Friday, September 21, 2007

I HAVE to review this book

I've been reading a lot lately but every now and again, I come across a story that is not within the guidlines of the review site I contribute reviews for.
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I enjoy Romantica stories too and this one, this book, The Dragon Lord by Kaitlyn O'Connor , grabbed me by the heartstrings and the lust-0-meter was in the happy zone.


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I'm thinking of re-reading it almost immediately. I can not tell you the last time THAT happened. So pardon me if I wax poetic.


Here is my RAVE:








Raina had never been employed as a 'domestic', but she was gung ho to try anything once, however unnerving and 'strange' she found the occupants of the remote island estate. Foreigners, she thought, with strange eyes, unfamiliar ways, and an even more alien language …. Very alien.
As unnerving as she found the dark, devastatingly handsome, and infinitely mysterious Simon Draken, however, Raina also found him so compelling, so magnetic she could no more resist him than she could will her heart to cease to beat.

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Rating-Carnal-adult language and situations, multiple sexual partners

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Don't let the "multiple partners" scare you off. Kaitlyn handles this with grace, caring and the story ultimately appeals to the die-hard romantic in all of us.
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The above synopsis doesn't give you a hint of the rollercoaster emotional ride you're about to embark upon once you start reading. Raina is a woman who's been on her own for years, a graduate of the foster care system. She's a survivor with a plucky wit. Her coarse vocabulary lends itself to some wonderful dialogue between the cantankerous housekeeper as well as the body guards Mr. White and Mr. Green. There were even laugh out loud moments, espcially the hilarious scene with the soup on the floor. I liked Raina because she's a woman not afraid to follow her heart, no matter where it leads her.
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Simon is the perfect tortured hero. Oh my gosh, did I feel pained for him. His loss, his desperation and loneliness spoke volumes to the inner nuturer inside me. I wanted to save him, but Raina gets that honor.
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Audric is just as tortured for different reasons. Always in Simon's shadow, he's had to step aside once before because he had the misfortune to love the same woman as Simon. Is he doomed to lose Raina too?
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And what's with the strange eyes, you ask? There's an awfully good reason and you get to travel to another planet to find out all about it.
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This story has everything I love in a romantica book but the strongest element is the romance. It pulled my emotions until I experienced joy, worry, excitement, laughter, amazement, suspense and even a healthy dose of sexual appreciation for how both Simon and (yes, AND) Audric please Raina. And before you raise your eyebrows and scoff at what that sounds like, please know that Kaitlyn handled it with charm and sweetness. I appreciated how she handled the dynamics of their relationship and I think you will too.
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As for the HEA? It hit every high note and tied up all the lose ends in such a satisfying way, it had me sighing in pleasure. This is a keeper folks. Make no mistake, this is romance all the way, with the erotic kick thrown in for extra edge.
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I've read some of Kaitlyn's other stories but Dragon King is hands down the best she's written so far. And that's saying something.

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I feel SO much better after sharing this.

Have you ever read a book that had you bursting at the seams from wanting to share how good it was with someone, anyone?

At this moment, that's me.

6 comments:

Brandy said...

Isn't it a great feeling wehn you read a bookk like that? I have read several like that this year and did the stupid thing and pretty much contained myself. BUT, I am glad you liked this book and decided to share your view!

Marianne Arkins said...

I'm glad you got to get it all out! You really were bursting.

And, unfortunately, I can't remember the last time I felt like that about a book...How sad.

M~

Michele said...

Brandy, keeping it to yourself isn't stupid. Not at all. It just means you didn't think of it. No biggie.
I just have a compulsion to share out loud sometimes and this book was an inspiration.
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Marianne!
Yep, LOL. I really was. :-)

I hope you come across one soon.

And you know what? I wrote to the author and sent her the link. She liked my review!
SQUEEEEEE!

Her reply was as exciting as the story!

Dru said...

Yes, that has happened to me where I talked and talked about a book and had others read it.

Shesawriter said...

Yeah, several of the YA books I've read. I've tried to share them with my daughters but they consider reading a chore. Go figure.

Bobbie (Sunny) Cole said...

What a marvelous review, Michele! That's the kind of talk all writers wanna hear about themselves - I'm sure you made one writer very, very happy.

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