Reviewed by Donna
TITLE: Affairs of Dragons
SERIES: Dragon’s Mate #1
AUTHOR: Lena Austin
PUBLISHER: Changeling Press
LENGTH: 75 Pages
RELEASE DATE: June 1, 2018
BLURB:
Never meddle in the affairs of dragons…
For over a century, Jon’s village has sacrificed a virgin to the dragon who lives in the mountain. This time, when they find Jon in a compromising position with a traveling player, Jon’s the new sacrifice!
Patch really isn’t fond of the taste of human flesh. He’s enjoyed sending the virgin sacrifices off to start their new lives. But when he sees Jon beaten and trussed to the rock outside his cave, he decides he may just keep this sacrifice around — as his mate.
REVIEW:
This is actually a book that was requested by another reviewer, who unfortunately found herself too busy with real life to get the review done. This isn’t a book that I would have chosen for myself, and I was actually surprised by how much I enjoyed it.
Jonndre Mac Clarin, also known as Jon the Potter, lives in cute little village that I desperately wanted to burn to the ground. The good citizens are of a puritanical zealot bent, where the men are allowed to be adulterous rapists but heaven forbid a man should love another man. That crime sees one burnt at the stake after being beaten by the morally pure men and women of the village, close family and friends joining in of course! Luckily for Jon, when he is caught with another man it is the eve of that exciting day that only comes around every twenty years, when the village feeds one of its virginal maidens to the dragon who lives in the nearby mountains. However, Jon doesn’t realize just how lucky he is about to get when the villagers come up with the bright idea to stick him in a dress and tie him to the sacrificial rock, those pious geniuses assuming the dragon won’t even notice the difference. As the sun rises over the mountains Jon can only pray that he won’t gift the villagers with his pained screams as he’s devoured by the dragon…
Enter, Patch. The dragon. Patch does not eat people, as he explains to Jon, he prefers a cup of tea and biscuits in the morning rather than feasting on human flesh. Because despite what humans seem to believe, dragons are rather civilized folk once you get to know them.
There was so much I loved about this story, not least of which was the uppity, very polished way that Patch spoke. He had a very Lord of the Manor vibe about him, for all that his home was in a cave. When he says things to Jon like – “Would you be kind enough to put on a kettle? I’m perishing for a cup of tea and a bit of a cuddle…” I just want to squeal over his cuteness and give the man a hug! In contrast Jon was a rather beaten down, suppressed character who practically had “kick me” printed on his forehead. I wanted that doormat of a man to stand up for himself, and I was so happy with the way the author transformed his character towards the end of the book. He found his backbone and he was motivated to use it.
The sex was delicious, and I’m not usually one for sex scenes. I find them rather repetitive after so many books. I mean, how many ways are there to have sex? Well, there’s the usual way, but then there’s the way these men do it. I seem to have discovered a kink for characters who can half shift into their dragon form, allowing for very flexible tails to come into play.
The plot was attention grabbing, and I was extremely impressed that the author satisfied my need for a complete story in only seventy-five pages. Well, the end of the book actually sets the scene beautifully for a sequel, with one aspect of Jon’s tale still left hanging. But this book could absolutely be read as a complete story in itself. The only part of the plot that was rushed in any way was the relationship between these two men. Insta-love has nothing on this speed. But…while that would usually bother me it didn’t here. Who am I to say that a dragon doesn’t fall in love that quickly? And honestly, I was so captivated by everything else going on that I was just happy to move on and find out what would happen next.
I really do hope that there’s a sequel to this story. I’m so glad that I lucked onto this one, and will be sure to keep an eye out for another.
RATING: 
BUY LINKS:
Thank you so much for your kind words. Yes, there is a sequel plotted.