Dragon Actually [Mass Market Paperback]

I bought this book out of desparation of nothing else to read until the end of November. Expecting not to like it much I was pleasantly surprised when I did. The interplay between the two main characters was good, and so funny in places I actually chuckled to myself a couple of times. The female lead was good, I liked her, which is usually my pet hate with books. So much goes into the male characters, and the female characters are always the same, not so here! I liked that Annwyn had a personality all of her own, that she wasn't perfect, but she seemed more unique than most heroines to me. So all in all a really good read, and I shall definitely be getting the next one, out in Jan 09 :-) The sex in the book was also spicy without being over done, so well done G A Aiken.

"Dragon Actually" was initially released by Shelly Laurenston (aka G A Aiken) as an e-book entitled "To Challenge a Dragon", a book I tried unsuccessfully to get hold of after reading the absolutely fabulous paperback sequel "The Distressing Damsel" several years ago. Book 2 is also scheduled for re-release under a new title "About a Dragon" in Nov 08, although I note it will not be available from Amazon UK until Jan 09.

Annwyl the Bloody (a name she hates but one does end up covered in blood when beheading the enemy in battle) is out numbered and near death when she is rescued by a black dragon; Fearghus the Destroyer. Rather than toast her for breakfast, instead Fearghus displays a healthy interest in this female warrior who battles her tyrannical brother for his throne. Assuming a human form, Fearghus begins to train the already skilled Annwyl in the hopes she learns to control her formidable anger; however it matters not whether in his dragon or human form, Fearghus falls more deeply in love with his feisty human every day.

Annwyl in turn begins to feel disloyal to her wonderful black dragon when she becomes intimate with the Knight who trains her; unaware they are the same person. The Knight may tempt her body yet her heart belongs to Fearghus, however she is unable to admit her feelings. Fearghus in turn begins to worry exactly how angry Annwyl will be when he reveals the truth to her, yet he privately admits he loves the smell of her in a berserker rage. Who would guess that a mighty dragon known as the Destroyer would end up putty in the hands of a human female?

GAA has (re)written the kind of hot fantasy romance I absolutely adore. The action is fast paced as Annwyl faces her brother and his allies, there is an abundance of humour as she fearlessly stands her ground against Fearghus' large family (including his mother the Queen), there are plenty of characters I want to hear more from (namely Fearghus' dragon siblings) whilst the intimate encounters between the leading lovers are passionately red hot.

I also equally recommend the forthcoming reworked "About a Dragon", the story of Briec the Mighty (one of Fearghus' brothers) and his relationship with a long lived witch bound in service to a Goddess. Lastly "Dragon Actually" also contains "Chains and Flames" a 100 odd page novella describing how Fearghus' parents met and fell in love. This too is a fun, highly addictive scorching read and I am left sincerely hoping GAA will be releasing further "Dragon Kin" books.

I found this in Borders Express and was blown away. Funny characters, good storyline - it also includes the prequel story about Rhiannon the Dragon Queen. The second in the series is equally good and full length (covers the story of the second Dragon brother but also links to this first - so best to read in order but can be read out of synch - also found in Borders- come on Amazon - why can't you sort out your US imports?