SPARK: a slow burn, small town firefighter romance

by Kenna Shaw Reed

Fall in love with the men and town of Meringa - where it only takes a SPARK to IGNITE romance

In the small Australian town of Meringa, the only thing hotter than the bushfires, are the sportsmen and firefighters.

Bailey Rexworth might have loved Sharalyn Curren since primary school, but he's never crossed the friend-zone. He watched her marry his best friend and helped carry the coffin at Rob's funeral.

After three years of grief, Shar Curren is struggling to survive. Each day is a battle to hold onto her husband's memory, keep their business afloat, and raise their three young daughters alone.

Shar wants to see Bailey as more than a friend, but it's not just their hearts that matter.

Will her precocious, eldest daughter ever accept a new man in Shar's life? Can friends become lovers? Or will Bailey and Shar be destined to stop at a SPARK?

SPARK is a small-town, slow-burn romance and a short-read introduction to the IGNITE series. These men put their bodies on the line on the sports field, and their lives on the line fighting fires. Fall in love with the town and men of Meringa today.

SPARK - slow burn - Bailey and Shar
IGNITE - enemies to lovers - Ethan and Rylee (full-length novel)
HEAT - friends to lovers - Reece and Zoe (full-length novel)

225 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 23, 2023

About the author

Life is too short for bad coffee or bad wine.
Kenna Shaw Reed was happily married to the love of her life and raising her three teens. A diagnosis of MS made her reevaluate her life.
Some days her hands were having trouble communicating with her brain. If she didn't start getting the books out of head now, it could be too late.
Thus started her writing career of complicated loves and interwoven lives.
So what's left on her bucket list?
Health willing, to grow old with the love of her life. Remain friends with her children as they become adults. Focus more on relationships and less on career.
And to keep writing.

Reviews

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shar, is going through some things. Bailey, loved Shar since they were little and honorably stood by as she married his best friend Rob. Three years after Rob dies, Shar is seriously struggling, trying to keep the family business afloat while raising her daughters. Bailey, steps up to help. She is experiencing every single head of household's nightmare. She is a widow, missing her husband, raising three young girls with distinctive personalities and interested in a hot man who is interested in her and her kids, the eldest who may or may not be ready. Shar and Bailey are great and the kids are absolutely delightful. The author handles this story with compassion, humor and a great deal of sizzle. Can the eldest daughter, Emma embrace Bailey and not see him as a threat? The flow is a gentle coaster ride gliding to the station. Well done. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Judy Gittleson Hendrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shar lost her husband three years ago and has been struggling with three young children. His best friend - and hers - and fellow fireman Bailey has always cared deeply for her but Rob had gotten her first. Now Bailey and Shar are flirting and the girls like him, too.
The characters have great chemistry, deep feelings and need to make big decisions. The storyline has vivid locales, small town drama, rumors, secrets, surprises, tight knit friendships and adorable daughters. Loved the sass and entertaining situations along with the great ending. Sure hope book two comes out soon as I am hooked on this series already.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Patti Barker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shar is raising three daughters by herself after her husband past away, whle at work. She has been best friends with Bailey since grade school and he was also her husband Rob's best friend and best man at his wedding.
Shar sees him while at the grocery store. He has always liked Shar but never made a move since she was in love with Rob.
Shars girls like Bailey since he knew their Dad but whe he is caught kissing Shar her oldest is not to happy.
Bailey has a talk with her daughter to clear the air. He explains how he wants to be with her Mom but is not going to replace her Dad by any means. After their talk things changed for he best.
Shar and Bailey can pursue their relationship.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first on a new series, and this is Bailey and Sharalyn’s story. Bailey has loved Shar since primary school, but he has never crossed the friendzone line, and he watcher her marry his best friend. Shar is grieving the loss of her husband, while bringing up her three young daughters, as well as keeping their business afloat.
This is a well written slow burn emotional roller coaster, with survival, grief, loss, family, friendships, healing, undeniable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, unpredictable, and spicy small town romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book in the Ignite series. Bailey Rexworth and Sharalyn Curren have been best friends since primary school. Bailey has loved her for years but did not tell her and was there when she married Rob also Bailey's friend. She has three daughters Emma, Lily and Milly to help get over the sudden death of Rob their father. The story is well written with ups and downs as they work toward getting a happy ending. The story is well worth reading. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Danee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Shar a widow and mother of 3 and Bailey who was a friend of her late husband and of hers. Years have passed and now she works hard for her children and the family business. She meets Bailey when he suddenly comes back into her life to help her. Despite the fact that Bailey always had feelings for Shar, he never showed it, slowly feelings come up, they will get a chance at a relationship together and her children will also give him a chance. A wonderful page turner and highly recommended!

I received an Advance Reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bailey has been interested in Sharalyn Curren since school, but she married his best friend, Rob. But Rob died three years ago leaving Sharalyn with three young children. Bailey has been looking after Sharalyn from afar but now he has a chance of starting a personal relationship with her. However, Sharalyn's young daughter doesn't want her mother in a new relationship.

This book did a great job in portraying possible problems in new relationships.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written book with strong characters in Bailey, Shar and her three children. The author takes you into their lives and tells of their past and as time moves forward, to their present relationship and chemistry. It will be interesting to see where she takes them. I'm looking forward to the next book.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story deals with finding love after losing a spouse. Shar is trying to keep the family home running, keep the kids happy, and missing her husband. Her friend, Bailey has harbored feelings for Shar. They are spending more time together with the kids. Will they find love together and will the kids be good with this new relationship?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rhonda Rivers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shar has been a widow for the past three years raising her daughters, running the family business and struggling. She runs into an old friend from school who was her husband’s best friend who steps in to help, but Bailey has been in love with Shar forever never crossing the line. There is definitely a spark, but will the kids put it out? Can they have a happy ending?.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shar is a widow with three young children after the death of her husband Rob. Bailey has been friends with both Shar and Rob but his feelings for Shar run deep. This is a friends to lovers story that is both sweet and heart warming.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read several books written by Kenna Shaw Reed; she is becoming one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of her books.

This is the first book in the Ignite Series; it is a stand-alone book. The story is about
Bailey & Shar; they’ve been friends for years.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Bailey. He is so kind, so patient, so loving. I love how Shar wants to move on but how she knows there will be aftershocks for her daughters, herself, her family and friends. I live how they navigate all these murky waters with care and compassion while holding on to their passion. 3.5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle Alleyne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was too wordy and a little too weird for me. Shar’s insistence on bringing her husband into her relationship with Bailey was uncomfortably strange, not to mention her acceptance of her daughter’s disrespectful comments and behavior. On top of that, the intimacy between Shar and Bailey felt forced so I didn’t believe it.

[Deb Le · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this prequel. In between a quick read and a novel, I loved the rural, small Australian ton setting and the sense of community. A sweet romance hindered by bereavement. Great characters, well written and a nice atmosphere.

[Raylene Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Rob asked Shar to marry him. Shar was Bailey best female friend and now she is a widow to his best friend Rob. She is a single mom of three daughters and Emma her 10- year old doesn’t like him getting close to her mom. Can Bailey help her see it would be a great fit for them all?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[BusyM3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good start to this series IGNITE. The story will hold your attention all the way through. The characters fit well together and have great chemistry. I am looking forward to read the next installment.

I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shar and Bailey, both are well written and very strong characters. The story provides great backstory. I enjoyed how their story and relationship developed. It is a beautiful story with great ups and downs.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars
I loved this emotionally engaging story. The characters were equally engaging. The story was well written and quite enjoyable. I thought the author captured their story beautifully.

I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Petra Moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful heartwarming story about loss, friendship and romance. Loved reading this book and recommend it to others.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed Bailey and Shar’s book. It was an intriguing read. And am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (7/10/2023)! 🎁

[Margery · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this prequel we meet Shar, a single mom of 3 and her H.S. Best friend Bailey. Bailey, the very same man who was best buds with not only Shar, but, her deceased fire fighting footballer. Time has passed and the chemistry between H.S. Friends is still there. Where will their journey lead them? Will have to read IGNITE and find out.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.