From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the popular Black Dagger Brotherhood series comes a brand-new novel about arson investigator, Ann Ashburn, who is consumed by her troubled past, her family’s scorched legacy, and her current case: chasing a deadly killer. Anne Ashburn is a woman consumed… By her bitter family legacy, by her scorched career as a firefighter, by her obsession … firefighter, by her obsession with department bad-boy Danny McGuire, and by a new case that pits her against a fiery killer.
Strong-willed Anne was fearless and loved the thrill of fighting fires, pushing herself to be the best. But when one risky decision at a warehouse fire changes her life forever, Anne must reinvent not only her job, but her whole self.
Shattered and demoralized, Anne finds her new career as an arson investigator a pale substitute for the adrenaline-fueled life she left behind. She doesn’t believe she will ever feel that same all-consuming passion for her job again–until she encounters a string of suspicious fires setting her beloved city ablaze.
Danny McGuire is a premiere fireman, best in the county, but in the midst of a personal meltdown. Danny is taking risks like never before and seems to have a death wish until he teams up with Anne to find the fire starter. But Danny may be more than a distraction, and as Anne narrows in on her target, the arsonist begins to target her.
From the creator of the bestselling Black Dagger Brotherhood, get ready for a new band of brothers. And a firestorm.
more
This was a fantastic story that pulled me in right from the start. I pretty much held my breath the first 10%! It was heart-stopping and intense and I was excited to see what would happen next.
4 Stars!
Anne Ashburn grew up in a family of firemen, and it was only natural she’d want to follow in their footsteps. She’s strong, independent, and fearless. She’s worked hard in a male-dominated profession to be taken seriously. She’s an adrenaline junkie whose luck runs out when a warehouse fire forever changes her life. Her career goes up in flames, and she’s then forced to reinvent herself. She doesn’t know what her purpose is anymore until she takes a new job for the city as an arson investigator. She’s still consumed with her past, and her complicated family, but is trying to move forward. Soon she’s handed a case and she begins working to find the cause of suspicious fires in town. This puts her on the path to chasing down a deadly killer as well as putting her life in danger.
Danny McGuire is a firefighter at the 499 firehouse in New Brunswick where he’s known as a rule breaker, but also one of the best. He’s felt lost since a fire altered his life. He’s been on a path of self destruction, and is hurting. He feels like he’s damaged and living in a constant state of darkness. He doesn’t really care about anything anymore except the one woman he can’t have, Anne. He misses working together, and seeing her, so when they team up together over her current case he’s thrilled to be close to her again. The connection and chemistry between them is still just as strong, and they can’t fight their attraction as passion once again ignites.
Consumed is the first book in J.R. Ward’s amazing new series about firefighters. It’s sexy, exciting, and full of mystery, intrigue and suspense. I really hope we get a book for Tom & Catherine next. I recommend reading the free prequel novellas prior to Consumed to see how the story begins. They introduce you to the characters, and really set the scene.
Order Part 1 Now:
Amazon: bit.ly/WeddingFromHellPart1Amazon
iBooks: bit.ly/WeddingFromHellPart1iBooks
Nook: bit.ly/WeddingFromHellPart1Nook
GooglePlay: bit.ly/WeddingFromHellPart1GooglePlay
Kobo: bit.ly/WeddingFromHellPart1Kobo
Order Part 2 Now:
Amazon: bit.ly/WeddingFromHellPart2Amazon
iBooks: bit.ly/WeddingFromHellPart2iBooks
Nook: bit.ly/WeddingFromHellPart2Nook
GooglePlay: bit.ly/WeddingFromHellPart2GooglePlay
Kobo: bit.ly/WeddingFromHellPart2Kobo
Order Part 3 Now:
Amazon: bit.ly/WeddingFromHellPart3Amazon
iBooks: bit.ly/WeddingFromHellPart3iBooks
Nook: bit.ly/WeddingFromHellPart3Nook
GooglePlay: bit.ly/WeddingFromHellPart3GooglePlay
Kobo: bit.ly/WeddingFromHellPart3Kobo
this book is a must read ,J r ward is a awesome author , everything she wrights is awesome,i highly recommend this book.
A definite change of pace from most of JR Ward’s books, but still the engaging writing that kept me reading all night long. Really enjoyed this new genre!
Greatly enjoyed. Ward is a solid author.
Excellent read! Every book Ms. Ward writes is worth reading.
Yes! More please
My only regret reading this book is that I haven’t picked up a J. R. Ward novel until recently. I’m attracted to firefighter stories and this one pulled me in from the first sentence, paragraph, and page. Non-stop action that hooked me from the start. This is a story that is unique and original, with unexpected twists and turns that kept me guessing. This is my kind of romantic suspense. Steamy sexual tension along with personal torment and regrets with split-second decisions that all of us must make in our lives. What I loved most about this story is how artfully the author has us caring and empathizing with the characters…their guilt, torment, grief, happiness, and frank honesty about their thoughts and feelings about each other. I was pulled in from the first when real love was put to the test: What people are willing to do out of love, even when it means changing the person they love’s life forever. I’ll be reading more books by this author. I love her sassy, get-right-to-it narrative. I recommend this book to those who love adrenaline-fueled suspense and characters readers can lose themselves in.
Every book of JR Ward is 5
Consumed by J.R. Ward is the first novel in her Firefighters series.
I am a huge fan of J.R. Wards PNR novels and I was not sure what to expect with this one. She did not disappoint, it was AMAZING from start to finish!!!
Ann and Danny, members of the same firefighting crew, start out testing their new and fragile relationship with a tragic accident at work.
Danny back to work and Ann now a fire investigator, are both trying to piece together their lives separately after the accident. Circumstances bring them back together and they start to rebuild their friendship and relationship. Ann, with her new rescue dog, Soot by her side starts investigating a series of warehouse fires that appear to be connected. Her investigation however, may have put Ann in the crosshairs of danger.
Ann and Danny are terrific characters with amazing chemistry. I could not turn the pages fast enough waiting to see who was behind the fires? Would Ann make it through the investigation unscathed? Will they both be able to heal and move on after the accident? Mysterious, emotional, intriguing and so so steamy!! Absolutely loved it and cannot wait for more in this series!!
Great Read, no immortals here and that is ok
I enjoyed this book . I was given it as a gift and loved it . The female lead was a wondaful character and her male love interest was just as good . it was a great story.
The narrator was was was great. The story was a bit twisted but entertaining
So, I’ve never read anything by J.R. Ward before this book and now I wonder: where has she been all my life?? I’m not typically a romantic suspense reader but I have found a few series in this genre that I love and this is now one of them! I totally devoured Consumed! You see what I did there? Devoured, consumed…Hardy-har! Oookay, and perhaps I should have slept more while I was busy devouring and consuming…
Set in New Brunswick, MA, the series stars some awesome characters. Anne “Sister” Ashburn is the only female firefighter in her department (499) and is a complete badass. She’s strong, independent (perhaps, she finds out, a bit too independent), stubborn and a fighter. Daniel “Dannyboy” Maguire, also part of the 499’s crew is bullheaded, loyal and has a bit of a bad boy rep that he’s trying to live down. They’ve only spent one night together when a devastating call out to a fire changes everything for both of them. This novel largely revolves around these two characters but also introduces many others, mostly other firefighters that I’m hoping will be the focus of other novels in this series. Because, oh yes, I will be reading ALL the other books to come!
Consumed has everything you want from a romantic suspense. It’s filled with unputdownable, sexy, thrilling, I’m-just-going-to-read-one-more-chapter-until-next-thing-you-know-you’re-done, yummy goodness! It’s also got lotsa heat and not just from the fires they were putting out…if ya know what I mean *wink, wink*! Okay, okay… again, too cheesy. Sorry, I just couldn’t resist one lil fire joke & you should be grateful I forced myself to stop there, cuz I made a mental list of em a mile long as I read this book! And after reading about Danny and Anne you’ll understand why. Because Danny Maguire? Kind of my dream guy! Any-who, I can’t wait for the next book in the firefighters series and I’ll definitely be checking out J.R. Ward’s other books in the mean time. I won a copy of this novel in a giveaway.
3.5 rounded up to 4. I think this book suffered from “first in the series” and “world building” drag that happens sometimes. It was good. I’m looking forward to more, but the middle third was kind of slow to get through. I listened to the audiobook and really loved the narrators
Consumed is a super intense story. Much more focused on the characters and the action than the romance aspect. Although the story is a standalone there is a great mystery that is partially solved by the end of the book but still leaves us with a few questions and lots to look forward to later in the series.
“Every one of them who got into turnouts, and took their bodies and their minds into open flames for little money and lots of risk, for strangers, for animals they didn’t own, for houses they didn’t own, for people they weren’t related to . . . they were all insane. Because this was the other side of the adrenaline rush, the savior complex, the fight.
Tragedy was but a moment. Responsibility for it was forever.”
-5 Stars!-
FEEL the heat…EXPERIENCE the fire…Be CONSUMED by the romance!
I thoroughly enjoyed J. R. Ward’s CONSUMED and would highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good romance with lots of intrigue and suspense. This book is definitely one of the best romantic suspense books I’ve ever had the privilege of reading. The story’s plot pulled me in from the very beginning, the romance and intrigue held my attention and the fast paced action left me wanting more. I was totally “consumed” by this brilliantly written novel!
CONSUMED is the first book in J. R. Ward’s new Firefighters series. NOTE: There is a prequel to this book titled-The Wedding from Hell which introduces the reader to the many colorful characters in this new series. It also sets the stage for the history between Danny and Anne, the two main characters in this book. This book is written in various points of view and gives the reader a realistic look into the lives of firefighters and the many sacrifices they make, both physically and emotionally.
“Everyone of them that got into turnouts, and took their bodies and their minds into open flames for little money and lots of risks, for strangers, for animals they didn’t own, for houses they didn’t own, for people they weren’t related to…they were all insane. Because this was the other side of the adrenaline rush, the savior complex, the fight. Tragedy was but a moment. Responsibility for it was forever.”
CONSUMED takes you into the world of firefighters, exposing you to the fire, to the harsh realities of loss, and the raw, gritty truths of these high risk, adrenaline loving characters. This story is fast paced and so incredibly addicting that you won’t be able to put it down!
Anne Ashburn is the only woman firefighter at company 499. She is the daughter of a former fire chief that died in the line of duty and the sister of the current fire chief. Anne is fiercely independent, strong and always trying to prove herself in a male dominated profession. After finding out at a young age that her father was far from the man everyone in the department and community revered as a hero, she is determined not only to prove that she belongs but that she doesn’t need anyone. She trusts no one, admires no one and judges everyone, especially her family. The only thing she needs is her job. She loves being a part of the firefighter community. She’s driven and loves the adrenaline rush and thrill of fighting fires. The only thing Anne can’t seem to fight is her intense attraction to Danny Maguire. When Anne and Danny are fighting to survive at the beginning of this story, Anne makes a decision that will forever change her life, her career and her relationship with Danny. Will she find the inner strength to overcome this new challenge? Will she ever feel whole again? Can she trust Danny enough to give her heart to someone for the first time since her father’s betrayal?
“Dannyboy” Maguire is one of the best firefighters in the department. He’s damaged, reckless and doesn’t like playing by the rules. Danny has lost so much to the profession he loves, including his twin brother and most recently a close friend. He’s on a path of self destruction and continually takes unnecessary risks. The one thing that Danny cares deeply about is his coworker and recent love, Anne. When he and Anne are called to a warehouse fire he’s determined to be there for Anne despite his orders or any risk to himself. When everything goes wrong and they both get seriously hurt Danny blames himself and his behavior becomes even more reckless. Will Danny give into the darkness that consumes him? Will he be able to convince Anne that he can be trusted? Will they forever be separated by tragedy or will they rise above it together?
After losing her job as a firefighter, a job that defined her, Anne decides to become an arson investigator in the hopes of moving forward. When there are more suspicious warehouse fires, like the fire that ended her firefighting career, Anne starts an investigation determined to find the people responsible. Although she tries to push Danny away, Anne looks to Danny for help with her investigation. As the two of them look into the suspicious warehouse fires together, Anne is threatened and becomes a target. Danny is determined to keep her safe. As the danger gets closer these two grow and find renewed purpose together. Despite the investigation, Anne and Danny’s love begins to spark and soon their passion ignites!
I absolutely loved this story! I was totally immersed in this beautiful, heartbreaking and truly wonderful romance. J. R. Ward is probably one of the most powerfully, descriptive authors I’ve yet to experience. Her talented style of writing took me right into the story and into the fire where I could almost feel the heat, smell the smoke and experience the panic. I found myself holding my breath, sitting at the edge of my seat and possibly my sanity and being totally consumed by the events taking place in this story. Her characters are real- gritty, raw and damaged. Her description of the “corpses in their own skin” was heartbreaking. On the other hand, I totally enjoyed her witty sense of humor and laughed so hard at her description of the “millennial nurse.” I loved this book, the characters, the mystery and intrigue and most definitely the romance! I must confess that this was my first book by J. R. Ward. I was so thrilled that she started this new series and that I would have the opportunity to read one of her books. I’m definitely a huge fan now and I truly enjoyed taking this adventure into the lives of J. R. Ward’s firefighters. This was a brilliant start to this new series and I look forward to more of J. R. Ward’s remarkable books as the series continues.
I would like to thank Simon & Schuster, Gallery Books and Goodreads for this free giveaway which gave me the opportunity to read and experience this wonderful book by J. R. Ward!
Wow. This one is pretty dark. The storyline is methodical and intriguing.
Ms. Ward invites us into her new world of firefighters. They’re often our heroes but that comes at a great price to the men and women who serve. Survivor’s guilt is a bitch, mistakes on the job can be the difference between life or death and a messed up past or a dysfunctional family may have them running towards the flames.
A series of unfortunate events but not uncommon in J.R. Ward’s wheelhouse. Her characters are usually damaged and carrying around some serious baggage. While they do give everyone a certain je ne sais quoi, it would be nice to have some “normal” characters. However, the damaged character is often unpredictable, giving the story its mysterious and suspenseful aspects.
The beginning of the book is fast-paced and chilling. I was biting my nails and flipping pages as fast as I could. It’s thrilling and heartbreaking! Then we jump 10 months ahead where a slow and steady pace builds into an intricate and multi-faceted story. It is exciting, dangerous and dare I say sexy? Yes, I dare. The chemistry between Danny and Anne is all-consuming You can cut their sexual tension with a knife!
Anne is the lone female firefighter in an all-male firehouse. She’s tough-as-nails and can do the job just as good as any man. When an accident permanently sidelines her from the job she loves, she’s forced to forge a new path and forego all the dreams she once had. Anne is a strong heroine and I greatly admired her drive and her attitude, especially after her accident. She could have quit, even wanted to. But she never did.
Danny is a bad-boy firefighter that obviously has a death wish. He’s a maverick and often doesn’t follow orders. He’s also got a soft spot for Anne. After her accident, a lot of messed up and crazy things happened, pushing him closer to the edge he’s so recklessly been riding for years. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t a fan of his. Danny is a womanizing, big jerk that I couldn’t stand. It’s no offense to him, I’m not a fan of bad-boy heroes. It’s a quirk I have and nothing against the author.
The secondary characters were interesting. I felt there wasn’t an even development between all the characters. Some were more fleshed out that others. But that could be the author’s way of keeping some characters a mystery. Anne’s brother—Fire Chief Thomas Ashburn Jr.—has a secondary storyline where he’s fighting the bureaucracy and politics side of things. He’s in a battle with the very attractive mayor Catherine Mahoney. She’s seeking reelection and wants his support along with the firefighter’s union. Needless to say, the sparks fly as they battle to be number one alpha. I’m very curious to see if anything develops between these two!
Overall, it’s a pretty good read. There’s lots of first responders action, crazy sexual tension and a boatload of suspense.
***I voluntarily read a copy of the book generously provided by the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feelings expressed are my own***
I love this author. I can’t tell you enough about her writing. This kept me coming back for more. YOU HAVE TO READ!
**Spoiler** – the main villain caught me by surprise!