It's time to let out your inner child and delight it with a fairy tale. Fairy tales were something that as a child I couldn't get enough of. A trip into the land of fantasy where there were kings and queens, witches and wizards, beautiful damsels and handsome knights, and where trouble lurked around every corner. Fairy tales were wonderful because good prevailed and evil always lost in the end, so you could be deliciously scared about what was happening, secure in the knowledge that the hero would prevail in the end. Bob the Dragon Slayer brings this storybook format back to us, and this time, the fairy tale is for the adult. Harry E. Gilleland, Jr. brings his unique sense of humor to us in this fairy tale, and it is a tale that will have you chuckling, chortling, and laughing out loud.

Bob, a peasant lad, is traveling the land just trying to keep himself fed through odd jobs and handouts. He had no hope of glory, and luxury is something he can not even imagine. Until he arrives in a valley where a dragon is terrorizing the people, and the king has declared that whichever knight slays the dragon will have his daughters hand in marriage. Bob, being curious, decides to scope out the problem of the dragon, never dreaming of fighting the dragon himself. But then he meets Stephen, self-proclaimed wizard extraordinaire, who has just graduated from wizarding school. Stephen tells Bob that he will help him slay the dragon and gives him the brother sword to Excalibur, whom Bob had never heard of. Since he is the first to wield the sword it is his duty to name the sword, so Bob names the sword Bruce, because he has always liked that name. Armed with Bruce, Bob goes into battle against the dragon and slays the dragon. When Princess Wendie realizes that she will have to marry the peasant, Bob, she whines to her father that she can not do it. Lawyers get involved and it is determined that Bob is not eligible to win the hand of the princess in marriage, because the terms of the proclamation state "whatever gallant knight slew the dragon", and Bob is merely a peasant.

Bob decides at that point that he will have to become a knight and goes off in search of a damsel in distress to save. When none of the damsels in distress will let him save them because he is not a knight, Bob changes his plan to earning wealth by slaying dragons. In his travels seeking out dragons to slay, Bob meets Lord Wilfred. Lord Wilfred is so relieved that Bob slew the dragon so he didn't have to make the attempt that he brought Bob back to his castle and teaches him to be a knight. After Bob leaves Willie, he rescues Lady Katherine, who is Willie's fiancée and travels with her back to her father's castle. A few more twists in the plot has Bob leading the army put together by Katherine’s father, the Duke of Westmorland, into battle against the King, brandishing Bruce astride his faithful steed, Spot. This story has all of the fairy tale elements present and is delivered in a delectable tongue in cheek manner.

Bob the Dragon Slayer is a very quick read that will leave you smiling at the end. Though written as a fairy tale, this is definitely not a story for children as there are references to Kate's ample cleavage as well as other more adult themed comments which are scattered throughout the text. So, talk to your inner child and let it experience Bob the Dragon Slayer.

To read the full review go to the Lulu Book Review

LK Gardner-Griffie is the Author of Misfit McCabe
Where in the World is Misfit McCabe?

I just recently read the preview of this book and found myself bent double in laughter. Only so far into the story I found myself immediately attatched and wanting more. I definetly enjoyed reading what I did, and although I wish I could buy the book, I am in a position where I am not able to. Best of luck to this splendid, humorous, author!

Either he tells the story in verse or in prose, Harry E. Gilleland Jr. is a master of storytelling. The author who entertains and enlightens us with his poems and storoems in poetry collections like Poetry for the Common Man and Gilleland Poetry, does it again-this time with a short novella, Bob the Dragon Slayer, a read for both children and adults.
No matter our age, we all love to hear a good story, especially when it has the magical power of a fairy-tale-to release our minds from the daily frustrations and worries and allow our thoughts the much needed rest, transporting us to a world we can only reach in our imagination. That-and much more-is what Gilleland offers us in his novella. In Bob the Dragon Slayer the author doesn't create only that magical, fairy-tale of world, but he also sets us on our way to that far-far away place and time through the perfect family get-together setting and the loving voice of a grandparent that takes us along to a magic world-Bob's world-of dragons and kingdoms, princesses and true love, and heroes.
Bob the Dragon Slayer is a story to read. Even more, it is a story to listen to, in a campfire-like setting. The magic of the novella doesn't stay only in the author's gift of storytelling or in the world it paints for us, where the truth always win; the real magic resides in the similarities between the fairy-tale and our contemporary reality. The story of Bob the Dragon Slayer gives us a safe, loving feeling as it gathers us together, as friends and family and loved ones, around the story and storyteller.
While the young readers-or listeners, for that matter-follow Bob's story and his adventures as he fights for freedom and true love, the rest of us may see themselves in one or more of the characters in Bob's story. After all, Bob is a modern name. It can be anybody-the boy next door, the neighbor across the street, the classmate, or the new shy colleague who shares our office.
We all have to struggle with today's dragons in pursue of our goals and dreams. Bob's story-of winning his life's battles while pursuing his dreams and making them reality-can happen to every one of us. All we have to do is take the Dragon Slayer's example and never give up... and that we learn by reading Bob the Dragon Slayer's extraordinary story.

"Bob the Dragon Slayer" will tickle your funny bone and intrige your mind. You will not be dissappointed in reading this wonderful tale of "Bob the Dragon Slayer," as he takes on dragons and rescues damsels. Bob is a harty lad that will keep you smiling as you read each page of his story and endless adventures. This is a must read for anyone young, old or inbetween.



Reviewer:Mrs.Bonnie Florea is a published poet, web columnist and freelance writer of articles on various subjects. She has had two books of poetry published, the first one "Shades of Gray" self-published and the second "Uncovering My Eyes" by a traditional publisher. http://localbizalliance.com/bkflorea/shadesofgray.html

Bob the Dragon Slayer entertains, brings laughs, and is thoroughly enjoyable.

Fun and quick read! Very charming story, well written, and interesting characters. A must have!

Fun and quick read! Very charming story, well written, and interesting characters. A must have!