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Cold Fire: A Pre-Apocalyptic Dragon Romance
Burning for you
Faro is a Drakeborne Knight, a product of dragon and human DNA. He came to Earth on a mission to save his people and Faro thought he'd return to Iradia as a conquering hero, but then he meets Amy.
Inexplicably, he's drawn to her. Faro fears he inherited more than enhanced abilities. Dragons have fierce, unbreakable bonds with their mates. And now, Faro is torn between love and loyalty.
Since her father's untimely death, Amy has been grief-stricken, and every day is a struggle, until she meets Faro. He's not like other men, and eventually, she discovers Faro is an empathic shifter from another world. Faro lifts her burdens, brings her joy, but the secrets he's keeping threaten to tear them apart. Like thieves in the night, aliens are quietly looting our resources and Earth's days are numbered.
Can Amy forgive Faro? And will they save both their planets?
Faro is a Drakeborne Knight, a product of dragon and human DNA. He came to Earth on a mission to save his people and Faro thought he'd return to Iradia as a conquering hero, but then he meets Amy.
Inexplicably, he's drawn to her. Faro fears he inherited more than enhanced abilities. Dragons have fierce, unbreakable bonds with their mates. And now, Faro is torn between love and loyalty.
Since her father's untimely death, Amy has been grief-stricken, and every day is a struggle, until she meets Faro. He's not like other men, and eventually, she discovers Faro is an empathic shifter from another world. Faro lifts her burdens, brings her joy, but the secrets he's keeping threaten to tear them apart. Like thieves in the night, aliens are quietly looting our resources and Earth's days are numbered.
Can Amy forgive Faro? And will they save both their planets?
253 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 27, 2017
20 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
Emma Layne
3 books10 followersEmma Layne lives in the Midwest. She is a self-described nerd who loves science fiction, fantasy, and paranormal romance. In her daydreams, she’s traveled aboard the Firefly, gone on patrol with Buffy, become the Doctor’s companion, and raised her own baby dragons. Her favorite way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon is curled up in bed with a good book. And she’s never met a cat or a cup of coffee she didn’t like.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 17, 2018
So Cold Fire A Pre-Apocalyptic Dragon Romance (Ice Drake Series Book 1) by Emma Layne was an OK read for me, while this had plenty to reccomend it I dont think it went enough into detail overall to actually capture the reader's imagination.
All the ingredients were ultimately there, so I would say with a little more editing and additional input, this could easily be turned around from an OK read to a great read.
So first off I have never read anything by this author before and I absolutely love dragons.
So I think its safe to say I was excited to get started with this story.
So Cold fire follows the story of Amy and Faro.
Amy Is running a failing inn in Alaska, that since her father's death is vastly in need of a large sum of capital.
Faro is on earth looting its resources along with other alien races.
unbeknown to Earths leaders, Earth is in the path of a massive meteor like the one that killed the dinosaurs thousands of years ago and has only two years at most left before this fatal collision.
The intergalactic powers that be because of this have declared it open season on all earth's resources.
Faro is a Drakeborne Knight from the planet Iradia, a product of dragon and human DNA.
He can shapeshift into a dragon.
So he and his brothers need a place to reside while they covertly steal the planets natural supplies.
Amy sees them as the answer to her current financial nightmare as they come with a large wadd of cash, enough for a few months stay at her inn, saving her business.
So I'm going to start with the good, Cold Fire was an easy read with great world building.
There are so many places this story could branch off to and this was such a big plus.
The main characters here were likeable if a bit stereotypical.
I also loved the backdrop of Alaska and also having fire-breathing hot dragons didn't hurt either.
There were various interesting side characters involved here that I imagine can be developed further in future books.
I also loved the old world speech used here, I found it to be an extremely endearing touch.
So As I said earlier, some great things to be deloped further on.
Now for what I struggled with, well first I found Cold Fire to be quite a slow building story.
Which is fine as long as there is something to hold the reader's attention.
Here I found it was just Amy internalising about Faro with her yes I will, no I won't, and Faro poping his muscles everywhere trying to entice Amy.
When something does eventually happen to pep me up, I found it a bit disjointed and out of sync.
I didn't, myself, feel much of a connection towards Amy and Faro and I was also very uninvested in their relationship overall.
I felt very disconnected from the two and found myself skimming and although likeable, both sometimes came across as extremely irritating.
There is also one thing that really bugged me, Amy doesn't seem that bothered by her friend's awful future at all, she seemed more bothered by the reindeer's fates.
This really didn't warm me to the girl at all.
But Despite these issues, I still did enjoy this and also finished quite quickly.
It will be interesting to see where the author takes this as there is huge potential.
In conclusion, this was an OK easy read that with some further development could be a hell of a lot better than it actually is now.
I was gifted a copy of Cold Fire By Emma Layne of which I have reviewed voluntary.
All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
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December 18, 2017
A different and interesting twist on your usual dragon shifter romance set in a pre-apocalyptic time. (Please mark that 'pre', as it's what makes this story different.) This book can also be cataloged as Sci-Fi.
This book took longer than expected for me to read as it was slow to build. You meet the main characters and then lots of minor characters that appear randomly thrown in, each with a bit of an oddity. A few things happen without reason, expressions, comments that are bits of a puzzle - setting the groundwork so to speak.
Then comes the kicker, the visitors' reason for being in Alaska, and its a doozy. The romance seems almost minor after that 'reveal' and I'm actually more interested in how this 'situation' will be resolved over the span of this series. It's just too big to wrap your mind around and this first book was just a set up.
The pace needs a bit of up tempo and I need more to actually like these characters as the visitors leave me cold. However I'm going to keep an eye on this series because I want to know how this dilemma is resolved.
This book took longer than expected for me to read as it was slow to build. You meet the main characters and then lots of minor characters that appear randomly thrown in, each with a bit of an oddity. A few things happen without reason, expressions, comments that are bits of a puzzle - setting the groundwork so to speak.
Then comes the kicker, the visitors' reason for being in Alaska, and its a doozy. The romance seems almost minor after that 'reveal' and I'm actually more interested in how this 'situation' will be resolved over the span of this series. It's just too big to wrap your mind around and this first book was just a set up.
The pace needs a bit of up tempo and I need more to actually like these characters as the visitors leave me cold. However I'm going to keep an eye on this series because I want to know how this dilemma is resolved.
December 5, 2017
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book, direct from the author, that I write a review was not required.
I have a *thing* for dragons, as you well know, so when asked if I would like to read this, because, you know, I saw DRAGONS in the title! (This has however let me down before!) and who am I to dent dragons!
But I really REALLY enjoyed this book!
Faro and his brothers are on Earth to, basically, loot the planet of what they need to save THEIR planet, and since Earth is on the direct path of a comet, it's a bit of a free for all. Amy runs the hotel the brothers stay in, while doing their looting. She is struggling though, since the death of her father and Faro is drawn to her grief. Then he realises that maybe it's not her grief that draws his emphatic powers, but AMY herself, that she might just be the stuff of legends. She might just be his mate.
Like I said, really really enjoyed! Loved that the dragon doesn't show himself til very VERY late on in the book, but Faro tells Amy of his existence, and of where Faro and his brothers came from.
It's not overly complicated, or explicit or violent. Some of the words that Faro uses for various body parts are amusing, dated, like something out of an historical romance, BUT Faro does say, while his race is technically advanced, they do prefer the old ways, so maybe he meant old words too. Thats the way I read it. Liked that little clarification!
Told from both Amy and Faro's point of view, in the third person, it hit the right spot for me. It's a little on the long side for a hangover cure, but it was such an easy read, I cannot file it anywhere else. This is, by the way, a GOOD thing, being an easy read!
The passion between Faro and Amy simmers along nicely, but it is some time before they actually give in to it, and OH!!! what a surprise! I'm not gonna say what that is, but hey, lucky Amy! :-p
I'm expecting all the brothers, and the android to have their own story, and I saw at least one laying out here. And the issue of looting on Earth and the fate of Earth is going to run through those books. Because two years is not a long time, and before long Earth scientist will find out what's in their future.
Thank you to Ms Layne for my copy!
so, for an easy, dragon read
4 solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
I have a *thing* for dragons, as you well know, so when asked if I would like to read this, because, you know, I saw DRAGONS in the title! (This has however let me down before!) and who am I to dent dragons!
But I really REALLY enjoyed this book!
Faro and his brothers are on Earth to, basically, loot the planet of what they need to save THEIR planet, and since Earth is on the direct path of a comet, it's a bit of a free for all. Amy runs the hotel the brothers stay in, while doing their looting. She is struggling though, since the death of her father and Faro is drawn to her grief. Then he realises that maybe it's not her grief that draws his emphatic powers, but AMY herself, that she might just be the stuff of legends. She might just be his mate.
Like I said, really really enjoyed! Loved that the dragon doesn't show himself til very VERY late on in the book, but Faro tells Amy of his existence, and of where Faro and his brothers came from.
It's not overly complicated, or explicit or violent. Some of the words that Faro uses for various body parts are amusing, dated, like something out of an historical romance, BUT Faro does say, while his race is technically advanced, they do prefer the old ways, so maybe he meant old words too. Thats the way I read it. Liked that little clarification!
Told from both Amy and Faro's point of view, in the third person, it hit the right spot for me. It's a little on the long side for a hangover cure, but it was such an easy read, I cannot file it anywhere else. This is, by the way, a GOOD thing, being an easy read!
The passion between Faro and Amy simmers along nicely, but it is some time before they actually give in to it, and OH!!! what a surprise! I'm not gonna say what that is, but hey, lucky Amy! :-p
I'm expecting all the brothers, and the android to have their own story, and I saw at least one laying out here. And the issue of looting on Earth and the fate of Earth is going to run through those books. Because two years is not a long time, and before long Earth scientist will find out what's in their future.
Thank you to Ms Layne for my copy!
so, for an easy, dragon read
4 solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
January 18, 2018
Faro and Amy
Amy has been grieving because her father died in a car accident several months ago. She is now the soul owner of the family's Inn. It is the middle of winter and they don't have many guests so she needs to find a way to get out of debt. But then her best friend and coworker Ivy points her in the direction of a hot man that looks like he is dressed for a renaissance fair. The man, introduced as Faro, needs rooms for himself and his six brothers.
Faro is an alien. He is humanoid with Drake DNA, so he can shift into a dragon. Him, his six brother-knights and one Android are on earth to raid it of a mineral that is needed on their planet. Oh and they each have some kind of special ability. Faro's is empathy.
The Parliament of Planets has decided that any of the other alien planets can take what they want from earth because an asteroid is enroute to destroy everything soon. So we are introduced to at least three different alien types in this book.
Amy and Faro both fight their feelings for each other for very different reasons. Faro isn't allowed to be with a human by their council and Amy doesn't want to get attached to someone and then lose them, like her dad.
I enjoyed the drama happening around the love story. Amy as plenty of girl friends around her plus there are six more brothers to be mated, so this appears to be a longer series which makes me happy.
Amy has been grieving because her father died in a car accident several months ago. She is now the soul owner of the family's Inn. It is the middle of winter and they don't have many guests so she needs to find a way to get out of debt. But then her best friend and coworker Ivy points her in the direction of a hot man that looks like he is dressed for a renaissance fair. The man, introduced as Faro, needs rooms for himself and his six brothers.
Faro is an alien. He is humanoid with Drake DNA, so he can shift into a dragon. Him, his six brother-knights and one Android are on earth to raid it of a mineral that is needed on their planet. Oh and they each have some kind of special ability. Faro's is empathy.
The Parliament of Planets has decided that any of the other alien planets can take what they want from earth because an asteroid is enroute to destroy everything soon. So we are introduced to at least three different alien types in this book.
Amy and Faro both fight their feelings for each other for very different reasons. Faro isn't allowed to be with a human by their council and Amy doesn't want to get attached to someone and then lose them, like her dad.
I enjoyed the drama happening around the love story. Amy as plenty of girl friends around her plus there are six more brothers to be mated, so this appears to be a longer series which makes me happy.
January 13, 2018
Amount of sex 2.5 / 5
How explicit 3 / 5
Story 4 / 5
Overall: 4 / 5
I just love shapeshifter stories, especially ones with panty melting alpha males! Cold Fire has a bit of a different twist than other shapeshifter stories that I have read. This pre-apocalyptic story takes place in Alaska, although everyone on earth has no knowledge that the Earth will no longer exist in two years. Faro and his alien dragon shifter brothers came here with the intention of saving their own planet. They check in at Amy’s inn, which is struggling after her father passed away. Faro immediately is attracted to Amy. He pursues her and discovers that they have a strong mate bond. What will Faro do when he’s forced to choose between Amy and his brothers?
Faro and Amy’s story ends with a HFN ending, but the danger to Earth continues into the next book, Frost Fire. Frost Fire is the story of Blaze and Molly, which will be released on January 15th, 2018.
*Voluntarily Review a Gifted Copy*
How explicit 3 / 5
Story 4 / 5
Overall: 4 / 5
I just love shapeshifter stories, especially ones with panty melting alpha males! Cold Fire has a bit of a different twist than other shapeshifter stories that I have read. This pre-apocalyptic story takes place in Alaska, although everyone on earth has no knowledge that the Earth will no longer exist in two years. Faro and his alien dragon shifter brothers came here with the intention of saving their own planet. They check in at Amy’s inn, which is struggling after her father passed away. Faro immediately is attracted to Amy. He pursues her and discovers that they have a strong mate bond. What will Faro do when he’s forced to choose between Amy and his brothers?
Faro and Amy’s story ends with a HFN ending, but the danger to Earth continues into the next book, Frost Fire. Frost Fire is the story of Blaze and Molly, which will be released on January 15th, 2018.
*Voluntarily Review a Gifted Copy*
December 7, 2017
I received Cold Fire as a free book from the author. The gifting did not determine the review/rating, which reflects my honest opinion. It's hard to give an accurate page count, as the Kindle book was double-spaced.
The plot was simple, with no complex world-building or character development, but it was a pleasant read. There was a bit of a disconnect for me that the aliens didn't know about things like Christmas or towels, but used terms like "ivory tower." Some reveals are done in such a way I was disengaging from the story due to what I thought were discrepancies -- things eventually get explained, but by then, I'd been pulled out of the read. Awkward.
The plot was simple, with no complex world-building or character development, but it was a pleasant read. There was a bit of a disconnect for me that the aliens didn't know about things like Christmas or towels, but used terms like "ivory tower." Some reveals are done in such a way I was disengaging from the story due to what I thought were discrepancies -- things eventually get explained, but by then, I'd been pulled out of the read. Awkward.
December 4, 2017
Wow! This was the first book I have read by this author and thought it was an excellent read! Great story line and plot for the beginning of a new series!
Though I wasn't a big fan of Amy's personality because it felt like she didn't have much backbone, she wasn't a complete pushover and Faro, along with the other characters in the book, made up for what I feel she lacked in strength. I am super excited to see what the next books bring and REALLY can't wait to see Mydon's story!!
Excellent work Ms. Layne!!
Though I wasn't a big fan of Amy's personality because it felt like she didn't have much backbone, she wasn't a complete pushover and Faro, along with the other characters in the book, made up for what I feel she lacked in strength. I am super excited to see what the next books bring and REALLY can't wait to see Mydon's story!!
Excellent work Ms. Layne!!
December 21, 2017
This is the 1st book I’ve read and reviewed for Emma Layne and I loved it, this is Amy and Faro’s story. Earth is going to be hit by a asteroid so Faro and his brothers have been sent to earth on a mission collect earths resources. They stop at a inn and meet the innkeeper Amy, Faro and Amy have chemistry right from the start but Faro has too many secrets he’s keeping from Amy and he doesn’t know if she will accept him. I’m not giving anymore spoilers away or I won’t stop. I loved the characters, the storyline and the chemistry between Amy and Faro. I definitely recommend this book.
December 5, 2017
An excellent start for this new series! Faro and his brothers are seven hot and sexy dragon shifters, aliens on a mission to save their people. Their interactions on Earth resulted in Faro finding his mate, and with all the interesting women who enrich the background storyline, I expect his reluctant, but really, they won't be able to stop themselves, brothers will soon follow suit! I am loving this series! I did read and am voluntarily reviewing an advanced reader copy of this book.
July 2, 2018
Science fiction romance at its finest
This was an awesome mix of many concepts I love in novels. I really wish I could read every one and find out how she concludes earths demise or saving. I was drawn in quickly and grew to love each character. I’d love to find out who they all end up with, though I have a sneaky suspicion who ivy winds up with according to clues, and molly.
This was an awesome mix of many concepts I love in novels. I really wish I could read every one and find out how she concludes earths demise or saving. I was drawn in quickly and grew to love each character. I’d love to find out who they all end up with, though I have a sneaky suspicion who ivy winds up with according to clues, and molly.
December 8, 2017
This authors original story line really caught my attention. The book was well written but was a little long in places. But the flow was constant. I’m looking forward to the continuation of this story and where the authors imagination is gonna take us.
December 27, 2017
I love, love, love Faro and Amy's story. The premise of why the Drakeborns are on Earth is interesting and I enjoyed that very much as well. I am anxious for more books in this series.
June 12, 2020
Really good book
This was a good story, I literally read it in a few hours. If you like dragons or aliens, or in this case both, you need to read this.
This was a good story, I literally read it in a few hours. If you like dragons or aliens, or in this case both, you need to read this.
January 26, 2018
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
Cold Fire brings us shapeshifting alien dragons, a dying planet, a hero unwilling to embrace his powers and a reluctant heroine. Thrown together, it's an interesting mixture for a story.
I'm fascinated with the world that Ms Layne has created. I loved the idea of alien dragon shifters who were also knights on the planet they are from. They are on a mission on Earth in order to save their planet but they need to keep their mission and their identity secret. Things get complicated since there are also other aliens running around looting this pre-Apocalyptic version of Earth.
Faro is an alien. He's also a shapeshifting dragon full of magic and power. I liked Faro well enough. He is your typical strong, protective hero with a powerful gift. And being an alien, Faro has a lot of secrets he is keeping from Amy. Secrets that would affect their relationship.
Amy is human and grieving over a terrible loss in her life. She is barely making it through each day because of her grief and she puts on a brave face to deal with each day as it arises with the common refrain of "I'm fine". Because of her loss, she is reluctant to take a chance on relationships and life in general.
While the story itself was a pleasant enough read, I had a hard time connecting with Faro and Amy. As characters, I would have liked them to have more depth. Amy spent a little too much time in the story running away from Faro and shutting him down. That got tiresome to read after a while. Fortunately, Faro is a persistent alien. :-) I admit to getting a bit impatient of the tap dancing they were doing around each other and wanted them to trust each other and connect quicker.
I liked that Ms Layne made Faro anatomically different as an alien and it had the potential to make for some very kinky sex. The only thing was the whole kinky sex seemed to be glossed over and the mechanics didn't quite work out for me as I was reading so I got a little cross-eyed trying to figure out Tab A inserted into Slot B.
All that said, it's a good set up for the series and I want to know what happens with the other hunky aliens and if they pair up with the other women already mentioned in the story. And since I'm a sucker for a series and hunky alien dragon shifters, I think I will be interested in reading the other books.
See more from Deanna's World
Cold Fire brings us shapeshifting alien dragons, a dying planet, a hero unwilling to embrace his powers and a reluctant heroine. Thrown together, it's an interesting mixture for a story.
I'm fascinated with the world that Ms Layne has created. I loved the idea of alien dragon shifters who were also knights on the planet they are from. They are on a mission on Earth in order to save their planet but they need to keep their mission and their identity secret. Things get complicated since there are also other aliens running around looting this pre-Apocalyptic version of Earth.
Faro is an alien. He's also a shapeshifting dragon full of magic and power. I liked Faro well enough. He is your typical strong, protective hero with a powerful gift. And being an alien, Faro has a lot of secrets he is keeping from Amy. Secrets that would affect their relationship.
Amy is human and grieving over a terrible loss in her life. She is barely making it through each day because of her grief and she puts on a brave face to deal with each day as it arises with the common refrain of "I'm fine". Because of her loss, she is reluctant to take a chance on relationships and life in general.
While the story itself was a pleasant enough read, I had a hard time connecting with Faro and Amy. As characters, I would have liked them to have more depth. Amy spent a little too much time in the story running away from Faro and shutting him down. That got tiresome to read after a while. Fortunately, Faro is a persistent alien. :-) I admit to getting a bit impatient of the tap dancing they were doing around each other and wanted them to trust each other and connect quicker.
I liked that Ms Layne made Faro anatomically different as an alien and it had the potential to make for some very kinky sex. The only thing was the whole kinky sex seemed to be glossed over and the mechanics didn't quite work out for me as I was reading so I got a little cross-eyed trying to figure out Tab A inserted into Slot B.
All that said, it's a good set up for the series and I want to know what happens with the other hunky aliens and if they pair up with the other women already mentioned in the story. And since I'm a sucker for a series and hunky alien dragon shifters, I think I will be interested in reading the other books.
See more from Deanna's World
December 4, 2017
This was a different book then what I normally read. I really enjoyed it! Alien dragon's that are sexy alpha men... Yes sign me up. I couldn't put this book down. It was so good. This is the first book of Emma Layne's that I've read and I can't wait to read the next book in this series. I totally recommend!
January 3, 2018
Lovely non complicated and easy read - dragons/aliens, sizzling hotness and a dash of danger. Emma most certainly has me hooked on the other brothers too with promise of becoming a great writer.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews