THE PHOENIX (The Blood Coven 5) by TM Smith-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 2, 2023

Indigo
… isn’t just any witch. She’s the reader of the River Am, incomparable finder of lost objects, witch extraordinaire, sister of Alarik, aunt of Rein, daughter of Tor and Adriana, madwoman, and quirky bitch.

Roark
… is an enigma. He’s a raven shifter, a traitor, and a trespasser.

But
… from the moment Indigo sees Roark bathing in her river, she is mesmerized. Secrets, though, can be world-changing.

•••••

REVIEW: THE PHOENIX is the fifth (and final?) instalment in TM Smith’s adult THE BLOOD COVEN erotic, paranormal/fantasy series. This is Warrior Roark, and witch Indigo’s story line. THE PHOENIX can be read as a stand alone but for back story and cohesion, I recommend reading the series in order as there is an ongoing premise throughout.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

SOME BACKGROUND: Thousands of years earlier, a powerful group of witches and warlocks, in an effort to protect the human race, divided the world creating three realms: Earth, Scath and Darque. The Blood Coven series focuses on the fight to keep the worlds physically separated in the face of some powerful people hoping to control one or all. The Aeternals are the overarching collection of breeds and supernatural species that inhabit the Scath and Darque realms, and the Alliance are the group of humans that monitor all supernatural activity on Earth.

Told from numerous third person perspective, following several paths, numerous relationships, memories from the past, and a recitation of an ancient journal THE PHOENIX is the culmination of the previous four instalments wherein the Firebrand Warriors are facing a war of which they may not win. Indigo is a powerful witch; the reader of the River Am; the finder of objects and the woman with whom Roark will fall in love but something about Roark sets Indigo on edge, and the world will come to know Roark as someone else. A journey together, searching for a sword known as the Blood Kiss, forces Roark and Indigo to re-evaluate their future, whether together or alone. As both Arisen Dawn and the Firebrand Warriors continue their search for the descendants of the original Blood Coven witches, the build up of power within Arisen Dawn is centered directly on the Blood Coven descendants.

The relationship between Roark and Indigo may or may not begin as an accidental meeting. Indigo is not impressed with Roark’s behavior and attitude, and less impressed when she discovers a perceived betrayal by the man with whom she will fall in love. Working together reveals and unravels hundreds if not thousands of years of secrets and lies, and it is the secrets that may threaten the future for our story line couple. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and passionate.

Once again, the well-developed world building is complicated, stratified, exhaustive and intricate: Three worlds, numerous species and hybrids of supernatural powers and identities; various allegiances and teams; struggles within and amongst, deadly battles and the ultimate war. Many will die; injuries vast and continuous; love is the ultimate betrayer of happily ever after. The author includes a glossary of terms and places, and a list of characters and their supernatural powers/ positions and abilities.

The colorful, powerful and energetic cast of secondary and supporting characters is a hierarchy of political machinations, supernatural entities, powerful magic and a need to control. We are witness to the ongoing, and newly developing relationships between the Firebrand Warriors and their Blood Coven mates, and herein lies the ultimate betrayal when the descendants are used and abused by Arisen Dawn.

THE PHOENIX is a story of power and control, secrets and lies, madness and obsession, angels and demons, betrayal and vengeance, forgiveness and love. The action packed premise is comprehensive, meticulous, thorough, and elaborate; the romance is seductive and fated; the characters are charismatic, dynamic and determined.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
The Firebrand
The Demon’s Fire
The Satyr’s Guilt
The Vampire’s Thirst

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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A master’s degree in English and a doctorate in administration led me to education. After retiring from my career as a teacher and principal, I settled in to write something more creative than lesson plans on split infinitives and inner-school memos on noise in the hallway.

My first novel was the romantic mystery comedy romp Affection for Crime. My plans were to make this Maggie Hall book the first in a series about a quirky columnist and her friends and lovers. That may still happen, but interest in a different genre has changed my direction.

I am now living with vampires, demons, ylves, mages, and other magical beings who keep me awake at night with their tales of love and adventure. Taking great interest in their lives, I began a paranormal romance series with alpha males who aren’t always nice and females who have no problem keeping them in line.

I have learned much about the difference between writing a series and writing a stand-alone book. First, get a fantastic writing software program. Second, keep great notes. And third, do not think book one is complete until you have finished book five. These have been hard-learned lessons, but I am a hardheaded author.

Here are more orts, scraps, and fragments from my life. (Thank you, Virginia Woolf and Shakespeare.) I moved from sunny Las Vegas to the less-than-sunny Pacific Northwest. Here I have adventures with my daughter, son-in-law, and two granddaughters who also moved to the area. I also enjoy my membership at Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network (BARN), a local organization that supports the arts and offers classes and events with eleven different studios where a welcoming community of artists praise each other’s efforts. It was at BARN where my critique group began. With equal time given to in-depth comments on each other’s works, snarky remarks, and laughter, we have now been together over five years. (from the Author’s website)