Genres: Paranormal, Romance
LGBTQ+ Identities: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About the Book:
Dragons aren’t real. Or so I used to think.
Oxford isn’t exactly what I’d imagined. Sure, the colleges are romantic, and everyone is brilliant enough to trigger my impostor syndrome. I expected that.
The dragon, however, was a big surprise.
I saw him on my first day. The beautiful beast spoke to me, then disappeared. I’ve been looking for him ever since.
When I’m not on a wild dragon chase, I spend my time in the library. I’d like to think I’m only there to study, but who am I kidding?
I’m there for him.
Rufus Mortimer is the world’s hottest librarian. He’s strict, enigmatic, and sexy. He makes me feel things I’ve never felt before.
But he has a secret. One that could destroy everything.
So now, all I have to do is find a dragon, earn my doctorate, and try to not to let my new romance burn my life to the ground. Easy, right?
I wish…
The Red Dragon of Oxford, book 1 in the Wings over Albion series, is a sweet and spicy paranormal m/m romance. Download today, and get ready to fall in love with Mark and Rufus.
The Review:
Mark Stevens is twenty-eight, and has finally made it to Oxford. He’s a first year research student. He’s not a typical student at Mortimer College. He and his family aren’t wealthy, but his family is supportive. He spent most of his time working to earn money for his doctorate on German Theology. He already had two government loans to pay off and no one was willing to give a grant to a theological research student.
Even though Mortimer College isn’t as popular as other Oxford Colleges, Mark loves it. The 15th century college is magnificent, with its golden sandstone buildings, connected quadrangles, and archways. It also has an amazing library, the Bodleian, that houses any book published in the UK since 1610.
What Mark loves the most about Oxford is getting up before the dawn breaks and riding his bike to Port Meadow to watch the sunrise. Along the river bank, there’s a meadow, and Mark can watch shaggy ponies grazing. But this morning there’s something strange by the bank – a dark red dragon. The dragon is in distress, and even though Mark is scared, he helps the beast. He returns to Port Meadow every morning afterwards, but never sees the dragon there again. He saves the hook and wire he removed dragon, and a red scale, and often wondered about it, and knows that can never tell anyone else what he saw.
After all the tours, introductions and everything else that comes with entering Mortimer College, Mark is anxious to get to the library. He’s ready to start his dissertation and has a mound of books to take back to his room where he won’t be interrupted. But he is stopped by a deep voice.
Rufus Mortimer is the Librarian of Mortimer College. He lives with his brother Nat in an Oxford house that they inherited. They have enough wealth that Rufus can acquire any first edition book he craves.
He and Nat were taken in by their great-Uncle Thaddeus, after their parents’ death. Thaddeus did not want to be part of the Mortimer Family banking business. He collected books instead, and Rufus found his freedom with his loving Uncle. The only place Rufus feels comfortable is when he is surrounded by books. Nat and Rufus have a good relationship and often Nat has to encourage Rufus. Their grandfather, Bim aka Abimelech Mortimer, is head of the family, and believes in being strict with his younger family members. A powerful man who likes to punish people. Rufus has never been liked by the Mortimer Family, and there’s a very strange reason why.
As Mark and Rufus become closer, trouble abounds. Accusations are made about Rufus and Mark, the Rosea Book is stolen, and Mark is practically kidnapped. What secrets surround Rufus? Who’s hacking into the Mortimer Banks?
The Red Dragon of Oxford is the first book in the “Wings Over Albion” series. This is also the first book I’ve read by Joy Lynn Fielding, and I was not disappointed.
The story takes place in the 21st century Oxford, but it’s filled with historical facts, showing how much research the author did while writing this novel. The world building is also incredible, especially the descriptions of all the historical buildings and scenery of Oxford.
I loved Rufus and Mark and the great chemistry that grows between them. Mark is always supportive of Rufus, and he learns how to be careful of Rufus’s feelings. Rufus has a whole new world to think about as he finds out more about himself. I also liked Nat’s relationship with Rufus, and how he worries about his brother. I’m excited to read the next story, as Nat puts himself in danger with the Fortesque – a rival family.
Oh and there’s a colorful and exciting fight scene with dragons too.
There are also many intriguing secondary characters who may be friend or foe: Evelyn Berston, Paul, and Rob. The Mortimer Family. Friends of Mark: Jeannine, Adele, Hadiza and Tim. Helen Simpson, librarian assistant, Dr. Wallace, Prof. Webber, Dame Elspeth, and Dr. Levett. Of course, there’s always a trouble maker.
This book really kept me turning the pages – it’s full of action, suspense, excitement, humor and it’s steamy too. “Wings over Albion” is an amazing new dragon series with high potential. I can’t wait to read the second installment.
The Reviewer:
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.