The Dragon's Promise by Elizabeth Lim

Squeal to Six Scarlet Cranes, The Dragon's Promise shows Princess Shiori embarks on a perilous journey to the Dragon Kingdom, in an attempt to fulfill her promise and return the dragon pearl to its owner. But the fulfillment of this promise turns into an adventure that hides deadly danger. She must unravel the mystery surrounding her stepmother and her journey will take her to far away lands, cast magic she never thought possible, dragging her brothers and her beloved with her all the way.  

I think that Elizabeth Lim did a great job in not only continuing the storyline but also creating a new journey for our heroine to continue.  This book is not a rinse and repeat you get a lot of the time and I appreciated that.

I would recommend especially if you've read the first.  Actually just read the first book and then this one ><

The Legacy by R.A. Salvatore

Book 7 of the Drizzt Do'Urden, saga begins with a very settled and happy dark elf as life is good. His dearest friend, the dwarf Bruenor, has reclaimed his throne, and his adventuring companions, Wulfgar and Catti-brie, are to be wed in the spring. Even the halfling Regis has returned. All the friends are united in the safety and prosperity of Mithril Hall, where streams of silver mithril run deep and dwarven hammers bang out the solemn rhythms of ancient and unending songs. But Drizzt did not achieve this state of peace without leaving powerful enemies in his wake. Lloth, the dreaded Spider Queen deity of the evil dark elves, counts herself among them and has vowed to end the drow's days of pleasant security.

Have to admit that I'm kind of coming in waaaaaaaaaay after the point.  Picked up the omnibus of these 4 books but I haven't actually read the first 6...and while I probably would have gotten more out of the relationship of the group I didn't feel like I was lost.  Props to RA Salvatore for that!  The story was engaging, enemies were great and the detail of swordplay...well I felt that I was there in person witnessing it.

If DnD and fantasy are your thing then I would recommend however might I suggest starting at the beginning?

Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim

Aa magical story about an exiled princess, a shape-shifting dragon, six enchanted cranes and an unspeakable curse. Shiori’amma, the sole princess of Kiata, among 6 brother and she has a secret. Forbidden magic flows through her veins. She manages to conceal it well, but on the morning of her engagement, things spiral out of control. At first, Shiori is glad that she has avoided the unwanted engagement and postponed the wedding, but in doing so, she draws the attention of her stepmother, Raikama. Raikama, who is also a sorceress, banishes the young princess and turns her brothers into cranes, warning Shiori that if she speaks of it, with every word she utters, one of her brothers will die. Alone, poor, and voiceless, Shiori sets out to find her brothers and uncovers a dark plot to seize the throne. Only she can save the kingdom, but to do so, she must rely solely on a paper bird, a capricious dragon, and the youth she had refused to marry. And she must embrace the magic she has spent her whole life being taught to suppress.

This has been on my electronic shelf for a very long time.  The cover first captured my interest and once I cracked it open it did not disappoint.  Character development, fantastical story and great supporting characters and a little romance thrown in for good measure - recipe for a good book.  It ends on a gateway for the second novel which I fully intend on picking up as well.

All that being said - would absolutely recommend.

The House of the Four Winds by Mercedes Lackey & James Mallory

The tiny nation of Swansgaard is a lovely place with abundant natural resources, including the royal family, which has been blessed with twelve daughters and a son. As this boisterous baker's dozen approaches adulthood, the king and queen lovingly tell their daughters, "You must make your own fortune, for we cannot enrich you without impoverishing our people or leaving our lands defenseless, and that we will not do." Happily, the princesses of Swansgaard are eager to meet this challenge, for they yearn for adventures both near and far from home.

Clarice is an expert swordswoman and as the oldest is the first to depart. Disguising herself as Clarence, she signs on for a voyage to the New World. The captain is vile and blackhearted and the crew soon mutinies. Clarice becomes first mate - and finds her heart captured by the new captain, Dominick, who is, to his own surprise, increasingly attracted to Clarence.

I really liked this swashbuckling adventure!  It was equal parts exciting, coming of age and a little bit of growing attraction/romance.  I'm a little disappointed that this is the only book in the series as it appears Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory didn't write anymore but as a stand alone novel (there is a firm conclusion at the end of the book) it reads well.

If you like Pirates of the Caribbean I would recommend this book! 

The Dragon Lottery by Scott William Carter

Congrats on winning the lottery!  Your prize is to fight a black dragon to your death.  Most assuredly your death as no one has ever returned.  Fifty years this has been the case.  The cruel King Goodheart controls the dragon and controls the people.  And every summer a lottery is held and Lucky Greyblock - born in the 13 month on the 13 day and who is now 13 years old, has been VERY unlucky indeed.  Will he be able to discover his courage, turn everyone's luck around and at the same time change their fate?

Wow this was such a well written standalone book.  I cannot express how much I loved it.  The characters -  from Lucky himself to the evil king to the bully Lucky has to put up with were just perfectly developed.  It's a relatively quick read and just a really great escape.

Absolutely recommend!

Clanlands: Whiskey, Warefare and a Scottish Adventure Like No Other - by Sam Heughan, Graham McTavish and Charlotte Reather

 Two Men. One Country. And a lot of whisky. Stars of the Outlander series - Sam Heughan & Graham McTavish (Jamie Fraser and Dougal MacKenzie respectfully) take an epic road trip around their homeland discussing Scotlands history (complete with visits to famous sites like the location of the Battle of Culloden) and sharing stories of their past (they are a bit of an age difference) all while driving around in a tiny camper van.

I listen to this as an audiobook and I kid you not I don't know if I would recommend just reading the book by itself.  Sam & Graham narrate the book and it is FILLED to the brim with their sarcastic comments, witty banter back and forth and just full of so much of their personalities that you do them such a disservice if you didn't listen to it as a audiobook.

I cannot stress how much of a perfectly light hearted journey this book is.  Their friendship is FELT throughout with their jibes at each other and even though they discuss some heavy history you don't feel weighed down by it. Not saying they make light of it, it just the way their present it.  I appreciate that friends don't have to be within your own age grouping and even more love the Scots sense of humor.

You NEED to listen to the audiobook.  Now and if not now then purchase it for tomorrow.  I guarantee it will put a smile on your face within 2 mins.

Mistress Mackintosh & the Shaw Wretch by Rose Prendeville

In 1725, a secret convent has been established on the Aberdeenshire coast. Jory Mackintosh is more excited by healing herbs than husbands or holy prayers. She craves freedom—and a chance to sneak into medical school. Instead, on the eve of her escape, she becomes an unwilling pawn in her family’s schemes with a rival clan.

Finlay Shaw, the disgraced younger brother of the laird, has spent ten long years atoning for his past failures, but nothing can wash away the stain of fratricide. When the clans order him to escort Jory to her new life as a nun, thus securing an alliance with the freshly formed Black Watch, it’s his last chance for redemption. Too bad for Finn, Jory has no intention of following orders.

This was a quick sweet read with a little romance but not dirty smut.  I love me a highland damsel, saved by a scots and this didn't disappoint.  Would recommend as a light read