DRAGON LOVERS

Author: Jo Beverly, Mary Jo Putney, Karen Harbaugh, and Barbara Samuel ISBN: 0451220390 3/2007 VARIOUS Publisher: NAL/SIGNET

Romance and fantasy collide in these enchanting stories featuring dragons—and love—in all their many forms. Four of today's most popular authors bring to life mythical creatures, otherworlds of yesterday and today, and the passionate melding of hearts. From a virgin princess's first love to a shape-changing samurai bridegroom, from a young widow and her sexy handyman's secret project to a knight and his distressed damsel, the courage, beauty, and strength of dragons inspire the most unforgettable stories ever told.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Dragon love comes in all flavors and from many corners of the globe in the DRAGON LOVERS anthology from fan favorites Jo Beverly, Mary Jo Putney, Karen Harbaugh and Barbara Samuel. You can't go wrong with offerings from these talented authors!

First up is Beverly with her tale The Dragon and the Virgin Princess. I enjoyed her take on the virgin chained to the rock stories. In this case we have a Sacrificial Virgin Princess (SVP) who is tired of being "V" as much as she is dedicated to the Princess Way. In this world, actions have far-reaching consequences that come to rest on the shoulders of one princess and a man she sees in a vision. The humorous modernizing touches kept it light despite hints of creepiness for this reviewer.

Next comes Putney's The Dragon and the Dark Knight. Putney pens a true romance between a gallant knight and lady dragon in distress. Both are worthy characters in trouble who genuinely deserve each other.

The third story is Harbaugh's 1650 Japan-set Anna and the King of Dragons. Anna is a Dutch woman stranded in a foreign land. She's trying to find a way home after her scholar parents' deaths. Two befriend her, a dragon and a samurai. Both are lonely, both intrigue her. But wouldn't she be better off at home? I enjoyed this look at a culture we don't see often enough in romance fiction.

Last is Samuel's Dragon Feathers. This story is set in modern Santa Fe, but is a timeless tale about a young widow searching for a new home. Touches of Mayan folklore offer a very unique version of dragon love in this mysterious tale.

All of the stories are compelling and strong. You'll have a hard time picking a favorite!

Heather Hiestand