Firewalker

James (a pseudonym for bestseller Jennifer Ashley) follows May 2010's Stormwalker with more sexy and fresh rural fantasy romance set in fictional Hopi County, Ariz. Dragons, vampires, and demons populate this version of the southwest, along with Native entities Coyote and Crow. Janet Begay, half Navajo and half hell-goddess, is a Stormwalker and the owner of the Crossroads Hotel. When her dragon boyfriend, Mick, vanishes for a few weeks and then sends a cryptic plea for help, Janet enlists magic-absorbing sheriff Nash Jones for a rescue. While Mick faces charges from the dragon council, Nash requests Janet's assistance with a murder of supernatural origins. Hot sex, a diverse and conflicted cast of characters (including a lesbian Native werewolf and a drag queen–channeling magic mirror), and an intriguing mix of magics make this series one to pick up. (Nov.)