Swallow

A Forbidden Desires Spin-Off Story

By: Piper Scott, Virginia Kelly

Narrated by: Michael Ferraiuolo

Length: 3 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's Summary

Grimbold Drake, influential patriarch of the Drake family, revels in his solitary life of order - a life which is thrown into chaos when his son pays him an unexpected visit, bringing with him a broken but gorgeous young man more than a millennium Grimbold’s junior. A man Grimbold instantly finds himself yearning to fix, protect, and claim.

Meek, subservient, and eager to please, Wally Brand doesn’t doubt the tales he’s been told of the cruel and deceitful Amethyst clan. So, when he’s forcibly taken from his home and entrusted to Grimbold Drake - the most powerful Amethyst dragon of all - he knows he won’t be long for this world. 

Only, there’s a gleam in Grimbold’s eyes when he looks Wally’s way and a tenderness to his touch that Wally can’t understand. All he knows is one thing: Whether Grimbold means him harm or not, if he can be good to his dragon captor, maybe...just maybe, he’ll get out of this mess alive.

Swallow is a steamy omegaverse mpreg-ish romance set following the events of the Forbidden Desires series. It contains a broken young man who badly needs love, a curmudgeonly dragon with a heart of gold, new nicknames, familiar faces, and the sweetest dog known to dragonkind. 

For maximum enjoyment, Swallow is best listened to as a companion piece to the Forbidden Desires series. 

©2019 Piper Scott; Virginia Kelly (P)2019 Piper Scott; Virginia Kelly

- 4 stars -

*Spoilers*


I'm not exactly sure where to begin with this review. It was my first time listening and reading this book. I will admit that this book wasn't exactly my favorite out of this series. I think it might have been because it was relatively short compared to the other books, which made the attraction between Grimbold and Wally rather fast, but not too fast. I will say my favorite part had to be Everard and how uncomfortable he was with his father being all mushy over his mate. Which I have to agree that it was kind of cringe worthy at times with how they spoke to each other.
I am happy that Grimbold found a forever mate and that Wally found someone who will cherish him. I never disliked Grimbold as a character, but I appreciate the change that he has started. I do find it interesting though that his children that have a closer bond or at least more interaction with Grimbold are Geoffrey and Everard. I do think that from the beginning there has been some sort of distance between himself and his children which I think is due to his job as head council, but I think he has begun to realize his mistakes - which is why he had Geoffrey step down from his position in book three so that Geoffrey doesn't make the same mistake as he did with not being very involved in their lives - and is now appreciating the little moments he has with his grown children and in fixing other problems that he has remained ignorant of or simply ignored. It was interesting hearing about when his children were younger and what he did when they misbehave.
It was sad though that he doesn't even remember the name of the mother of his first clutch.

*Narration*
The narration was wonderful as always to listen to.

Interesting story

I enjoyed the way this novel built on the world that it spun off from. Lots of cameos from past couples, which could get overwhelming for a new listener. Wally certainly had a ton of trauma to work through, it felt like he maybe got over past mistreatment a touch too easily. The villain was enjoyable to hate. Courtship by dessert is a win, and I enjoyed the way Wally's favorite fandom carried through with little details and larger themes. Well narrated, emotional listen.

Fantastic!

I love all of the audio books in this series. The narrator does a fantastic job bringing all of these characters to life. I was very excited that the narrator didn't change how Grimbold sounds. I was afraid that he would try to tone down the gruffness of the character's voice as it sounds in the other three books. But he doesn't do that and I absolutely loved it. Fantastic job.

Nice job Scott and Kelly

Awesome narrating by Michael Ferraiuolo, as always. Nice to hear his music too. Great short listen to tie up a really great series. Nice to see Grimbold get another chance at love and a mate. No one deserves a solitary life. Wally so deserves a HEA and a family to Love and protect him... Hopefully there are more stories to come, I'm a fan of the Scott, Kelly team of writing. Well worth you credit and your time. Enjoy the cameos from the forbidden desires series cast of characters...⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Michael Ferraiuolo is masterful in his reading! 🥰

In this first of the Forbidden Desires Spin-Off stories, the Drake family patriarch gets an opportunity to learn what damage can occur when allowing the clans to fully govern themselves unchecked. It seems fate had something special for 'daddy Drake' in the form of an omega discovered amongst the 'fractured' Topaz camp. Wally, like many other 'disgraces', had been verbally, emotionally, and physically abused. Amethyst Grimbold Drake feels guilty because his leadership of the council did not mandate regulating the care and treatment of omegas in the Pedigree for each dragon clan.
Pappa Drake gains custody of the beautiful young omega Wally who had been trained to believe in the villainy of the Amethyst clan.
Poor Wally is undoubtedly confused about the kindness, gentleness, and compassion he receives from the Grimbold. Being meek, subservient, and eager to please, he soon responses to Grimbold nurturing. Though suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, Grimbold's care minimizes the worse of Wally's symptoms. At a later point, he comes to realize he isn't bound for a miserable death. He becomes a cherished, well-loved companion to Grimbold that is accepted by others of the Amethyst clan.
This is an extremely effective, very touching novella that does so much in furthering the world-building of the Forbidden Desires universe. It is particularly pleasing that the authors thought to include the patriarch in the transformative mate bonding that will improve the dragons' chances of growing their numbers. There is other rather effective character development that occurs in the story that strengthening the series as a whole. The writers continue with a cohesion for the series that is truly astounding.

I am glad the leader of the clan got a HEA

Though the story is way too short to be complete. It needed a bit more to make a total sense. Though Michael can do no wrong, I wasn't loving the voice of big daddy.

Sweet!

Poor sweet Wally. It takes all of Grimbold's patience to slowly win over the abused young man and help him to no longer be afraid of being punished. I absolutely loved getting Grimbold's story and Micahek Ferraiuolo really brought it to life. Absolutely fantastic!

I heart Grim <3

I’ll admit I really didn’t like Grimbold in the other books but in this one... I LOVED him! Grim’s son shows up with an omega who is having a hard time. Wally has been abused. He’s never been shown kindness. He thinks his only purpose is to serve a dragon. He doesn’t know what to do when Grim is nice to him. Grim wants to help Wally. To protect him. And deep down he wants to have him. Grim and Wally are perfect for each other. This book really showed a different side of Grimbold. He does have a soft side. Michael Ferraiuolo is perfect for this series! When he says “mine”.... I need to fan myself!

Wally's New Start

Swallow is the fourth book in the Forbidden Desires series, a paranormal series with dragon shifters and A/B/O dynamics. Although this book states it is the first book in the Forbidden Desires Spin-Off series, I fully suggest reading the previous three books of the Forbidden Desires series.

Swallow is a short novella that features Grimbold Drake and Wally, the shy omega who’s been abused as he grew up. Grimbold and Wally’s relationship was sweet and delightful and I really enjoyed this book. The story was well crafted with sweet moments and some great sexy scenes.

The audiobook was narrated by Michael Ferraiuolo who narrated the previous books in the series. Michael did a great job with this narration and performed the book well. I really enjoyed listening to this book and was engaged with the story the entire time.

It’s Grandpa Grimmy’s turn

An omega who has been treated very unkindly who is fragile and scared meets a kind, sweet, protective, dragon. Wally had no idea such a thing existed. Grim is finally settled and he’s so sweet I think I got a cavity. Good addition to the series.

Grimbold Drake finds love

Grimbold, the head of the Amethyst clan loves order in his live. But then his son brings a 'broken' Swallow/ Wally Brand who has spent his live in the horrific cloisters op the Topaz clan. He does not trust, especially Amethyst dragons.
However Grimbold feels a deep need to to care of him. Wally is afraid and just wants to be good to be able to stay alive. The men find an unexpected love. This is like a daddy with his boy he just wants to care for and protect Sweet story and the narrator gives an extra layer.

Great book, great series

Read and listened to the audio versions of this book. I loved it so much I had to read it twice.
The series is so good, especially if you like dragons and Mpreg.
The details and the characters are lovely even when the characters are flawed.
But always am HEA even for the most unlikely. A great read. Thank you.

Daddy dragon and his little Wally

I've been greatly enjoying this series by Piper Scott and Virginia Kelly, and Michael Ferraiuolo does a wonderful job of bringing the dragons and their people to life. This was a fun insight into the big daddy of the Amethyst clan and head of the Dragon Council. He's certainly taken by surprise when Wally creeps timidly into his life. I love Wally he's such a sweet, gentle soul and I'm glad that Daddy Drake nurtures and cherishes him as he so desperately needs. Highly recommended fun dragon MPreg story.

Loved it

This was a really great audiobook.
I love this story and I loved listening to it brought to life.
Definitely a must read.

4.75* of dragon greatness

The first in a spin off series following the events in the brilliant Forbidden Desires series written by Piper Scott and Virginia Kelly, narrated wonderfully by Michael Ferraiuolo.

We are back with the dragons, yay, and Geoffrey, Everard and Harry make appearances as Grimbold comes face to face with the neglect and abuse his lack of attention has caused and has regret, shame and guilt for that in the form of the young dragonet Wally, who has had a traumatic beginning, I’m not giving anymore away.

I loved the first series and this spin off is just as good so if you like hot dragons, who like to claim what is theirs, then this is the book/series for you.

Loved it!

The Forbidden Desires series was one of my top audiobook favorites last year, and Swallow, its first spin-off, was just about as amazing.

Michael Ferraiuolo is one of my favorite narrators and while I wasn't sure I was going to like listening to Daddy Grimwold's voice for too long—he sounds old, which well, he is and I already knew after listening to the Forbidden Desires series, LOL—but he looks hot on the cover, so it kind of ruined the fantasy for me at first. However, Michael's performance and Piper and Virginia's words won me over to the dark side and I ended up loving him despite Grimwold sounding old. Hahahahaha! He was so patient and gentle with Wally, despite being a formidable clan master and a centuries-old dragon. Wally was sweet and Michael captured that perfectly. And of course, getting to revisit my favorites, Everard and Harry, was delightful, too, which, coupled with a strong storyline and some fun, hot and even jaw-dropping, twists and turns, made for a great start to this new spin-off series. I'm already looking forward to more and I can't recommend this audiobook enough.

Great dragon tale.

I wasn’t the biggest fan of Grimbold from what we saw of him before, however Swallow changed that and now I love him. Poor Wally has had such a bad past and my heart really broke for him. I loved how Grimbold helped him come into his own.

The narration really worked and I loved all the characters as portrayed by the narrator.

Grimbold!

Grimbold is an ancient and powerful dragon. He gets to take care of Wally, a very shy and misguided omega. Their relationship is one that has to be handled with outmost care since Wally has been made to suffer and everything makes him suspicious and untrusting. It’s a very different story but one with lots of heart.
The voice of Grimbold threw me off a bit but I am a fan of Ferraiuolo so I won’t hold it against him.

excellent

I love Wally (walter) he is so sweet, he just tugs at your heart strings and the narrator did his voice beautifully. It was lovely seeing a sweet and caring side from Grimbold.

I have loved every book in this series and harry still makes me laugh

Great story, not a stand alone

I received an ARC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this spin off story. It was such a sweet tale and great to see Swallow get his well deserved HEA. Although the story is about one couple, you get to see the established couple and their children too, which adds to the fun.
Michael Ferraiuolo does a great job. as the characters were already established the voices can't be changed but, and this is just my personal taste and no reflection on Michael at all, I couldn't find Grimbold's accent sexy.