite.
Two sets of hands, two ridged tongues, two hot bodies...Being caught between a rock and a hard place has never been so hot.
Protect and Service
One curse. One Wolf. One Night.
Eloise is a woman on a mission. She needs to find a date for the annual hospital ball, and fast. The trouble is she's not only man-free but after her bastard of an ex had a nasty little curse hurled her way, no human guy will touch her with a barge-pole. Not after one date ended up with green acne, another with a nose like Pinocchio...the list went on.
Out of options, Eloise ends up at the offices of the Paranormal Protection Agency. She's not sure what to expect but she certainly doesn't expect Jared Stone. No-one expects Stone...
Seduced by Santa
A woman determined to spread the Christmas spirit...
Former socialite turned community centre worker Candice Kane loves Christmas. In the run down area she works in, economics and rising unemployment mean that there isn't a lot of Christmas spirit to go around. Determined to do something about it, for the last couple of years she's arranged a Christmas Party, complete with a visit from Santa for the neighbourhood kids. This year though, a break in and damage from vandals means the party could be cancelled...
A Santa who hates Christmas...
Rhod is...was a Santa. For years he joined the other men in his family delivering presents, until the attitude and ungratefulness of the rich children he delivered to made him hang up his red suit. Working for the Paranormal Protection Agency, he's convinced himself that he's happier without being the big guy anymore.
When he and his partner rescue Candy from an attack in a deserted alley, all Rhod's decisions are put to the test. Can he hold out against a woman with Christmas spirit in her heart, or will he lose his own in the process?
Close Protection
Ashlee Bishop is a bar owner. She was a happy bar owner until a bunch of pixies turned up demanding protection money. As a garden-variety human, she knows she doesn't have the ability to deal with the pixies, so she calls in the Paranormal Protection Agency to sort the problem out.
What she doesn't expect is for the pixies to come back before the agency can get to the bar, or the hot as hell werewolf who shows and starts teaching pixies how to fly. The hard way.
She certainly doesn't expect to be able to command his wolf... or to have to when the shit hits the fan.
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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
Hard as a Rock
"Gargoyles...guard," Cal ground out, his voice like a landslide. His knuckles cracked as his free hand snaked out to grab Kenneth around the throat.
"They do indeed." A little worried about the shade of purple Kenneth had turned, I reached out to pat Cal's arm. "You want to ease up on the death grip, sweetheart? I'd hate for you to get of his pulverized flesh under your fingernails."
Iliona has her hands full with her ex-boyfriend showing up unannounced and going off the deep end. Just when she thinks the situation is about to hit FUBAR level, Cal shows up and goes into extreme protective mode.
Seeing Cal in a whole new light, Iliona gives in to her feelings and O M G hotness ensues.
Between a Rock and Hard Place
My eyes must've been like dinner plates as I stared at him, only widening farther when Cal came to stand level. They were freaking twins. The only difference I could see -- other than the dress sense -- was that the new guy was slightly broader in the shoulder and carried a vicious scar on one cheekbone. I recognized it. Someone had tried to take a chisel to him when he'd been in his stone form. Cal had one too, on his chest."
Iliona thought she had her hands full with Cal, the gargoyle of her dreams. Imagine her surprise when Gran appeared and Cal wanted to share her with his brother. What's a girl to do? Why say yes, of course.
Protect and Service
I blinked as though just coming to and smiled as I stroked a finder down the open V of Jared's shirt. The slight hair on his chest tickled my fingers as I played with the button, threatening to pop it. His expression tightened at my coy look up through my lashes, feral heat flaring in his eyes."
Eloise need a date and fast. If she didn't show up at this employer sponsored event, her career would suffer a major setback. Her ex had put a curse on her which infected any man that went out her and now she was
persona non grata with the opposite sex. Having no other options, she seeks help from the Paranormal Protection Agency.
Jared Stone, a werewolf bodyguard, takes his assignment personally. He has the hots for Eloise and has since he literally ran into in the office.
Eloise embraces Jared and his wolf, claws and all.
Seduced by Santa
His lips quirked as he tilted her chin. Who'd have thought it? A Claus running into a girl called Candy Kane... He resisted the urge to look around to see if he could spot one of those blasted Fates. He wouldn't put it past them to try something funny, not this close to the damn Christmas season. B*tches had always loved to meddle."
Candy Kane shunned the world in which she grew up in. She wanted to help people, not be waited on hand and foot. Her parents didn't understand her and so she avoids them at all costs.
Rhod Claus left the North Pole because he was tired of playing Santa to over privileged kids while those in true need went without most of the year. Working for the Paranormal Protection Agency gave him a way out of his family legacy.
When Candy was injured during an attempted mugging, Rhod and Jared came to her rescue. Something about the injured Candy called to Rhod's soul and he can't help but fall in love with her.
Can Rhod continue to ignore the magic that calls to him at Christmas? Or will he give in and make all of Candy's dreams come true...
Close Proection
God, the guy was sex on a stick. Tall and broad-shouldered with defined and heavily toned muscles she wanted to stroke, tracing their lines and patterns with her fingertips and tongue. Then she got to his face and her heart stuttered.
Ashlee Bishop has problems, pixie problems. Not knowing where else to turn, she calls up the Paranormal Protection Agency.
Zane Holder, an alpha werewolf without a pack, shows up on Ashlee Bishop's door in the nick of time. Her bar is being destroyed by Pixies' and when Zane smells her blood in the air, he goes furry.
Ashlee didn't bargain on having a werewolf come to her aid and it freaks her out. Especially when he's as hot as homemade sin.
Ashlee calls to Zane's wolf in ways that no one has ever has. Could she be the one, his mate? Only time will tell.
Angela – ☆☆☆☆☆
This is a wonderfully sexy collection of short stories that not only highlight Ms. Carter’s wit and knack for the double entendre, but also her talent for writing erotic scenes that are sure to get your juices flowing. I look forward to reading more of this author’s work.
Hard as a Rock
Oh. My. Gargoyle! Working for her father's company, the Paranormal Protection Agency, Iliona is used to taking care of herself. But she's caught off-guard when her usually mild-mannered ex-boyfriend shows up unannounced, argumentative, and throws a punch at her. Unbeknownst to her, she has caught the eye of a co-worker who just happens to be a gargoyle and as gargoyles guard, Cal steps in to deal with her ex and sends him on his way. With the situation handled, she realizes that the only place where Cal can guard from is the ledge outside her bedroom window and finds the idea that he's seen everything a bit of a turn on. When she confronts Cal about it, his attraction is obvious and she quickly reassess her plans for the evening (pizza forgotten). What follows is one seriously hot sex scene in which we find out that Cal the gargoyle really is Hard as a Rock.
Between a Rock and a Hard Place
What's better than a gargoyle lover? Two. In this short, Iliona meets Cal's twin brother Granite, or Gran. After a fright at the office where Cal again comes to her rescue, Iliona plans to spend the evening engaged in a bout of life-affirming sex with her sexy gargoyle lover. What she didn't count on was that Cal had shared with his brother about his lover and planned to share her with his brother if she was receptive. Thank goodness she said yes and what was hot in Hard as a Rock was scorching in Between a Rock and a Hard Place as both Iliona and the reader get double the pleasure. I just want to know where I can sign up.
Protect and Service
Haaaaawt … why yes he is … Jared Stone, that is. He may have been referring to a client’s Geman Sheppard (you have to read it to find out), but it definitely applies to him. And never was someone so lucky to be cursed as Eloise. Thanks to her vindictive ex-husband’s curse, she is unable to date a man without him suffering the consequences, be it acne, Pinocchio-nose, frog tongue, or chicken squawking. So with her job on the line, she makes a desperate move and goes to the Paranormal Protection Agency to hire a paranormal to escort her to the event so that her job remains safe and her date doesn’t become yet another victim to her ex’s evil curse. Eloise gets more than she expects with her werewolf escort, Jared. He is drawn to her immediately and is more than happy to see that her evening goes well, very well if he gets his way and as a werewolf, he always gets what he wants. Needless to say Ms. Carter delivers up another smoldering sex scene that will leave you breathing heavy and in need of dry panties. My favorite line in the story is when Eloise says to Jared, “Are you sure you’re not a were-donkey?” That says it all.
Seduced by Santa
I’ll be honest, this was the story I wanted to read least in this collection. Seriously, the idea of being seduced by Santa is not very sexy. Ms. Carter, I am ashamed of doubting you. The concept of a blood line of winter elves that turn into Santa on one night of the year is reminiscent of The Santa Clause, but Tim Allen has nothing on Rhod Claus. And how could you possibly resist calling your heroine Candy Kane. What should have been corny, was so far from it. Again, Ms. Carter brings her “A” game in this short as she gives us one of the sexiest elves I’ve ever read about. Rhod and Candy generate some serious heat in the bedroom. The epilogue was a perfect way to wrap up the story and made me laugh out loud when Rhod tells Candy “Sweetheart, Santa coming is why you ended up in that state in the first place.” You’ll have to read the story to find out why.
Close Protection
Ashlee owns and operates her family’s bar and is being targeted by a gang for protection money. As there had been no need for protection before said gang moved into the neighborhood, she has no interest in paying for protection and even less in exchanging sex for protection as Roth, the leader suggested. Turns out that Ashlee is pretty handy with a bat and blade and manages to send the gang packing once again, but not before noticing the physical characteristic that marks Roth as a Pixie. As pixies are among the worst of the paranormals, she realizes that it’s going to take more than her bat to keep her and her bar so she contacts the PPA. Enter Zane. As he heads over to check out the bar before his shift is scheduled to start the next day, he discovers that Roth’s men are back and busting up the bar with Ashlee in it. He shifts and enters the fight. Unfortunately for Zane, Ashlee isn’t expecting anyone from the PPA nor is she expecting a wolf, so she assumes the worst and takes a swing at him too … and connects. Fortunately, the bat isn’t the only thing that connects in this story and readers are treated to yet another delightfully sexy read from Ms. Carter.
Mina was born and raised in the East Farthing of Middle Earth (otherwise known as the Midlands, England) and spend her childhood learning all the sorts of things generally required of a professional adventurer. Able to ride, box, shoot, make and read maps, make chainmail and use a broadsword (with varying degrees of efficiency) she was disgusted to find that adventuring is not considered a suitable occupation these days.
So, instead of slaying dragons and hunting vampires and the like, Mina spends her days writing about hot shifters, government conspiracies and vampire lords with more than their fair share of RAWR. Turns out wanna-be adventurers have quite the turn of imagination after all…
(But she keeps that sword sharp, just in case the writing career is just a dream and she really *is* an adventurer.)
The boring part: A full time author and cover artist, Mina can usually be found hunched over a keyboard or graphics tablet, frantically trying to get the images and words in her head out and onto the screen before they drive her mad. She’s addicted to coffee and would like to be addicted to chocolate, but unfortunately chocolate dislikes her.
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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Dragon’s Chase (Paranormal Protection Agency #7), Dragon’s Honor (Paranormal Protection Agency #6), and Paranormal Protection Agency: Volume 1 (Paranormal Protection Agency #1-5) by Mina Carter to read and review for this tour.
