Erryn reviews ‘Magpie (A Forbidden Desires Spin Off Story)’ by Piper Scott and Virginia Kelly. Self-published on March 9, 2020, 253 pgs. Released on April 22, 2020, the audio is 7 hrs & 3 mins. Narrated by Michael Ferraiuolo.
Why I listened to this audio: I’m in love with this series.
Reynard Drake, solitary cybersecurity expert and curator of the Drake family fortune, would rather be chucked in the midden than forced to bed an omega, but as the selected Amethyst candidate for the mating experiment, he has no other choice. Resigned to his unhappy fate, he takes solace in the fact that one thing will never change -his virtual rival, Magpie, will always be there to keep him on his toes, even if he has been strangely absent from the internet lately…
Diamond Disgrace Misha Vasiliev has a secret. By day he learns what it takes to warm a dragon’s bed, but at night he’s Magpie, renowned hacker and dark web service provider who steals from dragons in his spare time. His favorite target? Reynard Drake, whom he’s only ever seen in pictures, but whom Misha wants more than anyone else.
And now, with a faceless threat closing in on his cloister, quite possibly the only one capable of saving his life.
Magpie is a steamy omegaverse mpreg-ish romance set during the events of the Forbidden Desires series. It contains pretty things hidden where the sun don’t shine; a scandalous screenshot or two; plenty of laughs; its fair share of tense moments; and, of course, “Beagle!” For maximum enjoyment, Magpie is best listened as a companion piece to the Forbidden Desires series.
Buy it here: Audible | Amazon | Add it to Goodreads
My Review:
Reynard Drake is responsible for watching over the finances of the amethyst clan. He’s observed his brothers get paired up and have baby dragons. This has never been of particular interest to him. Now, however, he’s been tasked for his brother-in-law Harry’s experiment of mating ‘disgraces’ with dragons. No one likes the term disgrace, but it’s been used for centuries. When Misha Vasiliev shows up at Reynard’s doorstep, he knows something’s afoot.
Mischa’s knowledge of cybersecurity rivals Reynard’s, and he’s made it his mission to steal from dragons. He’s matched wits with Reynard many times and when the opportunity to truly best the dragon is placed in front of him, he can’t refuse. What that means, however, is coming face-to-face with his nemesis. He lets Reynard know that Magpie is now living in his house.
Reynard is, frankly, besotted. This disgrace blows into his world and nothing is ever going to be the same. When Mischa’s place in his home is threatened, Reynard stands up for the man he loves, and of course his brothers step in to help. But dark forces are powerful and it’s going to take all of the Drakes to keep their newest member safe. So there is action in the book, to be sure. There is also the humor I’ve come to expect:
Everard came to stand beside the egg bed. “Do cover yourself, brother. Good,” he added after Reynard set the pillow in front of his groin. “No one wants to see that. Have some decorum.”
“I want to,” complained Harry, taking up a post beside the bed and opposite his mate. “I was so wrapped up in studying the attack when we went to rescue the eggs that I forgot to look. I wanted to compare dragon anatomy in both lizard and human forms for ages and it’s very disappointing you won’t let me. It’s science, Ev.”
“For the millionth time, Fois Gras, no. You will not ogle my relatives in dishabille under any circumstances.”
“But Ev!” Harry pleaded. “Science.”
“Lemon Grass, you get hung up on the strangest notions.” Everard sighed. “After we’re done here, we can go home and you can sketch me in the nude to your heart’s content. How does that sound?”
These two really are my favorite couple, although all the Drakes make an appearance. Soon Mischa finds himself embraced by all the love he can handle. I got my hoard, my dragonettes, and my happy ending – what more could I ask for? Well, another book might be nice. I hope one is in the works.
Michael Ferraiuolo is the narrator for the series and he’s perfect. He does Mischa’s Russian accent perfectly and nails Reynard’s snobbish British-like accent. And, again, his Harry is spot-on. Anyway…more please!
My Rating:
9.5/10 Pots of Gold (95% Recommended) – Compares to 4.75/5 Stars
