The Dragon Master
Allison James
Berkley, Nov 2008, $6.99
ISBN: 9780425224717

Her grandmother used to regale restaurateur Carol Juan with supernatural stories. Carol enjoyed the fables, but assumed her grandma was narrating fantasies. That concept changes when she finds a naked male fuming fire from his blazing red hair.

Fire dragon Seth assumes dragon master Carol summoned him although she denies it. Her bewilderment makes him begin to believe her. They soon learn an incarcerated dragon master called for Seth and the malevolent Order of the Black Lotus wants to communicate with their demon god. Only Carol if she learns to use her powers in time that she never knew existed is the only hope to save everyone.

The latest bewitching dragon paranormal romance (see 'Dragon Heat' and 'The Black Dragon') is a superb thriller as the heroine has no time to adjust to the reality of supernatural species at war. Still it is Carol's reactions and actions that make 'The Dragon Master' a masterful tale. Seth is a bit more typical of the Allison James' species, but even he is fresh due to the bewildered adaptable heroine who must prove to be a super fast learner if she is to save the day.

Harriet Klausner