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!
Reviewed by Jennifer
