Through the Flames

by C.A. Michaels

There’s a new arson in his city, his family is under a grave threat, and he will stop at nothing to save them all.When he gets a new case, he believes that it could be related to a fire from five years ago. He decides to do some of his own investigation, as he takes some personal time. Will he find the clue he is looking for before the arson strikes closer to home?

80 pages, Paperback

Published April 20, 2024

About the author

Hello, I'm Indie Author C.A. Michaels or C.A. Michaels. I also used to go under the pen name JJ Carter. So, if you see my books by this name, this was also me! I write in every genre except horror. Just not my thing. I've gone through many names and many rebranding but decided on this one. I've been writing since 2010. The original works you see attached to me were what I call test runs. Like the Pathfinders, the Elite Agents of Seven. I have come a long way in my writing since. I have gained new fans when I decided to rewrite everything and scratch some works back in February of 2022. I hope you enjoy my works and thank you for taking the time to look at and rate my profile. Much appreciated.

Reviews

[Kim Sloan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An arsonist and a determined dad

This quick short story is non-stop action as you follow a firefighter, who adopts an orphan after a fire takes her parents. Five years later, the arsonist isn't done! Several bombs and fires later, the arsonist is someone, you least expect and the reason takes him right back to the original place he found his new daughter. Determination and protecting his daughter keeps this firefighter going to find the truth!

[Amelia Hart · Rating 1 out of 5]

The premise—a firefighter rescuing a young girl and eventually adopting her—had so much potential to be a touching, unforgettable story. But unfortunately, the author didn’t manage to bring that concept to life in a compelling or emotionally engaging way.

I wanted to feel the heat of the fire, the fear and hope in Cassie and Jamie’s eyes, and the powerful bond forming between them in the aftermath. Instead, those crucial moments were skipped entirely, replaced by a 12–13 year time jump that glossed over everything I was eager to experience. Those early scenes could’ve been the emotional core of the story, and skipping them stripped away the depth and connection.

I understand the author’s intent—to show the bond they’ve built and their fight to bring the culprit to justice—but that could’ve worked beautifully as a sequel. The first book should’ve focused on the rescue, the trauma, and the healing. Then, a second book could’ve shown them years later, stronger and united, ready to face the past. As it stands, the structure feels backwards, and I just couldn’t connect with the characters or their journey.

It’s a story that could’ve been powerful, but the execution left me cold.