Into the Flame

Written by Christina Dodd

Narrated by Brittany Pressley

In this “devilishly clever, scintillatingly sexy paranormal series,” (Chicago Tribune) New York Times bestselling author Christina Dodd introduces the Wilder brothers—and the evil that’s haunted their family for centuries. Finally, here is the missing link that could redeem them...

Brutally handsome cop Doug Black is determined to find the birth family who left him with nothing but a terrifying inheritance: the ability to change into a savage golden cougar. His search leads him to a woman as dauntless and exotic as her name. Firebird Wilder is bitterly familiar with supernatural gifts, and flees on discovering his secret, leaving Doug alone once more. But no one can escape a wild cougar on the hunt. When he finds her, they both must decide which is more powerful—the love that binds them together...or the secrets that threaten to tear them apart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Apr 13, 2021
• ISBN: 9781713531784

Christina Dodd

Christina Dodd is the author of many New York Times bestselling romance novels, including the Virtue Falls series. She has won numerous awards: Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart and RITA Awards.

Reviews for Into the Flame

[lauren2013_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Into the Flame by Christina Dodd
4 stars

Synopsis:
Destined to bear only sons, the Wilder family has one daughter, Firebird. Upon learning that she is a changeling, this miracle child sets out to find the Wilder’s long lost brother in order to break the pact their ancestor forged with the Devil. Fortunately, Firebird is well aware of the fourth son’s identity, he is Doug Wilder, the estranged father of her son. Can Firebird overcome her fears in order to reunite the members of her family?

Review:
A satisfying and action-packed conclusion to the series. Once again, Dodd’s writing flows smoothly and it is easy to become immersed in the world she has created. There are one or two plot threads that remain unresolved but this does not detract from the overall storyline or impact of the series.

In terms of the romance, Firebird and Doug are a sweet couple but they lack the emotion, chemistry and intensity of the pairs in the previous books. There is very little character development and certain aspects of their relationship just don’t ring true.

Recommendation: Although I am new to the paranormal romance genre, this is my absolute favorite series so far. I highly recommend it for lovers of the paranormal and of romance.

[theyodamom · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was my favorite one of the series. the final chapter in the series. I really like Doug and Firebird. I cheered for them all the way. I will miss these boys and their loves. This is a perfect wrap up of all the stories, a great ending.

Doug Black a Wilder brother ?? He was deserted in the Nevada desert, left naked to die as an infant. With no family and a giant whole in his past he becomes an feisty cop with the ability to transform into a cougar. With out any relations to explain the shifting he searches the world for answers when he comes across Firebird. A daughter in a family of shifters.

[colereising · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is the last book in the series. On one hand I was disappointed by this story…the actual story between the two individuals didn’t draw me in, in a believable manner, or enticing manner I guess. On the flip side, the side of the series being brought to a closure…I loved it. there was action and drama and things really worked out well.

I do have one complaint for the series as a whole that is totally a personal choice…and I’m warning you right here, don’t read further as one might consider this a spoiler: the fact that they all lose their abilities makes total sense in the whole picture of how things are set up. But personally, I think that changes who these heros are and I would have liked her(Christina) to have found a way to make it so they kept their abilities without the curse. But that’s just me.

As a whole I totally recommend the series. My favorite was book 2. The first two books I’d actually borrowed from the library but loved book 2 in particular so much, went out and bought it.

[justy_7 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

In this last book of the Darkness Chosen series we meet Doug Black, the Wilder brother who’s been missing for years. With no idea of where he’s from, he’s become an angry young cop with the ability to transform into a cougar. In search of others like him, he finds cousins from the Old Country and arranges to use them to rescue Firebird from her family not knowing her real situation.This is also the story of single mother Firebird Wilder as she finds out the truth of her birth and reconnects with the father of her child.As their stories converge Doug must choose between his cousins and Firebird. The choice he makes will have lasting repercussions for the Wilder family and their chances of finally breaking the curse which has been on the family for 1000 years.This was a great ending to the story, it wrapped up all the loose ends and came to a good closure. Like any good story I still wanted to know more about what happens to the family. Perhaps Christina Dodd will write about the children of the Wilders one day.

[the_book_queen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

In this stunning conclusion to Ms. Dodd's paranormal series, we finally get to hear Firebird and Douglas' story-- and believe me, it was well worth the wait. As we found out at the end of the last book, Adrik's story, Firebird is not actually a Wilder. Now the story picks up where the last one left off, and Zorena admits to the family that she strongly suspected all along that Firebird was not the child that she gave birth to that stormy night twenty plus years ago. Of course, any of us that have been reading the clues along the way *well, okay, it's more like reading the clues in the first chapter or so of this book* knows that this means the long lost fourth Wilder boy is actually Douglas, the father of Firebird's two year old boy.Though this book does not add a whole lot of new information to the overall plot, it is anything but boring. If you've followed the story from book one, you've known all along where they're headed-- all four brothers must find their true loves, who will in turn bring one of the four pieces of the broken religious icon, without which their father will continue to sicken and die, burning in hell for all eternity. This does happen, of course, so it's a happy ending for everyone.. except for the evil Varinskis, but that's okay. But between point A, the beginning, and point B, the happy ending, the story is filled with suspense and action, humor and love, hot sex and even a couple of almost teary moments. A perfect combination, as I have said many times before.From page one of the first book, you're hooked, dragged willingly into the story, experiencing it all from the hero and heroine's point of view *with a few areas where the villians are talking*. We've heard the story of all four sexy, alpha Wilder brothers, got a good look at the loving and passionate relationship of Zerona and Konstantine, and watched as the family bands together and defeats the devil himself. But finally, it's over, there is nothing more to tell, and even though you'll find yourself wanting to know more about what will happen to the five couples, Dodd does wrap the series up nicely, giving you a taste of what's to come in their futures but still gently severing the tie between you and the story. As amazing as the books are, all good things must come to an end eventually. But no worries-- you can always go back and revisit each and every one of the brothers and their mates whenever you get the urge. And believe me whenI say you will want to reread these books again and again and again. 5/5 stars! A spectacular ending to a sexy and delightful series! Really, there is nothing more to say than "Go read all four books--NOW!"

[littlegypsy_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a fantastic book especially if you have read the three proceeding ones. However I must say that it should have been a longer book, not all the questions were answered and I felt that it was rushed to be finished within a certain number of pages. Christina Dodd is a fantastic story teller and this is another prime example of her fantastic work - well done! I can't wait until you come up with your next paranormal series.

[jjmachshev_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Disappointing. I give "Into the Flame" by Christina Dodd 3 stars because it's the end of her 4 book series about the Wilder/Varinski family. But I was really disappointed. I'm always willing to suspend reality, but to me this book just felt...cheesy.Firebird is the only daughter born to the fierce Wilder family. They've always considered her their miracle, even when she returned home broken in spirit and pregnant, they stood by their daughter/sister. At the end of the last book, we found out that Firebird is NOT really a Wilder. This last book is the story of Firebird and the missing Wilder son, who turns out to be her child's father.Doug is a cop who has always searched for his family. Falling in love with Firebird wasn't in his plans. When she disappears without a word, he searches for her frantically. His searches bring him into contact with the Varinskis who convince him to join their search for the Wilders. The battle between the Wilders and Varinskis will either bring about eternal damnation, or break a pact with Satan that's lasted for 1000 years.I really loved the first book in this series, "Scent of Darkness". I even liked, "Touch of Darkness". I thought "Into the Shadow" was kinda cool and the sex was way hot. But with "Into the Flame", I felt like alot of the story was rather choppy...as if large sections were edited out and those missing pieces left me confused at times. And I never really 'felt' the connection and love between Firebird and Doug.So read the book if you've read the rest of em. If you haven't read the rest of 'em, don't read this one or you'll just be massively confused.

[phyllisd_5 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A strong conclusion to a great series: this book was suspenseful and action-packed, more of a myster/thriller than a romance. But that is in there also. I look forward to more paranormal stories from Christina Dodd.