Feasted On: Phoenix Rising Series, Book 1

Format: Paperback | Pages: 342 | Release Date: February 28, 2012 | Publisher: Brava Books | Obtained: Cynthia Eden's Twitter Giveaway

"Fever" [Phoenix Rising Series, Book 1] by Joan Swan

My Book Summary : A case of mistaken identity couldn't come at the worst time for Alyssa, especially when it causes her to be taken hostage by a prisoner, Teague, in the middle of his abdomen ultrasound. Now she's on the run, not willingly (especially at first), with Teague and involved in his floundering plan on gaining his freedom while getting custody of his daughter back. Throughout the experience, Alyssa will find out how much and what she's willing to handle, along with finding out that not everything in life is really, what it seems.

Teague has been in prison for a crime he didn't commit. After three years, his plan to escape has finally here and his hostage (who's also his leverage in getting his daughter back) isn't anything like he thought she would be. She's strong, bullheaded, and very determined in everything she does. Throughout the "hostage" situation, they go through a lot together. Therefore, not long after he finds out who Alyssa really is, they get on friendlier terms with each other.

In addition, Alyssa decides that she needs to help Teague become a free man, just more legally then he had planned. In doing so their lives take massive turns, they both have to decide what they most want in their lives, and what they are willing to do (and/or give up) to make those dreams come true.

My Book Review : 4 out of 5 stars! This riveting and enticing novel will keep you on your toes while wishing for the romance relationship between the main characters and Teague's main goals to all work out for the best. I could not believe some of the twists that happened in this book, but it has government conspiracy out the wazoo! The characters in this novel are very dynamic, diverse, sizzling and soo much more!

However, I will say at the beginning of the novel (like Taz and sometimes Teague) I was annoyed with how Alyssa handled herself or some of the reactions she had to her situation. Yet even as I say that, it really appealed to be that she was portrayed as such a strong heroine. Alyssa never backed down from anything that came at her throughout this whole book, which was very admiring.

Than the only other thing, that I wish could have been more developed was the things Tara did. Are they going to prosecute her? Was it really an accident? Did the warehouse fire make her do some of the things she did, like Suzanna?

I hope that my unanswered questions will be answered in the second novel in this series, "Blaze," or at least in some book down the line. Since in my opinion I don't think it was an accident. Nevertheless, until the author tells us ... who really knows the truth? =0/

Anyway ....

All in all, I REALLY liked this novel and I have high hopes for this series! I recommend this book to anyone who likes to read contemporary romance novels with a slight paranormal feel to it.

I hope you'll like it as much as I did!!

Book Teaser(s) :

"Shhh." Creek silenced her with a wave of his hand.
"The San Quentin inmates subdued guards and reportedly escaped the facility with a woman whose identity remains undisclosed. It is unclear at this time whether that woman was a hostage of an accomplice."
"Accomplice?" Alyssa sat straight up and swung her legs over the side of the bed. "You've got to be kidding me. Why would they . . . ? How could they . . . ?" ~ within Chapter 8

"You don't strike me as a random cruising kind of guy," Alyssa said. "Why are we here?"
"What kind of guy do I strike you as after our whole fifty-six hours together?"
"Like a guy who has secrets."
"That's not news, not is it?"
He turned into the parking lot, his attention scanning each row as he drove. ~ within Chapter 13

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Joan, then please check out her website.