Embers of Fate

by C.K. Darling

He puts out fires for a living. She's the fire he didn't know he needed.Event planner Ember Harper arrives in Peachwood Grove for a much-needed escape — a chance to breathe, regroup, and help her best friend plan a local fundraiser. What she doesn't plan on is a rainstorm, a deer in the road, and ending up in the arms of the most devastatingly handsome firefighter in Georgia.

Captain Ryan McCallister has seen plenty of emergencies. None of them looked quite like her.

What starts as a rescue turns into something neither of them saw coming—a connection that feels less like coincidence and more like fate. But Ember's carrying more baggage than the suitcases he helped unpack, and staying means trusting someone again. That might be the scariest emergency she's ever faced.

Good thing she's got a firefighter in her corner.

Embers of Fate is a quick, swoony ride through small-town Georgia, where sparks fly fast and feelings burn even faster—the perfect read to devour in an afternoon.

This book is perfect for readers who

A rescue romance with real emotional heatForced proximity and zero regretsA protective hero who falls first—and falls hardSmall-town charm with a found family to root forEmbers of Fate is the first book in the Blazing Hearts Short Romance Series by C.K. Darling. Each book follows a different McCallister brother finding his match in Peachwood Grove. While part of a series, each book can be read as a standalone.

Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️

100 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication June 17, 2026

About the author

C.K. Darling writes bite-sized romances with big heart, plenty of heat, and a whole lotta Southern sass. Her spicy short stories—each clocking in around two hours—are perfect for readers and audiobook lovers who want all the swoon without the slog. Set in the small (but never dull) town of Peachwood Grove, Georgia, C.K.’s romances can be enjoyed as standalones or gobbled up in a bingeable series—like your favorite potato chips… you can’t read just one.

Whether you're craving a second-chance love, enemies turned sweethearts, or a grumpy hero who melts like buttercream, she’s got just the treat. These stories are also the perfect palate cleanser between heavier reads—quick, satisfying, and sure to leave you smiling (and maybe a little flushed).

Up next? The Holiday Matchmaker Series—three festive love stories guaranteed to jingle your bells—launching November 7, 2025. So go ahead, get cozy, grab a snack (or a whole charcuterie board), and fall in love one short story at a time. When she’s not spinning steamy small-town tales, C.K. is sipping sweet tea, crafting up a glitter tornado, or wrangling pets and plot twists in equal measure.

Reviews

[Stephanie Mayhem.and.MoodReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
♥️Rescue Romance
🧡Small Town
♥️Found Family
🧡Forced Proximity
♥️He Falls First… and Harder

-ARC received from the author, all opinions are my own-

Need a quick read to help reach your reading goal? This book was less than 100 pages but still had plot, spice, drama and banter. It literally took me an hour. Ember and Ryan’s “meet cute” or should I say “meeting while concussed”… was so funny. If you are looking for a fast paced, instalove, short but full book, this is a good pick!

[McKenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

C.K. Darling always does a great job with putting together a short romance story (under 100 pages)!

Since it is a novella, it is a bit insta-love, but a very enjoyable plot. I liked that we got both Ember and Ryan’s POV and enjoyed their banter.

Overall a fun read!

Thank you to the author for the #gifted e-ARC!!🫶🏼

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blazing Hearts: Ryan and Ember

Oh my, Ember ends up in a car accident on her way into town, and Ryan is first on scene to help her.
While the events are serious, I couldn’t help but laugh at her actions, because, boy, is she going to be embarrassed!

These characters are very cute. The attraction is instant, and their banter is sweet. He’s definitely a saviour, always there, while there’s a protector element with a bit of command/dominance.

It’s not open-door spice; I’d say just a bit of mild steam, across only a handful of scenes. However, the story itself is more focused on their growing relationship, and the family that she’s found in the fire crew and people in town.

A cute, cozy and charming story…

Thanks, C.K. Darling, for the advance copy

[Tiffany Segal · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review for CK Darling

Another short and sweet CK Darling romance. Less than 100 pages and straight to the heart.

Ember and Ryan meet when she hits a tree and have immediate chemistry. Her reactions to him after hitting her head are absolutely hysterical. Their interactions from the start are a comedy of errors.

Ryan finds her so refreshing - witty, sharp, and down-to-earth. He can’t help but want to protect her.

CK’s books are perfect for those that don’t have a lot of time to read or don’t want to go down the slow-burn path for 3/4 of the book. They all have their time and place, but not everyone has time for that.

[Briana Jacobus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Need a short novella to get you out of a reading slump? This is it!
C.K Darling knows how to write a fast-paced novella that keeps your attention and gets the characters from point A to B quickly. Embers of Fate has the main characters falling in love at first crash? The dual POV novella has you falling in love with the characters just as fast as they fall for each other.
And if you have read any other books by this author, there are a few easter eggs inside :)

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ember Harper is looking for an escape from the mess her ex-business partner has created and she finds herself in Peachwood Grove to help a friend with a big fundraiser. When she wrecks her car on the way into town, she gets more than she bargained for – instant attraction to the off-duty fireman who’s come to her rescue. Ryan McCallister proves to be the person that Ember needs in her life. Great banter between the characters. I can’t wait to read about the other McCallister brothers!

[Dimps · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨️ARC review ✨️
This one had me kicking my feet from the beginning. If you need a quick feel good story, this is it. I needed a break from heavy reading and this is definitely what I needed. You got a hot fire fighter who saves our fierce girl, Ember. He falls first and falls hard that will have you blushing.
"Your coming home with me" 🥰 ok Cap! You got me 😊

[Latisha Jahoor · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was such a short read (100 pages) but there was a meet-cute, tension, banter and everything you would need. It took me about an hour to complete the book and I was just so invested in Ember and Ryan. I loved the subtle hints that were dropped for the next book and cannot wait to read more about Blake.

[Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good plot but thought it all happened way too fast. I'm used to short novellas but I feel like way too much happened in such a short period of time.

[Angelica Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short but sweet firefighter romance was an easy read. It wasn’t my favorite of hers but it was still an enjoyable read. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.