Legend of the Highland Dragon-Isabel Cooper

Legend of the Highland Dragon Isabel Cooper Sourcebooks, Dec 3 2013, $6.99 ISBN 9781402284670 In London, Scottish Laird Stephen MacAlisdair enters the office of Professor Richard Carter demanding his secretary Mina Seymour take him to see the antiquities expert. Calmly in perfect English that Mina practiced seemingly forever to conceal her impoverished street roots she tells the brash visitor that the Professor is not here. He insists she announce his name so while he waits, she goes upstairs. When she mentioned Lord MacAlisdair, an upset nervous Carter tells Mina to send him in. After MacAlisdair leaves, Mina worries about her employer who seems frightened and absentminded. Deciding to confront MacAlisdair, she goes to his home where strange demonic creatures attack her and a dragon rescues her. Though bewildered, Mina remains calm as the dragon shape-shifts back into Stephen. Realizing why his friend hired Mina as his Cerberus, Stephen obtains her assistance in his mission to end the terror of an evil sorcerer; but neither is prepared for love to deepen their unity. This MacAlisdair-Seymour Victorian romantic fantasy is a fast-paced, action-packed historical that makes London’s paranormal seem normal. The lead couple is a wonderful pairing as their relationship deftly transforms from hero-rookie sidekick to loving partners. Isabel Cooper provides a strong tale that hopefully is the first of a new series. Harriet Klausner