What do you think?
Rate this book
Chronicles of the Shifter Directive #6
Fire's Embrace
[Siren Epic Romance, Erotic Alternative Fantasy/Paranormal Romance, M/M, shape-shifters, HEA] Draechen prince Rachen Tersain is desperately in love with sprite Alwyn Cyraltin, and is aware they share a bond. However, he still has trouble separating his identity from that of his twin brother. Thinking he doesn't deserve a mate, he maintains an almost platonic relationship with Alwyn. That changes when Alwyn comes to him, revealing his greatest fears and doubts. Rachen attempts to help his mate, but a vision from his brother-in-law, Sari, throws the Tersain into chaos. Now, Rachen has to fight to prove Alwyn's innocence in front of his loved ones. As the sexual tension between Alwyn and Rachen increases, so does the apprehension of the imperial family. With Alwyn's powers growing and the Tersain struggling between their affection toward Rachen and their fears of the unknown, Rachen is the only one who can find a solution. Can he give his mate the love they both need, or will the fire of their passion be extinguished by Alwyn's secrets? NOTE! You are purchasing Siren's newest imprint, the Siren Epic Romance collection. This is Book 6 of 7 in the Chronicles of the Shifter Directive series. The series shares an overall story arc with many crossover characters playing major roles in each book. These books are not stand-alone and should be read in their numbered order. ** A Siren Erotic Romance
208 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 14, 2013
2 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Scarlet Hyacinth
94 books385 followersScarlet Hyacinth was born in 1986, in a Romania still struggling under the weight of the communist regime. As a young girl, she started studying the English language and fell in love with books.
After a childhood spent devouring hundreds of pages of fantasy literature, Scarlet found her calling. While at uni, she discovered with the help of a dear friend that she had a knack for writing. The rest, as they say, is history, or rather, lots of hard work and sleepless nights. Today, she can only say with a smile that nothing is impossible and that no matter what others say, you can achieve your dreams if you work hard enough.
After a childhood spent devouring hundreds of pages of fantasy literature, Scarlet found her calling. While at uni, she discovered with the help of a dear friend that she had a knack for writing. The rest, as they say, is history, or rather, lots of hard work and sleepless nights. Today, she can only say with a smile that nothing is impossible and that no matter what others say, you can achieve your dreams if you work hard enough.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 17, 2013
Original Blog Post: http://headouttheoven.blogspot.com/20...
Warning! Potential spoilers. Read at own risk of revelations unwanted!
My Rating: My Rating: (5 of 5 Stars)5
I thought nothing would top or at least be at par with Warrior's Dream (Chronicles of the Shifter Directive #3) . I am sadly mistaken. Fire's Embrace not only came to equal that great book, it seems like it topped it, hence my strange rating once more.
This book was painful to read for several reasons:
First, I read this with a raging headache (coming down with the flu) and the visceral response I experienced reading the last chapter turned it into a raging migraine, complete with blood pounding and twinkling stars. So yeah, quite painful.
Second, I cried my way through this one, just like in Book 3. I should have taken precautions after being warned by the author, Scarlet Hyacinth, that I will have to prepare myself. I did not heed her warning. I ended up blubbering. No regrets though. Never regrets.
Finally, this is the second to the last book of this incredible series and I am already anticipating a great read. It is rare to run across a series with such incredible characters and a plot that is so fantastical it is incredibly wondrous. It is sad to have to let this go.
This book precedes the end of the Chronicles and it leaves us readers with questions answered but more left unsaid. There are traitorous revelations which took me by surprise to a certain degree but at the same time I feel that I should have expected these, just not in the way they played out.
Rachen plays a huge role in this series, his last act of bravery and heroism was one of the most intense text I had read. I could compare it to the Great Sacrifice but regardless of the parallelisms, there is one major difference: we KNEW of that sacrifice. Not Rachen's. Never his. Phoenix's reaction was beyond intense and yet totally expected, it was a scene that sent my eyes to blur and blood pounding in my head. His denial of losing Rachen tore the very fabric of reality asunder and it came with a price.
Reality, as we readers know it, is no longer that, and we are all brought back to the very beginning of this whole arc only this time, things are not the way they seemed. All reality as Phoenix and Rachen know it has been erased and replaced. It seems the plot just got thicker and more desperate. How the draechen and their mates are going to fix this, we will have to wait until the seventh and final book is published.
It just scares me how this will affect the happily ever afters for all these men. Will one or more have to be sacrificed to get the world back on its axis? What price do the men have to pay to get their realities back on track?
~♥ Elle ♥~ told me this was her favorite and for once I did not believe her. Well, strike me wrong, for although I do still proclaim that book 3 was my favorite, this one comes in too close for comfort. I have to say that there were times I just wanted this book to end, I wanted to fast forward and get to the end. Unfortunately, like all great plots, missing out on one page or chapter can send the reader into oblivion of the lost kind. This is a book (actually the whole series) that no reader can just flip through. Reading it beginning to end is the only way to go through this whole experience. It is a fantastic ride that is about to end and I am in the denial stage.
Warning! Potential spoilers. Read at own risk of revelations unwanted!
My Rating: My Rating: (5 of 5 Stars)5
I thought nothing would top or at least be at par with Warrior's Dream (Chronicles of the Shifter Directive #3) . I am sadly mistaken. Fire's Embrace not only came to equal that great book, it seems like it topped it, hence my strange rating once more.
This book was painful to read for several reasons:
First, I read this with a raging headache (coming down with the flu) and the visceral response I experienced reading the last chapter turned it into a raging migraine, complete with blood pounding and twinkling stars. So yeah, quite painful.
Second, I cried my way through this one, just like in Book 3. I should have taken precautions after being warned by the author, Scarlet Hyacinth, that I will have to prepare myself. I did not heed her warning. I ended up blubbering. No regrets though. Never regrets.
Finally, this is the second to the last book of this incredible series and I am already anticipating a great read. It is rare to run across a series with such incredible characters and a plot that is so fantastical it is incredibly wondrous. It is sad to have to let this go.
This book precedes the end of the Chronicles and it leaves us readers with questions answered but more left unsaid. There are traitorous revelations which took me by surprise to a certain degree but at the same time I feel that I should have expected these, just not in the way they played out.
Rachen plays a huge role in this series, his last act of bravery and heroism was one of the most intense text I had read. I could compare it to the Great Sacrifice but regardless of the parallelisms, there is one major difference: we KNEW of that sacrifice. Not Rachen's. Never his. Phoenix's reaction was beyond intense and yet totally expected, it was a scene that sent my eyes to blur and blood pounding in my head. His denial of losing Rachen tore the very fabric of reality asunder and it came with a price.
Reality, as we readers know it, is no longer that, and we are all brought back to the very beginning of this whole arc only this time, things are not the way they seemed. All reality as Phoenix and Rachen know it has been erased and replaced. It seems the plot just got thicker and more desperate. How the draechen and their mates are going to fix this, we will have to wait until the seventh and final book is published.
It just scares me how this will affect the happily ever afters for all these men. Will one or more have to be sacrificed to get the world back on its axis? What price do the men have to pay to get their realities back on track?
~♥ Elle ♥~ told me this was her favorite and for once I did not believe her. Well, strike me wrong, for although I do still proclaim that book 3 was my favorite, this one comes in too close for comfort. I have to say that there were times I just wanted this book to end, I wanted to fast forward and get to the end. Unfortunately, like all great plots, missing out on one page or chapter can send the reader into oblivion of the lost kind. This is a book (actually the whole series) that no reader can just flip through. Reading it beginning to end is the only way to go through this whole experience. It is a fantastic ride that is about to end and I am in the denial stage.
October 1, 2014
Once again.. we are bogged down in intrigue, mystery, passion, and anything you can name. After exploring Alwyn's last statement from the previous book and getting an answer, I found myself losing my...enthusiasm.. for where we were headed. Probably my only complaint. The time between learning the true nature of this character to the possible outcome of a certain vision seen by Sari unfortunately seemed tedious to me (bad me.. most like bad frame of mind at that particular reading time).
I know.. after reading that statement this may seem left field but damn Ms Hyacinth sure picked up any slack there may have been in that period! Another roller coaster ride for me!
What exactly is this MC's true nature? What and how will Sari's vision come true? What and/or who is working against this couple? How will this threat be taken care of?
Once these are answered she's still got one more curve ball to throw at you! I find myself again in suspense of the final book and on the edge of my seat at what will be thrown at us!
I've been vague on purpose! If you want nitty gritty spoilers keep looking at other reviews :P
I know.. after reading that statement this may seem left field but damn Ms Hyacinth sure picked up any slack there may have been in that period! Another roller coaster ride for me!
What exactly is this MC's true nature? What and how will Sari's vision come true? What and/or who is working against this couple? How will this threat be taken care of?
Once these are answered she's still got one more curve ball to throw at you! I find myself again in suspense of the final book and on the edge of my seat at what will be thrown at us!
I've been vague on purpose! If you want nitty gritty spoilers keep looking at other reviews :P
September 15, 2013
I will only say, I'm so glad I only have two week's
to wait for the next book. Every time I have read a
book in this series, I have decided that particular
one was my favourite. This is definitely my favourite!
Sad that we are almost to the end but looking forward
as usual, to the next book.
to wait for the next book. Every time I have read a
book in this series, I have decided that particular
one was my favourite. This is definitely my favourite!
Sad that we are almost to the end but looking forward
as usual, to the next book.
September 15, 2013
This series just keeps getting better and better! I can't wait to read how this series will end.
September 30, 2013
Wow..... Talk about cliffhanger!!
Took me a minute to actually start this installment. I dreaded reading it only because I knew the series was coming to an end and knowing Ms. Scarlet, I wasn't going to be reading about Roses and Rainbows and Ribbons (what? I couldn't think of another R word!). Anyway.. I sat on the edge of my chair through most of this book.. Waiting.... For.. IT. And boy did IT show up!! You ever read a book but didn't want to read it? Like... You pick it up, put it down only to pick it up again?? You feel for the characters, laugh with then, cry with them, cheer them on, scream at your reading device?? Yeah. I knew I had to finish this installment of Rachen and Phoenix's story, all the while tryin to cheer for the Underdogs. This wasn't a '' easy'' book to read but it was freaking awesome. I still have no idea how Ms. Scarlet is going to END this fabulous Epic tale, but I am so confident that she'll do it grandly! I've been stalking.. Uhh... reading her books for a long while now, and she's never let me down. If you haven't pick up this series, Shame on You! Didn't think she'd ever surpass the Kaldor series (which is GREAT!) But Chronicles of the Shifter Directive has elevated Ms. Scarlet into my Rock Star Author status. Now... Deep breath... On to '' From the Ashes'', book #7. (And no. No spoilers. This is book 6! There's no way to adequately discuss this installment with someone who hasn't read the previous ones and seriously.. there are reviews from people much more articulate than I. As I've stated before, if you want a taste, a glimpse, a sneek peek into this Marvelous World, go now and download the Guide. That in and of itself is essential to this series. And well worth the price! Oh wait.... ITS FREE! So go. Go on... Why are you still here?)
Took me a minute to actually start this installment. I dreaded reading it only because I knew the series was coming to an end and knowing Ms. Scarlet, I wasn't going to be reading about Roses and Rainbows and Ribbons (what? I couldn't think of another R word!). Anyway.. I sat on the edge of my chair through most of this book.. Waiting.... For.. IT. And boy did IT show up!! You ever read a book but didn't want to read it? Like... You pick it up, put it down only to pick it up again?? You feel for the characters, laugh with then, cry with them, cheer them on, scream at your reading device?? Yeah. I knew I had to finish this installment of Rachen and Phoenix's story, all the while tryin to cheer for the Underdogs. This wasn't a '' easy'' book to read but it was freaking awesome. I still have no idea how Ms. Scarlet is going to END this fabulous Epic tale, but I am so confident that she'll do it grandly! I've been stalking.. Uhh... reading her books for a long while now, and she's never let me down. If you haven't pick up this series, Shame on You! Didn't think she'd ever surpass the Kaldor series (which is GREAT!) But Chronicles of the Shifter Directive has elevated Ms. Scarlet into my Rock Star Author status. Now... Deep breath... On to '' From the Ashes'', book #7. (And no. No spoilers. This is book 6! There's no way to adequately discuss this installment with someone who hasn't read the previous ones and seriously.. there are reviews from people much more articulate than I. As I've stated before, if you want a taste, a glimpse, a sneek peek into this Marvelous World, go now and download the Guide. That in and of itself is essential to this series. And well worth the price! Oh wait.... ITS FREE! So go. Go on... Why are you still here?)
September 16, 2013
Holy cliffhanger. ..wow..I am so glad we don't have to wait very long for the installment
April 14, 2019
Thank you, Ms. Hyacinth, for starting this book exactly where the previous one ended. I didn't want to lose my good time mojo I had happening. *grins* I'm thrilled that I'm at book six, but I'm sad that I'm at book six. It's a curse when you're a fast reader. I devour the books in my path and then I'm super sad when I get to the end of a great series. And the 'Chronicles of the Shifter Directive' has proven itself, beyond a shadow of doubt, to be an incredible series. The action, the passion, the political intrigue, and the love have all been over the top and wonderful. 'Fire's Embrace' is Prince Rachen's and Alwyn's story. But, is it really Alwyn?
Rachen is Karein's twin whom Karein's black dragon energy actually consumed while they were in their egg. Rachen spent two hundred years living inside Karein, their souls together. When Karein pressed his hand to the obelisk, Kael took Rachen out of Karein, allowing Karein to be free for the first time. Then Rachen lived within Kael for awhile until the obelisk exploded releasing all three men. Rachen still struggles with the fact that so many of his memories aren't really his, they belong to either Karein or Kael. This is why Rachen has held back from claiming Alwyn, even though he's fairly certain Alwyn is his mate. Rachen holds his kin's memories of their mates, Sari and Talrasar respectively, so Rachen has been hesitant to trust his instincts. But now, with Alwyn's revelation to him that he doesn't think he's a sprite or even Alwyn, Rachen must protect his mate and love him.
After confronting the sprite leaders, Rachen discovers that the prince of the sprite who had come to live at Draechenburg, Alwyn, is just an illusion. Rachen's Alwyn is a phoenix, summoned into creation centuries before by the avian shifters in hopes of defeating the draechen. At the time Phoenix was created, it was just pure energy with incredible powers. But, now, having been trapped in a box for hundreds of years, and then trapped within the illusion, Phoenix has gained a consciousness and his soul has been awakened. And he is, truly, Rachen's mate. What does all of this mean, however, for the paranormal world and Rachen's family? How can Phoenix discover how to return Eanara's (Sari's mother) powers to her? He inadvertently took all of the High Priestess of Jennara's powers and now she is dying. There is so much unrest and confusion.
'Alwyn felt it when the spell collapsed under the weight of the mate bond. Suddenly, the phoenix could no longer be contained. Empowered by the new link with Rachen, it screeched and burst out.
In a flash, Alwyn pushed Rachen off him. Just in time, too, because a few instants later, he exploded into a hot, bright flame. And then, he stopped existing, or rather, he wasn't Alwyn anymore. He was just…Phoenix."
What follows in the story is almost more incredible than anything else I've witnessed, except it's all been so fascinating. All I can say is that I thought the author left me on a cliffhanger in the previous book, but now, I know she did. What an ending! I've got to jump directly into the next book because I can't wait to find out what's going to happen. I loved this book just as much as the five before it.
NOTE: This book was provided by Siren Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Rachen is Karein's twin whom Karein's black dragon energy actually consumed while they were in their egg. Rachen spent two hundred years living inside Karein, their souls together. When Karein pressed his hand to the obelisk, Kael took Rachen out of Karein, allowing Karein to be free for the first time. Then Rachen lived within Kael for awhile until the obelisk exploded releasing all three men. Rachen still struggles with the fact that so many of his memories aren't really his, they belong to either Karein or Kael. This is why Rachen has held back from claiming Alwyn, even though he's fairly certain Alwyn is his mate. Rachen holds his kin's memories of their mates, Sari and Talrasar respectively, so Rachen has been hesitant to trust his instincts. But now, with Alwyn's revelation to him that he doesn't think he's a sprite or even Alwyn, Rachen must protect his mate and love him.
After confronting the sprite leaders, Rachen discovers that the prince of the sprite who had come to live at Draechenburg, Alwyn, is just an illusion. Rachen's Alwyn is a phoenix, summoned into creation centuries before by the avian shifters in hopes of defeating the draechen. At the time Phoenix was created, it was just pure energy with incredible powers. But, now, having been trapped in a box for hundreds of years, and then trapped within the illusion, Phoenix has gained a consciousness and his soul has been awakened. And he is, truly, Rachen's mate. What does all of this mean, however, for the paranormal world and Rachen's family? How can Phoenix discover how to return Eanara's (Sari's mother) powers to her? He inadvertently took all of the High Priestess of Jennara's powers and now she is dying. There is so much unrest and confusion.
'Alwyn felt it when the spell collapsed under the weight of the mate bond. Suddenly, the phoenix could no longer be contained. Empowered by the new link with Rachen, it screeched and burst out.
In a flash, Alwyn pushed Rachen off him. Just in time, too, because a few instants later, he exploded into a hot, bright flame. And then, he stopped existing, or rather, he wasn't Alwyn anymore. He was just…Phoenix."
What follows in the story is almost more incredible than anything else I've witnessed, except it's all been so fascinating. All I can say is that I thought the author left me on a cliffhanger in the previous book, but now, I know she did. What an ending! I've got to jump directly into the next book because I can't wait to find out what's going to happen. I loved this book just as much as the five before it.
NOTE: This book was provided by Siren Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
May 13, 2014
4.0 Stars
Finally! I had been waiting on pins and needles for Rachen's story. Am I happy? Yeah, but ......
First the good: wow. Talk about twists and turns and OVERALL plot development. This was was a page-turner and I couldn't put it down.
The bad: Some parts are ridiculously ...
Second, while the overarching story holds my attention, the individual tales are ... wait for it ... formulaic. Why? MCs find each other, realize they're true mates, overcome some sorta challenge or obstacle that is somehow due at least in part to the Shifter Directive, get pregnant, and live HEA. Swap out Caelyn for Sari, Tali, Camden, etc. and Graham for Karein, Kael, Sage, etc. and ... well, you get the idea.
Lastly, my irritation with the formulaic aspects of this story lessens my tolerance for the glaring chick-with-a-dick problem. And this is, without a doubt, CWAD. Hands. Down. When you're carrying your mate bridal style ... puh-leeze. Pathetic.
Bottom line: Overall, the page-turning factor generates my 4* rating. HOWEVER, these stories are seriously starting to blend (and get on my nerves). Just sayin' ...
Finally! I had been waiting on pins and needles for Rachen's story. Am I happy? Yeah, but ......
First the good: wow. Talk about twists and turns and OVERALL plot development. This was was a page-turner and I couldn't put it down.
The bad: Some parts are ridiculously ...
formulaicI'm basically skimming (read: skipping) the sex scenes. Outrageous, I know. But if you've read one, you've read 'em all. Seriously. There are blow jobs and tongue thrusting into wet caverns. There's lube or in its absence, the occasional rimming. The heat between the MCs reaches volcanic levels and then someone inevitably offers his neck, the other bites him, and squirt ... we're done. Oh, except for the over-the-top orgasm whereby reality ceases to exist and the two characters are joined mind, body, and soul. Lather, rinse, repeat. Honestly, the sex was pretty dull to begin with ... so, yeah ... skipping.
formulaic
formulaic
Second, while the overarching story holds my attention, the individual tales are ... wait for it ... formulaic. Why? MCs find each other, realize they're true mates, overcome some sorta challenge or obstacle that is somehow due at least in part to the Shifter Directive, get pregnant, and live HEA. Swap out Caelyn for Sari, Tali, Camden, etc. and Graham for Karein, Kael, Sage, etc. and ... well, you get the idea.
Lastly, my irritation with the formulaic aspects of this story lessens my tolerance for the glaring chick-with-a-dick problem. And this is, without a doubt, CWAD. Hands. Down. When you're carrying your mate bridal style ... puh-leeze. Pathetic.
Bottom line: Overall, the page-turning factor generates my 4* rating. HOWEVER, these stories are seriously starting to blend (and get on my nerves). Just sayin' ...
September 17, 2013
Best. One. Yet.
Seriously. I can't wait for the epic conclusion to this fantastic series.
Seriously. I can't wait for the epic conclusion to this fantastic series.
December 6, 2013
Damn cliffhanger will be the death of me!
*rushes to read the next book*
July 18, 2015
Oh man…I don't know if this or book 3 are my favorite of the series now, but wow this one packed a punch! I was really looking forward to Rachen and Alwyn getting their story, and this was emotional, hot, action packed, and beautiful to read. I don't want to give away spoilers, but I loved the twist on Alwyn, his "doubts" and all, and I loved how beautiful he and Rachen were. They *might* be my favorite couple from this series haha, but I'm always changing my mind on that one. Loved this to pieces, now on to the last one!
Read
September 22, 2013Review being tidied.
September 30, 2013
OH MY GODS!!!!!
June 16, 2014
The ending could have been better.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews