DRAGON’S KISS (DragonFate #1) by Deborah Cooke-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 10 2019

Her kiss could be his doom…

When dragon-shifter Kristofer feels his firestorm ignite, he eagerly follows its spark to his destined mate. To his surprise, the heat leads him to a Valkyrie intent on claiming his soul. Even so, Kristofer has never met a woman as alluring as the fierce warrior before him. Trusting in the firestorm, he must convince her to fight with him instead of against him.

Trading the life of a dragon shifter for that of her sister Valkyrie is an easy choice for Bree…until she meets Kristofer. Experience taught her that dragons are evil, but in him she sees a bold and noble warrior. Finding his confidence as irresistible as his touch, Bree fears she is being tricked into abandoning her sister. But how can she take Kristofer’s life when his very presence makes her burn with desire?

When they’re compelled to join forces, Kristofer seizes the chance to convince Bree that they’re stronger together. Yet as a sinister plan unfolds, an ancient dragon is roused from his slumber. With danger closing in, can Kristofer convince Bree to surrender her immortality for their forbidden love? Or will Bree’s distrust of dragons prove justified?

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REVIEW:  DRAGON’S KISS is the first full-length instalment in Deborah Cooke’s adult DRAGONFATE paranormal/fantasy / mythological romance series-a spin off from the author’s Dragonfire series. This is dragon shifter Kristofer, and Valkyrie Bree’s story line. DRAGON’S KISS can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading the prequel and introductory novella MAEVE’S BOOK OF BEASTS for backstory.

Told from several third person perspectives including Kristofer and Bree DRAGON’S KISS follows in the aftermath of the Dragon’s Tail War wherein the Pyr defeated the Slayers only to face a new foe in the guise of Maeve, the Dark Queen of the Fae. Maeve believes shifters and vampires, any specie that is half-human, half-mythological creature are abominations, impure creatures, tainted beings, and therefore must be annihilated and destroyed leaving only the Fae and human beings to walk the earth. In order to begin her methodical destruction of the dragons, Maeve ‘kidnaps’ Kara, a Valkyrie, knowing her sister will do anything to save Kara’s life. Enter Bree, aka Sigrdrifa, who will make a deal with Maeve in order to free her sister from the eternal dance with the Fae.

Valkyries believes dragons are the most vilest creatures to have ever walked the earth, and therefore, any survivors must be exterminated, and Maeve will use this knowledge to her advantage by manipulating a firestorm, a call to mate, between Bree and Kristofer, a peridot and gold dragon who has been searching for his firestorm all of his life. But things don’t go according to plan when Maeve demands more from our couple forcing Bree and Kristofer to work together in an effort to save Kara, and dragonkind. Kristofer believes their firestorm is real, and not directed by Magick, and therefore, Bree struggles with their ‘unnatural’ attraction, an attraction that will develop into something more.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including dragons, vampires, Fae, and Valkyrie, as well as the return of several of Deborah’s dragons and characters from the Dragonfire and its’ interconnected series and stories including Rafferty and Melissa, Erik, the leader of the Pyr; Drake, Caleb and Micah . We are introduced to Alasdair, Kade, Theo, Rhys, and Hadrian. With the introduction of the ‘sleeping’ dragon warriors, protected by Eithne, there is the possibility of another spin off series. Rhys’ story is next in Dragon’s Heart.

DRAGON’S KISS is a detailed exposition of information and history connecting Norse mythology with a modern day supernatural world. With the revelation of other paranormal creatures including Valkyrie, vampires, Fae and more, the dragons find themselves no longer the oldest or most powerful beings on the planet but one of many. The enchanting premise is fascinating and intense; the characters are numerous and dynamic; the romance is passionate and seductive. DRAGON’S KISS is an imaginative take of Norse mythology and paranormal romance.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy