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Hidden Cove Firefighters #4
America's Bravest
(Alternate cover edition of ASIN B006G0DFY6.)
The Rescue Squad in the Hidden Cove Fire Department deals with all kinds of emergencies: blazing fires, horrific car accidents and a myriad of medical calls. Like most firefighters, they also have complicated personal relationships due to the nature of their jobs. In AMERICA’S BRAVEST, each of the six novellas details both the love and work of one firefighter with overarching themes of arson, a blogger out to discredit them, and balancing their personal and professional lives.
In IN TOO DEEP, Captain Gabe Malvaso struggles with his attraction to Rachel Wellington, a firefighter on his squad. But when they’re trapped in a basement, thinking they’ll die, all bets are off.
HOT SHOT picks up with Paramedic Brody O’Malley, who’s happy with single life until a class reunion where he meets Emma Walsh, the only woman he ever loved. But because he broke her heart, she’s refuses to rekindle old flames.
WORTH THE RISK follows Ryan O’Malley, Brody’s twin cop brother, as he pursues prickly Lieutenant Felicia White, who’s always disliked his “playboy” persona. But when they are forced to work together on an arson case, sparks fly.
EL BOMBERO is the story of Firefighter Tony Ramirez and his beloved wife Sophia, sweethearts since high school, who run into the biggest challenge of their lives: Sophia can no longer tolerate the danger her husband is in every day.
In RESCUE ME, twenty-four-year-old Sydney Sands saves the life of local businessman Max Delinsky only to fall head over heels in love with him. But trouble comes in merging the discrepancy in their ages and Max’s difficulty with her past.
TRIAL BY FIRE tells the story of Battalion Chief Cal Erikson, whose been fighting for two years with blogger Parker Allen about the fire department. Imagine his surprise when he finds himself attracted to the fiery journalist with deep scars from her past. The arson case is solved, but not before both their lives are endangered.
In THE EPILOGUE, get a closer look at how all six couples live happily ever after!
Librarian note: this is a compilation of novellas. It is book 4 and is separate from the other books in the Hidden Cove Firefighters Series (7 books). Only the first novella, In Too Deep, can be obtained as single edition.
The Rescue Squad in the Hidden Cove Fire Department deals with all kinds of emergencies: blazing fires, horrific car accidents and a myriad of medical calls. Like most firefighters, they also have complicated personal relationships due to the nature of their jobs. In AMERICA’S BRAVEST, each of the six novellas details both the love and work of one firefighter with overarching themes of arson, a blogger out to discredit them, and balancing their personal and professional lives.
In IN TOO DEEP, Captain Gabe Malvaso struggles with his attraction to Rachel Wellington, a firefighter on his squad. But when they’re trapped in a basement, thinking they’ll die, all bets are off.
HOT SHOT picks up with Paramedic Brody O’Malley, who’s happy with single life until a class reunion where he meets Emma Walsh, the only woman he ever loved. But because he broke her heart, she’s refuses to rekindle old flames.
WORTH THE RISK follows Ryan O’Malley, Brody’s twin cop brother, as he pursues prickly Lieutenant Felicia White, who’s always disliked his “playboy” persona. But when they are forced to work together on an arson case, sparks fly.
EL BOMBERO is the story of Firefighter Tony Ramirez and his beloved wife Sophia, sweethearts since high school, who run into the biggest challenge of their lives: Sophia can no longer tolerate the danger her husband is in every day.
In RESCUE ME, twenty-four-year-old Sydney Sands saves the life of local businessman Max Delinsky only to fall head over heels in love with him. But trouble comes in merging the discrepancy in their ages and Max’s difficulty with her past.
TRIAL BY FIRE tells the story of Battalion Chief Cal Erikson, whose been fighting for two years with blogger Parker Allen about the fire department. Imagine his surprise when he finds himself attracted to the fiery journalist with deep scars from her past. The arson case is solved, but not before both their lives are endangered.
In THE EPILOGUE, get a closer look at how all six couples live happily ever after!
Librarian note: this is a compilation of novellas. It is book 4 and is separate from the other books in the Hidden Cove Firefighters Series (7 books). Only the first novella, In Too Deep, can be obtained as single edition.
647 pages, ebook
First published November 28, 2011
605 people are currently reading
808 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Shay
173 books501 followersKathryn Shay is a lifelong writer. At fifteen, she penned her first 'romance,' a short story about a female newspaper reporter in New York City and her fight to make a name for herself in a world of male journalists - and with one hardheaded editor in particular. Looking back, Kathryn says she should have known then that writing was in her future. But as so often happens, fate sent her detouring down another path.
Fully intending to pursue her dream of big city lights and success in the literary world, Kathryn took every creative writing class available at the small private women's college she attended in upstate New York. Instead, other dreams took precedence. She met and subsequently married a wonderful guy who'd attended a neighboring school, then completed her practice teaching, a requirement for the education degree she never intended to use. But says Kathryn, "I fell in love with teaching the first day I was up in front of a class, and knew I was meant to do that."
Kathryn went on to build a successful career in the New York state school system, thoroughly enjoying her work with adolescents. But by the early 1990s, she'd again made room in her life for writing. It was then that she submitted her first manuscript to publishers and agents. Despite enduring two years of rejections, she persevered. And on a snowy December afternoon in 1994, Kathryn Shay sold her first book to Harlequin Superromance.
Since that first sale, Kathryn has written twenty-one books for Harlequin, nine mainstream contemporary romances for the Berkley Publishing Group, and two online novellas, which Berkley then published in traditional print format.
Kathryn has become known for her powerful characterizations - readers say they feel they know the people in her books - and her heart-wrenching, emotional writing (her favorite comments are that fans cried while reading her books or stayed up late to finish them). In testament to her skill, the author has won five RT BookClub Magazine Reviewers Choice Awards, three Holt Medallions, two Desert Quill Awards, the Golden Leaf Award, and several online accolades.
Even in light of her writing success, that initial love of teaching never wavered for Kathryn. She finished out her teaching career in 2004, retiring from the same school where her career began. These days, she lives in upstate New York with her husband and two children. "My life is very full," she reports, "but very happy. I consider myself fortunate to have been able to pursue and achieve my dreams."
Fully intending to pursue her dream of big city lights and success in the literary world, Kathryn took every creative writing class available at the small private women's college she attended in upstate New York. Instead, other dreams took precedence. She met and subsequently married a wonderful guy who'd attended a neighboring school, then completed her practice teaching, a requirement for the education degree she never intended to use. But says Kathryn, "I fell in love with teaching the first day I was up in front of a class, and knew I was meant to do that."
Kathryn went on to build a successful career in the New York state school system, thoroughly enjoying her work with adolescents. But by the early 1990s, she'd again made room in her life for writing. It was then that she submitted her first manuscript to publishers and agents. Despite enduring two years of rejections, she persevered. And on a snowy December afternoon in 1994, Kathryn Shay sold her first book to Harlequin Superromance.
Since that first sale, Kathryn has written twenty-one books for Harlequin, nine mainstream contemporary romances for the Berkley Publishing Group, and two online novellas, which Berkley then published in traditional print format.
Kathryn has become known for her powerful characterizations - readers say they feel they know the people in her books - and her heart-wrenching, emotional writing (her favorite comments are that fans cried while reading her books or stayed up late to finish them). In testament to her skill, the author has won five RT BookClub Magazine Reviewers Choice Awards, three Holt Medallions, two Desert Quill Awards, the Golden Leaf Award, and several online accolades.
Even in light of her writing success, that initial love of teaching never wavered for Kathryn. She finished out her teaching career in 2004, retiring from the same school where her career began. These days, she lives in upstate New York with her husband and two children. "My life is very full," she reports, "but very happy. I consider myself fortunate to have been able to pursue and achieve my dreams."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
January 29, 2016
I enjoyed this series of novellas. This was much better than many firefighter romance series I’ve read. It’s obvious Kathryn Shay really knows what she’s talking about when it comes to both firefighting and romance. Obviously, because these are novellas and not novels, the stories can’t get as intricate as I like, but I will look for full works from Ms. Shay based on this. The stories are all interconnected, so you'll want to read them in order. I recommend this if you’re looking for quick, breezy reads.
May 12, 2022
I have a huge soft spot in my heart and thoughts (not to forget prayers) for firefighters. It’s definitely because of their bravery and courage; I am no-end impressed with them all.
The firefighting aspects of this book are excellent and well worth reading. However…the romances leave a lot to be desired. I think these novellas could have been written without the sex and without the romance…of course, then they wouldn’t be part of the romance genre. I believe this anthology would’ve made a better novel composed of six parts, each featuring a different firefighter and her/his role in stopping the arsonist, one of several common threads weaving in and out of these six novellas. It would have made a good mystery/thriller…IMHO.
IN TOO DEEP, novella #1
This novella is about the romance between Captain Gabe Malvaso and one of his team members, Rachel Wellington. In the course of attempting to live through a horrendous event, Gabe and Rachel slip and have sex, a necessary ingredient of this type of romance story. However, the intimacy they shared could have easily been emotional and felt even more deeply. This first novella sets up the other six with these plotlines: an arsonist is on the loose and targeting firefighters; serious funding cutbacks are negatively affecting personnel, morale, and safety for every firefighter; a blogger (Parker Allen) is viciously attacking all firefighters and police in her blog; romantic pairing is in the air (or maybe the water). Gabe and Rachel ignore their growing attraction, and in the last chapter experience redefining life moments that lead to an HEA. The ending is not a cliffhanger, but pretty close. We don’t know that they really are going to have an HEA, rather we have to read the next novella for some clues.
HOT SHOT, novella #2
This novella is about the romance between firefighter Brody O’Malley and ex-girlfriend, teacher Emma Walsh. They get back together (of course). The sex between them seems tawdry and unnecessary to move the plot along. The sex appears to have popped in because this romance story requires some sex scenes. After a lot of back and forth, more back and forth, and still more back and forth, the two have a personal scare and Brody takes off again, leaving Emma in the lurch. At the end of the last chapter, Emma forgives all and off they march to the second HEA of the book. I think Emma was far too forgiving. Brody had been truly sorry every time he’d behaved badly, yet he kept taking off. And each time Emma gave him second chances. As in the first novella, at the end of the last chapter, undying love is professed (well, naturally) and we are left to assume that the HEA will be real this time. Again, not a cliffhanger, but we have to believe that more clues about their HEA will appear in the next novella.
WORTH THE RISK, novella #3
This novella is about the romance between Ryan O’Malley, Brody’s twin and a police officer in the same town where his brother is a firefighter, and Felicia White, a firefighter at the same station as Brody. Ryan is a chronic womanizer and even though he protests (in the previous novella) that he’s changed, he’s still making the rounds of different women. The two decide to hook up and in this novella, the sex scenes work; they have to because Ryan and Felicia decide to hook up physically without any emotional content allowed. Since this is a romance book, we know how well that’s going to work (not). Leticia does something Ryan hypocritically cannot forgive. There are far too many pages devoted to how each yearns for the other yet each allows the shared angst to keep them apart. This false crisis is my least favorite trope in the romance genre. And…in the last few paragraphs of the last chapter, all is forgiven and, most likely, an HEA will ensue. But…we don’t actually know this. Too much has happened over eleven chapters to expect to discover, in a few sentences, that all is just peachy. This ending is a cliffhanger. No doubt the next novella will provide invaluable clues to the potential HEA.
EL BOMBERO, novella #4
“El bombero” is Spanish for “the firefighter.” This novella is about the romance between Tony Ramirez and his wife of nineteen years, Sophia Ramirez. Sophia has an absolute meltdown regarding the danger inherent in her husband’s career. She’s had it. The novella chronicles their marriage through this period in their family’s lives. The sex scenes here make sense and are an important part of the plotline. In the eighth (next to last) chapter, progress comes to a screeching halt and a lot of emotion overflows into all of the members of the Ramirez family. This is well written and moving. The life of a firefighter is integral to the story of Tony and Sophia. At the end of the last chapter, all has been worked through and we are led to believe that this HEA will last. But…we do not know this. Again, not quite a cliffhanger, but what happens to the two of them? And again, the next novella should demonstrate what happens after their reconciliation.
Sidebar: There is a misspelled Spanish phrase in this book which I find irritating. It’s “Tenecisto” which is nonsense. I believe the writer means “Te necesito” which means “I need you,” and makes sense within the context of the paragraph it appears in.
RESCUE ME, novella #5
This novella is about the romance between firefighter Sydney Sands and magazine publisher Max Delinsky, battalion chief Cal Erikson’s best friend. This is an age gap romance. Sydney is the youngest member of the rescue squad and Max is an older widower with a teenage daughter, Amber. Sydney has a young daughter, Daisy, whom Amber babysits. Max and Sydney could not be more different. He has loads of money; she comes from the wrong side of the tracks. Max has a difficult time reconciling himself to Sydney’s past, particularly with respect to Daisy’s father. The story deals with these differences and how they affect the relationship between Max and Sydney (badly, of course). The sex scenes, especially the first one, seem spurious and not necessary to the story. They have so many issues that sex just adds more trouble on top of everything else. Just as in Felicia’s story (where Felicia was emotionally abused by Ryan), Sydney is emotionally abused by Max. There is no ending to this novella; the writer simply stops writing and leaves us with a cliffhanger. Max and Sydney are back together but there are so many loose ends and the next (and last) novella does not touch them. What happens with Daisy’s father? Does Sydney have to go to court (sounds like it)? Can Max and Sydney overcome all their issues? Where’s our Happy Ending? We don’t know…not even a hint of a clue.
TRIAL BY FIRE, novella #6
Sidebar humor: this novella is labeled “Novella One in AMERICA’S BRAVEST.” It’s actually Novella Six.
This novella is about the romance between battalion chief Cal Erikson and that nasty blogger Parker Allen who has been in the background of the preceding novellas, blogging incriminating, ugly, and terrible things about firefighters and the police in the town of Hidden Cove. As expected, they have an up-and-down relationship with a contrived crisis that the writer uses to drive a wedge even further between the two. It was a totally unnecessary bit of drama. The sex was included only because of this unnecessary drama. Hmmm. The arsonist, begun in the first novella, is discovered and we are told he is caught, but we have no idea what happens to him. The serious cutbacks and potential brownouts (the closing of a fire station for at least one day each week) continue, but the unprincipled mayor hints that a sort of quid pro quo might be arranged. The blogging is dealt with, too. In the last paragraph of the last chapter, Parker has a complete 180-turnabout. And again we are left with a quasi-cliffhanger with several questions unanswered.
The “About This Book” section promised us an EPILOGUE that would give us “a closer look at how all six couples live happily ever after.” That epilogue is not included in this anthology. We are left to our own devices to figure out the endings of each novella, since a definite ending was not provided by the writer for any of them.
I rated this book 2½ stars and rounded up because I liked the realism portrayed in each of the novellas regarding the professional lives of firefighters. That was extremely well done. But the romances, the broken endings, the cliffhangers…all leave me nonplussed and dissatisfied. I feel tricked by the promise of an epilogue that was unquestionably needed, but which did not exist. I do not believe I will read any more Hidden Cove anthologies. I enjoy the firefighting details that seem so real, but the romances feel contrived and unrealistic. I still want an epilogue but, oh well.
The firefighting aspects of this book are excellent and well worth reading. However…the romances leave a lot to be desired. I think these novellas could have been written without the sex and without the romance…of course, then they wouldn’t be part of the romance genre. I believe this anthology would’ve made a better novel composed of six parts, each featuring a different firefighter and her/his role in stopping the arsonist, one of several common threads weaving in and out of these six novellas. It would have made a good mystery/thriller…IMHO.
IN TOO DEEP, novella #1
This novella is about the romance between Captain Gabe Malvaso and one of his team members, Rachel Wellington. In the course of attempting to live through a horrendous event, Gabe and Rachel slip and have sex, a necessary ingredient of this type of romance story. However, the intimacy they shared could have easily been emotional and felt even more deeply. This first novella sets up the other six with these plotlines: an arsonist is on the loose and targeting firefighters; serious funding cutbacks are negatively affecting personnel, morale, and safety for every firefighter; a blogger (Parker Allen) is viciously attacking all firefighters and police in her blog; romantic pairing is in the air (or maybe the water). Gabe and Rachel ignore their growing attraction, and in the last chapter experience redefining life moments that lead to an HEA. The ending is not a cliffhanger, but pretty close. We don’t know that they really are going to have an HEA, rather we have to read the next novella for some clues.
HOT SHOT, novella #2
This novella is about the romance between firefighter Brody O’Malley and ex-girlfriend, teacher Emma Walsh. They get back together (of course). The sex between them seems tawdry and unnecessary to move the plot along. The sex appears to have popped in because this romance story requires some sex scenes. After a lot of back and forth, more back and forth, and still more back and forth, the two have a personal scare and Brody takes off again, leaving Emma in the lurch. At the end of the last chapter, Emma forgives all and off they march to the second HEA of the book. I think Emma was far too forgiving. Brody had been truly sorry every time he’d behaved badly, yet he kept taking off. And each time Emma gave him second chances. As in the first novella, at the end of the last chapter, undying love is professed (well, naturally) and we are left to assume that the HEA will be real this time. Again, not a cliffhanger, but we have to believe that more clues about their HEA will appear in the next novella.
WORTH THE RISK, novella #3
This novella is about the romance between Ryan O’Malley, Brody’s twin and a police officer in the same town where his brother is a firefighter, and Felicia White, a firefighter at the same station as Brody. Ryan is a chronic womanizer and even though he protests (in the previous novella) that he’s changed, he’s still making the rounds of different women. The two decide to hook up and in this novella, the sex scenes work; they have to because Ryan and Felicia decide to hook up physically without any emotional content allowed. Since this is a romance book, we know how well that’s going to work (not). Leticia does something Ryan hypocritically cannot forgive. There are far too many pages devoted to how each yearns for the other yet each allows the shared angst to keep them apart. This false crisis is my least favorite trope in the romance genre. And…in the last few paragraphs of the last chapter, all is forgiven and, most likely, an HEA will ensue. But…we don’t actually know this. Too much has happened over eleven chapters to expect to discover, in a few sentences, that all is just peachy. This ending is a cliffhanger. No doubt the next novella will provide invaluable clues to the potential HEA.
EL BOMBERO, novella #4
“El bombero” is Spanish for “the firefighter.” This novella is about the romance between Tony Ramirez and his wife of nineteen years, Sophia Ramirez. Sophia has an absolute meltdown regarding the danger inherent in her husband’s career. She’s had it. The novella chronicles their marriage through this period in their family’s lives. The sex scenes here make sense and are an important part of the plotline. In the eighth (next to last) chapter, progress comes to a screeching halt and a lot of emotion overflows into all of the members of the Ramirez family. This is well written and moving. The life of a firefighter is integral to the story of Tony and Sophia. At the end of the last chapter, all has been worked through and we are led to believe that this HEA will last. But…we do not know this. Again, not quite a cliffhanger, but what happens to the two of them? And again, the next novella should demonstrate what happens after their reconciliation.
Sidebar: There is a misspelled Spanish phrase in this book which I find irritating. It’s “Tenecisto” which is nonsense. I believe the writer means “Te necesito” which means “I need you,” and makes sense within the context of the paragraph it appears in.
RESCUE ME, novella #5
This novella is about the romance between firefighter Sydney Sands and magazine publisher Max Delinsky, battalion chief Cal Erikson’s best friend. This is an age gap romance. Sydney is the youngest member of the rescue squad and Max is an older widower with a teenage daughter, Amber. Sydney has a young daughter, Daisy, whom Amber babysits. Max and Sydney could not be more different. He has loads of money; she comes from the wrong side of the tracks. Max has a difficult time reconciling himself to Sydney’s past, particularly with respect to Daisy’s father. The story deals with these differences and how they affect the relationship between Max and Sydney (badly, of course). The sex scenes, especially the first one, seem spurious and not necessary to the story. They have so many issues that sex just adds more trouble on top of everything else. Just as in Felicia’s story (where Felicia was emotionally abused by Ryan), Sydney is emotionally abused by Max. There is no ending to this novella; the writer simply stops writing and leaves us with a cliffhanger. Max and Sydney are back together but there are so many loose ends and the next (and last) novella does not touch them. What happens with Daisy’s father? Does Sydney have to go to court (sounds like it)? Can Max and Sydney overcome all their issues? Where’s our Happy Ending? We don’t know…not even a hint of a clue.
TRIAL BY FIRE, novella #6
Sidebar humor: this novella is labeled “Novella One in AMERICA’S BRAVEST.” It’s actually Novella Six.
This novella is about the romance between battalion chief Cal Erikson and that nasty blogger Parker Allen who has been in the background of the preceding novellas, blogging incriminating, ugly, and terrible things about firefighters and the police in the town of Hidden Cove. As expected, they have an up-and-down relationship with a contrived crisis that the writer uses to drive a wedge even further between the two. It was a totally unnecessary bit of drama. The sex was included only because of this unnecessary drama. Hmmm. The arsonist, begun in the first novella, is discovered and we are told he is caught, but we have no idea what happens to him. The serious cutbacks and potential brownouts (the closing of a fire station for at least one day each week) continue, but the unprincipled mayor hints that a sort of quid pro quo might be arranged. The blogging is dealt with, too. In the last paragraph of the last chapter, Parker has a complete 180-turnabout. And again we are left with a quasi-cliffhanger with several questions unanswered.
The “About This Book” section promised us an EPILOGUE that would give us “a closer look at how all six couples live happily ever after.” That epilogue is not included in this anthology. We are left to our own devices to figure out the endings of each novella, since a definite ending was not provided by the writer for any of them.
I rated this book 2½ stars and rounded up because I liked the realism portrayed in each of the novellas regarding the professional lives of firefighters. That was extremely well done. But the romances, the broken endings, the cliffhangers…all leave me nonplussed and dissatisfied. I feel tricked by the promise of an epilogue that was unquestionably needed, but which did not exist. I do not believe I will read any more Hidden Cove anthologies. I enjoy the firefighting details that seem so real, but the romances feel contrived and unrealistic. I still want an epilogue but, oh well.
January 1, 2013
This was actually 5 novellas compressed into one book, and surprisngly it did work!
The novellas are a follow on on form the hidden coves series which im going back to read now, but can be read first easily enough.
Each book follows a story, one of the wife who is scared of the risks her husband take, one of two firemen from same house falling in love. And off course we have the have the nasty reporter falling in love didnt we lol. Mind you she did have her reasons for hating firemen i suppose.
though each novella follows one couples love, there is the underlying reporter and arsonist in each book.
I actually worked out who arsonist was fairly early on, but was well written
Looking forward to reading Hidden Cove Series now and more Kathryn Shay books.. but after Hidden Cove im going to tackle Americana series by Janet Daley lol.
would recommend this book to friends, if they want a romantic read with hunky fireman thrown in.
The novellas are a follow on on form the hidden coves series which im going back to read now, but can be read first easily enough.
Each book follows a story, one of the wife who is scared of the risks her husband take, one of two firemen from same house falling in love. And off course we have the have the nasty reporter falling in love didnt we lol. Mind you she did have her reasons for hating firemen i suppose.
though each novella follows one couples love, there is the underlying reporter and arsonist in each book.
I actually worked out who arsonist was fairly early on, but was well written
Looking forward to reading Hidden Cove Series now and more Kathryn Shay books.. but after Hidden Cove im going to tackle Americana series by Janet Daley lol.
would recommend this book to friends, if they want a romantic read with hunky fireman thrown in.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2020
I was hooked after the very first story, but they only get better with each new exciting fire. This group of firefighters were great professionals, whose outstanding morals, and love of their profession, go above and beyond in their daily exploits!
Five stars and more, is all I can say about this Author's outstanding descriptiveness of the realistic ritual of America's Bravest! My baby brother was a fireman as well as other relatives, as well as dozens of close friends, so I am a little more than knowledgeable of how close Firemen really are. I am definitely impressed with the author's outstanding descriptiveness of each and every exciting episode of camaraderie of these guys, and gals, throughout the entire story.
Outstanding storylines from beginning to end, and the greatest character selections I have had the opportunity to follow. Each story is an ongoing series of one exciting episode after the other and there is enough romantic interludes to appease anyone's appetite!
The very best dollar I have ever had the opportunity to spend, and I, most definitely recommend this very compassionate, and heartwarming, masterpiece to all readers. Even you dyed in the wool western readers, as I am, will definitely be following each and every exciting episode from beginning to end. The compassionately motivated firefighters grabs you Immediately, and you will be unable to put the book aside until the chapter of each story has been read! Please! Read this outstanding series of ongoing excursions of a special group of firefighter brothers and sisters, who definitely places their lives on the line each and every day!😄
Five stars and more, is all I can say about this Author's outstanding descriptiveness of the realistic ritual of America's Bravest! My baby brother was a fireman as well as other relatives, as well as dozens of close friends, so I am a little more than knowledgeable of how close Firemen really are. I am definitely impressed with the author's outstanding descriptiveness of each and every exciting episode of camaraderie of these guys, and gals, throughout the entire story.
Outstanding storylines from beginning to end, and the greatest character selections I have had the opportunity to follow. Each story is an ongoing series of one exciting episode after the other and there is enough romantic interludes to appease anyone's appetite!
The very best dollar I have ever had the opportunity to spend, and I, most definitely recommend this very compassionate, and heartwarming, masterpiece to all readers. Even you dyed in the wool western readers, as I am, will definitely be following each and every exciting episode from beginning to end. The compassionately motivated firefighters grabs you Immediately, and you will be unable to put the book aside until the chapter of each story has been read! Please! Read this outstanding series of ongoing excursions of a special group of firefighter brothers and sisters, who definitely places their lives on the line each and every day!😄
July 14, 2022
I really enjoyed reading these six novellas about firefighters and the risks they take putting their lives on the line while saving lives. And the stress of how these first responders deal with family life.
The first book In Too Deep deals with how the Captain and a female fighter deal with romantic life while on the job. In Hot Shot a paramedic tries to rekindle his romance with a female firefighter who wants nothing to do with him. In Worth the Risk deals with a female firefighter working with a cop investigating an arson case and the male cop wants a romantic relationship which the female firefighter wants only to work on the arson case. In El Bombero deals with a male firefighter and his wife who wants her husband to give up his job as she fears for his life. In Rescue Me deals with a young female firefighter who is trapped in a building and saves an older male victim from the building fire who is instantly attracted to her. In Trial by Fire deals with a female reporter and Battalion Chief who finds out how the fire department saves lives and both lives are changed.
The first book In Too Deep deals with how the Captain and a female fighter deal with romantic life while on the job. In Hot Shot a paramedic tries to rekindle his romance with a female firefighter who wants nothing to do with him. In Worth the Risk deals with a female firefighter working with a cop investigating an arson case and the male cop wants a romantic relationship which the female firefighter wants only to work on the arson case. In El Bombero deals with a male firefighter and his wife who wants her husband to give up his job as she fears for his life. In Rescue Me deals with a young female firefighter who is trapped in a building and saves an older male victim from the building fire who is instantly attracted to her. In Trial by Fire deals with a female reporter and Battalion Chief who finds out how the fire department saves lives and both lives are changed.
June 15, 2021
Men and women of firehouse 7
In too Deep - Rachel and Gabe's story. Being an officer kept them apart. 2 life treating events brought them together
Not shot - Brody and Emma's story. They had been sweethearts I high school. A fifteen year class reunion brought them back. Would it stick this time?
Worth the risk - Felicia and Ryan's story. Ryan was a player but was changing. Felicia was afraid he would break her heart. Will their price keep them apart?
El Bombero - Tony and Sophia after 18 years she asked him to move out. Is there any way to fix it?
Rescue me - Sydney and Max Sharing air can lead to amazing things
Trial by fire - Parker and Cal Parker wrote a blog finding fault with the firefighters. How can they turn her.
Good stories enjoyed them all
In too Deep - Rachel and Gabe's story. Being an officer kept them apart. 2 life treating events brought them together
Not shot - Brody and Emma's story. They had been sweethearts I high school. A fifteen year class reunion brought them back. Would it stick this time?
Worth the risk - Felicia and Ryan's story. Ryan was a player but was changing. Felicia was afraid he would break her heart. Will their price keep them apart?
El Bombero - Tony and Sophia after 18 years she asked him to move out. Is there any way to fix it?
Rescue me - Sydney and Max Sharing air can lead to amazing things
Trial by fire - Parker and Cal Parker wrote a blog finding fault with the firefighters. How can they turn her.
Good stories enjoyed them all
November 4, 2023
Protecting is the hardest and most satisfying work.
Each story in this book demonstrates how hard it is to be a caring firefighter or policeman. It also demonstrates how hard it is to be the spouse of one. As usual, Kathryn Shay has demonstrated her ability to portray real people in difficult situations. Her characters are real, believable people and her skill and knowledge in presenting their professions make her books educational for those of us who haven’t been in her characters shoes.
Each story in this book demonstrates how hard it is to be a caring firefighter or policeman. It also demonstrates how hard it is to be the spouse of one. As usual, Kathryn Shay has demonstrated her ability to portray real people in difficult situations. Her characters are real, believable people and her skill and knowledge in presenting their professions make her books educational for those of us who haven’t been in her characters shoes.
February 4, 2017
A solid book of novellas by Ms. Shay. I have enjoyed her writing since I found her a couple of years ago. She did extensive research for writing her firefighters and EMT stories and it shows in this set of novellas. She even gives a breakdown at the end of her research, including time spent at firehouses. You can really discern her respect for these brave individuals in her work.
I also want to send out a huge thank you to all our first responders. They take care of all of us.
I also want to send out a huge thank you to all our first responders. They take care of all of us.
January 20, 2020
This book contains six novellas in the Hidden Cove Firefighters series by Kathryn Shay. Some of the stories are better than others, all involve relationships between the firefighters and those who love them. The stories and characters are all involved in trying to find an arsonist who is starting dangerous fires.
May 13, 2022
A Must Read!
These amazing stories that Kathryn Shay wrote are truly awesome! I highly recommend everyone read these stories! Each story is continued on to the next! All her characters are amazing! Each story tells how each person has their own problems and how they interact with each person in the stories! Great writing Ms Shay!!!
These amazing stories that Kathryn Shay wrote are truly awesome! I highly recommend everyone read these stories! Each story is continued on to the next! All her characters are amazing! Each story tells how each person has their own problems and how they interact with each person in the stories! Great writing Ms Shay!!!
May 15, 2022
DNF. I unfortunately didn’t like this and only got through the first book and the start of the second book. The blurbs sounded good in theory but the books left a lot to be desired. The first book was more about lust, there was no depth to the characters and barely any romance. The second book was too unrealistic to finish.
May 30, 2022
More like real life
This is a series of novellas that bring 2 people together but you don't get an HEA. These stories and their ending are more like real life. They are all just starting to be together in an imperfect world and working through the problems that go along with it while making a relationship work. Well worth reading.
This is a series of novellas that bring 2 people together but you don't get an HEA. These stories and their ending are more like real life. They are all just starting to be together in an imperfect world and working through the problems that go along with it while making a relationship work. Well worth reading.
February 18, 2024
America’s Bravest
Although I don’t usually like several books together these were free so I took a chance. Each book highlighted a couple. The only thing I didn’t care for was the amount of characters to keep track of. But I guess in a series of many books that hard not to have. I enjoyed each story
Although I don’t usually like several books together these were free so I took a chance. Each book highlighted a couple. The only thing I didn’t care for was the amount of characters to keep track of. But I guess in a series of many books that hard not to have. I enjoyed each story
August 15, 2017
5 stars for this series.
This is a wonderful series and depicts very believable aspects of a fire department and the incredible men and women who work there. These are heartfelt stories and will leave you feeling good about the action and romance
This is a wonderful series and depicts very believable aspects of a fire department and the incredible men and women who work there. These are heartfelt stories and will leave you feeling good about the action and romance
June 16, 2018
Not for me
I tried to read the first book three times but was unable to become invested in the story line. The characters seemed one dimensional and I could not grow to like them. I have up halfway through the first book.
I tried to read the first book three times but was unable to become invested in the story line. The characters seemed one dimensional and I could not grow to like them. I have up halfway through the first book.
October 2, 2018
Loved loved loved!!!!
This series of books kept my interest and I always was just as amazed at the next story. America’s Bravest are certainly that and it takes a special kind of person to be one!
This series of books kept my interest and I always was just as amazed at the next story. America’s Bravest are certainly that and it takes a special kind of person to be one!
August 11, 2020
America's Bravest -Hidden Cove Firefighters bk 4 by Kathryn Shay
Excellent, truly amazing here we have six novellas in one book. Each book is extremely very well written and features each firefighter from Hidden Cove Rescue 7 group 3.
All are brilliantly written romances with intrigue, suspense, passion and heat with scary bits in parts all mixed in.
Highly recommend this series 5*+
Excellent, truly amazing here we have six novellas in one book. Each book is extremely very well written and features each firefighter from Hidden Cove Rescue 7 group 3.
All are brilliantly written romances with intrigue, suspense, passion and heat with scary bits in parts all mixed in.
Highly recommend this series 5*+
January 22, 2021
Wonderful!
This is what I love in a series. I have read books 1-4. I loved the people and the connections all throughout the stories. They work hard and play hard together. It showed the strength and commitment of both firefighters and police officers. These were great stories.
This is what I love in a series. I have read books 1-4. I loved the people and the connections all throughout the stories. They work hard and play hard together. It showed the strength and commitment of both firefighters and police officers. These were great stories.
November 18, 2021
Fighting more than fires
Great insight of the lives of firefighters on and off duty. I've been the wife of a firefighter and can understand the families fears of their loved ones dangerous job. God bless all firefighters. Great stories.
Great insight of the lives of firefighters on and off duty. I've been the wife of a firefighter and can understand the families fears of their loved ones dangerous job. God bless all firefighters. Great stories.
July 29, 2022
More great book(s)
I’ve read many books by Kathryn Shea. Love reading about firefighters, their firehouse lives and personalities. I think she captures the essence of their difficulties and successes. I look forward to more books by Kathryn Shea.
I’ve read many books by Kathryn Shea. Love reading about firefighters, their firehouse lives and personalities. I think she captures the essence of their difficulties and successes. I look forward to more books by Kathryn Shea.
April 23, 2023
America's Bravest is a great series.
Well researched deep dive into the lives of brave firefighters. Intricately woven personal lives, struggles, romance, comraddary, friendships, and family.
Well researched deep dive into the lives of brave firefighters. Intricately woven personal lives, struggles, romance, comraddary, friendships, and family.
January 21, 2017
I absolutely ❤❤ this series that I would like to read more from her..I couldn't put these books down as I was drawn into them!!!
May 29, 2017
A solid set of novella's. Almost the book form of Chicago Fire :0
June 2, 2017
Made it through the first couple novellas. They were okay. DNF the rest of the novellas in this book. Decided it was time to move on to something that might hold my interest a bit better.
July 2, 2017
Can I say this was too short? xD Damn, I really liked the Rescue 7 team and all their characters. Fun to read all of their stories and some backgrounds. Definitely a fun read!
January 31, 2018
This series is just awesome this writer has such depth in each character. Great reads. I listened to these through narration and loved it.
May 7, 2018
Great reads, kept me up late, got me up early to finish.
September 6, 2018
I love this series. It has all the things you look for in a romance, the interest, the angst, and of course, the happy ending. Can’t wait to see what happens in the next book.
May 29, 2019
Enjoyed reading all of these novellas; and enjoyed the cost of the set as well. Well worth the time to read all of them.
November 30, 2021
Great Heartwarming
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