Winter Kiss by Deborah Cooke – a Review
Winter Kiss is book 4 in Deborah Cooke’s Dragonfire Series. We met Delaney back in book one, he was critically wounded, taken by the Slayers and thought dead by his fellow Pyr. In Donovan’s book we learn that Delaney was held prisoner in Magnus’ Dark Academy and force-fed the Dragon’s Blood Elixir, placing a shadow upon his soul and being susceptible to Magnus’s commands. Thanks to his brother’s firestorm Delaney began to heal, dispelling some of the darkness that Magnus embedded in him. Now a couple of years later Delaney has exiled himself from his fellow Pyr, sold everything he owns and has taken on a suicide mission none of his fellow Pyr know of. Delaney feels he needs to destroy the Elixir to save not only his fellow Pyr, but the planet as well. There’s just one problem with Delaney’s plan, he winds up finding the one thing he never thought possible, his destined mate who brings about his firestorm.
Enter Ginger Sinclair, professional chef and city girl turned organic farm girl. Ginger was orphaned at a young age when her parents were killed in a serious car accident. She was raised by her Gran who also taught her everything she knows about farming. Ginger has always believed in kismet, fate, love at first sight, etc, and has a knack for setting up the right people. So when Delaney Shea walks into the very bar where Ginger is throwing an engagement party for her two best friends, she isn’t surprised by their instant connection. Ginger realizes from the start that Delaney is a keeper and there’s something special about him, she believes fate is finally on her side. Trusting her instincts she takes Delaney home with her and the two of them embark on a journey that neither would have thought possible.
Upon discovering his destined mate and firestorm Delaney sees this as his last honourable act towards his fellow Pyr and the earth. He decides to satisfy his firestorm, creating another Pyr born child to aid in the Pyr vs Slayer war and continue on with his plan. However, his firestorm and his fellow Pyr have other ideas. Believing he’s satisfied his firestorm Delaney contacts Erik, asks him to look after Ginger and his son, then leaves Ginger’s farm house and heads towards Magnus and the Elixir. During this battle with Magnus and attempt to destroy the Elixir Delaney realizes his firestorm is still burning, thus putting Ginger in harms way since not only will Pyr be drawn to his firestorm, but so too will the Slayers. Realizing he can’t leave Ginger unprotected until the firestorm is sated Delaney knows he needs to protect his mate at all costs and adjusts his mission long enough to either sate his firestorm or wait for the next eclipse.
Ginger never knew dragon shifters existed in her world before, but is now pulled into the battle of Pyr vs Slayer thanks to the firestorm and being chosen as Delaney’s mate. Learning about dragons and firestorms doesn’t turn Ginger away from Delaney, instead it only draws her closer to him as she learns about his ordeal and what he plans to do about it. The only problem Ginger has with this scenario is being left behind, alone and with the responsibility of raising a Pyr born child. Delaney tries to explain to her that there is no other choice for him, that what Magnus did to him will always be a part of him, and he sees it as a danger to not only his fellow Pyr but now to Ginger as well. With the aid of the other Pyr members Ginger listens to all the facts and information they can find on the Elixir, and their theories of how to stop Magnus and his evil plan. With her never give up attitude and belief in Delaney that he is the one she was meant to be with, Ginger finally convinces Delaney to try with all he’s got to come back to her. When Delaney agrees to her terms and makes his promise to her, Ginger finally agrees to try one last time to satisfy the firestorm. Having agreed to Ginger’s terms and promising her to try his best to return to her and give them a fighting chance is the firestorm finally sated.
Along their journey Delaney and Ginger have their share of ups and downs, but thanks to Delaney’s friends, his fellow Pyr, they are able to overcome these obstacles. It’s through these obstacles that Cooke finally informs her readers what the Dragon’s Blood Elixir really is and how it came about. We learn from Ginger’s captivity in Magnus’ lair about another Pyr named Cinnabar who worked in Magnus’ mercury mines years and years ago and what happened to him. Magnus informs Ginger that Cinnabar became the source of the Elixir but his usefulness is slowing fading and a replacement dragon is needed. One guess who this dragon happens to be, that’s right our tortured hero Delaney. Magnus was preparing Delaney to become Cinnabar’s replacement when he was being held prisoner in the Dark Academy. Believing his plan is fool proof, he didn’t factor into his plan one very determined and fiery mate named Ginger Sinclair and kismet as she would say. It’s through the firestorm and Ginger’s love for Delaney that she is able to dispel the darkness that Magnus embedded into him and give Delaney the extra boost in confidence he needs, thus bringing back his dare devil self, which gives him a renewed sense of life when he goes off to destroy the Elixir one last time. With the help of Ginger, his fellow Pyr and Cinnabar, Delaney is successfully in his mission and is given a second chance at life, a life with his mate and child.
I absolutely loved this book. I’m a sucker for the wounded soul character. You know, the one who feels there’s nothing left to live for because of the injustices that have been done to them, only to find hope when they least expect it. Delaney Shea is one of these characters, and I knew I’d be a goner where he was concerned going back to his brother Donovan’s book. I wanted him to have his HEA and succeed in his quest to destroy the elixir. I got everything I wanted and expected from Delaney’s story. From the battles, to the suspense to the romance. Speaking of battles, the final battle in the underground cavern is well written and had me on the edge of my seat. To be honest the whole book had me hanging on every word wondering how it would end, would Delaney get his HEA or would Magnus finally succeed? As I said at the end of my review for Kiss of Fury, I highly recommend not only this book, but the entire series. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed. Happy reading. 😉
Reviewed by Marcie
