In SOUL OF SMOKE, Kai Monahan and her friends were taking a simple hike deep in the Rocky Mountains. They hadn't planned to get embroiled in a dragon's war ... because dragons don't exist. But when they try to help a wounded girl, the world they know is forever changed.

Kai sent her friends for help but the next thing she knows is there are dozens of dragons--actual real live dragons--battling in the sky. When one of them is injured, Kai finds herself in the battle and carried away to safety.

Rhys is the dragon/man that Kai saved, and while he recovers he finds himself bound to the feisty beauty. A dragon can be heartsworn to a human but this is the last thing Rhys wants. There is an ancient enemy who wants to pit the dragons against humans and he needs all the strength he can muster to stop him. A complete bond could give him the strength he needs, but a denied bond could mean certain death. He can't exactly blame his human fearing the bond ... it would mean losing everything she has ever known. Only she can decide if her freedom is worth risking Rhys life--a life more crucial than she can possibly know when it comes to humanity's fate.

SOUL OF SMOKE is a different kind of dragon paranormal with a YA bent and very little leaning toward romance. Kai is a college student who lives with her friends who is just planning a fun trip--not a complete disruption in her life. You will have to read the book to understand Rhys and his secrets, and the plot will indeed thicken. The characters are amazing with likeable humans as well as the dragons, even the crusty one who didn't seem to care for humans. There are secrets that come to light quickly but others come slowly with intriguing twists that will keep you reading. Good plot with strong characters makes SOUL OF SMOKE a very interesting read.

For those who care I must warn you that this book is a cliffhanger. By this I mean the story does not end with an HEA, but leaves the reader very much up in the air. I do wish books would be marked someway as being a standalone, giving those of us who are irritated by cliffhangers time to be prepared. Despite this fact it's a very distinctive, fun read.