4.5

Book source ~ NetGalley

Cassie Armstrong is trying to make up for what her father has done to humans and paranormals. The experiments he’s done, the people he’s kidnapped, the torture and death. And let’s not forget the sadistic experiments on his own children, Cassie and her brother. Man, what a douchebag. Anyway, he’s dead and she needs to find Dante. The oldest phoenix shifter she’s ever known. She needs his help, but since his escape from the prison called Genesis he’s been hard to get to and when she does, he dies, burns, rises, and loses his memory. So Cassie has to start all over again. It’s such a bummer. Especially since he doesn’t remember her and she loves him.

Dante is old. Very old. And he’s been imprisoned at Genesis for nearly all of Cassie’s lifetime. Problem is when he dies, burns, and rises he doesn’t remember his past. It usually comes back, but he’s powerful and not too worried about it. Until she comes along. Cassie. She seems familiar, but before he can decide if she is the enemy, men are trying to capture them both. He never runs from trouble but she begs him to, so they run. But trouble follows.

Ok, so Dante is pretty unlikeable. But he has his reasons. One redeeming quality is he doesn’t have any desire to hurt Cassie. Which is a good thing. Cassie is a bit of a bleeding heart, but not too much so. It does lead her back into trouble which Dante doesn’t understand. They have a lot of issues to work out and they have to do it on the fly. Because, you know, bad guys chasing them. This story has a great world and characters and a decent plot. Ending seemed a bit much, but it’ll do. I enjoyed it. ( )

Once again, I fangirled out on a Cynthia Eden book. Playing with Fire was the last book in the Phoenix trilogy, though so many stories are left untold. (There are secondary characters I wondered about, particularly the friend who got juiced into a super werewolf.) I hope Cynthia writes a novella to wrap up his story. I really liked the Phoenix characters and didn't see the twist coming at all. Like all her other books, I'd highly recommend reading this one, but start with the first book in the trilogy. You won't regret it. Time well spent. :) ( )

This was the first time I've delved into the Phoenix Fire series and I can see, (after reading Cynthia Edens fantastic novel Playing with Fire) that I've been missing out. The story is a stand alone and this one is #3 and I have a couple of books still to enjoy to catch up on the series which I'm really looking forward too. And aIso hope to see a #4.
In this story the two main characters have problems, Cassie has spent most of her youth being experimented on by her father and brother. She is now trying to help the paranormals that were also damaged by her family.
Dante is a Phoenix, she believes that he could help her in her quest. But he has problems, he has no memory and can't remember their previous meetings.
The romance in this story is slow to begin but the passion heats up the pages when it does, it's hot.
The plot is very well written with lots of action and suspense. With a loverly romance intertwined what more could you ask for. ( )

I receives this book for free as part of a first reads promotion ( )