What do you think?
Rate this book
Curse of the Phoenix #1
The Last Rising
After paying two millennia’s penance to Osiris, world-weary Phoenix Ice has had enough. Saving souls without any hope for her own redemption isn’t how she imagined spending eternity. Fed up, she decides her next death will be her last. But when she sacrifices her own life for a sexy Texan in a catastrophic plane crash, she has no idea the consequences will be so great…or that she’ll end up back in his life for her next assignment.
Now that Turner Alcott has survived the worst, finding a wife and mother for his son matters more than ever before. When the mysterious Ice comes into his life, Turner knows she’s the one—but love is the last thing Ice wants. If he wants to win her heart, Turner must teach Ice how to forgive herself, and prove that love is the ultimate sacrifice.
Now that Turner Alcott has survived the worst, finding a wife and mother for his son matters more than ever before. When the mysterious Ice comes into his life, Turner knows she’s the one—but love is the last thing Ice wants. If he wants to win her heart, Turner must teach Ice how to forgive herself, and prove that love is the ultimate sacrifice.
94 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 6, 2011
918 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Firasek
19 books272 followersRachel Firasek spends her days daydreaming of stories and her nights putting the ideas to ink. She has spent a dull life following the rules, meeting deadlines, and toeing the line, but in her made up worlds, she can let the wild side loose. Her wonderful husband and three children support her love of the written word and only ask for the occasional American Idol or Swamp People quality hour.
She has a philosophy about love. It must devastate or it isn’t truly worth loving. She hopes that you all find your devastating love and cling to it with all your heart! http://www.rachelfirasek.com/
She has a philosophy about love. It must devastate or it isn’t truly worth loving. She hopes that you all find your devastating love and cling to it with all your heart! http://www.rachelfirasek.com/
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
September 4, 2011
The life of a Phoenix is never-ending and Ice has had enough. This curse of a half life may serve its purpose of rescuing souls and as penance decreed by the sun god Osiris, but Ice is tired of rising from the ashes only to start over with no memories of the people she's encountered. Instead Ice has decided to do the unexpected... refuse the call of the next soul and fight the rising. By taking back control, she will force Osiris to end it, but not before she dies and rises one last time. However, there are a few lessons she must learn first before Osiris is done with her and one man who was destined to teach them.
Turner's life changed forever the day he survived a plane crash. His scars run not only skin deep, but have embedded nightmares and suppressed memories of the crash and that of a woman who now haunts his dreams. When he meets his son's kindergarten teacher, déjà vu hits in a major way. Feelings long buried resurface along with hope for a better future for him and his son. He just has to convince the mysterious beauty that she too can have it all.
Wow, has Ms. Firasek captured me with this enthralling read! Deliciously rich in emotion and character depth, Ms. Firasek enchants readers with a contemporary mix of Egyptian mythology and serendipitous romance. Completely unexpected, but in a most incredibly unique way! The story unfolds as the characters are living it with minimal detail to character histories until it becomes necessary to reveal, so the suspense level is high. The heat factor is built upon in way that inspires a generous dose of sexual tension leading to a phenomenal release. Amazing character dynamics at play as well. Love, loss, and redemption are the core human elements to this story and is one of those intense reads that only takes one sitting to finish because you won't be able to put it down. Fair warning, it will eventually end and when it does, you'll want to read it all over again. Trust me, it's even better the second time! A priority must-read for lovers of paranormal romance.
Turner's life changed forever the day he survived a plane crash. His scars run not only skin deep, but have embedded nightmares and suppressed memories of the crash and that of a woman who now haunts his dreams. When he meets his son's kindergarten teacher, déjà vu hits in a major way. Feelings long buried resurface along with hope for a better future for him and his son. He just has to convince the mysterious beauty that she too can have it all.
Wow, has Ms. Firasek captured me with this enthralling read! Deliciously rich in emotion and character depth, Ms. Firasek enchants readers with a contemporary mix of Egyptian mythology and serendipitous romance. Completely unexpected, but in a most incredibly unique way! The story unfolds as the characters are living it with minimal detail to character histories until it becomes necessary to reveal, so the suspense level is high. The heat factor is built upon in way that inspires a generous dose of sexual tension leading to a phenomenal release. Amazing character dynamics at play as well. Love, loss, and redemption are the core human elements to this story and is one of those intense reads that only takes one sitting to finish because you won't be able to put it down. Fair warning, it will eventually end and when it does, you'll want to read it all over again. Trust me, it's even better the second time! A priority must-read for lovers of paranormal romance.
December 27, 2011
Normally, I don’t review romance but Rachel’s book premise intrigued me and I found myself entering Ice and Turner’s world and experiencing their all-consuming love and passion and couldn’t put the book down once I started it.
The mythical backdrop further interested me and I like the rendering of Osiris and Isis. spiritually speaking, it was a balm to soothe my reader’s soul. Love conquers all even death in the end and that was shown in this story.
The steamy scenes were more sensual than sexual and I could fill their passion as the story unfolded.
I would recommend this book for romance lovers who like a twist of mythical storylines. And the steamy sensuality will surely fill your heart with passion and fire.
I would like to see more about the other phoenixes and a more thorough back story about Ice/Isis as Egyptian mythology is an interest of mine.
5 stars given for this sizzling romance and passion-filled story.
The mythical backdrop further interested me and I like the rendering of Osiris and Isis. spiritually speaking, it was a balm to soothe my reader’s soul. Love conquers all even death in the end and that was shown in this story.
The steamy scenes were more sensual than sexual and I could fill their passion as the story unfolded.
I would recommend this book for romance lovers who like a twist of mythical storylines. And the steamy sensuality will surely fill your heart with passion and fire.
I would like to see more about the other phoenixes and a more thorough back story about Ice/Isis as Egyptian mythology is an interest of mine.
5 stars given for this sizzling romance and passion-filled story.
August 17, 2011
Ice has been living with a cold heart for such a long time. She meets Turner on a plane, which is suppose to be her last death. Something about him makes her sacrifice herself to save him. Turner is the only survivor of the crash. He forgets about Ice as was told it was his imagination. He goes on with his life to find Brodie’s teacher one hot woman. She seems so familiar, but doesn’t know why. After the crash he wants a wife and a loving mom to his son.
What a thrilling and exciting read. I could not put the book down. I had to know what was going to happen with Ice. She was so cold for so long, I did not know if she would find love again. The characters worked very well together and the scenes were remarkable. Rachel’s writing style suck you into the story and you want to know what happens. You want to help the characters yourself.
This is a must read for any paranormal lover and romance lover.
What a thrilling and exciting read. I could not put the book down. I had to know what was going to happen with Ice. She was so cold for so long, I did not know if she would find love again. The characters worked very well together and the scenes were remarkable. Rachel’s writing style suck you into the story and you want to know what happens. You want to help the characters yourself.
This is a must read for any paranormal lover and romance lover.
September 5, 2011
As my first Rachel Firasek experience, I would say this was a stunningly good winner! I absolutely adored this novella and will be singing its praises for a long time. As a novella I like to be brought up to speed on back story quickly, given characters I can grow to love in short time spans and a storyline that is engaging as well as gives closure. This novella certainly delivered. I also highly enjoyed the paranormal aspect involving the Phoenix, which has always fascinated me. Mythology as a whole is one of my favorite reads, combined with incredibly sweet love scenes, I was hooked.
The novella centers around Ice, a Phoenix, cursed to die over and over again while saving someone else, someone who has been marked to live. Forced to do this as atonement for a past sin, something she talks to no one about, at the hands of her ex-husband, Osiris. Her last mark, Turner, survived a plane crash as he was supposed to but now Ice is back in his life again. He doesn’t remember much of the fiery crash but he knows his sons new teacher, Ms Nix, is extremely familiar. He knows how he feels when he’s around her and how much he wants her to fill the void left in his life after Brody’s mom took off. The only problem is, she wants nothing to do with him. Breaking down her resolve becomes a pursuit he can’t ignore.
Ice is harboring major guilt from the death of her family centuries before. She even turned her husband into a God in an attempt to bring him back.Now she is cursed and she longs to be finally set free. To learn whatever lesson she is supposed to and live again.Getting involved with Turner is not in her plans since eventually she will have to leave again, once Osiris finally reveals her new mark.
I enjoyed the interaction between Ice and the rest of the Phoenixs. I thought Rachel effectively set up more novellas for the future in each of them. Ice and Turner were great together with their age old cat and mouse type relationship. I chuckled when Ice resisted him time and time again knowing eventually she would have to crack. Turner chinked at her personal shield continuously along with his son Brody. Brody was just to damn cute. The innocence of his age made me long for Ice to open up her heart to this boy. He was incredibly heart by his mother leaving and the fact that Turner saw that and was trying his best to do right by the boy, made me love them both.
Mythology is a great back drop for romance. Since most people know the basics already it’s such a great place to build upon. You can take stories people already know and add twists and turns wherever you like. I’m the kind of person that when I read about mythology wondered about who they were, what did they do in between these stories the school pounded into my brain. What were they like as individuals. With each new mythology based romance I read, my thirst gets more and more pronounced. I just love them. The Last Rising gave me the Phoenix, which is one of my favorite stories. I was totally enthralled and I can’t wait till I get some more!
I will say there were times as much as I understood Ice’s withdrawal, I wanted to smack her. She kept trying to separate feelings and sex. I thought for someone to who had lived for as long as she had, would know better. I mean, theoretically she had to have seen it played out hundreds of times. Perhaps not with herself, but still, she was constantly around others. I couldn’t understand how she might have missed that. At least Turner was tenacious. He certainly needed to be.
I give The Last Rising by Rachel Firasek 4 stars
The novella centers around Ice, a Phoenix, cursed to die over and over again while saving someone else, someone who has been marked to live. Forced to do this as atonement for a past sin, something she talks to no one about, at the hands of her ex-husband, Osiris. Her last mark, Turner, survived a plane crash as he was supposed to but now Ice is back in his life again. He doesn’t remember much of the fiery crash but he knows his sons new teacher, Ms Nix, is extremely familiar. He knows how he feels when he’s around her and how much he wants her to fill the void left in his life after Brody’s mom took off. The only problem is, she wants nothing to do with him. Breaking down her resolve becomes a pursuit he can’t ignore.
Ice is harboring major guilt from the death of her family centuries before. She even turned her husband into a God in an attempt to bring him back.Now she is cursed and she longs to be finally set free. To learn whatever lesson she is supposed to and live again.Getting involved with Turner is not in her plans since eventually she will have to leave again, once Osiris finally reveals her new mark.
I enjoyed the interaction between Ice and the rest of the Phoenixs. I thought Rachel effectively set up more novellas for the future in each of them. Ice and Turner were great together with their age old cat and mouse type relationship. I chuckled when Ice resisted him time and time again knowing eventually she would have to crack. Turner chinked at her personal shield continuously along with his son Brody. Brody was just to damn cute. The innocence of his age made me long for Ice to open up her heart to this boy. He was incredibly heart by his mother leaving and the fact that Turner saw that and was trying his best to do right by the boy, made me love them both.
Mythology is a great back drop for romance. Since most people know the basics already it’s such a great place to build upon. You can take stories people already know and add twists and turns wherever you like. I’m the kind of person that when I read about mythology wondered about who they were, what did they do in between these stories the school pounded into my brain. What were they like as individuals. With each new mythology based romance I read, my thirst gets more and more pronounced. I just love them. The Last Rising gave me the Phoenix, which is one of my favorite stories. I was totally enthralled and I can’t wait till I get some more!
I will say there were times as much as I understood Ice’s withdrawal, I wanted to smack her. She kept trying to separate feelings and sex. I thought for someone to who had lived for as long as she had, would know better. I mean, theoretically she had to have seen it played out hundreds of times. Perhaps not with herself, but still, she was constantly around others. I couldn’t understand how she might have missed that. At least Turner was tenacious. He certainly needed to be.
I give The Last Rising by Rachel Firasek 4 stars
September 9, 2011
This book saved me from a serious reading slump and will forever hold a special place in my heart because of it. It's one of those rare stories that captures your imagination and doesn't let go.
Ice is as tough as they come. She was burned long ago for actions and has been paying for her mistakes ever since. Her job as a Phoenix is to save people, and to do that she's never in one place very long. Moving around doesn't leave room to grow close to people, and having your memory wiped after your last job doesn't help either. I just loved her as a heroine~she's so tough and maybe a bit detached on the outside, but on the inside she's as vulnerable and caring as they come.
Ice is the leader of a few other Phoenixes, and she might be pissed at Osiris for putting her in this position, but she's going to do her job well, and try her best not to get attached to Turner or his son Brodie, while at the same time looking out for those who are in the same situation she is in. What I liked about the other phoenixes is that you got to know them well enough to really like them and want to see them in other books, but they didn't take over any one scene. I loved their interaction with Brodie, and I have to say that little dude stole the show. He was one of my favorite characters in the book. That's saying a lot because I normally don't like books with single parents in it, but it just worked with this storyline.
Turner was really likable and I loved how his relationship with Ice developed gradually and that his emotions after surviving the plane crash weren't ignored. He is trying his best to be a good parent to his son Brodie, but knows he has to follow his feelings about Ice. Even though she backs away from him, he doesn't give up. I just adore books where the guy does most of the fighting for the girl!
The Last Rising was just a refreshing read, and I can't wait to read more of this series. Rachael Firasek is one to watch. I'm not just saying that because I follow her on twitter either~this is one novella that I can't wait to re-read.
Barrons Hero Hotness Meter: Medium
Martini Sigh Meter: High
Rhiannon Kick Ass Heroine Meter: High
Ethan/Merit Sizzle Meter: Medium
Curran Crush Meter: Low (But I still liked Turner)
Finn Sidekick Meter: High
Ice is as tough as they come. She was burned long ago for actions and has been paying for her mistakes ever since. Her job as a Phoenix is to save people, and to do that she's never in one place very long. Moving around doesn't leave room to grow close to people, and having your memory wiped after your last job doesn't help either. I just loved her as a heroine~she's so tough and maybe a bit detached on the outside, but on the inside she's as vulnerable and caring as they come.
Ice is the leader of a few other Phoenixes, and she might be pissed at Osiris for putting her in this position, but she's going to do her job well, and try her best not to get attached to Turner or his son Brodie, while at the same time looking out for those who are in the same situation she is in. What I liked about the other phoenixes is that you got to know them well enough to really like them and want to see them in other books, but they didn't take over any one scene. I loved their interaction with Brodie, and I have to say that little dude stole the show. He was one of my favorite characters in the book. That's saying a lot because I normally don't like books with single parents in it, but it just worked with this storyline.
Turner was really likable and I loved how his relationship with Ice developed gradually and that his emotions after surviving the plane crash weren't ignored. He is trying his best to be a good parent to his son Brodie, but knows he has to follow his feelings about Ice. Even though she backs away from him, he doesn't give up. I just adore books where the guy does most of the fighting for the girl!
The Last Rising was just a refreshing read, and I can't wait to read more of this series. Rachael Firasek is one to watch. I'm not just saying that because I follow her on twitter either~this is one novella that I can't wait to re-read.
Barrons Hero Hotness Meter: Medium
Martini Sigh Meter: High
Rhiannon Kick Ass Heroine Meter: High
Ethan/Merit Sizzle Meter: Medium
Curran Crush Meter: Low (But I still liked Turner)
Finn Sidekick Meter: High
August 22, 2011
The Last Rising will have you hooked line and sinker within the first few pages, a unique story Im sure one of its kind, that will have you in turmoil with the characters - have tears in your eyes, and your pages smouldering from the speed in which you devour it. A great cast of characters, crisp dialogue and a storyline and plot- different from any other.
In The Last Rising we meet Ice - yes the title fits her well, cold as Ice and has not been in love for a very long time. She meets Turner on her latest mission if you may call it that and dies = his life is spared. Turner's lost all memory from the plane crash, but the memory of Ice is still in his thoughts, he as been told its just his imagination - a dream. Ice is then sent back to Earth to stumble upon Turner once again, is this fate or is she being punished. Ice finds herself melting away slowly, falling in love with not only Turner but his son. A heart wrenching story, that Im sure will bring tears to your eyes, gasp in dismay and have you rooting for Turner and Ice just to get it on. ** Wait till you read the freezer scene !!!Oh my now that sent chills down my spine, and had smoke wofting from my reader - it was certainly hot ** lol.**
But will Ice let down her cold exterior to let Turner melt her heart and find her last chance of love and happiness?
Rachel has created an amazing story filled with paranormal elements, and a love that wil scorch your eyelashes and make your toes curl !! Wow tis all I can say !! I read it in one sitting - I am still in awe a must read !!
The characters are unbelievable, dialgoue sharp and a smooth flowing storyline Im sure will have you hooked till the very end. Sensual and loving - tantalizing and sexy The Last Rising will not only raise your heart beat but have you in love with Turner.. Rachel has certainly created a hotty for us to swoon over !!!
Rachel portrays her characters with depth and emotion letting the reader know exactly what’s happening. Pulling you along with the romance, builds the suspense until she creates a vat that will suck you in !!
A must read to add to your list !!! I eagerly await book 2 !!
In The Last Rising we meet Ice - yes the title fits her well, cold as Ice and has not been in love for a very long time. She meets Turner on her latest mission if you may call it that and dies = his life is spared. Turner's lost all memory from the plane crash, but the memory of Ice is still in his thoughts, he as been told its just his imagination - a dream. Ice is then sent back to Earth to stumble upon Turner once again, is this fate or is she being punished. Ice finds herself melting away slowly, falling in love with not only Turner but his son. A heart wrenching story, that Im sure will bring tears to your eyes, gasp in dismay and have you rooting for Turner and Ice just to get it on. ** Wait till you read the freezer scene !!!Oh my now that sent chills down my spine, and had smoke wofting from my reader - it was certainly hot ** lol.**
But will Ice let down her cold exterior to let Turner melt her heart and find her last chance of love and happiness?
Rachel has created an amazing story filled with paranormal elements, and a love that wil scorch your eyelashes and make your toes curl !! Wow tis all I can say !! I read it in one sitting - I am still in awe a must read !!
The characters are unbelievable, dialgoue sharp and a smooth flowing storyline Im sure will have you hooked till the very end. Sensual and loving - tantalizing and sexy The Last Rising will not only raise your heart beat but have you in love with Turner.. Rachel has certainly created a hotty for us to swoon over !!!
Rachel portrays her characters with depth and emotion letting the reader know exactly what’s happening. Pulling you along with the romance, builds the suspense until she creates a vat that will suck you in !!
A must read to add to your list !!! I eagerly await book 2 !!
September 17, 2011
http://samsawesomness.blogspot.com/20...
4.5 Stars
Such a sweet story! My heart is still warm and melting.
Ice is one stubborn Heroine, but not for long. Everything changes in an instant. Turner Alcott is her Hero *sighs* what a sweetie he is. It's hard not to adore him. A man who wants nothing more in his life but to be happy, settle down with a wife that can also raise his child as her own. Hard to find men like him nowadays. *googly eyes*
There was just so much romance, love, tears and hurtful memories from Ice's past, but between the H/H and Turners son Brodie. They taught Ice you can love and put your past behind you. No more vulnerable Ice, she's in for a ride of her life, with nothing but pure undying love.
I just love the plot of the story and it's happily ever after. It was captivating! I couldn't for the life of me set it down until I was completely done reading it. I got a little of everything I love in a story, my pnr, smexin, and most of all, a love story. If anyone has second guesses about picking the book up, then, that would be your biggest mistake. Rachel Firasek has a phenomenal way of intriguing a reader with her wonderful writing style. Don't hesitate or think twice, go get your copy ;)
My favorite quotes:
"Ice, you need to stop." "Why?" she purred. The woman actually purred. He'd never heard a grown woman make that sound. Dangerous." .......Pfft!! Gotta love Turner.
"I want you with every breath I take. You've been tormenting me since you wrapped your hands around my cock thirty-thousand feet in the air"........ Rotfl!! Still love him!
Our Interview with Rachel Firasek
http://samsawesomness.blogspot.com/20...
4.5 Stars
Such a sweet story! My heart is still warm and melting.
Ice is one stubborn Heroine, but not for long. Everything changes in an instant. Turner Alcott is her Hero *sighs* what a sweetie he is. It's hard not to adore him. A man who wants nothing more in his life but to be happy, settle down with a wife that can also raise his child as her own. Hard to find men like him nowadays. *googly eyes*
There was just so much romance, love, tears and hurtful memories from Ice's past, but between the H/H and Turners son Brodie. They taught Ice you can love and put your past behind you. No more vulnerable Ice, she's in for a ride of her life, with nothing but pure undying love.
I just love the plot of the story and it's happily ever after. It was captivating! I couldn't for the life of me set it down until I was completely done reading it. I got a little of everything I love in a story, my pnr, smexin, and most of all, a love story. If anyone has second guesses about picking the book up, then, that would be your biggest mistake. Rachel Firasek has a phenomenal way of intriguing a reader with her wonderful writing style. Don't hesitate or think twice, go get your copy ;)
My favorite quotes:
"Ice, you need to stop." "Why?" she purred. The woman actually purred. He'd never heard a grown woman make that sound. Dangerous." .......Pfft!! Gotta love Turner.
"I want you with every breath I take. You've been tormenting me since you wrapped your hands around my cock thirty-thousand feet in the air"........ Rotfl!! Still love him!
Our Interview with Rachel Firasek
http://samsawesomness.blogspot.com/20...
September 15, 2015
Worth the read?
Many thanks to the author for providing me a copy for my honest review.
I'm not going to go into too much depth with the plot, it would be impossible for me to without giving too much away and i don't want to spoil it for readers.
Anyway...
I absolutely loved The Last Rising! I rarely read novellas, mainly because I like my romances to have a lengthy period of time for the two protagonists to develop their love and chemistry. And I basically just want as much to read as possible, should I like the characters.
Despite my prefrence on length this novella was written with a convincing finesse. The plot was completely solid. Unexpected revelations occurred throughout along with the unanswered questions unfolding nicely during the final chapters. Some came as a shock, one or two predicted but entertaining none the less.
The characters were written as equally strong as the plot instead of one carrying the other. For a short piece Firasek managed to create perfectedly rounded characters: memorable and believable personalities, the likability factor, depth and flashes of their histories. Plus created a personal journey for each of them brilliantly. It wasn’t hard to conjure up the characters as real people and relate to their problems.
Dying over and over again has got to be pretty annoying! I expected protagonist Ice to moan a hell of a lot more, but she didn’t. It was made clear she was more than fed up with her situation but she was written as a very strong-headed character who knew exactly what she wanted. Yet in order to get there, she had to realise a few things.
Cue handsome Texan cowboy, Turner.
On black and white Turner’s character is a winner. Good-looking man, hard-worker, doting father (though works too much) seeking a woman to settle down with and live happily ever after.
But is that boring? You’d think so, but no.
Pining for Ice to be his and for answers from her, whilst contending with being a single parent and working lots, he was actually written fiery and tenacious. But still adorable.
The tension, both sexual and from irritation, simmered throughout the pages until it really boiled!
The other supporting characters were relevant to the story, my favourite being Brodie, Turner’s son. He was absolutely adorable and though he came across quite grown up for his years, he was still written convincingly given his situation. The hardship he faced while not having his mother around and his dad constantly having to work was heartbreaking! His scenes were written brilliantly by Firasek and really pulled your emotions to the surface.
Fellow phoenixes’ serving penance alongside Ice, I’ve got to admit, were a bit forgettable and only one really stood out to me. In fear of giving too much away I can’t/ won’t elaborate. Perhaps it was because the other leading characters had such big voices, I’m not sure. But I’ll be reading about one of them again in the sequel, there’ll be room for their character to grow then, so i look forward to that.
I’m always sad when a series features new characters in each installment, leaving the ones you’ve grown to love, behind. But it worked for The Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R Ward among others and I don’t see why it can’t work for Curse of the Phoenix series.
I look forward to becoming enthralled with the story of another phoenix, which I know will be magically crafted by Firasek.
Summary
All in all an incredibly creative, entertaining and easy read. Firasek created such a journey within a short amount of time I finished reading with a “Noooooo!”
The characters, plot and atmosphere were completely captivating. For me, the high points of the novella were the depth of the characters, their convincing chemistry and sizzling sexual tension. Plus the inclusion of Egyptian mythology, the phoenix angle and little Brodie’s character.
Definitely worth a read and recommended to all fans of romance!
Four stars from me.
September 11, 2011
This is my second book I have read by Rachel, after reading her first novel, Piper's Fury, which by the way was absolutely amazing. It was a no brainer that I would be waiting on baited breath for her second novel to come out, and I jumped at the chance to be a part of this book tour for her. Rachel is nothing short of an amazingly talented writer and tells a story like no other, her ideas, plots and characters are so different and original but also reminds me of one of my most favorite paranormal writers Christina Feehan, she also spins a story like no other.
Ice is a phoenix and tired of being one, she wants out and is willing to do whatever it takes to get out. Her job as a phoenix is to save someone deemed worthy by dying over and over and over, for or in place of that person, and let me tell you it is always very painful. She has to do this as penance for mistakes made in her previous life, a life she is unwilling to talk about with anyone, even her phoenix friends, who she is in charge over helping and teaching them. Ari, Sadie and Giselle. I really enjoyed these three characters, they brought a fun spin on the story, I really hope in book 2 we get to read more of the three Goddesses.
Turner and Brodie are so lovable you just want to eat them up. Brodie is just the cutest little boy I think I've read about, there's a saying "Out of the mouth's of babes", he really made me smile a lot with what comes out of his mouth, and when reading a book on the bus, I should really learn to hide my facial expressions more, I get some pretty weird looks when I start laughing while reading or give a little gasp lol.
Ice and Turners battle with their feelings for each other is played out very well, Turner trying so hard to get Ice to commit and love him and his son, and Ice trying so hard not to commit and love both of them, is both heart warming and heart wrenching. Along with some very sensual sexy scenes keep you totally enthralled in this novella and wanting more when its ended. From page one this book totally sucked me in and held me there until the end, its a roller coaster ride of emotions you won't want to miss out on.
I don't really want to say too much more or I will give away to much of the book, and we all know how much I hate spoilers. If you like mythology, paranormal, romance and Texan men with that Texan drawl and hot as hell, this is the book for you to read. I highly recommend it and hope you will all pick up your copy. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I can't wait to see where this story takes us in the next book. This is another hot book from Rachel Firasek.
Ice is a phoenix and tired of being one, she wants out and is willing to do whatever it takes to get out. Her job as a phoenix is to save someone deemed worthy by dying over and over and over, for or in place of that person, and let me tell you it is always very painful. She has to do this as penance for mistakes made in her previous life, a life she is unwilling to talk about with anyone, even her phoenix friends, who she is in charge over helping and teaching them. Ari, Sadie and Giselle. I really enjoyed these three characters, they brought a fun spin on the story, I really hope in book 2 we get to read more of the three Goddesses.
Turner and Brodie are so lovable you just want to eat them up. Brodie is just the cutest little boy I think I've read about, there's a saying "Out of the mouth's of babes", he really made me smile a lot with what comes out of his mouth, and when reading a book on the bus, I should really learn to hide my facial expressions more, I get some pretty weird looks when I start laughing while reading or give a little gasp lol.
Ice and Turners battle with their feelings for each other is played out very well, Turner trying so hard to get Ice to commit and love him and his son, and Ice trying so hard not to commit and love both of them, is both heart warming and heart wrenching. Along with some very sensual sexy scenes keep you totally enthralled in this novella and wanting more when its ended. From page one this book totally sucked me in and held me there until the end, its a roller coaster ride of emotions you won't want to miss out on.
I don't really want to say too much more or I will give away to much of the book, and we all know how much I hate spoilers. If you like mythology, paranormal, romance and Texan men with that Texan drawl and hot as hell, this is the book for you to read. I highly recommend it and hope you will all pick up your copy. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I can't wait to see where this story takes us in the next book. This is another hot book from Rachel Firasek.
October 19, 2011
4.5 Stars
This is one of those stories that hooked me quickly. While Ice often is prickly and sometimes even unlikable, she still made me ache for her, and I truly wanted her to finally get her happily ever after. Ice truly has a generous heart that she has spent several millennia locking up and blocking away after having suffered a crushing hurt.
When she saves the life of Turner Alcott, Ice begins a journey that seems to make little sense to her at the time. Naturally, she fights the cosmic forces that seem determined to change her at a most fundamental level.
All too soon, Ice is earth-bound once again but, this time, her task is almost more than she can bear when she learns that Turner’s son, Brodie, is her student. Brodie is a lonely, yet precocious little waif who begins immediately melting her cold, locked-away heart. Simultaneously, fighting her growing love for both Turner and Brodie while struggling to figure out the purpose of this highly unusual reincarnation, Ice is finally given her chance at redemption. As a result, three lives may become forever changed.
This short novella flowed well. I loved the way in which it was conveyed with a mix of humor and angst that seemed about perfect to me. The trio of fellow phoenixes supporting Ice and also paying penance for past misdeeds brought additional depth to the story. I hope to learn more about them in future installments.
Laurie-J
Reviewer for Night Owl Reviews
This is one of those stories that hooked me quickly. While Ice often is prickly and sometimes even unlikable, she still made me ache for her, and I truly wanted her to finally get her happily ever after. Ice truly has a generous heart that she has spent several millennia locking up and blocking away after having suffered a crushing hurt.
When she saves the life of Turner Alcott, Ice begins a journey that seems to make little sense to her at the time. Naturally, she fights the cosmic forces that seem determined to change her at a most fundamental level.
All too soon, Ice is earth-bound once again but, this time, her task is almost more than she can bear when she learns that Turner’s son, Brodie, is her student. Brodie is a lonely, yet precocious little waif who begins immediately melting her cold, locked-away heart. Simultaneously, fighting her growing love for both Turner and Brodie while struggling to figure out the purpose of this highly unusual reincarnation, Ice is finally given her chance at redemption. As a result, three lives may become forever changed.
This short novella flowed well. I loved the way in which it was conveyed with a mix of humor and angst that seemed about perfect to me. The trio of fellow phoenixes supporting Ice and also paying penance for past misdeeds brought additional depth to the story. I hope to learn more about them in future installments.
Laurie-J
Reviewer for Night Owl Reviews
September 9, 2011
The Last Rising was a sensational novella from author Rachel Firasek. The story itself was based in mythology with Isis, Osiris and the phoenix which I thought added a great element to the overall story arc and really made it unique. With a fast moving plot and Firasek’s fluid writing I devoured The Last Rising in no time at all. Being only a hundred pages or so, I was surprised at how much story was packed into it and how well it was developed. It flowed like a full length novel. The romance was full, sensual and many times heart wrenching as Ice fights her attraction to Turner and her feelings for his son Brodie, because she knows that in the end she’ll have to leave them. But Turner is unwilling to give up and pushes Ice to the brink. Just when Ice realizes that she can’t live without them it may be too late. I enjoyed the buildup and suspense in their relationship.
I also loved the formulating of the villain in the story and the twist it took at the end, I definitely didn’t see that one coming though now that I look back there were subtle little hints which feels like will carry into the series and I am looking forward to seeing how that develops. The secondary characters we interesting and added some great dialogue and humorous moments into the story, readers also received little glimpses into them and what we’ll be seeing later in their own books.
A fun, quick read and I am looking forward to the continuation of the Curse of the Phoenix series!
I also loved the formulating of the villain in the story and the twist it took at the end, I definitely didn’t see that one coming though now that I look back there were subtle little hints which feels like will carry into the series and I am looking forward to seeing how that develops. The secondary characters we interesting and added some great dialogue and humorous moments into the story, readers also received little glimpses into them and what we’ll be seeing later in their own books.
A fun, quick read and I am looking forward to the continuation of the Curse of the Phoenix series!
September 14, 2011
http://livetoread-krystal.blogspot.co...
This was a surprisingly good novel, not quite your typical romance. The author actually focuses a good deal more on the main character, Ice, and her potential redemption. Ice has been paying penance for a long, long time. She finally decides that it just isn't worth it for the rest of whatever life she has to live. She decides to sacrifice her life for what she believes will be a worthy cause. What she doesn't know, is that Turner isn't quite ready to let her go yet...
Ice is an intriguing character to read about. She's surprisingly hard on herself. However, she is intelligent, caring, and somewhat calculating. Turner is handsome, charismatic, and kind. He's the perfect salve for Ice's open, figurative wounds.
The events in this novel were fast-paced and fun to read about. The plot was interesting and the characters, especially Ice, are the main draws to the novel. This book is recommended to adults.
This was a surprisingly good novel, not quite your typical romance. The author actually focuses a good deal more on the main character, Ice, and her potential redemption. Ice has been paying penance for a long, long time. She finally decides that it just isn't worth it for the rest of whatever life she has to live. She decides to sacrifice her life for what she believes will be a worthy cause. What she doesn't know, is that Turner isn't quite ready to let her go yet...
Ice is an intriguing character to read about. She's surprisingly hard on herself. However, she is intelligent, caring, and somewhat calculating. Turner is handsome, charismatic, and kind. He's the perfect salve for Ice's open, figurative wounds.
The events in this novel were fast-paced and fun to read about. The plot was interesting and the characters, especially Ice, are the main draws to the novel. This book is recommended to adults.
December 1, 2011
** For the full review please check out www.read2review.com **
I love Rachel’s incredible style. She has a unique power of writing so that each story she has written brings you into it. On a personal note, I love the way Rachel is as a person! She is great to work with and I also love the fact that she puts her feelings and thoughts into the stories that she writes.
The Last Rising is the first in a new series that Rachel is working on. In the first week we are introduced to Ice, a phoenix, and Turner Alcott. They first meet on a plane moments before it crashes. Ice is then reborn as Turner’s school teacher.
Read more here: http://read2review.com/our-reviews/r/...
I love Rachel’s incredible style. She has a unique power of writing so that each story she has written brings you into it. On a personal note, I love the way Rachel is as a person! She is great to work with and I also love the fact that she puts her feelings and thoughts into the stories that she writes.
The Last Rising is the first in a new series that Rachel is working on. In the first week we are introduced to Ice, a phoenix, and Turner Alcott. They first meet on a plane moments before it crashes. Ice is then reborn as Turner’s school teacher.
Read more here: http://read2review.com/our-reviews/r/...
September 5, 2011
Rachel Firasek weaves Greek mythology and romance into a tale not to be missed! A businessman on a trip is spared from death by a woman he had just met. Then... his son's new teacher enters his life. In a dejavue moment, she resurrects memories of the mysterious woman who still haunts his memories. This story is the tale of these two star-crossed lovers... a goddess and a mortal. Can their relationship survive their pasts? This is another winner by Rachel...
September 14, 2011
Great job, Rachel Firasek, for The Last Rising. Intense from word one. I really liked ICE as a character. Tough yet vulnerable. The name is fitting, you know? Start out really cold and hard....then as it warms... And it DOES get hot **fans self*
VERY nice job taking me through the journey. It's a quick, yet intense read, and I enjoyed it a lot!
VERY nice job taking me through the journey. It's a quick, yet intense read, and I enjoyed it a lot!
March 27, 2013
Enjoyable 1st novel for this series.
October 2, 2011
~* 3.5 Stars *~
The Last Rises Nicely
She lives. She dies. She rises. She lives again. Such is the fate of Ice - once known as Isis, former Egyptian goddess and wife of Osiris, cursed to walk the earth until the mortal she's been charged with saving is in peril. Ice saves them in one-at-a-time increments by dying in their place, only to rise from her own ashes like the fiery phoenix she is and return to her realm to cross once more through the portal - an excruciating process in its own right - and return to the mortal realm to do it all again. Sometimes she's on Earth for days, sometimes weeks, occasionally months, but for two thousand years the absolute has been simply that she will die, she will rise, and she will return.
All she wants is for the interminable sentence to end, for Osiris to release her from her punishment, but for all her years, he fails to answer her pleas for release.
Her last charge, the sexy and gorgeous single father Turner Alcott, struck a chord within Ice. From the moment she saw him, she wanted him, felt the chemistry between them even as she recognized the futility. They met minutes before the plane that was carrying him back to his son plummeted into a swamp and killed everyone on board...except him. Because Ice died in his place. And she is determined that it's the last time.
She's stunned when her next incarnation brings her face to face with Turner once again, this time as his son's teacher. She's leery of what Osiris is trying to pull, as repeat charges are virtually unheard of. Still, she's got no choice but to deal with the one man who stirs her blood and endangers her heart - the man she died once already to save - and the son who reminds her of another little boy she'd once held in her arms a very, very long time ago. For the first time in two millennia there is more at stake for Ice than a life, more at risk than a painful rebirth. For the first time it is Ice's heart and soul that are on the line, and there's no rising from that.
~*~
I've long since accepted that novellas are always going to be hit and miss with me. Some satisfy, but most are missing one or more important elements that keep them from feeling like fully fleshed-out and three dimensional reads. Firasek's The Last Rising was mostly a hit and appealed to me on several fronts.
It satisfied the paranormal romance lover in me by offering unique and original mythos and sizzling sexual chemistry. I would have loved a more expansive description and comprehensive definition in the role of the phoenix, their origins, their responsibilities and expectations, their hierarchy - but what's there is just enough to at least frame the world Ice lives in and explain enough of it to understand her character. This wasn't a novella that left me with huge unresolved issues or questions, and that was satisfying.
Firasek created a world, parsed out a mythos for that world, introduced primary characters with some depth and interesting backstory, and helped flesh out the definition in the world, mythos, and primary characters with a nicely padded and judiciously utilized roster of secondary and ancillary characters. Meanwhile, there was a romantic arc between the lead characters and a brief part or two that incorporated the ancillary threads of the plot very neatly. On quantity of content alone, that's a very well-packed novella.
Not every aspect of the story appealed. I thought Turner's actions were off-putting at times. Not only in the push to have a relationship with Ice, which was unrelenting, but in the emphasis he placed on his job, which seemed to take priority over his son more than once. I had other issues with Ice, who tended towards seeming as chilly in personality as her name implied. Neither issue was a cover-to-cover problem. Each was only in short increments at several points in the story, but the overall impact was unfortunately cumulative.
The end was really where I most felt the constraints of the length of the novella. It ended a little quickly, with an abrupt conflict and resolution section, and definitely left me wondering about a few unexpected twists. I liked the end, but I didn't want it to be over until I had sucked all the marrow from its gnawed bones (hrm...that went a bit more visceral than I'd expected).
I'm interested in seeing where Firasek takes the series from here. I really want to see Osiris again, and see if there's an explanation for his actions and reactions in this story, or a follow through on some things that came up. Either way, The Last Rising was a very nice starting point. I look forward to revisiting this series when the second novella is released, and hope a bit more attention will be paid to the character and relationship development and that the narrative focuses more on the depth and complexity of each.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
The Last Rises Nicely
She lives. She dies. She rises. She lives again. Such is the fate of Ice - once known as Isis, former Egyptian goddess and wife of Osiris, cursed to walk the earth until the mortal she's been charged with saving is in peril. Ice saves them in one-at-a-time increments by dying in their place, only to rise from her own ashes like the fiery phoenix she is and return to her realm to cross once more through the portal - an excruciating process in its own right - and return to the mortal realm to do it all again. Sometimes she's on Earth for days, sometimes weeks, occasionally months, but for two thousand years the absolute has been simply that she will die, she will rise, and she will return.
All she wants is for the interminable sentence to end, for Osiris to release her from her punishment, but for all her years, he fails to answer her pleas for release.
Her last charge, the sexy and gorgeous single father Turner Alcott, struck a chord within Ice. From the moment she saw him, she wanted him, felt the chemistry between them even as she recognized the futility. They met minutes before the plane that was carrying him back to his son plummeted into a swamp and killed everyone on board...except him. Because Ice died in his place. And she is determined that it's the last time.
She's stunned when her next incarnation brings her face to face with Turner once again, this time as his son's teacher. She's leery of what Osiris is trying to pull, as repeat charges are virtually unheard of. Still, she's got no choice but to deal with the one man who stirs her blood and endangers her heart - the man she died once already to save - and the son who reminds her of another little boy she'd once held in her arms a very, very long time ago. For the first time in two millennia there is more at stake for Ice than a life, more at risk than a painful rebirth. For the first time it is Ice's heart and soul that are on the line, and there's no rising from that.
~*~
I've long since accepted that novellas are always going to be hit and miss with me. Some satisfy, but most are missing one or more important elements that keep them from feeling like fully fleshed-out and three dimensional reads. Firasek's The Last Rising was mostly a hit and appealed to me on several fronts.
It satisfied the paranormal romance lover in me by offering unique and original mythos and sizzling sexual chemistry. I would have loved a more expansive description and comprehensive definition in the role of the phoenix, their origins, their responsibilities and expectations, their hierarchy - but what's there is just enough to at least frame the world Ice lives in and explain enough of it to understand her character. This wasn't a novella that left me with huge unresolved issues or questions, and that was satisfying.
Firasek created a world, parsed out a mythos for that world, introduced primary characters with some depth and interesting backstory, and helped flesh out the definition in the world, mythos, and primary characters with a nicely padded and judiciously utilized roster of secondary and ancillary characters. Meanwhile, there was a romantic arc between the lead characters and a brief part or two that incorporated the ancillary threads of the plot very neatly. On quantity of content alone, that's a very well-packed novella.
Not every aspect of the story appealed. I thought Turner's actions were off-putting at times. Not only in the push to have a relationship with Ice, which was unrelenting, but in the emphasis he placed on his job, which seemed to take priority over his son more than once. I had other issues with Ice, who tended towards seeming as chilly in personality as her name implied. Neither issue was a cover-to-cover problem. Each was only in short increments at several points in the story, but the overall impact was unfortunately cumulative.
The end was really where I most felt the constraints of the length of the novella. It ended a little quickly, with an abrupt conflict and resolution section, and definitely left me wondering about a few unexpected twists. I liked the end, but I didn't want it to be over until I had sucked all the marrow from its gnawed bones (hrm...that went a bit more visceral than I'd expected).
I'm interested in seeing where Firasek takes the series from here. I really want to see Osiris again, and see if there's an explanation for his actions and reactions in this story, or a follow through on some things that came up. Either way, The Last Rising was a very nice starting point. I look forward to revisiting this series when the second novella is released, and hope a bit more attention will be paid to the character and relationship development and that the narrative focuses more on the depth and complexity of each.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
October 7, 2012
My Rating:★★★★½
Book Description:
After paying two millennia's penance to Osiris, world-weary Phoenix Ice has had enough. Saving souls without any hope for her own redemption isn't how she imagined spending eternity. Fed up, she decides her next death will be her last. But when she sacrifices her own life for a sexy Texan in a catastrophic plane crash, she has no idea the consequences will be so great...or that she'll end up back in his life for her next assignment.Now that Turner Alcott has survived the worst, finding a wife and mother for his son matters more than ever before. When the mysterious Ice comes into his life, Turner knows she's the one-but love is the last thing Ice wants. If he wants to win her heart, Turner must teach Ice how to forgive herself, and prove that love is the ultimate sacrifice.
My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this story because it was a nice twist on a mythological story. Ice (the modern incarnation of Egyptian goddess Isis) is living her most recent "life" school teacher in Texas. As penance for a "crime" she committed in her life as a goddess, god Osiris has sentenced Ice to be a phoenix. As a phoenix she gives up her life to save one...which is how she first met Turner Alcott. He was slated to die in a plane crash but she came up her life so that he could live. Thrust through the portal to earth again, Ice is placed back into Turner (and his son Brodie's life). Turner has no recollection of Ice from the plane but he does experience an immediate familiarity with her. He is instantly attracted to the dark haired beauty with the ice blue eyes. He sets out on a mission to make Ice his own.
Through a sequence of cat and mouse twists and turns, Ice and Turner's mutual attraction glows white hot, although Ice fights it tooth and nail. As Ice tries hard to keep herself away from Turner and Brodie, Turner tries even harder to get her in his life and ultimately his bed. Ice is surrounded by her fellow phoenix's Giselle, Arabelle, and Sadie who add a quirky and fun twist to the story. I love Ice's ultimate sacrifice for Brodie. Because of it she learns that Osirus wasn't trying to punish her by turning her into a phoenix but to teach her to forgive herself and learn to love again.
Such well written story with a lovely message.
Reading Time: 3 Hours
Book Description:
After paying two millennia's penance to Osiris, world-weary Phoenix Ice has had enough. Saving souls without any hope for her own redemption isn't how she imagined spending eternity. Fed up, she decides her next death will be her last. But when she sacrifices her own life for a sexy Texan in a catastrophic plane crash, she has no idea the consequences will be so great...or that she'll end up back in his life for her next assignment.Now that Turner Alcott has survived the worst, finding a wife and mother for his son matters more than ever before. When the mysterious Ice comes into his life, Turner knows she's the one-but love is the last thing Ice wants. If he wants to win her heart, Turner must teach Ice how to forgive herself, and prove that love is the ultimate sacrifice.
My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this story because it was a nice twist on a mythological story. Ice (the modern incarnation of Egyptian goddess Isis) is living her most recent "life" school teacher in Texas. As penance for a "crime" she committed in her life as a goddess, god Osiris has sentenced Ice to be a phoenix. As a phoenix she gives up her life to save one...which is how she first met Turner Alcott. He was slated to die in a plane crash but she came up her life so that he could live. Thrust through the portal to earth again, Ice is placed back into Turner (and his son Brodie's life). Turner has no recollection of Ice from the plane but he does experience an immediate familiarity with her. He is instantly attracted to the dark haired beauty with the ice blue eyes. He sets out on a mission to make Ice his own.
Through a sequence of cat and mouse twists and turns, Ice and Turner's mutual attraction glows white hot, although Ice fights it tooth and nail. As Ice tries hard to keep herself away from Turner and Brodie, Turner tries even harder to get her in his life and ultimately his bed. Ice is surrounded by her fellow phoenix's Giselle, Arabelle, and Sadie who add a quirky and fun twist to the story. I love Ice's ultimate sacrifice for Brodie. Because of it she learns that Osirus wasn't trying to punish her by turning her into a phoenix but to teach her to forgive herself and learn to love again.
Such well written story with a lovely message.
Reading Time: 3 Hours
February 6, 2012
The Last Rising grabbed me from the very first chapter and pulled me into a unique story that I really didn’t understand at first but as each paragraph and chapter unfolded pulled me deeper into the heartbreaking and frustrating life of Phoenix Ice. I just could not put this book down. I had to know how Ice’s situation was going to turn out. The opening of this book she is face with a man on an airplane when she knows it is going to crash and he will be the only survivor. She dies over and over again saving the souls and yet unable to save her own. Ice is completely done with this and decides that her next death will be her last and beings to take steps to prepare the other women who travel with her. In Ice’s next assignment, she is to be a school teacher, something that she know she will have very little patience for. But she is stunned when she meets the father, Turner, of a young student Brodie, and he seems so familiar. He feels the same way about her. Ice is forced to try to keep her distance from Turner because she just wants him too much and knows she can’t have this. But can these two stay apart is the real question.
Rachel Firasek does an outstanding job with character building for all of the characters in her stories not just the main characters. I felt like each character from Brodie down to Grey and Sadie, all had their own story that intermingled in with the main story line of Ice and Turner and their ups and downs. Not only do the character stand up but the locations of the story as well everything from the homes to the workplaces and the plane crash for sure. They are well defined but for me personally I like to know the names of places and things like that so that would have made me enjoy this book even more.
The other thing that was a huge plus for me in The Last Rising was the heat factor. There chapters that were just sizzling. Nothing that was over the top or just too much but a honest situation for two people who should be together and are having trouble letting go what what they think they should do and what they want to do. Also, a reason why it was so hard to put it down not to mention all of the drama with Ice’s internal debates with herself.
I am excited to know that this is only one of three books in this series. I am forward to finding out what is next in store from this series.
Rachel Firasek does an outstanding job with character building for all of the characters in her stories not just the main characters. I felt like each character from Brodie down to Grey and Sadie, all had their own story that intermingled in with the main story line of Ice and Turner and their ups and downs. Not only do the character stand up but the locations of the story as well everything from the homes to the workplaces and the plane crash for sure. They are well defined but for me personally I like to know the names of places and things like that so that would have made me enjoy this book even more.
The other thing that was a huge plus for me in The Last Rising was the heat factor. There chapters that were just sizzling. Nothing that was over the top or just too much but a honest situation for two people who should be together and are having trouble letting go what what they think they should do and what they want to do. Also, a reason why it was so hard to put it down not to mention all of the drama with Ice’s internal debates with herself.
I am excited to know that this is only one of three books in this series. I am forward to finding out what is next in store from this series.
December 24, 2011
I received this e-book for review from Bewitching Book Tours as part of the author's virtual book tour. I did not receive any compensation for my review, and the views expressed herein are my own.
Ice, aka the Egyptian goddess Isis, has been exiled to life on Earth and stripped of her powers with three other goddesses. Her punishment, meted out by Egyptian god Osiris, is that she must die to save a human soul only to rise again as a Phoenix and return to Osiris's palace while she waits to be reunited with her other three friends who are paying penances of their own. When all four goddesses are reunited, they pass through a portal in the Sun to return to Earth again where they will stay usually several months before they die yet again. Their memories are wiped clean, as well as the humans who knew them, so that no one can recall their previous existences on Earth.
When Ice meets Turner on an airplane, she is immediately drawn to him and sparks fly! It was Ice's intention to fight "the rising" of the Phoenix at the next occurrence and let nature take its course. Turner turns out to be Ice’s “mark,” and he is the only survivor of the airplane crash.
When Ice returns to Earth as a schoolteacher, she remembers Turner who is the father of one of her students. Turner has a lingering sense of recognition as well, but he cannot place where he knows Ice from. As their attraction to each other deepens, Ice fights her feelings because she knows she will only lose him. Is she willing to risk her heart, and how much longer can she fight her feelings? And what will happen when she dies, yet again?
This novella is a nice twist on the standard paranormal book because it integrates Egyptian mythology. Add the scorching chemistry between Ice and Turner, and you have wrapped everything up in a sweet little package! I could not put this book down!! My only complaint is that it isn’t longer! At 102 pages, I didn’t get my fill of Ice and Turner and wanted more!!
This book is the first in a series, and the 2nd book is slated for release in November 2011 and the 3rd in January 2012. I can't wait to read more of the Curse of the Phoenix series!
MY RATING: 5 stars!! I loved it, and I could not put it down! Highly recommended!
Ice, aka the Egyptian goddess Isis, has been exiled to life on Earth and stripped of her powers with three other goddesses. Her punishment, meted out by Egyptian god Osiris, is that she must die to save a human soul only to rise again as a Phoenix and return to Osiris's palace while she waits to be reunited with her other three friends who are paying penances of their own. When all four goddesses are reunited, they pass through a portal in the Sun to return to Earth again where they will stay usually several months before they die yet again. Their memories are wiped clean, as well as the humans who knew them, so that no one can recall their previous existences on Earth.
When Ice meets Turner on an airplane, she is immediately drawn to him and sparks fly! It was Ice's intention to fight "the rising" of the Phoenix at the next occurrence and let nature take its course. Turner turns out to be Ice’s “mark,” and he is the only survivor of the airplane crash.
When Ice returns to Earth as a schoolteacher, she remembers Turner who is the father of one of her students. Turner has a lingering sense of recognition as well, but he cannot place where he knows Ice from. As their attraction to each other deepens, Ice fights her feelings because she knows she will only lose him. Is she willing to risk her heart, and how much longer can she fight her feelings? And what will happen when she dies, yet again?
This novella is a nice twist on the standard paranormal book because it integrates Egyptian mythology. Add the scorching chemistry between Ice and Turner, and you have wrapped everything up in a sweet little package! I could not put this book down!! My only complaint is that it isn’t longer! At 102 pages, I didn’t get my fill of Ice and Turner and wanted more!!
This book is the first in a series, and the 2nd book is slated for release in November 2011 and the 3rd in January 2012. I can't wait to read more of the Curse of the Phoenix series!
MY RATING: 5 stars!! I loved it, and I could not put it down! Highly recommended!
September 11, 2011
The Last Rising (Curse of the Pheonix, book 1)
By Rachel Firasek
(Novella)
This was a great little novella. The characters were perfect, and I just loved little Brodie, he was so cute in his little personality that was wise beyond his years. My only disappointment was that it wasn’t long enough, and I wanted to know more about the characters and their past. I wanted to know more about the phoenix world.
Ice is a phoenix and once was an Egyptian goddess whose husband and child were murdered. She is serving penance from what I got, was self blame for what happened to her family. Ice is sent to save the life of a certain individual, and in doing so she dies each time and is incarnated again to do the same job over and over for the past 2,000 years, in a different place, and a different target. Until she is sent to save the life of Turner Alcott, the chosen survivor of a plane crash. After the crash, Ice is sent back to yet another job, this time her path crosses Turner Alcott again.
She returns to Turner’s life as his son’s kindergarten teacher and Turner doesn’t remember her, which is the way it’s supposed to be. However Turner can’t shake the familiarity of Ice. Turner has decided to stop playing the field, and look for someone to settle down with, someone to be a mother to his son, which he’s never had. Upon meeting Ms. Nix on the first day of school, for Turner it’s pretty much “love at first sight”.
Ms. Nix can’t deny her lusty attraction for the sexy Texan, but all she wants is to keep him at arm’s length as to not risk him remembering her from the plane crash. But a sexy romp between the sheets would be just fine with her. As the sexual tension builds, so does her feelings for Turner and his son Brodie. But if she starts to care it will mean complications, the more she pushes away from Turner, the more he pursuits her until her defences start to falter. In the face of tragedy the walls finally crumble
By Rachel Firasek
(Novella)
This was a great little novella. The characters were perfect, and I just loved little Brodie, he was so cute in his little personality that was wise beyond his years. My only disappointment was that it wasn’t long enough, and I wanted to know more about the characters and their past. I wanted to know more about the phoenix world.
Ice is a phoenix and once was an Egyptian goddess whose husband and child were murdered. She is serving penance from what I got, was self blame for what happened to her family. Ice is sent to save the life of a certain individual, and in doing so she dies each time and is incarnated again to do the same job over and over for the past 2,000 years, in a different place, and a different target. Until she is sent to save the life of Turner Alcott, the chosen survivor of a plane crash. After the crash, Ice is sent back to yet another job, this time her path crosses Turner Alcott again.
She returns to Turner’s life as his son’s kindergarten teacher and Turner doesn’t remember her, which is the way it’s supposed to be. However Turner can’t shake the familiarity of Ice. Turner has decided to stop playing the field, and look for someone to settle down with, someone to be a mother to his son, which he’s never had. Upon meeting Ms. Nix on the first day of school, for Turner it’s pretty much “love at first sight”.
Ms. Nix can’t deny her lusty attraction for the sexy Texan, but all she wants is to keep him at arm’s length as to not risk him remembering her from the plane crash. But a sexy romp between the sheets would be just fine with her. As the sexual tension builds, so does her feelings for Turner and his son Brodie. But if she starts to care it will mean complications, the more she pushes away from Turner, the more he pursuits her until her defences start to falter. In the face of tragedy the walls finally crumble
September 7, 2011
This is a Quickie Review. For the full review, please visit The Romanceaholic.
Expected Release Date: September 6, 2011 (Available Now)
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Imprint: N/A
Author’s Website: http://www.rachelfirasek.com/
My Source for This Book: Netgalley
Part of a Series: Yes, Book 1, Curse of the Phoenix
Series Best Read In Order: N/A
Steam Level: Steamy
Ice is a Phoenix — a soul serving penance by sacrificing her life over and over to save other souls. Having spent 2000 years dying only to painfully rise again to do it all over again, Ice is determined that enough is enough. After sacrificing herself for a sweet yet sexy businessman, she moves on to what will be her last assignment, not realizing that she and the hot Texan will cross paths once more.
Unfortunately for Ice, when she moves on to a new assignment, her memories of the previous soul are erased. However, she can’t help but feel a familiar pull to Turner when her new identity is that of a kindergarten teacher to his young son.
Ice knows that she can’t afford to get close to anyone, because her impending death is always a matter of months away, and yet she can’t deny the intense attraction bubbling between her and Turner, and well, Turner isn’t taking no for an answer.
Overall, I enjoyed this one up until right before the end. The whole mythology of the Phoenixes, mixed with a delicious level of sexual tension made this an enticing read, and yet, the cheese factor of the ending threw everything off for me.
That said, I am definitely looking forward to future installments of the series, to follow the stories of the other Phoenixes in Ice’s company.
Recommended for fans of new twists on old mythologies, of heroines who guard their hearts, and of sexy heroes determined to break through those walls no matter what it might take.
3.5/5 Stars
Expected Release Date: September 6, 2011 (Available Now)
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Imprint: N/A
Author’s Website: http://www.rachelfirasek.com/
My Source for This Book: Netgalley
Part of a Series: Yes, Book 1, Curse of the Phoenix
Series Best Read In Order: N/A
Steam Level: Steamy
Ice is a Phoenix — a soul serving penance by sacrificing her life over and over to save other souls. Having spent 2000 years dying only to painfully rise again to do it all over again, Ice is determined that enough is enough. After sacrificing herself for a sweet yet sexy businessman, she moves on to what will be her last assignment, not realizing that she and the hot Texan will cross paths once more.
Unfortunately for Ice, when she moves on to a new assignment, her memories of the previous soul are erased. However, she can’t help but feel a familiar pull to Turner when her new identity is that of a kindergarten teacher to his young son.
Ice knows that she can’t afford to get close to anyone, because her impending death is always a matter of months away, and yet she can’t deny the intense attraction bubbling between her and Turner, and well, Turner isn’t taking no for an answer.
Overall, I enjoyed this one up until right before the end. The whole mythology of the Phoenixes, mixed with a delicious level of sexual tension made this an enticing read, and yet, the cheese factor of the ending threw everything off for me.
That said, I am definitely looking forward to future installments of the series, to follow the stories of the other Phoenixes in Ice’s company.
Recommended for fans of new twists on old mythologies, of heroines who guard their hearts, and of sexy heroes determined to break through those walls no matter what it might take.
3.5/5 Stars
December 21, 2011
This story sucked me in right away. The novella centers around the idea that as a phoenix, Ice is destined to serve her penance by savings others and dying in their place. Two thousand years later and she is still serving her time - hoping to one day be freed from this life filled with so much death.
She likes to keep her distance, never getting attached to the people she is sent to save. No memories, Ice. No conversations. She goes through so much turmoil when it comes to letting herself fall in love, because she is afraid to get close to anyone and then be reborn as someone else. It would leave a gaping wound in her heart and she has been afraid of hurting the other person by disappearing.
Ice is a stubborn woman, but once Turner comes into her life, she has a hard time following her self-imposed rules. Her heart melts for his little boy, who reminds her so much of her long lost child. And Turner ignites a fire deep inside her soul that she thought was long gone. Turner and Ice have this hot and cold relationship - sexy and steamy one minute and all business the next.
Throughout the book I was wondering when Ice would wake up and realize that feelings and sex don't have to be two different things - that as a whole they are a wonderful experience. After having lived so long, I was surprised that she would force herself to keep her emotions in check. Like the synopsis says: she must learn to forgive before she can learn to love. And Turner knows just how to win her heart.
Such a quick, exciting read. Everything you need to know is there and not filled in with chapters of fluff. I cannot wait to read the rest of this series. The supporting characters were introduced in a way that you just know they are going to receive their own amazing stories. I loved how the mixture of Egyptian mythology and the concept of the phoenix meshed together to create such a unique story.
She likes to keep her distance, never getting attached to the people she is sent to save. No memories, Ice. No conversations. She goes through so much turmoil when it comes to letting herself fall in love, because she is afraid to get close to anyone and then be reborn as someone else. It would leave a gaping wound in her heart and she has been afraid of hurting the other person by disappearing.
Ice is a stubborn woman, but once Turner comes into her life, she has a hard time following her self-imposed rules. Her heart melts for his little boy, who reminds her so much of her long lost child. And Turner ignites a fire deep inside her soul that she thought was long gone. Turner and Ice have this hot and cold relationship - sexy and steamy one minute and all business the next.
Throughout the book I was wondering when Ice would wake up and realize that feelings and sex don't have to be two different things - that as a whole they are a wonderful experience. After having lived so long, I was surprised that she would force herself to keep her emotions in check. Like the synopsis says: she must learn to forgive before she can learn to love. And Turner knows just how to win her heart.
Such a quick, exciting read. Everything you need to know is there and not filled in with chapters of fluff. I cannot wait to read the rest of this series. The supporting characters were introduced in a way that you just know they are going to receive their own amazing stories. I loved how the mixture of Egyptian mythology and the concept of the phoenix meshed together to create such a unique story.
July 15, 2012
This review is also posted at The Bawdy Book Blog.
The Last Rising is a sweet and cute paranormal romance that leaves you wanting a little more….and more…and more. And if there is anything to take away from it, it’s that it is never too late for a second chance.
Ice is a Phoenix, a woman cursed to rise again and again after each “death” until she finds her heart. In an airplane crash, she sacrifices her life to save that of Turner, a single father of one, who is attractive, charming and witty. When she rises again, she finds herself in Turner’s town, the kindergarten teacher to his son and unable to deny her attraction to him. What she doesn’t understand is how she ended up there, because a Phoenix is never assigned the same place – or person – twice.
I don’t read a lot of paranormal romance. I find it to be unbelievable most of the time, because the love story often feels forced and contrived. The Last Rising does not succumb to that fate, however. The love story is simple and well-done, and tinged with enough tension to find it believable.
I found both main characters, Ice and Turner, likeable and intriguing. Ice is in a unique situation, being a Greek goddess and all, having fallen for a mortal. Turner is a true Texan, charming, likeable and sweet. It was obvious he cared dearly for his son, who was also charming and likeable. Like father, like son, I guess! The secondary characters were interesting enough to provide background to the story. Each filled a necessary role that was integral to the book.
My only real quibble about The Last Rising is the length. I would have liked to have gotten to know the characters a little better and for longer. Fortunately, this isn’t a one-shot deal; it’s the first in a series, so I’ll get more goodness in the next one.
If you like the genre and you are looking for a quick, light read, then The Last Rising is for you.
The Last Rising is a sweet and cute paranormal romance that leaves you wanting a little more….and more…and more. And if there is anything to take away from it, it’s that it is never too late for a second chance.
Ice is a Phoenix, a woman cursed to rise again and again after each “death” until she finds her heart. In an airplane crash, she sacrifices her life to save that of Turner, a single father of one, who is attractive, charming and witty. When she rises again, she finds herself in Turner’s town, the kindergarten teacher to his son and unable to deny her attraction to him. What she doesn’t understand is how she ended up there, because a Phoenix is never assigned the same place – or person – twice.
I don’t read a lot of paranormal romance. I find it to be unbelievable most of the time, because the love story often feels forced and contrived. The Last Rising does not succumb to that fate, however. The love story is simple and well-done, and tinged with enough tension to find it believable.
I found both main characters, Ice and Turner, likeable and intriguing. Ice is in a unique situation, being a Greek goddess and all, having fallen for a mortal. Turner is a true Texan, charming, likeable and sweet. It was obvious he cared dearly for his son, who was also charming and likeable. Like father, like son, I guess! The secondary characters were interesting enough to provide background to the story. Each filled a necessary role that was integral to the book.
My only real quibble about The Last Rising is the length. I would have liked to have gotten to know the characters a little better and for longer. Fortunately, this isn’t a one-shot deal; it’s the first in a series, so I’ll get more goodness in the next one.
If you like the genre and you are looking for a quick, light read, then The Last Rising is for you.
February 13, 2012
What do you get when you mix Egyptian Mythology, a Texan, and a kid? Give up? A wildly unique story, that's what! But no matter the players, this story is as old as time. It's the classic premise of man wants woman, woman wants man, but something evil stands between them. How will they ever find each other in the dark?
Ice is a no-nonsense type of gal who just so happens to be a few thousand years old. During her stint among humans, though, she hasn't really learned the lesson that Osiris wanted her to. Instead, she's fed up, frustrated, and annoyed that she can't have a normal life like the rest of the world. She's busy saving souls, for crying out loud! When would she ever have the time to find happiness? Fortunately, happiness is heading her way!
Meet Turner, a single dad who has been burned both ways--emotionally and physically. He was the sole survivor of a plane crash and a member of the Lonely Hearts Club. He just wants to find love, to find someone who will never leave his side, who will love his son, Brodie, as much as he does and who will live forever in his heart.
Upon meeting, Ice and Turner can't seem to get each other out of their dreams or minds! Every touch, every passing glance sends chills up and down their spine and they are helpless to fight against it. They are from two completely different worlds, completely different times, but love is universal and timeless.
This story was nice and well-written, but Turner didn't excite me as much as he excited our heroine, Ice. I found him to be jealous/obsessive/needy and that should be written as one word because he was all three at the same time. I know many women find those attributes attractive but they tend to leave me dry. THE LAST RISING is a very good story though and if those types of men appeal to you, then by all means, enjoy!
Ice is a no-nonsense type of gal who just so happens to be a few thousand years old. During her stint among humans, though, she hasn't really learned the lesson that Osiris wanted her to. Instead, she's fed up, frustrated, and annoyed that she can't have a normal life like the rest of the world. She's busy saving souls, for crying out loud! When would she ever have the time to find happiness? Fortunately, happiness is heading her way!
Meet Turner, a single dad who has been burned both ways--emotionally and physically. He was the sole survivor of a plane crash and a member of the Lonely Hearts Club. He just wants to find love, to find someone who will never leave his side, who will love his son, Brodie, as much as he does and who will live forever in his heart.
Upon meeting, Ice and Turner can't seem to get each other out of their dreams or minds! Every touch, every passing glance sends chills up and down their spine and they are helpless to fight against it. They are from two completely different worlds, completely different times, but love is universal and timeless.
This story was nice and well-written, but Turner didn't excite me as much as he excited our heroine, Ice. I found him to be jealous/obsessive/needy and that should be written as one word because he was all three at the same time. I know many women find those attributes attractive but they tend to leave me dry. THE LAST RISING is a very good story though and if those types of men appeal to you, then by all means, enjoy!
December 15, 2011
This was a story that grabbed me at the beginning and didn’t let go. It is a steamy short story about Isis and Osiris, a unique take on old gods. In this one, Isis is known as Ice—ironic since she is also a phoenix and doomed to a fiery death.
Ice has spent centuries under the control of Osiris, attempting to atone for a wrong she committed that led to the death of their son, Horus. To teach her a lesson, Osiris sends her to Earth to redeem the soul of one person. Over and over again, Ice dies a horrific death allowing another to live. She is tired of it all. She wants out. Then she meets Turner and his son. And finally learns the lesson Osiris has been trying to teach her.
I really liked the unique take on the story. It was something fresh and new. What I didn’t like was the way Turner was even more controlling than Osiris. His actions bordered on abuse under the guise of passion. I also had trouble keeping straight exactly what was happening with the other three “students” of Osiris, especially when they met with Ice.
The story was a good story – it had romance, heat, passion, and compassion. They all worked well together and I cared what happened to Ice. If not for the above issues, I would have graded this much higher. But those issues were strong enough for me to cringe at times. Still, I do recommend it as a general good read, just be forewarned. The story will grab your attention right away! It's a fast paced and fun read! It has a few moments that will certainly pull at your heart strings. It also has a few scenes that are sure to steam up your day. It is a fast paced, easily read story that is worth overlooking a few cringes. And a good set-up for the following novels in the series.
Ice has spent centuries under the control of Osiris, attempting to atone for a wrong she committed that led to the death of their son, Horus. To teach her a lesson, Osiris sends her to Earth to redeem the soul of one person. Over and over again, Ice dies a horrific death allowing another to live. She is tired of it all. She wants out. Then she meets Turner and his son. And finally learns the lesson Osiris has been trying to teach her.
I really liked the unique take on the story. It was something fresh and new. What I didn’t like was the way Turner was even more controlling than Osiris. His actions bordered on abuse under the guise of passion. I also had trouble keeping straight exactly what was happening with the other three “students” of Osiris, especially when they met with Ice.
The story was a good story – it had romance, heat, passion, and compassion. They all worked well together and I cared what happened to Ice. If not for the above issues, I would have graded this much higher. But those issues were strong enough for me to cringe at times. Still, I do recommend it as a general good read, just be forewarned. The story will grab your attention right away! It's a fast paced and fun read! It has a few moments that will certainly pull at your heart strings. It also has a few scenes that are sure to steam up your day. It is a fast paced, easily read story that is worth overlooking a few cringes. And a good set-up for the following novels in the series.
January 12, 2012
The Last Rising begins on an airplane that leads to a fiery crash where both Ice and Turner are on board. So sick and tired of Osiris’ “game”, Ice is wearing thin and giving up on hope as she takes her last breath (again). When her next mission brings her right back into Turner’s life, she finds herself feeling confused with feelings she forgot were even possible. This story fluctuates from Ice’s point of view back to that of Turner’s, each exploring and revealing every thought, feeling and hesitation they experience.
Every character in this book was memorable, especially Brody, Turner's son. It wasn't hard to fall in love with the little one no matter what he was doing. The phoenix clan worked well together, each with a unique personality that didn't overpower the main storyline, but did make way for their stories in the future books.
Did I mention steamy? There are quite a few scenes where Rachel has you guessing and waiting for the real thing to happen, only to keep you guessing for a bit longer. No need to worry though, she eventually gives us what we want.
While I did enjoy this book there are a couple of things I have to note, without reading the summary first, I honestly didn’t know what Ice was or why she was doing kept having to live and relive her life. And I feel like this could have been better explained in the first chapters. Now as the book goes on and you learn more, it eventually answers your questions, but not until quite a bit later.
Overall, The Last Rising was a very fast-paced, novella that will leave you feeling satisfied.
Every character in this book was memorable, especially Brody, Turner's son. It wasn't hard to fall in love with the little one no matter what he was doing. The phoenix clan worked well together, each with a unique personality that didn't overpower the main storyline, but did make way for their stories in the future books.
Did I mention steamy? There are quite a few scenes where Rachel has you guessing and waiting for the real thing to happen, only to keep you guessing for a bit longer. No need to worry though, she eventually gives us what we want.
While I did enjoy this book there are a couple of things I have to note, without reading the summary first, I honestly didn’t know what Ice was or why she was doing kept having to live and relive her life. And I feel like this could have been better explained in the first chapters. Now as the book goes on and you learn more, it eventually answers your questions, but not until quite a bit later.
Overall, The Last Rising was a very fast-paced, novella that will leave you feeling satisfied.
May 4, 2012
My review of this is coming far too late. I did finish the book weeks ago, but something always pulled my attention away. Today I've put shiny things away, and shot all squirrels within sight so I can review this great trilogy.
I don't remember why I picked up this book. I think I saw it on my goodreads timeline and loved the cover art (happens a lot). I read the blurb, added it to my to-read. Unlike most books like that, I ended up buying within a week. I think it was the idea of the Pheonix stories - it was something I hadn't seen done before.
I had no idea what I was getting into.
Within two, maybe three pages at most Rachel had me hooked. The scene on the plane was amazing, intense, and oh how I wish the situation had been different because what a way to go that would have been.
Ice is an amazing, strong heroine. Turner, oh my. Just the perfect hero in every way. The thing that makes him the hottest? How much he adores his son. Totally drool-worthy.
This book had enough heat to steam my windows, and need a few fans to make it through - and yet so much heart I'm pretty sure I teared up a few times.
Rachel manages to blend all of this into a compact little novel that makes you wish it had been 600 pages of such bliss. It made me crave the rest of the series and snatch it up as soon as I could.
I look forward to more books by Rachel - she is at the top of my list of favorite authors now.
I don't remember why I picked up this book. I think I saw it on my goodreads timeline and loved the cover art (happens a lot). I read the blurb, added it to my to-read. Unlike most books like that, I ended up buying within a week. I think it was the idea of the Pheonix stories - it was something I hadn't seen done before.
I had no idea what I was getting into.
Within two, maybe three pages at most Rachel had me hooked. The scene on the plane was amazing, intense, and oh how I wish the situation had been different because what a way to go that would have been.
Ice is an amazing, strong heroine. Turner, oh my. Just the perfect hero in every way. The thing that makes him the hottest? How much he adores his son. Totally drool-worthy.
This book had enough heat to steam my windows, and need a few fans to make it through - and yet so much heart I'm pretty sure I teared up a few times.
Rachel manages to blend all of this into a compact little novel that makes you wish it had been 600 pages of such bliss. It made me crave the rest of the series and snatch it up as soon as I could.
I look forward to more books by Rachel - she is at the top of my list of favorite authors now.
July 7, 2014
The first book in the Curse of the Phoenix series is a riveting and heartwarming paranormal romance. Ice is a Phoenix who has spent the last two millennia saving souls without any hope for redemption. Turner Alcott has survived the worst and now has teach Ice how to forgive herself and prove that love is the ultimate sacrifice.
This fast paced and smooth flowing plot keeps readers on their toes with suspense, drama and romance. The author brings the story to life with well written scenes and details that capture the imagination and the strong compelling characters are easily related to and grab the reader’s attention from the very beginning.
The attraction that Ice feels for Turner is something that she can’t give in to, no matter how strong or how hot, not only is she a phoenix paying penance, she can’t forgive herself. The romance progresses throughout the story as the reader gets completely caught up in the drama as Turner tries prove to her that she can still love him and his young son.
The author has created a fantastic world with the mythological phoenix and Egyptian Gods with a interesting twist that intrigues the reader and ensures that they want to know more. The story may be short but the author does a great job of making the story seem longer and conveying a span of time befitting the story and I was quite enraptured with the story from the very beginning and I can’t wait to read the next one.
This fast paced and smooth flowing plot keeps readers on their toes with suspense, drama and romance. The author brings the story to life with well written scenes and details that capture the imagination and the strong compelling characters are easily related to and grab the reader’s attention from the very beginning.
The attraction that Ice feels for Turner is something that she can’t give in to, no matter how strong or how hot, not only is she a phoenix paying penance, she can’t forgive herself. The romance progresses throughout the story as the reader gets completely caught up in the drama as Turner tries prove to her that she can still love him and his young son.
The author has created a fantastic world with the mythological phoenix and Egyptian Gods with a interesting twist that intrigues the reader and ensures that they want to know more. The story may be short but the author does a great job of making the story seem longer and conveying a span of time befitting the story and I was quite enraptured with the story from the very beginning and I can’t wait to read the next one.
February 29, 2012
The last rising is book #1 in a new series written by Rachel Firasek. It's a quick read, just over 100 pages. But it sure does pack a punch!!
It took me a little while to warm up to Ice. She is cold and more then a little stand off-ish. Don't get me wrong. She has a very good reason for keeping people at an arms length. It wasn't too long before I began to feel a connection to with her and sympothize with her plight. Ice is a Phoenix. It is her job to save souls. When she does this, she dies in place of the one she saves. She eventually will come back to the world with another assignment, and the whole process starts again.
I almost immediately loved Turner. He is a strong, handsome Texan man (with a sexy alpha male side...YUM!!) He is a single father who wants to find love for himself and a mother for his young son, Brodie. Brodie is a sweet little boy who has his father's charm and quirky additude.
Now, I don't want to give away too many details here. I'll just say that the story will grab your attention right away! It's a fast paced and fun read! It has a few moments that will certainly pull at your heart strings. It also has a few scenes (ahh-hemm) that are sure to steam up your mirror ;) *smirks* This is definitely a read you won't want to miss!!
Reviewed for WearVampsRomance. http://werevampsromance.blogspot.com/
It took me a little while to warm up to Ice. She is cold and more then a little stand off-ish. Don't get me wrong. She has a very good reason for keeping people at an arms length. It wasn't too long before I began to feel a connection to with her and sympothize with her plight. Ice is a Phoenix. It is her job to save souls. When she does this, she dies in place of the one she saves. She eventually will come back to the world with another assignment, and the whole process starts again.
I almost immediately loved Turner. He is a strong, handsome Texan man (with a sexy alpha male side...YUM!!) He is a single father who wants to find love for himself and a mother for his young son, Brodie. Brodie is a sweet little boy who has his father's charm and quirky additude.
Now, I don't want to give away too many details here. I'll just say that the story will grab your attention right away! It's a fast paced and fun read! It has a few moments that will certainly pull at your heart strings. It also has a few scenes (ahh-hemm) that are sure to steam up your mirror ;) *smirks* This is definitely a read you won't want to miss!!
Reviewed for WearVampsRomance. http://werevampsromance.blogspot.com/
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews