Ms. Delaney has captured in her characters the desperation in their love, the realization that none of us are entitled or guaranteed love or time with our lovers, that both are so fragile and so precious, hinging on a heartbeat. These are truths that most never grasp, never appreciate the rare and delicate treasure they can only bask in, for to try to possess it would be to crush it in your fingertips. One has to have experienced the catastrophic to have even an inkling of the true value of the love they share. For those who are aware, like Lilly and Jace, the joy and the awe of it fills their hearts to overflowing, to the point they can't contain it or control it, but can only gasp in awe of this delicately fragile and precious gift that their unenlightened minds took for granted once upon a time. Their sex becomes the balm that heals the pain of the past, soothes the fears for the future and affirms the strength that will see them through whatever comes so long as they face it together. This third book in the Phoenix Rebellion series is topnotch. The characters are old friends, they are so well developed. The plot is amazing with a pace that moves along without any slow parts. The tension is obviously building toward the next book, the finale of the series. While I can't wait to see what happens, I am saddened that the end means saying goodbye to old and beloved friends. My heart was so touched by Gaining Ground by Gail R. Delaney; I wouldn't have wanted to miss it for anything.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Very sensual

Reviewer: Karen H.
November 23, 2006