Heated

When SEALs Come Home #4

by Anne Marsh

He sets her world on fire…

Mercedes Hernandez is a “nice” girl who follows the rules. As the new sheriff of Strong, California, she’s responsible for making sure everyone else follows those rules too. She’s also had more than her fair share of Mr. Wrongs in her life, so the big, rough, too handsome, always laughing smoke jumper who roars through her town going ninety in a thirty-five-mile-an-hour zone is a definite problem. Not only is he breaking the law, but he just might break her heart. Speeding tickets can’t make him behave…so it might be time to break out the handcuffs for a more personal lesson in misbehaving.

And tempts her to be so very, very bad…

Former U.S. Navy SEAL, smoke jumper and unrepentant bad boy of summer, Joey Carter loves fast bikes, hot women, and a good time because speed and pleasure drown the ghosts from the past. He’s never met a woman he wanted to slow down for, however, until he literally runs into the good sheriff of Strong, California. She’s sweet and sexy…and the more he acts up, the more she notices him. And he really, really likes the way she looks at him.

Joey may be on his second chance with the law—but he wants a first chance at love…if he can convince Mercedes to let down her guard and let him show her that he’d be happy to play by her rules…in bed.

Genres: Romance, Military Fiction, Firefighters, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense

238 pages, Paperback

First published January 19, 2015

About the author

Anne Marsh is a sucker for a grumpy hero who falls hard, a sunshine heroine who won't back down, and small towns where everyone knows your business (but shows up with casseroles anyway).

A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author with 30+ romance novels, Anne writes contemporary and paranormal stories full of banter, steam, heroines navigating real challenges (chronic illness, anxiety, all the messy parts of being human), and happily-ever-afters you can believe in.

Perfect for fans of Ali Hazelwood, Talia Hibbert, and Olivia Dade.

Anne lives in rural North Carolina with rescue cats who barely tolerate her and neighbors who are real-life heroes—fixing cars, hauling mulch, pulling you out of ditches without even being asked. Her books are love letters to small-town kindness and big-hearted romance.

COMING SOON: Hot for Preacher (Harlequin Afterglow) - February 24, 2026
Grumpy preacher. Sunshine country singer living with rheumatoid arthritis. Second chances. Small-town meddling. So. Much. Heat.

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Reviews

[Kelly Akemann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, it definitely was a heated romance story!

I think that I liked his story and character a lot better than I liked hers. Mercedes starts off the story with such a major chip on her shoulder, that I wanted to tell her how no one wuld ever like her - EVER - if she didn't loosen up a bit. Now Joey on the other hand needed to grow up a bit despite of everything he has already gone through.
Yes their chemistry is Hot and consuming much like a fire (get it, the smoke jumper reference?!) but were they really getting to know each other or just how to please each other in the bedroom. Their is no reference to them actually talking just hooking up. Which do not get me wrong, I do like to hear about.
Also, I was let down with the ending. Umm, where is the answer to the burning question? (yep I did it again) I am all for a happy ending but was it truly one? We will never know. Ugh!!

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heated is the story of Jumper Joey Carter and Mercy Hernandez. Mercy is a deputy for Strong. After some mistakes made in her past, this is her chance to make herself a home and have the career she wants. Joey is starting to make that difficult.

Joey has been overseas, he's a smoke jumper, and his need to out run his demons has led him to have many run ins with the good deputy. His speeding is going to put him behind bars if he doesn't slow down.

They are the perfect balance for each other and it was a good quick read. I really enjoyed reading this.

[Lillian Cummings · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book in exchange for an honest review. I need a smoke jumper all for myself. Joey is so hot and Mercedes has no idea what she is in for. How many woman sheriff's do you know she follows the rules and she expects everybody else to as well but Joey has other ideas. Can Mercedes protect herself from this bad boy US seal or does she break her own rules for once? I really enjoyed the book and I will be reading the other smoke jumper books hot all around.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story. I hadn't read one of these yet, but I think I'll go find some. Good story of characters having to stretch themselves.

[Janet D. Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heated

I really liked Joey and Mercedes story. Joey living in the wild side with war demons chasing him. Mercedes trying to be a good cop and keep him safe from himself and to be the best cop she can be. Joey tries seducing her but he is the bad boy of Strong and can't go there or can she?

[Anima · Rating 3 out of 5]

Military men carry a lot of baggage, he’s traumatized over an accident he had no control over. To cope he rides his bike extremely fast and loves to get caught by Deputy Mercedes Hernandez. There really doesn’t seem to be much build up to their relationship, almost like it’s been building for awhile and we’re just now catching up. I just wasn’t catching feelings beyond lust for these characters.

[Char (1RadReader59) · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you come from a past of loss and pain how do you trust enough to open up to someone new? Well, maybe you don’t. Maybe you keep on the QT and take them on a test drive. Less risk of a broken heart and another loss of a great job.
At least that’s the way Mercedes Hernandez saw it. You see her long time high school sweetheart turned out to be all kinds of bad. Effectively ending her career in law enforcement in the L. A. area before she really got started. You know that “No consorting with convicted felons” it was ironclad rule. Breaking it had given her and invitation to had in a letter of resignation with her badge and she turned a new leaf. “NO BAD BOYS!” Not worth the price tag.
Then at her new job in Strong, California comes along ex-Navy SEAL and smoke jumper, Joey Carter. A man who doesn’t like to take rules or follow them anymore. His tours of duty had brought him back broken. So, his insomnia was causing a need for speed. A way to get an adrenaline rush. Mercedes finds him sexy as hell but wanted no part of him since she had already given him 8+ speeding tickets. You know she didn’t want history to repeat itself by having to leave a job over a guy who couldn’t follow the rules.
She can’t seem to out run all his advances to go out with him. She is attracted to him like bears to honey. When her friends start to push her toward him she starts to consider him for real. She doesn’t want to get hurt again so she goes into it as an on the fly and no strings attached. Joey however agrees but is finding out fast that he is wanting a whole lot more but doesn’t want to scare her off. He wants her to warm up to him and not just in his bed. She had a risk taker like Joey knew she had a risk taker before who broke her heart, not going there again. Or is she? When ordered to stay away from him something opens up in Mercy. Really confusing Joey completely. What could that be? Mercy’s heart?
Totally enjoyed this book. I did wish for more of an ending. I think I wanted a twist like a baby I guess. Anyway, still a good book. I give it 5 stars. Provided by Net Galley.
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[Books and Spoons · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, steamy, romantic story.
Joey runs from the memories of the war by flying on the highways at night on his motorcycle. After few speeding tickets from Deputy Hernandez, the nightly rituals of being stopped by the hot cop, comes a sort of a foreplay, when the feelings of attraction come into the picture.
Joey had a troubled youth, but being a SEAL fixed that side of his nature. He still likes the speed on the highway, but he has a heart of gold, always willing to help and take care of the people around him. He is charismatic, charming, very easy to like, and lust after.
Mercedes Hernandez is trying to stay professional, and keep her distance from Joey, and from the feelings he is igniting in her. One mistake behind her, mistake that cost her job in the LAPD, she has a second chance in law enforcement at Strong, and Joey, being the bad boy of the town, doesn't fit into her plans.
But the attraction burns hot, the lust is relentless, and there's only so long one can resist the burn.
I adored Joey, he is honest, straight forward, fun, and sweet, with demons from the war. His reputation as a bad boy was based on his youth, and his numerous speeding tickets from the highway. Mercedes had a bit of an attitude, understandably, when considering the events in LA. I am glad she finally stood for what was right, and claimed her feelings towards Joey.
It was a quick, spicy, fun story. I loved the humor and the ways Joye tried to woo Mercy. The plot was original, the romance was believable, even though the events moved really fast, it was an enjoyable story that made me smile
~ Three Spoons with a teaspoon on the side

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heated by Anne Marsh continues the SEALS Come Home series. Of the former military now Smoke Jumpers, Joey seems the most haunted by his military past. His behavior shows his need for some major therapy. This story line in one in which I find to be very believable for our returning warriors. However, Mercedes, a deputy, has her own ghosts. She deals with them by having a very controlled follow-the-rules approach to life. Boy, did Anne Marsh throw two opposites together in this one. They find a connection is physically but will it be enough to make a lasting relationship?

I always enjoy these characters in Strong CA. However, I hope to see more of Joey and Mercedes in future books in the series. At the end, I felt as if more struggles where still ahead of them. If they were real friends, I would want to know that they found more of an emotional connection and worked at dealing with the past trauma in their lives.

Anne Marsh gives us likeable flawed risk takers in her stories, no wimps allowed. Joey and Mercedes certainly fit this description. They need love, acceptance and understanding, and sometimes a push in the right direction. They find these things in the Strong Smoke Jumper community. I like how they “get by with a little help from their friends”.

Reads well as a stand-alone, but personally, I like knowing the other characters stories too.

Copy provided by NetGalley for an honest review.

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book titled Heated, Joey Carter, is a former Navy Seal and is part of a hotshot team and during the last fire they lost a man when the fire over ran them. He is blaming himself for the loss of the teammate even though it was not his fault and he is still trying to get over from an incident from his last tour. He finds riding fast on his Ducati a relief. Deputy Sheriff Mercedes Hernandez, does not see it that way and she continues to pull him over and give him speeding tickets. She is on the verge of arresting him but each time when she drives him into town she just lets him go. They are attracted to each other and he is trying to get her to go out with him, when she finally agrees she realizes that she has more than an attraction for him. But the sheriff has told her he does not want her with Joey because he has been nothing but trouble since he has been a kid, except when he left for the service. She being on probation and having to leave her first job has put her on edge but they still cannot go without being together. When it finally comes to a head towards the end of the book it really brings the story together. I really enjoyed all of the characters but his friend Kade I could relate to. This was a fun story at times but also a serious story as well, dealing with loss and with childhood and how people still looked at you from things you did in your childhood especially if you were in trouble. I really enjoyed this book. I got this book from net galley.

[ButtonsMom2003 · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Stands alone, no cliffhanger! Another great book for this series.

This is book 4 in the When SEALs Come Home series/book 6 in the Smoke Jumpers series. The story lines for the books are moving away from the focus being on the job of smoke jumper and are now more about the personal lives of the main characters.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Joey is a speed demon. He’s been tearing around town like crazy on his motorcycle with Deputy Sheriff Mercedes (Mercy) following close behind to issue tickets. Everyone in town believes this little game is kind of like foreplay for them but Mercy can’t afford to get involved with the town bad boy. She lost one job due to poor judgment with a boyfriend and she’s not about to get in trouble again – uh huh, of course not. 

We learn that Joey’s need for speed is caused by the demons from his past that he is trying to out run. Mercy knows getting close to Joey could cost her her job but the chemistry between them is just too strong to resist.

If you like reading about smokin’ hot bad boys and/or former SEALs you should enjoy this story. I really hope Anne continues this series as there are a couple of more secondary characters whose stories I want to read about.

I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[JoAn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heated by Anne Marsh is the 4th book in her When SEALs Come Home series. It was an enjoyable read for me and I was so glad to be back in Strong, CA.

Mercedes Hernandez is a new deputy and has become a stickler for following the rules since she lost her job down in Los Angeles. She is a strong and determined young woman as she starts over in Strong.

Joey Carter is a retired SEAL now working as a smoke jumper in Strong. He is trying to out run his bad memories from his military days, so he pushes the envelope whenever he can.

They are your typical "opposites attract" couple but they do finally find a middle ground where they both can be themselves. That middle ground happened to be in the bedroom but I hope they find more with each other than just the hot, sexy times in the future.

I have read other books in this series and enjoy how well Anne develops her characters. Also the secondary characters in each of the books are old friends if you started this series in the beginning.

I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Shelley Youngblood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heated is a fabulous book in the When SEALs Come Home Series by Anne Marsh. We have met former Navy Seal, smoke jumper Joey Carter in the previous books, but we never really knew him. He is so much more than than his reputation of loving fast bikes, women and a good time. As he is trying to outrun his past, he gets stopped by Deputy Sheriff Mercedes Hernandez, in more ways than one.

Deputy Sheriff Hernandez is a stickler for the rules. As the new sheriff in the town of Strong, she is responsible for making sure others follow those rules. When handsome, rough, smoke jumper Joey Carter continues to barrel through town, racking up numerous speeding violations she decides she needs to take a different approach to get through to him.

Anne Marsh continues to write an amazing story with strong characters, amazing plot lines that pull at the reader's heart strings. I was hooked from the first page to the last. Mercy and Joey's story is believable and captured my heart. Well done Anne! I can't wait for more!

[Cathy Geha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though book four in the When SEALs Come Home Series it is the first of the books that I have read. The setting is a small town in California where a group of ex-military has settled down and has become smoke jumpers, and no doubt all smoking hot if they are all like Joey, the main character in this book.

Joey has demons that ride him and he uses speed on the roads at night to try to outrun what haunts him. Mercedes is the deputy sheriff who writes the tickets and hands them Joey when she is manning the speed trap in town. Both have a past that impacts their courtship and has to be overcome before they can achieve their happily ever after.

There were moments in this story that were steamy, sweet, and fun. I loved the appearance of roses and rosebushes, poetry and its proper use within the story and felt like I heard just enough about some of the other characters to want to read more in this series and find out about them.

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic book in the series. Fun and lovely chemistry between Joey and Mercedes. Really liked being introduced to their fun, playful side as a balance to his rather dark back story.

*spoiler ahead* Anne Marsh is gifted at presenting strong men who have soft, gentle hearts although they try not to show it. Their scene in the Cop Car was illuminating, touching, and worthy of a couple of kleenexes and completely laid the foundation for why they fell in love. I fell in love with Joey as he planted rose bushes for her in the moonlight to protect her job status. Sigh.

The last chapter seemed a bit rushed - all the good HEA came in a couple of pages and I felt like I wanted and needed a bit more - perhaps would have felt more satisfied with an epilogue? 4.5 stars.

Please, please a couple more books in this series would be lovely. Thanks.

[Gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my! What a fabulous book! I love all of Anne Marsh's stories, so it's hard to pick one that is my favorite but this one is really at the top of the list.

Joey is an ex-SEAL who has returned to Strong to work with the Donovan brothers in their smoke jumping business and loves to drive his motorcycle(or anything else) really fast. Mercy(Mercedes) is a deputy sheriff is the lucky one who gets to stop him each time to give him a ticket.

The reader gets involved in the story right from the start-Joey is funny, sexy, hardworking and he loves to flirt. Mercy is just trying to do her job but she is very tempted. Emotionally charged, hot sex(should I mention the shower scene) and by the end it makes you wonder where you could find someone like him.

Buy this book!

[Dawn Pressel · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

A motorcycle hits a pedestrian the bike goes down, not only is there damage to the bike but the rider. Not to mention the story was incomplete since said rider wasn't named.

Joey is a bad boy? Because he rides too fast? Immature maybe but not bad

Mercy is a by the book cop, sadly that by the book attitude bleeds over to her off time as well.

Loved the magazine references, she's an innocent for sure and I liked the courage it took to her to ask for what she wanted.

I really liked the Jump books in this series but it's becoming clear that the SEAL books are fluff, some less then 100 pages

[Heather andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joey he's a sweetheart and quite the character, " I like the way you smell." A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Do you want me to say more?" He could be quite the caveman and it was sexy, "the boots stay on," he growled. "And you take as long as you need, honey." Eff sounding suave or giving her pretty words." He has some great ideas when it comes to him and his woman, " we could fix the leaving thing. Move in with me, and then at least you're coming back to me." I liked this book I loved Joey.

[Christa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Anne Marsh's books, and this is a good one! Sheriff Mercedes Hernandez and smoke jumper Joey Carter have several run ins due to his fast driving, good time ways. There is a strong attraction between them, but her past makes it difficult for rule following Mercedes to give in to the chemistry between them and see if it leads to more. Joey has some of his own baggage, making their road to romance an interesting one. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in return for an honest review.

[Christina Montminy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ended up getting a copy of this book directly from author Anne Marsh for an honest review. I enjoyed my first read by her & look forward to more. Her writing is amazing how she draws you into the scenes as if you are an actual character in the story. The drama was high & the passion hot in this book about a former navy seal turned fire jumper, trying to outrun what he's seen & been through in his past & a hard working female sheriff trying to keep control of the law & her heart.

[Suzanne Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joey and Mercy are unstoppable

Joey and Mercy have lots of spark, passion and heart. He drives to fast, plays hard and enjoys life. Mercedes, is a cop, follow the letter of the law and does the right thing, until she books up with Joey. This story is a great ride, full of fast driving and hard loving. Check out this book and the rest of the "Smoke Jumpers" series. It's a great ride

[Sanny · Rating 1 out of 5]

No action, no tension, no fire, no conflict

Blah. Conflicted moderately bad boy. Police officer good girl. One or two dates on the down low. Yawn. Inevitable conclusion reached with about a page of "will they work it out?" Ok, so they always do, but usually there is some suspense. None here. Zero.

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hot SEAL/jumper tamed by a female cop. What's not to like. He may have needed Mercy but I think she needed him just as much. The only reason I gave 3 stars was because I felt that the story was rushed.

[Glenda Bettin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read, Joey was so cute and Mercy was just perfect for him

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joey Carter is a former SEAL and a smoke jumper with a sweet and very big heart. He tries really hard not to show it. Quick sexy read. Full review to follow.

[Susan Norman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Anne Marsh. Read all her books in this series none have disappointed