"Taming of the Shrew times two - Naughty Dragon fun!"
This reissue is a 2 for 1 treat containing DRAGON ACTUALLY
the story of Annwyl the Bloody and Fearghus the Destroyer
and also CHAINS & FLAMES the love story of Fearghus' parents
Rhiannon and Bercelak, which explains some interesting
references to the dragon queen and her consort's interesting
sexual habits in the main tale. Both tales contain
positively overbearing alpha heroines and their oh so sexy
dragon mates whose battle of wits make for a plethora of
steamy love scenes and laugh out loud humor. Annwyl the Bloody is leader of the resistance whose goal is
to depose her half brother as ruler of Garbhan Isle. Not
that Annwyl is at all interested obtaining the throne she
just wants the tyrant dead and to that end she'll succeed or die
trying. When she and her men find themselves outnumbered by
her brother's troops on the Dark Plains, it looks like her
fate will be the
latter. Fatally wounded Annwyl has accepted that fate little
knowing that from a nearby cave Fearghus the Destroyer had
been watching the blood thirsty wench with profound admiration. In all of his two hundred plus years no dragon female had
ever garnered his attention. The scrappy but fragile human
however had been beautiful to watch and determined to get to
know her, he cannot allow her die. Annwyl awakens in the
cave and at first thinks that heaven is indeed a strange
place but when faced with an enormous and gorgeous black
dragon she is instantly aware that reports of her death may
have been premature though probably imminent. Yet she shows no
fear, winning the dragon's admiration all over again. The dragon is kind and attentive something Annwyl has never
experienced from anyone in her life. Everyone feared her,
men in particular. But Fearghus fascinates her and
while she recovers she spends her days learning about him,
his life and kind. With his care and friendship Fearghus
earns the affection that Annwyl has never bestowed on
another being. Yet they both know that their days together
are numbered, that her brother will not rest until he has
her head on a pike. Fearghus realizes she must learn to
fight properly in order to win. To do so she must learn to
control her rage and fight with her head as well as her
sword. He tells her that he will provide a knight to teach
her the proper techniques. True to his word the knight is provided. He is arrogant and
gorgeous, the stuff of her dreams, but he challenges her,
angers her, and arouses her. Yet her heart belongs to her
dragon. Little does she know that the two are one in the
same or that she has stolen his heart as well. Aware that
his love adores the dragon but hates the man, Fearghus
hesitates to tell her the truth for fear of losing her
forever. But sins of omission have a way of being
discovered. Will she forgive him, or will he be the first
victim of her newly acquired skills? And she hasn't even met
the parents yet, whew. Will she at long last defeat her
brother and save the kingdom? FLAMES & CHAINS is the story of Fearghus' parents' courtship.
Apparently royals in this world rarely get along with their
families. Like Annwyl, princess Rhiannon had only been dealt
hatred from her kin but she takes solace in terrorizing
everyone she comes into contact with. She is painfully aware
that her mother, the dragon queen, has wanted her dead from
birth. Unfortunately she is the runt of the litter so to
speak, smaller and weaker than the queen and in no position
to challenge her. Yet she is also aware that her mother has
had amply opportunity to do her in. A devious plot is
definitely afoot. The next thing she knows her mother has promised her to
Bercelak the low born son of the well known dragon lothario,
Aileen the wicked. Aileen's reputation had caused nothing
but embarrassment for his children. Legend had it that even
the queen had taken a turn with his lusty and irresistible
sire before he'd claimed Bercelak's mother. Beware the wrath
of a woman scorned! Rhiannon of course wanted nothing to do with Aileen's son.
However, Becelak had wanted the wanted the royal spitfire
for himself from the moment he'd laid eyes on her as a
child. Being given the Queen's blessing was a dream come
true, a reward for his loyalty to her, or so he believes.
Rhiannon is dropped
into his lap (literally) in human form and discovers much to
her dismay that she isn't able to change back. It would seem
she has bigger problems than an unwanted suitor. Not to worry though. It would seem that Bercelak may have
inherited his notorious father's charm after all, much to
the surprise of his siblings who had never even seen him
smile. I would describe this tale as Taming of the Shrew
with Bondage (wink). Oh come on, you knew the chains were
going to come in somewhere. Will he win her heart? Will she
find a way to unleash her powers and defeat the Queen? All in all I'd have to say that these two heroines are
certified holy terrors and any male willing to take them on
would certainly gain my respect. Good thing these dragon
heroes are so persuasive that any female would melt if given
half a chance. Of course once these shape shifting hunks
have set their heart on a mate it's game on and though their
women may continue to strike terror into the hearts of all
those around them they are putty in the hands of their true
love.
Reviewed by Leslie Tramposch
Posted January 5, 2009
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