When Autumn McCoy accepted a temporary work contract in Durango, she thought it would be a safe way to add some spark to her existence. She may be getting more than she bargained for when she finds herself the target of impending danger. The outspoken forty-two-year-old isn’t prepared for that spark to ignite flames threatening to engulf every aspect of her life. Buried under the weight of … weight of responsibilities, all interim Chief of Police, Keith Blackfoot, wants is to get back to good old-fashioned detecting. He gets his chance when an encounter with a feisty redhead seems to incite a wave of arson cases. Although a visit from friend and firefighter, Roman “Chief” Proudfit, provides some direction, he’s left to battle an invisible menace fueling fires that could leave his town—and his heart—in ashes.
This is a full length novel with almost 80,000 words.
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A new Freya Barker book is always something to look forward to, and the start of a new series is even better. When the new series brings a deeper look at previous characters then it’s nothing but a win win.
Burning for Autumn is a cross over in the world of Susan Stoker’s Police & Fire Badge of Honor world.
We’ve already met Keith Blackfoot in a previous book, where he was a supporting character, and we meet Autumn McCoy , who has relocated to Durango.
The story runs at the perfect pace, with enough intrigue to keep your mind working on the who and why, the slow burn to inferno between the two of them builds and builds.
An excellent read, and def left me wanting more
I really liked this latest book by this talented author!!! Autumn is temporarily in Durango to help a new Burn Center get off the ground and running. She loves her job and likes the new area she is living in but is missing her circle of friends desperately. Keith is the new interim chief of police and is not a big fan of the new title. He misses being a part of the action and doesn’t want any part of the political side of law enforcement. They happen to meet one night at a local pub…the attraction is there and they have an interesting conversation (that you must read in the book). They meet again when Keith is called to another arson call and Autumn happens to be involved. When Autumn’s life is in danger….all of Keith’s protective instincts kick in and he will do whatever it takes to keep her safe despite her fiercely independent nature. Their story had suspense, mystery, action, romance, and hot swoony times to melt your kindle!!! I loved their story so much and would highly recommend to all. I can’t wait for more books from the On Call series and I am hoping that Joe gets a story of his very own (wink wink) Well done!!!!!
I’ve had this book for a couple of busy days so I waited until I could sit down and be absorbed in another Freya Barker world.
Freya writes strong story lines that have mature characters with life experiences. I love that the drama doesn’t come from misunderstandings, but from emotions and the characters communicate! In this new series we are in Durango and we start off with Keith Blackfoot’s story. He works for the Durango PD and is their interim acting Chief- a job he does not want. He has been mentioned in other books and has been known to give friends a hard time when they’ve fallen for women. Well his time has come, but will he get a HEA or does his relationship have an expiry date? Possibly a permanent one??
This story kept me guessing and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Autumn is a great character and my heart broke for her in one part of this story – a part that I’m not going to lie disturbed me greatly as did a part near the end but in true “bad guy” fashion they always go after the ones we love. Can she open her heart up to the possibly of permanence in Durango? or will events chase her from the community and man she is learning to love?
Great start to a brand new series.
BURNING FOR AUTUMN (On Call #1) by Freya Barker is the first romantic suspense in a new series in Susan Stoker’s Badge of Honor World focused on Police and Firefighters. I LOVE Freya Barker’s writing and was very excited to see her entering one of my favorite romance worlds. This book is smoking hot and does not disappoint!
Autumn McCoy accepted a one year work contract for a special program in a new burn unit in Durango. She is sad to leave her girlfriends behind in San Antonio, but she believes she needs to shake up her staid life. She knows she needs to get out and when she takes up the invite of a new friend to meet at The Irish, a local pub where firefighters and police hangout, she runs into an arrogant, but handsome man. Two strong personalities butt heads, but there are sparks there that Autumn is not sure she wants to explore.
Acting Chief of Police, Keith Blackfoot is sick of the politics and responsibilities of being Chief. He wants to go back to being a detective only. He takes a break for the night and runs into a feisty redhead who sets off an interest that he has never felt before. When that redhead seems to have caught the attention of a serial arsonist, he will do anything to protect her even as she fights his protectiveness at every step of the way.
Autumn and Keith are both strong, independent characters who have to learn to trust that what they have found with each other is special before an arsonist destroys their future in flames.
Once again Ms. Barker’s writing pulls me into a story and makes me believe. She breathes life into her characters and expertly twines suspense throughout the romance. I especially love her characters because they are middle age and have either been burned by love before or are career oriented and never bothered with a long-term relationship. I enjoy reading about characters with worries about folds or wrinkles from age when they enter into a new sexual relationship occasionally instead of 20 somethings with perfect everything. She makes her characters very sexual. They are older and know what they want in bed and out and it is HOT!
I highly recommend this book!
Freya Barker does it again. Amazing start to a new series.
Love this book and it promises to be an amazing series.
Lots of suspense and with mature Alpha males and I’m sold.
Awesome to read of past characters in her books and also Susan Stoker’s characters. Loved that.
Can’t wait for more of this series and Luna’s book is next, Yay!!
I have only read a few of Susan Stoker’s books but I love Freya Barker’s various series so diving into Burning for Autumn as soon as I received it was a foregone conclusion. Keith and Autumn’s story did not disappoint!
Keith is feeling the pressure of being the interim police chief and he wants no part of making the job permanent despite the mayor’s pressure to make that happen. Dealing with never ending paperwork and personnel issues was most definitely not what he signed up for, and all he wants to do is get back to the job he loves- investigating crimes. With a serial arsonist seemingly on the loose, his job just became ten times more stressful as the urgency mounts to catch the perpetrator.
Autumn is new to town on temporary assignment working with the hospital’s burn unit. Putting herself out there to make friends has never come easily to her, and introducing herself to sexy strangers most definitely is not her thing – but several looks at the dark, sexy and brooding man giving off the law enforcement vibe sitting in the local bar convinces her to step out of her comfort zone. Keith is a happy self-proclaimed bachelor and can be pretty smooth, but that first encounter is about as far from smooth as it gets!
This author’s characters are the reason I always come back for more. I love that she writes people I can relate to who are usually in their 40s or so who I might expect to see sitting on the side of me. They are far from perfect and usually have a little baggage, but that’s what makes them real and relatable. Keith and Autumn are no different. He certainly has the tall, dark, handsome and broody alpha vibe with a side of fierce protectiveness. Autumn is strong, sassy and independent but with a vulnerable streak and normal insecurities that she tries to keep hidden. When it becomes clear the arsonist is somehow fixated on her, Keith’s protective instincts kick into high gear and the sparks really start flying as her independent nature collides with his take charge attitude.
Navigating a relationship is new to both of them and it’s a bit of a bumpy ride, but oh what fun it is! Burning for Autumn has a great mix of heat, sweet, suspense, action and humorous moments that left me with a smile on my face after finishing it.
Nobody, and I mean NOBODY can steal my breath with their writing quite the way Freya Barker does. It doesn’t matter what is going on in my life, good or bad, the second I open a book by her I’m taken away to my happy place. Burning for Autumn took me away in a story filled with suspense, mystery, and a whole lot of love! Autumn and Keith are yet another couple in a long list of “BEST COUPLES EVER” by Freya that I can say I’ll happily go back and read over and over.
Autumn is a fiercely independent, extremely smart, sweetheart of a woman with just the right amount of sass to round her out into someone awesome. But even with all that going for her she’s also quite lonely, especially in a new place. Keith is *sigh* everything you swoon over when you think of an alpha male cop. Strong, brave, protective, and like all men packing a lot of testosterone occasionally a bit dense when it comes to dealing with a woman like Autumn.
These two have an immediate pull to each other that starts out with some fantastic back and forth. Autumn certainly knew how to keep him on his toes! That builds up into something both explosive and beautiful as these two grow closer and closer. Along with that though the mystery and suspense that are woven throughout with the fires add another layer that pulls you even deeper into their story and creates a book that you just can’t stop reading!
Another fascinating and captivating story by Freya Barker. I loved the blend of suspense and romance this story offers readers and even without having read any of Susan Stoker’s books, I felt that I was able to fully immerse myself in the story and the characters.
The lead characters are thrown together by circumstance and are linked indirectly by their pressurised careers. Keith is a temporary Police Chief and Autumn is a burns unit employee who is on a fixed term contract in the town. They first meet in a bar and although Autumn is immediately attracted to the brooding Keith, she cannot foresee how their paths will become inextricably intertwined when the arsonist case that Keith is working on crosses over into Autumn’s professional and personal life.
Whilst the case Keith is investigating draws readers into a multi-faceted mystery with distressing and disturbing outcomes, it’s the romance that develops between Keith and Autumn which is even more engaging as Autumn finds herself drawn to Keith on many levels despite her trying to resist his charms.
I especially loved the side characters to this story and I can’t wait to read Luna’s contribution to the series.
This was another highly recommended book from a well-versed and must-read author.
Favorite Quotes:
Daylight is not my friend. Every freckle, frown line, wrinkle, and blemish stands out like a beacon on my face, screaming ‘well past expiration date.’
Didn’t think I’d live to see the day… The most committed bachelor of La Plata County, brought to his knees by a ballsy redhead.
“You remind me of my Ana, she was a redhead like you and could cook like a saint, fight like the devil, and love like a sinner.” His watery blue eyes sparkle. Ten minutes later, when I’m putting away the last of the dishes, I’m still smiling at his words. To love like that, still so strong even after death rips you apart, is tragically beautiful.
… he makes my soul sing.
Trial run with the new babysitter… A seventeen-year-old neighbor with purple hair, combat boots, and enough metal in her face to set off security detectors from fifty feet, but she came highly recommended. I just hope my new flat-screen TV will still be there when I get back.
My Review:
In just a handful of years, Freya Barker has the Romantic Suspense genre well mastered. Her tales are easy to follow yet captivating; cleverly detailed and populated with quirky and endearing characters; deftly constructed with engaging and entertaining storylines; and well-balanced with wry and acerbic levity, sensual sizzle, and tension building intrigue that keeps my curiosity primed. So it is easy to see why she has continuously resided near the top of my Favorite Authors List since I initially fell into her work by picking up Slim to None on a freebie day. Her lovely words are now an instant one-click purchase at any price.
And … she does it again! Burning for Autumn is another gem from the mistress of romance and suspense, Freya Barker.
Let start by saying that I REALLY love Keith Blackfoot in this story. He’s one hot, sexy alpha cop who definitely meets his match with Autumn, a snarky, sassy researcher from Mercy Hospital’s burn unit, who happens to be new in town as well.
The attitude and banter that plays between Keith and Autumn is quite amusing. She’s fiercely independent, but Blackfoot isn’t dissuaded by her in the least. Once they find themselves on the same page, the two actually are a great couple. I also really enjoyed all the other characters in this book, whether they’re new or some we recognize from Freya’s other books.
While someone has been sending notes to Autumn, fires have been deliberately set around town and it has everything to do with her. As Keith tries to keep her safe, he and other law enforcement pull together to try and figure out who the arsonist could be. There’s sure plenty of twists and turns, and I was left on the edge of my seat wondering who was guilty.
As with all of Freya Barker’s stories, her attention to detail and description makes it so easy to lose yourself in the world she creates. Her mature characters are real people with flaws and all, which makes any one of them completely relatable. This is definitely a great start to a new series, and I love how it intertwines with Susan Stoker’s Badge of Honor series. I say the same thing about every one of Freya’s books, but she is the BEST STORYTELLER of our time! I highly recommend this one and can’t wait for more. Five stars for me!
I was given this ARC for an honest review, and honest it certainly is.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie’s Book Reports.
When Autumn McCoy accepted a temporary work contract in Durango, she thought it would be a safe way to add some spark to her existence. She may be getting more than she bargained for when she finds herself the target of impending danger. The outspoken forty-two-year-old isn’t prepared for that spark to ignite flames threatening to engulf every aspect of her life. Buried under the weight of responsibilities, all interim Chief of Police, Keith Blackfoot, wants is to get back to good old-fashioned detecting. He gets his chance when an encounter with a feisty redhead seems to incite a wave of arson cases. Although a visit from friend and firefighter Roman”Chief” Proudfit, provides some direction, he’s left to battle an invisible menace fueling fires that could leave his town-and his heart in ashes.
Welcome to a brand new series from Freya Barker. Police and Fire: Operation Alpha & On Call Series. This too is right up my alley since I am married to both a police officer and a firefighter. This is the story of Keith Blackfoot and Autumn and to say he has met his match might be an understatement. However Keith is a character your going to fall in love with. He is one hot alpha and will have you swooning to many times to count. He and Autumn cracked me up tons with their banters. She is one independent woman and she helps burn victims to recover. That independence does not scare Keith away one bit. He welcomes it in fact. However he is determined to keep her safe and in his arms. This leads to lots of twists and turns in this book that will keep you turning the pages as fast as you can. If you have never read Freya Barker this is a good place to start and I promise you will find a new author that you are not going to miss a book that she writes. Amazing job Freya. Absolutely Amazing.
When I am in the mood for a really great romantic suspense book I know where to go. This is the first book in the On Call Series and it’s a winner. As our tale begins we meet Autumn who is working in the burn unit at Mercy Hospital in Durango, Colorado where our story takes place. Ms. Barker’s heroes and heroines are always a bit older and it is one of my favorite aspects of her books.
“I’m only forty-two and not quite done kicking a few cans myself”, Autumn points out. Keith is the acting Chief of Police. Alpha to the core but not overbearing. Of course he screws up a time or two! But he is pretty quick to realize it and address it with Autumn. A serial arsonist is at the heart of our story. An arsonist who is in some way connected to Autumn . Keith is simultaneously trying to protect Autumn and find the culprit. Without giving anything away I will tell you that the villain wasn’t who I thought it was, and it wasn’t the second person I thought it could be! I found out at the same time as the characters did which both surprised and delighted me. The story kept me turning the pages and the love story was heart-warming and realistically paced. I will certainly be on the lookout for the next one in this series.
Reviewed by: Jamie B.
Gah!!!! How can I put into words all the feels I got from reading Autumn and Keith’s book!!!!!
Keith was pure ALPHA-ness!!! Umm that I LOVE!!!!!! Autumn is such a strong woman to have gone through everything she has and to come out of it with such a great personality and humor!!!
I loved Burning for Autumn and can not wait for me!!! But……I need more of them!!!!!
Reviewed by: Dana D.
Keith Blackfoot met his match!!! I feel like I’ve been waiting for this for forever!!! Autumn was PERFECT FOR HIM!!! She’s feisty, smart, beautiful and so very very independent.
I loved seeing a softer side of Keith. The things he would say to Autumn made me SWOON!!! Who knew he was such a romantic??? Add in mystery, intrigue and a psycho serial arsonist and you have a 5 star read!!!
Reviewed by: Heather S.
With each book that Freya Barker writes, I love her couples just that much more.
Keith is quite happy with life as it is, as soon as he can find his replacement as Chief. The political part of the job is not for him at all. When the fiery red head walks up to him at The Irish, she starts a tailspin he never expected. Instantly attracted to her curt sassy ways. He find himself waiting for their next encounter. Before he knows it he is trying to be her protector while trying to sort out a series of fires.
Autumn knew it was time for a change, taking the 1 year contract was just what she needed. Months in and she realizes that she hasn’t really put herself out there yet. After an invitation to stop by the local first responders hangout, she takes the first steps. He caught her attention from across the room, she watched from a distance until he was alone. Upon approach, she finds herself leaving and not looking back. But her attention is often lost on the authoritative man. She doesn’t stand a chance.
Neither Keith or Autumn are looking for love. But the more time spent together, the more the idea might not seem so bad. Funny how you can go from needing to prove who you are alone, to wanting and needing someone to be there with you along the way.
What a great start to this new spin off series. I am super excited to see which of the secondary characters get their stories.
*** Advanced copy provided in exchange for an honest review. ***
I am always amazed at how lovely Freya’s words are! You won’t be disappointed picking up this book.
Autumn is only in Durango on a contract job at the hospital, but figures while she is there, she might as well enjoy it. When she meets Keith, the chief of police, sparks fly but Autumn is naturally cautious given her past. Keith just wants to spend time getting to know Autumn, but a string of fires has Keith a bit busy. What happens when Autumn becomes the next victim of the firebug? Will Keith be able to keep her safe or will Autumn go back to Texas?
A new series but with a few familiar faces. This was such a good read, giving us some suspense, hot naughty bits, and a smidge of drama. Burning for Autumn gets 5 stars.
Okay first a confession. This is my first read by this author. I have seen her books and thought they looked good but I was worried it might be more erotic than I care for. I was wrong. This story is so much more the suspense and intrigue of the serial fire starter and everything surrounding that. I do love these characters and the supporting characters. We are introduced to a slew of characters in this small town which of course means stories are coming or have already been told but they all offer enough to want to know more. As for this author and this book, although I personally am a firm no cat person I really enjoyed all of the aspects of the story. The strong independent woman who wants to stand on her own but wants what life with Kieth may offer. I love that they aren’t 20 somethings but are seasoned with a life and no juvenile antics just real life grown ups. Awesome read can’t wait for the next standalone read in the series and getting to know the people of this community better, especially Luna whose story is next.
Burning for Autumn by Freya Barker
On Call #1
Autumn McCoy has been given the opportunity to set up a burn unit program in Durango and is busy doing what she loves when she meets Keith Blackfoot at a bar recommended to her by a fireman she met at work. They have an interesting interaction and that is pretty much that until they meet again. There is a serial arsonist on the loose in town and Keith is sometimes frustrated that he has to spend so much time with the paperwork of the temporary job he holds – he would much rather be detecting. As Autumn and Keith get closer…so does the arsonist. With more fires, injuries and a clue that Autumn is at risk Keith steps up to keep her safe…or at least tries to. There is an eventual HEA for the couple but they do have to work through a few things first.
This book is a spin-off of a “world” created by the author Susan Stoker. I have not read any of the books in that series but did not need to to thoroughly enjoy this book. That said…I am eager to read what comes next in the On Call series 🙂
Thank you to NetGalley and … for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4 Stars
What a perfect way to start off a new series!
Burning for Autumn is a perfect blend of wonderful characters with smoking hot chemistry and a storyline with a splash of intrigue that grabs you and keeps you engaged from beginning to end.
Keith’s job is to protect his town but when his attention is captured by Autumn, the sassy red head his alpha tendencies are thrown into overdrive especially when her life is in danger and his town is under siege by an serial arsonist.
Autumn took a temporary position in Durango at a newly opened burn unit. A few months after her move she meets interim Police Chief Keith Blackfoot. Sparks fly as the 2 banter at a local bar. Unfortunately real sparks fly when a firebug starts burning homes and buildings in Durango. Keith suspects a connection to Autumn but can he find the link before she is hurt?
This was my first Freya Barker book and what a great introduction. I love a good romantic suspense. The author did a great job of balancing the story so that fans of either genre will enjoy. Great characters that I could quickly fall in love with and want them to have a happily ever after. I am looking forward to reading some additional books by this author.
OMG! I love it when one of my favorite authors comes out with a new book that has some of the character from her previous books in it. Burning For Autumn was a page turner. I couldn’t put it down. I can’t tell ya how much I waited to see who would grab Keith’s heart. Loved both Autumn and Keith as well as the other characters in this book. If u have read her books please read this one. Can’t wait to read the next one.