DRAGON TAMER - Kathleen Scott
Samhain - Samhain Publishing
ISBN: 1-59998-670-1
September 2007
Fantasy Romance - Short Story

The Island of Cambry - A Time when Dragons and Space Travel Coexist

Cambry is known for its dragons who are named for their brilliant colors, Rubies and Emeralds, Amethysts and Opals. The beautiful and intelligent creatures are the source of the island’s biggest export, the scales they slough off. But now the dragons are dying, struck by a blight that is quickly decimating their numbers. Darion Archer runs the hatching grounds, and desperate for answers, he asks the International Field Marshall service to investigate. Expecting his brother Tavil, an IFM agent, to be assigned the case, Darion is shocked to discover a cold, unfeeling feminine agent by the name of Serrah Gayle has been assigned the case. For gosh sakes, the woman is afraid of dragons, what was the IFM thinking?

Serrah Gayle can’t believe that she’s been assigned a case investigating the deaths of the very creatures she’s spent most of her life avoiding. She gets that Darion thinks she doesn’t care, but that’s simply not the case. Dragons are beautiful and amazing; Serrah just needs to stay away from them for personal reasons, feelings she may have to overcome if they’re ever to discover where this blight is coming from.

While Darion and Serrah don’t hit it off so well, they quickly discover an attraction that will lead them into the heart of danger.

DRAGON TAMER introduces readers to a beautiful world filled with wondrous creatures, animals who will delight readers even as they feel sorrow for their passing. Darion is caring and strong; he truly loves his dragon charges and respects their intelligence; he wants nothing more than the return of their health. When Serrah shares her belief in a conspiracy, probably led by one of those he trusts most, he’s both shaken and angry. How could she believe his assistants or office manger may have something to do with this tragedy? Serrah can sniff out sabotage from light years away, and this blight reeks of it. Painful as it is, Darion just has to see the light. As for her own feelings about the situation, well, maybe it’s time to face her fears and confront the dragons who bring them all to life.

Ontonio and Palmer are Darion’s assistants; they both appear to care about the dragons, so it’s difficult to believe either would want to hurt them. Mercia is Darion’s office manager; while the girl is certainly possessive of Darion, despite his apparent perception of her as nothing more than a co-worker, that’s certainly not a motive for killing dragons. Darion’s brother Tavil is a quiet man who chose to follow his calling as an agent; however that doesn’t mean he lacks feeling for the dragons his brother spends his life working with. Then there are the dragons themselves; Arcane, Rhian and Rubicon are just a few of the wonderful beings who share their lives with Darion and, in turn, Serrah. The author’s descriptions made great mind pictures; I could imagine the dragons sparkling in the sunlight.

I love dragons and romance, so what could be better than finding my two favorite things in one place? I know I’m not the only one who feels that way, so come on, dragon lovers, get your copy of DRAGON TAMER today!

Lori Ann