| REVIEWS (click on link for review website to read review with synopsis) REVIEW BY AUTHOR ANN B. KELLER Draegon's Lair struck me on two levels. First, it is a wonderful historical romance, one of the best I've ever read-and I've been reading them for over 40 years. Ms. Ciletti plays the factions of good and evil off each other with the ease of an orchestra conductor. The plot has several delightful twists and turns and her character development is superb. Bastion, Draegon's evil twin brother, chills me to the core as he torments and abuses beautiful Alys both verbally and physically. Some heroes are so downright pure that they are virtually untouchable. Not so with Draegon. Although he is brave and honorable to a fault, Draegon's doubts and fears make him vulnerable and I bonded with him over the course of the novel. Second, Ms. Ciletti has a great deal to say about surviving abusive relationships and how our own insecurities may cloak and hide us from the life we were born to live. Draegon is a prisoner of darkness and shadow, keeping the world at bay lest his true appearance be revealed. And yet, when he finally allows the hood to fall, he is surprised by what people really think about him. This is a lesson for us all. Well done, Ms. Ciletti! Well done. COFFEE TIME ROMANCE Reviewed by Liadan (Reviewer for Karen Find Out About New Books) Historical Medieval Romance Rating: 5 Cups Ms. Ciletti has written a wonderful historical romance. The fear that overwhelms Draegon as he discovers love for the first time is poignant. Alys is a character that I felt deeply for as well. The scenes are filled with romance, fear and a breath of new found freedom. I was enticed to keep reading as the characters always found themselves in trouble. This reason alone makes for an entertaining read. For lovers of historical romances, this is a book that should be on your shelf. ROMANCE READER AT HEART Reviewed by Nancy The first thing I have to say about Draegon's Lair and what stood out for me the most, is the wonderful medieval feel this story has. Thankfully, the dialogue is written more in tune with that time period than having them all speak today's English (i.e. "Pray, I know not your name," as opposed to "Pray, I don't know your name.") It really set the atmosphere of the book and kept me right smack in the middle of the time period I was supposed to be in. As to a quick summary, Draegon's Lair is about two physically and emotionally wounded souls, who, through a series of trials and tribulations, come to love and heal each other for their happily-ever-after. Draegon has secluded himself away since the age of 10, kept his face covered and shown to no one, believing his veins flow with the blood of demons. He comes out only at night in the dark so that no one can uncover his secret, and during the day stays within the confines of his shadowy castle wearing a hood and cape. He's never known the touch of love or unconditional acceptance. Alys is wounded too, by a father who betrothed her to a villainous lord, Bastion, who then proceeded to whip, rape, and torture her both physically and emotionally, basically because he's not a nice guy and simply wants to. I have to say that as far as cruel, evil villains go, this guy takes the cake! Okay, so this book is pretty standard fare in plot and storyline. Nothing new to report on that front. But I enjoyed the two love stories it held between Draegon and Alys, and Alan and Leena, Bastion's right hand and Alys's maid servant. The confrontational scenes were good, expecially in those involving Bastion, the secondary characters were all likeable, and speaking of Bastion, his character was evil enough to give me downright chills. My only criticism comes in the form of Alys, a woman who gets whipped, beaten, torn by thorns, falls down stairs, hits her head more than once, nearly dies from fever, slides down a cave and nearly drowns...Oy, I'm tired just writing all that--and there's more. It was all a little too much of that "damsel in distress mode" for me, and it had to be for her. Seriously, I would have enjoyed her character so much more if she hadn't been subjected to all that turmoil. Other than that, Draegon's Lair was a book that I did enjoy, read fast, and that had a wonderfully tender love scene between Draegon and Alys near the end. Linda Ciletti shows she has a wonderful medieval writing voice, just perfect for telling tales of knights in shining armor coming to the aid of damsels in distress. NOTE FROM AUTHOR: The rape and whipping are back story and do not happen in the course of the book. SCRIBESWORLD Reviewed by Melissa Curran Rating: 4 Stars Linda Ciletti has created a powerful love story between Alys and Draegon. It will leave you anxious for the turn of each page. The slow developing romance is sweet and passionate at the same time. DRAEGON'S LAIR will leave you wishing you could transport yourself into the novel and become the characters. I would highly recommend this novel to any romance enthusiast. SUITE 101 Reviewed by Shelley DeWayne Loved this book. Beautiful story. Rating: 4+ Stars A stirring medieval Beauty and the Beast novel that will keep you up at night to see what happens next. I had to take a week off before I could even write the review. I was at a loss for words (and THAT doesn't happen too often, I assure you.) I am in complete awe. Prepare to be swept away. Dialogue that is wonderfully pleasing to the senses and makes you feel like you were there. A hero and heroine you'll get attached to. This is among the best medievals I've read. This is her first published book. I hope Ms. Ciletti writes more books and soon. MYSHELF Reviewed by Suzie Housley Historical Romance-Medieval Rating: 5 Stars Linda Ciletti's DRAEGON'S LAIR exhibits an extraordinary classic example of the well known and loved movie "Man in the Iron Mask." Amazingly developed, you will find it burrows deep into your heart and refuses to leave. Linda Ciletti has created a powerful love story between Alys and Draegon. Together, Alys and Draegon form a lasting relationship whose foundation is derived from the strong emotional bond each can offer the other. As DRAEGON'S LAIR draws to its dramatic climax, readers will be spellbound, not only by the story, memorable characters and the moral dilemma, but by Ms. Ciletti's sheer story telling ability. This is one which you should plan ahead to read from beginning to end. HISTORICAL ROMANCE CLUB Reviewed by Mary Gramlich Sensual Rating: 4 Stars Draegon and Alys meet under the most desperate of circumstances and fate steps in to take over the details from there as it usually does. Bastion (known as Knighthawk) is the Lord of Worthingshire and is as determined to get Alys back as she is to get away. These three are on a collision course like none any have seen. Draegon is determined to keep Alys and help her get away from Bastion but is he a strong enough lord to accomplish this and still keep the secrets he had spoken of only to himself. Could he love another and provide for her or will he release her back to Bastion to save all those under his lordship who depend on him for their lives. When the deepest secrets that any man could absorb are revealed to him, does he faulter and succumb to the evil he feels within him or does he fight for the true cause that keeps us all moving forward with our lives--love! This is a timeless story of passion, love and destiny that keeps you guessing about what is on the next page. It is well written and the story develops at a slow even pace so you feel the emotions that the characters have and what they might be feeling for one another as well as those they fear. ROGUES AND ROMANCE Reviewed by Mandy A good historical romance not only pulls you into the story but into another time period. This book definitely did that for me!...Draegon's Lair is a wonderful historical full of romance, passion and mystery. Linda Ciletti does a phenomenal job of developing the characters, from the abuse and anguish Alys has suffered at the hands of Bastion, to the pain and loneliness Draegon has felt his whole life. The ease at which the reader can identify with these characters really makes a difference in the realism of the story. Ms. Ciletti has created an intense and palpable attraction between Alys and Draegon--which is even more impressive when you consider the tension is at its peak before Alys even sees his face. This story has plenty of secrets to keep you guessing, all of which are revealed and nicely tied up by the end, making for one satisfying read. Draegon's Lair is one of those stories where both the plot and characters really grab you, and it gets harder and harder to put down. Linda Ciletti has definitely made me a fan with this story, and once you read Draegon's Lair, you will be too. |
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| Available February 2008 Wings ePress Format: eBook & Trade Paperback READ AN EXCERPT BUY A COPY Wings ePress Amazon Books Fictionwise VIEW VIDEO |
| DRAEGON'S LAIR Historical Romantic Adventure By Linda Ciletti Publisher: Wings ePress Formats: eBook and Trade Paperback Alys de Monceux runs from her betrothed, the cruel and abusive Bastion of Worthingshire. She had run from him before and was flogged in her efforts. This time she cannot fail. This time there is more at stake than her own life. Death would be preferable than returning to the man she fears. Draegon of Greystone lives a reclusive life. Beneath hood and helm, he hides a face he is sure others will fear. Only his good friend, Diminimis, has seen him without cover. Draegon is content in his world of shadows, or so he believes, until he rescues a wounded Alys from a band of pursuers. Soon he realizes the truth of living in hell--his hell--as he watches others from afar, never interacting. Suddenly he yearns for a love he is unworthy of. He knows this, but how can he convince her of his unworthiness? This spirited and persistent woman who believes him to be more than what he is. Bastion of Worthingshire wants Alys back at any cost and he will kill anyone who gets in his way. When he tracks her to Greystone, however, he discovers more than his runaway betrothed--and the myth that has long hung over him finally comes to light. A light he must extinguish. |
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