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Pepper #2
If There Be Dragons
In the isolated sanctuary of her Montana ranch, no one could hurt Brooke Kennedy, whose gift had led her to build a wall of ice around her heart. One person had stormed those barricades: her friend Pepper, who embraced the world and meddled in the lives of those she loved. Now Brooke needed help, and Pepper sent troubleshooter Cody Nash to melt the barriers Brooke had raised. A golden man whose tender persuasion opened the door to the maze that was Brooke's soul, Cody dared face the fire-breathing dragons that haunted her mind. But first Brooke had to believe that he loved her -- enough to catch her when she fell off the edge of the world....
Unknown Binding
First published December 1, 1984
283 people are currently reading
578 people want to read
About the author
Kay Hooper
97 books2,446 followersKay Hooper (aka Kay Robbins) was born in California, in an air force base hospital since her father was stationed there at the time. The family moved back to North Carolina shortly afterward, so she was raised and went to school there.
The oldest of three children, Kay has a brother two years younger and a sister seven years younger. Her father and brother are builders who own a highly respected construction company, and her mother worked for many years in personnel management before becoming Kay's personal assistant, a position she held until her untimely death in March 2002. Kay's sister Linda works as her Business Manager, Events Coordinator, and is playing a major role in the creation and operation of The Kay Hooper Foundation.
Kay graduated from East Rutherford High School and attended Isothermal Community College — where she quickly discovered that business classes did not in any way enthrall her. Switching to more involving courses such as history and literature, she also began to concentrate on writing, which had been a longtime interest. Very quickly hooked, she asked for a Christmas typewriter and began seriously working on her first novel. That book, a Regency romance titled Lady Thief, sold to Dell Publishing in 1980. She has since published more than 60 novels and four novellas.
Kay is single and lives in a very small town in North Carolina, not far from her father and siblings. Deigning to live with her are a flock of cats — Bonnie, Ginger, Oscar, Tuffy, Felix, Renny, and Isabel — of various personalities who all like sleeping on manuscripts and whatever research happens to be spread across Kay's desk. And living amongst the many felines are two cheerfully tolerant dogs, a shelter rescue, Bandit, who looks rather like a small sheepdog, and a Sheltie named Lizzie.
The oldest of three children, Kay has a brother two years younger and a sister seven years younger. Her father and brother are builders who own a highly respected construction company, and her mother worked for many years in personnel management before becoming Kay's personal assistant, a position she held until her untimely death in March 2002. Kay's sister Linda works as her Business Manager, Events Coordinator, and is playing a major role in the creation and operation of The Kay Hooper Foundation.
Kay graduated from East Rutherford High School and attended Isothermal Community College — where she quickly discovered that business classes did not in any way enthrall her. Switching to more involving courses such as history and literature, she also began to concentrate on writing, which had been a longtime interest. Very quickly hooked, she asked for a Christmas typewriter and began seriously working on her first novel. That book, a Regency romance titled Lady Thief, sold to Dell Publishing in 1980. She has since published more than 60 novels and four novellas.
Kay is single and lives in a very small town in North Carolina, not far from her father and siblings. Deigning to live with her are a flock of cats — Bonnie, Ginger, Oscar, Tuffy, Felix, Renny, and Isabel — of various personalities who all like sleeping on manuscripts and whatever research happens to be spread across Kay's desk. And living amongst the many felines are two cheerfully tolerant dogs, a shelter rescue, Bandit, who looks rather like a small sheepdog, and a Sheltie named Lizzie.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
May 28, 2021
I gave “If There Be Dragons” a hearty try but romance as a genre bores me. This 1984 “Pepper” instalment was billed as a mystery. Instead, it was about 28 year-old Brooke “having the dragon” of being afraid to lose someone, in order to embrace relationships. I love stories without strife, in which people are happy and show us their world. That is why I appreciate the “Anne Of Green Gables” series by Lucy Maud Montgomery and “Where Nests The Water Hen” by Gabrielle Roy. Alas, ceaseless carbon copy remarks about "Cody’s golden eyes" and "the greenest eyes he had ever seen" became page-filler.
Taking in an injured wolf and waiting for that graceful boy’s mate to return, is what gave heart to this story and thrilled me! I enjoyed seamless modern humour and banter, especially about Uncle Josh’s intelligent, 30 year-old donkey, “Mister”! Kay Hooper did not make use of Brooke’s striking feature: mindreading. The novel faded into instant love and external telling of a Mother’s neglect in the past and needing to open up to Cody, if Brooke chose. Kay repeated such phrases and scenes in the last third of this novel so much, I am surprised editors permitted it.
I need mystery, the paranormal, animal love, nature, or adventure furnishing the genres. I cannot fathom people wading through chapters solely with romance as a story axis, unless they are polished to be less redundant than this. Readers like characters marrying and having children as we surmise they will; not a trope about reluctance to love. Readers can simply enjoy watching characters bond, without scenarios that are worn out. Away from romances and violent thrillers, I am an avid fan of Kay’s bonafide mysteries. Her best novel for me so far is still “The Haunting Of Josie”, 1994.
Taking in an injured wolf and waiting for that graceful boy’s mate to return, is what gave heart to this story and thrilled me! I enjoyed seamless modern humour and banter, especially about Uncle Josh’s intelligent, 30 year-old donkey, “Mister”! Kay Hooper did not make use of Brooke’s striking feature: mindreading. The novel faded into instant love and external telling of a Mother’s neglect in the past and needing to open up to Cody, if Brooke chose. Kay repeated such phrases and scenes in the last third of this novel so much, I am surprised editors permitted it.
I need mystery, the paranormal, animal love, nature, or adventure furnishing the genres. I cannot fathom people wading through chapters solely with romance as a story axis, unless they are polished to be less redundant than this. Readers like characters marrying and having children as we surmise they will; not a trope about reluctance to love. Readers can simply enjoy watching characters bond, without scenarios that are worn out. Away from romances and violent thrillers, I am an avid fan of Kay’s bonafide mysteries. Her best novel for me so far is still “The Haunting Of Josie”, 1994.
September 14, 2008
Well, umm, it was easy to see this is a re-release of one of her older books (Loveswept, 1984). What a difference almost 25 years makes, eh? The story was... interesting, but I'm pretty sure it was the purple prose that made this so hard for me to get through.
Don't get me wrong. I'm actually a fan of her 'Bishop Special Crimes Unit' series. And I'm mighty glad that her writing has matured over the years and it's always fun to look back at favored authors' earlier stories and try to find similarities in style or plot. But I want y'all to be warned. Or you could maybe look on it as an editing project? Find 25 unneeded adjectives per page? Cut out 25 pages worth of soul-searching?
So...you've been warned.
Don't get me wrong. I'm actually a fan of her 'Bishop Special Crimes Unit' series. And I'm mighty glad that her writing has matured over the years and it's always fun to look back at favored authors' earlier stories and try to find similarities in style or plot. But I want y'all to be warned. Or you could maybe look on it as an editing project? Find 25 unneeded adjectives per page? Cut out 25 pages worth of soul-searching?
So...you've been warned.
March 1, 2011
A friend recommended the book Here Be Dragons as an excellent book to read. I made the mistake of grabbing this book instead. This book was terrible. The story went nowhere. It was so boring and silly. I listened to it on CD while in the car. The more I listened the more I couldn't wait for it to be over. The narrator wasn't very good either.
June 7, 2018
"If there Be Dragons" is the story of Brooke and Cody.
When Cody is sent up a snowy mountain lodge to rescue Brooke on his friend Pepper's request, he never expects to be karate chopped or fall instantly for who appears to be "not so helpless" lady.
Soon a storm strands them together in the cabin, and Cody understands why Brooke isolates herself, and why she is afraid.
A beautiful tale filled with paranatural elements, there is insta love and slaying of "dragons" in this one, along with facing the past, learning to trust and an adorable wolf couple.
Wonderfully written with tender moments between the h and H, I really enjoyed it- and that includes the extended epilogue.
Great insomnia read!
Safe
4/5
When Cody is sent up a snowy mountain lodge to rescue Brooke on his friend Pepper's request, he never expects to be karate chopped or fall instantly for who appears to be "not so helpless" lady.
Soon a storm strands them together in the cabin, and Cody understands why Brooke isolates herself, and why she is afraid.
A beautiful tale filled with paranatural elements, there is insta love and slaying of "dragons" in this one, along with facing the past, learning to trust and an adorable wolf couple.
Wonderfully written with tender moments between the h and H, I really enjoyed it- and that includes the extended epilogue.
Great insomnia read!
Safe
4/5
January 18, 2022
If only it was really about dragons. Instant love is just not my thing. The dialogue was cringy, and I found myself feeling embarrassed for the main character. At about 50%, it's a DNF for me. To be fair, romance is really not my favorite genre. I am sure there are many other people who would love it.
January 24, 2025
This was very slow paced and just couldn't hold my attention. I listened till the end but did not feel the characters or their connection at all.
July 19, 2018
This is the first book by the author that I read but I also purchased two other books by the author. Thankfully the reviews on the other two books look good.
I found "If There Be Dragons" to be very boring. The summary on the back made it sound better than it is and more of a thriller but this book is actually a very cheesy love story.
Apparently the man falls in the love with the woman in 2 hours- which is ridiculous; and the the woman is apparently a psychic- which is also ridiculous. To add to the story they befriend a pet wolf!!!
The reference to the dragons was said so often in the book, their conversations and thoughts were repeated so often- her nightmares on the dragon was lame. Both of their personalities were lame. It was like reading a romance on 12 year olds when in fact they are late twenties. I wasn't very impressed- but I always give an author two chances as you never know so I will definitely try reading another.
I would recommend this book to simple minds that enjoy very cheesy far-fetched romances.
I found "If There Be Dragons" to be very boring. The summary on the back made it sound better than it is and more of a thriller but this book is actually a very cheesy love story.
Apparently the man falls in the love with the woman in 2 hours- which is ridiculous; and the the woman is apparently a psychic- which is also ridiculous. To add to the story they befriend a pet wolf!!!
The reference to the dragons was said so often in the book, their conversations and thoughts were repeated so often- her nightmares on the dragon was lame. Both of their personalities were lame. It was like reading a romance on 12 year olds when in fact they are late twenties. I wasn't very impressed- but I always give an author two chances as you never know so I will definitely try reading another.
I would recommend this book to simple minds that enjoy very cheesy far-fetched romances.
October 21, 2017
This book was hard to rate.. My actual rating is 3.5. due to its romance. This is barely a finger in paranormal, and I can tell it was written awhile ago. I love the author and her Bishop novels and mysteries. The fact that Brooke lives in the Montana wild alone, causes concern for her pregnant friend Penny, who asks a best friend of her husband to check on her. The rest is not the bite your nails, or jump at shadows story. It is more the kind man, and a type of therapy concerning her childhood, and loss in her life. I did like the ending, but I think her writing has,come along way. The animals were a cute touch though.
March 19, 2022
This was an engaging contemporary romance. Brooke Kennedy is the proprietor of a lodge in the Montana wilderness. Cody Nash is a computer expert and freelance troubleshooter. When Pepper, a friend of both of them, convinces Cody to visit because Brooke is having problems, Cody doesn't expect to take one look and fall in love.
Brooke is hiding a secret paranormal gift which is one of the reasons she finds life in the Montana wilderness so agreeable. She is also suffering from night terrors. She doesn't want Cody's help. She has become used to being alone and not having anyone to depend on.
Cody is a stubborn man who is willing to take all the time he needs to convince Brooke that he is trustworthy. And he has a lot of time. He arrives in Montana just ahead of a series of blizzards and winter storms that keep the two of them confined for weeks.
Also confined with them is a wolf who had a broken leg and whose mental cries for help are what triggered Brooke's night terrors.
This was a good example of a romance with no outside conflict. The two of them need to battle the demons of Brooke's troubled past when she was exploited by a mother who hated her.
I liked the romance which is a lucky thing since there was nothing else in the story to dilute it or turn focus away from it. Brooke and Cody were both interesting characters.
Brooke is hiding a secret paranormal gift which is one of the reasons she finds life in the Montana wilderness so agreeable. She is also suffering from night terrors. She doesn't want Cody's help. She has become used to being alone and not having anyone to depend on.
Cody is a stubborn man who is willing to take all the time he needs to convince Brooke that he is trustworthy. And he has a lot of time. He arrives in Montana just ahead of a series of blizzards and winter storms that keep the two of them confined for weeks.
Also confined with them is a wolf who had a broken leg and whose mental cries for help are what triggered Brooke's night terrors.
This was a good example of a romance with no outside conflict. The two of them need to battle the demons of Brooke's troubled past when she was exploited by a mother who hated her.
I liked the romance which is a lucky thing since there was nothing else in the story to dilute it or turn focus away from it. Brooke and Cody were both interesting characters.
Read
August 9, 2019I picked this book up at the library's used book sale, based on the blurb. I assumed it was a paranormal, suspense, romance novel. I was wrong. While a few paranormal threads did wind their way through the story, they were few and far between. Zero suspense. The characters were very likeable and had solid chemistry, but the plot choppy.
October 29, 2024
Cute romance with some substance. Easy read.
February 4, 2010
Read this book in 4 hours. Loved it! The characters Brooke & Cody had the best banter - made me smile. I hate love stories, but this one captured me. "Mister", the donkey as well as "Phantom & Psyche", the wolves made this book enchanted. Oh my gosh.....did I just say that!????!! : ')
February 2, 2014
This was my mistake..I don't read romance and haven't since 1980. I can't rate this book as I did not have the time to read it..So many books but so little time left for me...
Read
January 21, 2025REVIEW: No. Instant diabetes. Silly.
VERDICT: 1 star or below.
VERDICT: 1 star or below.
September 30, 2020
Here's how it begins: Cody is sent on a mission by his friend's wife to rescue a damsel in distress, and is rightfully annoyed at being tripped up in the snow by the said damsel (who is some karate blackbelter), spraining his ankle and -- from his behaviour thereafter, obviously being hit in the head and causing haemorrhage in his brain.
Oh wait, he would have had to hit his groin for that.
So he is aided inside a dark kitchen by said karate wielding damsel, and he decides (rather irritably) to return from his mission because obviously the damsel is more than able to take care of herself. Then she walks back to the kitchen with some candles (there was a power cut), he sees her ah-maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaazing face, and bam! His protective instincts rush back in full force. She suddenly reverts into the damsel who is in SO much distress that he needs to be there for her, not just through the power cut, but for ever and ever, because he is "falling in love" with her. Because she is oh-so-sad and she has been oh-so-misunderstood for her mind-reading capability, and she has been oh-so-shunned by everybody. What else can he do but stay back and slay her dragons?
All of this within about 25 seconds of seeing her face.
DNFing at the 3rd chapter because my eyes already ache from all the rolling.
Oh wait, he would have had to hit his groin for that.
So he is aided inside a dark kitchen by said karate wielding damsel, and he decides (rather irritably) to return from his mission because obviously the damsel is more than able to take care of herself. Then she walks back to the kitchen with some candles (there was a power cut), he sees her ah-maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaazing face, and bam! His protective instincts rush back in full force. She suddenly reverts into the damsel who is in SO much distress that he needs to be there for her, not just through the power cut, but for ever and ever, because he is "falling in love" with her. Because she is oh-so-sad and she has been oh-so-misunderstood for her mind-reading capability, and she has been oh-so-shunned by everybody. What else can he do but stay back and slay her dragons?
All of this within about 25 seconds of seeing her face.
DNFing at the 3rd chapter because my eyes already ache from all the rolling.
March 29, 2021
Cody Nash's friend, Pepper, asks him to check on her friend at her lodge in Montana. Pepper is convince Brooke is in trouble. Cody agrees, not knowing what to expect. He finds a beautiful, emotionally closed off woman. In an instant he knows he has to find a way to help her face her dragons before they can be together.
Originally published for Bantam Loveswept, this is the kind of book that made me seek out Kay Hooper. Cody is patient and kind without appearing weak. Brooke is fascinating. The two learn to work together. The conflict in this book is within Brooke's own psyche. It's a really interesting read.
Originally published for Bantam Loveswept, this is the kind of book that made me seek out Kay Hooper. Cody is patient and kind without appearing weak. Brooke is fascinating. The two learn to work together. The conflict in this book is within Brooke's own psyche. It's a really interesting read.
August 24, 2018
I love Kay Hooper, but if I could give this zero stars, I would. Blech! This book is terrible! I just met you. I've just spoken with you for a total of 3o minutes. But I love you. You can't get me to leave your house. That's not creepy at all. Nope. I'm going to slay all of your mental dragons without your consent. Because you're going to drop all of your walls for me for no reason just because you're so enamored with my persistence. You're gonna fall in love with me, right? Of course, she will. Gross! Horrible! And if I read one more "darling," I'll puke!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 15, 2022
Labeled as a romance but comes across as a nightmare. Cody shows up at a strangers house to check on her (Brooke) via a request of a mutual friend. Within days he is confessing his love for a complete stranger and forcing her to "fight her dragons".
Unfortunately it is a very toxic love story that is unrealistic at its best. Long story short, a big man in the city finds an emotionally unavailable and vulnerable woman whom he harasses into liking him back. Gave me bad flashbacks to abusive relationships. Wouldn't recommend
Unfortunately it is a very toxic love story that is unrealistic at its best. Long story short, a big man in the city finds an emotionally unavailable and vulnerable woman whom he harasses into liking him back. Gave me bad flashbacks to abusive relationships. Wouldn't recommend
July 1, 2018
Note to self: always check the publication date and never read re-released books from the start of an author’s career.
Like one or two others of Key Hooper’s early work, I couldn’t finish it. It was horrible.
I LOVE the Bishop series and the Thief books, so I’m happy to say that she improved with time and experience. But let’s keep the past in the past. These early books should be left to rest in the graveyard of forgotten books.
Like one or two others of Key Hooper’s early work, I couldn’t finish it. It was horrible.
I LOVE the Bishop series and the Thief books, so I’m happy to say that she improved with time and experience. But let’s keep the past in the past. These early books should be left to rest in the graveyard of forgotten books.
May 30, 2019
The cover on my edition is very different (and a bit misleading) ...as much as I enjoy Kay Hooper (esp. The Bishop Files series), I probably wouldn't have chosen this book if I'd realized it was a simple romance, rather than the paranormal mysteries I'm used to from her. I miss the twists & more complex plot lines... this story is pretty basic imho. I like the characters, but would've preferred more complexity & plot.
August 11, 2020
Omg, how could Kay Hooper wrong me like this?
I'm OBSESSED with the Bishop Files, nearly all of them were 5-star reads for me.
However, this one was lackluster.
Okay, this one was less than that. There wasn't even a glimmer of redemption. It was just a dark, dismal pit of cringe-worthy dialogue and forced character interactions.
Page 37 our hero declares he's in love with our heroine.
WTactualF.
I DNF. 🤧
I'm OBSESSED with the Bishop Files, nearly all of them were 5-star reads for me.
However, this one was lackluster.
Okay, this one was less than that. There wasn't even a glimmer of redemption. It was just a dark, dismal pit of cringe-worthy dialogue and forced character interactions.
Page 37 our hero declares he's in love with our heroine.
WTactualF.
I DNF. 🤧
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2021
I do not think the title of this book is grammatically correct. That my only gripe.
Even though this book was short, it had substance.
It is a story about a young woman facing her "dragons" her fears. The story is about dealing with loss and learning to trust people.
A story that also deals with heavy losses and grief is "winners" by Danielle Steele
I would recommend it
(BTW is it okay to recommend other books in your book rewiew???) I'll stop doing it if you dissaprove.
Even though this book was short, it had substance.
It is a story about a young woman facing her "dragons" her fears. The story is about dealing with loss and learning to trust people.
A story that also deals with heavy losses and grief is "winners" by Danielle Steele
I would recommend it
(BTW is it okay to recommend other books in your book rewiew???) I'll stop doing it if you dissaprove.
April 17, 2025
A sweet story, a little too sweet for my taste. The dragons in the book were a metaphor for fears and worries and that was ok. Throw in the wilds of Montana, an injured wolf and a stubborn donkey and that was ok. But the interaction of the primary characters is where the sweet got too thick for my liking. I didn't count but "I love you" must have been said at least 200 times! It was a bit too much.
July 26, 2017
I love Kay Hooper. I thought all her books were paranormal romance/ mysteries.
This book had such potential. Someone with psychic ability hearing voices from outside.... then nothing. It was like the book had no plot other than being a romance. Oh well. Straight romance books just aren't my thing. I need a conflict or murder or something to keep my interest.
This book had such potential. Someone with psychic ability hearing voices from outside.... then nothing. It was like the book had no plot other than being a romance. Oh well. Straight romance books just aren't my thing. I need a conflict or murder or something to keep my interest.
December 28, 2018
Nice read... just so fantastical in that there is no way a man could be so emotionally open. He was so perfect. So perfect that is was too unreal. He was so intuitive that he knew exactly what she needed to slay her dragons plus the patience to wait before pouncing on her after his "love at first sight" (this is another thing I have a problem with).
February 4, 2019
Disappointment is the first thing that comes to mind! I thought I was getting another Bishop or physic book, not a love story. I hate romance novels and this one wasn't much better. I didn't see Loveswept on the title of this one nor anything else that warned me that it wasn't what I was expecting.
July 4, 2021
I have been a fan of Kay Hooper for years. I had this book tucked away and pulled out for weekend read. Through most of the book I was bored and disappointed in a predictable love story. My favorite part was actually the wolves. I guess if you like a quick, easy read with simple and sweet love story this would be a good read.
February 15, 2022
if there be dragons by KayHooper
Not my favorite novel. It was kind of lame, maybe because I don’t believe in love at first sight and men who act like their brains are made of mush. I love Ms.Hooper’s novels, but this simply didn’t make my favorite list. It was a love story and many readers might love it. Reviewed by Heide Katros, Winter Haven News, Florida
Not my favorite novel. It was kind of lame, maybe because I don’t believe in love at first sight and men who act like their brains are made of mush. I love Ms.Hooper’s novels, but this simply didn’t make my favorite list. It was a love story and many readers might love it. Reviewed by Heide Katros, Winter Haven News, Florida
August 28, 2025
Five hours listening to a narrator with a tone of smugness and I wondering the point of this whole story (no summary or spoiler here) and then wondering why I cared (other than about the wolf). Overall, not for me even when I finished it hoping for something more. Then I checked when the story was first published and the 1984 date explained a lot of the dialogue and attitudes.
May 29, 2017
Definitely one of her early works. I Could have skipped a large portion of the book and went on without missing a beat. Truthfully, I should have skipped a large portion of the book and moved on to one of her newer ones.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews