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Firebirds: Angela's Riveting Journey Through Luscious Romance and Rejection
Angela grew up the daughter of parents who had no idea what to do with a wild child—but that didn't stop her from being one. This colorful, romantic and tragic story deftly weaves serious topics like high school bullying, attempted suicide, and young widowhood with the excitement of first lust, the discovery of muscle cars, and a decades-old mystery into a nostalgic tapestry that will appeal to any woman born into Generation X. With an accompanying movie and flavored with heavy doses of time-appropriate music from artists like Prince, KISS, George Michael and Poison, readers will find themselves fully immersed in the story and counting the seconds until the next leg of Angela's Riveting Journey Through Luscious Romance and Rejection. I was inspired to write this series based upon my own true life realizing that I was living things so bizarre and painful on one hand but then other adventures many women only dreamt about and we're probably reading another books. There had to be lessons in there somewhere. I'm inspired from my father who said in his last few days on this earth, "Life in An Interesting Journey" . Cheers to you dad! And my mother always saying "Hitch your wagon to a star, never be afraid to dream". The series Angela's Riveting Journey Through Luscious Romance and Rejection, coming to stores near you. Firebirds is its first release of the series. Enjoy! And you go write your own book!
154 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 24, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 11, 2020
Thanks to the publisher for providing an eARC of Firebirds in exchange for an honest review.
Let me start out by saying that A.J. Ryan is a phenomenal writer. This book felt like she was sitting right next to me, telling me this story. I'm not even part of Gen X and I felt the nostalgic atmosphere seeping through the pages.
That being said, I don't think the aspect of Angela's life focused on here necessitated this story. I was expecting a hard hitting look at teenage issues but everything seemed to take a backdrop to one specific relationship pretty much off the bat. It was a lot of "We had sex" (vague narration to inform us classes and life are still happening) "then we had sex again" (more vague narration) "then we had sex again". This is not a 'sex in books? Gross!' review (if anyone tries to make that point it's wildly invalid. Nothing explicit or graphic happens in this) and I would have the same take if sex was replaced with anything else. This book's first half just felt boring and repetitive.
It does build up momentum again at the end but this just wasn't the book for me.
Let me start out by saying that A.J. Ryan is a phenomenal writer. This book felt like she was sitting right next to me, telling me this story. I'm not even part of Gen X and I felt the nostalgic atmosphere seeping through the pages.
That being said, I don't think the aspect of Angela's life focused on here necessitated this story. I was expecting a hard hitting look at teenage issues but everything seemed to take a backdrop to one specific relationship pretty much off the bat. It was a lot of "We had sex" (vague narration to inform us classes and life are still happening) "then we had sex again" (more vague narration) "then we had sex again". This is not a 'sex in books? Gross!' review (if anyone tries to make that point it's wildly invalid. Nothing explicit or graphic happens in this) and I would have the same take if sex was replaced with anything else. This book's first half just felt boring and repetitive.
It does build up momentum again at the end but this just wasn't the book for me.
August 22, 2020
I received a free electronic ARC of this memoir/romantic novel on July 21, 2020, from Netgalley, A. J. Ryan, and the publisher, BookBaby. I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. Firebirds was a very interesting read, and I can happily recommend this work to friends and family.
Firebirds will have a special appeal to lovers of muscle cars and those who remember the angst and uncertainty of high school love affairs in the 1980s, especially in small towns. Taking place in a wide spot in the road in Oregon mountains where timber is the Employment God, I found the descriptive passages of this lovely country enough to make me wish for a road trip, and I am also grateful that the twenty years between my mid-1960s highschool days and Angelia's saved me from some of this soul searching and bitterness. Not all the tension and animosity, unfortunately, and my children were 1990's high schoolers in a small rice farming community in Texas. Scary even as we lived through it. In retrospect, it could have been a lot worse... And a lot more sexually explicit...
pub date Aug 20, 2020
received July 20, 2020
publisher BookBaby
Reviewed on August 14, 2020, at Goodreads and Netgalley. Reviewed on August 22, 2020, on AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, BookBub, and Kobo. Not available for review on GooglePlay.
Firebirds will have a special appeal to lovers of muscle cars and those who remember the angst and uncertainty of high school love affairs in the 1980s, especially in small towns. Taking place in a wide spot in the road in Oregon mountains where timber is the Employment God, I found the descriptive passages of this lovely country enough to make me wish for a road trip, and I am also grateful that the twenty years between my mid-1960s highschool days and Angelia's saved me from some of this soul searching and bitterness. Not all the tension and animosity, unfortunately, and my children were 1990's high schoolers in a small rice farming community in Texas. Scary even as we lived through it. In retrospect, it could have been a lot worse... And a lot more sexually explicit...
pub date Aug 20, 2020
received July 20, 2020
publisher BookBaby
Reviewed on August 14, 2020, at Goodreads and Netgalley. Reviewed on August 22, 2020, on AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, BookBub, and Kobo. Not available for review on GooglePlay.
August 16, 2020
⚖️⚖️ONE SPELLBINDING RIDE⚖️⚖️
Speechless! Ryan laid this baby out in all its stunning wonder with this blow your mind compelling tale of all the horrors and triumphs leading the way, hooking you from the start and reeling you in for the duration, melding this gem together seamlessly. Observing the harrowing trials and imposing tribulations, alongside the heart pounding twists and startling turns, testing our characters in ways than they could have never anticipated. Disadvantages are heightened and exploited, baring the harsh facts, deep feels and fiery fiascos, shifting this baby into overdrive, slamming it into a frenzy with a life changing culmination. Countenance and perception in layer upon layer that you peel back with each page your drawn into this web so profoundly until everything else ceases to exist. Entwined, combined and tightly woven, exposing the crazy quirks and defying bents, putting our characters through their paces, testing them in ways they could have never imagined. The characters, interactions and charged atmosphere along with relatable qualities and individual traits, adding depth and diversity, transforming into outstanding personalities. The scenes are abundantly descriptive with colorful details that blend and flow, creating a majestic backdrop that's so rich and lively it feels like you can just reach out and touch it. Remarkable job Ryan, thanks for sharing this little jewel with us.
Speechless! Ryan laid this baby out in all its stunning wonder with this blow your mind compelling tale of all the horrors and triumphs leading the way, hooking you from the start and reeling you in for the duration, melding this gem together seamlessly. Observing the harrowing trials and imposing tribulations, alongside the heart pounding twists and startling turns, testing our characters in ways than they could have never anticipated. Disadvantages are heightened and exploited, baring the harsh facts, deep feels and fiery fiascos, shifting this baby into overdrive, slamming it into a frenzy with a life changing culmination. Countenance and perception in layer upon layer that you peel back with each page your drawn into this web so profoundly until everything else ceases to exist. Entwined, combined and tightly woven, exposing the crazy quirks and defying bents, putting our characters through their paces, testing them in ways they could have never imagined. The characters, interactions and charged atmosphere along with relatable qualities and individual traits, adding depth and diversity, transforming into outstanding personalities. The scenes are abundantly descriptive with colorful details that blend and flow, creating a majestic backdrop that's so rich and lively it feels like you can just reach out and touch it. Remarkable job Ryan, thanks for sharing this little jewel with us.
September 19, 2020
Summary
Firebirds: Angela’s Riveting Journey Through Luscious Romance and Rejection is a memoir by A.J. Ryan. The author wrote about her romance life from high school through adulthood, and common social issues that teenagers are experiencing like underage sex and bullying.
Review
It felt like I came across a diary that Angela has written for 27 years of her life: from teenage years through adulthood and middle age. The subtitle says it all – Angela’s Riveting Journey Through Luscious Romance and Rejection. It’s a story that focuses a lot on boys. While she did also discuss her passion about muscle cars and the struggles she encountered in school, the biggest chunk of the book’s content talks about sex and boys.
I like the tone of writing because she uses mainstream music to set the mood and she writes as if she’s right in front of you, telling her wild story about all the men in her life, but while discussing her romantic affairs, she could’ve also delved on more substantial things in life. I didn’t feel an emotional pull towards her tormenting high school experience where she was bullied by her own friends because this was overthrown by her sex escapade with boys. There could’ve been more important things to talk about, like her family, her daughter, or her career.
I’m rating this book 3 out of 5 stars. It’s a very light read that has potential. I think this story will appeal more to the younger generation who loves boys, mainstream music, and muscle cars.
Firebirds: Angela’s Riveting Journey Through Luscious Romance and Rejection is a memoir by A.J. Ryan. The author wrote about her romance life from high school through adulthood, and common social issues that teenagers are experiencing like underage sex and bullying.
Review
It felt like I came across a diary that Angela has written for 27 years of her life: from teenage years through adulthood and middle age. The subtitle says it all – Angela’s Riveting Journey Through Luscious Romance and Rejection. It’s a story that focuses a lot on boys. While she did also discuss her passion about muscle cars and the struggles she encountered in school, the biggest chunk of the book’s content talks about sex and boys.
I like the tone of writing because she uses mainstream music to set the mood and she writes as if she’s right in front of you, telling her wild story about all the men in her life, but while discussing her romantic affairs, she could’ve also delved on more substantial things in life. I didn’t feel an emotional pull towards her tormenting high school experience where she was bullied by her own friends because this was overthrown by her sex escapade with boys. There could’ve been more important things to talk about, like her family, her daughter, or her career.
I’m rating this book 3 out of 5 stars. It’s a very light read that has potential. I think this story will appeal more to the younger generation who loves boys, mainstream music, and muscle cars.
April 11, 2021
When you think of the 80s, you think wild hair, loud pop songs, bright colors, and funky clothes. (Or at least I do, but give me a break, I just know what i've been taught. I'm a 90s baby.) This book fits perfectly in this era. The writing is upbeat, brash, and has so many "yes I went there" moments. AJ Ryan isn't afraid to tell it like it is, even if those details may seem a little bit too much information. Anyone else living through these events would need serious therapy, but Angela takes everything in stride and just keeps rumbling on, much like the various muscle cars that drive the story's plot. I appreciated the continuity conveyed by the cars, as well as the frequent mentions of some of the greatest music ever recorded. I rode the rollercoaster of love with Angela, celebrating her victories and grieving with her through the low moments. I always felt like her and her Native American love weren't done, and my hunch was proven right time and time again. Those two seem made for each other, in a way that just can't be duplicated, even when they've met and married others. I would honestly hate to be the spouses dealing with that. Things were left in such an awkward spot that I need to read the next installment. There's only about three ways this could work out, and two of them seem rather painful. No matter which way things turn out, I know I'm in for an edge-of-your-seat ride!
July 20, 2020
As a Gen Xer, I was really excited to read this book. Described as a “colorful, romantic, and tragic story [that] deftly weaves serious topics like high school bullying, attempted suicide, and young widowhood with the excitement of first lust, the discovery of muscle cars, and a decades-old mystery into a nostalgic tapestry that will appeal to any woman born into Generation X.”
Firebird is a true coming-of-age story told through the eyes of small town, ‘80s high school student, Angela. It is a mix of high school drama, first loves, fast cars, and ‘80s music. While it is part women’s fiction and part YA, I think it is best suited for Gen Xers, who will relish in being transported back to days gone by.
Although it was a quick read, the story, at times, meandered, and I found myself losing interest in the story and characters. For that, I gave Firebird 3.5 stars. Thank you to Netgalley for the providing me an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Firebird is a true coming-of-age story told through the eyes of small town, ‘80s high school student, Angela. It is a mix of high school drama, first loves, fast cars, and ‘80s music. While it is part women’s fiction and part YA, I think it is best suited for Gen Xers, who will relish in being transported back to days gone by.
Although it was a quick read, the story, at times, meandered, and I found myself losing interest in the story and characters. For that, I gave Firebird 3.5 stars. Thank you to Netgalley for the providing me an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
August 21, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. It reminded me of my teen years and my own struggles with young love. It was well written and it holds your heart captive as you ride shotgun through the author's challenges and heartbreaks. I especially loved her appreciation for the muscle cars of the 70s and 80s. I highly recommend taking this book for a test drive.
I recieved an advanced copy with no expectation of review.
I recieved an advanced copy with no expectation of review.
July 15, 2020
Firebirds is an interesting read. It's got a hugely relatable plot that will strike a chord with many readers. It just feels slightly confused, it's not got enough depth to fit in to women fiction, and it' doesn't quite fit in to being a YA, It's like it's stuck in the middle,
February 17, 2021
I got this eARC from Netgalley in exhange for a honest review
DNF 30%
I was just confused? i`ve seen some other reviews mentioning the same thing: it felt like i started in the middle of the book and was just confused of what the heck was going on and try to get to know the characters.
DNF 30%
I was just confused? i`ve seen some other reviews mentioning the same thing: it felt like i started in the middle of the book and was just confused of what the heck was going on and try to get to know the characters.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews