Deborah Cooke-Guest Post

Do You Believe in Magic?

By Deborah Cooke (http://www.deborahcooke.com)

One of the common ingredients in a paranormal or fantasy romance is some measure of magic. There’s magic in the attraction between the hero and heroine in any romance, but paranormal romance offers more.

In my Dragonfire series of paranormal romances, the heroes are dragon shape shifters called the Pyr. They don’t think of this ability as magical – and neither do I – but as physiological. They have the ability to change physical form. They don’t recite a charm or a spell. They simply will themselves to change shape, much as we might will ourselves to take a deep breath. In dragon form, they have additional powers – keener senses and the ability to breathe fire being two big ones – but again, this is part of their physiology. This ability is passed genetically, from father to son, and manifests almost exclusively in males. While the Pyr have the ability to beguile humans, this is akin to hypnosis and is a skill that can be learned. Eric, the leader of the Pyr, knows that there was old dragon magic, but the knowledge has been lost – there were centuries when the dragons were hunted almost to extinction and scattered, and in that time, lore was forgotten or lost with those who died.

That said, there are several of the Pyr who do have more magical powers. The Wyvern – the only female Pyr, and there is only one at any given time – can see past, present and future simultaneously. She can have prophetic dreams, can spontaneously manifest elsewhere, and can also shift to other forms – like a salamander – addition to being a dragon or a woman. The Sleeper, Marco, seems to have some old magical power – or is it a biological link to the spark that resides in the darkfire crystals? We’re not sure just yet what Marco can do.

Those evil dragon shifters (the Slayers) who drank the Dragon’s Blood Elixir gained additional powers, similar to those of the Wyvern. Again, the manifestation of these powers was more like a physiological change than an ability to invoke magic. One of these Slayers has ancient magic at the tips of his talons, though. Chen is older than old and he alone remembers the old dragon magic. He tries to use his magical powers to gain ascendancy, and in EMBER’S KISS, Chen has targeted the hero, Brandon, to be his next victim.

Brandon is a Pyr who knows even less about his nature, his powers, and the lore of his kind than the other Pyr. This is a deliberate choice on his part, because he’s estranged from his father. He knows his father is a dragon shifter but doesn’t want to have anything in common with the man who was responsible for breaking his mother’s heart. Brandon has been pushing that side of his nature away, but of course, one’s true nature can’t be denied. We meet him when the dragon within gains new strength and he is desperate to exterminate it, at any price. Brandon doesn’t realize that his dragon has been gaining power because he’s being manipulated by Chen.

When I began to write Brandon’s story, I was excited to see Chen making a move at the worst possible time for Brandon. I loved how Brandon was on the cusp of success – he’s a surfer trying to go pro, on the eve of the competition that can give him his chance – and needed to choose. But Brandon’s refusal to be a dragon shifter created a problem. Chen’s ancient dragon magic needed to be challenged, and fire is best fought with fire. Usually that would be done by the dragon shifter hero, but without Brandon knowing anything about his own abilities, and without Brandon having any intention of getting in touch with his father – the only dragon shifter he knows – it looked like Chen would win the day, triumph over Brandon, and enslave the young Pyr forever.

We couldn’t have that, could we?

I’d met Liz, the heroine of EMBER’S KISS, already and I liked her a lot. I also knew that she was holding out on me. I knew she had a secret, just as Brandon knew there was more to her than met the eye, but she wasn’t confessing anything to either of us. It was only when Brandon was in peril that Liz got mad, stepped up and showed us what she could do. I’ll let you find out in the book what Liz can do, but it’s more like traditional magic than anything the Pyr routinely do. It is, in fact, a lot like the ceremonial magic that Chen does. In hindsight, the fact that Liz has paranormal powers makes perfect sense – someone has to understand magic in order to defeat Chen and it wasn’t going to be Brandon or even any of the other Pyr. So, here we have Liz, the first heroine in the Dragonfire series with paranormal powers of her own. I really enjoy how Liz’s powers not only help Brandon to defeat Chen, but also that the two of them have similar issues with their inherited abilities. It gives them common ground, and once they conquer the obstacles before them, it gives them a solid footing to their relationship. I think their union is going to be a powerful one.

It was fun writing a heroine with paranormal powers of her own, which makes me think there might be a few more of them in waiting for my dragon guys.

Do you like paranormal romances in which both protagonists have paranormal powers? Or do you prefer when one has powers while the other is “normal”?

DRAGONFIRE series by Deborah Cooke

KISS OF FIRE (Dragonfire #1)

One kiss can change the course of destiny…

For millennia, the shape-shifting dragon warriors known as the Pyr have commanded the four elements and guarded the earth’s treasures. But now the final reckoning between the Pyr, who count humans among the earth’s treasures, and the Slayers, who would eradicate both humans and the Pyr who protect them, is about to begin… When Sara Keegan decides to settle down and run her quirky aunt’s New Age bookstore, she’s not looking for adventure. She doesn’t believe in fate or the magic of the tarot-but when she’s saved from a vicious attack by a man who has the ability to turn into a fire-breathing dragon, she questions whether she’s losing her mind-or about to lose her heart… Quinn Tyrrell has long been distrustful of his fellow Pyr and a self-reliant loner. So when he feels the firestorm that signals his destined mate, he’s determined to protect and possess Sara, regardless of the cost to himself. Then Sara’s true destiny is revealed-and Quinn realizes he must risk everything- even Sara’s love-to fulfill their entwined fates…

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One act of passion can save the world…

KISS OF FURY (Dragonfire #2)

Scientist Alexandra Madison was on the verge of unveiling an invention that would change the world. Then her partner was murdered, their lab was burned, and their prototype was destroyed. While Alex is in the hospital recovering from burns suffered in the fire, recurring dragon-haunted nightmares threaten to land her in the psychiatric ward, but she knows she has to escape to her lab to rebuild the Green Machine.

Handsome, daring, and impulsive, Donovan Shea is more than willing to do his part in the Pyr/Slayer war. Assigned to protect Alex, Donovan is shocked when her presence ignites his firestorm. He has no desire for a destined mate, but Alex’s intelligence and determination inspire him to join the fight to save her invention. With the Slayers closing in, Donovan knows he would surrender his life for Alex…and lose his heart to possess her.

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One foretold love deserves a second chance…

KISS OF FATE (Dragonfire #3)

Haunted by dreams of a lover who takes the form of a mythical dragon, Eileen Grosvenor searches for the truth. She never expects to find a real dragon shape shifter, let alone one who awakens her passion and ignites memories of her own forgotten past.

Erik Sorensson is focused on leading the Pyr to triumph over theSlayers, even if it costs him his life. When an ancient relic that can turn the tide of the battle reveals itself, Erik knows he has to retrieve it from Eileen’s possession. But when he tries to do so, he’s shocked by an incredible firestorm that compels him to confront the truth about Eileen’s identity. Her presence reminds him of mistakes he’s determined not to repeat, and Erik is forced to make a choice: duty or love.

Only by unlocking the secrets of the past can Erik and Eileen fulfill the final prophecy of the Pyr. Can they face their deepest fears and claim their destined love in time to defeat the Slayers?

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A kiss can melt the coldest heart…

WINTER KISS (Dragonfire #4)

The mysterious Dragon’s Blood Elixir gives immortality to Magnus, the Pyr’s greatest enemy, and his minions. The Pyr must destroy this source of power, and outcast Delaney vows to complete the quest himself. Delaney was exiled because of his dangerous impulses, and success in eliminating the Elixir will either redeem him or end his suffering.

But his plans don’t take into account his sudden firestorm – or fiery Ginger Sinclair. The firestorm revitalizes Delaney, restoring him to his old self. And when Ginger learns about Delaney’s mission, she realizes she cannot resist a strong man with a noble agenda.

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One man’s mission ignites one woman’s fire…

WHISPER KISS (Dragonfire #5)

Niall Talbot has volunteered to hunt down and destroy all the remaining shadow dragons – who were weakened by the destruction of the Dragon’s Blood Elixir – before they can wreak more havoc. Among them is his dead twin brother, making Niall’s mission not only dangerous but personal.

Tattoo artist Rox believes the world is a canvas to be made more beautiful. An unconventional spirit who isn’t afraid of anything, she doesn’t even flinch when a shape-shifting dragon warrior suddenly appears on her doorstep. And as a woman who follows her heart in matters of passion, she makes the perfect mate for a firestorm with Niall…

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For one woman, he will risk more than his life…

DARKFIRE KISS (Dragonfire #6)

Rafferty Powell has exchanged challenge coins with his arch-nemesis Magnus Montmorency, and their next battle will be their last. But Rafferty never expected to meet a woman whose desire for Magnus’ downfall matches his own—and whose presence sparks Rafferty’s long-awaited firestorm.

Since facing her own mortality, investigative reporter Melissa Smith has resolved to live without fear. She’s determined to make the seemingly untouchable Magnus pay for his role in ending her friend’s life – no matter the price to herself.

When her quest entwines with Rafferty’s, Melissa finds herself risking more than she ever thought possible. Because the heat between them unleashes the darkfire—an awesome force of Pyrlegend, one that won’t be sated until everything they know has been tested and remade.

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He’s lost all hope…until she changes everything.

FLASHFIRE (Dragonfire #7)

Master illusionist Lorenzo wants nothing to do with the Pyr. His dragon nature is just another secret to hide and another detail to juggle, like ensuring that each of his Las Vegas magic shows is a true spectacle. Until he feels the burn of his firestorm and his whole world shifts….

Cassie Redmond is tired of photographing celebrities. She wants to pursue her dream of serious photography—despite the lucrative offer for a shot of a dragon shifter. Las Vegas is the last place she wants to be, but Lorenzo arouses more than her curiosity when he shifts shape as the finale of his show. Instead of forcing him to reveal his secrets, Cassie gets swept away by this illusionist’s masterful touch.

Lorenzo wants to satisfy the firestorm and put it behind him. But Cassie is hard to forget—and he can’t ignore the danger whenSlayers target the mate Lorenzo didn’t believe he wanted…

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Only one woman can persuade him to embrace his powers.

EMBER’S KISS (Dragonfire #8)

Brandon Merrick is determined to banish his shifter nature forever. The charismatic tattooed surfer is on the cusp of the ultimate challenge – to prove himself on the whitecaps of Hawaii and secure his future as a pro surfer. But his dragon isn’t prepared to be tamed so easily…

One look at marine biologist Liz Barrett ignites the spark of the firestorm: Liz is his destined mate and his chance for happiness. While Brandon sees their first night together as just the beginning, his dragon seizes the upper hand. Awakening in the company of a raging dragon challenges Liz’s ability to believe her own eyes. Can Brandon accept his inner beast in time to make it work with Liz?

Neither one realizes that Brandon is caught in an ancient Slayer’s scheme to enslave him. When the deadly plot ignites, the very island will be at risk…and Brandon and his mate could be the ultimate sacrifice.

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Deborah Cooke’s Blog Tour for Ember’s Kiss

Tour runs from September 24 – October 10. 2012

9/24 – RCJReZine Blog – http://rcjrezineblog.blogspot.com/ 

9/25 – Vampires, Werewolves & Fairies Oh My – http://vampireswerewolvesfairiesohmy.blogspot.com/ 

9/26 – Books-n-Kisses – http://www.books-n-kisses.com/ 

9/26 – The Reading Café – – http://thereadingcafe.com/ 

9/27 – All The Fun Starts After Dark – http://allthefunstartsafterdark.blogspot.com/ 

9/28 – Riverina Romantics – http://riverinaromantics.blogspot.com/ 

9/29 – Reading Between The Wines – http://readingbetweenthewinesbookclub.blogspot.com/ 

9/30 – Book Lovin’ Mamas – http://booklovinmamas.blogspot.com// 

10/1 – My Keeper Shelf – http://mykeepershelf.blogspot.com/ 

10/2 – United By Books (Interview) – http://unitedbybooks.blogspot.com/ 

10/3 – Under The Covers (Interview) – http://underthecoversbookblog.blogspot.ca

10/4 – Book Monster  – http://bookmonsterreviews.blogspot.com/

10/4 – Literal Addiction – http://www.literaladdiction.com/ 

10/5 – The Book Nympho – http://thebooknympho.blogspot.com/ 

10/6 – Book Reader Addicts – http://bookreaderaddictsgiveaways.blogspot.com/ 

10/7 – Cocktails & Books – http://www.cocktailsandbooks.com/ 

10/8 – Paranormal Haven – – http://www.paranormalhaven.com/ 

10/9 – Grave Tells – http://gravetells.com/ 

10/10 – I Smell Sheep – http://www.ismellsheep.com/

 

EMBER’S KISS Blog Tour Giveaway

1.  Deborah will be giving away ONE paperback copy of EMBER’S KISS for each blog stop – and THE READING CAFE is on the blog tour.  The copy will be coming straight from the publisher.

2.  US and Canada winners only.

3.  To enter the giveaway for a copy of EMBER’S KISS, please tell us which dragon is your favorite.

4.  Giveaway runs from September 26-October 10, 2012

5.  GRAND PRIZE:

There is a Grand Prize drawing of an autographed set of the DRAGONFIRE series, (that’s all 8 Dragonfire novels) over on Deborah’s blog.

To enter the GRAND PRIZE giveaway click the link:  Deborah Cooke’s Website