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Phoenix Feather
Aidan Quinn is not entirely human. Every hundred years, she bursts into flame and is reborn from the ashes. Now she’s a grad student in Seattle, weary of these repetitious life cycles and grieving a lost love.
An obsession is born. Detective Bryan McCain is trying to solve the serial murders of young women with red hair. When his brother, Trent, starts dating a potential victim, Bryan has to pour everything he has into catching the killer, without losing himself in the process.
Aidan’s heart has been broken many times, but she just might have a little left for dashing fireman Trent McCain. Little does she know, the killer is on the hunt for a phoenix, and he’s getting closer.
An obsession is born. Detective Bryan McCain is trying to solve the serial murders of young women with red hair. When his brother, Trent, starts dating a potential victim, Bryan has to pour everything he has into catching the killer, without losing himself in the process.
Aidan’s heart has been broken many times, but she just might have a little left for dashing fireman Trent McCain. Little does she know, the killer is on the hunt for a phoenix, and he’s getting closer.
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First published May 18, 2011
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258 people want to read
About the author
Angela Wallace
27 books103 followersAngela Wallace has been penning adventures ever since she was sucked through a magical portal as a child. What she saw and whom she met gave birth to exciting and complex fantasy worlds where defying the laws of physics was a bonus. She has since come back down to earth, only to discover this mortal realm has magic of its own. Now she is quite at home in the world of urban fantasy, though believes that love, faith, and hope are of a stronger magic than fire wielding and sorcery. She loves gun-toting good boys, and could have been a cop in another life except real blood makes her queasy. She’ll have to stick to solving supernatural mysteries. Language is her pleasure, whether it’s weaving words on a page or lassoing linguistics into translations as a sign language interpreter. Angela is currently working on the next book in her Elemental Magic series.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 13, 2012
The mythology of the Phoenix is at the heart of this story, with the twist of it taking on a different human form every one hundred years.Twenty years into her current life, Aiden Quinn is a grad student in history.And she finds herself grown weary of the eventual loss of those she has loved throughout the centuries.But never one to wallow,she lives a life full of school,work and close friends.
Enter Trent McCain. Fireman,ordinary guy,who finds himself drawn to the attractive waitress with the fiery red hair and extraordinary eyes.I enjoyed watching the relationship grow from casual flirting and first date to serious romance.
And let us not forget the Phoenix. Magic and mystery wend their way throughout the story. This is a gentle but not sappy romance.I was drawn into the story immediately.I found myself reading, oh, just five more minutes,even though I knew my real life was impatiently waiting to be resumed. And while the ending was satisfying, I found myself wishing for just a little more time with this cast of characters.That wishing for more is the mark of a truly good story.
Enter Trent McCain. Fireman,ordinary guy,who finds himself drawn to the attractive waitress with the fiery red hair and extraordinary eyes.I enjoyed watching the relationship grow from casual flirting and first date to serious romance.
And let us not forget the Phoenix. Magic and mystery wend their way throughout the story. This is a gentle but not sappy romance.I was drawn into the story immediately.I found myself reading, oh, just five more minutes,even though I knew my real life was impatiently waiting to be resumed. And while the ending was satisfying, I found myself wishing for just a little more time with this cast of characters.That wishing for more is the mark of a truly good story.
March 3, 2013
What would you do if you had to live lifetime after lifetime watching the people you care for pass away while you lived on? For Aidan Quinn, this is her reality. She has lived for millennia as a Phoenix who may take human form. Every century she dies a fiery death only to be reborn from the ashes to start a new life. Being so long lived has not been easy for her, but she has adjusted. Life and death are natural, but for the first time in a long time, Aidan has become more attached than normal to her human friends. She must deal with the consequences of caring for people that will not be around forever. Not only this, but she meets a man, Trent, that has the potential to be something far more than a casual friend. This scares her as she has already felt the pangs of lost love before and doesn't know if she can handle it again.
Unbeknownst to her, there is an even greater danger lurking in Aidan's current home area of Seattle. A killer that is searching for a woman that fits her description. He has begun to murder women in the city and she could be next. Trent's brother, Bryan, is a detective and is on the hunt for the killer before he strikes again. After meeting Aidan, he wants to protect her from being the next target, but also doesn't want to alarm her. He knows his brother is falling for this woman and must do all he can to catch the murderer before it is too late. Yet this is no ordinary serial killer and putting the few clues together to discover his motivations will be no easy task. Whether Aidan survives to find true love and a real family of friends who accept her as she is remains to be seen.
I must say this book gripped me from early on. What kind of characteristics can you expect from someone so long lived? Aidan wasn't anything like I thought she would be. She felt like a real person with emotions, dreams, and regrets. While being on this earth for so long would make anyone jaded, she hasn't let time make her apathetic. Each lifetime is a chance to start over in a new place with new goals. While her past did shape her personality, she always manages to look at many things with fresh eyes. The man she meets, Trent, is also very mature and likable. He suits her and has an old style way of courting Aidan that causes him to grow on her more than she expects. They make a great match despite their difference in age and experience. It didn't feel awkward at all like you might expect.
The plot in itself was interesting as well. The author doesn't just focus on the dangers of a serial killer. That is only part of the story. It is also about Aidan's friends and new love interest. How she deals with their fragile mortality and the fact their lives could end at any time. Occasionally, I felt my eyes grow misty as the individual situations felt all too real. The author did an amazing job endearing you to every character and giving them a strong place in the story. The ending will not be what you expect, but it does show love conquers all. For anyone who enjoys romance with a paranormal twist, this is a book I highly recommend you try. Even if paranormal isn't your normal thing, this is one book you should make an exception for. Phoenix Feather is an engaging and romantic tale that will leave you breathless for more from this author. I will certainly be grabbing her next book when it comes out!
Unbeknownst to her, there is an even greater danger lurking in Aidan's current home area of Seattle. A killer that is searching for a woman that fits her description. He has begun to murder women in the city and she could be next. Trent's brother, Bryan, is a detective and is on the hunt for the killer before he strikes again. After meeting Aidan, he wants to protect her from being the next target, but also doesn't want to alarm her. He knows his brother is falling for this woman and must do all he can to catch the murderer before it is too late. Yet this is no ordinary serial killer and putting the few clues together to discover his motivations will be no easy task. Whether Aidan survives to find true love and a real family of friends who accept her as she is remains to be seen.
I must say this book gripped me from early on. What kind of characteristics can you expect from someone so long lived? Aidan wasn't anything like I thought she would be. She felt like a real person with emotions, dreams, and regrets. While being on this earth for so long would make anyone jaded, she hasn't let time make her apathetic. Each lifetime is a chance to start over in a new place with new goals. While her past did shape her personality, she always manages to look at many things with fresh eyes. The man she meets, Trent, is also very mature and likable. He suits her and has an old style way of courting Aidan that causes him to grow on her more than she expects. They make a great match despite their difference in age and experience. It didn't feel awkward at all like you might expect.
The plot in itself was interesting as well. The author doesn't just focus on the dangers of a serial killer. That is only part of the story. It is also about Aidan's friends and new love interest. How she deals with their fragile mortality and the fact their lives could end at any time. Occasionally, I felt my eyes grow misty as the individual situations felt all too real. The author did an amazing job endearing you to every character and giving them a strong place in the story. The ending will not be what you expect, but it does show love conquers all. For anyone who enjoys romance with a paranormal twist, this is a book I highly recommend you try. Even if paranormal isn't your normal thing, this is one book you should make an exception for. Phoenix Feather is an engaging and romantic tale that will leave you breathless for more from this author. I will certainly be grabbing her next book when it comes out!
March 22, 2012
Phoenix Feather introduces us to a beloved mythical creature: the phoenix. This creature is known to never truly die, always being reborn from its ashes, but she is never known to take on a human form. Instead most envision a fiery flame kissed bird who is about as tameable as a wild forest fire. No one would ever connect the dots that a college student studying to become a history professor could be one in the same as Aidan Quinn.
Aidan appears to be no more or less than your average woman. Sure she has secrets she guards, and a hazy past that leaves plenty of loop holes, but no one suspects what she really is. Although she has lived for thousands of years, dying every 100 to be reborn, she has been able to take on a human form many times without consequence, or so she had thought. Out of seemingly nowhere a serial killer starts hunting down women who match her description. Is it random, or did Aidan make a mistake?
She fills her life with her friends, and her studies, but seldom lets anyone get close to her. This all changes when a certain fireman enters into her life. Knowing that she will have to live forever with his memory keeps Aidan guarding her heart, but when she's faced with loosing him will her heart warm to his?
Everyone who reads my reviews knows I love to give further insight, and of course I've only brushed the surface here as to not give it away. This story is a solid gentle romance with a hint of mystery, mythology, and a lot of warmth. Aidan isn't your average strong as nails heroine, though, she has witnessed much pain in her many years. It seems no matter the history, the knowledge, or the memories of loss can prepare her for a big life change. So even though she is the phoenix, Aidan is much like the rest of us – and I really love that.
I highly recommend this story to adults, older teenagers, college aged students, and anyone who loves to be in love. I couldn't find a single fault within the pages of Phoenix Feather. It holds your interest in both the plot and the well developed characters. I'd love to see Aidan again, but I know it's not likely, so maybe that will be the fault I’ve found.
Aidan appears to be no more or less than your average woman. Sure she has secrets she guards, and a hazy past that leaves plenty of loop holes, but no one suspects what she really is. Although she has lived for thousands of years, dying every 100 to be reborn, she has been able to take on a human form many times without consequence, or so she had thought. Out of seemingly nowhere a serial killer starts hunting down women who match her description. Is it random, or did Aidan make a mistake?
She fills her life with her friends, and her studies, but seldom lets anyone get close to her. This all changes when a certain fireman enters into her life. Knowing that she will have to live forever with his memory keeps Aidan guarding her heart, but when she's faced with loosing him will her heart warm to his?
Everyone who reads my reviews knows I love to give further insight, and of course I've only brushed the surface here as to not give it away. This story is a solid gentle romance with a hint of mystery, mythology, and a lot of warmth. Aidan isn't your average strong as nails heroine, though, she has witnessed much pain in her many years. It seems no matter the history, the knowledge, or the memories of loss can prepare her for a big life change. So even though she is the phoenix, Aidan is much like the rest of us – and I really love that.
I highly recommend this story to adults, older teenagers, college aged students, and anyone who loves to be in love. I couldn't find a single fault within the pages of Phoenix Feather. It holds your interest in both the plot and the well developed characters. I'd love to see Aidan again, but I know it's not likely, so maybe that will be the fault I’ve found.
January 21, 2013
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I was so thrilled to read this book!! The synopsis made this a must read for me, and I love the concept of the story. Aidan is a phoenix--a mythological creature that lives, dies, and rises from the ashes to be reborn into a new life. She meets a firefighter named Trent, and after much hesitation on her part, they begin dating. It's difficult for her to get close to people when she knows she'll keep on living after they die. I found it interesting that a woman who bursts into flame then is reborn from the ashes has fallen for a firefighter. :)
The pace at which their relationship grew was perfect--it wasn't too fast nor was it too slow. They complemented one another, and it seemed like this was the most genuine relationship Aidan has had throughout her many lives. I cared about these characters and absolutely adored them together. And what a stand up guy Trent is! He's there for Aidan when she needs him most, even when he didn't know her that well. Phoebe and Chris are twins and Aidan's best friends. Trent is immediately accepted by Phoebe and Chris and fits right in with them. I really liked the dynamics between the four of them. Trent is definitely swoon worthy, and they all cared about each other so much, they were like their own little family.
Trent's brother, Bryan, who's a cop, begins investigating a string of murders where the victims are all red heads. The killer is searching for the phoenix. A few times in the book, you're inside the mind of the killer. I wanted to know a little more about him, not to the point where he would become a main character, just more behind his motivations and knowledge.
This book explores life and death, and I like books that have me thinking beyond the story itself. I think that though it would be tempting to experience historical events and not have to worry about death being permanent, there are too many cons for me.
As a phoenix, Aidan deals with loneliness and fear of becoming close to people because she knows she'll die and come back, but they won't be here any longer. She's had to watch so many of her loved ones die--that would be too high of a price to pay for me. No more coming back to start a new life--I couldn't take all the grief and continually starting over. I wouldn't want to become attached to people only to miss them when they die and have to come back without them.
This was a beautifully told story that really tugged on my heartstrings and will tug on yours, too. There's mystery, action, and romance--something for everyone. I loved these characters so much, I felt like they were my family as well. I'm left wanting more!
I was so thrilled to read this book!! The synopsis made this a must read for me, and I love the concept of the story. Aidan is a phoenix--a mythological creature that lives, dies, and rises from the ashes to be reborn into a new life. She meets a firefighter named Trent, and after much hesitation on her part, they begin dating. It's difficult for her to get close to people when she knows she'll keep on living after they die. I found it interesting that a woman who bursts into flame then is reborn from the ashes has fallen for a firefighter. :)
The pace at which their relationship grew was perfect--it wasn't too fast nor was it too slow. They complemented one another, and it seemed like this was the most genuine relationship Aidan has had throughout her many lives. I cared about these characters and absolutely adored them together. And what a stand up guy Trent is! He's there for Aidan when she needs him most, even when he didn't know her that well. Phoebe and Chris are twins and Aidan's best friends. Trent is immediately accepted by Phoebe and Chris and fits right in with them. I really liked the dynamics between the four of them. Trent is definitely swoon worthy, and they all cared about each other so much, they were like their own little family.
Trent's brother, Bryan, who's a cop, begins investigating a string of murders where the victims are all red heads. The killer is searching for the phoenix. A few times in the book, you're inside the mind of the killer. I wanted to know a little more about him, not to the point where he would become a main character, just more behind his motivations and knowledge.
This book explores life and death, and I like books that have me thinking beyond the story itself. I think that though it would be tempting to experience historical events and not have to worry about death being permanent, there are too many cons for me.
As a phoenix, Aidan deals with loneliness and fear of becoming close to people because she knows she'll die and come back, but they won't be here any longer. She's had to watch so many of her loved ones die--that would be too high of a price to pay for me. No more coming back to start a new life--I couldn't take all the grief and continually starting over. I wouldn't want to become attached to people only to miss them when they die and have to come back without them.
This was a beautifully told story that really tugged on my heartstrings and will tug on yours, too. There's mystery, action, and romance--something for everyone. I loved these characters so much, I felt like they were my family as well. I'm left wanting more!
December 14, 2012
Aidan Quinn is not your typical college student. She is a phoenix, who is living her life as a human. Every 100 years, she retreats to a remote location to die and be reborn, and she has lived almost 2000 years on this planet.
Aidan meets firefighter Trent McCain at work one day, and they seem to hit it off. Along with her friends, Chris and Phoebe, this life for Aidan seems pretty good... until a serial killer starts targeting red-headed victims.
Bryan, Trent's brother, is assigned to the case, and he hopes to solve it before the killer comes after the woman his brother is seeming to fall in love with.
This book was very interesting for me. The main character Aidan seemed very distant and aloof at the start of the book, and then seemed to become more human as she interacted more with Chris, Phoebe, and Trent.
The only reason I gave this book three stars instead of four is something that happens at the end of the book, and Trent's reaction to it. He was just so nonchalant that it was a bit unbelievable. Other than that, this was a great, quick read, and if you're looking for a feel-good book with a bit of suspense, this will be a good one for you!
Aidan meets firefighter Trent McCain at work one day, and they seem to hit it off. Along with her friends, Chris and Phoebe, this life for Aidan seems pretty good... until a serial killer starts targeting red-headed victims.
Bryan, Trent's brother, is assigned to the case, and he hopes to solve it before the killer comes after the woman his brother is seeming to fall in love with.
This book was very interesting for me. The main character Aidan seemed very distant and aloof at the start of the book, and then seemed to become more human as she interacted more with Chris, Phoebe, and Trent.
The only reason I gave this book three stars instead of four is something that happens at the end of the book, and Trent's reaction to it. He was just so nonchalant that it was a bit unbelievable. Other than that, this was a great, quick read, and if you're looking for a feel-good book with a bit of suspense, this will be a good one for you!
November 12, 2013
I received this book free in return of an honest review.
The Good...
This was quite possibly Angela Wallace's best book yet. I loved the murder mystery parts. Her use of details concerning how an investigation proceeds, as well as what happens in a fire department, showed a mastery of balance between the amount of research done and what actually gets used in the story.
I also enjoyed the way she treated the characters' feelings regarding Chris's illness. It was an honest view of different people's reaction to a loved one living with stage four cancer. Many scenes brought me to tears, and, as I've said in other reviews, that is difficult to do.
Not only did she treat each character with dignity and fashion them into believable people, she gave us an ending full of surprises and unexpected twists that is very satisfying.
The Not-so-good...
While the characters and situations were as believable as any writer can create, I was a bit disappointed that the mystery almost completely disappears near the middle of the book. I would have liked more tension brought out with reminders that there is a serial killer on the loose throughout the entire story, instead of just at the beginning and near the end.
The book meandered into romance genre territory more than I prefer about one-third of the way into the story. However, by the two-thirds mark, the mystery was back in full swing and continued to rivet me through the rest of the pages.
The Overall...
I think Phoenix Feather would appeal to mystery lovers and romance readers alike and I would highly recommend it.
The Good...
This was quite possibly Angela Wallace's best book yet. I loved the murder mystery parts. Her use of details concerning how an investigation proceeds, as well as what happens in a fire department, showed a mastery of balance between the amount of research done and what actually gets used in the story.
I also enjoyed the way she treated the characters' feelings regarding Chris's illness. It was an honest view of different people's reaction to a loved one living with stage four cancer. Many scenes brought me to tears, and, as I've said in other reviews, that is difficult to do.
Not only did she treat each character with dignity and fashion them into believable people, she gave us an ending full of surprises and unexpected twists that is very satisfying.
The Not-so-good...
While the characters and situations were as believable as any writer can create, I was a bit disappointed that the mystery almost completely disappears near the middle of the book. I would have liked more tension brought out with reminders that there is a serial killer on the loose throughout the entire story, instead of just at the beginning and near the end.
The book meandered into romance genre territory more than I prefer about one-third of the way into the story. However, by the two-thirds mark, the mystery was back in full swing and continued to rivet me through the rest of the pages.
The Overall...
I think Phoenix Feather would appeal to mystery lovers and romance readers alike and I would highly recommend it.
February 17, 2014
I received this book to give an honest review.
I loved the way this story was told, you have Aidan who has a secret! She is a phoenix who unknown to her is being hunted. She has decided to live life as a human and have friends and ends up in a relationship with Trent a fireman! How ironic right? Aidan is a phoenix who can rise from the ashes and Trent fights fires. Trent is the adorable book boyfriend so kind, caring, thinks of others, willing to help those going through a hard time even if he doesn't truly know them.
Aidan normally doesn't let anyone get close to her but she befriends Chris and Phoebe who have an awesome brother and sister relationship. Not only does she allow Chris and Phoebe to get close she also allows Trent to become close and ends up knowing more about her than anyone before. There is romance, mystery and mythology which I love! The phoenix is one of those mystical creatures I love to read about, there is a bit of sadness but hope towards the end. Aidan is such a strong character with what is thrown her way that her selfless act is something I didn't even think about her doing.
This story keep me wanting to read more to find out what else could happen, will this serial killer be caught or would it be too late? What will happen with Aidan and Trent? I love this authors writing style and hope to read more from her in the future.
I loved the way this story was told, you have Aidan who has a secret! She is a phoenix who unknown to her is being hunted. She has decided to live life as a human and have friends and ends up in a relationship with Trent a fireman! How ironic right? Aidan is a phoenix who can rise from the ashes and Trent fights fires. Trent is the adorable book boyfriend so kind, caring, thinks of others, willing to help those going through a hard time even if he doesn't truly know them.
Aidan normally doesn't let anyone get close to her but she befriends Chris and Phoebe who have an awesome brother and sister relationship. Not only does she allow Chris and Phoebe to get close she also allows Trent to become close and ends up knowing more about her than anyone before. There is romance, mystery and mythology which I love! The phoenix is one of those mystical creatures I love to read about, there is a bit of sadness but hope towards the end. Aidan is such a strong character with what is thrown her way that her selfless act is something I didn't even think about her doing.
This story keep me wanting to read more to find out what else could happen, will this serial killer be caught or would it be too late? What will happen with Aidan and Trent? I love this authors writing style and hope to read more from her in the future.
March 27, 2013
A free download from Amazon. I give this book 2 and 1/2 stars . I liked it but I didn't. It seems to tout the supernatural quality of the book, but in essence only the first and last chapter really pertain to a supernatural influence. The bulk of the book is centered around relationships, finding love .
I starting flipping thru pages looking for the fantasy supernatural part.
Aidan is in this life , working on her master's degree. She is a phoenix. She goes thru her life cycles ... birth - death , to finally be born again of the ashes. Trent is a firefighter. They have a slow evolving relationship that turn into love . Phoebe ad Chris , friends of Aidan , twins , Chris has terminal stomach cancer . Much of this book revolves around Chris being sick. Now a sub story of a guy looking for Aidan because she is a phoenix.
Overall ... it could have been great , but I felt like 3 different story's were all put together.
I starting flipping thru pages looking for the fantasy supernatural part.
Aidan is in this life , working on her master's degree. She is a phoenix. She goes thru her life cycles ... birth - death , to finally be born again of the ashes. Trent is a firefighter. They have a slow evolving relationship that turn into love . Phoebe ad Chris , friends of Aidan , twins , Chris has terminal stomach cancer . Much of this book revolves around Chris being sick. Now a sub story of a guy looking for Aidan because she is a phoenix.
Overall ... it could have been great , but I felt like 3 different story's were all put together.
April 24, 2013
Aidan is actually a phoenix and is reborn every hundred years. However in this lifetime she has found true friends, Phoebe and Chris, and true live in Trent. I loved the unique story line and characters but wish the relationship between Trent and Aidan had more to it. I wanted more depth into their relationships, from learning more on their dates to conversations. But overall this is a heart warming story about the steps one will take to save their loved ones. WaAR
March 2, 2014
I enjoyed this book because the characters were compelling. Caught up in the concerns and issues of the people, the unfolding of the story felt very natural. While the subject matter might be fantastic, the emotional impact is very effective. Top notch storytelling. You should read it...
May 5, 2013
LOVED IT!!!
April 23, 2017
Intriguing
The concept of this book had me intrigued from the beginning and I enjoyed how it played out. The bonds of friendship and family were exquisitely captured and the love story was wonderful.
The concept of this book had me intrigued from the beginning and I enjoyed how it played out. The bonds of friendship and family were exquisitely captured and the love story was wonderful.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews