Kiss of Enchantment (Darkfire Chronicles 1) by Deborah Cooke-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 7, 2023

The ancient magic of darkfire scorches the history of the Pyr, dragon shifters sworn to defend the treasures of the earth, spreading chaos in its wake. Periodically commanded by Pyr with the rare ability to hold it in thrall, blue-green darkfire burns with relentless power through the centuries, shattering boundaries and provoking change. The Darkfire Chronicles tell the stories of those Pyr illuminated by darkfire’s spark.

One kiss will unveil the secrets of the past…

Cast through time with his fellow Dragon Legion Warriors, Orion follows the spark of his firestorm, the sign of his destined mate’s presence. Only when he’s left behind, alone in a different time, does he discover the darkfire’s deception. His firestorm might be a feint, but the woman touched by its golden radiance is one who could capture Orion’s heart forever. When Slayers attack, Orion is determined to defend her and her secrets, no matter the price to himself.

Grad student Francesca is more interested in her career and research than in getting married. But then, she’s never met a man like Orion, a fierce protector whose presence ignites an undeniable desire within her—although the seductive power of his kiss isn’t the only thing Francesca can’t explain. Orion also creates a glow inside the vase said to contain the voice of the Cumaean Sibyl. When that light is released, Francesca hears the voice of the past and is revealed as Orion’s destined mate—making her the Slayers’ target.

On the run, Orion and Francesca join forces to solve the Sibyl’s last riddle. Will success provide the key to their shared future? Or will the unpredictable darkfire snatch Orion away as abruptly as he arrived—along with Francesca’s memories of the dragon shifter who has claimed her heart? How much will either of them sacrifice to save their their unborn son and defend their future together?

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REVIEW:KISS OF ENCHANTMENT is the first instalment in Deborah Cooke’s adult DARKFIRE CHRONICLES paranormal/fantasy series, a spin-off from the author’s DRAGON LEGION novellas (The Dragon Legion Collection / Dragonfire 9), set in the DRAGONFIRE world. This is dragon Pyr Orion, and grad student Francesca Marino’s story line. KISS OF ENCHANTMENT can be read as a stand alone but for back story, cohesion and enjoyment, I recommend reading THE DRAGON LEGION COLLECTION.

Told from numerous omniscient third person perspectives including Francesca and Orion, using several timelines, and Greek and Roman mythology, KISS OF ENCHANTMENT follows Orion, a member of the Dragon Legion Pyr, who along with his fellow warriors go where the Darkfire crystal needs them to be. Each member of their group ventures off toward their Firestorm and a new adventure, each is taken to another time and place. 1972 brings together Orion with the woman he believes to be his intended mate but nothing is as it appears to be, and Orion must face down two slayers, who are determined to take what doesn’t belong. Orion’s attraction to Francesca is tempered by secrets from the past, a past that is determined to reclaim a place in the present. What ensues is the building relationship between Orion and Francesca, and the potential fall-out as Orion’s time in the past threatens to destroy the beginnings of a lifelong affair.

The world building continues to focus on the Pyr, their struggle with the group known as the slayers, and the search for their fated mates. As each Firestorm announces the nearness of their mates, the Pry must face off against the slayers, who are determined to destroy the woman chosen by the gods to bring forth the next generation.

The relationship between Orion and Francesca is one of immediate attraction. Orion believes Francesca is his chosen mate but all is not as it is supposed to be as Orion discovers Francesca is hiding a secret, a secret that refuses to remain in the past. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

Several of the original Pyr return as each recognizes the arrival of another Firestorm but each Pyr struggle with the possibility of who or why, fate will threaten the Firestorm in both the past and the present. We are introduced to slayers Magnus Montmorency and Sigmund.

KISS OF ENCHANTMENT is awash in the reimagining of Greek and Roman mythology intertwined with the history of the shapeshifting Pyr. The premise is detailed, complex and entertaining; the characters are magical and charismatic; the romance is subtle and fated.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

If you haven’t started the interconnected series, ebook one KISS OF FIRE in the Dragonfire series is FREE

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