RELEASE DATE: FEB 19
I am a Killer. A Rapist. A Monster.
I know only pain and survival.
That is until the Cappo’s sister walked into my life.
And changed everything.
She’s a light who makes my darkness darker, her smile makes my heart turn to ice, and I can’t escape the fear her seductive looks instill–knowing it’s only a matter of time before I fail–again, and take her for myself.
This is the story of my redemption.
But it’s not pretty…I died, and now I’m alive, but not living, breathing but not surviving. I am Phoenix De Lange, son to a murdered mob boss, estranged brother, horrible friend, monster in the making, newest leader to one of the most powerful families in the Cosa Nostra.
And I will have my vengeance.
Or die trying.
I am Phoenix De Lange.
Death is all I know.
Until she offers me a piece of life–I can’t resist taking.
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Review
A phoenix rises out of the embers and begins anew, but in order to get there, who gets dragged into the fire with him, and are they safe from the blazing flames, or will they get irreparably burned?
Monster. Rapist. Murderer. Lost cause.
These are the terms that plague Phoenix De Lange, both in his reality and nightmares. The darkness consumes him and the monster within constantly claws at his psyche, hoping to break free and regain control of the man who has now been given a second chance and become head of the Nicolasi family. Although he has been immersed back into the Elite fold, it has not been with open arms, and Phoenix’s friends’ inability to see him as more than the sum of his misdeeds – a monster just waiting to be released back into the open – guts him more than he’s willing to admit.
Phoenix epitomizes the word damaged, and he copes with it the best he can by focusing on the job, keeping himself cold and indifferent because any type of feeling could possibly push him over the edge, and he refuses to fall again…he doesn’t want to be that man again…the one manipulated and programmed by a sadistic father. He knows he can never make amends, never regain his soul, but he refuses to allow his demons to take over regardless of how strong they push against him and whisper to him to give into temptation and become who he was meant to be.
Bianka (Bee) Campisi, Tex’s younger sister, has her own demons to keep at bay, and although they are not nearly as dark or due to a darkness within, the loneliness and insecurity she feels due to the mistreatment and neglect she endeared at the hands of her father torments her on a daily basis, making her feel worthless and rejected.
Bee is the light to Phoenix’s dark…the warmth to his cold…the blessing to his curse. From their first interaction, Bee has seen beyond the monster and has fought to show him that he’s worth fighting for, but her battle, at times, feels like it’s all for naught because the push and pull between them, the abrasive treatment at Phoenix’s hands is a bit overwhelming because of her isolated childhood and the need to feel protected and special.
Rachel Van Dyken does a tremendous job of illustrating Phoenix’s tormented thoughts and feelings and allowing an anti-hero to work towards redemption by his own actions and the love and care of others. It’s an uphill battle for most of the text between Bee and Phoenix, Tex and Phoenix, basically everyone and Phoenix, but there are moments of clarity amongst the Mafia men and their women in respect to Phoenix that empower Phoenix to pull himself out of the darkness and into a light that he may not think he deserves, but he’s finally willing to grab hold and never let go of something that unthaws the coldness that has surrounded him.
Ember continues to shed light on the duplicitous nature of the mob and those enemies who are always threatening to undermine every decision and move made. Trust is an aspect in this world that is hard to grasp and completely feel at ease with, even with those closest to you. And in true Elite series fashion, never accept anything at face value because there’s always more to the picture that what there seems to be and sooner or later, secrets and lies are exposed in dealt with in the only way the Mafia knows – blood.
Elude can’t some soon enough, especially with what happens with Sergio in Ember and what readers know, after reading it, the battle he has in front of him.
A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
5+ poison apples
Excerpt
I wasn’t sure how to act. Wasn’t sure if I should apologize for attacking him or thank him for not laughing in my face. Embarrassed and irritated that he was most likely going to ignore whatever it was between us even if it killed him, I stared hard at the cement floor.
“How are you feeling, little girl?”
“I’m not little.”
“You want me to call you fat?”
“No.” I lifted my head. “Call me gorgeous like you did last night.”
“Well, shit.” Phoenix ran his hands over his face then grabbed my arm and dragged me down the hall into a darkened corner. “You remember?”
“You kissed me.”
“Prove it.”
“What’s wrong with you?” I pushed against his chest. “You like me! Admit it!”
Phoenix made a face. “You were drunk, launched yourself at me, and I caught you. Did we kiss?” His eyes went completely black. “Yeah, we did, but it meant nothing.”
“Really?”
“Really.” He hissed out a breath through his teeth.
“Prove it.”
“What?”
I pushed him against the wall. “Prove it meant nothing. Let me kiss you now, and if it meant nothing it will be like… what? Kissing your sister.”
“I’ve sworn off women.”
“So this should be an easy test then, right?”
“Bee…” Phoenix’s face was pained, as if I was holding a gun to his head rather than offering to kiss him. Was the idea so abhorrent? “Please…” His voice had a pleading tone I’d never heard before. “Don’t do this.”
“One. Little. Test.” I rose up on my tip toes and kissed him full on the mouth.
His lips refused to move against mine.
I wrapped my arms around his neck.
He stiffened even more.
Irritated, I bit his lower lip. He gasped, and I slid my tongue inside his mouth. He pushed me away with a curse then wiped his lips. “Done. Your little test is done. I didn’t respond. Happy now?”
His eyes were furious; the blue flashed like lightning against his skin. His fingertips shook as he made a fist.
“You like me.”
“Bee…” Phoenix pinched the bridge of his nose with his fingertips. “…find someone your own age, someone who’s interested in you in the way you deserve, alright?” His tone was gentle, and maybe that was what hurt the most.
It was like he was letting me down slowly, hoping I didn’t break.
But the joke was on him.
Because I was already broken.
I didn’t want boys my age — I wanted him.
“You’re a good liar.” My eyes narrowed. “And you’re lucky I’m patient.”
“Lucky?” He sputtered out a laugh. “That you like toying with me?”
“No, lucky that even though you constantly push me away…I keep coming back for more. But, Phoenix… everyone’s time eventually runs out.”
“Go to breakfast, Bee.”
“Go to hell, Phoenix.”
SERIES Buy Links:
Elite
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Elect
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Entice
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Elicit:
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BANG BANG
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ENFORCE
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About Rachel Van Dyken
Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she’s not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.
She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband and their snoring Boxer, Sir Winston Churchill. She loves to hear from readers! You can follow her writing journey at www.rachelvandykenauthor.com
Links:
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