A NIGHT OWL REVIEWS BOOK REVIEW | Reviewed by: Terri
Hearts A Fire: December gives the reader two stories with two hot firefighters. These stories are not connected and do not share characters or locations.
Firestorm on E’Terra by Ella Drake is set in the future. E’Terra is a planet that is being colonized. Some how scientists missed some very flammable gases and the planet is now experiencing some severe firestorms. If they can not be put out, the planet will need to be abandoned. Set with firefighters is a ship commanded by Commander Samantha Varde. She is completely by the book and from an hereditary military family. The smoke jumper and subject expert is Wilson Dex. He was brought up in refugee camps and is smaller than many due to a lack of proper nutrition. He’s known for being a dare devil and to work outside the rules. Now, he’s attracted to the commander and it appears she has the same problem. Can they work it out? To do so would be breaking more rules than Samantha has ever done in her life. Plus Dex is younger than her and much lower rank. What will it take for her to step over the line?
Elise Logan and Emily Ryan-Davis are the authors to This Fire. This story is set in Northern Virginia in this time period. Eden Thomas is a trauma surgeon but she’s also best friends with Ryan. They grew up together and even own townhouses that are only a few doors apart. Ryan is a firefighter while his significant other, Michael works in the DA’s office. Eden attends different social functions with each man so they can keep up appearances. While attending one such function, Eden is introduced to Seth Ripley. There is instant attraction there but Seth isn’t going to cut in on one of his fellow firefighters. Until Eden breaks if off with Ryan, Seth won’t think about going out with her. Eden isn’t giving up her friendship with Ryan for anyone but she can’t explain why either. It’s not her secret to share. Can Seth and Eden work something out or will Ryan always be in the middle?
What’s not to like about hot firefighters and these guys are hot as are these stories.
The characters are well done in both stories. All have a past that is somehow wrapped into their present. Dex’s determination to put out the firestorms, no matter what, is based on his not wanting the colonists to end up in a refugee camp like his family did. He wants to give them a choice. Seth’s ex-wife couldn’t deal with his being a firefighter and cheated on him. His family blames him for the break-up of his marriage so he’s really big on honesty and not cheating. This isn’t saying that the women aren’t equally developed. Samantha is a product of a military family that always followed the rules. She doesn’t know anything different. Eden went into medicine because of an accident Ryan had while playing in her tree house. Their ties go too far back for her to leave him at this point.
The locations are equally well done. Though I haven’t been to the future and seen the ship Commander Varde commands, the descriptions were so vivid that I could visualize the ship. The technology and games were equally as well described allowing me to feel as if I were there. Northern VA is in my backyard as I live in MD. I have to say that I definitely felt like I was there and landmarks were given that are there.
I had a few problems getting into Firestorm on E’Terra but once I really got into the story, I was fine. I didn’t have those issues at all with This Fire. Both stories kept my interest and had just enough sex to keep things believable. After all, you don’t run around having sex all over a military ship or a firehouse!
Getting cold? Well, let these stories light your fires and warm you up. As they are so completely different, you can read one today and save the second for later. Or really warm up by reading them back to back. Regardless, they are an excellent way to spend a snowy December afternoon.
Dec 07, 2010 | 978-1-59578-660-9
5 - Rare Top Pick | 4.5 - Top Pick | 4 - I Liked It | 3.5 - Enjoyable | 3 - OK | 2.5 - It just didn't click
Book Blurb for Hearts AFire: December
Firestorm on E’Terra –Ella Drake
Intragalactic smokejumper and former refugee Wilson Dex takes the latest in a long line of risks, a mission to quell the firestorm on planet E'terra.
Equipment from his transport ship malfunctions, forcing by-the-book Commander Samantha Varde dirtside to help Dex though she suffers from landsickness.
While fighting the ill-timed and against-code heat between them, they have hours to reprogram a torpedo, fly into a tornado, and chute into a firestorm, all to save the colony before the storm flames out of control.
This Fire –Elise Logan & Emily Ryan-Davis
Keeping secrets…
Trauma surgeon Eden Thomas leads a full, happy life. Playing socially-acceptable girlfriend to her best friend Ryan and his lover Michael keeps her social calendar full of firehouse gatherings and politicians’ garden parties. She had never given much thought to romantic relationships of her own–until Seth.
…or telling lies?
Newly transferred first responder Seth Ripley is trying to escape a woman, not find a new one. Especially not a flirtatious blonde hanging off the arm of his coworker. Every instinct tells him to stay away from the sexy surgeon, but in spite of his misgivings, he surrenders to the hot attraction. Just one night should work her out of his system.
But one night fails to satisfy either of them.
Flashpoint…
Soon, Seth’s demands for the truth about her relationship with Ryan and Michael push Eden into a corner she can’t escape–betray her best friend in order to give the man she loves the confidence to believe in her or preserve her loyalty to Ryan by letting Seth walk away.
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