Fury of Frustration (Dragonfury Scotland, #6) by Coreene Callahan – Review

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4 stars, Book Review, Coreene Callahan, dragons, paranormal, paranormal romance, romance, Scotland, series

Review of Fury of Frustration

Ferguson McGlivery, is slightly more than human.  She just doesn’t know it yet.  Good thing she learns fast!  A she learns about her inheritance, The White Hare inn, and she must take on the dragon-warrior Kruger.  

Kruger is a shrewd businessman just as likely to get what he wants through negotiations as hostile takeovers.  He wants The White Hare.  But neither the previous innkeeper, nor Fergusen will sell.  The couple starts out adversarial, but as these stories go, they can’t fight the attraction between them. 

This series features tough, mean, don’t-mess-with-me male dragon heroes who have a soft spot for the women they fall in love with.  Which makes me like them.  Not so with Kruger.  At the outset of a confrontational first meeting with Fergusen, he lets loose an onslaught of very personal insults which I found despicable.  In real life, people who treat others that way don’t change overnight.  And yet, it would seem Kruger did.  I did like how Ferguson retaliated, especially when Kruger returned to the inn.  I’d tell you, but you need to enjoy that scene, with no spoilers!  Basically, I did not like Kruger at all.  That one scene ruined him for me as a hero.

Beyond my dislike of Kruger, there is plenty more to the story.  Magic, danger, dragons and romance pack the pages of this book and make for a thrilling tale that enhances the Dragonfury narrative.  Readers of Ms. Callahan will want to add this to their collection.

Through Booksprout, the author provided a copy of this book. My review is my honest opinion.

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About Fury of Frustration by Coreene Callahan

Ambition can be deadly…

Born of a powerful god, but exiled on earth, dragon-warrior Kruger conceals the truth of his origins from the world. Forced to live a lie, he proves his worth by becoming a tycoon in a powerful business empire. But when a beautiful woman with ambitions of her own gets in his way, he must decide—accept what he cannot change, or eliminate the threat once and for all.

Haunted by ghosts, Ferguson McGilvery needs out. Out from under her step-father’s thumb. Out of the toxic whirlwind her step-brothers create. Out of the country, far away from the dysfunction that has overtaken her life. When a surprise inheritance sends her to the Scottish Highlands, she clashes with Kruger, a man so infuriating she’ll do anything to foil his attempts to make her leave.

His ruthlessness is legendary. Her obstinance knows no bounds. Can two stubborn souls go from enemies to lovers…or will the fates finally admit they made a mistake by throwing the pair together?

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‘Tis the Season – Thursday

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artic, Coreene Callahan, dragons, fairy tales, historical romance, ice, Kathleen O'Neal Gear, Lindsey Pogue, paranormal romance, post-apocalypse, romance, scifi, snow, Susanna Kearsley

Welcome to day 4 of recommendations of books with seasonal themes. Monday, I started with reviews of books with a Christmas theme. Tuesday was a list of Christmas-themed books I had not reviewed, but read and enjoyed (and therefore recommend). Yesterday’s post included reviews of books with a winter theme. Today, I will share some winter-themed books I have not reviewed (mostly) but I did enjoy. Maybe you will like them too!

So far, all the books in these posts are older books, released one or more years ago. Friday, I will have a review of a brand new book that will be released in January. In keeping with this week’s theme, a cold, icy place is the setting for at book. Come back tomorrow to see what I am talking about!

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I’ve included the Amazon link for each book here – click on the book cover. Note: Use of these links supports this blog and is very much appreciated.

The Darkest Winter by Lindsey Pogue

A group of orphaned misfits.
The wild lands of the last frontier.
Superhuman abilities, harrowing adventures, and heartbreaking secrets.

This a post-apocalyptic story that takes place in an artic environment where the world has been shattered by a virus. Part of The Savage North Chronicles.

The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley

Settling herself in the shadow of Slains Castle in Scotland, Carrie McClelland creates a heroine named for one of her own ancestors and starts to write.

But when she discovers her novel is more fact than fiction, Carrie wonders if she might be dealing with ancestral memory, making her the only living person who knows the truth-the ultimate betrayal-that happened all those years ago, and that knowledge comes very close to destroying her…

The story takes place over a long period of time, so it’s not always winter. But yes, there is a part that takes place in winter near the sea. This book was my introduction to Susanna Kearsley and I am very happy I found it!

Fury of Ice by Coreene Callahan

Homicide detective Angela Keen thrives on the city’s rough streets. But when she becomes the prize of all prizes in the dragon-shifter world due to her “high-energy” status, she gets more than she bargained for. Kidnapped by Lothair of the Razorback clan, Angela barely survives captivity before managing to escape. Hurt and alone with nowhere to hide, she faces certain death when Lothair uses the trace energy she leaves in her wake to hunt her down. But before he can reach her, a mystery dragon shifter intervenes and saves Angela’s life.

Now a guest of the Nightfury clan, Angela regains her strength as her rescuer, Rikar, the last living frost dragon, gradually breaks down her mistrust. Surrendering to her desire for Rikar, but still uncertain of her feelings, Angela goes against his wishes and agrees to be used as bait to lure Lothair into the open. As the battle commences, the true struggle comes from within: Will Angela return home to the life she loves, or forsake it all to be with Rikar?

Rewilding Reports by Kathleen O’Neal Gear

This cli-fi series from a notable archaeologist and anthropologist explores a frozen future where archaic species struggle to survive an apocalyptic Ice Age.

I read and reviewed the first two books, but have not yet read the last one. Book 3 is on my to-read list. Have you read it?

I Believe in Dragons – 3

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5 stars, Book Review, Coreene Callahan, dragons, fae, fantasy, G.A. Aiken, Genevieve Cogman, Isabel Cooper, magic, romance anthology', Savannah, Scotland, Stefan Keller

“5 Signs You’ve Pissed Off a Dragon-Shifter:

1. His eyes start to glow.
2. Twin columns of flame rise from his nostrils, much like mini tornados.
3. The air fogs as steam rolls off his scales.
4. His spiked tail begins to rattle, like a venomous snake’s right before it strikes.
5. He develops a facial tick that pulls the side of his lip up and bares one huge fang.”

― Coreene Callahan, DRAGONFURY SERIES: A Reader’s Companion to the Dragonfury World

Over the years, I’ve read a few of Coreene Callhan’s Dragonfury series and most lately, some of the Dragonfury: Scotland series.  These stories are different from the fantasy books reviewed the last two days because they are set in contemporary times, and actual earth locations.  Day 3 of I Believe in Dragons is a review of a book that releases on February 15. 

Bonuses: Quotes about dragons begin and end each post. Plus, featured art by Stefan Keller, via Pixabay.

Review of Fury of Isolation by Coreene Callahan

The dragons of the Dragonfury series are in-your-face, bad%&&, males that are often described with words such as toxic and lethal.   They all love to trade insults and are always looking for a fight against foe or friend.  Basically, they are dragons that would probably annoy me.  But then, they meet their mate. And….they get all gooey.  Which is kind of delightful.

At the beginning of Fury of Isolation, Rannock has already met Cate who is sister to Nicole (see Fury of Persuasion).  On the phone.  They’ve been talking regularly and have become quite close.  The book does not give the backstory on how they ‘met’, but that does not seem to be important to the story.  They’ve become close enough so that when Cate is in trouble, she calls him rather than the police.  And Rannock is an ocean away.   

I really like this heroine.  Cate has a delightful direct attitude.  Like when she says things like “Ran gives me orgasms.  I’m much nicer to him.”  And when she considers being called “odd” a compliment. 

This book introduces some new supernatural beings.  Fae Shadow Walkers are the ‘Albanian mob’ mentioned in the book blurb.  They are evil, but not really, dragon-like in temperament and make a great adversary in this story.  It seems like they could be part of the ongoing Dragonfury story. 

While Cate’s dad is sort of a background figure, it becomes obvious that there is much more to him than the story reveals.  More possible Dragonfury fodder?  And speaking of unfinished stories, at the beginning of the book, Rannock is hunting rogue dragons in Scotland – but that part of the story never progresses beyond his unsuccessful hunt.    

Readers of the Dragonfury series recognize the long story arcs that are present.  While you can read each book as a standalone, it can be a bit frustrating if you are a stickler for wrapping up loose ends. 

The verdict:  Fury of Isolation is what I call a palate cleanser.  Light and romantic, with just the right among of danger.  Great between heavier novels and always fun to read.

Thanks to the publisher who provided a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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About Fury of Isolation

Sometimes the person you need is the last one you expect…

When the Albanian mob shows up at her door, Cate Biscayne knows her father is up to his old tricks. Determined to force him out of hiding, the criminals he conned take her hostage. The clock is ticking and few options remain. She’s forced to decide—risk her life and do what they want, or accept help from a man who might be even more dangerous.

Brutal by nature, Scottish dragon-warrior Rannock has little patience for humans. But when the woman he longs for goes missing, he flies halfway around the world to investigate her disappearance. With few clues to follow, he infiltrates a network in the criminal underworld, only to discover a magic more sinister than his own.

Can he find Cate before time runs out? Or will he lose the woman fated to be his forever?

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In three days, I’ve barely scratched the surface of dragon fiction available.  There are authors like G.A. Aiken who writes the laugh-out-loud Dragonkin series and Isabel Cooper, who’s centuries old dragons actually seem to be centuries old.  Genevieve Cogman’s Invisible Library series features the serious and orderly Dragon race who are balanced by the chaotic Fae.  Movies like How to Train Your Dragon, Dragonheart, and Eragon bring dragons to readers and non-readers.  Do you have a favorite dragon book or movie?  I’d love to hear about it in the comments. 

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“He had only heard of dragons, and although he had never seen one, he was sure they existed.”

― Dee Marie, Sons of Avalon: Merlin’s Prophecy