"Fantasy damsels in distress"

Fly with a Dragon by Rosemary Laurey

Arragh has demanded that his sacrifice be a virgin. When the women of the village heard this, almost all of them made sure they didn't remain a virgin for long. The only person left was Myfanwy, the daughter of the village chieftain. Her father and brothers had watched her too closely for her to do anything. Now she's been tied up to the sacred oak and left as a sacrifice to Arragh the Dragon of Cader Bala. When he appears she sees that he is taller than most men and has grey skin and wings.

Myfanwy's afraid, but she refuses to show her fear when she asks what Arragh wants. His answer is everything. He asks her to come with him, saying that she has a choice. Knowing that her family and village are at stake, she agrees. She prepares herself to be consumed not sure if he's going to rip her apart with his sharp claws. With a small flash of fire she's free of her bonds and walks into Arragh's arms.

Heart of the Raven by J.C. Wilder

Dani lived with her family as a traveler. It was a rough life not made any better by the fact that her father was a brutal man who drank too much. Her brothers aren't much better, especially when they drink. One night when her father was especially broke and drunk, he sold Dani's sister to another group of travelers. Ever since then, Dani's been afraid it would happen to her next. She's even tried to escape but was brought back to be placed in chains. Her father has become fond of having all of his meals prepared and doesn't want to lose the prospect of future income.

Dani and her family had just been chased from another town when they stopped for the night. As she settles for the night, she daydreams about being seated at a large table laden with food. As she reaches out her hand, a servant stops her and tells her that before she can have any food she must submit her heart. When she asks to whom the servant points to the window, where Dani sees a large Raven. Dani awakens from this dream to realize that there's a strange blonde man standing by the fire speaking to her father. He's dressed in rich dark clothes and travels with a group of men.

Dani's father has gambled and foolishly lost more than he has and now must pay up or forfeit his life. He offers one final roll for everything including Dani. He loses the next roll and Dani goes off with the mysterious blonde man and his dark brother.

I enjoyed these fantasy stories. Each was a new way to look at the damsel in distress story with a paranormal flavoring.

Sexual Content: Hard R.

Reviewed by Emily Anne
Courtesy Sensual Romance
Posted February 20, 2003

Also available in e-book format from the publisher.

Summary

In FLY WITH A DRAGON by Rosemary Laurey, selected as the virgin sacrifice to the ravening dragon, Myfanwy waits as Arragh, the Dragon of Cader Bala, approaches across the sacred grove. But Arragh comes not to destroy, but to carry her off to his home and fate far, far better than death.

In HEART OF THE RAVEN by J.C. Wilder, Dani is a young woman who is sold into slavery to an Overseer of the Realm. As she is taken from the only family she's ever known, Dani makes the decision that no man, Overseer or not, could possess her heart. Little does she know that he holds the key to heart her, as she does his.