Another great story from Kat Kinney who seamlessly weaves paranormal with cozy mystery and romance. Set in Everwood Falls, a supernatural community of fae folk, witches and shapeshifters, where Asher divides his time with the human realm where he can use his ‘fire control’ superpowers as a firefighter. But the consequences are dire when his control of fire is compromised by a dark curse and a demon arsonist is about setting fires. When dragon blood is found at one of the arson sites, Gwyneth, the shapeshifting dragon/lady is drawn into the investigation. The attraction between Ash and Gwyn is instantaneous but Ash is worried that his curse may put Gwyn in danger. And Gwyn has her own secrets that have followed her from the past that threaten their relationship. Can this love story overcome the pitfalls of curses, dark magic and ex-boyfriends? Great dialog and humor abound. Recommended for cozy-mystery and fantasy fans alike. ( )

This book was such an enjoyable read! I immediately connected with both Asher and Gwyn and wanted them to survive the dangers that came to Everwood Falls. Their sweet, romantic subplot was a nice addition to the larger storyline. I loved that Gwyn was a strong female character who not only needed no man’s help but served as a hero herself.

Except for its magical residents, enchanted forest surrounds, and magical elk, the setting for the story could be any small town with that warm, welcoming atmosphere. The camaraderie of the residents who mostly know and help one another, the community events, and the local shops' charm (no pun intended) all made for a very inviting feel. Despite the cold winters, I would love to live in a place like Everwood Falls.

While the plot was certainly intricate enough to hold my focus, Light My Pyre is an easy read with a classic “cozy” vibe. No scenes depict bloody battles or lurid love scenes on the page. Most of the action is character-based and that, for me, is what made the book so good. There’s a fair share of family drama filling the mid-ground throughout the story, too, which will likely strike a chord with many readers. The author also threw a few well-done twists into the tale that I did not see coming. Bravo!

There is a subtheme in the tale that focuses on discrimination, even racism, pointing out that most magical folk automatically jump to conclusions about dragon shifters or demons, and how that creates a gulf in understanding between the races—as true in Everwood Falls as it is in real life. The author’s handling of this sensitive topic was top-notch. While not preachy, she definitely points out how automatic assumptions about others can hurt both parties. I was glad to see that the characters in the book came to better understand this truth by the end of the story.

Thankfully, this is not the last we’ll see of Everwood Falls and its fine residents. The second book is in progress. I look forward to reading more from this author. Definitely recommended. ( )

In this delightful quick-paced paranormal romance that's a cozy mystery too, Asher and Gwyneth find themselves dealing with troubles from their pasts. At the same time, what seems to be a serial arsonist strikes in a hidden supernatural town in the Colorado Rockies.

Asher and Gwyneth aren't alone; others in town also have shadows from their pasts that haunt them. I enjoyed seeing how the various characters interacted, with both some conflict and some coordination. I found the characters interesting and distinct, although I would have liked to have seen just a bit more of getting to know them better. I did like the way some were brought to the point of confronting their own assumptions - well done! I loved that one of the characters was a sock-eating Irish wolfhound named Daisy.

While the story contains many of the elements common to cozy mysteries, it includes some great twists that kept it unique. The fast pace kept me reading, although at times it felt a little choppy when it moved so quickly from event to event.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. The mystery was engaging and satisfying, as were the characters and the sweet romance. It's an entertaining read and a great start to a new series!

(I received a free advance copy of this book. The opinions in this review are my own and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.) ( )