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Surviving Ashes #3
Buried Flames
Mason Sykes had served many years in the Marine Corps for his country. His loyalty and sacrifice had left him disfigured—inside and out. He didn’t harbor regrets, especially since he’d finally found the peace and quiet he’d always desired on a Nebraska farm.
Brenna Helm was a country girl through and through, right down to her cowgirl boots. Her heart had always belonged to the acres of land that had been her family’s legacy through multiple generations. She’d only ever loved one thing more, and that was the military man who’d moved back to town a few years ago who’d come home a changed man—one who apparently wanted nothing to do with anyone.
The day the world filled with ash was the day Mason was forced to rise above his scars. Facing death off of the battlefield made him realize what he’d pushed away in the name of compassion, but that was about to change. The flames of desire he’d once felt were about to be reignited, but he first had to get Brenna to safety through the fiery, harsh new world that could claim their lives if they took one wrong step.
Brenna Helm was a country girl through and through, right down to her cowgirl boots. Her heart had always belonged to the acres of land that had been her family’s legacy through multiple generations. She’d only ever loved one thing more, and that was the military man who’d moved back to town a few years ago who’d come home a changed man—one who apparently wanted nothing to do with anyone.
The day the world filled with ash was the day Mason was forced to rise above his scars. Facing death off of the battlefield made him realize what he’d pushed away in the name of compassion, but that was about to change. The flames of desire he’d once felt were about to be reignited, but he first had to get Brenna to safety through the fiery, harsh new world that could claim their lives if they took one wrong step.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 26, 2016
68 people are currently reading
217 people want to read
About the author
Kennedy Layne
156 books657 followersKennedy Layne is a USA Today bestselling author. She draws inspiration for her romantic thrillers in part from her not-so-secret second life as a wife of a retired Marine Master Sergeant. He doubles as her critique partner, beta reader, and military consultant. Kennedy also has a deep love for cozy mysteries, thrillers, and basically any book that can keep her guessing until the very end. They live in the Midwest with their menagerie of pets. The loyal dogs and mischievous cats appreciate her writing days as much as she does, usually curled up in front of the fireplace.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
March 29, 2016
Boy, does the plot thicken in this third story about the aftermath of the Yellowstone Caldera erupting. Each book is so gripping with the suspense of each of the Marines having to make their way from all over the USA to Washington State through an ash cloud apocalypse.
Mason Sykes is probably the most damaged mentally and physically from his time in the Marines. After getting out he has holed up on a farm in Nebraska living a life of seclusion. When he gets the word from his team mates about the impending disaster he makes a rare appearance in town to warn them all to head east and then plans to head out on his own to Washington.
Brenna Helm grew up with Mason and they were high school sweethearts but all of that changed when he left to join the Marines and the man he came back as isn’t the same one that she knew. When the eruption happens she ends up on the harrowing journey with Mason much to his trying to send her with the rest of the town to the east coast.
This book didn’t spend as much time on the road and the previous one did but they came across a new threat while on the road that ended up bringing danger to Lost Mountain Lodge. I’m not going to go into detail about what that was as it would be spoilerish but we find out what some of the government has been up since the eruption and it’s not all good.
I am so in book love with this series and eagerly await each new story about the men and women falling love during what could be called end of times and how far they will each go to protect their friends and loved ones.
Mason Sykes is probably the most damaged mentally and physically from his time in the Marines. After getting out he has holed up on a farm in Nebraska living a life of seclusion. When he gets the word from his team mates about the impending disaster he makes a rare appearance in town to warn them all to head east and then plans to head out on his own to Washington.
Brenna Helm grew up with Mason and they were high school sweethearts but all of that changed when he left to join the Marines and the man he came back as isn’t the same one that she knew. When the eruption happens she ends up on the harrowing journey with Mason much to his trying to send her with the rest of the town to the east coast.
This book didn’t spend as much time on the road and the previous one did but they came across a new threat while on the road that ended up bringing danger to Lost Mountain Lodge. I’m not going to go into detail about what that was as it would be spoilerish but we find out what some of the government has been up since the eruption and it’s not all good.
I am so in book love with this series and eagerly await each new story about the men and women falling love during what could be called end of times and how far they will each go to protect their friends and loved ones.
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February 11, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (2/11/2019)! 🎁
Blurb:
Mason Sykes had served many years in the Marine Corps for his country. His loyalty and sacrifice had left him disfigured—inside and out. He didn’t harbor regrets, especially since he’d finally found the peace and quiet he’d always desired on a Nebraska farm.
Brenna Helm was a country girl through and through, right down to her cowgirl boots. Her heart had always belonged to the acres of land that had been her family’s legacy through multiple generations. She’d only ever loved one thing more, and that was the military man who’d moved back to town a few years ago who’d come home a changed man—one who apparently wanted nothing to do with anyone.
The day the world filled with ash was the day Mason was forced to rise above his scars. Facing death off of the battlefield made him realize what he’d pushed away in the name of compassion, but that was about to change. The flames of desire he’d once felt were about to be reignited, but he first had to get Brenna to safety through the fiery, harsh new world that could claim their lives if they took one wrong step.
Blurb:
Mason Sykes had served many years in the Marine Corps for his country. His loyalty and sacrifice had left him disfigured—inside and out. He didn’t harbor regrets, especially since he’d finally found the peace and quiet he’d always desired on a Nebraska farm.
Brenna Helm was a country girl through and through, right down to her cowgirl boots. Her heart had always belonged to the acres of land that had been her family’s legacy through multiple generations. She’d only ever loved one thing more, and that was the military man who’d moved back to town a few years ago who’d come home a changed man—one who apparently wanted nothing to do with anyone.
The day the world filled with ash was the day Mason was forced to rise above his scars. Facing death off of the battlefield made him realize what he’d pushed away in the name of compassion, but that was about to change. The flames of desire he’d once felt were about to be reignited, but he first had to get Brenna to safety through the fiery, harsh new world that could claim their lives if they took one wrong step.
March 12, 2023
I liked Mason and Brenna so much more than Owen and Prue (sorry, not sorry). I loved that they had a past and this was a bit of a second chance romance. More of a slow burn that the previous stories. I also liked that Brenna was persistent to be there for Mason, no matter how grumpy he was.
Not quite equitably balanced plot and romance, tilted more to plot. But overall, still an entertaining story.
Not quite equitably balanced plot and romance, tilted more to plot. But overall, still an entertaining story.
January 4, 2022
Loved this book!
No plot spoilers
No potential triggers
There are some violent scenes
There are some sex scenes and some swearing
There are a few errors that irritate but don't kill the book.
The characterisation is good, more than enough to allow the reader to form a connection.
The plotline is a continuation from the beginning of the series and the story unfolds further.
The only bug bear I would like to put forward is that the action scenes are a bit muddled. As if the author can see it all taking place but forgot to provide clear details for the reader.
Nevertheless, I have no problem recommending the series to fans of the genre but would advise reading from the beginning of the series to enable the best reading experience.
I will be purchasing the next book in the series.
No plot spoilers
No potential triggers
There are some violent scenes
There are some sex scenes and some swearing
There are a few errors that irritate but don't kill the book.
The characterisation is good, more than enough to allow the reader to form a connection.
The plotline is a continuation from the beginning of the series and the story unfolds further.
The only bug bear I would like to put forward is that the action scenes are a bit muddled. As if the author can see it all taking place but forgot to provide clear details for the reader.
Nevertheless, I have no problem recommending the series to fans of the genre but would advise reading from the beginning of the series to enable the best reading experience.
I will be purchasing the next book in the series.
April 27, 2016
I had a hard time buying the romance between the couple in this one. What saved the book for me was the action at the camp and all the new things our group has learned. Sadly what they learned seemed bring more questions, questions that make the group wonder who they can trust. It will be interesting to see where things go from here.
Want to read
March 18, 2024Prch Amz May 20, 2020
January 18, 2020
L'histoire d'amour entre Mason et Brennan est hautement improbable; il est tellement rébarbatif qu'on se demande ce qu'elle peut bien lui trouver. Si Brennan n'avait pas un tel béguin pour lui, elle l'aurait envoyer promener dès le départ - je n'aurais même pas embarquer avec lui, si j'avais été elle, je serais partie vers l'est, à pied s'il l'aurait fallu. Quel macho imbuvable!
L'ajout des chevaux était vraiment intéressante, mais encore une fois, l'autrice fait un ellipse et résume les trois semaines de voyage dans les cendres en 1/4 de page, c'est très décevant.
Il y a aussi des choses laissées dans le noir, de manière périphérique : qu'advient-il des détenus dans les prisons? Les gens malades dans les hôpitaux? On ne sait pas non plus ce qui se passe sur la côte est: comment ça se passe avec les milliers de réfugiés? Et dans le reste du monde? Ils ont des radios à ondes courtes, ils devraient avoir des nouvelles il me semble...
Dans ce tome aussi, il ne se passe pas grand chose rendu au bunker. Et je trouve qu'on passe très vite sur le fait que Brennan tire sur Paige. Personne ne dit rien, on ne sait pas pourquoi elle a décidé de la tuer, elle ne semble pas trop s'en faire avec ça... autre truc décevant.
Les anciens Marines partent à la recherche de Paige, et ils réalisent en cours de route que c'est peut-être une diversion? Ils n'ont pas pensé à ça avant de partir? Pas très crédible.
Il y a du bon comme du moins bon. L'écriture est très inégale.
L'ajout des chevaux était vraiment intéressante, mais encore une fois, l'autrice fait un ellipse et résume les trois semaines de voyage dans les cendres en 1/4 de page, c'est très décevant.
Il y a aussi des choses laissées dans le noir, de manière périphérique : qu'advient-il des détenus dans les prisons? Les gens malades dans les hôpitaux? On ne sait pas non plus ce qui se passe sur la côte est: comment ça se passe avec les milliers de réfugiés? Et dans le reste du monde? Ils ont des radios à ondes courtes, ils devraient avoir des nouvelles il me semble...
Dans ce tome aussi, il ne se passe pas grand chose rendu au bunker. Et je trouve qu'on passe très vite sur le fait que Brennan tire sur Paige. Personne ne dit rien, on ne sait pas pourquoi elle a décidé de la tuer, elle ne semble pas trop s'en faire avec ça... autre truc décevant.
Les anciens Marines partent à la recherche de Paige, et ils réalisent en cours de route que c'est peut-être une diversion? Ils n'ont pas pensé à ça avant de partir? Pas très crédible.
Il y a du bon comme du moins bon. L'écriture est très inégale.
October 2, 2019
Brenna & Mason ♥️
Book three of the Surviving Ashes series did not disappoint. I enjoyed reading about country girl, Brenna, and scarred Marine, Mason.
‘“We’re all damaged, Mason,” Brenna whispered, drawing him down until they were mere inches apart. “You just haven’t learned to heal like the rest of us.”’
Mason was damaged from his injuries and wartime experiences and used that as an excuse to keep Brenna at arm’s length. With the eruption of the Yellowstone caldera, they’re thrown together in order to survive.
I think the author has done a good job of weaving the underlying connected story throughout each couple’s journey. I’m excited to meet the new characters and to learn more about the NSA operatives and government conspiracy!
Book three of the Surviving Ashes series did not disappoint. I enjoyed reading about country girl, Brenna, and scarred Marine, Mason.
‘“We’re all damaged, Mason,” Brenna whispered, drawing him down until they were mere inches apart. “You just haven’t learned to heal like the rest of us.”’
Mason was damaged from his injuries and wartime experiences and used that as an excuse to keep Brenna at arm’s length. With the eruption of the Yellowstone caldera, they’re thrown together in order to survive.
I think the author has done a good job of weaving the underlying connected story throughout each couple’s journey. I’m excited to meet the new characters and to learn more about the NSA operatives and government conspiracy!
October 7, 2018
Mason Sykes and Brenna Helm make their way on horseback, after the explosion of the Yellowstone Caldera, toward Lost Summit to join the friends holding up there in a bunker established by Mason's old tank sergant and a group of his Marien brothers. On the way they pick up a spook named Ace Fairfax who is heading to their same destination. He claims to have some classified information to deliver to his team leader. He is badly wounded and says he is being hunted a government agents. After they arrive at Lost Summit, they realize this dangerous group has followed. Survival has become even more dangerous.
August 14, 2020
Okay now this one is definitely the best! I didn't care for the nickname "little one" but other than that, Brenna and Mason are fire! And the damaged soldier spoke more to the realities of coming home from war. I don't think anyone can come back from something like that completely unscathed. Such an exciting read!
The perfect amount of mystery to keep me guessing and wanting to read more! I loved seeing the team's dynamic as they all start to come together. Tried to put this book down multiple times at night so I could get some sleep but I ended picking it back up to read for 2 more hours! The loss of sleep was worth it though. Also how the heck hasn't this been made into a movie?!
The perfect amount of mystery to keep me guessing and wanting to read more! I loved seeing the team's dynamic as they all start to come together. Tried to put this book down multiple times at night so I could get some sleep but I ended picking it back up to read for 2 more hours! The loss of sleep was worth it though. Also how the heck hasn't this been made into a movie?!
February 21, 2019
Very good read
Loved the storyline and the characters. Just a couple things kept me from giving 5 stars. First was the journey to the bunker where they pick up another traveler who is injured. They leave with the injured man then all of a sudden 2 weeks have passed and they have arrived. Then second reason was the detailed description of all the different guns. Which I could not grasp.
Loved the storyline and the characters. Just a couple things kept me from giving 5 stars. First was the journey to the bunker where they pick up another traveler who is injured. They leave with the injured man then all of a sudden 2 weeks have passed and they have arrived. Then second reason was the detailed description of all the different guns. Which I could not grasp.
March 29, 2019
Yellowstone volcano has erupted, taking half the state with it, and covering half of the U.S. with ash.
While most of those fleeing moved east, a select group were moving west, to a long prepared refuge. A group of ex military, who had been part of the same unit, were quickly forming a unit again, to protect what they had prepared.
While most of those fleeing moved east, a select group were moving west, to a long prepared refuge. A group of ex military, who had been part of the same unit, were quickly forming a unit again, to protect what they had prepared.
May 23, 2017
Great addition
This series just keeps getting better and better. Action, tension and a romance! Can't wait for the next book in the series.
This series just keeps getting better and better. Action, tension and a romance! Can't wait for the next book in the series.
April 29, 2019
2.5 stars
Same plot different names... smh
Same plot different names... smh
March 8, 2017
Have hopes for the last one.
Read
July 21, 2017On hold @ 75 % - bored and annoyed. Same premise with each book.
April 9, 2016
KL knows how to write romantic suspense. Add in the "end of the world as we know it" and it just gets better.
Mason is on his way to the guys up in the safety of the mountains, but first he's gotta check on someone. And it's a good thing he does. Brenna doesn't know when to stop and think about herself, and Mason is just the guy to make this point clear.
This was a great part of the story. The author whisked you into the ash fall of the volcano eruption like she was there. And it made it just that much more believable. The suspense continues throughout the story, and the outcome of Mason and Brenna made me a happy girl.
Mason is on his way to the guys up in the safety of the mountains, but first he's gotta check on someone. And it's a good thing he does. Brenna doesn't know when to stop and think about herself, and Mason is just the guy to make this point clear.
This was a great part of the story. The author whisked you into the ash fall of the volcano eruption like she was there. And it made it just that much more believable. The suspense continues throughout the story, and the outcome of Mason and Brenna made me a happy girl.
April 1, 2016
I couldn't wait for this one to come out since Essential Beginnings and Hidden Flames plot lines was getting interesting. The plot is still going strong secrets are being revealed conspiracy abounds and peripheral characters remain good. It is a very good read I recommend it highly the only reason I am giving 4 instead of 5 is that I could not connect with the H like I did in the first two books. It is still a great read and will in no way impact my finishing the series sometimes you just don't connect with a character.
September 15, 2016
Still enjoying the series and I liked that this was a high school couple coming back together. I noticed the end of the book had a sampler of another series that featured these two so the story would probably have felt much more fleshed out if I'd read that first. There were times at the beginning when Brenna was arguing with Mason and they were trying to make it to safety that I got pretty frustrated with her. But I really am enjoying the story arch with the other Spec Ops team in their sanctuary and look forward to seeing how it all plays out.
March 29, 2016
Great series
Just love this author. Her attention to detail is incredible. Her knowledge and descriptions are like being there yourself. The concept behind this series is almost frightening as its not so far out their that it couldn't be true. Honour and integrity shine through this series with men who are brothers thru choice. The women who support and work by their side are equally as strong defending their new home and family. Can't wait for the next book.
Just love this author. Her attention to detail is incredible. Her knowledge and descriptions are like being there yourself. The concept behind this series is almost frightening as its not so far out their that it couldn't be true. Honour and integrity shine through this series with men who are brothers thru choice. The women who support and work by their side are equally as strong defending their new home and family. Can't wait for the next book.
March 31, 2016
It was ok.
It was just okay for me. It didn't have quite the same pizzazz as Mav and Owen's books. Now we get Berke's. I wonder if Truman will get a book. Overall, it was a good book. Had all the elements: danger, action, steam but also sadness. Eagerly awaiting the next book.
It was just okay for me. It didn't have quite the same pizzazz as Mav and Owen's books. Now we get Berke's. I wonder if Truman will get a book. Overall, it was a good book. Had all the elements: danger, action, steam but also sadness. Eagerly awaiting the next book.
May 11, 2016
This series is getting better and better. This book was about one more main character getting to safety and finding friends and their loved ones. Mason and his ex-girlfriend from high school get together to travel to the lodge/bunker. They meet good people and evil people and fight to survive on the way and after they arrive. Can't wait for the next one in series
March 29, 2016
Yellowstone blows....a damaged soldier and his old flame seek sanctuary amongst far off friends in the remote Pacific northwest near the Canadian border. they find haven but are betrayed by someone considered a friend of a friend in the past. it seems the government knew about Yellowstone a full 2 years before the event. Not quite as good as the first two in this series.
April 2, 2016
I love this series and Mason and Brenna didn't disappoint. As Mason and Brenna make their way from Nebraska to upper Washington to join the rest of Mason's team, we're given an indepth view of the difficulty and dangers they face. When they get there, more danger and suspense awaits them. Can't wait for the next in the series.
October 1, 2017
LOVE THIS SERIES!!
I cannot believe how well written this whole series is - so vivid and so real that at times I have to remind myself "it's a story" !!! This series is for anyone looking for great action with strong relationships, deep seated romance and wonderful world building. This series is so much more than apocalyptic. I cannot recommend it enough. Holding my breath for Book 4!!
I cannot believe how well written this whole series is - so vivid and so real that at times I have to remind myself "it's a story" !!! This series is for anyone looking for great action with strong relationships, deep seated romance and wonderful world building. This series is so much more than apocalyptic. I cannot recommend it enough. Holding my breath for Book 4!!
May 11, 2016
I get so engrossed into these books. Not just the story of the main characters but the drama of the eruption and the intrigue of the mysterious people that show up at the safe area in Washington. Love Love it!!!
April 4, 2016
This is an AWESOME series!! I can't wait for the next book!!
April 5, 2016
I enjoyed this one as well. I am looking forward to the last two.
May 24, 2016
Wow!!!! I love this series. Hate having to wait for the other books.
October 18, 2016
This series is really good, can't wait for the next book!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews