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FIREPROOF?: Misadventures of a Health & Safety Officer
When Maryanne Danner, Health & Safety Officer, is sent to inspect a remote Utah incineration facility run by Gus Lightfoot, she can’t believe he keeps loaded antique six-shooters in his office. He can’t believe she spurned him six months ago because of their company’s no dating policy.
During the week-long inspection, Gus woos Maryanne, winning her over with desert tours and cowboy steaks. But their big date night is cancelled when desperadoes overtake the plant during a secret DEA drug burn at the facility's incinerator. With lives at stake and bandits to outwit, Maryanne tosses the rulebook and learns new skills—like making bombs and walking in stilettos—as fires rage throughout the night.
Fast-paced, fun, and loaded with eccentric characters, FIREPROOF? depicts a young woman doggedly determined to protect others, while struggling with student loans, unfortunate explosions, and (maybe) a love story for the ages.
During the week-long inspection, Gus woos Maryanne, winning her over with desert tours and cowboy steaks. But their big date night is cancelled when desperadoes overtake the plant during a secret DEA drug burn at the facility's incinerator. With lives at stake and bandits to outwit, Maryanne tosses the rulebook and learns new skills—like making bombs and walking in stilettos—as fires rage throughout the night.
Fast-paced, fun, and loaded with eccentric characters, FIREPROOF? depicts a young woman doggedly determined to protect others, while struggling with student loans, unfortunate explosions, and (maybe) a love story for the ages.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 14, 2025
3 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Ramaley
2 books4 followersDrawing on her work with engineering, safety, and cybersecurity companies, Jenny creates contemporary suspense and thriller stories for adults and teens. When she’s not at her desk, she’s often hiking through Myakka River State Park, skirting saw palmettos and Sarasota alligators, and providing nutrition to hordes of mosquitoes.
Jenny’s novella, “Workplace Rules for Fire-Breathing Dragons,” received an Honorable Mention in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine and the Wolfe Pack’s Black Orchid Novella 2024 Contest. Her short story, “Ruby’s Rodeo Tailors and Western Wear Emporium,” was chosen for TALES OF MUSIC, MURDER, AND MAYHEM: BOUCHERCON ANTHOLOGY 2024. Her story, “A Long-Term Plan,” opens PARADISE IS DEADLY, the Florida Gulf Coast Sisters in Crime 2023 anthology. Jenny was a Rutgers One-on-One mentee, and she placed in the Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting and Chesterfield Writer’s Film Project competitions.
Jenny’s novella, “Workplace Rules for Fire-Breathing Dragons,” received an Honorable Mention in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine and the Wolfe Pack’s Black Orchid Novella 2024 Contest. Her short story, “Ruby’s Rodeo Tailors and Western Wear Emporium,” was chosen for TALES OF MUSIC, MURDER, AND MAYHEM: BOUCHERCON ANTHOLOGY 2024. Her story, “A Long-Term Plan,” opens PARADISE IS DEADLY, the Florida Gulf Coast Sisters in Crime 2023 anthology. Jenny was a Rutgers One-on-One mentee, and she placed in the Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting and Chesterfield Writer’s Film Project competitions.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 26, 2025
"Fireproof" is an absolute delight!
Maryanne Danner, a by-the-book Safety Officer devoted to protecting others, suddenly finds herself caught in a high-stakes situation. This fast-paced drama, laced with humor and a touch of romance, keeps you on the edge of your seat from the first page to the last.
Maryanne Danner, a by-the-book Safety Officer devoted to protecting others, suddenly finds herself caught in a high-stakes situation. This fast-paced drama, laced with humor and a touch of romance, keeps you on the edge of your seat from the first page to the last.
November 7, 2025
A super fun read!!! Its like Lucy and Ethel at the candy factory except this is an incinerater facility where confiscated drugs are going to be destroyed but the bad guys want their drugs back. Maryanne is a safety inspector onsite to do an audit and inspection and she's a stickler for the rules. But then there's drug cartels, DEA agents, explosions, safety regulations, with a touch of romance with the hot plant manager in the Utah desert. There's got to be a sequel - you can't leave us hanging.....no spoilers here.
July 16, 2025
Found this action-packed story hard to put down!
It’s difficult when a rule follower finds things are not done properly, but it’s especially hard when you’re a certified safety inspector. Maryanne Danner takes her job seriously. She’s on a path to advance at the Fulco Environmental Services, but a lapse in judgement one time, is about to come back to haunt her when she’s sent to inspect a Utah incineration facility, run by Gus Lightfoot, the man she once stood up.
From the moment she arrives in Utah, things get out of hand. First with a construction job adjacent to her hotel. It’s late night, she’s trying to find a way to park near the hotel, ends up in a back alley, where a mean group of men with Mexican accents threaten her if she doesn’t back out. Next morning, Maryann spots several safety regulations not enforced at the construction area. Setting the site for the perfect mishap, which happens when she’s around to literally jump in and help, risking her life to do so, but saving the life of the worker. Her good deed makes headlines and her company is happy, but she’s trying to keep a low profile.
Later, she’s welcomed warmly by all employees at the incineration facility. But Gus, the plant manager, makes himself scarce until little by little as she inspects his operation, they begin to work through what happened in the past. As nice as that is, unbeknownst to Maryann, a cartel family plans to steal back a huge shipment of drugs that the DEA has secretly scheduled for a drug burn. It happens on Maryanne’s last night, a date night, with Gus. She’s caught off guard in a cute dress wearing stiletto heels, that she’s never worn before. Maryann will be tasked to break her own rules, find new ways to keep those she cares about safe, and push her body to the limits.
A well-written page turner with all the excitement and romance readers will love!
It’s difficult when a rule follower finds things are not done properly, but it’s especially hard when you’re a certified safety inspector. Maryanne Danner takes her job seriously. She’s on a path to advance at the Fulco Environmental Services, but a lapse in judgement one time, is about to come back to haunt her when she’s sent to inspect a Utah incineration facility, run by Gus Lightfoot, the man she once stood up.
From the moment she arrives in Utah, things get out of hand. First with a construction job adjacent to her hotel. It’s late night, she’s trying to find a way to park near the hotel, ends up in a back alley, where a mean group of men with Mexican accents threaten her if she doesn’t back out. Next morning, Maryann spots several safety regulations not enforced at the construction area. Setting the site for the perfect mishap, which happens when she’s around to literally jump in and help, risking her life to do so, but saving the life of the worker. Her good deed makes headlines and her company is happy, but she’s trying to keep a low profile.
Later, she’s welcomed warmly by all employees at the incineration facility. But Gus, the plant manager, makes himself scarce until little by little as she inspects his operation, they begin to work through what happened in the past. As nice as that is, unbeknownst to Maryann, a cartel family plans to steal back a huge shipment of drugs that the DEA has secretly scheduled for a drug burn. It happens on Maryanne’s last night, a date night, with Gus. She’s caught off guard in a cute dress wearing stiletto heels, that she’s never worn before. Maryann will be tasked to break her own rules, find new ways to keep those she cares about safe, and push her body to the limits.
A well-written page turner with all the excitement and romance readers will love!
March 19, 2025
Fireproof?
Misadventures of a Health & Safety Officer
Jenny Ramaley
02/14/2024
Hang on to your hardhat! This is an adventure that will have you laughing out loud, worrying yourself to pieces and even blushing!
Maryanne Danner, Health & Safety Officer, is so much more than just a Fulco employee who enforces OSHA regulations ‘like a pitbull’. She likes to stay under the radar. Her self-confidence is lacking and she tends to think she sticks out like sore thumb, because she will not bend to what others expect of her. She is tall and athletic, smart and funny. A worry wart and sometimes a people pleasure, but she was raised right! She wants to do the right thing all of the time, follow the rules and be the best at her job. Interestingly enough, she has a soft spot for Gus Lightfoot and he has a not so soft spot for her. (brown chicken brown cow)
While Maryanne is in Utah doing her inspection things do not go as planned. The DEA does a secret drug burn the facilities incinerator and a Mexican drug cartel comes into play while the sheriff knows this is the bust of a lifetime. Soooo much happens in such a short period of time, the story zips by and the pages keep turning. From 6 shooters to looking sexy and from gorilla tape to long jumps, there is nothing Maryann can’t and won’t handle. (and don’t worry, when you think there is a loose end the epilogue ties it up with a bow and a little blue sticky note – more Gus please?!?!)
This thrilling rollercoaster ride packed with drama—both peril and heart—blended into one captivating adventure. Thanks Jenny Ramaley. I am thrilled to have been able to read this one! I can’t wait to see what you do next!
Misadventures of a Health & Safety Officer
Jenny Ramaley
02/14/2024
Hang on to your hardhat! This is an adventure that will have you laughing out loud, worrying yourself to pieces and even blushing!
Maryanne Danner, Health & Safety Officer, is so much more than just a Fulco employee who enforces OSHA regulations ‘like a pitbull’. She likes to stay under the radar. Her self-confidence is lacking and she tends to think she sticks out like sore thumb, because she will not bend to what others expect of her. She is tall and athletic, smart and funny. A worry wart and sometimes a people pleasure, but she was raised right! She wants to do the right thing all of the time, follow the rules and be the best at her job. Interestingly enough, she has a soft spot for Gus Lightfoot and he has a not so soft spot for her. (brown chicken brown cow)
While Maryanne is in Utah doing her inspection things do not go as planned. The DEA does a secret drug burn the facilities incinerator and a Mexican drug cartel comes into play while the sheriff knows this is the bust of a lifetime. Soooo much happens in such a short period of time, the story zips by and the pages keep turning. From 6 shooters to looking sexy and from gorilla tape to long jumps, there is nothing Maryann can’t and won’t handle. (and don’t worry, when you think there is a loose end the epilogue ties it up with a bow and a little blue sticky note – more Gus please?!?!)
This thrilling rollercoaster ride packed with drama—both peril and heart—blended into one captivating adventure. Thanks Jenny Ramaley. I am thrilled to have been able to read this one! I can’t wait to see what you do next!
September 7, 2025
A corporate safety officer might seem an unlikely choice to be a heroic amateur sleuth. But when the angry head of a Mexico drug cartel plots the demolition of a Utah incineration plant to punish the D.E.A. for confiscating his drugs, who better than a rule-conscious safety officer to thwart the attack? In her debut novel, Jenny Ramaley demonstrates impressive chops as a writer. Her heroine, Maryanne Danner, is sometimes too scrupulous for her own good, as when she spurns a relationship with the Utah plant manager, Gus Lightfoot, because of a taboo against sexual liaisons. An on-again off-again relationship between Maryanne and Gus reignites at just the wrong moment, when the Mexican cartel takes over the plant where their drugs are about to be burned. The rest of the book is as sizzling a set of action scenes as you will find in the best international thriller. Amazingly well done. One heart thump after another. Ramaley's mastery of the technical aspects of an incineration plant enables her to credibly sketch the moves and counter-moves of the plant's attackers and defenders. The siege of the plant will have you on the edge of your seat. Happily, there is plenty of humor in the book to leaven the tension. I loved this book!
March 19, 2025
This book surprised me because I rarely read contemporary thrillers--they're usually so angsty. But this one was so much fun.
A huge cast is made manageable because each character is distinctive and deftly drawn, usually in a very few words ("Marjorie kicked off her Easy Spirit shoes"--and doesn't that tell us a whole bunch about Marjorie?) and often in a way that made me chortle. The assortment of bad guys felt like they could fit in books by Donald Westlake (the Dortumunder series), Elmore Leonard, and Carl Hiaasen.
And how many heists are set in a hazardous waste disposal plant? And written by somebody who sounds like she's been there and done some of that?
There's not a wasted word, and alongside the humor there's plenty of action (the climactic heist episode takes up about a third of the book) in which the nuttiness of each character--good, bad, or would-be bad--has its own individual (and satisfying) payoff.
The romance is a subplot, and for those who like to know, includes some 3.5-chili-pepper moments.
A huge cast is made manageable because each character is distinctive and deftly drawn, usually in a very few words ("Marjorie kicked off her Easy Spirit shoes"--and doesn't that tell us a whole bunch about Marjorie?) and often in a way that made me chortle. The assortment of bad guys felt like they could fit in books by Donald Westlake (the Dortumunder series), Elmore Leonard, and Carl Hiaasen.
And how many heists are set in a hazardous waste disposal plant? And written by somebody who sounds like she's been there and done some of that?
There's not a wasted word, and alongside the humor there's plenty of action (the climactic heist episode takes up about a third of the book) in which the nuttiness of each character--good, bad, or would-be bad--has its own individual (and satisfying) payoff.
The romance is a subplot, and for those who like to know, includes some 3.5-chili-pepper moments.
August 3, 2025
FIREPROOF?: Misadventures of a Health & Safety Officer is such a fun read! It’s the perfect mix of adventure, romance, and comedy, all wrapped into one unpredictable and thoroughly enjoyable story. The characters are fun and full of personality. I loved how the story moved quickly, with just the right balance of humor and heart. Highly recommend!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews