Dragonswan (Were-Hunter)

First sentence in this novella, and I am certain you all have seen it somewhere, perhaps on a bumper sticker, or perhaps you have read this novella:
Be kind to dragons, for thou art crunchy when roasted and taste good with ketchup.

That is of course one hell of a pickup line. Channon MacRea is busy studying the ancient Dragon tapestry in the museum, when the most gorgeous man she has ever seen, starts talking to her. He seems genuinely interested in her, and her thoughts on the tapestry. He is not even taken aback when he finds out she is a history professor at the university. Instead, he quotes Beowulf to her in Old English.
Sebastian has no idea why he is so attracted to this human female, but he is, and he acts upon it. Telling her more about himself than he ever has before. Usually, he only searches out a female to have night of sex with, and the only thing he learns about her is her name. But Channon is different. Of course she doesn’t believe him when he tells her he is there to steal the tapestry, and that he really is a dragonslayer. But it is all true…
Talking leads to having dinner together, and dinner leads to spending the night together. After that Sebastian will go back to his own time to save his brother, and will leave Channon behind to live her mortal life. But the fates intervene when suddenly the mating mark appears on his hand. He has a duty to protect her now. His enemies can sense her if they search for him again. And so he has no choice but to take Channon back in time with him. At least as a history professor, she can look back to the adventure as doing research …

I enjoyed this short story a lot, especially as I have always had a weakness for dragons, and Sebastian sure is a tasty one! He is completely torn between his human half who wants to keep Shannon safe, and his dragon half who wants to claim its mate. And that interferes with his magic in a bad way. He falls for Channon hard, and his world is just not safe for her to be in. He is outcast, he has no family or home to help him protect her or their children. But he also can’t give her up without a fight.
Channon is not a typical heroine, she is not pretty, she is a professor and very smart. So she doesn’t button her blouse correctly and her socks don’t match, she doesn’t notice it. But Sebastian does, and he doesn’t care. To him she is beautiful.
Channon is not happy that she is suddenly in the past, with no way to get back home than the next full moon and if Sebastian takes her there. To research the past is great, but to live in it? No plumbing, no central heating, nasty diseases and hygiene problems. How can she survive all that? But she does have her personal dragon slayer with her, and never has she been more attracted to a man like she is now. He is kind to her, and genuinely interested in her thoughts and feelings. He cares and it shows in his actions. After her first trepidation, she is fascinated with the ancient Saxon village she is visiting. And she can understand their Old English!

Of course it is a short story, so there is not much time for developing their relationship, it all goes very fast, but it never feels rushed. I liked them as a couple. There is danger, and fighting and hot love scenes and some sweetness and tenderness as well. I enjoyed it, and will certainly read it again someday.

The last sentence: Be kind to dragonswans for thou art gorgeous when naked and taste good with Cool Whip.

8 stars.

© 2014 Reviews by Aurian </p>

Sebastian meets Channon when he comes to retrieve a tapestry that can help save someone he knows. He is immediately drawn to her, but expects to leave her to complete his mission. I wish this story was a little longer, but it is a good introduction to the Were-Hunter’s. I really enjoyed this novella.

I love modern and historical romances. This story is a wonderful mix of both genres. The start was abrupt and I had to read it a couple of times. That's the reason it lost a star. The series is rich with characters and plots that intertwine. Sherrilyn sprinkles this series with love and magic. Dragonswan is a quick and satisfying read!

I've read more recent offerings in Sherrilyn Kenyon's delightful Dark-Hunters series, but I recently stumbled across this earlier segment, a novella previously published as part of a collection. This one starts off seemingly like any other paranormal romance: quiet, mousy girl meets exotic, darkly sexy guy and they hit off great -- but then at the end of the first chapter, it kicks into high gear, and we find the darkly sexy guy is a shape-shifting, time-traveling dragon prince in search of an artifact she has been studying, not knowing it is a vital treasure he needs to save a loved one.

It's a good, quick read, maybe even a little too quick: the snappy dialogue is a blast and the world just begs to be developed a little more, which leaves you with an "Aww, ending so soon?" feeling as you turn the last few pages, but it still leaves you satisfied. I love the pamphlet size of this book: reminds me of the old-style serialized novels from the early days of popular fiction.

"Dragonswan" was previously published in an anthology and if you're like me space is at a premium when it comes to my "keeper" shelf. As a result this quick read is not all it's own and easy to hold on too.

Channon MacRea has spent a lifetime...well, at least the majority of her lifetime studying a dragon tapastery. Imagine her surprise when tall, dark, and very yummy askes her out after seeing her in a museum only to...well, I don't want to give it all away. Needless to say Tall, dark and yummy is Sebastian and he claims to know the answers to the questions that Channon has regarding her tapestry. One kiss later, and a bonding she finds herself transported back in time with Sabastian and learns all there is to know regarding the tapestry, Sabastian's past, and Channon's own heart. But, will she take a chance and love Sabastian for all time?

This was a very quick read totaling only 86 pages. As a result it's perfect if you want a fast, sensual, romantic read, but only have about hour to spare. Ms. Kenyon is a truly wonderful author and I find that her books are well worth picking up despite page count. This is a perfect introduction for readers that are new to Ms. Kenyon. Just imagine if you like this what she's capable of doing with 300 more pages!!!

Official Reviewer for Romance Designs

I liked the opening of this book perhaps the best. Kenyon painted her heroine and hero's first meeting really powerfully, it wasn't hard to picture at all. (and she painted a really attractive hero)

I agree with one of the other reviewers, this should probably have been extended into a full length novel because the fight scenes that happen are too extended for this short of a format. They take up valuable space for love development. This story is really stuffed with information, action and characters, which at times sort of crumple the flow of the story.

I liked how the power of the dragons worked, and the mythology of the whole thing, in a full length novel I would really have enjoyed more backstory on the tapestry. (Inspite of its later professed lack of importance, it really is...)

Enjoyable overall, but sort of left me wanting more in certain places.

Just so you know, DRAGONSWAN by Sherrilyn Kenyon was previously published in an anthology called TAPESTRY along with short stories from three other romance authors.

If you really want to read DRAGONSWAN, I'd recommend you buy TAPESTRY instead. Why spend three dollars on one story when you can spend eight dollars and get four short stories total? The other authors in TAPESTRY beside Kenyon include Madeline Hunter, Lynn Kurland, and Karen Marie Moning. All have decent stories, but Moning's Highlander time-travel story "Into the Dreaming" is the best hands down.

As for DRAGONSWAN ... well, to me, the short story was a total letdown. Don't get me wrong: I'm a fan of Kenyon's Dark-Hunter series and have loyally read all her books. And I did love the hero, Sebastian, from his frankness to his dark sexuality to his cool facial tattoo. I also loved the fact that he was a dragon who could travel through time. But everything else about the story was blah. The heroine was blah. The fight scenes were blah (and cartoonish). The love affair was blah, if not rushed. This story probably should have been a novel. Too bad Kenyon didn't release an expanded version of it rather than just re-releasing the same old story by itself.

Anyway, Kenyon's Dark-Hunter fans will probably want to read DRAGONSWAN just for its great explanation about the were-hunter's "claiming" ritual. Again, my advice is to buy TAPESTRY (with four stories total, at least one of which you'll rave about) instead of DRAGONSWAN (one mediocre story only). There's no reason not to.

This short story introduces the dragon shifter to the Dark Hunter series. I believe it was a short story because it only took a few pages to explain this world and I don't think a full length novel was needed. Sometimes, I see, why authors give us just a bit. To explain what they need and move on. Esp in these series. I liked the character storyline and explanation of the creation of thier species. It goes into a lot of detail whereas in other novels its just a couple sentences.

I read fantasy lover first and got done with that book in record time and loved it, but reading this book it is almost the same feel as fantasy lover. I mean don't get me wrong I like steamy romances, but to say the least. Different people same kind of feeling andthe book being so short -it was good-, but could of been done with a little more thought. More on the story line and not just sex. Is it worth the read? Yes if you don't have much time to read and need a quickie then sure, but not my favorate book from her.

If you want something that is light (took me about 2 hours),entertaining and will tide you over until Sherriyn Kenyon's next novel comes out, read Dragonswan. Of course, it is quick (so don't expect the detailed background history and analysis of her characters) because she only devotes a few sentences to each (telling you both had horrible childhoods), but you'll love them anyway. It is the brief glimpse into their lives, and their love, that will make you smile.

It is amazing how the author creates these fantastic characters and makes them so complete in a short story. She takes you different places in time with mythology included. If you have never read a Kenyon book you will get a treat. Never boring. Love, action, myths, history and today's time all wrapped up in this neat treat.

I just finished reading Dragonswan. It was so interesting to read that I almost missed my stop on the bus. Sherrilyn Kenyon is a great writer. I have read almost all of her books. Once I start one of her books, I can not put it down. After I finished reading Dragonswan, I keep reading the ending. When I finish reading her books, I give them to the people that I work with and they also enjoy reading them. Keep them coming.

Too short. THe romance was rushed and a bit melodramatic. The explanation of the mating/claiming was good to know, but everything else sort of felt like it was left hanging.

Over all, anticlimatic.

Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark-Hunter series is a real treat to read and a great world to fall into. Dragonswan is only 100 pages long (give or take), so it can be read fairly quickly. This doesn't take away from the storyline at all. Normally I've found short novels like this to be rushed, but the plot line in Dragonswan was complete and didn't leave anything to be desired. Great addition to the series.

The book showed up just as promised, Thanks for that, but after I opened it I saw that list pricelisted right on the book was 2 dollars less than what I paid for it. I could have bough it from walmartat list price. Now 2 dollarsis not much, but if Im going to be charged more for an item than listed price I might take my business elsewhere, since this is a series and I plan to buy all of them. Otherwise I was happy with my purchase

I have read most of Sherrilyn Kenyon books, especially the Dark Hunter series. I found this book intersting, but did not see as much character development as I am used to in her books. It was quick and enjoyable for a joy read, but not as good as most of her books. Still one that I am passing around to everyone in my book trading group. Happy reading.

I'd just started reading the series and collected all of them to read back to back. As with all her stories, it's well written, believable characters, humor, and it held my interest. When I finished I was excitedly looking forward to starting the next story. I only wished this story had been a bit longer......