ARC BOOK REVIEW ~ RUSH BY JOAN SWAN

Title: Rush (Phoenix Rising, Book Three)

Author: Joan Swan

Release Date: August 27, 2013

ARC received from author for an honest review 

Jessica Fury, Washington lobbyist, has money, connections, and her own firm. But five years ago she had something better: happiness. Her firefighter husband, Quaid, was handsome, courageous, and crazy about her. Then one day he walked into a chemical inferno—and never walked out. Jessica has been through hell to get back on her feet. And then a rumor surfaces that could bring a miracle or shatter her world – again.

Q has been a prisoner forever. He’s honed his mind and body into weapons. He’s developed abilities no one else understands. But he’s still at the mercy of a cabal of ruthless men, who blank his memory, test him like a lab rat, and tell him lies. Although his past has been erased and his future looks grim, instinct tells him he has a woman to live for. What his mind can’t remember, his body can’t forget…

The heat is on. 

Book Review

I love and adore this series. And with each book, I love the heroes of Swan's Phoenix Rising series. 

In Rush, Q has been rescued by the other members of his firefighting team. The same team that were involved in a bio hazard explosion five years ago. The same team that now have special supernatural powers since said explosion. And the same team that are now fighting to save their lives as one maniac searches to destroy them. 

The Phoenix Rising series is one that MUST be read in order, as the story builds on itself--and jumping ahead will only lead to mass confusion. 

Q has been thought to be dead for the last five years. And Jessica Fury, his widow, is afraid to believe that Quaid is alive. She has spent the last year fighting a grief that had her turning to drugs and meaningless sex in order to forget the man she would always love. And the slightest hint of hope could send her back down inside the dark abyss of addiction. 

But there is no denying that Q, the man they rescue, is her husband. 

And there is also no denying the fact that Q is not the same man he was five years ago. He's been tortured, tested, and drugged for over five years in a secret black op experiment -- one that goes way beyond ethical, moral, and with a evil man in power hell bent in making sure Q is returned to line his pockets with dirty money. 

Q cannot remember his past. He has no memory except for the torture and experiments that have been done to him. But the presence of Cash, the only man he knows he can somewhat trust, along with the other people claiming to love him, he realizes that his entire life has been taken away from him. And he will do anything to get it back. Especially the beautiful woman he has dreamed about while held captive. He is drawn to her, feels things that doesn't make sense, but pulled by something stronger than his will. 

Jessica knows that Quaid has a long road ahead of him. He may be alive, but he has seen things, done things, that have changed him. But he is still the move she loves. And Jessica is afraid that the things she has done while grieving his loss could destroy their fragile connection. So she treads carefully, hoping that the secret she keeps will not come back to destroy their chance of a happy reunion. 

Joan Swan writes a compelling, nail-biting thriller with appealing characters. The fact that the reader can re-visit Tag, Alyssa, Luke, Kiera, Mitch, Cash, and Kai is a huge plus. I love them all. With a special place reserved for the ever humorous and ever mysterious Mitch. I call dibs on him. 

Rush gives more information about DARPA and what exactly the evil Schaeffer expected to gain with his deadly plans. But of course, there are cliffies and hints of other possible side stories developing in the wings. I wait anxiously for December and the release of Shatter, book four in the Phoenix Rising series. I'm hoping that Swan will not leave the mysterious Trent alone in Pakistan. 

The Phoenix Rising series is a highly addictive read that grabs you and won't let go.