The Dragon Whisperer Diaries Lucinda Hare

Serbian Dog Rescue Auction: make your bid for a limited edition print from Flight to Dragon Isle

2012-01-31T10:03:00.000Z

SOS Serbian Rescue AUCTION 21st Jan - 5th Feb 2012

LOT 47
Fab item! This is a fine art limited edition A3 print called Bubble, Bubble, Toil & Trouble, and is taken from book two of the Dragonsdome Chronicles; Flight to Dragon Isle. Quenelda and Root on a battlegriff.

Kindly donated by the very talented Lucinda Hare
Author of The Dragonsdome Chronicles.
The Dragon Whisperer (published Aug 2009)
Flight to Dragon Isle (published August 2011)

Who will start bids at £10 please?

by: Nicki Mortimer

Serbian Dog rescue auction: make your bid to raise money for the best of causes..

2012-01-31T10:01:00.000Z

SOS Serbian Rescue AUCTION 21st Jan - 5th Feb 2012
LOT 106
Fantastic item! BRAND NEW doodled copy of The Dragon Whisperer very kindly donated by the popular author Lucinda Hare
Who will start bids at £6 please?

From Scotland with love...

2012-01-30T15:48:00.001Z

Haggis dreaming.....

2012-01-29T10:31:00.000Z

Îmblânzitorul dragonilor...The Dragon Whisperer in Romania - soon to be published!!

2012-01-27T14:50:00.000Z

Îmblânzitorul dragonilor

*****

Copertă: cartonată

Format: 140 x 210 mm

Număr pagini: 336

Data apariţie: ianuarie 2012

ISBN: 978-606-600-626-2

I'll post a better front cover just as soon as I can.

With Love from Romania....

2012-01-27T14:31:00.001Z

Little Haggis settles in with help from Nugget...both rescued from Romania....

Latest addition to the furry family: Little Haggis

2012-01-23T13:45:00.000Z

Little blind Haggis arrived from Romania yesterday evening. This is him in his playpen today. He is tiny and likes to cuddle beneath my chin, and he is eating and eating and eating....so maybe he will grow up to be a big cat?

SOS Serbian Rescue AUCTION 21st Jan - 5th Feb 2012

2012-01-22T10:21:00.000Z

SOS Serbian Rescue AUCTION 21st Jan - 5th Feb 2012

Available on iTunes

2012-01-21T11:53:00.000Z

The Dragon Whisperer and Flight to Dragon Isle are available for download on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch with iBooks and on your computer with iTunes. Books must be read on an iOS device.

Pandor the magic dragon...

2012-01-19T22:53:00.004Z

Those who follow me on facebook will recognise this face which is my current profile picture. Pandor is a ten year old Romanian street dog with no lower jaw, teeth or claws; nonetheless he survived against the odds on the street. I've been involved in his rescue and totally lost my heart to him, but we have fifteen rescued animals already. He has found his forever home in Germany, a bitter-sweet moment. A dragon with no lower jaw, teeth or talons will appear in The Dragonsdome Chronicles. He will be called Pandor.

From Romania with love...Nugget

2012-01-14T16:12:00.001Z

Little Nugget a rescued street dog from Romania taking time to help me write Dragon Lords Rising. As you can see he is 'whispering' the story to me...the true inspiration behind The Dragonsdome Chronicles...
If you want to do something special and rescue a street dog from Romania then take a look at:
http://dogs.talquin.com/ These lovely dogs have full profiles and are already in the UK.

And it is these creatures, these personalities and friends, who inspired her to write the book, as a tribute to the incredible relationship between human and animal, and as a plea to us all to respect the animals with whom we share this world.

2012-01-12T17:26:00.000Z

A whirlwind. That is the only way I can think to describe adequately the presence of the fascinating, energetic, gifted Lucinda Hare, author of children's fantasy novelThe Dragon Whisperer - a book which has recently been taking the already saturated and hard-to-break fantasy novel genre by storm.

Having heard that The Dragon Whisperer was something of an allegory about human relationships with animals, I decided recently to have a read of it. Then I found out that the author is a fan of ours, and, much to my surprise and delight, I had even had conversations with her on Facebook without realising it. It turns out she's passionate about the idea of OneKind, and feels that OneKind world is the kind of world her stories stand for. So, next thing I know, we're emailing, and she's coming in to meet us.

And what a force this woman is. Having grown up among the hunting set in rural Scotland, she, like myself in fact, has been battling the contradictions of the wildlife-loving and wildlife-decimating rural cliques since childhood. She rejected the values she was expected to grow up with, and embraced the animal kingdom with an unconditional compassion I don't think I've ever quite seen before. This lady takes in the rejects and strays that no-one else wants, and her house is overrun with numerous beautifully cared for and deeply loved dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, ex-battery hens... You name it, one probably lives in Lucinda's house. Her every last penny goes on vet’s bills.

She recounts story after story to me of each of her companions, and I get a true sense not only of these animals' hilarious individual quirks and personalities, but also of her deep love and respect for them all. And it is these creatures, these personalities and friends, who inspired her to write the book, as a tribute to the incredible relationship between human and animal, and as a plea to us all to respect the animals with whom we share this world. So, what of the book?

Well, don't get me wrong, I loved Harry Potter, but fantasy novels aren't usually my thing. My preference is to recline with a glass of red and some Virginia Woolf and unwittingly lull myself into a mild depression of an evening. However, this book really caught my attention. Just like the author (I should have known) the story is a whirlwind; it swept me into an entrancing world which was, yes, fantastical, but also strangely recognisable. I recognised myself in the leading character, a young girl who is the eponymous 'Dragon Whisperer', and I recognised our world, the real world, in the fantasy land I found on those pages.

The fact that the leading character is a girl appealed to the aforementioned Virginia Woolf in me. Not in a clichéd, 'gutsy girl goes out and kicks ass against all expectations' way, but in a genuine way: this girl, Quenelda is her name, is living the day-to-day challenges of being a little bit different, challenging the norms, and having to exceed all expectations to prove her worth.

But not only must she prove herself, she must also convince the doubting others around her of the worth of the beloved creatures all around them: the dragons. The dragons represent all the Earth's animals in so many ways; Lucinda herself even told me that each dragon is based on one of her own numerous animal companions. These dragons, seen merely as dangerous yet useful tools by many of the book's characters, are individuals, each with their quirks, feelings, desires.

The story, in much the same way that it doesn't over-romanticise the everyday trials of the female protagonist, doesn't over-romanticise the realities of sharing the world with dragons either. Like all animals, these dragons have distinct personalities and would prefer to live their own way. They can be grumpy, dangerous, unpredictable – just like humans, in fact. But all that is needed to overcome the volatile dragons is simple respect, patience and compassion. All that we need to do to live and work and share this world with animals is to build a relationship with them, like we would with any human.

Quenelda has the gift of being able to talk to the dragons, and I spent much of my time reading this book fantasising about what the world would be like if animals could only speak to us. But Lucinda believes very strongly that they do. Anyone who's ever had a relationship with any kind of animal knows that they communicate. Maybe we're just not listening hard enough.

Lucinda has already finished her next book, and I'm genuinely excited. What I'm also excited about is the multitude of ideas that Lucinda has for ways in which we can work together to spread the message to kids that animals have feelings and personalities. Lets show these kids a world where respect for animals is no fantasy.

Helena Gibney is a fundraiser for One Kind - Scotland's leading animal protection charity.

World wide with free postage...

2012-01-11T11:08:00.001Z

The Dragon Whisperer and Flight to Dragon Isle are now available world wide from The Book Depository with *free postage* Get Whispering!

Barnes and Noble: Get Whispering in the USA

2012-01-10T20:30:00.001Z

The paperback of The Dragon Whisperer is now available in the USA from Barnes and Noble. Get whispering!

Bracken, Charcoal and Nugget.MP4

2012-01-10T17:36:00.000Z

The Magic of Imagination

2012-01-10T14:03:00.000Z

Many authors write about magic. In the Dragonsdome Chronicles, magic peoples the world of the Seven Sea Kingdoms with gnomes and goblins, dwarves, trolls, hobgoblins and dragons, creatures and figures from our sagas, myth and legend. The Sorcerer Lords conjure magic to rule and to protect the Kingdoms. Battledragons eat brimstone so that they can breathe fire. We love magic because we all desire to escape from the mundane world of day-to-day living, whether it is schoolwork and exams or holding down two jobs to pay the mortgage. We wish we could fly away from it all on our own dragon, wave a wand and make that irritating problem just disappear.

But magic does exist in our world: the magic of imagination. Imagination inspires our songs, poems, art and music. Imagination took us to the moon and beyond. Imagination is what takes us beyond what we know, beyond what we see, hear and learn to something new, something unique that exists only in our mind. It creates new worlds for us, gives us insights into the past, and plants the seeds of our future.

When we are young we all have imagination by the bucket load. Every child has the magic of imagination at their fingertips, is willing to travel an unfamiliar road, explore an unfamiliar world unencumbered by the harsh realities of life. As we grow towards adulthood most of us have less and less time to daydream. We have to let go of childish behaviour, but sadly we all too often also let go of our childhood enthusiasms, passions and imagination at the same time. Because we don't have the time. So for the lucky few like me, being given a second chance to dip into those childhood imaginings, and to create a world from them using my life's experience to shape them into a story, is an opportunity to let my imagination take flight in order to capture yours. That's magic.

You can explore my world of The Dragonsdome Chronciles in The Dragon Whisperer and Flight to Dragon Isle published by Randomhouse Childrensbooks and available on-line from all bookstores.

The Dragon Whisperer is a completely entrancing children’s tale. Every spare moment I had I searched out this book so that I could continue reading.

2012-01-09T14:57:00.000Z

Lucinda Hare’s debut novel, The Dragon Whisperer, follows Quenelda, daughter of the Earl Rufus DeWinter, commander of the SDS (Stealth Dragon Services). Her greatest wish is to follow her father’s footsteps as a battledragon commander, instead of a court life of unwieldy skirts and gossip. She has an odd affinity for dragon husbandry, and can coax even the most crotchety battledragon to allow her near enough to care for its injuries. The roostmaster, Tagnarost, sees her skill and allows her to aid in caring for the dragons, and it soon becomes a way of life for her.

However, as winter approaches, the battle against the hobgoblins grows dire. More and more dragons are lost in battle, and esquires cannot be trained fast enough to take to the skies.

Quenelda’s father, the Earl DeWinter finally realizes how adept, but snobbish Quenelda is about flying. Since she has flown as a child, she scoffs at those esquires who do not have a natural talent for flying. The Earl makes a deal with Quenelda: she may have her very own battledragon, as long as she can teach Root, a gnome esquire, to fly. It just so happens that Root not only has a fear of dragons, but he is completely inept. Slowly an unlikely friendship blooms and together Quenelda and Root must unravel a conspiracy designed to strike at the very heart of the SDS itself.

The Dragon Whisperer is a completely entrancing children’s tale. Every spare moment I had I searched out this book so that I could continue reading. I love that our young protagonist is a girl, and the prejudices she encounters reflect many a young girl’s dream to break into a male dominated industry. Quenelda’s character is refreshing since she too is flawed, and over the course of the book begins to overcome her personal biases. Ms. Hare does an excellent job balancing her world of fierce dragons and rabid hobgoblins with a more whimsical side, such as naming Quenelda’s battledragon Two Gulps and You’re Gone.

Quenelda’s special talents hint at a much larger destiny for her, and I’m guessing we will see our slowly maturing heroine overcome ever more drastic situations with Root’s help. The Dragon Whisperer is an excellent debut novel, and can be enjoyed by all ages!

The Road Not Taken: smarter than average book reviews

Tangnost

2012-01-08T22:02:00.001Z

Meet the furry family: Rufus - the Top Cat!

2012-01-04T19:45:00.000Z

Meet Rufus, the big ginger furball, and the inspiration behind the sabretooth battledragon Two Gulps & You're Gone from The Dragon Whisperer, and the fledgling dragon Two Gulps Too Many from Flight to Dragon Isle. Rufus arrived on Valentines day in 2005 from West Lothian Cat Rescue, and I adore him to bits. He was a feral cat who had been in care for over four years. Incredibly bright, his frustration had spilled over into aggressive and unpredictable behaviour. He attacked everyone; people, other cats and dogs (and vets). But he was just scared so I gave him aversion therapy, teaching him that touch was not threatening, but in fact good. Clear boundaries, not minding if I get bitten (he used to bite to the bone!) and the establishment of a sin bin soon had him mending his ways. Social, he soon discovered he wanted cuddles and company - all he needed was a lot of love. For a big cat he is fine boned and has a small face and a relatively small bite. He is a very brave cat who will challenge intruders much larger than he is (and yes there are bigger stronger cats with much longer teeth!!) even though he has been injured. Today Rufus is a reformed character but will never be a model citizen, and only I handle him as he still is tempremental and difficult, hence the inspiration for Two Gulps & You're Gone, who is only handled by Quenelda. Rufus is top cat and dog in the house - the alpha male - but I am the alpha female and ultimately top dog and cat. Perhaps his love means so much more because he was such a wretched unhappy puss when he arrived.
Whenever we are away, no matter if its dark and wet, Rufus will always be waiting for us at the end of the garden path, tail up in greeting, and lots of chirrups...

Scary rabbit...Rufus often comes me when I am in the rabbit garden mucking out. But he is really a big softie, although he tries to hide it he is a bit scared of inquisitive rabbits who are as big as he is.

Rufus above when he first arrived, rather plump and pear shaped. You can see the resemblance between him then and the fledgling Sabretooth dragon Two Gulps Too Many below. Both are rather fond of their food!

Wonderful Christmas cards sent to me by 3Pa Parkhead Primary.

2012-01-04T11:17:00.000Z

Some of my favourites...

Quite a number of festive dragons!

Lots and lots of beautifully drawn Christmas cards with lots of glitter!

Limited edition fine art prints from The Dragonsdome Chronicles

2012-01-03T18:04:00.000Z

Three limited edition Giclée Fine Art prints from The Dragonsdome Chronicles are now available from Doodled Books
All three images are printed on Somerset Velvet Enhanced archival paper accredited by the Fine Art Trade Guild. Each print is numbered and signed by the artist. Prints are A3 in size.
Bubble, Bubble, Toil & Trouble is a foretaste of things to come in book two: Flight to Dragon Isle. It is limited to 300 prints.

Food? Quenelda with a baby Sabretooth is also taken from Flight to Dragon Isle. It is limited to 350 prints.

Root on the Wooden Dragon depicts the hapless Root being trained to be Quenelda's esquire from The Dragon Whisperer. It is limited to 300 prints.

Happy New Year to dragon whisperers all over the world!!

2012-01-02T12:05:00.002Z

2012-01-01T12:41:00.001Z

Think this might just be a blueprint for hobgoblins....

This book took me completely into another world because of the magic words of Lucinda Hare!

2011-12-31T11:31:00.000Z

Brogan Varney

The dragon Whisperer was a fantastic book and as soon as I had read it I wanted to get the next one Flight to Dragon Isle as soon as possible! So I downloaded it on my kindle and loved every single minute of reading it! There were some sad bits in it but then lots of happiness came back with a book full of similies! This book took me completely into another world because of the magic words of Lucinda Hare! I am so happy I read her first book in P7 because If I never I would have not enjoyed Flight to Dragon Isle so much! I cannot wait until the next one comes out! Lucinda, Thankyou so much!:)

Before and After....writing through illustration

2011-12-28T14:38:00.001Z

This is an example of a rough working illustration drafted when I was writing Flight to Dragon Isle which was finished once the ms was down with Random House. The pictures always come first. It's only once I have imagined a scene in my head that I then can find the words to describe it. What magical mythical creature are Quenelda and Root flying? Remember Tangnost testing Root about the differences between hippogriffs and griffins in Chapter Ten: A Long Day's Work? Answers below please and no peeking at the book unless you haven't read it, in which case follow button to Amazon!

Okay, this is my finished rendition of a battlegriff, in this case a hippogriff trained for battle, although I admit that the rough makes it look far scarier than the finished illustration! It was the battlegriff mare Ride the Rising Wind that Darcy attempts to fly without his father's permission in Chapter Twelve of The Dragon Whisperer that first introduces this creature to The Dragonsdome Chronicles. Out of control, the battlegriff kills an apprentice and badly injures Darcy's friend Simon before bolting with the Earl's son knocked unconscious. The outraged battlegriff is finally coaxed down by Quenelda flying Two Gulps & You're Gone. The battlegriff introduced in Flight to Dragon Isle is called I've Already Eaten, and is bearing Root and Quenelda in disguise to a brimstone mine.

The Lord Hugo Mandrake, Grand Master of the Sorcerers Guild and WarLock

2011-12-27T20:31:00.000Z

The Lord Hugo Mandrake, ArchMage and Grand Master of the Sorcerers Guild, childhood friend and mentor to young Rufus DeWinter. Handsome, charismatic, charming; he is the greatest sorcerer of his generation and the youngest ever Grand Master of the ruling Sorcerers Guild. As such he is one of the most powerful men in the Seven Sea Kingdoms, next only to the Commander of the SDS, and the Queen herself. Women are bewitched by him, men tell him their secrets. But unbeknown to them all, he is also a WarLock, a practitioner of arcane Maelstrom magic, forbidden since the Mage Wars almost destroyed the Seven Kingdoms. For this man has dark ambitions and powers that no one has dreamt of, and treachery stirs at the very heart of the Sorcerers Glen. He has failed once before...he will not do so again...for the hobgoblin tribes have united and are his to command...

The books you write are a combination of everything i love, dragons, spells, warlocks, legends

2011-12-22T12:29:00.001Z

I'm your number 1 fan, your first book blew me away i dream about being Quenelda every night! Your second book is even better i can't contain my glee. The books you write are a combination of everything i love, dragons, spells, warlocks, legends. When *spoiler* in your second book i literally stopped breathing from the amazing desciption you put in, I felt Quenelda's pain! I can't wait for the next book. You are my favourite author over Enid Blyton and Michael Morpurgo. Your books are so amazing that i'm reading so fast to find out what happens i don't have enough time to imagine it!

Jessica McConnell

Dragon Whispering in the USA...The books were so irresistibly wonderful that I've read them back to back one after the other in a couple of days.

2011-12-19T17:11:00.001Z

Amazon.com - The Dragon Whisperer and Flight to Dragon Isle

Caroline @ Portrait of a Woman

I'm not sure whether I'll be able to convey with words what I felt reading The Dragon Whisperer and Flight To Dragon Isle. The books were so irresistibly wonderful that I've read them back to back one after the other in a couple of days. I felt like I was ten again and that the universe was just a big adventure waiting to be discovered. This series is an absolutely fantastic story and it brilliantly fills the void left by the end of Harry Potter. (*****)

India Shackleford

Flight to Dragon Isle is the stunning second book of Lucinda Hare's new series. When Lord Darcy (Quenelda's brother) takes control over the Dragondome Citadel, Quenelda, the main heroine, is forced to flee to Dragon Isle and seek refuge with her esquire Root and her beloved Roofmaster Tangnost. However, they face a worse threat: the evil warlock, Lord Hugo, has created the hobgoblins, their archenemies,dragon steeds!

This book was fantastic, I rate it 10/10. It takes true skill to create a book that, when the characters cry, you cry, and when the characters laugh, you laugh with them. (*****)

Aged 12 years

The perfect stocking filler!

Moving home....

2011-12-18T18:17:00.000Z

How many different animals can you count? And who has spotted Nettle the wood mouse?

The Winter Joust from The Dragon Whisperer

2011-12-16T11:09:00.000Z

Imagine...you are astride your highly trained jousting dragon. Your heart is thumping, the sound in your head magnified by your helmet. Both you and your dragon are wearing your lord's bright coat of arms over your padded jousting armour. The high sided saddle holds you firmly upright, so that you are free to hold a shield in one hand and to couch your heavy jousting lance in the other. You can barely see your opponent at the opposite list through the narrow slit of your visor. The roar of the crowd is growing. The marshal lowers his flag and you lightly spur your mount. Your dragon explodes out the lists with breathtaking speed, the sound of its four wings like thunder as you hurtle towards each other and then...well the rest is up to you! Do you manage to break your lance on your opponents shield, or even better did you unseat him? Do you win the tournament and claim fame and fortune?

The detail of the Winter Joust as described in The dragon Whisperer is based upon what took place in medieval jousts. Jousting was the greatest and most glamorous sport of the middle ages, the equivalent of the football world cup and modern day Superbowl wrapped into one, so you can understand why Quenelda was so determined to go whether Root was ready or not.

Jousts took place to keep the knight and his mounts trained for battle, and to show off their power and skill. The arms and armour were those of the battlefield: lances, swords, shields, and sometimes axes or maces. Jousting could lead to severe injury or death, so in The Dragon Whisperer to keep down casualties battledragons have been banned and the Queen has decreed that only blunted weaponry could be used, which has not pleased the bloodthirsty crowds! And of course powerful and deadly battlemagic has been banned because fallout could cause collateral damage - injuring or killing many in the crowds.

Real life jousts took place in open fields called the list or list-field with the two combatants separated by a low fence, and in that one respect I have had to adapt the story to take account of dragons. In The Dragon Whisperer, the winter jousts take place in a vast amphitheatre like a modern day stadium, called the Cauldron, where the dragons could fly, and list fields are replaced by list trees.

The dastardly Grand Master of course is cheating. His mount Midnight Madness is a carnivorous battledragon in disguise, and the Duke Grenville is carrying real weapons. And no one apart from you and Quenelda knows her father the Earl Rufus is in deadly danger. What happens next? Well you'll know if you've read the book!

Meet our furry family: the big black dog...

2011-12-15T12:37:00.000Z

Meet Charcoal otherwise called the big black dog. He is happy with either. Charcoal is around three years old and full of energy and passion. He was rescued from the Edinburgh Cat and Dog Home in July of 2009. I asked which dog had been there the longest, which dog might have trouble finding a home, and they took us to him. Stressed to pieces, he was frantically barking and snarling, and hurling himself at the pen door. Abandoned and confused, just as we would be in the same circumstances, it is wholly understandable that he was in this state. Charcoal snarls all the time when he is playing as these pictures below show! It doesn't mean he is aggressive. Sadly, there are many shelters in many countries who would have just put him down, without allowing for the unhappiness and confusion caused by finding himself alone in a pen instead of with his family. Certainly there are many families who would not have taken him for this reason. But we're not one of them, and through facebook I have met a whole community of passionate animal lovers out there who think the same way as I do. Working from home, I can commit years if necessary to socialise animals and integrate them into the family, which is why we take in difficult, old or injured animals. The ones no one else wants.

But from the word go the big black dog was the most loving and loyal of dogs, so how he came to be abandoned at a rescue is hard to understand. He does need a lot of exercise, and every Sunday we take them all down to a wood in East Lothian where we can let all the dogs off the lead, and where Charcoal runs through the trees like the wind.

The Characteristics of a Sabretooth battledragon

2011-12-13T11:51:00.000Z

Can you tell a Sabretooth from a Spitting Adder? Would you know a battledragon when you see one, or would it be too late by the time you did? All that would be left would be a greasy pyramid of ash on the floor! Ooops!
If he is going to be one of Dragondome's esquires, Root has a lot to learn about Sabretooths and Two Gulps & You're Gone in particular. Tangnost is going to test him and some other young esquires next week. Quester has given his friend a list of the battledragon's characteristics, strengths and weaknesses, and has explained how the SDS deploy them. How many of the list below do you already know? And no looking at The Dragon Whisperer!

Sabretooths are cave dragons
They are coloured from gorse-yellow through to flaming red tail
They are of stocky build and have small but powerful wings
They have huge incisors - all the better to eat you with...
They can flame up to fifty strides
Their hide is scaled like a snake rather than armoured
They have huge hind feet with six sharp talons to mash and crush hobgoblins. You can hear the thunder of their feet as they approach

Sabretooths are used to hunt hobgoblins in their caves, driving them up and out into the waiting maws of the SDS Dragon Lords on their Imperial Blacks. They can carry two up, a pilot/rider and a bowman. With their stocky powerful build and small powerful wings, Sabretooths are ideal for manoeuvring in confined spaces. But, on the downside, because of their stubby wings they cannot fly very far or very fast, and are often transported on battlegalleons or on the backs of Imperial Blacks. Their scales can stop an arrow but not a cleaver or spear thrust so they have to wear additional heavy dragon armour. And as everyone knows, Sabretooths are *very* temperamental and difficult to handle. Only experienced esquires and above are allowed to handle and groom them.

Illustration is of Quenelda on Two Gulps & You'er Gone rescuing Darcy. Taken from The Dragon Whisperer.

Training on the Wooden Dragon: Learn how to fly a dragon!

2011-12-12T12:45:00.002Z

Training to be an esquire. It is essential that all new esquires can fly so that they can keep up with Quenelda. Bad luck for Root. The wooden dragon is really tough. About the size of a small sabretooth, it is suspended in the centre of the training ampitheatre by chains. Ropes are threaded through eyelets and the wooden dragon can be spun on its post, the wings and tail can be raised up and down, the head and tail back and forwards.

Would be dragon riders have to wear a heavy padded jacket, helmet and gloves because they get knocked black and blue trying to keep in the saddle while all the esquires do their very best to throw you. As for those splinters - well a trip to the infirmary is inevitable!

Not for the fainthearted, and certainly not for those who get airsick. Poor Root! Do you want to fly? Would you be tough enough to brave the wooden dragon or would you keep your feet firmly on the ground? Get buckled into the safety harness and give it a go...

Follow Root's adventures learning to overcome his fears in the The Dragon Whisperer and his further adventures with Chasing the Stars in Flight to Dragon Isle.

How much is that dragon in the window? Don't ask Santa for a dragon this Christmas.

2011-12-10T08:28:00.001Z

What do you think of when someone mentions dragons to you? Glamour? Magic? Bright scales? Flying? Billowing blue smoke? All of these and more? How cool would it be to fly to school on a dragon? Way cool! Flying above all those folk plodding through the puddles far below...

Well yes, a dragon is all of these things. But...like other pets there is a less glamourous side to pet ownership. Root will tell you it's a lot of hard work too, and the larger the animal the harder the work. There is feeding, handling, grooming, exercise and visits to the vet. Those scale mites don't just make your dragon's life miserable, they can bite you too! Owning an animal like a dragon is going to be expensive. Have you been saving your pocket money?

So imagine. You've arrived home this evening from a hard day at school. Exams are coming up. Your favourite TV series is on tonight but you have a ton of homework for tomorrow, including that history project that you've been avoiding. Winter is coming in and it's cold, dark and very wet outside. But your windglen widdershanks mare is only a yearling and she needs lots of exercise, and the roost will need mucked out tonight, you avoided it yesterday. So it's out with the shovel and cart. Mucking out dragon dung is no joke. There is a lot of it so you need big muscles! The bigger the dragon the bigger...well you get the picture, and you never thought of that when you bought her did you? She looked so small and cute in that window but she is going to get bigger yet. That done you get saddle and bridle out and tack up. On with the waterproofs and out into the winter sky.

It's miserable out there and you narrowly avoid collision with another dragon. The freezing rain is seeping down your neck and your fingers have gone numb, but your dragon is having a great time and doesn't want to go home yet, so resists your efforts to turn homeward. She can be quite stubborn when she wants to be. It's a whole hour before you get back to the roost, but before you get dry clothes on and some hot food you have to look after your dragon. A quick rub down followed by a brush, and check for any sores. Her hide is a little dry so you dig out the pot of birch balm - an unguent made of honey, birch sap and and stag-toad spittle that Root recommended. She's hungry. You go to the food bins to make up a hot oat mash sprinkled with thistles...argh! You've forgotten that the dried thistles have run out, and there's not enough oats either. So you have to run down the road to the nearest fodder station before it closes. And if you are one of the few like Quenelda who have a battledragon, well there's brimstone to consider. Volatile, heavy and very expensive... You finally tuck your dragon into her roost for the night and get changed. Grabbing a bite to eat you plump down on the sofa and...your favourite programme has just ended.

Well...that's the reality of pet ownership. It may be glamorous, fun and exciting most of the time. But, a lot of responsibility and hard work goes with pet ownership, so when you are out shopping this Christmas and you see that cute baby dragon in the window...Don't just ask Santa for one - have a good long think about it and go and talk to someone first - like Root who knows what it's all about.

And instead get the next best thing for the person you love: The Dragon Whisperer and Flight to Dragon Isle

In the black furrow of a field

2011-12-09T15:26:00.001Z

In the black furrow of a field
I saw an old witch-hare this night;
And she cocked a lissome ear,
And she eyed the moon so bright,
And she nibbled o' the green;
And I whispered, 'Whsst! Witch-hare,'
Away like a ghostie o'er the field
She fled, and left the moonlight there.

Walter De la Mare

Dragon Whispering in the USA...The books were so irresistibly wonderful that I've read them back to back one after the other in a couple of days.

2011-12-08T09:04:00.001Z

Amazon.com - The Dragon Whisperer and Flight to Dragon Isle

Caroline @ Portrait of a Woman

India Shackleford

This book was fantastic, I rate it 10/10. It takes true skill to create a book that, when the characters cry, you cry, and when the characters laugh, you laugh with them. (*****)

Aged 12 years

The Purrfect Christmas Present: The Dragon Whisperer & Flight to Dragon Isle

2011-12-07T16:15:00.001Z

Stuck for a Christmas present? From 9 to 99 years old, for those who like adventure, fantasy, dragons and animals, The Dragon Whisperer and Flight to Dragon Isle would make the perfect presents! Are you scared of heights and do you get travel sick? Learn to overcome your fears and fly with Root! Can you tell a Sabretooth from an Imperial Black? Do you know how many stomachs a battledragon has, or what they need to eat in order to toast hobgoblins with dragonfire? Read on...for there are some who do....Below are book blog and reader reviews from all ages.

“Her love for animals becomes apparent from page one...”
Wondrous Reads

This spell-binding, accessible, epic fantasy that will appeal to both boys and girls from a brilliant new voice in children's fiction. The sequel Flight to Dragon Isle, is publishing in August 2011. Young Writer

This exciting fantasy takes the reader to a land where people can talk to dragons and where epic battles are fought. Open the book and join the unlikely duo of Quenelda, who can tame dragons, and Root, who's absolutely terrified of them, as they try to defeat dark forces. Puffin Book Club

The story skilfully weaves a fantasy world that is utterly convincing, peopled with humans, gnomes, hobgoblins and many-hued dragons. The writing is energetic, poetic at times, with vivid descriptions of landscape adding atmosphere and mood Books for Keeps

It made me laugh, cry and remember exactly what’s so special about the time when you or your child lived in hope of finding a dragon of your own. Amanda Craig: The Sunday Times

I can wholeheartedly recommend both books as fantastic reads for tweens, teens and adults alike. The action, characters, and world are spellbinding, whilst the language is expressively beautiful and a joy to read. A Little Sun Shy

I urge anyone aged 9 or over to snap this up...A battledragon of a book: Fantasy Book Review.

I think The Dragon Whisperer is the best book I have ever read (I have read a lot of books – in our house , we have about 12,000!)I think the way the words are written sounds like magic’ Rachel aged 13

I'm not a big reader, I'm more of an Xbox fan. I liked the battle scenes and there's quite a lot of dead bodies killed off in suitable gruesome ways. The dragons are amazing. Two Gulps and You're Gone is the best. Everyone should read this: Kyle Waterstones online review *****

The Dragon Whisperer is one of the best books I've ever read in this genre, and I've read a lot of them. For a new author, this is an excellent first book, well worth the time and expense. Unable to put it down, I finished the whole story in one day, which left me wishing I had the second book right then and there. It's going to be an incredible series and I cannot wait to have all of them.

Captivating from the start, Quenelda, Root and Two Gulps came alive in print. Quenelda, headstrong, strong-willed, arrogant, is perfect in her imperfections. I love this heroine. Root, inept, kind, and so brave inspite of all his fears. And Two Gulps, what more can I say? I wish he was my dragon. In my mind's eye, I can see the beauty and mystery of the Kingdoms of the Seven Sea unfolding page by page. It felt like a real world and I'm a part of it.

There is something breathtaking in the magic of the written word and Dragon Whisperer will keep it alive for years to come. Mae Evangelista - Philippines

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Your book (Flight to Dragon Isle) was amazing! I loved it! I can't wait for the next one! I'm going to be the first person to get it! Your book was awesome! I L.O.V.E it! You've got to type the next one fast because other wise I'll be flying round to YOUR house on a dragon to have a sneak peak! LOL! I'M MAD WITH SUSPENSE!!!!!!!!!! Calming down....I have to go now but good luck with your next book and please reply soon!

I'm hyper! Anna.....Cardiff

Both books are available from all good book shops and online retailers like Amazon, Blackwells, Waterstones,Red House, Tesco's, the Book Depository which offers world wide free postage, etc.,

If you talk to the animals...

2011-12-05T22:09:00.001Z

If you talk to the animals

they will talk with you
and you will know each other.
If you do not talk to them
you will not know them,
and what you do not know you will fear.
What one fears one destroys.

Chief Dan George: one of the many inspirations behind The Dragon Whisperer

From Flight to Dragon Isle..entitled 'Food?'

2011-12-05T12:22:00.001Z

But Quenelda’s eyes were fixedelsewhere, on the dragon slowly waddling over to her. Fat as a butter barrel,it had finished the gauntlet and was coming over to inspect what she wasoffering on her outstretched palm.

“Oh no, Lady,” the Roost Master washorrified at her choice. “I thought she was a good judge of dragon flesh?” hemuttered to Tangnost behind a hand.

“No, Lady,” he said more loudly. “Thatone’s no good. Doesn’t fight, just eats. Too lazy. Too heavy.”

Food...?

Quenelda looked into the quietlyintelligent eyes that held her gaze, as it gently took the offered tablets fromher hand one by one and ate them with obvious delight.

More...? Itasked hopefully.

Quenelda emptied her pockets and thelittle dragon emptied her hand. Its distended stomach rumbled and it burpedhappily. Behind Quenelda, Root, Tangnost and the Roost Master all ducked behindthe roost wall as a toxic flame rolled over them.

“Phew!” Root nearly gagged. “What’sit been eating?”

“So far today... Scale oil. The lamp.A leather apron,” the roost boy wrinkled his brow in thought. “A pair of clawclippers...”

They risked a look. Quenelda hadn’tmoved. Although her jacket was smouldering in several places, not a single hairon her head was singed, causing the Roost Master to rub his eyes in disbelief,and Tangnost’s one eye to narrow in thoughtful speculation. Root beat out aspark on her jacket that was flaring up into a fire. Quenelda appeared not even to have noticed. Shehad eyes only for the fledgling.

This baby Sabretooth was the one. Queneldaknew it, had known it from the moment she saw him. He was so similar to his sire. He bore thesame red blaze behind the left eye as Two Gulps, the same oversizedcanines. Her eyes travelled over scaleand claw. The same large golden scales in a mosaic pattern tapering to the tail. And no, it wasn’t possible. Quenelda drew asharp breath.

“What?” Root frowned. “What’s wrong?”

“The tail...”

All eyes looked at the stubby little tail currently being used by the baby Sabretooth to try and lever itself out of the pen to get at the brimstone scuttles stacked nearby. It jumped and bounced off the wall to rock backwards, big feet in the air, crooked tail thrashing helplessly.

There was ashort silence, broken by the Stable Master.

“Aye, bornwith a crooked tail to boot, lady. Another reason why you don’t want this ‘un. Runt o’ the litter ‘e is.”

Both Tangnostand Root ignored him. He looked at them in bafflement. All three of his guestswere staring fixedly at the fledgling’s crooked tail.

The little dragon gave up theimpossible task of escaping and waddled over to the empty brass scuttle,sniffed it and began to eat it with apparent relish. There was the sound of crumpling metal. Rootwinced.

“Is there anything he doesn’t eat?”Quenelda asked.

The roost hand shook his head. “Don’t think so miss,” he said cheerfully.

“Will he ever get airborne?” Rootasked dubiously.

“Don’t think so, sir.”

“Wing to weight ratio,” Root noddedknowledgably, earning him a surprised glance from the Roost Master.

“I want him.”

“Lady?” The Roost Master was takenaback. “But, Lady-” he began till Tangnost squeezed his arm warningly andnodded.

“I want him,” Quenelda repeateddefiantly.

A quiet smile played over Tangnost’slips. He had been right. This fledgling was most like his sire, Two Gulps andYou’re Gone. “What are you going to call him?”

Queneldagrinned, making his heart ache.

She looked back down at the plumpfledgling.

“Two Gulps Too Many...”

Available world wide with free postage from The Book Depository.

Don't breed or buy while homeless die at Christmas.

2011-12-04T10:28:00.001Z

Christmas is a bleak and brutal time for unwanted animals. Countless are put down, others given as unwanted Christmas presents are abandoned within days or weeks. They are discarded like old or unwanted furniture to fend for themselves in a freezing mid-winter and die; cold, starving and alone. Many are abused and injured by those who 'own' them. There is no excuse for cruelty - ever. Don't give companion animals for gifts at Christmas when the responsibilities and committment have not been thought through. And if you do decide to share your home and your heart in the New Year, after friends and visitors have gone, adopt an abandoned dog, cat, rabbit or guinea pig from a shelter, and save a life...one by one until there are none...

The Discerning Reader!

2011-12-03T16:58:00.001Z

Charcoal having just finished The Dragon Whisperer and about to begin Flight to Dragon Isle! He gives it a 5 woof review!

The perfect Christmas present from 6 - 94 years!: The Dragonsdome Chronicles

2011-11-29T19:38:00.000Z

“Her love for animals becomes apparent from page one...”
Wondrous Reads

It made me laugh, cry and remember exactly what’s so special about the time when you or your child lived in hope of finding a dragon of your own. Amanda Craig: The Sunday Times

I urge anyone aged 9 or over to snap this up...A battledragon of a book: Fantasy Book Review.

There is something breathtaking in the magic of the written word and Dragon Whisperer will keep it alive for years to come. Mae Evangelista - Philippines

I'm hyper! Anna.....Cardiff

Both books are available from all good book shops and online retailers like Amazon, Blackwells, Waterstones, Red House, Tesco's, the Book Depository which offers world wide free postage, etc.,

A Special Lady and Her Very Special Dogs: An appeal for funds to help transport another paralysed dog to her forever home here in Scotland with Gail

2011-11-29T14:16:00.001Z

I'm Gail and I currently have 3 dogs.

Tink is a 5 year old black labrador collie cross. We got her from the Edinburgh cat and dog home at 10 weeks old. Tink is our waterbaby, she loves to swim in the sea. Don't worry, Tink wears a life jacket when we go to the beach as she spends more time in the water than she does on the sand.

Rex is an 8 year old cavalier King Charles spaniel who belonged to my elderly neighbour who we checked on daily, Rex was left to us in her will and has lived with us for 4 yrs now. Rex likes to think he is boss and is very protective of his girls even though he is the smallest.

Lucy is a 5 year old mixed breed dog (Lucy is 6 months younger than Tink). Lucy is also from the Edinburgh Cat and Dog home. Lucy was 6 months old when we got her but sadly she had already been returned to the home 3 times. When i went into the kennelto meet Lucy she literally swung off my coat sleeve with her teeth. I knew she would need a lot of love and training but i fell for her the minute i saw her. It took over a year to totally gain Lucy's trust and to get on top of all her behavioural problems. When Lucy was 2 yrs old we noticed that Lucy was having trouble with her left front leg she would go lame on it but couldn't limp instead she would collapse. Having had a 3 legged dog and another with severe shoulder dysplasia there was something odd about Lucy's lameness that i couldn't put my finger on. Lucy's periodic lameness continued and we were referred to an orthopaedic specialist who noticed that Lucy had a deformed foot but could not find a cause for her lameness.

Next we tried hydrotherapy, the pool was a disaster Lucy hated it and was banned after climbing out with harness and hoist still attached, the underwater treadmill was more successfull and helped build up muscle on her legs and she even walked properly in the water

We actually managed to get Lucy out on walks again but the lameness and collapsing returned this time in both legs and Lucy started to knuckle on her front feet. We also noticed her front feet were hypersensitive and had become very tender and she had a few scrapes from knuckling so we got Lucy shoes which she wears on her front feet only.

All during this time we had constant vet visits and tests but still no answers.

When Lucy started to show signs of hind leg weakness as well as increasing front leg weakness my vet put her on steroids and did full body x rays which showed the deformed foot as expected, Lucy's left front foot is rotated inwards at the ankle so she walks on the outside of that foot also she has calcification on her T2 vertebra.

The steroids really helped give Lucy back some of her mobility but after talking to a neurologist we decided against further tests as for an MRI scan Lucy would need to come off her steroids for a month before hand as the steroids reduce brain inflammation and to get a definitive diagnosis biopsies which run the risk of paralysis would also be required. So by process of elimination we know that Lucy has a degenerative neurological condition, we just don't know which one or how fast or slow Lucy's decline will be or how long we will have her but that's ok we still have Lucy and keeping her as mobile as possible for as long as possible is what we aim for now.

Lucy now has both a front and rear sling, although we mostly use the front sling on walks. The rear sling is only used on her very bad days and i only need it just now to steady Lucy while she goes to the toilet as long as i don't look lol. Lucy's favourite thing is her stroller which we take on long walks, something that Lucy had not been able to do and she so loves going out with my other 2 dogs, on her best days Lucy can manage 3 miles with a few rests in the stroller on her bad days she can get about the house and garden but needs help doing anything else. Lucy is starting to have accidents at night and we know that incontinence is likely in the future but we can cope with that. Lucy might walk like she is drunk but she is happy and otherwise healthy.

I will soon be adding dog number 4 to complete my little dog pack.

Sasha is a 9 month old small mixed breed dog who is paralysed and currently in Romania. Sasha is currently in foster care in Romania with an amazing lady and she comes to the UK mid January. Sasha was hit by a car and her spine was literally snapped in 2 one of her vertebra was smashed into tiny pieces. This is something that will need further investigation when Sasha comes to the UK as Sasha is part dachshund so has a very long back and we need to make sure the break has healed well enough to support her weight. Sasha wil have her back x rayed at my vets. Sasha will be getting a specially made dog wheelchair after she arrives here as will Lucy when she needs one.

I am hoping that Sasha and Lucy will become good friends and that seeing Sasha wearing nappies and in her wheelchair will make things easier for Lucy. Having Lucy means that i can offer Sasha a very good and knowledgeable home and i will be able to do a lot of home therapy with Sasha to strengthen her muscles. Paralysed dogs are amazing and some can pull themselves up to a standing position.

My hopes for both my special girls is to help them to be as active and mobile as they can be and for them to both be very happy dogs.

If you can help Gail with transport and vet costs please contact her on facebook or email her at: gailmilligan@live.co.uk

There is something breathtaking in the magic of the written word and Dragon Whisperer will keep it alive for years to come.

2011-11-27T13:23:00.001Z

There is something breathtaking in the magic of the written word and Dragon Whisperer will keep it alive for years to come.

Mae Evangelista

Philippines

(first posted Sept 2011)

Dragon Whispering with Parkhead Primary, West Calder

2011-11-21T11:18:00.001Z

Telling the story with illustrations...

The Winter Joust re-enactment. Getting the knights into armour and on their dragons.

Dragon drawing...

Me next - a knight has been defeated. Time for someone else to take to the lists...

Her Books are the best in the world!!!

2011-11-19T10:52:00.000Z

A stunning dragon in pencil by Jessica.

i drew this picture for Lucinda Hare because her books are the best in the world!!!

Originally posted on Lucinda's facebook wall

by: Jessica McConnell

Meet Haggis

2011-11-17T14:37:00.001Z

Meet Haggis, a kitten born without eyes. He will be making the journey from Romania to his forever home here with us in Scotland early in the New Year. From Romania with love.

Will there be a blind dragon in The Dragonsdome Chronicles? Wait and see...

Newtongrange Primary Dragon Drawing Winners

2011-11-13T13:24:00.000Z

Three amazing illustrations of The Dragon Whisperer by P5 pupils from Newtongrange Primary in Midlothian. There were 23 entries, and they were so individual and that it was really hard to pick two winners, so in the end I have plumped for three of my favourites.

A gorgeous and sad portrayal by Eli, of Moonshine and Bark Oakley trying to escape into the starry night sky. Both dragon and rider are killed by the rising hobgoblin darts.

This time we have a beautifully rendered Two Gulps & You're Gone breathing fire, along with Quenelda, her father the Earl, and some very nasty hobgoblins. Little Moonshine also puts in an appearance. Lovely detail by Ellie.

The final winning entry by Rhianne features four dragons: a moon dragon, a baby moon dragon hatching from an egg, a pink lion dragon and a cute little red dragon breathing fire (Two Gulps perhaps?). There are also two hobgoblins (with lots of gooey slime), Quenelda, and a poisoned dart.

Congratulations to all three who now have to choose their favourite author illustration, which will be signed and dedicated.

Remembering Animals in War: OneKind guest blog

2011-11-11T12:28:00.001Z

OneKind is an animal protection charity reconnecting people and animals to create a better world for all.

To mark Remembrance Sunday we are pleased to share this very special guest blog by author Lucinda Hare, which reminds us that not all of the sentient beings who suffer, endure and show courage during wartime are human beings.

Remembering Animals in War

(by Lucinda Hare)

Throughout history, man has taken animals to war with him whether they willed it or not. From Celtic tribal war hounds to Hannibal’s elephants, from trained medieval war horses to carrier pigeons, from mules in the Burmese jungle to IED bomb sniffer dogs in Afghanistan, they have been at our side; and in serving us faithfully and unflinchingly, they have died in their tens of millions from exhaustion, starvation, thirst, exposure, wounds and disease, unremarked upon save for a few. Then there are those casualties hidden from public view: the hundreds of thousands of primates and domesticated animals used by the military for experiments; their isolation, indignity and agony, unseen and unheard. Animals are the forgotten victims of war.

Those very characteristics that we cherish so much in animals are sadly the same that led to their being enlisted. Dogs are intelligent, devoted and courageous. Mules have great stamina, and are sure footed even in adverse terrain. Horses are brave hearted, swift and strong, able to bear a knight in full armour, or drag a gun and ammunition. Over a quarter of a million died of heatstroke, exhaustion, thirst and wounds in the Boer war alone; eight million horses, mules and donkeys were subjected to the same terrifying conditions as men in the trenches of the First World War. Those that survived were then abandoned to fend for themselves or sold into hard labour; they never came home. Dorothy Brooke, the wife of a British army general posted to Cairo in 1930, discovered thousands of ex-cavalry horses being used as beasts of burden. Her compassion for these old abused animals led to the foundation of the Brooke Hospital for Animals. Around three hundred thousand pigeons served in the two World Wars, countless others over the centuries that preceded modern communications. The list of animals drawn into our wars is endless, their sacrifice immense.

For those of us to whom all life is equally precious, each and every death in war, human or animal, is a source of grief, because to us, we are all of one kind. As Ghandi said so succinctly, “There is little that separates humans from other sentient beings – we all feel pain, we all feel joy, we all deeply crave to be alive and live freely, and we all share this planet together.” So as we remember our armed forces and their families this coming Sunday, so too we should remember those animals that serve and protect them and us, in many theatres of war across the world today.

Animals like Theo. Theo, a young springer spaniel is reported to have died of a broken heart shortly after seeing his master, Lance Corporal Liam Tasker, a bomb-disposal expert, being shot and killed in March of this year. Theo and Lance Cpl Tasker, an Arms and Explosives Search dog handler of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, 1st Military Working Dog Regiment, were part of the Theatre Military Working Dogs Support Unit based at Camp Bastion.

(Pic:Lance Cpl Tasker and Theo)

The Ministry of Defence praised the success of L-Cpl Tasker and Theo, who had made fourteen finds of bombs and weapons stores in five months in Afghanistan. The spaniel, on his first tour of duty, had uncovered so many improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that his time in the country was extended by a month. Theo was honoured at his master’s funeral. They would have returned home just four days after the attack.

The powerfully emotive Animals in War Memorial, unveiled in 2004, bears two inscriptions: “This monument is dedicated to all the animals that served and died alongside British and Allied forces in wars and campaigns throughout time.”

A second, smaller inscription reads: “They had no choice.”

Doodled Books to raise money to bring paralysed Romanian dog to her forever home in Scotland

2011-11-09T12:10:00.001Z

£75 raised so far to bring Sasha over to Scotland. See Trei Frati Patati facebook pages for more on Sasha, or contact her forever mum here in Scotland: Lucy Wobbly Dog. If you like dragons and animals then a doodled copy of The Dragon Whisperer or Flight to Dragon Isle is the book for you. Great for unique Christmas presents!

What is a doodled book? They are signed, dedicated, and illustrated individually (doodled) like this example of The Dragon Whisperer. All proceeds towards Sasha's transport and vet costs. Please email requests to me: lucinda@dragonsdome.co.uk £25

RAF GR4 Tornadoes returning home from Libya

2011-11-09T10:19:00.000Z

ABC News

Jezabelle the dog runs to greet Flight Lieutenant Steve Morris in Norfolk, England, returning home after his seven-month deployment. More images of soldiers reuniting with loved ones: http://abcn.ws/rxBVuh

A Wizard Time

2011-11-05T18:27:00.001Z

I expected it to be at the top of my list, but even so the author still managed to blow me away.

2011-11-03T11:31:00.001Z

The Flight to Dragon Isle is AMAZING. It's darker than the Dragon Whisperer, and the unexpected twists really surprised me and kept me going. I was so glad to see that the strengths of the first book were still the same. In fact, Lucinda Hare managed to make the characters even more complex; and once again she did it without talking down to the kids (or me ;-)). There was some nice humour in there, although the author certainly didn't shy away from showing true emotions in a way that allowed me to engage with these feelings. At some point I even had tears in my eyes. Once again the three elements which, to me, are vital for a good book - characters, plot, and craft of writing - came together nicely.

So far, this has been the best read of the year. On the basis of the Dragon Whisperer I expected it to be at the top of my list, but even so the author still managed to blow me away.

Pam Palmer

Amazon.co.uk *****

Welcome Home GR4 Tornado aircrew

2011-11-02T12:40:00.002Z

A huge welcome home to the GR4 Tornado aircrew who arrived home at RAF Marham, Norfolk, yesterday, after serving in Libya. They were responsible for 3,000 sorties.

Dragon Whispering at St Mungo's Primary in Glasgow.

2011-11-01T11:39:00.003Z

Preparing illustrations for my visit to St Mungo's Primary in Glasgow. Taking two classes for a morning of dragon whispering and discussion ending with dragon drawing and a competition to win signed illustrations.

Tawny owls on the hunt....

2011-10-28T21:08:00.002+01:00

Out walking the dogs after dark, and the tawny owls are also out and about. Young owls looking for territories of their own. There is the famous male/female call responsible for our perception of owls calling twit twooo. But in fact they have twelve different calls. They are out hunting using sound listening for their prey, but in Scotland, guess what? When its raining it's hard for them to hear prey rustling around in the undergrowth. And yes...its always raining!

Dwarf clan names from extinct species in Scotland

2011-10-27T15:52:00.002+01:00

Researching dwarf clan names for Dragon Lords Rising from species which have become extinct in Scotland. Sadly a very long list to choose from, including these below listed in Wikipedia, with links to further information about them:

Arctic fox - c. 10,000 BC
Steppe lemming - c. 8000 BC
Arctic lemming - c. 8000 BC
Aurochs - c. 1000 BC
Beech Marten - 19th Century
Brown Bear - c. 1000 (may be as early as 500 BC)
Cave Lion - c. 10,000 BC
Coypu - 1987 (non-native)
Gray whale - c. 500 BC
Irish Elk - c. 6000 BC
Eurasian Lynx - c. 400
Greater mouse-eared bat - 1990 (as resident)
Narrow-headed vole - c. 8000 BC
Root Vole - c. 1500 BC
Pika - c. 8000 BC
Saiga Antelope - c. 10,000 BC
Tarpan - c. 7000 BC
Walrus - c. 1000 BC
Wisent - c. 3000 BC
Wolverine - c. 6000 BC
Woolly Mammoth - c. 10,000 BC
Woolly Rhinoceros - c. 10,000 BC

Great White Pelican - c. 1000 BC

Great Auk - 1844

Wear a purple poppy along with your red to honour all victims of war on Remembrance Day 2011.

2011-10-21T18:03:00.000+01:00

Throughout history, animals have suffered and died as a result of human conflicts. Remember the animal victims of war this year by wearing a PURPLE poppy along with your RED poppy to support all generations of British Armed Forces and their families.

Theo, a springer spaniel is said to have died of a broken heart shortly after seeing his master, Lance Corporal Liam Tasker, a bomb disposal expert, being shot and killed in March 2011. Theo and Lance Cpl Tasker, an Arms and Explosives Search dog handler of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, 1st Military Working Dog Regiment, were part of the Theatre Military Working Dogs Support Unit based at Camp Bastion.

The Ministry of Defence heralded the success of L-Cpl Tasker and Theo who had made 14 finds of bombs and weapons stores in five months in Afghanistan. The spaniel, on his first tour of duty in Afghanistan, had uncovered so many improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that his time in the country was extended by a month. Theo was honoured at his master's funeral. They would have returned home just four days after the attack.

In The Dragon Whisperer, the Dragon Lord, the Earl Rufus DeWinter is inseparable from his batteldragon Stormcracker Thundercloud III; just as his daughter Quenelda bonds with her battledragon, Two Gulps & You're Gone, and Root with gentle Chasing the Stars. The human/animal bond is at the heart of many of our lives.

A book that makes time fly.

2011-10-21T10:36:00.001+01:00

Having loved the first I couldn't wait for the second. And the verdict? I was late for work twice, the second with tears still in my eyes. The book is so involving I forgot what the time was, even where I was. I want a dragon!

Please Random House, when's book three coming?

Beth

Amazon review ***** 5 star

Everybody's favourite character!

2011-10-17T10:01:00.001+01:00

Halfway through Flight to Dragon Isle; a young reader's illustration of how to 'get' the dastardly Darcy and sort him out!

I'll be flying round to YOUR house on a dragon to have a sneak peak!

2011-10-15T15:55:00.000+01:00

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Your book (Flight to Dragon Isle) was amazing! I loved it! I can't wait for the next one! I'm going to be the first person to get it!

Your book was awesome! I L.O.V.E it! You've got to type the next one fast because other wise I'll be flying round to YOUR house on a dragon to have a sneak peak! LOL!

I'M MAD WITH SUSPENSE!!!!!!!!!!

Calming down....

I have to go now but good luck with your next book and please reply soon!

I'm hyper!

Anna.....

Cardiff

(spoilers have been removed...)

Printsasia.com - buy your books online

2011-10-13T20:44:00.000+01:00

Buy The Dragon Whisperer and Flight to Dragon Isle online from Printsasia.com; a small online bookstore that currently offers books from 15,000 publishers from across the globe and have around 2 millions titles available.

Some of the highlights of our bookstores are:

Competitive pricing- you can pick a few ISBNs randomly compare pricing with other bookstores. We offer only new books

Books available from U.S.A, South Asian Countries and Europe and can be shipped worldwide

Rich Database- Our database will actually benefit researchers, scholars, university professors who are into some serious reading.Printsasia.com

This is why our planet needs saving....

2011-10-13T11:50:00.000+01:00

How barren and dead our world would be if we destroy our environment and drive countless species to extinction?

Dragon Whisperer Wiki

2011-10-12T12:26:00.000+01:00

Wiki Dragonsdome Chronicles

Go on, have some fun! Your chance to express your own views/post your own illustrations/build up dragon and character profiles...

The Best Fantasy Book since Harry Potter

2011-10-09T14:49:00.000+01:00

A lovely slide show with some wonderful artwork. We think this is the best fantasy novel since Harry Potter...

Review of The Dragon Whisperer by Armadale Academy

Book Three: Dragon Lords Rising

2011-10-09T11:33:00.002+01:00

At 65,000 words for Dragon Lords Rising. As usual too many ideas, so end of this had become beginning of A Storm of Dragons...

2011-10-05T15:33:00.003+01:00

In memory of our much loved and missed heart dog Midge, who crossed the bridge a year ago.

DON'T CRY FOR ME WHEN I'M GONE

Three score and ten are given to man,
But ours is a much briefer span.
So, though I give you all my heart,
The time will come when we must part.
But all around you, you will see,
Creatures that speak to you of me;
A tired horse, a hunted thing,
A sparrow with a broken wing ...
Pity - and help (I know you will)
And somehow, I will be with you still;
And I shall know, although I'm gone,
The love I gave you lingers on.

Hello to Latvian dragon readers.

2011-10-02T14:27:00.001+01:00

.Sveiciens Latvijas pūķis lasītājiem.

Battle of the Westering Isles

2011-10-02T11:34:00.001+01:00

Dedicated to the SAS and the British Armed Forces

2011-09-26T18:41:00.000+01:00

On a sad but serious note, war is a reality for countless children across the world who are raised in a war zone, or who have family or friends deployed in a war. I wanted the Dragonsdome Chronicles to reflect this, and so the story is set against the seemingly endless Third Hobgoblin War. All the central characters, both dragons and people, have and will be affected to a lesser or greater degree; and so at its heart, The Dragon Whisperer is a tale of loss and loneliness caused by war, and love and friendship which grows despite that loss. It is about the injustice of life and death, broken families, and the need to be wanted and accepted for who you are rather than than conform to what others and society expect you to be.

The story begins with Quenelda using her unique gift to help Tangnost Bearhugger treat and heal a badly injured Sabretooth battledragon, an unheard of achievement. Injured battledragons are, as a rule, put down, and rightly so since dragons that are trained to flame, decapitate and disembowel are doubly dangerous when wounded. With her much loved father (Commander of the elite Stealth Dragon Services) continually absent at war, Quenelda has grown up around the dragonpads and roosts of Dragonsdome. So no surprise then that Quenelda, with her unique bond with dragons, wants to fight at his side and become a Dragon Lord, one of those elite few who fly the great Imperial Black stealth battledragons.

Shunned and mocked by the young ladies at Court for this very peculiar ambition, for dressing in boy's clothes and flying dragons, this aristocratic and wealthy girl only has her dragons as companions. And there is one dragon in particular: as a reward for helping Tangnost and to keep her out of trouble, Quenelda is given a battledragon of her own: Two Gulps & You're Gone. Two Gulps himself is a proud, stubborn cave battledragon trained to hunt out and kill hobgoblins in the combs and tunnels that riddle the highlands. Without his injury and Quenelda's skill, he would have died. Now they have a bond without which they would not go on to save her father's life.

From Quenelda's life the story swiftly moves to that of Bark Oakly, the Earl's chief scout who tracks hobgoblins in underground combs and tunnels. With the gnome's brave death, his young son Root finds himself elevated from apprentice to esquire, something unheard of for a commoner. This is not the first time tradgedy has struck Root. When he was just six his entire family and community, his warren, were wiped out by a maurauding hobgoblin warband. Now with his father also gone, Root is left on his own, isolated and unwanted and bullied by the other esquires, all of whom are sorcerers.

It is Root's loss caused by the war and Quenelda's ambition to fight with her father in the war that brings these two lonely youngsters together, as a result of which they, along with their dragons, are able to face and overcome a deadly threat to the Earl and the Seven Sea Kingdoms.

Guiding and guarding them all is the legendary Dragon Master, Tangnost Bearhugger, veteran Bonecracker commando, invalided out of the SDS after sixty years service on Imperial Blacks. It falls to him to raise and train esquires for war and to oversee the welfare of Dragonsdome's battledragons. With his own sons all dead in the war Tangnost looks on Quenelda as his own daughter and raises her as if she were the Earl's heir, imparting his great dragon lore and knowledge so that she will be fit one day to take her rightful place.

With a great battle looming between the SDS and the hobgoblin banners, and treason and betrayal brewing at the heart of the Sorcerer's Guild, the cost of war to the peoples and dragons of the Seven Sea Kingdoms can only grow ever greater, following their Flight to Dragon Isle...

First posted on my blog in January 2011

Flight to Dragon Isle is dedicated to the Special Air Services and the British Armed Forces.

There is something breathtaking in the magic of the written word and Dragon Whisperer will keep it alive for years to come.

2011-09-24T10:41:00.001+01:00

There is something breathtaking in the magic of the written word and Dragon Whisperer will keep it alive for years to come.

Mae Evangelista

Philippines

Peek-a-boo!

2011-09-23T16:02:00.000+01:00

Tangnost Bearhugger - Dragon Master and Bonecracker Commando

2011-09-21T11:38:00.000+01:00

"Quenelda grinned back at the craggy face dominated by a patch where a hobgoblin arrow had stolen an eye.The strong jaw and broken nose were framed by shoulder length hair, bound at the right temple in a single warrior's braid after the fashion of his clan."

Dwarves in The Dragonsdome Chronicles are not stereotypical of fantasy novels. They are broad shouldered, barrel chested, powerful people; but they are the height of a short to average man

Hello to Russian dragon readers!

2011-09-19T11:28:00.000+01:00

Россия читателей дракона Hello!

This is without doubt one of the best books I have read all year.

2011-09-18T12:10:00.000+01:00

Quenelda DeWinter is the twelve year old daughter of Earl Rufus DeWinter, the commander of the Stealth Dragon Services. As a member of the nobility, Quenelda should be at Grimalkin's College for Young Ladies and learning how to curtsey properly, like her jealous brother Darcy's fiancee, the ladylike Armelia. However, Quenelda is a dragon whisperer, and can communicate both telepathically and through dreams with dragons, and her ambition is to enrol at the Stealth Dragon Services Battle Academy at Dragon Isle.

The SDS are engaged in a war against the hobgoblins, under the leadership of Earl Rufus, the Dragon Lord, and word comes of the death of the hobgoblin leader. Just one decisive strike against them could win the war. However, there is a treacherous plot against the SDS, and the invocation of wild Maelstrom Magic, long outlawed in the Seven Seas Kingdom; the SDS forces are smashed, many dragons are killed and Quenelda's father goes missing, also presumed killed. Can Quenelda and Root Oakley, her gnome squire, survive a long and dangerous journey to prevent further treachery?

This is without doubt one of the best books I have read all year. The sequel to The Dragon Whisperer, I can see this becoming a wildly successful series, appealing I should think to both boys and girls. The dragons are charmingly named, and the stable sections would certainly have appealed to me as a pony story-loving 9 year old, but the high fantasy and battle aspects are excitingly told as well. There are just a couple of repetitions that I feel should have been picked up through editing, but these are minor points, and I look forward to reading more about Quenelda, Root and the dragons.

5***** Confident readers.

I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the Bookbag.

You can read more book reviews and buy Dragon Whisperer: Flight to Dragon Isle by Lucinda Hare at Amazon and Waterstones

Hello Latvia!

2011-09-17T12:51:00.001+01:00

Sveiki Latvija, silts laipni no aukstuma un slapjš Skotijā!

Life As A Scottish Author

2011-09-16T13:40:00.000+01:00

I spent most of my childhood wandering woods and beaches in East Lothian in Scotland watching the wildlife and dreaming. There were deer and foxes, pheasant and hares. Being a passionate animal lover I knew there used to be wolves and bears and beavers, and if they no longer existed, then I imagined them. I used to gaze across from Johnny the Elf’s Wood towards Dirleton castle, imagining Edward I besieging it, and later Cromwell’s forces taking it by storm. The very name Archerfield evoked the past; I grew up where the archers from the castle used to practice! As a student on an elderly BSA motorbike, I went pretty much everywhere else from Orkney to the Scottish Borders, camping in Glen Coe in the snow, and exploring countless ruined castles, mostly in the rain. I never needed to look further than my own childhood for ideas as an author – there is a wealth of Scottish history to plunder for inspiration.

So it’s no surprise that the Dragonsdome chronicles are set in the Seven Sea Kingdoms, inspired by the Celtic sea kingdoms of old. Observant readers will have noticed that the map at the beginning of The Dragon Whisperer is modelled on Scotland, and yes, not exactly, the geography is not always the same, but you can spot the similarities between the Western Isles and the Westering Isles, the Isle of Skye and the Isle of Midges, Glen More and the Never Ending Glen, the Cairngorms and the Brimstones. The first two books are set in The Sorcerers Glen at the heart of the kingdoms, on the Black Isle and Dragon Isle, dark volcanic islands that rise out of a deep sea loch: but the third in the series, Dragon Lords Rising, takes us out into the wider world beyond the Brimstones and the Old Wall (yes, you guessed, Hadrian’s Wall, the northern frontier of the Romans in Britain) to the Ice Isles in the north. Just like Scotland there is magic and mystery, there are thistle dragons and honey tablets…what more could an author want?

Guest blog with: YA Book Reads as part of Flight to dragon Isle blog tour.

Map of the Seven Sea Kingdoms.

Three limited edition Giclée Fine Art prints from The Dragonsdome Chronicles

2011-09-14T16:22:00.001+01:00

Three limited edition Giclée Fine Art prints from The Dragonsdome Chronicles are now available from Doodled Books All three images are printed on Somerset Velvet Enhanced archival paper accredited by the Fine Art Trade Guild. Each print is numbered and signed by the artist. Prints are A3 in size. These illustrations are done by me and are not in the books.

Bubble, Bubble, Toil & Trouble is a foretaste of things to come in book two: Flight to Dragon Isle. It is limited to 300 prints.

Flight to Dragon Isle added to Glowinskis' Library in Poland

2011-09-14T12:26:00.000+01:00

Hello Lucinda, my Friend,

I am very, very well!!! I believe, You too!

Thank You very, very much for so good news from You

about Your next book for my library.

Lucinda, Your page is beautiful !!!

I do not use Facebook because of my English is not good yet.

My dear Friend, many thanks for digital of dragon.

See:
http://glowinski.olesnica.pl/index.php?lang=en&page=galeria

I am waiting on post from You !!!

Lucinda, very best for You from Poland,

Daria and Tadeusz

GLOWINSKIS' LIBRARY

ul. Waly Jagiellonskie 20

56-400 Olesnica

Poland - Polska

It takes true skill to create a book that, when the characters cry, you cry, and when the characters laugh, you laugh with them.

2011-09-13T11:24:00.000+01:00

Flight to Dragon Isle is the stunning second book of Lucinda Hare's new series.

When Lord Darcy (Quenelda's brother) takes control over the Dragondome Citadel, Quenelda, the main heroine, is forced to flee to Dragon Isle and seek refuge with her esquire Root and her beloved Roostmaster Tangnost. However, they face a worse threat: the evil warlock, Lord Hugo, has created the hobgoblins, their archenemies,dragon steeds!

This book was fantastic, I rate it 10/10. It takes true skill to create a book that, when the characters cry, you cry, and when the characters laugh, you laugh with them.

Amazon.com

5 star *****

Dragon Lords Rising

2011-09-12T12:54:00.002+01:00

About two thirds of the way through Dragon Lords Rising, book three of the Dragonsdome Chronicles. This will take readers away from the Sorcerers Glen across the Wall to the icebound north, as Tangnost, Quenelda, Root, Quester and their three dragons set out on their quest.

I finished reading it last night, and it was FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-09-09T12:31:00.001+01:00

I just got the book two days ago. I finished reading it last night, and it was FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How's the next book coming along? Will it be the last in the series? What's it called? When will it be out? Will you do more books after the series is finished, set in the same place, or will you start something else. PLEASE TELL ME ALL ABOUT THE NEW BOOK!

Sorry if I've used too many capital letters and exclamation marks. I just can't help it!

India, aged 12 years, Australia

Portrait of a Woman: book reviews - I felt like I was ten again and that the universe was just a big adventure waiting to be discovered.

2011-09-07T10:53:00.004+01:00

Quenelda is the daughter of the Earl Rufus DeWinter, Commander of the Stealth Dragon Service (SDS), the force composed of humans and dragons fighting in a place where hobglobins threatened the very existence of both species. Quenelda's mother is unknown and her step-brother is arrogant and proud. Unlike other ladies of the Court, Quenelda doesn't care much about etiquette or pretty dresses, she only has eyes for dragons. Quenelda meets Root, a young gnome, who is afraid of dragons but is brave, courageous and a fabulous compagnion who will stay by Quenelda's side. Theirs is a story of true friendship. They are different but are brought together by circumstances and a strong will. When a horrendous plan is put together to overthrow Quenelda's father and hurt the peace created by the SDS, Quenelda doesn't hesitate to act even though she is a girl and still a child.

I absolutely adored the dragons, their names (Two Gulps And You're Gone is the funniest dragon name!) and the way they interacted with Quenelda in particular. Lucinda Hare has created a fantastic world revolving around those fabulous creatures and you can see the passion she has for animals bursting through every page. I really wish this place existed so that I could live there!

It is a beautiful story but there is so much more to it. The story is about being different, about courage, loss, compassion and so many things which makes this series deep without trying to be serious (hence my comparison with Harry Potter). Quenelda and Root, being a girl and a gnome, fight all preconceived notions and prejudice from the entire society to get to what they want.

Quenelda has some spunk and will not let society and tradition dictate her life. Root is a sweetheart and gains confidence in himself by staying with Quenelda. With Quenelda's knowledge, we learn together with Root how to differentiate, love and take care of dragons. You cannot but love the sudden fascination he has for a dragon, Dancing With The Stars!

There is also a mystery surrounding Quenelda's mother and her strange talent with dragons and we keep wanting to know more!

This book is compelling, unputdownable and utterly irresistible. Children of all ages will love the personalities of the characters and the dragons. There are also adorable illustrations in the book so it is a great book for younger readers (and older readers) (much older). It is also a great book for either boys or girls.

They will relate to the characters' story and be shown that you might be small and laughed at by everyone but you still can save the day by pursuing what you feel is right. It is really a fantastic adventure with a lot of action and laughs!

Portrait of a Woman :

I am obsessed with books, films and tea of any kind. Preferably YA, fantasy, strong female characters and Earl Grey (milk, no sugar).

2011-09-05T17:54:00.000+01:00

Paul with Chindit (big grey tabby) on BSA Bantam arriving in Thistleburr in the Sorcerers Glen in our world present day. Taken from the unpublished The Sorcerers Glen. (c) Lucinda Hare 2011

The Dragonsdome Chronicles Wiki

2011-09-03T20:16:00.002+01:00

A young reader has created a Wiki Dragonsdome Chronicles so that everyone can have their input. Still very much in development so plenty of scope for fans to post opinions, profiles, maps and drawings from the Seven Sea Kingdoms...
Thanks to Nattie Finn!

Flight to Dragon Isle: FREE DELIVERY WORLDWIDE!

2011-09-03T16:15:00.002+01:00

The Book Depository is the UK's largest dedicated online bookseller, offering the largest range of titles in the world, available for dispatch within 48 hours.

Available in the USA

2011-09-03T14:29:00.000+01:00

Flight to Dragon Isle available as e-book/kindle on Amazon.com and as paperback through US approved sellers on Amazon.com.

This book is soooo good!

2011-09-01T11:23:00.000+01:00

This book is soooo good! I love the aspect of Quenelda who can talk to dragons,and Root who is terrified of them. They bond and form an unlikely friendship.I loved this book and I am looking out for the next book, as I can't wait! :)

Lia 15/08/2011

Red House 5 star review

Interview with OneKind: leading Scottish animal charity

2011-08-31T13:33:00.000+01:00

OneKind recently caught up with leading children's author Lucinda Hare, a long time supporter of OneKind. Her latest book Flight to Dragon Isle is the first work of popular fiction to use the term onekind as an explaination of the natural bond between humans and animals.

At the heart of your books is the relationship between Quenelda and the dragons. How important do you think it is that people appreciate the human/animal bond?

The animal/ human bond has been at the core of our existence on Earth since mankind stood upright; we have been living together for thousands of years. We are intricately linked both spiritually and physically to animals, although the dynamics of the relationship have radically changed in the last century. In the not too distant past, our survival was literally and visibly linked to the rhythms of nature and the animal world. There was no divide. We knew and understood animals and our environment, and depended upon that detailed knowledge for clothing, food, agriculture and transportation. That interdependence defined our perceptions and relationships with animals. We never took more than we needed, and gave back when we could.

Since the advent of modern transport and the industrial revolution which heralded the onset of urban living, that link has been weakened or severed entirely with the exception of companion animals. This relationship is far deeper and more profound in its consequences than the name ‘companion’ implies. Our bond with them is subtle and complex, but there is no doubt that they improve our quality of life. Companion animals provide unconditional love over their lifetime. They combat isolation and loneliness. They are sensitive to mood and distress, giving us comfort and improving our health. They welcome us home, and protect us when we sleep. Dogs give us eyes when we cannot see, ears when we cannot hear, and smell what we cannot, from drugs to IEDs. Animals are true and unstinting companions who enrich our lives and bring us joy. Without this human/animal bond, our lives would be greatly diminished.

Do you believe there are serious consequences for all of us if more is not done to restore that bond?

The Earth’s ecosystems and resources are coming under threat by excessive human exploitation, and sadly animals are no exception. More and more of us exist in cities, many of them unimaginably huge, and many have lost our link with the natural world. In our consumer-based society, the millions of products and processes that come together to provide us with what we want whenever we want, are invisible. A tiny percent of us are engaged in raising cattle, sheep, hens and pigs. Few see the cycle of life and death of the millions of domesticated animals that feed us, so many of us no longer know where our meat, dairy and vegetables and clothes come from. Thus the cost to animals is unseen and unknown, and to be brutal, many no longer care, even if that price is appalling cruelty (for example the fur industry) or extinction. The majority of us will never see inside an abattoir, an animal transport or a living animal being skinned in China for its fur, and are more than comfortable to maintain the status quo.In our consumer-driven society, it is today and not tomorrow that counts. We have become dangerously rash and complacent; taking the view that ecosystems, their resources and the creatures that inhabit them exist solely to provide for our many needs, with no thought to the cost. They are ‘just’ animals. ‘Just’ is a dangerous word, used to justify appalling cruelty. Animals suffer daily both directly and indirectly because of this exploitation; whether it be intensive farming for food, sport, entertainment, deforestation and habitat destruction, pollution, the fur industry or vivisection; their suffering ignored and unheard by the ignorant majority. Legislation where it is passed, is often implemented on a short term basis is for short term gain, constrained by powerful lobby groups and industries with barely a nod to the future. We need to rethink our role, to do away with the idea of ‘ownership’ particularly where it applies to companion animals, and replace it with stewardship. But this will only be achieved by an increased awareness of our environment and the realisation that we, our fellow creatures, and our one Earth, are a single living entity linked in a myriad of subtle and symbiotic relationships, each impacting upon the other. If we do not restore the symmetry and balance of nature and the human/animal bond by recognising that nothing is infinite and that we have a great deal to learn from animals, our legacy will be bleak indeed.

What led you to choose dragons, were you deliberately choosing animals that were ‘larger than life’ or fantastical?

Choosing dragons was an easy choice because these magical creatures live in the imagination of every child on the planet. All over the world legends and myths of dragons exist. Dragons are dinosaurs with wings, and we know dinosaurs existed, so why not dragons? So, no matter where a reader lives, and no matter the animals they have as pets or have as working animals, or even if they have no pets at all, they can conjure an image of a dragon in their mind. This way no-one is left out of the story.

Where do you draw your inspiration from for the dragon characters - are the personalities of the animals you live with and have rescued reflected in any of the dragons?

All the dragons are based upon our furry four legged family. Two Gulps and You’re Gone is based upon our huge ginger cat Rufus. He is temperamental and difficult. Hugely intelligent, he came to us seriously overweight, having been in care for four and a half years. And he loves his food too, so he has a lot in common with Two Gulps Too Many, the overweight fledgling Sabretooth below who Quenelda meets in Flight to Dragon Isle.

Gentle little Chinook inspired Root’s dragon Chasing the Stars, and the rather bad tempered battlegriff I’ve Already Eaten was inspired by our elderly cat Peppercorn, otherwise known as Grumpy Granny. Stormcracker Thundercloud III, the Earl’s fierce loyal battledragon, echoes many characteristics of Puzzle, a wonderful black cat who shared our home for many years.

Pictured: Quenelda and Two Gulps and (below) Lucinda's cat Rufus. Spot the similarity?

Having grown up in a rural environment how would you say your own attitude towards animals has changed over the years?

My passion for animals hasn’t changed; if there is a single childhood memory that defines me it is my love for all living creatures, and the realisation I could never be a vet because I cannot distance myself from the injured and ill. (I wept buckets over rabbits afflicted with myxomatosis and the fact we had deliberately engineered such a disgusting disease to remedy our own mistakes.) But my understanding of animals, my awareness of how we treat them, that has undergone a sea change. So my heart hasn’t changed, but my head has.

Your first two books form part of the Dragonsdome Chronicles, and this book seems darker than the first book in the series. Do you think it’s important for children to understand that life is also about darkness and complexity?

Flight to Dragon Isle is intended to show young readers the darker side of our relationship with animals, as well as to convey that few things are wholly black or white; rather that human and human/animal relationships are complex and subtle, and that even out of tragedy something new and good can be born.

Do you have future stories worked out fairly solidly in advance or do you prefer to react to things happening around you and feed those into your books?

Writing for me is a dynamic process. I have a rough idea of the ending I want for each book, but how my characters are going to get there I don’t know until I am actually writing. Ideas suggest themselves in many ways as the story progresses, and I plug them in where I can. I have no idea yet how the Dragonsdome Chronicles will ultimately end, which is fun for me too and leaves me open to fresh ideas!

I understand you were influenced by the Lord of the Rings trilogy growing up. What are your thoughts on whether the line between what is termed adult or children’s fiction is now effectively blurred?

I was about ten or eleven when I read Lord of the Rings. By then I was reading Conan Doyle and Dorothy Dunnett. Our house was full of books which made it easy. Books were marketed at a specific age group with little cross-over, which even then didn’t make sense to me; I remember rediscovering Winnie-the-Pooh at university! There are fabulous children’s/YA books that more rightfully belong to ‘any age group,’ but we still live with a Victorian legacy that clearly demarks the end of childhood. But why should we leave our childlike wonder for life, our joy and enthusiasm behind just because we are adults? I’ve found reading children/young adult books provide a simpler sense of fulfilment and comfort that adult books, no matter how wonderful, can.

You reference OneKind in the new book, Flight to Dragon Isle. Do you think that young people need to better understand the idea that humankind and animalkind are really onekind, from an early age, or do you think this understanding is already inherent in children and to be encouraged?

I believe that children have an inherent and intuitive empathy with animals, but I also believe it that needs to be cherished and nurtured through example and education. Until recently we didn’t openly recognise or explore this human/animal bond, although it is embedded in mythology, legend and history worldwide irrespective of culture. Perhaps it is because childlike emotion is in many ways kindred to animal emotion. It is a natural kinship that captures and captivates us as children, and as adults can draw out the deepest and best in us. Sadly, that empathy can swiftly be discarded, that forever bond broken by human ignorance and cruelty. We are fighting both the loadstone of tradition passed from generation to generation, and the fact that millions of us will never come into contact with animals during our lifetime; which is why we need animal charities like OneKind to encourage us to cherish and explore this innate bond that can give us so much.

Where next for the Dragonsdome Chronicles and do you think we may see a movie or TV adaptation one day?

When I’m writing I visualise the story in my head. Since I was a child I have had an over-active imagination, which as an author/illustrator I am not only free to explore, but earn my living from. How lucky is that? I can imagine an Imperial Black dropping out of the dark sky, purple flame lighting up the battlefield, so it would be wonderful to have that made a reality in a movie!

Many thanks to Lucinda for answering our questions.

Blog tour guest post (A Little Sun Shy): How much is that dragon in the window?

2011-08-29T16:46:00.000+01:00

Well yes, a dragon is all of these things. But...like other pets there is a less glamorous side to pet ownership. Root will tell you it's a lot of hard work too, and the larger the animal the harder the work. There is feeding, handling, grooming, exercise and visits to the vet. Those scale mites don't just make your dragon's life miserable, they can bite you too! Owning an animal like a dragon is going to be expensive. Have you been saving your pocket money?

So imagine. You've arrived home this evening from a hard day at school. Exams are coming up. Your favourite TV series is on tonight but you have a ton of homework for tomorrow, including that history project that you've been avoiding. Winter is coming in and it's cold, dark and very wet outside. But your windyglen widdershanks mare is only a yearling and she needs lots of exercise, and the roost will need mucked out tonight, you avoided it yesterday. So it's out with the shovel and cart. Mucking out dragon dung is no joke. There is a lot of it so you need big muscles! The bigger the dragon the bigger...well you get the picture, and you never thought of that when you bought her did you? She looked so small and cute in that window but she is going to get bigger yet. That done you get saddle and bridle out and tack up. On with the waterproofs and out into the winter sky.

Well...that's the reality of pet ownership. It may be glamorous, fun and exciting most of the time. But, a lot of responsibility goes with pet ownership, so when you are out shopping and you see that cute baby dragon in the window...have a good long think about it and go and talk to someone first - like Root, who knows what it's all about.

The second in what looks to be a wildly successful fantasy series - Flight to Dragon Isle review

2011-08-28T15:22:00.000+01:00

Without doubt one of the best books I've read this year, the second in what looks to be a wildly successful fantasy series. 12 year old Quenelda is the daughter of Earl Rufus DeWinter, Dragon Lord and commander of the Stealth Dragon Services. Quenelda should be going to Grimalkin's College for Young Ladies and learning to curtsey properly, but instead she harbours an ambition to attend the Dragon Isle Battle Academy, because Quenelda is a Dragon Whisperer; she can communicate with dragons through telepathy and her dreams.

There is an ongoing war against the hobgoblins. Word comes of the defeat of the hobgoblin leader; a decisive strike could lead to victory. However, there is treacherous use of Maelstrom Magic, and the SDS and dragons are smashed. Quenelda's father is missing, presumed killed and the perpetrator of the treachery takes over as Lord Protector of the Seven Seas Kingdom. Can Quenelda and Root, her squire, survive the dangerous journey to prevent further tragedy?Highly recommended to 9+, particularly for fans of Harry Potter and other fantasy series.

Alison rated it 5*****

goodreads

Snatched up by everyone in the house...

2011-08-27T11:01:00.000+01:00

The long awaited 2nd book of The Dragonsdome Chronicles dropped through our letter box a week or so ago and has been snatched up by everyone in the house, adults and children alike. Flight to Dragon Island continues to develop the characters we met in The Dragon Whisperer and canters along at an exciting pace throughout. The story is engrossing and the characters fascinating and very believable. There is real excitement and emotion, I don't want to give anything away, but I did cry. Thoroughly recommend this for all ages.

Colette Pemberton

Downloadable Map of the Sorcerers Glen where all the action in Flight to Dragon Isle takes place!

2011-08-25T18:43:00.012+01:00

Click the following link to download this map of the Sorcerers Glen in pdf format and to print out your own copy! Follow the action in Flight to Dragon Isle, which begins in Dragonsdome on the Black Isle then moves to Dragon Isle, fortress island of the Stealth Dragon Services. Crannock Castle, where the Winter Joust in The Dragon Whisperer is held rises up on the cliffs of the south side of the sea loch.

Map of the Sorcerers Glen

This is without doubt one of the best books I have read all year

2011-08-25T00:34:00.003+01:00

Summary: A thrilling adventure in a wonderful fantasy world. Quenelda's father and his army have been betrayed by the treacherous use of Maelstrom Magic. Can Quenelda, and her squire Root, harness her powers to save the Seven Sea Kingdom, and her beloved dragons?

Full 5 star review

Reviewer: Ali Baker

The Bookbag: a book review site, featuring books from all the many walks of literary life.

Special font designed for The Dragonsdome Chronicles

2011-08-23T13:45:00.000+01:00

Review: So captivated by it that I couldn't put it down!

2011-08-21T13:35:00.002+01:00

When I started 'Flight to Dragon Isle' last night I became so captivated by it that I couldn't put it down. The story was told very well and I could feel the emotions of the characters coming off the page. I really liked the book and the small change in Lady Armelia made me think that she could be an important character in the future.

I think my favourite part of the book was when Quenelda named <> and I think that the Sabretooth fledgling has a destiny.

I also found that at certain bits of the book, I could predict something that was revealed later <> but there were so many plot twists that there was plenty to surprise me.

Overall, I think this book is better than 'The Dragon Whisperer' because it is written with such feeling that I almost cried at certain parts (the death of Two Gulps, for example). I also think this is an amazing book because the plot keeps you guessing and I cannot wait for the next in the series.

Rachel aged 13 years (with minor edits to take out spoilers!)

Map of the Sorcerers Glen

2011-08-20T11:17:00.002+01:00

Map to go with Flight to Dragon Isle.

Downloadable pdf file to follow...

Flight to Dragon Isle: FREE DELIVERY WORLDWIDE!

2011-08-18T13:30:00.005+01:00

The Book Depository is the UK's largest dedicated online bookseller, offering the largest range of titles in the world , available for dispatch within 48 hours.

OneKind review of Flight to Dragon Isle

2011-08-17T16:49:00.007+01:00

Written for readers of 9-years plus, this epic fantasy novel will capture the hearts and imaginations of ‘children’ of all ages, just as the Harry Potter books did.

Launching straight into action from page one, you are immediately transported into the sapphire sky and the military flight of twenty Imperial Black battledragons taking off from Dragonsdome. Written with all the sensory description and excitement expected from Hare’s writing, it captures your imagination and the story flows quickly and smoothly, carrying you along on a heartfelt and sometimes heart stopping, action packed adventure.

Without giving too much away, what unfolds is a rollercoaster of a story, which sees the thirteen hobgoblin tribes, led by the first hobgoblin Warlord, unite, posing the greatest threat to the Seven Sea Kingdoms. The hero Dragon Lord leads the Stealth Dragon Service (the SDS) into war, but as maelstrom magic and betrayal emerge, treacherous plots unfurl and the battle is lost. Quenelda, the central character, must harness her new powers to help find her Dragon Lord father lost in battle and save her beloved Dragon Isle. But although Quenelda finds her father’s battledragon, has the Dragon Lord himself survived and will it all be too late?

What really makes this book so special are the rich and varied multi-dimensional characters, brought to life by the colourful descriptions and narrative. Weaving in the range of individual and unique dragon characters, the different tribes of hobgoblins, the dwarfs and central people, it is through these characters and in particular Quenelda and her interaction with the dragons that the writer really draws you into this magical world.

Quenelda is able to understand and communicate with the dragons and help them to heal, and it’s clear to see the author’s inherent love and respect for all creatures coming to life through her central character and her moving writing of the relationship between Quenelda and the dragons. Often referred to as a real life animal whisperer alongside being a successful author, Lucinda Hare has made her home a haven to a range of animals that were once sadly abandoned or harmed; now thanks to her dedicated care and compassion over time, they have all become trusting, healthy and happy companions.

I was particularly excited to read Quenelda being described in the book by a dragon not as humankind, nor dragonkind but OneKind. This is the first reference to the term OneKind in the wider context outside of our charity work and is something we hope over time to see more and more of, so that onekind can become increasingly adopted and understood as part of everyday language, closing the divide between people and animals that allows the maltreatment of animals to continue without recourse.

The story includes lots of metaphors throughout which draw lessons about our relationship with animals and how to respect and care for them and does much to teach and inspire the readers about the bonds we share with our animal kin.

A classic tale of the dark forces against the light, with adventure, magic and incredible plots, characters to make you laugh and cry and a subtle inspiring message about our care and kinship for others including those of the four-legged and flying kind, what’s not to love!

OneKind is an animal protection charity reconnecting people and animals to create a better world for all.

Click on books to view excerpt...

2011-08-15T09:54:00.003+01:00

You can now click on Flight to Dragon Isle and The Dragon Whisperer opposite to view the first forty five pages of both. Go 0n, if you haven't read them, turn a page!!