When an angry witch turns a dragon into a human knight, he must save the kingdom to reverse the curse. What self-respecting dragon wants to be human?
While sleeping off a large meal, Dragon is rudely awakened by a foul-tempered witch named Bellatrix. Hysterical about the murder of her daughter, a maiden who popped into his cavern as Dragon’s meal, she performs an irrational act. Bellatrix uses the Heart’s Blood Curse to transform Dragon into a knight.
Dragon had pleaded his case, tried to tell the witch that the girl was already dead when she arrived, but the blasted witch wouldn’t listen to reason. It wasn’t his fault that he devoured the maiden. He was merely behaving like a dragon, after all, maiden is his favorite meal. You can’t expect a hungry dragon to ignore the delicate flavor and tender flesh of such an offering.
To reverse the horrid Heart’s Blood Curse, Dragon is forced on a quest he knows little about. He must journey by foot to Castle Trelfor and perform a brave deed for the castle’s young sorceress. Once the task is complete, the witch will grant him one spell, and he can become a magnificent dragon once again.
During the treacherous journey, Dragon learns lessons about friendship and valor, facing down giant spiders, zombies, vampires, ghosts, and harpies. Will Dragon be able to save the magical realm from the diabolical plot of a powerful demon? The futures of the mundane world and his magical realm hang in the balance. The Dragon Knight must win the day.
This book includes two bonus short stories. These two futuristic animal tales will tantalize readers and hopefully make them want more.
The first story, Tiger, Tiger Burning Bright, takes place sometime in the future. It is set in a wildlife sanctuary that was established by the government in the defunct state of Florida. A wildlife ranger is called to hunt down a killer tiger, but he finds that he must unravel the mystery behind the deaths of several park squatters. These hardy people refused to be evacuated from the dangers of Florida when the government tried to make them leave their homes. Why would people prefer to live in primitive conditions and risk becoming prey to a lethal tiger?
The second short story, Tracking the Enemy, Sasha’s Story, gives readers a follow-up account of the she-wolf, Sasha, and her German Shepherd mate, Maverick. These two animals played key roles in the mystery/sci-fi novel The Alphas. We learn more about the pack as Sasha follows the cruel dog trainer, Sam Woodruff, to rescue her mate. This clever wolf will win your heart as she strives to defeat a brutal man in a deadly game of tracking the enemy. Can she escape from a man who has the resources to track her down or turn the tables on him?
Excerpt
His bones burned as his body shrank, and his mind entered a black void.
When Dragon woke, he felt weak and puny, diminished in body and strength. He struggled to his feet and stared down at the naked human form he inhabited. The cozy cavern that had been his home looked immense and his body felt tiny.
He remembered the witch’s curse and groaned in abject misery. “What has the blasted witch done to me?” he shouted. The sound of his human voice echoed through the cavern, sounding like a person jeering at him. “I speak with a human voice?” He grasped his neck with spindly fingers and turned to search the cavern with weak human eyes. “Where is that blasted witch, Bellatrix?” He found her body slumped onto the floor. Bellatrix lay in a pool of blood, clutching the golden knife she’d plunged into her own heart.
With human hands, Dragon extracted the knife from the witch’s corpse. The weapon sparkled with jewels that most dragons would covet, but the metal felt hot and vibrated with supernatural power. Fear shot through his chest. Dragon quickly sheathed the bloody knife in a scabbard that lay next to the witch’s body.
“What am I to do?” he asked, pacing the length of the cavern, vacillating between anger and sorrow. He stopped and considered everything the witch had told him about her vile curse. Feeling resigned to the situation, he said, “I must find that young sorceress and get her to remove this dreadful curse.”
A cold breeze licked his naked skin, raising goose bumps across the frail flesh. He shivered and raised the puny arm to look at the appendage. “I’d better cover this pathetic body with human clothing.”
Professional Reviews
A Delightful Fantasy Romp
I love this author's writing style, so I was expecting to be entertained. I was not disappointed! This book was different from others I've read, but so much fun. The plot was light and fun, with lots of references to (mostly dead) rock and roll musicians who are being "used" by an evil villain. This book reminded me of Princess Bride, with it's light, tongue-in-cheek humor. Although there was non-stop action, the book doesn't take itself too seriously. I enjoyed the way characters interacted with the modern world and the fantasy world. It was a delightful romp!
And as if that wasn't enough, the author also included two bonus short stories, including one about my beloved characters from The Alphas.
If you like adventure and humor and a great story packaged in flawless writing style, you'll like this book.
A Special Kind of Magic
I became a fan of Diane Rapp's cruise ship mysteries and enjoyed them a great deal. Attracted by her skill as a story teller, I decided to read Howl of the Wolf, Book 1 of her Heirs to the Throne fantasy series, even though I rarely read fantasy. Before I realized it, I was through the whole Heirs to the Throne trilogy. Ms. Rapp's articulate style just draws you right into the story, whatever the genre.
When I found out about Dragon Knight: And The Heart's Blood Curse, I was eager for another escape into one of her fantastic tales. I wasn't disappointed. She tells a complex story in a manner that is compelling on several levels. Best of all, it was leavened with a series of humorous references to a number of the idols of pop culture, whose magic has as much appeal to the denizens of her fantasy world as it has in our own lives.
The product description is an accurate representation of the story, but there's a happy surprise around the corner of each plot twist. Don't miss it; grab your copy today.
A Fiery Tale!
In this fantasy novel, Diane Rapp has created a wonderful anti-hero, a dragon who is turned into a knight and sent off into the world to prove his innocence by going on a quest, when he inadvertently devours the daughter of an evil witch.
Written in true fantasy style, this is a tale of daring-do, with all the elements one would expect of an ancient, and modern, fairy tale. From the first few sentences the author’s rich writing style hooks the reader. Beautifully written, with a cast of fantastical characters, this is a must-read for readers young and old.
I am already a fan of Ms Rapp’s ship-based murder mysteries and found the transition from this genre to fantasy a joy. She is an writer with an uncommon talent, being able to effortlessly write in different genres.
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