The Last Beginning - Rachel Firasek

Firstly. Many apologies for this review coming a little late.

The Last Beginning – Rachel Firasek

Published: February 2012 by Entangled Publishing

Format: Ebook

Genre: Fantasy/ Adult/ Romance

Date Finished: 1^st March 2012

Acquired: Net-Galley – Thanks to Entangled Publishing.

Synopsis:

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

Review/ Thoughts:

It’s been a short journey, but it feels much longer and now this wonderful series has come to an end. I was initially sent The Last Beginning to begin with from Net-Galley and the premise excited me to no end. I’d never really read about Phoenixes [apart from Harry Potter] and in an adult novel with romance, well it had be sold. If you have not read my review on the first two books in the series check them out, but here is my review on The Last Beginning.

The Last Rising - Book One

The Last Awakening - Book Two

For those of you who have followed my reviews, you’ll know that I am a big fan of Rachel’s opening chapters; this one was no different and was my favorite of the three. Going back 150 years we get a glimpse into Sadie’s past and the torment Osiris felt to the lengths he went to have Sadie. I wasn’t a huge fan of Sadie’s personality in the previous books, but I did like her honest personality so when it came to Osiris and Sadie’s story I could not be more excited.

Sadie’s story is one that I could resonate with. Through her survival and her unexplained illness sometimes it ached to breath in her emotions while I read The Last Beginning. She is lonely and desperate and yet so strong willed. Fighting her past while gaining perspective on her future she must learn to trust Osiris when no one else can help her. For the most part of this story I felt teary.

The Last Begging definitely had more depth to it and out of all the women I feel as though Sadie had the most to lose, taken from mortality out of selfishness and a reason that Osiris could not deny himself she has suffered and learned and gained so much in the 150 years as a Phoenix and I to me this added so many layers to the story that to be were lacking with the other two stores [not that I did not enjoy those]

There isn’t a great deal I can tell you without spoiling the story and I can certainly recommend this series, as it has been one of my favorite unique adult series that I have ever read. I have had my favorites, Sadie being one of them but Rachel has created lasting memories and experiences which I wish to share through sharing this series with all readers. So take the plunge and check this series out because The Last Beginning was fabulous and I cannot wait to re-read this series at some point in the future.

★★★★.5

Author Interview & Giveaway

Check out my Author Spotlight here to discover the

Curse of the Phoenix Series

With the release of the third book in the Curse of the Phoenix series it brings be great pleasure to introduce you to Rachel as we chat about the series, her recommended reading and her plans for the future.

★★★★★

B - What inspires you about Egyptian Mythology?

R- I'm not really inspired by Egyptian Mythology as much as the sad tale of Osiris and Isis. It's a beautiful story of love, devotion, sacrifice and betrayal. I challenge everyone to look it up.

B- Where did your characters come from? Do you believe in spiritual muses? Higher powered beings that inspire writers and feed their stories through them?

R- I don't write with a muse. I'm pretty sure that I'm just mostly insane with voices in my head. :) No, not really. I think I started choreographing stories at about the age of 4 when my lil' bro became old enough to play without my mom present. I took to directing a "pretend" story like Andrew Lloyd Weber with his Cats or Phantom of the Opera. I'm seriously an orchestrator of the imagination.

B- What advice would you have for writers beginning their journey? Do you keep a writers notebook? Index cards?

R- My advice...hmmm....even when you're struggling and you've received that umpteenth rejection, keep writing. Sometimes my best work comes from my despair. You never know. I keep a writers notebook filled with character cards, descriptions, and sometimes even scenes that I couldn't get right on the computer. :) It's a true mess.

B- How much research went into writing the Curse of the Phoenix series?

R- *ducks head* I actually hate research. So, wiki is my friend and a few other sites. I like to take a mythological story and give a new twist. Especially stories that could have a different ending, like the one I gave Ice and Osiris.

B- Do you have a favorite character and if so why?

R- I thought it was Ice, but after finishing all three books, I think it's Grey. He needs to be a favorite, therefore he is.

B- Where did the idea for the series come from? What made you decide ‘Yes’ this is what I want to write?

R- I was sitting in an airport and the idea for the opening scene in The Last Rising came to mind. After that, I decided that I wanted it to be a paranormal. Went home and flipped a few tarot cards and the phoenix popped up. That led to some research and Osiris's story. :)

B- What are some of your favorite books?

R- Poughkeepsie by Debra Anastasia, The Fifty Shades of Grey series by E L James, All of the L K Hamilton books...hmmm... I read two to three novels a week, so I could go on and on.

B- What are some of the weirdest things that have happened to you while writing the series?

R- On The Last Awakening, I channeled a mobster for Grey about midway through and all of these death threats and gangsta language started pouring out onto the page. That took a lot of rewriting. :)

B- What are your writing plans for the future?

R- I'm currently working on a novella for an anthology with authors Elle Rossi and Berinn Rae. It will be out, hopefully this summer. I'm also working on a large contemporary series and two YA Paranormals, sprinkled in with a few more para romance novellas. :)

B- What other authors would you recommend reading?

R- Any of the above, and Ciara Knight, Inara Scott, Rosalie Lario, Lynn Rush, Jus Accardo, Nicola Marsh, Delilah Devlin, oh, and there's one coming out soon from Tiffany Truitt that everyone should read, even if you're not a huge YA fan. It is so good--Chosen Ones. It's up on Goodreads so add it. :) I could keep going but this interview would keep growing, lol.

Thank you so much for letting me do this.
Hugs Blair xx

★★★★★

Make sure you keep your eye out for my review of The Last Beginning - Coming Soon

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author Spotlight- Rachel Firasek

ABOUT THE BOOKS

The Curse of the Phoenix series is a fantastic, magical and romantic series full of humor, smoldering love and emotion with a little paranormal twist. Today we take a look at the books in the series and get to know a little bit more about Rachel Firasek. Keep your eye out for my interview with the author and a giveaway for the first book in the series - The Last Rising

CURSE OF THE PHOENIX - Book One

Title: The Last Rising
Author: Rachel Firasek
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: Novella
Release Date: September 2011
ePub ISBN: 978-1-937044-28-2
Mobi ISBN: 978-1-937044-29-9

http://www.entangledpublishing.com/the-last-rising/

Book Description:

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.

Excerpt:

“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.”

★★★★★

CURSE OF THE PHOENIX - Book Two

Title: The Last Awakening

(Curse of the Phoenix, #2)
Author: Rachel Firasek
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: Novella
Release Date: December 2011
ISBN: 978-1-937044-44-1

Book 3 coming January 2012!

http://www.entangledpublishing.com/the-last-awakening/

Book Description:

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?

The Last Beginning
CURSE OF THE PHOENIX - Book 3 - by Rachel Firasek

Title: The Last Beginning
Author: Rachel Firasek
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: Novella
Release Date: January 2012
ISBN: 978-1-937044-56-5

Sadie’s days fighting off greedy claim jumpers ended in 1856 when Osiris snatched her from her filthy room and placed her with a trio of phoenixes. After 150 years living a respectable life saving souls, she’s tired of playing by the god’s rules. It’s time the master of manipulation learned her creed: live hard, play for keeps, and never let the enemy see you suffer.
Osiris never imagined the true queen he’s spent two millennia searching for would be a half-pint redhead with a mouth that makes him blush. She needs a gentle hand to breach her defenses, but living with her and keeping his natural arrogance at a simmer proves a challenge worthy of any champion.

While Osiris teaches her the wisdom needed to rule a world with fairness, the irritating god only intensifies Sadie’s belief in her creed, reinforcing the walls that keep her from happiness. If Osiris can’t win her hardened heart, Sadie’s ascension might threaten the world he’s struggled to create.

About the Author:

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.rachelfirasek.com .

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/RachelFirasek

FB: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachel-Firasek/175543929127527