Her First Taste of Fire

Shadowvale, Book 5

By: Kristen Painter

Narrated by: B.J. Harrison

Shadowvale isn’t your typical American small town. The sun never shines, the gates decide who enters, magic abounds, and every resident bears some kind of curse.

Most people think Nasha Black lives in Shadowvale because that’s where her father, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, lives. But Nasha has another reason for staying in Shadowvale, and it’s not just the bakery she owns and operates. She has a devastating curse of her own, one she’s never told a soul about.

Shadowvale has given chocolatier and dragon-shifter Charlie Ashborne a refuge from the reality of his cursed life - until now. He’s been summoned to the dragon census, where all unmated dragons will be paired off. If he doesn’t show, the dragon council will come to him. His desire to protect Shadowvale means not only will he end up with a wife he doesn’t want, but the curse he’s kept hidden for so long will be exposed.

Facing certain humiliation, Charlie is about to leave for the census when an attractive woman shows up at his house, desperate for more of the chocolates Charlie sells in his shop. Nasha needs to know what magic he puts in his chocolate. She’s never tasted anything like it, literally, and it’s changed her life. Discovering he’s headed out of town pushes her to make a crazy offer. She’ll pretend to be his wife in exchange for his recipe. Seems fair enough.

Making a pact with a chocolate addict might not be the right move, but Charlie will do anything to avoid the dragon census mating games, so he jumps at the chance to claim Nasha as his wife for a week.

It seems like the perfect plan, until they find out the rules have changed, leaving them no choice but to compete in the games. Unexpectedly, they begin to fall for each other, amazed by what a good team they make. But as competitors try to tear them apart Charlie and Nasha wonder if they will ever taste sweet victory, or just the bitter dregs of defeat?

©2021 Kristen Painter (P)2021 Kristen Painter

More!!!

Stereotypical love story…and I can get enough!!! I’ve listened to ALL the Shadowvale books and was so sad when I would randomly check and there were no more until this one popped up as a late Christmas surprise and perfect timing as something to listen to while sick. I would highly recommend ALL the books in the series and have such a soft spot for them!

Enjoyed the book

I was rooting for the underdogs to come out on top and banding together really helped them. It was fun story and I enjoyed the love and friendships that were built along the way.

Awesome!!

I really enjoy the Shadowvale books. This one had me on the edge of my seat at points and at others had me laughing.

This romance is dang near perfect.

There is a commonly used plot in romances that has the main characters fall into some misunderstanding (that probably could have been easily avoided) and be at odds until it gets sorted and they come back together. That often irritates me, which is a large part of why I’m delighted that this book has the two characters working together to solve a challenge that affects both of them. I enjoy Kristen Painter’s books in general and this one had an extra sparkle for me; so much so that I’ve listened to it more than once. I look forward to seeing more of this style, and hopefully further adventures of these characters.

always a good read

the characters of Shadowvail are enchanting, or is it enchanted? and there is always a HEA !