TEARS OF THE DRAGON – Carolina Valdez
Amber Heat – www.amberquill.com
ISBN: 978-1-60272-177-7
December 2007
Heat Level: 2
Erotic Fantasy Romance

A Far Away Land - Alternative Universe

Arondele is not a human woman but a dragon by the name of Gloriana that can change at will into the human form. She enjoys her days walking through the forest, away from the watchful eye of her father, Dreicomar, king of all the dragons. But one afternoon she is being watched by a handsome young knight called Rodrick. Rodrick thinks Arondele is the fairest woman he has ever seen and would like to get to know her better, which will hopefully lead to her seduction.

But, Arondele is at the age when she must choose a dragon mate, regardless of the fact that even if she wanted to mate with Rodrick she can’t because he is a human. For the moment, she will remain human in his presence and have him believe she is a lonely woman looking for friendship. Rodrick truly becomes her knight in shining armor when he saves Arondele from some men who are about to rape her. From that moment on, Arondele begins to fall in love with Rodrick, even though this emotion is foreign to her.

As Rodrick and Arondele spend almost every day together, Rodrick finds himself also falling for his lovely princess and shows her what mating is all about. Arondele has now broken a dragon law by losing her virginity to Rodrick. If her father or her fellow dragons find out, she could be put to death along with Rodrick. And even though Arondele knows she and Rodrick can never be together, he won’t let her go, even if that means transforming into a dragon himself with magic and claiming Arondele during the dragon mating flight.

TEARS OF THE DRAGON is a pleasing fantasy romance with knights, dragons and a supposed damsel in distress. I was quite surprised with Arondele, who can handle most of the problems that came her way. At first she may seem too sweet and innocent (she has no clue what mating is until Rodrick give her a special lesson) in a way that could grate on my nerves, but Caroline Valdez quickly squashes that attribute and makes Arondele a very strong and worthy partner to her dashing knight Rodrick. Rodrick is also a character who seemed to be less than honest when I began this tale. He comes across as a man who is looking for a woman he can bed down with. But again I was mistaken, and Rodrick is a true a hero in everyway. His love and devotion for Arondele are wonderful and, even when he finds out what Arondele really is, he doesn’t feel betrayed or leave her behind to fend for herself. He makes a major sacrifice that most men wouldn’t even think of doing because it could mean their own death.
 
I even found Dreicomar to be righteous and merciful with great paternal love for his daughter who has caused major problems. Arondele’s mother Nombella is also very motherly and sensitive to her daughter’s needs. She wants to find a way for her daughter to be with her loving knight and uses her magic to aid them. Heroic, action packed, and with some great love scenes, TEARS OF THE DRAGON has it all.

Kate Garrabrant