Review of Whisper Kiss by Deborah Cooke

Recently, I was lucky enough to win a signed copy of Whisper Kiss by Deborah Cooke from the FreshFiction blog. The funny thing is that I had already gone out, that very same day, and bought a copy of the book before I learned that I'd won the signed copy!

First, let me say that the Dragonfire series is at least in part responsible for inspiring the series of paranormal romances that I'm currently writing. So there you go, Deborah, you're an inspiration!

This is how Whisper Kiss describes itself:

For millenia, the shape-shifting dragon warriors known as the Pyr have lived peacefully as guardians of the earth's treasures. But now the final reckoning between the Pyr, who count humans among the earth's treasures, and the Slayers, who are determined to eradicate both humans and the Pyr who protect them, has begun...

Niall Talbot has volunteered to hunt down and destroy all the remaining shadow dragons- who were weakened by the desruction 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

Now on to the review.

Just like with all of the books in the Dragonfire series, I couldn't put Whisper Kiss down from page one. The author weaves a heart-pounding tale of desire and danger that kept me turning pages well into the night. And when, bleary-eyed, I finally put the book down and slept, it was the first thing I thought of when I woke up the next day and I couldn't wait to get back into the pages.

A lost soul, a guilt-ridden twin, a megalomaniac, an army of undead dragons. It's a roller coaster ride of emotion, sexy dragons, and tense battle scenes you do not want to miss. Who could ask for more? Cooke masterfully ramps up the tension bit by bit until you're sure the worst is just around the corner and you're whispering, "no!" with every word you read. I literally couldn't read fast enough to find out what happens next.

I've got to say that I'm impressed that Cooke has managed to create five distinctly different love stories, each of which is self-contained within a single novel, while at the same time continuing a main story arc which remains compelling and fresh thoughout the entire series.

And of course there's a teaser at the end of Whisper Kiss for novel number six, Darkfire Kiss due out May 2011 which I now have to wait impatiently for. *sigh* (if only I could wrangle an ARC for review purposes...)

I whole-heartedly recommend this book. And if you haven't read Cooke's other Dragonfire novels, now is the time to run out and find them for a marathon of shape-shifting fun.