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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Five Blue Ribbons from Romance Junkies, February 21, 2008
Christina Delafield is tired of the constraints her grandfather continues to put on her life. Desperate to escape the confines of a Swiss finishing school where her grandfather plans to send her, Christina slips away to plead her case to the mysterious captain of the only ship, the Dragon's Lair, bound for the Bahamas. Failing to convince the masked captain of her plight, Christina does what any other desperate and resourceful young woman would do - she stows away on board and prays for the best.
Drexell Cain is on a mission - and failure is not an option. Fighting for years to free his brother from captivity, he decides to use his enemy's granddaughter as a last try at liberating his brother. Posing as his alter ego the Black Dragon, Drex hatches a scheme to grab Ms. Delafield only to be told that the young woman in question has disappeared. Little does he know that he already met, and turned away, the young lady he seeks.
After her discovery aboard ship, the Black Dragon and "Lilli" come to an understanding of sorts. What they don't count on is falling in love. What happens when the truth of their mutual identities is revealed? Will love be enough, or will it be as fleeting as the wind on the ocean?
If I had to describe THE LADY AND THE DRAGON in one sentence, it would be, "Historical romance at its best." Taking place on both the high seas and in the drawing rooms of historical London, I loved watching the main characters evolve throughout the story. Drex remained loyal to finding his twin and while his loyalty remained steadfast, he had to learn to trust his heart, which was very difficult for him. Christina was no less a work in progress. She longed for the freedom to live her life as she wanted without being told what to do. Her growing love for a man who she believes to be an outlaw pirate was heart wrenchingly innocent at times and womanly passionate at others.
Having resigned myself to never obtaining a copy of THE LADY AND THE DRAGON, I was ecstatic when I was told Ms. Bradley was once again releasing this story. I was treated to a stunning adventure, searing passion, and a touching read. Shelley Bradley knows just how to tug on my heartstrings! Let me be the first to state that I felt those tugs tenfold with THE LADY AND THE DRAGON. Filled with gripping romance combined with a well-written plot and realistic emotions, THE LADY AND THE DRAGON was consumed in one sitting. It is a great day to be a reviewer when you have books of this quality to read!
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6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
A one star is too high for this novel, *Spoilers*, June 2, 2008
Heroine Christina Delafield is petulant, self serving, haughty and incredibly naïve. She absolutely ruined this novel for me. She stowes away on hero Drex Cain's ship heading for the Bahamas. Her goal is to evade her grandfather who has plans for her to attend finishing school. She is determined to get to her aunt's home in the Caribbean.
Drex has an axe to grind with Christina's grandfather who is responsible for imprisoning his brother Ryan. He has no idea that Christina is his enemy's granddaughter as she lies to him when she is discovered on his ship. His identity is also secret. There is a bounty on his head so he wears a mask onboard.
Christina makes it her life mission to disobey Drex's orders aboard ship. She back talks, does dangerous feats and basically is a nuisance to Drex. Her antics became annoying.
*Spoiler* When they reach the Bahamas, she sets off to find her aunt. Drex discovers that Christina's aunt is really a Madame and, because the information comes from Drex, Christina will not believe her Aunt runs a bordello. She is so stubborn. When her aunt reveals the truth and plans on auctioning Chrisitna off to the highest bidder she refuses to ask Drex for help. Add pride to her list of virtues.
*Spoiler* Drex bids on Christina and wins her. He pays a hefty sum for her and does she thank him for saving her from ravishment from complete strangers. No. She is surly and hostile. The two do become intimate and only after that does Christina reveal who she is. Now Drex must give her up and does so in exchange for his brother.
The plot becomes even more convoluted when Drex's father comes to light and Drex decides to win back Christina. Why he would want such a childish, spoiled woman I am unsure. Even when Drex is facing death Christina's attitude is brittle, harsh and unforgiving. I kept hoping she would change and she did but only on the last two pages. By then it was too little and too late.
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1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
5 Klovers - Courtesy of CK2S Kwips & Kritiques, February 21, 2008
Fleeing a controlling Grandfather and impending imprisonment in a Swiss finishing school, Lady Christina Delafield will do anything it takes to make it to the Bahamas, where her Aunt Mary and her freedom await. Little did she expect that `anything it takes' would mean stowing away on the only ship sailing to the islands - a ship that just happens to be captained by her Grandfather's most elusive foe - the infamous Black Dragon! Finding herself in his unknowing clutches, she fears what will happen should he learn her true identity. But as they near the end of their voyage, she realizes the true danger he represented was not to her person, but to her heart...
Drexell Cain is desperate to flee his twin brother from the unrelenting Admiral. To that end, he will spare no measure, even if it means kidnapping the man's Granddaughter, Christina. But finding her proves impossible, as the reputed hellion has suddenly disappeared, and an attack facilitates his premature departure to the Bahamas. Things become even more complicated when he discovers the beautiful and secretive stowaway on his ship - a mysterious woman who proves more of a distraction than he can afford until his brother has been rescued.
Too late, Drexell realizes both her true identity and the depth of his own feelings for Christina. But will betrayal doom them to living without each other forever?
I love historical romances. I adore Shelley Bradley's work. You can imagine my excitement when I learned that Samhain Publishing was re-releasing her first novel, The Lady and the Dragon! I have heard that copies of this previously out of print book were selling for phenomenal figures at eBay, and after reading this story, I can most certainly understand why! Bradley's first book makes the art of writing look easy. By the sheer fact that it is so good and is her first release, she proves more than ever that her writing skills are natural, God-given talents and not some lucky quirk of fate. Heck, at this point, I would probably be willing to purchase her tenth grade Creative Writing assignment, with as much confidence as I have in this author!
Christina Delafield is a spirited woman, aching for her independence in a time when women were expected to be satisfied as wives and mothers without much say in their lives or identity of their own. Stifled by her domineering Grandfather, she courageously sets out to change her life - an act that even a modern woman can relate to - and take control of her own future. My favorite historical stories are those with main characters that are easy to identify with, despite the differences in the time period and settings, and Christina is just such a character. Indeed it is her moxie and spontaneity that both charm and frighten Drexell, making him reluctant to fall in love with the lovely lass even as he begins to comprehend it is battle he is swiftly losing.
Drexell Cain is a force to be reckoned with - either as himself or as the Black Dragon. Ruthless in his pursuits, whether it be the rescue of his brother or capturing the fair Christina in body and heart, he still exhibits a tenderness that belies his reputation as a dastardly cutthroat. It is easy to see why Christina falls for him, even when she only knows him as the masked pirate commanding the Dragon's Lair.
Bradley weaves a complex plot rife with antagonists to this relationship - both internal and external. Through it all, we maintain complete empathy for both Christina and Drexell, even as we see the mistakes they are making that could potentially doom their relationship. While we certainly become frustrated with both characters on more than one occasion, that frustration is in synch with the story, our feelings mirroring that of the characters', thereby deepening our connection to them.
In the end, the author delivers on a very happy, but eminently sensible ending. Without giving anything away, I will say that the way this pair finally reconciled their lives together was perfect, satisfying the deepest needs of both characters.
The Lady and the Dragon is one of the best first books I have ever had the pleasure of reading, and I guarantee you it will be one I will save to read again and again in future years. I am proud to name this book my Recommended Read for the month of May 2007!
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