Blaze (Phoenix Rising, #2)

Aug 30, 2012 Visionary rated it 5 of 5 stars

Book Two in the Pheonix Rising series, second book from her debut novel Fever.

Really like how Joan started the book with Keira. We heard "of" the woman in Fever. Mostly her past relationship with Luke. So this was a really good way for us readers to get a good introduction to her character and person. What drives her. Etc

Luke played a vital role in the end of Fever, so we readers are already well acquianted with him. Enough to have formed an opinion going in.

Not so with Keira. Mostly what...more

2 likes · like · see review

May 13, 2013 Julie Barrett rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Blaze by Joan Swan
Keira is in shock when she learns Luke is on her team that is rescuing the little boy from the complex.
This book starts out strong and action packed fast-I felt like I was part of a team six seal team or it's equivalent.
The mission is aborted but she goes forward as there are many children ...
Tony her boyfriend is not who he seems. She also reads minds without talking-it works with some people, Luke for one.
Just when the hospital has cleared them she is abducted along with the...more

like · see review

Jan 26, 2013 Michelle novelsontherun rated it 4 of 5 stars

BOOK REVIEW by Michelle 17TH JANUARY 2013 :

RATING: 4.75 HOT! INTELLIGENT CHARACTERS!!

I absolutely Blaaazzed through this book, I didn’t want it to end.

Woot!!

Joan just knows how to write intelligent, exciting, smexi characters. Nothing is forced. I can’t even say who my overall fave guy is in this series thus far.

I love the women as well.

Keira is just a smart, kickass, yet vulnerable character. She is a sniper. The best. When she and Luke are teaming it, they are just so good to read. He knows...more

like · see review

Jan 06, 2013 Booklover, Indianapolis rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: best-read-in-2013, liked-more-than-i-thought-i-would, romantic-suspense, read-in-2013

(Jan) 4.5* Ok, so the first book in this series Fever -had some flaws - it took me a while to get into it, there were definitely parts that could be left out, story had a lot of unexplained parts that left me wondeirng "what?!", etc. - I liked it enough and was intrigued enough by the supporting cast to want to read the next in the series. I'm so glad I did. I loved this book! While the first chapter or two were a bit confusing, once I got into the story I was hooked and had a hard time putting...more

like · see review

Jan 29, 2013 May Mostly Romance rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal, contemporary

เราค่อนข้างชอบเล่มแรกในชุดนะคะ แต่พอมาเล่มสองกลับรู้สึกเฉย ๆ ขนาดที่หยิบมาอ่านแล้วรอบนึง แต่ก็วางลงไป เพราะไม่รู้สึกอินไปกับเนื้อเรื่อง เพิ่งมาอ่านจบก็ต้องรอเวลาผ่านไปหลายเดือน

เล่มนี้ไม่ได้แย่ หรือเลวร้ายนะคะ จริง ๆ แล้วเล่มนี้ถือว่า พล็อตในส่วนพารานอมอลดูมีความเกี่ยวพันกับเหตุการณ์ที่เกิดขึ้นในเรื่องมากขึ้น (หลังจากที่คิดว่า มันเป็นส่วนที่ถูกเติมเข้าไปในเล่มแรก) ช่วงครึ่งเล่มแรกถือว่า อ่านได้สนุกน่าติดตามเลยล่ะ

จนกระทั่งภูมิต้านทานนางเอกงี่เง่าเริ่มไม่ทำงาน เราก็เลยเริ่มทนนางเอกในเรื่องไม่ค่อยไ...more เราค่อนข้างชอบเล่มแรกในชุดนะคะ แต่พอมาเล่มสองกลับรู้สึกเฉย ๆ ขนาดที่หยิบมาอ่านแล้วรอบนึง แต่ก็วางลงไป เพราะไม่รู้สึกอินไปกับเนื้อเรื่อง เพิ่งมาอ่านจบก็ต้องรอเวลาผ่านไปหลายเดือน

เล่มนี้ไม่ได้แย่ หรือเลวร้ายนะคะ จริง ๆ แล้วเล่มนี้ถือว่า พล็อตในส่วนพารานอมอลดูมีความเกี่ยวพันกับเหตุการณ์ที่เกิดขึ้นในเรื่องมากขึ้น (หลังจากที่คิดว่า มันเป็นส่วนที่ถูกเติมเข้าไปในเล่มแรก) ช่วงครึ่งเล่มแรกถือว่า อ่านได้สนุกน่าติดตามเลยล่ะ

จนกระทั่งภูมิต้านทานนางเอกงี่เง่าเริ่มไม่ทำงาน เราก็เลยเริ่มทนนางเอกในเรื่องไม่ค่อยได้ เพิ่มขึ้น เพิ่มขึ้น จนถึงท้ายเรื่องเราก็เหลือทนกับผู้หญิงคนนี้มาก

เรื่องราวความรักเก่าแต่หนหลังที่ทั้งลุคและเคียราไม่เคยลืมเลือนกันและกันเลย แต่ความรักไม่เพียงพอ (นี่เป็นคำพูดของนางเอก) ทำให้เคียราเดินออกจากชีวิตของลุค ก่อนที่ทั้งคู่จะถูกบีบด้วยสถานการณ์ให้มาทำงานร่วมกันอีกครั้ง

เราเบื่อหน่าย และรำคาญไปกับประเด็นในใจของเคียราอย่างยิ่ง สิ่งที่เธอบอกว่า เป็นอุปสรรคสำคัญในความรักของทั้งสอง การไม่อยากมีลูกของเคียรา ทำให้เธอเลือกที่จะออกจากชีวิตของลุค เพราะเขาอยากมีลูก

คือถ้าเหตุผลของเธอที่ไม่อยากมีลูก เพราะเธอไม่อยากมี (คนบางคนก็ไม่อยากมีลูก) เราคงจะให้อภัยคาแร็คเตอร์ของนางเอกได้มากกว่านี้ แต่เคียราคร่ำครวญเกือบจะตลอดเวลาว่า เธอไม่อยากมีห่วง กลัวว่ามีลูกแล้ว ลูกจะถูกทำร้าย ได้รับอันตราย เหมือนอย่างที่ตัวเองเคยโดนมาในอดีต แต่เรื่องก็ไม่ได้เน้นในส่วนที่เคียราโดนทำร้ายในอดีตจนเราเห็นภาพชัดเจนว่า มันน่ากลัวเสียจนเธอไม่ต้องการมีลูก เพราะเราไม่เข้าใจความกลัวของเธอ คือทำไมต้องกลัวมีลูก เขียนเป็นว่า กลัวมีความรักจะดีกว่าไหม เพราะถ้ารัก ก็เป็นห่วง มันยังอธิบายได้ดีกว่า แต่นี่คุณเธอบอกว่า ความรักไม่เพียงพอ

ไม่เพียงพอสำหรับอะไร

เซ็ง รำคาญ เบื่อหน่ายนางเอกเพิ่มขึ้นไปตามจำนวนหน้าที่เพิ่มขึ้น และเห็นว่า เธอเห็นแก่ตัวอย่างยิ่ง โดยเฉพาะเมื่อพระเอกก็แสดงออกชัดเจนว่า จะตามใจสาวเจ้าทุกอย่าง แต่คุณเธอก็พูดคำเดียว ความรักไม่เพียงพอ

ในส่วนของพล็อตเล่มนี้เริ่มเล่าเกี่ยวกับองค์การลับที่เกี่ยวข้องกับการทดลองที่ผิดพลาด (ซึ่งทำให้กลุ่มนักดับเพลิงเจ็ดคน กลายเป็นยอดมนุษย์) ซึ่งจุดนี้น่าสนใจมากขึ้นกว่าเล่มแรก ซึ่งสั้นห้วนเกินไปเล็กน้อยสำหรับบทสรุป

เช่นเดียวกับเล่มแรกที่เรากรี๊ดคาแร็คเตอร์อื่นมากกว่าพระเอกนางเอก (อยากอ่านเรื่องของมิทช์มาก)

คะแนนที่ 63(less)

like · see review

Oct 10, 2012 Maggie rated it 4 of 5 stars

In this story the romance came in secondary to the exceptional good plot that started in "FEVER." the first book in this series.
Keira O'Shay and Luke Ransom were part of the team of firefighters that where exposed to chemical radiation five years ago at a warehouse fire, that left them all with different paranormal abilities. These two were also lovers until three years prior to present day, Keira left Luke to join the FBI academy where she became a sharpshooter for the SWAT team. Luke has only...more In this story the romance came in secondary to the exceptional good plot that started in "FEVER." the first book in this series.
Keira O'Shay and Luke Ransom were part of the team of firefighters that where exposed to chemical radiation five years ago at a warehouse fire, that left them all with different paranormal abilities. These two were also lovers until three years prior to present day, Keira left Luke to join the FBI academy where she became a sharpshooter for the SWAT team. Luke has only been an ATF Agent for about a year, when their paths cross trying to save and rescue children that are kept prisoners by a supposedly religious cult.

At the end of "FEVER," the mention of allegations about D,A.R.P.A. doing military scientific research gave you a hint at what to expect in this story, but I wasn't prepared to read about children being used in that research. Five year old Mateo is one of these children that Keira has been trying to find for the past year. She is drawn to this child and feels a close connection to him, that she can't understand? She has never been able to completely embraced a child with love till now, because of what happened in her youth. This was why she left Luke, who had hoped to have a family with her. In a way he feels betrayed by her.

The plot here like first book was gripping and when it came to the thought of what was going on inside these secret compounds,it sent chills down my spine especially when you think of children. The team working together and helping each other, really showed them as a family unit. And of course they have the help of resourceful attorney Mitch Foster, known as the Shark. There is so much to like about this guy, who is sure to get his own story. We meet them all here except for one, Jessica. They are twists here that hit Keira with a shocking surprise and on even bigger one for the whole team.
I haven't mentioned here any thing about the paranormal abilities Luke and Keira have, as I figured enough reviewers would do that.To me the complete story in the first book was better then this one. I know Keira had a traumatic pass and Luke has suffered his own pain, but the continuous changing of minds, especially when it came to Keira started to really annoy me. I couldn't feel this over whelming love between them, instead it left me feeling unconvinced that they could every be really happy. Of course this being fiction, its easy enough to prove me wrong on that theory.

Because this series is very captivating and has its own uniqueness with the paranormal angel, I look forward to the next book, in which the family unit has now expanded with a new member to help them uncover and stop what D.A.R.P.A. are up to next. Joan knows how to hook you in to getting the next book, with the revelation of a shocking discovery for the team and a questionable key?
(less)

like · see review

Aug 01, 2012 Vanessa theJeepDiva rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, suspense, romance, request

Blaze is one hell of a fast paced book that never slows down. From the very first page readers are dropped into an intense action scene, from there the action just keeps on. Keira is an amazing heroine to read. She is one tough chick. Her life has forced her to become this resilient woman. She had a very rough childhood, and then her adult life threw abilities at her that she never asked for and came with shadows and constant followers. Now, her latest assignment has forced her to work with her...more Blaze is one hell of a fast paced book that never slows down. From the very first page readers are dropped into an intense action scene, from there the action just keeps on. Keira is an amazing heroine to read. She is one tough chick. Her life has forced her to become this resilient woman. She had a very rough childhood, and then her adult life threw abilities at her that she never asked for and came with shadows and constant followers. Now, her latest assignment has forced her to work with her ex, an ex that she has never gotten over.

Luke *sighs* I want to have babies with Luke. Readers first meet Luke in Fever. He was really not a nice guy. I was concerned if I would even like him as a hero. I liked him from the moment he walked onto the pages. His job has taken him into the field to work with the one woman he compares all others to. He now has the opportunity to get her back into his life if only they can get over the one problem that drove them apart to begin with.

There is so much suspense and tension in Blaze. Luke and Keira are so much alike. Their abilities make the strong, but them being together make them an even stronger pair. I enjoyed how Keira’s ability affected Luke. This made for some highly entertaining banter.

Joan has a knack for creating remarkable characters. They are all incredibly fleshed out. The members of that firefighter team are so close they are family. They all care so much for each other. I still love Mitch. He is even more colorful in Blaze than he was in Fever. The little boy Keira is trying to protect, Mateo was adorable. He is also very special. I’ve never been as interested in a child in a book as I was him. He was one fascinating little guy!

I can’t wait for the next book. I want to know who the next couple is. I want to know just how much further the crazy goes with what DARPA is doing. I need to know more about everything. The reasoning’s behind DARPA have been revealed to an extent, but I know there is more to it.

Favorite quote, Luke to Keira
“I couldn’t be with anyone else anymore because my head and my body had figured out what my heart had always known. It’s always been you for me. Only you.”
(less)

4 likes · like · see review

Dec 20, 2012 Amy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, romantic-suspense

This is Book 2 in the Phoenix Rising Series. Joan Swan has such a good story in this series. I am hooked. I suggest you read Fever before this one, as things will make a lot more sense. Blaze is just as good as Fever and probably better because you get to continue on with characters that you met in Fever.

This story starts out with Keira, who works for the FBI and is SWAT, on a mission to rescue children from what she was told was a religious compound. Little does she know that fate would throw h...more This is Book 2 in the Phoenix Rising Series. Joan Swan has such a good story in this series. I am hooked. I suggest you read Fever before this one, as things will make a lot more sense. Blaze is just as good as Fever and probably better because you get to continue on with characters that you met in Fever.

This story starts out with Keira, who works for the FBI and is SWAT, on a mission to rescue children from what she was told was a religious compound. Little does she know that fate would throw her into a situation with Luke, the man she walked out on three years prior because they wanted different things. Luke and Keira quickly learn that something isn't quite right with this mission and the intel they have isn't accurate. From this first scene, the action starts and doesn't really stop until the end of the book.

Keira and Luke have paranormal powers that were caused by a warehouse fire several years prior involving unknown chemicals. When Luke and Keira are together their powers are amplified. One of the things they found they were able to do together was read each other minds. That is both good and bad as you can imagine, and was quite entertaining for the reader. Luke and Keira's relationship has had its ups and downs over the years. Luke so desperately wants to be with Keira and have a family. Keira freaks out at the idea of a family as they always seem to be on the run from the government and the idea that she could lose a family causes her to panic. Joan Swan writes the romance between these characters so well. It takes the entire length of the book and keeps you hanging on to see how it is going to work out. I like books where the hero and heroine steal a kiss here and a kiss there but don’t jump into things right away. There is only one main intimate scene in the book and is well written and really fits the characters and the story so very well.

I enjoyed all the secondary characters in this book including Mateo, Cash, Seth, Teague, Alyssa, Kai, and Mitch. I can't wait to read future stories that include these characters. They are such a close family of sorts and I love the powers they each have acquired. It is sort of like a bunch of superheroes getting together to fight evil, but in a more down to earth, believable way and that evil is a government conspiracy. I highly recommend this series to anyone that likes romantic suspense books!
(less)

like · see review

Nov 30, 2012 Jennifer Crump rated it 5 of 5 stars

This story grabs you from the very first page and I couldn’t put it down from there. The relationship between Keira and Luke is rough. They each think that the other has done something wrong to destroy their friendship and relationship. Keira has a very strong connection with the boy Mateo whom she has never seen in person, only through a photo. Keira and Luke team together to find out the truth about their own mysterious powers and help Mateo find his father. They uncover a lot of information...more

like · see review

Oct 14, 2012 Pamela rated it 4 of 5 stars

Keira O'Shay is a former firefighter who is now one of the best shooters the FBI has. For at least a year now, Keira has been trying to rescue a little boy that she can't explain why she's so drawn to. Rescuing Mateo is Keira's top priority.

When Keira's former lover is assigned to help her on the mission, though neither new the other was there, things get a little tense. Luke still loves Keira but is hurt by her decision to leave him. What hurts Luke even more is Keira's love for the child she k...more Keira O'Shay is a former firefighter who is now one of the best shooters the FBI has. For at least a year now, Keira has been trying to rescue a little boy that she can't explain why she's so drawn to. Rescuing Mateo is Keira's top priority.

When Keira's former lover is assigned to help her on the mission, though neither new the other was there, things get a little tense. Luke still loves Keira but is hurt by her decision to leave him. What hurts Luke even more is Keira's love for the child she knows nothing about, especially when the idea of having children was one of the things that drove a wedge between her and Luke. But Keira's childhood defined who she is today, and it's something she's not shared with Luke.

Blaze (Phoenix Rising book 2) is actually the first book by Joan Swan that I've had the pleasure of reading. I really enjoyed the story. There seemed to be a lot of attention to detail in terms of the military actions, medical stuff, and the storytelling itself. And I felt that the romance aspect was well done. Of course, being the romance junkie that I am, I got a bit frustrated with Keira at times. I won't say why, of course! For the most part, I did understand the reasoning behind her actions.

This book is rather action packed and suspenseful with a nice slice of sexual tension between Luke and Keira. There is even a bit of mystery thrown in, which I imagine will lead nicely into the next book in the Phoenix Rising series. I was fascinated by the special abilities that Luke, Keira and their former firefighting team have because of a prior exposure to chemicals at a warehouse explosion. Their abilities help them greatly at times and gave the story its paranormal aspect. And although Mateo can only speak Greek, I loved his interaction with Keira and Luke. He's such a sweetheart. :)

Now, as I am no expert on proper sentence structure and such, I can't be sure that what I felt was wrong is in fact wrong, but one thing that seemed incorrect to me as I was reading was how it seemed as though there were incomplete sentences at times. For me, in those instances, it disrupted the flow of the story. If I would go back and combine what I thought was the incomplete sentence with the one before it, it flowed better. But seriously, other than that, I loved reading Blaze. I'm definitely going to have to get Fever so that I can get caught up with this series.

** I received a copy of Blaze from the author in exchange for a review.**(less)

like · see review

Sep 27, 2012 Mei rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

1 like · like · see review

Oct 18, 2012 Heather Book Savvy Babe rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary-romance, reading-romances-challenge-2012, review-on-blog, romantic-suspense

I won book 1 of the Phoenix Rising series, Fever, in an online contest. I was first drawn to the gorgeous cover (can you blame me?), but the concept and the characters intrigued me. The Phoenix Rising series is a romantic suspense but it has a touch of supernatural as well. Some of the main characters were altered by a fire-fighting mission and have developed some supernatural abilities. Fever set a solid foundation for the series, and with Blaze the Phoenix Rising series is one romantic suspens...more I won book 1 of the Phoenix Rising series, Fever, in an online contest. I was first drawn to the gorgeous cover (can you blame me?), but the concept and the characters intrigued me. The Phoenix Rising series is a romantic suspense but it has a touch of supernatural as well. Some of the main characters were altered by a fire-fighting mission and have developed some supernatural abilities. Fever set a solid foundation for the series, and with Blaze the Phoenix Rising series is one romantic suspense fans will not want to miss.

Luke was a prominent secondary character in Fever and it was clear that he had gone through some difficult emotional times and lost his girlfriend Kiera. Kiera had been on the firefighting team years before that caused dramatic changes for all the members. After the upheaval, Kiera decided to go on to become an FBI agent, and the woman has some fierce sharp-shooting skills. She hadn't spoken to Luke since, and suddenly while on a mission to recover a missing boy, she is partnered with him again. The mission goes much deeper than a missing child, it involves their past, the government, and their new abilites. Facing danger at every turn, Luke and Kiera team up and gather the rest of their former fire-fighting team to keep the boy safe as well as themselves.

From the very beginning Blaze is full of action and simmering tension for the main characters Kiera and Luke. There is so much action in Blaze that there is never a dull moment. After the shock of seeing Kiera again, Luke determines to not lose her again. As Luke and Kiera fight and evade their enemies they both begin to better understand each other and the reasons why they broke up, why Keira left. Kiera had a horrible, traumatizing childhood and never came to terms with it. While protecting the boy, Mateo, Kiera is torn between her desire to protect and love children and her fear of failing. Kiera and Luke have a bit of the off-and-on type of thing going, but they had a lot of stress on them and I wound up feeling for both of them. Given, I did think Luke was a bit overly stubborn at times....

Blaze is a fantastic romantic suspense read, it has plenty of action, conspiracies, intriguing characters (both good and bad), and hot romance as well. The extra abilities the characters have only enhance the story. As the characters are together more, their abilities are strengthened. Luke and Kiera, for all of their dysfunction, make really good partners. The conspiracy behind their abilities and the fire only deepened in Blaze and there are more stories to come. I am excited to see what comes next for the group, I can only guess at what might happen next.

So, for you romantic suspense readers, I highly recommend picking up this series. It is important to start from the beginning with Fever. I enjoyed reading Fever, but it was a harsher book than Blaze (there was more viciousness to Fever). Fever provides important background on the fire and the key players in the conspiracies. It seems like this Phoenix Rising is only building momentum, I really can't wait to see what book 3, Inferno will bring.

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review*(less)

like · see review

Oct 08, 2012 Lisa Jo rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, physical-collection, paranormal, erotica

Joan Swan is on fire! Her second release in the Phoenix Rising series, BLAZE, is just as incredible as the first. This series is non-stop action, adventure and romance! Readers will love every minute of it!

Keira O'Shay has felt a strong connection to a young boy named Mateo and she is determined to find him and bring him home. Even with her unique abilities, she can't explain why. She just knows she has to save him from evil clutches of a vicious man at any cost. When her FBI team accepts help...more
Joan Swan is on fire! Her second release in the Phoenix Rising series, BLAZE, is just as incredible as the first. This series is non-stop action, adventure and romance! Readers will love every minute of it!

Keira O'Shay has felt a strong connection to a young boy named Mateo and she is determined to find him and bring him home. Even with her unique abilities, she can't explain why. She just knows she has to save him from evil clutches of a vicious man at any cost. When her FBI team accepts help from an ATF agent, she cannot believe her eyes when she discovers that agent is Luke Ransom...the man who broke her heart three years ago.

Luke let Keira walk out of his like three years ago and he's regretted it ever since. Being side by side again has awakened buried powers and old feelings. Though they can't forget the reasons that pulled them apart, they also can't deny their strong connection. Now that they have rescued the young boy, they realize his unique powers are coveted by dangerous men. Realizing a government conspiracy may be at work, they have no other choice but to run in order to save their lives. When they finally stop, Luke and Keira may have to face the possibility of a future together because their passion blazes too hot to be ignored.

A thrilling and ultimately scorching story is again delivered by Ms Swan. BLAZE has everything readers loved from the first novel, Fever, and more. This novel picks up right where Fever left off, focusing on the same group of ex-firefighters that went in to fight a fire five years ago and came out with unique and inhuman capabilities. The complex intricacies of this government conspiracy will set your mind whirling, yet delight you with the delicious adventure that is in store. BLAZE is a fast paced, engaging adventure that takes you on a wild journey. Ms Swan builds the suspense and makes the passion simmer, all the while drawing you further in with each chapter. Once again, readers are thrown into this chaotic world where there are few people you can trust in this dangerous game of cat and mouse.

Luke was absolutely dreamy! He was an all or nothing kind of guy and when he gave his heart to Keira, he went all in. The most romantic and passionate part of this novel was his unwavering feelings for her. There was something so incredibly sexy about him knowing who and what he wanted and never backing down. He had an interesting charm that made him a fabulous hero. Not only did he have the strength and power to fight the bad guys, but the compassion and tenderness to support Keira when she needed it the most. He was the ultimate package.

I did have a problem with this book that I did not find in the first and that was a periodic annoyance with Keira. Her hesitation to completely give herself over to Luke was completely justifiable, but her constant ‘yo-yo' emotions started to drive me crazy after a while. It was one too many trips back and forth with her character. Which led me to the second problem...by the last page I did not feel there was enough stability between the two characters to believe their ending. The one bright side to this problem is that most likely Luke and Keira will continue to make appearances in future installments of the series and put most of these fears to rest.

Small problems aside, she was still a great heroine. Keira had a fire in her that no one could extinguish. She was fierce warrior that didn't let anything get in her way. She was a lot like Luke in that perspective. One thing that appealed to me about their developing relationship was the shared ability that basically let them to read each other's minds. That little plot point added everything to the novel. It added great emotional depth, humorous scenes and fantastic insight into this tortured couple. I loved that aspect of their relationship tremendously.

Overall, BLAZE is a fantastic and suspenseful novel! Ms Swan has certainly hit the mark with this series and is showing no signs of slowing down. This exciting story will certainly keep you on the edge of your seat and reveling in the mad journey of it all. You have everything you could possibly want in this series with a large, impassioned group of people that fight relentlessly to protect one another. Through the drama of it all is the sexy, passionate romance that makes the pages sizzle. All this must mean that Ms Swan has only begun to take readers on one hell of a ride!

Lisa Jo @ The Romance Reviews (less)

like · see review

Oct 02, 2012 Lisa rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is book 2 in Joan Swan's debut book series Phoenix Rising. I have to admit i missed book 1 but am on my way to remedying that sad fact right now. Fever is book one and then Blaze the current release is book 2. You can read them as a stand alone as i had no trouble reading this one by it'self and not feeling to deprived having not read book 1. From what i could gather there were 8 people on a Fire fighting team. There was a explosion in a warehouse that forever changes them and one of them i...more This is book 2 in Joan Swan's debut book series Phoenix Rising. I have to admit i missed book 1 but am on my way to remedying that sad fact right now. Fever is book one and then Blaze the current release is book 2. You can read them as a stand alone as i had no trouble reading this one by it'self and not feeling to deprived having not read book 1. From what i could gather there were 8 people on a Fire fighting team. There was a explosion in a warehouse that forever changes them and one of them is presumed dead. It's touched on here and there in book 2 so like i said your not out in the cold with no way of figuring out what's happened previously. In the aftermath though all remaining who were in the explosion were left with weird powers. Keira and Luke used to be together before the explosion that changed them.They haven't seen each other in three years since Keira left to pursue the FBI after Luke gave her a ultimatum. She's a crack shot now. Best in the nation. Keira and Luke, who is now with the ATF run into each other on a mission. One that has gotten kind of personal for Keira. She's tracking a boy and the feelings she gets when touching his picture makes her feel all kind of things she's not sure about. Problem is the boy doesn't speak English so what she hears she can't understand. Keira's power is hearing things. Getting a feel for people by touching their picture or something of theirs or just being in the vicinity. Luke skin is resistant to fire and from bullets apparently. Their powers get ramped up when they are together. Keira's been looking for a little boy by the name of Mateo. She finally finds him but he only speaks Greek so there is a big language barrier. Without that barrier the story would more simply unfold but nothing is supposed to be that easy in a romantic suspense. lol Now that she has him she's got to figure out the mystery of who he is and what experiments have been done on him, who he belongs to and who is out to get him back. Lots of mystery to go hand in hand with the past paced action and suspense. This book is filled with intense action but balances out with casual moments and fun witty dialogue. Ms Swan lets you feel like your in on the action like these are real people. You get Luke and Keira's story but you also get glimpses of everyone else from the team. This is what makes you feel invested in the series. I know i want to read more and see what happens next! PS once you read these books you figure out how aptly the books are named for the characters. 5 out of 5 Modokker Book Picks for Blaze by Joan Swan(less)

like · see review

Sep 22, 2012 Alexa (Pages of Forbidden Love) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Review originally posted at Pages of Forbidden Love

The world that I was introduced to in the first book, Fever, got so much better and more intense with this second installment. The first book opened the reader up to a great contemporary world where a team of ex-firefighters all had special powers from a warehouse explosion. There was so much mystery involving what happened to this group of people in the first book and I was left feeling like I didn’t know the entire story once I was finished w...more Review originally posted at Pages of Forbidden Love

The world that I was introduced to in the first book, Fever, got so much better and more intense with this second installment. The first book opened the reader up to a great contemporary world where a team of ex-firefighters all had special powers from a warehouse explosion. There was so much mystery involving what happened to this group of people in the first book and I was left feeling like I didn’t know the entire story once I was finished with Fever. I knew I needed more so I’m so glad I got more in Blaze.

First off I love the entire gang of characters in this series! Luke and Keira are so stubborn, yet so right for each other. I personally love reading about couples who were once together but something broke them up and now they have to try to solve their problems years later. I’m not sure why I get so attached with this type of storyline but I do. I loved that Luke wanted Keira from the moment she walked out on him three years before. His character was so amazing and just drew you in with his intense emotion for the one woman he knew was meant for him. I will admit that I didn’t really like Luke in the first book but in Blaze I fell hard for the man. I also loved Keira though for being strong enough to leave when she did three years ago. It is so hard to leave a long relationship when you think something isn’t going right and it takes a lot of courage for Keira to do what she did this entire book. Keira certainly is the perfect herione in my mind because she is strong, fierce, protective, yet she has a weak side which is so important to her character growth during the entire novel.

Characters aside the plot of both Fever and Blaze are amazing. The plot keeps you on the edge of your seat and you never know what is going to happen next. There are intense action scenes where you never know who is going to make it out alive and there are instense moments where some major plotting is happening from the people out to destroy Keira, Luke and the entire gang of characters that the reader has learned to love. I loved that we get to see the plot from the angles of the main characters and the one woman who is plotting to kill them all. This plot is probably one of the best plots I have ever read in a romance book.

Overall, if you are ever looking for an adult romance book that has a real plot then this is the series for you. I have to just stand back and say congrats to Swan for giving romance readers a real plot line instead of just sex scene after sex scene with little in the way of plot. Swan is officially on my must read author list and I can’t wait to read more of this amazing series because there are still so many unanswered questions that I need to know how everything shapes up in the next book. If I had to say that there was any downside to this book it would be that I just wish the books were long and a little more steamier. However when you are wishing for a longer book I think that is always the mark of a great author and a great book.

4.5/5 stars(less)

like · see review

Oct 10, 2012 Jen (That's What I'm Talking About) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-new-to-me-author, paranormal-romance, phoenix-rising-series

My Rating: 4.5 stars: Loved it - enthusiastically recommend(A)
Full Review: http://www.twimom227.com/2012/10/revi...

Right from the opening, Blaze, brings action, adventure and heat to the reader. The book begins with FBI agent Keira O’Shay in the middle of a cult-like hostage situation. Her extrasensory instincts tell her that they are outside of something more than a religious commune. Her worst fears are confirmed when shots are fired and a man is down. Keira, an expert snipper, is called in an...more My Rating: 4.5 stars: Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Full Review: http://www.twimom227.com/2012/10/revi...

Right from the opening, Blaze, brings action, adventure and heat to the reader. The book begins with FBI agent Keira O’Shay in the middle of a cult-like hostage situation. Her extrasensory instincts tell her that they are outside of something more than a religious commune. Her worst fears are confirmed when shots are fired and a man is down. Keira, an expert snipper, is called in and her new back up is her ex, Luke Ransom, whom she hasn’t seen since she left him three years ago.

Things go from bad to worse when the place begins to explode around the pair before they can rescue they trapped children. Keira’s focus is on saving a young boy, Mateo, with whom she has shared a psychic bond for a year. With the help of Luke, Keira manages to escape with Mateo, just barely. And then, the situation really gets ugly. Keira and Mateo are kidnapped, Luke saves them, and the trio are on the run, hiding from some powerful government players.

The hostage situation, followed by the continuing government conspiracy (from Fever) created wonderful tension and suspense from the get go. And the sexual tension was off the charts! The fact that Keira and Luke loved one another deeply and both regret their decisions that lead them apart made me cheer for the pair all that much more. I was emotionally invested in the couple from the start. There were several beautiful moments shared between Luke and Keira that had me sniffling more than once.

Outside of the love story, we are treated to the continuing storyline of a team of firefighters that have been altered by a chemical explosion in a warehouse. Since that moment, each has developed unique “powers,” but also plagued with emotional baggage. Keira and Luke are two members of this team. In Blaze, we learned more about what happened, and witness the group (almost all) together as a team. I love that the team is a close knit family and how they can still work as a team, even after all they’ve been through. There are some not-so-good government employees, lead by the mysterious Jocelyn, after this team, and now that they are bonding and reuniting, Jocelyn feels pressure to raise the stakes. Something big happens at the end of Blaze, that could have significant repercussions for Jocelyn, and holy hell, I cannot wait to find out what happens next!

Overall, I completely enjoyed this book and adored this couple. There was intense emotion. Real ones. Struggles most of us can related to... Perhaps not the actual situation, but the feelings of uncertainty and fear. Ms. Swan does a beautiful job communicating these heightened emotions while fitting them into the story without sacrificing the plot or action. I highly recommend Blaze to anyone who enjoys a suspenseful story, and values an emotionally-driven romance.(less)

like · see review

Sep 27, 2012 Michel Reinhard rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book is beyond 5 stars!!!! When I first read book 1, Fever, in this series I was astounded on what a great book for new author Joan Swan. The book kept me enthralled from page one to the very end. I couldn't wait for the next book, Blaze, to be released. The wait was well worth it. I couldn't put the book down and read it one day. It is fast paced, action packed, well developed main characters as well as secondary characters. The book is super sexy and has erotic love scenes. Joan leaves th...more

like · see review

Sep 23, 2012 ☼sunny☼ rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: five-star-and-rec, contemporary-military, para-plus

Could not put this book down..Will read it again without question. Fast moving, high suspense, action packed oh yes and a hot love story.

Lucas loved her and lost her and found her and although very slippery to hang onto never gave up until she proposed... Long and wonderful story.

Keira and Lucas both have extra powers thanks to an explosion during a fire they were fighting. Keira has since left the fireteam and has become a sharp shooter for the FBI. She is running from her past and from the u...more

like · see review

Sep 24, 2012 Lucy Dosch rated it 5 of 5 stars

Blaze is Joan Swan’s second book of her Phoenix series. These stories revolve around seven firefighters who were caught in a chemical explosion in a government warehouse which left one dead and the remaining members forever changed. Each member has developed their own special abilities, and in this paranormal series, the scary monster in the closet isn’t a vampire or a zombie, it’s our very own government.

This black ops division of our government was aware of the toxic stew they kept hidden in t...more

like · see review

Jan 26, 2013 Novels On The Run rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fave-books

BOOK REVIEW by Michelle 17TH JANUARY 2013 :

RATING: 4.75 HOT! INTELLIGENT CHARACTERS!!

I absolutely Blaaazzed through this book, I didn’t want it to end.

Woot!!

Joan just knows how to write intelligent, exciting, smexi characters. Nothing is forced. I can’t even say who my overall fave guy is in this series thus far.

I love the women as well.

Keira is just a smart, kickass, yet vulnerable character. She is a sniper. The best. When she and Luke are teaming it, they are just so good to read. He knows...more

like · see review

Dec 29, 2012 GraceDZ rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: must-read-series, romantic-suspense, favorites, strong-heroine, adult-fiction, paranormal-romance, swoonworthy-hero

Five Fast-paced, Fantastic Stars!!!

Make room for this romance-suspense junkie, because I'm doing cartwheels all over this book! Yes, the sequel to Fever pushed all the right buttons for me. Can you tell that I found it fantastic? Well, I did!

Blaze mainly focuses on Keira O'Shay and Luke Ransom. Both were part of the firefighting team whose lives were forever changed in that warehouse fire that was first mentioned in Fever. Going into Blaze, I liked that these two already had an established relat...more Five Fast-paced, Fantastic Stars!!!

Make room for this romance-suspense junkie, because I'm doing cartwheels all over this book! Yes, the sequel to Fever pushed all the right buttons for me. Can you tell that I found it fantastic? Well, I did!

Blaze mainly focuses on Keira O'Shay and Luke Ransom. Both were part of the firefighting team whose lives were forever changed in that warehouse fire that was first mentioned in Fever. Going into Blaze, I liked that these two already had an established relationship, even if they hadn't seen each other in 3 years. Keira and Luke's lives intersect again when Keira, who is now an FBI agent/sniper, has a mission to rescue a little boy. I must say that the opening sequence of events is not only explosive, but we also get to see how well Keira and Luke work together on many levels.

“Luke stood on the opposite side, looking tattered and sexy as hell sporting his rifle and that goddamned semiautomatic strapped to his thick, muscular thigh. Why, why, why did she find that so...hot!” --Keira

I have no idea how she found the strength to walk away from this man 3 years ago...well, I do, but you've got to read and find out yourself. After reading Blaze, I now understand why Luke was the way he was in Fever. The love of his life walked away from him and his dreams, and he had been hurting all this time. Now, circumstance has thrown their lives back together, but can he trust her to not hurt his heart again? Whatever the outcome, what I loved about this couple is that they are awesome at taking on the bad guys.

“If it's your fight, it's my fight.” --Luke
“We stick together, right? I've got your back.” --Luke

Ladies, Luke doesn't mind that she leads the way in the fight either. Mmmm...gotta love a man that lets the woman take the reigns! Keira is one of my most favorite kick-ass heroines that I've come across. Even with all her issues I completely understand and love her!

Joan Swan gives her fans another thrill ride in BLAZE, complete with lots of action, fast-paced scenes, and sizzling romantic tension. Alyssa, Teague, and Mitch all have prominent secondary roles. Mitch...oh man, he is really something! I really, really hope he gets his own book. More of the conspiracy behind that infamous warehouse fire is revealed, and there's so much more left to uncover in the next books! I am so there for book 3. Bring it on!!!(less)

1 like · like · see review

Oct 01, 2012 Barb Lie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Blaze by Joan Swan, is the second book in her Phoenix Rising series. The first book in this series, as well as Swan’s debut book was Fever. Fever was a very good book, but Swan has taken Blaze to another level. From the start to finish, this book is a page burner, you cannot, and will not put this down until you finish this exciting story. Blaze has everything..action..suspense..excitement..intensity, love, sex (hits the wow factor), and constant danger.

The heroine in Blaze is Keira O’Shay, and...more Blaze by Joan Swan, is the second book in her Phoenix Rising series. The first book in this series, as well as Swan’s debut book was Fever. Fever was a very good book, but Swan has taken Blaze to another level. From the start to finish, this book is a page burner, you cannot, and will not put this down until you finish this exciting story. Blaze has everything..action..suspense..excitement..intensity, love, sex (hits the wow factor), and constant danger.

The heroine in Blaze is Keira O’Shay, and she is one of the best kick ass heroines I have seen, and I have seen quite a few good ones. Luke is the hero in this story, and we remember him from Fever. Until the end of Fever, we did not really like Luke. But almost from the start, that changes and he is equally as great a character as Keira. I loved them together, and loved Mateo, the young boy in this story, who added so much to the story.

One of the best things, besides Keira and Luke, is that we get to spend a lot of time with the team we got to know in Fever…..Teague, Alyssa, Mitch, Seth, and the remaining of the Firefighting team. Joan Swan does such an excellent job of creating unforgettable characters, and also the villains, like Dargan, who is back in full force.

Keira, ran away from Luke and her friends, a few years ago, and became an agent. When the story picks up, she is the best of agents, and a sharpshooter also. Keira, who is afraid of commitment and family (she distances herself so not be hurt again losing family), is the lead on an assignment, and discovers that her ex, Luke, working for another division (ATF), is also on the same assignment. Though the years have passed, they both have never gotten over their love for one another.

The story immediately is filled with intense action, with Luke and Keira in the middle of it. Keira finds Mateo, a young boy she saves during the mission, and for some reason, she is drawn to him. She must protect him from the experiments being done to him and others. Which brings Keira back to the friends she tried to avoid, in order to help her keep Mateo safe.

DARPA is the enemy, as we saw in Fever. Dargan is the villainous leader, and she is the one organizing the experiments on children creating enhanced abilities, as well as trying to eliminate the Firefighter team, who also now have enhanced abilities. Keira can hear thoughts and things far away. Luke, whose powers, strengthen with Keira near him, can withstand fire, bullets, etc. We know Teague is a healer, and young Mateo, who is only 5 years old, also has a great ability, as do the rest of the team.

Blaze is filled with so much action; you cannot sit back and relax. But the crux of the story is the wonderful romance between Luke and Keira. You know how much each loves one another, and the flaw in Keira, who had a rough childhood, and is afraid of commitment, even if she loves Luke with all her heart. As I noted earlier, there was this long hot steamy sex scene that was so well done by Swan. Just when you think, finally they will make together, all hell breaks loose, and changes things again.

I loved Blaze, and Joan Swan has outdone herself. Phoenix Rising continues to get better, and I look forward to meeting all of these wonderful characters again, in the next installment of this series. I am already anticipating who is going to be the next couple…so many to choose from. Maybe Mitch, as he is a fun and great character. If you have not started this series, I suggest you do so. Kudos to Joan Swan for a wonderful second book.

Barb
The Reading Cafe (less)

like · see review

Jan 17, 2013 Emma rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult, fantasy, fiction, mystery, romance

Joan Swan doesn't disappoint! I was waiting forever to read about Luke and his experience. To get to know him a bit better. Before we find him, we get to meet Kiera, who we heard a little about in FEVER. She is in an operation, trying to rescue Mateo, a boy taken from his father. She doesn't know why she must save him, only, that she has to save him no matter what. There is where Luke comes in. He works for the ATF, which Kiera didn't know about. As soon as their eyes meet, emotions from their p...more Joan Swan doesn't disappoint! I was waiting forever to read about Luke and his experience. To get to know him a bit better. Before we find him, we get to meet Kiera, who we heard a little about in FEVER. She is in an operation, trying to rescue Mateo, a boy taken from his father. She doesn't know why she must save him, only, that she has to save him no matter what. There is where Luke comes in. He works for the ATF, which Kiera didn't know about. As soon as their eyes meet, emotions from their past come rushing in. Thinking about Mateo and the circumstance he is in, they must forget about their past and move forward in order to get Mateo out alive.

It seems that throughout the book, circumstances keep pushing Luke and Kiera together, whether they like it (and they really like it) or not (they seem to always be at each others throats). They must be ready to let go of hurt they caused each other in the past and open up to each other more then they had before in order to move on toward the future. As soon as things seem to be going well for them, something else pops up, putting a strain in their relationship.

I love that we are able to see Teague, Alyssa, Kat, and Mitch (Alyssa's twin brother) and see how they are doing. We also get to meet Kai, Seth, and hear about Jessica: The other members in their group that were in a fire that altered their being some years ago. I also love that throughout the book, we get to know what the different characters are thinking since the point-of-view of this book is told through many four characters, Kiera, Luke, Cash, and Jocelyn (two very important character's in Kiera and her old firefighter's teams' lives).

I was not able to put this book down (had to at some point only because I couldn't keep my eyes open anymore). The action in this book is amazing, and the chemistry between characters is wonderful. I would love to have this series be turned into a tv series (since they are longer than a movie, but a movie wouldn't be so bad either). I cannot wait for the next installment in this series and read about what happens between all the new characters that we met in the book and to answer those questions I had at the end.
(less)

1 like · like · see review

Aug 19, 2012 DavinciKittie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: phoenix-rising-series, contemporary-romance, paranormal-romance-urban-fantasy, joan-swan, personal-favorites

To read the full review, complete with Memorable Quotes and other recommended reads and similar authors, go here:
http://gravetells.com/2012/08/19/arc-...

Blaze hits the ground running with fiery tension between ex-lovers & firefighter teammates Kiera O'Shay and Luke Ransom, and a riveting action sequence that introduces more questions than it answers. Watching Kiera and Luke interact is like being around a passionate married couple who can't decide whether they'd rather kill each other or, we...more To read the full review, complete with Memorable Quotes and other recommended reads and similar authors, go here:
http://gravetells.com/2012/08/19/arc-...

Blaze hits the ground running with fiery tension between ex-lovers & firefighter teammates Kiera O'Shay and Luke Ransom, and a riveting action sequence that introduces more questions than it answers. Watching Kiera and Luke interact is like being around a passionate married couple who can't decide whether they'd rather kill each other or, well, you know; they have major chemistry right from the start. I absolutely loved their banter! Their snarky verbal battles were just as entertaining as the action and adventure, and are just about as consistent throughout the story too... which I really enjoyed. I actually started looking forward to watching them fight!

Kiera O'Shay is a badass, and not the overconfident, leather-wearing, sword-toting kind with an attitude bigger than the Goodyear Blimp. No, our Kiera is a firecracker of a woman who knows what she wants and how to get it, before going after it like a guided missile. She's a smart, take-no-shit, expert markswoman with a shattered heart and traumatic childhood enfortressed behind a wall of emotional steel, packed muscles, and intense S.W.A.T. training, and the only one who can get past that shell is ATF agent and fire cop Luke Ransom.

The most confident man Kiera O'Shay has ever met, Luke is all charisma and wit, a capable agent with a big bad side of get-with-the-program-or-get-the-hell-out-of-my-way. Underneath all that swagger, though, is a man who has never gotten over the love of his life and is willing to give up just about anything to see her safe and happy... even if it means living the rest of his life in misery.

You haven't seen longing and unrequited love until you've seen Luke and Kiera together, sarcastically bantering as if their lives depend on it and fighting their own primal urges to jump each other every other second. Why not just give in and go for it, you might ask? Bad breakups and volatile personalities have a way of leaving you skittish, and these two have hurt each other more than anyone else ever could have. Theirs is a story begging to be told, one expertly crafted from action, intrigue, supernatural science, and some of the most enthralling sexual tension I've ever read. This book is absolutely aptly named; the passion between Luke and Kiera blazes high and sparks fly hard. That man has a soft heart for his woman, but when he gets in the mood, the dominant comes out to play and we get to see Kiera let go and give over control. Sexy, sexy, sexy!

Mitch Foster was introduced in Fever as heroine Alyssa Foster's brother and lawyer extraordinaire. A sharp-witted playboy shark of a criminal defender with unquestionably questionable morals and an admirable streak of loyalty to his friends and family, it was made crystal clear in Blaze's prequel that you never want to earn the ire of this man. In this story, we get a deeper sense of just how connected he is... so much so, that it really makes you wonder just what depth of trouble the delectably sexy Mitch Foster has his fingers in, and when it's going to come back to bite him in the ass. I'm sure his day is coming, and that will be a story to read!

And Cash... I freaking love Cash! He's a brand new character introduced in Blaze, with family connections to Kiera, and I cannot wait to read more about him! Genius, cocky, confident, and daring, he's a hell of a character.

Joan Swan writes action like you're right there in the thick of it; pinging bullets, whooshes of fire, the near-tranquil state of severe injury are all masterfully translated through undeniably talented and creative writing. She doesn't fall prey to technical bad habits like repeated patterns of verbage, and her sentence structure is never boring or predictable. Reading a Joan Swan novel is like living a non-stop, danger-filled, trek through heartfelt friendships and off-the-rails sensual chemistry.

Aaahh, this book was SO GOOD! I did not want it to end! Every character is unique and compelling and every plot twist keeps the story, and series, fresh and addicting. How often do you read a book that wraps up the storyline but still has you jonzing for the next installment without forcing a cliffhanger down your throat, that makes your chest squeeze with every tortured glance and longing touch, whose action scenes make you feel like you just stepped into a Hollywood blockbuster movie? This is why Joan Swan is a master of her craft and why Blaze is a GraveTells Fave and the recipient of our extremely rare, perfect-rating Golden Heart award!

*** Review copy provided by Kensington & Joan Swan. No compensation was received for this review and all stated opinions are true and unbiased.(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Sep 16, 2012 Trish rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: romantic-suspense, contemporary-romance, paranormal-other

4.5 Stars

ARC provided by author. Available September 25, 2012

BLAZE is the second book by Joan Swan ~ and second in the series, Phoenix Rising.

Although the book could be classified as a Romantic Suspense, there are some characteristics to the Paranormal genre.

Back story: Three years ago, seven firefighters respond to the call of a blazing fire where their world changes forever for each of them. Now each member has a physical scar and an eerie ability to do things inhumanly possible.

Luke Ransom...more

1 like · like · see review

Aug 25, 2012 Adria (Romance Reviews) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-and-reviewed

Originally posted on Breath of Life Reviews

The highly anticipated (at least for me) second book in new author Joan Swan's Phoenix Rising series, Blaze is an action packed, passion filled adventure sure to please the audience that was first captivated by its predecessor, Fever.

Exes Luke and Keira are definitely two of a kind and life has taken them in two different directions but they've never gotten over each other or the effect they had on the other's powers. Within moments of being re-united,...more Originally posted on Breath of Life Reviews

The highly anticipated (at least for me) second book in new author Joan Swan's Phoenix Rising series, Blaze is an action packed, passion filled adventure sure to please the audience that was first captivated by its predecessor, Fever.

Exes Luke and Keira are definitely two of a kind and life has taken them in two different directions but they've never gotten over each other or the effect they had on the other's powers. Within moments of being re-united, their powers ignite once again and even provide a few surprises along the way. While one would think these "surprises" would help Luke and Keira clear the air between them, it actually makes things worse, making them face what they had, what went wrong and dragging up old hurts and accusations.

Luke is an amazing character in the sense that he's completely vulnerable to Keira and the emotions she stirs in him. After awhile he doesn't even try to fight or deny it, giving him a lovelorn aura that reminded me of the heroes in a Jane Austen novel. I spent half the time alternating with sympathizing with Keira and her fears to wanting to strangle her because she had an amazing man that kept offering his heart and support to her and she kept pushing him away.

And let's talk about kids in romance novels. They don't always work for me. Sometimes I get the feeling that an author will insert a kid into the story line hoping to score points with an audience that they assume has kids and can identify with them. Not cool, at all, don't assume that having a kid in a story is going to make it better, sometimes they make it worse and the quality of the story goes down the drain. Same goes for an adult character, if they don't have a use, why put them in the story?

Thankfully it wasn't the case in Blaze. Sure Mateo is cute but he isn't dead weight in the story, he has a purpose, he is actually the reason things get dangerous for Luke and Keira but he also inadvertently forces Keira to face her fears and conquer them. So brownie points to Joan Swan for not using a kid just to score points with an audience.

Blaze is not without humor though, at times Luke and Keira's enhanced gifts spark some steamy, and down right sarcastic arguments, each one trying to get the upper hand on the other. Then there's Mitch Foster, the savvy, sophisticated, smart mouthed playboy lawyer from Fever and Alyssa Foster's brother. Almost every word out of his mouth is an insult when it comes to Luke and he has some of the best scenes in this book. Definitely a scene stealer and one I can't wait to read more about.

There's something distinctive about author Joan Swan's Phoenix Rising series, it's not just the sexy characters (both male and female), fast paced plots or steamy love scenes. It's the real emotion behind the scenes she writes. It's not just love, lust and passion, there is a range of emotions in her books that have the ability to fully engage the reader. While not every one has felt an all consuming love or passion for another person, who hasn't felt jealousy, fear, rejection or betrayal?

As more questions than answers are revealed, Luke and Keira find themselves not only re-evaluating their previous relationship but the incident that killed one member of their old firefighting team and left the rest of them broken, lost and with abilities that others want bad enough to kill.

With Blaze, one mystery is solved only for half a dozen more to pop up in its place, allowing for more books in the series (Yay!). Keeping the mystery, suspense and passion at top notch, Joan Swan's Blaze is just a good if not better than its predecessor Fever and as much as it pained me to finish Luke and Keira's story, I am super excited for the next book in the series. These characters are quickly becoming as important to me as I'm sure they are for Joan.

Bottom line, Blaze will leave you wishing you had a love like Luke and Keira and a pseudo family as crazy as Mitch, Teague, Allysa and the rest of the meddling, worrisome and loyal gang.(less)

like · see review

Sep 25, 2012 Franjessca rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: september2012release, arc, romantic-suspense, phoenix-rising-series, author-joan-swan, books-read-in-2012, favorite-books

Review also posted on Book Lovin' Mamas

Joan Swan writes another riveting romantic suspense that had me neglecting my duties as wife and mother. What can I say...I needed to find out what happened, so I read whenever my youngest daughter slept, my oldest daughter was in school, and my husband was knee deep into errands out of the house. =) And I also read whenever I could sneak it in when the family was home and trying to drive me crazy. (I actually hid somewhere to read. Sometimes a mother who i...more Review also posted on Book Lovin' Mamas

Joan Swan writes another riveting romantic suspense that had me neglecting my duties as wife and mother. What can I say...I needed to find out what happened, so I read whenever my youngest daughter slept, my oldest daughter was in school, and my husband was knee deep into errands out of the house. =) And I also read whenever I could sneak it in when the family was home and trying to drive me crazy. (I actually hid somewhere to read. Sometimes a mother who is an avid reader has to.)
The first page alone was action packed and definitely kept me on the edge of my seat.
"Blaze" picks up with two new characters who I was drawn to the minute I was introduced to them. Luke, though, had an appearance in the first book to the Phoenix Rising series and he definitely has captured my attention more in "Blaze".
The minute I was introduced to Keira O'Shay, I had a great connection with her. She was one kick-butt woman who could handle her own. She never thought though, she would be working with her ex-lover, Luke Ransom (by the way...Teague move over, hun...because Luke stole my heart).
Keira is a FBI agent and has been tracking a little boy by the name of Mateo, who she needs to get back to a co-worker of hers. He was kidnapped years ago and it is up to her to get him back. Luke ends up in the middle of everything when Keira finds Mateo. He has no idea who the little boy is and why Keira wants to find him. Of course, he hasn't seen Keira in over three years so she may have moved on after she left him.
When Keira does save the little boy and gets him back to her co-worker, she never thought, the person she thought she could trust, turns on her. Now she feels, that everyone around her that she has been working for may work for that government agency that is out to get her and her friends that used to be firefighters.
It is up to Keira to find out the real truth about Mateo and why she feels so attached to him. In the mean time, her ex-lover Luke ends up helping her as well as Teague and Alyssa (from the first book) and Mitch (Alyssa's brother) to come up with the truth about who the little boy is and why a secret government force wants him.
Keira is starting to realize out the truth and so is Luke.
Luke is also going to find out the truth why Keira decided to leave him three years ago...and he is not going to let her walk away again without a fight this time around.

This book was one action-packed book. Joan Swan did not disappoint and now I'm even more anxious to find out what happens in this book because their were a lot of unanswered questions in this book. One being a certain person that everyone thought was dead and another being the darn bad guy, who by the way is getting on my nerves. Grrr!!!

What fascinates me the most is how Joan Swan throws in the different abilities of the main characters in each book. Keira is a audio-clairvoyant and Luke is basically fire-proof. Joan Swan even tells what the other characters are, that will most likely get their own books. (you'll have to read to find out)

I'm really, really wanting to find out more about Mitch Foster...let's just say for a lawyer, he sure knows how to get in touch with someone that can get a helicopter, translate Greek, or even get information for you in a hurry. He is really one interesting and well let's just say, sexy character. =)

I recommend this book as well as the first book, "Fever", to romantic suspense readers out there.
You will definitely have a hard time putting down this action-packed sequel to the Phoenix Rising Series. (less)

like · see review

Sep 28, 2012 Cindy rated it 5 of 5 stars

What an adrenaline rush this book was from start to finish. Blaze kicks the conspiracy of what happened in the warehouse fire to the seven members of a fire fighting hazmat unit into high gear.

We met Luke in Fever. He was the man that had taken in his niece when his brother in law had been sent to jail for killing his wife - Luke's sister. We knew Luke was still hurting over his girlfriend Keira leaving him with one of the reason's being she didn't want kids and he did. The "powers" they also g...more

3 likes · like · see review

Sep 23, 2012 Mina De Caro rated it 5 of 5 stars

So brilliant it gave goose bumps! Extended review available on Mina's Bookshelf http://minadecaro.blogspot.com
I simply marvel at the way this author takes on the romantic suspense genre with the polished skills of a veteran novelist. In this brilliant second installment of the Phoenix Rising series, Joan Swan will engross the readers with her effortless craftsmanship and those smooth and seamless shifts of focus between action and romance that can rival even the most seasoned suspense writers....more So brilliant it gave goose bumps! Extended review available on Mina's Bookshelf http://minadecaro.blogspot.com
I simply marvel at the way this author takes on the romantic suspense genre with the polished skills of a veteran novelist. In this brilliant second installment of the Phoenix Rising series, Joan Swan will engross the readers with her effortless craftsmanship and those smooth and seamless shifts of focus between action and romance that can rival even the most seasoned suspense writers. After turning the last page of this compendium of pulse pounding suspense and breath-taking romance, I am still not able to tell whether I was more affected by the emotional depth of the characters’ back-stories, or more taken with the mesmerizing intricacies of the storyline. To tell you the truth, I can’t even recall enjoying a “conspiracy-theory, paranormal mystery” this much since the days of the X-files tv series.
In Luke and Keira’s story, emotions intensify and the mystery thickens: together with the theme of ghost government agencies and their secret agendas, Joan Swans brings so many emotional issues to the table (the personal hell of an abused child, expectations and compromises in a love relationship) that spoke to my heart and lingered with me even after putting the book down.
Like in Swan’s debut FEVER (Phoenix Raising #1, read my review here), the execution is spectacular and the language is vibrant and real. Funny and gritty dialogues set the lively pace of the narration, leading the reader through a wide range of emotional responses. The romantic involvement of the lead couple, the scorching sensuality ignited by their mutual raw need, the elusive truth at the bottom of their super-powers are the cornerstones of this solid piece of fictional fabrication. The plot is so clever that despite the lack of closure as far as regards the big scheme of things, this page-turner can be enjoyed as a stand alone. The dangling plot threads, the breakneck sub-plots and the introduction of secondary cast that will surely rock the world of the Phoenix Rising in the coming sequel, fuel the reader’s curiosity and enhance the thrill effect, leaving us with the awareness that our endearing characters are more in danger than ever and that someone is diligently trying to hide the truth.
That truth will still be elusive even in the final pages, but the choice of a conspiracy theme is thought-provoking and allows room for theorizing. The characters are fully nuanced, easy to root for and relate to, despite their larger-than-life nature; the emotional dynamic between Luke and Keira so engaging…the more they talk, the more they argue. They both share a personality trait that can place countless obstacles on the way to a smooth love relationship. They both possess an unforgiving, uncompromising, hard as granite temper, in addition to their psychic ability to read each other’s minds… hard to tell if this is more a blessing or a curse. When they finally unlock their hearts and understand that love is “about finding strength in the sum of our parts instead of fighting alone”, their release will be even more rewarding. To tighten up the threads of this rich and imaginative series, Joan Swan revisits familiar faces (Teague and Alyssa from Fever, installment #1 in the series ) and introduces an ensemble of new characters that move around our lead couple with the loyalty, the stealth and the precision of a SWAT team.
And then there is Mitch, Mitch Foster: “the dragon slayer” attorney, the man who gets things done with the power of a telegraphic phone call…there is no special force pilot, military helicopter, heavy artillery, or loyal bodyguards that he cannot obtain with a simple (and mysterious) call from his mobile…we will get to know his secret sooner or later. This character definitely deserves his own spotlight.
(less)

like · see review

Sep 27, 2012 Kelly % Books-n-Kisses rated it 4 of 5 stars

Another great story by Joan.
Love Luke & Keira!!!

Full Review:
REVIEW:
Blaze is book 2 in Joan Swan’s Phoenix Rising series. Blaze is grabs you from the page one and keeps you turning the pages until the end. You will want to scream at the characters and then reach for the tissues, root for the characters and then want to slap them upside the head. There are some surprising turns of events that will shape the next few books in this series. New characters from the past walk into the team’s life...more Another great story by Joan.
Love Luke & Keira!!!

Full Review:
REVIEW:
Blaze is book 2 in Joan Swan’s Phoenix Rising series. Blaze is grabs you from the page one and keeps you turning the pages until the end. You will want to scream at the characters and then reach for the tissues, root for the characters and then want to slap them upside the head. There are some surprising turns of events that will shape the next few books in this series. New characters from the past walk into the team’s life and will change the fabric of who they all are. But even with this the team is left with more questions than answers as to who and what really happened to them.

I loved Luke in FEVER and loved him more in BLAZE. Luke is just an all around great guy. He loves his friends, family and can’t let go of the love of his life. He is willing to go the extra mile to do anything to keep her, but will even that be enough to winner her back?

Keira has had a very rough life and she is always ready to cut and run the minute life starts closing. The only constant in her life has been her love for Luke. But she even throw that away. But when Luke pops back into her life she is not sure if she can turn him away again, but is she strong enough to face the demons of her past in order to move on and live her life with Luke?

Luke & Kiera find themselves thrown together in order to save a group of kids from a madman. Little do they know the journey that they are about to go on and how one little boy will change everything for all of them.

Joan is such a great writer. I love how she tugs at my heartstrings the whole way through this book. Like any good author she loves to make us as readers suffer all the emotional highs and lows that she can. If you enjoyed FEVER you will love BLAZE!!
I am very much looking forward to want is next in the Phoenix Rising series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. The following review is my own opinion and not a paid review. (less)

like · see review

title link	preview: Blaze
avg rating	preview: Blaze Goodreads rating: 4.23 (144 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13542773-blaze?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1334198565l/13542773.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13542773-blaze?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Blaze by Joan Swan[/url]

Blaze (Phoenix Rising #2)

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (1)

Genres

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Joan Swan

Books by Joan Swan

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About Blaze