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Flames & Ashes #1
Phoenix
Valentina
When Jaxxon Reginhardt walks into my gym, my rigidly structured existence begins to crumble. He’s a beast of a man, the personification of power, and more beautiful than any man has a right to be. He’s everything I avoid. Everything I fear. Yet, the second I see him, something deep within me roars to life. He makes me want. He sets my body aflame with just a look, and makes me wish I wasn’t a damaged shell no one will ever love.
I don’t have time for men when my whole world is built around self-preservation. But Jaxxon breaks down all of my strategically constructed boundaries like no one ever has.
How can I give into these new cravings, when there is a half-remembered demon from my past waiting for me to fall asleep, preying on my vulnerability?
If he ever knew the truth, he would run, and it would destroy me ...
Jaxxon
The last thing I need in my complicated life is a snarky, frustrating, spitfire of a woman like Valentina Durare. As if that isn’t bad enough, there’s something haunted about her. My head says stay the hell away, but I can’t seem to get on board with that logic.
Something about me scares her. I can feel it. She’s a beautiful enigma I ache to understand.
The closer we get, the more she responds and draws me in. It can’t be me she fears. There must be something else ... Something tied to the scars she refuses to show me.
But I’m stubborn son-of-a-bitch. I want all of her—not half. Because when we touch, nothing less will do but her complete surrender.
I need her to trust me, before her fear destroys us.
When Jaxxon Reginhardt walks into my gym, my rigidly structured existence begins to crumble. He’s a beast of a man, the personification of power, and more beautiful than any man has a right to be. He’s everything I avoid. Everything I fear. Yet, the second I see him, something deep within me roars to life. He makes me want. He sets my body aflame with just a look, and makes me wish I wasn’t a damaged shell no one will ever love.
I don’t have time for men when my whole world is built around self-preservation. But Jaxxon breaks down all of my strategically constructed boundaries like no one ever has.
How can I give into these new cravings, when there is a half-remembered demon from my past waiting for me to fall asleep, preying on my vulnerability?
If he ever knew the truth, he would run, and it would destroy me ...
Jaxxon
The last thing I need in my complicated life is a snarky, frustrating, spitfire of a woman like Valentina Durare. As if that isn’t bad enough, there’s something haunted about her. My head says stay the hell away, but I can’t seem to get on board with that logic.
Something about me scares her. I can feel it. She’s a beautiful enigma I ache to understand.
The closer we get, the more she responds and draws me in. It can’t be me she fears. There must be something else ... Something tied to the scars she refuses to show me.
But I’m stubborn son-of-a-bitch. I want all of her—not half. Because when we touch, nothing less will do but her complete surrender.
I need her to trust me, before her fear destroys us.
496 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 7, 2019
26 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Anthony
2 books25 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
January 18, 2019
Primeiro livro que leio dessa autora e me surpreendi muito.
Com uma narrativa perfeita ela conseguiu captar os sentimentos dos personagens e os conduziu de forma brilhante.
No decorrer do livro me fazia alguns questionamentos como, não mostrou amigos do personagem principal, e algumas outras coisas, mas no contexto entendi, pois ela estava focada em contar a história da personagem principal.
O livro gira em torno de Valentina, mas quem roubou totalmente a cena foi Jaxx na minha opinião. A autora conseguiu personificar um personagem tão real e irreal ao mesmo tempo que me vi muitas vezes suspirando... claro que ele tem seus defeitos, mas a autora o criou e o desenvolveu de uma forma impecável.
Achei que não precisava de continuação, achei o livro perfeito assim. Tomara que não estrague o próximo.
AAAAAAAMEI.
Com uma narrativa perfeita ela conseguiu captar os sentimentos dos personagens e os conduziu de forma brilhante.
No decorrer do livro me fazia alguns questionamentos como, não mostrou amigos do personagem principal, e algumas outras coisas, mas no contexto entendi, pois ela estava focada em contar a história da personagem principal.
O livro gira em torno de Valentina, mas quem roubou totalmente a cena foi Jaxx na minha opinião. A autora conseguiu personificar um personagem tão real e irreal ao mesmo tempo que me vi muitas vezes suspirando... claro que ele tem seus defeitos, mas a autora o criou e o desenvolveu de uma forma impecável.
Achei que não precisava de continuação, achei o livro perfeito assim. Tomara que não estrague o próximo.
AAAAAAAMEI.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2019
This one was difficult.
Liked the H but he at the beginning was being typical man whore material but he got better and turn out to be great!
The h was so hot and cold that sometimes it looked like I was reading another book.
She goes from someone strong and put together to a nerve wreaking mess in a,snap of fingers.
The story basically revolve around her not trust him and open to him. She is in terapy for years and still.
Its predictable from beginning that they were connected some how with the german phrases.
Liked the H but he at the beginning was being typical man whore material but he got better and turn out to be great!
The h was so hot and cold that sometimes it looked like I was reading another book.
She goes from someone strong and put together to a nerve wreaking mess in a,snap of fingers.
The story basically revolve around her not trust him and open to him. She is in terapy for years and still.
Its predictable from beginning that they were connected some how with the german phrases.
February 12, 2019
I am kind of angry because I was so immersed into this book and I got to the end and it wasn’t the end ! It was a cliffhanger . So I loved Valentina and she had a terrible past. Jaxxon was such a good alpha hero . He was a divorced father of two and always put his kids first and Valentina encouraged it . Jaxxon even treated his ex wife respectfully and there was no ex drama. It was a refreshing story and from page one I couldn’t turn away. The cliffhanger was not something I saw coming and now part two isn’t out yet . I feel like crying . I recommend this book but if I had it to do all over again I would wait until the next book was out . That’s how much I loved it .
March 30, 2022
Amazing characters.
Jaxx and Valentina are wonderfully written characters. This story was good. Her traumatic past and the struggles in life be cause of it. Jaxx is such a strong male role. His character was the perfect balance to bring them together.
Jaxx and Valentina are wonderfully written characters. This story was good. Her traumatic past and the struggles in life be cause of it. Jaxx is such a strong male role. His character was the perfect balance to bring them together.
January 31, 2019
This book is A-MA-ZING
I got frustrated because I couldn't spend time reading as much as I wanted!
Jaxx is a hell of a man!
Valentina, what a heroine! =D
Get it, read it!
NOW
I got frustrated because I couldn't spend time reading as much as I wanted!
Jaxx is a hell of a man!
Valentina, what a heroine! =D
Get it, read it!
NOW
April 3, 2019
Very interesting
First time reading this author. This book dealt with some pretty serious issues that were handled with care. Interesting storyline and characters. It does end on a cliffhanger.
First time reading this author. This book dealt with some pretty serious issues that were handled with care. Interesting storyline and characters. It does end on a cliffhanger.
January 8, 2019
Phoenix by Carolyn Anthony was an Excellent Raw Read, With Heart! The power of the characters development was an emotional rollercoaster! Just Wow! I will definitely be looking for more from this Author!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 7, 2019
This book was just amazing. Well written, story line was unforgettable and it was a "I could not put it down" book. Loved it. Can't wait for more of this author
Received from Booksprout
Received from Booksprout
December 30, 2018
I became addicted to the main characters, Valentina and Jaxxon, pretty quickly. I couldn't put the book down and needed to see how it ended. I will warn there is some dark subject matter in the book. It was not disturbing but actually made you want to see things through to then and how Valentina pushes through. Definitely worth a good read :)
January 2, 2019
From the very first chapter of this book, the author managed to draw me in and I had a NEED to know what happened as well as what would happen next.
I don’t want to give away any spoilers but I can say that this book is very emotional and does carry a warning trigger as the heroine, Valentina, has flashbacks / memories of a traumatic past. The hero, Jaxx, is every woman’s dream man (or at least mine) but nothing too OTT as his character is still very believable and has his own flaws and past.
Written from a dual pov, there was no part of this book that I did not love, from the scorching hot sex scenes that had me panting, to the emotional ones where I felt my heart was being ripped out (yep, it made me cry). That said, there is also a bit of humour at times, which I appreciated, as it allowed me to just take a break and breathe for a moment.
To sum up, Phoenix is a compelling story with strong characters but each with their own weaknesses, it is extremely well written and has scenes that simply take your breath away. It is everything that would make me recommend a book to readers who love having “all the feels” when reading a book.
I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest review.
I don’t want to give away any spoilers but I can say that this book is very emotional and does carry a warning trigger as the heroine, Valentina, has flashbacks / memories of a traumatic past. The hero, Jaxx, is every woman’s dream man (or at least mine) but nothing too OTT as his character is still very believable and has his own flaws and past.
Written from a dual pov, there was no part of this book that I did not love, from the scorching hot sex scenes that had me panting, to the emotional ones where I felt my heart was being ripped out (yep, it made me cry). That said, there is also a bit of humour at times, which I appreciated, as it allowed me to just take a break and breathe for a moment.
To sum up, Phoenix is a compelling story with strong characters but each with their own weaknesses, it is extremely well written and has scenes that simply take your breath away. It is everything that would make me recommend a book to readers who love having “all the feels” when reading a book.
I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest review.
June 18, 2019
This book managed to grab and hold on to my attention immediately and made it nearly impossible to finish quicker than I did. Valentina, the lead character, was a character whose rough exterior, commitment to work and self-placed pressure was something that I see in myself and other people I love and admire. The author greatly shows her ability to push herself and experience new aspects of her life in an authentic and relate-able manner.
Jaxxon comes off as a realistic divorced dad, whose commitment to his kids, faith and value shown towards his family, and his friendly relationship with his ex-wife is believable and honest.
Throughout the book, as more details about Valentina's life are uncovered, my admiration and love for both characters just grew. The author does put in a trigger warning, which as someone who suffers from PTSD and anxiety, I greatly appreciated.
I cannot wait for what comes in the next book. These two are just perfect together, and I am very impatiently waiting!!
Jaxxon comes off as a realistic divorced dad, whose commitment to his kids, faith and value shown towards his family, and his friendly relationship with his ex-wife is believable and honest.
Throughout the book, as more details about Valentina's life are uncovered, my admiration and love for both characters just grew. The author does put in a trigger warning, which as someone who suffers from PTSD and anxiety, I greatly appreciated.
I cannot wait for what comes in the next book. These two are just perfect together, and I am very impatiently waiting!!
January 22, 2019
This book is dark and light. Toni has a terrible past that left her scarred in more ways than one. From the very first page I was hooked and throughout the book I wondered what had happened. She is traumatized and doesn’t trust people. She meets Jaxxon at the gym who could very well be the next Fabio in looks but he is the perfect man, understanding, funny and sexy as all get out. The story is quite emotional, a bit of a roller coaster but the writer does it wonderfully. This is my first book from Ms Carolyn but it won’t be the last.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 12, 2019
Holy Sh*t this book was intense and I loved every minute of it. This book drew me in so much I was sneaking off every chance I got to read just a little bit of it. This book is Gritty and dark and deals with intense issues, but even with all that it is a romance, a love story and a story of strength.
Traumatized by a dark past Valentina's one goal in life is to survive. Living in the shadow of her past Valentina craves order and strength, she is unwilling to trust and open her heart or life to anyone but a few very select friends. Jaxxon Reginhardt has no interest at all in falling in love or going beyond a single date with any woman. One glance, one touch has Valentina and Jaxxson rethinking everything they believe in. It's as if they were destined to meet. Phoenix is a book that gets under your skin and makes you crave it even after you have long since read the book.
I loved this book and can not wait to read the next one !
Traumatized by a dark past Valentina's one goal in life is to survive. Living in the shadow of her past Valentina craves order and strength, she is unwilling to trust and open her heart or life to anyone but a few very select friends. Jaxxon Reginhardt has no interest at all in falling in love or going beyond a single date with any woman. One glance, one touch has Valentina and Jaxxson rethinking everything they believe in. It's as if they were destined to meet. Phoenix is a book that gets under your skin and makes you crave it even after you have long since read the book.
I loved this book and can not wait to read the next one !
February 22, 2019
This book was really good. The characterizations were spot on and lovely. The story was emotional and heartfelt and REAL. I really loved this story...
BUT
The last 3 pages completely changed the whole characterization of one of the characters and now this book is having a sequel. That was truly disappointing. This book ended well and the story was wrapped, why push for a second part with a weak line...I just don't understand these authors sometimes.
BUT
The last 3 pages completely changed the whole characterization of one of the characters and now this book is having a sequel. That was truly disappointing. This book ended well and the story was wrapped, why push for a second part with a weak line...I just don't understand these authors sometimes.
April 23, 2019
Twisted
This was one gut wrenching book but because of Valentina’s sheer determination to try and be normal it ended up being one of the best books with an actual story line that could’ve really happened. Jaxxon was the greatest leading man and made this an absolute HEA. His sheer love and grit to never give up, especially on Valentina makes your heart swoon. Such a well written book and I can’t wait for the next.
This was one gut wrenching book but because of Valentina’s sheer determination to try and be normal it ended up being one of the best books with an actual story line that could’ve really happened. Jaxxon was the greatest leading man and made this an absolute HEA. His sheer love and grit to never give up, especially on Valentina makes your heart swoon. Such a well written book and I can’t wait for the next.
January 15, 2019
My heart broke and I cried. This was such a good story. The flashbacks, the pain, the insecurities, the a**hole ex. I loved the humorous parts, the wild and screaming hot sex, the cougar aspect, the overwhelming love of this story. I can't wait for more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 16, 2019
Wow this was a fantastic read, Jaxxon and Valentina's story will suck you in from start to finish and takes you on an emotional rollercoaster, the characters were well developed and the storyline flowed smoothly I definitely recommend reading you won't be disappointed
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers of this book
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers of this book
January 22, 2019
This is a super hot but emotional roller coaster of a read! Beware, it is dark and may be a trigger for some. Also, it does end in a heck of a cliffhanger. I enjoyed this story for the most part. The chemistry between the characters is off the charts. Jaxxon and Valentina's story is very captivating I just hate the cliffhanger. I do look forward to reading "Guardian".
March 21, 2019
Jaxx and Valentina are fabulous!
This a new author to me, but you better believe she will be a one-click from now on! The depth of feeling, the real fears and insecurities are top notch. The harrowing story, told in fits and spurts until later in the book, is horrific. The amount of courage and STRENGTH in just living is phenomenal. Well done, and anxious for part two!
This a new author to me, but you better believe she will be a one-click from now on! The depth of feeling, the real fears and insecurities are top notch. The harrowing story, told in fits and spurts until later in the book, is horrific. The amount of courage and STRENGTH in just living is phenomenal. Well done, and anxious for part two!
February 22, 2022
Jaxx is a hot divorced dad devoted to his kids and overall great guy. Valentina is great chracter who is wary and does not trust easily due to some traumatic experience. They met at a gym and i enjoyed reading their journey. They have great chemistry and i cannot wait to see where the story goes next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 22, 2019
Valentina has a troubled past and doesn't trust anyone. She meets Jaxxon at the gym and feels a connection to him. Jaxxon has his own problems. These two were a great couple and I really enjoyed this story. A good read.
I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am leaving a review.
I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am leaving a review.
February 20, 2019
This is a dark and fascinating book. It was really well written and emotionally gut-wrenching. I loved it and I could not put it down. I would recommend this book to all!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 10, 2019
Silly terms of endearment weaken a book they do.
January 10, 2019
This is the first of Carolyn's books I've had the pleasure to read and review. I can't wait to read more. I so loved reading this book. String characters and a great story line.
January 12, 2019
You immediately fall into the book and do not want to leave. You will laugh, cry and be on the edge of your seat throughout this book. I cannot wait to see what will happen in the next book. The ins and outs of this book will make you reevaluate how you act towards your own love ones.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 12, 2019
5 stars!
March 4, 2019
Loved Jaxx & Valentina's story. It was so raw & sexy. I'm voluntarily leaving an honest review for a copy of the book.
March 13, 2019
Five stars!!!
I loved this story!! The way Jaxxon was able to show Valentina she was loveable, beautiful, and could trust was beautiful. I also loved the steamy sex scenes.
I loved this story!! The way Jaxxon was able to show Valentina she was loveable, beautiful, and could trust was beautiful. I also loved the steamy sex scenes.
January 20, 2019
This book was well written with a story line that was unforgettable. The characters and world building are well developed and fit perfectly together.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews