Author Ambush with Deborah Cooke

Book Monster Reviews and LITERAL ADDICTION are very proud to welcome Deborah Cooke back to our sites today.   

Deborah has always been fascinated with dragons, though she has never understood why they are portrayed as the bad guys.  

She has an honours degree in history, with a focus on medieval studies, is an avid reader of medieval vernacular literature, fairy tales, and fantasy novels, and has written over 40 romance novels and novellas, including some written and published under the pseudonyms, “Claire Cross” and “Claire Delacroix”. 

Deborah lives in Canada with her husband and enjoys knitting, sewing and hunting for vintage patterns.

Deborah’s Dragonfire series has 8 available books and a digital novella.  The series kicked off in 2008 with “Kiss of Fire”, followed by “Kiss of Fury”, “Kiss of Fate”, “Winter Kiss”, “Harmonia’s Kiss” (the digital novella), “Whisper Kiss”, "Darkfire Kiss", "Flashfire" and just 2 days ago, “Ember's Kiss”. 

There is also a spin-off YA series called The Dragon Diaries, with “Flying Blind”,  "Winging It", and "Blazing the Trail" currently available. 

If you love magic, dragons, thrilling plotlines, and scorching romance, then the Dragonfire series is definitely for you!  And if you love Dragonfire, then you have to check out The Dragon Diaries. 

For those of you new to Deborah's work, we thought we'd give you the synopses of a handful of the  Dragonfire  books to get you up to speed (read the synopses for all of the books HERE):

"Kiss of Fire", Book #1:

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...

Kiss of Fate, Book #3:

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.

Haunted by dreams of a lover who takes the form of a 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 a forgotten past.

Erik Sorensson is focused on leading the Pyr against the Slayers when a powerful ancient relic reveals itself. Erik tries to retrieve it from Eileen?s possession?and is shocked by a fury of passion. Her presence touches him in unexpected ways, reminding him of mistakes he?s determined not to make again, and Erik is forced to make a choice?duty or love.

Whisper Kiss, Book #5:

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 and the dreaded Slayers is about to begin...

Niall Talbot has volunteered to hunt down and destroy all the remaining shadow dragons before they can wreak more havoc. But fate has placed him in the hands of Rox, an unconventional tattoo artist who 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...

Ember's Kiss, Book #8:

Just Released 10/2/12!

For centuries, the shape-shifting dragon warriors known as the Pyr have hidden themselves from mankind, defending the earth's treasures in secrecy. But as the final reckoning with the Slayers--who are determined to eradicate both humans and the Pyr who protect them--heats up, even the most ancient secrets will be revealed.... 

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 a 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 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.

We know they sound great! They really, really are. Make sure that you add them to your TBR and find them from your favorite bookseller as soon as you can. For now though, let's see what Deborah had to say when we let her take over the site for the day to celebrate Ember's Kiss...

Meet Brandon Merrick

By Deborah Cooke

DC: Today we’re going to talk to Brandon Merrick, the hero of EMBER’S KISS, book #8 in the Dragonfire series of paranormal romances. Come on down to the beach bar on the North Shore of Oahu when Brandon is signing autographs for surfing fans. I have to tell you that he’s one gorgeous specimen - cropped auburn hair, blue eyes, perfect tan, lots of tattoos and an Aussie accent that will melt your knees. Let me just wave to catch his attention. Look at that smile. Mmm hmm. Since Liz isn’t around, we can take a good look at the eye candy this Pyr offers. Look up ‘virile’ in the dictionary - I bet his picture is there.

DC: Hi Brandon. It’s great to see you again.

BM (taking a seat and winks): Hey, Deborah. Met any more hot dragon shifters lately?

DC: You mean other than you?

BM (grins): I’m taken.

DC: So am I! But I still like hanging out with you Pyr. So, can you tell everyone what it’s like to be a dragon shape shifter?

BM: For the longest time, I thought it was a bad thing, something I should keep secret and maybe ditch if I could figure out how. You see, my dad, Brandt, is a dragon shape shifter, one of the Pyr who are pledged to defend the Earth and its treasures. That makes them guardians of the four elements. The Pyr consider humans to be one of the treasures of the Earth, so we defend them, too. The Pyr who have turned evil are called Slayers - they not only want everything for themselves, but they think the Earth would be better off without humans. The Pyr are a pretty amazing bunch of guys, but the thing is that I didn’t know anything about them until my firestorm.

DC: Why not?

BM: My dad bailed on my mom and me when I was really little. I never knew him and actually, I didn’t want to. He was the one who made sure we weren’t a family and the one who broke my mom’s heart.

DC: Did you know that the Pyr’s ability to shift from human to dragon form passed from father to son?

BM: I had no clue, not until it happened to me.

DC: At puberty?

BM: You know a lot about this stuff, don’t you?

DC (smiling): You could say I’ve made a study of the Pyr. (Looks around.) Didn’t you say that Erik and Quinn were here, too?

BM: They took Garrett and Zoë swimming. Getting back to me...

DC: Right!

BM: Well, I didn’t have a clue about my Pyr powers. I was pretty freaked out the first time my nail changed to a talon! I thought there was something wrong with me and kept it secret.”

DC: Is it easy to keep the dragon in the jar, so to speak?

BM: No, it’s almost impossible - especially if there’s no one to tell you what’s going on. That’s not going to happen to my son! It was only when I shifted completely the first time and my mom caught me that I heard about my dad’s powers - and that was when I learned that my mom had thrown him out because she thought he was evil. We said some pretty hard things to each other and didn’t talk for a long time. (He averts his gaze.)

DC: Because you left.

BM (nods): Take it from me, being a runaway is a hard way to get an education.

DC: But that’s all worked out now, right?

BM (smiles): My mom really likes Liz.

DC: No spoilers!

BM: Got it.

DC: How did you become a surfer?

BM: I ended up on a beach at some point and met some surfers. They were okay and I gave it a try when I was hanging out with them. I realized that I loved surfing, which meant it became my thing.

DC: And you’re good at it, aren’t you?

BM: Practice makes perfect, I guess. (He leans forward, eyes gleaming with intent. DC swallows.) I don’t want to spoil the story for anyone who hasn’t read it yet, but EMBER’S KISS begins right when I’m in the middle of the Triple Crown. The last event is at the break that’s become my home break: the Banzai Pipeline. (drops his voice to a whisper) Would it be a spoiler to say whether I nailed it or not?

DC: Let them read the book.

BM: Fair enough.

DC (laughs): You sound like Quinn. I guess that means you know the other Pyr now.

BM: Oh yeah, they are awesome, like a bunch of really cool uncles.

DC: Ones you didn’t know you had.

BM: Exactly! I had no idea what I was missing by avoiding my dragon powers.

DC: Let alone trying to ditch them forever.

BM (teasing): Now you sound like Liz!

DC: A nice seguy there. Tell us about Liz, the heroine of EMBER’S KISS.

BM: Oh wow, Liz! She’s amazing. She’s everything I always wanted to find in a woman and more. She’s smart and romantic and beautiful; she has goals and can solve puzzles - plus she has these amazing abilities...

DC: No spoilers here!

BM (laughs): Okay, okay! But I can tell them that Liz is the first Dragonfire heroine with paranormal powers of her own, right? She’s special in more ways than that, but without her abilities and her knowledge, I’d be a goner.

DC: Chen really had you in his sights, didn’t he?

BM (teasing): Spoiler alert!

DC (laughs with him): Not really. That’s at the beginning. I think you can tell us the evil Slayer’s dark plan.

BM: He meant to enslave me, steal the powers I didn’t even know I had, and then kill me off to restore his stash of Dragon Bone Powder. (He shudders, then looks over DC’s shoulder.) Hey, there’s Liz! You have everything you need from me?

DC: Sure, this was great. Thanks, Brandon.

(BM leaps to his feet and strides after Liz. The two share a passionate embrace, then Liz waves at DC before the pair turn and walk down the beach, hand in hand.)

DC: Oh, take it from me, dear reader, he looks as good from the back as from the front. Mmm hmm. (Gets to her feet.) Now I wonder where a writer could get a frilly drink around here? And maybe find a few other Pyr - just for inspiration, of course.

Deborah is giving a winner from LITERAL ADDICTION and a winner from Book Monster Reviews  a paperback of "Ember's Kiss" 

(US/UK/Canada/Australia only).

To Enter:

Fill out the Rafflecopter widget for Deborah's Event, follow the directions, take action, and mark as 'Done'. 

For another chance to win, go to LITERAL ADDICTION and enter the contest over there as well.

GRAND PRIZE:  There is a Grand Prize drawing for an autographed set of the DRAGONFIRE series, (that's all 8 novels) over on Deborah's blog. To enter, click HERE.  

Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway