Rating: 
Summary: Delicious debut from Ms. Mason!
Review: As the other reviewers have done such a fabulous job of synopsizing (is that a word? *g*), let me just add that I LOVED everything about Ms. Mason's writing. Characterization was flawless, IMHO; storyline was fresh and original, and there are enough twists and turns to keep the pacing fast and intense.LADY DRAGON is a delightful historical romance, and Jewell Mason is now an auto buy for me!
Rating: 
Summary: A Well Written Historical!
Review: I found "Lady Dragon" to be a well-written historical novel that had not only unusual characters (Lady Celeste is a bit of a tom-boy to use a modern day term) but these characters were likable and the storyline was unique. Ms. Mason managed to write a romance that was not overly-graphic (the description of kisses was as racy as it gets) but lost none of the magic of falling in love. I think this was one of the reason's why I enjoyed the book so much. This is a book that I recommend that you add to your summer reading list. It's a fast read that blends not only a fine romantic storyline but likeable and real characters.
Rating:
Summary: A Well Written Historical!
Review: I found "Lady Dragon" to be a well-written historical novel that had not only unusual characters (Lady Celeste is a bit of a tom-boy to use a modern day term) but these characters were likable and the storyline was unique. Ms. Mason managed to write a romance that was not overly-graphic (the description of kisses was as racy as it gets) but lost none of the magic of falling in love. I think this was one of the reason's why I enjoyed the book so much. This is a book that I recommend that you add to your summer reading list. It's a fast read that blends not only a fine romantic storyline but likeable and real characters.
Rating: 
Summary: fabulous Scottish historical romance
Review: In 1324 an angry Lord Devon de Grenfeld visits one of his holdings Ambellshire to meet with the local laird Edmund Brystowe whose behavior places his loyalty at question. Edmund ignored a summons insisting he must protect the keep from marauding Scots. Devon doubts the alibi as the Scots have not raided in a decade. Devon arrives in time to see a pitched battle. Before he can talk with Edmund, one of the lads knocks him out with a sling shot. That night he hears more excuses from Edmund's uncle Charles and sister Celeste why the laird is unavailable. Something is not right, but the strangest thing is how Celeste, whose life he once saved, treats him with scorn. Still she detests herself more as she feels attracted to her liege though she knows she must hide the truth that Edmund died several years ago and she masquerades as him. Adding to her troubles is Devon's detestable uncle comes courting the woman that Devon now loves. Though it takes a chapter or two to straighten out who is related to whom, Scottish historical romance readers will gain immense pleasure from LADY DRAGON. Celeste is a great female protagonist trying to do the right thing for her people at a time when depression seems the order of the day. Devon is a solid hero who thought he would never love again after a previous betrayal, but finds a greater love if he can overcome Celeste's negative perceptions of him. A secondary couple adds depth, her uncle is a charming worrywart, and his uncle is a nasty loser. Thus the strong cast starring in a wonderful story line makes for a terrific tale. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: fabulous Scottish historical romance
Review: In 1324 an angry Lord Devon de Grenfeld visits one of his holdings Ambellshire to meet with the local laird Edmund Brystowe whose behavior places his loyalty at question. Edmund ignored a summons insisting he must protect the keep from marauding Scots. Devon doubts the alibi as the Scots have not raided in a decade. Devon arrives in time to see a pitched battle. Before he can talk with Edmund, one of the lads knocks him out with a sling shot. That night he hears more excuses from Edmund's uncle Charles and sister Celeste why the laird is unavailable. Something is not right, but the strangest thing is how Celeste, whose life he once saved, treats him with scorn. Still she detests herself more as she feels attracted to her liege though she knows she must hide the truth that Edmund died several years ago and she masquerades as him. Adding to her troubles is Devon's detestable uncle comes courting the woman that Devon now loves. Though it takes a chapter or two to straighten out who is related to whom, Scottish historical romance readers will gain immense pleasure from LADY DRAGON. Celeste is a great female protagonist trying to do the right thing for her people at a time when depression seems the order of the day. Devon is a solid hero who thought he would never love again after a previous betrayal, but finds a greater love if he can overcome Celeste's negative perceptions of him. A secondary couple adds depth, her uncle is a charming worrywart, and his uncle is a nasty loser. Thus the strong cast starring in a wonderful story line makes for a terrific tale. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: A Must Have
Review: It's hard to fathom this is a debut novel by a new writer!! Ms. Mason weaves a tale of romance and betrayal like a seasoned author! Be ready for twists and turns as this novel keeps you turning pages long into the night!
Rating:
Summary: A Must Have
Review: It's hard to fathom this is a debut novel by a new writer!! Ms. Mason weaves a tale of romance and betrayal like a seasoned author! Be ready for twists and turns as this novel keeps you turning pages long into the night!
Rating:
Summary: It'll make you read medievals again
Review: Jewell Mason's first novel, Lady Dragon, has made me want to read medievals again. Rich in historical ambience, it is a vibrant story about the healing power of love. When Devon de Grenfeld arrives to inspect his feif of Ambellshire after too lengthy an absence, he finds it fortified beyond all necessity for such a small, distant holding. Yet its expensive stone garrison is far less formidable a barrier than the emotional walls which its lady has built around herself. Celeste Brystowe seeks self-reliance at all costs. After her parents are killed by ravaging Scots (in response to the review above, this story is not a Scottish historical), she puts away her dolls and begins to train in the military arts alongside her twin brother, Edmund. It is she who insists that they put every shilling into their fortifications, she who teaches every man, woman, and child in her protection the art of self-defense, she who finally becomes "lord" of the manor when Edmund is killed. But the personal price she pays for her security is dear. Devon encounters a hostile yet beautiful woman dressed in severe gray, with a collection of bruises that makes him suspect she has been abused. Anxious to save her from the man he suspects is forcing her to live in straitened circumstances, this well-intentioned knight never imagines that the one he must save her from is herself. Debut novels don't get much better than this. Jewell Mason makes us care about her characters. Devon is an easy hero to love as he supports, strengthens, and ultimately heals the wounded Celeste. Celeste herself charms both Devon and the reader as she struggles to reclaim the precious femininity that she has sacrificed in her pursuit of safety. Best of all, though, is the complexity of plot and conflict which Ms. Mason crafts into the seams of her story. She knows how to write the sort of deeply structured, engaging medieval romance that we all loved back in the seventies when writers like Woodiwiss were unhampered by restrictive word counts. Lady Dragon is longer than many recent medievals, and even so it ends too soon. Kudos to Jewell Mason. And kudos to Medallion Press, for encouraging talented writers like Ms. Mason to give us the sort of long, engrossing reads that have been missing from the romance mass market for too long.
Rating:
Summary: It'll make you read medievals again
Review: Jewell Mason's first novel, Lady Dragon, has made me want to read medievals again. Rich in historical ambience, it is a vibrant story about the healing power of love. When Devon de Grenfeld arrives to inspect his feif of Ambellshire after too lengthy an absence, he finds it fortified beyond all necessity for such a small, distant holding. Yet its expensive stone garrison is far less formidable a barrier than the emotional walls which its lady has built around herself. Celeste Brystowe seeks self-reliance at all costs. After her parents are killed by ravaging Scots (in response to the review above, this story is not a Scottish historical), she puts away her dolls and begins to train in the military arts alongside her twin brother, Edmund. It is she who insists that they put every shilling into their fortifications, she who teaches every man, woman, and child in her protection the art of self-defense, she who finally becomes "lord" of the manor when Edmund is killed. But the personal price she pays for her security is dear. Devon encounters a hostile yet beautiful woman dressed in severe gray, with a collection of bruises that makes him suspect she has been abused. Anxious to save her from the man he suspects is forcing her to live in straitened circumstances, this well-intentioned knight never imagines that the one he must save her from is herself. Debut novels don't get much better than this. Jewell Mason makes us care about her characters. Devon is an easy hero to love as he supports, strengthens, and ultimately heals the wounded Celeste. Celeste herself charms both Devon and the reader as she struggles to reclaim the precious femininity that she has sacrificed in her pursuit of safety. Best of all, though, is the complexity of plot and conflict which Ms. Mason crafts into the seams of her story. She knows how to write the sort of deeply structured, engaging medieval romance that we all loved back in the seventies when writers like Woodiwiss were unhampered by restrictive word counts. Lady Dragon is longer than many recent medievals, and even so it ends too soon. Kudos to Jewell Mason. And kudos to Medallion Press, for encouraging talented writers like Ms. Mason to give us the sort of long, engrossing reads that have been missing from the romance mass market for too long.
Rating:
Summary: Loved this Book!
Review: This was such a fabulous book! I loved how Lady Celeste wasn't afraid to stand up for herself and didn't wait for someone to save her. Devon was a yummy leading man too. It was really neat to watch how he changed over the course of the book from a somewhat shallow leige lord to a responsible, caring individual. I think it was even better that he learned it from watching Celeste! Oh, and the fight scenes, and the dialogue, and CEDRIC! He was downright mouth watering. I hope he gets his own story because he was too divine for words! This was such a great read, fast paced and full of laugh out loud funny moments.
I can't wait to read more from her!
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