This book has been on my TBR for sometime now. I received copies in both paperback and ebook format from the author, but never got around to reading it until now. Getting the audio book from Audible Escape was an added bonus.
Burn for Me by Cynthia Eden is the first book in the Phoenix Fire paranormal series. I have read a few books by this author and I enjoyed every one of them. I found myself pulled into the story and I was caught up in the world the author created. The suspense, action, and characters made this a great page turning experience.
This differs from my usual paranormal reads. The story features shifters and vampires; however, there were a few unique supernatural beings.
I found the world Eden created fascinating. Paranormal beings have made themselves known to the human world and are growing in numbers. The humans feel threatened by their existence, but there are those who want to study them, hoping to create an army of super soldiers who cannot die.
I enjoyed getting to know the characters. Eve is a reporter who went undercover to gather information about the top government secret program called Genesis. What she discovered would change her life dramatically.
In the first part of the story, Eve proved brave and tenacious. However, sometimes her acts of bravery turned into acts of stupidity.
She had a past that shrouded in secrets. It is clear she is not human, but the story never revealed what she was until near the end. It had me guessing throughout the story as to her true nature.
Cain O’Connor is not your typical shifter. Captured and held captive in the same facility that Eve had undertaken her undercover assignment. It was in this facility that they subjected the paranormal beings to experimentation and torture.
I loved getting to know Cain. His unique abilities forced him into the dark side each time he used them. Eve was the only one who had the power to save him the dark side.
Wyatt is the scientist responsible for carrying out the unspeakable horrors under the guise of experiments on the paranormal beings. Evil and insane, which made him the perfect villain. Up on learning why he is so evil, I had some sympathy for him, but those feelings were fleeting.
The secondary characters helped to drive the plot and made things interesting. I had a particular liking for Trace, a werewolf and Ryder, a vampire. I would love to learn more about them.
The romance was hot in every sense of the word. Although, not a big fan of their romance, it worked for the story. They could not get enough of each other. You would expect that being chased by a mad scientist and his goons would put a damper on their steamy connection, but it had the opposite effect.
The story was interesting. It started out on a high note and kept that momentum to the end. Danger lurked in every corner. I found some events monotonous, but despite this, I still had a good time with the story.
Narration
Jillian Macie was a new to me narrator. I enjoyed listening to her. She brought the characters to life, and she captured their voices well.
Conclusion/Recommendation
I am looking forward to the next book in the series, as I am eager for Ryder’s story. Burn for Me provided the perfect blend of romance and suspense. Fans of paranormal, romance and suspense would enjoy this tale.
| Story Evaluation | |
|---|---|
| Plot | |
| Characters | |
| World Building | |
| Writing Style | |
| Pacing | |
| Cover | |
| Narrator (Audio) | |
| Enjoyment | |
| Ending | |
| Overall: |  |
About Cynthia Eden
Cynthia Eden is a New York Times, USA Today, Digital Book World, and IndieReader best-seller. Cynthia writes sexy tales of contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and paranormal romance. Since she began writing full-time in 2005, Cynthia has written over one hundred novels and novellas. Cynthia is a “hybrid” author. She has published extensively with New York (her New York publishers include Avon, Kensington, Grand Central, and Harlequin), and she has also enjoyed success in her indie writing career. Cynthia lives along the Alabama Gulf Coast. She loves romance novels, horror movies, and chocolate. Her favorite hobbies include hiking in the mountains (searching for waterfalls) and spelunking.
- Undeniably Convenient: J. Saman - July 26, 2024
- One Little Sigh: Shannon Hollinger - July 22, 2024
- Tin God: Elizabeth Hunter - July 21, 2024
I’m glad to see you enjoyed this one. I would expect with a fiery as that cover is, it WOULD be steamy. LOL I’m glad to see the cover is so fitting.
Great review! 🙂
Isn’t that funny Nadene how we really like an author and for one reason or another we just never pick up that tbr that’s gathering dust on our shelf. I’m glad you finally dusted it off and it sounds like something I would like too, but alas my tbr pile has multiple layers of dust so I must get to it first. Great review you really make me want it.
btw I’m back 🙂 xo
Great review. Love audiobooks.
Thanks.
I love her books. This is definitely going in my wish list now.
I love her books too. I hope you get the chance to read the series.
I have had a few books that I didn’t pick up for one reason or another until I had the audio. I haven’t listened to Jillian Macie before but I am glad that you liked her work. This sounds like something that I would like.
Great review I am really glad you fully enjoyed listening to this book it looks and sounds absolutely amazing book. Thank you so much for sharing your awesome post.
I do love Cynthia Eden but I’m not a fan of books that have torture in the story. It’s difficult for me to read and so I’m not sure this would work for me. Glad to hear you enjoyed it, Nadene. 🙂
I understand. The scenes were not that graphic.
I’m not a fan of the cover but I’m glad to see you had a good time with it
Ah, I understand.
Yay for books that have been sitting in your TBR pile that you finally try and end up being awesome! I’ve been reading a lot from my pile as well this summer and I have been loving it!
Yes, there are a lot more I need to pick up before the year ends.
Now, I’m curious what type of paranormal she is. 🙂 I like the set up on this one and I’ve enjoyed her books before so I’ll have to mark this one down for the list.
I ain’t telling, 🙂 I do hope get the chance to read it.
Great review thanks for sharing.
Gemma @ Gemma’s Book Nook
You are welcome, Gemma.
Great review, I have loads on my TBR list that I need to get to, I love it when I do and they are amazing, makes me question why I didn’t read it sooner.
Yes, that has happened to me a lot. 🙂
I like that you got to experience a few unique paranormal beings and that this story kept up the momentum from beginning to end. I’m glad that overall you enjoyed it. Great Review Nadene 🙂
Lindy@ A Bookish Escape
This looks exactly like my kind of book. Thanks for putting it on my radar!
You are welcome Caffeinated Fae.