Spark: Bluegrass Fire #1

by Kathleen Brooks

One spark is all it takes . . .
Firefighter Nolan Flynn has spent his whole life serving the small town of Keeneston. He loves his job, his friends, and his community. But he’s officially done with the dating scene. Between being chased by women who only know him from the firefighter calendar and grandmothers “accidentally” dialing 911 to set him up with their granddaughters, Nolan’s ready to give up on love, until one emergency call changes everything.

Helena Diakos is an international law attorney experienced in arguing cases all over the world. She believes in standing up for those who don’t have a voice. But when her latest case turns deadly, Helena’s best friend convinces her to come to Keeneston to hide. Only, danger follows her.

Blue collar Nolan finds out that opposites really do attract as he falls for Helena. Helena loves Nolan’s good heart. When Helena is targeted, nothing will stop Nolan from protecting the woman he loves.

Genres: Audiobook

284 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 21, 2026

About the author

Kathleen Brooks is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author. Kathleen's stories are romantic suspense featuring strong female heroines, humor, and happily-ever-afters. Her Bluegrass, Bluegrass Brothers®, Forever Bluegrass®, and Shadows Landing Series feature small-town charm with quirky characters while her Women of Power Series shows that behind every sexy billionaire is a man strong enough to love her! Then hang onto your seat for the wild and mysterious ride in the thrilling Web of Lies Series and a little magic in the Moonshine Hollow Series.

Kathleen is from Kentucky, where she graduated from Centre College and then later received her J.D. from the University of Kentucky College of Law. Kathleen still resides in Kentucky with her family and houseful of animals.


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Book Order:
(Bluegrass Series-complete series)
Bluegrass State of Mind
Risky Shot
Dead Heat

(Bluegrass Brothers Series®-complete series)
Bluegrass Undercover
Rising Storm
Secret Santa, A Bluegrass Series Novella
Acquiring Trouble
Relentless Pursuit
Secrets Collide
Final Vow
All Hung Up, Novella
Bluegrass Dawn, Novella
The Perfect Gift, Novella
The Keeneston Roses

(Forever Bluegrass Series®-complete series)
Forever Entangled
Forever Hidden
Forever Betrayed
Forever Driven
Forever Secret
Forever Surprised, Novella
Forever Concealed
Forever Devoted
Forever Hunted
Forever Guarded
Forever Notorious
Forever Ventured
Forever Freed
Forever Saved
Forever Bold
Forever Thrown
Forever Lies
Forever Protected
Forever Paired
Forever Connected
Forever Covert
Forever Burning
Forever Lasting
Forever Country
Forever Remembered

(Bluegrass Fire Series-ongoing)
Spark

(Shadows Landing-complete series)
Saving Shadows
Sunken Shadows
Lasting Shadows
Fierce Shadows
Broken Shadows
Framed Shadows
Endless Shadows
Fading Shadows
Damaged Shadows
Escaping Shadows

(Shadows Landing: The Townsends- ongoing series)
Face-Off
Targeted
Rescued
Heated
Escaped
Fractured
Claimed

(Paige Turner Bookworm Series- complete)
Adventures of a Bookworm
Misadventures of a Bookworm
The Adventurous Bookworm

(Moonshine Hollow- complete series)
Moonshine and Murder
Moonshine and Malice
Moonshine and Mayhem
Moonshine and Mischief
Moonshine and Menace
Moonshine and Masquarades

(Web of Lies- complete)
Whispered Lies
Rogue Lies
Shattered Lies

(Women of Powe-complete)
Chosen for Power
Built for Power
Fashioned for Power
Destined for Power

Reviews

[Marie]

He's beer and she's champagne...

...but despite their differences, they are perfect for each other. Nolan sees past her society upbringing and her money to the woman Helena actually is, he isn't interested in her family name, or how much she can give him, he's just terrified for her safety. He sees the woman who enters war zones and gives voice to those who are trapped and abused there, he loves that she wants to help and supports her completely...but equally wants to step in front of her to protect her. Being from Keeneston he knows better than to actually step in front of any female or suggest they need protection, but his heart may not survive her work!
Helena fell hard and fast for Nolan, he is the opposite of everything she has ever known. He puts the welfare of others before himself, fights fires, supports his parents, hides from the Belles and loves her. Just her. Not her life, her name, her money, but her. They make an awesome couple, they may not be the loudest, or the best known, people may not always see the work they do, but they are part of the heart of Keeneston and fit into it's crazy perfectly!
I love every visit to Keeneston and the unique cast of town's people, it's like returning to visit family, they welcome you with open arms, warm apple pie and a gun battle or two, but every visit is better than the last and this new series continues that tradition. I listened to this on Audible.

[Kathy Debevits McLaughlin]

Kathleen Brooks knocked it out of the park once again. I cheer in anticipation every time she has another book coming out and I’ve read every single one, almost 130 books, that she has written. This very quirky cast of characters that she has created in this small town, well let’s just say you feel like you are visiting all your relatives. The plot was great having Helena being hunted down by an international terrorist because then you get to see the whole crazy armed town come to her aid. From Aniyah with her bedazzled gun, Lucas with his crazy polar bear, love, Pam with her SUV and the giant fist attached to it and OMG The Ahmed is the best! I found myself laughing out loud during gun battles against the bad guys! I seriously tried to read this book slow because I wanted to savor every moment back in Keeneston. I’m already looking forward to the next book in this series and I’m seriously contemplating reading all her books all over again during the winter, that is how good they are.

[Angela]

The first in another great series by Kathleen Brooks. Kathleen takes back to Keeneston, Kentucky to revisit some old friends and to meet several newcomers in town. In her previous books there have been appearances by the Keeneston Fire Department. In her new series we get a closer look in the personalities and lives of these firefighters. First up is Nolan, the only boy ever brave enough to date Abi Mueez in high school.

Nolan fell for Helena the first time he saw her at his friend, Knox Everett's, wedding. But he thought she was out of his league. After all what would a New York City socialite ever see in a small town country boy like him.

Helena is a human rights attorney who is trying to help a group of teenagers in South Sudan. After a brutal attack she and the five teenage witnesses manage to escape the country safely. But the man Helena is trying to bring down is still after them.

[Lisa Smith]

Nolan and Helena met at her best friend Quinn’s wedding and a charity auction fire fighters when Helena bid on Nolan. Helena was an international attorney. She was helping some kids from Sudan, whose parents were killed years earlier. The story is exciting, suspenseful and full of Keeneston drama. I couldn’t stop reading.

[Jane]

Kathleen has hit another home run with this book and the beginning of a new series. The characters are fun and well developed. We have all of Keeneston and it's people to enjoy. There are lots of clues for new characters and the future. I loved this book. I marvel at how she touches on current events in the world and gives us thrills, tears, and lots of laughter. Thank you, Kathleen, for the fabulous entertainment.

[Amber Young]

Such a refreshing and unique romance book! I loved the multi-agency, terrorist, special ops crime aspect to the plot and of course, we all love a fireman MMC who is a total golden retriever! The FMC was a baddie in her own right as well! The found family and crazy small town vibe also made this a hit. I laughed so much at the antics of the townspeople and all the bets and competitions. The plot got this book a 4 ⭐️ rating. While the romance was cute and gushy, the insta-love was too much and I needed more emotional connection. The author could have tried to explain it by them living together for her safety and the whole life and death situations over and over pushing things faster than usual but that wasn’t the vibe given. It was portrayed as him being hooked from first sight and pining for who knows how long and vice versa. It just wasn’t want realistic in that respect but as mentioned before, the plot kept the ratings high and was totally what made this book worth the read.

[Becca]

Unfortunately I only made it 10 chapters and a lot of that was skimming in the hope it was going to get better…I was intrigued by the plot a romance about an international lawyer and a firefighter but that was the only intriguing part. This is obviously a spin off series from another series but as I hadn’t read them all the character references and tie ins felt like a brain dump for the sake of it to catch you up…instead we had small town Kentucky that is somehow filled with black ops soldiers hanging out with “belles”… it just didnt fit….though again maybe having missed the other series I’m still playing catch up….our MMC fell in love with our FMC at first sight and if he calls her sweet thing one more time I’m gonna lose it….and then She’s all ‘ I want Nolan” right from the start when we have no context to their relationship besides a dance at a wedding obviously in the other books as their history….anyway I gave up…all these 5 star reviews had me thinking I was in for a treat…

[Kathleen]

Sparks fly when Helena and Nolan met for the the 1st time at a Keenest0n wedding, but the 2nd meeting the flames burst into that neither want to put out. But can these two who are such opposites meet in the middle and have that happy every after that all couples in Keeneston get or are they destinated to be forever in an inferno that will be be smothered by their differences.

I loved the start of this new series by Kathleen Brooks and the wonderful and quirky citizens of Keeneston KY. She brings together two characters that your will fall in love with and be rooting for them to find a way to be together. They will grab your heart and you will cheer them on with glee while the town does their betting on wedding dates while they find their way to happiness. I love the introduction of new characters for future stories to come. Always fun to read another Bluegrass series, that will have you laughing out loud, sighing when romance is high and cheering when the bad guys get their just desserts. And stopping in at the Blossom Cafe is the place to be.
Well done Kathleen Brooks. Another great series. Can't wait for the next book.

[Brittany Simmons]

We have met Nolan and Helena previously in different books and together in Forever Remembered. Helena is a strong international lawyer while Nolan is a "hot" firefighter. I absolutely love them together and knew they would quickly fall for each other from the moment they met in Forever Remembered. I love Helena's case and how she fights for what is right in the world. Bella is such an amazing support character. I cannot wait to see more of her in the books. We also got a closer look at the President's Guard aka Bluegrass Ops. That will be amazing to watch it grow. Back to Nolan and Helena, their scenes together were perfect and I wish I could be part of Helena's family; they seem so fun! This is a must read new series.

[Michele A.]

Nolan and Helena are both intrigued by each other. They met when her BFF, Quinn, met and married Knox. Helena finds herself in the Sudan and being targeted bu Garagan, who is a terrible human being. She takes some of her interviewees with her. It seems that they are always being targeted and found by his men. Kenneston steps up to help them when they arrive there. Nolan knows he wants more with Helena, but thinks he isn't good enough for her. She soon realizes that he is exactly what he needs. She just needs to figure out if she can change her life to accommodate living in Kenneston and not making Nolan move to NYC. It seems there are always multiple women pregnant and giving birth at the same time. The book was interesting and I found it a great start to this series.

[Kat]

Back to Keeneston


I have loved Nolan Flynn since we were first introduced to him in the Bluegrass Series. It has been so lovely watching Nolan grow and become a firefighter. This story really shows what a gentleman Nolan is and just how much he has to give.

Helena comes from a life of privilege but wants to help everyone around her. While in South Sudan, she helps a group of young adults escape their lives and find a new beginning.

Eventually, everyone ends up in Nolan’s hometown of Keeneston. Keeneston is a quiet town most of the time, but whenever visitors arrive, guns are always involved—and the town absolutely loves it! 😂

Another brilliant story from Kathleen Brooks. I loved Nolan and Helena together, and I’m always happy to spend time back in Keeneston. ❤️

[Kathy]

Never disappointed!

Kathleen Brooks is one of my top authors I recommend to everyone! "Spark" is to be read in one sitting, because you don't want to miss any of the action! She is the Queen of Adventure /Romance! I have read over 50 of her books and love every one! The family she has created with her characters is the family we all wished we belonged to. And Grandma Marcy needs to pass down that Apple pie recipe really soon!
Her characters are relatable, and she brings so much fun, and quick I was to them all. The Sudan meets Greece, and Keenston, Kentucky. Such a great read!

[Samantha]

I absolutely loved Spark. I could read and/or listen to it again, which I more than likely will. I always pick up on little things every time I reread a Kathleen Brooks' book.
Spark had me freaking out, laughing, crying, laughing some more, cringing in fear some, and seriously laughing a lot. It's filled with South Sudan corruption, firefighters, old ladies, foreigners with diplomatic immunity, "retired" military grandpas, badass grandmas, and so much more. It was awesome to see beer and champagne get together and even better to read about Nolan finding love. Helena is perfect for him.

[Rachel E.]

she’s gonna write a bad b*tch

I’ve read dozens of books by Kathleen. I keep coming back bc the stories are engaging, the characters are fun, the suspense is thrilling and every single woman is gonna be a bad b*tch. There’s literally no one else out there that I’ve found doing it like her. Action- Rom Com - Suspense with leading ladies that will crush skulls and bake pies after they show you their weapons rooms - brilliant. She doesn’t shy away from bending gender expectations. I guarantee if you expect a man to have a specific job or role in a story, she’s gonna write it as a woman. I’ll be a Kathleen reader for life as long as she keeps writing female characters (primary and secondary) who aren’t afraid to kick ass and take names!

[Jo]

it’s sad for the first two chapters, what the war did the country, it made me think about middle east, africa

i was expecting something acts of nolan when dating abby, show some funny things about ahmed, nut it didn’t.

is it a good one? as the first of the series, so far so good

bella, wick, faith, kori, now get to know the black op team.

[Sondra Wayman]

I thought it could not get hotter in Keeneston…but it does! Helena and Nolan are perfect! But as always the road to HEA has bad guys along the way…and Keeneston is up for the challenge…and we see old friends who help protect new ones! Kathleen keeps the great stories and couples going…as well as more babies! Love this series…the whole series is great!

[Bethany]

LOVED LOVED LOVED!!!!! Nolan finally gets his own book! We always known he was a secret bada**, but now we get to see it in his own story. This opposites attract done right as they bring out the best in each other and support each other's goals! Helena was a bada** in her own right. And OH, the babies!!! Can't wait for the rest of the books in the series!

[Cheryl]

Fantastic start to a new series with old friends and more characters from Keeneston. Nolan and Elena were a breath of fresh air. However, trouble always comes to Keeneston and who else to deal with it bit the town full of highly skilled folks. As the story enfolds, Kathleen sheds light on real time issues, equality and the real struggle of women in the workplace. Keep these great books coming.

[Amanda Nixon]

Another five-star read from Kathleen Brooks! ✨

I absolutely love this author and have devoured her other series, so I was beyond excited to start her brand-new series with Spark — and it did not disappoint! I was hooked from the beginning.

I think I want to move to Keeneston or Shadows Landing! 🏡

If you’re a Kathleen Brooks fan, definitely add Spark to your TBR!

[Andrea Akers]

Spark

Helena and Nolan have danced around each other for a while now. But when her life is suddenly in danger, Nolan comes to the rescue. However, will he be on time when she most needs him? Catch up with your favorite Keenstonites and the newest couple.

[Joni TIncher-Archer]

Kathleen for another win!!!

Keeneston is the most amazing place. Every book makes me love it more. The twists and turns in everybody is incredible and surprises me each time. Please don't ever make me leave Keeneston!!!!! Nolan and Helena are amazing. Love love love

[Heide Bell]

What a spark

What a way to start the fire series. I love all of the characters from town and now new people are entering the group. Definitely some emotional moments. I can't wait for stories to be released.

[Suzi]

always enjoyable

I find Kathleen Brooks stories are always fun and exciting. Each is unique in their own way and you have a good feel good ending. The characters are exciting and charming . Can’t wait for the next one.

[Melissa’s Reviews]

Mrs Marcy and Rose Sisters got it right again

Nolan is firefighter the Rose Sister’s talked him into the calendar/auction and it wan Helena that bought him. Now she’s back I. Town and second won’t be missed. Great adventure story.

[Cheryl Vick]

I LOVE IT!!!

Yet another can't put it down and ends too fast. Now I'm ready for the next to see what happens.

[Nancy Walls]

So awesome to be back in Keeneston!

A great start to another Bluegrass series!
Loved the book
It is always a wonderful time, when in Keeneston!
Bring on the next book

[Jayne Ross]

Amazing as always

Amazing as always !- love all the books in the series from the first to this one ! Keep them coming please!

[stephanie martin]

Wonderful

I have read all of these books and cannot wait for each new one that comes out. Each one is magnificent.

[Mayas]

Nolan HEA

We got the Bluegrass flare but the story fell a little flat for me. Nolan finally gets to protect the girl he thought was above him.

[Kirstie Ibrahim]

great story