Of Flames and Fallacies

The Arterian Series, Book 1

Possession of dragon contraband in the Arterian kingdom is a guaranteed brutal execution.

When twenty-two-year-old Katerina Blackwind finds a dragon egg buried in her father’s grave, she begins to question everything she thought she knew. She must return the forbidden dragon hatchling—Daeja—north to the secretive Dragon Lands: where dragons roam free and a rebellion group resides.

But she can’t do it on her own – smuggling a dragon hatchling across the realm during a war between Arterians and rebels means she can be killed by either side. She knows there’s only one person she can truly trust, her old flame, Cole Ashbourne.

Yet, Cole is much different than the last time Kat saw him: deliciously chiseled in all the right places with a raw power lingering beneath the surface. Cole is torn between his responsibilities as a newly-promoted Captain in the King’s military, and his heart.

Kat works on a plan to get Daeja to the Dragon Lands while keeping a low profile at the military outpost. Though, having a room next to the sinisterly provocative Darian Raventhorn proves to be anything but easy.

Danger lurks at every turn, and as more secrets are unearthed, Kat is left to question everything she thought she knew about dragons, her family, love, and the kingdom.

©2025 Courtney Whims (P)2026 Courtney Whims

I like the romance

I wish there was less pining for Cole and more passion with darian. I’d listen to book 2 but it’s not on audible.

Loved

I finished the book in one day. I liked the banter between Katerina and Daeja. I did guess some of the twist, but still loved it.

Loveeeed it

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Format: 🎧
This was a reread for me but I did the audiobook this time and wow… I loved it even more 😭🔥

The narrators were AMAZING. I really really loved it. They did such a great job bringing all the characters to life.🎧

Daeja?? I’m obsessed. Her thoughts, her personality… everything. And her bond with Katerina?? I loved it so much 🐉💗

The love triangle is messy in the best way and had me stressed the whole time 😅

I was hooked the entire time, the plot is so good, the writing is amazing, and that ending??? actually diabolical

Also I’m sorry but I’m rooting for Darion 😭🔥
Cole I like you… but not enough

I love this book so much and I already got book two because I need answers 😭

interesting book

it was an enjoyable read the audiobook was very well performed storyline was interesting

So good!!

This is so good and so fun! Dragons, a cheery MC, a dark MMC and a MFC who will do whatever she can to protect the dragon!