Linda Ciletti Wings Press Amazon Category:  Romance Publisher: Wings ePress Type: Fiction Pages: 336 Copyright: February 2008 ISBN-13: 9781597057448 Alys de Monceux runs from her betrothed, the cruel and abusive Bastion of Worthingshire. She had run from him before and was flogged in her efforts. This time she cannot fail. This time there is more at stake than her own life. Death would be preferable than returning to the man she fears. Draegon of Greystone lives a reclusive life. Beneath hood and helm, he hides a face he is sure others will fear. Only his good friend, Diminimis, has seen him without cover. Draegon is content in his world of shadows, or so he believes, until he rescues a wounded Alys from a band of pursuers. Soon he realizes the truth of living in hell--his hell--as he watches others from afar, never interacting. Suddenly he yearns for a love he is unworthy of. He knows this, but how can he convince her of his unworthiness? This spirited and persistent woman who believes him to be more than what he is. Bastion of Worthingshire wants Alys back at any cost and he will kill anyone who gets in his way. When he tracks her to Greystone, however, he discovers more than his runaway betrothed--and the myth that has long hung over him finally comes to light. A light he must extinguish. Rated R for an explicit sex scene. Avaliable in both ebook format or print at Wings ePress www.wingsepress.com , at Fictionwise, and at Amazon. To order at Wings: http://www.wingsepress.com/Bookstore/Draegon's%20Lair.htm Excerpt On opening her eyes, Alys wondered how long she had slept. It seemed the three men had forgotten her, the lot of them caught in drink and tales of valor she was sure were falsehoods. Her body ached from head to toe. Her head pounded. Still, she set her pain aside as best she could and listened to their exchange. Their shouts of bravado grew louder and louder as each tried out-voicing the other. It was a good sign. The distraction gave her leave to reposition. Slowly she shifted and pressed against the tree, moving her bound limbs as best she could to restore the flow of blood. Pain coursed through her arms and she bit her lip against the onslaught, but the groan she fought to suppress found release. A firm hand pressed over her mouth. "Shhh," came a low and familiar voice. "Make not a sound and haps, by God's grace, we can both escape unscathed." Draegon. Alys sighed against his palm. She moved her head in affirmation, careful not to stir too much lest the movement catch her captors' attention. "Good. Now pay heed. I will loose my hand, but pray, whatever pain you feel, make not a sound, and move not. I would that they not see us until you are unbound and there is no choice in the matter. Once free, we must run like the wind. Are your legs able to carry you?" Alys moved her feet ever slightly, then nodded. Though the elder man had threatened to bind her legs, he hadn't done so. She felt sure they would support her. As she readied herself, Draegon's warm breath of relief brushed her ear. Then his hand slid from her mouth, and the sudden loss of his touch caused her unfounded panic. Quickly she tamped it down, sure he was still with her, if only she could feel him. When his whispers assured her that he hadn't left but merely worked to cut her bindings, she shuddered, eager to be free but afraid of what would follow. Then the ropes fell loose. Still she did not move, waiting as Draegon worked at the knot in her gag. When it too fell away, she moved her jaw to work out the stiffness. "Listen well, little Wren," Draegon warned. His check pressed against her temple. His words vibrated in her ear. "Tis not possible to escape without notice. Once we rise, all eyes will fall upon us, and I have naught but a dagger at my side, a small comfort against three opponents. Not when one can grab you whilst I am fighting another. Do you understand?" Alys blinked and nodded. "Then trust me and listen well to my direction. I know these paths. They are my home more than Greystone itself. Do not hesitate, do not question, just follow." Again she blinked, her answer cut short as she was yanked to her feet and dragged into the brush. "God's blood, she's escaped!" Bertram's voice carried through the trees. "Get after her, fools." "Faster!" Draegon commanded over his shoulder. He pulled Alys in his wake, holding back his long strides to accommodate her shorter ones. A difficult task when all he could think of was getting them to safety. With Greystone so far away, there was only one place that would offer them refuge. "I--," Alys gasped. "I cannot keep stride." "You must!" he ordered. "God's blood, you must!" He gripped her hand tighter still, crushing it in a desperate hold. "Nay, I cannot." Alys stumbled as her skirts caught in the brambles. Draegon stopped short and turned. He cupped her face in his hands, staring down at her with an intensity that made her shiver. "I'll not leave you, Wren. Tis but a short distance more. You can make it." His voice grew hoarse. "Do it, Wren. Do it for me." Alys doubled over. "Tis too dark," she gasped. "I can scarcely see you standing so close, much less where I run. And the pain." She clutched her side. "Wren," Draegon beseeched as the sound of hurried steps reached his ears. "You must." It was all he said before sprinting off, pulling her behind him once more. Alys gulped. Once again she fought to keep up, her breath shallow and clipped, the stitch in her side an unbearable ache. Why didn't he just cover her with his cloak and hide in the brush as he had done before? Why this running? All at once he stopped, the sudden lack of momentun causing her legs to buckle. Taking advantage of the reprieve, she caught her breath as she sensed him climb a steep hillside. "Take my hand!" Draegon ordered. He reached down to her out of the darkness. A rustling sounded in the distance. Alys froze. "Wren," he ordered. "Take my hand now!" He stretched his arm out to her, beckoning her to take hold. Seeing her reach up, he clasped his fingers about her wrist and drew her to him. With a sharp tug, he pulled her into a deep black chasm hidden behind a wall of shrubbery. "God's faith!" she gasped as the darkness engulfed her. Draegon pulled her back against him. He clamped a hand over her mouth. "They approach."

by Author Ann B. Keller
Draegon's Lair struck me on two levels. First, it is a wonderful historical romance, one of the best I've ever read-and I've been reading them for over 40 years. Ms. Ciletti plays the factions of good and evil off each other with the ease of an orchestra conductor. The plot has several delightful twists and turns and her character development is superb. Bastion, Draegon's evil twin brother, chills me to the core as he torments and abuses beautiful Alys both verbally and physically. Some heroes are so downright pure that they are virtually untouchable. Not so with Draegon. Although he is brave and honorable to a fault, Draegon's doubts and fears make him vulnerable and I bonded with him over the course of the novel. Second, Ms. Ciletti has a great deal to say about surviving abusive relationships and how our own insecurities may cloak and hide us from the life we were born to live. Draegon is a prisoner of darkness and shadow, keeping the world at bay lest his true appearance be revealed. And yet, when he finally allows the hood to fall, he is surprised by what people really think about him. This is a lesson for us all. Well done, Ms. Ciletti! Well done.

by Rogues and Romance
Reviewed by Mandy
A good historical romance not only pulls you into the story but into another time period. This book definitely did that for me!...Draegon's Lair is a wonderful historical full of romance, passion and mystery. Linda Ciletti does a phenomenal job of developing the characters, from the abuse and anguish Alys has suffered at the hands of Bastion, to the pain and loneliness Draegon has felt his whole life. The ease at which the reader can identify with these characters really makes a difference in the realism of the story. Ms. Ciletti has created an intense and palpable attraction between Alys and Draegon--which is even more impressive when you consider the tension is at its peak before Alys even sees his face. This story has plenty of secrets to keep you guessing, all of which are revealed and nicely tied up by the end, making for one satisfying read. Draegon's Lair is one of those stories where both the plot and characters really grab you, and it gets harder and harder to put down. Linda Ciletti has definitely made me a fan with this story, and once you read Draegon's Lair, you will be too.

Various Short Reviews
SCRIBESWORLD
Reviewed by Melissa Curran
Rating: 4 Stars
Linda Ciletti has created a powerful love story between Alys and Draegon. It will leave you anxious for the turn of each page. The slow developing romance is sweet and passionate at the same time. DRAEGON'S LAIR will leave you wishing you could transport yourself into the novel and become the characters. I would highly recommend this novel to any romance enthusiast.

SUITE 101
Reviewed by Shelley DeWayne
Loved this book. Beautiful story.
Rating: 4+ Stars
A stirring medieval Beauty and the Beast novel that will keep you up at night to see what happens next. I had to take a week off before I could even write the review. I was at a loss for words (and THAT doesn't happen too often, I assure you.) I am in complete awe. Prepare to be swept away. Dialogue that is wonderfully pleasing to the senses and makes you feel like you were there. A hero and heroine you'll get attached to. This is among the best medievals I've read. This is her first published book. I hope Ms. Ciletti writes more books and soon.

MYSHELF
Reviewed by Suzie Housley
Historical Romance-Medieval
Rating: 5 Stars
Linda Ciletti's DRAEGON'S LAIR exhibits an extraordinary classic example of the well known and loved movie "Man in the Iron Mask." Amazingly developed, you will find it burrows deep into your heart and refuses to leave. Linda Ciletti has created a powerful love story between Alys and Draegon. Together, Alys and Draegon form a lasting relationship whose foundation is derived from the strong emotional bond each can offer the other. As DRAEGON'S LAIR draws to its dramatic climax, readers will be spellbound, not only by the story, memorable characters and the moral dilemma, but by Ms. Ciletti's sheer story telling ability. This is one which you should plan ahead to read from beginning to end.