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Every dirty, sexy, depraved legend has an origin. This is theirs…

Before they were rock gods, long before the sold-out stadiums and legions of screaming fans, they were just four friends, straight out of high school, about to be thrust into a tainted world that could give them everything they’d ever wanted…or destroy them.

Zen, True, Maddox, and Jericho will all have their fairy tale, happily ever after endings one day. But not today. Not before they get their first taste of stardom…and learn it’s not always as sweet as they’d hoped it would be…


Shadow Phoenix is an erotic prequel novella to the Shadow Phoenix series. But be warned: if you’re not a fan of rock star romance featuring dark language, violent themes, and MM and MMF scenes steamy enough to set your Kindle on fire, this might not be the book (or series) for you. For everyone else…you’re welcome. Download today to spice up your reading life.

128 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2022

514 people are currently reading
792 people want to read

About the author

Heather Ashley

25 books678 followers
Hi! I’m Heather.

It’s great to meet you! I’m a socially-awkward introvert who loves love stories. I’m not awesome at singing or keeping my house clean, but I somehow find the time to obsessively read romance novels. I consider it one of my many talents.

In my opinion, you can never have too many books (or french fries…), messy buns are a girl’s best friend, and I’d probably die without my laptop. If I wasn’t over-committing myself to future stories or procrastinating to meet my deadlines, I’m not quite sure what I’d do with myself.

Be sure to find all sorts of sneak peeks and my more than likely cuss-word filled rantings over on the blog. Oh, and if you’re a fan of getting in the mood to read and connecting to the characters that way, check out the playlists that accompany each story in the “Playlists” tab.

Peace, love, and abs for days.

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5 stars
194 (39%)
4 stars
176 (35%)
3 stars
93 (18%)
2 stars
22 (4%)
1 star
10 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
Profile Image for Michelle Mastandrea.
368 reviews11 followers
September 10, 2020
This is your all access backstage pass for the band Shadow Phoenix! It is a inside glimpse into the lives of Zen, True, Maddox, and Jericho right before Shadow Phoenix breaks out destined for fame and stardom! Ashley lays down the foundations for each character in the series leaving the rest to continue on in their individual books. They are definitely a tight group of brothers who look out for one another. Be prepared for major cocky attitudes, debauchery, and a few more surprises. Fans of this series will be left with a deeper appreciation for the characters by reading this prequel. Now I'm left eagerly anticipating Jericho's story more than ever!This is a fantastic read and hope to see more characters from the series developed into books.
Rock on Shadow Phoenix! 🤘🤘🎸🎸🎶🎶
2,200 reviews5 followers
December 17, 2020
I know the purpose was to introduce each of the band mates before each gets his own book. But so many voices and POV was difficult to follow.
These guys are awfully jaded and world weary and sexually experienced for eighteen. And not all girls are jaded and looking for a meal ticket.
I’ll try the first of the band mates’ book before I give up though.
Profile Image for Heather Hahn.
189 reviews2 followers
October 29, 2020
Great preview for what is to come! This quick read gives a frame of references of where Shadow Phoenix came from- an intro into Zen, True, Maddox and Jericho. Lots of debauchery and steam! Fun read!!
Profile Image for Lindsay.
87 reviews9 followers
September 10, 2020
What was the point?

My biggest pet peeve about this book was that all the band mates POV’s had the exact same voice, it was impossible to tell them apart without looking at the chapter heading or weeding it out by looking at who else was talking in the scene. - Oh, True, Maddox, and Jericho are talking right now? This must be Zen’s POV.

I also thought it was really weird that they didn’t mention what each person’s role in the band was. It wasn’t mentioned until the 60% mark that Zen was the singer. Still don’t know what the rest of them do. Someone mentioned that they had calloused fingers, but I honestly don’t remember who it was because they all sounded and spoke exactly the same and I don’t know if they had callouses from playing base or guitar.

I also HATE it when authors pat themselves on the back for having interesting character OR BAND NAMES by having other characters make comments like “Oh wow! What a cool/badass name!!!” - FYI Shadow Phoenix is not a “cool” name. I wouldn’t have cared that it was a dumb name, but then you had to have one of your characters point out what a cool name for a band it is.... and well.... just 😑

Last complaint, the guys need for revenge over people who had wronged them can across as catty/bitchy and not very masculine. Just the way they talked about it felt very mean girls, and took me out of the story.

After all the bitching, I will say that the writing wasn’t bad - and if it had been one POV or if the different POV’s had felt like different people I think I would have been less annoyed by the other stuff. The sexy scenes were really good, especially the threesome.

I think I went into this thinking it would be a full story, and what I got was a “before they were famous slice of life” type deal. - I might have enjoyed it more if I had read the other books first, maybe? Because there really was no point or character arch for any of the guys, except maybe True (?), and that was frustrating. By the 80% mark I was skimming to get to the end because I was tired of these dudes trying too hard to be tough. - I may check out the next book, but I’m not sure. I feel like there is promise here, but this book left me feeling annoyed.
Profile Image for Kelly McMillan.
341 reviews13 followers
February 23, 2023
So I had already read the Zen, True and Maddox books before this one. I was moving onto Jericho but at the start it stated it would be good to read this first to understand him a little better and I totally understand why now. We have seen snippets of Jericho in the other books and it was kind of implied something messed up happened in his past that made him the silent brooding type.

I’m glad it touched on the struggles they faced early on, especially Maddox with his drug addiction etc. it also picked up on the zen/Maddox threesomes we had heard about in the zen and Maddox books.

I was a bit concerned with True’s story. He obviously had that issue back in high school with the pregnancy trick and so remembering his reaction to Amara and her announcement in his book shocked me, considering this was the second pregnancy he was ‘involved’ in, i now look at that reaction differently to the first time. Maybe it was because it was Amara this time he had a different reaction, I’m not sure.

I’m very interested to read Jericho’s book now because of this novella, I need to see if Kayla messes with his life again. He was my least favourite but now I think there will be some crazy twists and turns in his book. Possibly more bdsm/kinky sex than the last 3 books.

This was a good introduction to the boys but I wish it would tell you to read this first before the whole series

327 reviews
January 11, 2021
Loved the prequel and am interested in reading the series now.
The boys certainly knew how to protect each other and for 18/19 yr olds seem to have some tricks up their sleeve. Maddox certainly tested the water and was an interesting twist on his view about hooking up until sharing Emma with Zen. Zen was more of the initiator in that exchange but it was HOT!. True and Jericho both had really bad things happen which jaded them slightly but it seems they were able to overcome it and finally make it on the road for their first real gig.
All of the guys are steamy, sexy, rock stars with a few twists added in. I hope their individual books add to the mystery but add to the group dynamic throughout. Needs lots of POVs to make the stories and the background just as juicy.

Profile Image for Kathy.
1,506 reviews13 followers
September 21, 2020
Good beginning

This novella is an introduction to the members of Shadow Phoenix. The four guys formed their band in H.S. and are about to hit the big time. Two of the members had some serious issues that were dealt with, curious to see if they come back to bite them later on. Actual rating is 3.5 stars as I have issues believing that 18year olds are that great at sex as these guys appear to be.
1 review
December 28, 2020
Good intro a series

A well written intro to the characters for the next books in the series. This book is all about each character in the band and that they have their own back story that will no doubt be a part each individual's book. Writing style is good, clear and I like that it's 'chatty' but descriptive obviously enough. The smutty scenes are good but there is still a plot/story line. I look forward to now reading Zen's story.
Profile Image for Sharilyn Russell.
984 reviews4 followers
May 26, 2022
Bad

Did not enjoy this book at all. The story of 4 HS boys getting a record desk as graduating. Then 2 girls try to scam two of them, they get revenge. It’s boring, I kept reading thinking this had to get better, but no. Good thing it was only 12 chapters. No need to read any more
721 reviews
September 8, 2020
Just the Beginning

A new rock star series that’s hot and bound to be 5 stars all the way through. Totally hooked with the prequel, and can’t wait to see how the band develops and where the storylines go. Hooked!
Profile Image for Kelchickbooklover.
2,076 reviews67 followers
September 12, 2020
Heather delivers an eye opening story that will throw you for a loop. This book gives you all the dirt on each member of Shadow Phoenix and how they got their beginnings. This is a definite read before you read the rest of the series. I could not put it down.
Profile Image for Jolene Huber.
878 reviews11 followers
October 4, 2020
Getting To Know Shadow Phoenix

This is the prequel of the books to come. I loved how it was with all the members of the band. Not just one. So you get a taste of all the boys and what is going to be in the books to come. Very well done.
70 reviews1 follower
October 13, 2020
Excellent read. Would highly recommend

Was enjoyable to find the back story up front instead of later during a book. You got to know the boys before they become stars. Some mystery’s of course. Looks forward to the individual books
1 review1 follower
December 12, 2020
Great Prequel

I hadn’t read any of the previous Shadow Phoenix stories, so this was definitely a good start to get immersed into their world. Loved it. Will be reading the rest of the series for sure
1,164 reviews6 followers
January 10, 2021
Starting out

4 High School friends start a rock band, they have their bumps along the way to their first big stadium show. Pretty good book although spelling errors were a bit distracting.
Profile Image for Tiara.
93 reviews7 followers
January 17, 2021
Brief easy read sets a story line for coming series. Can be confusing as each chapter is a different male character so takes some concentration to get through. Has some spice and foretells of future depths to dig into as series develops.
Profile Image for Jessica (Novel Confessions Book Blog).
515 reviews10 followers
June 13, 2021
Quick and steamy

A quick, steamy intro into the Shadow Phoenix rockstar world. I loved getting to know each of the guys in the band and seeing their strong bond with each other. I can’t wait to dive into the rest of their books.
1,143 reviews
November 17, 2020
Short story. R. A

Loved it but it was a really fast read. It's a must read. This gets you to know about the guys before they hit it big.
83 reviews1 follower
January 3, 2021
This rockstar band is a bit different from the usual it’s more gritty Zen Jericho Maddock & True really enjoyed this novella going to enjoy reading there individual story’s as well.
360 reviews
January 27, 2021
Looking farward

Looking farward to the rest off they're story brilliant read i enjoyed the taster lets read the rest off i go
Profile Image for Shelly Davis.
Author 10 books16 followers
March 9, 2021
Okay story, didn’t spark my interest to continue though.
Profile Image for Dawn.
1,795 reviews6 followers
March 15, 2021
Good

This was such good short story. This series is freaking awesome and it was great getting a little backstory from before they were famous.
Profile Image for pollymuz.
1,090 reviews
June 1, 2022
Ebook. Entertaining and intriguing of 4 young men totally full of themselves as their band takes off.
Profile Image for Spade Sixx.
197 reviews7 followers
June 29, 2023
🌟: 4/5
🌶️: 3/5

Congrats! You’ve won an exclusive backstage pass to the beginnings of Shadow Phoenix! With this pass, you get to meet all of the boys when they were just beginning Shadow Phoenix in their senior year; you also get to see what mischief they get up to and the circumstances that made them who they are today! This book is packed with misadventures, a little bit of sexiness *wink wink*, and a tell-all of boys becoming men! I enjoyed this book because it really painted the picture of who we meet in the series. In retrospect, I wish I would have read it first because it is so detailed, but it is what it is.

*This pass is redeemable at anytime through Kindle and Kindle Unlimited*
Profile Image for Anabella Shay Xo(RomanceBookWormXoXo).
176 reviews10 followers
April 11, 2023
I really enjoyed this prequel. I can’t wait to read more of the series. Sophie and Kayla are completely awful in this. The guys deserved much better than that. There was drama for sure, but what good book doesn’t have some? I highly recommend this book. It didn’t take me long to read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews

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