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From the Ashes

by Stacy Lynn Miller

After narrowly escaping fiery death in Out of the Flames, San Francisco police detective Manhattan Sloane and DEA Agent Finn Harper embark on something even more perilous: bringing to justice all those responsible for the murder of Sloane’s wife, and rekindling the love they had for each other as teens. Both have the potential to burn them badly—and scar Sloane’s grieving stepdaughter, Reagan.

Even as Sloane rediscovers that life without love is no life at all, she is learning that parenthood—especially single parenting—means making sacrifices. Can she have it all? Finn and Reagan and the badge she has worn with honor for almost nine years? Or will a cartel drug lord bent on revenge force her to not only betray her conscience—but also fail to save the ones she loves?

A Manhattan Sloane Thriller.

Genre Thriller
Length 286 pages
Publication Date December 10, 2020
Publisher Bella Books
ISBN 9781642471731A
Editor Medora MacDougall
Cover Designer Judith Fellows

Extras

FROM THE AUTHOR

"From the Ashes, like its predecessor Out of the Flames, began as a fanfiction story set in the world of Showtime’s The L Word with Bette and Tina, now Sloane and Finn, at the helm. About halfway through drafting Flames, when I’d hit Manhattan Sloane with her first devastating blow, I knew right then I wasn’t done challenging her. That’s when I started outlining Ashes. In fact, the same day I typed “The End” in Flames, I began cranking out the first chapter of Ashes. That’s how connected I was to the story that reflected many of the challenges I faced in my personal life at the time—four strokes over two years. I decided to throw one obstacle after another at Sloane and see how she made it through the other side, hoping I’d do the same.

I started with this scenario: Imagine you’ve been through the worst imaginable hell. You claw your way back and now hold hope you’ll finally be okay. But you have a chance to put away more of the bad guys who put you through the wringer.

You’d take that chance, wouldn’t you? If you said yes, you’re a lot like Manhattan Sloane…and me. But ask yourself why. Is it because it’s the right thing? Or because it’s your chance to even the score? Before Sloane can answer that question for herself, I hit her with a second disastrous setback and pose her with a more consequential question: How far would you go to save someone you love?

If you want Sloane’s answer, you’ll have to read From the Ashes, the second installment of the Manhattan Sloane thriller series."

—Stacy Lynn Miller

Reviews

NetGalley
Becky H. - I have been looking forward to reading From the Ashes by Stacy Lynn Miller since I read her first Manhattan Sloane novel back in April. I fell in love with Sloane, Finn, and all the other characters in this story while reading the first book, and I wanted more, especially since the story didn’t completely end with the first novel. I’m happy to say I loved this book as much as the first one.

In this second tale, we find Sloane still struggling with her grief over her wife’s death as she also deals with her growing love for Finn. Nothing is ever easy for Sloane and Finn, since the head of the drug cartel they battled in the first book is now looking for revenge, and he’s quite willing to target Sloane and Finn’s loved ones.

This is an action-packed story with a complex plot. Most of the characters in this book were introduced in the first one, so they are already well developed and we learn more about the different members of the drug cartel and their motivations. This is definitely a character-driven tale, and Ms. Miller has done an excellent job of creating realistic characters, both good and bad.

I enjoyed seeing the romance grow between Sloane and Finn, even with all the obstacles that could come between them. The author did a wonderful job weaving this romance into all the action and suspense in the overall story.

As I mentioned above, this book is the second in the Manhattan Sloane series and takes up where the first novel, Out of the Flames, ended. These books really need to be read together and in order to get the most enjoyment out of the story. I highly recommend both novels, though, so get them both. You won’t be disappointed.

NetGalley
R. Swier - This was the sequel to this author’s very good debut book, Out of the Flames.

I enjoyed how the author developed this sequel with realistic problems the characters faced after the loss of loved ones. The author also provided more answers to the car accident that killed Sloane’s parents. This was a very emotional moment for those involved. The way it was described, I couldn’t help but feel for those characters.

Similar to the previous book, there was a lot of drama when the characters dealt with the cartels. These scenes quickened the pace of the story and allowed for more anxious moments. The secondary characters, both good and bad, increased this story’s emotional depth.

Since this was a sequel, I recommend reading the first book to get an overall understanding of the characters and their backgrounds. The author did allow some past events to resurface, but the emotional scenes from the first book were too good not to read and experience.

This book was very engaging with tense moments, emotional breakdowns and recovery, and most of all, tender loving scenes.

NetGalley
Lissa G. - From the Ashes is the sequel to Out of the Flames with SFPD Detective Manhattan Sloane and DEA Finn Harper. They're chasing after a Mexican drug cartel that is ultimately responsible for killing Sloane's wife. Sloane and Harper had a connection in high school but they were torn apart after Sloane's parents were killed in car accident. Then they were thrown together on this case as the drug cartel seek revenge for the death of one of their own. Miller is a wonderful storyteller and this story had me sitting on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The first book in the series, Out of the Flames, was a 5-star read and From the Ashes is the same as it ducks and weaves and thrills and spills all the way to the end. The chemistry between Sloane and Harper is palpable...Miller certainly knows how to write angst into her characters. This book is a thrill a minute and I can't wait for the next one.

NetGalley
Michele R. - I read Stacy Lynn Miller's debut novel Out of the Flames back in May, and couldn't wait to read the sequel to learn what happens to San Francisco police detective Manhattan Sloane and DEA Agent Finn Harper's relationship as well as the drug cartel they were chasing. From the Ashes resumes from the point that Out of the Flames ended.

The book was fast-paced with quite a few anxious and emotional moments. I don't think that you have to read the first book to enjoy this one, but I recommend it since it is a good story and it will introduce the background and characters in a more complete manner. I'd definitely recommend both books to other readers.

NetGalley
Emma S. - Firstly, if you've not read Stacy Lynn Miller's debut novel and first in the series of 'A Manhattan Sloane Thriller ' .... give it a read. It's called Out of the Flames and I can guarantee you will not regret it and be hooked like many of us who are now following her work.

From the Ashes follows on from the first book, you don't really need to read the first BUT PLEASE DO! Its fast-paced action keeps you on your toes and includes romance! What's not to love?

NetGalley
Kat W. - This is one amazing follow up to book one. The characters grow very well together, even though there is still mafia issues going on around them. I felt that the plot to resolve all issues was nicely provided. The finish was wonderful, and I feel like there will be new set of stories (or so I hope) for the main characters who decide on their new adventure.

NetGalley
Carolyn M. - One of the things that Stacy Lynn Miller is skilled at is breathing life into her characters. Even important secondary characters. They all stand up as themselves, and there's never any difficulty remembering who is who. This is as true for Miller's previous book as this one. In fact, when I read the final passage, my first thought was for the future of a secondary character! Who worries what kind of future the daughter of a criminal will have? Me, apparently.

There is danger here, passion, secrets...all of the things that keep me reading long into the night. But this book wormed its way into me and wouldn't let up. I was quite literally unable to sleep because I was worried about one of the secondary characters—an autistic young man. I had to pick the book back up and finish it just so I knew what happened to him.

Miller wrapped up questions left dangling in the first book that I didn't know I had. There was a satisfying sense of completion and closure, and yet...there is still room for more stories to come from this fictional world. I do hope the author is interested in bringing us more from this made-up world of hers because I'll be among the first in line with my money out.

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