International Field Marshall Serrah Gayle has been sent to investigate the suspicious deaths of the dragons on Cambry. Sloughed dragon scales are the chief export of the island and used in a wide array of manufactured products. The dragons’ demise would mean the end of many cheap commodities. Serrah has a secret, though, that has kept her actively seeking cases far away from the dragons. She’s a tamer, a person with the ability to telepathically speak to the beasts.

Darion Archer, head of the hatching grounds at Calusia settlement, is responsible for the dragons’ well-being. Unfortunately, he’s not a tamer, nor are any of his assistants. When he contacts the International Field Marshalls for help, he expects his brother Tavil, an agent, to take the case. The petite Agent Gayle is not on his agenda. Falling head over heels for her really whaps him upside the head.

As the female dragons continue to die, Agent Gayle realizes that all is not as it seems in the tiny settlement. Someone within the community is bent on destroying the beasts. To keep herself and the dragons alive, she’ll have to overcome her fear of her gift and communicate with them.

Kathleen Scott’s dragons in Dragon Tamer are very similar to the dragons found in  Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonriders of Pern series, complete with people riding them and telepathic abilities between beast and human. If you enjoy Ms. McCaffrey’s work, you will also find satisfaction in reading Ms. Scott’s. The attraction between hero and heroine happens in a matter of hours, but as in the case of novellas, the attraction has to happen quickly or the story’s over before the sex begins. Dragon Tamer is an enjoyable, can’t-put-down read.