Her exceptional memory was gone. Aspen Kennedy almost died in the explosion that decimated Guardian Security’s Washington D.C. complex. When she woke in the hospital bed, survival was her mantra. But the very thing that made her who she was had been stripped from her. Plunged into the center of the New York Mafia war, she called the only telephone number she could remember and left a message begging for help. Guardian wouldn’t let this happen, that much she did remember.
The assassin known as Phoenix was adrift. Guardian was adapting after the organization was crippled by an almost fatal strike to its heart. Phoenix knew what he had to do. Find the woman who’d uttered his code name when Guardian’s building had collapsed. He’d tracked her to the hospital where she’d been treated, and that’s where her trail disappeared.
She called him for help. Phoenix responded, rising from the ashes of Guardian’s recent war. He headed to New York to incinerate the ones that dared to hurt a Guardian. His Guardian. He was hell on earth personified as the assassin Phoenix. The people who had Aspen were the same ones that had created him.
USA Today and Amazon Bestselling Author, Kris Michaels is the alter ego of a happily married wife and mother. She writes romance, usually with characters from military and law enforcement backgrounds.
Kris was born and raised in South Dakota. She graduated many years ago from a high school class consisting of 13 students (yes that is thirteen, eleven girls and two boys...lucky boys). She joined the military, met her husband, and traveled the world. Today she lives on the Gulf Coast and writes full time.
Kris is an avid people watcher and dreamer. The stories she writes are crafted around the hopes and dreams of a true romantic. She believes love is essential, people are beautiful, and everyone deserves a happy ending.
When she isn't writing Kris enjoys a full life revolving around family, friends, laughing, whiskey, and cold red wine. (Yes cold...don't judge.)
Do you ever read a book that is sooo good it makes you think “how on earth do I write a review that does the book justice?”.
Yep, that’s the problem I have with Phoenix. I love the blend of old Guardian characters, Shadow operators, and a couple of newer operatives as well as finally getting to know Operator Two-Seven-Four!! she’s been in the series for quite a while now and it’s been fun in previous books when the shadow assassins wonder whether she’s AI or not…Well she’s real, alive and in danger.
Phoenix is a continuation of The Siege duet, after rescuing operator two-seven-four from the attack, Phoenix then loses her amongst the emergency crews, as an assassin for guardian, it’s a lonely world, his only constant is the operator he talks to, operator two-seven-four.
I would say this is friends to lovers, they are both in high security positions, their journey to HEA is fraught with danger, tense situations and a suspenseful storyline, they are both dedicated to Guardian but what they find when the come together is completeness and a home.
This story builds to an engrossing fiery completion, however, for Guardian fans who have read the series be prepared for the reemergence of a Guardian enemy!
Another great book of rebuilding lives as well at the organisation. I do like how former/supporting characters have been given bigger roles since The Seige.
Aspin and Phoenix had never met but formed a connection. Their first official meeting was at the start of The Seige. Aspin was injured, and Guardian was brought to its knees. Now Phoenix will stop at nothing to find her, but in finding her, he will have to uncover his and her past. As well as old enemies.
It's a great story as much as I finished like both these characters. The background story of the other Kings and Guardian coming back is great. I would nit mind another crossover to deal with the fallout. Though I think vengeance will take another form. Great continuation of the story and big messages are sent.
I totally addicted to this authors books now, can’t wait to find out where the next one takes me. Tense Romantic Action packed Twist and turns Brilliant plot Fantastic characters Chemistry that’s off the charts
Yowsers! Kris Michaels is really packing a punch... and following through too!
This, once again, set a cracking pace. I love Phoenix and Aspen... they were both great and so strong in their own ways. This almost read too fast for me. I wanted more of them... more of what happened next. Fingers crossed we will get a little more of them with Valkyrie's book... but not until November!!
I was
Sighs... yep, thoroughly exhausted... thoroughly a good read!
No plot spoilers No potential triggers There are no grammatical or editorial errors that I can recall. There are a couple of sex scenes lightly written and plenty of swearing. I have loved Phoenix since first meeting and right from the beginning of the series I have been intrigued by operator 274. The emergence of his character is lovely, such a damaged personality finding the right balance to allow the light into his character. Aspen is well crafted and very likeable. As ever, the characterisation is absolutely perfect. The plotline is engaging, with twists and turns leading in one direction only to be over ridden by the next plot twist. I do have to say that the reader needs to suspend belief in order to obtain the best reading experience, some of the scenarios stretched belief a little too far, not wanting to give any plot spoilers away so not saying anything more on that. The one niggle I have that doesn't give anything away, the issue with NYPD and Jared's unease, isn't resolved. Maybe it will be picked up in the next book. I am looking forward to reading the next release from Kris Michaels and have them all on my wish list. If you are a fan of the genre I have no problem highly recommending the series, but would advise reading from the beginning to obtain the best reading experience.
The kind of Kris Michaels is a site to behold through her books. I have the feels for Phoenix. What he was forced to endure as a child, what he goes through after his sanctioned kills. Aspen is a wonder, the light to his darkness and brings some smiles.
Operator 274 persona is revealed and insight to the Shadow operative known as Phoenix. Aspen has a resolve and strength to her that is necessary to confront the evils that attempt to destroy her. Her touchstone and rock in a storm is Phoenix. Their relationship evolves as they, along with Guardian, execute plans to being down the scumbags who attacked Guardian in the Seige. With brief glimpses into the well being and activities of our beloved Kings and Shadows. And there is a goodbye to someone the Shadows hold dear. That you will need a hankie. Suspenseful story and heartwarming, too. Kris Michaels has gifted us with another exciting adventure into Guardian & Guardian Security Shadow World.
I will be honest, I was disappointed by this one. I was so looking forward to the story of Operator and Phoenix, but it seemed so rushed, and I feel like I didn't really get to know the characters. It was like, yup we talked on the phone, and now we love each other. We do get to see a few of these conversations in flashbacks, but I would have so loved more of their story. I understand this one came after The Siege and there is a lot to sort through and deal with, but I was just dissatisfied. This story is more about Guardian rebuilding than the main characters, and, as previously stated, I was so looking forward to the Operator's story since she has been a figure in so many other books. I still enjoyed the book, but it just was not what I wanted.
I enjoyed the book, but was a bit disappointed in the direction it took. I was really looking forward to this book, but I didn’t love the family dynamic. Would have preferred more focus on them healing together from the building collapse as well as Phoenix’s eating disorder.
Phoenix has risen again after saving Operator 247 from the ashes of Guardian's DC office. She is his anchor and he needs her. She needs him as he has also become her anchor. They come from similar paths only they didn't know that until "The Siege" happened and Aspen disappeared. Secrets are revealed and they will have to fight their families as they work toward a new future together. They prepared for this fight their whole lives. The enemy comes from within. Only the strong will survive.
Phoenix is one of the darker assassins and now we know why. He was created by evil and Guardian saved him. Now, we will stop at nothing to destroy those that made him the assassin that he is. These same people will also try to destroy Aspen, better known as Operator 247.
Ms. Michaels has done it again. Yes, Pheonix is a bit darker than some of the other Shadowes. Phoenix touched my heart though. Ms. Michaels has a way of doing that. Her characters may be dark but they are so much more than their jobs. Aspen, or Operator 247 as she is also known, is amazing and her memory is staggering, but above all, she has risen above her family to become a Guardian.
More than enough twists, turns, and rabbit holes to keep me glued to the pages. Phoenix and Aspen are amazing characters and well I can't wait to read about the next Shadow.
Phoenix is the eighth instalment in the Guardian Security: Shadow World series by Kris Michaels. I couldn't wait to dive into this series - binging my way through this thrilling blend of high-stakes suspense, military precision, and emotional romance. This series is a spin-off from her Kings of Guardian universe, and dives into the covert, dangerous, and morally complex missions of elite operatives working in the shadows where the stakes are high, loyalty is tested, danger is constant, and love often comes at the highest cost. Each book focuses on a different operative, giving us a fresh perspective each time, while also weaving in an overarching sense of camaraderie and found family. The characters are layered - hardened by their pasts and yet still vulnerable in ways that make them relatable. I recommend reading the series from the beginning, reading each book in sequential order for you to be able to fully appreciate the interconnected relationships and evolving team dynamics. Ms. Michaels doesn’t shy away from the darker realities of covert work, but she also infuses hope, resilience, and the healing power of love into her storylines. So, if you enjoy romantic suspense with military and intelligence intrigue, then you will want to dive into this world and experience all the action, passion, and edge of your seat missions for yourself. Happy Reading…
I finished reading Phoenix, Guardian Security, Shadow World Book 8 by Kris Michaels. What an amazing and exciting read!
First of all, how does an assassin fall in love? Usually, he/she does not. But like two ships sailing in their own separate paths in the ocean, they “connect” via the phone, following formal protocols designed to keep each safe. Over the years, the protocols start to fade and blend. Operator 274 becomes “his” guiding light whose bright beacon brings him home safely to “port” in DC. However, “stormy seas” exist after the multi-faceted Siege attacks Guardian in hopes of dismantling it forever. This horrific incident sends the two ships adrift, floating aimlessly away from the other. Operator 274 is whisked away and cannot be found. Phoenix is willing to burn down everything in his path in an attempt to find and save her.
When they do meet, a bombshell awaits them. They have no idea just how their lives are intricately connected… and will lead to a dangerous mission for them both: together. As usual with a Kris Michaels’ novel, you fall in love with the main characters while you hang onto the edge of your seat for all the plot twists and turns. Enjoy the ride!
Those words are music to Phoenix's ears, his Angel has returned to him. Phoenix and Aspen's book begins in The Seige 1 & 2, they are in the building collapse and Phoenix rescues Aspen from the rubble, if you have not read these books it would be wise to do so first as so much of this book refers back to those events. As an assassin Phoenix knows how precious life is, his Angel has saved him on more occasions than he can count, she is far more than a voice at the end of a phone...she is his everything and he will stop at nothing to rescue her, protect her and claim her. Even with her memory loss Aspen knows in her soul she is safe with the giant man watching over her. As her memory returns she realises it is Phoenix, her knight in tarnished armour, her hero, the man with a huge heart, who loves her with everything he is. Phoenix and Aspen are perfect for each other, they have both given up everything to be part of Guardian and right the wrongs of the world, to protect the innocent from the dregs of society and to see them finally find love, happiness and acceptance is perfect!
I really liked this book and can see me reading it again.
Phoenix and Aspen make such a cute couple. They had been talking to each other on the phone for a while when the Siege happened. He found her even though as one of the Guardian operators, he’s not supposed to know her identity. This book has a ton of actions and when it was calm, it was still exciting as we were learning about the bad guys. They are sweet together and have several tender moments. Phoenix is such a bada*s and confident in his ability. I knew nothing would go wrong with Aspen on his watch and if it did, he’d fix it right away. She is no slouch either. She’s very strong and doesn’t get upset by too much, especially his profession. It’s very refreshing.
The plot was very interesting with 2 different mobsters fighting against each other, Phoenix and Aspen going under cover and the search on who supplied the weapons for the Siege. It kept me hooked and reading every word to make sure I didn’t miss anything. We also get a glimpse of Valkyrie and now I can’t wait to read her book.
I always wanted to know how Operator 274 works. And finally we get the story.
This books is set directly after The Siege and they need to be read in order to understand the story line.
Over the years Ms Michaels changed quite a bit how she describes the Shadows, the first books were more lone-wolf guys and I am glad she now moved them to having the Kings and other Shadows at their back.
Phoenix and Aspen are great together, the story is solid and I liked that there was updates on other characters.
His issues with his preferred way of killing and food were confusingly described. It felt like some bits were victim to either editing or the editor didn't spot that there were gaps.
But the unveiling of the actual backer of the attack? Really? I so hoped we would never see them again as they. were one reason. I stopped reading her books. Let's hope it will be solved quicker than last time.
The first book after the Siege and we pick up with Phoenix and an operator. So the operator has been fascinating this whole series and now we know how she has such good recall, voice, etc. Aspen is a great character and I loved how she viewed the world. The strength she had to go against family and then her role at Guardian was a great addition to the series and Shadows. The way Phoenix and Aspen built a relationship is one of my favorites of the series. Along with their relationship and family issues, we see most of the King siblings and many Shadows working to rebuild and find the guilty groups from the attack. Joseph and Jason are back to my favorite King brothers and Jewell my favorite King sister. They, and their skill sets, are epic. Many others are mentioned in passing, but Val got more time as the support and friend. I can’t wait for her HEA and the next story!
Wow. Who would have thought both were heirs to crime families. The vindictiveness, jealousy, greed us all out for show. Who would have thought both saw their parent or parents killed and tortured? Both worked for Guardian. Aspen kept everyone in order as the operatives called in. Everyone thought she and the other operatives were AI. Phoenix was an assassin whose past and methods of fire left a bad taste in his mouth and eating could be a problem. Aspen and Phoenix grew close over phone calls helping him get past his aversions. When the Siege happened, Phoenix rescued Aspen only to haver her disappear. All hell breaks loose as the two crime bosses try to outsmart each other. Stratus again rears its ugly head, Aspen once again is in the hands of her vindictive uncle. Phoenix is on mission to save her and put thus all to rest. Will the Phoenix rise? Guardian is determined to rise from the ashes
I borrowed Phoenix ~ Guardian Security Shadow World ~ Book 8, by Kirs Michaels from the Kindle Unlimited Program.
During the attack on Guardian in Washington DC, Phoenix is in the building and goes to the communication center to help clear the building and finds Amber Kennedy and carries her to safety. She is operator 247 or one of them and has been given permission to talk to Phoenix and they are friends. He turns her over to EMT's and she disappears.
With the help of the management of Guardian he finds her and she has been kidnapped and is being held by her mob-boss uncle. This works into Amber and Shane Welch working together to tak down her uncle (New York crime boss) and Shane's uncle (Boston's crime boss).
Using Amber's memory, lots of luck they find information Guardian needs, become engaged and have an exciting adventure while working under cover with bullets flying and betrayal between both families making another great stroy by Kris Michaels.
Kris sure knows how to bring her characters to life & sucking you into her Guardian world! I just fell in love with Phoenix & Aspen when a part of their story came out in another previous Kris Michaels book called The Siege when Phoenix rescued Aspen & lost track of her whereabouts I always wondered what happened & am grateful their story was revealed in this book. Aspen is just a badass, strong minded woman with an incredible gifted brain & so much compassion for others around her. And Phoenix's story just broke my heart of all he endured as a young child & suffered through as an adult. Overall this book is another great read & well written. And I'd suggest if this is your 1st time reading Kris's book go check out her website to see her reading order for Guardian Series it helps reading her books in that order. Off to get the next book on that list & start reading it next.
Incredible Kris books just keep getting better and better
The story picks up after the aftermath of the Siege. Here we learn how Phoenix, also known as Shane, is looking for operator 274, or as we learn Aspen. During this book we get the back story on both Phoenix and Aspen and boy is it a doozy. Kris has written another one that will have you trying to figure out who are the real bad guys and who is behind all of this to include the hits on the Headquarters and the Ranch. You will love how the romance develops with Phoenix and Aspen. Many of are favorite characters are here to Jason, Joseph, Ethan, Lycos. There is a sad note as we loose a wonderful character but I have a feeling we might finding more about them in later books or maybe not. Will depend on Kris. Altogether another fantastic book in the Guardian world.
Kris Michaels is brilliant! Phoenix was so much better than expected, and I gotta say, I have been dying for this book to come and expected it to be good! It picks up immediately after the Siege as Phoenix is looking for Operator 274, or Aspen, in the aftermath. We get some backstory on them that is crazy, and leads into the rest of the book which is (though I hate to use clichés) absolutely a page-turner and edge of your seat stuff. Basically, expect the unexpected. And some of the rest of Guardian pops in there, along with a bit of foreshadowing to get you excited about what’s coming up next. I’m already ready to read it again!!
Aspen and Phoenix both come from rival mob backgrounds. Aspen's uncle had Phoenix's parents killed and also had her parents killed. Neither new it but as they got closer and discussed family he figured it out. Both hate their families and work together with Guardian to take them down. In doing this, she becomes a target for both his Irish mafia family and her Italian mafia family. Phoenix will protect her at all costs, even if it means his life. How can he find her after he is shot multiple times and she is kidnapped? Will he find her before she is killed by her uncle's men?
The ongoing drama of Guardian continues. Phoenix has finally met the phone operator of the Guardian command. He saved her only for someone to kidnap her from the hospital. Things go crazy when he finds out that her family is involved in the same drama as his. Now Aspen and he are working together to find out who started the siege. And why. Along the way they both have found their own happiness with the other. I won't go into the story much. I don't want to give away the drama. I enjoyed this one and can't wait for the next Guardian book.
Wow, just wow❣️Phoenix is the next story after the Siege is over in DC and the Ranch. However, the one person Phoenix is looking for, he can’t find😢
Aspen is the operator who alerted all Guardian personnel to the Armageddon protocol when they are attacked, but she’s discovered by someone in her past after the attack and they take action😳
A fantastic story that I wish I could have finished quicker but life got in the way🙃 I’m excited to read more about Valkyrie and about her past after the few glimpses we got😍
This book is technically a standalone but to understand everything that is happening and get the maximum of enjoyment from the book, you need to have read at least some of the Guardian series and both Siege parts 1 & 2. In this book we finally find out if operator 274 is real or AI. This is a wonderful addition to the Shadows series, it’s fast paced and exciting. It answers a lot of my questions-Mrs. Henshaw and how exactly operator 274 worked. The ending is explosive and sets us up nicely for Valkyrie’s book. I can’t wait, I’m so excited.
Kris Michaels has done it again! I have read this entire series. Several times! Its a true favorite! She has great characters, fantastic story lines. Believable scenarios. This side of Guardian, The Shadows, are truly needed in this world to give hope to the masses that things will get better. I hope to continue reading books of this Caliber for a long time to come. Thank you Ms. Michaels for doing what you do and making my everyday life just a little more interesting.
I'm a huge fan of the "Good Guys" and Guardian series clicks all my boxes. I was tearing 😢 up within the couple of chapters while waiting at the Tractor dealership. I was laughing at the snarks from Mountain man and how incredibly lonely it can be quietly saving the world without anyone knowing.
I was gifted Jacob from a 2021 signing event & loved it. Kris is amazing and I'm looking forward to reading the series from the beginning.
I thought I was going to be able to take a breath and listen to the lovely dulcet tones of Matt Haynes. Especially after the heart palpitating seige 1 and 2. phoenix seemed to be a softly softly approach a bit on the romance side, until it wasn't. !!! how kris connects these dots through every guardian book is just mind perfection at its best. the suspense just kept building it was awesome. thankyou for another great book brought to life by the wonderful Matt Haynes. 😊 Looking forward to Valkyrie and dare I say Smith!!
I actually stopped reading another book to start reading this one as soon as it was available.
I’ve been looking forward to learning more about the Guardian Operators for a long time. I love that both Phoenix/Shane and Aspen are fierce in their own ways. Kris is an amazing author. The richness of the characters she has developed and the world she has created makes this series and the related series MUST READS for me. I can’t wait for the next one.
I loved everything about this story. Phoenix and Aspen have the most amazing chemistry and truly make a great couple.
When Guardian is attacked Aspen is seriously injured and in desperate need of help. That’s when the assassin Phoenix comes to her rescue. This is definitely a fast paced read with so many twists and turns there’s no way to predict the ending.
Another beautifully written story to add to an incredible series. Can’t wait for more!