Rogue Dragon Rising

Outside the Veil #1

by T.J. Shaw

Twenty-three year old, Amari Hawke, is thrust into the world of two-soul shifters when she is injured and kidnapped by trackers outside the veil, beyond the safety of her homeland. Unable to remember her past, she trusts no one and relies on instinct to survive. As her awakening approaches, the first time she will transition into her animal, she must evade rogue shifters trying to capture her.

Now free from the King’s Army, powerful dragon lord, Jaxon Blackthorn, seeks a peaceful life. Intent on building his lands into a viable plantation, away from war and bloodshed, he is reluctantly pulled back into the fight when he defends the mysterious shifter with no past against an unseen enemy.

As evil threatens to destroy the entire realm, can the battle-hardened warrior and coming-of-age noblewoman accept their differences to forge an alliance that will ultimately unite the shifter nations?

Please note: Both Rogue Dragon Rising and the subsequent novel, Sleeping Dragon Stirs, end in cliffhangers. The third book in the serial trilogy, Alpha Dragon Awakes, provides a satisfying conclusion to Jaxon and Amari’s story, but broader story arcs continue into the Outside the Veil series. Sleeping Dragon Stirs has an early November release date and Alpha Dragon Awakes is set to release in late December, 2018.

Genres: Paranormal, Dragons, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy Romance, Shapeshifters, Romance

186 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2018

About the author

Biography
As a child, TJ thrived in the Arizona desert. By the age of five she was riding horses through cotton fields and by eleven bought her first motorcycle, a Honda 125cc dirt bike. Growing up with teachers as parents meant traveling during the summer. Hiking, backpacking, fly fishing, climbing pyramids, surviving earthquakes, and flying in hot air balloons were just some of her adventures. An avid day dreamer, she would lose herself in mystical worlds and far off places limited only by her imagination. After choosing an academic scholarship over an athletic basketball scholarship, she graduated law school and accepted a position as a Deputy County Attorney. However, prosecuting felony crimes was not as exciting as she hoped, so she traded in her briefcase and the courtroom for a Glock and patrol car. She worked the road as a police officer for five years and now tells officers what to do as a policy writer for a police department. TJ writes from her heart by incorporating her dreams and experiences to create strong, passionate characters who must overcome personal flaws to survive against the challenges of traversing through magical realms, undiscovered planets, and apocalyptic catastrophes.

Reviews

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rogue Dragon Rising is part one of a three part serial called Outside the Veil by T.J. Shaw. First I want to just say WOW! What a start! This story captivated me from page one and let me tell you it took off right from the beginning. To better help you understand how the author has set up this series I’m going to copy and paste her own words here:

“Please note: Both Rogue Dragon Rising and the subsequent novel, Sleeping Dragon Stirs, end in cliffhangers. The third book in the serial trilogy, Alpha Dragon Awakes, provides a satisfying conclusion to Jaxon and Amari’s story, but broader story arcs continue into the Outside the Veil series. Sleeping Dragon Stirs has an early November release date and Alpha Dragon Awakes is set to release in late December, 2018.”



Amari Hawke is the daughter of a two souled dragon shifter and a one souled Eldian mother. Because of her mixed heritage, she is not told of her inner dragon. Amari has gone outside the safety of the veil and is captured and injured. She has lost her memory and is sold into servitude. With her first shift rapidly approaching, she has no idea what is happening.



Jaxon Blackthorn is at the auction and is instantly drawn to the red head. He can’t understand why his dragon is so set on her. Every dragon hopes to someday find their true mate but a dragon can only mate with another dragon. Someone else buys her contract so that is that. Only fate saw things differently.

When Amari is on the road with the other shifters she is traveling with, they are attacked by rogues. When she thought all was lost, Jaxon appears to save her. All the while, Amari still has no idea what she is. Does she have a family somewhere that is looking for her? And why does she feel so drawn to this man?



This is an action packed, beautifully told beginning to this series. I simply could not put it down. I love dragon shifter stories and absolutely adore the world T.J. has created here. I will be on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happens next. So, if you too are a lover of dragon shifter stories, this most definitely is a must read!

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

T.J. Shaw has been busy bringing readers the first of a three-part serial trilogy, about DRAGON SHIFTERS and the power of Fate to bring two souls together for eternity.

ROGUE DRAGON RISING is Part One and sets the stage for action and a romance that was meant to be. Amari has no idea who or what she is. Jaxon has no idea why his dragon wants this beautiful slave girl so desperately when he sees her on the auction block. With her first shift coming soon, she will need help and protection, someone to help her, will Jaxon find her once again and claim his true mate before it is too late?

Ms. Shaw has brought her story to life and her descriptions of the beauty and power of Jaxon’s dragon is captivating! Can the dragon lord and the beauty find love as their destinies become entwined in the future of the shifter world?

Part One may be short on words, but each word packs a punch that will readers anxious for Part Two, as Amari and Jaxon’s story continues and the fate of shifters hangs in the balance.

I received a complimentary ARC edition from T. J. Shaw!

Series: Outside the Veil - Part 1
Publisher: Forgotten Dreams Publishing, LLC (September 17, 2018)
Publication Date: September 17, 2018
Genre: Romance
Print Length: 196 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Carvanz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This was nothing like I was expecting! I was expecting it to be good, great even, but what I got was beyond my ability to put into words.

After an injury leaves Amari without memory of anything but her name, she finds herself in one situation after another, each one worse than the one before. Taking cues from those around her, she manages to struggle through but she is in physical pain and emotionally lost. When her very life is threatened, she is rescued by the dark alpha dragon shifter Jaxon.

Jaxon as well as his dragon are attracted to the little red haired shifter from the moment he first meets her and she speaks. She claims to be a sheep but she certainly doesn’t act like one. His dragon is adamant that they claim her but he keeps the beast in check, barely, because in their world predator and prey cannot work. However, when he finds her in a very bad way, he takes drastic measures to save her. Going so far as to open himself up completely to her.

Jaxon is all alpha, possessive and protective even if he’s unsure why he’s feeling that way. He can’t stop thinking of Amari and is furious when his initial intention to claim her is thwarted. While we do get Amari’s background through the points of view of her family, she is completely unaware and yet her instinctive independence and strength shine through even as she questions where it comes from. This story was all the more interesting due to watching little tidbits of her personality slowly reveal themselves to her as the plot unfolds.

This is set in a time and place where modern conveniences are non-existent. That in itself gave this a fresh feel that I absolutely loved. The writing is crisp and precise painting a clear picture of the characters, the beasts and the world they live in. I was completely engrossed with this story and once I started reading I couldn’t stop.

This is a pretty short book and is the first of a trilogy, ending in a cliffhanger. I’m sure I was tricked into reading this one by a friend who knows I don’t do trilogies or cliffhangers and yet I am so happy she did so. But now to hurry up and wait for book 2. Sigh.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Heat – chemistry between H/h but no sexy times here…yet
Dual POV
Safe no ow/om drama
Triggers no apparent triggers

[N.N. Heaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amari Hawke is the daughter of a dragon shifter and a human Eldian. Because of her mixed race, her parents have never told her of the possibility of her shifter within. It never mattered until she ventured outside the Veil, got captured by slave traders and lost her memory due to a bump on the head. She’s sold in servitude but not before meeting the handsome dragon Lord Jaxson. She’s drawn to him yet doesn’t know why.



Jaxson never goes to auctions yet here he is at the very same auction where Amari is being sold. Once he lays eyes on her, she intrigues him. She claims to be a sheep but her feisty attitude riles up his dragon. He wars with himself over his inability to keep her safe but when there’s a rogue attack and her life is in jeopardy, Jaxson acts. Can he heal her as only his dragon can or will he be too late?



From the first page, I knew this was going to be a breathtaking fantasy romance. I fell in love with both Amari and Jaxson, their attraction immediate and made my heart flutter. As the story unfolds, the world Shaw creates comes to life. Nuances of dragon near-extinction, societal hierarchy and the will to survive no matter the risks add immense depth to this story. It’s more than just a shifter romance; it’s about life and what you make of it. Bravo to Shaw for her world-building tactics. The alternating POV with Amari’s parents and their painful search for their missing daughter was pure emotional anguish to read. But in a good way, I promise.



If you’re looking for a fantasy romance with plenty of action and intrigue, pick this up today. Be aware: there is a huge cliffhanger but parts two and three are available to keep reading. I myself can’t wait to read the rest of the serial.



My Rating: 5 stars




Reviewed by: Mrs. N




This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/si...

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Thoughts - 5 out of 5 Unicorns - I loved it!!!
***I choose what I read and review based on what intrigues me!! Yes, I got a review copy of this book, but no one tells me what to think, feel, or write about any book! I bought this book, and I can’t wait to read more of this author’s work!

The cover is great, and it is what drew my attention to this book because I have never read this author before.

This is the first book in a serial trilogy, and this means that there are 3 parts that go together to tell one story, and they end in cliffhangers until the 3rd book. Some people may not like serials, and if you are one of them wait and read all 3 books together once they publish. This is for adults only and does have sensitive topics including abduction and selling people.

This is a unique shifter world where not all shifters can handle the transformation and those who don’t go rogue and hurt people. In this world, shifters are divided into carnivores and herbivores where carnivores tend to protect those under their care. Amari lives in the Veil, but she ventured outside. Now she is hurt, and she has amnesia. All sorts of chaos and adventure happens to her along the way, and she has secrets even she doesn’t know about. This was a quick read that I loved, but I hated when it ended. I can’t wait to read the next part!

I highly recommend to any shifter fan who want a new and unique world where you won’t know what will happen next!

[Coco.V]

💝FREE on iBooks today (10/8/18)!💝

Blurb:
Twenty-three year old, Amari Hawke, is thrust into the world of two-soul shifters when she is injured and kidnapped by trackers outside the veil, beyond the safety of her homeland. Unable to remember her past, she trusts no one and relies on instinct to survive. As her awakening approaches, the first time she will transition into her animal, she must evade rogue shifters trying to capture her.

Now free from the King’s Army, powerful dragon lord, Jaxon Blackthorn, seeks a peaceful life. Intent on building his lands into a viable plantation, away from war and bloodshed, he is reluctantly pulled back into the fight when he defends the mysterious shifter with no past against an unseen enemy.

As evil threatens to destroy the entire realm, can the battle-hardened warrior and coming-of-age noblewoman accept their differences to forge an alliance that will ultimately unite the shifter nations?

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

The book was a great read. I was not expecting how it would end. I will recommend this series of books

[Anna (Bobs Her Hair)]

Kindle Freebie 11/11/18

2.5 stars (I’m not sure whether to round up or down.)

Fantasy romance with a feisty heroine and alpha dragon shifter. I know the heroine was ‘outside the veil’ but didn’t know what it truly meant. A few creative story elements are present. The hero and his band are interesting enough. The heroine has potential. She had too many TSTL moments for my taste. The pacing was good.

Fantasy romance is one of my favorite genres at the moment. “Rogue Dragon Rising” is book one in a three-part serial focused on one couple. I loved Caller of Light by TJ Shaw, so I’ll try the next book in this series.

[Bookish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Warning, though I try my best to avoid this, all reviews can contain spoilers of some kind. If you would like to know just my overall opinion of the book, and otherwise go into reading it blind, please scroll down to my overall and would I recommend it section.

I Voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

That bright light is dazzling, and dang the man coming out of it is hot, but stay on your toes, his other sides heat might just burn you. This was my first experience with this author, and I have to say I was really surprised by the way this story turned out.

Our story starts with our heroine Amari running for her life from a group of men looking for any shifter they can get their hands on to sell for auction. Amari is the daughter of a strong dragon and his magical mate, and she would be fiercely protected by not only her family, but any male dragon who she sought out for help, but during the chase she is badly hurt and doesn’t remember who she is. To top it off her first transition is coming. In a fear driven act to stay alive while she tries to figure out who she is, Amari follows the lead of others at the auction and clams she is a sheep shifter.

I love this heroine. Amari has not only a strong will to survive but also an amazing strong nature. Lets just say that this girl doesn’t need dragon fire to burn anyone who attempts to hurt her. The way she smart mouths the three dragons who come up to her at the auction is simply brilliant. This is, of course, what also earns her the attention of not only all the male dragon shifters there, but their lord Jaxon.

Jaxon, our hero, is one heck of a strong man with an even strong dragon. From what I can tell, the shifters in this story are more two beings in one body then they are animal mixed with human. Jaxon’s dragon is a very dominant alpha male that is constantly close to the surface. This causes the other shifters around him to often want to run as far from him as they can. When he accompanies his two brothers to the auction to make sure they don’t buy help that will drive him insane, he doesn’t expect to find a little sheep that sticks in his mind, and one he suspects isn’t what she seems.

Wow, honestly just wow. I love this hero. He’s alpha side is both a strong take no hell from anyone kind while not being overbearing. His care for the people around him is genuine and his desire to find a true mate is just swoon worthy. I really got drawn into the way he reacts to the situations he finds himself in.


Now I want to make it clear that this has not been a dark romance at all for me so far. The auction is not what it sounds like, most of the people being auctioned off are their because they actually want to be there. The deal is they work for the people who auction them for a set number of years and that person gives them protection and the chance to see and experience new things. It is also another option for people who have committed certain crimes. From what I can tell, groups like the one Amari is brought in with are not supposed to happen and isn’t common.

The magical aspect of this is also very interesting. While I haven’t figured out exactly what’s going on with the magic in this book, it was written well enough that it didn’t matter and drew me in. Amari doesn’t seem to know how to use magic, but Jaxon is amazing at it. I really loved how his softer side showed through as he uses it to help her.

This story really did pull me in, however there were a few little bumps. The hot scenes were not present and I think this ties into the other problem I had with this story which was its length. This was a very short story and is the first in a three part series. I normally don’t mind romance books that has more than one book to finish a couple’s story, but because of the length, major cliffhanger ending, absence of any real romance besides romantic tension, and the fact that all three books are coming out one after the other in three months time, this just felt like it was more done for the purpose of sales.

This was a little annoying, but for me it didn’t distort the story, and I am going to be reading the next two when they come out, but I felt it was necessary to mention this since one book got broken up into three.

Overall:
This was a very engaging story with a lot of suspense and clear romantic tension. However I feel that the size of the books and their launch dates shows this three part series is actually just one book broken up into three very small ones which causes that romantic aspect to be put off.

Would I Recommend It:
So long as you don’t mind the one novel being broken up into three yes I would.

[Crystine Fujimoto · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intriguing storyline and World building.

I absolutely abhor cliffhangers, but at least this cliffhanger was well announced in the book trailer, description and title. Before accepting this free novel, I knew it ended a cliffhanger. So I deducted no points from the ratings. That said, I feel this series is going to be quite interesting.

I've never read anything from this author and felt this is a great beginning. As a long time lover of fantasy, I found this story a quite intriguing and fresh. I have wanted to read this book for quite a while, but was out off by the cliffhangers of the first 2 books. Since all three books were under $5.00 I decided to splurge and get them. I'm glad I did.

After reading this first book, I found the concept of two-souled and single-souled beings interesting. I also enjoyed the novel concept of herbivore and predator two-souled beings.

One of the few things that I didn't like was how hard this was to pick up on the nature of this new world. Although fast-paced and quickly-absorbing this book made me go back re-read the first few of chapters. I haven't yet read the deleted prelude offered but I suspect it is what is needed to make this a more cohesive and understandable book. So much information was needed to be passed along to the reader that the editors must have made this decision to keep the story 'tight'.

I highly recommend this book and I plan to read many others by TJ Shaw.

[Blake Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing up

As you grow up you go through so many different changes that no matter if your human or shifter, if those changes are not explained one can easily become fearful or even terrorised if specifics are not explained
Amira finds herself at an auction with no memory of who or what shifter she is, so to stay under the radar, she follows the response everyone else gives, she is a herbivore..
.maybe but to stay within the group she is happy to go unnoticed.
Jason a beautiful black dragon shifter finds himself drawn to the strange girl, not sure why but convinced she is definitely something more than a herbivore.
Ms Shaw has an uncanny ability to create amazingly strong independent characters who have deep caring yet stubborn personalities who easily endear themselves to us as we read. It's almost as if these characters who are created on these pages become real people with real lives, families and emotional experiences.
Many authors can write, but it takes real talent to bring characters to life and in "Rogue Dragon" both the personality of the dragon and the man are very real especially as they try to understand why Amira has become so important especially as she is meant to be prey.
This is a 3 part series which I am now going to finish, just need to grab book 2 but honestly if shifter romance is something you enjoy don't miss out on this book it's certainly an intriguing read.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heads up this is part 1 and as much ad i dislike being left dangling on that cliff....this is worth it. Amari has been captured and has lost her memory. Now shes lost outside the veil and her time is short.

Jaxon is a dragon shifter and hates going to the auction but hes there anyway. Meeting Amari he knows there is something to the little sheep shifter that is not adding up. However he cant get her off his or his beasts mind. Why would a dragon want a sheep to claim as his own?

This is such a good beginning. Your dragged in by action right off the bat. There is shifting POVs so you are getting backstory, current story, and multiple angles. Im in serious like and cant wait for the next part.

[Sissy's Romance Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outside the Veil Boxed Set by TJ Shaw is book 1-3 in the Outside the Veil series. These books cover the story of Jaxon Blackthorn and Amari Hawke.
After a terrible injury Amari is left with no memory but her pain doesn't end there. Amari keeps getting attacked and unsure what or why. When Jaxon a dark alpha dragon shifter saves her there is an attraction there that doesn't stop, but Jaxon tries to fight it at first. But the more he comes forward to help the more he cannot turn his back on the growing feelings. But things don't go easy and plays out in the 3 book set.
Exciting read.
Outside the Veil Series:
Rogue Dragon Rising, part one
Sleeping Dragon Stirs, part two
Alpha Dragon Awakes, part three

[Karen Roma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rogue Dragon Rising is the first part of a three book serial……which I detest! That said, this is an amazing story and even though there is a cliff-hanger at the end, it’s totally worth the read.

The author has penned an exhilarating story with exceptional world building, great character development and plenty of action and intrigue too. This original plot leads to a refreshing start in a wonderful and captivating saga.

T.J. Shaw definitely has a new fan and I can’t wait to read the next instalment.

[Susan Otto · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific dragon shifter Romance

This book is about a girl who's protecting her sister from trackers. She is captured and sold into shifter auction. A dragon lord shifter sees her and it's Enchanted by her red hair color. She is injured and doesn't remember who or what she is, so she stayed she is a sheep shifter. She's bought by a panther shifter.

The characters from this world are unique shifters. The plot is dramatic and interesting. I would highly recommend this book because I know I would have by the next in the series.

bookwormsuzy

[Carrie Vos · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy paranormal/fantasy books and this one was no exception. It had all the right ingredients to make it a wonderful read. Charming shift changer, damsel in distress and all the excitement to go along with it. The only reason I did not give it 5 stars is I like books to stand alone and I don't like to have to read a part two of the story. I will eventually get the 2nd book to read because I enjoy this authors books but I hope eventually stand alone books are written instead. Had it been stand alone I would give it 5 stars.

[Miriam Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

This is part one,and while there is no big cliffhanger, the story is not complete. Now that I am hooked, I am eagerly waiting the next part!

Amari was captured and auctioned and runs into lots of trouble. Her family is searching for her but have to found her when this part ends.

Jaxson is intrigued by her and uses his powers to save her life.

Hopefully, not too long and I can get part 2!!

[Tracie R · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars Rogue Dragon Rising is the first part of a three book serial to form Book 1 in the Outside the Veil series. Not normally a reader of serials this sounded promising, so I thought I would give it a go and I am so glad I did. This is a fabulous story with amazing characters that quickly have you immersed. Be aware it does have a cliff-hanger but in saying that it is part 1 and you are truly missing out if you don’t give it a go.

[MsScorpioJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s too short!

I loved the development of this world and where the storyline seems to be going but I’m failing to understand why the author decided to break the book into a two part. Certain “chapters” shouldn’t have been chapters at all. I did enjoy the book and will be purchasing part 2.

[Sandra Self · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written

I thoroughly enjoyed this tale. The characters are well developed, and the world explained as the story evolved. Cliffhangers are not my favorite, but now I am hooked.

[Minga Dotson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annoying, it is a cliffhanger, reading the first dozen chapters of a good book, only to have the ending pulled away.

Good story, strong characters, good background, everything I enjoy in a good book, only to have it end before the characters finish the storyline.

[Christine Jeffers busser · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED IT!! Already pre-ordered the sequel.

[Anne Monteith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review Coming Soon 4.25 Stars

[Eugene Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rogue Dragon Rising

Very exciting, keeps you on edge trying to figure out if Amari will get her memories back at any moment, lol. Very good start to the series.

[Sara Archibald · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an awesome book! It will grab you from the beginning and will hold onto you until the exciting finish! A must read!

[Celeste · Rating 5 out of 5]

This looks like it's going to be a great story, I really like the different direction this has gone from your typical dragon PNR. Looking forward to reading on.

[cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved it

[Angel Hatfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

[Jori Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Has a good start and coherent plot that is easy to follow without throwing in random plots and scene. I can't wait to read the rest of the series. I like the main characters love romance

[Tamra LeValley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read all 3 or don't read at all!