Gaining Ground by Gail Delaney is the third book in the romantic science fiction series The Phoenix Rebellion. The series basically takes place on Earth with a foray out into space looking for the help of a distant world. The world has been almost over taken by a group of aliens who call themselves the Areth. A group of freedom fighters known as The Phoenix have been quietly resisting, but now the Areth have wiped out many large cities and mean to either take over or decimate the human race. This book starts right where book 2 left off. There was a raid on one of the Areth jails and a missing freedom fighter (Jace), reported to be dead, was found after months of severe torture at the hands of a very sadistic Areth, Michael’s mother and supposedly dead wife of his father Nick. Jace was brought back with no memory of the past 5 years since he joined the Phoenix group. This meant that he had no memory of his wife and newborn daughter. Jace’s wife, Lilly, is the doctor that is placed in charge of Jace’s recovery. Lilly must balance her feelings for her husband with her position as his doctor. During this time, The Phoenix group is also juggling taking in newfound refugees, caring for new casualties and keeping one step ahead of the enemy. Way out in outer space, Nick is having his own problems. He finally arrived at his destination only to find out that the enemy that they all thought they were facing might not be entirely correct. Nick, in his usual way, does not believe them and demands proof to back up the Umani’s words. Back on Earth, the Phoenix group is also having a rude awakening when they find out basically the same thing about the enemy that Nick found out in the far off regions of space. One of their trusted allies, Victor as purported Areth, may not have been as forth coming as they should have and this could place them all in danger.

Will Nick be successful in bringing help from a far off group of aliens? Will Nick arrive in time? Will Victor find a way back to be trusted again? Will Jace find a way to regain his memories? Will Jace and Lilly become a family with their newborn daughter? Will the enemy find the Phoenix group and regain the captives that the freedom fighters liberated? Will Michael’s mother continue her evil experiments or will they find a way to stop her?

One again Ms. Delaney has woven a very intricate and fascinating plot that will captivate the reader. I was holding my breath during many parts of this book! There were some very surprising revelations that the reader was not expecting. There is enough love, action, and drama to hold every ones interest. There are so many different sub stories and intricate plot twists that the reader is forever looking at what will happen next. The story line where Nick is in outer space and the members of his family are frequently thinking the same things and having the same problems, but from a slightly different perspective is fascinating for the reader. The love stories between Jace/Lilly and Victor/Beverly are riveting to watch unfold I for one can’t wait until the next book The Phoenix Rebellion Book 3: End Game is released!!! There is enough love, action, and drama to hold any ones interest. I give this book a rating of five angels and a Recommended Read. I can’t wait to see how the story finally ends. Thank you Ms. Delaney for writing such a fascinating series.




Reviewed by: Teresa