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Rating: 
Summary: Poor writing, stilted dialogue, and an uninspiring romance
Review: Bride of the Dragon is one of the least enjoyable historical romance novels I've ever read. (And I read a lot in the genre.) This book spans over a year of time, with the couple spending many months apart. When they are together, however, the romance between them rings false. For instance, the hero declares himself to have fallen deeply in love at first sight, but manages to find time to fondle and kiss a serving woman when he thinks his betrothed isn't around. He manages to talk his lady love into bed, convincing her that his fooling around meant nothing. "Listen to me, Isobel. Lawri means nothing to me. No woman means anything to me --except you. Don't you think I wished it was you I kissed...and touched?". Surely, no woman would fall for this standard line of cheating men everywhere! (Lady Isobel does.) The book jacket summary of a woman won as part of a tournament prize is resolved early in the book, leaving the happy couple to fight the plague and the military threat of neighboring pagans. This ugly environment of death and despair is periodically broken into for romantic liasons, which seem unreal and inappropriate considering the terror the two are facing. The dialogue throughout is stilted and unnatural.
For example, when the hero awakens from a months-long illness to find his wife looking rather ragged and dirty she exclaims, "Though I realize my clothing's shabby, I'm the same inside. Out of love for you, sweetheart, I sank to this depth. You know I couldn't leave you. We belong together." He cries at her sacrifice. "Thank you, darling". Historical details are often erroneous. The plot has giant holes and convenient lapses in logic, which save the couple time and again from a cast of just-plain-dumb villains. The hero proves that he is incapable of protecting anyone, leaving every fight he engages in near death and staggering around in a wash of blood. Neither he, his wife, nor the supporting cast have any human characteristics. They are broad-stroke caricatures with the sort of cheesy lines and cliched actions found in the lowest quality of soap operas. Save yourself the aggravation and avoid this book. If you are looking for a talented historical romance writer, I suggest Kathleen Woodiwiss, instead.
Rating:
Summary: Poor writing, stilted dialogue, and an uninspiring romance
Review: Bride of the Dragon is one of the least enjoyable historical romance novels I've ever read. (And I read a lot in the genre.) This book spans over a year of time, with the couple spending many months apart. When they are together, however, the romance between them rings false. For instance, the hero declares himself to have fallen deeply in love at first sight, but manages to find time to fondle and kiss a serving woman when he thinks his betrothed isn't around. He manages to talk his lady love into bed, convincing her that his fooling around meant nothing. "Listen to me, Isobel. Lawri means nothing to me. No woman means anything to me --except you. Don't you think I wished it was you I kissed...and touched?". Surely, no woman would fall for this standard line of cheating men everywhere! (Lady Isobel does.) The book jacket summary of a woman won as part of a tournament prize is resolved early in the book, leaving the happy couple to fight the plague and the military threat of neighboring pagans. This ugly environment of death and despair is periodically broken into for romantic liasons, which seem unreal and inappropriate considering the terror the two are facing. The dialogue throughout is stilted and unnatural.
For example, when the hero awakens from a months-long illness to find his wife looking rather ragged and dirty she exclaims, "Though I realize my clothing's shabby, I'm the same inside. Out of love for you, sweetheart, I sank to this depth. You know I couldn't leave you. We belong together." He cries at her sacrifice. "Thank you, darling". Historical details are often erroneous. The plot has giant holes and convenient lapses in logic, which save the couple time and again from a cast of just-plain-dumb villains. The hero proves that he is incapable of protecting anyone, leaving every fight he engages in near death and staggering around in a wash of blood. Neither he, his wife, nor the supporting cast have any human characteristics. They are broad-stroke caricatures with the sort of cheesy lines and cliched actions found in the lowest quality of soap operas. Save yourself the aggravation and avoid this book. If you are looking for a talented historical romance writer, I suggest Kathleen Woodiwiss, instead.
Rating: 
Summary: Fair-to-good effort from this author
Review: I have read a few "Patricia Phillips" and have generally liked what I read, but unfortunately I'm never really enthusiastic about her writing. I have to agree with the reviewer who said this one was flat & uninteresting. It was the kind of book where, while your'e reading it, you think about ways it could have been better. Personally, I thought the hero & heroine got together too quickly & without much character development, & the plot did smack of a 'formula'.
Rating:
Summary: Fair-to-good effort from this author
Review: I have read a few "Patricia Phillips" and have generally liked what I read, but unfortunately I'm never really enthusiastic about her writing. I have to agree with the reviewer who said this one was flat & uninteresting. It was the kind of book where, while your'e reading it, you think about ways it could have been better. Personally, I thought the hero & heroine got together too quickly & without much character development, & the plot did smack of a 'formula'.
Rating: 
Summary: Passionate and Compelling
Review: I read Romance novels to be swept away by the passion- made tense by intrigue- be angered by betrayal- and in the end- to be buoyed by the hope of a love that conquers all. Shameless pandering? Yes, in part. But the promise of a good romance is a few hours lifted from reality and mystified by the poetry and allure of an all-consuming love. Bride of the Dragon fulfills that promise with vitality.
This novel has it all- the dark wooded hills of Pagan Wales, , the pomp, circumstance, and intrigue of Court, the tension and excitement of a tourney, and the triumph of a love that knows no limits. The heroine, Lady Isobel places her trust in Lionel, a step brother who lives for greed and ambition. He looses a tournament and cannot pay the price he wagered. As a result she is given as a prize to the Dragon, the fierce and formidable competitor who bested her brother on the tourney field. Despite her belief that she has been betrothed to a savage barbarian, she soon finds the Dragon, now known more intimately as Morgan of Nels, to be considerate, caring, and extremely handsome. What develops between them is powerful- an intense love, a deep respect, and a searing passion that few novels can match. Through intrigue, deception, and war they must learn to build a trust in one another that transcends the boundaries of country- a trust as strong as the love they share.
Their story throws them into a conspiracy that involves the anger of a king, the betrayal of family, the dark days of plague, and the horror of battle. A story so masterfully woven should only be further unraveled for you by the author. Buy it, settle down with a pillow and a cup of hot chocolate- and let yourself be captivated by the Bride of the Dragon...
Rating:
Summary: Pitiful, obvious writing and predictable plot
Review: I tried, really tried, to like this book, but no matter how many badly written, cheesy parts I skipped, there was always another on the next page. It is clear as day that the author makes Isobel dislike Morgan in the beginning to supply the generic Romance-Novel Conflict, making the conflict, and the plot in general, uninteresting and unbelievable. These characters never feel real, they lay flat on the page, and the reader never really cares whether they get together in the end.
Rating:
Summary: YUMMY !!!
Review: This book was a fantastic and delicious treat. I often read many books at one time but when I started this book I put all the others on the back burner! Lady Isolbel and the Dragon Knight are spellbinding as they traverse through various life-threatening experiences. There is someone within their midst that cannot be trusted..a terrible evil spreads and wipes out whole villages. Lady Isolbel and Morgan of Nels (AKA Dragon Knight) are hot, hot, HOT! The descriptions of the land and the castles of the time are unbelievable. Be prepared to be transported across the seas through mist and fading light into a brilliant action-thriller with lots of action or EVERY kind. This is an awesome read and I assure you that you won't be disappointed. This is my first Patricia Phillipis book and I'm searching for more!
Rating:
Summary: YUMMY !!!
Review: This book was a fantastic and delicious treat. I often read many books at one time but when I started this book I put all the others on the back burner! Lady Isolbel and the Dragon Knight are spellbinding as they traverse through various life-threatening experiences. There is someone within their midst that cannot be trusted..a terrible evil spreads and wipes out whole villages. Lady Isolbel and Morgan of Nels (AKA Dragon Knight) are hot, hot, HOT! The descriptions of the land and the castles of the time are unbelievable. Be prepared to be transported across the seas through mist and fading light into a brilliant action-thriller with lots of action or EVERY kind. This is an awesome read and I assure you that you won't be disappointed. This is my first Patricia Phillipis book and I'm searching for more!
Rating:
Summary: One greatly told story
Review: This is a very well written story with a touching tale of love and kinship. I had to read this tale straight through. I have read this book twice in 3 days. I am purchasing everything that I can that Patricia Phillips has wrote to date.
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