This is the 4th book I’ve read by author Susanna Kearsley (Firebird, The Rose Garden and The Winter Sea). My favorite was The Winter Sea followed with a tie between The Rose Garden and Named of the Dragon. Lynette (Lyn) is a book publisher/agent whose client, Bridgett, a contrary children’s book author has just invited her to come to Pembrokeshire in South Wales with her for the Christmas holidays. Lyn is a young widow and also still mourning the loss of a son she lost in childbirth. Her client, Bridgett, is spending the holidays with another well-known author, that rumor has it, could be looking to change agents. With no better options or invitations waiting for her, Lynn packs up and heads to Wales.

Tormented by dreams of a woman in a blue dress speaking to her about protecting a child, Lynn hopes for a reprieve from her restless sleep and anticipation of gaining a new client. A peaceful sleep is not in the cards as mysteries abound in Wales while tales of Arthur, Merlin and dragons are intricately woven into the story leaving the reader to wonder if the voices coming from the mist are real or if the moonlight playing tricks.

In past books by this author there has always been a feel and imagery of the paranormal – an abyss filled with mysteries that transcend time and space. Her books are always filled with castles of old, history and ancient folklore and a longing to roam the cliffs of yesteryear and feel the clover beneath your feet and the rushing of the waves as they crash into the seawall. I kept waiting for the dragon of white to appear but his presence was never made known to me. It was when the story ended I realized that the dragon can take on many shapes and personifications. We all have our dragons to slay. We all have our battles to fight and we all have fears we must overcome in order to move forward. But as much as I felt a sadness at the end of the book for receiving no real dragons, I had been given a story of compassion. I was given a mystery and the truth behind the mystery. I was given a story of people who need a reason to live and a reason to feel. I was given courage to live to fight another day.