Customer Reviews

The Duchess and the Dragon

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

The whole book I continued saying to myself, "I can't believe this is happening. This is ridiculous. Who would ever do this?" The story line in this book was so absurd and ridiculous that the only reason I finished the book was to find out if the author managed to throw in anymore twists that made absolutely no sense. The two main characters aren't believable. They act in ways that are illogical and so contrived to fit the author's plot line that nothing seemed natural. Both characters are introduced and then proceed to act in ways that completely contradict their original personalities, with very thin/weak plot vehicles as reasoning. But even their original personalities are ludicrous, particularly Drake's. Bottom line is that I can't believe that I wasted my time on this piece of garbage.

I just finished reading this book and I am so disappointed. I have read many great reviews about this author so I really thought I had found a winner but I was so wrong. I don't think I have ever read a book that has frustrated me so much. The book started off strong but soon fizzled. Characters would pop up and then disappear and you would be left wondering what happened to them. The love story was more like a lust story to me. I want to fall in love along with the characters but I didn't feel like these characters really fell in love. I mean they end up getting married because her parents catch them making out in his room one night....how romantic..not. Another thing that bugged me was here is a Quaker, she's been a Quaker all her life and because she falls in "love" with Drake she has to decide between him or her Quaker life. Well, you would think she would really struggle with this decision...nah, didn't take her too long and that left me feeling like her Quaker life really didn't mean anything to her. I guess the bottom line is that I just didn't feel anything for the characters...I didn't like them and I didn't dislike them...I just didn't care. There were tons of other things that bugged me about this book but in case you want to read this book I won't say anything else so I don't spoil it for you. But I will say if your looking for a good love story I would recommend "The Measure of Lady" by Deeanne Gist or my personal favorite "Roses for Mama" by Janette Oke.

Imperious and commanding Drake Weston, the Earl of Warwick, is betrayed by his father from the grave. Shattered and infuriated, Drake finds himself running from the law after a fit of aggression towards a conniving servant wanting to benefit from his misery. Ever resourceful, Drake concocts a plan to marry quickly, produce an heir, deceive the English court and regain his rightful inheritance.

Escaping to Philadelphia, Drake survives the frightful voyage and finds himself at the mercy of the Winters, a gentle Quaker family, as an indentured servant. Drake's intelligence and forthright manner has Serena Winter second guessing his story but she finds herself drawn to him as no other man before. Forsaking her church, but not her faith, and all that is familiar, Serena follows her heart only to discover Drake's shameful past and his bold plan that will destroy her trust and shatter her dreams forever.

The Duchess and the Dragon is a passionate tale of love and betrayal set in the early 1800's captivating me from beginning to end. Jamie Carie's characterisation is brilliant with both Drake and Serena having a depth and authenticity rarely seen in romance novels. Drake is charismatic and driven but his transformation to a life of servant hood is revealing as he chafes against his new found limitations but is at the same time empowered by the work of his hands. Serena's compassionate nature is palpable and her confusion over her attraction to Drake delightful. The scurrilous intrigue alongside discoveries of faith play out against the backdrop of their growing love and add to the appeal of this evocative and enchanting story. For those who love Deeanne Gist and Julie Lessman, Jamie Carie will not disappoint - with one book she has entrenched herself a place as one of my "must read" authors

I bouhgt this book because of its summary in the back. However, reading it seemed like a torture. I didn't connect with the characters may be Drake at first, but half way through the book, I gave up!

The beginning of the book had so much promise! That sounds so cliché, but it's true!
I loved it! Carie had me hooked with the intriguing relationship of Serena and Drake. Normally Carie's books are fantastic! But halfway through this story the hero and heroine get married. As soon as they walk out the church door, the book should end. I considered ripping the book in half right there. Unfortunately for me, I kept reading. It just gets worse and worse. The characters aren't dynamic, they are ridiculous. Everything else they do is not like them and completely unbelievable. I tried so hard to like this book, but I couldn't.
If you want to read one of Jamie Carie's books, read Wind Dancer or Snow Angel.

Jamie Carie knows how to pull a reader in to a story. The inheritance scandal and Drake flight's for his life and near-tragic sea journey really grabs you. That was all great stuff, if not too descriptive. Some details even turned my stomach. Then the romance begins, and my first thought was that it reminded me of a Harlequin historical romance. I haven't read them in years, but the attraction Serena feels toward this obviously sick man doesn't make a lot of sense because you know he had to look skinny and bedraggled, but I suppose the pull she felt was reminiscent of Florence Nightingale syndrome. I would think her desire would be more from pity that actually having the hots for him. That is just a minor issue. At any rate, the attraction between them sizzled and that was pretty exciting stuff.

I was amazed at how much was implied that goes above and beyond what you find in most inspirational historicals, but it was enjoyable and refreshing to read. Like many woman, Serena felt a strong pull toward the dangerous guy and felt mere friendship for the safe one. The fear, excitement, pangs of regret, renewed hope, and roller coaster of emotion that played out in this story all made sense to me. I especially enjoyed the faith portion and the change exhibited in Drake's heart over time. He truly was not the same man he was before. Isn't that just how it is when God uses trials and hardship to soften us and draw us close to His heart?

Overall, I'd say this book was a dynamic read. It was hard to put down and I found the story and the setting incredibly engaging, plus the emotional and physical interplay between the hero and heroine was breathtaking. If you loved A Bride Most Begrudging by Deeanne Gist, you will enjoy this story.

The Duke, Drake Weston, is heir to wealth and power. Drake makes a great mistake and must leave everything he has behind and flee for his life. Not only has he to leave his home but he must leave England. Under a false name he slips boards a ship of slaves that is headed to America. When the ship arrives to America, the ship has sick people on it.
Serena Winter, who is a Quaker, helps tend to the sick when the ships arrive in the harbor. She helps save the life of Drake, but finds that there is a lot of anger and hostility in this mans life. See sees that there is good in this man and tries to help at what cost.

The Duchess & the Dragon is even better than Jamie Carie's outstanding first novel, Snow Angel. The passion is real but chaste, and the story is a real page-turner. Keep an eye on this talented new writer.

This is the second title I have reviewed for a Jamie Carie book and, as before, I was not let down. This is the author's second title, following Snow Angel, a Best Books Award winner. Jamie Carie resides in Indianapolis, Indiana with her husband and three children.
The Duchess and the Dragon, set in Regency-era, is a historical romance. Drake Weston, Duke of Northumberland, England is set to be the heir upon his father's passing, bringing with it influence and wealth beyond imagine. But when his poor temper causes a tragic mistake, Drake is forced from the country he loves and the life he knows, in to America as an indentured servant. Barely surviving the journey and horrid conditions, Serena Winter, a Quaker woman, finds him near death and rescues him by bringing Drake home and nursing him back to health. Thrown together by circumstance, these two individuals, from backgrounds that couldn't be more opposite, discover the consequences and power of what love can do. They must confront the web of deceit that threatens to destroy all that they hold dear, trusting in the power of prayer and their love for one another.
In all honesty, historical romance is my least favorite of the romance genre. This is a tough genre to write in, as I have done so myself, and to invent a story-line that has not been over-used or recycled is a daunting task. I am pleased to report that this was not the case in this book.
I find myself completely enamored by Jamie Carie's ability to tell a great story, with strong characters to back them up. The backdrop and history was stellar, as was the language that tossed you into another time, another era, forgetting that this was fiction. The two very different religions added a great element for the plot and turmoil between the main characters. I liked the diverse family background, as well- One coming from deceitful and hateful surroundings, and the other from a warm and nurturing one. It added to the plot nicely. The characters were realistic and endearing. I especially liked that they were not without common human flaws, as we tend to see in this genre often. The plot flowed well and, at no time, did I find myself disinterested. Mostly, the ending was a sagacious one, in where I did not have to roll my eyes at an unrealistic `happily ever after.' It was happy all right, and gave closure to such magnitude everyone will be satisfied, but not in an impractical manner.
This was a heart-pounding and moving read. Jamie Carie is still new to the publishing world, but she won't be for long. She has immeasurable talent and I look forward to seeing her on a best-seller list some day.

Kelly Moran
Author and Reviewer

I read Jamie's first book Snow Angel and loved it! So when I received her second book, I thought there is no way this can be as good as her first. But I was pleasantly surprised. The story line and characters in the Duchess and the Dragon are very real and well developed. The book started strong and kept that pace throughout the book. Jamie created Drake to be a formidable force. But Serena is a force to be reckoned with as well. She is strong, even under adverse conditions, and there is no question she gets her strength from God. I especially enjoyed how the characters went from vulnerable to protector and back to vulnerable again. I thought their love story and the ensuing adventure to start their own life, even under the shadow of Drake's secret, was well written. Jamie does a great job giving her characters depth and their emotions and actions and reactions seemed very real to me.