Dragon's Temptation

by Nicolette Andrews

Liane is the Goddess chosen, wielder of the golden blade. But the blade is embedded in her spine.

Liane is the goddess Cyra’s Avatar, destined to destroy the dark plague sweeping the empire with the Golden Blade. Unfortunately, the sword is fused into her back. It’s said only pure souls can draw the sword, which Liane must prove her divinity by giving up material comforts and carnal indulgences. She dedicated her life to the Church of Sol and prepared for a devout life, until Erich strolled back into her life, a temptation she cannot deny.

Erich crossed the continent to find Liane again, and he’s ready to burn the world to keep her safe, but can he protect her from the monster under his skin? His control over the dragon is splintering, leading him down a dangerous path from which he cannot return. The longer he orbits around Liane trying to untangle her from the Church of Sol’s influence, the more the dragon chips away at his sanity, and soon there will be nothing of him left…

Caught between divinity and damnation, they try to fight the inexplicable draw to one another. Liane’s faith will be tested as Erich’s restraints are broken. Together alone are they are strong enough to subvert the apocalypse. Can they overcome their fears and biases before darkness rises to destroy them all?

366 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 29, 2025

About the author

Nicolette Andrews is a born and raised San Diegan with a passion for fantasy, especially if it has a romance and some mystery and intrigue mixed it doesn't go amiss either. Apart from writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, preferably somewhere outside enjoying the San Diego sunshine.

Reviews

[Rebecca Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dragon's Temptation is the second book in Andrews' Moonlight Dragon trilogy. This is not a standalone novel; the story continues from where it left off in Dragon's Deception. The final book in this trilogy is Dragon's Devotion however at the time of this review, no publication date was available.

When Liane finds out that she is the chosen one, she agrees to travel to Basilia with the Avatheos, leader of the Church of Sol. It is there she will be prepared to fulfill her destiny - destroy the darkness threatening the empire, using the Golden Blade, a sword which is currently fused inside her back. Liane is committed to the cause and prepared to make many sacrifices in order to prove herself worthy.

Unbeknownst to Liane, Erich follows her to Basilia. He believes the Avatheos does not have good intentions. He is determined to save her from his clutches and the Church of Sol. He will do anything for her, but continues to lose control over his inner beast - the dragon. He doesn't want to hurt her, but cannot bring himself to walk away.

This book also features Liane's older sister, Aristea. She recently lost her husband but continues to suffer from the malicious comments he said to her during their married life. She feels the need to prove herself as the rightful heir to the throne, even without a man by her side, but continues to feel less than due to her inability to conceive a child. She has strong beliefs but a weak mind which can be easily taken advantage of.

While Liane and Erich continue to feel the pull towards one another, they try to resist. Liane is focused on her destiny, while Erich has taught himself not to form emotional attachments to others given his curse.

This installment in the trilogy felt darker with Liane's inner turmoil regarding her religious beliefs and Aristea's trauma from a verbally abusive husband as well as her infertility. While difficult to read what each of the sisters was forced to endure, I also loved the duality theme which flowed through the book: light & dark, sun & moon, knowledge & beliefs, fight & flight, etc... The book's pacing and plot kept me captivated until the very last page. There was plenty of action as well as some twists that enhanced the storyline. Since the story continues in the last book, I'm eagerly awaiting its release to find out what comes next.

[Claire Smith-Simmons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just like with the first book I found this hard to put down once I started it. It's a perfect blend of fantasy and romantasy spice. The characters developed further in this book with Aristea really stepping into this story as more than just a side character, now she gets her own POV and I'm really pleased to see how she developed and the way she was twisted into the tale. It felt like a darker element was growing and with it the tension across the books with a greater sense of urgency.

I'm hoping we see more of Mathias in the next book too as I feel like he has a story yet to be told. Fritz is another character I want to see more of.

The political tensions are building and now that Liane has had the truth revealed she agrees to go with the Church of Sol to delve more into her powers, release the sword and prove that she is worthy of being Cyra’s chosen one but is she in control or being controlled?

Erich is a fugitive once more but the undeniable pull towards Liane is too much to resist and he follows her determined to protect her. He battles with his inner dragon to keep control and find a path forward, all whilst someone from his past catches up with him.

Aristea, the dutiful heir to the throne is pitched into a political battle to solidify her tenuous hold on the line of succession and not be passed over for her younger brother just because she's a woman and now a widow. Seeking alliances she treads a dangerous path but a voice speaks to her fueling her inner wrath at the unfairness of how women are treated and pulling her towards a darker path.

I am currently bereft bit knowing when the next book will be released as I'm invested and want to know how it ends as the cliffhanger got me gasping out loud.

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is getting stronger with every book, and I am waiting excitedly to read the 3rd book. In this book we find Princess Liane fighting to retain her strength which is being drained by the sword in her back. She is told she is the avatar, chosen by the goddess Cyra herself, and that only by releasing the enchanted sword and being able to wield it will the darkness threatening their kingdom be repelled. She is convinced to join the Church of Sol, led by the Avatheos, and to leave her city and family and travel to Basilia, the religious city, in order to purify herself in the waters. Meanwhile Erich, Prince of Sundland and were-dragon, supposedly corrupted, cannot get Liane out of his mind, and knowing she was being taken by the church he was terrified for her safety. He follows her to Basilia together with Fritz, his friend the elf healer. in order to get her away from the clutches of the Avatheos. This book is a heart wrencher, I found myself fearing for Liane's life under the evil of the Avatheos and her imprisonment in the tower, hating that she was forced to wear the veil, she who had always been such a strong willed free spirit, and I feared also for Erich when he was forced to fight in the arena battles. However both characters are strong, they are light and dark, their destinies entwined, and both necessary as one cannot exist without the other. I hated what was in the meantime happening back in the palace, with Prince Mathias being doubted and dubbed a traitor, and Princess Aristea, future heir to the Empress' throne turning towards darkness. Roll on book 3 as I cannot wait to read the end to this very highly addictive and exciting trilogy.

[Jenfiere · Rating 4 out of 5]

I met Nicolette Andrews at a book signing a few weeks back and read both her first book and this one, which I received as an early release copy. The book itself is beautiful with the book sleeve hiding an even more amazing book cover! Each chapter begins with dark pages reflecting different phases of the moon, which was a fascinating touch to the plot and timeline of the story.

I really do love the intricate story of dark and light woven throughout. The comraderie felt real between characters, and the fantastical subplots definitely had me gripping pages from time to time. I loved the struggle with the religious sect and the intricate politics in the royal court going on. But more than that each character is struggling with their own morality and choices. I definitely want to read the next in the series now, which is funny because I read this before its official release date. I would definitely give this 4.5 stars. It has dragons, royalty, mysterious religious figures, goddesses, magic, and elves. It was a good fantasy read. (Needs a little bit more spice, but definitely had a few sexy scenes.)

[Enelyae Is Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I’m gonna start by saying I feel like the Liane of Book 1 and the Liane of Book 2 are 2 different people. She really went against all her instincts and feelings through most of Book 2, and I wanted to shake her out of it. Like, girl, do you not see all the giant red flags waving in your face?

Also, wanna smack Erich a little too. Why are men always so dumb? But can I also say, I am loving his shifting abilities if you know what I mean 😏😮‍💨! I am so glad that Liane decided to listen to her instincts a little more, and I was so happy by the end of the book; she seemed her old self again!

I also struggled through certain POVs throughout the book. Again, the red flags and the going against your instincts seriously irritated me so much. I really had a hard time reading these chapters (kind of like Cersei’s from Game of Thrones).

I do like this story, but I was so frustrated through most of this read that it made it hard for me to get through. I want the next book, and I really hope too that maybe there will be more of a certain brother in it and that there is some teaming up! (I continue to especially want to know more about Fritz!)

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 🌶️🌶️

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌶️🌶️

Dragon's Temptation picks up right where Deception left off, and we immediately get a new POV that I was really excited about. The pacing was great, I stayed interested the whole time and honestly didn’t want to put it down! 😆

All of the characters go through so much growth and have to decide what’s right for them. Erich’s obsession with Liane was so satisfying, and I loved how he never gave up on her. 🥹 He’s starting to figure out his dragon, but he’s terrified of losing control forever. Liane, meanwhile, struggles with who to believe and has to make some really tough decisions.

We also learn more about the elves, and there’s corruption all throughout the empire and the church. Plus, a growing darkness that feels a little too close to home for Liane. I’m so sad I have to wait for book 3 because I can feel an epic battle coming! 🙌🔥

I knocked off one star only because some of the worldbuilding and magic system is still a little confusing for me.

Thank you so much to the author for sending me this eARC! 🫶

[Aria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dragon’s Temptation continues the Moonlight Dragon series with more romance, secrets, and dragon‑shifter drama, and it’s another 3‑star read for me. This instalment leans further into the emotional fallout of earlier events, adding higher stakes and more angst while keeping the humour and charm that characterised the first book.
The central couple has good chemistry, and there are some lovely moments of vulnerability and growth, especially as past choices and hidden truths come to light. However, similar to book one, I found myself wishing for more depth in the worldbuilding and a tighter, more focused plot; some threads felt a little rushed or conveniently resolved.
That said, Dragon’s Temptation is still an enjoyable follow‑up, and readers who loved the tone and characters of Dragon’s Deception will likely be happy to spend more time in this world. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kendra Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another solid addition to the series. It picks up exactly where book one left off. Liane and Erich are still fighting their destinies and their attraction to each other. The mysteries continue and it’s still hard to know who you can or can’t trust because nothing is how it first appears. There is a LOT of world building in this book and I loved it. It was well done and now to start the wait for the next book.

Completely unrelated, there is an excellent synopsis of the first book in the beginning and I just wish more series would do that. Sometimes you just don’t have the time for a reread.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve said this before but Nicolette Andrews is the queen of crafting political court intrigue!

I loved all the complexities and twists that this book brought to this series. I had some very strong emotions as the plot moved along and certain characters (looking at a few people with this one) made the decisions they did). I understand…I truly do but AHHHHHHH!

Can NOT wait for the next book!!!! 😍

Multiple povs told in third person

More characters have been introduced since we are now inside the church but still the main cast from book one.

Steam - some spice

[Taylor Quinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC to give an honest review through BookSprout. I read Dragons Deception first in the series. This book was really good but didn't gain my interest until halfway through. I thought the beginning was slow and had a lot of description than storyline. Now that I've read I need to read book 3 to find out what happens to Aristea, Liane's sister. The book left on an unexpected twist.

[Bailey Gaddis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the best time reading the first two books in Moonlight Dragons. I loved seeing Liane come into her power and fight the corruption that was throughout the kingdom. Erich and his dragon were the best part. I have a weakness for dragons and one who would sacrifice everything for his woman, chef’s kiss! I must say I am disappointed in Aristea. I expected a let from her and she let me down big time. I’m excited to see the siblings reunite in the next book!

[Britt Smolinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

Oof this book was emotional! It had me screaming and crying every other page. This book picks up where book one left off, with Liane trying to use the sword embedded into her back. I truly enjoyed the multiple povs, especially the look into Aristea’s pov as the older sister and expectations. The deeper dive into organized religion with the unique take on magic had me hooked. I love how each book builds more and more, I cannot wait for book 3!

Thank you Nicolette for an eARC!

[Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks again for this ARC! This book picks up where the first left off. Again really enjoyed the multiple POVs- Erich and his dragon were my favorite!