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Outback Skies #1
Combustible
The initial spark will engulf them ...
Desmond Russell. Arson investigator. The best Australia has. Cool, calm, collected and utterly poised. Nothing intimidates him. He knows fire like he knows his own body and soul. Sent to the small Outback town of Wallaby Ridge to investigate the complete destruction by fire of the Australian Deputy Prime Minister’s cattle station homestead, he clashes with Jess Montgomery, captain of the local fire brigade, a feisty woman no taller than his chin, with wild red hair and a mouth like a drunken sailor.
Jess has a major dislike of arson investigators, especially ones from the big smoke. Two years ago her brother died in a fire she knew wasn’t an accident, but the investigator who arrived from the city—a smug bastard who looked down on the people of Wallaby Ridge even as he reeked of scotch—said it was. She doesn’t trust Desmond Russell to investigate his own arse, let alone a fire that destroyed the Deputy PM’s Outback homestead. And when she learns Desmond is the son of the drunken investigator who dismissed her claims of arson in her brother’s case...well, she’s not going to let him waltz in and take over.
Arson investigator, Desmond Russell is the best in Australia. Cool, calm and collected, nothing ruffles him. Until he meets Outback fire brigade captain, Jess Montgomery, a woman who ignites all his sexual desires.
The initial spark will engulf them both ... but will their hearts survive the inferno?
Desmond Russell. Arson investigator. The best Australia has. Cool, calm, collected and utterly poised. Nothing intimidates him. He knows fire like he knows his own body and soul. Sent to the small Outback town of Wallaby Ridge to investigate the complete destruction by fire of the Australian Deputy Prime Minister’s cattle station homestead, he clashes with Jess Montgomery, captain of the local fire brigade, a feisty woman no taller than his chin, with wild red hair and a mouth like a drunken sailor.
Jess has a major dislike of arson investigators, especially ones from the big smoke. Two years ago her brother died in a fire she knew wasn’t an accident, but the investigator who arrived from the city—a smug bastard who looked down on the people of Wallaby Ridge even as he reeked of scotch—said it was. She doesn’t trust Desmond Russell to investigate his own arse, let alone a fire that destroyed the Deputy PM’s Outback homestead. And when she learns Desmond is the son of the drunken investigator who dismissed her claims of arson in her brother’s case...well, she’s not going to let him waltz in and take over.
Arson investigator, Desmond Russell is the best in Australia. Cool, calm and collected, nothing ruffles him. Until he meets Outback fire brigade captain, Jess Montgomery, a woman who ignites all his sexual desires.
The initial spark will engulf them both ... but will their hearts survive the inferno?
ebook
First published October 14, 2015
About the author
Lexxie Couper
140 books1,142 followersLexxie’s not a deviant. She just has a deviant’s imagination and a desire to entertain readers with her words. Add the two together and you get darkly erotic romances with a twist of horror, sci-fi and the paranormal.
When she’s not submerged in the worlds she creates, Lexxie’s life revolves around her family, a husband who thinks she’s insane, a indoor cat who likes to stalk shadows, two yabbies hell-bent on destroying their tank and her daughters, who both utterly captured her heart and changed her life forever.
Having no idea how old she really is, Lexxie decided to go with 27 and has been that age for quite some time now. It's the best of both worlds - old enough to act mature, young enough to be silly.
And silly she can be. Just ask her husband who frequently has to endure her bursting into song whenever the mood strikes her, feeling him up in public (one of her favorite pastimes), or rolling around in the sand with their dog - a large mutt of dubious origins who causes almost as much havoc around the neighborhood as Lexxie herself. Or squealing her way down the slide at the local park with her daughter!
Lexxie lives by two simple rules - measure your success not by how much money you have, but by how often you laugh, and always try everything at least once. As a consequence, she's laughed her way through many an eyebrow raising adventure.
When she’s not submerged in the worlds she creates, Lexxie’s life revolves around her family, a husband who thinks she’s insane, a indoor cat who likes to stalk shadows, two yabbies hell-bent on destroying their tank and her daughters, who both utterly captured her heart and changed her life forever.
Having no idea how old she really is, Lexxie decided to go with 27 and has been that age for quite some time now. It's the best of both worlds - old enough to act mature, young enough to be silly.
And silly she can be. Just ask her husband who frequently has to endure her bursting into song whenever the mood strikes her, feeling him up in public (one of her favorite pastimes), or rolling around in the sand with their dog - a large mutt of dubious origins who causes almost as much havoc around the neighborhood as Lexxie herself. Or squealing her way down the slide at the local park with her daughter!
Lexxie lives by two simple rules - measure your success not by how much money you have, but by how often you laugh, and always try everything at least once. As a consequence, she's laughed her way through many an eyebrow raising adventure.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Want to Read
February 17, 2018💝 FREE on Amazon today (2/17/2018)! 💝
June 27, 2021
A sexy, fun story. Don't take it too seriously folks.
March 2, 2015
It was good but the insta-love in this one was too much for me. She hates him on sight but because he's hot and dominant within hours of meeting him and without much conversation they're in love. It just didn't work for me.
February 27, 2020
Loved this book when I read it in 2015, but then, it was called Combustible and was billed as part of the Heart of Fame series. It's funny, because my comments for this book after I read it were: "No idea why this is a part of the Heart of Fame series." Because it shouldn't have been. It had nothing to do with that series.
There's now a librarian's note in the blurb that states: "Now published under the title Bound By You and now part of the Outback Skies series. Original title: Combustible, Original series: Heart of Fame | (2015)"
There's now a librarian's note in the blurb that states: "Now published under the title Bound By You and now part of the Outback Skies series. Original title: Combustible, Original series: Heart of Fame | (2015)"
May 21, 2018
Very good read! I loved the characters and how they brought forth the books plot. My first time reading from this author but will read more.
June 27, 2020
They fall for each other with only meeting 48 hours ago?
April 2, 2016
This sexy novella takes two arson investigators and puts them in the same room, the fiery attraction between them underscoring their desire to solve the case put before them. While Jess feels antagonism for Desmond, based mostly on the fact that he's a big city guy who is taking over the case (and also because he's the son of a man she blames for an incompetent investigation into her brother's death), she also can't deny their scorching attraction. I really liked that even for a short novella, you got a very interesting look at the science of fire investigation, something I hadn't really thought of before. Desmond is such a controlled character - calm, stoic, and intense. Seeing him lose that control with Jess when she gets under his skin was fun to read, her desire for him equally as confounding to her. She's always in charge, but somehow submitting to Des's demands turns her on more than she ever expected. The two of them burn up the sheets together, and they get a great happy for now ending out of it all. 4.5 stars.
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the author for review.
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the author for review.
October 7, 2015
4.5 Stars Combustible
Jess Montgomery is Captain of the Wallaby Ridge fire brigade and when the Deputy PM’s homestead is burnt down the last thing she needs is some city upstart trying to take over her investigation.
Desmond Russell spent a number of years as a firefighter and then turned his hand to investigating them. Desmond is the best there is and he is determined not only be the best he can but to also make amends for the damage caused by his alcoholic father who in the end cared more about the bottle than the investigation.
Jess had made it quite clear to Desmond that he was not welcome but did he stay away NO! here he is in HER town. As Desmond get off the plain he breathes in the heat of the outback and can’t help but notice the firecracker heading for him. As tempers flare and truths are revealed the undeniable connection between Desmond and Jess continues to grow. But can Jess let go of the past and take hold of the future or will everything combust before they even have a chance.
Jess Montgomery is Captain of the Wallaby Ridge fire brigade and when the Deputy PM’s homestead is burnt down the last thing she needs is some city upstart trying to take over her investigation.
Desmond Russell spent a number of years as a firefighter and then turned his hand to investigating them. Desmond is the best there is and he is determined not only be the best he can but to also make amends for the damage caused by his alcoholic father who in the end cared more about the bottle than the investigation.
Jess had made it quite clear to Desmond that he was not welcome but did he stay away NO! here he is in HER town. As Desmond get off the plain he breathes in the heat of the outback and can’t help but notice the firecracker heading for him. As tempers flare and truths are revealed the undeniable connection between Desmond and Jess continues to grow. But can Jess let go of the past and take hold of the future or will everything combust before they even have a chance.
October 20, 2015
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Lexxie Couper is a mainstay of erotic romance in Australia. And, if there's one thing Couper does well, it's well-constructed drama, palpable sexual tension, and sizzling sex. Combustible offers all of these and more. While Couper always offers up strong and capable lead female characters, there was something about Jess Montgomery that surpassed Couper's high standard of characterisation. Jess is such a vivid, likeable character that as the story starts to end you can't help but feel a little bereft that your time with her is up. If you liked Couper's Blowing it Off, you'll love Combustible. And, if you've not yet read either (why not?!) then download both.
September 28, 2015
This was one helluva sexy, sizzling hot story that had me wanting and panting for more. There was no denying the sexual tension between Desmond and Jess upon their initial tense meeting that had them burning the sheets in no time. I loved that Jess was independent, feisty and not afraid to speak her mind and that Desmond was just the perfect alpha male to control her body and pleasure. I also liked the conflict in their relationship due to his father's involvement in her brother's death investigation and that they were able to rise above it to see where their newfound relationship would head. I loved this story and wished it was longer because I did not want to see it end.
September 29, 2015
Amazingly HOT! I am never disappointed when I pick up a Lexxie Couper story and this is no exception.
This novella hit every panty melting button there is. Steamy. Funny. Sweet. I think my Kindle singed my fingers a time or two. If you're needing a quick sexy read this is the book for you. And with the fast approach of fall this will warm up all your girlie parts.
This novella hit every panty melting button there is. Steamy. Funny. Sweet. I think my Kindle singed my fingers a time or two. If you're needing a quick sexy read this is the book for you. And with the fast approach of fall this will warm up all your girlie parts.
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January 2, 2016I love Lexxie Couper she is a fantastic writer
November 11, 2015
3.5 stars
June 5, 2016
While the sex was hot, the character development in this one left me a bit disconnected. The author can paint the picture however, and it was a great trip to the outback.
October 27, 2016
Short and Hot
December 10, 2025
Prompt: Set in Australia
Insta-hate...then insta-lust...then insta-submission...then insta-love?
Insta-hate...then insta-lust...then insta-submission...then insta-love?
May 29, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Want to Read
May 30, 2017BOUND BY YOU (Outback Skies, Book 1)
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews