Rising (The Blue Phoenix Series Book 4) by Lisa Swallow

By the time I finished reading the prologue I really disliked Jem’s mum for being so selfish and came to understand Jem better.  When I read the first three books of the Blue Phoenix Series, I thought of Jem as being a self-centred junkie, but now I know why he acted the way he did was for self-preservation.  Jem understands what Ruby is going through and as much as he swears he is staying out of her life, he can’t help trying to assist her in any way he can.

What was happening between Jem and Ruby wasn’t something either of them could prevent, but Ruby had a lot of issues with Dan that needed to be sorted out.

I found as I turned the pages what Dan was doing to Ruby was tearing me apart and I wanted to shout and tell her not to believe his words.  This book was intense but captivating.

The more I read, the more I started to respect what Jem is trying to achieve in helping Ruby.  To understand his struggle, you have to have been through the same pain and grief he had.  Addiction follows you everywhere you go and trying not to succumb is tremendously hard.

Lisa Swallow wrote how it cleanses the soul to tell someone how you feel, even when you have the urge to shut your mouth.  I resonated with that paragraph so much, as I am sure other readers will.

As intense as this book is, there were a couple of times when I actually laughed.

How Lisa Swallow ended the book at first stunned me, but then I realised with all the intensity in the book the ending was perfect.

I’m sure Book 5 in the Blue Phoenix Series, which gives us an insight into Bryn’s life, will be just as captivating.

Unplugged (The Blue Phoenix Series Book 3) by Lisa Swallow

In Falling Sky Book 2, Sky sees Liam and a woman together in his hometown.  In Unplugged Lisa Swallow shares Liam’s story with us.  Liam comes home after seeing a picture of Honey in a compromised position in the newspaper.  A surprise awaits Liam when he arrives at his mum and dads house.  Did his sister Louise have a little girl he didn’t know about?  Conflicting emotions hit Liam when Cerys’ walks in.

Turmoil abounds in Liam’s life and he has to return to the US as the Blue Phoenix Band have a death to deal with. He can’t stop thinking of Cerys and he’s not sure if he wants to go through with the wedding to Honey.

Unplugged gives us a glimpse into what life as a rock star could be like, and why a band would take a break to regroup.

Things change when both Liam and Cery’s are single again.  All Liam wants is his own family but, as we know, getting what you want doesn’t always come easy.

I love catching up with Dylan and Sky again and what happened in their lives after reading Falling Sky Book 2.

At one point, I laughed aloud at Ella’s comment to the mighty Dylan.  Ella’s disappearance tests the love between Liam and Cery’s.  Is it strong enough to last after Cery’s verbally abuses Liam when he tried to help her find Ella?

Rising Book 4 of the Blue Phoenix Series delves into the life of Jim and how he met Ruby.

Summer Sky (The Blue Phoenix Series Book 1) by Lisa Swallow

I loved the fact Sky had no idea who Dylan was when she first met him.

As I read I start to feel sorry for Dylan and admire Sky’s willpower in not checking out who he really is…could I have
done that…to be honest I’m not sure!

Steve is so busy looking after himself all he cares about is Blue Phoenix and what the band can do for him.

I don’t like Kim and can’t stand Honey it becomes obvious, at least to me they are both like Steve.

I feel sorry for Jem and how the past has effected his life and his way of thinking now.

My only problem now is having to wait until June before I can read Falling Sky (Blue Phoenix #2) to see what
happens with Sky and Dylan.

Another great read by Lisa Swallow.

Infinite Completion by Michelle Dennis

Abbie loves reading romance books to replace the love she feels she has missing in real life. Then she goes to a club with her girlfriends and meets Valentine the lead singer in the band playing at the club. As far as Abbie is concerned real life does not mimic romance novels, so the quicker she gets Valentine out of her thoughts the better she will be.
The more I read the more I realized I may have misjudged Valentine and his intentions where Abbie was concerned. If you had to choose between having children or be with the man you love which would you choose. I can’t understand why Valentine believes what he does where children are concerned but suddenly there is no decision to make as it’s taken out of Abbie’s hands. Abbie has let her past ruin what she may have had with Valentine.
Zane comes back into Abbie’s life and tries to help her, eventually asking Abbie to marry him and as much as they love each other and Zane’s shock admission on who he really is Abbie is still not sure it will work between them.
In the meantime Valentine comes back into Abbie’s life and just as she thinks everything will now be better she wakes up to devastating news about Zane…then I read the words…’to be continued’ and felt devastated myself.
Lucky for all of us Ms Dennis is not going to keep us waiting long for the next book and what happens to Zane.

Finding Evan (Butterfly Days Book 2) by Lisa Swallow

I loved these characters, my loyalty kept shifting from Ness to Evan as their story unfolded. My thoughts, as I read both books, was that I could understand why they handled things the way they did. Would I have handled things differently with the baggage they had… no I don’t think so.

You have to add these two books to your collection. Thanks Lisa, for sharing Ness and Evan with us.

The Heart of Bali by Rebecca Raisin

I was only a couple of pages into Chapter 1 and ready to fly to Bali. This from someone who swore she would never go there after the Bali Bombings occurred.
To be bold like Aurora and throw away your inhibitions for once, have fun and enjoy your time on holiday while you can.
Loved the ending, loved Marcel (where can I get someone like him please) now all I need to do is book my flight to Bali great novella Rebecca Raisin

Because of Lucy (Butterfly Days Book 1) by Lisa Swallow

I loved these characters, my loyalty kept shifting from Ness to Evan as their story unfolded. My thoughts, as I read both books, was that i could understand why they handled things the way they did. Would I have handled things differently with the baggage they had..no I don’t think so.

You have to add these 2 books to your collection. Thanks Lisa for sharing Ness and Evan with us