@GoddessFish Interview & Review: Bound By A Dragon by Linda K. Hopkins

Bound By A Dragon

Linda K. Hopkins

Genre: Romantic Fantasy
Publisher: Linda K. Hopkins
Date of Publication: May 18, 2014
Number of pages: 217
Word Count: 72,270

Available at the following retailers:
Amazon     BN     Kobo     Smashwords

A dragon has moved into the neighborhood of Keira's small, medieval village, unsettling the residents as they fear for their safety. All except Keira, who is captivated by the creature, both dangerous and beautiful. But when Aaron Drake decides to take up residence in his ancestral home of Storbrook Castle, set deep in the nearby mountains, Keira finds herself fascinated by the handsome stranger. But why did he decide to move to Storbrook, almost eighty years after it was last inhabited, and does the dragon really live in the caves below the castle?

Excerpt: 

Storbrook Castle! The name sent a shudder down Keira’s back. The castle was hidden deep in the mountains, a good thirty miles away; and although few in the village had ever seen the castle, there wasn’t a child in the village who hadn’t shivered in fear and delight at its purported horrors. It was rumored that the caves in the mountains below the castle had been the home of many maiden-devouring dragons in days gone by. Children and adults alike whispered about the dark corridors where abducted maidens, held against their will, were forced to do unspeakable things at the dragon’s bidding, and where other heinous dealings occurred, too dreadful to be repeated. It had been over eighty years since a dragon was last seen in the village, but that dragon had been slain by a valiant villager, striving to protect a damsel in distress. Unfortunately, as the story went, the damsel’s life had still been forfeited, and the dragon had destroyed half the village with fire before being killed; regardless, the villager was celebrated as a hero for keeping further maidens from being kidnapped by the dragon.

“Storbrook Castle!” repeated Keira, her voice dropping slightly. “They say the dragon lives in the caves below the castle.”

The stranger laughed lightly. “I hate to disappoint you, but I haven’t seen sign of a dragon anywhere near the castle, and no half-gnawed bones in the rooms, either. I have heard about this dragon, though!” The man glanced around before leaning towards Keira, lowering his voice. “How many beautiful damsels have been snatched up by this dreadful monster?”

“Now I must disappoint you,” responded Keira with a smile. “No damsels, beautiful or otherwise, have disappeared from our village or any of the other villages in the area. Our dreadful monster doesn’t seem to be that dreadful at all!”

“You don’t fear the beast?” he asked in surprise.

“No, why should I? It hasn’t done anything fearful!”

“But you must have heard terrible stories about the dragons that troubled this area in the past?”

“Yes, I have,” replied Keira, contemplatively, “and I always wondered how much of the story is true! For one thing, doesn’t it seem strange that after living near the village for so many years, it would suddenly one day, for no apparent reason, decide to kill a maid and burn down half the village? Besides,” she added, “I rather like our dragon!”

Interview: 

Today, we welcome Linda K. Hopkins to Musings and Ramblings. Let's all give a great big Geeky welcome!

Let's start with some writer specific questions before moving into the fun stuff. That way everyone can really get to know the person behind the writer. We will finish things off with round of Think Fast. Ready for the interrogation to begin?

Writing Specific

1. Is your writing style more plotter or pantser?
Little plotter, mainly pantser

2. When is your favorite time/place to write? Do you write structured or patchworked?
Anywhere as long as it is quiet with no interruptions. Usually structured unless I hit a roadblock

3. How do you deal with Writer's Block?
Just getting something down on paper helps to get me going again, so even if what I am writing seems completely stilted and uninspired, I keep writing until I finally hit my sweet spot.

4. What do you like to do when you are not writing?
Reading. Travelling. And spending time with my family.

5. How did you choose the genres you write in?
They chose me! I love anything out of the ordinary and exploring relationships - everything else just falls into place.

Fun Stuff

1. What was the last movie/concert/show that you saw?
Stomp (in London)

2. What was the name of the last book you read?
Written in My Heart's Own Blood by Diana Gabaldon

3. What is your biggest pet peeve?
Being interrupted while I'm writing

4. You are going to be stranded on a deserted island and bring 3 luxury items. What would they be?
Computer, duvet, coffee machine (with lots of coffee)

5. What would we find in your refrigerator right now?
Cheese, eggs and salad greens

Think Fast

1. Elvis or Sinatra? Sinatra
2. AM or PM? PM
3. Summer or Winter? Summer
4. Coffee or Tea? Coffee
5. Car or Truck? Car


Thanks for coming by and spending some time with us.

Review: 

I love a good dragon tale. So when I was offered the chance to read one, I immediately signed up. I immediately recognized the name Drake as being another version of dragon, so I assumed it would be a dragon shifter story. And it is. However, this shifter world is not typical. Here, whether in human or dragon form, he is a dragon. Not a man who can become a dragon, but a dragon who can shape change to a man. It gives an interesting perspective to the story.

Keira is the eldest of two daughters, to the Master Craftsman Carver family. She is well past the age when she should have married and started her own family. But her parents have not yet pushed for her to make a match and are allowing her the option to wait and make her own choice.  For now. A dragon has recently returned to the small village that she calls home. So far, he hasn't killed anyone or set fire to the village, like the last one did, some 80 years prior. But the villagers aren't taking any chances and run away any time he flies near. All except Keira. She is captivated by his coloration and his flying ability. At times it seems that he is staring right at her as he makes his lazy circles overhead.

Aaron Drake arrives in town on day, the new Lord of Castle Storbrook.  He takes an interest in Keira, who responds. It's not long before he reveals exactly who he is. *drum roll* With a name like drake, you guessed too, right? *wink* But it's not just Keira who he has to win over. There is a young man who has become obsessed with Keira. A good local boy, whom everyone sees as the smarter choice. Aaron will have to fight not only Keira's fears, but the prejudices of the towns people for acceptance.

I had a good time with this book. It had a very medieval flair, plenty of romance, a bit of action as well as intrigue. Seriously, there is something here for many different genres. After reviewing the author's website, this will be the first book in a series. However, I don't believe a series title has been chosen as of yet. I enjoyed the book and would be interested in checking out the next book in the series. I gave it 3 stars on Goodreads.

Giveaway: 

The author will give away a $25 Amazon gift certificate via Rafflecopter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Tour Info: 
Don't forget to check out the other stops on the Book Tour:

July 21st:

For the Love of Bookends

July 22nd:

Brooke Blogs

July 23rd:

Room With Books

July 24th:

Deal Sharing Aunt
Andi's Book Reviews

July 25th:

Kit 'N Kabookle 

July 28th: 

Bunny's Review

July 29th:

Musings and Ramblings

July 30th:

Into the Dreaming

July 31st: 

Emma Weylin

August 1st:

The blog of C.R. Moss

August 4th:

MichaelSciFan

August 5th:

Queen of All She Reads

August 6th: 

3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, and Sissy, Too!

August 7th:

Wicked Readings By Tawania

August 8th:

Snarky Mom Reads...

August 11th: 

My Devotional Thoughts

August 12th: 

Book 'Em North Carolina
The Snarkology

August 13th:

You Gotta Read Reviews

August 14th: 

Crazy Four Books 

August 15th: 

Dena Garson - Real... Hot... Romance
Angel's Guilty Pleasures

Author Bio:

Linda K. Hopkins lives in Calgary, Canada, with her husband and two great kids. When she's not writing, she's usually reading (a great pastime when you are trapped in a snowbound landscape eight months of the year!), tinkering on the piano or just living life!

To connect with the author online:

Website | Blog | Facebook | Google + | Goodreads