Whisper Kiss (Deborah Cooke)
Title: Whisper Kiss
Author: Deborah Cooke
Copyright: 2010 (Signet); 391 pgs.
ISBN: 978-0-451-22616-7
Series: Dragonfire #5
Sensuality: Hot
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Possible spoilers for previous books!
The source of the Dragon’s Blood Elixir and the Dark Academy have been destroyed, but many of the shadow dragons still remain. Niall Talbot has taken on the role of eliminating them and any Slayers that get in his way. With most of the Pry currently occupied with their mates and young children, there are only a few of his fellows he can call on for backup. Additionally, Niall is supposed to be mentoring Thorolf, who isn’t showing much progress or initiative, and he’s also running his eco-travel business alone. With so much already vying for Niall’s attention, the last thing he needs, or wants, is a firestorm.
Roxanne “Rox” Kincaid isn’t, at first glance, the sort of woman that would normally attract Niall. When he first sees her, she’s punked out — fishnets, spiked hair, and heavy makeup. Rox knows Thorolf, and thanks to his clumsiness, she knows that dragons are real. Rox has seen Thorolf shift and isn’t the least freaked out when Niall unexpectedly shifts in order to protect her from falling debris. In fact, Rox is thrilled. She’s been fascinated with dragons her entire life. To meet one who is good-looking, and seems to have his act together, is just icing on the cake. It’s quiet possible that Rox would have chosen Niall as a lover, even without the firestorm.
But firestorms are about creating a child, something Rox isn’t too keen about and Niall feels it’s still too dangerous for him to father a child while he’s focusing on eliminating the shadow dragons. He feels specifically targeted. A new enemy emerges, one with a different agenda than the Slayers.
Comments: First off, I like that Rox is a friend of Thorolf’s. She believes in dragons, knows they exist. She’s a talented tattoo artist who’s skill at drawing dragons is good enough to impress the real thing. Rox is also a very generous and giving person. She tries to make a difference in any way she can. She’s been trying to get Thorolf to make something of himself, long before he met the other Pyr, and she sympathizes with Niall in his frustration regarding Thorolf’s many short-comings.
I also like the fact that Niall makes the mistake of judging her by her appearance and she takes him to task for it. Rox and Niall have a lot more in common than Niall would have initially guessed. Niall overcomes his refusal to deal with the firestorm early in the book, which is a good thing because he was a bit of a jerk — it’s Thorolf, of all people, who’s knowledge of Rox helps Niall see her in a different light.
This book also introduced another character, one who’ll, I’m guessing, play a bigger part in future books beyond Darkfire Kiss. The character has his own agenda that has nothing to do with Magnus and his group, which I’m glad because I’m tired of Magnus — he’s not a dragon, he’s a cat with nine lives!
Though it might not be my favorite of the series, Whisper Kiss held my attention and I was amazed how quickly I finished it.
Started: 26 February 2011
Finished: 28 February 2011
Rating:
Liked It A Lot!
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