"3 out of 5 stars, two people unite in an unexpected and unpredictable way, and then they try to navigate around the multitude of complications that arise from the fallout..."

Read more of this review and a teaser here: http://frommetoyouvideophoto.blogspot.com/2013/12/made-grade-ashes-by-sarah-gilm... ( )

We have so many great books that came out in December of this year and ASHES is right there at the top with many others. I wanted to read ASHES because it sounded unique and it was that and more.

Ambrosia stumbles upon the house that Reece is in as she is searching for help after she was attacked. She's surprised by Reece's sudden need for her to leave after he was so tender and caring taking care of her injuries and when the house Reece is in blows up as she is getting in his borrowed car she's horrified he didn't make it out. She has no clue how that event is going to change her life forever.

I really enjoyed Ambrosia's character. She's suitably skeptical when Reece explains who he is and how she got pregnant. She doesn't blindly jump on board but makes him prove himself. There is nothing worse in a story as having someone blindly and immediately believe anything that comes out of a strangers mouth so this made me like Ambrosia right away. I also liked Reece. He is honest from the beginning and although I thought he was a bit of an ass at times I understood where he was coming from and he redeemed himself in the end. The romance was well written and the couples struggles felt genuine.

The story was fast paced, smooth and kept me interested. I loved the world that ASHES takes place in. I loved the Phoenix storyline and everything that Sarah put into their history and way of life. I don't see anything that makes me think this will be part of a series and the ending completed the story nicely but I can't help wish there was more to read about Ambrosia and Reece.

* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. ( )

This book is a fascinating and intriguing paranormal romance with refreshing and entertaining shifters.

Accepting an assignment the legendary phoenix, Ambrosia expects to get a little entertainment if nothing else but what she gets is pregnant a surprisingly human looking firebird. A powerful pureblood phoenix, Reece is surprised when Ambrosia is accidentally impregnated and finds himself caring for the human. But with a dangerous human out to prove his existence and his relatives out to keep the bloodlines pure, can Reece keep his tentative relationship with Ambrosia from ending before it really begins.

This fast paced and smooth flowing plot starts off with excitement and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat with suspense, romance, an intriguing shifter community and some surprises along the way. The author brings the story to life with vivid images and well written scenes that make the reader feel as if they are part of the story.

The attraction between Reece and Ambrosia is hot and passionate with some steamy sex scenes. The author does a fantastic job of conveying the personalities of the enchanting characters that make it easy to relate to them and understand their motivations.

This fascinating world captures the imagination with unique elements and bewitching mythology that grips the reader and doesn’t let go. I really enjoyed this book and hope that the author writes more books about the mythological firebird world. Some of the interesting concepts and elements that the author added into the story is pure genius and has room for a lot of promising possibilities. ( )