Firestorm Forever (Dragonfire #11) by Deborah Cooke-a review

FIRESTORM FOREVER (Dragonfire #11) by Deborah Cooke-a review

Firestorm Forever

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 13, 2015

This flame will burn for all time…

Three key firestorms mark the culmination of the Dragon’s Tail Wars, pitting the dragon shifters known as the Pyr against the evil Slayers. The Slayers have struck a blow against mankind, in bringing a pestilence from the ancient world, which is spreading like wildfire through the human world. Sloane Forbes, the Apothecary of the Pyr, knows it is his duty to find the cure, but the solution is elusive, his beautiful neighbor is distracting, and time is running out.

In moving to a remote farm in the California hills, Samantha Wilcox has left her demanding career behind by choice and on principle. It’s too painful to remember her own failures as both mother and physician, and not a point of pride that she fell short of the measure, so she’s determined to start fresh. She’s going to live differently, following her instincts and savoring life’s pleasures—like the hot sex with no commitment offered by her mysterious, sexy neighbor. He’s no more of an herb farmer than she is a tarot card reader, but Samantha is determined to keep their illusions intact—at least until she discovers not that Sloane’s one of the Pyr, the dragon shifters are responsible for the epidemic that stole her son’s life. When the firestorm sparks between these estranged lovers, can Samantha resist its dangerous attraction on principle alone? As Slayers and Pyr gather for the final battle, can Samantha and Sloane work together to save the world and build themselves—and their respective kinds—a future?

••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: FIRESTORM FOREVER is the final (and lengthy) installment in Deborah Cooke’s adult, contemporary Dragonfire paranormal romance series focusing on a group of dragon shifters known as the Pyr. The Pyr are currently at war with the Slayers where only one species of ‘dragon’ will survive the final battle. With the approach of three lunar eclipses the Pyr will see three of their own enter the long awaited ‘firestorm’ revealing their destined mates. While the firestorms burn, the power of the darkfire crystal is all consuming and a portent for life or death.

Told from third person point of view FIRESTORM FOREVER is an ensemble storyline where all of the previous storyline couples play an active role throughout the story and three Pyr will find their fated mates. Sloane, Marco and Drake will each enter their own firestorm, but not before, becoming sexually and romantically involved with his own intended female. As all three females struggle with the reality of dragon shifters, two will be focused on the destruction of the Pyr.

FIRESTORM FOREVER follows the approach to the final battle between the Pyr and the Slayers. Jorge’s control over the remaining Dragon’s Blood Elixir reveals a distasteful but inventive method to remain immortal but in doing so threatens Erik with each and every incarnation.

We get a glimpse into the growing Pyr families; their children, their futures, their undying love for one another. There is also the introduction of another supernatural power whose purpose will be revealed in a spinoff series. The Dragon Legion warriors, Dragon’s Egg discovery and the history between Erik and the Slayers will be addressed in a future series and prequel spinoff. FIRESTORM FORVER is not the end of the Dragons but the beginning of another chapter with Deborah’s Dragon storylines.

FIRESTORM FOREVER is the culmination of eleven novels and several novellas focusing on the history of the dragon shifter; the pledge to protect humans; and his oath never to reveal his true identity. Deborah Cooke’s fascinating world of the Pyr is entertaining, inspiring and intoxicating; the characters are colorful, engaging and intense; the premise animated, wondrous and imaginative. There are moments of heartbreak and sorrow; wonder and power; romance and love. The requisite evil is rarely contained and at times impossible to destroy. The Dragonfire series captured my imagination; the dragons will capture your heart !

Reading Order
Kiss of Fire
Kiss of Fury
Kiss of Fate
Winter Kiss
Harmonia’s Kiss (Novella)
Whisper Kiss
Darkfire Kiss
Flashfire
Ember’s Kiss
Kiss of Danger (Dragon Legion Novella 9.1
Kiss of Darkness (Dragon Legion Novella 9.2)
Kiss of Destiny (Dragon Legion Novella 9.3)
Serpent’s Kiss
Firestorm Forever

Reviewed by Sandy

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Serpent's KissSERPENT’S KISS
(Dragonfire #10)
by Deborah Cooke
Genre: adult, contemporary, paranormal,romance

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 30, 2014

One spark can banish every shadow in his heart.

The dragon shape shifter Thorolf is known for an impressive lineage, raw power in battle, and an impulsive indulgence of his appetites. The last has made him an outcast from his fellow Pyr, and even his hunt for their dangerous opponent, the Slayer Chen, hasn’t helped. Beguiled and weakened by Chen’s ally Viv Jason, Thorolf finds himself drawn into a trap, as bait to lure his fellow Pyr to extinction. The only one to come to his aid is a woman he already knows to be a thief—does he dare to trust her with not just his own life but the survival of his kind?

Chandra is a sorceress who has trained all her life for a battle against evil that she knows will shape the future. She has never wasted time on the pleasures of the physical realm, much less experienced passion—until the firestorm sparks between herself and Thorolf, demanding more from her than she ever expected to give. Will the firestorm provide new power, or be a dangerous distraction that gives Chen the chance to triumph forever?

••••••••••••

REVIEW: SERPENT’S KISS is the tenth instalment in Deborah Cooke’s contemporary, romance Dragonfire paranormal series. The Pyr are shape shifting dragon warriors whose duty it is to protect humankind. The continuing series focuses on a dangerous threat against the Pyr who is determined to destroy the last of the dragons and their mates. This is Thorolf and Chandra’s storyline.

Thorolf has been missing for twenty two months and in all the time no one had considered that perhaps he was in trouble. When Erik, the leader of the Pyr, sent Thorolf away for revealing their existence to humans, no one suspected that Thorolf would walk into a trap that could very well bring about the demise of the dragons on earth. An ancient dragon whose need for power and Dragon’s Blood elixir will target the easy going Thorolf using a seductive female as the bait-one that is not Thorolf’s intended mate.

Deborah Cooke pulls the reader into a storyline that is the beginning of the end. SERPENT’S KISS is the second to last instalment in the Dragonfire series and with it comes the conclusion to a battle that has raged between the Slayers and the Dragons for most of the series and throughout each consecutive instalment. SERPENT’S KISS focuses on the possible demise of the race of dragons; the battle between good and evil; and a mythological storyline about a warrior huntress whose destined mate has been drawn to the dark side without his consent. There are many references to Norse mythology and the interference of the gods in human evolution.

The storyline is slow to build and the relationship between our leading couple takes a back seat to the overall premise. There is very little romance and the attraction between Thorolf and Chandra felt forced-there was the instant attraction of the firestorm but the reality of the situation was more chemical than physical. I did not get the impression that love was in our couple’s future. Chandra continued to push Thorolf away and in the end, Thorolf discovered that Chandra had been lying to him about her true intent.

SERPENT’S KISS is a story about betrayal and family; power and greed. Most of the previous storyline characters play a secondary role throughout the novel. Erik will once again question his ability as the leader of the Pyr but it will take the collective of dragons to save one of their own from himself and Slayer Chen.

I did have one concern and it involves the title and the cover image. Serpent’s Kiss by Thea Harrison/Serpent’s Kiss by Deborah Cooke both involve dragon shifters and both covers use Sam Bond as the cover model. Initially I thought this was a re-release thinking I had previously read the story then realized it was a new release from Deborah Cooke. I am wondering how many other readers had a moment of confusion with the duplicity of the title and image?

Reviewed by Sandy

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The Frost Maiden’s Kiss (True Love Brides #3) by Claire Delacroix-Review and Interview with the Author

The Frost Maiden’s Kiss (True Love Brides #3) by Claire Delacroix-Review and Interview with the Author

The Frost Maiden's Kiss Banner

The Frost Maiden’s Kiss
True Love Brides #3
by Claire Delacroix
Genre: adult, paranormal, historical, romance
Release Date: June 15, 2014

The Frost Maiden's Kiss

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About the book: Release Date June 15, 2014

She enchanted him with a kiss—but winning her love would demand all he possessed.

Disheartened by the challenge of a crumbling legacy, Malcolm left Scotland to earn his fortune as a mercenary. Eight years later, scarred by the realities of war, he returns with a fortune won at too high of a price and a companion even more hardened than he. Lured into the caverns beneath the keep, Malcolm trades his own soul for that of the companion who once saved his life, condemning himself to die in one year. Determined to leave a legacy of merit, Malcolm begins to rebuild the keep of Ravensmuir with all haste—though he has no heir.

After one night’s abuse, Catriona has no faith in the goodness of warriors. In the service of Lady Vivienne, she dreads an unexpected visit to the lady’s brother at Ravensmuir, for he is said to be a mercenary. But Malcolm challenges her expectations with his courtesy, his allure, his determination to save her child—and his unexpected proposal. Knowing it will ensure her child’s safety, Catriona dares to accept Malcolm’s hand. She soon realizes that this stalwart warrior fights a battle of his own, and that she holds the key to saving his soul. But as she descends into the ruins of old Ravensmuir in search of the truth, her own past is in hot pursuit, seeking to destroy all she holds dear—including the knight who has laid claim to her reluctant heart.

••••••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: THE FROST MAIDEN’S KISS is the third instalment in Claire Delacroix’s (aka Deborah Cooke) medieval True Love Brides paranormal romance series. True Love Brides is a spinoff series from Claire’s Jewels of Kinfairlie series. This is Laird Malcolm Lammergeier of Ravensmuir and Catriona’s story. Although this is the third in the series, it can be read as a stand alone without too much difficulty.

As Malcolm returns home following eight years as a hired mercenary, the last thing he expects is to fall in love. He is a man who has destroyed many lives and believes his end is near. But a man needs a wife and an heir, and Catriona is the perfect woman to meet all of his demands. Malcolm owes a debt that must be paid on Mid-Summer’s Eve-a bargain with the Fae, promised with his life-and his new wife must uncover the truth behind the debt that is owed.

There is an immediate attraction between Malcolm and Catriona-one that is tempered by Catriona’s health and recent pregnancy. The romance develops through friendship, respect and their growing love for one another but Catriona’s past seeks revenge along with another band of mercenary’s set on taking the Ravensmuir Keep.

The secondary characters including Malcolm’s extended family and friends are colorful and add some mystery and suspense to the story. The paranormal aspect of the Fae is almost an afterthought to the main story but the Fae are always in the background wreaking havoc, causing mischief with a portent of things to come. A portion of the storyline is told through song and folk lore-a history of tales about the Fae that are a foreshadow of what is to come.

THE FROST MAIDEN’S KISS is a spirited and intimate tale of life, love and loss in the 1400’s; where two people will find their soul mate at a time when both will face a new direction in their lives. Claire Delacroix pulls the reader into a story of romance between a warrior and his maiden; a compelling and captivating tale with a happily ever after.

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Sandy

READING ORDER:

The True Love Bride Series:

1. The Renegade’s Heart
2. The Highlander’s Curse
3. The Frost Maiden’s Heart
4. The Warrior’s Prize

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The Renegade’s Heart
True Love Brides #1
by Claire Delacroix
Genre: adult, paranormal, historical, romance
Release: May 2012

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The Renegade's HeartReleased from the captivity of the Fae, Murdoch Seton wants nothing more than to forget his lost years. Undertaking a quest to recover treasure stolen from his family seems the perfect solution – but Murdoch is not counting upon a curious maiden who holds both the secret to the theft and his sole redemption.

Isabella is outraged to find her brother’s keep besieged by a renegade knight – especially one who is too handsome for his own good or hers. After a single encounter, she becomes convinced that his cause is just and decides to unveil the true thief, never imagining that their single shared kiss has launched a battle for Murdoch’s very soul.

As the treacherous Fae move to claim Murdoch forever, Isabella seeks to heal the knight who has stolen her heart. But will Murdoch allow her to take a risk and endanger herself? Or will he sacrifice himself to ensure Isabella’s future?

••••••••••••••

REVIEW: THE RENEGADE’S HEART is the first instalment in Claire Delacroix’s paranormal True Love Brides historical romance series-a spin off from her Jewels of Kinfairlie series. This is Murdoch Seton and Isabella Lammergeier’s story.

The focus of the storyline finds Murdoch on the hunt for his family’s missing treasure. Murdoch believes the Lammergeier’s –a family of thieves and relic hunters- has reappropriated the treasure for their own coffers. What Murdoch did not expect to find is Isabella Lammergeier who offers to help Murdoch in the search for the missing treasure. Following three years as a captive of the Fae, Murdoch hopes to atone to his family before he must depart forever.

The attraction between Murdoch and Isabella is immediate but Murdoch knows his time is limited. The Queen of the Fae has demanded a payment for his return and Murdoch’s heart is in the hands of the Queen. The one sex scene is intimate, seductive and passionate.

THE RENEGADE’S HEART introduces a number of friends, family and extended family for both the Seton’s and the Lammergeier. Like many spin off series there is a history between the characters but you do not have to have read the previous series to understand the premise. Information from the other series and storylines is imparted where necessary.

Claire Delacroix blends a little bit of the paranormal with historical romance for an entertaining and compelling series. The world building pulls the reader into the 1400’s, medieval landscape of Scottish Highland wilderness and forests dotted with small villages and the people who tend the land.

If you are a fan of historical romance storylines, Claire’s TRUE LOVE BRIDES is a spirited series with mystery and suspense, a little bit of fantasy, and a beautiful setting that will take you away into another time and place.

Reviewed by Sandy

Interview blue:black

TRC: Hi Deborah and welcome back to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the release of THE FROST MAIDEN’S KISS

DeborahCooke_smDeborah: Thank you!

TRC: For anyone who does not know Deborah Cooke aka Claire Delacroix, would you please tell us something about yourself?

Follow: Goodreads/ Website/  Facebook-Deborah/  Facebook-Claire/

Deborah: I’ve been writing romance full time since 1992, when my first medieval romance was published under my pseudonym Claire Delacroix. Since then, I’ve published in a wide variety of sub-genres (medieval, contemporary, time travel, paranormal, fantasy, paranormal young adult and straight fantasy) under three different names, Claire Delacroix, Claire Cross and Deborah Cooke. My first book to land on the New York Times’ list of bestselling books was The Beauty, a medieval romance and part of my Bride Quest series. The Frost Maiden’s Kiss is a medieval romance with fantasy elements, the third book in my True Love Brides series and my 50th published book.

TRC: Who or what influenced your career in writing?

Deborah: I think the greatest influence upon my writing is that I’ve always been an avid reader. Reading has given me a love of stories and a respect for storytelling, so it’s only natural (in a way) that I always wanted to write and publish my own stories. As for my career as a writer, both editors and other writers have been the strongest influences there. That’s mostly because I was first published when it was difficult to correspond directly with readers. One of the really wonderful things about the current connectivity we have in the world is that it’s easy to keep in touch with lots of people, no matter where they live. I’ve built much stronger connections with my readers in recent years, and that’s become a bigger influence on my work.

TRC: When not writing, what do you do to relax?

Deborah: I knit a lot. I also read and work in my garden. Some years – like this one – the weeds win.

The Frost Maiden's KissTRC: THE FROST MAIDEN’S KISS is the latest release in your TRUE LOVE BRIDES medieval romance series written under the pen name Claire Delacroix. Would you please tell us something about the premise?

Deborah: This series is directly linked to my previous medieval series. The Jewels of Kinfairlie. There are eight siblings in that family, and only three had their stories told in that first trilogy. In The Beauty Bride, book #1 of the Jewels of Kinfairlie, the parents of the 8 siblings have died suddenly, leaving the oldest son heir far sooner than expected. Alexander inherits not only a lot of responsibility, but an empty treasury. He needs to see his sisters married quickly, but they aren’t very cooperative – and he doesn’t want to tell them about the finances of the holding. In desperation, and at the suggestion of his unconventional Aunt Rosamunde, he decides to auction the hand of the oldest sister in marriage, ensuring that only bachelors he sees as eligible are invited. The Beauty Bride is Madeline’s book – it’s not really a spoiler to tell you that Rosamunde intervenes and that love does indeed conquer all. The Rose Red Bride is Vivienne’s book, when Alexander tries to do better in arranging his second sister’s marriage. Then both sisters get even with Alexander in The Snow White Bride – he had arranged their marriages, so they arrange one for him. Of course, all three matches work out well.

I always wanted to return to Kinfairlie and tell the stories of the other siblings. I’d heard from readers for years that they wanted to known Elizabeth’s story in particular – she’s the youngest sibling and the one who can see the Fae. Her book, The Warrior’s Prize, will be published in December. Partly because of Elizabeth’s abilities, I’d also to explore the entanglements between the family at Kinfairlie and the Fae. It’s mentioned early in the Jewels of Kinfairlie series that there’s a portal between the realm of the Fae and Kinfairlie. Things are changing in the mortal world, and the idea behind the True Love Brides series is that the portal between the Fae and Kinfairlie can be closed forever if these four siblings marry for true love. The Renegade’s Heart was the first in the series and Isabella’s book, in which she saved Murdoch from the Elphine Queen. The Highlander’s Curse was Annelise’s book and the second in the series, in which Annelise helped Garrett master the curse (or gift) given to him by the Fae. This new release, The Frost Maiden’s Kiss, is Malcolm’s book, and book #3. Malcolm has returned to Ravenmuir, the sister estate of Kinfairlie which is his legacy, after earning his fortune as a mercenary. He’s scarred by what he has done for the coin, and accompanied by a fellow mercenary, Rafael. When Rafael steps into the Fae circle to dance and risks having his soul claimed as the Fae tithe to Hell, Malcolm offers his own soul instead. He has six months before his soul is claimed, in which he is determined to leave a mark for good in the world. He isn’t expecting to meet Catriona, a bold serving woman in the employ of his sister, much less that Catriona will both give him new hope and save him from the price he’s promised to pay. Book #4, coming in December, The Warrior’s Prize, is Elizabeth’s book and is the tale in which Rafael redeems himself (or maybe love redeems him). The eighth sibling, Ross, will have to wait a bit longer for his story to be told!

Both of these series are also connected to my Rogues of Ravensmuir trilogy, although there’s a generation between the two groups of characters. In fact, the Kinfairlie siblings are mentioned in the last scene of The Warrior, which is what started the whole thing.

True Love Brides

TRC: How many books do you have planned for the series?

Deborah: Ah, I just answered that. 🙂 The last sibling, Ross, has been sent to train with his uncle at Inverfyre, though, and that uncle (the Hawk of Inverfyre, whose story is told in The Warrior) has five children with his wife Aileen. I’m thinking that there will be another series following Ross and at least some of those five siblings, set in the Highlands, but am
taking a break from Kinfairlie after The Warrior’s Prize to work on another medieval romance series, one that isn’t linked to anything but itself.

TRC: What challenges or difficulties (research, logistics, background) did you encounter writing this particular story and series?

Deborah: Well, there’s always something, but the answer always appears eventually. Sometimes I just have to think about the story in another way. For example, stories that people tell each other (fairy tales or folk tales) are often a big element in my books. I’m working on The Warrior’s Prize now and was searching for stories that Rafael’s grandmother might have told him while he was growing up in Spain. I have a lot of sources of vernacular stories from Scotland and more medieval ones from France, but without being able to read Spanish, this seemed a bit daunting. I finally remembered, however, that the poem of El Cid was hugely popular in medieval Spain, and of course, that I have a copy of it in translation. This story of a knight who built his fortune as a hired warrior, as well as the multiple choices he had to make in terms of alliance in Spain during the Reconquista, is exactly the kind of story that Rafael would find compelling. Elizabeth finds it somewhat less compelling when he shares it with her 🙂 but then, the telling does reveal a good bit of his character to her.

TRC: Have you considered a novella or spin off for any of the secondary characters?

Deborah: I did write a short story about Rosamunde, the aunt of the siblings who was trapped in the realm of the Fae in The Rose Red Bride. It’s called The Ballad of Rosamunde and appeared in the Mammoth Book of Irish Romance.It’s available on its own in a digital edition, and is bundled into the new trade paperback of The Snow White Bride.

I tend not to write short, so have written few novellas and short stories over the years. There also has been less opportunity to publish shorter works in the romance genre, at least before digital-first. I’ve recently pulled together a number of my previously published shorts in a collection called Beguiled, partly to have them available to readers again. (Some of the original publications were out of print.)

This market does skew hard toward shorter works, though, so that’s something I’m considering for the future.

Dragonfire Series

TRC: The romance and relationship aspect (The Firestorm) of the Dragonfire series appears to have taken a bit of a back seat in the recent storylines. The premise concentrates more on the war with Chen and the return of the ancient Dragons. Was this move away from the romance arc intentional? If so, why?

Deborah: Well, I don’t really see the book that way. Thorolf’s HEA required him to fulfill his destiny. His role in the battle against the Slayers, and his personal dispute with Chen, is part of his character’s development and also part of his firestorm because it keys into his conflict with Chandra. He had to reach for his full potential for his firestorm to succeed.

One of the challenges in writing a long linked series is striking the balance between the next block in the overall story arc of the series and the story of the individual romance in each book. There’s also the balance between keeping the focus on the two main protagonists and allowing the reader to catch up with other continuing characters from the series. Dragonfire was also intended to have a strong overall story arc, following the progress of the Pyr’s final battle with the Slayers, and each book, while a romance was intended to provide the next block in the overall story. As we get to the end of the series, the war needs to come to its resolution. Although I wanted to write a long series (from the outset, Dragonfire was intended to be 10 or 12 books in length – it will be 11) these balances are becoming more tricky as the individual characters and their roles are more developed. So, we need more detail and more story (and more cameos) while keeping the pacing quick. The really challenging part of this is that every reader, writer and editor will strike those balances at different points, because we each have things we want to see happen in the story and favourite characters we want to revisit.

That’s the short answer. Now we’ll have the long one!

When I started to write romance, there was a tremendous amount of diversity in the genre. I believe this is why it was such a vital genre in the 80’s and 90’s. All books make the transition from idea to product as they move through the publishing process, but there was more room for alternative views in those days. In the last ten years, though, market expectations have tightened and the market itself has shrunk. There has become less room for diversity in the structure and writing of books, and as a result, less diversity in the marketplace. For example, by 2005, the vast majority of books in the romance section were either vampire romances or sexy Regencies, told in third person point of view. This was because these two niches had been selling well, so publishers wanted to focus on success. I believe this focus and resulting lack of diversity accelerated the shrinking of the book market – no matter how much any given reader enjoyed either or both of these sub genres, diversity had kept the market vital. When there’s less diversity, the books all start to seem the same.

When KDP launched and authors could publish their books by themselves, there was a big change in the marketplace. The digital market was incredibly vital, right from the outset, and much of that original spurt of growth came from books that authors hadn’t been able to place with traditional publishers. Many of these books were radically different from what had become the norm, in terms of structure, genre (often they were hybrid genre), voice, setting and niche. I believe that the enthusiastic response from readers to these digital releases was a reaction, that readers were excited to again see diversity in the genres they loved. For example, medieval romance was said to be “dead” by 2005 and it was nearly impossible to place works with that setting with traditional publishers, yet in 2011, medieval romance, Scottish romance and Viking romance (two other “dead” categories) were added as new BISAC categories, based on the volume of published titles. I suspect this is primarily due to digital-first publishing.

So, if we look at books as products – because they are – we have to acknowledge that marketing books requires that they be “the same but different”. Readers have expectations of a book, based on the author or the sub genre, and the trick is to satisfy those expectations without the book being predictable or dull. On the continuum between complete predictability and radical innovation, every reader and editor has a comfort point, probably somewhere near the middle. It is typical for publishers to believe that genre fiction readers want more predictability in the books they read, while readers of literary fiction are open to more innovation. This may be true. The thing is that in the past ten years, commercial fiction books have been steadily edged toward the predictable ( or “safe”) end of the continuum, to the point that there is a very firm notion of how stories in sub-genre X should be told.

As a writer, I never want to tell the same story twice. I never want to tell a story the same way as another story I’ve told. I like to mix things up and change things around, to look at romance, love and even firestorms from different angles. I like to give my readers a new adventure each time, albeit with some consistent elements. The interesting thing is that my editors are always excited about these ideas – they make each proposal “fresh” – yet as any given book has moved through the editorial process in the last decade, there has turned out to be no room for those ideas in the established form that the publisher is convinced the book should take. A good example of this was Ember’s Kiss: it was originally intended to feature a double romance, the firestorm between Brandon and Liz, and the firestorm (in the past) between Brandon’s parents. I thought this would be awesome and my editor agreed. The problem was that there was very little room for that in the book and most of the parents’ storyline was cut or never even written in the first place. While I like the book, I also was sad that the original idea never came to fruition. I also finally understood something an editor said to me a long time ago – in 1997, I sold three medieval romances to Dell, and the acquiring editor was the same one who had found my first book manuscript in the slush at Harlequin years before. She left Dell before the first book was delivered there, and it was edited by another editor. I sent the acquiring editor a copy of The Princess when it was subsequently published. She thanked me, but said that she still preferred my original idea for the story. There had been a lot of editorial changes made to the book during the editorial process, but I believed I was learning something about making my book better. I was learning something, to be sure, and I still like that book a lot, but when Ember’s Kiss was published, I more clearly understood what that editor had meant.

And so back to Serpent’s Kiss. I knew that Thorolf’s book would be different, from the moment he stepped on the page. I wanted him to develop more as a character during the books before his own firestorm, but that straying from the romance of those earlier books was not to be because it required making those books “too different”. In the end, I wanted to tell Thorolf’s story the way I saw it, and so I ensured that I was able to do so. Sloane’s book will also differ from the established pattern of Dragonfire, because that’s what is necessary to complete the series. I understand that every time one of the Pyr has to contribute more to the overall mission, some readers think his firestorm is too short, so it is likely that Firestorm Forever will be a longer book. The trick is ensuring that we don’t lose the pacing that characterizes the series so far. There will be multiple firestorms in Firestorm Forever, because that’s what will make that book distinct from the others. The challenge to me is to ensure that readers are satisfied with the balance struck in the book. It is likely that some will not be.

TRC: What are your thoughts on writing a series and ending an instalment with a major cliff hanger?

Deborah: As a reader, I’m not a fan of cliffhangers. I always feel a bit cheated. As a writer, I can appreciate how a cliffhanger increases suspense. I think it’s a technique that is used best in serializations, in which it’s clear to the reader that each instalment is part of a whole and not a complete story in itself. In a way, it’s like comparing an ongoing television series with a movie: in a television series, there are always threads left dangling, and the season often ends with a powerful dramatic hook to ensure that viewer tunes in for the subsequent season. In a way, that cliffhanger is part of their expectation because of the structure of the show. A movie, though, usually ties up all the loose ends in two hours or less, and there’s something very satisfactory about the tidiness of that. You can be in the mood for one or the other, but it’s best to know what you’re getting into ahead of time.

TRC: When writing a storyline, do the characters direct the writing or do you direct the characters?

Deborah: I always start with a plan for the story and a sketch of the characters. It feels quite stiff to me until the characters take a breath and step into the story. There’s a moment when they become fully fleshed and real to me, and that’s often the point at which they change the story to suit themselves. They’re inevitably right about these changes, so I’m always waiting for that moment.

TRC: The mark of a good writer is to pull the reader into the storyline so that they experience the emotions along with the characters. What do you believe a writer must do to make this happen? Where do you believe writers fail in this endeavour?

Deborah: In romance, I think the use of deep point-of-view is key to creating that bond with the reader and putting him or her “in the story”. It’s interesting that many romance readers are resistant to the use of first person POV in a book, as it’s a particularly powerful way to do that, but even in 3rd person, that connection can be made.

TRC: Writer’s Block is a very real phenomenon. How do you handle the pressures and anxiety of writer’s block?

Deborah: I suspect that writer’s block is a choice, albeit one made at a very deep (often subconscious) level. It’s frequently the result of criticism of the author’s work and the doubt that criticism creates. The thing is that if it’s a choice, in some way, the writer can choose differently. That’s not easily done, depending upon the size of the scar responsible, but the rhythm of writing on a regular schedule is a very good antidote to the doubts and excuses that keep authors from writing. I’m a fan of The Artist’s Way, as the exercises there can help a writer (or any creative person) move beyond writer’s block and choose to create again.

TRC:Many authors bounce ideas and information with other authors or friends and family. With whom do you bounce ideas?

Deborah: This probably makes me sound cranky, but I think that writing is a solitary occupation and should be the unique expression of the writer. Making it into a social exchange or a group effort – which can be the result of a critique group – often diminishes the work and takes away what makes it unique, even when critique partners are trying to be helpful. We all see stories in different ways, and our perception of the “the best” way to tell it is very personal. Although critique partners are usually well-intentioned, work that has been through that process is often so polished that the author’s individual voice is hard to discern. I think writers need to start with their own clear vision of the work and the strongest expression of their voice, for better or for worse, so that they can defend their choices in the editorial process. There’s an old post on my blog about this, called Perfume. http://deborahcooke.com/2009/05/11/perfume/

TRC: What three things would you like to accomplish in the next five years?

Deborah: I’d like to work fewer hours – not on the writing, because I love writing every day, but on the administrivia end of things. I always seem to have a huge To Do list, but I’m hoping to pass a threshold in 2015.

I’d like to finish up several hundred odd jobs in my house, which create another huge To Do list. I’m not sure that one will ever be done – it’s the nature of old houses to need something to be redone every 10 or 15 years, so we’ll probably get done in time to start over again.

I’d like to have one day in which there are absolutely no weeds in my garden. (Winter doesn’t count.)

TRC: What is something that few, if any people, know about you?

Deborah: After 20 years of doing author interviews, I doubt there are many secrets left! Hmmm. I like vanilla better than chocolate.

the Warrior's PrizeTRC: On what are you currently working?

Deborah: As mentioned, I’m working on Elizabeth’s book, The Warrior’s Prize, and also outlining Firestorm Forever, which is Sloane’s book and Dragonfire #11. I have a number of other projects in development which will be published in 2015.

TRC: Thank you Deborah for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on all of your success.

Deborah: Thanks so much for inviting me to visit, Sandy, and for the interview! Happy reading!

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Cover Reveals May 8, 2013

Cover Reveals-May 8, 2013

-3

 

TITLE: Theory in Depth

AUTHOR: M.A.Abraham

SERIES: N/A

RELEASE: November 2013

 

 

 

After burn

 

TITLE: Afterburn/Aftershock

AUTHOR: Sylvia Day

SERIES:

RELEASE DATE: November 2013

 

 

 

The Midnight Breed Companion

 

TITLE:  The Midnight Breed Companion

AUTHOR:  Lara Adrian

SERIES:  Midnight Breed

RELEASE DATE:  May/June 2013

 

 

 

 

Obsession May 31 2013

 

TITLE: Obsession (Re-release)

AUTHOR: Jennifer Armentrout

SERIES: Arum

RELEASE DATE: May 2013

 

 

 

The Dragon Legion

 

TITLE: The Dragon Legion Collection

AUTHOR: Deborah Cooke

SERIES: Dragon Legion Novellas/Dragonfire

RELEASE DATE: N/A

 

 

 

DAngerous Seduction Oct 13

 

TITLE: Dangerous Seduction

AUTHOR: Zoe Archer

SERIES: Nemisis, Unlimited

RELEASE DATE: October 2013

 

 

 

What Really Happend Aug 13

 

TITLE: What Really Happened in Peru

AUTHOR: Cassandra Clare

SERIES: Magnus Bane Chronicles/The Mortal Instruments

RELEASE DATE: April 2013 (Series of novellas to be released throughout 2013)

 

 

Countdown Sept 13 YA

 

TITLE: Countdown (ya)

AUTHOR: Michelle Rowan

SERIES: N/A

RELEASE DATE: September 2013

 

 

 

Deception Cove aug 13

 

TITLE: Deception Cove

AUTHOR: Jayne Castle

SERIES: N/A

RELEASE DATE: August 2013

 

 

 

Blood Bond Aug 13

 

TITLE: Blood Bond

AUTHOR: Jeanne Stein

SERIES: Anna Strong, Vampire

RELEASE DATE: August 2013

 

 

 

Mine To Take June 2013

 

TITLE: Mine to Take

AUTHOR: Cynthia Eden

SERIES: N/A

RELEASE DATE: June 2013

 

 

 

Fire Inside June 2013

 

TITLE: Fire Inside

AUTHOR: Kristen Ashley

SERIES: Chaos Novel

RELEASE DATE: June 2013

 

 

 

biting Bad Aug 2013

 

TITLE: Biting Bad

AUTHOR: Chloe Neill

SERIES: Chicagoland Vampires

RELEASE DATE: August 2013

 

 

 

Beneath the Secrets

 

TITLE: Beneath The Secrets

AUTHOR: Lisa Renee Jones

SERIES: Tall, Dark and Deadly

RELEASE DATE: Summer 2013

 

 

 

Bronze Gods

 

TITLE: Bronze Gods

AUTHOR: Ann Aguirre

SERIES: Apparatus Infernum

RELEASE DATE: April 2013

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Deborah Cooke Prize Package Giveaway

Deborah Cooke Prize Package Giveaway

Giveaway Banner

Today’s ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY prize package giveaway has been graciously donated by Deborah Cooke. Deborah is offering a SIGNED copy of Ember’s Kiss (Dragonfire Series) and The Beauty Bride (written as Claire Delacroix)

ONE giveaway winner will received both books from Deborah Cooke.


Click HERE for Deborah Cooke’s website.


Deborah Cooke giveaway

TO ENTER: Giveaway open 18 years of age and older.

NOTE: Register at The Reading Cafe using the log-in at the top of the page or by using one of the social log-ins. If you are using a social log-in such as Twitter or Facebook etc, please post your email address with your comment, as Twitter etc does not account for email contact.

1. Open to US and CANADA only

2. Please post a comment telling us to enter you in the giveaway.

3. Giveaway runs until February 28, 2013

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Kiss of Danger (The Dragon Legion Novellas #1) by Deborah Cooke-a review

KISS OF DANGER (The Dragon Legion Novellas #1) Dragonfire 9a

Kiss of Danger

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / KOBO

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 6, 2013

They will sacrifice anything to regain the loves they’ve lost…

Alexander knew he had to fulfill his duty to his kind, the dragon shape shifters called the Pyr, even at the price of abandoning his new wife and young son. After he and his fellows were enchanted for centuries, then finally set free in a future long after their own time, Alexander feared he would never return to his love. Against all odds, the darkfire crystal makes his dream come true, flinging him across the centuries to the world he left behind. Is this his chance to regain the life he lost? Has Katina waited for him? Or has the darkfire crystal sent him back in time for some mysterious purpose of its own?

**************

REVIEW: If you have ever wondered what happened to the Dragon’s Teeth Warriors-the remaining group of 17 Pyr who had been ‘beguiled by an ancient viper, enchanted to take the form of dragon’s teeth and trapped for a millennia’, The Dragon Legion novellas answers some of your questions. Kiss of Danger is Alexander’s story.

Deborah takes the reader on a journey that spans the centuries. Where once, one of the darkfire crystals was hidden in Lorenzo’s hoarde, the Dragon’s Teeth Warriors were now in possession. As the leader of the Warriors, Drake felt the pull of the crystal and with each calling the Warriors were hurdled through time, never knowing where and when they would land. This particular journey finds Alexander, back home, with the mate and son he had abandoned centuries ago, to find that only eight years had past and his family was struggling to survive. Life had changed for his mate and son, and he would recognize that perhaps he was no longer an integral part of their lives.

Deborah brings in many familiar names from past and present, and not only do the Dragon Teeth warriors time travel but they discover that each will be called home at some time. A contemporary enemy returns to the past to seek out another source of the Dragon’s Blood Elixir.

Deborah has written another amazing storyline in the Dragonfire series. She pulls us in by referencing the characters and storylines we have grown to love and we watch as the past collides with future (or present).

Reviewed by Sandy

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Cover Reveals-December 22, 2012

COVER REVEALS-December 22, 2012

 

TITLE: The Lost

AUTHOR: Vicki Petterson

SERIES: Celestial Blues

RELEASE DATE: March 2013

 

 

 

 

 

TITLE: Shadow Falls (The Beginning)

AUTHOR: C.C. Hunter

SERIES: Shadow Falls

RELEASE DATE: 2013

 

 

 

TITLE: Immortal Seduction

AUTHOR: Jennifer Lynne

SERIES: Gods of Love #4

RELEASE DATE: March 2013

 

 

 

 

TITLE: The Key Inheritance

AUTHOR: Jen McConnel

SERIES: N/A

RELEASE DATE: January 2013

 

 

 

 

TITLE: Harmonia’s Kiss

AUTHOR: Deborah Cooke

SERIES: Dragonfire 4.5 Novella

RELEASE DATE:  July 2010

For everyone that is a fan of Deborah’s Cooke DRAGONFIRE series, HARMONIA’S KISS is a novella featuring some of the Dragon Teeth Warriors but Deborah released a NEW COVER this week.

ORDER LINKS: amazon/ Barnes and Noble

Enchanted for thousands of years, the shape-shifters known as the Dragon’s Teeth Warriors have awakened to find the world a vastly different place. Their leader, concerned for their morale, dares to take them on a mission to confront the fullness of everything they’ve lost. Little does Drake realize that this dangerous mission will give him a renewed purpose. And if they succeed these Pyr will have to question everything they thought they knew about the past-and confront a quest for the future

 

TITLE: A Kiss of Blood

AUTHOR: Pamela Palmer

SERIES: Vamp City

RELEASE DATE: June 2013

 

 

 

 

TITLE: Dire Desires

AUTHOR: Stephanie Tyler

SERIES: Eternal Wolf Clan

RELEASE DATE: July 2013

 

 

 

 

TITLE: Must Love Fangs

AUTHOR: Jessica Sims

SERIES: Midnight Liaisons

RELEASE DATE: August 2013

 

 

 

 

TITLE: Soul Avenged

AUTHOR: Keri Lake

SERIES: Sons of Wrath #1

RELEASE DATE: 2013

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DEBORAH COOKE-Drake and the Dragon’s Teeth Warriors Dragon Legion Novellas

Deborah Cooke-Drake and the Dragon’s Teeth Warriors series of Dragon Legion Novellas

 

TITLE:  Kiss of Danger

AUTHOR:  Deborah Cooke

SERIES:  Dragonfire (Drake and the Dragon’s Teeth Warriors)

RELEASE DATE:  February 2013

HERO:  Alexander

 

 

TITLE:  Kiss of Darkness

AUTHOR:  Deborah Cooke

SERIES:  Dragonfire (Drake and the Dragon’s Teeth Warriors)

RELEASE DATE;  March 2013

HERO:  Damien

 

 

TITLE: Kiss of Destiny

AUTHOR: Deborah Cooke

SERIES: Dragonfire (Drake and the Dragon’s Teeth Warriors)

RELEASE DATE: April 3013

HERO: Thad

 

SOURCE:  http://www.facebook.com/AuthorDeborahCookeFanPage

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Deborah Cooke-Guest Post and Blog Tour

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”?

 Click HERE for our review of EMBER’S KISS by Deborah Cooke

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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…

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Books a Million / Chapters Indigo / Indie Bound / Powells / The Book Depository

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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.

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Books a Million / Chapters Indigo / Indie Bound / Powells / The Book Depository

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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?

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Books a Million / Chapters Indigo / Indie Bound / Powells / The Book Depository

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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.

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Books a Million / Chapters Indigo / Indie Bound / Powells / The Book Depository

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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…

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Books a Million / Chapters Indigo / Indie Bound / Powells / The Book Depository

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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.

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Books a Million / Chapters Indigo / Indie Bound / Powells / The Book Depository

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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…

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Books a Million / Chapters Indigo / Indie Bound / Powells / The Book Depository

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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.

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Books a Million /  Indie Bound / Powells / The Book Depository

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

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