Volatile

MetroGen After Hours #1

by Carina Alyce

Best. Dating. Plan. Ever.
Meet man of your dreams. Flirt with man of your dreams.
Get arrested by man of your dreams.

Deputy Brandon Smith likes his quiet small-town life the way it is. His corner of peace and quiet doesn’t need complications, or a big city girl stranded at his HOUSE.

Jennifer Bayani thought flirting with the sexy tattooed deputy wouldn’t be a problem. She’d been living out every girl’s bad boy gone good fantasy . . . right up until he arrested her!

Now this grumpy deputy and his new found sunshiny partner are paired together to solve the mystery of several deadly fires.

Except, the real fire is the smoldering passion between them, and if they kiss . . who knows what might ignite. . .

Author's warning: This hot grumpy sunshine small town romance mixes the drama and high-adrenaline of Chicago Fire with dirty scenes worthy of Fifty Shades. One-click for a scorching first responder romance with real heart-pounding fire, and medical scenes - written by an actual ER doctor. Steam up your screen today before the price changes!

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance, Fiction

244 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 27, 2021

About the author

Need Grey's Anatomy + Chicago Fire + more heat written by a real doctor? Then you need some MetroGen STAT!

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Grumpy sunshine heat when good girl nurse is forced to room with the surliest deputy in a small town!


Carina Alyce is the pen name of the Amazon best-selling author and full-time triple board-certified physician who started writing dramatic medical romances after twenty years in the trenches of health care. She promises she never had sex in a call room – the mattresses are not comfortable – or had a fistfight with a patient – though she did work as a fight doc at the Octagon. Her MetroGen romances are sexy, snarky, and real with all the heat and drama of the lives of our first responders.


Visit her Facebook Group!

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She writes the MetroGen Downtown series that tackles the personal and professional challenges facing our front line providers. Her stories have the drama of Grey’s Anatomy, the comedy of Scrubs, the sexiness of Outlander, and the medical details of Forensic Files. They feature fast, witty dialogue, strong women with goals, and quirky ensemble casts because the hospital is full of smart weirdos who are willing to save your life.

When not working or writing, she is a brown belt in judo, an avid reader, and an attending surgeon in stuffed animal veterinary medicine for her six kids. (No one trusts her husband’s medical skills because he’s just a lawyer.) You can join her Prescriptions for Love Newsletter here!

Reviews

[Cindy B · Rating 1 out of 5]

The writing is terrible. Their conversations do not flow, and are in third person. I hate third person. I never have to read this author again.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the MetroGen After Hours series a well written story that kept me turning pages, it has a very good storyline. Jennifer Catherine Bayani and Deputy Brandon Julian Smith do not get off to a great start. She had been sent to his town to investigate a string of suspicious fires and had fake bombs in her car. He arrested her, the worst part was they tore her car apart. I enjoyed seeing this story come together with all its ups and downs. I want to read the next book. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mel T · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Volatile! This was the first I've read by this author. The story is steamy, action-packed and I love the strong women! I'll definitely be back for more from this author!

[Erika Krusen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Literal worst garbage I ever read. However, I did learn that until this book, I have been very lucky on “stuff your kindle” days. I also learned that medical/firefighter/cop romances are B-O-R-I-N-G.

[Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, is entertaining, action packed, and thoroughly enjoyable. The chemistry between the characters is wonderful. I can't wait for more from this author.

[Heather Gibbard · Rating 5 out of 5]

received this book from Booksprout as an arc copy for a voluntary review.a well written book that believable characters that gel well together and have plenty of ups and downs and interact well together.

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Volatile by Carina Alyce.
MetroGen After Hours, Book 2.
Jennifer Bayani is not having an easy day. The fire marshal's office sent her to the boonies to investigate a string of suspicious fires. She’s spends the morning dodging cows, crashes into a handsome deputy by brunch, and spends lunch behind bars.
A brilliant read. Couldn't put it down. Loved the chemistry between Jennifer and Brandon. 5*.

[Maja · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first read from this author and my first medical romance read. This was a really good story. The storyline pulled me in immediately, characters were great. The only problem I had with it was that it was written in the third person which is a deal breaker for me. But I will be reading more from this author in the future.

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

[Nicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brandon and Jennifer have a rocky start to their relationship. This was an enjoyable read and I’m looking forward to the next.

[Tahnia Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jennifer used to be a firefighter/EMT. Her last outing as a firefighter left her with a smashed leg that took a year to recover from and left her with nightmares. So she now works as an ER nurse as well as part-time at the office of the Fire Marshall. After three teenage girls are burned to death in less than two months, Jennifer wonders why no one is looking into it. After punching and breaking the nose of a co-worker after he grabbed her arm, Jennifer is in Geauga County to investigate the deaths. Deputy Brandon Smythe pulls Jennifer over for driving erratically then proceeds to take her to jail for having what looks like bombs in her back seat, This story is fun to read, has intense moments, romance, steam, a happily ever after, and ends in a cliffhanger. Highly recommended.

[Tina P · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF

[Carina Alyce]

Volatile: A Steamy Grumpy Sunshine Small Town Medical Romance (MetroGen After Hours #3)

That sexy tattooed deputy is every girl's fantasy of a bad boy gone good. If only he hadn't arrested her for being a terrorist. . .

Jennifer Bayani is not having an easy day. The fire marshal's office sent her to the boonies to investigate a string of suspicious fires. She’s spends the morning dodging cows, crashes into a handsome deputy by brunch, and spends lunch behind bars.

Small town life has been good for Deputy Brandon Smythe, and Jennifer brings the big city temptation he’s purposely avoided. He needs to get her out of town, except she’s stuck here after he got her car dissembled.

It was an honest mistake, really, and he knows just the way to make it up to her . . .

WARNING: The author is NOT responsible for screaming caused by the twists and turns of this steamy romance. You should only read if you wish Grey's Anatomy and Chicago Fire had more skinny dipping scenes with a brooding tattooed deputy.

*****Start the steamy series for FREE!*****




*****Check out the whole series!*****



*****Keep reading for a sneak peek!*****


Karma had decided Jennifer Bayani, nurse and part-time assistant to the Assistant Fire Marshal, needed to pay for her sins.

There could be no other explanation for why, while driving on these back roads, her GPS went blank, and she had zero bars on her cell phone.

Crud, crud, crud. The GPS had gone from its helpful little voice advising her to ‘turn here’ to a black screen and red searching for signal text. Why did it insist on ‘searching for signal’?

“This isn’t happening. How am I supposed to find the hospital?” Jennifer tossed the printout with the hospital’s phone number and her stupid cell phone back into the front passenger seat.

Fabulous. Without a signal, she couldn’t call the hospital to find out how to get there, either. Now ninety minutes outside of Cleveland, her drive around the back roads of who knew where had been interrupted by geese, cow, and horse crossings thus far.

This didn’t include trying to stay awake after working the past two weeks on the night shift, but before she could contemplate needing a nap alongside her other problems, a high pitch noise behind her called for her attention.

This particular noise included flashing lights and a patrol car.

Jen tried to find a safe spot to pull off. The route she was on was only a two-lane road with a speed limit of sixty. Every once in a while, another car whizzed by.

By then, the patrol car had settled directly behind her. In her rearview mirror, she saw the officer point to the side several times.

Finally, after at least a half mile, she saw an empty field with a driveway. She had to make a sharp turn to pull off into that driveway before she parked.

This day only got better. She checked her reflection in the mirror and confirmed her dark hair was still neatly tied back and braided. Her navy-blue scrubs were immaculate, and her makeup was appropriately understated.

At least she would look nothing like her life had suddenly spun out of control in the last forty-eight hours, and she was running on fumes.

The officer parked behind her, leaving his lights on, and approached from the side. She rolled down her window, and he said, “Good morning, ma’am. Do you know why I pulled you over?”

“I was speeding?” Jennifer guessed, since she probably had alternately sped.

“No, ma’am.” The officer took off his sunglasses, revealing eyes even darker than Jennifer’s, light skin, and a smile. “You were weaving in and out of your lane. Driving somewhat eccentrically. I was concerned for your safety and those around you.”

Also a reasonable explanation. “I’m sorry, sir, my GPS and my cell phone quit.”

He chuckled. “Cuyahoga County, right? The plates.” He waved a hand at her car.

“Yeah.”

“And where were you headed?”

“Geauga Regional Hospital. I’m a nurse from MetroGen ER.”

“Ah, must be one of their traveling nurses,” he commented. “License and registration?”

“Absolutely.” She fished through the glove compartment to find her registration under a fire safety magazine. Her license was easier to find in her purse. “Here you go, officer.”

“Deputy.” He smiled and her eyes caught his. She scrambled to put the requested items into his hand, which connected to his tattooed forearm.

There was a shiver of awareness because Deputy Whoever was darn cute. He filled out his black uniform quite trimly and even though his face was shaded by his wide-brimmed hat, she got the sense he was giving her a similar once over.

“Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Jennifer Bayani.”

“Miss,” she volunteered, a grin forming behind her lips. Perhaps today would not be totally terrible.

“Bayani. Interesting name.”

“It’s Filipino, as you would expect.”

He tilted his head. Goodness gracious, did he have dimples? Tattoos and dimples? “Why would I expect that?”

“Because Filipino nurses own the ER,” she said. She fit right in with the rest of the MetroGen ER, and her sister was a nurse. The most unique thing about her was the four years she’d been a firefighter and her part-time job in the fire marshal’s office.

“Not in Geauga County,” he said. “But if you want to own me, can’t say I’d complain… when I’m not working, of course. What do you think I should do now?”

“Let me off with a warning. And meet me later for a drink, maybe?” She batted her eyes and was too slap-happy-tired to recognize that she was flirting outrageously with the hot deputy.

He let out a low chuckle of good humor. “Aww shucks. What have we here? A proposition by a lovely lady for me to abandon my moral framework.” He clicked his tongue and shook his head. “For shame.”

Their eyes held briefly, and, for all they were playing, Jennifer would not have been sad to meet the deputy for a drink.

“Oh, darn it, you don’t have bars in this county to let the deputy get dirty after hours?”

“The deputy was going to let you off with a warning, cuz I’m not going to ticket everybody who is a bit lost. Besides, if the deputy decided to take leave of his senses, I wouldn’t ask for a drink to forget the ticket. I’d ask for a quickie in the back of your car.” He winked at her and mock turned to her back seat.

“I don’t have a seat big enough,” Jennifer quipped as she was driving a 2002 Saturn S-class.

He didn’t respond for a second, and she peeked backward, “You okay, Deputy?”

“Ma’am,” his tone was now completely different. “Please step out of your vehicle and keep your hands where I can see them.”

She got out. This was an unusual way to flirt, she could play along. “Are you off of work already?”

“Put your hands on your head.” He patted her down in an official, business like way.

“I think it’s a little early for this,” Jennifer said with amusement.

“Place your hands behind your back.” When she obeyed, he actually cuffed her.

This didn’t seem like a game. “Umm, I definitely don’t do this before the first date.”

“Miss Bayani, please follow me to my patrol vehicle, and we’ll be having a long discussion at the Geauga County Safety Center.”

“What’s going on? I didn’t do anything.”

“You didn’t? Can you explain to me why you have a bomb in the back of your vehicle?”

She glanced back and saw he’d understated the situation. Her half dozen demonstration incendiary devices were clearly visible in her backseat as their securing tarp had slid off them after her less than stellar driving performance. .

“Those aren’t actual bombs. They’re for educational purposes. I’m an assistant to the Assistant Cleveland Fire Marshal.”

“Right. We can settle this down at the Safety Center.”

As Jennifer headed to his car, she resolved to roll with the punches. Bad luck could always be fought with a good attitude.

Besides, if she was going to be there for a while getting her story checked out, she might as well take a nap.

*****Read more TODAY at your favorite retailer!*****

Volatile: A Steamy Grumpy Sunshine Small Town Medical Romance (MetroGen After Hours #3)

[Skye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brandon and Jennifer have a great Meet Cute in Volatile. It is full of flirty, somewhat lustful banter. And it makes you think that they are immediately going to connect in a very intimate way. Until he arrests her for having bombs in her car. Which is the beginning of this story, and a beginning I completely adored and could get behind. Volatile then continued to keep building from there in a way that made it almost impossible to put down. I absolutely adored this adventure, and it has made me really keen to read the other Carina Alyce series, and also Burn Card, the next book in this MetroGen series.

I really enjoyed Jennifer as a character, she was the absolute sunshine in this sunshine – grump romance, but she was also the aggressor. I love that she spends the entirety of this story pushing Brandon outside of his comfort zone. Rather than just letting his excuses slide, he is constantly encouraging and pushing him into new territories. Not in an overbearing way, but in the format that she is helping him expand his horizons. The end of this story and the point of highest conflict is a great example of this. Jennifer is able to help Brandon reach his full potential, with a healthy push, one that really makes him stop and think.

Although Jennifer is the aggressor, Brandon is a great support for her. He does eventually become a little more aggressive with his own romantic / sexual intentions. But, I love that, professionally, Brandon has no issue with standing back and letting Jennifer lead the investigation. Rather than being all macho and moronic about it. He happily follows her lead, and also consistently reminds others that she is the lead. Particularly in a situation in which he could very easily take over (it’s his town and his people), he still supports Jennifer and hands the reigns over.

I was really intrigued to how the romance / sexuality of this story was going to play out. I’ve read two Carina Alyce novellas, and I know that she’s been involved in writing Grey’s Anatomy (because of her bio). But I wasn’t sure how that would translate into on-page intimacies. This was definitely well written. And there were some scenes that I most definitely would not be reading in a public space. It was not vanilla sex and it was the kind of writing that had me fanning myself a few times whilst reading it. Which just makes me want to dive into some more of Alyce’s works – there was great steam, and great character development, and a really gorgeous relationship at the centre of it all.

[Joyce M. H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an easy quick read, entertaining, page turner, romantic, action packed steamy, funny scenes and great hero and heroine. Jennifer has went from being an EMT firefighter to an ER nurse and working part-time with the fire marshal. Jennifer is in town to investigate a serious of fires. Brandon is a deputy and pulls Jennifer over for driving erratically and discovers that she has bombs in her car which turn out to be fake. Brandon has Jennifer’s car taken apart in search of bombs. The two get off to a rocky start. Brandon is doing his best to right a wrong with Jennifer. The two are told that they have to work together on the cause of the mysterious fires.
Can the two work together for good of the case and get to know each other and have an HEA?
I do see why this book is called Volatile it fits the storyline perfectly. I laughed so hard with the back and forth between Jennifer and Brandon.

If you’re looking for or just need a good laugh along enjoyable with an awesome plot then this is the book for you.

I received an ARC via Booksprout and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book two in The Metrogen After Hours Series and it is Jennifer and Brandon's story. When Jennifer is arrested and put in jail by Brandon for having bombs in her car which were take as they were for educational purposes Jennifer is furious and then to top it all off they completely take her car apart and then she is told that her and Brandon have to work together on a case can her life get any worse she hopes not. The chemistry between Jennifer and Brandon was so strong but with all there differences will it work out and lead to anything or will they both walk away missing out on something special only time will tell what the outcome will be. I loved this book so much and I couldn't put it down as it was a real page turner and so well written and definitely worth reading.

I Voluntarily Reviewed an Arc Copy of this book

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jennifer and Brandon got off on the wrong start when he arrested her for having bombs in the back seat of her car, bombs that were fake that she used for educational purposes. Putting her in jail only made the incident worse not to mention that they took her car apart. Her day only got worse! Now she and Brandon are stuck working a case together. Will this have a better ending than the one they started off with that landed her in jail, and will the sparks that they set off lead them to a happily ever after or crash and burn? This story draws you in and keeps you glued to the drama surrounding Jenifer and Brandon!

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

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author and am voluntarily leaving my review. Jennifer gets arrested by Brandon when she comes to town to check into a fire. Needless to say, things are not great between them. When they get stuck working together, they cannot deny the chemistry between them. Brandon tries to make things right but for it does not wipe the slate clean. It is a good story that is well written. I enjoyed the characters and how they interacted.

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

[Rona Nimmo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volatile: A Steamy Medical Romance
MetroGen After Hours, Book 2
by Carina Alyce

Jennifer is having a bad day as a woman working in a male dominated world now having been sent to investigate a number of suspicious deaths in a very rural location. Then almost crashing into the local deputy and getting arrested is not a good start. A story with a definite chemistry between Jennifer & Brandon.

There is humour sparks flying ,mystery ,conflict going on and of course a steamy romance in this story .

It is a quick easy read that you won’t it down.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the plot of this book and love how badass part time nurse, part fire fighter, part time instructor Jen is. Buuuut, felt very instant attractive and their story moved so so fast, kinda giving instant love vibes. Also, their break up was so stupid, all because Brandon couldn’t move on from his past then, magically, he just got over it. Didn’t really feel connected to the characters or their love because it was so fast paced. I can see when the author tried to make it feel like a slow burn wanting between the too but still didn’t feel like it.

[Sam · Rating 2 out of 5]

I started reading this book like...a month ago and just set it down.
Picked it up today, like "Okay, lets get back into this!"
I had no idea what had happened, so thank goodness for the author's repitition on their meet cute to remind me.
Over all, this book was a resounding... Eh.
Writing itself is fine, but it didn't really suck me in and make me want to read more in the world at all. None of the characters were particularly endearing and honestly...Brandon kinda gave me the ick.
To each their own though!

[Christine Biesheuvel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Working together can lead to HEA
Officially the first book in this series (there are 3 prequels) takes you straight to the three professions this series is about: police, firefighters and medical persons. And strong men and women, witty banter and funny situations (with some serious action as well), not to forget the steamy scenes.
I loved the book, the laughter and good times it gave me and plan on reading more in this series and from this author.

[C Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Refreshing read

Jennifer was badass. She's a firefighter and an ER nurse. I like that she's a Filipina and she makes lumpia.

Brandon was promising but he did a turnaround after a misunderstanding.

While Brandon denied it, their chemistry was off the charts and they finally gave in until there was a trigger.

Guaranteed HEA.

[Nicole Noell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very entertaining for me. First we get flirting, then a jaw dropping incident, then a close proximity situation all within a few chapters. As the story unfolds, a lot happens in a short period of time. Apparently there are a couple prequels to this story and I need to find them as well as read the rest of the series.

[afrosheeba · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 67%

Issa no from me dawg. I just can’t palate this any longer.

Not a single personality to be found in the book. Supposedly everyone was not white but showed no signs of any sort of culture besides cooking???

My breaking point was them quite literally breaking up with Rowan is possible on her death bed. THERE ARE BIGGER FISH TO FRY. Get a mf gripppppp

[Cynthia Guerrero · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book. It was nothing like I expected. I have that feeling of “this is what I bought, this is what I got” let down. Idk what happened, but somewhere around chapter 7? I had to admit that yup I was gonna have to force myself to complete this book.

I couldn’t even recap to my husband what I just read.

[patti meis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting! Must read!

Loved strong, loving, supportive women and flawed romantic men. Great premise that got forgivably hokey along the way. Suspend your disbelief and indulge yourself in rich deliciousness!

[Bekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad book. Was able to finish it. Formulaic small town romance. Got distracted by grammatical and punctuation errors at one point. If you need a fun book with a HEA ending, I recommend this for you.

[Beth D · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't understand the chaplain notes with each chapter. Seems like this was not the first in the series. Liked her writing style but character development and storyline were not complete. Serm thrown together . Will not read others.

[Coco.V]

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[Mai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent enough story. Very week 'mystery', but it ended up such a small part of the story that it didn't matter much.