Books Need TLC: Ember Tour by Rachel Van Dyken 5 Star Review, Excerpt & Giveaway! @RachVD @InkSlingerPR

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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P-h-e-n-o-m-e-n-a-l....Rachel Van Dyken is a literary genius...oh my, I mean seriously her writing is so captivating and intense at times. You are definitely always on a ride when you read her books. I have been waiting to read Phoenix's story for awhile and was so excited....majorly excited like jump up and down excited...LOL!

I knew this book was going to be intense, dark and have a lot of twists. This book had it all...wow!

Phoenix is a haunted man. He is so tormented with his past and doesn't believe he's worth anything. He was a monster and monsters deserved darkness, not happy endings. He felt he didn't deserve redemption because of his past sins that give him constant nightmares...he had no heart, he deserved no happiness or pleasure. He needed to pay for his sins and that's why he chose to do things alone and be numb...until the one who could change it all is thrown into his life full time...Bianka(Bee) Campisi.

Bianka(Bee) is a beautiful, funny and sheltered girl. She is Tex's little sister, but shes grown up in a world alone being passed from family member to family member. The horrible life she lived in was constant fear. Now after moving to live with her brother, she finally has freedom, but she's waiting for him to get rid of her just like the others. She is a little awkward around others and has no friends. Except for the one who is forbidden...Phoenix. He's the one who has been constant in her life, who would put her safety before his own, who saved her. He was the one she wanted, but yet couldn't have.

I loved the back and forth between these two. Bee could push his buttons and get him going so good. The chemistry between them was so undeniable, but yet Phoenix tried to stay away. He couldn't allow himself to given in, he was sure his darkness would come out. He wouldn't let that happen. He couldn't destroy an innocent...his heaven, his light...Bee!

Would Phoenix become his father? Would he give completely into his dark side again? Or would he finally get his miracle, his redemption? Will Ber break down Phoenix's walls? Will she convince him he's worth it, that he's not his past?

I loved the interaction with the rest of the characters. I can't get enough of these characters and the drama of their lifestyle...keeps ya on your toes!

I can't express how much I loved this book. I fell in love with this series in book one and I didn't think anyone would out do Nixon, but damn it Phoenix is my number one now. This book has a lot of OMG moments, a lot of heartbreaking moments and yes a lot funny moments(Tex, payback)...ha ha!

This whole series is always 5 stars for me. Rachel is a 1-click author for me. She has outdone herself with this book and for me is the best one in the series. 5 Plus Birdy Stars!!

Review by Heather Driscoll

PROLOGUE:

Phoenix

“Do it,” my father spat. “Or I will.”

I looked at the girl at my feet and back at my father. “No.”

He lifted his hand above my head; I knew what was coming, knew it would hurt like hell but had no way to fight back — he’d already starved me of my food for the past three days for arguing, for trying to save the girl and her cousin.

His fist hit my temple so hard that I fell to the ground with a cry. The click of his boots against the cement gave me the only warning I’d have as he reared back and kicked me in the ribs; over and over again he kicked. The girl screamed, but I stayed silent. Screaming didn’t help; nothing did.

I waited until he was done — I prayed that he would kill me this time. I prayed so hard that I was convinced God was finally going to hear me and take me away from my hell. Anything was better than living. Anything.

“You worthless—” Another kick to the head. “—piece of shit!” A kick to my gut. “You will never be boss, not if you cry every time you must do the hard thing!” Finally, blessed darkness enveloped my line of vision.

I woke up from the nightmare screaming, not even realizing that I was safe, in my own bed. With a curse I checked the clock.

Three a.m.

Well, at least I’d only had one nightmare — that I’d remembered. I’d been living with Sergio for the past week; his house was so big that I’d basically taken the east wing, and he’d taken the West, said he’d hated living alone anyway. I wasn’t stupid; I knew the guy wasn’t exactly a big fan, but it worked. I needed to stay in the States while I figured shit out.

And I wasn’t ready to leave. Not when I needed to learn all I could from Nixon. Not when I had responsibility.

And not when I had those black folders freaking burning a hole in my mind.

Luca hadn’t just left me an empire; he’d left me secrets. I wasn’t sure what was worse, knowing everything there was to know about those I was supposed to be protecting or knowing that at any minute one of them could turn on us.

“Hey!” Bee barged into my room.

“Damn it!” I pulled the blankets over my naked body, my heart picking up speed at her tousled hair and bedroom eyes. Tex’s sister, Tex’s sister. My body wasn’t accepting that — physically it wasn’t accepting any information other than she was beautiful.

And it was dark.

I looked away, scowling.

“I heard screaming.” Bee took a step forward, her perfume floating off her body like an aphrodisiac or drug, making me calm, making me want something I had no business wanting.

“Yeah, well…” I gave her a cold glance. “…clearly I’m fine, so you should go. Actually, why are you here? You know you live with Tex, right?”

She shrugged and sat on my bed. I clenched my fists around the blankets to keep from reaching out to her. It was getting harder and harder to ignore her warmth — when I lived in a constant state of near-death cold.

“He’s with Mo, and they need privacy. I’m not stupid. So I asked Sergio if I could move in for a while.”

“You did what?” I asked in a deadly tone, one I was sure would probably give her nightmares later.

She grinned. “I’m your new roomie!” Bee bounced on the bed and sent me a shy look from beneath her dark lashes. “Admit it, you miss our slumber parties.”

Forget the nightmare — I was looking at it.

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