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Smoke Jumpers #2
Slow Burn
It's not every man who will risk his life, leaping into the flames of a wildland inferno. And it's not every woman who will love him. . .
He's Feeling The Heat
Evan Donovan is a big muscled giant of a man, whose size and strength make him uniquely qualified to be a smoke jumper. No matter how great or how treacherous the challenge, he gets the job done. But when he agrees to look in on a friend's ex-wife after a suspicious brushfire, Evan learns that some jobs are too hot to handle. Especially when it involves a scorchingly sexy woman. . .
She's Playing With Fire
Faye Duncan is a photographer on a mission, shooting fires for a magazine. But her first encounter with a wildfire isn't nearly as wild as her first night with Evan Donovan. The moment she meets the bigger-than-life hero, the sparks begin to fly. But things really catch fire when Evan learns she may have taken a photo of the arsonist setting the fires. Evan is determined to keep Faye safe. But if he expects her to trust him with her life, he'll have to open up his heart--even if someone gets burned. . .
"The Smoke Jumpers series delivers white hot suspense and a drop dead sexy hero!" -- New York Times bestselling author Roxanne St. Claire
Anne Marsh's novels are:
"Smoking hot." -- Fiction Vixen
"Sexually charged." -- Bookaholics
"Superb." -- Midwest Book Review
He's Feeling The Heat
Evan Donovan is a big muscled giant of a man, whose size and strength make him uniquely qualified to be a smoke jumper. No matter how great or how treacherous the challenge, he gets the job done. But when he agrees to look in on a friend's ex-wife after a suspicious brushfire, Evan learns that some jobs are too hot to handle. Especially when it involves a scorchingly sexy woman. . .
She's Playing With Fire
Faye Duncan is a photographer on a mission, shooting fires for a magazine. But her first encounter with a wildfire isn't nearly as wild as her first night with Evan Donovan. The moment she meets the bigger-than-life hero, the sparks begin to fly. But things really catch fire when Evan learns she may have taken a photo of the arsonist setting the fires. Evan is determined to keep Faye safe. But if he expects her to trust him with her life, he'll have to open up his heart--even if someone gets burned. . .
"The Smoke Jumpers series delivers white hot suspense and a drop dead sexy hero!" -- New York Times bestselling author Roxanne St. Claire
Anne Marsh's novels are:
"Smoking hot." -- Fiction Vixen
"Sexually charged." -- Bookaholics
"Superb." -- Midwest Book Review
289 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 26, 2013
34 people are currently reading
1179 people want to read
About the author
Anne Marsh
164 books969 followersAnne Marsh is a sucker for a grumpy hero who falls hard, a sunshine heroine who won't back down, and small towns where everyone knows your business (but shows up with casseroles anyway).
A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author with 30+ romance novels, Anne writes contemporary and paranormal stories full of banter, steam, heroines navigating real challenges (chronic illness, anxiety, all the messy parts of being human), and happily-ever-afters you can believe in.
Perfect for fans of Ali Hazelwood, Talia Hibbert, and Olivia Dade.
Anne lives in rural North Carolina with rescue cats who barely tolerate her and neighbors who are real-life heroes—fixing cars, hauling mulch, pulling you out of ditches without even being asked. Her books are love letters to small-town kindness and big-hearted romance.
COMING SOON: Hot for Preacher (Harlequin Afterglow) - February 24, 2026
Grumpy preacher. Sunshine country singer living with rheumatoid arthritis. Second chances. Small-town meddling. So. Much. Heat.
Newsletter: https://anne-marsh.com/newsletter/ (join for bonus scenes, early covers, and book news)
FOLLOW ANNE:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_anne...
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/annemarshau...
TikTok: Coming soon!
A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author with 30+ romance novels, Anne writes contemporary and paranormal stories full of banter, steam, heroines navigating real challenges (chronic illness, anxiety, all the messy parts of being human), and happily-ever-afters you can believe in.
Perfect for fans of Ali Hazelwood, Talia Hibbert, and Olivia Dade.
Anne lives in rural North Carolina with rescue cats who barely tolerate her and neighbors who are real-life heroes—fixing cars, hauling mulch, pulling you out of ditches without even being asked. Her books are love letters to small-town kindness and big-hearted romance.
COMING SOON: Hot for Preacher (Harlequin Afterglow) - February 24, 2026
Grumpy preacher. Sunshine country singer living with rheumatoid arthritis. Second chances. Small-town meddling. So. Much. Heat.
Newsletter: https://anne-marsh.com/newsletter/ (join for bonus scenes, early covers, and book news)
FOLLOW ANNE:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_anne...
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/annemarshau...
TikTok: Coming soon!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
November 30, 2025
Faye Duncan is a photo journalist. She has just finalized her divorce, brought a corvette and took an assignment to shoot Smoke Jumpers in a remote town. Running into a brush fire on the way to town, Faye inadvertently witnesses an arsonist.
Evan Donovan is a Smoke Jumper and when his ex-military buddy asks him to check up on his ex-wife he never expected the explosive chemistry he finds with Faye. Neither, Faye or Evan expected or was even looking for a relationship but the attraction is very mutual.
Things heat up between Faye and Evan, but she doesn’t know her ex has contacted Evan. She also didn’t realize the danger she might be in because she’s the only one to see the arsonist. Can Faye get over her issues of her divorce and see what is in front of her? What will she do when she realizes the person behind her issues enlisted Evan for his help?
This was an enjoyable story with a very interesting cast. I found the mystery, suspense and romance made Slow Burn a completely delightful read.
Evan Donovan is a Smoke Jumper and when his ex-military buddy asks him to check up on his ex-wife he never expected the explosive chemistry he finds with Faye. Neither, Faye or Evan expected or was even looking for a relationship but the attraction is very mutual.
Things heat up between Faye and Evan, but she doesn’t know her ex has contacted Evan. She also didn’t realize the danger she might be in because she’s the only one to see the arsonist. Can Faye get over her issues of her divorce and see what is in front of her? What will she do when she realizes the person behind her issues enlisted Evan for his help?
This was an enjoyable story with a very interesting cast. I found the mystery, suspense and romance made Slow Burn a completely delightful read.
March 20, 2013
This is my very first Anne Marsh book and I can tell you it so won't be my last. This book had me hooked from the very beginning and I so didn't want it to end. Even though this was book 2 of a series I didn't have any problem with the fact that I hadn't read Burning Up (Smoke Jumpers Series Book #1). You can quote me on the fact that I WILL be purchasing book 1, that is just how good I think Miss Marsh really is.
Faye Duncan has just come out of a three year marriage that was doomed from the start. She feels she needs a fresh start and some distance from her ex husband. Faye cashes in her 401K for a shiny red 1965 Corvette which will take her to Strong, California and her first magazine assignment.
Evan Donovan is a man of few words. He is loyal to his brothers and his smoke jumping team. Evan is the kind of guy you can always count on to get the job done but when it comes to ladies he is a bit lost for words. At this point in Evan's life he feels he has everything he needs, that is until his path crosses with Faye.
Upon meeting Faye, everything Evan once thought was the most important thing in his life, smoke jumping, his brothers, his mother Nonna, starts to blur around the edges for him. Faye brings new feelings to his life that he never knew he was missing, and he rather likes that. Faye on the other hand isn't looking for another relationship. She is looking for a grand adventure to go along with her first real magazine story. What they get is a red hot romance thrown in with a suspected arsonist who keeps lighting up Strong like a Christmas tree.
With an arsonist on the loose in Strong and possibly a Fire Fighter, Faye thinks she has her ticket to becoming a real photo journalist. Evan, ever the fair man, doesn't want to accuse someone and ruin their lives without hard core proof.
These are the situations in this story that kept me on the edge of my seat. The more Evan and Faye heated up the HOTTER Strong got in more ways than one. This book had everything. An honest to goodness hero, who did his job to keep people safe without regard for himself. A spunky girl who has let life slip by her for the last time, and a real low life who gets a kick out of starting fires and watching Strong's elite jump team put them out time and time again. On a scale from 1-10 I give Slow Burn a pulse pounding 10. It had all the elements a great story needs to keep my attention and keep me wanting for more. If you too are looking for a great story with sexy firemen, a mysterious arsonist, new beginnings, and just an all around great romance than you need to pick up a copy of Slow Burn. while you are out picking up your copy join me in picking up book 1 in the series Burning Up. Let Faye and Evan's love story leave you burning for more.
Faye Duncan has just come out of a three year marriage that was doomed from the start. She feels she needs a fresh start and some distance from her ex husband. Faye cashes in her 401K for a shiny red 1965 Corvette which will take her to Strong, California and her first magazine assignment.
Evan Donovan is a man of few words. He is loyal to his brothers and his smoke jumping team. Evan is the kind of guy you can always count on to get the job done but when it comes to ladies he is a bit lost for words. At this point in Evan's life he feels he has everything he needs, that is until his path crosses with Faye.
Upon meeting Faye, everything Evan once thought was the most important thing in his life, smoke jumping, his brothers, his mother Nonna, starts to blur around the edges for him. Faye brings new feelings to his life that he never knew he was missing, and he rather likes that. Faye on the other hand isn't looking for another relationship. She is looking for a grand adventure to go along with her first real magazine story. What they get is a red hot romance thrown in with a suspected arsonist who keeps lighting up Strong like a Christmas tree.
With an arsonist on the loose in Strong and possibly a Fire Fighter, Faye thinks she has her ticket to becoming a real photo journalist. Evan, ever the fair man, doesn't want to accuse someone and ruin their lives without hard core proof.
These are the situations in this story that kept me on the edge of my seat. The more Evan and Faye heated up the HOTTER Strong got in more ways than one. This book had everything. An honest to goodness hero, who did his job to keep people safe without regard for himself. A spunky girl who has let life slip by her for the last time, and a real low life who gets a kick out of starting fires and watching Strong's elite jump team put them out time and time again. On a scale from 1-10 I give Slow Burn a pulse pounding 10. It had all the elements a great story needs to keep my attention and keep me wanting for more. If you too are looking for a great story with sexy firemen, a mysterious arsonist, new beginnings, and just an all around great romance than you need to pick up a copy of Slow Burn. while you are out picking up your copy join me in picking up book 1 in the series Burning Up. Let Faye and Evan's love story leave you burning for more.
February 18, 2013
Slow Burn is a solidly written romance. The first few pages had me wondering just who Faye's love interest was, but by the end of the first chapter, it was pretty obvious that Evan was going to be her man. I don't mind that obviousness especially in romance. I like to know who I'm going to root for.
The chemistry between Faye and Evan was hot, and Marsh doesn't disappoint in the 'action' part of the romance. While their hook up happens happens fairly fast considering the story takes place over a short period, there was still a build up to it.
The best thing about the story was that there was no pouting by Faye when discovers the secret Evan has been hiding. Not that she isn't pissed, but she reacts in a mature way that had me respecting her.
Slow Burn definitely makes me want to check out more from Marsh!
The chemistry between Faye and Evan was hot, and Marsh doesn't disappoint in the 'action' part of the romance. While their hook up happens happens fairly fast considering the story takes place over a short period, there was still a build up to it.
The best thing about the story was that there was no pouting by Faye when discovers the secret Evan has been hiding. Not that she isn't pissed, but she reacts in a mature way that had me respecting her.
Slow Burn definitely makes me want to check out more from Marsh!
February 12, 2013
While this was your typical romance (people want each other, but just can't communicate, then wonder if the other person likes them, and then wonders if they should stick around and do they really want to be in love, and so on and so forth) it was well written and did have an interesting story going on. The story of the smoke jumpers and an arsonist was enough to keep me coming back to finsih the book.
There are some smokin' hot scenes in there, too (not fire related)!! Definitely the highlight of the book!
If you like the romance genre, then this is a great book for you!
There are some smokin' hot scenes in there, too (not fire related)!! Definitely the highlight of the book!
If you like the romance genre, then this is a great book for you!
February 19, 2013
3.5 Stars. 4 to round it up.
Didn't actually know that this was part of a series, but it wasn't hard to follow along with the storyline.
Review to come later.
July 5, 2020
Evan is a smoke jumper in Strong, a small town tucked into the mountains of...California? This fire season has been far more active then most with small fires cropping up when ever things get slow. Evan suspects someone on the crew is starting fires to play hero. The last thing they need is a photographer coming in to do a spread on the new fire hall and the men who work there. But there she is, Faye. To make matters worse, she's the ex of an old army buddy who calls Evan's to ask him to keep an eye on her.
Faye needs to do this piece on the restoring of Strong's fire hall and the smoke jumpers who call Strong their home in order to get enough money to get back on her feet. Recently divorced she took all her savings, all of her retirement fund, basically everything to by a vintage red corvette. Somehow she views this as a big F*ck you to her ex. But with $400 to her name, and living in her car, she needs this piece. Also, why not have a little fun and bang a hot firefighter as a summer fling while she's here?
It was alright. I struggled with the fast romance of a newly divorced woman who practically jumps right back into bed with another firefighter with zero hesitation. First man who actually pays her any attention really. And not because he's interested to start with, but as a favor to her ex, which shee doesn't know yet...*sigh* It just didn't sit quite right with me. Also, the title is misleading. "Fast Burn" would make far more sense. But once you get over that, the rest of the book is decent and does give some interesting scenarios on Evan's part. I was far more invested in Evan than I was in Faye (see first start of paragraph as to why).
Anyone who is merely here for the smutty parts, there are a few but don't expect anything really new or different from other romances and don't expect pages worth of intrigue on the acts.
All in all it was a decent romance that you can pick up and put down at will.
Faye needs to do this piece on the restoring of Strong's fire hall and the smoke jumpers who call Strong their home in order to get enough money to get back on her feet. Recently divorced she took all her savings, all of her retirement fund, basically everything to by a vintage red corvette. Somehow she views this as a big F*ck you to her ex. But with $400 to her name, and living in her car, she needs this piece. Also, why not have a little fun and bang a hot firefighter as a summer fling while she's here?
It was alright. I struggled with the fast romance of a newly divorced woman who practically jumps right back into bed with another firefighter with zero hesitation. First man who actually pays her any attention really. And not because he's interested to start with, but as a favor to her ex, which shee doesn't know yet...*sigh* It just didn't sit quite right with me. Also, the title is misleading. "Fast Burn" would make far more sense. But once you get over that, the rest of the book is decent and does give some interesting scenarios on Evan's part. I was far more invested in Evan than I was in Faye (see first start of paragraph as to why).
Anyone who is merely here for the smutty parts, there are a few but don't expect anything really new or different from other romances and don't expect pages worth of intrigue on the acts.
All in all it was a decent romance that you can pick up and put down at will.
September 18, 2020
I didn’t find this book as mind-blowing as I expected sadly. But it was still a very fun and exciting read. I did think it was pretty cool how Fire is essentially the reason that these two are brought together. The hero is a smoke jumper while the heroine is a wildfire photographer. Given the state of California parts of the year did get kind of sucked in to the action side of things, it’s enjoyable as fiction not so much in reality. I love a good romantic suspense and with the heroine in danger for possibly catching the arsonist in the act, the threat was real. I don’t think neither MCs were looking for love but when they meet sparks fly and the more time they spend together the closer they grow. The heroine does have some hang ups after a divorce and is something she has to deal with. Her ex being the reason for them meeting up was a bit awkward I think but shit happens lol. Decent And exciting read
Arc from Netgalley
Arc from Netgalley
January 13, 2018
Slow Burn
Evan and Faye great story. They met when Evan found her at a bar in Strong . She was the ex of a military buddy that asked him to look after her because she came to town to interview the smoke jumpers. Little did Evan know what he was getting into. Plus he didn't do relationships or get involved even though there was chemistry from the start. Both were wounded souls looking for something to make them whole but neither expected to find what they were looking for in each other. Let me say Evan is a one of a kind man in my book and Faye was a great lady.
Read, read.....
Evan and Faye great story. They met when Evan found her at a bar in Strong . She was the ex of a military buddy that asked him to look after her because she came to town to interview the smoke jumpers. Little did Evan know what he was getting into. Plus he didn't do relationships or get involved even though there was chemistry from the start. Both were wounded souls looking for something to make them whole but neither expected to find what they were looking for in each other. Let me say Evan is a one of a kind man in my book and Faye was a great lady.
Read, read.....
April 1, 2019
Loved this story, hope there will be a Rio story.
May 10, 2019
K
Good book. Idk about the ending i mean it felt like she wanted him to herself so sharing the pic didnt seem like something she would have done.
Good book. Idk about the ending i mean it felt like she wanted him to herself so sharing the pic didnt seem like something she would have done.
July 19, 2019
Good read
Very enjoyable series and the plots and romances are good. Great catching up with others in the series. Highly recommend
Very enjoyable series and the plots and romances are good. Great catching up with others in the series. Highly recommend
January 27, 2022
Really not very good…lousy writing. Like the first book, repetitious, filler language saying same thing 3 different ways. Even plot wasn’t as good as the first one.
October 1, 2016
http://allaboutromance.com/book-revie...
Anne Marsh’s Slow Burn is the second book in her Smoke Jumpers series. The writing is even paced and the plot is believable. The hero is a great big loveable teddy bear and the storyline was interesting enough to keep me entertained for over three hundred pages. The most disappointing part of the book for me was the heroine.
Faye Duncan has just signed her divorce papers, cleaned out her 401K and bought a vintage Corvette to celebrate her newfound freedom. She has taken a job as a freelance photojournalist and her first assignment has her heading for Strong, California to do a photo shoot on the refurbishing of a historical firehouse. As she nears Strong, she passes through the beginnings of a wildfire. Once she passes through the smoke, she leaves her car to take pictures. Little does she know that she has just taken pictures of an arsonist in the process of committing a crime. Either driving through the fire or just plain bad luck has her Corvette overheating just as she pulls into Strong. With little money and no repair shop in sight, Faye heads for the local bar.
Evan Donovan is one of three adopted brothers who head up Donovan Brothers, a business that specializes in smoke jumping (jumping out of a plane to fight hard to reach fires). He, along with brothers Jack (from Burning Up) and Rio, was ten years old when Nonna took them in as foster children and later adopted them as her own. He has a fierce loyalty to his family and his town. In fact loyalty seems to be his middle name. When his ex-Marine buddy and current Los Angeles firefighter Mike calls him and asks him to look out for his ex-wife Faye, Evan does what he always does – serves and protects. He discovers Faye in Mimi’s Bar, sitting on the jukebox singing at the top of her lungs. As soon as he reaches her, she passes out and Evan can either leave her to sleep on the couch in the bar’s office or take her home. He chooses to take her home.
Evan is not your typical he-man that one would expect in this very masculine line of work. He is more gentleman than man-whore and his character was very refreshing. He does have a problem with communication though that is all male. He suffers from self-esteem issues that stem from not being as attractive as his brothers and the fact that his size seems to intimidate rather than entice. It is apparent from the very beginning that Evan has had a long dry spell in the sex department and that Faye is the one he wants to end it with. I really loved Evan’s character. For all of his size, he is a gentle giant and he is very tender with Faye from the beginning. He doesn’t believe in a happy ever after for himself and when he dares to hope it is with a yearning that tears at the reader’s heart.
I did not dislike Faye Duncan, but I just never really warmed up to her. Faye could have been a real strong “I am woman, hear me roar” character if she had been fully fleshed out. We learn she was previously married to a firefighter for 2-3 years (there seems to be some discrepancy about dates in the novel) whose job was much more important than she was. Other than her new career as a photojournalist, everything about her is defined in the context of her previous marriage. We know nothing of her background before she became the wife of a firefighter or what past experience makes her qualified to be a photojournalist. We really never learn what makes her tick other than she wants to come first with someone. I feel like she should be looking over at a director and asking, “What’s my motivation?” One a positive note for Faye: She is determined to put her failed marriage behind her and does not seem to have any bitter feelings toward her ex-husband. So we are not subjected to page after page of anger over his betrayal, although his commitment to his job does have an impact on Faye’s ability to trust Evan.
The storyline with the arsonist works despite the fact that we find out early on who the culprit is and it does provide a reason for Faye to stay in Strong longer than she originally intended. A secondary romance with Evan’s mother is sweet but it just seems to have been thrown in for extra measure. Perhaps if I had read the first book in the series, I would have cared more about that romance, but there was not enough background information provided in this book to create enough empathy with the secondary characters. Overall the book was a quick and easy read with a hero that makes the unevenness of the heroine and supporting characters worth the time. Despite my disappointment with Faye’s character, I would still recommend this book.
Anne Marsh’s Slow Burn is the second book in her Smoke Jumpers series. The writing is even paced and the plot is believable. The hero is a great big loveable teddy bear and the storyline was interesting enough to keep me entertained for over three hundred pages. The most disappointing part of the book for me was the heroine.
Faye Duncan has just signed her divorce papers, cleaned out her 401K and bought a vintage Corvette to celebrate her newfound freedom. She has taken a job as a freelance photojournalist and her first assignment has her heading for Strong, California to do a photo shoot on the refurbishing of a historical firehouse. As she nears Strong, she passes through the beginnings of a wildfire. Once she passes through the smoke, she leaves her car to take pictures. Little does she know that she has just taken pictures of an arsonist in the process of committing a crime. Either driving through the fire or just plain bad luck has her Corvette overheating just as she pulls into Strong. With little money and no repair shop in sight, Faye heads for the local bar.
Evan Donovan is one of three adopted brothers who head up Donovan Brothers, a business that specializes in smoke jumping (jumping out of a plane to fight hard to reach fires). He, along with brothers Jack (from Burning Up) and Rio, was ten years old when Nonna took them in as foster children and later adopted them as her own. He has a fierce loyalty to his family and his town. In fact loyalty seems to be his middle name. When his ex-Marine buddy and current Los Angeles firefighter Mike calls him and asks him to look out for his ex-wife Faye, Evan does what he always does – serves and protects. He discovers Faye in Mimi’s Bar, sitting on the jukebox singing at the top of her lungs. As soon as he reaches her, she passes out and Evan can either leave her to sleep on the couch in the bar’s office or take her home. He chooses to take her home.
Evan is not your typical he-man that one would expect in this very masculine line of work. He is more gentleman than man-whore and his character was very refreshing. He does have a problem with communication though that is all male. He suffers from self-esteem issues that stem from not being as attractive as his brothers and the fact that his size seems to intimidate rather than entice. It is apparent from the very beginning that Evan has had a long dry spell in the sex department and that Faye is the one he wants to end it with. I really loved Evan’s character. For all of his size, he is a gentle giant and he is very tender with Faye from the beginning. He doesn’t believe in a happy ever after for himself and when he dares to hope it is with a yearning that tears at the reader’s heart.
I did not dislike Faye Duncan, but I just never really warmed up to her. Faye could have been a real strong “I am woman, hear me roar” character if she had been fully fleshed out. We learn she was previously married to a firefighter for 2-3 years (there seems to be some discrepancy about dates in the novel) whose job was much more important than she was. Other than her new career as a photojournalist, everything about her is defined in the context of her previous marriage. We know nothing of her background before she became the wife of a firefighter or what past experience makes her qualified to be a photojournalist. We really never learn what makes her tick other than she wants to come first with someone. I feel like she should be looking over at a director and asking, “What’s my motivation?” One a positive note for Faye: She is determined to put her failed marriage behind her and does not seem to have any bitter feelings toward her ex-husband. So we are not subjected to page after page of anger over his betrayal, although his commitment to his job does have an impact on Faye’s ability to trust Evan.
The storyline with the arsonist works despite the fact that we find out early on who the culprit is and it does provide a reason for Faye to stay in Strong longer than she originally intended. A secondary romance with Evan’s mother is sweet but it just seems to have been thrown in for extra measure. Perhaps if I had read the first book in the series, I would have cared more about that romance, but there was not enough background information provided in this book to create enough empathy with the secondary characters. Overall the book was a quick and easy read with a hero that makes the unevenness of the heroine and supporting characters worth the time. Despite my disappointment with Faye’s character, I would still recommend this book.
March 19, 2013
BOOK SYNOPSIS
The second in Anne Marsh’s pulse-pounding Smoke Jumpers series ripples with nail-biting suspense and sensuality, giving an inside look at a special brand of hero and the kind of woman it takes to win him.
It’s not every man who’ll risk his life jumping into the flames of a woodland inferno. Then again, Evan Donovan isn’t like other men. No matter how great or how treacherous the challenge, he gets the job done. But when he agrees to look in on a friend’s ex-wife after a suspicious brushfire, Evan learns that some jobs are too hot to handle…
Faye Duncan is a photographer on a mission, shooting fires for a magazine. Her first encounter with a wildfire isn’t nearly as wild as her first night with Evan Donovan. Things really heat up when Evan learns she may have taken a photo of the arsonist setting the fires. Evan is determined to keep Faye safe—but first, he’ll have to open up his heart…
My Thoughts
I honestly enjoyed this one more than the first book Burning Up . Evan and Faye just took center stage and kept it through the entire narrative, from the adrenaline rush the pair get when they jump from a plane together to just hanging out talking these two characters build the kind of relationship we all want to share with a significant other!
What do you do when an old friend calls you up and asks you for a favor? Especially when that favor is to make sure an ex-wife is doing okay and then she turns out to be someone who heats up your world better than a wildfire on a mountainside!
Evan Donovan finds out when he walks in the door of Ma's Bar and sees a beautiful woman belting out a tune off-key at the top of her lungs while sitting on the jukebox surrounded by empty drink glasses.
Faye Duncan headed out on the heels of her divorce to find some adventure,driving hell for leather in her vintage red corvette. She found it when she came over the mountain and directly into the path of a blaze on the way to Strong. Luckily there was a firefighter controlling the site and Faye was able to drive through the small amount of flames and then capture shots with her digital camera that showed the one lone man fighting to keep the damage from spreading.
A setting like this with a small town is one that I really think works well for the author, she seems to get into the heart of her characters as easily as she gets into their minds and in doing so creates a place with people you want to get to know for yourself and a town you may even never want to leave once you get there!
It is not all roses and sunshine though, firefighting is a dangerous occupation which is illustrated with heartbreaking reality in the scenes that spotlight Evan and the rest of the crew. There are times in the telling where you can actually smell the smoke, feel the heat of the fire and the exhaustion caused by the battle which goes long hours and saps every bit of energy that adrenaline gives until you finally get to the point where there is no more left.
The setting of this series is one reason why I keep coming back for more, the characters that are fleshed out and given such realistic qualities are the main reason however as even the ones who do not fight the fires to keep Strong and it's neighbors safe are worth getting to know as without their background support it would not be the same.
This second book really took us deeper into the background of the Donovan boys, it also took us much on a journey into what makes each of them tick and as Evan and Faye become closer and closer it was gratifying to see both of them finally come to grips with what it meant to truly love another person and put their wants and needs first. A lesson that is hard won for the two of them but the payoff at the end was well worth the troubles it took them to get there!
Fans of this series have a treat when the author releases her next book in July Reburn-The Hotshots which also is about sexy firefighters and is available in ebook for preorder from Amazon .
Love the Smoke Jumpers!
Thank you for sending the ARC early Anne, this was the pick-me-up romantic suspense I needed after my last book read.
[ARC from Author in exchange for honest review]
March 8, 2013
NetGalley free read
I want to say that I like it and it's better than just okay. I feel I may be being a little hard since I read two really great and funny books back to back before reading this book and I don't know if I'm being fair in my rating if I give it a little better than I am actually feeling.
Faye is recently divorced from LA firefighter Mike, who spent more time at the firehouse than home with his wife. When she finds him in bed with a female member of his team, she had enough. Now she's ready to have a new adventure, cleaning out her 401K to buy her dream Corvette and taking it on the road for a new job as a freelance photojournalist for a magazine.
She winds up in a small town called Strong, where the Donovan Brothers have formed thier fire jump company. She's there to take pictures of the firefighters and the old firehouse they are restoring, when she comes upon a firefighter fighting a brush fire, who may actually be an arsonist.
Evan Donovan is one of three adopted boys, who know have returned to their home town and their adopted mother to build their fire jumping buisness. Evan is a big man of few words. Faye's ex-husband, Mike, calls his old Marine budy, Evan, asking him to keep an eye on his wife on the day their divorce has become fianl.
Faye is three sheets to the wind the moment she first see's Evan and doesn't remember that he walked right up to her and called her by name. But they are immeidiately attracted to earch others and between fire jumps and the local arsonist, they act on their supercharged attraction to each other.
Evan is sweet and Faye is obviously attracted to him both because he's physically hot, but because he's a nice guy. He promises her and Adventure for two weeks in exchange for sticking around and not writing a story about the arsonist until they can figure out who he is.
One of the things I don't like about this book is how Evan and his brothers discuss early on that Mike told him to keep and eye on his ex-wife, but he doesn't tell her. She discovers thier connection while looking at photos from his mother's photo album.
Then Faye's boss tells her he needs her photos and story sooner than the two weeks she promised Evan and she doesn't immediately tell him about her deadline. She waits until she's mad at him about Mike before she says anything.
I get that the author is trying to show relationship drama, but this was just dumb to me. Speak up sooner rather than later and you won't have all the drama. How hard can it be?
Other than that, the book is short and not a bad story. It's just the characters do some stupid things. Also, a quite a few of the surrounding characters aren't really flushed out either.
Supposedly, there's something going on between Ma's bartender, Mimi, and third Donovan brother, Rio. But we barely see or hear about her.
Also, Faye's sister calls her at the beginning of the book to check on her, but never checks again in the several days that she's there. That's strange to me. She seems concerned about how Faye is taking the divorce on that day. I would think she would call again, or at the very least call and Faye would have her sister to discuss with Evan which would lead into her family.
Like I said, this book suffers because the last two I read were spectacular and I didn't feel even half of that here.
I want to say that I like it and it's better than just okay. I feel I may be being a little hard since I read two really great and funny books back to back before reading this book and I don't know if I'm being fair in my rating if I give it a little better than I am actually feeling.
Faye is recently divorced from LA firefighter Mike, who spent more time at the firehouse than home with his wife. When she finds him in bed with a female member of his team, she had enough. Now she's ready to have a new adventure, cleaning out her 401K to buy her dream Corvette and taking it on the road for a new job as a freelance photojournalist for a magazine.
She winds up in a small town called Strong, where the Donovan Brothers have formed thier fire jump company. She's there to take pictures of the firefighters and the old firehouse they are restoring, when she comes upon a firefighter fighting a brush fire, who may actually be an arsonist.
Evan Donovan is one of three adopted boys, who know have returned to their home town and their adopted mother to build their fire jumping buisness. Evan is a big man of few words. Faye's ex-husband, Mike, calls his old Marine budy, Evan, asking him to keep an eye on his wife on the day their divorce has become fianl.
Faye is three sheets to the wind the moment she first see's Evan and doesn't remember that he walked right up to her and called her by name. But they are immeidiately attracted to earch others and between fire jumps and the local arsonist, they act on their supercharged attraction to each other.
Evan is sweet and Faye is obviously attracted to him both because he's physically hot, but because he's a nice guy. He promises her and Adventure for two weeks in exchange for sticking around and not writing a story about the arsonist until they can figure out who he is.
One of the things I don't like about this book is how Evan and his brothers discuss early on that Mike told him to keep and eye on his ex-wife, but he doesn't tell her. She discovers thier connection while looking at photos from his mother's photo album.
Then Faye's boss tells her he needs her photos and story sooner than the two weeks she promised Evan and she doesn't immediately tell him about her deadline. She waits until she's mad at him about Mike before she says anything.
I get that the author is trying to show relationship drama, but this was just dumb to me. Speak up sooner rather than later and you won't have all the drama. How hard can it be?
Other than that, the book is short and not a bad story. It's just the characters do some stupid things. Also, a quite a few of the surrounding characters aren't really flushed out either.
Supposedly, there's something going on between Ma's bartender, Mimi, and third Donovan brother, Rio. But we barely see or hear about her.
Also, Faye's sister calls her at the beginning of the book to check on her, but never checks again in the several days that she's there. That's strange to me. She seems concerned about how Faye is taking the divorce on that day. I would think she would call again, or at the very least call and Faye would have her sister to discuss with Evan which would lead into her family.
Like I said, this book suffers because the last two I read were spectacular and I didn't feel even half of that here.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2013
The "Smoke Jumpers" romantic suspense series from author Anne Marsh brings readers up close and personal with men who risk their lives for a living and the women who win their hearts. Jack, Evan, and Rio Donovan are brothers by choice, not by birth. As young boys, they each moved through the foster care system from one home to another, finding themselves kindred spirits as they crossed paths. Deciding they were better off together than with people who were working the social system, the boys bonded as brothers for life. Eventually they came under the care of Mary Ellen "Nonna" Donovan, who adopted them and raised them as her sons. Always adventurous, the brothers formed a private fire management company, employing highly-skilled, specially-trained "smoke jumpers" who literally land right in the heart of the heat. Though they traveled whenever and wherever they were needed, their home base was in Strong, California, where Nonna lived. In Book One, "Burning Up", Jack Donovan is reunited with Lily Cortez, the woman from his past whom he never forgot. In Book Two, "Slow Burn", Evan Donovan receives a surprise request from Mike Thomas, a firefighter in Los Angeles, and a former Marine comrade. Mike's ex-wife, Faye Duncan, is a photo-journalist on assignment in Strong to cover the renovation of the historic firehouse. Recently divorced, and feeling guilt and regrets, Mike asks Evan to watch over Faye and make sure she is okay. Evan reluctantly agrees, and when he does find Faye, drunk on rum punch and sitting atop the jukebox in the local bar, he wonders what kind of trouble will come his way. He is instantly smitten with Faye, and knowing that she is hurting and needs to heal, he tries to fight his attraction. Faye has other plans, however, and she wants to get lost in the moment with Evan. She has no plans to stay in Strong, and definitely no plans to lose her heart to another firefighter. However, passion soon blends with need and emotion, and plans can change. Someone else in Strong has an agenda of his own, one that includes setting fires and trying to become one of the elite Smoke Jumpers unit, and he doesn't care who or what he destroys in the process. While Evan and his brothers work to contain the numerous fires blazing up in the area, Faye works on her story and also works through a wide range of feelings. Evan is a man of action, not one for expressing his personal thoughts, and he has lots of unexpected thoughts about Faye. How will she react when she finds out that her ex-husband asked Evan to watch over her? Will the Donovans and their fire fighting team bring down the arsonist and keep their loved ones and their community safe? "Slow Burn" is an enjoyable romantic suspense that gives kudos to those who provide an invaluable service. I particularly enjoyed the chapter where Evan took Faye on a sky diving adventure--her first--and how she reacted to every moment on the way up, and on the way down!
Review Copy Gratis Brava Kensington
Review Copy Gratis Brava Kensington
March 28, 2013
2.5 Stars, Rounded to 3
See Full Review Here: http://www.lions-and-lambs.blogspot.c...
Synopsis:
Faye Duncan is free from a marriage that was over shortly after it began. Now she is on the road in her shiny new-to-her classic Corvette, headed to Strong, California for her job as a photojournalist.
Evan Donovan is quiet and devoted to family, his job, and his team of Smoke Jumpers. He never wanted or expected to fall in love with a drunken lady singing karaoke in the local bar, but he's on a mission to fulfill a favor for an old friend. A friend who happens to be Faye's ex-husband.
Complications surface when Faye’s ex-husband and a firefighting arsonist come in the middle of relationship that heats up with every turn of the page.
Opinion:
Please read the entire review before you think I’m bashing this book. Because I’m not. I promise.
I waited over a week to review just in case I decided I liked it more. I think the main reason I didn’t fully love this book is because I found Faye and Evan to be exasperating.
Whyyyyy?
I understand Faye is upset by her ex-husband, but she consistently tells the reader all the ways she knew the marriage was over before he decided to sleep with someone else. If I could give Evan and Faye a piece of advice—and yes, I do this. In my head. Because out loud would be just crazy. Right? Anyway. Back to the advice: Communication is a beautiful thing. If you just communicate accordingly, your relationship will not need as many buckets to hold the tears. I like Marsh’s take on Evan. He is not outgoing, not drop-dead drool on your sleeve gorgeous, and seriously lacks in social skills . . . but he has (cliché alert!) a heart of gold and that draws you to him.
The mystery of the arsonist and the call outs for the Smoke Jumpers are really the high points of this book. I found the relationship between Ben and Nonna to be a bit more intriguing than Faye and Evan. Here’s the thing, though. I’m going to read the first book. Not only will I read the first book, but I will read the next book in the series. Why? Because I like this author. The romance between the main characters was not my favorite, but I like Anne Marsh’s style. I am also pretty much in love with the idea of the Smoke Jumpers because their story is just so different from your basic sexy fire fighter love interests (although I do love those, too).
I recommend this book to lovers of insta-romance and insta-drama. Now I’m off to purchase the first book.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
See Full Review Here: http://www.lions-and-lambs.blogspot.c...
Synopsis:
Faye Duncan is free from a marriage that was over shortly after it began. Now she is on the road in her shiny new-to-her classic Corvette, headed to Strong, California for her job as a photojournalist.
Evan Donovan is quiet and devoted to family, his job, and his team of Smoke Jumpers. He never wanted or expected to fall in love with a drunken lady singing karaoke in the local bar, but he's on a mission to fulfill a favor for an old friend. A friend who happens to be Faye's ex-husband.
Complications surface when Faye’s ex-husband and a firefighting arsonist come in the middle of relationship that heats up with every turn of the page.
Opinion:
Please read the entire review before you think I’m bashing this book. Because I’m not. I promise.
I waited over a week to review just in case I decided I liked it more. I think the main reason I didn’t fully love this book is because I found Faye and Evan to be exasperating.
Whyyyyy?
I understand Faye is upset by her ex-husband, but she consistently tells the reader all the ways she knew the marriage was over before he decided to sleep with someone else. If I could give Evan and Faye a piece of advice—and yes, I do this. In my head. Because out loud would be just crazy. Right? Anyway. Back to the advice: Communication is a beautiful thing. If you just communicate accordingly, your relationship will not need as many buckets to hold the tears. I like Marsh’s take on Evan. He is not outgoing, not drop-dead drool on your sleeve gorgeous, and seriously lacks in social skills . . . but he has (cliché alert!) a heart of gold and that draws you to him.
The mystery of the arsonist and the call outs for the Smoke Jumpers are really the high points of this book. I found the relationship between Ben and Nonna to be a bit more intriguing than Faye and Evan. Here’s the thing, though. I’m going to read the first book. Not only will I read the first book, but I will read the next book in the series. Why? Because I like this author. The romance between the main characters was not my favorite, but I like Anne Marsh’s style. I am also pretty much in love with the idea of the Smoke Jumpers because their story is just so different from your basic sexy fire fighter love interests (although I do love those, too).
I recommend this book to lovers of insta-romance and insta-drama. Now I’m off to purchase the first book.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
April 21, 2013
Slow Burn was a very slow read. The book had a very promising storyline but the characters fell flat. They had no depth, no chemistry, and the descriptions used by the author were so repetitive this reader could rattle them off just as I was reading them for the nth time. The author went on and on describing the main male character, Evan as being huge. It turns out that huge and imposing to the author is 6 feet tall, less than 200 lbs. Considering the average US male is 5'9 and 180 lbs I wouldn't call Evan huge in anyone's book. It's pretty easy to see men that are larger on any given day. It wouldn't have been so annoying had the author not hitched many of the main heroine's (Faye) antics and much of the storyline to Evan's size. For example example many paragraphs included some variation of ""Evan's size was intimidating, he was so large she shuddered, even his huge size couldn't frighten her, most would be afraid of Evan because of his large size"" and by the end of the book I was thoroughly tired of hearing about his dimensions.
Faye was dullest heroine I think I've ever read about. She bought a Corvette looking for adventure after divorcing her husband and landed in a small town. The book sort of flip-flopped because Evann didn't want a relationship first and then Faye didn't want to get involved. They finally came together and the sex would have been steamy except that I couldn't tell when it was foreplay and when it was actually physical intercourse. One scene described her feeling him inside and totally filling her. As I read a few more paragraphs I realized they were still clothed and it must have been the author describing emotional fulfillment. This happened several times.
The intrigue was supposed to refer to a fireman that set fires to build his reputation and pad his paycheck. That was resolved very neatly in the cheesiest way possible. The man is spotted, realizes they have identified him, and then sets one more fire while sitting around watching and waiting to be apprehended. It was a terrible end.
The book was a yawn with characters that could have been interesting had the author taken the time to develop the characters and storyline more. One section mentioned Evan's mother beginning an affair with a long time friend. It largely went unexplored and the reader keeps hearing about Evan's great relationship with his mother but there is not a lot of actual dialogue between the two characters.
It was a waste of my time to read this book, and I really am disappointed that such a great premise was so poorly executed.
Reviewed by Michelle for Cocktails and Books
Faye was dullest heroine I think I've ever read about. She bought a Corvette looking for adventure after divorcing her husband and landed in a small town. The book sort of flip-flopped because Evann didn't want a relationship first and then Faye didn't want to get involved. They finally came together and the sex would have been steamy except that I couldn't tell when it was foreplay and when it was actually physical intercourse. One scene described her feeling him inside and totally filling her. As I read a few more paragraphs I realized they were still clothed and it must have been the author describing emotional fulfillment. This happened several times.
The intrigue was supposed to refer to a fireman that set fires to build his reputation and pad his paycheck. That was resolved very neatly in the cheesiest way possible. The man is spotted, realizes they have identified him, and then sets one more fire while sitting around watching and waiting to be apprehended. It was a terrible end.
The book was a yawn with characters that could have been interesting had the author taken the time to develop the characters and storyline more. One section mentioned Evan's mother beginning an affair with a long time friend. It largely went unexplored and the reader keeps hearing about Evan's great relationship with his mother but there is not a lot of actual dialogue between the two characters.
It was a waste of my time to read this book, and I really am disappointed that such a great premise was so poorly executed.
Reviewed by Michelle for Cocktails and Books
April 1, 2013
ARC provided by NetGalley
http://csmaxwell.blogspot.com/2013/03...
This is my first book by author, Anne Marsh, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I will scour the bookstores for more of her work, as she writes strong, believable characters with great sexual chemistry.
Although this is the second book in a series, this can be read separately and not leave the reader confused with the story's plot. And trust me ~ I WILL be purchasing book one, BURNING UP, to read later.
Nestled in the California hills is the small town of Strong. Three brothers -- Jack, Evan, and Rio -- work together as smoke jumpers, parachuting from a DC-3 to battle hotter-than-hell blazes that threaten to consume acres of wildlife.
Faye Duncan, photographer extraordinaire, has left L.A. shortly after her divorce has been finalized. Cashing in her 401k and with very little money left to her name, she heads to Strong to take pictures of the small town fire department. Along the way, Faye runs through the beginnings of a bush fire--literally. Pulling over, she snaps photos of a mysterious man near the fire, unaware that he is the arsonist who has started the blaze.
Evan Donovan is a smoke jumper--a man of few words, protective of his men and his brothers, as well as the woman who took him in at age ten to raise him. The small town of Strong is his home, his life, and fighting the fire will always come first in his life.
Evan has been asked to look after his friend's ex-wife, who is on her way to Strong. And guess what? She is the photographer assigned to taking photos of the to-be-renovated firehouse. Small world and all that, lol.
Faye isn't looking for another serious relationship, but she thinks that Evan can provide her with some serious fun-time. When Evan realizes that she has seen and photographed a possible arsonist who is a part of his team, the two strike a bargain --Faye will hold off sending her pictures to her editor until Evan can find the person responsible for setting the fire.
But something happens during the small amount of time Evan and Faye are together. The two grow closer, opening up to one another, and what was once a summer fling could be something more...
Overall, Slow Burn is an enjoyable romantic read with a tinge of suspense and an endearing secondary romance between Ben and Nonna. I look forward to reading Rio's book (?). Hopefully Anne Marsh has plans to continue this series to include the last of the brothers.
http://csmaxwell.blogspot.com/2013/03...
This is my first book by author, Anne Marsh, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I will scour the bookstores for more of her work, as she writes strong, believable characters with great sexual chemistry.
Although this is the second book in a series, this can be read separately and not leave the reader confused with the story's plot. And trust me ~ I WILL be purchasing book one, BURNING UP, to read later.
Nestled in the California hills is the small town of Strong. Three brothers -- Jack, Evan, and Rio -- work together as smoke jumpers, parachuting from a DC-3 to battle hotter-than-hell blazes that threaten to consume acres of wildlife.
Faye Duncan, photographer extraordinaire, has left L.A. shortly after her divorce has been finalized. Cashing in her 401k and with very little money left to her name, she heads to Strong to take pictures of the small town fire department. Along the way, Faye runs through the beginnings of a bush fire--literally. Pulling over, she snaps photos of a mysterious man near the fire, unaware that he is the arsonist who has started the blaze.
Evan Donovan is a smoke jumper--a man of few words, protective of his men and his brothers, as well as the woman who took him in at age ten to raise him. The small town of Strong is his home, his life, and fighting the fire will always come first in his life.
Evan has been asked to look after his friend's ex-wife, who is on her way to Strong. And guess what? She is the photographer assigned to taking photos of the to-be-renovated firehouse. Small world and all that, lol.
Faye isn't looking for another serious relationship, but she thinks that Evan can provide her with some serious fun-time. When Evan realizes that she has seen and photographed a possible arsonist who is a part of his team, the two strike a bargain --Faye will hold off sending her pictures to her editor until Evan can find the person responsible for setting the fire.
But something happens during the small amount of time Evan and Faye are together. The two grow closer, opening up to one another, and what was once a summer fling could be something more...
Overall, Slow Burn is an enjoyable romantic read with a tinge of suspense and an endearing secondary romance between Ben and Nonna. I look forward to reading Rio's book (?). Hopefully Anne Marsh has plans to continue this series to include the last of the brothers.
August 9, 2016
Ahhh so many very, very yummy firefighters. I swear it was like a firefighter orgy. Every time you turn around there's another sexy beast of a man. And damn I love that. Slow Burn was all about the guys. It's got a more male heavy feel to it--with lots told from the hero's point of view--and it so fit the world of these uber sexy Smoke Jumpers who are busy fighting forest fighters and well, for one, finding a little more in his small town than he expected...
I loved Evan--he's a huge mass of man that's all muscle, honor and courage. He's a guy of few words and he flubs up now and again but when he gets it right. Dear Lord he gets it right. And Faye was pretty great too. She's starting over after a failed marriage and is ready to really live her life and go on some adventures--something Evan helps her out with--taking her sky diving, going dancing and the like. I really enjoyed the two together. They fit nicely, had some sparks jumping around and whew things could heat up nicely. It was a lot of fun watching them together.
There's a bit of suspense going on but really it wasn't all that suspenseful since you know pretty much from the start what's going on as Evan and his brothers try to track down an arsonist in their midsts. While I loved the romance of the story I was hoping for a little more from this part of the storyline and more of a showdown when things finally come out in the open--though things do end in quite a spectacular showing.
I really enjoyed Slow Burn. The romance, the action, the brotherhood between the fire fighters. They're an interesting group of men and damn they make you want to know more about them. It did take me a little time to get used to how they talked but I enjoyed getting the glimpse into their world. You could feel the excitement and danger. Marsh had my hands sweating a couple times as they jumped out of planes and fought deadly fires. You could really feel the freaking heat. Whew. These guys work hard and play hard too and and I can't wait to see what happens in the next one.
Reviewed for herding cats & burning soup
I loved Evan--he's a huge mass of man that's all muscle, honor and courage. He's a guy of few words and he flubs up now and again but when he gets it right. Dear Lord he gets it right. And Faye was pretty great too. She's starting over after a failed marriage and is ready to really live her life and go on some adventures--something Evan helps her out with--taking her sky diving, going dancing and the like. I really enjoyed the two together. They fit nicely, had some sparks jumping around and whew things could heat up nicely. It was a lot of fun watching them together.
There's a bit of suspense going on but really it wasn't all that suspenseful since you know pretty much from the start what's going on as Evan and his brothers try to track down an arsonist in their midsts. While I loved the romance of the story I was hoping for a little more from this part of the storyline and more of a showdown when things finally come out in the open--though things do end in quite a spectacular showing.
I really enjoyed Slow Burn. The romance, the action, the brotherhood between the fire fighters. They're an interesting group of men and damn they make you want to know more about them. It did take me a little time to get used to how they talked but I enjoyed getting the glimpse into their world. You could feel the excitement and danger. Marsh had my hands sweating a couple times as they jumped out of planes and fought deadly fires. You could really feel the freaking heat. Whew. These guys work hard and play hard too and and I can't wait to see what happens in the next one.
Reviewed for herding cats & burning soup
March 25, 2013
Acquired through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.
Please pass by http://bookloverandotherjourneys.blog... for the release post.
This is the second book in the Smoke Jumpers series and the first one that I read from Anne Marsh.
Evan is my kind of hero, silent, sensuous and hot, all a girl could ask for. Faye is my kind of woman ... adventurous and strong, taking in her desires and accepting that we all have to live a little, second chances are just around the corner and all we have to do is take them.
The story revolves around Evan Donovan, smoke jumper and Faye Duncan a photographer, that after her divorce decides to buy the car of her dreams and hit the road, find some fun and as I said live a little.
But between a call from a war friend to check up on his ex wife and an arsonist on the loose, Evan meets the woman that will steal his heart and own him for a lifetime.
Faye Duncan has always been a good girl but now she feels that her life is in a crossroad and now is the time to live and risk on a new path. What she wasn't expecting was to find Evan and love again.
Can she risk her heart again and trust this smoking hot, brooding and sexy smoke jumper ...
I'm going to start by the cover. For all to see is this hot hot burning cover that was so well chosen and fits perfectly in this story. Loved it !
I liked the flow of the words, the relationship between the characters and the glimpses of other connections between the the other characters.
The story was balanced between the awakening of Evan and Faye to each other, the search for the arsonist and the hot hot encounters between the main characters.
If you like a good exciting romance, filled with sexy characters and some suspense this is the book for you and could be read as a stand alone. It's coming out on the 26th. of March and I thank NetGalley that made possible for me to get it and review it before it was out.
Please pass by http://bookloverandotherjourneys.blog... for the release post.
This is the second book in the Smoke Jumpers series and the first one that I read from Anne Marsh.
Evan is my kind of hero, silent, sensuous and hot, all a girl could ask for. Faye is my kind of woman ... adventurous and strong, taking in her desires and accepting that we all have to live a little, second chances are just around the corner and all we have to do is take them.
The story revolves around Evan Donovan, smoke jumper and Faye Duncan a photographer, that after her divorce decides to buy the car of her dreams and hit the road, find some fun and as I said live a little.
But between a call from a war friend to check up on his ex wife and an arsonist on the loose, Evan meets the woman that will steal his heart and own him for a lifetime.
Faye Duncan has always been a good girl but now she feels that her life is in a crossroad and now is the time to live and risk on a new path. What she wasn't expecting was to find Evan and love again.
Can she risk her heart again and trust this smoking hot, brooding and sexy smoke jumper ...
I'm going to start by the cover. For all to see is this hot hot burning cover that was so well chosen and fits perfectly in this story. Loved it !
I liked the flow of the words, the relationship between the characters and the glimpses of other connections between the the other characters.
The story was balanced between the awakening of Evan and Faye to each other, the search for the arsonist and the hot hot encounters between the main characters.
If you like a good exciting romance, filled with sexy characters and some suspense this is the book for you and could be read as a stand alone. It's coming out on the 26th. of March and I thank NetGalley that made possible for me to get it and review it before it was out.
January 4, 2014
This is the second Smoke Jumpers book and it is Evan & Faye's story. Evan is the sexy, strong & silent type, Faye is fresh out of divorcing a hotshot firefighter. I enjoy the hot fireman trope as much as the next gal so it will come as no surprise that I was delighted by this tale of smoldering passion. I did, however, have a few small problems with this book which were very similar to the problems I had with the first story in this series.
There were a couple of repeated phrases, like "opening salvo" and referencing personal freedom once a phone call has ended, that were a teensy bit vexing. Then there was the issue of Evan telling Faye that her ex-husband Mike had called him & asked him to check on her early in the story. Evan had ample opportunity to mention this little tidbit to Faye a number of times throughout the book, including a couple of times that he had specifically planned on telling her this fact...but he didn't. And when she finally found out, it started out as a strong hot-button issue but quickly degenerated into almost nothing. It was strange for an author to foreshadow something so heavily & then dissolve that same idea as swiftly as she did. Aside from these few concerns, I really did appreciate the story. I think that perhaps with a bit more editing, these tiny little wildfires could be doused and the wonderful characters & their stories would shine through that much more spectacularly.
I absolutely adore the secondary story of Ben & Mary Ellen and I can't wait to read Rio's story!
FTC Advisory: I won a copy of this book through the GoodReads First Reads program. No compensation for my review was given.
There were a couple of repeated phrases, like "opening salvo" and referencing personal freedom once a phone call has ended, that were a teensy bit vexing. Then there was the issue of Evan telling Faye that her ex-husband Mike had called him & asked him to check on her early in the story. Evan had ample opportunity to mention this little tidbit to Faye a number of times throughout the book, including a couple of times that he had specifically planned on telling her this fact...but he didn't. And when she finally found out, it started out as a strong hot-button issue but quickly degenerated into almost nothing. It was strange for an author to foreshadow something so heavily & then dissolve that same idea as swiftly as she did. Aside from these few concerns, I really did appreciate the story. I think that perhaps with a bit more editing, these tiny little wildfires could be doused and the wonderful characters & their stories would shine through that much more spectacularly.
I absolutely adore the secondary story of Ben & Mary Ellen and I can't wait to read Rio's story!
FTC Advisory: I won a copy of this book through the GoodReads First Reads program. No compensation for my review was given.
March 20, 2013
When I found out I was getting an ARC of Slow Burn I decided to read the first book in the series "Burning Up' too.
This series is based around three very close foster brothers who grew up in the California mountain town of Strong, and after stints as Marines are back as firefighter/smoke jumpers. After reading this second book in the series I don't think it's strictly necessary to read them in order, but it does add to the experience (so I'll look forward to the third book too.
Slow Burn is about Evan and Faye. Faye is a photojournalist who comes to Strong to do a story on the old firehouse that is being restored. But her story is complicated by a suspected arsonist. Neither Evan nor Faye is really looking for a relationship, but there is a strong attraction.
Overall it was a very enjoyable read that had my requirement of a romance with an HEA, enjoyable characters, and this had the added mystery and suspense of the search for the arsonist.
The only thing I missed was that with an ARC I got a plain cover so didn't get the lovely picture of Evan to look at.
This series is based around three very close foster brothers who grew up in the California mountain town of Strong, and after stints as Marines are back as firefighter/smoke jumpers. After reading this second book in the series I don't think it's strictly necessary to read them in order, but it does add to the experience (so I'll look forward to the third book too.
Slow Burn is about Evan and Faye. Faye is a photojournalist who comes to Strong to do a story on the old firehouse that is being restored. But her story is complicated by a suspected arsonist. Neither Evan nor Faye is really looking for a relationship, but there is a strong attraction.
Overall it was a very enjoyable read that had my requirement of a romance with an HEA, enjoyable characters, and this had the added mystery and suspense of the search for the arsonist.
The only thing I missed was that with an ARC I got a plain cover so didn't get the lovely picture of Evan to look at.
December 14, 2014
4.5 Stars
The series just keeps getting better. I liked this book a lot.
Even though this book is part of a series, each book stands alone – no cliffhanger.
This is Evan’s book and it is hot. Evan is a smoke jumper and he and his brothers own a company that fights wild fires during the summer. Faye Duncan is the ex-wife of one of Evan’s former military buddies. Her ex called Evan and asked him to keep an eye on her when he found out she was heading toward the town where Evan lives.
Faye nearly got caught in a brush fire on her way into Strong. She’s a photographer who will be taking pictures in town to document the rebuilding of the old firehouse. She snaps pictures of the fire she nearly got caught in and unknowingly photographed the arsonist who started the fire.
This story is full of hot sexy times as well as mystery and suspense. If you like reading about hot, sexy fireman and their families you should really enjoy this book.
I was not compensated in any way (no ARC received) for this review.
The series just keeps getting better. I liked this book a lot.
Even though this book is part of a series, each book stands alone – no cliffhanger.
This is Evan’s book and it is hot. Evan is a smoke jumper and he and his brothers own a company that fights wild fires during the summer. Faye Duncan is the ex-wife of one of Evan’s former military buddies. Her ex called Evan and asked him to keep an eye on her when he found out she was heading toward the town where Evan lives.
Faye nearly got caught in a brush fire on her way into Strong. She’s a photographer who will be taking pictures in town to document the rebuilding of the old firehouse. She snaps pictures of the fire she nearly got caught in and unknowingly photographed the arsonist who started the fire.
This story is full of hot sexy times as well as mystery and suspense. If you like reading about hot, sexy fireman and their families you should really enjoy this book.
I was not compensated in any way (no ARC received) for this review.
April 1, 2016
Slow Burn
3 Stars
Faye Duncan arrives in Strong, California for a photographic spread on the renovation of the historical firehouse. Her assignment takes an interesting turn, however, when she inadvertently photographs a suspected arsonist. Smoke Jumper Evan Donovan, a big man of few words, reluctantly agrees to look out for a former Marine buddy’s ex-wife, but soon comes to realize that Faye means a great deal more to him that a favor to a friend.
Evan is one of my favorite hero types - strong, silent and sexy - and his romance with Faye is sweet and steamy. Unfortunately, the rest of the story fails to live up to its potential.
Marsh’s descriptions of the fire fighting scenes are tediously repetitive and the suspense plot surrounding the arsonist is underdeveloped and lacking in tension. The villain, if one can call him that, is a pathetic loser who never poses a real threat to anyone.
I have the third book in the series and will probably read it sometime, but it isn’t a priority.
3 Stars
Faye Duncan arrives in Strong, California for a photographic spread on the renovation of the historical firehouse. Her assignment takes an interesting turn, however, when she inadvertently photographs a suspected arsonist. Smoke Jumper Evan Donovan, a big man of few words, reluctantly agrees to look out for a former Marine buddy’s ex-wife, but soon comes to realize that Faye means a great deal more to him that a favor to a friend.
Evan is one of my favorite hero types - strong, silent and sexy - and his romance with Faye is sweet and steamy. Unfortunately, the rest of the story fails to live up to its potential.
Marsh’s descriptions of the fire fighting scenes are tediously repetitive and the suspense plot surrounding the arsonist is underdeveloped and lacking in tension. The villain, if one can call him that, is a pathetic loser who never poses a real threat to anyone.
I have the third book in the series and will probably read it sometime, but it isn’t a priority.
March 19, 2013
Faye Duncan is free! Her divorce is finalized. She is in her shiny corvette and headed to Strong, CA to photograph fires and fire fighters for a magazine shoot.
Firefighters run toward a fire when normal people run away from it. That’s what makes them heroes. Evan Donovan is a smoke jumper. That means he jumps from a plane into a fire. That would him a crazy hero but he is all about safety.
When Evan & Faye meet things start to smoke and safety is for everything but the heart.
This is the second in a series revolving around the Donovan brothers and the smoke jumpers but can be read stand alone. Evan is the “big guy” with a heart of gold. He is dedicated to the job. He doesn't have the social skills that his brothers do so he is sweetly out of his depth when he finds himself falling for Faye. He makes this story worth reading.
This book will be released on March 26th.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Firefighters run toward a fire when normal people run away from it. That’s what makes them heroes. Evan Donovan is a smoke jumper. That means he jumps from a plane into a fire. That would him a crazy hero but he is all about safety.
When Evan & Faye meet things start to smoke and safety is for everything but the heart.
This is the second in a series revolving around the Donovan brothers and the smoke jumpers but can be read stand alone. Evan is the “big guy” with a heart of gold. He is dedicated to the job. He doesn't have the social skills that his brothers do so he is sweetly out of his depth when he finds himself falling for Faye. He makes this story worth reading.
This book will be released on March 26th.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
April 14, 2013
I actually won this book in a goodreads giveaway and loved it! Not only is there a smoking hot guy on the cover, but the book is filled with fireman and smoke jumpers. Faye Duncan is the lead female character and she is running from her life for the sake of a new start and adventure. She unintentionally takes pictures of an arsonist on her way to her new job assignment. Evan Donovan is the lead male character and boy oh boy, he is the type to make you squirm. He's larger than life but quiet and reserved at the same time. He has a past that he doesn't want to share but wants Faye to be his future. Faye is hesitant because her recent ex-husband was a fireman who put everything ahead of her. Faye has to decide if Evan is worth he risk. Evan has to decide if he deems himself worthy of Faye.
I will be searching my bookstore the next time for he first book in the series and anxiously awaiting another release in this series. I highly recommend this book!
I will be searching my bookstore the next time for he first book in the series and anxiously awaiting another release in this series. I highly recommend this book!
Read
July 2, 2013Faye Duncan wanted an adventure. So she began the quest by purchasing a vintage corvette. Then she headed to a tiny town called Strong. Her adventure began the moment she came around a curve right into a wall of flames.
She had a perfect job. As a freelance photographer, Faye could go anywhere. And that was the plan after she was paid for the story on a historic firehouse that was to be restored. Little did she know her ex-husband, Mike Thomas, had called a buddy to keep an eye on her. Although Evan Donovan had no idea his buddy even had married, let alone divorced, he reluctantly agreed to check and make sure Faye had the basics in addition to pointing her to people in charge of the restoration.
SLOW BURN is exactly how the story begins. Slow. The first meeting is more than a little eccentric. Unfortunately this throws the reader until a few pages are turned. Yet tehe combustion has yet to come.
Kensington / Brava
March 2013
9780758287861
--the bookworm
She had a perfect job. As a freelance photographer, Faye could go anywhere. And that was the plan after she was paid for the story on a historic firehouse that was to be restored. Little did she know her ex-husband, Mike Thomas, had called a buddy to keep an eye on her. Although Evan Donovan had no idea his buddy even had married, let alone divorced, he reluctantly agreed to check and make sure Faye had the basics in addition to pointing her to people in charge of the restoration.
SLOW BURN is exactly how the story begins. Slow. The first meeting is more than a little eccentric. Unfortunately this throws the reader until a few pages are turned. Yet tehe combustion has yet to come.
Kensington / Brava
March 2013
9780758287861
--the bookworm
April 12, 2013
"Slow Burn" by Anne Marsh is the second book in her Smoke Jumpers series. I enjoyed it so much that I will have to read the first book, "Burning Up".
Recently divorced Faye Duncan is finally free and looking for adventure. She buys a red Corvette and travels to Strong, CA to photograph a small town fire department for a magazine.
Evan Donovan is a smoke jumper. He gets a call from an old army buddy and he asks Evan to keep an eye on his ex-wife Faye while she is in town. He reluctantly agrees and finds her at the local bar. A singing, dancing, drunken angel. She passes out in Evan's arms and he takes her home.
Ms. March gives us a steamy, sizzling romance with Faye and Evan and also a touch of suspense when a town arsonist begins setting fires all over.
I was delighted with the touching subplot involving Mary Ellen and Ben.
I can hardly wait for the next book!
Recently divorced Faye Duncan is finally free and looking for adventure. She buys a red Corvette and travels to Strong, CA to photograph a small town fire department for a magazine.
Evan Donovan is a smoke jumper. He gets a call from an old army buddy and he asks Evan to keep an eye on his ex-wife Faye while she is in town. He reluctantly agrees and finds her at the local bar. A singing, dancing, drunken angel. She passes out in Evan's arms and he takes her home.
Ms. March gives us a steamy, sizzling romance with Faye and Evan and also a touch of suspense when a town arsonist begins setting fires all over.
I was delighted with the touching subplot involving Mary Ellen and Ben.
I can hardly wait for the next book!
June 24, 2013
I initially enjoyed Slow Burn but as I read on, I found it to be very slow moving.
There was a lot of internal dialogue going on throughout which slowed down the pace immensely, I would have liked more to actually happen rather than listen to the in-head mutterings of the MC.
The sexual attraction was okay but the overall relationship felt stilted and forced and I found myself skimming over a lot of it.
The suspenseful arson twist was rather underwhelming also.
Less of a complete giveaway as to the culprit would have been beneficial and added a lot more interest to a story that lacked overall impact; because giving away a major plot line so early on just lessoned the reading experience for me.
I enjoyed the first quarter but the rest was pretty uneventful and too slow for me.
2.5 stars
There was a lot of internal dialogue going on throughout which slowed down the pace immensely, I would have liked more to actually happen rather than listen to the in-head mutterings of the MC.
The sexual attraction was okay but the overall relationship felt stilted and forced and I found myself skimming over a lot of it.
The suspenseful arson twist was rather underwhelming also.
Less of a complete giveaway as to the culprit would have been beneficial and added a lot more interest to a story that lacked overall impact; because giving away a major plot line so early on just lessoned the reading experience for me.
I enjoyed the first quarter but the rest was pretty uneventful and too slow for me.
2.5 stars
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