Defending the Phoenix Flame

Midlife Mysteries & Magic #42

by Brenda Trim

The stakes are the highest they've ever been when fate decides now is the time for me to start a wild phoenix chase...

I'm still not sure I'm meant to be Relic Keeper but the work is never-ending. What's on the agenda now? A call for help from Phoebe that sends me and my trusty sidekicks into action. The Emberflare phoenix clan is missing a very important relic. And while the circumstances are mysterious at best and nefarious at worst, the most important thing is that we retrieve it. And this is no ordinary knick-knack. It's the Phoenix Flame itself!

So much for the safety and security of their entire clan.

As our mission takes us from the secretive phoenix clan lands, where every winged wonder seems to know everyone's business, to the chilly tundras that can freeze your magic socks off, I find myself talking icy creatures out of turning us into powerful popsicles each day. Then comes the twist we never saw coming.

False accusations, endless chaos, and enough mayhem to make any sane person go nuts follow us from one frozen realm to the next. Now it's obvious this artifact adventure isn't as straightforward as it seemed.

But how do we find out who is behind this whole mess before the relic falls into the wrong talons? One wrong move and we'll create a phoenix-sized catastrophe that will leave us all burning with regret!

254 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 5, 2024

About the author

Brenda's Paranormal Women's Fiction

Mystical Midlife in Maine Series
1. Magical Makeover
2. Laugh Lines & Lost Things
3. Hellmouth & Hot Flashes
4. Holidays With Hades
5. Saggy But Witty in Crescent City
6. Nasty Curses & Big Purses
7. Fae Forged Axes & Chin Waxes
8. Demonic Stones & Creaky Bones
9. Underworld Frights & Sleepless Nights
10. Pixie Dust & Brain Rust
11. Magical Hands & Silver Strands
12. Deadly Quips & Furry Lips
13. Enchanted Tattoos & Lost Fools
14. Shady Secrets & Sun Spots

Twisted Sisters Midlife Maelstrom Series
1. Packing Serious Magical Mojo
2. Cadaver On Canal Street
3. Seances & Second Line Parades
4. French Quarter Fae
5. King's Day Magical Mischief
6. Etou-Fae The Hard Way
7. Hurricanes, Heros & Hail Marys
8. Royal Street Romp
9. Levees, Lost Crowns & Loa
10. Mud Bugs & Cherished Hugs
11. Creole Dishes & Deadly Wishes

Brenda's Paranormal Romance Books
DARK WARRIOR ALLIANCE SERIES
1. Dream Warrior
2. Mystik Warrior
3. Pemas Storm
4. Isis Betrayal
5. Deviant Warrior
6. Suvi's Revenge
7. Scarred Warrior
8. Hellbound Warrior
9. Isobel
10. Rogue Warrior
11. Shattered Warrior

Reviews

[Cath · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book three of the Dame of the Midnight Relics series and book forty two of the Midlife Mysteries & Magic series, featuring new Relic Keeper Nylah, and her friends Kaiya and Aeira, who have far more magical experience than her. Nylah gets a call from the Pleaides, Phoebe, asking for her help to find the missing Phoenix Flame, which has been stolen from the Emberflare Clan. Without the flame, the clan’s health and very existence will start to fail, with their young not even able to rejuvenate without it. Nylah has her Pegasus Brylan, who can help take her and her friends to the clan, but she only has a saddle that can hold two of them. She has to leave Aeira behind to quickly get a larger saddle made, as she has an inkling all three of them are going to be needed for this job. When she meets the Clan leader, Ryze, they find she has no idea how it was stolen or by whom, but it must have been someone powerful to get past their protective wards! No one seems to know much about the Phoenixes as they keep to themselves and are very secretive, so it is off to Archibald and his Inkwell Sanctum, to find out as much information as she can.

Their hunt soon has all three of the friends searching through frozen labyrinths, with mystical guardians and tricky puzzles to solve, as well as a powerful witch/phoenix, who wants the flame for its power, all for herself as revenge against those she believes killed off her whole clan when she was a child. They will definitely need Aeira’s Elemental powers, as Nylah and Keira’s witch flames have little effect in the frozen tundra and against a foe who is impervious to fire! The Phoenix Flame holds parts of every ever member of the Emberflare Clan and is vital for the clan. Nylah’s sense of relics is vital for them to track the flame relic and they can only follow the clues they find, to take them from one location to another, even from one realm to another. Nylah worries about leaving her husband Arjun behind, so close to the next full moon, but is reassured he will be fine under the alpha Isiah’s care and with the charm the Backside of Forty made for him. Nylah and Keira also have to worry about turning up for their firefighting shifts, which might seem a bit weird whilst they are in the middle of an important relic hunt, but Nylah’s identity as the new Relic Keeper must be kept secret, so the bad guys can’t find her and can’t try to get rid of her! The three women’s strong friendship and familiarity with each other’s magic, are going to be key to them surviving everything they have to face and those that try to stop them from reaching the Phoenix Flame.

If they don’t stop the enemy before the thief gains more control of the flame, in their plan to take their revenge, they could become unstoppable. If they gain full control of the flame, they will be able to control a whole clan of phoenixes and the consequences will be dire. A bit of family fun as Nylah’s daughters ask for some more magic training, and an appearance by her son Theo, who knows nothing of their magic until they tell him, which is a bit of a surprise, but then he disappears without a sound or even a goodbye! I loved the riddles they had to solve at quite a few occasions during their quest for the flame. Another interesting story with the Relic Keeper and her friends, with hints and links to a few of the characters from other series within the Midlife stories, which is nice to see a crossover with. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.

4 ½ stars

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nylah and her husband Arjun are relaxing. Then she gets a call from Phoebe who is a Pleaides. She's calling because she needs her help. A phoenix clan is in danger. Their Phoenix Flame has been stolen. The Flame is a ruby with parts of all the phoenixes flame. Seems there is interest if not much information about phoenixes. After several phone calls the decision is to go to the Whisperwind Bazaar to check with Archibald.owner of the Inkwell Sanctum. He is usually a well of knowledge. After get information they call the head of the Phoenix clan whose flame was stolen. So now they're on their way to the Blue Ridge mountains. Nylan learns of an ancient foretelling which provides a glimmer of hope. It seems there is an imbalance in light and dark and it looks like Nulan may be in the middle of the foretelling.Now they need to search for clues and discover who would be able to get through all the wards that were around not only the village but the Flame itself. It looks like the first place they need to look is the Sahara Desert. Next is the Antarctic. One clue another chase. Another riddle. They find a small piece of the Flame in an ice statue of Boreas. Then they meet with an Elemental who will give them the information they need for something from them...knowledge of their realm. They learn the true ability of the Flame. It can be very dangerous in the wrong hands. They are up against Balance Thieves. Interspersed in all this she has to tell her oldest what she and his sisters' have become and what he can become and introduce him to her Pegasus and the place where she keeps the relics. Then it's back to the grind. Will her and her friends be able to finally track down the Flame and stop those who might want to use it? Life as a relic hunter is never easy but it does have it's rewards.
Another fantastic story in this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Melanie Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nylah, Kaiya, and Aeria set off on a race to find another magical artifact. Along the way their friendship is tested and they are pushed to the limits to see what they would endure to save the world. Our villains wants chaos and world domination which a little cliche but it worked for this story. The key to defeating chaos can only be found in a series of tests as our team races around the globe like a magical Amazing Race. The team uses magic, intelligence and love to win the day along the way they meet and reconnect with other magical beings. I really like the unity that shines through this story from Nylah to Kaiya and Aeria but also to their families and other friends like Phoebe and Archibald. Nylah references unity several times through the story referring to it as essentially the greatest test. The author does a super job of testing the three ladies. Not only do the ladies rise to the challenge but so do their allies including Artemis. Of course, I would be remiss is I didn't mention Brylan because the team needed him at every step. He even does a good job of clothing shopping. LOL. Who wouldn't want a Pegasus who will supply you with everything you need. He is always going to be one of the stars of this series. I'm sure more adventures are in the offing and I for one an anxious to see the next test.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rebel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This latest installment in the Dame of the Midnight Relics series is another fantastic read, and I can't wait for the next book. Delving into the lore of phoenixes was fascinating, and the story was incredibly entertaining. It made me laugh, sniffle, giggle, mutter, and more, running the full gamut of emotions. The book even had an Indiana Jones-like adventure vibe, which I absolutely loved.

While this book was thoroughly enjoyable, I did miss the presence of the kids and their antics, as their perspectives add a unique charm to the series. This time, the group faces yet another daunting quest amidst the paranormal chaos that constantly surrounds them. The camaraderie among the characters is delightful, and it's intriguing to see how they navigate their paranormal difficulties while maintaining their mundane lives.

I've been hooked on this series from the beginning, and I eagerly anticipate the next adventure. The blend of action, humor, and emotion keeps me coming back for more, and I can't wait to see where the story goes next.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sue L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nylah is a witch, relic guardian and firefighter, together with her friends Kaiya, witch and firefighter and Aeira is an elemental fae. Together they are a strong, powerful and resilient team, dedicated to protecting their communities from evil supernaturals. They are called to retrieve a powerful relic stolen from the Ember Flame clan, it’s the strength and heart of the Phoenix clan. Without their Flame they cannot survive. Nylah and her team will face great danger, complex challenges, attacks by the relic thief and her dark witches, extreme weather conditions, attacking elemental guardians, ice mages, monsters and many surprises before their final battle. This is another amazing, spellbinding and fascinating adventure with Nylah and her friends and family. I hope you love it as much as I do. Awesome stuff great reading 🥰💓.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nylah, Kaiya, and Aeria are off on a mission to find and reclaim the Emberflare Phoenix Flame. The ruby's theft has left the Emberflame Phoenix clan vulnerable to losing their immortality. The search for the Flame, and the thief, will take them through numerous realms and subject them to violent attacks from everything from sand serpents to ice mages. If they fail to retrieve the Flame, it is prophesied that the magical world will begin to slowly crumble and all kinds of supernatural creatures will become exposed to mortals. No pressure.

I was given an advanced copy of this book by the author. My review is voluntary.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fire n Ice
Just like the Bof40 these gals just tumble from one adventure to another, these gals, Mavens of Mischief, skate back n forth between normal and paranormal worlds constantly! Glad to see Arjun is doing better with his issues.
The ladies are a threesome now and dang what an awesome tri they are! This trip was rather icy and extremely challenging but they faced the music several times and beat the odds!
Looking forward to more adventures with the Mavens of Mischief!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tyrene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly enjoyed reading this story. Brenda has done an awesome job with this series. Nylah is still relatively new as the Relic Keeper. She and her family are adjusting to the recent changes. But the world of magic doesn't stop, a powerful relic goes missing. She is asked to help find the Phoenix flame. Captivating read that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I couldn't put it down! Highly recommend can't wait to see what happens next!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tahnia Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nylah, Kaiya, and Aeira are embarking on their next adventure to retrieve the stolen Phoenix Flame, which was stolen by a phoenix who believes it was originally taken from her clan many years ago. The trio encounters and battles various supernatural entities on their magical quest to accomplish their mission. Plus, they have named themselves the Mischief Mavens! This story has plenty of action and is very highly recommended.

I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Reader_for_LifeTLG · Rating 5 out of 5]

They got this! - Nylah, Kaiya and Aeira race across the globe from the hottest to the coldest environs to recover the stolen Phoenix Flame. On the earthly plane and beyond, they face perils unlike none before - ice monsters galore, sand serpents, imps even. Bound by their love and friendship, the Mischief Mavens will overcome the dangers to save the world once again. Another great adventure from the prolific imagination of a great paranormal author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[LizJ. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Defending the Phoenix Flame is Book 3 in the Dame of the Midnight Relics Series and a part of the all-encompassing Midlife Mysteries & Magic Series. It's another thrilling adventure to parts unknown with the trio of women to hunt down the Phoenix Flame which is extremely vital for the Phoenix clan. I loved learning all about the Phoenix's and of course all the chaos that ensues! Brenda Trim keeps the hits coming!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[LaVonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book.

The relationship between the main female characters is very fun to read. The author writes each character in such a distinct way that when I read their dialogue, each voice has a different sound in my head. I love it!

As the team searches for the Phoenix Flame - there's surprises and many challenges. Much like life itself. And, like real life, challenges are way more fun when you have good friends to share the load.

I cannot wait to see what happens next.

[Kimberlee Suber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Different Writing Style

Not sure I will continue this series. So far this series seems to have been written for a much younger audience her audience. If it was, I merely missed that information prior to reading the first in this series. I’ve read 3 and will look for some other books from her because I love this author. I did enjoy the tie in to her other series. That’s always such a joy to have them merge. While the story was good it just seemed as though it was meant for a younger audience. And now I am repeating myself.

[Sharon Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The group has yet another daunting quest to manage in the midst of the paranormal chaos that seems to follow them. I enjoy the comradery these characters have with each other. Being paranormal comes with a whole host of difficulties and they have to navigate these and maintain their mundane lives as well. I have been reading this series since the beginning and can't wait for the next adventure, I mean , next in the series.

[Sarah Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was filled with action from the get go!! It was almost a nonstop rollercoaster ride, including all the ups and downs. The 3 characters involved in this mystery are very focused on their mission as well as their successful completion of it as it will ensure the balance of magic for all supernatural beings.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[L KQ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Retrieve the Phoenix Flame

The phoenix flame has been stolen, it is up to Nylan, Arjun and friends to help retrieve it, for the sake of the phoenix clan. A task that is not easy when the journey taken is fraught with danger. With twists, turns, and action-packed adventure this story was suspenseful and exciting to read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

While Nylah has doubts on been chosen to be the Relic Keeper, it doesn't mean that she isn't a good Relic keeper and that the job isn't a very challenging one. Together Nylah, Kiya and Aeira are going to have to face many perils in the quest to recover the stolen Phoenix Flame. I loved the twist and turns, the challenges and the strong friendships.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Donna Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A suspenseful read with twists and turns that will leave you sitting on the edge of your seat. Nylah, the Relic Keeper, is joined by her friends, Kaiya and Aeria, to search for the Emberflare Phoneix Flame, they face many obstacles, magical beings and tests that challenge their skills, and their relationships with each other. Received a free copy and am posting an honest review.

[Jeanéva Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quest of labyrinths.
The newly branded Mischief Mavens are out to make a name for themselves as relic finders. Nylah, Kaiya, and Aeira are up against a formidable foe, searching for a stolen relic called the Phoenix Flame. This quest will take them to lands both scorching and icy. Along the way, they'll discover more than they ever knew about their friendship—a great read.

[tburbr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brenda Trim has provided us with entertaining characters and an engaging story line in this latest installment of the series. As always, I was hooked from start to finish. I can't wait for my next adventure with this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Hilary Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant Series

Defending the Phoenix Flame (Dame of the Midnight Relics Book 3) by Brenda Trim. The Phoenix Flame, a large ruby, the heart of the Emberflare Clan has been stolen and Nylah, Kaiya and Aeira need to find it. Their journey starts in the desert but soon ends up in frozen, icy realms where they fight for their lives against icy foes.

[Karna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book

This is the third book in the series and I enjoyed it very much. And I will be reading more. It has such a good story and in each of the stories, including this one there’s new surprises new magic, new magical creatures and the story is written in such a way that you can just hardly put it down.

[Tami · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the bond that the three friends have it is awesome. There was a little to much fighting and running around instead of just getting to the problem. Still a good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Karen Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

The "Mischief Mavens" have a danger filled journey to reclaim a stolen magical flame. The fractured realms were so crazy and inventive. The ending was heartwarming.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Monkeys Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked from the first word. I loved everything about it and I loved every second of it. Definitely is going on my reread list and my favorites list.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

the journeys to retrieve a stole Phoenix clan artifact reveal a great deal about the relationship ls between the relic keeper and her closest friends and associates, and a great deal of learning about their skills and talents

action and drama packed sisterhood powered adventures

[Juanita E. Arp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book, the storyline is filled with action, adventure, intrigue and betrayal. I can't wait to read more from this author. I received this book as a Free ARC copy to read and I voluntarily leave this review.

[JANE VAN HORN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

This is another great book in the Dame of the Midnight Relics series. I can't wait for the next book.

[Leslie Twitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Defending The Phoenix Flame is a great supernatural mystery. Nylah offers to help find the ruby. A absolute great take on Phoenix especially and their power.

[Doreen Tuell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

This was a really good book! It was filled with witches and magic, demons and evil, Phoenix and fire. Getting the next in the series now!