October is a magical month; Samhain will happen and bring us as close to magic as possible. What better way to prepare for it than having author Deborah Cooke stop by to talk about her dragons! Welcome Deborah!
Lexi: You write a paranormal young adult series (The Dragon Diaries) about dragons. You also write a paranormal romance series (Dragonfire) about dragons. You might say you have a thing for dragons?
Deborah: Haha! Yes, I do. I’ve always thought dragons were amazing creatures - meeting one was one of my dreams as a kid. (I looked, but never found one. I became convinced that this was because I didn’t live in England or Europe. We have bears and deer in Canada, but not so many dragons.)
The Dragon Diaries is actually a spin-off from Dragonfire. It tells the story of Zoë’s coming of age. In the world of Dragonfire, there is only ever one female dragon shape shifter at a time. She’s called the Wyvern and has special powers. Well, in KISS OF FATE (Dragonfire #3) the current Wyvern died (you’ll have to read the book to find out how and why) and the child conceived in that book was a girl instead of a boy. Her father, Eric, is leader of the Pyr and believed then that she would be the next Wyvern. The male dragons come into their powers at puberty, so it’s the same for Zoë. The Dragon Diaries tells of her mastering her powers without really having any reference as to how to master them or clear idea what they are. She also has to keep these new powers secret from her best friend, bring the young male dragons together to battle a new threat that the older dragon shifters don’t take seriously, decide whether she’s crazy to be so wild for the unpredictable Jared (who knows more about dragons than she does) and pass math.
Lexi: I have loved stories about dragons every since I was young, Dealing With Dragons was the book that hooked me. Do you remember the first book that introduced you to dragon lore?
Deborah: Smaug in The Lord of the Rings - which I read as a teenager - was the first dragon to really steal my heart. There were other dragons in other stories when I was younger, but Smaug’s character was more developed. Tolkien wasn’t very fond of dragons, and I thought even then that they were misunderstood in his world.
(oooh, great dragon choice!)
Lexi: The books that got us sucked into the genre are a far cry from the sexy shape shifting dragons and their mates you write about. The pull between two mates is very strong, did you have fun coming up with the emotions and power that go into a mated couple?
Deborah: Dragons are so passionate and powerful that it made sense to me that a dragon in love would be an irresistible force of nature. That my dragons become gorgeous men by choice makes them the best kind of heroes possible! I wanted the experience to be overwhelming for the woman in question, like the usual feeling of being in love but magnified a thousand times. The firestorm that the dragon and his mate experience is all that and more - sparks fly, their desires ignite, the passion burns hotter and hotter until it’s satisfied. It doesn’t hurt that they’re usually fighting bad dragons and trying to solve a puzzle together - and after the firestorm is satisfied, there’s a more enduring fire that burns between them, one that will keep love alive all their lives. Dragons aren’t compromising creatures in my view and they’re not indecisive. I thought that determination and reliability would make them great heroes.
Lexi: From lab workers, to reporters, in Las Vegas to Hawaii, your characters are from all walks of life. Can you give us a hint about the connection between marine biologist Liz and surfer Brandon who are your H/H in Ember’s Kiss?
Deborah: Brandon is the second of my “outsider” dragon shifters. The first was Lorenzo in FLASHFIRE in January - Lorenzo didn’t want to be Pyr anymore, even though he knew pretty much everything about it. He thought dragons were barbaric, so he located an ancient spell that would (theoretically) turn him into a normal mortal man. He thought this would be ideal, but his firestorm with Cassie changed his mind about the upside of being a dragon shifter. (That’s not really a spoiler. You’ll have to read the book to find out how and why his thinking changed.) Brandon similarly doesn’t want any part of being a dragon shifter, except that he doesn’t know anything about it much. His parents divorced when he was a kid and he blames his dad for that, as well as for his ability to become a dragon. He doesn’t want to have any common ground with his dad. He’s been building his own future, aiming to become a pro surfer. He’s on the cusp of his big chance to go pro and everything is going well --- except that he’s been targeted by Chen, an evil Slayer, who intends to enslave him, steal his energy and then kill him. Chen chose Brandon as a victim precisely because of his ignorance of his powers and the fact that he’s not allied with the other Pyr. He has his firestorm with Liz in that moment, which complicates things even further. Liz is a marine biologist and totally focused on logic and science that I wondered about her from the outset. It turns out that she has a secret past of her own. Liz is the first heroine in Dragonfire to have paranormal powers of her own. She doesn’t want them either, and has put them aside, she thinks forever - until she sees the trap that is closing around Brandon and knows that she has to help him. The connection between these two is really strong and I like how they formed such an amazing team. Their partnership truly makes the most of their strengths.
Lexi: Speaking of hot connections, your covers for this series are great! Half clothed men with dragons on their skin. Just looking at the covers must give you some inspiration! Any idea how far you want to take this series?
Deborah: I love the Dragonfire covers, too! Each one is distinct but they’re all awesome - and they obviously belong together. NAL has done a great job with them. As for the series, I know exactly how it’s going to proceed from here. There will be a trio of novellas in early 2013, featuring Drake and the Dragon’s Tooth Warriors. You might remember that they claimed the third darkfire crystal in FLASHFIRE and disappeared. Well, they’ve been having some adventures of their own, and we’re going to find out about that. The three novellas will be digital-first releases, then will be collected into an anthology for digital and print release. As for what happens after that, you’ll have to check back on my blog on November 1. I have a post queued up there called The Future of Dragonfire. The blog is at http://www.delacroix.net/blog so be sure to check there for the Dragonfire update on November 1.
Lexi: Good luck with Ember’s Kiss and all your future releases. Thank you Deborah for stopping by and talking dragons with us!
Deborah: Thanks so much for inviting me to visit!
DRAGONFIRE Series
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...
But it now:
Kiss of Fury (Dragonfire #2)One act of passion can save the world..
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.
Buy it now!
Kiss of Fate (Dragonfire #3)One foretold love deserves a second chance...
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?
Buy it now!
Winter Kiss (Dragonfire #4)A kiss can melt the coldest heart...
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.
Buy it now!
Whisper Kiss (Dragonfire #5)One man's mission ignites one woman's fire...
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...
Buy it now!
Darkfire Kiss (Dragonfire #6)For one woman, he will risk more than his life...
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.
Buy it now!
Flashfire (Dragonfire #7)He's lost all hope...until she changes everything.
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...
Buy it now!
Ember's Kiss (Dragonfire #8)
Release Date: October 2, 2012
Only one woman can persuade him to embrace his powers.
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.
Buy it now!
Deborah Cooke's Bio
Deborah Cooke has always been fascinated with dragons, although she has never understood why they have to be the bad guys. She has an honours degree in history, with a focus on medieval studies. She is an avid reader of medieval vernacular literature, fairy tales and fantasy novels, and has written over forty romance novels and novellas. She has also been published under the names Claire Cross andClaire Delacroix.Deborah makes her home in Canada with her husband. When she isn't writing, she can be found knitting, sewing or hunting for vintage patterns.
Connect with Deborah:
Deborah's Blog / Deborah's Listserve / Deborah's Facebook Page / Deborah's Amazon Page / Deborah's Smashwords Page / Claire Delacroix website
Deborah is giving away one paperback copy of EMBER'S KISS to one winner at each tour stop, which means you can score your own copy here! (This will be coming straight from the publisher so it's US and Canada winners only.) To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter below and leave Deborah a comment about her series, or a dragon book you read that got you hooked.
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.
Deborah Cooke's Blog Tour for Ember's Kiss
Tour runs from September 24 - October 10
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/
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 / Literal Addiction -
Book Monster - http://bookmonsterreviews.blogspot.com/
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/
I can't wait to read this series! I'm adding it to my list! Sexy dragon shifters sound divine :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the awesome post and for the chance to win!
ehaney578 at aol dot com
Love the series cant wait for the next one
ReplyDeleteJessica
I haven't read a dragon novel that didn't involve gawky adolescents in a long time. This could be a nice change!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to reading the series. Just ordered the first book. Loved the interview.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to reading the series. Just ordered the first book. Loved the interview.
ReplyDeleteThis is 1 of my all time favorite series. Dragon shifters are the best. Everyone who hasn't read these books needs to, you will love them.
ReplyDeleteI love Deoborah Cooke's Dragonfire series. While I can't say which dragon got me hooked, I'll say Winter Kiss cover is what started my love of dragons. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteKidsue99@yahoo.com
It's been a while but I believe it was Quinn's book that introduced me to dragon shifters. He really set the bar high :-)
ReplyDeletesgradel(at)gmail(dot)com
First off I'd like to start by saying that I cannot wait to read this series. I first came across Deborah's book with the release of Flying Blind and then after buying the book I found out that the YA series is a spin off of the adult series. So now I've but the book on hold until I can read the Dragonfire series first. Yes I know I'm just torturing myself.
ReplyDeleteThe first Dragon book that I read that got me hooked on dragons was Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison. There's just something about a dragons that's more interesting than a werewolf or werecat.
Kristin
Book Sniffers Anonymous
Remember the first time I seen the first book in Deborah's dragon series. The cover caught my attention enough to check the back where to my delight I found was a dragon book. I purchased that book and couldn't wait for the others...
ReplyDeleteRaonaid at gmail dot com
I haven't come across many dragon books and I like the idea of them as characters! They sound like such powerful and exotic creatures.
ReplyDeleteI used to read lots of SF when I was younger, so I got hooked on dragons that way. Probably the first dragon books I can remember loving is the Dragonriders of Pern series by Anne Mccaffrey.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new release. This book sounds fantastic. Can't wait to read it. The dragon books that got me hooked was Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison and Ty the Sexy Dragon by Lexxie Couper.
ReplyDeletee.balinski(at)att(dot)net
Your books got me hooked :D
ReplyDeleteI so love the Pyr...my fave is Sloan....looking forward to his book...lol
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI own and have read everything as both Deborah Cooke and Claire Delacroix but I must admit the Pyr are one of my all time favorite series
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of her books but they sound great.
ReplyDeleteI havent read any of dragon books but I love the movie Dragon Heart. I love that dragon. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com
ReplyDeleteKatie McAllister was the first author whose dragon books I read, then G.A. Aiken and then Deborah Cooke!!!
ReplyDeletediane dot sadler at gmail dot com
This sounds really interesting and unique. I would love to see how the story plays out. I love dragons but cannot remember what drew me to them. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeletethanks for a fabulous post and giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read many dragon books. But I loved Meagan Hatfield's series.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway,
Elizabeth Gray
elizabethgr@sbcglobal.net
Dragons have always been my favorite. So the Dragon Kin series by G. A. Aiken really got hooked. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeletemythic021@gmail.com
I've always been into shifter stories, no matter what they shift into. To be a dragon, that would be so awesome. I've always been an dragon fan, all the way back to my childhood. I never wanted a knight to save me, it was always wanting to stay with the dragon.
ReplyDeleteDragon Actually by GA Aiken (aka Shelly Laurenston) was the first dragon shifter book I read and I LOVED IT!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the giveaway!
books4me67 at ymail dot com
Dragons are new for me. But everyone keeps talking about how great they are. I really must get on the band wagon and see what it's about.
ReplyDeleteI love this series, I have preordered EMBER'S KISS from amazon. I can't wait for it to arrive! Congratulations on the new release. thanks for the giveaway
ReplyDeletekcnrhtx at charter dot net
Thanks for the great interview and excerpt! I'm dying to read this series :)
ReplyDeleteThis is such an amazing series! They way Cooke tells such great legends and tales is fantastic and interesting. Each Pyr has dug themselves a special place in my heart. I can't wait for the next book! Congrats on the new release! Keep up the great work!
ReplyDeletestickiekittie [at] gmail [dot] com
I haven't read a dragon shifter story yet so I'm very curious to try one.
ReplyDeletesallans d at yahoo dot com
I started reading about dragons when I was a kid. The Dragonrider's of Pern series by Anne McCaffrey and I've read several books and series with that theme over the years. I haven't read any of this series yet and I'm excited to get started
ReplyDeleteI love Dragon Bound by Harrison.
ReplyDeleteHI Everyone! I'm Deborah Cooke's Assistant, Carla.
ReplyDeleteDeborah is having problems posting a comment to the site so she emailed me her replies to all of you so I could post them for her.
FROM DEBORAH COOKE:
Wow, it's great to meet so many dragon fans in one place. Thanks so much for inviting me to visit!
@Elizabeth - well, I think dragon shifters are pretty hot, but don't the fallen angels reserve the right to be divine?
@Jessy P - Thanks!
@Shawny Jean - LOL - I've got those too. There's my paranormal YA spinoff trilogy The Dragon Diaries, although I'm not sure Zoë is so gawky.
@angel - thanks! I hope you enjoy KISS OF FIRE. (There is something about Quinn...)
@Thecrazygranny - Wow. THANK YOU! You keep reading and I'll keep writing, okay?
@Susan T - THANK YOU! Isn't that a gorgeous cover? They're all great, but WK really is striking.
@Stephanie G - Uh huh. See comment about Quinn above. :-)
@Kristin - Wow. You're a stronger woman than I am. I hope you find the Pyr are worth the wait.
@Raonaid - Thanks again!
@Na - Hope you like my dragon shifters.
@JenM - I used to read a lot of SFF when I was younger too. Smaug was the first dragon who caught at my heart.
@Joanne - Thanks! Hope you enjoy my dragons too.
@Stay-Cee - Awwwww, thanks! ::blushes::
@dgeo - You're not the only one waiting on Sloane's story. I'm going to have to really nail that one.
@tracie2667 - Wow, thanks so much for reading so many of my books. :-)
@crystaley73 and @Tore - hope you like my dragons, too.
@Diane - another dragon fan! You're in good company here!
@fundinmental, @elizabeth, @Vanessa N - thanks and good luck.
@Lisa Cox - there IS something fascinating about shifters, isn't there? A dragon shifter is the best of both worlds, IMO - what's not to love about having a hunky hero and a dragon too?
@books4me - hi again! Good luck!
@ Redheaded Bookworm, @Di - Be warned - there might not be any going back after you've fallen for a dragon shifter hero...
@Kimberley - Thank you! I hope you enjoy the book.
@erin - Thanks!
@Alyssa - Thanks again. I love to hear from Dragonfire fans like you. Hope you enjoy EK just as much.
@justpeachy36 - hope you enjoy my dragons!
Wow! Lots of great comments. Good luck everyone!
Congrats on the new release!! Looking forward to it.
ReplyDelete