Smokin' Hot Firemen
By various authors
Book Blurb:
Who can melt any woman's heart with a single smile? The sexiest icon of all- a fireman!
They enter fiery structures with selfless courage—the very definition of the word “hero.” Women understand their allure... A soot-covered face, sweat dripping from hard, chiseled muscles, the sharp snap of suspenders — yes, only a fireman can make suspenders sexy! Delilah Devlin's burning-hot book includes thrilling stories teeming with gorgeous firemen from some of today’s hottest romance writers. In “Saving Charlotte,” Sabrina York’s firefighting Dom rescues a woman tied to a red-hot bed; from Cathryn Fox comes “Temperature Rising” where a fire chief fulfills some very steamy fantasies; Elle James’s “Chasing Fire” sees a daring smoke-jumper parachuting into the hot zone of a forest fire then setting his girlfriend ablaze with erotic heat; and Magic Mike ain’t got nothin’ on Delilah’s own fireman-turned-exotic-dancer-for-a-night “Johnny Blaze.”
With a list of award-winning authors that includes Ily Goyanes, Shoshanna Evers, Adele Dubois, and Rachel Firasek, Delilah delivers tales of these courageous men sliding down their big poles to steal readers’ hearts! Smokin’ Hot Firemen imagines the romantic possibilities of being held against that massively muscled chest by a man whose mission is to protect and serve...
Ok come on! Who doesn't love a book chalked full of sexy hot firemen? Smokin' Hot Firemen is an anthology of 17 authors that penned some smoking hot stories! There are many different heat levels offered up. I read the various chapters of Smokin' Hot Firemen in-between my regular books. It was like enjoying a constant flow of sexy erotic reads. Did I mention hot firemen?
Some stories are better than others but overall a decent collection. This review will highlight three of my favourites.
Lost and Found was written by an author that I had not previously heard of. Nanette Guadiano's story was written in first person and it was amazing. It was a true romantic fantasy. A 36 yr old woman stuck in a life rut, leaves her former boring life, packs up and moves to a small town in Italy to finish the book she started. Enter a blond, tall British fireman hero who has been on an extended vacation and they share a bottle (or two) of wine. The story was almost poetic and very steamy. I loved it!
For me even though a story is a novella length, it has to somewhat believable. Maggie Wells' story, Rescue Me is exactly that. Although Trey and Addison had not seen each other in years, they had a history dating back to high school. Their erotic romp in her kitchen shortly after being rescued/reunited was not only hot but excitingly believable for those who harbour thoughts about their former high school fantasy.
When I started reading Rescue Me, I forgot it was a novella because I quickly connected with Addi. A bit of humour and a whole lot of sexiness, Rescue Me was my favourite of the book.
Another winner for me was Fire Hazard by M. Marie. Fire Hazard was written in first person and I don't think I even knew the name of the heroine. As she starts to see the faint haze of smoke filling her twentieth floor apartment building and as the blare of alarms pierces her ears, she bravely tries to wrangle her frightened cat into his cat carrier. So far, totally believable. If you have ever tried to wrangle a scared clawed cat hurriedly into a cat carrier, you can imagine the damage he could cause to tender exposed flesh. Thankfully fireman "Jackson" was available to tend to her wounds. *insert giant sized grin here*
Coach Dan Calebow and Phoebe Somerville's book
It Had to Be You (Chicago Stars #1)
By Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Narrated by Anna Fields
Book Blurb:
It's Dan Calebow's worst nightmare: Phoebe Somerville, a trendy New York knockout, inherits the Chicago Stars, the football team he coaches. And she wants to help him run it. Phoebe's sure he needs her. He's a sexist, good-ol'-boy jock with a one track mind. She can straighten him out.
So why should each find the other attractive? Call it the competitive urge, but these two stubborn people play the game for keeps.
The best form of book publicity is word of mouth. My good friend, who has introduced me to so many fabulous books, once again encouraged me to read Susan Elizabeth Phillips. I've been on this recent audiobook kick and I was pleased to see that my library has lots of options for her books.
I am a football nut so It Had to Be You was right up my alley. I loved it. A great romance and I kept thinking what a wonderful movie this story would make. There was even a suspenseful ending. It Had to Be You is the first book in the Chicago Stars series and I eagerly look forward to reading/listening to the rest.
Phoebe Somerville was a complex character. Just when you thought you'd understand her character the author, Susan Elizabeth Phillips would provide a memory flashback and you'd want to sob and then change your perception about her.
Coach Dan Calebow is a man's man and deeply submerged into the boy's club of football. I have to admit, I expected a lot more push back or snark from the coach when Phoebe inherited and took over the Star's NFL Football Club. He had a temper and soon Phoebe knew exactly which buttons to press. Honestly, Phoebe was the smartest "bimbo" I've ever read. That probably was because she wasn't a bimbo at all. A bombshell yes, bimbo no.
Phoebe's dad was a jerk and one of the biggest, misogynist dolts I've ever read. I can state my opinion and we never even meet him. The story starts out with all the characters attending his funeral. One of the funniest scenes in the entire book occurs during his funeral and I knew from that first chapter, I was committed to It Had to Be You.
It Had to Be You was very enjoyable listen with the one exception. I didn't really care for the narrator's voiceover of Dan's character. It was supposed to be southern accent but I kept picturing an overweight man with big lips. Like a cartoon character. Other than that, I loved it. I smiled a lot and I also got quite angry a few times. Excellent story and it kept me highly engaged.
Teasers: Pooh the dog, new found sisterly love, scary role play scene, AFC Championship game
Cat and Bones final book
Up From the Grave (Night Huntress book 7)
by Jeaniene Frost
Book Blurb:
Lately, life has been unnaturally calm for vampires Cat Crawfield and her husband Bones. They should have known better than to relax their guard, because a shocking revelation sends them back into action to stop an all-out war…
A rogue CIA agent is involved in horrifying secret activities that threaten to raise tensions between humans and the undead to dangerous heights. Now Cat and Bones are in a race against time to save their friends from a fate worse than death…because the more secrets they unravel, the deadlier the consequences. And if they fail, their lives—and those of everyone they hold dear— will be hovering on the edge of the grave.
*whistles* *STANDING OVATION*
Well done Jeaniene Frost, well done!
Up From the Grave is the last book in the Night Huntress series. While I am trying to hold back the sobs because I won't be reading anymore full length Cat & Bones' novels, I completely applaud and respect Jeaniene Frost's bravery to end her beloved series. I imagine it is a super hard thing to do when you have created such amazing characters that scores of fans love. Cat & Bones are her babies. Oh how I wish more authors had series where the main protagonists were married and taking on adventures. We need more couples like that in our romance world!
Now comes the hard part for me. How do I write a review telling you how brilliantly awesome this story was without revealing some heavy spoilers????
Up From the Grave was chalk full of action and I think that Jeaniene Frost channelled to her fans some pretty deep emotions. I didn't cry or shed any tears but I felt the mirage of emotions deep down. Many heart strings get tugged. Having said that, there was a lot of anger being spewed and even a laugh out loud moment (surprisingly brought to us by Mencheres).
I loved that with Up From the Grave being the last book, Jeaniene Frost did a great job of incorporating all of the secondary cast of characters into the story. It didn't feel forced including them all in. Seamless really.
The intimate scenes were a little on the soft side and I can only recall one scene from memory. I think that that Up From the Grave had so much story to fit in that another intimate scene written in would have felt forced or just placed in for the sake of having another sex scene. I thought it was perfect. Bones was still very romantic and protective of Cat all throughout the story so it never felt off.
The plot was very clever and the story ended on a superb high note that still left the series open for a possibility of more books or a spin off.
Teasers: a captured Cat, a more powerful Bones, like mother like daughter
