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Trial by Fire
Coming home was the spark. He was the flame.
Defense attorney Audra Reynolds left her small hometown years ago to escape being defined as "the fire chief's daughter." Now she's back to defend a local businessman accused of arson. A case that puts her directly at odds with Maliek Coleman, her father's protégé and the fire department's lead investigator. As they reluctantly work together to uncover the truth, professional boundaries blur and old sparks reignite. But in a town where everyone has secrets, Audra and Maliek discover that the most dangerous flames aren't the ones that destroy buildings. They're the ones that ignite between two people with everything to lose. A sizzling romance about legacy, truth, and finding where you draw the line.
Chance RomanceProtector HeroSmall Town SecretsHomecomingDaddy IssuesFireman RomanceContent Mentions Alzheimer's disease. Explicit sex.
Defense attorney Audra Reynolds left her small hometown years ago to escape being defined as "the fire chief's daughter." Now she's back to defend a local businessman accused of arson. A case that puts her directly at odds with Maliek Coleman, her father's protégé and the fire department's lead investigator. As they reluctantly work together to uncover the truth, professional boundaries blur and old sparks reignite. But in a town where everyone has secrets, Audra and Maliek discover that the most dangerous flames aren't the ones that destroy buildings. They're the ones that ignite between two people with everything to lose. A sizzling romance about legacy, truth, and finding where you draw the line.
Chance RomanceProtector HeroSmall Town SecretsHomecomingDaddy IssuesFireman RomanceContent Mentions Alzheimer's disease. Explicit sex.
480 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 9, 2025
About the author
Barbara Howard
48 books106 followersRevealing secrets. Igniting passion. One page at a time.
Author of mystery stories featuring a strong female protagonist, a diverse cast of characters, and a dash of romance.
Barbara Howard is a mystery, romantic suspense, and contemporary romance author based in Cleveland, Ohio with a passion for creating stories that delve into complex relationships and hidden truths. Her works often explore themes of love, trust, and the past's influence on the present. With extensive experience as a Department of Defense/Pentagon Project Manager, KPMG Eastern Region Project Leader, and Corporate Sales Representative for Borders Books & Music, Ms. Howard brings a unique perspective to her writing. Now back in her hometown, she spends her days treasure hunting, spoiling her fur-babies, growing veggies, and plotting whodunits.
Board President (2024-2025), Great Lakes Fiction Writers
Memberships/Affiliations: Mystery Writers of America (MWA), Sisters in Crime (SinC), Great Lakes Fiction Writers (GLFW), Crime Writers of Color (CWoC), Authors Guild (AG)
She has also published a collection of books on food-related topics, food safety, and heirloom recipe cookbooks under the pen name, Arlene Lee.
Author of mystery stories featuring a strong female protagonist, a diverse cast of characters, and a dash of romance.
Barbara Howard is a mystery, romantic suspense, and contemporary romance author based in Cleveland, Ohio with a passion for creating stories that delve into complex relationships and hidden truths. Her works often explore themes of love, trust, and the past's influence on the present. With extensive experience as a Department of Defense/Pentagon Project Manager, KPMG Eastern Region Project Leader, and Corporate Sales Representative for Borders Books & Music, Ms. Howard brings a unique perspective to her writing. Now back in her hometown, she spends her days treasure hunting, spoiling her fur-babies, growing veggies, and plotting whodunits.
Board President (2024-2025), Great Lakes Fiction Writers
Memberships/Affiliations: Mystery Writers of America (MWA), Sisters in Crime (SinC), Great Lakes Fiction Writers (GLFW), Crime Writers of Color (CWoC), Authors Guild (AG)
She has also published a collection of books on food-related topics, food safety, and heirloom recipe cookbooks under the pen name, Arlene Lee.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 10, 2025
Good
The plot was engaging. There was suspense & romance. I liked that there was a strong FMC all though she got on my nerves not listening. Overall, I’d recommend this book.
The plot was engaging. There was suspense & romance. I liked that there was a strong FMC all though she got on my nerves not listening. Overall, I’d recommend this book.
November 22, 2025
One thing I love about a Barbara Howard book is that you are gonna learn something. This is my third book by her, and I have not been disappointed. This story had so many twists and turns. Every time I thought I had it figured out a new element was added. I loved that Audra was determined to find out the complete story no matter who wanted those secrets kept hidden. Maliek was right there by her side every step of the way. The teamwork and chemistry between these two were amazing. Maliek was taken through it because he didn't stand with the firefighter brotherhood. Reading these two find their footing in a relationship and figure out how to make it it work was everything. This was a story complete with romance and suspense.
May 2, 2026
This was such a good book and my first read by this author and not my last. Honestly, this would a cool series.
Audra is a successful defense attorney. This woman is smart, guarded, sweet, and tough. Maliek is a fire investigator in a small town in Georgia. He is grounded & grounding, has integrity, smart, loyal, and loving with his fierce watch dog Snake. Audra comes back home to defend a restaurant owner accused of burning down his place for money. Once these two meet the sparks (no pun intended) start flying. This is a slow burn mystery romance with lots many twists and turns.
This story addresses crime, violence, and who's really a villain. It also shows you small town justice or lack of and how saving/preserving someone's reputation at times takes precedence over what's right. Justice doesn't always prevail.
Audra and her father has a strained relationship which started to fall apart after her mother dies when she was 16 and her Dad continues to lean even more into his career. Maliek was mentored by Audra's father. Audra's father is a retired Fire Chief with a stellar reputation until the layers of his life and his involvement in some questionable fires that span 20 years then it starts to burn and stink. You find out this man was doing shady things for the "right reasons".
The romance between Audra and Maliek was slow, sweet, and real. I love the billboard he rented for 6 months that states I love you Audra Reynolds. The time apart for 6 months only made them realize how much they missed and loved each other. Maliek also decided to sell his house and interview for jobs in Chicago for this to work and Audra was looking for jobs in Atlanta, an hour away. Maliek told her NO-you're still doing the heavy lifting and I wasn't raised like that. In the end they got their happily after.
Audra is a successful defense attorney. This woman is smart, guarded, sweet, and tough. Maliek is a fire investigator in a small town in Georgia. He is grounded & grounding, has integrity, smart, loyal, and loving with his fierce watch dog Snake. Audra comes back home to defend a restaurant owner accused of burning down his place for money. Once these two meet the sparks (no pun intended) start flying. This is a slow burn mystery romance with lots many twists and turns.
This story addresses crime, violence, and who's really a villain. It also shows you small town justice or lack of and how saving/preserving someone's reputation at times takes precedence over what's right. Justice doesn't always prevail.
Audra and her father has a strained relationship which started to fall apart after her mother dies when she was 16 and her Dad continues to lean even more into his career. Maliek was mentored by Audra's father. Audra's father is a retired Fire Chief with a stellar reputation until the layers of his life and his involvement in some questionable fires that span 20 years then it starts to burn and stink. You find out this man was doing shady things for the "right reasons".
The romance between Audra and Maliek was slow, sweet, and real. I love the billboard he rented for 6 months that states I love you Audra Reynolds. The time apart for 6 months only made them realize how much they missed and loved each other. Maliek also decided to sell his house and interview for jobs in Chicago for this to work and Audra was looking for jobs in Atlanta, an hour away. Maliek told her NO-you're still doing the heavy lifting and I wasn't raised like that. In the end they got their happily after.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 28, 2025
This book cover is fire 🔥, pun intended 😂.
A small town filled with secrets and a daughter who returns home to a not so warm welcome.
This book was engaging, it was spicy, and it was intriguing. Audra and Malieks story developed while working on a case that see town secrets unearthed and family identities crushed. Sparks both ignite and they have to decide what remains once the smoke clears.
A small town filled with secrets and a daughter who returns home to a not so warm welcome.
This book was engaging, it was spicy, and it was intriguing. Audra and Malieks story developed while working on a case that see town secrets unearthed and family identities crushed. Sparks both ignite and they have to decide what remains once the smoke clears.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2026
This is my first book by Barbara Howard. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It wasn’t heavy romance which I am not mad at. Just some good tension! A lot of twist and turn for sure! I want another book maybe novella just the first half is talking about Maliek background and then the second half is them having a life together! I will def read another book from this author :)
May 14, 2026
Black Indie Aurhor Book Review!! My first 6 Star Read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5 Spicy 🌶️🌶️🌶️ Loved this book! I love her writing style and the details she puts into the story! Has everything in the book crime, fireman romance, spice, and emotional connection. Keep in mind check your triggers! This is a MUST read!💜💜💜
September 23, 2026
GREAT READ
I had the opportunity to meet with the author a couple days ago and purchase this book and when I tell you it is amazing the suspense, the turns,the romance and dynamic is all great I love Maliek and Audra’s chemistry
I had the opportunity to meet with the author a couple days ago and purchase this book and when I tell you it is amazing the suspense, the turns,the romance and dynamic is all great I love Maliek and Audra’s chemistry
January 14, 2026
This book was packed with secrets. The kind that make you realize how dangerous a small town can be when everyone knows your past but not the truth.
I really felt for Maliek throughout the story. He was hit from every angle, both physically and emotionally, and it honestly felt like he carried much of the weight of this book. At times, I wasn’t even sure Audra truly deserved him, but despite my doubts, their connection felt inevitable. Complicated, messy, and rooted in history...they were clearly meant to find their way back to each other.
The romance had a nice level of spice, enough to add heat without overpowering the suspense. I also appreciated how much I learned about fires and fire investigations. That added an unexpected layer of realism and depth to the story.
Overall, Trial by Fire delivers romantic suspense, emotional tension, and a town full of secrets that refuse to stay buried. A solid read for fans of second-chance romance and small-town drama.
I really felt for Maliek throughout the story. He was hit from every angle, both physically and emotionally, and it honestly felt like he carried much of the weight of this book. At times, I wasn’t even sure Audra truly deserved him, but despite my doubts, their connection felt inevitable. Complicated, messy, and rooted in history...they were clearly meant to find their way back to each other.
The romance had a nice level of spice, enough to add heat without overpowering the suspense. I also appreciated how much I learned about fires and fire investigations. That added an unexpected layer of realism and depth to the story.
Overall, Trial by Fire delivers romantic suspense, emotional tension, and a town full of secrets that refuse to stay buried. A solid read for fans of second-chance romance and small-town drama.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews