A lasting connection needs more than simply surviving a winter together–they’ll have to outsmart danger, let down their defenses and open their hearts. “Whether making my heart melt or my head burst into flames, Annabeth Albert draws the reader in and keeps them captivated.” –Gay Book Reviews Owen Han has a fresh lease on life–he’s kicked cancer’s ass and is roaring through his bucket … and is roaring through his bucket list. The former investment banker hopes to find his next challenge in Alaska, volunteering alongside park rangers and fulfilling his childhood dreams of snowy winters and rustic life. Of course, those dreams did tend to feature big strapping mountain men in vivid detail…
Ranger Quilleran Ramsey would like to be anywhere other than dealing with newbie volunteers. And really, the only thing he needs less than a green volunteer “partner” is the flirty attentions of a buff city boy who doesn’t look ready to last a week, let alone an Alaskan winter. They’re all wrong for each other, even if Quill’s traitorous body enjoys the flirting more than it should.
As the weeks pass, the two snowbound men give in to temptation. But can their seasonal romance last until spring? For them to have a future together, each will have to trust the other…while hoping that the harsh elements and omnipresent dangers don’t destroy what happiness they’ve found in the moment.
Frozen Hearts
Book 1: Arctic Sun
Book 2: Arctic Wild
Book 3: Arctic Heat
Also by Annabeth Albert:
Shore Leave
Book 1: Sailor Proof
Book 2: Sink or Swim
Out of Uniform
Book 1: Off Base
Book 2: At Attention
Book 3: On Point
Book 4: Wheels Up
Book 5: Squared Away
Book 6: Tight Quarters
Book 7: Rough Terrain
more
Fabulous writer and fabulous series. I read this as an ARC and it’s my fave of the series so far.
It was wonderful to see the relationship develop between Quill and Owen. Starting with chapter 19, the emotional connection between Quill and Owen grew in leaps and bounds as we experienced the break up and make up. A really beautiful story in this series.
Watching Quill open up before he even realizes it is like waiting for the perfect cup of coffee to brew. You know it’s going to be worth the wait and while the scent makes your mouth water, you’re content to watch this happen. Of course, by chapter thirteen, I’d switched fully to Owen’s side, traitor that I am, but Quill is so growlingly cute that I’m craving his fall like I’m craving mine. This Authoress is so naughty, delivering sexy surprises that make me cover my eyes and read through my fingers while battling to keep a straight face. I want an Owen too! Watching him melt all that frostiness bit by bit makes me want an Owenness of my own. I’m not even this icy, I promise. Just really stubborn (not my fault. Totally in the genes).
I’m waiting and trying to guess when Quill is going to realize that by having those walls up, he’s making things even deeper. Part of me is shaking my head as I go, “poor Quill.” The other part is laughing her head off and the last part is bracing for the pain that’s about to hit Owen. Because it’s going to hurt, isn’t it? Owen’s wants, his needs ground one in the reality of this tale, in the pain of what they’re both going through and the damage that could come. Reaching this point seemed to signal to the Authoress that this was the right time to send my heart through my mouth as with a maniacal chuckle, she turned things terribly dicey. But then, even though the best things in life might be free, they never come easy, do they?
Verdict? A keeper for the comfort shelves that is a winter fairytale that will warm the cockles of your heart as it wills you to believe – you can have it if you dare to dream it!
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Sarah –
I think this is my favourite in the series so far! When Owen volunteers to spend a winter in an Alaskan state park, he doesn’t expect to share his winter with a gorgeous, and very closeted, park ranger. At first, Owen’s bubbly personality and impressive outdoor skills don’t seem to have much of an impact on the surly ranger. But as the winter gets colder, Quill starts to thaw and something special flares between the two men.
As with all of these books, I love the beautiful Alaskan scenery. This one is an exciting read and I loved the details of Quill and Owen’s lives in the park. From mountain rescue to avalanche response to plowing walkways and parking lots, this story introduces a life I’d never considered before.
The best part of this book are the characters and the unlikely relationship between the out-and-proud financier from San Francisco and the antisocial Alaskan mountain man. It’s a slow simmer of heat and attraction set against an icy backdrop and I loved every moment. I love the fun and play that Owen brings to Quill’s life even as Quill teaches Owen about his life as a park ranger. There is a balance to their connection and this was a complete pleasure read.
Reviewers received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
I couldn’t get into this book fully, so it took me longer than normal to finish. The two main characters were opposites in many ways, and that’s probably why they ended up getting along so well eventually. Owen is incredibly chatty, and out, while Quinn is reserved, a loner, and doesn’t want the complications that come with having someone in his life, as well as being out. Two different men, with different experiences find love and friendship in the Alaskan forest.
Please note that I did receive an ARC of this book, and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
“Arctic Heat” by Annabeth Albert is part of her ‘Frozen Hearts’ adult gay romance series and centers on Ranger Quilleran Ramsey, whose orderly existence is upset by the presence of forthright volunteer Owen Han, who makes no secret of his attraction to the taciturn man who seems determined to resist any overtures.
I love the play on words of this series title, since these guys are literally dealing with frozen temperatures and all of the hazards attendant on folks out in that kind of weather, while there are the emotional implications as well. The contrast between the irascible Ranger who is already uncomfortable at having lost his regular partner and the newbie volunteer who wants to experience life to its fullest makes this a fun and touching story. I love being able to armchair travel as this author transports us to an entirely different way of life and paints vivid pictures of both the beauty and the dangers of the environment. The touch of diversity made the story even more attractive for me, and I enjoyed watching the evolution of the relationship that grew organically. I look forward to reading other tales that feature the fascinating men who are willing to brave the extreme temperatures of this part of the world.
A copy of this title was provided to me for review
Forced proximity is a very popular trope yet some authors tend to make a lot of shortcuts in the blossoming connection. None of that here. Annabeth Albert is a master of emotions!
Both MCs were amazing, complex and totally perfect! I loved everything about the story!
I loved everything about this book, from the agonising slow burn at the beginning, to the mounting frustration I felt when they gave in physically but still withheld from each other emotionally. I literally felt my heart skip whenever anything happened between them, whether it was a touch, an action, or a simple sentence. These moments all built together seamlessly to create a truly beautiful romance. Even though I was so swept up in this sweet and romantic atmosphere, the author didn’t let me off easily without first experiencing a myriad of other emotions. Mostly, I just really wanted to be able to tell both Quill and Owen to get their act together and admit they wanted something more! It’s safe to say that tears of sadness, frustration and happiness were all shed throughout their journey.
[I received an advanced reader’s copy from the author in exchange for my honest review].
Owen has a bucket list and has volunteered to spend a winter in Alaska. During orientation he’s intrigued by Ranger Quill and they really hit it off right away. One problem — Quill is very private and that’s the crux of most of their conflict. When they are stationed together, the lines Quill tries to draw get very blurry.
What I love about this series is the location. Alaska provides many opportunities for rescue drama, and that’s exactly the make-or-break point for Owen and Quill. I did find the build up to this moment a bit slow for my taste and Quill’s reaction seemed out of character after a full book of him fighting his feelings. I did like both of these characters although I wasn’t always sure they were right for each other. There is a satisfying HEA that left me with a good feeling.
Another nice installment in this Frozen Hearts series.
Forced proximity is one of my favorite tropes, and Annabeth Albert pulls it off well.
I’m also a fan of damaged men finding their way with each other; while Quill and Owen have different types of damage, they fit together well, healing each other without realizing it.
Part of the #FrozenHearts series, Arctic Heat can easily be read as a standalone. The characters are lovable, the sex is hot, the plot is tight and overall the book is well written.
*I received an arc of this book.*
Arctic Heat is the third (and I think final) book in the Frozen Hearts series, a great collection of standalones set in the wilds of Alaska. The series consists of all slow burn romances with great characters, but each with enough originality and a different path to the couple’s happily-ever-after to ensure it never feels dull and repetitive.
I really liked Owen and Quill and how this opposites attract romance came together. I’m always partial to the quiet, gruff characters using harsh words as a shield and I enjoyed seeing Owen dismantle Quill’s walls piece by piece while staying true to his own wants and needs. The dialogue between Owen and Quill was a good balance between light fun with some seriousness, making Arctic Heat an enjoyable, easy read. However, it was the heat that really surprised me with this book. Though I’ve come to expect a good amount of chemistry between this author’s characters- particularly regarding the emotional connection- the physical chemistry and sexy scenes in Arctic Heat were enough to chase away any winter chills. If you’re in the mood for a slow burn romance that lives up to its name, I’d definitely recommend Arctic Heat.
*eARC received via Netgalley. Reviewed for Alpha Book Club*
Arctic Heat sounds like my kind of read, at least on the surface. In reality, the story was much too slow for me. I felt like it was unnecessarily drawn out with a lot of focus on the mundane, day to day stuff. The rescues and various maintenance tasks were interesting, but I would’ve much rather read about the Alaskan countryside than how many times these guys made coffee. Suffice it to say that I was bored for a lot of this one.
As far as the romance goes, it was as slow-moving as the story. I can get behind a good slow burn, but this was pushing it. I get that Quill was resistant, but it grew repetitive, and by forty percent in, I really didn’t care all that much if he did give in. I think part of that comes from Owen being so pushy. Quill may not have actually said the word no, but it was implied a lot. Of course, Quill comes around, or there wouldn’t have been much of a romance, but I had a hard time liking Owen.
The big problem to overcome came from where I expected, and I’m not a fan of the big changing moment used here either. Both have been done and done again. Given the length of the book, I would think a little more time could’ve been spent on a more original problem and on an ending that didn’t feel so rushed. It felt like it took forever to get there only to be pushed through to the end.
This third in the Frozen Hearts series also gave me a few problems structurally. We get both Owen and Quill’s points of view in a chapter, but there was no designation to let the reader know that, and I really didn’t notice a big difference in either voice. Both of those things led to confusion about who was doing what and when. I’m an adult, I can figure it out as I read, but more than once, I’d be part way through and realize the point of view had changed.
I realize that my opinion is probably not the popular one, it rarely is, but I just found this one much too easy to set aside and even harder to pick back up.
I would rate this 4.25 stars.
Although the third book in the series, this can be read as a standalone with no issue. Owen is a former investment banker. After a bout with cancer, he has decided to volunteer alongside park rangers in the Alaskan wilderness. There are little glimpses of his Asian family home life. His illness has made him less shallow, more willing to have fun and try new things. As a professional ranger Quill has no interest in a green city slicker volunteer but his best friend and partner Hattie has a new desk job and he can’t do his job alone. Quill hates change–set in his ways he is a private man. Owen is a people person and has the experience needed to slot into Quill’s work, and life, if Quill will let him. Owen needs to recognize some things might be more important than his bucket list. Even for people with a lot of snow experience, this is a dangerous job. If they can learn to trust each other, they can both have everything they didn’t know they wanted. This is a slow burn, opposites attract story that ratchets up the sexual tension over several months out in the wilderness together.
I like that Owen is a take charge, independent man who doesn’t take help because it’s easy, but will ask for help or listen when he needs it. I like that he is honest about how he feels and what he wants. I like that he is thoughtful, that he never takes charge in a way that would be taking advantage of Quill. Being privy to Quill’s past experiences is necessary as he doesn’t always communicate that with his words, whereas Owen will. Most of this book is about Owen battling his own wants and needs–confronting his own past traumas and unhealthy learned behaviors. Quill also accepts responsibility for his decisions, never blaming Owen for them.
This book focuses on the delicate dance of shared intimacy moving them forward, and different life experiences holding them back. The most difficult part is Quill battling the hyper-masculinity he was taught and learning to let Owen be a real partner and take charge when it’s the best thing to do instead of fighting it because he thinks he should. Owen’s cancer isn’t just mentioned once as a plot reason for this volunteer experience; it’s discussed naturally throughout the course of the book, both to explain its mental affect on Owen’s outlook, and as something a lover of his would need to know and understand. Every time I started to feel a little cabin fever, there is some emergency or situation with park visitors to break up that monotony. All the things that happen emphasize the effect of learning to live in the now and enjoying the ride. That’s when Owen’s POV is the most poignant, when he realizes this is not just fun and games to him, that things happen that can’t be planned for.
All three of the books in this series show how people think themselves into a box. I love it so much when they allow themselves to think their way out of the box too. I liked how even with the circumstances, things are not magically fixed, conflicts not glossed over. The sex scenes, always hot, ramp up as the intimacy turns them into something more. Yet, Quill’s eloquence was still a little too smooth all of the sudden, the epiphanies and big gesture a tiny over the top. Still, if that’s the only real fault I can find, that means this is a really well done, solid romance novel with likeable characters that I wanted to find happiness together.
I really liked Arctic Heat, it was sweet and built slowly. I love reading stories set in the north, especially during the winter, there’s something so real about them. I can’t imagine having cancer, but I can imagine making a bucket list and I think Owen’s list was pretty interesting. I liked the quiet stoicism of Quill, it is exactly what I expect of a park ranger from the north (I lived in a few communities in Northern BC & Yukon and it sure felt like one of them could have been in the story).
It was a great to read and lived up to my expectations of the blurb and Annabeth Albert’s writing style. I definitely recommend this book. I have book 1 & 2 and they have moved up in my TBR after this, but I didn’t need to read them to totally enjoy book 3.
Healing the scars on our hearts with friendship and love. What a wonderful story about two really interesting men. They are on the surface very different, but they create a perfect balance for each other. Their love and intimacy is a slow burn in this fascinating read. Their connection and the reasons for not becoming intimate is authentic and heartbreaking. I loved how they found common ground, friendship and love. The writing flowed and the story-line had me hooked and i read this book in one sitting.
Owen and Quill are so likable and their flaws made the story that much more compelling for me. The growth that both men experienced in communicating and learning to trust themselves and each other was good for my heart. The story took its time and their was a beautiful flow to their story. There was some angst, but these guys are a work in progress and all journeys have bumps. I was so rooting for them to find their HEA!!
i absolutely loved the this beautiful journey through the beauty of Alaska and the wonder of falling in love and trusting your heart.
This is the third book in the Frozen Hearts series and i have enjoyed each one. This book can be read as a stand-alone story. i am very much looking forward to the next book!
I was gifted this book from the LesCourt Author Services and i freely give my honest opinion and review.
This is the third installment in the Frozen Hearts series. It is a MM contemporary adventure romance set in Alaska. The main characters in this book have emotional baggage that makes the pairing interesting. This book also deals with the setting in a much harsher way than the previous books in the series, as it is set in the winter in Alaska. The characters were well developed and the pace of the story is just right. It was a wonderful story. Though it is the third installment, it can be read as a stand-alone.
Owen and Quill
Quill was something, closed up behind high walls, where no one can reach or hurt him.
He has the exterior of a man who has his life altogether. With Owen, as the new volunteer guy who will help him, the park ranger, in the next seven months, close by, Quill is grumpy with the purpose to hold him on arm length. Owen will leave after he scraps this from his bucket list, so no point to come out or get close even if it seems so right.
Owen is the opposite, easy talking and easy-going, positive thinking and all in for a sexy time when possible. Kicking cancer he knows life is too valuable and too short to waste. It takes a lot of work and patience to unravel Quill, but oh boy, when he’s finally unraveling, it’s a sight for the eye. Closing down is natural for Quill, how can he trust and open his sensitive heart, without being hurt.
“A resonant bass note of understanding that made his soul, not his lips, not his libido, want a piece of Owen.”
With a defect generator, they have to sleep in the only space with more warmth.
When Quill finally wants to let his heart speak, he’s afraid it is too late.
What a beautifully, widely, written journey, about opening and rising from frozen inner contained feelings. To see Quill bloom was something for the eye. He is such a precious man. Owen is the very best, open, clear and cheerful. Bit by bit we get to know both men.
Their daily life as park rangers is diversified by activities and all are captivating to experience.
I loved both men, so opposite and with their characteristics. One determined and the other not even want to give it a try. An extraordinary story, it’s beautifully layered and developed. The special rough environments were a delightful addition.
An emotional story with a lot of feelings, also some angsty moments, but overall about love, thaw, trust, and choices. I loved every word from front to back cover.
Highly recommended!
Owen and Quill make an interesting couple, one is out and proud and the other is so far in the closet he can’t even see the light seeping in under the door. Annabeth Albert does an amazing job bringing these two together and giving them each what they need in order to form a friendship and a deep love for one another.
This has been a great series and Owen & Quill’s story was a wonderful addition to it. I loved the slow pace that solidified their friendship and helped cultivate it into something deeper. Yes there is a bit of an age difference and yes they come from two different backgrounds but their friendship conquered that and their love conquered everything else.
Annabeth has taken us on another journey to the picturesque state of Alaska and like Owen, I have it on my bucket list….yes we have bucket lists for the same reason but mine does not include being a forest ranger for the winter there because lets face it I wouldn’t survive the cold but I would most definitely go there for a couple of weeks on vacation to see all that the beautiful state has to show us.
I swear each time I have read a book in this series I have felt as if I was there looking at the beautiful scenery because of the Annabeth Albert writes, she makes you feel as if you are right there with them watching everything unfold as it’s happening and it’s a beautiful thing.
If you enjoy MM Romance, Interracial Romance, May-December/Age-Gap Romance then I urge you to grab a copy of this book because it is definitely worth the read.
Happy Reading!!!
Another great book in this series!
I’m really sorry to see the Frozen Hearts series come to an end. I did a bucket list trip to Alaska in May of 2018 with family and friends. Annabeth Albert had just announced that she would be writing a series set in Alaska but I knew it would be quite a while before the first book would be published.
I don’t know if the fact that she was writing this series made my trip even more exciting or not but I’m sure it didn’t hurt. I’m no photographer but I was inspired so much on that trip that I took more pictures with my iPhone than I have of any other trip I’ve ever been on.
As I’ve read each book in this series it’s brought back wonderful memories of the beautiful things I saw in Alaska. We were very fortunate to have fantastic weather with very few clouds and only a little rain. There were a lot of young people working in the various venues and I was reminded of this while reading Quill and Owen’s story.
Quill is captivated by Owen and his zest for life but he’s afraid to take a chance on a relationship. He’s not out to his co-workers and has good reasons for not wanting to come out or be involved in any drama.
Owen has survived cancer and facing that devil changed his outlook on life. He’s got a bucket list and spending the winter in Alaska is on it. No amount of discouraging from a hot park ranger will keep from fulfilling his commitment as a volunteer.
Arctic Heat touched my heart in many ways. I’m a cancer survivor like Owen, and having faced that it changed my outlook on a lot of things, just like it did for Owen. Owen’s cancer was also the same kind that my nephew had when he was in his early 20’s. Reading about what Owen went through was a little hard even though he – and my nephew – survived.
Arctic Heat has just the right amount of angst – enough to keep things interesting but not so much that I was cringing a lot while I read it. While this is a bit of a slow burn story at first, there’s also a nice amount of heat going on once Quill gives in and decides to enjoy Owen for as long as he’s there.
Arctic Heat is a book that held my attention from start to finish. I should have known better than to start reading it in the evening. I couldn’t put it down and stayed up until 5:00 a.m. reading it; thank goodness I’m retired!
Annabeth Albert is one of my favorite authors of M/M romance and I can’t wait to read whatever she has coming up next.
A review copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley but this did not influence my opinion or rating of the book.
***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***
Cool story about breaking through fear to take a chance on love
4-4.5 stars
I enjoyed Owen and Quill’s story, with good writing and a cool (in more ways than one!) setting in the wilds of a winter Alaska. Yes, there is heat to their relationship (despite or maybe aided by the coolness of their living conditions!), but it’s the slow build of tentative friendship, trust and then romance that makes it stand out.
Owen’s medical backstory and his enthusiasm for getting out there and grabbing the renewed lease on life he’s been given were inspiring. Quiet, closeted Quill was harder to like at first, but as the story proceeded, his fear of exposure and reaction to intimacy was more comprehensible due to his family background. It was great to see him break through years of self denial when his aha moment crept up on him.
The story was just a bit too long IMO, maybe because I just cared less about the nitty gritty of their daily jobs and rescue responsibilities. But the action-packed climax and the happy aftermath were worth some slow spots. I really liked this couple and how their lives panned out. Chalk up another Annabeth Albert Alaskan MM romance in the winner category!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.