Review: Rising Fire

Rising Fire (Stone Circles - Book 1) by Terri Brisbin

Publication Date: 03/03/2015
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Signet
Genre: Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy
Pages: 352
ISBN-10: 0451469070
ISBN-13: 978-0451469076

(Received for an honest review from Signet)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Indiebound, itunes

Terri Brisbin on the WEB: website, facebook, goodreads

Excerpt from, Rising Fire, courtesy of the author's website.

Synopsis:

What if the standing stones and stone circles across the old Celtic world had a secret origin and use?
What if some opened into another world?
What if the goddess of fire was trapped beneath one? 

Lovely and innocent Brienne of Yester has always been able to manipulate fire, but when her powers suddenly surge, the simple life she once knew explodes.

Handsome, fearless, and commanding William de Brus has been summoned by the king to investigate a nobleman rumored to have powers linked to the fabled fire goddess. When he chances upon Brienne, his desire for her is immediate. But as his mystical quest unfolds, William realizes that she is at the center of it—for Brienne possesses the very power he has been sent to vanquish....

As their attraction deepens, William attempts to free Brienne from the dark force beginning to control her—even when his duty demands that he treat her as an enemy. With emotions flaring, fire rising, and evil threatening at every turn, can the two lovers survive the coming battle and save all of humanity?

Thoughts:

Terri Brisbin starts readers off with the first book in the Stone Circles series, Rising Fire. And it starts with a bang! Readers looking for a unique storyline that follows the stories of and legends of the Old Celtic gods will love the background and setting. Brisbin creates an interesting world that will draw readers in and hold on tight. Our hero is between a rock and a hard place when he falls for the woman he is supposed to be exterminating. A great new book in what might prove to be a great new series.

Wow! That's about all I can say. I was really interested in this one from the start. Being of Scottish origin, I love stories that delve into the old Celtic legends and faith. I am always interested to see if an author really did their homework on the background and Terri Brisbin did not disappoint. Her creativity is pretty amazing with Rising Fire. She takes some of the old tales but still adds her own spin to the story that makes it something completely new and different. I loved the seven bloodlines controlled by the seven gods. Just an amazing premise for a paranormal series.

The two main characters are in a bit of fix. Brienne of Yester is such a beautiful and creative character. She has a kind grace about herself. She carries herself in a way that exudes her power. She has always been able to control fire to a small extent but lately it's gotten a bit out of control and a lot stronger. Now she finds herself wanting to know more about it, as well as, Chaela the goddess of Fire, who may be a part of her bloodline. She is a character that readers will be easily drawn to, with a kind of charisma that is often hard to capture in the written word.

William is a faithful servant of the King. He is loyal to King and country no matter what the consequences. But what happens when a man who is so driven to protect his King is given an order he desperately does not want to follow? I thought William's dilemma was really difficult because not only is the King his King, but he is also his estranged father, but the woman he is to destroy might be the love of his life. As a character he was charming and debonair, but he was also trustworthy and honest. A real hero in my opinion.

Bottom Line:

This is probably one of my favorite paranormal reads of the year so far and that's saying a whole lot. If you are in the least bit interested in Celtic mythology this is a must read. If you are love books and television shows like Outlander this is definitely a new series for you. I can't recommend this one enough! You gotta read it. Soooo good!

Rising Fire is available NOW from your favorite bookseller

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

Terri Brisbin is a USA Today bestselling author and a three-time RWA RITA® finalist. She has sold more than 1.8 million copies of her historical and paranormal romance novels, novellas, and short stories in more than 20 languages in 25 countries around the world since 1998. Her current and upcoming romances will be published by Harlequin Historicals and New American Library (NAL). Terri's also re-released her earlier works, too. Visit terribrisbin.com for more info about Terri, her works and upcoming events.