THE COLLECTORS – Camilla Bruce
Torquere Press – www.torquerepress.com
ISBN (10): 1-934166-30-8
ISBN (13): 978-1-934166-30-8
November 2006
Gay Paranormal Romance – Short Story

An Unnamed City – Present Day

Unbeknownst to humans, dragons and knights have always existed and, in fact, have evolved to almost pass for human themselves. Due to the difficulty of killing each other, the open warfare between dragons and knights has turned into a sort of cold war, and the bounty each side seeks is the essence of select humans -- female and male "princesses" -- that help prolong dragons' and knights' lives.

Septarian is a 199-year old dragon who once did the unthinkable; he fell in love with a knight named Cid.  Unfortunately, that love affair went bad and Septarian has retired from hunting essence and now spends his time at the family firm designing jewelry and arranging essence auctions.  When word comes that a gay male princess has been spotted with an inordinately powerful essence, Septarian decides to check him out and immediately falls under his spell.  Nathaniel is young, fresh, and so beautiful he puts Septarian's jewels to shame.  However, his former lover Cid has spotted Nathaniel as well.  Can Septarian overcome his lingering feelings for Cid to claim Nathaniel for himself?

Dragons and knights and princess essences?!  Camilla Bruce has achieved an amazing feat -- creating a truly original universe but grounding it with emotion and poignancy.  One feels all that Septarian goes through from tired acceptance to shy hopefulness, and readers can't help rooting for the old dragon in the game of love.  If you crave something different, even unique, THE COLLECTORS is a must for your "to be read" list.

Isabella Spencer