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Hellesgate #1
Torched
A house burns on the stark Kansas horizon...
Its flames make a New York businessman abandon the back road in hopes of helping, in hopes of being the hero instead of the villain for once.
His nerve is immediately tested as he witnesses a man run into the inferno. As the New Yorker risks all to save the stranger, his life becomes forever embroiled in both a madman's deadly game of fire and revenge, and a soldier's fight not only to save his family but to save his own soul.
The men are two strong, fierce personalities, from backgrounds as different as heaven and hell. They should never have met, let alone fallen in love... but theirs is a story of Fate riding in on the coattails of sin.
Theirs is a story borne of fire...
More Books You'll Love from Ravenous Romance
Blow Torch by Chloe Stowe
Welcome back to Hellesgate.
Three years have passed since Matthew Archer met and fell in love with Iraqi war veteran Cane Summerfield. Having survived a deranged arsonist, a wispy, green-eyed stalker and a revenge-fueled brother, the men have settled down to small town life in Hellesgate, Kansas.
Life is good. Every day, their love grows. Every day, their wedding nears.
But when a love is borne of fire, the future is often shaped by hell...
Shafts of Torchlight by Chloe Stowe
It’s Christmas night in Hellesgate, Kansas and all the world is bright.
Matthew Archer and Cane Summerfield are enjoying their first holiday season together with their adopted daughter, Sahara. While the men had endured many hardships on their paths to discovering one another, their lives had finally grown peaceful while their love had only grown more vibrant…
But when you have everything, you have everything to lose.
Secret Flames by Adam Carpenter
The men of White Pine have their secrets...
These men are unknowingly connected by a deadly tragedy, and it is only after another suspicious accident that they begin to piece together their secrets to find the truth.
Set in New York State’s Adirondack Mountains, SECRET FLAMES is Adam Carpenter at his hottest and steamiest, where men love men with unabashed heat, and where desire is so hot it burns.
How the West was Done edited by Adam Carpenter
Men on horseback. Men in saloons swilling back shots of whiskey. Men alone on the trail. Men with desires unfulfilled. Men with an unstoppable passion for each other. This isn't just the retelling of how the old west was won, it's...
HOW THE WEST WAS DONE
An Erotic Collection of M/M Football Stories edited by Lori Perkins
While the sports fans are watching the Superbowl, indulge in this hot collection of M/M football love! It'll bring a while new meaning to "touchdown" and "huddle."
An Officer and his Gentleman by Ryan Field
Chance dreams of becoming a chef- until he meets bad boy naval officer Brody Johnston, and sets his sights (and his heart) on him! As Chance fights to live his dream as a chef, and Brody wrestles with the opportunities and limitations imposed by the military, will they be able to find happiness in each other's arms?
Its flames make a New York businessman abandon the back road in hopes of helping, in hopes of being the hero instead of the villain for once.
His nerve is immediately tested as he witnesses a man run into the inferno. As the New Yorker risks all to save the stranger, his life becomes forever embroiled in both a madman's deadly game of fire and revenge, and a soldier's fight not only to save his family but to save his own soul.
The men are two strong, fierce personalities, from backgrounds as different as heaven and hell. They should never have met, let alone fallen in love... but theirs is a story of Fate riding in on the coattails of sin.
Theirs is a story borne of fire...
More Books You'll Love from Ravenous Romance
Blow Torch by Chloe Stowe
Welcome back to Hellesgate.
Three years have passed since Matthew Archer met and fell in love with Iraqi war veteran Cane Summerfield. Having survived a deranged arsonist, a wispy, green-eyed stalker and a revenge-fueled brother, the men have settled down to small town life in Hellesgate, Kansas.
Life is good. Every day, their love grows. Every day, their wedding nears.
But when a love is borne of fire, the future is often shaped by hell...
Shafts of Torchlight by Chloe Stowe
It’s Christmas night in Hellesgate, Kansas and all the world is bright.
Matthew Archer and Cane Summerfield are enjoying their first holiday season together with their adopted daughter, Sahara. While the men had endured many hardships on their paths to discovering one another, their lives had finally grown peaceful while their love had only grown more vibrant…
But when you have everything, you have everything to lose.
Secret Flames by Adam Carpenter
The men of White Pine have their secrets...
These men are unknowingly connected by a deadly tragedy, and it is only after another suspicious accident that they begin to piece together their secrets to find the truth.
Set in New York State’s Adirondack Mountains, SECRET FLAMES is Adam Carpenter at his hottest and steamiest, where men love men with unabashed heat, and where desire is so hot it burns.
How the West was Done edited by Adam Carpenter
Men on horseback. Men in saloons swilling back shots of whiskey. Men alone on the trail. Men with desires unfulfilled. Men with an unstoppable passion for each other. This isn't just the retelling of how the old west was won, it's...
HOW THE WEST WAS DONE
An Erotic Collection of M/M Football Stories edited by Lori Perkins
While the sports fans are watching the Superbowl, indulge in this hot collection of M/M football love! It'll bring a while new meaning to "touchdown" and "huddle."
An Officer and his Gentleman by Ryan Field
Chance dreams of becoming a chef- until he meets bad boy naval officer Brody Johnston, and sets his sights (and his heart) on him! As Chance fights to live his dream as a chef, and Brody wrestles with the opportunities and limitations imposed by the military, will they be able to find happiness in each other's arms?
178 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 14, 2011
2 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
Chloe Stowe
24 books91 followers Published Romance author... Cozy Mystery rookie... Daily blogger... Crazy woman.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 13, 2012
Very welcome surprise, this book. I got it free-of-charge at aRe last week and it hooked me from the first chapter. Of course, giving it away for free is the perfect hook to get a reader to buy the whole series. Which I will. Gotta know how Matt, Cane, and their town's whole menagerie are getting on.
You want an editorial review? Really? Okay, guess I'm game.
This story shines mainly because of the writing. For example, this phrase had me ROFL: "...especially those dark, reddish brown nipples just sitting there all erect and full of themselves." In a relatively short span of pages (178) the author sets up sufficient background to start a series, not an easy feat. And without any info-dumps, just doled out little by little, as it should be. Then there's the guys, likeable, down-to-earth, typical of their circumstances characters I started rooting for from page one. Both of them had me chuckling and outright laughing several times, with their snark and stupid male one-upmanship. The bad guy? He's really insane. Which is good, 'cause I'm just tired of the tortured bad guys and authors wanting to make the reader feel bad and sympathize with them. The town, itself a character, is the usual hell of most small towns. This one has some really special characters: Bingham can come live in my town any time he wants. Aunt Iona is perfect, too.
It's not a five-star read because there were a couple of times where I felt like either I was missing pages or the editing was a bit sloppy. Kind of strange jumps between a couple of chapters, like they pulled a chunk of pages out and didn't proof-read very well for continuity, know what I mean? The ending, though, was worth the few WTF moments. I just knew it!
I'm getting and reading the next one, Blow Torch, as soon as I get through the few I have on my next-TBR shelf.
You want an editorial review? Really? Okay, guess I'm game.
This story shines mainly because of the writing. For example, this phrase had me ROFL: "...especially those dark, reddish brown nipples just sitting there all erect and full of themselves." In a relatively short span of pages (178) the author sets up sufficient background to start a series, not an easy feat. And without any info-dumps, just doled out little by little, as it should be. Then there's the guys, likeable, down-to-earth, typical of their circumstances characters I started rooting for from page one. Both of them had me chuckling and outright laughing several times, with their snark and stupid male one-upmanship. The bad guy? He's really insane. Which is good, 'cause I'm just tired of the tortured bad guys and authors wanting to make the reader feel bad and sympathize with them. The town, itself a character, is the usual hell of most small towns. This one has some really special characters: Bingham can come live in my town any time he wants. Aunt Iona is perfect, too.
It's not a five-star read because there were a couple of times where I felt like either I was missing pages or the editing was a bit sloppy. Kind of strange jumps between a couple of chapters, like they pulled a chunk of pages out and didn't proof-read very well for continuity, know what I mean? The ending, though, was worth the few WTF moments. I just knew it!
I'm getting and reading the next one, Blow Torch, as soon as I get through the few I have on my next-TBR shelf.
September 4, 2011
Author: Chloe Stowe
Publisher: Ravenous Romance
Word Count: 48,611
Published: 2011
Fictionwise: $6.99
I actually made a mistake when starting this series, as I bought them both at the same time – I read the prologue for “Blow Torch” by accident. And I have to say, it is an accident that I would recommend all readers to do! It provided me with a great background on the characters and helped me understand everything that unfolds in “Torched” even more. So that’s my tip to the beginning of this Hellsgate series.
That aside, I absolutely loved these two books. They were admittedly short reads and could have unfolded in one book, but I definitely wanted to keep on reading. The characters felt so real even though they were such opposites. One of the main characters is a war veteran and hero (Bronze Star winner) who experiences difficulty in life post-war. He meets, in a rather dramatic way, his love interest who is a very successful real estate mogul from New York. Opposites attract in this one, and they definitely end up working well together through the many challenges life and others, throw their way.
The sex in these books is hot – not graphic or thorough, but hot because of their passion for each other. From their first scene together, it is clear that they have a deep connection pulling them towards each other after years of not letting others in. Sex was part of this book, but definitely not the driving force.
Out of four…
Overall Read: ♥♥♥♥
Sex Heat: ♥♥
Plot: ♥♥♥
I would recommend this series to anyone who is looking for a passionate romance, particularly with imperfect partners in unlikely situations. You will fall in love with both characters and root for them in the most unlikely circumstances, not to mention enjoy reading their passion increase as the story unfolds. Great, fun and easy read with a lot of emotion throughout.
Publisher: Ravenous Romance
Word Count: 48,611
Published: 2011
Fictionwise: $6.99
I actually made a mistake when starting this series, as I bought them both at the same time – I read the prologue for “Blow Torch” by accident. And I have to say, it is an accident that I would recommend all readers to do! It provided me with a great background on the characters and helped me understand everything that unfolds in “Torched” even more. So that’s my tip to the beginning of this Hellsgate series.
That aside, I absolutely loved these two books. They were admittedly short reads and could have unfolded in one book, but I definitely wanted to keep on reading. The characters felt so real even though they were such opposites. One of the main characters is a war veteran and hero (Bronze Star winner) who experiences difficulty in life post-war. He meets, in a rather dramatic way, his love interest who is a very successful real estate mogul from New York. Opposites attract in this one, and they definitely end up working well together through the many challenges life and others, throw their way.
The sex in these books is hot – not graphic or thorough, but hot because of their passion for each other. From their first scene together, it is clear that they have a deep connection pulling them towards each other after years of not letting others in. Sex was part of this book, but definitely not the driving force.
Out of four…
Overall Read: ♥♥♥♥
Sex Heat: ♥♥
Plot: ♥♥♥
I would recommend this series to anyone who is looking for a passionate romance, particularly with imperfect partners in unlikely situations. You will fall in love with both characters and root for them in the most unlikely circumstances, not to mention enjoy reading their passion increase as the story unfolds. Great, fun and easy read with a lot of emotion throughout.
did-not-finish
September 14, 2012DNF at 23%. I really don't like the writing style. And the MCs are acting like idiots and their dialog is terrible. Bleh.
Read
September 8, 2012The "consensual" sex was starting out as ugly and violent. It wasn't going to work for me.
October 16, 2012
The story starts out strong with a crazy guy and a huge fire that burns down Cane Summerfield's family's rural Kansas house.
This is a brutal story of redemption and healing. Matthew Archer shows up as feeling-less man from New York. In his thirty-two-years on Earth, he has done lots of morally questionable business on his road to riches. He is a hard man that no one has taken the time to learn to love until he finds a savoir in a house fire in the middle of Kansas.
There is lots of witty repartee and it is some great banter between the men.
Cane lives in a crazy small town filled with more crazy people and he is definitely one of them although they have lately turned their backs on him and think he may be the arsonist.
The romance between the guys is punctuated with lots of sexy time, so much that event he author skips ahead (that is much appreciated!) They mystery is pretty good without giving too much away. I did like that it takes time after the crazy first three days for the men to finally come together.
100ish pages and free from All Romance site.
3 stars
This is a brutal story of redemption and healing. Matthew Archer shows up as feeling-less man from New York. In his thirty-two-years on Earth, he has done lots of morally questionable business on his road to riches. He is a hard man that no one has taken the time to learn to love until he finds a savoir in a house fire in the middle of Kansas.
There is lots of witty repartee and it is some great banter between the men.
Cane lives in a crazy small town filled with more crazy people and he is definitely one of them although they have lately turned their backs on him and think he may be the arsonist.
The romance between the guys is punctuated with lots of sexy time, so much that event he author skips ahead (that is much appreciated!) They mystery is pretty good without giving too much away. I did like that it takes time after the crazy first three days for the men to finally come together.
100ish pages and free from All Romance site.
3 stars
December 28, 2011
I really liked this story and the characters in it. Cane and Matthew are very different persons, but they fall in love very fast. I usually find stories of love at first sight not realistic, but in this book, it works. From the moment Matthew and Cane meet, they basically spend all the time together and feelings develop quickly but in a believable way. Their love feels natural and not forced.
I liked the sarcasm and humour both characters use, even in the most difficult moments.
My favorite moment was when Cane told Matthew about what happened to him while he still was in the Army: it's a very emotional passage in the book.
I liked the sarcasm and humour both characters use, even in the most difficult moments.
My favorite moment was when Cane told Matthew about what happened to him while he still was in the Army: it's a very emotional passage in the book.
September 9, 2012
Nice story but the writing style and dialogue were confusing at times. I had to go back several times in the book to try to understand what was being said and what was happening. The ending was good but for me, more confusing than the rest of the story.
I'm sure I will read the next in the series at some point. While I was confused a bit, I did enjoy reading about Cane and Matt. I am curious to see what happens next.
I'm sure I will read the next in the series at some point. While I was confused a bit, I did enjoy reading about Cane and Matt. I am curious to see what happens next.
September 6, 2015
When I first started reading this book I was not impressed. I became bored fast and felt "cold". As the story continued it became "warmer" and the writing improved. I finally felt for the characters and the situations. I wouldn't say I loved it but I did enjoy it. The ending needs some work though. It just was blah:( I might read the next in the series though.
February 11, 2017
I picked this up for free and its a great read. A bit of mystery, a lot of snarky banter between the two men, some good support characters and a look at very small town Kansas!
I enjoyed it, it was a fairly quick and easy read and one I'd probaly read again sometime
I enjoyed it, it was a fairly quick and easy read and one I'd probaly read again sometime
November 24, 2012
Story moves quickly, and I enjoyed the two heroes. Like others commenting here, I found the narrative confusing in parts, but eventually got into the flow of the story. Some of the sex seems behind closed doors - that might be a turn off for some (and welcomed by others).
August 18, 2014
A very entertaining book, it is also the start to a 5 book series which I also thoroughly enjoyed. Perfectly imperfect (and very, very sexy) characters that are just right for each other and a host of interesting secondary characters kept me entranced in Hellesgate.
July 29, 2017
Surprisingly enjoyable read. I'm new to this author and it was free when I downloaded ages ago so I had low expectations.
Great character development and I enjoyed their interactions. I do intend to continue with the series and hope the rest are as interesting.
Great character development and I enjoyed their interactions. I do intend to continue with the series and hope the rest are as interesting.
April 11, 2011
Not for me, instant sex and not the good kind. They meet and bang, its on all day and night. Talk about unrealistic, torch is a good word for it.
September 16, 2012
Kooky, entertaining with snappy dialogue, I found myself returning to this every time I had a few minutes but I couldn't tell you why. Really quite good and will look out for more Hellesgate reads.
October 14, 2012
The writing was not my cup of tea, it was too long and the thesaurus had free rein. But there were highlights... "Premature psychosis brought on by a future non-event," Cane rattled off, [...].
September 9, 2012
Not for me. DNF.
September 12, 2012
Funny dialogues! But sometimes rather confusing - it feels like that there are pages/text passages are missing. Nevertheless I enjoyed the book
May 22, 2015
Hard to get into. A good story, will I continue with the series ? Probably not
January 16, 2012
Out of the box story line. I liked it - again, can't wait for their next adventure.
probably-not
June 2, 2013Freebie for All Romance Ebooks today: thanks Eve (again)!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews