Reveiw: The Last Rising by Rachel Firasek

 The Last Rising By Rachel Firasek

Title: The Last Rising (Curse of the Phoenix, Book 1)
Author: Rachel Firasek
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: Novella – 102 pages
Release Date: September 2011
ISBN: 978-1-937044-28-2

Source: Received from the Author

Synopsis:

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.

Lisa’s Thoughts:

The Last Rising grabbed me from the very first chapter and pulled me into a unique story that I really didn’t understand at first but as each paragraph and chapter unfolded  pulled me deeper into the heartbreaking and frustrating life of Phoenix Ice.   I just could not put this book down.  I had to know how Ice’s situation was going to turn out.  The opening of this book she is face with a man on an airplane when she knows it is going to crash and he will be the only survivor.  She dies over and over again saving the souls and yet unable to save her own.  Ice is completely done with this and decides that her next death will be her last and beings to take steps to prepare the other women who travel with her.  In Ice’s next assignment, she is to be a school teacher, something that she know she will have very little patience for.  But she is stunned when she meets the father, Turner, of a young student Brodie, and he seems so familiar.  He feels the same way about her.  Ice is forced to try to keep her distance from Turner because she just wants him too much and knows she can’t have this.  But can these two stay apart is the real question.

Rachel Firasek does an outstanding job with character building for all of the characters in her stories not just the main characters.  I felt like each character from Brodie down to Grey and Sadie, all had their own story that intermingled in with the main story line of Ice and Turner and their ups and downs.  Not only do the character stand up but the locations of the story as well everything from the homes to the workplaces and the plane crash for sure.  They are well defined but for me personally I like to know the names of places and things like that so that would have made me enjoy this book even more.

The other thing that was a huge plus for me in The Last Rising was the heat factor.  There chapters that were just sizzling.  Nothing that was over the top or just too much but a honest situation for two people who should be together and are having trouble letting go what what they think they should do and what they want to do.   Also, a reason why it was so hard to put it down not to mention all of the drama with Ice’s internal debates with herself.

I am excited to know that this is only one of three books in this series.  I am forward to finding out what is next in store from this series.

My Rating:

I rate this 5 penguins – I enjoyed everything from the characters to the story line to the HEAT factor.  Great work!  I am looking forward to more.

About the Author:

Rachel currently resides in the heart of Central Texas with her husband and three children. She’s an active member in the Romance Writers of America, belonging to the Heart of Texas, FF&P, and YA chapters. You’ll also find her surfing the Savvy Authors site daily.

An office manager by day, and an urban fantasy/paranormal romance author by night, you’ll never find her far from her beloved stories.

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

Our Wednesday Selections this week are….

Citadels of the Lost (Annals of Drakis Series #2) by Tracy Hickman: Book Cover David’s Choice:

Citadels of the Lost by Tracy Hickman

Synopsis:

The Rhonas Empire of elves is built upon a thirst for conquest, disdain for other races, and an appetite for hedonistic self-gratification. They have complete control of the Aether — the mystical substance that fuels their magic. One use of this Aether is to compel total obedience of the slaves drawn from the races they have defeated.

But there are legends that tell of a time when humans and other slave races were free and dragons flew the skies. And they speak of a hero who will return to lead an uprising against their masters: a human named Drakis.

When Aer magic, the magic of nature itself, is wielded by Jugar, a captive dwarf, it signals the start of a rebellion straight from legend. In the ensuing chaos, the former warrior-slave Drakis Sha-Timuran, with a small group of slaves, flees for his life and freedom — lured by a melody that conjures visions of dark wings, scales, and fire. Following the melody he alone can hear, Drakis stumbles on the truth behind the legends: the dragons are real!

Can they survive the dangers of this treacherous realm and bring the truth behind the legends to the army of rebellion?

Pregnant Pause by Han Nolan: Book CoverLisa’s Choice:

Pregnant Pause by Han Nolan

Synopsis:

A thought-provoking and courageous new novel by National Book Award winner Han Nolan.

Nobody gets away with telling Eleanor Crowe what to do. But as a pregnant sixteenyear-old, her options are limited: move to Kenya with her missionary parents or marry the baby’s father and work at his family’s summer camp for overweight kids. Despite her initial reluctance to help out, Elly is surprised that she actually enjoys working with the campers. But a tragedy on the very day her baby is born starts a series of events that overwhelms Elly with unexpected emotions and difficult choices. Somehow, she must turn her usual obstinance in a direction that can ensure a future for herself—and for the new life she has created.

What books made it on your waiting on Wednesday list this week?  I would love to find out!  Leave me comment with a link or your books!  Also, be sure to let me know if you are a new follower.  Have a great day! 

It’s Monday What Are You Reading?

It's Monday What Are You Reading?

This great meme is hosted by One Persons Journey Through a World of Books. Each week will share with you the books we are reading, just finished reading and those books we are planning to read this week.

Well, this week I did get more reading in despite VBS 3 nights this week plus other commitments.  I am really hoping that this week will be even better.

Finished:

Boyfriend From Hell by E. Van Lowe: NOOK Book CoverGoing Bovine by Libba Bray: NOOK Book Cover

Boyfriend from Hell by E. Van Lowe – Lisa – Review will be posted tomorrow

Going Bovine by Libba Bray – Lisa – Review coming soon

Currently Reading:

The Magic of Recluce (The Saga of Recluce)

The Magic of Recluce by L.E. Modesitt J.R. – David

The Last Rising by Rachel Firasek

Coming Up Next:

In My Dreams by Cameo Renae: Book Cover

In My Dreams by Cameo Renae

So that is what is going on in my reading work.  It’s Monday What Are You Reading?  I would love to check out your week so be sure to leave me a comment or link.  Also, if you are a new follower please be sure to let me know.