The Dragon's Secret by Donna MacQuigg

The Dragon's Secret by Donna MacQuigg

Sayrid has spent the last several years hiding in the woods from the horrible King Aswyn; he sought to make her his slave and whore but Sayrid escaped. Living in fear that he will soon find her again, she hears that he was killed in war. Now she thinks there is even more reason to fear the new King of Dragon's Head, Kyran, he is a Norseman, and Sayrid refuses to see anyone but a Welsh take the throne. The fate of her people are now in Kyran's hands, and soon she will come face to face with this fierce warrior, and instead of killing him as planned she becomes his healer.

Kyran knows there is something special and magical about this forest witch that seems to come to him only at night to heal his wounds. He is thankful for the healing mud that Sayrid uses to clean the arrow wound, but wishes she would stop appearing and disappearing at will. There is an emotional and physical connection between this two that has been set in motion since they were children. A childhood life-mate ceremony that ended in tragedy, the two young lovers reunite; although they don't find out until later that they are part of a prophecy that must be fulfilled... a prophecy that means someone will have to die.

Along with these two main characters, there are several magical and lively, strong, and wicked characters that build up the story to keep you engaged the whole way through. For example, an old witch that knows more about Sayrid than even Sayrid herself, a sorceress scorned that can shift to a bird at will, the spirit of the old dragon who died many years ago forming Dragon's head, and many more.

As a reader and fan of Donna MacQuigg, I think she has really jumped out of her usual western genre into a historical, magical land that really seems to work for her. Ms. MacQuigg nails the art of enchantment, creating a very real world with a touch of sparkle here and there. I have to say that I enjoyed reading, The Dragon's Secret very much and I am truly hoping to hear more of the on goings at the Castle. There were a few strong characters and an open ending that Ms. MacQuigg should really think about making a series... that would be amazing and of course I'd be right in line to get that next book! 5 Hearts