Hot Point

Firehawks #3

by M.L. Buchman

THESE AIRBORNE HEROES BATTLE MORE THAN FLAMES
The elite firefighters of Mount Hood Aviation fly into places even the CIA can't penetrate.

FROM WILDFIRE TO GUNFIRE
Master mechanic Denise Conroy-with a reputation for being as steel-clad as the aircraft she keeps aloft-shuns useless flyboys who don't know one end of a wrench from the other.

Firehawk pilot Vern Taylor-known for unstoppable charm and a complete lack of mechanical skills-proves his talent for out-of-the-box thinking with every flight. He's a survivor and a natural-born heli-aviation firefighter.

When Denise and Vern crash together in the Central American jungle with wildfire on one side and a full-fledged military coup on the other, their newly forged partnership is tested to the max. They have each other, but not even their formidable skills combined can protect Denise and Vern from the conflagration sweeping the jungle...and their hearts.

The third in M.L Buchman's firefighter romantic suspense series featuring a team of daredevil smokejumpers who fight more than fires. The elite fire experts of Mount Hood Aviation fly into places even the CIA can't penetrate.

Firehawks Series:
Pure Heat (Book 1)
Full Blaze (Book 2)
Hot Point (Book 3)

Praise for Full Blaze
"A richly detailed and pulse-pounding read...tender romance flawlessly blended with landscapes of blazing fires and heart-stopping life-or-death scenes." -RT Book Reviews, 4 stars

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

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published August 4, 2015

About the author

USA Today and Amazon #1 Bestseller M. L. “Matt” Buchman started writing on a flight south from Japan to ride his bicycle across the Australian Outback. Just part of a solo around-the-world trip that ultimately launched his writing career.

From the very beginning, his powerful female heroines insisted on putting character first, then a great adventure. He’s since written over 60 action-adventure thrillers and military romantic suspense novels. And just for the fun of it: 100 short stories, and a fast-growing pile of read-by-author audiobooks.

Booklist says: 3x “Top 10 of the Year.” PW says: “Tom Clancy fans open to a strong female lead will clamor for more.” His fans say: “I want more now…of everything.” That his characters are even more insistent than his fans is a hoot.
As a 30-year project manager with a geophysics degree who has designed and built houses, flown and jumped out of planes, and solo-sailed a 50’ ketch, he is awed by what is possible. More at: www.mlbuchman.com.

Reviews

[Heather / Obsessed With Myshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 stars

I really had trouble getting into this one. While I enjoyed that Vern allowed Denise to somewhat find herself, it annoyed me that there was a lot of repetition in her inner dialogue regarding her insecurities.

There's also a ton...and I mean A TON of helicopter firefighting lingo. While I credit the author for the ridiculous amount of research that must have taken I found myself skimming and wondering when we were going to return to the love story. I felt that for a lot of the book nothing really happens...and then when something finally DOES happen it's super confusing, misleading and I felt unnecessary to have gone down the way it did. It just didn't make a lit of sense except that the story needed a serious pick-me-up in the plot department, so in that regard the scenes were needed.

When the book focused on Vern and Denise I found it to be sweet and a warming kind of love but not memorable. This isn't an explicit kind of book, so if you're looking for that you'll be dissapointed.

overall, I struggled. It was fine but not memorable.

[I recieved an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review]

[Paranormal Kiss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great booking in the Firehawks series!

Hot Point by M.L. Buchman is the 4th book in the Firehawks series. It is a wonderful mix of pulse pounding excitement, sweet hearted romance, engaging story and sarcastic humor. The characters are multidimensional and likeable. Care and time is given developing the romance in a way that is utterly endearing and completely believable.

I loved Vern and Denise together. They are both unique and exceptionally talented in their vocation. Denise, the head mechanic at MHA, is brilliant minded and has gained the nickname stainless steel for her somewhat standoffish manner around others. Her last relationship damaged her self-worth and it is Vern that helps her overcome her insecurities.

Vern is a wonderful Hero. He’s likeable, charming and honorable. A Firehawk pilot for MHA, he invites Denise to dinner and is surprised when she accepts. He desired her but always thought she was way out of his league. At the same time Denise is surprised when he shows an interest in her. It was fun to read along as these two characters fell in love.

From battling wildfires to romantic escapes, Hot Point will keep on the edge of your seat and thoroughly entertained. I look forward to more by this author.

I highly recommend Hot Point and the Firehawks series to fans of romantic suspense.

*ARC (Advanced Review Copy) received from the publisher, SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca, via NetGalley.

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vern and Denise are quite the pair. I found it interesting how both seemed smitten with the other and didn't think they were good enough. It lead to a quiet courting, or as quiet as it could be among all the fire personnel. What was amazing was how by spending time with each other it seemed like their true self came out. I especially loved seeing the two of them broach the secret subject that was hiding in the camp. Both were smart enough to get most of it, yet when they were finally clued in and offered a seat at the table they were surprised.

I thought Vern and Denise did a great job when they were really put to the test. Yes there were some shaky times, but overall they did great in a horrible situation. But the best was the after mission talk with the group where Denise and Vern both came to a decision about the future.

[Jonel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Buchman’s writing. He invites you into the world of his characters, bringing each aspect to life in a big way. I love the technical aspects of the novel. It made everything so much more real for me. The action and firefight was unmistakable. His vivid descriptions bring everything to life in an unforgettable way. The plot also intrigued me and kept me guessing.

Buchman did loose me a little with the main characters in this one. Denise’s perpetual insecurity contradicted with her career on the front line. I felt as if she went from one extreme to the next within moments. The relationship between her and Vern was a sweet romance. His genuine caring drew me to him. These two did complement one another throughout the tale.

Once again Buchman has created a fast paced, action intensive novel that takes readers deep into the lives of his characters. It was a unique addition to the series and one that I enjoyed reading.

Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.

[Heather andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vern and Denise are an interesting pair, "I. Don’t. Need. To. Relax.” Then she cursed under her breath. “Okay”— she unfisted his T-shirt—“ maybe a little.” He ran his hands onto her waist and up along her back." Vern can be slow to catch on at times especially when Denise is concerned, "Denise’s words registered in her own brain at about the same moment as Vern’s. “You what?” He jerked his head up fast enough to bang it on the tree again. “Ow." Vern also sometimes just states the obvious, "that we’re in love with each other and it’s confusing the hell out of both of us." I liked this book I really liked Vern.

[Cardyn Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I <3 M.L.B. books for too many reasons to name. Here are a couple: his gift for integrating detailed tech jargon in emotionally dynamic exchanges and his spot-on ear for the complexity of personal and professional discussions between women and men who are equally smart, strong, ambitious, and brave.

Looking forward to the new Delta series.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vern Taylor, former Coast Guard helicopter pilot and four year firefighting pilot, has been certified on the Firehawk (large and massively expensive) for all of 32 hours when a hydraulic line ruptures and brings him back to Mount Hood Aviation pouring black smoke. Not a good move with Denise Conroy, MHA’s chief mechanic. Their adventures lead them to Montana wildfires, to Central America, and into a relationship.

All the usual characteristics of Buchman’s novels are here: admirable, strong, competent characters, action, and straightforward romance with no games. Vern is a charmer, and Denise is shy and socially awkward. Suspense and danger add to the steamy romance. A very satisfying novel with lots of action, physical and mental challenges, and teamwork. Highly recommended as a standalone and a series.

Readalikes:
Kathryn Shay’s Firefighter trilogy; Bella Andre’s Hot shots; Lindsay McKenna’s Operation: Shadow Warriors; Jackie Ashenden – Raw Power; Stephanie Tyler – Hard to Hold; Lea Griffith – Flash of Fury; Julie Ann Walker’s Black Knights, Inc.; Donna Grant – The Hero; Janie K. Crouch – Storm; Dana Marton – Last Spy Standing..

Pace: Fast-paced
Character: Strong men and women with good backstories
Storyline: Action-packed
Writing style: Engaging
Tone: Steamy
Frame: Oregon, Montana, Honduras; Contemporary
Themes: Dealing with danger (natural disasters); Found family

[Marlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published at Reading Reality

I have read and enjoyed many, many previous entries in both of M.L. Buchman’s connected military/romantic suspense series, The Night Stalkers and Firehawks.

If you prefer your romantic suspense with a higher military quotient, start The Night Stalkers with The Night Is Mine. If you prefer your romantic suspense with more domestic danger, for very loose definitions of domestic, start with Pure Heat. Either way, the romance is hot, the suspense is very, very dangerous, the heroes are alpha but not alpha-holes, and the women are every bit as alpha, and every bit as professional, as the men.

The series are loosely interconnected, so it is very possible to read one without the other. However, this is one of those “Why would you?” questions.

Hot Point is a Firehawks story, and as such it does follow the pattern set by previous stories in the series. Not that this is a bad thing, the pattern definitely works.

One of the parties in the romance tends to be a bit of a misfit, but highly competent at their extremely technical job. The other one is equally competent, or they wouldn’t be part of Mount Hood Aviation in the first place. But that second person is usually slightly more socially ept. However, neither of the people who become involved in the romance expect to fall for anyone anytime soon, if at all.

That’s what happens in Hot Point. Vern, the helicopter pilot, is very competent. He has experience both with the Coast Guard and now fighting fires with MHA for 4 years. He may be one of the best helicopter pilots in the world outside of the military, and would possibly still rank highly within it. He is also a first-class charmer of the “love ‘em and leave ‘em” school. He’s not interested in long term until ace mechanic Denise Conroy gets under his skin.

Denise is one of the best helicopter mechanics that MHA has ever seen. Unfortunately, Denise is a bit standoffish and seems to be a stainless steel bitch. Of course, she is anything but. Instead, she’s the daughter of a widower who never recovered after the death of his wife – a woman that her surviving daughter resembles all too much. Denise is afraid to get close to anyone out of fear that she will lose them.

She’s way more competent with helicopter engines than she believes she is with other people. When she and Vern collide after his helicopter develops a fault mid-flight, they find themselves drawn to each other and into an intense relationship that neither expected.

They also bond over their mutual suspicion that there is more to MHA than merely fighting forest fires – not that that occupation isn’t dangerous enough. When former SOAR pilots own a crackerjack firefighting outfit, there are times when the U.S. military requests plausibly deniable backup in places that are hot spots in more ways than one.

Vern and Denise find themselves in the midst of MHA’s “second contract” either leading a coup d’etat in Honduras or trying to prevent it. As the bullets fly, they both start thinking that a regular civilian job might be a whole lot safer – if they live long enough to enjoy it.

Escape Rating B+: This series is always fun. I will confess that I’m finding the author’s new numbering scheme a bit awkward. About half the books it takes to reach #10 in this series are actually novellas. Oh well, that will make it just that much easier for me to catch up on the few that I’ve missed.

One of the things I really, really love about both of Buchman’s romantic suspense series, is the way that he draws the female characters. Every single one of them is an ace at what she does. Also all of them have the scars that any hyper-competent woman ends up with. One either ends up compromising one’s integrity in order to seem less capable, or discovers that one’s dating pool is extremely limited, because there are too many men who find them hard to take, even though that same hyper-competence is a trait they would either admire or envy in another man.

Some of Denise’s scars are of this type. She loves helicopter mechanics, and she is awesome at it. She’s also not very social, because she’s spent a lot of her life lost in either a book or a helicopter engine, and sometimes both at the same time. She isn’t traditionally feminine, and it is really clear that her last boyfriend was emotionally abusive about it.

The number of times and different ways that Jasper demeaned her and made her feel less than (even in memory) were so heartbreaking that I half expected him to come back and try to mess with Denise’s head all over again, but I’m glad that he didn’t appear. That would have been a traditional, and cliched way of created the crisis near the end of the story.

However, the jerk was mentioned so often he became kind of a Chekhov’s gun, he just never went off. So to speak.

Instead, what we have is a lovely romance between two people who constantly throw themselves in harm’s way, and who never expected to find someone else to be their equal. Denise becomes more comfortable in herself by being loved, and Vern finds himself more grounded. They fit each other perfectly.

The military mess at the end was an absolute hoot. They aren’t sure whether they are being kidnapped or enlisted, and don’t figure out until the end whether they are preserving the Honduran government or have been coerced into helping bring it down. The addition of Michael Gibson (hero of Bring on the Dusk, in disguise and in trouble, injects just the right amount of danger as well as linking back to The Night Stalkers.

A new entry in either of Buchman’s series is always a treat. I can’t wait for the next adventure.

[Dicentra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Buchman's books and usually have no complaints, this time however I was disappointed by the fact the description/blurb on the back of the book had very little to do with the actual content of the book. I expect to have an idea of the story arc going into it and I kept waiting for the "When Denise and Vern crash together in the Central American jungle....." never happens. Also the bit about her "shunning flyboys who don't know one end of a wrench from the other", also never came up in the book. I did really like the book, I just couldn't reconcile it with what I expected it to be about.

[Dewey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is as good as Nightstalkers, for the same reasons. This favorite author can easily balance detailed technical information, to enthralling action, to developing complex, smart, strong, men and women. One minor annoyance, because I loved the Michael Gibson & Claudia Jean Casperson story as much as Mark/Emily (so wish there had been more MG/CJC stories), I was surprised that the author would change their hair colors in their all too brief appearance in this book. Claudia was clearly a blonde and Michael had dark hair, so why make Claudia a brunette & Michael a blonde for this story? There was no context given for it; in fact, one could argue that Michael would more easily fit in to the locale with dark hair. Editor failed to catch this?

[J.A. Hoyt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not too shabby. You can always tell when a writer does her research, and this was beautifully done. I also enjoyed that there was a legitimate story and a plot point. Read for helicopter thrills and sweet romance.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook- not much action but good characters. I will read more by this author.

[karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Denise is a spitfire. Vern is a special man. The love is over the top. The Night Stalkers are still involved in the suspense. A good series.

[Rachy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The synopsis covers the last 1/3 of the book, maybe less.

[Kem · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book Down. There's danger of several kinds throughout the whole book. I wish I could have found a Vern. The ending was a surprise when Michael from past books showed up.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

More firefighting with pilot Vern and mechanic Denise. I enjoy this author’s writing style, characters and plot. Great romance and lots of action.

[Amanda]

Idk neither of the mcs was really appealing to me

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!! Fantastic series!!

[Sandy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars--

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 4, 2015


THESE AIRBORNE HEROES BATTLE MORE THAN FLAMES

The elite firefighters of Mount Hood Aviation fly into places even the CIA can't penetrate.

FROM WILDFIRE TO GUNFIRE

Master mechanic Denise Conroy—with a reputation for being as steel-clad as the aircraft she keeps aloft—shuns useless flyboys who don't know one end of a wrench from the other.

Firehawk pilot Vern Taylor—known for unstoppable charm and a complete lack of mechanical skills—proves his talent for out-of-the-box thinking with every flight. He's a survivor and a natural-born heli-aviation firefighter.

When Denise and Vern crash together in the Central American jungle with wildfire on one side and a full-fledged military coup on the other, their newly forged partnership is tested to the max. They have each other, but not even their formidable skills combined can protect Denise and Vern from the conflagration sweeping the jungle... and their hearts.

•••••••••••


REVIEW: 4.25 stars--HOT POINT is the 10th installment in M.L. Buchman’s adult, contemporary FIREHAWKS romantic, action, suspense series. This is Firehawk pilot Vern Taylor, and Mount Hood Aviation chief mechanic Denise Conroy’s storyline. Although HOT POINT is labeled the 10th installment in the series, it can be read as a standalone without any difficulty. Several of the previous installments are indie publications, novellas and short stories that I had no idea existed.

Told from third person point of view HOT POINT follows Denise and Vern’s building relationship-a relationship that surprises everyone at Mount Hood Aviation but none more so than Denise herself. Denise had a reputation as a quiet, hard nosed mechanic with very little social graces or friends to count as her own. When Vern offers Denise a ride along on their latest fire fighting mission, sparks fly and Denise begins to have second thoughts about what it is she wants from life.


The relationship between Denise and Vern is one of friends to lovers as our couple must navigate the wild fires of America, and a military coup in the jungles of Honduras. Denise’s past is riddled with personal self doubt, loss and a previous relationship that all but destroyed her ability to love- she has some misgivings about her involvement with a Firehawk pilot. Vern is a man whose taste in women is dramatically in opposition to the woman who calls to his heart. ML Buchman’s heroines have an inner strength, and are capable of handling whatever the hero throws in her direction. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive but mostly implied-there is much to be said about the reader using his/her imagination.

The secondary and supporting characters include Jeannie and Cal (Full Blaze); Carly and Steve (Pure Heat); a well as Majors Emily and Mark Henderson, from the original Night Stalkers series. Many of the characters cross over between series and storylines as well as the ‘secondary mission’ that involves secret government assignments where the select few find themselves in life and death situations. The interaction between the men and women is friendly with camaraderie and love.

As in all of ML Buchman’s storylines, the technical detail and terminology is infinite, vast and continuous from firefighting lingo, helicopter technology, and military jargon. The fire fighting sequences are elaborate; the helicopter mechanics are intricate and analytical.

HOT POINT has a little bit of everything: romance, love, family and friendships, mystery, and suspense. ML Buchman pulls the reader into the action where the heat of the flames burns the storyline images into the mind. The premise is exciting and riveting; the characters colorful, enjoyable and realistic; the romance is passionate.


Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

www.thereadingcafe.com

[Book Gannet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea this was the tenth book in this series (according to the author's website) when I started reading, but I’m glad I didn’t know because I wouldn’t have gone anywhere near it – and that would have been a shame. So if you’re new to this series but the idea of heli-flying firefighters intrigues you, then pick this up because it stands alone just fine. Especially if you love strong female characters – they are everywhere.

I absolutely loved that about this book. Not just Denise, but the other Firehawk pilots and various other characters scattered about. These women are strong and intelligent and every bit as capable as the men they hang out with. And Denise is a fine example. Sure, she’s not the most feminine of women, but there are reasons. She’s an incredible mechanic and knows exactly what to do when faced with a damaged helicopter, but her social skills are less adequate. A little bit shy, a whole lot awkward, this is a woman who lost her mother at a young age, has a strained relationship with her father and had an absolute douchebag for a previous boyfriend. So when Vern shows interest in her she simply doesn’t know what to do about it.

Ah, Vern, I loved Vern. He’s a fantastic pilot and an all ’round charming guy, but he’s also secure enough in his own skin to be able to support Denise and buoy her up, rather than pull her down to score points, even if he can’t quite work out what she’s doing with him. The scenes where Denise drives him around were some of my favourites. Vern’s great on his own, but I really loved the way he treats Denise, how he sees her and encourages her without ever making her feel inadequate. The pair of them are wonderful to read about.

As for the plot, well, there’s plenty of action and adventure as you might expect with this setting. There’s also a lot of tech-jargon, which was almost overwhelming at first. Fans of the series will likely be used to it, but if you’re new like me stick with it if you can because it does get easier to follow and it definitely helps set the scene. The pace of the story did feel a bit stretched at times, with the firefighting scenes becoming almost dull in their routine repetitiveness. With the romance seeming to mostly wrap up by around two-thirds through the action towards the end takes over everything and the story loses focus a bit.

Clearly existing fans of the series will make lots of connections, which will probably please readers enough not to mind the strange undermining of tension. I don’t know, for such a serious plot, the last section in Central America fell a little flat for me. There is danger, but I wasn’t feeling it so much, and since most of the romantic tension was gone by that point I didn’t feel like I had as much of a stake in the story as I had earlier. So I kept reading because I wanted to finish, rather than because it gripped me. Things are a little rushed and a lot is left unexplained, making certain moments seem rather far-fetched. But hey, if you’ve got this far then just enjoy the ride.

Overall I really enjoyed this one. The romance is sweet, the hero is likeable and a good, talented guy and the heroine is great. If you like action with your romance, don’t particularly enjoy overblown language or in-depth sex scenes, then you should like this. If you’re looking for strong capable women, then I think this series will definitely have plenty to offer you. This might have been my first Firehawks book, but I’m pretty sure it won’t be my last.

(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)

[E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Hot Point” by M.L. Buchman is part of the ‘Firehawks’ series that centers around a group of firefighters who are part of Mount Hood Aviation (MHA). The presence of expert SOAR pilots both challenge and inspire the others, but there are additional ties that bind a close-knit subset of the unit. Pilot Vern Taylor is slowly becoming integrated into the elite group that pilots the Firehawk helicopters, but his biggest surprise is discovering the woman behind chief mechanic Denise Conroy, whose competency and steely exterior is well-known, as is her nickname “Wrench”. Sparks fly as Vern and Denise work out the parameters of a relationship that leads them on expected paths, but they must keep it from turning into a conflagration that will destroy them both.

This exciting contemporary romantic suspense story is a great addition to the series. There is a nice build-up of both the romance and the danger as the story progresses, and one gets an enlightening picture of the challenges faced by those who deal with the sometimes massive fires that threaten nature and civilization. It is always fascinating to see the characters from the ‘Nighthawks’ series, but the glimpses of them in this particular story keeps them firmly in the secondary character category. I wasn’t quite sure that the adventures at the end of the story were quite as integrated into the overall book even though they were quite exciting but I definitely enjoyed getting to know the main couple in this story. I love the blend of awkwardness and competency that each displayed and the passion and expertise that Denise has for her vocation makes her a great fit for the elite group that has a secondary purpose other than the stated mission for MHA. One of the things that endears characters to me the most is their ability to be humble and have a sense of humor in addition to being the best at something and both Vern and Denise fit that perfectly. Despite the fact that I am behind on reading the other books in this series, I had no trouble reading this as a stand alone, although my curiosity is definitely piqued by the allusions to prior events. This author is great at creating charismatic folks who have adrenaline-stimulating adventures and this story was another wonderful example of his talent and I look forward to reading more tales in this exciting series.

A copy of this title was provided to me for review

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from the book's publisher Sourcebooks through goodread's first read giveaway program in exchange for an unbiased review of the book. I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I had just finished M.L. Buchman's novella NSDQ (in anthology Way of the Warrior) and was wanting to read more of MLL. Buchman's work, when this book arrived in the mail. It couldn't have had better timing! This book was a little slow paced for my likes in the beginning, but picked up quickly and made up for it as the book went on. For the author being male (not meaning to be sexist in anyway, just most romance authors are female from what I have found) he did an excellent job with the romance and sex scenes. I thoroughly enjoyed an inside view of all that goes into fighting wildfires. Being from Oregon, we have a lot of wildfires in our state each year. I was especially drawn to the story with it being set on Mount Hood (I grew up in Portland where Mt Hood was an ever present sight on clear days looming over the city). I really liked when the story moved for a bit to Puget Sound in Washngton state (I had lived for a few years in Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island) the author did an excellent job describing this area as well. I had never thought of how important a mechanic is to a wildfire crew, Mr Buchman sure changed my mind!! And to have the mechanic be a female in a male dominated field, great job!!! I enjoyed both main characters very much, Vern, the helo pilot, and Denise, the mechanic. What a combination!!! The supporting characters were awesome and added much to the story also. This is the first book I had read in this series, though I was able to figure things out, it is best I think to read series in order. The book has everything that makes a great romantic suspense novel, great characters, action, romance, great sex scenes, mystery, and a touch of international intrigue. Just when I thought the book was slowing down and getting ready to wrap up....Denise and Vern headed off to Central America for further adventures. This book had me going throughout. The espionage aspect, kept me guessing. I highly recommend this author, his books, including this one, to anyone who likes a good romantic suspense book to read. Mr Buchman has now moved to my favorite authors list.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

How did this series get to #10 before I found it? Unreal--but hey, now my TBR's gotten considerably longer (because as long as I still have a TBR going on, I can't die, right? Right??)

I did feel a bit as if I came late to the party starting out with book ten--Vern especially alludes to previous events in his thoughts a lot, mostly reflecting on how other couples in the group came together. It wasn't enough to significantly alter my enjoyment of this one, though. There really wasn't anything I HAD to know ahead of time, I just felt as if I should know some of the people as well as he did. But, yay--Emily Beale and Mark Henderson (from The Night Stalkers series) are back. With their daughter. :)

(Would readers of the rest of the series book be in on the "secret" that Vern and Denise discover together in this book? I'm guessing they probably would--I did like finding out right alongside our hero and heroine, though. It made me feel more like I was right there with them.)

Vern and Denise are an adorable couple. Vern's just brimming with self-confidence, and has absolutely no qualms about admitting when women can do something better than he can. He has all kinds of respect for the women on the team who can out-fly him, and for Denise's mechanic prowess. I found this trait in him to be unbelievably sexy--and obviously, so did Denise. ;)

Denise's insecurities did get to be a bit much after a while, but when we understand her history a little better it does make sense why she would feel like that about herself. My heart broke a little for both her and her father.

The romance was sweet, and most of its roadblocks came from the characters themselves and were relatively minor. The biggest drama and suspense came from the firefighting and the secret project they embark on in the second half of the book. Mr. Buchman did a good job of immersing us in the world of the firefighters without inundating us with technical jargon and details.

Overall I really enjoyed this one and am looking forward to reading more from this series.

Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A

I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Krissys Bookshelf Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hot Point (Firehawks #10)by M.L. Buchman

Master mechanic Denise Conroy—with a reputation for being as steel-clad as the aircraft she keeps aloft—shuns useless flyboys who don't know one end of a wrench from the other.
Firehawk pilot Vern Taylor—known for unstoppable charm and a complete lack of mechanical skills—proves his talent for out-of-the-box thinking with every flight. He's a survivor and a natural-born heli-aviation firefighter.
When Denise and Vern crash together in the Central American jungle with wildfire on one side and a full-fledged military coup on the other, their newly forged partnership is tested to the max. They have each other, but not even their formidable skills combined can protect Denise and Vern from the conflagration sweeping the jungle... and their hearts.


My Review:
I really have to give the author credit for venturing out into the romance genre considering the fact that ML is a male author. ML manages to create an adventurous plot with strong characters and well researched details. I had to give mad props for being able to be so realistic. Hot Point is a romance any female or male for that matter can get into. Its not heavy sappy or steamy sexy but its a realistic and I had to admire that. So many romances are so sappy and over laden in sex that it feels like the writer just creates a story around the sex itself instead of actually putting effort into creating a decent book. Buchman is a fantastic artist of great talent, I really liked the respect Vern has for women and I liked that he conducted himself the way few women appreciate in a man these days. It made him a very likable hero.
There's some wish wash with the plot but it was the characters that really drove the story for me. I will be adding Buchman to my next list of favorites list. Guaranteed I will be looking for past and future books by this author.


My Rating:
4 Stars

Reviewed By: Krissy's Bookshelf Reviews
http://kkmalott.booklikes.com/


Note: I received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review from Sourcebooks Casablanca

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given a copy of this book via netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion and a review,

This is the first book iv ever read by M.L. Buchman i was excited to get this book.

Master mechanic Denise Conroy has a long standing reputation for being as hard nosed as the aircraft she keeps aloft she avoids all the useless fly boys who do not know one end of a tool from the other.

Firehawk pilot Vern Taylor, Is known for his unstoppable charm and a complete and utter lack of any mechanical skills, he proves his talent for his out of the box thinking with every flight. He's also a survivor and a natural Heli-aviation fire-fighter.

When Denise and Vern are in a crash together in the Central American jungle with huge wildfire's on one side and a military coup on the other, their new found partnership is put to the test. They have each other yes, but not even their set's of skills combined can protect Denise and Vern from the inferno sweeping the jungle... and their hearts.

M.L Buchman has a great way of slowly bringing in suspense to this story, he gives us something we can really get in to.

The Characters are great and i love the edge that each character has to them. Yes Denise has flaws but she is smart and has a great way's of handling stress. And Vern well he is the fun one, he certainly balances Denise out.

The book was easy to follow and had a comfortable pace to it so you didn't get lost.

4 Out Of 5 Hearts From Cariad Books

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book by M.L. Buchman and I can’t wait to read more from this author.
Master mechanic Denise Conroy has the reputation of being steel-clad and shuns useless flyboys who doesn’t know what a wrench is. Firehawk pilot Vern Taylor is known for his charm and ability to think out of the box when flying into fires. When he bring back Firehawk broken down and burning Denise and Vern find they have more in common than a helicopter.
Author M.L Buchman slowly builds a romantic suspense novel by giving the readers something to sink their teeth into. This is book four however you never once feel lost with the different characters that are introduces throughout the novel. There is nothing fluffy about this book M.L Buchman gives the readers a fly by the seat of your pants roller coasters with the perfect about of romance and actions.
Never once did the story stop moving and the romance is completely believable. Denise is flawed but she is smart and knows how to handle stress. Vern is fun helping to balance out the serious side of Denise.
This is not only a great summer read but this book will having your wanting to read more from M.L Buchman
Sent to me from Netgalley ARC

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

Denise Conroy, master mechanic for Mount Hood Aviation, doesn’t have the patience to put up with the flirtatious flyboys and firefighters she works with. The worst of these is Firehawk pilot Vern Taylor. Little does she know, that while he might flirt with anything female that has two legs, all he really wants is Denise any way he can get her. They both come to terms with each other when they end up in a Central American jungle with danger surrounding them on all sides.

This was a very fast read for me and an all around okay book. Not much really stuck out for me to make it “that awesome book I just read” nor did anything stick out to make it “that horrible book I never want to touch or talk about again”. I also didn’t feel like there was all that much chemistry between Denise and Vern. They themselves were okay characters, but that spark that makes a good romance book great just seemed to fizzle instead of pop. A book like this would be fantastic to take on the beach as something you can pick up and put down any number of times and not lose your place in the book or with what is happening around you. Readers who liked this book should try Jennifer Bernard and Lori Foster.

[Jeri Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Hot Point

I absolutely loved this book and I will definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves suspense romance novels. He is an amazing writer!

[Angel Hatfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

Verne was with the U. S. Coast Guard and flew helicopter near areas on fire. He was six years training with the Coast Guard with four more years of flying to fire. Now Vern’s helicopter was malfunctioning. Vern managed to override the problem and land safely but then he had to deal with Denise who was the chief mechanic for Mount Hood Aviation. Denise wasn’t really mad at Vern but at herself as she had sent Vern up in a machine that broke down even though Vern landed safely. Vern called Denise “ Wrench”. Denise was determined to not get involved with a pilot again. Denise had been involved with a pilot a long time ago. But “Slick”- Vern made Denise want to laugh and that wasn’t usual for Denise. Vern was attracted to Denise but he felt he didn’t have a chance.
This story was a pretty good story. But a lot of fire fighting language that didn’t particularly interest me. Also the story was slow at time and at other times it was pretty intense so i didn’t hate the story but didn’t love it. I did like the ins and outs of the stories.I also liked the characters.
I received an ARC of this story for an honest review.

[Shymsal · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars. Never read Buchman before, but I will be reading more. I always like it when authors take the time to really research their subjects and bring that knowledge to their writing. It lends a reality to the novel that passing over technical matters detracts from the overall reading experience. The characters fight fires and you not only read it, you feel it. If you, as a reader, prefer to be told "he flew out and dropped water onto the fire over and over and it was grueling" Buchman is not the writer for you. He tells you about the act of flying a helicopter, giving you a glimpse of what is really involved and bringing home to the reader the true level of skill required. He tells you about how wind, temperature, and gravity effect what the firefighters do. I loved it.
Character-wise, I enjoyed the hero and heroine a lot; I loved how they fit together and that they were both smart, capable and emotionally strong in their own separate ways while also having weaknesses just like regular folk. All in all, a good read! Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC.