Tuesday, February 17, 2015

BLOG TOUR ~ EMBER by Rachel Van Dyken







SYNOPSIS:

I am a Killer. A Rapist. A Monster.
I know only pain and survival. 
That is until the Cappo's sister walked into my life. 
And changed everything.

She's a light who makes my darkness darker, her smile makes my heart turn to ice, and I can't escape the fear her seductive looks instill--knowing it's only a matter of time before I fail--again, and take her for myself.

This is the story of my redemption. 

But it's not pretty...I died, and now I'm alive, but not living, breathing but not surviving. I am Phoenix De Lange, son to a murdered mob boss, estranged brother, horrible friend, monster in the making, newest leader to one of the most powerful families in the Cosa Nostra.

And I will have my vengeance.

Or die trying.

I am Phoenix De Lange. 

Death is all I know. 

Until she offers me a piece of life--I can't resist taking.





REVIEW:


Three simple letters describe this book… WOW!!   From the embers of an unlikely friendship sparks the story that proves Phoenix can rise from the ashes of his past. With Phoenix, Bee found the chance to live life, rather than just existing by someone else's rules.

I always say Rachel never ceases to amaze me, but with each book in this series, she surpasses my expectations.  I knew going into Ember that it was going to be a tough read… it was Phoenix’s book.  I knew about Phoenix’s past, I knew what he did, what he was capable of and I knew what haunted him. But I never expected to fall in love with his character in this book.

People are entitled to second chances, a chance at redemption.  But with Phoenix, he didn’t believe he was entitled to either because of his past actions.  He feels as though he should suffer… ALONE in life.  Phoenix didn’t think he deserved happiness, he was supposed to live his life in hell.  His heart no longer beat, he was a shell of a human being.  He was punishing himself for all of his wrong doings.  When he was given an assignment, he never imagined that this would be the assignment that would change his life forever. 

In walks Bee, the Cappo’s sister.  Bee is Phoenix’s assignment.  Tex issues two orders… keep her safe and do not touch her.  Two easy things you would think, but that was hardly the case.  These were two things that Phoenix would struggle with.

Bee has had a rough life in Italy.  She has no friends, she has always been alone.  She has no family, other than her brother, Tex.  Even though she has him, she is still alone.  Nobody knows her, nobody has taken the time to get to know her.  Nobody besides Phoenix when he was with her in Italy.  Phoenix is Bee’s only friend.  The only problem is, Phoenix doesn’t have any friends.  He doesn’t allow himself to have friends.  Bee and Phoenix may have a lot more in common than what they think. 

Tempers flare between the two of them.  Sparks definitely fly.  Will a relationship be ignited between the two of them?  Will Phoenix allow himself to be happy?  Will Phoenix let Bee in? Will Bee be able to break down the walls that Phoenix built around him?  When she finds out about his past, will she be able to see past that?  Does Phoenix deserves a second chance at life?  If he is given the opportunity, will he accept it?

Ember is AMAZING!!!  I didn’t think Rachel was going to be able to top Elicit with the intensity, boy was I wrong.  I could not put this book down as I was captivated from the first page.  There are a few twists and turns in this book and a few jaw droppers. 

The rest of the group did not let me down with their wicked sense of humors.  I absolutely adore Chase and was thrilled to get a little more of him.  To see Tex with Phoenix was hysterical.  Karma is a bitch.  He thought it was funny when he tormented Nixon with Mo.  Paybacks are a bitch.  Tex is getting a little dose of his own medicine here.

This is a MUST READ series!!!






EXCERPT:


I wasn’t sure how to act. Wasn’t sure if I should apologize for attacking him or thank him for not laughing in my face. Embarrassed and irritated that he was most likely going to ignore whatever it was between us even if it killed him, I stared hard at the cement floor.
“How are you feeling, little girl?”
“I’m not little.”
“You want me to call you fat?”
“No.” I lifted my head. “Call me gorgeous like you did last night.”
“Well, shit.” Phoenix ran his hands over his face then grabbed my arm and dragged me down the hall into a darkened corner. “You remember?”
“You kissed me.”
“Prove it.”
“What’s wrong with you?” I pushed against his chest. “You like me! Admit it!”
Phoenix made a face. “You were drunk, launched yourself at me, and I caught you. Did we kiss?” His eyes went completely black. “Yeah, we did, but it meant nothing.”
“Really?”
“Really.” He hissed out a breath through his teeth.
“Prove it.”
“What?”
I pushed him against the wall. “Prove it meant nothing. Let me kiss you now, and if it meant nothing it will be like… what? Kissing your sister.”
“I’ve sworn off women.”
“So this should be an easy test then, right?”
“Bee…” Phoenix’s face was pained, as if I was holding a gun to his head rather than offering to kiss him. Was the idea so abhorrent? “Please…” His voice had a pleading tone I’d never heard before. “Don’t do this.”
“One. Little. Test.” I rose up on my tip toes and kissed him full on the mouth.
His lips refused to move against mine.
I wrapped my arms around his neck.
He stiffened even more.
Irritated, I bit his lower lip. He gasped, and I slid my tongue inside his mouth. He pushed me away with a curse then wiped his lips. “Done. Your little test is done. I didn’t respond. Happy now?”
His eyes were furious; the blue flashed like lightning against his skin. His fingertips shook as he made a fist.
“You like me.”
“Bee…” Phoenix pinched the bridge of his nose with his fingertips. “…find someone your own age, someone who’s interested in you in the way you deserve, alright?” His tone was gentle, and maybe that was what hurt the most.
It was like he was letting me down slowly, hoping I didn’t break.
But the joke was on him.
Because I was already broken.
I didn’t want boys my age — I wanted him.
“You’re a good liar.” My eyes narrowed. “And you’re lucky I’m patient.”
“Lucky?” He sputtered out a laugh. “That you like toying with me?”
“No, lucky that even though you constantly push me away…I keep coming back for more. But, Phoenix… everyone’s time eventually runs out.”
“Go to breakfast, Bee.”
“Go to hell, Phoenix.”







Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she's not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.



She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband and their snoring Boxer, Sir Winston Churchill. She loves to hear from readers! You can follow her writing journey at www.rachelvandykenauthor.com






SERIES Buy Links:

Elite:
AMAZON * B&N * iTUNES

Elect:
AMAZON * B&N * iTUNES

Entice:
AMAZON * B&N * iTUNES

Elicit: 
AMAZON * B&N * iTUNES

Bang Bang:
AMAZON * B&N *  iTUNES

Enforce

Ember

B&N * iBOOKS * KOBO




No comments:

Post a Comment