The blaze that destroyed Daniel Quidell’s firefighting career scarred more than his body. Court cases, therapy, and five pins in his bones later, he’s a divorced single father working himself ragged to provide a good life for his son. But the strain leaves him exhausted—and overwhelmed.
Until Camille Frasier walks into his life.
Beautiful and empathic, Camille soothes Dan’s mind and eases the pains of his body. But she desires more than a gentle hand to help her body to find its fire. And she hopes Dan will give her what she needs.
But some wounds don’t heal correctly. And no matter how much heat Camille offers, Dan feels trapped inside the cold box of his past. Is he strong enough to find his way out?
I received a free copy in exchange for my honest opinion. I have mixed feelings with this book. There are things I look for in a book the couple being the main focus. I liked Daniel and Camille in the beginning but my views shifted throughout the book. I'm getting ahead of myself so stepping back I generally felt that the author was scratching the surface. She felt a little too detached making things feel choppy. I felt from the beginning when the couple meet on the field trip the connection was made. Camille becomes not only teacher to Daniel's 4 year old son, Bart, but his babysitter as well. I got geared up but then before I knew it 6 months had passed. All the sudden she's calling him Dan. Camille has read about Dan's ex from Bart's file but nothing is discussed between them about it as their relationship develops. When Dan is confronted at the end by his ex all the details come out and we then know that Dan wasn't ready to share certain emotions but not being let in sooner with Dan's inner dialogue was an opportunity lost. I felt it would have helped me understand him better because before this he comes acrossed stiff in spots. In his thoughts he kept referring to her as beautiful lady or some such endearment and to me it just didn't feel right. It would have helped so much if the author would have went deeper in his inner fears,by inner dialogue, instead of having him come acrossed insecure. If I would have read how he felt it would softened some of his actions. Camille was trying to guide him and again without any deeper look inside she came acrossed like a controlling den mother more than his lover. He tells her he loves her and she freaks out and says he's been lonely too long. All Daniel could say at this point was," I'm sorry." For telling her how he feels he's sorry? I did not like seeing him being made a wimp. After you read you begin to understand where she's coming from but if there would have been a clearer picture of what went on in her mind it would have helped but it was almost like pages were taken away and made things feel rushed. Overall I have to say I like a stronger more confident Hero. It's fine to be sensitive but he just doubted himself so much throughout not knowing how to act and being reprimanded like a errant child by his supposed girlfriend. I get what the author was trying to do here showing how unsure he was of himself after his ex had belittled him and played head games but a man needs to be a man IMO. At least in the bedroom and while he seemed to know what he was doing I did not like knowing as a reader that Camiile (or any h) had more experience than he did. He had only been with his ex and her and she had been with 4 men including him. Refreshing as it was not to have a manwhore it still bothered me to a degree. Like I said he did know what he was doing and didn't fumble the ball but I don't want my h with more men than my H, again old fashion, i guess. Also each chapter is divided by POV's of the couple but in one chapter the heading of whose POV was mislabeled. Even with all my criticism you may be wondering why I just didn't stop truth be told there were elements that made me want to finish. That has to say something that I still wanted to see where the characters ended. I would have liked more love to come through in the beginning but that is me being old fashioned(again) and I felt after 6 months for them to have sex for it to be more than just lust but Camille felt that Dan was rushing things when he said he loved her and made it feel like two teenagers just cutting loose. I still gave it 3 stars as I loved that the making of a good book was there but I would have liked to have felt closer to the characters than I did.
Wow! What a fetching read. Not only is this story hot as all get-up, but it’s also emotionally charged. This author writes the way her characters think, adding an extra punch to the story. It really pulls you in and doesn’t let go. The intensity is pervasive. Radcliffe’s descriptions are so intricate yet vivid that the entire story becomes extremely visual. Not only do her descriptions add to the story but so does her formatting and font. Radcliffe uses these to draw attention and focus to certain aspects of scenes in a brilliant and understated manner that really packs a punch. I also appreciated the fact that this both fits in brilliantly with the Quidell Brothers series, it can easily be read as a standalone novel.
I love how Radcliffe introduces us to Daniel. It’s done in an approachable and almost comical manner so that you can’t help but love him (and his to-do list. I need one like that). You also feel your heart going out to him within the first 2 pages. Camille is also such a real person. The way that she shows us both the inner workings of her characters’ minds, their true actions, and how they mesh together makes everything seem so much more real, without having the forced aspects you find with partially developed characters. Also, being privy to their thoughts really solidifies their relationship with one another rather than making it seem like a whirlwind weekend that will be over with the book. There is a lasting quality to it.
My overall thoughts on this one? I couldn’t put it down & I didn’t want it to end. This will definitely be a re-read that stays on my shelf for the long haul.
Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.
This was one of those books where I liked a lot about it but there was a lot I didn't like too. Things I liked-- good story line. I like the premise of it and where the story started and ended. -- characters. Overall, the characters were well written and developed. Chemistry between the characters was on point and made the interaction and the story believable. Things I didn't care for-- pace. The flow or pace of the story felt rushed in pockets of the story where i would be reading one scene and in the next paragraph it jumped in time (we're talking a jump of like hours or days) however, it seemed like the previous scene had not finished. A few times a flipped back a few pages to see if I had missed something. -- there were a couple of the terms, the female character used that I found cheesy/corny. So much so that when I read them during a hot scene it was almost like a buzz kill or made the scene a little lacklustre.
The book as a whole was good that I kept reading and enjoyed it and would definitely read the other books in the series. I am really interested in reading Rob Quidell's story. So is this story one to put at the top of my TBR? No, but it's a decent read with an easy storyline and some definitely hot scenes and angst. All the the elements one looks for in a romance. D 3/5
Dan is an ex-fireman and single father to his young son. Camille is the art teacher who works at Bart's daycare. They are immediately attracted to one another. This story is very erotic and romantic. The characters are interesting and sympathetic. The sex scenes are scorching hot.
The second installment of the Quidell Brothers series is as good as the first. The characters are just as real. The setting just as believable. Daniel's Fire focuses on the oldest Quidell brother who took the world on his shoulders when tragedy struck the family when he was in high school. Now he's all grown up, with a young son, an absentee ex-wife, and a lot of pain and scars resulting from an accident that cut short his fire fighting career.
Enter Camille Frasier, the new art teacher at Daniel's son's preschool. The two of them have an instant attraction but neither one wants to jeopardize Daniel's son, Bart. So, they take their time getting to know one another in little snatches of conversation before and after school over a period of months. When they finally get some time together away from school, things heat up fast. Even though the scenes between Daniel and Camille get steamy, I like that they keep Bart's well being a focus of their attention. They work at forming a family and not just becoming a couple. That's one of the reasons that I enjoy this series so much, it doesn't shy away from the messiness and complications that often plague real life. I'm looking forward to the next book!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
This is the first book I have read by this author and I quite enjoyed it. It was an easy book to read and once I began, I read it in one sitting. Even though this is the second book in the series, I found that it didn't matter too much. This book is focused on a different brother than the previous story was and even though the relationship from the first book is mentioned, having not read the previous book didn't effect the enjoyment of reading this one at all. In terms of the plot and characters, I enjoyed it and them. That being said though, there was one aspect that prevented me from rating this book higher than I did. The first couple of chapters started the story and the characters' relationship off well. However in chapter 3, the first few initial months of their relationship are condensed down into little paragraphs before the rest of their story is told in depth. Personally, I would have liked to have read more about those first months than what we were actually given. Overall this was an enjoyable book to read and it has left me interested in knowing the stories of the other brothers.
I liked how the author dealt with the hero's traumas and didn't have her characters just assume that love would conquer all; she actually had her characters talk through their problems and proactively find their perfect love. Well done.
Let me first apologize. I do not like writing one-year reviews, especially for books other people seem to like. I also appreciate the effort, love and time it takes to write novels. That thing becomes your baby, and you don't want anyone talking bad about your baby. I get that.
With many of the books I read, I want... no, need to read them until I finish. I get frustrated with distractions and hate, hate, HATE interruptions. (I'm usually a book-a-day reader, so taking four days with this one was an anomaly for me.) During these past four days, I welcomed interruptions and delayed picking up my Kindle for as long as I could. Even books I'm not particularly fond of don't take this long.
Instead, my frustration (which usually comes from things getting in the way of my reading) actually CAME from this book. Usually when characters have communication problems, which these characters ALWAYS did, they at least communicate with the reader what their issues are. But nope. Not here. I was just as, if not more, confused as both characters as they fumbled their way toward each other. Dan has trouble with the ex-wife that hindered his ability to form a relationship with Camille. I still don't know what exactly that trouble was. It's possible that it may have been explained in the first book in the series about his brother Tom, but based on the lack of clarifying details with stuff obviously new to this book, I doubt it was the case. This book did nothing to make me care enough to read the first book and find out.
Additional problems led to the low rating. The love scenes were awkward and not at all steamy. Knowing looks between brothers and unclear dialogue like, "You know what you should do," leads to aha moments for Dan that are never explained. Camille says several times, "We need to talk," and they don't, not really. They kiss and offer one sentence to each other. Then everything is better. How? I'm okay with reading between the lines occasionally, but to have a whole book where second-guessing and assuming characters' motivations is necessary is exhausting.
Plus, what the hell was the deal with Camille's "toolbox?" What was so appalling that had Dan running? How did they exactly resolve his issues? Yet another place in the story where the reader is expected to assume.
It seems nothing in this book was clear. I can't not finish a book... well, not unless I find the content offensive. I usually trudge on in hopes it'll get better or all things will be explained later. This one ended with none of my questions answered.
Daniel has been left with internal and external scars that he believes will never heal. He is a single father to a five year old boy. As we all know, exes are exes for a reason, but his divorce was so tumultuous that she is barred from contact with the young boy. Daniel's world is turned upside down when he walks into his son's school to be greeted by the sexy Camille. Camille has some of her own "demons" but she is drawn to him as well.
I have read Thomas' Muse which is the first book in this series. This book was much different from that one. While we still have the tortured man and unsuspecting woman, this book drew a lot more emotions from me than Thomas' story did. I am going to start with the draw backs. I am a reader that can only take so much "pity party" or low self esteem before I want to reach into the book and slap a character. I felt like there were times in the book where the segway was missed bridging one element to the next. I also felt that the ending left me a little short due to the build up through the last half of the book and then not even letting the reader get more than a glimpse of the climax. What I enjoyed was that the characters truly were meant for each other and could heal each other in ways they never expected. I was drawn into the book and read it all in one sitting because I had to know how it ended. The sex scenes were steamy with enough romance to make you sigh. The author also has done a good job of leading you into the next book. I am excited to see Rob's story to learn more about his "broken" persona. I give this 3.5 fangs because the end fell short for me.
This will be short since I took so long to write this review. The book had potential, but aside from a lot of sex, I struggled with the relationship between these two. I liked them both, for the most part. Daniel seemed liked he was trying hard to move past a bad relationship, but he had this strange hang up that was a bit thin (at least from my viewpoint). Then there was the "you can't love me" spiel from Camille. I'll admit, he was in a place that would make it hard to easily get involved. When you are a single parent, and your child is young, you have to be careful. However, their relationship only seemed to really work in the bedroom. Outside of it, they interacted well enough, but it wasn't enough. Perhaps playing up the ex-wife story more would have helped, but given this was my first book, I didn't know if the history was in an earlier book.
Either way, it wasn't bad, but it wasn't my favorite either. I actually started reading a couple of books at once which is really rare for me. I try to dedicate myself to finishing what I start and writing the review while it is all still fresh, but I found myself wandering a bit with this one. Others really loved it so it could just be that I needed something more and you'll love it. Would I recommend it? Again, not bad, but no, I wouldn't go so far as to say I think you should go and buy it. If you trust what others feel more, then by all means, yes. I just wouldn't recommend to my book friends as I know their tastes and don't think this would meet their standards.
I love this author! I love these characters. Daniel is a single father ex firefighter injured on duty. His injuries are on the outside and inside. He also has had to care for his brothers after his mom and sister dies in an accident. His father falls into depression after that so Dan picks up the slack. Camille is one of his son's daycare teacher. I loved the chemistry between them. It is off the charts hot. Camille also cares for Bart. I loved Bart. He is a very energetic and so smart. I think that she her falls in love with this little boy who needs a mother. Tom lived with Dan and Bart helping to care for Bart, but has recently moved out to live with Sammie his fiancé. Of course, Dan's ex-wife shows up to try and ruin things for Dan once again. She has never cared for Bart, but is willing to hurt them again to make everyone miserable. Camille stands by Dan thru it trying to help him keep her away from Bart. I loved this and while each brother is different, they stick together and help one another. I love stories that build, and books that let you get a peak at other characters to see their growth. I would highly recommend this author.
*I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review*
Daniel's Fire is a heartwarming tale about a single father and what can happen when you open your heart.
Daniel is a firefighter who not only had to deal with being injured on the job, but also becoming a single father. There aren't too many reasons why his ex isn't allowed around, but it goes into detail about keeping her out of the picture. His son, Bart, is a big part of the book and he does make it semi-adorable at times.
Camille works at the daycare Daniel's son goes to and they hit it off right off the bat, but holy cow they take it incredibly slowly. As a matter of fact the entire first part of the book is slow. It has too much detail about insignificant things making it a tad boring and then it jumps and months pass in a matter of paragraphs. It took a little while to get into because of those two things.
The storyline is good and the characters are likeable, but it never fully captured my attention.
I like the idea of this book and the plot. I really wanted to like the book, but it was difficult to love the story. Let me explain.
We have two good characters with the H & h. The heroine is a teacher at the community center and the H is a single father and injured ex-fighter fighter. My only complaint with the H is at he seems immature at times with his pouting.
My issues with the story are in the development. The main characters don't communicate well for one. They say they will/need to talk, but never really do. They are building a relationship but the feeling is missing and aside from the pouting and irritation, the feelings and emotions don't come through in the writing. Another complaint I had was with the romantic scenes. They were awkward and the scenes didn't flow smoothly.
Finally, I would expect a climax like the removal of a crazy ex to be more dramatic than what happened. I just didn't feel the drama.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
A while ago I read the first book in this series, but when I started to read Daniel's story it just didn't catch my attention. I just wasn't ready for it. This week the third book in the series was released and I was determined to read Daniel's book so that I could read Robert's.
WOW! I'm totally hooked on this amazing story now. I started reading and couldn't put it down. Sometimes, you just have to be ready to hear a story. Daniel's story is one of strength, devotion, and past pain. I ache for this man who has been through so much. I can't wait to read the next book for Daniel's Fire to find out how Daniel and Camille are adjusting to their lives together.
The series has a book released for each of the three Quidell brothers and I just found out that each brother's story will continue in a second book for each of them. Thanks Kris for sharing these awesome brother's with us.
Daniels Fire is book 2 in Kris Austin Radcliffes Quidell Brothers series.
It was an interesting look at a relationship forming where the male counterpart has confidence issues. I liked both the central characters Daniel and Camille. They were easy to relate to and easy to understand and capable of drawing out empathy towards them. It was also good to get more insight into Dans background that was hinted at during the first book but only elaborated on in this book. I think Radcliffes writing and story telling imagination is better in this one then the first too. The characters were more complex and interesting and made the story more enjoyable to read. I'm looking forward to reading Robs story, the youngest and most 'player' like of the brothers.
I was gifted a copy by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Told in first person by both Daniel and Camille this New Adult feeling story is one of a romance between a single custodian parent of a 4 year old son and the son’s art teacher.
Daniel was a firefighter injured while on the job. He has healed and started a new business and seems to be doing well. Camille teaches, has student loans to pay and is attracted to Daniel. The story is fairly straight forward with some huge leaps from first meeting to six months later told in a page or two then more detailed writing after that. There is an ex-wife lurking in the wings to stir things up a bit and there are a few issues for Daniel and Camille to deal with but all in all it is a simple easy-to-read story. I have not read either of the other books in the series.
Thank you to Word Webber Press for the copy. This is my honest review.
I really wanted to like this one. I really like the plot and idea. A single Dad/Ex-Firefighter burned and scarred from a fire and finds healing with his son's preschool teacher. Unfortunately I couldn't finish this. There were too many times I had to go back and re-read what I just wrote because I couldn't figure out what was really going. As I'm reading any given paragraph I'm thinking, are these characters mad, happy, turned on, pissed off??? No idea. The H also had some major hang ups with sex. He was almost obsessed with making sure the h had multiple orgasms each time and sulked like a child when he didn't deliver. He was very unsure of himself and it was very non sexy to read. Very confusing. Liked the idea but not the execution.
Oh my...can you say hot! Well Dan is an ex-fireman... I enjoyed this one just as much as Thomas's Muse. Reading these shorter novels of the Quidell Brothers really enhances characters. I really like Kris Austen Radcliffe's writing style. She ropes me in right away and I can't wait to read more!
Dan has been through h___ in his life. When he meets Ms. Frasier things begin to look up for him and his son. Love that comes out of struggle is usually the best kind
I liked the story and the characters. Didn't realize erotic romance until I was already reading, but couldn't stop reading. The only thing I did not like was using the Lord's name and using the f-word so much.
mmm some steamy yummy scenes.. those were amazing.. this was a very emotional story.. so many demons inside both the characters and so much going on. the ending kinda irritated me but overall i really enjoyed the story and the writing was wonderful of course. i am so glad i got to review it
Kind of conflicted on this book. Not sure if I buy the timeline and movement of the book. There is another story before it about a different brother but I think I was OK without it. Is still a good story and I look forward to reading the other stories in the series.
This was a little difficult for me to read. I'm not sure if it's the way it is written. The plot was good and the characters were ok. I just found myself scrunching my eyebrows a lot and having to go back to see if I understood what I read. Overall, I enjoyed the story. Dan was a little unsure if himself which was a little different for me as most heroes I read are cocky, arrogant mansluts. Dan is so not like that. He is a great father and guy. He was just beat down by life and his ex. Camille was perfect for him that she allowed him to be whatever he needed to be and she wanted him anyway she could have him.