The Last Beginning by Rachel Firasek (Curse Of The Phoenix #3)

Available: Now

Type: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Entangled Publishing

My Copy: Sent -Bewitching Book Tours

Though she’s always hated being a phoenix, Sadie has to admit immortality has its advantages. She’s seen and done more in the last 150 years than she’d ever dreamed of, but she can’t get past the fact that Osiris has done nothing but manipulate her and her fellow phoenixes. Or that, when her last incarnation as a phoenix comes to a fiery end, the fire slowly begins to consume her body.

Sun god Osiris is ashamed of his role as ruler of the Underworld, but unless he can figure out how to save Sadie, that’s exactly where she’s going to end up.

Permanently. Terrified he’s going to lose her, he takes her on a hunt for The Book of the Dead, which is the only way he knows he can save her—even if it means she’ll hate him forever.

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The last of the remaining cursed phoenixes, Sadie, doesn’t understand why Osiris won’t just let her go. In her mind, she has done everything he has asked of her for over a hundred years and yet she is still with him. Still working for him. When her last job results in a sickness of flames roaming her body with the rise of her emotions Sadie knows something is wrong. She is getting weaker and paler with every move she makes. Afraid of hurting someone she goes to Osiris hoping he can help.

Osiris is desperate to help the one woman he damned years ago for no reason. He has to have her. Has to keep her and nothing is going to stand in his way. He’s a God, if anyone can break the rules he should be able to. Osiris has been in love with Sadie a very long time. Now if only she could admit to herself that she’s been in love with him too.

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I have been looking forward to this book since I first read Ice’s story awhile back. I have steadily followed these characters because I love the way in which they are wrote. I love the depth of the characters and the way they just pull me in and keep me ensconced for chapter after chapter.  Osiris, from the beginning was a character I wanted to sink my teeth into. He is guarded and really, unsure of himself though he masks it with superiority and arrogance. Once it comes out that he himself is the fourth phoenix that had been living with Sadie in previous books I knew he must have a thing for her.

The Last Beginning opens with a look back 150 yrs to when he took Sadie from her life and cursed her with the phoenix. He did so in a purely selfish move because she had not sinned and didn’t need to repent for anything. In her mind, she thought she was going to hell already and so Osiris just let her believe as much. The injustice of what he took from her hurt my heart. All because he couldn’t approach her and just give her a choice. Again, surely because he was afraid of what she might say.

When Ice and Arabella become mortal again, leaving only her, she becomes lonely. She spends much of the book confused and scared for what her future holds since she believes she may end up in hell. I really disliked Osiris for using that fear against her to keep her close. Though his dedication I suppose should be commended. Especially when Sadie becomes sick and Osiris doesn’t know why. He becomes obsessed with finding a cure, regardless of Sadie’s wishes.

I enjoyed the fact that they had a intense emotional connection for much of the book. Even if Sadie denied it a lot. They were sensual without trying and when they come together it was almost sweet instead of “wham bam thank you mam”. I did get annoyed with Sadie’s back and forth on every single thing. Does she go with Osiris? Does she stay away? Does she even like him at all? Kiss him then push him away. For a woman as old as she was, she sure acted really young sometimes.

I also felt like this was wrapped up extremely fast. I think I just wanted something a bit longer. It felt so much shorter then the other two books, though I don’t know if it is or not. I felt a bit rushed there in the last few chapters like everything happened way to quickly and was resolved way to easily. The last page or so wasn’t enough for me to feel a happily ever after. Maybe it’s because I liked these characters so much and had looked forward to it since the beginning. Regardless, I think the ending hurt my perception of it just slightly.

 

I give The Last Beginning by Rachel Firasek 3.75 stars!

The Last Awakening by Rachel Firasek (Curse Of The Phoenix #2)

Available: Amazon/B&N

Type: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Entangled Publishing

My Copy: Blog Tour

For three hundred years, Arabella’s life has been one meaningless death after another. In a cruel twist of fate, Osiris–god of the Underworld–gifts the phoenix her mortality and returns her voodoo magic. If she fails to harness her wayward magic and save a man worthy of a second chance, she’ll forfeit her power and her soul–forever.

Ex-soldier Greyson Meadows desperately wants to be freed from the nightmares and guilt that haunt him after the tragedy that brought him and Ari together. Confronted by the waif of a woman who forces him to face his worst fears, he resists, fighting the need to keep his personal demons hidden instead of setting them free.

When Ari becomes the target of her own magical blunder, it’s not just her life in danger, but now the one of the man she loves.

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Ari has been waiting years to be free of her Phoenix but now that it is happening she doesn’t much like the odds. Her last job ended in the horror of dead bodies. All but one. She did her job and saved the soul she was sent after, but he isn’t out of the woods just yet. Greyson was broken long before the near death experience and now he is in danger of sinking into oblivion. Oblivion named alcohol. If sri is to truly save this remarkable man, she will have to use all her tricks. Including letting her heart finally guide her again.

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Oh my goodness, how I loved this novella! Rachel Firasek has a dedicated reader in this girl! I really liked the first novella in this series, The Last Rising, and this one took it a step further and was even better!

The best thing about Rachel’s work is that she blends paranormal aspects with real life believability that I don’t find in many authors. Ari is several hundred years old voodoo priestess who had been sentenced to life as a Phoenix by the God Osiris after a botched attempt to save a ailing person in her village resulted in the death of everyone instead. Her vulnerability was astounding for a woman who is essentially a calling card of death. She has never been able to forgive herself for the accident in her village and even though she saves one soul each time she is reborn, others aren’t so lucky.

Greyson was a really complex character for a novella but I instantly liked him. A war veteran who had lost his unit in a ambush attack, he drowned his sorrows in the bottle. Constantly drinking to ease his pain. Just when he is starting to make a recovery from the pain of his PTSD, he is involved in a incident at the dorner store that leaves him the only survivor….again. He is a guarded character who believes he isn’t worth anyones time or affection. Certainly not worthy of the beautiful Ari.

Both Ari and Greyson has some major baggage. Ari, having been released from her Phoenix, only has a limited time to help Greyson heal from his past. Greyson completely stubborn and not wanting any help to ease his pain. I felt for them. Their conversations felt true and had it not been for the paranormal, completely normal.

I hope the next book stars Osiris…because wow. He is stoic, kinda crabby but in The Last Awakening we also see his softer, caring side. I find myself drawn to every word about him. *Hint hint* I NEED MORE OF HIM!

With each novella I read of Firasek’s, the better they become! I can’t wait for the next one! The Curse Of The Phoenix series is one that I recommend as a must read!

 

I give The Last Awakening by Rachel Firasek 5 stars!

Character Interview’s With Ice and Turner

After paying two millennia’s penance to Osiris, world-weary Phoenix Ice has had enough. Saving souls without any hope for her own redemption isn’t how she imagined spending eternity. Fed up, she decides her next death will be her last. But when she sacrifices her own life for a sexy Texan in a catastrophic plane crash, she has no idea the consequences will be so great…or that she’ll end up back in his life for her next assignment.

Now that Turner Alcott has survived the worst, finding a wife and mother for his son matters more than ever before. When the mysterious Ice comes into his life, Turner knows she’s the one—but love is the last thing Ice wants. If he wants to win her heart, Turner must teach Ice how to forgive herself, and prove that love is the ultimate sacrifice.

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Good morning all! I’ve been talking about Rachel Firasek the last few days. Today I have a couple of character interviews from her novella The Last Rising, Ice and Turner. BTW I totally picked the pictures as I saw Ice and Turner in my head. And hey, any excuse for me to post a picture of a good looking cowboy.  

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Meet Ice from The Last Rising- Interview

What does it feel like to fly?
I don’t really remember. When I shift to the phoenix, I’m usually already dead and the process of reincarnating and wiping my memory has already begun. Every once in a while, I’ll have a dream of flying into the sun and it’s like most fulfilling heat you’ll ever know.

What does it feel like to pass through the portal?
I won’t lie. It hurts. But it’s nothing compared to the pain of losing the man you love or your child. I’ve done both.

When you met Turner did you instantly fall in love?    
*she laughs* Love? No. Lust? Oh, hell yeah! He’s the hottest bit of man-meat I’ve seen in a long time.  And there is just something cute about dimples and a crooked smile. He had both, who could resist.

Would you say you are a modern woman?
I like the modern world.  The conveniences that you people have is great. But, I miss the slower pace of my time. I miss the desert and the Nile. Someday… I’ll go back.

From a 2,000 year old Goddess to the modern woman, do you have advice?
When it comes to men? If you want something don’t b afraid. If he resists, use anything possible to sway him to your way of thinking.

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Meet Turner from The Last Rising- Interview

You travel a lot for you job, how does that affect your relationship with your son?
I won’t lie. It’s hard to keep all of my promises, but I do try. In a few years, I should be able to have enough money stashed to slow down. *he looks down* When we had Brodie, I never really imagined I’d be raising him alone.

Where is your wife, Mr. Alcott?
She left. Couldn’t handle raising a son and she hated being left alone with him when I traveled. I don’t really like talking about her.

I’m sorry about that. Have you found someone else? Are you dating?
I’ve dated. Probably more than my share of women, but I’m ready to settle down again. I’ve found a woman I’m interested in, but I have to convince her to thaw out a little.

When you say you’re ready to settle down, I assume you mean marriage. Is that your goal?
Uh, marriage? I’m not sure about that, but I do want a long term relationship and if it develops into marriage, I’d be happy. I need someone that is okay with Brodie, my son, and the busy lifestyle we live.
So, can you give us a brief description of this woman?
She’s exotic. She has straight black hair, fair skin and the lightest eyes you’ve ever seen—well, at least in real life. She got a good figure, but it’s her scent that lures me. I’ve never smelled anyone who reminded me of momma’s laundry. I know that sounds bad, but it’s the scent of home. Sun dried sheets with a fresh clean scent. So good.

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Alright everyone…so what are you waiting for? Get out there and check this one out! I am eagerly awaiting the second novella now. I know it’s less then a month away, but November seems like so long! *whining*.

The Last Rising by Rachel Firasek- Meet the author and excerpt

Today I would like to introduce you to the author of The last Rising, Rachel Firasek. I recently read her book and posted the review just yesterday (check it out, hint hint) . Rachel has a series of novellas coming out based in part on ancient mythology. I absolutely love that genre in my romance novels. I tend to gravitate toward them actually. There is something so romantic about that time frame. I can’t get enough. Each author puts their own spin on it.

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Rachel Firasek grew up in the south and despite the gentle pace, she harassed life at full steam. Her curiosity about mythology, human nature, and the chemical imbalance we call love led her to writing. Her stories began with macabre war poems and shifted to enchanted fairytales, before she settled on a blending of the two.
Today you’ll find her tucked on a small parcel of land, surrounded by bleating sheep and barking dogs, with her husband and children. She entertains them all with her wacky sense of humor or animated reenactments of bad 80’s dance moves.
She’s intrigued by anything unexplained and seeks the answers to this crazy thing we call life. You can find her where the heart twists the soul and lights the shadows… or at www.rachefirasek.com .

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Excerpt from The Last Rising

“Why is it I can’t get you out of my mind? You say we haven’t met, but my dreams remember you.”

Oh yeah, he’d dreamt of a woman for months now. She resembled his dream woman in so many ways, but he’d never seen his fantasy lover’s face.

She struggled against his clutch. “Mr. Alcott, I assure you we haven’t met. And for your other question, I don’t know why, but you need to release me.”

Why did that quivering bottom lip make him suspect she was lying? Turner rested his forehead against the top of hers and sucked in her scent. “Please, tell me I’m not losing my mind. Tell me you don’t visit me every night and I’ll promise to leave you alone. I just need to know.”

He sounded like a crazy man but she had to tell him. She was the only one who could put a stop to his mind’s constant fantasizing, and this feeling of déjà vu every time he saw her.

Ice wriggled in his arms, her thighs chafing against his slacks. “Mr. Alcott, you need to let me go.” She glanced around his shoulder. “Brodie is probably staring out that glass window and I would hate for him to get the wrong impression.”

She was right. He needed to get ahold of himself, but he didn’t have the strength to walk away. His hands traveled up and over her shoulders, stalling on her neck. Brushing his thumbs against her jaw, he pressed her head back and stared into hard eyes—no emotion. Couldn’t she see the battle he fought?

He teased the corner of her mouth with his thumb and her breathy gasp pleased him. So, she wasn’t completely immune to him. He dropped his head until his mouth hovered over hers.

“Mr. Alcott—”

“Shhh. I just need a taste of the sunshine.”

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Coming Soon- Book Two- The Last Awakening (November 2011)

For three hundred years, Arabella’s life has been one meaningless death after another. In a cruel twist of fate, Osiris gifts the phoenix her mortality and long-gone voodoo magic with a warning that she must save her next soul within a week without using magic, or she’ll lose her power forever.

Ex-soldier Greyson Meadows desperately wants to be freed from the nightmares and guilt that haunt him. Confronted by a waif of a woman who forces him to face the truth about his past, he runs fast and hard, fighting the need to prove himself worthy despite his perceived failures.

When Ari becomes the target of her own magical blunder, the weak will find strength and the strong will fall. One will have to give up everything so the other can have peace, but will love’s magic withstand the loss?

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*click to see full list of participating blogs*

TODAY ONLY (Sept 6, 2011) – If you’d like to win an e-copy of The Last Rising you’re in luck. A combined giveaway is being held between all the participating blogs. 3 copies will be given away at the end of the tour. Please fill out the form HERE

TWITTER Chat with Rachel- 6pm CST or 7pm EST use hashtag #lastrising

The Last Rising by Rachel Firasek (Curse Of The Phoenix #1)

Available: 9/6/2011

Type: Paranormal Romance – Novella

Publisher: Entangled Publishing

My Copy: Sent as part of tour

After paying two millennia’s penance to Osiris, world-weary Phoenix Ice has had enough. Saving souls without any hope for her own redemption isn’t how she imagined spending eternity. Fed up, she decides her next death will be her last. But when she sacrifices her own life for a sexy Texan in a catastrophic plane crash, she has no idea the consequences will be so great…or that she’ll end up back in his life for her next assignment.

Now that Turner Alcott has survived the worst, finding a wife and mother for his son matters more than ever before. When the mysterious Ice comes into his life, Turner knows she’s the one—but love is the last thing Ice wants. If he wants to win her heart, Turner must teach Ice how to forgive herself, and prove that love is the ultimate sacrifice.

As my first Rachel Firasek experience, I would say this was a stunningly good winner! I absolutely adored this novella and will be singing its praises for a long time. As a novella I like to be brought up to speed on back story quickly, given characters I can grow to love in short time spans and a storyline that is engaging as well as gives closure. This novella certainly delivered. I also highly enjoyed the paranormal aspect involving the Phoenix, which has always fascinated me. Mythology as a whole is one of my favorite reads, combined with incredibly sweet love scenes, I was hooked.

The novella centers around Ice, a Phoenix, cursed to die over and over again while saving someone else, someone who has been marked to live. Forced to do this as atonement for a past sin, something she talks to no one about, at the hands of her ex-husband, Osiris. Her last mark, Turner, survived a plane crash as he was supposed to but now Ice is back in his life again. He doesn’t remember much of the fiery crash but he knows his sons new teacher, Ms Nix, is extremely familiar.  He knows how he feels when he’s around her and how much he wants her to fill the void left in his life after Brody’s mom took off. The only problem is, she wants nothing to do with him. Breaking down her resolve becomes a pursuit he can’t ignore.

Ice is harboring major guilt from the death of her family centuries before. She even turned her husband into a God in an attempt to bring him back.Now she is cursed and she longs to be finally set free. To learn whatever lesson she is supposed to and live again.Getting involved with Turner is not in her plans since eventually she will have to leave again, once Osiris finally reveals her new mark.

I enjoyed the interaction between Ice and the rest of the Phoenixs. I thought Rachel effectively set up more novellas for the future in each of them. Ice and Turner were great together with their age old cat and mouse type relationship. I chuckled when Ice resisted him time and time again knowing eventually she would have to crack. Turner chinked at her personal shield continuously along with his son Brody. Brody was just to damn cute. The innocence of his age made me long for Ice to open up her heart to this boy. He was incredibly heart by his mother leaving and the fact that Turner saw that and was trying his best to do right by the boy, made me love them both.

Mythology is a great back drop for romance. Since most people know the basics already it’s such a great place to build upon. You can take stories people already know and add twists and turns wherever you like. I’m the kind of person that when I read about mythology wondered about who they were, what did they do in between these stories the school pounded into my brain. What were they like as individuals. With each new mythology based romance I read, my thirst gets more and more pronounced. I just love them. The Last Rising gave me the Phoenix, which is one of my favorite stories. I was totally enthralled and I can’t wait till I get some more!

I will say there were times as much as I understood Ice’s withdrawal, I wanted to smack her. She kept trying to separate feelings and sex. I thought for someone to who had lived for as long as she had, would know better. I mean, theoretically she had to have seen it played out hundreds of times. Perhaps not with herself, but still, she was constantly around others. I couldn’t understand how she might have missed that.  At least Turner was tenacious. He certainly needed to be.

I give The Last Rising by Rachel Firasek 4 stars