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Rising from Ash: Forged by Fire Book 1 Kindle Edition

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 322 ratings

Phoenix Murray has had enough. Enough of her incompetent boss. Enough of her addict father always asking for money. Enough of the struggle to survive. So when her aunt offers her a job as a cook at the South Pole, she jumps at it. Even when she’s asked to avoid casual sex to keep the peace in the tiny community.

Astrophysicist Ashley Bennett can’t wait for her year at the South Pole. Not only will it allow her to focus on her PhD research, it’s a key step in her plan to become a Mars colonist. Avoiding the complications of dating in a society that doesn't understand asexuality is a bonus.

When Phoenix and Ash meet, they can’t help but push each other’s buttons. Phoenix doesn’t understand that her confident sexuality puts Ash on edge while Ash’s curt formality triggers Phoenix’s insecurities about her upbringing. But living at the bottom of the world means there’s nowhere to run, and as they find common ground, their differences aren’t nearly the hindrance they thought.

Rising From Ash is the first book in the Forged by Fire series, a slow burn contemporary lesbian romance that shows the power of intimacy to form a new life.

Note: While Rising from Ash features a character on the asexual spectrum, the story does include physically intimate scenes. However, none are gratuitous.

From the Publisher

Dal Segno
A Marine Awakening
A Marine Discovery
A Marine's Conflict
Rising from Ash
Customer Reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars 447
4.6 out of 5 stars 274
4.7 out of 5 stars 179
4.7 out of 5 stars 211
4.6 out of 5 stars 322
Price $0.99 $0.99 $0.99 $0.99 $0.99
Can be read stand alone Read Marine Awakening first
Heat level A little steamy Fiery and sweet Still fiery but interrupted by deployment Loads of steam Sensual steaminess
Romance type Love after loss Soul mates Same characters as Marine Awakening Friends with benefits with slow burn to love Slow burn
Pairing butch/femme butch/jock butch/jock soft butch/femme masculine of center/chapstick lesbian
Representation Autism Autism Autism Ace/demi
Dominant interest Performing Music Listening to music Surviving deployment Road trips Fanfiction and drawing
Happy ending?

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07VS97Z5R
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ self-published (July 26, 2019)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 26, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.3 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 322 ratings

About the author

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Jax Meyer
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Jax grew up in rural Wisconsin with a love of nature, sports, and music. She wrote her first story at age 12 but didn’t continue the practice. Her creativity shifted to music which still brings her great joy.

She spent one year, ten months and ten days in the United States Marine Corps before being honorably discharged under the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy, during which time she reconnected with her first girlfriend. They have been together since 1999 and had a daughter in 2015.

Writing is an enjoyable balance to Jax’s day job and a natural extension of reading voraciously. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and coaching her daughter in soccer, which she can’t actually play that well. Thankfully toddlers don't require terribly skilled coaches. Jax and her family call the Denver metro area of Colorado home.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
322 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book a sweet and heartwarming love story. They appreciate the thought-provoking insights and education it provides about the asexual spectrum. The book is described as an entertaining read with likable characters and well-developed emotional scenes. Readers find the angst level perfectly balanced, without feeling preachy or clinical.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

19 customers mention "Romance"19 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the romance in the book. They find the story sweet, heartwarming, and enjoyable. The characters are likable and the plot is brilliant.

"...The thing is that it's perfect in its slow-burn, all-the-feels romance sort of way and in enlightening the reader about the asexual spectrum at the..." Read more

"...At the core is a beautiful story about how they fall in love while navigating their way through a new relationship in such a secluded, confined..." Read more

"...I loved this story and can't wait for the journey off the ice...." Read more

"My friend Jax has written a brilliant romance showing how falling in love can make one grow, change perceptions of self, and change self..." Read more

16 customers mention "Thought provoking"16 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's insights and education about the asexual spectrum. They find the story romantic while also providing an education about the topic. The topics are well-researched and emotional intimacy, understanding, patience, and trust are found in the relationship. Readers describe the exposition as there, but every brief exploratory touch is heightened because it all has meaning.

"...has told a heart-warming, romantic story while also providing an education for the reader about the asexual spectrum...." Read more

"...on the asexuality spectrum in a lesfic book so really appreciate the insight it provides...." Read more

"...The author gave a great explanation of the fascinating IceCube neutrino detector facility, its purpose, and its under ice construction...." Read more

"...This book is informative and intriguing, if anyone is curious about the Ace spectrum and demisexual in particular this is a great book to read...." Read more

14 customers mention "Readability"14 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it an entertaining read and praise the author's writing style.

"...You are a great writer keep inspiring readers with your witty repartee and heartfelt dialogue." Read more

"...about the Ace spectrum and demisexual in particular this is a great book to read. The story is sweet with low angst...." Read more

"This was an okay read for me...." Read more

"...This was tremendous, and I hope there's more to come from Ash and Phoenix." Read more

10 customers mention "Asexuality"10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's asexuality perspective. They find it well-written and relatable, with an asexual character that is well-developed. The book also provides insights into sexual orientation beyond traditional gay, bi, and straight categories. Additionally, readers appreciate the author's description of the trip most people coming from the US experience. Overall, it's a great read for those interested in learning about different perspectives on love and relationships.

"...-burn, all-the-feels romance sort of way and in enlightening the reader about the asexual spectrum at the same time...." Read more

"...You are a great writer keep inspiring readers with your witty repartee and heartfelt dialogue." Read more

"...This books explains sexual orientation in terms beyond gay/bi/straight and how allosexual and demisexual people can find each other and make a go of..." Read more

"Enjoyed the story of these two women and the subject of asexuality/demisexuality. Good characters and an interesting storyline." Read more

10 customers mention "Character development"10 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's character development. They find the characters likable and appreciate their emotional growth as the story progresses. The characters use their own discussions to explore their relationships and themselves. Readers enjoy the tension between the two characters due to their different issues. The intimacy between the two characters is detailed with heartfelt dialogue.

"...I read the book, about a month later, I was more struck by the emotions the characters feel... about themselves, about each other, about the two of..." Read more

"...The best part of the story for me was the detail of the intimacy between the two characters, and the development with each character as the story..." Read more

"...Good characters and an interesting storyline." Read more

"...my typical read, it is a good story, with well developed and lovable characters. I like Jax Meyer's other works, so I gave this one a try...." Read more

5 customers mention "Angst level"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and emotional, with a low level of angst. They appreciate the heartwarming story without being preachy or clinical.

"...Somehow, Jax Meyer has told a heart-warming, romantic story while also providing an education for the reader about the asexual spectrum...." Read more

"...The story is sweet with low angst. This is my first book by this author, and will definitely be looking for more." Read more

"...‪Brilliant plot and character evolution‬ - This book is perfectly balanced angst-wise...." Read more

"I love how these characters find emotional intimacy, understanding, patience and trust in each other in a way that they never have with anyone else..." Read more

4 customers mention "Look"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoyed the book's look. They found it fascinating and unique, with a beautiful love story. The characters were described as intelligent, quirky, and easily offended.

"...Phoenix is a cook and Ash is an astrophysicist and it's a fascinating look at what working in an environment like that might be like...." Read more

"...Ash is a very intelligent, quirky and easily offended scientist who is working on her dissertation for her doctorate...." Read more

"Different in the best way. Mature characters and a story I have yet to see any where else. This is book that should be read by all." Read more

"Informative and lovely..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2020
    This book... The sheer quality of this story is astounding. Somehow, Jax Meyer has told a heart-warming, romantic story while also providing an education for the reader about the asexual spectrum. I would say that you hardly even notice the fact that you're being educated because the story, characters, and setting are so interesting, but this book is far too thought-provoking for that to be true. The thing is that it's perfect in its slow-burn, all-the-feels romance sort of way and in enlightening the reader about the asexual spectrum at the same time.

    I've read this book twice now. The first time was really eye-opening for me in learning about different types of sexuality that had names and definitions I never knew about. And the best part was I could learn about it through the characters' feelings, thoughts, and dialogue rather than reading a clinical definition. It is so much easier to understand when you can see it and feel it for yourself while reading.

    The second time I read the book, about a month later, I was more struck by the emotions the characters feel... about themselves, about each other, about the two of them together. I cried my way through a lot of it the second time. Phoenix and Ash are so dedicated to really seeing the other one and understanding them. In doing that, it brings up their own emotions and landmines that they need to work through together. It's beautiful to experience in the book and something I hope to one day experience in real life.

    Anyway, this book gets a standing ovation from me! Read it!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2019
    I've had this book in my "to read" pile for some time and am so glad I was finally able to enjoy it. This is only the second time I've read about a character on the asexuality spectrum in a lesfic book so really appreciate the insight it provides. I realize there's certainly more to it than this book - or the other I've read, Perfect Rhythm by Jae - can convey, but I am coming to learn the key role intimacy plays in these relationships. In this story, Ash who identifies as demisexual (someone only sexually attracted to someone they have a strong emotional connection to) meets Phoenix, a woman who is overtly sexual, when they both take a year-long job in the South Pole. Phoenix is a cook and Ash is an astrophysicist and it's a fascinating look at what working in an environment like that might be like. We learn not only what they do for a living, but how and why they secured those jobs, what their family situations and backgrounds are like and what brought them to this point. The two have such different professional prospects, yet they are both excellent and respected at what they do. At the core is a beautiful story about how they fall in love while navigating their way through a new relationship in such a secluded, confined environment, and at the same time learning how to meet each other's very different sexual needs. I love the understanding and care both of of them show to one another. It's a very loving, romantic and heartwarming story. I look forward to learning more about their future when Meyer writes the follow up. Rating 4.5 stars.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2019
    I was not familiar with asexualilty and don't really understand the concept but after reading this book I think most of us want the type of feeling Ash and Phoenix shared. The best part of the story for me was the detail of the intimacy between the two characters, and the development with each character as the story progressed. I loved this story and can't wait for the journey off the ice. You are a great writer keep inspiring readers with your witty repartee and heartfelt dialogue.
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2019
    My friend Jax has written a brilliant romance showing how falling in love can make one grow, change perceptions of self, and change self expectations.

    This books explains sexual orientation in terms beyond gay/bi/straight and how allosexual and demisexual people can find each other and make a go of it. This story helped put aside some misconceptions I had about asexuals (demisexual is on the asexual spectrum) and gave me some context. I thought asexuals were not interested in sex and were not even open to it. This is not necessarily the case.

    In this story, two lesbian women meet while working in Antarctica. One women, Phoenix, a cook, the other, Ash, an astrophysicist. Phoenix, the allosexual, who exudes sexual confidence and has plenty of sexual liaisons, while Ash, the demisexual, not so much. Phoenix only needs a random warm body, while Ash needs an emotional connection and a romantic interest - she needs to be in love or trust in her would be partner, and be wooed or courted.

    Funny to realize, in times past, every parent wanted their daughters to be somewhere on the asexual spectrum, as in having a lack of interest in casual sexual, we just didn’t know what to call it!

    As a bonus, the author does a great job of describing the trip most people coming from the States have to take to get to the South Pole. She discusses the altitude and oxygen deprivation until workers are acclimatized. Also, the sights, sounds, and smells of the research station and the problems workers have when wintering over there. The author gave a great explanation of the fascinating IceCube neutrino detector facility, its purpose, and its under ice construction.

    An aside: as I have a personal interest in eyes and eye color, the best bit of the book was that Phoenix’s blue eyes and red hair combination is so rare it only occurs in .017% of the population, only a million people worldwide - making this character literally one in a million!

    I’m looking forward to the next book. Enjoy this story, you might even learn something.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2021
    I haven’t come across many books with characters on the Ace spectrum, Perfect Rhythm by Jae, being the only other book. This book is informative and intriguing, if anyone is curious about the Ace spectrum and demisexual in particular this is a great book to read. The story is sweet with low angst. This is my first book by this author, and will definitely be looking for more.

Top reviews from other countries

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  • MULAC
    5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful trip to the south pole
    Reviewed in France on February 10, 2024
    The author says in the afterword, "More than anything, I want readers, asexual or allosexual, to gain an awareness of the many ways relationships can work."
    When I bought this book, it was because of the word asexual. What's asexual ? Now I know a little more.
    A very nice trip to the South Pole with Ash and Phoenix. I learned a lot about life in a confined environment through their eyes.
    A very enjoyable read
    I'm really looking forward to the next one.
  • MaraMori
    5.0 out of 5 stars So, so, so lovely!!
    Reviewed in Canada on September 16, 2019
    I loved this story so much, and can't wait for the next one in the series. It's not often that I come across books with ace characters, and that's what first drove my interest in reading it. I'm so glad that I did. How the author wrote demisexuallity was amazing, and I found it easy to see myself through Ash and how she described things. It was so amazing!!!
  • Melissa B.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Überraschend gut...
    Reviewed in Germany on November 2, 2019
    Ich muss zugeben, dass ich die Geschichte zu Beginn etwas seltsam fand. Besonders die Meinungsverschiedenheit in der Bibliothek zwischen Phoenix und Ash hielt ich für überzogen. Ich konnte gar nicht nachvollziehen, warum die Beiden wegen einer Lapalie derart aneinander gerieten. Doch im weiteren Verlauf der Geschichte erhält man immer tiefere Einblicke in das Leben der Protagonistinnen und lernt beide Frauen besser kennen. Im Nachhinein betrachtet fügt sich die oben genannte Szene wunderbar in das Buch ein und rundet die Liebesgeschichte perfekt ab.

    Die Geschichte ist sehr einfühlsam erzählt und besonders das Thema Asexualität wurde ausführlich beleuchtet. Sehr interessant. Man spürt auch die Liebe, die langsam zwischen Phoenix und Ash wächst und fiebert mit ihnen mit. Ich kann das Buch uneingeschränkt weiter empfehlen! Sehr gelungen!
  • Julie H
    5.0 out of 5 stars A really satisfying read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 19, 2019
    I can't recommend this book highly enough. The lead characters, Phoenix and Ash are very well written, 'polar' opposites of each other in many ways, (pardon the pun), but similar in others. They both have life experiences which leave them cautious. Phoenix in particular is a beguiling mix of sexual confidence and emotional vulnerability. This makes for an emotional slow burn and the building of a deeper connection which is an essential element to the relationship. The unusual setting is really interesting too and in provides a simple backdrop to the story, which moves away from the digitally connected lives of modern day.

    Congratulations to the author on another great book.
  • Robyn Marty
    5.0 out of 5 stars I love the way Jax brings a story together
    Reviewed in Australia on August 17, 2020
    This story gave me a much better understand of the different romantic types of people out there. Jax has done this with such gentleness and understanding which is shown via the way Phoenix and Ash fall in love.

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