
Book Title: Black Dragon
Author: December Quinn
Publisher: Cerridwen Press
Publisher URL: http://www.cerridwenpress.com/
ISBN: 9781419913099
Genre: Historical Romance
Nymph Rating: 5 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Satyr Vael
For Isabelle de Harvington, life should be full of peace and love. Unfortunately, in the thirteen century, politics play strong roles when it comes to marriage. Convinced she loves a minstrel from her father's home; Isabelle is devastated when she finds that she is to marry not the minstrel William, but the brooding Gruffydd ap Hywel, who first met her at a very embarrassing moment in Isabelle's young life. To add insult to injury, Gruffydd is Welsh. A political marriage is the last thing Isabelle wants.
When she joins her new husband in his Welsh castle, Isabelle is utterly miserable. She tries everything she knows to make him want to get rid of her, but none of it works. While he's just as reticent about the marriage as she is, he's made a promise to Prince Llewellyn to marry this daughter of an influential lord. To make matters worse, Gruffydd must dodge his persistent wife while he carries out his oath as the Black Dragon -- protector of the roads and the people. It wouldn't be so bad if Isabelle's mere presence didn't set him on fire.
Troubles escalate, however, forcing Gruffydd to choose between keeping his secrets and losing the woman who's managed to work her way into his locked heart.
Black Dragon is amazing. From the first page, I was swept away into a world and time I truly adore. And the story hadn't even started. Ms Quinn took the time to include an author's foreword, detailing the intricacies of the Welsh language, the politics of the era, and even the societal structure. I enjoyed the foreword almost as much as the book itself.
The story is rich in detail, from places to characters, to sights, sounds, and smells. Ms Quinn wrote some of the hottest love scenes that fit the tone beautifully. In a lot of stories set in this time period, it's common to either be too purple, or too modernly explicit. Ms Quinn found a perfect balance and the result are scenes that made my heart race. And I don't read m/f romances very often.
Another thing I loved was that Ms Quinn didn't skimp on the darker aspects. The thirteen century was a very violent period, and the author didn't shy away from that. The tense moments felt real enough to keep me reading well past one in the morning. The ending was incredibly satisfying as well. In fact, I'm hoping Black Dragon goes to print because I'd be honored to give it a place on my bookshelf.
Author: December Quinn
Publisher: Cerridwen Press
Publisher URL: http://www.cerridwenpress.com/
ISBN: 9781419913099
Genre: Historical Romance
Nymph Rating: 5 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Satyr Vael
For Isabelle de Harvington, life should be full of peace and love. Unfortunately, in the thirteen century, politics play strong roles when it comes to marriage. Convinced she loves a minstrel from her father's home; Isabelle is devastated when she finds that she is to marry not the minstrel William, but the brooding Gruffydd ap Hywel, who first met her at a very embarrassing moment in Isabelle's young life. To add insult to injury, Gruffydd is Welsh. A political marriage is the last thing Isabelle wants.
When she joins her new husband in his Welsh castle, Isabelle is utterly miserable. She tries everything she knows to make him want to get rid of her, but none of it works. While he's just as reticent about the marriage as she is, he's made a promise to Prince Llewellyn to marry this daughter of an influential lord. To make matters worse, Gruffydd must dodge his persistent wife while he carries out his oath as the Black Dragon -- protector of the roads and the people. It wouldn't be so bad if Isabelle's mere presence didn't set him on fire.
Troubles escalate, however, forcing Gruffydd to choose between keeping his secrets and losing the woman who's managed to work her way into his locked heart.
Black Dragon is amazing. From the first page, I was swept away into a world and time I truly adore. And the story hadn't even started. Ms Quinn took the time to include an author's foreword, detailing the intricacies of the Welsh language, the politics of the era, and even the societal structure. I enjoyed the foreword almost as much as the book itself.
The story is rich in detail, from places to characters, to sights, sounds, and smells. Ms Quinn wrote some of the hottest love scenes that fit the tone beautifully. In a lot of stories set in this time period, it's common to either be too purple, or too modernly explicit. Ms Quinn found a perfect balance and the result are scenes that made my heart race. And I don't read m/f romances very often.
Another thing I loved was that Ms Quinn didn't skimp on the darker aspects. The thirteen century was a very violent period, and the author didn't shy away from that. The tense moments felt real enough to keep me reading well past one in the morning. The ending was incredibly satisfying as well. In fact, I'm hoping Black Dragon goes to print because I'd be honored to give it a place on my bookshelf.

































