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With divorce papers on the table, technical rescue firefighter Jamie Caldwell must decide whether to sign them or fight for his marriage. Despite their less-than-perfect love story, he still wants his wife and the family they’ve created together, but how can he save his marriage when everything he’s done isn’t good enough? Erica Caldwell has loved Jamie since the day they met and hates that their family is being torn apart. She’s tried to fix things. But how can a marriage work when two people are unable to communicate? When their mutual trust has been eroded by years of unspoken desires and pent-up frustrations? A devastating earthquake puts Jamie and Erica to the test when she and their daughter are trapped in the wreckage of a collapsed building. Jamie has defied the odds hundreds of times during hundreds of rescues, but he’s never faced the loss of his family. Will his luck hold, or will he never hold Erica in his arms again?

96 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 15, 2012

66 people are currently reading
465 people want to read

About the author

Kristine Cayne

27 books609 followers
Kristine Cayne is fascinated by the mysteries of human psychology—twisted secrets, deep-seated beliefs, out-of-control desires. Add in high-stakes scenarios and real-world villains, and you have a story worth writing, and reading.

The heroes and heroines of her Deadly Vices series, beginning with Deadly Obsession, are pitted against each other by their radically opposing life experiences. By overcoming their differences and finding common ground, they triumph over their enemies and find true happiness in each other’s arms.

Today she lives in the Pacific Northwest, thriving on the mix of cultures, languages, religions and ideologies. When she’s not writing, she’s people-watching, imagining entire life stories, and inventing all sorts of danger for the unsuspecting heroes and heroines who cross her path.

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5 stars
147 (37%)
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154 (39%)
3 stars
65 (16%)
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14 (3%)
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7 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
Profile Image for Bridgid.
120 reviews
November 15, 2013
I wish that I had not read this novella. I absolutely hated Erica. I have never in my life disliked a heroine as much as I did this one. She was a complete and total bitch. I was actually hoping (although I knew it wouldn't happen since Under His Command is about Erica and Jamie getting back together) that she would be killed in the earthquake!! As far as I could tell she had no redeeming qualities at all. She drove him out of his daughter's life, she shot him down sexually at every turn, and she erased just about every trace of him from the house that they had shared. She did all this because she was conflicted about how much she liked sex with Jamie when he played the dom. Give me a break, there is help for people with issues like this, maybe she should have sought help instead of spending 5 years crushing her husband and destroying their marriage. As far as Jamie goes, at least I didn't hate him, but jeeze man, grow some balls!!
Profile Image for Sophia.
Author 5 books399 followers
December 22, 2017
A few years ago, I read book one in the Six-Alarm Sexy series and enjoyed seeing an estranged husband and wife reunite, and yes, enjoy a sweltering hot reunion in Hawaii. There was mention of an event that prevented the dissolving and divorce of their marriage. I'm so glad the author went back and gave us that earlier story in this sequel.

Erika is determined to rid herself and her daughter of her distant, absent husband and has served him with divorce papers. Jamie isn't so keen on being left behind even though he let the stubborn, need her independence Erika, push him away.

The story takes place during an earthquake and Erika and little Chloe are caught in a collapsing building. Both Erika and Jamie made mistakes in their marriage, but love has always been there. Now the pair work through in their minds and together where they went wrong and what they can do to salvage things even as they work hard to free Erika and their little girl from the building wreckage. Jamie's brave firefighter unit are there to help and Erika realizes she's been pushing him away because she's afraid to lose him and fall apart like her mom did with her dad while Jamie's convinced Erika might be better off without him when she seals him out of her and Chloe's life.

It was heartbreaking at first and then I was cheering them on. It helped that I knew what was the outcome of this story. In fact, I almost wish I'd gotten this one first so I could still anticipate their make-up vacation.
Profile Image for Trudy.
123 reviews1 follower
May 2, 2016
Aftershocks by Kristine Cayne

This is the prequel in the "Six-Alarm Sexy" Series


When you are separating life is difficult, when a child is involved is makes things more awkward.

But when your heart is in competition with your head, that you really don't want a separation and still love him, where do you go from there? Especially when he is constantly letting you and your child down?

After another fight and let down, a freak accident may change the difference in everyone's lives

Will love conquer all?

Will life be the same again?

I wasn't sure what to expect with this little prequel, it is a short read but WOW was I hooked from the get go!!

This read though short is action packed from the start, you really get a feeling for the characters and their actions which lead to them being where they are today.

You could feel all the ups and downs life tries to throw at them. I absolutely loved this book. I am now going to start the rest in this series and hope they all live up to this first little taste!

***** FIVE STARS *****
Profile Image for Michelle.
298 reviews3 followers
April 6, 2015
The prequel was pretty good. I really like Jamie. I think the series should be fun. Not a big fan of Erica at the moment. She seems rather self-absorbed, especially with complaining about Jamie doing something wrong to her. Maybe my opinion will differ with the next book.
Profile Image for Cindy Caron.
1,384 reviews4 followers
January 27, 2018
I absolutely loved this book, and honestly, what is not to love. When a one night stand ends up leading to marriage and a family with the only person you have ever loved, what could possibly go wrong? A whole lot it would appear. After trying to "fix" their marriage, without success, Erica decides it's time to try and put the pieces of her broken heart back together, without the man she still loves. But Jamie keeps finding excuses not to sign the divorce papers. When tragedy strikes, and the possibility of loosing everyone they love becomes a reality, it's time to take a step back and re-evaluate whether or not they should give it another try. Will they both be willing to give it a go? Or will both leave broken hearted?
This book is full of action, high emotions, devastation and lots of love. I love Ms. Caynes' style, the flow is easy to follow, and the characters well rounded and hard to not fall in love with. Absolutely beautiful. Looking forward to the next in the series.
Profile Image for Jdursi.
1,393 reviews9 followers
January 12, 2018
Aftershocks is exactly what a novella should be- it dives right into the story and had me holding my breath (even though I knew how it was going to turn out). I only found out about the prequel novella after I had already read book one, Under His Command. You can enjoy both independent of each other but having read Aftershocks it did answer a lot of the questions I had. Aftershocks takes us through what happened during the earthquake that brought The Caldwell’s back together.
Profile Image for Debra McEathron.
1,776 reviews2 followers
March 26, 2022
This is a very riveting story about a rescue team trying to save family that are caught in ruble after an earthquake. Ericka had to get her daughter after a last minute change in plans. She and her daughter get caught in the court house where she works when an earthquake happens Her husband works for the rescue team sent to help them.
Profile Image for Terri.
2,860 reviews59 followers
September 25, 2016
Erica is a horrible character. The author really screwed up here, and nothing she does should endear him to her. Just because she loves their daughter? Just because she risks her life to show it? She's such a shit to him that him taking her back tells us he's an idiot. People don't change that much.

One star for him, one star for child. Zero for writing, plot, or her.
Profile Image for Ame.
79 reviews8 followers
July 9, 2016
3.5 Stars - A decent prequel to 'Under His Command'.

So firstly... Yay, this was free! 'Aftershocks' is a novella that focuses on the earthquake that brought Jamie and Erica back together after her request for a divorce. I read 'Under His Command' first and to be honest, I'm kinda glad I did because if I'd read this first I'm not sure I'd have bothered continuing! It was sweet, romantic with a dash of drama and suspense. It was written well enough, although at points was unbearably cheesy (Jamie and Erica's lovey-dovey conversation over the team radio) and slightly unbelievable (letting a civilian crawl through urban earthquake wreckage?).

As other readers have said... Erica is a difficult character to like. She came across as controlling, childish and selfish - completely excluding Jamie from his daughter's life? Forcing Jamie to move out of his own home to live with his brother while her and Chloe stayed in his house? And cringing when her daughter loudly announced that she had promised she could have ice cream for dinner because they'd all think she was a terrible mother?! Her primary concern seemed to be herself. And while Jamie was a sweetheart - a kind, generous, understanding hero (albeit a complete and utter doormat) - I found it strange that he referred to his night with Erica 5 years ago as being the only one like it in his life? Especially considering in 'Under His Command' we find out he is actually an experienced Dom.

This was one of those stories where lack of communication justifies some truly stupid actions! I felt like Erica needed to go to therapy to sort out her thought processes. She seemed to push Jamie away because of fear - a combination of fear that he'd die on the job and also fear about her own reaction to his BDSM play all those years ago. She kept talking about how she didn't want to become her mother and that seemed to heavily influence her behaviour. Actually, when I think about it I almost feel sorry for her - the problem was she was allowing her own fears to ruin both Jamie's and their daughter's lives.
38 reviews5 followers
October 15, 2016
Reviewed: October 15, 2016
Aftershocks
By: Christine Coyne
I would like to start off that I found the Hero’s name, Jamie, distracting. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m being sexist here, but I kept picturing Jamie as a female and had to remind myself that he was the male lead. Oh, well, nothing big, it was just annoying to me. By the end of the book I had it sorted out.
Back to the book review. This book struck me like a Sunday Night Movie of the week, back when they were having them. Two wayward lovers, one who refuses to see the light, he other who would do anything to make it work. In the middle of course is a child, who loves them both desperately. What will it take to bring them together? Well, a natural disaster of course! An earthen quake of course, and it just so happens that Jamie (a local firefighter) is off to the rescue. And it also just so happens that Erica, his estranged wife, and their daughter Chloe are the ones he’s off to rescue. Much to his dismay he discovers that his family is in the local county office building that has received heavy damage from the earthquake and it’s now his team’s job to get them out alive! The reason I say this reminds me of a movie of the week is because there is very little dialogue between Jamie and Erica in this book. Also, there is absolutely NO physical romance at all… no kissing, hugging, copping a feel, and absolutely NO SEX! There’s no sweeping her off her feet, no moment when they just couldn’t hold back any more, no unbridled passion. If you don’t have passion, than I feel you can hardly call it a romance book… and this book had no PASSION. This is the first romance book I’ve read in like forever that has had no sex… but as disappointed as I was on that front, I did survive. And it was a good book. But it should have been advertised as a g-rated book. But better to sell it under the heading of adventure than romance. I would have given this book a two instead of a three for the rating but the suspense of the book was decent even if the romance sucked.
Profile Image for Pam Kay.
586 reviews9 followers
May 6, 2016
WOW! What a way to start a series!! I have never read any of this author's works, but I must say she has totally blown me away. This story is intense, action packed, heart wrenching, page turning, and sit at the edge of your seat ride of your life. The story line was strong and flowing. The characters were well developed and realistic which will pull you right in. This story starts with Jamie Caldwell, a lieutenant with the Seattle Fire Department Technical rescue. He's been separated from his wife for a year who is asking for a divorce which he doesn't want. Then Seattle has one of the worst earthquakes in modern history. Unfortunately his wife and little girl are in the old courthouse at the time and get trapped in a crumbling building. Jamie and his crew are there to rescue them, despite his emotions going everywhere. But Jaime knows he is the right one to lead his group despite protocol. During the quake his wife, Erica, and his little girl, Chloe, are separated making the rescue difficult. The building is continuing to crumble with the aftershocks and a gas leak doesn't help, leaving the firefighters limited time to get them out before it kills them all. Erica is determined to help because it is her little girl and she is one of the smallest people there along with Dani, a firefighter, to get through the obstacles to get to Chloe . Are you ready to take the ride of your life with this intense rescue as emotions run high? This story is so well written, I must applaud Kristine Cayne for a great start to a wonderful series. Don't miss this beginning that promises so much more....
Profile Image for Jewlsbookblog.
2,209 reviews74 followers
June 20, 2016
On the verge of divorce, Jamie and Erica have had their share of fights over everything, especially parenting and his job as a firefighter. After an earthquake rattles the area, Erica and their daughter Chloe are trapped in the courthouse. When Jamie and his team are called to the site for rescue, his worst fear is in front of him-losing his family. When they find Erica, he feels relief, but Chloe is trapped in a separate area. Will jamie and Erica be able to set aside their marital issues as they try to save their daughter and possibly their marriage?

I did not like Erica. She's convinced herself Jamie will die on the job and leave her so she's made herself completely independent of him. She's locked him out emotionally and physically as a husband and refuses to let him be involved with Chloe claiming his erratic hours as a firefighter isn't good for her. Erica never tells Jamie her insecurities, she acts like he should read her mind and know the problem. She's selfish, inconsiderate and very immature.

Jamie has his own set of issues. He doesn't understand what went wrong with his marriage. He's given Erica everything she's demanded or asked for with little argument on his part hoping that would make her happy. He misses his daughter and is still in love with his wife but doesn't know how to fix things.

For a novella I was pleasantly surprised. This story is full of suspense and camaraderie. I liked Jamie's honesty, definitely not a fan of Erica's immaturity, and loved Chloe's simple openess with her parents. My curiosity was peaked enough about the other team members to check out the rest of this series too.
Profile Image for Cindy.
2,349 reviews172 followers
March 26, 2013
This is the prequel to Kristine's new rescue firefighter series. Jamie Caldwell is part of the Seattle Fire Dept Technical Rescue Team. He has been separated from his wife who wants a divorce. He has been putting off signing the papers cause he doesn't want to lose his daughter. Erica suffers from a lot of issues from her childhood and while Jamie was away for an humanitarian mission her insecurities got the better of her and she decided to start not needing Jamie anymore and basically pushed him away when he got back even though she laid the blame on him. After a large earthquake rocks Seattle, Erica and their daughter Chloe are trapped in a building. The majority of this book is Jamie and his team trying to rescue them. We get to find out what went wrong in there marriage and see that deep down they really both still love each other. I loved the rescue scenes in the book it was like you were right there with them crawling through the collapsed building. We got to find out about all of Jamie's family and a couple of co-workers who will all get there books in the future. This was a great start to what looks to be a very good series.
Profile Image for Avid Reader.
1,752 reviews
May 22, 2016
Aftershocks (Six Alarm Sexy 0.5) by Kristine Cayne
5 stars
M/F Novella
I was given this book for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.

I really liked Jamie and Erica's story. I should start by saying that I read these out of order because I had read "Under His Command" first. However, reading this after reading Book 1 did not change how I felt about either story.

This is a very short read, but it's packed full of action and emotion. Not only are Jamie and Erica having difficulty with communication, they are on the verge of divorce. Both are struggling with how to "finish" their relationship.

The emotions that run through you as a reader during this story are heart wrenching and it definitely gets your heart racing. Cayne was able to write in a way that the reader can not only feel each emotion, but can vividly see the scenario as well. The love and worry that each character feels leaps off the page.

The secondary characters in this story are all heroic in their own way.

For a quick introduction in to Jamie and Erica's lives, this is a great start.
419 reviews1 follower
June 6, 2016
Prequel novella.

Firefighter, Jamie Caldwell, has all but to sign the divorce papers and his beautiful estranged wife, Erica, will be his ex. But when she and his daughter are trapped in a building after an earthquake, he knows he can't live without them.
This is a well written novella with angst, bitterness, high emotions and second chances after fear of the past force them to lose their way. Good lead characters and potential secondary ones for future books. Finishes at 84% where an excerpt from book 1 follows... Under His Control rewinds 5yrs when they first met. In all honesty the excerpt characters feel and read completely different than those relayed in the novella. Drama, danger, fear, love, intrigue and suspense is exchanged for...bdsm.(yawn!!) His Dom persona definitely didn't show in Aftershocks!
An exciting, drama filled , second chance, life and death storyline. Wouldn't be inclined to read further books in the series though unfortunately but this was an entertaining read.
Profile Image for Molly.
200 reviews3 followers
August 14, 2013
Firemen...my fantasy guys. I have yet to read a really great book with a fireman as the hero.

This book is a prequal novella and it was .99 on Amazon so I figured I would give it a try.

It is a well written story. Erica and Jamie didn't know each other well, they got married when she got pregnant after a one nighter. They have a four year old daughter, Chloe, and are on their way to finalizing their divorce when an earthquake hits Seattle.

Erica and Chloe are trapped and Jamie's battalion are the rescuers.

Very fast paced, it is a novella after all, but didn't feel overly rushed. The dialog was good, there was a lot going on, but nothing felt completely ridiculous or out of place.

It was good enough that I was going to get the next book, their full length story, but it's a BDSM book, and that is just not a trend I am into. It's getting harder to find a good steamy romance novel that doesn't involve two guys and a girl, or a whole lot of dom.
Profile Image for Brenda.
405 reviews5 followers
December 3, 2013
This is the beginning of the Caldwell and the other firefighters and rescuers stories in the Six-Alarm Sexy series. Love the way Kristine allowed men to swallow their hero pride and accept help from a normally unbelievable person. This is a love turned around and misplaced and found again story. Very quick and I recommend reading "Under His Command" to further the story. Love it, recommend it and will continue to read the rest of the series as it comes out. Jamie loves his wife and daughter. His wife is struggling to accept that his job is dangerous and he may not come home one day. She further distances herself trying to prove that she doesn't need a man to survive and raise her daughter. Problem is she loves her husband but, is shoving him out the door before he's dead and she can't survive on her own. He loves his wife but, won't stand up to her in fear of angering her. Advice from a friend during a crisis brings them both back to reality. Great read!
Profile Image for Sheri.
390 reviews74 followers
November 13, 2013
After reading books one and two in this series, I was excited to go back to this prequel and find out exactly what happened during the earthquake that was the start of this book series. The author took us back and reintroduced us to all the characters we know and love before we were in love with them. We got to see how Dani and Erica became friends and Erica and Jamie's volatile relationship.

I know series are meant to be read in order, but I'm actually glad I had read books one and two before this novella. If I had read this first, the burning curiosity created by Under His Command and Everything Bared would not have been there. If you have read or are planning on reading the Six Alarm Sexy series, this is a must read.
Profile Image for Rise.
1,488 reviews
September 4, 2025
This was a good novella, however Erica was annoying as hell. I thought for a moment that Jamie was allowing her to control him and what he do. She didn't seem to care how things were affecting him with so much that was going on. Making him feel like he was no longer needed as a husband and raising their daughter I assume since their return from and out the country trip. After a one night stand with Erica that produced a child on the way his chose to be with and marry her, but making him feel less of a man was a hard pill that he had to swallow unless they got counseling or they really talked things out.
Profile Image for Lauren Anne.
333 reviews3 followers
September 16, 2013
This is a prequel to the Six-Alarm Sexy Series. It is a great lead in to the first book Under His Command. In this short story - we get to meet Jamie and Rickie. They have been separated for a year because of their own fears and lack of communication, until the earthquake hits and they are forced to come to terms with their relationship. With the fear of losing each other, they are forced to face their feelings for each other. This is an action packed short story of firefighting rescue at its best.
Profile Image for Conny.
1,137 reviews35 followers
October 3, 2013
I loved this book, it is the prequel to Kristine's new rescue firefighter series. It had my attention from page one and I could not put it down until I was finished. Since it is a short story I was able to do it in one sitting. Lucky for me I already have the next book in the series so I was able to jump right into the next story and what a fantastic ride. I loved all the characters and I can't wait to see where Kristine will take this series. Two thumbs up from this fan.
Profile Image for Paris        (kerbytejas).
815 reviews160 followers
November 15, 2013
What a great story in such a short book. A well developed, exciting story, limited character development, but since this is a novella and meant to be an introduction to the series it works. I actually read this after reading the first book in the series so I an easily identify with the characters.
Even though this book is less then 100 pages, the story held my attention and deserving of the 4 stars
Profile Image for Mayas.
2,398 reviews48 followers
March 29, 2013
This was an emotional Book. I read book 1 first and was hooked. I always wanted to know about the earthquake but never expected this. I cried and was so happy Dani helped Erica realize Jamie loved her and didn't want anything to end. The rescue of Chloe was heart warming and I am happy they worked together as a family to save a family.
Profile Image for Dana Delamar.
Author 12 books472 followers
January 7, 2015
A rip-snorting good romantic suspense read that gave me goose bumps when I read it. Even though it's the prequel to an erotic romance series, there's no sex in this story, but there is an amazing rescue and a heartwarming rekindling of a broken marriage. I loved both Jamie and Erica, and I really liked Dani too.
Profile Image for Kristina.
74 reviews
April 27, 2016
I have always enjoyed the firehouse dynamic in books. I like how they become a family and take care of each other. Also like the 2nd chance type books. Erica amd Jamies story was a good read. Though it was a novella i didnt feel like the author rushed the story. Gave a good amount of characters background and dialogue to keep me entrigued enought to buy the next book.
Profile Image for Gladys Mills.
1,963 reviews8 followers
July 4, 2016
Aftershocks. The story is very intense! From the time the first earthquake hit I was hooked on this book. I couldn't put it down. The struggle of trying to get Chloe out of the rubble was agonizing. It also allows Jamie and Erica the opportunity to open up and try to work out their differences before they got divorced.
Profile Image for Terrie Stamey.
303 reviews4 followers
November 5, 2016
Aftershocks

What a griping story. Loved every minute of it! Absolutely a great read. Had everything in it, from heartbreak to makeup. Danger and rescue. Earthquakes and dangerous gas fumes, buildings collapsing and trapping Loved ones, then the heart stopping rescue! Just loved it. Great read for anyone interested in love and triumph.
1,682 reviews12 followers
Read
July 31, 2019
Good start as a prequel

This is a prequel. We get to know Jamie and Erica and their struggles in their marriage. She wants a divorce, he’s been dragging his feet. Can a disaster help change their minds? The writing was good, and the author made me feel like I was in the scene.
Profile Image for AudreymlHawkins.
483 reviews6 followers
October 5, 2019
sexy hot

loved reading and rereading this hot story. rickie and jamie's love for each other is what little girls dream of! love that there's such a strong heroine BUT she's vulnerable also and the the hero is the same. perfect dynamics and i can't wait to see what happens on that honeymoon.
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