Dragon Wish

by Judith Leger

A vision, a wish, and a journey plagued by evil.Cold, desolate cliffs and a white dragon’s blue gaze captures Seren Jordan in a terrifying vision. A universe away, Paladin Fulcan--prince, captain, and sorcery-shadowed seed of dragonkind--struggles to overcome his grief during the long journey to where he must bury his wife and son. Seeing a shooting star, he violates the most sacred law of the he makes a wish.A dragonseed's wish can open the gates between realities, can alter fate. But has fate itself decreed this wish? For the throne-less dragonseed's destiny is entwined with that of a mortal mate; their son is fated to be the One True Dragon King to rule over all the dragons. But not all dragons are content to accept one rule, and the rebels quietly gather allies to prevent the birth of Seren's baby.

Genres: Romance, Fantasy, Dragons, Fiction, Fantasy Romance

289 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 23, 2011

About the author

For all my life, I've daydreamed. Hero meets heroine, falls in love, and lives happily ever after. The problems that occur in their relationship are over come, melding their hearts together.

My writing tries to capture their essences.

If you love romance with magic, fantasy and memorable characters then you and I have a lot in common.

Reviews

[Penumbra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dragons, I love dragons. That’s why I was looking forward to reading this book. Sadly, this book disappointed me to a great extent.



Pros:

Dragons!

I liked the idea of a dragon world called Avaris which was a sister world to Earth. Good idea.

Cons:

Characters- The characters don’t have much depth; we don’t really get a good feeling about them or much character development that isn’t predictable. The author doesn’t make me emphasize with the main characters.

Seren herself really wasn’t a positive female character on Avarice’s world except as a womb. The men were the ones that got things done and had the power. The one time Seren wants to try using her prophetic talent as a job, she’s urged not to by Leo. Seren just ends up being arm candy for Paladin, a womb to carry Legion, and a damsel in distress. Not much of a good female role model.

What I found especially annoying was the interaction between Seren and Paladin. They have hot passionate sex immediately and Seren gets pregnant. No character build-up, no relationship build-up. The fact they have early sex and Seren getting pregnant, effectively destroys all future tension between the couple at the very beginning of the book. However, the author tries to recreate tension between the couple as they are drawn and resist their feelings toward each other, making the scenes very contrived and manipulative.

Here’s basically how Seren’s reaction to Paladin plays out for over half the book:

I want him!

No, I’m ashamed, the maid heard us having sex. I shouldn’t have sex with him.

I want him to touch me!

No, I have to resist because I just shouldn’t feel this way.

But he’s gorgeous!

No. I’m going to return to Earth, I can’t get attached to him.


Here’s how Paladin’s reaction played out for Seren for over half the book:

I want her!

No. I shouldn’t want her, I must think about returning my wife’s dead body to her people.

I can’t get her out of my head!

No. I shouldn’t think of her. I should have never brought her to my world. *thumps chest guiltily*

She makes my loins throb and blood boil!

No. I got her pregnant and she will die because of me! *thumps chest guiltily*

A single sentence would be dropped into a paragraph about how one character felt passionate for the other person, and then immediately Seren or Paladin would push themselves away and deny themselves. I could easily picture in my head an image of the typical heroine with one arm pushing away the hero and her forearm thrown across her forehead exclaiming “no, I can’t!” There was so much “I want you!” then “No! I can’t!” happening, that I felt like I was watching a ping pong match and was going to get whiplash. This went on for at least 145 pages! 145 pages! It got to the point that it was ridiculous. This behavior stopped pretty much after the first half, but then Seren’s desire to return to Earth took over, even though she was in love with Paladin. The emotions now wavered between Seren convincing herself she still wanted to return to Earth and Paladin hardening his heart for Seren’s departure and not telling her he loved her, which is exactly what she wanted to hear. Again more manipulative emotional behavior written into the story for tension causing the story to read 'predictable.' I wanted to roll my eyes.

Sex:
There was a lot of ‘throbbing’ going on between the legs for both Seren and Paladin. In fact the word was much overused. There was also a lot of ‘painful throbbing.’ I don’t know if the author intended for that to be sexy, but that had exactly the opposite effect on me.

World Building:
I liked the world of Avaris; the author had a nice idea. Unfortunately she didn’t go into as much depth about the world as she could have and that was disappointing. It would have been much better if the author had spent more time on the world building and told us a lot more about the dragons considering the dragons seem to be the main reason for all that happens in the book. But we don’t get to learn much about them at all.

Action:
The author went quickly from one scene to the next, especially during the first half. I didn’t mind the numerous scenes; it’s just that I never got pulled deeply into any of them because there were so many. I honestly think a lot of the first half of the book could have been cut out, because the action didn’t get interesting until the second half after we weren’t subjected to the quickly shifting thoughts and desires of the main characters.

I’d give this book one star because of the ping ponging lust between Seren and Paladin which was very aggravating. Also the world and action scenes are glossed over too quickly because of the excessive time spent on the re-creation of the sexual tension after it was given all away the first night they had sex. The romance was also pretty predictable, but because this story has dragons in it and the action got better in the second half, I’ll give it two stars.

[Danielle The Book Huntress · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good fantasy romance. I loved the dragons, so majestic and beautiful. The world-building was strong, and the magic awe-inspiring. I would like to read more by this author.

Reviewed for Bitten by Books. http://bittenbybooks.com

[WildAboutBones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This paranormal romance grabs your attention from the first page. Leger has created a sister world to Earth, Avaris, filled with Dragons, wizards, Felerians (cat people), airships (flying clipper ships with propellers), dracs (fledgling dragons), dragoons (dragon youths), dragonseed (half dragon/half human), rogues, dragonstones, magic, a prophecy, an oath, a wish, betrayal, a battle and an unlikely but sexy romance.

Seren, a 28 year old psychic who helps the New Orleans police, lost her child (to a drunk driver) and her husband (two years later to divorce). She's just been going through the motions, not really living, since the death. She has started seeing visions of a dragon. She doesn't understand; dragons aren't real. One night taking a bath, she accidentally starts to knock the radio into the tub with her. She sees a flash of light and then the radio is smashed against the wall by a man. "He was beautiful. Every muscled curve, each firm line rippled with perfection. He was the dragon."

Captain Paladin Fulcan, dragonseed, is in the middle of a journey to take the bodies of his wife and son to her family for interment. Staying overnight in pub house, he does the unthinkable... he makes a wish on a falling star. A bright light with a doorway appears and he has to save Seren. Without thinking, he takes her back through the doorway.

Both being exhausted, they fall into the only bed. During the night Seren is having the most wonderful dream - sex with a gorgeous angel, not once but three times. Upon waking she is sore. She's shock to realize those weren't dreams. "Hot, lurid sex with a complete stranger. With just the physical act, he had accomplished what her husband hadn’t been able to achieve even after hours of foreplay. She had climaxed every time. Once, she’d reached her peak twice. She frowned, hoping she hadn’t conceived, yet she felt like a new life grew inside her. But right now she sensed the joining of his sperm with her egg." She doesn't want another child to have to face loving it so much only to have it die. Neither wants a repeat of last night but they both are so drawn to each other they may not have a choice.

Later there is a very poignant scene. Seren's fetus can talk to her in visions - he appears as a grown man and asks her why she doesn't want him. Broke my heart. He tells her, “I am not your lost one... Do you fear you will love me more than her?” he asks. “Yes. You do. You have nothing to fear. I will never leave you. You have been chosen by the seven great dragons to be the vessel for my creation.” She tells him, “I don’t want to love you...please, understand.” He counters with, “I understand many things, but this is one I do not—you are my mother.” She replies, “If I love you, I’ll never want to lose you. If I do, I know it’ll be a million times worse than with Mandy. That’s what I fear the most.”

Needless to say, there are rogue dragons who don't want the baby born. There is running, hiding, kidnapping, battling and all throughout, the love affair that neither wanted, blooms.

This was a delightful paranormal romance with some fantasy thrown in the mix for good measure - so it isn't your typical paranormal romance which was surprisingly refreshing. The characters are believable and the action is almost non-stop. I hope there are plans for a sequel because I'd love to know what happens next. Paranormal romance and dragon fans should enjoy this story.

Warning Spoiler Alert!!!
While it seems touch and go for awhile, this does have a HEA.

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever made a wish on a falling star? If you are one of the dragonseed, you are forbidden to do so, but Paladin Fulcan broke the rules one lonely night, opening a magical gate to Earth and the bathroom of Serena Jordan. If that doesn’t get your attention…Dragon Wish by Judith Leger will! Fate has brought Paladin, a grieving dragonseed prince and Serena, a grieving human together. Will Fate now be altered beyond repair? Serena has visions, some are haunting, some are mystical, but none could have prepared her for Paladin and his world, filled with magical creatures, wizards, airships and a legendary prophecy that has yet to be filled! What is it about Paladin that draws Serena like a magnet? Trapped on his world, she becomes the target of evil and revenge as a battle for control of the planet Avaris comes to a head. Has their mutual attraction fulfilled the prophecy that a leader will be born who will unite all dragonkind and bring peace? Will Serena face more loss in her life, further shattering her heart? Is Paladin worth giving up her life on Earth for? Can Paladin keep her safe? Who is the young man Serena has started seeing in her visions?

Judith Leger creates an alien world full of colorful characters, danger and deceit, making it all feel realistic, yet magically mystical at the same time. You have the twisted villains, the family torn apart, an honorable hero and a lonely heroine all caught up in a battle for ultimate control. She also tells a slowly blooming tale of love, clouded by past losses, uncertain futures between two beings who will be tested to the limits. I enjoyed my trip to Avaris, with its many different creatures and the fantasy of dragons in flight, although, I have to say, I wasn’t too keen on the mental feel of the dragon “grab and fly” in winter temps, in the dark…brrr.

I received a review copy of Dragon Wish in exchange for my honest review as part of the Making Connections/Judith Leger Blog Tour July 22-28, which Tome Tender is participating in!

Date Published: May 23, 2011
Publisher: Wild Child Publishing
ASIN: B0052FXRRG
Number of Pages: 283
Genre: Adult Roamnce/Fantasy
Age Recommendation: Adults
My Rating: 4 Stars
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[Tala · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is well written and holds you from page one. I look forward to more from this author.
Judith Ledger creates the intricate and fascinating world of Avaris. A placed that is well developed and filled with dragons (great and small), wizards, cat people and another from earth.
A dragonseed's wish can open the gates between realities, can alter fate. But has fate itself decreed this wish? For the throne-less dragonseed's destiny is entwined with that of a mortal mate; their son is fated to be the One True Dragon King to rule over all the dragons. But not all dragons are content to accept one rule, and the rebels quietly gather allies to prevent the birth of Seren's baby
Seren is a psychic from New Orleans on Earth. Her husband divorced her after the death of their daughter. While having a hard time dealing with her visions and grief a doorway is open and she taken from her home and earth.
Paladin is a dragonseed on his way to bury his wife and unborn child when he makes a wish and comes to save Seren and bring her to his world. The two of them must struggle to overcome their painful pasts in order to move forward with trust and love. The secondary characters are just as developed and interesting as Seren and Paladin.

http://darkerpassions.com/Home_Page.html

[Charina · Rating 4 out of 5]

NOT BAD FOR A FIRST

This was the first time I read a book about dragons. It was a very nice first time. I really liked it. I like the plot. I love the details; I could picture everything in my head. I love the romance. There is no love triangle, which was nice, there were enough complications in the story and the relationship of the characters that there was no need to add a third party to the mix.
I have to admit that it took me a little longer than it should to read the book. Once I only had about a hundred pages left I had to stop because I was busy. It took me about a week to retake my reading again. I was more than happy with the action in the book. I love fight scenes. And because the author was so good with the details, it was easy for me to picture the scenes in my head. I always had been a sucker for the happy endings so I was more than happy with the ending. I think this book should become a movie. This is the kind of movie my friends and I go see together on movie nights. Will I recommend it? Absolutely. Will I ever read anything else from this author? Absolutely, with this attention to details, I can't wait to read something more.

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!!! I could not put it down! The author was able to grab my attention and did not let it go. She was able to create a story that will take you on a journey from New Orleans to a magical planet whose inhabitants include dragons, wizards, humans and dragonseeds, those humans who have descended from dragons.

Paladin who is dealing with the death of his wife and unborn child makes a wish on a falling star. This wish brings him to Seren who is also dealing with the death of her daughter and the dissolution of her marriage. He saves her from death and brings her to his planet Avaris. This is the beginning of their adventure that will take them on a journey of desire, love, betryal, heartache, sorrow and forgiveness.

I highly recommend this book! It brought me to tears and left me wanting more. I will be looking forward to the next installment from Judith Leger.

[Wyrdness · Rating 2 out of 5]

If I had to use just one word to sum up this novel it would have to be superficial. The author has some very good ideas but then fails to really follow through on any of them. The events of the story are only ever nominally explained and the characters, especially Seren, basically just get shuttled around from place to place just because. They never feel like they control their own destinies and are there pretty much because the story calls for them to perform that particular action.

Penumbra's review mirrors my experiences with reading this book pretty accurately, so I'm just going to link to that one instead of trying to put everything in my own words.

[David Kentner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another superb offering by Ms Leger. A world on the brink of destruction, a forbidden wish, a child no one thought possible, and plenty of evil desiring to destroy the child and the future. I really enjoyed this book.