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.
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I loved this book so much! Anne Ashburn went through so much in this book. She is strong and determined. She was a firefighter in a fire and got her hand cut off in order to escape with her life. She has to give up being a firefighter and starts working investigating fires to determine if arson was involved.
Danny Maguire works with Anne. He is the one who chopped her arm off to save her life. He carries so much guilt. He is in love with Anne but hasn’t told her.
When things start getting crazy with the fire investigation can Anne stay safe? Who is behind the fires? How far will Danny have to go to protect the woman he loves.
This left me wanting more. It is a great start to a new series.
I received a copy of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
As far as first impressions go, I like J.R. Ward and her work! She has a very distinct writing style: quiet moments of intense detail, sentence fragments that help underscore a point, and lots of metaphors (sometimes too many, I thought). There were a few discordant moments where her voice came through instead of the character’s but on the whole, I enjoyed it.
I requested this book because I have a new(ish) connection to the world of firefighters and their legacies. I thought it would be an interesting look into the workings of that kind of family, that kind of bond, and it was. But honestly, with a title like Consumed, I thought it was going to be more of a romance novel. HOWEVER, I’m not at all disappointed with how everything turned out! Getting a peek into the lives of the major players and how they handle things was beautifully done. I felt like J.R. Ward pulled back the curtain a little and gave her readers more substance and depth than originally anticipated (at least for me).
I absolutely want to read the next book in the series. And I’d recommend this to anyone who:
– wants to discover a new author/series
– is a part of the first responder world in some way
– enjoys a slow, complex burn
I just love this author! She’s created some great characters again in this new series. Fell in love with Annie and Dannie the teasers that were released. This book definitely delivered.
Anne is a fighter and when she watches her career go up in smoke, she doesn’t let her dreams die. She just has to have a different one.
Danny has his own demons to face and he’s trying so hard. After Anne leaves the fire department he takes crazy risks trying to dull the demons. He’s loved Anne for so long and it’s killing him that they can’t be together.
Then they meet up again and he’s determined to get all of her. I absolutely loved Danny! He wasn’t a jerk, he was alpha but was so sweet. I love that when a broken man and a broken woman get together they can either become one to be stronger than when they’re apart.
I loved this book from the first chapter to the end. I can’t wait to see the next book in this series.
J.R. Ward’s first book in her Firefighters series is a high-octane romantic suspense about ex-firefighter, now arson investigator Anne Ashburn, whose past and present have collided in a lethal chase to find a killer.
Anne had spent a good portion of her life trying to impress her father only to find out the bitter truth about him when he died a hero to everyone else. That didn’t take away her fearlessness or determination to be the best firefighter she could be until she made a decision with dire consequences. Discouraged and unable to be a firefighter she must reassess her future. The dull desk job of an arson investigator feels unfulfilling and dreary until she stumbles upon evidence that doesn’t add up in some questionable fires including the one that changed her life forever.
Danny McGuire could have any woman he wants, but he’s been in love with Anne since he laid eyes on her. The chemistry was there on both sides, sparks flew the night of fellow firefighter Robert ‘Moose’ Miller’s wedding, but he lost her the night of THE warehouse fire. Tortured and depressed, Danny is taking even more risks in an already risky job. But Anne and his paths are irrevocably intertwined and they must team up to find the arsonist before the he finds her.
Firefighters in romance novels have been around for a while, but The Warden adds her own particular style producing a sexy tale full of emotion that is gripping not only because of the romance but because of the thrilling mystery that felt very real.
Ward did a wonderful job introducing all of the characters that will surely star in upcoming novels. I especially loved Anne and Danny who were perfectly imperfect. They had a lot of baggage and were even a little broken by their pasts. The bond between them was intense, even when it was threatened to be destroyed by deadly fire, but their romance felt a bit glossed over with all the other drama that surrounded them.
Consumed is book #1 of the Firefighters contemporary romance series by J.R. Ward. It is a standalone story, with a partly solved mystery. Although there are still a lot of unanswered questions which will surely be resolved in future books I can’t wait to read. Consumed is told from several points of view with a happy ending.
This awesome book is the first in the Firefighters series and it features Danny and Anne. EVERY TIME I read a book by this author she seems to capture my attention from the first page and doesn’t let go until my emotions have run the full gamut. These two tortured souls have found each other in their common occupation of fire fighting. Their journey is long, emotional and tragic. I cried heartbreaking tears a few times and other times I wanted to jump for joy. One thing that stands out for me is that old saying “just when you think you know someone.” Read this fabulous book and you’ll know what I’m talking about.
There’s so much going on but it all fits together in this smooth running story line. I was genuinely sad when it was over because I wanted to stay in their world a little bit longer. Brilliant writing! I can’t wait for the next book in this fantastic series.
I’m always skeptical when an author steps outside of their comfort zone, especially when that particular author writes almost exclusively one type of story. There are not many authors that excel at writing within different genres of romance. I am a huge fan of this author’s paranormal series, but I’ve never read any of her work under her pen name, Jessica Bird. So, I was understandably, a bit hesitant to begin this story. I am so glad that I did! This story began with a bang, and didn’t let up until the very end!
Anne is a firefighter. She is the daughter of a former fire chief, and the sister of the current fire chief. Firefighting is her life. When a tragic turn of events takes from her that which she holds dearest, she has to reinvent herself, change who she is. Anne is a very strong woman, having excelled in a field dominated by men, standing out, making her way, and then starting over from scratch. It’s inspiring!
This story is near and dear to my heart. As a dispatcher, I send firefighters to the worst of conditions on a daily basis. This book has such realistic details, that I could literally imagine myself in the place of the firefighters, inside the burning building! It was amazing, the picture inside my head! This story was very realistic, focusing not only on the romance aspect, but also the healing of the characters from a traumatic experience. This was a story I won’t soon forget!
.Talk about heat! I was getting hot flashes from the prequels. Teasing, tension and a side of oh my….
Clearly the HOT fireman stereotype is a fan favorite. I am a fan after all. So why wouldn’t I jump at the chance to meet the first and hopefully not the last handsome hero in this series.
Never having experienced the awesomeness that is a J.R. Ward book before I can say I’m a convert. I was blown away by the total package. The characters, flawed though they are, felt real. They are more than a 2D piece of placeholder. Each had their own feel. This is true in tons of stories but I felt an instant bond to Anne and her hottie.
I appreciated the story most of all. The actual meat and potatoes plot line. The story wasn’t drowning in romance (not that I ever complain) it was a perfect blend of what you wanted and needed. I appreciate that the need was to tell a story and not string together a bunch of hookups. I liked having a heroine with some seriously kick ass abilities…or should I say tendencies.
I tip my hat to you J.R. Ward. I look forward to more adventures of your creation.
Book received in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed on behalf of Once Upon An Alpha
Consumed is a must read for 2018
As I find with most first in series a lot of time was spent on character introductions and the laying of breadcrumb trails for future plots and subtle twist possibilities. This was done flawlessly by the way, and easy to follow.
The characters –
Anne – Definitely has a chip on her shoulder. She seems to spend a lot of time-fighting an invisible foe that she seems to have created herself. I did enjoy her tenacity though -she was like a Dalmatian that wouldn’t let go. I did finally warm up to her character – she seemed to “grow up” as the story progressed, I appreciated the way her growth was revealed, added to the storyline
Danny – always seemed to be running from his past. A very strong presence, easy to connect with and I couldn’t help but want to know more about the demons that seemed to be chasing him. He has that quick to light temper that definitely got him into some very precarious situations.
Those were the two main characters in Consumed but we got to meet the rest of the cast as well and I can say there are a couple I am soooo wanting to read more about. A few, I believe, could quite possibly develop into future antagonists though I am on the fence about one of them – I kind of like her in your face attitude she may just end up surprising everyone.
As I have come to expect from Ward – each of the characters seemed to bring to a unique context to the storyline – I really enjoy the vast array of personalities and quirks – a vivid cast that I definitely felt a part of
The storyline is intense – I cried through a large portion – yes the ugly silent tears – and then I would find myself laughing and apologizing to my family as I tried to ensure them that I was not losing it – Not sure they believed me
And WAIT FOR IT – I never saw it coming ! And NO peeking!
I was originally given a comp copy by the publisher – But being a big BDB fan (I own the complete series in physical form) I also acquired a physical copy – because let’s be honest Ward has the gift of storytelling
***4 Stars***
I used to be a huge BDB fan until I wasn’t anymore and I could never seem to get into the other series the author wrote. So, when I saw Consumed, I was hesitant to even attempt it based how things went with the other series, but after seeing a few of the reviewers I follow on GR posting very positive reviews, I figured I’d put my request in and should the powers that be approve it then I was meant to read it. So, I got approved (obviously) and I have to say that I really enjoyed it. It hooked me from the start, and let me tell you THAT was one hell of a start, and I found myself becoming more and more invested in the characters, both main and supporting, lives and needing to see how everything worked out for all of them.
Anne and Danny took me for a ride. I loved them both, I did, but man do these two put each other and themselves through the ringer. Both are determined, strong willed and stubborn…I mean taking a bone from a ravenous dog would be easier than getting these two the change their minds once they’ve made a decision. But on the flip side they both have huge hearts. These hearts have taken quite a few beatings over the years, but they are golden.
Their journey to the HEA was an interesting one in that it is not the wine and roses, I’m going to woo you kind of a journey. There were some sweet and swoon worthy moments, but really it’s about two people that despite what they deem their best intentions, just end up colliding over and over again. They both have a lot of baggage to overcome, one which was pretty intense and unexpected, but the flow between them was undeniable and I love where they were at when everything was said and done.
I’m really happy that I was approved to read this baby. I was hooked from the very first page and was quite surprised at the turn things took as early as they did, but it all just worked for me and it really set the tone for the entire book. All of the characters were well written and I’m really interested to see where she goes with their evolution as the series progresses as well as what looks to be the overall arc of the series, which had a couple of twists that I didn’t see coming.
There are two short stories/novellas out right now that are freebies and prequels to the series, The Wedding from Hell Part 1: The Rehearsal Dinner & The Wedding from Hell Part 2: The Reception, that definitely help to give some background on Anne and Danny’s relationship, but also sets up one of the conflicts that finds its way into their relationship. I personally think that they should be read before diving into Consumed (especially because they are free) but you can bypass them if you so choose.
~ Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley & voluntarily reviewed ~
This book started off with a bang. It was intense and riveting and I could not look away. I read the prequels and was sucked in by the chemistry between Danny and Anne. I was excited to get more of that – and the wild way this book started off gave the potential for an emotionally charged, sizzling love story.
Unfortunately, it didn’t always deliver on that. This was a bit of a mixed bag for me. I was invested enough to want to know what happened, and I sometimes I felt like I was reading an episode of Rescue Me, which is a compliment because I loved that crazy show. Honestly, there were times throughout the book where I found myself just as riveted and hanging on for the next plot twist as I was in the beginning. But other times I felt like too many things were being thrown at me at once and I wasn’t given enough of any of them to really latch on or care. I was torn over how to feel about this. It was interesting, but also…sort of disappointing. Ultimately I feel like the author tried to do too much, and this book would have been better served in a stripped down form.
That said – there was a lot that I loved. I’m guessing (maybe hoping) that part of the problem here is that this is the first book in the series and there was a lot to lay out. I’m curious to know where it goes from here. There were a lot of fascinating characters, and I was completely drawn to and invested in Danny and Anne’s storylines. This wasn’t a perfect read for me, but in the end I was glad I read it, and will definitely check out the next one to see what happens next!
Consumed (Firefighters #1) is the first book in a new series written by J.R. Ward. To enhance the enjoyment of this first book I recommend you read the two prequels, The Rehearsal Dinner (The Wedding from Hell, #1; Firefighters, #0.5) and The Reception (The Wedding from Hell, #2; Firefighters, #0.6). Both books do a great job introducing the characters and setting the scene for Consumed. An added bonus, they are free on most venues.
If you are new to J.R. Ward’s books you are in for an amazing ride of a read and if you are already a fan, welcome back! In true Ward style, Consumed is well written, expertly researched and the characters are developed to perfection. Anne is a strong, but also flawed, independent woman in a male dominated world. I loved the way the author had Anne navigate all the uncertainties that encompass firefighters, without losing site of her femininity. Danny is all bad boy alpha male, firefighting machine. These two have been watching and wanting each other for two years….they are totally combustible together. I loved the journey these two characters experienced together. Ms Ward also introduces us to the other guys of the 499 crew and I am looking forward to reading about them in future books.
Ms. Ward’s development of the firefighter story line is gritty, edgy and profoundly realistic. Her detailed, descriptive language immerses you into the fire scenes, so much so you feel as if you are right there with these brave firefighters of the 499 Fire House. It as if the “fire” is a character unto itself. There will be surprises….nail biting action and profound darkness.
From the first page to the last Consumed totally captivated me. This is a incredible start, to what I consider to be, a series that will keep me reading and wanting more of the 499 Fire House crew for many years. I wholeheartedly recommend this book….Happy reading
***I kindly received an ARC of this book by way of NetGalley/publisher/author. I was not contacted, asked or required to leave a review in order to read this book. I received no compensation, financial or otherwise. This is my honest review.***
Something has to be said for the power in Ward’s books. A new branch back into the contemporary world, Consumed is not only intrigued and a standout novel, readers won’t be able to predict what will happen and become addicted to finding out the truth. I highly recommend reading the two free novellas before diving in the world of Anne and Danny. They give a sneak peek into all our characters before a moment that changes all of their lives.
Anne is the solo female in her fire squad and has always felt she’s had an axe to grind (sorry for the pun there…). Determination and pure snark have gotten her this far and it’ll take more than smart-talking, playboy Danny to sweep her off her feet. But there’s a connection between the two of them when they’re int he field. They think in unison and anticipate each others needs and movements like no one she’s ever seen. His charm may not be his dazzling smile and sexy body, it just may be his dedication to being the best firefighter the city’s ever seen. But a split decision from Anne leaves the world they know in dust as he shatters their fragile relationship with one swing of his axe.
Now, Anne isn’t your typical fire inspector; haunted with the memories of her days of a firefighter, she’s in a constant mental and physical struggle to regain her confidence. Putting those memories behind her she dives into the mysterious warehouse fires and discovers a plot that goes deeper than anyone could ever imagine. Not to mention, Danny is back on her radar and diving headfirst into self-destruction. His pain over what happened to Anne during their last fire is eating him alive. The drinking, the fighting, the sex, all a coping mechanism to escape the night terrors and the pain he caused for the woman he loved. Spending more time with brings more pain but Danny will take what he can get. But this new Anne is making more discoveries then in her investigations; Danny’s secrets come to light as Anne has to come to terms with her own past and her city’s possible corruption.
This book is FILLED with twists and turns and new angles you won’t predict. Hooked from page one I had to know what Anne and Danny’s inner thoughts were. Ward does an incredibly job taking brutal, damaged characters and pulling those flaws right into the light, shoving them in to the face of readers and shouting “ACCEPT THEM”. Anne’s struggle with being the only female in her field versus her feelings towards not only Danny but her only family’s expectations created a very complex creature. Matched against Danny’s straight up “I loved her and I lost her” attitude makes for compelling drama. Add in the crime and suspense aspect and Consumed will do it’s own namesake to readers. It’s my latest five star read, but what else would you expect from The Warden herself. I can’t wait to see where our boys go next…
The lives of firefighters are always doomed with impending danger. It takes a special kind of individual to run to a fire and fight it. It is a calling. Unusual as it may seem, Anne is a top firefighter following a long line in her family.
She is a turmoil of emotions as regards to her family, her firefighter friends, and most definitely Danny with whom she had a one night stand. She has sworn off getting married, but the feelings he elicits from her are sometimes too hard to control. All it takes is one fire where everything goes wrong, and the relationship between Anne and Danny is forever changed.
Who is lighting up these destitute warehouses on fire? And why? As Anne attempts to rebuild her life after her injury, it is her acute intelligence and intuition that helps her solve the case.
This is more than a book about firefighters. It is the journey of two people to understanding the deep emotions they are barely handling. In order for them to have a future, it is imperative that they deal with their pasts so they can move on.
I am voluntarily reviewing this book. I thank the publisher for sharing a copy with me.
Consumed is brilliant and outstanding. As I was reading the story, in the beginning… something happens, I won’t say what because I don’t want to give spoilers, but while reading, I was saying… no, Ward wouldn’t do that. She couldn’t. No. But, Oh. My. Goodness… SHE DID! And that happened at the very beginning. What a way to start a story.
The mystery in Consumed kept me guess and I love that. Usually when I’m reading a suspense I can figure out who did it pretty early on. Not with Consumed. I was kept guessing at all of the little details and how they would add up.
I loved that this story had a big cast of characters and that we got to ‘hear’ from more than two. That is one of the things I love about Ward stories, she gives a lot of people. I really can’t wait to see who might be next. I vote for Tom! I really liked Anne’s brother.
This story is a wonderful and I think it is a must read for any JR Ward fan.
4½ Stars
Holy crap! What did I read??? I am going to give you a warning right now. In the blurb, it tells you that Anne’s life is changed forever from one decision. That is NO joke! And you don’t have to wait for it to happen.
The scene where Anne and Danny’s lives are forever changed, left me a complete, sobbing mess. I wasn’t sure I could finish it. I couldn’t see through my tears. It is soul crushing and told in such detail, it will gut you completely!
From there, these characters are left to pick of the pieces of their lives. Guilt plays a huge role in this. These two characters were thrown such a huge altering curve ball, it’s a question of how they will move on from it.
Ward is good at adding other layers to her stories. This one is no exception. While figuring out how to navigate their new lives, Anne and Danny are given other challenges that run parallel to their lives. More danger. More possible heartbreak. It’s one of those things where you wonder if the hits will stop coming.
I found myself so engrossed with this book, I thought about nothing else for days after. The story will linger with you for quite a while, trying to piece everything together after that huge twist at the end.
The only thing that I was disappointed in was a main component and driving force for Anne in this book. It was left unresolved. And it was the one thing that should have been resolved. Even though it’s mentioned and glossed over, it was such a huge part of the book to be left lingering. So I am left to wonder if it will eventually be in the other books in this series. If not, that will be a huge disappointment.
*Side Note: There are three novellas that proceed this book. It isn’t a definite that they need read, however I would highly recommend reading the first two. The third one is completely unnecessary since it’s the beginning of Consumed. There are things in them that are referenced in this book that would make reading beneficial. Also, you will get a feel for all of the characters ahead of time.
“You’ve got it all wrong, Danny. Fire is like cancer. It doesn’t care what it kills. We mean nothing to it because its not alive. You’re not battling a beast. There’s no monster there.”
If you’ve been following the novella releases for this story like I have, then you’ve gotten a little taste for what author JR Ward has in store for us with her exciting new Firefighters Series. Personally, I haven’t read anything by this author since I dove into the world of The Black Dagger Brotherhood a few years ago. So, when I heard about Consumed, I was really excited to not only read something new from this author, but to also experience her take on Contemporary Romance.
Right off the bat, this author doesn’t hold back. If you’re familiar with the 3 part novella series she released prior to Consumed, you know what I’m talking about. If not, that is totally ok. The first 4-5 chapters are from part 3, so you will not be lost at all. And if you’re like me and have already read said novella’s, it’s the prefect recap to get you back into this new world. So, like I said the author does not hold back. She starts this story off with one heck of a bang and doesn’t look back. Anne’s life has been forever changed since the fire that almost took her life. She’s been handed so many obstacles since that fateful day, one of the biggest is a change in career. She now finds herself working as a fire inspector instead of on the lines with her comrades. She is determined to figure out who has been starting fires and putting those she loves at risk….Danny also has been the same since that fateful night when Anne almost lost her life. He’s taking crazy risks and his friends couldn’t be more worried about the path he’s heading down. The last thing Danny ever planned on was being teamed up with Anne again. But, that partnership might just be what the doctor ordered…..
Overall, I found this book to be an enjoyable read. This story was well written and definitely intrigued me. True to JR Ward’s writing style, this story is told from multiple points of view and has many plot lines. You are given a taste for the story and there are many layers being built. I enjoyed seeing the stage of this story being set and all the little bread crumbs dropped along the way, but not really knowing 100% what was going to happen next.
Consumed totally consumed me and had me devouring the pages. I couldn’t wait to see what was in store for Danny and Anne and was kept on the edge of my seat the entire time. I loved the feeling of family, friendship and camaraderie that I got from this story. The Firefighters as a whole were loyal, true and took some amazing risks. This story was sexy and suspenseful with some great twists along the way.
Consumed kicks this series off to a great start. The world/stage has been set. Characters have been introduced and the plot has me curious as to where this series will go next.
When I finish a book and the first thing I want to do is re-read it, that tells me a lot about how I should rate a book. I breezed through Consumed in two days and when I got to the end, I just wanted to re-read that beginning and the ending again. It is so good.
The story starts out with a fire — one that turns dangerous for many of the firefighters in this book. But for Anne, the consequences are serious and the even though the aftermath changes everything, she’s still connected to the firefighters she worked with, especially Danny Maguire. He saved her life in the fire, but not without some serious changes for Anne.
I absolutely adored Anne. She kicks some serious butt throughout the book. She has a lot to deal with — starting with a firefighter legacy that stretches to her brother and deceased father. She’s also vulnerable most of all to Danny Maquire, but she’s no pushover either.
Danny Maquire– all I had to hear was he is a dark haired, blue-eyed Irishman, which had me swooning. His interactions with Anne are sometimes tense and mostly filled with some serious heat of the attraction kind. I love it when an author can communicate deep feelings in just a few pages, and JR Ward did not disappoint me. I loved Danny and Anne together. Their pages together sizzled and I felt that same sort of rush about them that I felt about Wrath and Beth in the first BDB book, and that made me very happy.
There’s a lot of world building going on in this book, with the introduction of many characters and relationships, mostly focused on Anne and her family. There’s some really nice scenes as Anne attempts to heal some sore spots with her mother and her brother.
The main plot has to do with Anne investigating the fires happening at the warehouse district where she was injured. There’s a political component here that makes this very contemporary, and some really bad dudes that are still around at the end of the book, so I’m thinking this is a continuing story.
There’s a lot of suspense as Anne hones in on the firestarter and a seriously tense conclusion that had me turning the pages to see how it was all going to play out. While it felt a little rushed, I did like how everything was wrapped up at the end, even though it was a bittersweet ending for many reasons.
Overall, I just loved this. The pace was good for the most part, I loved Anne and Danny and it left me wanting more of this world. Great start to the series!
An ARC was provided for review.
Consumed is book one in the brand new Firefighters series by J.R. Ward. I am a new reader to this author. I’ve been trying forever to start her Black Dagger Brotherhood series and haven’t been able to get to it yet. So when I saw that she was starting a new contemporary series, I thought that it would be perfect for me since I had no predetermined opinions about her books. It was the best decision I have ever made. This book completely rocked my world. I did read two of The Wedding From Hell prequels and I feel like it really helped to set the stage for Danny and Anne’s relationship.
Anne Ashburn has been with the New Brunswick station 499 Fire Department for a little over two years. She and Danny Maguire have been dancing around each other from the start. Then there was “the night” of Moose’s wedding when “it” happened. It’s been three weeks since then and the chemistry is still sizzling between them. Then everything changed. It was the night of the warehouse fire when she made a decision that would change both her and Danny’s lives forever.
Danny has been in love with Anne from the start. The night of his best friend’s wedding only cemented the knowledge that she was the only woman for him. Then came the night of the fire. The night that everything changed. The night that he saved her, only so that he could lose her.
Anne can’t fight fires anymore so she trains to be a fire inspector. Just like she does everything else, she accepts the challenge and jumps in. She begins looking into a recent fire and also some previous fires and finds what she thinks is something that ties them all together. It’s been ten months since the last fire she fought. Where she fought to overcome every obstacle in her path, Danny took a different route to dull his pain. He did it with drinking and taking crazy risks at work. But one thing doesn’t change. As soon as they come face to face again it’s obvious that the chemistry they once shared is still there.
I can’t tell you enough how amazing this book was. It starts out right out of the gate stealing your breath away. After everything that happened in just the first few chapters I asked myself how the author could keep up this pace but somehow she managed. There is love, steamy sexy times, some smiles, and plenty of danger. Anne is one tough woman. But she’s also soft when she needs to be. And Danny, my oh my I love that man. He was so broken but still had so much love to give.
I don’t know anything about the next book in the series. Only that I will read it whenever J.R. Ward writes it. This book swept me away. I was completely immersed into this community of men and women and their fight for survival. I can’t wait for more.
“Sometimes strength rested not in resistance, but in the release of arms against a foe of one’s own creation.”
This book deals with VERY traumatic situations, be warned! Gritty, real life situations, heart wrenching drama, filled with survivors dealing with after trauma. It is not for everyone.
These are all the terms that occurred to me reading this book. It is not a light entertaining read. It is filled with real life situations and after effects on people in a difficult and dangerous job! It was beautifully crafted as one would expect from JR Ward but it is NOT the Black Dagger Brotherhood with it’s lighter moments. The healing power of love and determination to overcome are themes in this series. Reader, please be advised strongly to read the 3 intro stories as they tell you the relationships between the characters so you greater understand the interactions in the book!
Anne “Sister” Ashburn is a daughter in a firefighter family for generations. She’s idolized her “hero” father and only wanted to be just like him competing to keep up with her elder brother Thomas. She’s refused to be molded into the role of support female and succeeded in a male dominated profession. She has a strained relationship with her mother, disillusioned by her deceased hero father after learning his secrets in her teens. Her elder brother is the city’s Fire Chief and has a strained relationship with him as well because she risks her life daily. Her co-workers at Station 499 are her “family” where she’s respected as one of the best. She and Danny “Dannyboy” McGuire, co-workers and the company’s “Bad Boy”, fight a mutual attraction as they are teammates and fraternizing is forbidden. Danny isn’t as “bad” as his reputation implies and is so drawn to Anne he’s beside himself with the temptation to go further and settle down. During the story we meet the other teammates, roommates and people in other departments they hang out with at the Time Out Tavern after shifts. The story continues with a life & death call that sets the stage for the rest of the story.
This is an excellent real likelike story of survivors and love to be found in their chosen hero profession.