A Wounded Hero As a firefighter, Jaxson Anderson is well acquainted with danger. He’s charged into burning buildings to rescue men and women, young and old. He’s scaled ladders that towered over blistering infernos, and defied blazes that terrified lesser men.Fire? He understands. Women? Not so much. Now there’s some real danger. He should know. He’s been burned before. He’s not interested in … before.
He’s not interested in romance, or the perils that come with it. His priority is caring for his two small boys, and making his mark as the new fire chief of Sawyer, but everything changes the day he catches sight of Sugar, the pretty girl who works at the local bakery. Sugar is exactly what he wants: A fun, no-strings distraction. A friends-with-benefits arrangement that won’t break what’s left of his heart.
A Battered Heart
On the heels of an abusive marriage, Sugar Stonemyer is done with men. But when Jaxson Anderson strolls into the bakery with a very wicked offer, she can’t resist. One look at the fireman, and Sugar knows the Sawyer rumor mills haven’t exaggerated. Jaxson’s tall, dark, and smokin’ hot. He wants an arrangement, nothing more, and that’s perfect.
Or so she thought.
With each slow seduction, Sugar falls a little more. She has only herself to blame. She didn’t want either of them to have feelings, but that’s not how the game is played…
Flames of Love is the first novel in the Firefighters of Long Valley series, although all books in the Long Valley world can be read as standalones. It has some strong language, and oh my, sexy times. Enjoy!
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A hunky firefighter starting as the chief in a small town, where he is not wanted by some of the locals. This book has lovely characters and some fire action.
Jaxson Anderson breathed in deeply, inhaling the delicious bakery smells of yeast and sugar. The cute young woman at the counter welcomed him, and they teased back and forth. But when she asked what he was doing in Sawyer, he told her he was the new Fire Chief – and she visibly tensed up and went quiet. Odd… He ordered a box of donuts to take to the station for the men, and again he heard her mumble something under her breath. Jaxson also found out what it was like to live in a small town where everyone knows your business, even if they believe the gossip instead of the truth. But Sugar was becoming important to him, and telling the painful truth to her was needed before he could even contemplate his friends-with-benefits arrangement. Sugar likewise had a painful past that was holding her back. Could they deal with a growing relationship, break down the walls and see where it might lead? Could Jaxson find a middle ground from which to dispel the false rumors and gain the confidence and trust of his men?
This is such a good book. Jaxson Anderson is the new Fire Chief of Sawyer which is a small town out west. He is the first full time paid Fire Chief which has made some of the volunteer fireman mad, especially the one who the old Fire Chief told he would get the job after the Chief retired. It didn’t turn out that way and this guy was giving Jaxson a hard time. Jaxson needed the job to prove to a judge that he had a steady job, wasn’t out fighting fires all the time, so he could get his boys more often than every other weekend. Jaxson meets Sugar Stonemyer at the Muffin Man bakery and is attracted to her. Of course the whole town thinks that Sugar and her boss Gage are romantically involved and proceeds to tell Jaxson how terrible he is to try to take Sugar away from Gage.
Jaxson was such a good guy and stepped into a hornets nest in Sawyer. Like most small towns the gossip was running rampant, with most people not knowing what was the truth. Jaxson had some baggage from his ex-wife that he had to handle. Poor Sugar had a lot of baggage from her ex-husband. It made me so mad how he had treated Sugar and she had low self esteem. I was so glad she wasn’t with that awful man. Sugar and Jaxson were so good together. I loved Jaxson’s little boys. I strongly encourage you to read the book. I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book.
Every now and then, one comes across a book that makes you sulk when it comes to an end, like a kid who’s been denied ice cream! With Flames of Love I wished we could have had an extended epilogue, just so that we could have a few more minutes of Jaxson and Sugar, and of course Hamlet. I loved the introductory chapter and Jaxson and Sugar’s meeting. From the initial introduction to these characters, one assumes that they are lighthearted, easygoing people. Nothing can be further from the truth. Their sense of humour has been honed from years of pain and survival, knowing that if they didn’t laugh, they would cry. When Jaxson takes on the position of fire chief in the small town of Sawyer, he doesn’t realise just how much prejudice and resentment he is up against. With half the town set to jeopardise his future, Jaxson knows that he has his work cut out for him. Nevertheless, among the bad eggs, there are some characters of sterling quality and with their help, Jaxson starts to make inroads into the problems facing him. Both Jaxson and Sugar have vows about dating, but in meeting one another, their rules begin to erode and crumble. They have more in common with each other than they first realise and with Hamlet playing his part, the couple find common ground. The one thing about getting close to another person is that it is difficult to continue keeping secrets. Sugar has been conditioned to believe the lies that have been told to her from the time she can remember, and she is therefore sceptical of Jaxson’s acceptance. It takes a crisis to bring both of them to the place where they realise that together they can be stronger. This book is very well written and evokes the reader”s emotions without being mushy or patronising. Issues surrounding divorce are sensitively dealt with, however I would have liked to see Sugar receive the counseling she so desperately needed. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Seems to be very realistic
nice and light reading; really funny lines
Just kind of boring.
The interaction between Sugar and Jackson kept me turning pages, with both laughter and tears. Great read.
Nice story with a happy ending.
Didn’t like it
Didn’t hold my interest
very timely considering all the fires currently burning.
Loved this story. Was a page turner couldn’t put it down
A. Light easy read.
I found the characters very believable and realistic. The story was realistic and very plausible. Toss in a sweet romance and this book was a sweet romantic romp with a few hiccups, but love wins in the end! Very enjoyable!
This is the first book I have read from Ms Wright.
I enjoyed the book. Excellent storyline.
This is a love story at its finest, no judgement, just acceptance and allowing each one to forgive themselves.
Hamlet is the best ever. He made the story great. Bringing humour and joy wherever he went.
Sometimes you find yourself wanting to read a book that does nothing but entertain; a quick read, an old story line, old flames meeting up again, throw in a little danger to make them realize they still love each other, and that’s what you get with this book.
It was ok. Nothing exciting
Good read!
It was very boring and hard to get through. I would not recommend this book.