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Publisher:
Samhain Publishing
Release Date:
May 8, 2007
Genres:
Erotica
Historical Romance
ISBN:
eBook
9781599984711
Kindle
No
ISBN
Bookmark Rating:
Reviewed by
Jennifer Ray
Review Posted:
May 2008
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Fleeing
a controlling Grandfather and impending imprisonment in a Swiss finishing
school, Lady Christina Delafield will do anything it takes to make it to the
Bahamas, where her Aunt Mary and her freedom await. Little did she expect that
‘anything it takes’ would mean stowing away on the only ship sailing to the
islands – a ship that just happens to be captained by her Grandfather’s most
elusive foe – the infamous Black Dragon! Finding herself in his unknowing
clutches, she fears what will happen should he learn her true identity. But as
they near the end of their voyage, she realizes the true danger he represented
was not to her person, but to her heart…
Drexell Cain is desperate to flee his twin brother from the unrelenting
Admiral. To that end, he will spare no measure, even if it means kidnapping the
man’s Granddaughter, Christina. But finding her proves impossible, as the
reputed hellion has suddenly disappeared, and an attack facilitates his
premature departure to the Bahamas. Things become even more complicated when he
discovers the beautiful and secretive stowaway on his ship – a mysterious woman
who proves more of a distraction than he can afford until his brother has been
rescued.
Too late, Drexell realizes both her true identity and the depth of his own
feelings for Christina. But will betrayal doom them to living without each
other forever?
I love
historical romances. I adore Shelley Bradley’s work. You can imagine my
excitement when I learned that Samhain Publishing was re-releasing her first
novel, The Lady and the Dragon!
I have heard that copies of this previously out of print book were selling for
phenomenal figures at eBay, and after reading this story, I can most certainly
understand why! Bradley’s first book makes the art of writing look easy. By
the sheer fact that it is so good and is her first release, she proves more than
ever that her writing skills are natural, God-given talents and not some lucky
quirk of fate. Heck, at this point, I would probably be willing to purchase her
tenth grade Creative Writing assignment, with as much confidence as I have in
this author!
Christina Delafield is a spirited woman, aching for her independence in a time
when women were expected to be satisfied as wives and mothers without much say
in their lives or identity of their own. Stifled by her domineering
Grandfather, she courageously sets out to change her life – an act that even a
modern woman can relate to – and take control of her own future. My favorite
historical stories are those with main characters that are easy to identify
with, despite the differences in the time period and settings, and Christina is
just such a character. Indeed it is her moxie and spontaneity that both charm
and frighten Drexell, making him reluctant to fall in love with the lovely lass
even as he begins to comprehend it is battle he is swiftly losing.
Drexell Cain is a force to be reckoned with – either as himself or as the Black
Dragon. Ruthless in his pursuits, whether it be the rescue of his brother or
capturing the fair Christina in body and heart, he still exhibits a tenderness
that belies his reputation as a dastardly cutthroat. It is easy to see why
Christina falls for him, even when she only knows him as the masked pirate
commanding the Dragon’s Lair.
Bradley weaves a complex plot rife with antagonists to this relationship – both
internal and external. Through it all, we maintain complete empathy for both
Christina and Drexell, even as we see the mistakes they are making that could
potentially doom their relationship. While we certainly become frustrated with
both characters on more than one occasion, that frustration is in synch with the
story, our feelings mirroring that of the characters’, thereby deepening our
connection to them.
In the end, the author delivers on a very happy, but eminently sensible ending.
Without giving anything away, I will say that the way this pair finally
reconciled their lives together was perfect, satisfying the deepest needs of
both characters.
The Lady and the Dragon
is one of the best first books I have ever had the pleasure of reading, and I
guarantee you it will be one I will save to read again and again in future
years. I am proud to name this book my Recommended Read for the month of May
2007!
Note: This review was originally
written by Jennifer Ray for another review site. It is being reposted at
Wild on Books. |
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Buy the eBook at
Samhain Publishing:
Buy it
in
Kindle
at
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