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Phoenix Fire aka Phoenix Fury #3
Playing With Fire
Cassie Armstrong has plenty to atone for. The daughter of the most immoral researcher ever to pick up a scalpel, she's determined to use her own brilliance in genetics to repair the damage her family has done to the paranormals. Especially Dante, the first of the phoenixes, the one they call the Immortal. He's been haunting her dreams since she was a little girl, and she's been trying to ease his pain for almost as long. If only he remembered any of it . . . Dante doesn't know what Cassie's story is. He almost doesn't care. The minute he sees her, all he can think is, mine . But there's more to the pretty little doctor than meets the eye. And Dante isn't the only one to notice. He can't trust her, but he can't stay away--and if he wants to learn her secrets, he's going to have to fight like hell to keep them both alive . . . Contains mature themes.
352 pages, Paperback
First published August 26, 2014
122 people are currently reading
1833 people want to read
About the author
Cynthia Eden
313 books6,814 followersAward-winning author Cynthia Eden writes sexy tales of contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and paranormal romance. She is a New York Times, USA Today, Digital Book World, and IndieReader best-seller. Since she began writing full-time in 2005, Cynthia has written over one hundred novels and novellas.
Cynthia lives along the Alabama Gulf Coast. She loves romance novels, horror movies, and chocolate. Her favorite hobbies including hiking in the mountains (searching for waterfalls) and spelunking.
Cynthia lives along the Alabama Gulf Coast. She loves romance novels, horror movies, and chocolate. Her favorite hobbies including hiking in the mountains (searching for waterfalls) and spelunking.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 220 reviews
May 25, 2017
Playing with Fire, the 3rd and last book in the Phoenix Fire Series, was a great wrap up for a awesome series. I really liked both Cassie and Dante. They had great chemistry together. I loved the forgotten lover plot. I ached for Cassie. I hurt for her when Dante didn't remember her. I loved getting to catch up with Cain and Eve. I would have liked to have seen a little of the couple from book 2. I thought the epilogue was sweet. I will say that I felt like this series wasn't really done. I know this was the last book but I felt like the series still had more to give. I felt like Trace should have gotten his own book.
April 28, 2018
Obsession. That's the word that sticks out to me about this book. Dante is obsessed with Cassandra even when he doesn't remember her. He's a Phoenix and when he dies, he loses his memory but never the pull to her. He'll follow her to the ends of the earth.
Cassie is trying so hard to right the wrongs of her father. There has to be a cure for what he did to his victims and she will do anything to help them. She thinks Dante is the key but every time he dies, he loses his memory of her. She's been in love with him since she was eight years old and her heart breaks every time he forgets her.
I like the twist to this story. Dante has a dark side and he's willing to do anything to keep Cassie. He's cold and you can't tell if his obsession to Cassie is just possession or more. When he dies and rises again, you never know what he's going to be like. I loved it!
Cassie is trying so hard to right the wrongs of her father. There has to be a cure for what he did to his victims and she will do anything to help them. She thinks Dante is the key but every time he dies, he loses his memory of her. She's been in love with him since she was eight years old and her heart breaks every time he forgets her.
I like the twist to this story. Dante has a dark side and he's willing to do anything to keep Cassie. He's cold and you can't tell if his obsession to Cassie is just possession or more. When he dies and rises again, you never know what he's going to be like. I loved it!
July 16, 2014
Excellent!
Wow, fantastic read. I don't normally read paranormal books, I only have a few authors that draw me into the paranormal world. Well, Ms. Eden is one of those authors
This was a wonderful read. The characters, main and secondary, where excellent! Your are drawn in right away and are right there living, feeling and experiencing every adventure they are. I love those kind of books. This has it all; romance, steam, sexual tension, action, suspence and a twist I didn't see coming towards the ends.
Okay, about the hero and heroine. Dante and Cassie where incredible. Cassie is a daughter to a mad scientist Father. Dante is a Phoenix that was captured by Cassie's Father when she was eight. She was drawn to Dante from the beginning and hated the experiments her Father performed on him. He also experimented on her (so sad). She has tried to help Dante escape and tried to help him during his captivity. We start the story where her Father is dead and Cassie is trying to right all the wrongs of her Father. Dante who is a Phoenix, has the ability to come back to life after dying. Well when he returns to life he on rare occasions remembers Cassie but most of the time he doesn't. That has always broken Cassie's heart, that he doesn't remember and that to her means he truly doesn't love her. Cassie has loved him forever. Well without going into too much more detail, the story unfolds of their struggle to save/cure other paranormals and the discovery of their love for each other.
Dante, what a hero. He has so much pain from his past. And he struggles to realize he really does have a good heart. But it's Cassie's love that draws him and brings out his goodness. He's alpha (loved it) but gentle and protective!
Cassie, oh I loved her; smart, strong, caring, loving and totally dedicated to Dante (loved that). But also the care of others and righting her Fathers wrongs.
I loved everything about this book (a non regular paranormal reader here). I would highly recommend this book!!
Wow, fantastic read. I don't normally read paranormal books, I only have a few authors that draw me into the paranormal world. Well, Ms. Eden is one of those authors
This was a wonderful read. The characters, main and secondary, where excellent! Your are drawn in right away and are right there living, feeling and experiencing every adventure they are. I love those kind of books. This has it all; romance, steam, sexual tension, action, suspence and a twist I didn't see coming towards the ends.
Okay, about the hero and heroine. Dante and Cassie where incredible. Cassie is a daughter to a mad scientist Father. Dante is a Phoenix that was captured by Cassie's Father when she was eight. She was drawn to Dante from the beginning and hated the experiments her Father performed on him. He also experimented on her (so sad). She has tried to help Dante escape and tried to help him during his captivity. We start the story where her Father is dead and Cassie is trying to right all the wrongs of her Father. Dante who is a Phoenix, has the ability to come back to life after dying. Well when he returns to life he on rare occasions remembers Cassie but most of the time he doesn't. That has always broken Cassie's heart, that he doesn't remember and that to her means he truly doesn't love her. Cassie has loved him forever. Well without going into too much more detail, the story unfolds of their struggle to save/cure other paranormals and the discovery of their love for each other.
Dante, what a hero. He has so much pain from his past. And he struggles to realize he really does have a good heart. But it's Cassie's love that draws him and brings out his goodness. He's alpha (loved it) but gentle and protective!
Cassie, oh I loved her; smart, strong, caring, loving and totally dedicated to Dante (loved that). But also the care of others and righting her Fathers wrongs.
I loved everything about this book (a non regular paranormal reader here). I would highly recommend this book!!
March 31, 2022
Oh my gosh!!! This absolutely sizzled with suspense and thrills, chemistry that lit up the pages, and enough angst that I could not put this down!
Cassie was an incredible heroine. She was a force to be reckoned with and I loved that she could stand up to anyone, or any monster, not only for her own benefit, but for others as well. Her determination to save Dante, despite his loss of memory, and his resulting response to her, won me over completely. There were moments that my heart was heavy on her behalf but she pushed on through every time.
Dante was fierce and I loved everything about him. And hot dang but he was intense! I’m not sure when I last read about a hero like him. Even as he struggled with his memories and what they implied, he was protective of Cassie. I loved that there seemed no reason for that dedication to protecting her and yet his first response was always to save her. This is alpha goodness at its absolute best!
This is filled with so much danger, drama and thrills. The suspense made it impossible to put down and the bit of angst that ran through it had my heart threatening to crack. I’ve loved each of the books in this series but this one definitely wins first place for me.
Multi POV
Safe
Triggers
Steam
Cassie was an incredible heroine. She was a force to be reckoned with and I loved that she could stand up to anyone, or any monster, not only for her own benefit, but for others as well. Her determination to save Dante, despite his loss of memory, and his resulting response to her, won me over completely. There were moments that my heart was heavy on her behalf but she pushed on through every time.
Dante was fierce and I loved everything about him. And hot dang but he was intense! I’m not sure when I last read about a hero like him. Even as he struggled with his memories and what they implied, he was protective of Cassie. I loved that there seemed no reason for that dedication to protecting her and yet his first response was always to save her. This is alpha goodness at its absolute best!
This is filled with so much danger, drama and thrills. The suspense made it impossible to put down and the bit of angst that ran through it had my heart threatening to crack. I’ve loved each of the books in this series but this one definitely wins first place for me.
Multi POV
Safe
Triggers
Steam
April 7, 2018
4 - "Learn all my secrets." … "I offer them to you." Stars.
I am sad that we have reached the end of the Phoenix Fire Series. I have loved reading each and every one of these books, and Cynthia Eden is one of my absolute favorite authors, for books in this genre. I don’t think it is actually possible for her to write a bad book, no matter the subject.
"Maybe there are some things you’d rather not remember. There are sure things I’d prefer to forget."
Dante and Cassie first popped up in the second book in the series, and we were given a little taste of the fact that they had history, and not all of it was good. Although reluctantly for Cassie, they were on opposite sides of the battle lines initially, Scientist – Subject, but allegiances have now changed. Unfortunately, it is sometimes a little difficult trying to make a guy who potentially loses his memory every time he is reborn to remember that fact!
"I don’t know if I should help you or kill you."
You really need to read the first two books in this series to really get the full benefit of this book; a lot has happened throughout the previous books and this really is the climax of the story as a whole, everything is tied up really well, all the questions are answered, and the epilogue is adorable, I would however have liked a little more on Ryder & Sabine in Playing with Fire.
I loved Dante, as much as I love Cain and Ryder (books 1 & 2), he is another uber alpha, not afraid to speak his mind, kill his enemies and protect his woman. He is also pretty hot (no pun intended) between the sheets too, which always makes for a stellar read!
"When I breathe in your scent, I ache.
When I kissed you, your taste had me maddened.
I look at you, and I think… mine.”
I can’t recommend this series or its author highly enough, you are always given the a full HD reading experience when you pick up a Cynthia Eden book, and as always this one is no exception.
"Remember me...”
"...I already do. I always will."
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
I am sad that we have reached the end of the Phoenix Fire Series. I have loved reading each and every one of these books, and Cynthia Eden is one of my absolute favorite authors, for books in this genre. I don’t think it is actually possible for her to write a bad book, no matter the subject.
"Maybe there are some things you’d rather not remember. There are sure things I’d prefer to forget."
Dante and Cassie first popped up in the second book in the series, and we were given a little taste of the fact that they had history, and not all of it was good. Although reluctantly for Cassie, they were on opposite sides of the battle lines initially, Scientist – Subject, but allegiances have now changed. Unfortunately, it is sometimes a little difficult trying to make a guy who potentially loses his memory every time he is reborn to remember that fact!
"I don’t know if I should help you or kill you."
You really need to read the first two books in this series to really get the full benefit of this book; a lot has happened throughout the previous books and this really is the climax of the story as a whole, everything is tied up really well, all the questions are answered, and the epilogue is adorable, I would however have liked a little more on Ryder & Sabine in Playing with Fire.
I loved Dante, as much as I love Cain and Ryder (books 1 & 2), he is another uber alpha, not afraid to speak his mind, kill his enemies and protect his woman. He is also pretty hot (no pun intended) between the sheets too, which always makes for a stellar read!
"When I breathe in your scent, I ache.
When I kissed you, your taste had me maddened.
I look at you, and I think… mine.”
I can’t recommend this series or its author highly enough, you are always given the a full HD reading experience when you pick up a Cynthia Eden book, and as always this one is no exception.
"Remember me...”
"...I already do. I always will."
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
May 18, 2018
4 stars.
My very first read by Cynthia Eden and she sure packed a lot of action into this book. Such a wide variety of paranormal characters: phoenix shifters, a wolf shifter, vampires, a half-dragon shifter and genetically modified humans.
A lot to take in to be honest but I think that was mainly because I am starting with book three instead of the first one in this series and that was because I received a complimentary copy of this book from netgalley.
I actually thought this was a new story but it appears to be a rerelease of an already published series.
Very "hot" read, pun intended. Aside from all the death and burning going on (what with the phoenix shifters dying and then rising up from the ashes) I really liked the pace of the story and the romance was certainly intense even if it took a backseat to the adventures.
I definitely enjoyed this book and plan on reading many more by Cynthia Eden. I really like her way of storytelling and the romance was pretty great too.
Dante was really fierce and intense while Cassie was softer yet really determined to achieve her goals and help all her friends.
Almost forgot to mention but it also had a really sweet epilogue at the end.
Complimentary copy received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
My very first read by Cynthia Eden and she sure packed a lot of action into this book. Such a wide variety of paranormal characters: phoenix shifters, a wolf shifter, vampires, a half-dragon shifter and genetically modified humans.
A lot to take in to be honest but I think that was mainly because I am starting with book three instead of the first one in this series and that was because I received a complimentary copy of this book from netgalley.
I actually thought this was a new story but it appears to be a rerelease of an already published series.
Very "hot" read, pun intended. Aside from all the death and burning going on (what with the phoenix shifters dying and then rising up from the ashes) I really liked the pace of the story and the romance was certainly intense even if it took a backseat to the adventures.
I definitely enjoyed this book and plan on reading many more by Cynthia Eden. I really like her way of storytelling and the romance was pretty great too.
Dante was really fierce and intense while Cassie was softer yet really determined to achieve her goals and help all her friends.
Almost forgot to mention but it also had a really sweet epilogue at the end.
Complimentary copy received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 3, 2018
It always nice to read something with a completely new twist to it. I loved reading about Phoenix shifters and how the author introduces them, with their unique abilities and their backstory, it was out of the ordinary and unique. Playing with Fire is action packed and fast paced. With a crazed villain and a complicated past, our MCs have an angsty road full of unexpected detours. I definitely fell for Cassie and Dante and the ending was worth it all :)
Cassie was a great heroine and I loved her, she was strong, brave and kindhearted. She had a really dark past and has lived through a lot of heartbreak, first at the hands of her psychotic father who experimented on her and when she lost her brother to her father's ideology and then again when she falls in love with a powerful phoenix who seems to forget her every time he dies and rises again. But she doesn't stop trying to help others, even with it seems everyone is against her she never backs down.
Dante was a man of few words but his actions spoke for him. He was protective of Cassie but also wary of her. With gaps in his memory, he fought his feelings for her because he didn't know if he could trust her or not.
I really enjoyed this one and look forward to more in the series. I think phoenix shifters have become my new dragons, lol!
Would I recommend?
Highly, if you love paranormal romances, shifters and a lot of heat!
* * * ARC provided for an honest review * * *
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All
thoughts and opinions are my own.
SAFETY INFO:
Cassie was a great heroine and I loved her, she was strong, brave and kindhearted. She had a really dark past and has lived through a lot of heartbreak, first at the hands of her psychotic father who experimented on her and when she lost her brother to her father's ideology and then again when she falls in love with a powerful phoenix who seems to forget her every time he dies and rises again. But she doesn't stop trying to help others, even with it seems everyone is against her she never backs down.
Her job was to help, to cure. Not to Kill.
Dante was a man of few words but his actions spoke for him. He was protective of Cassie but also wary of her. With gaps in his memory, he fought his feelings for her because he didn't know if he could trust her or not.
"You look at me and see a stranger."
No, he saw a woman that he knew belonged to him. As he belonged to her.
I really enjoyed this one and look forward to more in the series. I think phoenix shifters have become my new dragons, lol!
Would I recommend?
Highly, if you love paranormal romances, shifters and a lot of heat!
* * * ARC provided for an honest review * * *
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All
thoughts and opinions are my own.
SAFETY INFO:
April 7, 2018
This is the third book in the Phoenix Fire series and just builds on all the previous books . Fans of this author will be delighted to read about these characters who have entertained and thrilled readers since Ms Eden first introduced them. A fabulous plot featuring distinctly creepy government types willing to turn a blind eye to cruel experimentation in order to obtain super soldiers . Paranormals held prisoner for years, tortured and even murdered in order to obtain genetic materials that can be twisted and used to make hybrids. But amongst all this evil and unnecessarily cruel torture one young woman who will stop at nothing to reverse the damage done to so many innocents.
Cassie grew up in her fathers laboratories and knows just what a monster he really was. No he wasn't a paranormal but the atrocities and tortures he inflicted all in the name of science stole his humanity. Dr Wyatt didn't care who he hurt and happily used his own children in his experiments but it was his constant torture of the Phoenix Dante that haunts Cassie today.
Oo I've loved this series and I urge you to read the rest of it but for now it's all about Cassie and Dante . The two main characters are just so appealing but all along there's this very macho Dante claiming " mine " and it just gave me goose bumps. It's not exactly the usual declaration of love that authors give us but more of an old school "me Tarzan you Jane" kind of vibe but it really works here. Dante is as old as dirt and has died and risen so many times that he relies on his instincts and to me that made sense. Cassie is so much more than she realises but no spoilers here so all I will say is her tenacity and determination to right what she sees as wrongs made her a very likeable heroine. She's a very brave woman who has made mistakes but she's prepared to sacrifice herself if that's what it takes .
Well Dante is a Phoenix so any comments I make about this being a hot romance will obviously be cringeworthy so I will refrain and say that this is well written and a fabulous addition to the series . Is it the end? I'm not really sure as yes the Phoenix story might be told but there's still vampires and werewolves within this world the author has created. There's a sweet little epilogue to satisfy romantics such as myself and I truly enjoyed this book. I happily recommend this and if you haven't read this authors work before then now is most certainly the time to discover just how good she is.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
February 3, 2019
Loved, loved, loved this book! This is my fave of the series and probably the best of the series. It will tear at your heart strings. I really don't want to give too much away but the heroine loves the hero throughout the whole book and it leads to some angsty moments. I definitely recommend reading the two books before it, well the previous one, as there is a scene with Dante and Cassie in it.
I read another book with the exact same cover, LOL and it was nowhere near as good as this one. Definitely glad that this one has now taken the place of that one with the cover in my mind.
Quotes & Faves:
♥ He’d lose the memory of her, and she’d have to try so hard to get close to him again. To make him remember. An endless cycle that left her hurting inside.
♥ “I feel like you’re mine. I’m here . . . fucking here . . . because I can’t let you go.” Then his mouth was on hers. He’d wrapped his arms around her. Lifted her up against him, and just taken her mouth.
♥ His lips gentled on hers even as he still thrust lightly into her. He didn’t want to leave her body. After so many years of wanting, he was finally where he needed to be.
I read another book with the exact same cover, LOL and it was nowhere near as good as this one. Definitely glad that this one has now taken the place of that one with the cover in my mind.
Quotes & Faves:
♥ He’d lose the memory of her, and she’d have to try so hard to get close to him again. To make him remember. An endless cycle that left her hurting inside.
♥ “I feel like you’re mine. I’m here . . . fucking here . . . because I can’t let you go.” Then his mouth was on hers. He’d wrapped his arms around her. Lifted her up against him, and just taken her mouth.
♥ His lips gentled on hers even as he still thrust lightly into her. He didn’t want to leave her body. After so many years of wanting, he was finally where he needed to be.
November 15, 2014
Once again, Cynthia did it. She wrote another great book, another big yes from me! You all know I love Cynthia like crazy, I fall in love with all her books and Playing With Fire was no different. This book can be read as a standalone but I would advice you to read the first two books first, you’ll understand Playing With Fire better as well as my review.
Dante is a very powerful and old phoenix, Cassie is a pretty “normal” human, a doctor. She met him when she was eight year old and he was a prisoner in her father’s lab, Genesis. She tried to free him but she wasn’t fast enough, that’s how they met for the first time. Throughout the years, they met again and again. Cassie trying to find a way to liberate him, Dante trying to liberate Cassie and, remember her. Because when a phoenix rises, he doesn’t remember anything. But it’s even more complicated with Dante, he died and rose so many times that his memories don’t always come back to him. Cassie was part of her father’s experiments since she was little, she wants to stop him, she wants to help all the Paranormals that he hurt with his crazy experiments.
If you have read the first two books, you know who her father was and her brother as well. You know that, now, they’re both dead. But this is just the beginning for Cassie, time to heal the wounded. Cassie loves Dante, she fell in love with him the moment she met him when she was only eight. He was her first kiss, her first crush, her first love. Thing is, he doesn’t remember her. And that hurts. A few months back (in Once Bitten, Twice Burned), Cassie died and Dante was there to save her, she’s sure that because he cried for her, she lives. Now, she wants him to help her with his tears, because a phoenix’s tear is supposed to heal all wounds. But she also wants him to remember her, remember everything. And even if her father and brother are dead, the enemy is not…and he wants her.
Dante is such a badass, he’s big, he doesn’t run from anybody, he’s a freaking phoenix, he’s strong, smart and HOT (in every sense of the word). He is a great character, interesting, intriguing… I loved reading about his feelings, about his past. Dante is a very complex person, he didn’t have an easy life, he doesn’t even remember most of it, he has dreams that are actually memories but they’re confusing him and everything is fucked up. But when Cassie shows up in his life, it’s even worse. She confuses him, deep down he knows that he’s supposed to know her but, well, it’s complicated and they don’t really have time to talk since the enemy is close and wants to imprisoned both of them, again.
Cassie is a very determined woman, she wants to help all the persons that her father hurt in any way, and that’s complicated. She’s strong, selfless, smart and I absolutely loved her with Dante. She’s no phoenix, she remembers everything, she remembers HIM. She’s really kind and understanding with him but she’s no pushover, she has a goal and she will help those people, no matter what. Even Dante can’t stop her.
L’histoire d’amour. Duh, this is Cynthia Eden. It was amazing. It was hot, definitely hot. Dante and Cassie have history, he just has to remember it. Cynthia’s books are always super sexy and steamy and this one was as well. She did not rush their relationship, we already know, at the beginning, that Cassie loves Dante but, like I said, it’s complicated. They’re on the run, Dante’s feelings are confused, he just knows that Cassie is HIS. And he definitely wants her. But I love how Cynthia made him realize his true feelings, how she did not rush anything, but she gave us hints along the way. I loved how protective he was of her, how vulnerable she could make him, how vulnerable he could make her. They were just perfect for each other, I loved them both together and individually. And the epilogue? Perfection. Just what I needed!
The plot. Awesome, as usual. I highly recommend you to read the first two books in order to understand this story perfectly. I was not bored once, at the end of each book you think that Genesis is over, that the bad guys are done but then Cynthia surprises you again and BOUM another bad guy is here and it actually makes sense. It’s not too much or stupid, it’s pure Cynthia. In Playing With Fire, the plot really is interesting and there is a pretty big twist toward the end, and, for once, I did not see it coming! Congratulations Cynthia, you got me… But, truly, the entire story is full of twists, you learn new things about the characters at every chapters and I could not stop reading.
The secondary characters. TRACE. Oh yes, baby, I want Trace’s book! If you’ve read the first books, you must remember Trace, Eve’s best friend, the werewolf turning crazy after Genesis injected him with Lycan-70. He is very present in this book and, I just want his book, PLEASE! Vaughn too, the human/police officer from New-Orleans who got bitten by a primal vampire and turned crazy as well. Both of them are actually Cassie’s patients, people she wants to save/cure. Jamie is a new addition, he’s a fourteen year old boy that Cassie and Dante rescued (long story but I don’t want to say too much). I was skeptical about him at first, but, the epilogue sealed his fate, and I do like him now! Of course, we see more of Cain and Eve (Burn For Me), how I had missed Cain! We don’t see Ryder and Sabine from Once Bitten, Twice Burned but we learn that they’re on their honeymoon! Ha! And…of course, the bad guy. Jon. What a crazy son of a bitch! This guy is a lunatic and he is scary! Trust me, you don’t want to miss that!
What I didn’t like? Practically nothing. Really. I would have just liked more of Dante and Cassie, especially at the end. I would have liked them to talk more. But, the epilogue was a pretty good addition, so, I can’t really complain.
Sex? Umh…YES! Trust me. Hot sex and sexual tension à la Cynthia Eden!
I really hope that there will be more books in this series because I don’t want it to end. If you love a good and hot PNR, with great and complex characters, hot phoenixes, an interesting story and universe and all of that written by an amazing and talented author, please check this series out!
Dante is a very powerful and old phoenix, Cassie is a pretty “normal” human, a doctor. She met him when she was eight year old and he was a prisoner in her father’s lab, Genesis. She tried to free him but she wasn’t fast enough, that’s how they met for the first time. Throughout the years, they met again and again. Cassie trying to find a way to liberate him, Dante trying to liberate Cassie and, remember her. Because when a phoenix rises, he doesn’t remember anything. But it’s even more complicated with Dante, he died and rose so many times that his memories don’t always come back to him. Cassie was part of her father’s experiments since she was little, she wants to stop him, she wants to help all the Paranormals that he hurt with his crazy experiments.
If you have read the first two books, you know who her father was and her brother as well. You know that, now, they’re both dead. But this is just the beginning for Cassie, time to heal the wounded. Cassie loves Dante, she fell in love with him the moment she met him when she was only eight. He was her first kiss, her first crush, her first love. Thing is, he doesn’t remember her. And that hurts. A few months back (in Once Bitten, Twice Burned), Cassie died and Dante was there to save her, she’s sure that because he cried for her, she lives. Now, she wants him to help her with his tears, because a phoenix’s tear is supposed to heal all wounds. But she also wants him to remember her, remember everything. And even if her father and brother are dead, the enemy is not…and he wants her.
Dante is such a badass, he’s big, he doesn’t run from anybody, he’s a freaking phoenix, he’s strong, smart and HOT (in every sense of the word). He is a great character, interesting, intriguing… I loved reading about his feelings, about his past. Dante is a very complex person, he didn’t have an easy life, he doesn’t even remember most of it, he has dreams that are actually memories but they’re confusing him and everything is fucked up. But when Cassie shows up in his life, it’s even worse. She confuses him, deep down he knows that he’s supposed to know her but, well, it’s complicated and they don’t really have time to talk since the enemy is close and wants to imprisoned both of them, again.
Cassie is a very determined woman, she wants to help all the persons that her father hurt in any way, and that’s complicated. She’s strong, selfless, smart and I absolutely loved her with Dante. She’s no phoenix, she remembers everything, she remembers HIM. She’s really kind and understanding with him but she’s no pushover, she has a goal and she will help those people, no matter what. Even Dante can’t stop her.
L’histoire d’amour. Duh, this is Cynthia Eden. It was amazing. It was hot, definitely hot. Dante and Cassie have history, he just has to remember it. Cynthia’s books are always super sexy and steamy and this one was as well. She did not rush their relationship, we already know, at the beginning, that Cassie loves Dante but, like I said, it’s complicated. They’re on the run, Dante’s feelings are confused, he just knows that Cassie is HIS. And he definitely wants her. But I love how Cynthia made him realize his true feelings, how she did not rush anything, but she gave us hints along the way. I loved how protective he was of her, how vulnerable she could make him, how vulnerable he could make her. They were just perfect for each other, I loved them both together and individually. And the epilogue? Perfection. Just what I needed!
The plot. Awesome, as usual. I highly recommend you to read the first two books in order to understand this story perfectly. I was not bored once, at the end of each book you think that Genesis is over, that the bad guys are done but then Cynthia surprises you again and BOUM another bad guy is here and it actually makes sense. It’s not too much or stupid, it’s pure Cynthia. In Playing With Fire, the plot really is interesting and there is a pretty big twist toward the end, and, for once, I did not see it coming! Congratulations Cynthia, you got me… But, truly, the entire story is full of twists, you learn new things about the characters at every chapters and I could not stop reading.
The secondary characters. TRACE. Oh yes, baby, I want Trace’s book! If you’ve read the first books, you must remember Trace, Eve’s best friend, the werewolf turning crazy after Genesis injected him with Lycan-70. He is very present in this book and, I just want his book, PLEASE! Vaughn too, the human/police officer from New-Orleans who got bitten by a primal vampire and turned crazy as well. Both of them are actually Cassie’s patients, people she wants to save/cure. Jamie is a new addition, he’s a fourteen year old boy that Cassie and Dante rescued (long story but I don’t want to say too much). I was skeptical about him at first, but, the epilogue sealed his fate, and I do like him now! Of course, we see more of Cain and Eve (Burn For Me), how I had missed Cain! We don’t see Ryder and Sabine from Once Bitten, Twice Burned but we learn that they’re on their honeymoon! Ha! And…of course, the bad guy. Jon. What a crazy son of a bitch! This guy is a lunatic and he is scary! Trust me, you don’t want to miss that!
What I didn’t like? Practically nothing. Really. I would have just liked more of Dante and Cassie, especially at the end. I would have liked them to talk more. But, the epilogue was a pretty good addition, so, I can’t really complain.
Sex? Umh…YES! Trust me. Hot sex and sexual tension à la Cynthia Eden!
I really hope that there will be more books in this series because I don’t want it to end. If you love a good and hot PNR, with great and complex characters, hot phoenixes, an interesting story and universe and all of that written by an amazing and talented author, please check this series out!
November 12, 2019
Review posted on Got Fiction? book blog
Book 3 in Cynthia Eden’s Phoenix Fire trilogy picks up right whereOnce Bitten, Twice Burned left off. Cassie, sister of Dr. Wyatt, is trying to make it right. She just knows there’s a cure for the primal vampires her father created, she just needs to get phoenix tears. She is clinging to this desperate hope, feeling that if she can fix this, she can help reverse at least some of the damage, both literally and on the cosmic scale.
This is where Dante comes in. At the end of the last book, he healed her by crying (at least that’s what Cassie thinks since he was with her while she died).
She’s convinced that it means that he must care at least a little about her. Dante is the one they called The Immortal. He’s been in the facility since Cassie was a little girl. She tried to help him escape several times. Some attempts were successful, others, not so much. But Dante kept coming back for her, and kept getting recaptured so he could watch over this little girl who cared too much about the monsters.
He doesn’t remember this though, because they’ve killed him so many times, his memory is gone.
But he remembers her face. He’ll fight to keep her both alive and by his side, until he can remember more. What he’s not remembering, is something his body is telling him-she’s his mate.
While Wyatt may be dead, there’s still someone trying to pull some strings. And surprise surprise, he is Cassie’s ex. He’s paired with another doctor, one who isn’t what she seems either.
They want Dante back, but he also wants Cassie back. If she won’t come as his girlfriend, she can come back as an experiment. After all, she’s been one since she was a child. Her father made her immune to vampires, and her blood is poison, yet smells delicious. It’s quite the combination.
But her ex is an experiment too. He was military and volunteered to become. . .more. He wanted the super human strength of the paranormals. But he’s not finished. He thinks he’s created a serum that will turn him into a phoenix. And it does. For a while.
Dante and Cassie make their way back to her safe house, but it isn’t so safe. Their enemies are close behind, and Cassie is bleeding. She may heal quickly, but her blood sends out a siren song to every paranormal out there. Pretty soon they’re once more fighting for their life.
Cynthia Eden excels at paranormal romance, and this trilogy is no different. Her characters are always well developed, and her plots intricate. For a new taste of paranormal romance, check out her Phoenix shifters.
This series is only a trilogy, but it can’t be over, because I want Trace’s book! Lol (hear that, Cynthia? I need a story about Trace. And you know, Laurie is an awesome heroine name-just sayin’).
***ARC courtesy of Kensington Brava
Book 3 in Cynthia Eden’s Phoenix Fire trilogy picks up right whereOnce Bitten, Twice Burned left off. Cassie, sister of Dr. Wyatt, is trying to make it right. She just knows there’s a cure for the primal vampires her father created, she just needs to get phoenix tears. She is clinging to this desperate hope, feeling that if she can fix this, she can help reverse at least some of the damage, both literally and on the cosmic scale.
This is where Dante comes in. At the end of the last book, he healed her by crying (at least that’s what Cassie thinks since he was with her while she died).
She’s convinced that it means that he must care at least a little about her. Dante is the one they called The Immortal. He’s been in the facility since Cassie was a little girl. She tried to help him escape several times. Some attempts were successful, others, not so much. But Dante kept coming back for her, and kept getting recaptured so he could watch over this little girl who cared too much about the monsters.
He doesn’t remember this though, because they’ve killed him so many times, his memory is gone.
But he remembers her face. He’ll fight to keep her both alive and by his side, until he can remember more. What he’s not remembering, is something his body is telling him-she’s his mate.
While Wyatt may be dead, there’s still someone trying to pull some strings. And surprise surprise, he is Cassie’s ex. He’s paired with another doctor, one who isn’t what she seems either.
They want Dante back, but he also wants Cassie back. If she won’t come as his girlfriend, she can come back as an experiment. After all, she’s been one since she was a child. Her father made her immune to vampires, and her blood is poison, yet smells delicious. It’s quite the combination.
But her ex is an experiment too. He was military and volunteered to become. . .more. He wanted the super human strength of the paranormals. But he’s not finished. He thinks he’s created a serum that will turn him into a phoenix. And it does. For a while.
Dante and Cassie make their way back to her safe house, but it isn’t so safe. Their enemies are close behind, and Cassie is bleeding. She may heal quickly, but her blood sends out a siren song to every paranormal out there. Pretty soon they’re once more fighting for their life.
Cynthia Eden excels at paranormal romance, and this trilogy is no different. Her characters are always well developed, and her plots intricate. For a new taste of paranormal romance, check out her Phoenix shifters.
This series is only a trilogy, but it can’t be over, because I want Trace’s book! Lol (hear that, Cynthia? I need a story about Trace. And you know, Laurie is an awesome heroine name-just sayin’).
***ARC courtesy of Kensington Brava
October 4, 2016
Playing With Fire is the final book in Phoenix Fire series. I have loved this series from the start and I enjoyed Cassie and Dante’s story. Theirs was rather tragic given Cassie had loved Dante since she was a little girl, and his memory was continually wiped of her whenever he was killed and forced to rise again. He is considered the oldest phoenix and his time on this world has warped his mind and left him with hatred and mistrust. The action in this was fantastic and there was definitely not a dull moment. Favourites from the previous two books return and this story line is mostly wrapped up in this book, leaving a satisfying ending. I definitely recommend to fans of this series and for Eden’s paranormal fans to give this series a look.
June 28, 2017
AudioBook Review
Stars: Overall 4 Narration 2 Story 5
The third book in this action-packed paranormal story brings us more action, romance and a touch of redemption. Starting with Cassie, daughter of the evil scientist that has been experimenting on and torturing paranormals for years. Cassie knows what is going on, doesn’t agree with it, and wants desperately to make up for it. Perhaps it’s the nightly dream visits she gets from Dante, the first Phoenix captured and imprisoned. While she’s trying to atone for the sins of her father, she’s dancing on the edge of that morass of self-hatred and pity, and that increases with each regeneration of Dante.
Dante is known as the Immortal, and the first taken. His history and past are tragic, and Eden lays out his information without overwhelming the readers or making it the only point of the story as he and Cassie work toward a resolution and his freedom. See, sometimes on reawakening Dante knows her, others he doesn’t – and she is so desperate for his love and affection she’s turning herself inside out like a puppy. Some things she can’t atone for – it wasn’t her doing, and while the paranormals aren’t thrilled with her family’s acts, they don’t blame her – all see what she has done, or tried to do.
What makes this series so special is Eden’s ability to build characters and origin stories that seem plausible, fit the characters, and add to their development: giving us reasons to cheer on the connections and hiss at the bad guys. As a series, the story proceeds in a logical arc: introducing characters and events that evolve as the story continues. Easy to read as standalone titles, the stories work singly, but best as a continual arc.
Narration for this story (and series) is provided by Jillian Macie, and as with the earlier two in the series – while there was no great distractions in her performance, there were also no reasons to rave about it either. Her presentation of Cassie was appropriate and felt natural, even as there were no discernable inflection or tone adjustments to indicate other characters. A bit of overwork in the tense / quiet moments that bordered on distracting, but as with the others in the series, this did settle somewhat as the book progressed. For the entire series I’d say that her performance needs a deal of work and hope that if she continues to narrate that time will be spent on emoting, tone and pitch control to better distinguish and present multiple characters and enhance the title.
I received an AudioBook copy of the title from Tantor Audio for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
Stars: Overall 4 Narration 2 Story 5
The third book in this action-packed paranormal story brings us more action, romance and a touch of redemption. Starting with Cassie, daughter of the evil scientist that has been experimenting on and torturing paranormals for years. Cassie knows what is going on, doesn’t agree with it, and wants desperately to make up for it. Perhaps it’s the nightly dream visits she gets from Dante, the first Phoenix captured and imprisoned. While she’s trying to atone for the sins of her father, she’s dancing on the edge of that morass of self-hatred and pity, and that increases with each regeneration of Dante.
Dante is known as the Immortal, and the first taken. His history and past are tragic, and Eden lays out his information without overwhelming the readers or making it the only point of the story as he and Cassie work toward a resolution and his freedom. See, sometimes on reawakening Dante knows her, others he doesn’t – and she is so desperate for his love and affection she’s turning herself inside out like a puppy. Some things she can’t atone for – it wasn’t her doing, and while the paranormals aren’t thrilled with her family’s acts, they don’t blame her – all see what she has done, or tried to do.
What makes this series so special is Eden’s ability to build characters and origin stories that seem plausible, fit the characters, and add to their development: giving us reasons to cheer on the connections and hiss at the bad guys. As a series, the story proceeds in a logical arc: introducing characters and events that evolve as the story continues. Easy to read as standalone titles, the stories work singly, but best as a continual arc.
Narration for this story (and series) is provided by Jillian Macie, and as with the earlier two in the series – while there was no great distractions in her performance, there were also no reasons to rave about it either. Her presentation of Cassie was appropriate and felt natural, even as there were no discernable inflection or tone adjustments to indicate other characters. A bit of overwork in the tense / quiet moments that bordered on distracting, but as with the others in the series, this did settle somewhat as the book progressed. For the entire series I’d say that her performance needs a deal of work and hope that if she continues to narrate that time will be spent on emoting, tone and pitch control to better distinguish and present multiple characters and enhance the title.
I received an AudioBook copy of the title from Tantor Audio for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
February 21, 2019
Dante is a Phoenix, so old and powerful he's known as “the immortal”.
He was captured and tortured by the men of project “Genesis” for years, until a little girl changes his life.
Cassie Armstrong, daughter of the lead scientist of the project and brilliant doctor herself, has been part of “Genesis” from an early age.
The first time Cassie meets Dante, she's a 8 years old girl trying her best to help him even if she's just been traumatized by her father's experiments on her.
She grows up hating “Genesis” and her father, but she decides to stay within the program and learn everything she can with one objective in mind: Bring life where her father had brought only death and disruption.
Dante and Cassie's connection grows and she does her best to accomplish her goal and escape a madman she once believed close to her.
When she discovers there's more to her DNA and that’s the reason behind her father's experiments on her, things get even more complicated…
Very engaging plot, I haven't read a Paranormal Romance that was this level of good in a long time!
This is also the first book I've ever read about Phoenix shifters!
There's action, there's romance, there's plenty of chemistry and a solid plot that kept me interested from beginning to end.
This book is part of a series and I believe I would have enjoyed the world this author created even more, if I had begun with the first book in the series.
Starting with the last book, I had the feeling I had missed on a lot of things about the “project Genesis” setting, a government project focused on studying paranormals and experimenting on them.
That said, I really enjoyed the story anyway because I felt nothing major missing from the plot line following the MC.
The author gives us everything we need to know to understand where both Cassie and Dante are coming from and, most of all, I enjoyed Cassie as a leading lady.
On the other hand, Dante is more an "anti-hero" than a "hero" because all he cares about is himself and Cassie's safety while everything/everyone else can easily be killed or left behind in a heartbeat.
I had mixed feelings about Dante’s “mine” attitude and his true feelings toward Cassie, especially when a major thing about her is revealed.
Though I have to say, by the end of the book, I was definitely convinced of his love for Cassie and so very happy about their Happy Ending.
I'm curious about the beginning of project "Genesis" and about this book's secondary characters stories hence, in the future, I'll definitely check out the first 2 books.
⭐ 4 Stars ⭐
Playing with Fire by Cynthia Eden is book #3 (the last) in the Phoenix Fire series. Can be read as a STANDALONE but if you want to know more on the actual “Genesis project” I'd suggest reading the books in order.
~ MY RATINGS ~
Writing: 4 /5 I listened to the Audiobook
Plot: 4 /5
Hero: 3.5 /5
Heroine: 4.5 /5
Secondary Characters: 4 /5
MC's chemistry: 4 /5
Steam: 3.5 /5
Triggers: Explicit Scenes, some violent fight scenes, hero sometimes loses his memory when coming back to life and doesn't remember about heroine (once, in the first few pages, she catches him at a bar with someone else).
Recommended to: Paranormal Romance Readers.
Are you looking for a specific mix of ingredients for your next read?
November 19, 2014
I can't get a handle on this series because while it's non stop action and typically the ideal PNR romance, there are bumps in the storyline and characterization that annoy me. For one, Cassie. She's save the entire world Superwoman trying to atone for her brother and father's sins. She doesn't care if you're trying to murder her, "she wants to help you". She also picks multiple people over her love interest which is another strike. Dante, the flaming hot (literally) hero who loves Cassie and would kill anyone to have her. Of course I liked him and while he was too callous at times, I do like a good anti hero. After his rising so many times I got that picture and was tired of it. There's a pool of other characters in this story that made my head ache but by the end everything was getting pulled together.
There's something about Cynthia Eden's writing. I do love it but all of her characters are becoming interchangeable and so are the plot lines. I find myself predicting what one will do and being right. I of course will keep reading them.
There's something about Cynthia Eden's writing. I do love it but all of her characters are becoming interchangeable and so are the plot lines. I find myself predicting what one will do and being right. I of course will keep reading them.
September 2, 2014
5 amazing stars!!
This book was great and I really enjoyed this read!
I just fell in love with Dante.He was hot, possessive and protective.
He and Cassie,indeed great couple,both loyal,loving and protective.
I loved the action and steamy scenes!
I truly loved Cynthia Eden's writing style!!
LOVED this book!!!
This book was great and I really enjoyed this read!
I just fell in love with Dante.He was hot, possessive and protective.
He and Cassie,indeed great couple,both loyal,loving and protective.
I loved the action and steamy scenes!
I truly loved Cynthia Eden's writing style!!
LOVED this book!!!
January 29, 2023
3.5 Stars
Enjoyed the story even though there were moments where my eyes rolled with the convenient solutions that popped up!
First time reading a Cynthia Eden book as well encountering a phoenix shifter!
Playing with Fire was my first Cynthia Eden book and not having read any other books in the series, I found the story easy to follow. It encompasses humans and paranormal beings brought together by Cassie’s quest to undo the damage her father had created.
There’s more to Cassie than even she is aware of. Her strong sense of social justice is spurred on because she too has experienced the trauma of being one of her father’s study subjects. The insight provided by her father’s insane obsession with creating enhanced humans was disturbing and left me with no doubt as to why Cassie was hell-bent on making up for her father’s legacy.
Dante is a phoenix shifter and his connection to Cassie goes back years but he has no recollection of Cassie nor why he can’t ignore her. His ability to disappear into a pile of ashes was a great escape but left Cassie at risk each time it happened. It meant Cassie was a survivor and her main problem was getting Dante to accept her ability to look after herself.
The paranormal focus is predominantly between vampires and shifters. My shifter reading preference leans towards wolves so to meet a phoenix shifter was an interesting twist. With each burning, Dante emerges anew but not always intact with his memories of Cassie. What he knows is that he can’t hurt her and he will destroy anyone who threatens her safety.
Although her father is no longer a threat, his legacy is. Cassie soon finds she is running out of time as she attempts to beat the clock in her fight against an unknown entity. The challenges she faces are ongoing, ever-changing and the chances of her finding a solution are fading rapidly. I struggled with the numerous convenient fixes they found themselves in. The proverbial handy vehicles on hand just when they needed them had my eyes rolling. Another scenario left me wondering if I had missed a vital sentence after a Lazarus feat from a character who shouldn’t have been able to survive what they had experienced.
While I had no trouble keeping up with the story, I am wondering if the situations I considered too convenient were aspects of a world building set up in earlier books. Cassie’s strength and focus on saving others kept me turning pages while reading Playing With Fire. All the way through, I was haunted by the knowledge that when you play with fire, there is a good chance of getting burnt.
Enjoyed the story even though there were moments where my eyes rolled with the convenient solutions that popped up!
First time reading a Cynthia Eden book as well encountering a phoenix shifter!
Playing with Fire was my first Cynthia Eden book and not having read any other books in the series, I found the story easy to follow. It encompasses humans and paranormal beings brought together by Cassie’s quest to undo the damage her father had created.
There’s more to Cassie than even she is aware of. Her strong sense of social justice is spurred on because she too has experienced the trauma of being one of her father’s study subjects. The insight provided by her father’s insane obsession with creating enhanced humans was disturbing and left me with no doubt as to why Cassie was hell-bent on making up for her father’s legacy.
Dante is a phoenix shifter and his connection to Cassie goes back years but he has no recollection of Cassie nor why he can’t ignore her. His ability to disappear into a pile of ashes was a great escape but left Cassie at risk each time it happened. It meant Cassie was a survivor and her main problem was getting Dante to accept her ability to look after herself.
The paranormal focus is predominantly between vampires and shifters. My shifter reading preference leans towards wolves so to meet a phoenix shifter was an interesting twist. With each burning, Dante emerges anew but not always intact with his memories of Cassie. What he knows is that he can’t hurt her and he will destroy anyone who threatens her safety.
Although her father is no longer a threat, his legacy is. Cassie soon finds she is running out of time as she attempts to beat the clock in her fight against an unknown entity. The challenges she faces are ongoing, ever-changing and the chances of her finding a solution are fading rapidly. I struggled with the numerous convenient fixes they found themselves in. The proverbial handy vehicles on hand just when they needed them had my eyes rolling. Another scenario left me wondering if I had missed a vital sentence after a Lazarus feat from a character who shouldn’t have been able to survive what they had experienced.
While I had no trouble keeping up with the story, I am wondering if the situations I considered too convenient were aspects of a world building set up in earlier books. Cassie’s strength and focus on saving others kept me turning pages while reading Playing With Fire. All the way through, I was haunted by the knowledge that when you play with fire, there is a good chance of getting burnt.
November 11, 2014
4.5 rounds up to 5 stars
In the nutshell. This book is freaking pretty awesome with action pack on almost every chapter!
It was the happiest moment in my life when the day my request to have this e-ARC approved. Cynthia Eden is one of my favourite authors and Phoenix Fire is one of her series that I love(d). This time and as always for once again, I'm impressed! With Playing With Fire. In fact, it's the best book so far in the series.
The main characters. Both of them are damaged. What more could I ask for other than that? From the moment I started and then slowly I got to know about Dante and Cassie, I felt connected to them and I loved them.
The romance. It was strong chemistry sparks between Dante and Cassie. Lust, desire, love, and passion mixed together it was overwhelming. Damn sizzling and scorching hot, boner-panty alert! I suggest be prepared. You may need your lover nearby or cold shower(s) HA!
The plot. It was amazing! There's so much happenings you just cannot miss and even think to skip them. Every each of the situation is vital! The action scenes were euphoric, alright!
My favourite part. With a bit of rephrase.
Recommended.
*e-ARC provided by Kensington Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
In the nutshell. This book is freaking pretty awesome with action pack on almost every chapter!
It was the happiest moment in my life when the day my request to have this e-ARC approved. Cynthia Eden is one of my favourite authors and Phoenix Fire is one of her series that I love(d). This time and as always for once again, I'm impressed! With Playing With Fire. In fact, it's the best book so far in the series.
The main characters. Both of them are damaged. What more could I ask for other than that? From the moment I started and then slowly I got to know about Dante and Cassie, I felt connected to them and I loved them.
The romance. It was strong chemistry sparks between Dante and Cassie. Lust, desire, love, and passion mixed together it was overwhelming. Damn sizzling and scorching hot, boner-panty alert! I suggest be prepared. You may need your lover nearby or cold shower(s) HA!
The plot. It was amazing! There's so much happenings you just cannot miss and even think to skip them. Every each of the situation is vital! The action scenes were euphoric, alright!
My favourite part. With a bit of rephrase.
A new upcoming being with a lethal combo of hot and control. Would the world be able to handle it?Oooooh, I see a sequel. Please be a sequel and more in Phoenix Fire series. Pretty please, Ms. Eden!
Recommended.
*e-ARC provided by Kensington Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 28, 2014
Playing with Fire by Cynthia Eden is the 3rd book in her Phoenix series. This one focuses on Dante, a Phoenix shifter, and Cassie, a genetic scientist and sister to, Wyatt, the bad guy from the first book. I’ve read the previous books in the series and this one is my least favorite of the three. I still liked it, just not as much as the other two. My main issue is that I just wasn’t a big fan of the hero, Dante. He was so callous most of the time that I had a hard time liking him. He’s lived for so long that life is no longer precious to him. He took it and other people for granted. He had no sympathy for the plight and pain of others. Poor Cassie has loved him for so long but he kept breaking her heart when he couldn’t remember her. Then when he started to, he would remember events that paint her in a bad light when taken out of context. He also made it seem like he was only drawn to her because of what she was. Fortunately he becomes more likable towards the end of the book, when he finally begins to realize his love for Cassie.
Playing with Fire is a fast paced book. The villains are numerous and betrayals run rampant. Psychosis seems to be the norm for the villains in this series and it continues in this book. On the plus side, the story was entertaining and held my attention throughout. The characters are unique and I enjoyed learning about them, particularly the Phoenix’s. Overall, it was a good read.
I would recommend Playing with Fire to fans of the Phoenix series.
*ARC received from Kensington Books - Brava via NetGalley.
Playing with Fire is a fast paced book. The villains are numerous and betrayals run rampant. Psychosis seems to be the norm for the villains in this series and it continues in this book. On the plus side, the story was entertaining and held my attention throughout. The characters are unique and I enjoyed learning about them, particularly the Phoenix’s. Overall, it was a good read.
I would recommend Playing with Fire to fans of the Phoenix series.
*ARC received from Kensington Books - Brava via NetGalley.
August 31, 2014
I do love Cynthia Eden. She is a MUST READ author. If you aren't reading her books... Get on it ASAP!
That said, I haven't really made up my mind about this particular book. Some things drove me crazy. BUT!! It was action packed and the characters weren't all loveable. It took time to get there. Dante not remembering Cassie, and she loved him so much. People are after them & it's a constant reckoning of Cassie's past (family)...
The craziness that bothered me was the simple convenience of resources. A safe house with new clothes for her? Perfect fit! And the predictability. Warnings of vampires loving her blood, and coming straight to her AFTER she was healed & changed clothes.... Pondering moment... Anyway, the predictable warnings happened a lot & I really like CE's suspense, but this seemed less suspenseful than normal because I felt warned all the time.
This was a good book, with all the action & constant movement of the story throughout. I do recommend her books. This could be a stand alone. I never felt lost & this is the only one in this series I've read. Maybe that makes me less qualified to judge this book. Start with her "Mine" series. It's a good one!! Don't judge her by this book if it wasn't for you.
That said, I haven't really made up my mind about this particular book. Some things drove me crazy. BUT!! It was action packed and the characters weren't all loveable. It took time to get there. Dante not remembering Cassie, and she loved him so much. People are after them & it's a constant reckoning of Cassie's past (family)...
The craziness that bothered me was the simple convenience of resources. A safe house with new clothes for her? Perfect fit! And the predictability. Warnings of vampires loving her blood, and coming straight to her AFTER she was healed & changed clothes.... Pondering moment... Anyway, the predictable warnings happened a lot & I really like CE's suspense, but this seemed less suspenseful than normal because I felt warned all the time.
This was a good book, with all the action & constant movement of the story throughout. I do recommend her books. This could be a stand alone. I never felt lost & this is the only one in this series I've read. Maybe that makes me less qualified to judge this book. Start with her "Mine" series. It's a good one!! Don't judge her by this book if it wasn't for you.
May 30, 2018
3.75 stars--
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date: August 2014
Paper Release: May 29, 2018
An Old Flame
Cassie Armstrong has plenty to atone for. The daughter of the most immoral researcher ever to pick up a scalpel, she's determined to use her own brilliance in genetics to repair the damage her family has done to the paranormals. Especially Dante, the first of the phoenixes, the one they call the Immortal. He's been haunting her dreams since she was a little girl, and she's been trying to ease his pain for almost as long. If only he remembered any of it. . .
Dante doesn't know what Cassie's story is. He almost doesn't care. The minute he sees her, all he can think is mine. But there's more to the pretty little doctor than meets the eye. And Dante isn't the only one to notice. He can't trust her, but he can't stay away—and if he wants to learn her secrets, he's going to have to fight like hell to keep them both alive.
•••••••••
REVIEW: 3.75 stars-- PLAYING WITH FIRE is the third and final instalment in Cynthia Eden’s contemporary adult PHOENIX BURN paranormal, romance series focusing on a group of enhanced supernatural and humans. This is scientist Cassie Armstrong, and phoenix Dante’s story line. PLAYING WITH FIRE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.
SOME BACKGROUND: Years earlier, an experiment to make the perfect super soldier went horribly wrong when the people in control when above and beyond their designated tasks. The Phoenix Burn series focuses on the continuing experiments and on-going problems of the affected supernaturals and humans.
NOTE: Due to the story line content including torture and bloodshed, there may be some triggers for more sensitive readers.
Told from several third person points of view including Dante and Cassie PLAYING WITH FIRE follows the second chance (of sorts) relationship between scientist Cassie Armstrong, and phoenix Dante. Years earlier Cassie Armstrong, the daughter of a brilliant but insane scientist saved Dante, on more than once occasion, but with each incarnation Dante remembered little about his past. Fast forward to present day wherein Cassie will continue to track down the man that she loves in order to help others who have been affected by the cruel and unusual experiments. What ensues is the rekindling friendship, and building love between our leading couple, and the potential fall-out as betrayal and heartbreak continue to follow in their wake.
PLAYING WITH FIRE is a story of power and revenge; betrayal and pain; destiny and love. Cynthia Eden brings together an odd assortment of supernatural beings including purebreds and hybrids, all of whom must work together to protect themselves from the ultimate evil. Vengeance, deception, dishonesty and lies are around every corner as Cassie tries desperately to help the people she loves but in doing so hurts the man that calls to her heart. The premise is dramatic; the romance is fated; the characters are numerous, intense and energetic. There are a number of characters whose story has yet to be told-I am hoping the author considers picking up where the series left off.
Copy supplied by Netgalley
www.thereadingcafe.com
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date: August 2014
Paper Release: May 29, 2018
An Old Flame
Cassie Armstrong has plenty to atone for. The daughter of the most immoral researcher ever to pick up a scalpel, she's determined to use her own brilliance in genetics to repair the damage her family has done to the paranormals. Especially Dante, the first of the phoenixes, the one they call the Immortal. He's been haunting her dreams since she was a little girl, and she's been trying to ease his pain for almost as long. If only he remembered any of it. . .
Dante doesn't know what Cassie's story is. He almost doesn't care. The minute he sees her, all he can think is mine. But there's more to the pretty little doctor than meets the eye. And Dante isn't the only one to notice. He can't trust her, but he can't stay away—and if he wants to learn her secrets, he's going to have to fight like hell to keep them both alive.
•••••••••
REVIEW: 3.75 stars-- PLAYING WITH FIRE is the third and final instalment in Cynthia Eden’s contemporary adult PHOENIX BURN paranormal, romance series focusing on a group of enhanced supernatural and humans. This is scientist Cassie Armstrong, and phoenix Dante’s story line. PLAYING WITH FIRE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.
SOME BACKGROUND: Years earlier, an experiment to make the perfect super soldier went horribly wrong when the people in control when above and beyond their designated tasks. The Phoenix Burn series focuses on the continuing experiments and on-going problems of the affected supernaturals and humans.
NOTE: Due to the story line content including torture and bloodshed, there may be some triggers for more sensitive readers.
Told from several third person points of view including Dante and Cassie PLAYING WITH FIRE follows the second chance (of sorts) relationship between scientist Cassie Armstrong, and phoenix Dante. Years earlier Cassie Armstrong, the daughter of a brilliant but insane scientist saved Dante, on more than once occasion, but with each incarnation Dante remembered little about his past. Fast forward to present day wherein Cassie will continue to track down the man that she loves in order to help others who have been affected by the cruel and unusual experiments. What ensues is the rekindling friendship, and building love between our leading couple, and the potential fall-out as betrayal and heartbreak continue to follow in their wake.
PLAYING WITH FIRE is a story of power and revenge; betrayal and pain; destiny and love. Cynthia Eden brings together an odd assortment of supernatural beings including purebreds and hybrids, all of whom must work together to protect themselves from the ultimate evil. Vengeance, deception, dishonesty and lies are around every corner as Cassie tries desperately to help the people she loves but in doing so hurts the man that calls to her heart. The premise is dramatic; the romance is fated; the characters are numerous, intense and energetic. There are a number of characters whose story has yet to be told-I am hoping the author considers picking up where the series left off.
Copy supplied by Netgalley
www.thereadingcafe.com
May 29, 2018
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
This book centers around Cassie and Dante. Cassie is trying to atone for her father's sins. He has done horrible experiments on supernatural beings while holding them captive.
Dante is "the immortal", the oldest Phoenix that anyone knows about. He has been a captive of Cassie's father and died and rose from the ashes more times than he can count. However, every time he dies and comes back he is dangerous and usually confused.
I love this series and I loved this book!
Highly recommended!
This book centers around Cassie and Dante. Cassie is trying to atone for her father's sins. He has done horrible experiments on supernatural beings while holding them captive.
Dante is "the immortal", the oldest Phoenix that anyone knows about. He has been a captive of Cassie's father and died and rose from the ashes more times than he can count. However, every time he dies and comes back he is dangerous and usually confused.
I love this series and I loved this book!
Highly recommended!
June 27, 2018
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
So I haven’t read the first or second book in the series. I did feel I was missing a little bit of the background story, but I still enjoyed the book. The story seemed a little ridiculous in places but it was still interesting enough to keep going and reading.
I think I will go back and start at the beginning and see if that fills in a little of the details.
Overall I did enjoy it and I really liked the relationship between Cassie and Dante. They burned up the pages!
So I haven’t read the first or second book in the series. I did feel I was missing a little bit of the background story, but I still enjoyed the book. The story seemed a little ridiculous in places but it was still interesting enough to keep going and reading.
I think I will go back and start at the beginning and see if that fills in a little of the details.
Overall I did enjoy it and I really liked the relationship between Cassie and Dante. They burned up the pages!
July 14, 2018
Cassie Armstrong is the daughter of the most immoral researcher ever to use a scalpel. She is determined to use her intelligence and abilities to undo everything her father did to the paranormals, especially when she meets Dante. At first he doesn't trust her, but all he knows is that she's his. She ends up saving him and gets him out of her father's crutches and they work together to try and bring him down.
Like all other Cynthia Eden books, this is a must read. The entire series is awesome and definitely worth taking the time to enjoy.
Like all other Cynthia Eden books, this is a must read. The entire series is awesome and definitely worth taking the time to enjoy.
August 2, 2020
I really did not love the hero at first, but I warmed up to him at the end. Feels like a similar plot to the first book.
August 14, 2014
Originally Reviewed For: Tea and Book
Author Cynthia Eden is one of those authors who could write the back of soup cans and I would read it! She is one of those talents that just seems to grow and grow. In general I love her suspense books but her PNR work is equally powerful.
Playing with Fire is one of those great PNR books. It's Book Three in her Phoenix Fire Series (yes it's about Phoenixes). Telling us what it's like when they die and rise from the ashes. How they don't always come back completely sane.
Cassie Armstrong is the daughter of the monster who had been capturing those of the PNR species, wolves, vampires, phoenixes..whatever he could get his hands on. He claimed that these individuals had submitted voluntarily for testing (some sadly did) but voluntarily or not all of them were abused and tortured and Cassie had to watch it happen. She actually grew up in the labs and was one of his first experiments. Or was she? Yes she too had been tortured and was constantly injected with various serums that were supposed to make her stronger but instead just caused her pain. But her time in the labs allowed her to see what was really happening and from a very young age her sole desire was to free Dante, a phoenix, who had been killed over and over again. When it finally happened Dante disappeared having no memory of Cassie. But Cassie has a new goal, she wants to find cures for some of her father's creations. Only she needs Dante as the oldest Phoenix to help. It's just that every time he dies, he forgets her and she has to go through it all, all over again.
Dante is a phoenix on the run with few memories of what went on before. Escape really is his only plan but this sexy human finds him and claims to know him. She keeps wanting him to remember but at first all he remembers is that she killed him (it was the only way to help him to escape). Capturing her until he discovers what her place really is in his life, Dante is confused as the memories keep coming. Is she for real? Is she really his mate? Or are her desires merely contrived in order to keep him near her?
wow!! Wow!! WOW!!
There is so much going on here.. Cassie's desire to help those her father hurt gives her an almost fanatical fervor. She loves Dante but she also needs him for her tests.. Yeah she wants to put him back in a lab and that infuriates Dante. His emotions are extreme and often burn out of control. There is an intensity to him that just powers the fire within.
But it wouldn't be a Cynthia Eden book if there weren't some twists and turns. Some betrayals and some interesting friends. That's what makes her books so good. Edge of your seat suspense, intense romance and true evil.. always it seems in human form. Yes there really are monsters out there and sometimes they aren't who you think they are.
Of course an interesting sideline of this series.. it really brought animal testing to the front of my mind. These test subjects were tortured with no thoughts to what it did to them, with only the thought of how they would serve the purpose that the doctors and scientists wanted.. never a good thing. I know that was a political thought thrown in there but it's what these books made me consider.
A great book from a great series.
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of Playing With Fire, provided by netgalley and is scheduled to be released on August 26, 2014
Author Cynthia Eden is one of those authors who could write the back of soup cans and I would read it! She is one of those talents that just seems to grow and grow. In general I love her suspense books but her PNR work is equally powerful.
Playing with Fire is one of those great PNR books. It's Book Three in her Phoenix Fire Series (yes it's about Phoenixes). Telling us what it's like when they die and rise from the ashes. How they don't always come back completely sane.
Cassie Armstrong is the daughter of the monster who had been capturing those of the PNR species, wolves, vampires, phoenixes..whatever he could get his hands on. He claimed that these individuals had submitted voluntarily for testing (some sadly did) but voluntarily or not all of them were abused and tortured and Cassie had to watch it happen. She actually grew up in the labs and was one of his first experiments. Or was she? Yes she too had been tortured and was constantly injected with various serums that were supposed to make her stronger but instead just caused her pain. But her time in the labs allowed her to see what was really happening and from a very young age her sole desire was to free Dante, a phoenix, who had been killed over and over again. When it finally happened Dante disappeared having no memory of Cassie. But Cassie has a new goal, she wants to find cures for some of her father's creations. Only she needs Dante as the oldest Phoenix to help. It's just that every time he dies, he forgets her and she has to go through it all, all over again.
Dante is a phoenix on the run with few memories of what went on before. Escape really is his only plan but this sexy human finds him and claims to know him. She keeps wanting him to remember but at first all he remembers is that she killed him (it was the only way to help him to escape). Capturing her until he discovers what her place really is in his life, Dante is confused as the memories keep coming. Is she for real? Is she really his mate? Or are her desires merely contrived in order to keep him near her?
wow!! Wow!! WOW!!
There is so much going on here.. Cassie's desire to help those her father hurt gives her an almost fanatical fervor. She loves Dante but she also needs him for her tests.. Yeah she wants to put him back in a lab and that infuriates Dante. His emotions are extreme and often burn out of control. There is an intensity to him that just powers the fire within.
But it wouldn't be a Cynthia Eden book if there weren't some twists and turns. Some betrayals and some interesting friends. That's what makes her books so good. Edge of your seat suspense, intense romance and true evil.. always it seems in human form. Yes there really are monsters out there and sometimes they aren't who you think they are.
Of course an interesting sideline of this series.. it really brought animal testing to the front of my mind. These test subjects were tortured with no thoughts to what it did to them, with only the thought of how they would serve the purpose that the doctors and scientists wanted.. never a good thing. I know that was a political thought thrown in there but it's what these books made me consider.
A great book from a great series.
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of Playing With Fire, provided by netgalley and is scheduled to be released on August 26, 2014
August 20, 2015
4.5 Stars. Playing with Fire is the 3rd Book in Cynthia Eden's Phoenix Fire Series. Although I believe it could be read as a stand alone it might be more enjoyable if you have all the previous history from the first two books. Although the author does a great job of giving you the information you need from the previous books with out bogging you down in details. I enjoyed this book and it might even be my favorite of the three.
The sins of the father… that is what Cassie is trying so desperately to atone for. She is so desperate to fix her father’s wrongs that she constantly puts herself in danger. She is striving to find a cure for all that hate their paranormal status. She has taken atonement to a pay that penance forward extreme. She even hates herself for not freeing more from labs and putting a stop to her father’s insanity long before she made those first feeble attempts. Thankfully she is not drowning in self-loathing, but she is skating its dangerous edge.
This book centers around Cassie and Dante. Cassie is trying to atone for her father's sins. He has done horrible experiments on supernatural beings while holding them captive. Cassie was also experimented on by her father since she was 8, and she decided he was the "real monster". Now she's trying to cure the supernaturals who were changed due to her father's experiments and she thinks she needs Dante to do it. Dante is "the immortal", the oldest Phoenix that anyone knows about. He has been a captive of Cassie's father and died and rose from the ashes more times than he can count. However, every time he dies and comes back he is dangerous and usually confused. Sometimes he comes back with a few memories and sometimes with non at all. He has a huge history with Cassie and it breaks her heart every time he rises and doesn't remember her.
Sometimes Dante remembers Cassandra after a rising. Sometimes he just knows that the female is his.
I enjoyed the final chapter in this story. It was full of action and intensity. It had an interesting twist that I didn't see coming and great characters. Dante and Cassie's relationship is very complicated and really kept my interest. I enjoyed reading about Cassie trying to remind Dante of their past and trying to get him to remember that their were good memories between them when he seemed to remember the bad. We got to see some of the previous characters again and also a resolution to a few side characters from the previous books.
Both Dante and Cassie are damaged and have a past full of painful memories but they are also very determined. Dante is determined to keep Cassie in his life while he remembers who he is and exactly what she is to him. Cassie is determined to right the wrongs from her father's experiments and to try to help Dante along the way.
The chemistry was off the charts between the two of them and I'm glad they waited a bit before they actually had sex. As the couple runs from danger, fights the bad guys and tries to save other paranormals they also work through their past and define what their future will be.
An action packed, intense and thoroughly enjoyable series. I recommend reading all three books!
The sins of the father… that is what Cassie is trying so desperately to atone for. She is so desperate to fix her father’s wrongs that she constantly puts herself in danger. She is striving to find a cure for all that hate their paranormal status. She has taken atonement to a pay that penance forward extreme. She even hates herself for not freeing more from labs and putting a stop to her father’s insanity long before she made those first feeble attempts. Thankfully she is not drowning in self-loathing, but she is skating its dangerous edge.
This book centers around Cassie and Dante. Cassie is trying to atone for her father's sins. He has done horrible experiments on supernatural beings while holding them captive. Cassie was also experimented on by her father since she was 8, and she decided he was the "real monster". Now she's trying to cure the supernaturals who were changed due to her father's experiments and she thinks she needs Dante to do it. Dante is "the immortal", the oldest Phoenix that anyone knows about. He has been a captive of Cassie's father and died and rose from the ashes more times than he can count. However, every time he dies and comes back he is dangerous and usually confused. Sometimes he comes back with a few memories and sometimes with non at all. He has a huge history with Cassie and it breaks her heart every time he rises and doesn't remember her.
Sometimes Dante remembers Cassandra after a rising. Sometimes he just knows that the female is his.
I enjoyed the final chapter in this story. It was full of action and intensity. It had an interesting twist that I didn't see coming and great characters. Dante and Cassie's relationship is very complicated and really kept my interest. I enjoyed reading about Cassie trying to remind Dante of their past and trying to get him to remember that their were good memories between them when he seemed to remember the bad. We got to see some of the previous characters again and also a resolution to a few side characters from the previous books.
Both Dante and Cassie are damaged and have a past full of painful memories but they are also very determined. Dante is determined to keep Cassie in his life while he remembers who he is and exactly what she is to him. Cassie is determined to right the wrongs from her father's experiments and to try to help Dante along the way.
The chemistry was off the charts between the two of them and I'm glad they waited a bit before they actually had sex. As the couple runs from danger, fights the bad guys and tries to save other paranormals they also work through their past and define what their future will be.
An action packed, intense and thoroughly enjoyable series. I recommend reading all three books!
August 26, 2014
Why you should read it: This is an extremely hard and well-written paranormal series full of grit and spice. Playing With Fire follows through, and I find myself loving each book more and more. Cassie's father is an actual mad scientist, and Dante is a Phoenix who was captured by him. Long story short: Like a true Phoenix, he resurrects, but he doesn't always remember Cassie when he does (she always tried to help him escape). Dante can come across as cold and cruel at times, but I feel like after knowing his history, it's understandable. While I don't know if I would be as dedicated as Cassie, Cassie basically heals him with her love and resolve. There's also so many action scenes and such cool villains (ha!). It's my favorite mix of adventure, violence and, of course, romance. For dark-romance fans, I recommend picking up this series ASAP!
Head over to the HEA blog to see more awesome book recs!
http://www.usatoday.com/story/happyev...
Head over to the HEA blog to see more awesome book recs!
http://www.usatoday.com/story/happyev...
August 1, 2014
Whenever I pick up a Cynthia Eden book I know two things for sure... I'm going to get a great story with some meat to it, and it's going to have the kind of characters you just don't want to let go of.
This book is absolutely no exception.
It is the third book in a series and while you can read it as a stand alone I would urge readers to pick up the other two and read them first. There is a continued plot line throughout the series that you don't want to miss and previous characters are a large part of the continued story.
The steam factor is high (I was going to say smokin! but that's too bad of a pun for what this story is about) as is the edge of your seat action. The two balanced out very well and I didn't have any sense that one was too much or too little or that the two aspects were fighting for control of the book.
It was all very well done and there is obviously another book to look forward to!
I love this series and I loved this book!
Highly recommended!
This book is absolutely no exception.
It is the third book in a series and while you can read it as a stand alone I would urge readers to pick up the other two and read them first. There is a continued plot line throughout the series that you don't want to miss and previous characters are a large part of the continued story.
The steam factor is high (I was going to say smokin! but that's too bad of a pun for what this story is about) as is the edge of your seat action. The two balanced out very well and I didn't have any sense that one was too much or too little or that the two aspects were fighting for control of the book.
It was all very well done and there is obviously another book to look forward to!
I love this series and I loved this book!
Highly recommended!
February 16, 2015
PLAYING WITH FIRE was really good. I liked Dante and Cassie from the start.
They had such a difficult journey to take and I really felt bad for Cassie having to accept that Dante doesn’t remember when he rises. It certainly took a toll on her because of her deep love for him.
Dante had a pretty thick wall up. Being one of the oldest Phoenixes, he’s had time to block his emotions. Although he knows that Cassie is HIS, he has a hard time letting her see it.
Meanwhile, Cassie is still struggling to find the cure for Trace and Vaughan as well as the other experiments her father created. Her deep seed of guilt fuels her to never give up.
Her own abilities make themselves known when Dante reveals her to be a siren, a deadly creature that can control anyone with her voice.
A lot is found, cured and loved in PLAYING WITH FIRE. I have really enjoyed this series.
They had such a difficult journey to take and I really felt bad for Cassie having to accept that Dante doesn’t remember when he rises. It certainly took a toll on her because of her deep love for him.
Dante had a pretty thick wall up. Being one of the oldest Phoenixes, he’s had time to block his emotions. Although he knows that Cassie is HIS, he has a hard time letting her see it.
Meanwhile, Cassie is still struggling to find the cure for Trace and Vaughan as well as the other experiments her father created. Her deep seed of guilt fuels her to never give up.
Her own abilities make themselves known when Dante reveals her to be a siren, a deadly creature that can control anyone with her voice.
A lot is found, cured and loved in PLAYING WITH FIRE. I have really enjoyed this series.
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