Dragon Master, the (Berkley Sensation) [Mass Market Paperback]

Ripped from the secure comfort of his home in Dragonspace, Seth finds himself face to face with the strange little Dragon Master who called him. Only thing is, she claims she didn't.

No matter that Carol Juan doesn't seem to realize her latent powers, the Fire Dragon in Seth can feel it, and senses the binding between them. Still, he has been bound to a Dragon Master before and never experienced the odd protectiveness he feels for Carol, not to mention the undeniable desire...

Carol has never before believed her Grandmother's stories of real dragons and magic, but finds seeing is believing. With a real life Fire Dragon seemingly glued at her hip, life as she knows it ceases to exist. Now she finds all of her closest friends are actually magical beings of varying kinds and she seems to have some kind of uncontrollable power over many of them.

Oh, and then there is the little matter of the ancient gang of evil businessmen who are determined to either control or destroy her. They don't seem to care which...

Through it all, she finds her attraction for Seth grows into something more, something that feels dangerously like love. But does he feel the same way or is he simply responding to her call as dragon to Dragon Master?

Having read both of the previous books in Allyson James' DRAGON SERIES, I was practically salivating at the thought of getting my greedy little bibliophile hands on the third book in this saga, THE DRAGON MASTER. When an ARC (advanced readers' copy) of this book landed in my possession, I was beyond happy.

I am glad to report that this story lived up to all of my expectations. Ms. James does an admirable job continuing this series and broadening the scope of the world even further with the addition of new characters, new villains, and new magic. OK, maybe it is ancient magic in the book, but it is new magic to us readers. *grin*

Carol Juan is the epitome of the strong, self-sufficient, go-getter modern business woman. She takes a no-nonsense approach to both her life and business and is determined to improve profits for her family members, no matter what they want. She loves, yes, but she has lost that personal approach that keeps a person in touch with what is real and meaningful in this world. That said, she isn't without honor and compassion. She truly loves the grandmother who raised her, as well as the rest of her family. She wants to do right by them, but believes that she knows what is best for them all.

Meeting Seth brings her face to face with her own destiny, forcing her to realize the power that begins to wake in her. Not only that, she must learn to temper that power by getting in closer touch with her humanity lest that power consumes her completely. Lucky for her, Seth is just what the doctor ordered! While the dragon in him stirs the part of her that is all Dragon Master, the man in him stirs the part which is all woman, providing the perfect balance to help her gain the proper perspective just when she needs it most.

For his part, being bound to Carol forces him to tolerate being amongst other beings, something very unusual for Fire Dragon, who crave solitude. But that forced company wakes the part in him that craves his mate, something he just may have found in Carol. If only there weren't that pesky little Dragon Master binding to cloud his feelings for her...

While Carol and Seth deal with their budding romance, and whether it has a basis in real feelings or is simply a by-product of her Dragon master powers, they must also contend with the growing threat of the Incubi, another Dragon Master, a Chinatown mob boss, and the Order of the Black Lotus. Sounds like a lot to handle, right? Fortunately, they aren't in this alone. As the song goes, they get by with a little help from their friends, and we enjoy the return of favorite characters like Lisa, Caleb, Malcolm, Saba, and Axel to deal with the current threats.

THE DRAGON MASTER has it all - sweet romance, lots of action and suspense, and love scenes hotter than the flame of a Fire Dragon! Lovers of fantasy and romance will be thrilled with the third book in Allyson James' DRAGON SERIES.

**Courtesy of Wild on Books**

Series Order:

Dragon Heat (Dragon Series, Book 1)

The Black Dragon (Dragon Series, Book 2)

The Dragon Master (Dragon Series, Book 3)

Carol Juan is trying to get her grandmother into the modern age. A successful businesswoman in her own right, Carol is gnashing her teeth trying to get her grandmother's family owned and operated restaurant from losing more customers due to its lack of modern conveniences. When a naked man runs into her outside of the restaurant in the alley, Carol is reluctantly attracted to the man but still a bit scared of him as well. Especially since he is accusing her of summoning him to her side. Confused as to what he means and not really understanding why he has singled her out, Carol is even more astonished to find out that dragons are not myths but living and breathing creatures and in fact, she knows several.

Seth continues to believe that Carol summoned him to her and if that isn't bad enough, he can smell that she is the woman for him. It will take a lot of convincing to make this independent woman bind herself to him but Seth knows that their attraction will make all the difference in the world. With his appearance, Carol's true calling comes to light and that is where their loyalty to each other will be tested.

Seth was insatiably sexy. Manly to the core of his being, he was aware of Carol and everything about her. His trust in her was hesitant at first; okay, actually it was nil. He didn't trust her and he didn't understand her. As time went on, however, Seth began to see the woman underneath Carol's persona and fall in love with her.

I disliked Carol immediately and her early characteristics almost ruined THE DRAGON MASTER for me. I found the way she talked to and thought about her grandmother offensive and more than once I wanted to shake her. Her disregard for her roots and her grandmother's heritage didn't endear her to me either. She came across as being a know-it-all and as much as I love independent women, she seemed just too opinionated and unattractive to me. Had she been written with just an ounce of pride for her grandmother or had I somehow sensed she cared about her grandmother and her family I would have given THE DRAGON MASTER five bookmarks. Since Carol came across as condescending and wrapped up in herself, I just didn't like her - at the book's beginning.

With the above said, I am happy to note that Carol's character went through a type of metamorphosis. Everything that she thought was real and true was not and her belief system had to take a one hundred degree turn from the normal and sedate to myths and shape shifting dragons. Fascinated by Seth but wary of him at the same time, Carol was cautious at best and Seth forced her to see and listen and open her mind to mystical things. Their relationship is intense and sensual and each has to learn how to deal with the other. Overcoming obstacles is what they did best; other than love each other. Above all THE DRAGON MASTER is about love.

Be aware that THE DRAGON MASTER is the third book of Allyson James' Dragon series and readers will be more than confused if they have not read the first two installments. Secondary characters will be introduced throughout THE DRAGON MASTER and if the prior novels have not been read, then the reader will not get the full effect of these handsome and sensual dragons.

Dragon Series:

Dragon Heat, Book 1

Black Dragon, Book 2

The Dragon Master, Book 3

***Natalie S. for Wild on Books***

I was a bit disappointed with this book as compared with the first two books in the series.

The story line was fun, however, I believe the author could have done more with the main characters. I found it to be mundane after the action and main characters interaction in the first two books.

Found myself doing more skimming than reading.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 17 reviews  3.8 out of 5 stars