Kiss of Fate

Title: Kiss of Fate
Author: Deborah Cooke
Copyright: 2009 (Signet); 396 pgs.
ISBN: 978-0-451-22616-7
Series: Dragonfire #3
Sensuality: Hot
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Possible spoilers for previous books!

Her: Eileen Grosvenor, PhD. She’s a comparative mythologist and in England to hunt down the real story behind a urban legend involving a dragon. A college friend asks her to look at some old, but odd, items up for auction and Eileen suddenly finds herself in the middle of a conflict involving dragons. She also meets her mysterious dream lover — a man she’s so attracted to, the fact he can shift into a dragon doesn’t concern her overmuch. Unbeknown to Eileen, she is in fact the reincarnated Louisa Guthrie, Erik Soreenson’s mate and Sigmund’s mother.

Him: Erik Soreenson, leader of the Pyr. Erik never expected to get a second firestorm. Diaster and betrayal marred his union with Louisa and their son grew up to be a Slayer. Erik also believes he’s the intended sacrifice in the third part of the prophecy. However, the Great Wyvern has other plans for him. Before Erik can continue to lead the Pyr in their fight against the Slayers, he must deal with the past and heal himself.

There is quite a bit going on in this book. Besides Erik having to come to terms with the fact he’s getting a second firestorm, there is still the problem of the dark academy (basically, zombie dragons) and the Dragon’s Blood Elixir. The Pyr have yet to find a way to destroy either. Their numbers are too small for a direct confrontation with the Slayers and their zombies — especially since two of the Pyr have expectant mates. Quinn and Donovan won’t leave Sara and Alex unprotected. Delaney, still struggling to overcome the nightmare of his time in the clutches of the Slayers, is more of a liability than an asset. But some things do start to go their way. A Pyr from an old blood line — long thought to have died out — is discovered, adding one more potential warrior to the cause. Plus, Rafferty gets his hands on the other enchanted, ancient dragons. With their help, one of the Pyr’s problems is solved, but at a great cost to them.

What I liked: Eileen, like Sara and Alex, rather calmly accepts the existence of dragons. Her profession, a collector and studier of myths and legends, probably helps in that aspect. I appreciate the fact that Ms. Cooke strives to gives us strong, rational heroines who can accept something so fantastic after a brief period of shock/disbelief. Sometimes I wonder if they are too quick. However, I rather have that than a heroine who refuses to believe what is standing right in front of her, and continues through half the book being stubborn about it. And doing stupid things that endanger herself because she doesn’t believe in dragons. Another thing that I’ve appreciated about the heroines is their “Whoa, not so fast, buddy” attitude concerning the whole destined mate/getting pregnant during the first go-around thing.

I’m really looking forward to reading the next book in this series. I’ve been denying myself the pleasure until I get caught up with my reviews.

What I didn’t: Nothing stands out.

Recommend to: Those who have read the first two.

Started: 1 October 2009
Finished: 14 October 2009

Rating:

Liked A Lot

Disclaimer: I purchased this book.

Note: I scheduled this entry in advance so that it posts at 8:00 AM. I’ll be late getting the link posted on the host’s blog.

The meme is hosted by Reading at the Beach.

The rules are very simple: spotlight a book that begins with the featured letter. Include the book cover, title and author, a synopsis, and link(s) to retailer(s). If it’s a book you’ve already reviewed, link to the review. Return to Reading at the Beach and leave a link in the comments.

This week’s letter is: K

This week pick: Kiss of Fire (Dragonfire #1) by Deborah Cooke

From the back: When ace accountant 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 tarot cards, 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.

Kiss of Fire

Comment: One of my series is The Dragonfire books by Deborah Cooke. In this series, there are men who can shape-shift into dragons. The dragons, called Pyr, have long protected the treasures of the Earth, including mankind. However, there were some who did not believe that mankind deserved the protection of the Pyr. These dragons became known as Slayers. The series is about the Pyr fulfilling a prophecy and trying to eliminate the Slayers once and for all.

Kiss of Fire is the first book in the series. It sets the world-building up, introduces the major players (most of them anyway), and gives us some back-story. The books really should be read in order. I read Kiss of Fire last year and my thoughts can be found here. I’ve read Kiss of Fury this year and just finished Kiss of Fate. Winter Kiss, book four, will be released in November. At the moment, it looks as if the series is only going to be six books.

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This is a re-post, due to data loss. (Oct 09)

21 Oct – Mishel – “I really love the cover of this one! I’m pretty sure I have this on my TBR list but if not I’m definitely adding it. Thanks for the great post =)”

21 Oct – carol – “Lots of Kisses around today. This sounds like a good one.”

21 Oct – Vicki- “Ditto what Carol said!! Sounds interesting! Thanks for playing!”

Kiss of Fury

Title: Kiss of Fury
Author: Deborah Cooke
Copyright: 2008 (Signet); 392 pgs.
ISBN: 978-0-451-22476-7
Series: Dragonfire #2
Sensuality: Warm

Who: Alexandra Madison and Donovan Shea (warrior/Pyr)
Where: Minneapolis, Minnesota

From the Back: Scientist Alexandra Madison was on the verge of unveiling and invention that would change the world. Then her partner was murdered, their lab was burned, and their prototype 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.

Comments: I thought this one was better than the first book. I liked Donovan from the first moment we meet him in the Prologue of Kiss of Fire. He’s a fun character and I’m glad we got to know more about him so soon. I thought Alex was a good match for him. A scientist, but not absent-minded or clueless about her attraction to Donovan. I liked her a lot.

Despite the Slayers’ attack, Alex isn’t interested in being guarded by the Pyr. Given the fact that she witnessed dragons kill her partner, destroy her lab and her life’s work, it’s easy to understand why she wouldn’t feel comfortable or safe around them. That’s a lot to cope with in such a short time. It’s only natural that Alex would want to bolt. Also, she feels the Green Machine is more important than her own life. Alex can’t hide herself away when there’s still a chance she can have a workable prototype ready in time for the meeting with the investor.

Though Alex is just the sort of woman Donovan finds attractive, he’s not willing to consummate the firestorm. Unlike Quinn, who’s parents remained together and who also lost a woman he loved, Donovan was rejected by his mother and betrayed by a lover. Since the standard operating procedure for the Pyr is to leave their pregnant mates — Quinn’s father was an exception — Donovan is not about to do that to Alex. He’s a loner who’s not looking to settle down, even with a woman he finds to be smart, brave, and fun to be with.

Alex couldn’t agree more, as far as the pregnancy thing goes. The scientist in her isn’t buying “the first time leads to conception” line regarding the firestorm. And what about being a responsible adult and using protection? Alex never contemplated marriage and having a family. She had her work and was content to let others do the family thing. However, as she spends more time with Donovan, she begins to fall for him. The idea of settling down with Donovan begins to appeal to her. If only he wasn’t so dead set against it.

The on-going battle between the Slayer and Pyr continues. Some plot twists are revealed, pertaining to the Slayers. The Pyr are in for some surprises, plus some unexpected allies.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Rafferty. The only Pry the reader knows, for certain, who isn’t going to baulk at consummating his firestorm — and he gets passed over. Again. Poor guy. She better be wonderful, whoever she is, considering the length of time he’s been waiting for her.

Favorite Quotes:
“You seem tense. Your first stolen car?”
“First time someone tried to kidnapped me.”
“If it’s any consolation, this is my first attempted kidnapping. How am I doing?”
– Donovan, Alex

“I have three words for you. Archibald Forrester’s Buick.”
– Donovan

Started: 1 April 2009
Finished: 20 April 2009

Rating:

LOVED IT !!

What Others Have Said:
Scooper Speaks
SciFi Guy
Night Owl Romance
Wild on Books

Books in the Series:
Kiss of Fire

Addendum:
This is a re-post. Below are the comments that I was able to salvage from the SQL file. See this post for an explanation. I apology for the inconvenience.

Renee, 2009-07-06: So glad you reviewed this. It’s been sitting on my tbr shelf since it was released. I really need to get to reading it. It sounds like a good one!

Me, 2009-07-06: It was a fun read. I’m really looking forward to the fourth book. Of course, I still have to read book 3 first.

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This is a re-post, due to data loss. (Oct 09)

Kiss of Fire

Author: Deborah Cooke
Copyright: 2008 (Signet Eclipse); pgs. 334
Series: Dragon Fire (Book 1)
Sensuality: Warm

Who: Sara Keegan and Quinn Tyrrell (blacksmith/Pyr)

Summary: When ace accountant 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 tarot cards, 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.

Comments: First off, I really liked the world building. The dragons, called Pyr, protect humans like they protect any of the Earth’s other treasures. They do not kill humans indiscriminately. In fact, true Pyr don’t kill humans, period. There is a faction of Pyr, called Slayers, that don’t agree with the idea that humankind is a precious treasure. The Slayers believe humans are insignificant and have squandered the more precious of treasures — the Earth. They have no qualms killing people or other Pyr.

All the dragons are male, with the exception of the Wyvern — the prophetess of the Pyr — and they can live forever. They are not, however, indestructible. Very hard to kill, yes; but it can be done. To perpetuate the species, dragons must mate with human females. But not just any female, apparently. Pyr have destined mates, and there’s no telling when a Pyr will feel the firestorm that heralds his mate. Many have been waiting a very long time.

Quinn is a nice guy. Truthful, protective without being domineering, and thoughtful. He give Sara the time and space she needs to get a grip on the new reality she’s facing. For her part, Sara is a practical person who deals in hard, cold, facts. When she’s presented with irrefutable evidence that dragons are real, she doesn’t panic or go into denial. She accepts the new reality, asks questions, and reads up on the subject.

I have to say I liked Donovan from the first. His book is the next one, but it’s his POV in the prologue of Kiss of Fire. I read the sneak peak for his book and can’t wait to read it. I also hope that Rafferty, poor guy, gets a firestorm.

Start: 23 July 2008
Finished: 9 August 2008

Rating:

Enjoyed it!