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The St. Johns of Stonerock #2
The Fireman's Ready-Made Family
THE HOMETOWN HERO'S MISSION
For days, burn unit nurse Marly Haskins has noticed a handsome firefighter sitting vigil at patients' bedsides. Chief Drake St. John's concern touches the single mother deeply. But despite the warmth in Drake's cobalt-blue eyes, tall, strong, powerful men only remind Marly of the abusive ex-husband on her trail…and the dreams she's long since given up on.
With his own harrowing past, Drake recognizes that Marly is running scared. His life and career are about saving others from harm, but there's something about Marly that makes his protective instincts more…personal. Helping Marly and her daughter feel safe in Stonerock is his new mission—one that might heal his own burned heart.
For days, burn unit nurse Marly Haskins has noticed a handsome firefighter sitting vigil at patients' bedsides. Chief Drake St. John's concern touches the single mother deeply. But despite the warmth in Drake's cobalt-blue eyes, tall, strong, powerful men only remind Marly of the abusive ex-husband on her trail…and the dreams she's long since given up on.
With his own harrowing past, Drake recognizes that Marly is running scared. His life and career are about saving others from harm, but there's something about Marly that makes his protective instincts more…personal. Helping Marly and her daughter feel safe in Stonerock is his new mission—one that might heal his own burned heart.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 20, 2015
15 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
Jules Bennett
620 books457 followersUSA Today Bestselling Author Jules Bennett has written for multiple publishing houses and currently has books with Harlequin and Kensington.
She loves to chat with readers through Twitter or her Fan Page on Facebook. You can also contact her through her website as well as stay up to date on her latest releases, book events, and awards. julesbennett.com
She loves to chat with readers through Twitter or her Fan Page on Facebook. You can also contact her through her website as well as stay up to date on her latest releases, book events, and awards. julesbennett.com
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 18, 2015
What is not to love about his book, you have a fireman who is a hero, Drake St. John, who is also the Fire Chief. He saved his friends child from a burning house. Then you have Marly Haskins who along with her little girl, the preciouses Willow, who have moved to Stonebrook to start a new life. Marly is the nurse who is looking after the young boy Drake saved, in the burn unit of the hospital. The two are drawn each other from the first and come together to help the family of this young boy. Both have demons from a past life, but they know with friendship, that love and caring and the help of adorable Willow, the St. John close knit family, they will find that love heals all and a new life can be found in that love.
Wonderful book. It gives you everything you love about romance, passion and family, and just pulls at the heart strings from the first page to the last.
Wonderful book. It gives you everything you love about romance, passion and family, and just pulls at the heart strings from the first page to the last.
January 25, 2015
This book is part of a series but can stand on its own. The series is about 3 brothers and this is the second brother Drake's story. If you read Dr. Daddy's Perfect Christmas, book one in the series you met Drake. Drake lost his first wife who was pregnant in a horrible car accident and has struggled to find his way past the heartache and anguish since. He meets Marly Haskins in the burn unit at the local hospital where she is a nurse. Drake is the fire chief in town and is there to visit a little boy he rescued from a burning house. Right from the start the two feel an attraction to each other but Marly is in no position to trust a man. Marly escaped an abusive husband that controlled her every move. Now she's trying to get some kind of life for her and her young daughter when along comes Drake who stirs her but until he starts to show her that not all men are like her ex-husband that she can slowly start to trust. What i liked about this book is the both Drake and Marly have serious issues with trust for very different reasons but neither one gave up on life and trying again. They are both good people with strong character who are very generous with their time to give to people in need. If you love a feel good contemporary romance this is a excellent book and an enjoyable book that you can easily read in a evening. Not one thing not to love in this story.
January 16, 2015
This book is a page turner! From the moment I started it, I couldn't put it down. Drake is the perfect hero and everyone's dream man!!! I'm absolutely in love with his character and adding in Marly with little tomboy Willow and you have a hit! Definitely recommend this book especially if you loved the first in this series! This book will stay in your heart for a long time to come and will make you impatient to read Cam's story!!!
January 17, 2015
Drake is the perfect hero material. With everything he had gone through to still have the heart of gold and compassion he has blown me away. How he treated Marly just makes you melt. Marly becomes such a strong person definitely inspiration for people. Her daughter is adorable. I highly enjoyed this one.
February 3, 2015
This story is very close to my heart. My father and grandfather were career firefighters and also my heroes. I first have to say that Jules Bennett captured an authentic glimpse of what it's like to be a firefighter. Unfortunately, politics are very much a part of a fire chief's life, budget issues, over time, etc. I remember my dad coming to my school, just like Drake did with little Willow, and my firefighter friends teaching my children about the dangers of fire and how a firefighter can look scary in his/her gear. My Dad talked some about the fires he worked over the years and he always said the ones with the kids you never forget. This story brought a tear to my eye more than once with the little boy burned in a fire. So, kudos, Jules, for really knowing your subject. That aside, it is a beautiful romance between the fire chief, Drake St. John, and a pediatric nurse, Marly Haskins. Marly is the mother of a feisty, sweet kindergartener who brought more than an occasional grin to my face. Sounds like an easy romance, right? Not so. Marly brings to her new home baggage from a previous marriage. She's a victim of domestic abuse, both physical and mental. But, she's not just a victim. She's a fighter too. She takes her daughter to start a new life and leaves her ex with pictures that could expose him as the monster he is, ending his political career. Marly's drawn to the handsome firefighter, but she knows her ex will find her and ruin him if she gets too close. Marly is the first woman Drake is attracted to since the death of his fiancée. And he carries his own issues with blame. Drake refuses to give up on Marly and she slowly lets him in to the world she endured. He becomes not only the firefighter hero, but her knight in shining armor. I highly recommend this story. You'll turn the last page with a smile
January 31, 2015
I love Jules Bennett's writing and stories. I am never disappointed by her books!!! This story is such a feel good, heart-warming story that it made my heart melt. Marly is a young woman that is trying to start over in a small town where things will be better for her and her daughter, Willow. Marly really has no intentions of falling in love anytime soon, but cupid struck her and there was no turning back!!
Drake is a good old boy and is always thinking about others before himself. Drake is at the local hospital checking up on one of his young victims when he meets Marly, a nurse taking care of his patient. There are not many words exchanged by the two of them but there is a connection there that Drake can not deny. Drake pursues Marly and quickly learns that she has ghosts from her past that are haunting her and effecting her future relationships. Drake is the most caring person that can help Marly move beyond her ghosts from her past.
Drake immediately falls in love with Willow and creates a relationship there that should have been created by Willow's biological father. Willow adores Drake and takes to him easily. Willow is so young that Marly has sort of kept things from her about her father hoping that she can make a new and better life for them before Willow has a chance to understand what all is going on.
This story has a HEA and I am so glad. Drake and Marly fit together like two pieces of a puzzle that were long lost from each other. They complete each other and help each other cope with their pasts and look forward to a brighter future together. Thanks Jules for another great book!! I can't wait for the next one from you!!
Drake is a good old boy and is always thinking about others before himself. Drake is at the local hospital checking up on one of his young victims when he meets Marly, a nurse taking care of his patient. There are not many words exchanged by the two of them but there is a connection there that Drake can not deny. Drake pursues Marly and quickly learns that she has ghosts from her past that are haunting her and effecting her future relationships. Drake is the most caring person that can help Marly move beyond her ghosts from her past.
Drake immediately falls in love with Willow and creates a relationship there that should have been created by Willow's biological father. Willow adores Drake and takes to him easily. Willow is so young that Marly has sort of kept things from her about her father hoping that she can make a new and better life for them before Willow has a chance to understand what all is going on.
This story has a HEA and I am so glad. Drake and Marly fit together like two pieces of a puzzle that were long lost from each other. They complete each other and help each other cope with their pasts and look forward to a brighter future together. Thanks Jules for another great book!! I can't wait for the next one from you!!
January 23, 2015
The Fireman’s Ready-Made Family is the second book in Jules Bennett’s series The St. John’s of Stonerock. This was a fabulous book that had me from the first pages. Marly Haskins is a pediatric nurse in the burn unit of a Stonerock, Tennessee hospital. She is a single parent that’s hiding from her past. Drake St. John is the Fire Chief of the small town. He partially feels responsible for burns that a friend’s child received in a house fire. Drake has a heart of gold and wants to help his friends and Marly deal with her past. Drake also has his own demons that he’s dealing with. The Fireman’s Ready-Made Family takes us down the journey of two lost souls trying to overcome their pasts. Marly faces the fears of sharing her past life with Drake while Drake has to overcome the guilt that he’s dealing with. This is a faced paced book that I read in one sitting. It is a standalone book but Ms. Bennett treats us to glimpses of characters from the first book in the series, Dr. Daddy’s Perfect Christmas. I can’t wait for Cameron’s book which is the next installment in the series. I highly recommend The Fireman’s Ready-Made Family. I’d like to disclose that I received a copy of The Fireman’s Ready-Made Family in exchange for a fair and honest review.
February 9, 2015
The Fireman’s Ready-Made Family by Jules Bennett continues the wonderful series of The St. Johns Of Stonerock.
Marly Haskins moved to Stonerook,Tenn to give herself and her young daughter a fresh start. Marly’s job as a burn unit nurse is stressful and her newest patient a small child tugs at her heart. Family friend of the child, Fire Chief Drake St. John daily vigil effects Marly deeply.
Drake St. John notices the pretty nurse but notices more that she is troubled. He slowly gets Marly to trust him and open up about what has her so scared.
Drake and Marly slowly transfer their feelings from friendship to something deeper. When her ex husband threatens Marly’s new world, Drake will stand up and protect what he now feels is his new family.
The Fireman’s Ready-Made Family is emotional and passionate. Drake and Marly both have things in their past to put behind them and find their way to having their chance at happiness. Revisiting with Drake’s family and the town is an added treat. This story will touch your heart and stay there long after you finish. Looking forward to secretive brother Cameron’s story.
Marly Haskins moved to Stonerook,Tenn to give herself and her young daughter a fresh start. Marly’s job as a burn unit nurse is stressful and her newest patient a small child tugs at her heart. Family friend of the child, Fire Chief Drake St. John daily vigil effects Marly deeply.
Drake St. John notices the pretty nurse but notices more that she is troubled. He slowly gets Marly to trust him and open up about what has her so scared.
Drake and Marly slowly transfer their feelings from friendship to something deeper. When her ex husband threatens Marly’s new world, Drake will stand up and protect what he now feels is his new family.
The Fireman’s Ready-Made Family is emotional and passionate. Drake and Marly both have things in their past to put behind them and find their way to having their chance at happiness. Revisiting with Drake’s family and the town is an added treat. This story will touch your heart and stay there long after you finish. Looking forward to secretive brother Cameron’s story.
February 10, 2015
Bennett. I love this new series The St. John's of Stonerock. There is just something special and touching the way that Jules Bennett writes a book. I don't care if it's from her books with Princes to her books with single parents. She finds a way to pull you into the story and makes it seem more realistic.
I couldn't wait to read Drake's story. Ever since reading his brother's book and meeting Drake in it. I knew that I would enjoy Drake's book. I also knew that Drake's story would make me cry. And even though he's been through a tragidy it's made him a stronger person. And I love the relationship that Drake has with his brothers.
I loved Marly's character. She's strong, independent, has a little bit of sass and is trying to make a better life for herself and her daughter. Though there were a few times I wanted to jump in and shake her.
Well since I already gave my rating of this book at the beginning of this review. I will say that would definitely recommend this book. It made me cry and it made me cry. It was a sweet little love story. And now I really can't wait to read Cam's book.
**I received an ARC of this book from the author for my honest review**
I couldn't wait to read Drake's story. Ever since reading his brother's book and meeting Drake in it. I knew that I would enjoy Drake's book. I also knew that Drake's story would make me cry. And even though he's been through a tragidy it's made him a stronger person. And I love the relationship that Drake has with his brothers.
I loved Marly's character. She's strong, independent, has a little bit of sass and is trying to make a better life for herself and her daughter. Though there were a few times I wanted to jump in and shake her.
Well since I already gave my rating of this book at the beginning of this review. I will say that would definitely recommend this book. It made me cry and it made me cry. It was a sweet little love story. And now I really can't wait to read Cam's book.
**I received an ARC of this book from the author for my honest review**
January 19, 2015
Jules Bennett delivers another wonderful book with The Fireman's Ready-Made Family. Combine a hero, Chief Drake St. Johns, who physically is a big man, that is handsome, strong, caring but is not a stranger to tragedy and combine him with a heroine, Marly Haskins, who is a burn unit nurse, that is gun-shy of big men and wanting to get as far away from an abusive ex-husband as possible to protect her 5 year old adorable tomboy daughter Willow, this makes a great story. This book had me from the first pages, what can I say about Drake he would be anyone's dream man and I liked how Marly continued to grow into a stonger person. And of course the adorable Willow I just loved her. Jules Bennett made these people come to life with her writing. Oh, did I mention there is romance too. Great book by a wonderful author.
I received an ARC for an honest review, but I would have read this book anyway. Any of Jules's book are any auto buy for me. Check it out!!!
I received an ARC for an honest review, but I would have read this book anyway. Any of Jules's book are any auto buy for me. Check it out!!!
May 6, 2015
4.5 star
I enjoyed this story. This story contained heartbreak, betrayal, abuse, and a second chance to find love.
If you have not read the below I would recommend reading those books(s) first
Dr. Daddy's Perfect Christmas (The St. Johns of Stonerock #1)
This is Marly and Drake’s story. Marly has been badly letdown by her ex and now all she wants is to raise her daughter. She does not need a man to do that. Drake is attracted to Marly and wants to get to know her and build a relationship. Can he get Marly to see that not all men are bad? That he is one of the good ones? Will he be able to protect her from her ex and convince her that they will be great together? Can Marly trust Drake to love her like she should be loved?
I loved both of these characters and also the brothers. I felt I was able to connect with the characters and the story was a great read.
I recommend this book and can’t wait for the next story in this series.
I enjoyed this story. This story contained heartbreak, betrayal, abuse, and a second chance to find love.
If you have not read the below I would recommend reading those books(s) first
Dr. Daddy's Perfect Christmas (The St. Johns of Stonerock #1)
This is Marly and Drake’s story. Marly has been badly letdown by her ex and now all she wants is to raise her daughter. She does not need a man to do that. Drake is attracted to Marly and wants to get to know her and build a relationship. Can he get Marly to see that not all men are bad? That he is one of the good ones? Will he be able to protect her from her ex and convince her that they will be great together? Can Marly trust Drake to love her like she should be loved?
I loved both of these characters and also the brothers. I felt I was able to connect with the characters and the story was a great read.
I recommend this book and can’t wait for the next story in this series.
January 25, 2015
WOW!! A lot of romance books have an "eh" story but the sex makes up for it. THIS book could have left the sex out and it still would have been one of the best books I have read in a LONG TIME. Oh, don't worry, the sex is there and it's good. LOL
Drake St John is: Hunky, Handsome, and Hero material. He is also sensitive and treads lightly while trying to learn about and help heal Marly Haskins wounded heart and psyche.
But Marly is stronger than she thinks, and she works her own healing of herself and Drake.
I have to say this is one of the most emotionally satisfying books I have read in a long time. This, along with Drake's brother, Eli's book "Dr Daddy's Perfect Christmas will certainly go on my read over shelf!!
Can't wait for Cam's book!!!
Drake St John is: Hunky, Handsome, and Hero material. He is also sensitive and treads lightly while trying to learn about and help heal Marly Haskins wounded heart and psyche.
But Marly is stronger than she thinks, and she works her own healing of herself and Drake.
I have to say this is one of the most emotionally satisfying books I have read in a long time. This, along with Drake's brother, Eli's book "Dr Daddy's Perfect Christmas will certainly go on my read over shelf!!
Can't wait for Cam's book!!!
February 10, 2015
A wonderful novel of many facets....
Domestic abuse, death, strength, living, moving forward, family values, small town strength, and most of all love some of the many issues addressed in this heartwarming and wonderful novel. Jules Bennett does an excellent job of writing a romance novel that also addresses many personal and important issues that play a strong part in the personal development of each of the main characters, as they move forward in their life and toward each other. And of course the wonderful young Willow does her own part, without ever knowing she has. A novel you most definitely don't want to miss.
Domestic abuse, death, strength, living, moving forward, family values, small town strength, and most of all love some of the many issues addressed in this heartwarming and wonderful novel. Jules Bennett does an excellent job of writing a romance novel that also addresses many personal and important issues that play a strong part in the personal development of each of the main characters, as they move forward in their life and toward each other. And of course the wonderful young Willow does her own part, without ever knowing she has. A novel you most definitely don't want to miss.
January 19, 2015
I love it when an author can take such a difficult subject and make it work so well. Abuse is no laughing matter but Marly is so strong and puts her life back together for her and her daughter with help from sexy fire chief Drake. This is another great book!
January 26, 2015
Book 2 of the St. John's of Stonerock trilogy was just as great as Book 1. Drake was just the hero Marly needed & this was just the read I needed for a blustery, snowy weekend!
Thank you Jules Bennett for another great read; Where's the butter? Cuz you're on a roll! ;)
Thank you Jules Bennett for another great read; Where's the butter? Cuz you're on a roll! ;)
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January 12, 2016"The prying eyes of the small Tennessee town provide the perfect setting and tone, and the author impressively tackles the issue of abusing power with Marly’s ex and Drake’s relationship with the town’s mayor" (RT Book Reviews, 4 stars).
Miniseries: The St. Johns of Stonerock
Miniseries: The St. Johns of Stonerock
January 23, 2015
Holy Hearts Batman! Loved this book. It's definitely worth a re-read!!!
February 3, 2015
Very cute story line
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews