ADULTS ONLY ARC Book Review: Red Hot Dragon (Dragon Heat #2) by Lolita Lopez

Red Hot Dragon (Dragon Heat, #2)

Title: Red Hot Dragon (Dragon Heat #2)
Author: Lolita Lopez
Publisher: Forever (Grand Central Publishing)
Release Date: 1st October 2013
Genre: Erotica, Paranormal Romance
Format: e-ARC
Page Count: 128 (paperback)
Source: Netgalley
Rating:

[flame rating=”five-flames”]

Avani is desperate – she’s in heat and needs to conceive a child to continue her near-extinct dragon race, the serpentine Naga. Griffon is the only man she can find who can help ensure her baby inherits the Naga gifts – but he’s her sworn enemy, a hulking Welsh Red.

When I read the first book in this series, Dead Sexy Dragon, I felt a little stupid. The only other erotica I’d read was a failed attempt at Fifty Shades of Grey which I abandoned due its horrendous domestic violence, abuse, and terrible, terrible writing. Dead Sexy Dragon was pleasant enough, but it was the sneak peek at Avani and Griff’s story at the end that made me want to continue the series.

Avani and Griff come from opposite sides of a horrific blood feud, but Avani needs Griff and he’s honourable enough not to send her away. Their passion is intense, heightened by their dragon mating heat, which I found sweet and electrifying. It’s OK to go over the top when it’s two dragons struggling against their intense primal nature. Although we receive detailed sex scenes, we skip over the real bonding part and suddenly a few days later they’re head over heels in love and sealing their mating bond.

My favourite parts were just before the first sexytimes when Avani is nervous being around someone as big as Griff (nearly seven feet tall, so it says. I say PFFFT! Seven foot tall all the way!), but Griff is teasing and trying to get her to relax. My other favourite part was when Griff nearly died and Avani saved his life, and in their respective dragon forms they claimed each other in front of the dragon boss. Something about Avani curled around Griff’s arm and him shielding her is just sweet.

What I didn’t like was Griff’s need to take control and Avani’s excitement at being dominated. In Dead Sexy Dragon Cora was many years younger than Stig, and Griff is much, much older than Avani. I’d like to see, in future books, an older woman and a younger man, a woman who takes control and a man who doesn’t mind being dominated from the start. I don’t find male domination sexy, so I tried to ignore those parts of Griff and Avani’s story.

The plot was also strong with Griff’s best friend Mad going missing, and the world-building continues in its depth and thoroughness. I thoroughly enjoy the Dragon Heat series and am looking forward to the hopeful next book.

This is a novella of 25,000 words which contributed to me choosing to read it.

Thanks to Grand Central Publishing and Netgalley for providing this advanced reader copy for an honest review.

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About Nemo

A lover of kittens and all things sparkly, Nemo has a degree in English Literature and specialises in reviewing contemporary, paranormal, mystery/thriller, historical, sci-fi and fantasy Young Adult fiction. She is especially drawn to novels about princesses, strong female friendships, magical powers, and assassins.