The Chronicles of the Phoenix, Book One: Ashes to Ashes
By Logan M. WhyteBeltane–a night of wanton sexual abandon. At twenty-years-of age, Devon plays the role of the God. The mystic Celtic fire burns bright…burns nearly as bright as the passion inside Devon.
But his new lover isn’t the only one who desires Devon. Daigh Campbell is willing to do anything to claim Devon as his own.
I’ll be honest about my reading this story. It’s the first time I’ve read an erotic romance written by a man and I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’ve read a lot of romances based around the Beltane festival, usually witches and Fae. I suppose this carries an element of that here, too, with the goddess and god figures. However, the introduction of another mystical creature not often seen in romance was quite refreshing and it intrigued me.
Devon is the lead hero in this story and I have to say, reading about his private moments will deliver the erotic edge readers are looking for in this type of story. I don’t think I’ve ever read such an explicit description of events as Logan was able to convey. It was a fascinating insight about a man from a perspective I’d never experienced before. I think I blushed! I felt like I was peeping. *gg*
Things really revved up at the festival, which is when the character of Daigh Campell creeped me out. He creeped Devon out, too, but Logan’s choice of scene where Devon and Daigh confront each other took me totally by surprise. I don’t think I have ever read a scene like that. It was kind of graphic, but I don’t think the author could have written it any other way and gotten the reaction out of me that it did.
The onsite love interest was too short for me, but I think it was Logan’s intent to hook the readers for the future. I sense a bit of world building in this story – setting the stage for a reader, to instill a yearning to know all. I wish the tine éan had a name because that would have connected me with the character more effectively. As it is, the tine éan’s choice didn’t move me emotionally as it perhaps could have. I entertain the hope that such will be the case in the future, because I DO see a future for this series. I guess you could say the “hook” worked.
I am compelled to say this: Ashes to Ashes does not have a typical HEA ending. I don’t want to mislead romance readers who determine their likeability of a book on the HEA ending. Logan seems to be leaving a couple of story threads dangling because I believe his intent is to expand and draw out the happily ever after. This is, after all, the first book in a chronicle and like the Heinz Ketchup commercial of yore, anticipation is a good thing and worth waiting for.
Ashes to Ashes delivers erotic satisfaction and enough of a refreshing twist on love’s journey to make a reader want to join Devon for the next trip.
Rating:
Reviewed by Xeranthemum
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