Iron Tears

By Billy Wong

Action-packed fantasy adventure with a powerhouse female epic warrior in the spirit of Achilles or Beowulf.

The continuing saga of a warrior whose army-slaying sword belies her kind heart.

Famed warrior Rose receives a request for aid from Count Brandon, who uses the ogre attacks in his territory as an excuse to get her close intending to woo her. Unknown to him, her husband Finn secretly comes along to help. But the monster problem turns out more serious than any of them expect, especially when they must also protect a pair of much less experienced friends. Can the three mightiest warriors of their nation work together in their strained relationship long enough to save their land?

A full length novel. Fourth in the Iron Flower series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Billy Wong
• Release date: Jul 5, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301111053

Billy Wong

Billy Wong is an avid fan of heroic fantasy, with a special love for strong female warriors. He draws inspiration from the epic legends of old, and is on a quest to bring over the top deeds and larger than life heroes back to prominence in today's literary world.Billy lives in Coney Island, Brooklyn and as one can see from the picture, works as a ninja.A Chinese ninja.

Book preview

Iron Tears

by Billy Wong

Smashwords edition

Iron Tears Copyright © 2013 Billy Wong

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission of the Author. Your support of author’s rights is appreciated.

All characters in this compilation are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

If you would like to be notified of my next release, please sign up for my mailing list!

http://eepurl.com/sno3f

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Credits and author page

Sample of Iron Champion

Chapter 1

As the last ogre charged, Count Brandon parried its club and chopped into its neck with his greatsword, felling it in a spray of blood. That was it, then. They'd won the battle and again saved Resnick from, well, one band of ugly brutes. One of many, unfortunately. It annoyed him that he'd actually had to live up to his role as guardian of his people, and not been able to enjoy travel in the past few months at all. Always ogres this, ogres that... what a bore.

At times, he had a mind to seek out where these things came from and kill them all right there, so he wouldn't have to deal with them on a constant basis anymore. But not only was he too lazy to get around to doing it, the thought of facing an army of them scared him a little though he was loath to admit it.

He walked over now to the head of his guard, Clarence. Did you find anything valuable among these creatures' belongings?

Just junk and their weapons, the older man said. Nothing but a bunch of hairy savages.

As expected. Burn the bodies and let's go. I don't want to miss dinner.

His soldiers began to pile up the corpses, but suddenly a thick rain of ogre javelins flew from the trees, downing nearly a third of them. A pang of sorrow squeezed Brandon's heart as he saw his longtime friend Clarence dead beside him, a long spear protruding from his throat. Angrily, he picked another spear off the ground and threw it back in the direction from which it'd came, then charged the new pack of ogres which had appeared to attack his band. He yelled for his men to join him, only to be disappointed by the number of soldiers who followed. Realizing how many ogres stood against him, he knew he was in for a bad day.

His sword sheared away a huge leg, and a monster fell dying in the mud. Another slash severed a spine, and a stab pierced a screaming ogre's heart. But Brandon knew his men could not be doing as well. He glanced back to see them quickly being overwhelmed by the much greater strength and size of their foes. He rushed to aid them, taking ogres occupied with other men by surprise and killing monster after monster from behind. Then a club like a tree trunk came at him from the side. He sprang away, only to be hit and knocked down anyway by another.

The first monster raised its club to finish him, but he struck first, buried his sword in its lower belly and gutted it. Ribs aching, he climbed to his feet to chop off an ogre's arm at the shoulder. Snatching up the giant's dropped spear, he hurled it through the face of the one that'd hit him. Brandon looked again at his faltering men, and finally called for retreat before cleaving the skull of an oncoming opponent. He scrambled to protect his men's backs as they fled, taking a heavy toll on the enemy before he joined them in flight. While he ran across the blood-drenched earth, an image of ogres eating the flesh of his dead soldiers flashed through his mind and brought a shiver to his powerful body. For once, he might actually need help. Luckily, he knew just who to turn to.

#

The climb proved a little harder than she expected, and Rose joked to herself that she was getting weak in her old age. It'd been little more than half a year since her twenty-second birthday, but after everything that'd happened in the last few years, she felt even more than usual like she had already experienced more than most people ever did. She'd found love, helped bring spellcasting back to the world, suffered her father's death, gained and lost friends, gotten married, given birth, and separated from and reunited with her husband several times. She had also fought in two wars and defeated the best warriors of two nations, an archmage, and a mythical monster from ancient times, not to mention won the kingdom's biggest fighting tournament. So much sorrow, and yet so much joy—what a life! Years really were only one way to age.

Of course, it was really the strong wind and driving rain blowing into her eyes, and water covering the slippery surface, which made the big woman's progress up eight hundred steep feet of rock to the mountainside cave more difficult than normal. That, and maybe the extra thirty or so pounds she still hadn't lost yet after pregnancy. Finally she reached the opening, and threw herself—full armor, pack, and all—into the shelter of the cave. Shaking excess water off her soaked mane of wavy black hair, she strode forward anxiously. After all this time so alone, what would his mental state be like?

She walked down the familiar tunnels of the cavern, until she found her husband reclining as he did in his chamber. Seeing he was awake, but apparently daydreaming again, she yelled, Finn! Aren't you going to give a warm welcome to your loving wife?

Whoa, the green dragon named Finn marveled, you climbed all the way up here in this storm, carrying all that?! I bet you didn't even use climbing gear, did you?

He'd transformed himself into this, this thing, out of an obsessive desire to gain magical knowledge, and now he was stuck, unable to regain his humanity even after sacrificing his spellcasting ability in an attempt to do so. Trapped in a prison of armored scales, locked away from the man's life he wanted back. Despite her love for him, she shuddered a little at the sight of his condition, but quickly restrained herself.

Do I ever? she proudly replied as her scarred lips curled up in a huge smile. So how are you holding up, my love?

I'm decent, Finn stated flatly in her mind, his voice needing no sound to reach her.

Have you found anything that might help lead us to a way to change you back? She doubted they'd be so lucky.

No, sad to say. All I've found in these mountains are some really strange animals. I'm too big to explore most places made by humans, anyway. What about you?

I'm sorry, Finn.

He couldn't hide his disappointed tone as he said, It's alright. I expected it.

I do have some good news, though it doesn't have to do with becoming human again. The Center for Magical Study is doing really well. Even though you aren't there anymore, the researchers are making great progress. Some of them are almost as advanced mages by now, as you were after a month of studying the original cursed spellbook you used. Granted they have been studying for over a year, but you did have the magically given advantage.

A lot of good that did me in the end. For faster learning, I got to lose my humanity, and you in the process. How have you personally been doing in your studies?

Don't worry, you haven't lost me. I'm still yours, in soul and body. I've been doing okay. I haven't learned anything I'd rather use than my sword, but then, nobody besides you has achieved proficiency in combat spells yet. It's hard for me, after all the evil magic I've faced. As for your humanity, we'll never give up on that, will we?

I couldn't go on if I gave up. So you're right, we've just got to keep looking. But enough of such a depressing subject, how are the youngsters doing?

He meant their friends Julie and Derrick, though the latter wasn't much younger than Rose, who had fallen in love over the last half a year or so. They're having a bit of trouble. All because Derrick hasn't really gotten over the idea of his girl adventuring with me, and wants her to stay home with him, though he nevers say it out loud.

Finn laughed. Derrick the scholar acting the same way I used to?

It's much different, actually. You used to be threatened by my greater prowess as a warrior, while Derrick's just afraid for her safety. I can really understand that.

And you're still letting her tag along?

Don't worry, I'm doing all I can to protect her—I've made it clear that when we get into a fight, she should stick to using her bow if at all possible for now. So far we've only seen combat together once, though it was a rough one—we took on a giant beetle that shot liquid fire out of its rear, whose shell wasn't much affected by her little arrows.

Let me guess, same one I fought before, but couldn't get? So what'd you do?

A grin spread across her round face. Told her to hide and took care of business myself, of course. But I hit it a bit too hard and, well, its fire spilled all over me.

Ouch, Finn said with a wince. You okay?

Rose waved dismissively. I'm here, right? It hurt like hell, true, but you know the worst part? Julie ran up to me and tried to wipe the stuff off with her hands! Good thing I stopped her—Derrick would've surely thrown a fit.

That's tough. It's like you're worse off with her help, than without. Maybe you should just tell her off before she gets you killed.

No, she'd be devastated. Besides, she does seem to have some potential. And, she wondered if selfish motives of her own didn't play some part. Come on, I'm not going to get killed. If push comes to shove, I'll just use her as a human shield.

You wouldn't do that.

She laughed. No, I wouldn't. I'd more likely shield her with my body, like the time I did for Derrick, and get some nice new scars. Besides, I do have an actual shield.

Does anyone know how to enchant items yet? Finn asked, inspired by her mention of her shield.

No, nobody can do it yet, though I wish somebody would learn. It'd help a lot to have some magical armor for sure, considering how many blades have managed to reach my flesh even through my three layers of armor. Still, I do have your gift to me, and that beauty's a great help in killing things.

I did use up all my power to make it, Finn said proudly, but with a hint of regret. He'd hoped to become human again by putting all his magic into Rose's new sword, but it hadn't quite worked, only his spellcasting power going into the blade while the energies that made up his draconic body remained. The weapon itself hadn't come out quite as powerful as he intended, much of the energy put into its creation siphoned away by the legendary monster called the Spelldrinker to revive itself one last time.

It's still better than any weapon I've seen before. Though after the fight with the Spelldrinker, I was wishing it had a healing power too! Rose cringed as she remembered the deathly agony she'd suffered that day. She had taken a tremendous amount of punishment, but even against a destroyer of nations her unmatched resilience had allowed her to survive and win. Pushing away the memory of pain, she asked, Do you know anything about the ogre attacks that have been so common recently? We've heard a lot back in Gustrone, but nothing really concrete.

What would you expect me to know? It's not like I hang out with humans nowadays.

His bitter tone annoyed her a bit. I meant if you've noticed anything strange in these remote mountains. It was just a thought that maybe these ogres had a base somewhere people don't normally go, like here. It was a long shot, but you needn't be so edgy about it.

Sorry, Rose. I'm just miserable in this body, that's all. But as for ogres, why such concern? Sure they're savage creatures, but they don't have any order or organization to speak of. They're not such a great threat.

Maybe not to us, but to your average person, they're a lot to deal with. And Finn, they've been making news everywhere. Pretty much everybody I correspond with has mentioned their increased activity, and they live on all different parts of the continent. It worries me that this race of monsters has grown so prolific on such short notice.

So people from every end of the continent are being bothered by the same sort of creatures. That is pretty scary, the dragon admitted.

Yes, it is. So have you seen anything at all?

I have seen a few ogres wandering around. But I didn't pay them much mind, thinking there was nothing important going on. Has anybody captured one of these ogres, maybe to find out what's happening from it?

She frowned. I heard one was captured by Count Brandon's men, but it didn't talk, and died before they could make it.

Ogres aren't known to be good at resisting interrogation, he said suspiciously, though it could just be that it didn't speak our tongue. Have you actually seen these beasts?

I've seen ogres before, but not in recent times. Maybe I'm just having some uncharacteristically good luck.

Maybe they're scared of you, Finn joked. You could try asking people to get a better look at them. They could be a different type than the usual.

Or members of an especially disciplined clan. It might be hard to tell any physical differences, considering few of us are ogre experts.

Maybe we could look for literature on ogres, and use that to spot oddities in these creatures.

His suggestion would have been a good one, except... I haven't been able to find any such literature, that was any good at least. I suppose nobody wanted to bother doing an in-depth study of their race.

Great. He gave a reptilian grin. Let's not worry about it for now then, but just enjoy each other's company like we meant to, okay? Our further adventures can wait.

She smiled happily at him. Yes, let's have some fun. The woman and dragon pleasured each other as they had learned to do anew since his transformation, defying the world with their love. But it didn't comfort her as much as she'd hoped, and she knew things would never be the same while he remained trapped in this awkward form.

#

Derrick looked outside with exasperation at the protesters still shouting their anti-magic slogans as he tried to read. It'd begun over a week ago, when the dirty-looking men came to stand outside the center and yell all day. Rose had tried to drive them away, but nothing short of violence was going to get them to leave, and the gentle warrior hadn't been willing to go that far to stop the peaceful if annoying protest. So they'd put up with the disruption since, but Derrick's aggravation steadily grew. He had tried to talk to the group to see what exactly they wanted and figure out how to resolve the issue, but the men brushed him off, some of them with simple aggression, other more civil members with the excuse their leader wasn't here.

To the young scholar's relief, he saw a newcomer he hoped to be the leader, a handsome, brown-robed man with delicate features and long blond hair whose arrival seemed to inspire the others to grow even louder. Stopping by his room to quickly comb his hair and straighten his clothes, Derrick hurried outside. Opening the door, he saw the man was not as tall as he'd first thought, but had only seemed that way due to his slender build, being in reality about Rose's height of six feet. However, his confident presence made him seem larger.

Derrick couldn't help a nervous quiver of his mouth as he said, Hello, I'm the um, leader of this center. Teacher, administrator, publicist—pretty much everything nowadays, when his friends weren't around. You can call me Professor Gale, or Derrick if you prefer. What should I call you?

Graham, druid of the Earth Mother, the man replied in a surprisingly soft voice. Now Derrick, I assume you want to talk to me about what we want?

Derrick nodded. Yes, come inside. Graham followed him into the tower, and Derrick invited his guest to sit down with him in an empty meeting room. To his chagrin, Graham had brought all his companions inside with him, and the men chattered loudly among themselves, providing a less than ideal environment for negotiation. So, why have you taken up protesting our center?

The druid's lips moved to speak, but one of his companions answered for him, Your magic is hurting the earth! You need to stop it, right now!

Hurting the earth? Derrick asked dubiously. We're all still weak beginning mages here, especially compared to the ancients who once flourished on the same world. So how could we be doing any significant harm to the earth, when we've barely even used spells outside this city?

Graham motioned his overly enthusiastic companion back and said, The way my friend put it was a bit misleading. It's true what you've done so far has little effect on anything. But what we fear is that in the future, when the use of magic becomes widespread, the overuse of spellcasting will begin to disrupt the elemental balance of the world. Did you know that the elements manipulated by what you call magic are not generated from nothing, but drawn from elsewhere in the world?

That was a fundamental rule of magic. Yes, and the language of magic speaks to those elements and calls them to the spellcaster in the way they are desired. What of it? The air around you might get a little colder when you use a fire spell, for example, but it soon returns to its natural state.

You understand the principle of it, and yes, in limited amounts the use of magic is relatively harmless. But imagine that a war was fought with magic, with hundreds of powerful mages on each side, as has occurred in ancient times. Where do you think all that heat would come from? No, it would not all be drawn merely from the surrounding area, though altering the climate of the region drastically could be bad enough. Rather, it would come from a larger area due to magic's tendency to diffuse its side effects, and probably go unnoticed by most. Over time, such minute changes could accumulate to cause massive disruptions in the balance of energies all over the continent, or even the world. We believe that such catastrophes might have been least part of the reason for the downfall of the Old World, and do not wish to see such occur again.

Derrick grew scared, as he knew Graham wanted him to be, at the idea of his work someday leading to disaster. He was also surprised by the druid's understanding of magic, for he himself had never considered its effects on climate. All right, I see your point. We'll warn everyone of these possible risks, and strive to use our newfound powers as responsibly as we can.

Graham shook his head then. You may try with all your will to act responsibly, but how do you know that others, or people in later generations, will approach magic with the same caution? Simple, you do not. So we feel that it would be best you shut this center down now, and destroy the written knowledge of magic you have before it leads the world into another breakdown.

That idea seemed rather impulsive. "You can't destroy knowledge just because it might lead to trouble. It could also lead to great progress, if we use it properly. Just because you don't trust other people to act responsibly, doesn't mean you can deny them a chance. I'd never let anyone study here who I didn't think was a well-meaning person, and always try to instill in everyone the same selectiveness in sharing their knowledge. Yes, a few bad eggs are bound to crop up over time, but those who understand how dangerous the abuse of magic is wouldn't stand by and let them do as they please. We'd have to stop them, one way or another. As for future generations, it's up to previous ones to teach them right and set them on a good path."

Saying that, he thought of the way Rose left her children in his care every time she felt like going on an adventure and sighed. As good a person and hero Rose was, she was no model mom, ever eager to leave home to quest in the name of good. He wondered if she'd drag her kids along with her on her dangerous travels, as she did with Derrick's love Julie, once they got older. Then Graham spoke, and turned Derrick's attention back towards him.

You're right about the responsibility of the good to preserve the world from wickedness. But if not with magic, what would you use to fight those who would abuse it? It's a difficult dilemma, isn't it? I'm sure many of the mages of Old thought they fought for right as well when they contributed to that world's ultimate downfall.

That's all just a theory of yours, which hasn't been proven. You want us to stop this pursuit of knowledge for that? It wouldn't be rational. And you're wrong—there are ways of dealing with magic which don't require magic. Though it's a powerful force, people with enough strength and courage can stand against it. He recalled with a smile all the powerful—overwhelmingly so, in fact—magical beings Rose had defeated, with little help and no magic of her own, in her relatively short life. Whatever else she was, his restless friend was indeed a phenomenal warrior. Besides, if we ever do resort to using magic in battle, we can always make laws to govern and restrict its use. Which their enemies surely wouldn't follow, Derrick admitted to himself.

The handsome druid stood. It's clear my words won't sway you from your destructive path. But I feel our talk has helped nonetheless, that you will at least consider greater caution in your work. Thank you for listening to me, and I hope you can indeed control its ramifications. Farewell. Graham's companions seemed unsatisfied, and continued to yell demands to close down the center. But their leader motioned for them to follow him out and they slowly did so. Then they were gone, and with them the sounds of protest outside, leaving Derrick to ponder the druid's words alone. That is, until Julie came into the room.

Derrick, what happened? the once-chubby redhead, who'd lost weight in her time as Rose's student, asked. He told her everything Graham had said, and she frowned. I agree with you. We shouldn't give up on something just because it could be dangerous to us in the future. I'm sure Rose and Finn would agree too.

Derrick wondered about that, if the couple never regretted their rediscovery of magic after all the emotional anguish they'd gone through as a result. Still, he was sure neither of them would admit now to such regrets. No, they'd want us to go on, if more carefully than they did in the early days. He paused realizing he'd said the early days. Had it really been that long? Well, two years had passed since Finn rediscovered the art of spellcasting—not so long, really, but so much had happened since then... But what will they do? Their leader seemed a peaceful man, but his followers—I'm a bit wary of violence on their part. I heard one of them threw a stone at a researcher, didn't he?

Yes, and if Rose had been here, she'd have found him and scared the violence out of him!

"Yeah, but if Finn were here, he'd have beaten them all up! I really miss traveling with those two."

Weren't the things they used to do with you much more dangerous than Rose's little adventures with me nowadays?

He laughed. Yes, we went to war together and all, but still! In their cheerful company, nothing was really that bad.

You really think so, or is your nostalgia warping your memories?

Probably the latter. Still, I'm getting bored just being here teaching and studying magic. Yes, I'm learning more every day, but it's just not the same as going out there and finding knowledge with your own hands, instead of just reading it in a book in your library. What I miss is the thrill of the chase, I guess.

You're not jealous of me, are you? Julie jokingly asked.

Maybe a little. So where are you going next?

She looked confused for a moment, then slowly grinned. You know Rose doesn't usually plan her trips in advance! Trying to trick me?

No, I wanted to see if it's someplace I'd want to go.

Julie blinked. The center? The kids?

Special holiday and full-time hired babysitter.

Would Rose mind?

Derrick thought about it. "I'm not sure, actually. She trusts me

Reviews for Iron Tears

[ceeceelaws-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

While Rose and Finn struggle to find a spell that will release Finn from his scaly prison, Derrick struggles to run the center on his own. After receiving a cry for help from Count Brandon, the friends must put their personal plans aside to help rid the country of ogres. Since Rose is always itching for a fight, she sets out with Finn and Julie. Worried for the safety of his love, Julie, Derrick joins his comrades in the hopes of protecting her. Alliances form and new enemies are made as the warriors fight to protect Kayland once again from horrible forces.Wong’s imagination obviously knows no bounds, but it’s a benefit! As with his previous novels, this was a fascinating read that kept me intrigued throughout. Character development is strong and the story line was fast paced and creative. Although I was somewhat dumbfounded by a few things, I don’t believe it took away from the story as a whole. Good addition to the Iron Flower series.

[sportzmomof5 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I was given this book in exchange of an honest review.I am yet again awed by this author. He has a way for setting the scene to where you feel like you are watching a movie unfold instead of reading a book. The only downfall of the book is I felt like this would have been better without the characters having so many mundane conversations. I will continue reading books by this author and look forward to many more novels!

[dokfintong · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I received "Iron Bonds" and "Iron Tears" and also "Tales of the Gothic Warrior Omnibus" by Billy Wong through librarything.com. This review is about "Iron Bonds" and "Iron Tears".Someplace along the line some writing teacher said to Billy Wong, "Write as you speak." This is pretty standard advice but there is a corollary that teachers often forget to mention and that is that the voice speaking has to be interesting.Billy Wong's dialogue is awful, banal, trivial and whatever synonyms you can think up for "dull".Then there is the matter of scale. Rose and Finn and their various buddies go off to war and kill other soldiers on the battlefield. OK. That's expected. But what is not expected is that they manage to kill thousands of other warriors in a couple of weeks even if they are sick and wounded – poisoned twice in Rose's case in "Iron Bonds". Give me a break. Even at Thermopylae we do not see such number and there the battle was shaped by the narrow passage through the cliffs. In the TV series "Rome", which was put together by historians, Lucius Vorenus, who benefitted from Roman battle skills, claims 309 warriors killed over the course of 8 years. The number is exact because the war temple requires it. Rose, a human, slays "thousands" which is crazy. She could not possibly kill that many warriors in open battle. Nonsense through and through.I do not find these books interesting.

[sheriawilkinson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Iron Tears (Legend of the Iron Flower, #4) by Billy Wong In this story Rose gets help from Count Brandon, but her husband Finn wonders what the Counts intentions are for Rose. Along with Rose comes her friend Derrick, the scholar and his new lady friend. With inexperienced warriors Rose is still determined to win the battles and to solve her husbands problem. Filled with a lot of action, blood shed, deadly battles, lives lost, and love the plot thickens in the fourth book in the Legend of the Iron Flower series. I look forward to reading book five Iron Champion

[wolffaerie17 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Rose Agen mighty warrior of Kayland is still without her love Finn, who still remains in dragon form, and missing him greatly. Graham claims that the use of magic is destroying Earth Mother and demands that the Center for Magical Learning be closed before more harm is done. Both Derrick and Rose point out that it's their responsibility to teach the next generations the proper use of magic that is in no way harmful to the Earth. Word reaches Rose that ogres are attacking Count Brandon's home. Rose goes to help Count Brandon out. They encounter strange creature that doesn't fight like any creature Rose has battle before. Count Brandon really would like Rose to be his woman and sees Finn's absence as a way into Rose's heart. Will Finn regain his human form or stay a dragon? What will Graham do to stop magic? Will Count Brandon get his wish? Can Rose and company fight this new evil? Your answers await you in Iron Tears.This is my favorite book of the series so far. This book really showcases just how human these characters are and had me questioning myself at times. Iron Tears truly lives up to it's name and thensome. Mr. Wong please please continue writing about The Iron Flower. I don't want to miss any of the adventures and tales. I'm excited to read Iron Champion.

[caroltilson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fights, Fury, Fantasy and Finn This 4th book in the series starts out more of a fantasy type world than the other books. There is a battle with Ogres, and Finn, well Finn is still a dragon, and he does not have the power to change himself back. Rose still loves Finn unconditionally, but can it last? Requests are sent to Rose to fight for the famous Count Brandon, but he wants more from her than her fighting skills. How long will she be able to fight him off, and does she really want to?Rose faces challenge after challenge. Each time she is savagely wounded you have to wonder, will she survive this time? How many of her friends will survive? Nothing comes easy or cheap. Like the other books in this series, fast paced, easy to read. You cannot stop reading, but you do not want the series to end. Finally Book 5 - Iron Champion

[budda1114 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is actually the third book that I have read from Billy Wong. I really enjoy his stories of female warriors. His female protagonists are always strong females that are virtually immortal and full of scars. It is nice to see the heroin as a female.In Iron tears, the female warrior has a twist, she is married and has two babies. She goes out on adventures to help save the kingdom from some wild monsters in this book. It seems that Mother Earth is angry and she is sending out monsters with great abilities.There is a wild situation that includes her husband, Flinn, currently being in a dragon form from magic gone bad. They both are currently on a quest to get him back to his human form. But, he is very useful in the battle against the monsters in a dragon form.I am finding that I really enjoy Billy Wong's writing. He has the strong females who have a sense of justice and help others. They are very selfless and don't worry about their physical attractiveness. They are just good people. The settings all include historical places and Billy Wong is able to write descriptively to bring you into the situation and I can easily imagine the places and the battles.I can definitely suggest and recommend Billy Wong's books and especially this one. I could see these books as being helpful for young females who are having issues with their self esteem, it shows that you can be anything and do anything!

[carmenmaranda · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Well, Rose is as awesome as ever. Must say first couple of pages left me flat. But I pushed on and once Rose was in the story the extra ordunary and outloandish things seem to fit. Thank you Billy. Good Read. carmenmaranda