Highland Dragon Master

Cooper fails to deliver on the excitement of her premise in the third Dawn of the Highland Dragon medieval paranormal adventure romance (after Highland Dragon Rebel). Dragon warrior Erik MacAlasdair sets sail on the Hawk for an uncharted island to locate a mythical Templar magic that might even the odds in Scotland’s losing fight for independence. Toinette, a half-dragon who came of age in the care of his extended family, captains the Hawk, which nearly capsizes in a storm that forces the shape-shifters to reveal their identities before they tow the ship to a nearby island. Coincidentally, it is the very island Eric seeks, but evil magic hampers reconnaissance efforts and repairs to the ship. Meanwhile, old feelings between Toinette and Erik flare back to life in scenes that are sexy but not especially romantic. Cooper illustrates paranormal elements well, but the island’s menaces don’t generate much excitement. She does take good advantage of her medieval setting and the Templars’ demise, but only series fans will get much out of the story. (Mar.)