Blue Flame

Rating:
Summary: A Great Read
Review: Jake Rawlins is a terrific hero, wounded, sexy as hell, and clueless about love. Until it hits him between the eyes. Couldn't put it down; fast, fun, hot and suspenseful. Don't miss it.

Rating:
Summary: fine romantic suspense
Review: San Diego County firefighter Jake Rawlins knows he and a teenager are trapped on the mansion's roof with an inferno about to engulf them. Jake rescues Billy, but he crushes his shoulder and has a concussion while Billy and his mom sue the county, the department, and Jake for excessive force. With reporters bugging him while on sick leave, Jake flees to the Blue Flame guest ranch in Nowhere, Arizona that he in inherited from his estranged father.

Ranch manager Callie Anne Hayes loves the Blue Flame and hopes to buy it from Jake, who hates the place. They met at his dad's funeral when she grieved and he seethed; they made love but she ended it when she realized he detested while she loved his dad.

Jake arrives and informs Callie that he will stay for a few months. She moves him into his half brother's cabin, who hates him for deserting him when the lad was five years old. Meanwhile someone is causing trouble for Callie and the ranch. As Jake feels lonely yet protective of Callie, they begin to fall in love, but the danger to her, the hands, the guests, and the animals mount from an unknown assailant who wants the place to fail.

Readers will feel heat from the attraction between the lead couple and enjoy the teen story between Tucker and an abused teen. The ranch support cast comes across as individual misfits who collectively add warmth to the tale. Though the villain is obvious in spite of his background and the troubled individuals at the ranch, fans will enjoy this fine romantic suspense starring two likable protagonists.

Harriet Klausner


Rating:
Summary: A Five Flame review from Sizzling Romances!
Review: What an amazing book! There's not enough room here to post my entire review from my website, but here's my last several paragraphs:

Jake, in the meantime, wants Callie so badly it hurts. Therefore, BLUE FLAME is filled with tension - between Jake and Callie, Jake and Tucker, and the staff and the new cook, Amy - and is only exacerbated by the apparent sabotage and danger suddenly present to Callie.

Callie and Jake have a connection so acute, that it nearly burns through the pages. So, while Callie's trying to fight her feelings for Jake, he is realizing that he'll never go back to firefighting. The pain in his heart breaks Callie's heart, and the reader will feel the pain as well. This is one of the elements that really makes BLUE FLAME work - Callie's compassion. Despite this sadness, it is very exciting to watch Jake take on new things daily, even though he is still in a lot of pain. There are also enigmatic employees, some with deep-rooted problems, but with Callie's special touch, she's made them all a family. Yet the mystery remains - who's sabotaging the BLUE FLAME?

BLUE FLAME is an adventurous book in a very different way, but an adventure nonetheless. Part of the adventure is the various groups that are paying guests at the BLUE FLAME and the activities planned for them, while Jake struggles to fit in. The other part of this being an adventure, is trying to discover who is trying to hurt the ranch, including Callie.

Ms. Shalvis has written her characters remarkably well and watching them evolve draws the reader right into the story. The reader feels the pain, the joys, and the sadness of all the characters - not just Jake and Callie, but also the other members of the staff, and the troubles they are facing. This character-driven book still has a very strong plot and is an engaging read from beginning to end. I am very eager for the next book in this exciting series, as I'm positive Ms. Shalvis will continue to create compelling characters in a story that deeply hits the heart of the reader.

Robin Taylor
www.sizzlingromances.com
December 2004 issue