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Book Title: Phoenix Book #4 in the Bellator Saga
Author: Cecilia London
Genre: Contemporary/Erotic Romance
Release Date: May 2nd
Cover Artist: Sofie Hartley at Luminos Graphic House
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~REVIEW~
~REVIEW~
Dear Cecilia London (and Caroline),
Shel: Seriously. I was pissed about 85% percent of the time while I was reading this.
Was I pissed because the writing was crappy? NO, absolutely no. The writing is GREAT.
I was pissed because Cecilia London used her torture methods on me, the reader. I swear to god. I think it's all part of her plan to make us crazy with the shit she does to her characters. Well guess what, Cecilia London? Mission freaking accomplished. You made me crazy with Caroline and her hardcore stubborn ass and again with Jack's equally stubborn ass. Court: Amen. Amen. Amen. I really, really, really enjoyed this book (and apparently repeating myself) and I think it was because there was such conflict between our characters and even though they have been through the wringer with external conflict, and continue to be so...I felt like their story was just made better by the fact that everything isn't so hunky dory and perfect between them. I am truly a masochist when it comes to my reading apparently, because...wowza, y'all.
Shel: You had me looking like a pissed NeNe half the time... Court: Heaard dat.
Shel: And when I wasn't pissed, I was really busy contemplating and worrying about what you were going to throw at Jack and Caroline next. Court: From installment 1-3...everyone should be doing that. It's a miracle that we all don't read the end first, tbh. (See Oprah's face below for a fair representation of that...).
Shel: In all seriousness, Cecilia London writes engaging books and it's to the credit of her wicked brain that she has me so emotionally invested in what's happening with Caroline and Jack. I mean if you think about how many pages are devoted to this up close and personal look at their inner monologues and that in truth there isn't a ton of 'big' action sequences, I feel like London would have to write compelling (also emotional...also infuriating) interactions with the people we have on the page, and she does. She's created these characters and their histories with obvious care and attention to detail and to try to rush what Jack and Caroline are going through would be a disservice to what's she created with them. I suppose this is my way of saying that this isn't an easy read, it isn't a short read (at 122,000 words and over 400 pages), but being on this journey with them is well the time spent. I knew going into this series that it was a 6 book series which meant that, most likely, things wouldn't be resolved quickly or easily and that's been true thus far.
Just like the first books in this series, Phoenix is more marathon than sprint and will leave you a little angsty, a little hope-filled, and then you get to the end and you may feel like one of these Court: Right. The first 3 parts of this saga were much more past oriented, and much more action oriented because we had to see that to get to here. And to be honest, the past was difficult for me in parts. Those scenes made the story seem so far apart. BUT NOW, it's all brought together, and knowing those things about our characters and how their past is effecting their present is entirely necessary. This has been my favorite read of this series so far...Cecilia blew it out of the water, and I was telling Shelley. Maybe also since I am a huge supporter of male POV scenes...I felt the book was so much more complete because we fantastic, well-plotted scenes from both of our characters. Both of them are dealing with some serious emotions. I am just so happy with how this one went. (see below):
or
Shel: Yep. This ride isn't over yet so hold on tight. I have a feeling Cecilia London is going to have her inbox blowing up with messages when people get to the end. Court: Gah. Yes, please have in the back of your mind that there are TWO books left.
Shel: So, dear Cecilia London, I really want to hate you for what you're putting me through right now but I guess more than that I really want books 5 and 6 in my hands, like rightthefucknow.
Cheers. <3 Court: We want to. But we can't. Gah. We need more, like yesterday, but will be waiting in the wings patiently for when more is to come!
Details about Phoenix are below!!
Ripped away from each other by circumstances beyond their control. Reunited in a place they never expected. Separated but never quite apart.
“You’re still the only woman I see. The only woman I need. I know you’re in there somewhere, sweet Caroline. We’re going to find you and we’re going to help you, until you come home to me where you belong. Then we’re going to finish what we started. Together.”
Her confidence shattered, Caroline finally starts to deal with what happened at The Fed. Jack is determined to convince her that she’s more than she thinks she is. That she wasn’t destroyed by her experiences. That their relationship is worth the fight. But will he give up before it’s too late?
Phoenix is the fourth installment in The Bellator Saga. It should be read after the first three novels in the series.
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Cecilia London is the pen name of a native Illinoisan currently living in San Antonio, Texas. She's filled several roles over the course of her adult life - licensed attorney, wrangler of small children, and obsessed baseball fan, among others. An extroverted introvert with a serious social media addiction, she is the author of The Bellator Saga, an epic, genre-crossing romance series. You can catch all of her quirky updates on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or at her website.
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