Sara McKenna longs for a career in television--far away from the violence of her Fire witch heritage. But when her father is struck down through a typically savage stroke of fate, Sara is summoned home by her father's second-in-command--her childhood rival, Fire witch Brent Conley.
Brent failed to protect the only man he's ever respected. He refuses to fail his former priest's haughty daughter. Sara must produce a pure-blooded child to continue their coven's line, and Brent intends to personally see to that duty.
Although Sara will fulfill her duty, she has every intention of returning to her media career, without letting Brent steal her heart. But when Brent sees Sara again, he realizes just how much he's missed her--and how much he wants her to stay. Will Brent be forced to free the one thing he's always wanted to possess?
Anya Breton is a web monkey with an obsession for nail polish and rubber chickens. Her fears include Peeps and people who hate clowns. Her genres include erotic romance, urban fantasy, and young adult--all with a little quirk. She lives in the Midwest where land is cheap and corn is cheaper.
*I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinion stated are solely my own and no one else's*
2.5-3 stars
Fire and Flame started off intriguing but things went downhill pretty quickly.
I couldn't warm to the characters; their constant fighting/bickering just dampened and fizzled out any chemistry between them. Brent wasn't too bad and you could sense his feelings were deeper from the beginning. However, Sara was plain and simple annoying as hell - saying I couldn't stand her would be a terrible understatement. Sara was frustrating; with her childish tantrums, denying her attraction to Brent and refusing to accept his feelings for her. Their dislike for each other was way stronger than their attraction; weakening their chemistry.
I liked the plot but not the characters - I wanted their inner passions burning and eradicating their dislike for each other. I wanted genuine chemistry - it felt more forced that natural between the two MCs.
I loved the sound of this, and it started well, but then for me went downhill pretty quickly.
I found the two main characters hard to like, Sara even more so than Brent. The misunderstandings went on too long, it was believable at first but soon felt tired and they annoyed me. I didn’t understand why Sara seemed to be an only child, when as the High Priest her father would have been expected to breed with several women. Maybe they were there but just not mentioned, but given the emphasis on Sara “doing her duty” and having a full blood witch child it seemed a bit odd. That phrase too “doing her duty” was repeated time and time again, and I soon got irritated by it.
The whole novel has to me a very YA feel but with some added sex. It felt as if the author had tried to make it appeal to a wider audience by adding some spicy sex scenes in, but for me the writing style still very very Teen and YA. There were some phrases I simply couldn’t understand, or that just felt odd – “clean shaven skin of his cheeks no longer de-emphasized the bubbled scars beneath his chin” I think she means without his beard his scars were showing, but it seems a torturous way of writing it. Then “Did you do your duty with someone else to avoid doing it with me?” again, a long winded way of saying have you had sex with someone else ;-) This one had me totally amazed, just can't get that scene out of my head ;-) “her breasts bounced for his attention and her legs scissored opened and closed at regular intervals signally that though the massaging was becoming too much for her, she didn’t want him to stop.” ( That’s exactly as its written BTW – not my typos for once!) I have to say that sounds like very active but odd sex, kind of sex semaphore!! Later when she’s describing his penis(or rod as its referred to quite often,) she says though he’s above average size when erect, when its not it’s smaller in length and girth than even human men. I felt a bit sorry for poor Brent there!
There’s lots of action, it’s an interesting idea but TBH it just felt too YA for me. I’ve read some great YA novels where the stories appeal to all ages, but for me this wasn’t one. If I was a teen I expect I’d love it but I’m not and sadly I didn’t take to the characters and it was just too unbelievable for me.
Stars: Two and a half, a fun idea that for me just didn’t work out. Others love it though, so that’s fine.
ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers
A dangerously provocative story that will capture your attention from the very beginning. Enter the domain of the paranormal and experience the power and thrill of this tale of feuding witches, betrayal and raw passion sure to set the coldest of hearts ablaze.
Sara McKenna lives a conventional life in spite of the fact that she is a Fire Witch. More importantly, she has up until now been shielded from the violence and danger she faces being a High Priest's daughter. Upon hearing of her father's death, she is immediately faced with the reality of having to leave everything she knows and possibly what she has aspired to be. To make matters worse, she must now contain her seething hatred for her protector and childhood nemesis, Brent. The beloved right hand of her father and next in line to take his place makes her skin boil. His refusal to let her out of his sight is no doubt, a challenge as they can barely stand to be in the same room together. A stipulation in her father's will mandates that she will only receive her inheritance upon conceiving a child of a full blooded witch. Livid, she is hit with yet another blow. The will proceeds to specifically state that 'her duty' shall be carried out with Brent, the son of his soul. This Fire Witch has his hands full with this defiant princess. Coupled with the latent hostility and the electrifying chemistry, you will be left breathless and possibly in need of a fan. Torn emotions complicate, but keep the fire blazing even in the face of imminent danger. The battle ensues between the Fire Witches and Sara must learn to draw on and harness her own power to protect the brood when her careless escapades land her in grave danger. Teased for being a pacifist, she prides herself on not bringing harm to others. Will she be able to push aside her beliefs in order to save the man she is destined to be with?
I found the book to be sinfully exciting. Initially, I had no idea what I was in for, never having read much material from the paranormal romance genre. I was pleasantly surprised to see the amazing development of the characters, demanding attention stemming from their larger than life presences. Complete with seductive or violent by nature roles, each had a vital part in the story. While teetering on my final review, I considered the fact that this was a work that I could not put down, much less get out of my head and for that I rated this book a well deserved four stars. I would recommend this book to anyone with a penchant for the paranormal or supernatural combined with a bit of fire..and flame.
Everything is normal in Sara McKenna's life until her childhood rival walks into the college class she is teaching. Hearing that her father, the fire witch priest, was killed and she has to go back home isn't news she ever wanted to hear. With the people that killed her father still on the loose, her world isn't exactly safe. She and Brent (her childhood rival) were attacked just driving a few hours back to her father's house. Add the fact that they can't be in the same room without getting on each others nerves leads to an interesting read.
Brent is a hottie, literally. He's a fire witch that has taken over the coven that Sara's father lead. Being the new fire witch priest is a lot of responsibility, one of which is looking after Sara. To be honest in the beginning I wasn't sure if the two could be in the same room, much less romantically involved since they haven't gotten along since childhood. Somehow, Anya managed to convince me and made me root for them. There are quite a few obstacles in their way throughout the book, which I enjoyed since I dislike books that have a fairy tale romance from the get go.
Don't be confused by the cover, Fire and Flame isn't erotica. It is however an awesome read that anyone who enjoys romance books with witches in it will enjoy. Oh and did I mention it's free right now (until 06/08/13)? Go get this awesome freebie while you can!
I always say that I won't do romance, but then something comes along that tempts me ...
Fire and Flame is a paranormal romance for adults and I now I really want to be a witch in this world. These witches don't stand around cauldrons casting spells, they shoot fire and have epic battles. And they have the type of relationships that involve handsome men, being men, and getting their leg over on a very regular basis.
Sara is daddy's little girl leading a normal life until her beloved father dies and she's obliged by his will to breed to continue the fire witch line. Up comes Brent, and he's certainly up to the task.
I liked the multiple viewpoints, and how the characters continued to misunderstand each other. So even witches have this problem! Anya is a very good writer, the prose is engaging and clear and well produced. If you like your paranormal romance with a bit of spice, then this is definitely worth downloading.
A free download . I liked this book. Sara is a Fire Witch whose father has just been killed. Brent her father's second in authority comes to collect her from college , and to turn her life upside down. Sara and Brent have know each other since childhood and have always fought like cats and dogs. This leads to quite a bit of conflict. Now, every female Fire Witch must do her duty and "breed" at least have one full blood child of magical descent. Sara's father put in his will certain conditions , including naming her breeding partner. At this point Sara feels hopeless... filled with guilt... anger ... and a new budding emotion.
I enjoy reading this book. I could tell how much Brent loves Sara. He proved it several times and I actually found Sara annoying sometimes. Just because you don't want to do what someone else told you to, it doesn't mean you have to complain and deny your feeling until something bad happens. I like the end and the Epilogue gave me closure which I enjoyed.