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Instead of exchanging vows, Kalin Thompson spends her wedding day running from a forest fire near Stone Mountain Resort, and the pregnant friend trapped with her has just gone into labor. Meanwhile, Kalin’s fiancé, Ben Timlin, hangs from the rafters of a burning building, fighting for his life. Can the situation get any hotter?
When the fire is declared as arson, finding the firebug responsible becomes Kalin’s personal mission. In the course of her investigation as Director of Security, she discovers that some people will go to extreme measures to keep her from exposing their secrets.
When the fire is declared as arson, finding the firebug responsible becomes Kalin’s personal mission. In the course of her investigation as Director of Security, she discovers that some people will go to extreme measures to keep her from exposing their secrets.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 25, 2015
2 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
K. Stanley
14 books106 followersDESCENT shortlisted for 2014 Crime Writers of Canada Unhanged Arthur award. BLAZE shortlisted for the 2014 Crime Writers' Association Debut Dagger. Short Story "When a Friendship Fails" won 2014 Capital Crime Writers's best short story.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 5, 2016
After enjoying the first book in this ski resort mystery series called Descent, I was keen to find out what challenges Kalin Thompson, the head of security at Stone Mountain, was going to encounter this time around. Blaze was even more action-packed than the first novel. The action begins in Chapter One with a forest fire that is threatening the entire resort, and moves on to more hair-raising drama. Kalin's new home is destroyed and her boyfriend Ben has second thoughts about their upcoming nuptials. Meanwhile there is clearly a murderer on the loose, and like all good detectives, Kalin is determined to find out his identity despite the fact that her own life is in danger. There are plenty of plot twists and turns in this mystery, taking place agains the beautiful backdrop of the Purcell Mountains in British Columbia. My suggestion is to read Descent first, so you will be familiar with the characters who return in the second book.
December 14, 2017
Perfect sequel to the first book in the series.
Starting with an out-of-control fire (the title gives it away).
Not much to say, more of the same, with a little more suspense, but may be I was just in the mood and knew what to expect.
Recommended, a little romance, no sex, still like the setting in the mountains and the small-town feel, but some is a bit much. Would advise against reading these books back2back and will certainly take my time before reading the third one or buying more.
Did not feel like reading this as fast as it should be (2 days/a weekend) and will most probably miss my reading goal of 2 books a week / 104 books a year this yeas, although I did not read much of the big ones: A song of Fire and Ice #03 not even started, Atlas shrugged still at the beginning and a few more books only started, but did not really get into them. Some books long on my "currently reading list" should be moved to "abandoned" as they are DNF-material (like A Darkling Sea).
Starting with an out-of-control fire (the title gives it away).
Not much to say, more of the same, with a little more suspense, but may be I was just in the mood and knew what to expect.
Recommended, a little romance, no sex, still like the setting in the mountains and the small-town feel, but some is a bit much. Would advise against reading these books back2back and will certainly take my time before reading the third one or buying more.
Did not feel like reading this as fast as it should be (2 days/a weekend) and will most probably miss my reading goal of 2 books a week / 104 books a year this yeas, although I did not read much of the big ones: A song of Fire and Ice #03 not even started, Atlas shrugged still at the beginning and a few more books only started, but did not really get into them. Some books long on my "currently reading list" should be moved to "abandoned" as they are DNF-material (like A Darkling Sea).
May 31, 2016
Having enjoyed Kristina Stanley’s winter mystery Descent, Book 1 of the Stone Mountain series, I was looking forward to No 2 Blaze, and I wasn’t disappointed.
From the moment the forest fire ruins Kalin and Ben’s wedding plans, I was swept up in the crises and life-threatening situations. There are moments of calm, time for reflection, but there are always questions driving the reader along. So I didn’t tarry too long.. We know that nothing runs smoothly for a busy Director of Security, even when the RCMP are doing their job. Kalin has to be involved.
The plot was fast-paced and well-structured, with enough neat red herrings to keep me guessing almost to the end – just like in Descent. Although this works as a standalone, it’s best to read Descent first, as other reviewers have said. Then you become familiar with some of the characters, as well as some past events. Nothing crucial but that adds colour.
The clever interaction between the well-painted characters, many new, gives the novel sub-plots that enrich the read, and take Blaze beyond a mystery. Yet these emotional subplots interplay with the crises that weave through the lives at Stone Mountain Resort. And the dog characters are well integrated – not surprising as the author owns one.
Once again, Kristina Stanley has captured the atmosphere of her setting, whether it’s being ravaged by fire or in the vistas from the slopes that attract other outdoor pursuits suited to the season. Here skiing has given way to mountain biking.
The winter beckons though and I can't wait for Avalanche, Book 3 of the Stone Mountain Mystery series.
From the moment the forest fire ruins Kalin and Ben’s wedding plans, I was swept up in the crises and life-threatening situations. There are moments of calm, time for reflection, but there are always questions driving the reader along. So I didn’t tarry too long.. We know that nothing runs smoothly for a busy Director of Security, even when the RCMP are doing their job. Kalin has to be involved.
The plot was fast-paced and well-structured, with enough neat red herrings to keep me guessing almost to the end – just like in Descent. Although this works as a standalone, it’s best to read Descent first, as other reviewers have said. Then you become familiar with some of the characters, as well as some past events. Nothing crucial but that adds colour.
The clever interaction between the well-painted characters, many new, gives the novel sub-plots that enrich the read, and take Blaze beyond a mystery. Yet these emotional subplots interplay with the crises that weave through the lives at Stone Mountain Resort. And the dog characters are well integrated – not surprising as the author owns one.
Once again, Kristina Stanley has captured the atmosphere of her setting, whether it’s being ravaged by fire or in the vistas from the slopes that attract other outdoor pursuits suited to the season. Here skiing has given way to mountain biking.
The winter beckons though and I can't wait for Avalanche, Book 3 of the Stone Mountain Mystery series.
April 10, 2016
This second installment of the Stone Mountain Mystery series finds Kalin and her fiancé Ben soon to be married until a fire sweeps through the resort where they live and work. Just as Kalin is about to evacuate, her dog runs off and her pregnant friend Nora calls to say that she’s just gone into labor. The realization that the fire was deliberately set, plus the sudden death of Ben’s best friend leads to plenty of drama as everyone tries to cope with events.
Blaze had me on my seat from the get-go. Author Kristina Stanley vividly describes the fire and the speed with which things spiral out of control. While crime solving certainly drives the story, the real focus is the characters’ emotional lives. Heartbreak, regret, guilt, bullying, and abuse all entwine in the characters’ relationships. It’s resulted in a novel with a lot of heart. Of course, not everyone’s problems are resolved at the end, and why should they in a series?
At Ben’s insistence, Kalin tries not to get involved with the investigation, but since she’s the resort’s security director her boss has expectations. As Ben grows increasingly frustrated with Kalin, her need to ask questions forces her into a dilemma. Kalin takes risks, some unintentionally and one deliberately that had me wanting to yank her out of harm’s way, but that’s who Kalin is; a character with a strong sense of justice and great determination to do what’s right. What more can you ask for in a heroic protagonist?
Blaze had me on my seat from the get-go. Author Kristina Stanley vividly describes the fire and the speed with which things spiral out of control. While crime solving certainly drives the story, the real focus is the characters’ emotional lives. Heartbreak, regret, guilt, bullying, and abuse all entwine in the characters’ relationships. It’s resulted in a novel with a lot of heart. Of course, not everyone’s problems are resolved at the end, and why should they in a series?
At Ben’s insistence, Kalin tries not to get involved with the investigation, but since she’s the resort’s security director her boss has expectations. As Ben grows increasingly frustrated with Kalin, her need to ask questions forces her into a dilemma. Kalin takes risks, some unintentionally and one deliberately that had me wanting to yank her out of harm’s way, but that’s who Kalin is; a character with a strong sense of justice and great determination to do what’s right. What more can you ask for in a heroic protagonist?
April 20, 2016
Blaze begins with his sentence: “Instead of exchanging wedding vows in front of friends and family, Kalin Thompson prepared her home for excavation.” What follows is a tense journey into a forest fire where tragedy puts Kalin’s relationship with her fiancé in a shaky situation and the entire Stone Mt. ski resort in shambles.
While the plot revolves around Kalin trying to discover who set the fire and why, the novel offers intriguing drama into the intricate interrelationship among a well-drawn cast of characters. Appearing are characters from Descent, Book 1 of the series but the author also introduces some new characters (and dogs) adding to the strength of the novel.
Although Kalin Thompson is a feisty character and Blaze marks her even more solid as a series protagonist, I was just as much interested in what happens to the minor characters. A well written novel that kept me interested until the end.
While the plot revolves around Kalin trying to discover who set the fire and why, the novel offers intriguing drama into the intricate interrelationship among a well-drawn cast of characters. Appearing are characters from Descent, Book 1 of the series but the author also introduces some new characters (and dogs) adding to the strength of the novel.
Although Kalin Thompson is a feisty character and Blaze marks her even more solid as a series protagonist, I was just as much interested in what happens to the minor characters. A well written novel that kept me interested until the end.
November 17, 2017
I stayed in Panorama for my honeymoon and bought the book to support a local author. I didn't know it was part of a series, so I haven't read the first one. It took me a few chapters to get into it, but I quite enjoyed this book. It was pretty cool reading about all the goings on in the made-up little town of Holden, BC. keeping up with all the many characters was tough, but each one had a distinct personality that made them enjoyable to read about. There is a bit of language, so watch out for that. Overall, Blaze is a fun, fast-paced mystery that keeps you on your toes.
May 10, 2016
I really enjoyed the second book in the Stone Mountain series. An interesting plot, fast paced and full of suspects. Can't wait for Avalanche!
May 20, 2016
Good
After a fire destroys a lot of the resort, Kalin seems to have nothing but trouble. Someone hits her while biking, and she is threatened by some of the locals.
After a fire destroys a lot of the resort, Kalin seems to have nothing but trouble. Someone hits her while biking, and she is threatened by some of the locals.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews