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Phoenix Chronicles #0.5
In the Beginning
From New York Times Bestselling author Lori Handeland, comes a short story in her urban fantasy world, The Phoenix Chronicles.
Liz Phoenix does her best not to let anyone on the Milwaukee Police Force know that she's psychic. But her partner, Max Murphy, suspects. She's had one too many spot-on hunches.
When they're sent to the scene of a murder, Liz's latest psychic flash leads to disaster.
In the Beginning reveals how Liz came to be an ex-cop and started on the road to becoming the Leader of the Light.
Liz Phoenix does her best not to let anyone on the Milwaukee Police Force know that she's psychic. But her partner, Max Murphy, suspects. She's had one too many spot-on hunches.
When they're sent to the scene of a murder, Liz's latest psychic flash leads to disaster.
In the Beginning reveals how Liz came to be an ex-cop and started on the road to becoming the Leader of the Light.
27 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2008
38 people are currently reading
321 people want to read
About the author
Lori Handeland
151 books1,346 followersLori Handeland is a five-time nominee and two-time winner of the prestigious RITA Award from Romance Writers of America, as well as the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over sixty novels spanning the genres of paranormal romance, urban fantasy, contemporary romance, historical romance and historical fantasy.
After a quarter-century of success and accolades, she began a new chapter in her career with her women’s fiction debut, Just Once (Severn House, January 2019), which received a coveted, starred review from Library Journal and was optioned as a feature film by Catalyst Global Media.
Lori lives in Southern Wisconsin with her husband of over thirty-five years. In between writing and reading, she enjoys long walks with their rescue mutt, Arnold, and visits from her two grown sons, awesome daughter-in-law and perfectly adorable grandchildren.
After a quarter-century of success and accolades, she began a new chapter in her career with her women’s fiction debut, Just Once (Severn House, January 2019), which received a coveted, starred review from Library Journal and was optioned as a feature film by Catalyst Global Media.
Lori lives in Southern Wisconsin with her husband of over thirty-five years. In between writing and reading, she enjoys long walks with their rescue mutt, Arnold, and visits from her two grown sons, awesome daughter-in-law and perfectly adorable grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 26, 2010
A brief introduction to Elizabeth Phoenix and her job as a Milwaukee police officer. Also got to meet Max, her partner.
Super short, not very informative, but a look at what happened and how her whole story started.
Super short, not very informative, but a look at what happened and how her whole story started.
November 24, 2019
Much too short
Wonderful beginning toward a decline in faculty. Some world building and character development loved her lifelong friend. Want the journey to continue.
Wonderful beginning toward a decline in faculty. Some world building and character development loved her lifelong friend. Want the journey to continue.
April 16, 2013
2.5 stars.
This short story felt somewhat pointless, IMHO. I couldn't shake the feeling that this was something the author would have wanted to deal with in the first book of the series, but which somehow didn't make it in there, and that this short excerpt was the result. I didn't feel that there was enough there for a separate short story.
Good points: This did provide a tiny bit of background with regards to the main character - it showed the reader what things were like when she had been a police officer.
Constructive criticism: As I mentioned above, I couldn't help but feel that there wasn't much to this - it was essentially a very short scene occuring prior to the first book. The scene shows the main character and her partner working together, as well as how the partnership ended...
Spoiler space...
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*
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In other words, he was killed by a perp. The end.
This is actually how abrupt the ending was. Since nothing much happened prior to the ending and since it was brief enough that we didn't get to see very much of the interaction between the partners, or much of the main character's life on the police force, or her interactions with other police officers (which were reportedly difficult), and the development of a deep friendship between the main character her partner's wife is also never shown (these are examples of what could have been shown here), I really didn't get what the point was of this relatively mundane little scene relative to the overall plot and characterization of the books.
So, 2.5 stars. (I rounded up because I did enjoy the first book in the series.)
-My review of book 1 in this series.
-My review of book 2 in this series.
This short story felt somewhat pointless, IMHO. I couldn't shake the feeling that this was something the author would have wanted to deal with in the first book of the series, but which somehow didn't make it in there, and that this short excerpt was the result. I didn't feel that there was enough there for a separate short story.
Good points: This did provide a tiny bit of background with regards to the main character - it showed the reader what things were like when she had been a police officer.
Constructive criticism: As I mentioned above, I couldn't help but feel that there wasn't much to this - it was essentially a very short scene occuring prior to the first book. The scene shows the main character and her partner working together, as well as how the partnership ended...
Spoiler space...
*
*
*
*
In other words, he was killed by a perp. The end.
This is actually how abrupt the ending was. Since nothing much happened prior to the ending and since it was brief enough that we didn't get to see very much of the interaction between the partners, or much of the main character's life on the police force, or her interactions with other police officers (which were reportedly difficult), and the development of a deep friendship between the main character her partner's wife is also never shown (these are examples of what could have been shown here), I really didn't get what the point was of this relatively mundane little scene relative to the overall plot and characterization of the books.
So, 2.5 stars. (I rounded up because I did enjoy the first book in the series.)
-My review of book 1 in this series.
-My review of book 2 in this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 28, 2012
This one is bittersweet to read for a couple of reasons. The first being that this event starts Elizabeth on her new path and she loses one of her friends, the other is that I am sad that the publisher decided not to extend the author more books within this series as it is one of the better ones out there.
September 6, 2013
0.5 in the Phoenix Chronicles series. This is a 15 page PDF download available at the author's website. There's not enough here to make you want to read the series if this is your first taste. But if you've read even part of the series then this is a nice little bit of information. Enjoy your free treat.
July 25, 2015
While "In the Beginning" is a nice prequel to introduce the main character in the "Phoenix Chronicles" series it was just a little too short to provide much insight; however, I am looking forward to reading the first book because I just love police 's no dunnits' with a paranormal twist. Hopefully, I will discover a new great series to follow.
February 1, 2015
This was definitely a SHORT story, but a good one. I enjoy this series and this was just another piece to understanding Elizabeth Phoenix. I wish it had been longer because I was sucked into the story and wanted to read more.
August 7, 2015
Introduction to The Phoenix Chronicles
This was a good introduction to the rest of The Phoenix Chronicles series. I wish it had been available before I had already read the rest of the series. If you like this short story,you will definitely like the series.
This was a good introduction to the rest of The Phoenix Chronicles series. I wish it had been available before I had already read the rest of the series. If you like this short story,you will definitely like the series.
September 4, 2015
This book was pointless. I didnt learn anything about anyone other than the main character was a psychic and i assumed she was an orphan. This book did not do a good job of introducing you to this series.
February 26, 2013
Not a bad little start to her new series.
I look forward to reading the actual stories.
I look forward to reading the actual stories.
June 8, 2015
I so miss the Phoenix Chronicles and this little bit was fantastic, but I felt teased as well!
March 19, 2015
This story has a powerful punch to it regardless of it's size. I kept holding my breath, my recommendation is to breathe. Great short story.
April 1, 2015
short but tells you how Liz lost her partner and left the force.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2015
A good beginning with a sad end. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
September 8, 2015
This was a very very short story, it tells u about how Elizabeth lost his partner. I wish it could have been longer, like how Elizabeth & Jimmy's romance started.
August 15, 2015
Awesome Story!
Love this story! I loved the characters, the action, & the pace of the book. I can't wait for more.
Love this story! I loved the characters, the action, & the pace of the book. I can't wait for more.
February 9, 2016
Wow!
I love this prequel to the series. It shows how Liz became an ex cop and why she has her ways. It was great, but heartbreaking also.
I love this prequel to the series. It shows how Liz became an ex cop and why she has her ways. It was great, but heartbreaking also.
November 11, 2016
Extra 1/2 star
That was much too short.
That was much too short.
October 25, 2010
I love this series and was happy to read this wonderful addition!
October 24, 2014
Short story that really sets the scene for more to come.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews