Dragon Actually (Dragon Kin, Book 1)

I'm not a fan of the shrinking violet heroine or worse yet the woman who is cute / beautiful but ditzy and needs a man to save her. I was therefore really pleased to find a book with a strong female character who had personality (i.e could be rude, sarcastic and funny) but still open to romance. I can hardly wait for the next book to come out. Really enjoy this author and her cast of characters.

Annwyl, a tough, no-nonsense warrior, leader of the rebellion against her brother who rules the kingdom, finds herself gravely wounded. But she just so happens to be outside the lair or a dragon--Fearghus, a recluse. Bringing Annwyn into his lair to save her, he senses something about her, he's drawn to her as he's never been drawn to another human or dragon before. Fearing that Annwyl is not strong enough to beat her evil brother, Fearghus offers a mysterious knight to train her. Annwyl agrees. Little does Annwyl know the knight is none other than Fearghus the Dragon! Annwyl is tormented by the brutish knight training her. Hating him, yet wanting him. The bantering between the two was highly engaging and very well done! Annwyl is in lust with the the knight by day, yet falling in love with the dragon by night. It's a hopeless battle of wills between Annwyl and Fearghus and one that was very entertaining to read. Even though she is known as Annwyl the Bloody, and he as Fearghus the Destroyer, the romance was actually very sweet and fun. I really enjoyed the dialogue between the two, sometimes very comical. I enjoyed Dragon Actually immensely. There's action, head-lopping, a bastard brother who deserves all the anger and rage Annwyl feels toward him. And of course some really great dragon petting :). And human petting! Dragon Actually, is actually only 217 pages. The remaining 116 pages is a short story, Chains and Flames, which is Feargus's parents. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good dragon romping story. It was fun, exciting and did not drag anywhere. The characters were extremely likable. And Fearghus's siblings added a delightful touch to this story. Just imagine sibling rivalry between a bunch of very large, very strong dragons! I loved reading this book and hope the second one, About a Dragon has the same witty humor as this one.

First let's inform the reader that G.A. Aiken is Shelly Laurenston. For those who are familiar with Shelly's work, her writing is touching, with hilarious repartee, solid female heroines and very alpha male heroes. Her sex scenes are very graphic (both descriptive and in terminology) and her stories are a rare treat for paranormal fans. She is in my instant buy category! DRAGON ACTUALLY consists of two stories. TO CHALLENGE A DRAGON is the story of Ferghus and Annywl and set in a mythical/medieval world of creatures living among humans. Ferghus is an ancient dragon. He has lived alone for centuries and wants nothing more than peace and quiet in his lair without interference. Annywl The Bloody is mortally wounded outside his cave and the ruckus she has created polishing off her enemies has woken Ferghus. As he steps put of the cave he finds Annywl dying. Her fierce bravado takes him aback, so instead of making her an appetizer he takes her into his lair cave and saves her life. Ferghus is fascinated with Annywl. He's not been interested in anything in centuries and her honest and stalwart persona intrigues him. She as is fierce as she is angry. Annywl has earned her name well - all Annywl the Bloody knows is how to kill defending herself from her brother's armies who seek her death. As Ferghus learns more about Annywl, he realizes that for her to succeed and kill her evil brother and claim her kingdom, she will need to control her anger. Dragons are able to shift into human form (something that has been a sacred secret for centuries). Ferghus becomes a human knight by day, instructing Annywl with her fighting skills as well as mastering her temper and her dragon by night. Annywl strikes an amazing kinship and relationship with her dragon, and Ferghus is more that startled to realize he is coming to care too much for this fierce slip of a girl, as he desires her human body more than he has desired anyone in his long existence. In TO CHALLENGE A DRAGON, we are introduced to many of Ferghus's family and siblings - who bring hilarious banter to the dialogue. Aiken (Laurenston) has created a marvelous, mythical dragon world, where you actually believe these creatures exist. There is brutality and graphic violence in the bloody battle scenes and the sex is raw and uninhibited. This is a magnificent story - not for the faint hearted - but for those who like "meat" in their books! FLAMES AND CHAINS - is the story of Ferghus's parents Bercerek and Princess Rhiannon - who becomes queen of the Dragon world. Their tale is short but entertaining and funny. Just as good as TO CHALLENGE A DRAGON, with the sexual scenes even hotter, juicier and more graphic! (You will need to fan yourself to cool the flames!!! LOL!) Aiken's (Laurenston) storytelling has the ability to create amazingly gripping stories with unforgettable characters. She paints a vivid, surreal world, incorporating the right amount of Magik, awesome creatures, great

I loved the main story Dragon Actually (which started out as a short story originally epublished as To Challenge a Dragon). This dragonshifter tale had all of the trademark brashness, humor and steamy intensity you would expect from Aiken a Shelley Laurenston alto ego. If you're a fan of any of the author's other books you'll be pleased to see how well Aiken's trademark uber-alpha female lead translates to the medieval time frame of the book. Annwyl the Bloody is fatally wounded and outnumbered but still fighting to take as many of her vile brother's warriors along with her through death's door. Just about the time the Annwyl is about to lose her head, literally, her foes' smug satisfaction at their looming victory turns to terror and flaming death courtesy of the horned black dragon on whose doorstep Annwyl is dying. Much to the dragon Fearghus' the surprise, the bloody woman meets his fierce dragon's gaze without fear and her bravery intrigues him enough than instead of making her a tasty snack, he brings her into his lair and sees to her healing. As time goes by the dour dragon hermit, who preferred a quiet solitary life, is amused and captivated by the bold, fearless woman. When Annwyl begins to heal, Fearghus provides an irritating but powerful Knight to help Annwyl hone the battle skills which will allow her to defeat her odious abusive sibling. Annwyl spends her days in bruising training with her helpful but annoying `adversary' and her nights talking with Fearghus, torn between the powerful lust she feels for the Knight and the comfort and friendship she feels for the dragon. Annwyl's `two' relationships are what really make this story. Her relationship with the despised but oh so attractive Knight was combustible, laden with sexual tension and with verbal sparring (along with some physical sparring too), but where her relationship with the Knight burned hot and fast, with Fearghus it was a slowly building deeper connection, as the two let down their guards and shared themselves in a way that neither had allowed before. Adding even more fun to the story, Dragon Actually is chockfull of supporting dragon characters, many of Fearghus' fabulous siblings turn up to help or to stir up mischief, most all of them deserve stories of their own. The second story Flames in Chains, also previously epublished, was the story of Fearghus' parents `courtship'. Fearghus' father Bercelek, a fearsome battle dragon, has always had a soft spot for the dragon Princess Rhiannon who loathes him. Fearghus was great, in his unrelenting campaign to win the mate who is now within his grasp and the advantage is finally his since she's stuck in human form and can't shift to dragon in order to flee him. This story had some great moments and Bercelek's odd ball dragon parents and siblings, like his children in the previous story, were a kick. But I didn't like Flames and Chains as well as the first story. If you are an erotic reader my nits with the story won'

"Dragon Actually". Desperate to save her people warrior Princess Annwyl the Bloody fights to the death to end the cruel reign of her brother Lorcan the Butcher of Garbhan Isle. As she nears death from wounds, she remains resolute and still battling when Fearghus the Destroyer dragon swoops down and removes her from the battlefield and takes her to his cave. Unable to resist her courage and her beauty, Fearghus heals her instead of dining on her. As the dragon and the lady fall in love, her sibling continues his vigil to kill the only person whoever opposed him, his sister. "Chains and Flames". Dragon Queen Addiena informs her First Born White Dragonwitch daughter Rhiannon that she will mate with lord dragon Bercelak. Addiena calls him the "Great" while Rhiannon insists he is the "Vengeful". Rhiannon's choice is to die or accept the Claiming of Bercelak as her mate. These two entreating dragon romances are fun to read from the moment that Fearghus snatches Annwyl from the battle. Whereas "Dragon Actually" is a full length medieval paranormal thriller, "Chains and Flames" is a novella dragon equivalent of "Meet the Fockers (or at least what their courtship must have been like). Both are well written complements. Harriet Klausner