I really enjoyed this. I've gotten a bit over the whole paranormal romance genre but I still like to pop back over to read the more unusual contributions. Or at least rarer paranormal elements. In this case, phoenix shifters!

I liked the world building - though it wasn't overly detailed and I really liked the main characters, Cain and Eve. I was a bit confused by Eve - some parts didn't really make sense like her being human has been a cover? I mean sure in the loosest sense of the word cover. She might not be human but she also has no idea what she is so I don't know that it really counts. I kept thinking she was going to be something unusual and totally knowledgeable about it but she wasn't. but overall I found her to be amusing and gutsy. The romance between the two was not as instalove as I was expecting actually. I mean it was fast but it wasn't like undying soulmate love either. It was a nice balance. The plot held intrigue and mystery and although I wish it was longer, it wrapped everything up nicely.

4 stars. ( )

The "Hero" has no redeeming qualities to me, the "heroine" was seriously stupid, and reckless and just, what the actual hell was she thinking the entire book. Borderline rape. Really stupid sex scenes. Like, for real. I don't understand how this book has an average of almost 4 stars. ( )

Everyone knows I'm a big fan of Cynthia Eden, so this review isn't going to be a big surprise. I loved this book. It wasn't perfect, but I felt like the characters were flawed enough to deserve a chance at happiness. This is especially true of the hero, who's never known love in his life and genuinely believes he's not capable of feeling the emotion. It was wonderful watching his journey. I also liked the twist on mythology. Like all of Cynthia's books, there was an edge of darkness sprinkled throughout.

If you like your paranormal romances with a bit of a twist--this isn't your typical vampire/werewolf story--though there are a few of those in the book, then you'll LOVE this book. I can't wait until Ryder's book releases in April. I'm also hoping against hope that the third book will be about the heroine's werewolf best friend. ( )

Read for Fun (Library)
Overall Rating: 4.00
Story Rating: 4.25
Character Rating: 3.75

First Thought when Finished: Oh I am loving me some Pheonix power in Burn for Me by Cynthia Eden!

Quick Thoughts: I haven't read a whole lot of Cynthia Eden but I am thinking that should change. This world she created with paranormals, experiments, love, action, and really nasty guys really hooked me. I immediately put my name on the hold list for books 2 and 3 at the library. I will admit to being more in love with the story than the couple in book 1 but in a kick ass world that is really enough for me. Not that Cain and Eve weren't hot for each other but they just didn't wow me. The guys coming up though--WOWZER!

Part of my Read It, Rate It, File It, DONE! Reviews ( )

*Book source ~ A review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Eve Bradley is a reporter undercover trying to expose Dr. Richard Wyatt and his Project Genesis as the true evil that they are when she encounters Subject Thirteen, Cain O’Connor. The world knows about the paranormal creatures that inhabit their world, but the paranormals try to stay out of the limelight. Dr. Wyatt says that his subjects are volunteers and while that may be true for some of them, the majority are captives for his torturous experiments, experiments he conducts in an effort to create the perfect soldier, the perfect weapon, an unstoppable killing machine. And while he doesn’t know exactly what Cain is Wyatt thinks he’s found it in the man who doesn’t die. But Cain has no intention of sticking around much longer. His beast is growing stronger and now Eve is involved in trying to help him get out. However, Wyatt won’t want to lose his prize and with the might of the government backing him, Eve and Cain will have to run fast and far. Who will win in the end?

Cynthia Eden is one of my favorite authors. When I pick up a book by her I’m 99.99% guaranteed I’m going to be entertained. In fact, I can pretty much guarantee that I’ll not want to put the book down. This book lives up to my expectations for an Eden book.

This new series starts off flaming hot. Cain, oh, Cain. *fans self* What a hottie! Literally! Cain is a shifter I’ve not yet seen in a book and he’s very unusual. I loved his battle with his beast, learning the parameters of his existence and his fight to keep yet push away Eve. Eve is no pushover and I like a strong heroine. She has a mysterious past that is revealed slowly throughout the book and I have to say I love the end result. These two were meant to be together and the steamy scenes were beyond sizzling. There are a few characters introduced that I look forward to seeing though I wasn’t quite enamored with Ryder the vampire. I’ll reserve judgment on him until I read Once Bitten, Twice Burned coming out April 29th of this year. ( )