Cold Flame

Deadwood #6.5

by Ann Charles

Some old flames won’t stop smoldering … Zoe Parker knew better than to play with fire. Fireman Reid Martin sparked a flame in her that she couldn’t put out. Will Zoe be able to escape with her heart before she gets burned? COLD FLAME is the third story in the “Deadwood Shorts” collection, set between the sixth and seventh books in the Deadwood Mystery Series.

Genres: Paranormal, Mystery, Humor, Romance, Short Stories, Supernatural, Fantasy

51 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 9, 2016

About the author

Ann Charles—Author
Nearly Departed in Deadwood, the 2010 Daphne du Maurier Award Winner and a 2011 RWA Golden Heart Award Winner.
*USA Today Best Selling Author,
*Amazon Top 100 Bestselling Author
*Barnes & Noble Top 100 Bestselling Author
*Winner Suspense Magazine Best of 2012, 2015. 2016
*Winner of Paranormal Grand Prize from Chanticleer Book Reviews and Media,
*Winner of Southern Writers Best Covers Contest
You'll laugh. You'll cringe. You'll want more.

Reviews

[Mlpmom (Book Reviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

So nice to finally hear their story and get some answers! These two really need to be together.

[Sharon]

Reid has a glass jaw, which gets him in a lot of trouble. Aunt Zoe takes advantage of that little bit of news. This is a very short story about Reid and Zoe's relationship and why Zoe broke up with him

Loved this insight to their relationship and definitely left me wanting more of the story.

[Madeline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novella. Nice diversion from the regular storyline.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short story to accompany the novels in the Deadwood series that tells the back hisroty between Violet's Aunt Zoe and Reid Martin from the fire department. Finally we find out what happened that made Aunt Zoe break off her romance with Reid and what fuelled her current anger toward him.
I'm really looking forward to the next Deadwood novel and where the story will go from here now that I know!

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice history between Zoe and Reid

This is a short novella about Violet Parker's Aunt Zoe and the man that chases her Aunt, Reid Martin, and their past.  Cold Flames goes over their meeting, their relationship, some imps, and fires.  Building fires and fires of the heart.  I usually don't get into romantic novels but I started the Deadwood series before it got hot and heavy (but most other people would call mild) and the paranormal aspect of the series is fun.  I haven't read any of the series for a couple of years and thought it would be nice to catch up.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh h. Not fair

I am giving this book four stars and it just because I love Aunt Zoe so much!! She is so far in the closet that what she actually is and can do is only used with problem at hand and charms that work but her little wealth of Knowledge is so discreet. Just the idea she seem to understand at least some Latin is I am not mistaken. Ever character is so much fun and I love them all.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series. this short, 47 page, story was revealing. It explained how Zoe and Reed met and how they broke up but still have chemistry. There are always ghosts whenever Zoe and Violet are around and this story touches on them but only an imp shows up. A fun read. I listened on audible and enjoyed the narrator.

[Kerrie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick read from a great series

This is the back story for Aunt Zoe and Reid. I enjoy these novellas that give more depth to the series. Of course it also makes me want them to finally settle their differences and be together like they should be!

[Morgan G. Hahn]

Interesting. Not often the love interest is not the main character.

Developed characters and sufficient background to keep reader interested. I found the main character good, but would have liked a little more about her appearance and surroundings.

[Kristy McCaffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous background novella about Violet's Aunt Zoe and hunky fireman Reid Martin. A quick read but definitely contains important info for the Deadwood series at large.

[Ricki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and Sweet

This Deadwood short story is truly short and sweet! It answers the questions that I have had about the relationship between Zoe and Reid. Fun to read.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, but short. I was happy to get the inside story on Violet's aunt's on/off relationship with the fire chief.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zoe and Reid!

Got lost in this story about Zoe and Reid! We all want what we want! Glad to read this short story and be better able to understand them!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Cold Flame you learn what happened with Violet's Aunt Zoe and Reid Martin and why she pulls out her shot gun whenever Reid shows up on her doorstep.

[Janet Angela beardsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great books!

Ann is such a brilliant writer, she has such a way with characters and I love the environments they are so rich and believeably!

[Victoria Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was great to get the low low on Zoe and Reid. I haven't finished the series but I want them to get back together. He just needs to work for it!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is more romance than anything else unlike the books.

[Malissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely fun short!
I loved getting a glimpse of zoey and reid's meeting and journey to the now. An absolutely explosive couple and so fun to see interact with each other.

[Lonny Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a fun little sidebar to the Deadwood series. How Aunt Zoe got burned by the fireman.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally some history on Zoe and Reid

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally- some back story on Zoe and Reid.

[Brenda H · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Sidney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A “short” in-between story about Violet’s Aunt Zoe and the sexual tension between her and Reid.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Aunt Zoe and Reid are two of my favorite characters in the series, and it was wonderful to get an insight into their past. I'm looking forward to reading about their relationship as it develops in the upcoming Deadwood books.

[✘✘ Sarah ✘✘ (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans) · Rating 4 out of 5]

• Book 1: Nearly Departed in Deadwood ★★
• Book 2: Optical Delusions in Deadwood ★★★★
• Book 3: Dead Case in Deadwood ★★★★
• Book 4: Better Off Dead in Deadwood ★★★★
• Book 5: An Ex to Grind in Deadwood ★★★★
• Book 6: Meanwhile Back In Deadwood ★★★★
• Book 7: A Wild Fright in Deadwood ★★★★
• Book 8: Rattling the Heat in Deadwood ★★★★
• Book 9: Gone Haunting in Deadwood ★★★
• Book 10: Don't Let it Snow in Deadwood - to be read.

[Denise Keef]

If you have read the Deadwood Humorous Mystery series, then you know there is a story there deeply hidden about Aunt Zoe and Reid Martin. Aunt Zoe was hellbent on keeping that one a secret and never letting anyone…not even her own niece Violet know what it was…until now!!! Finally!!! At last!!! In this book, this wonderful book, we…have…the…answer to why Zoe would never let Reid back into her life and what a story this is!!! All of this time she has been carrying this secret, deep in her heart….she…Oh wait! I’m not going to give it up THAT easily!!! Nope! You will have to read this story for yourself so you too will know! All I will say is…do it! Don’t hesitate! You will be so glad you did. I know I am! Yes…I definitely loved this as I do all of the other books long and short in this series! Ann Charles is an author whose writing, when you read her books, you forget everything else going on, including cooking, cleaning, laundry…it will all be there after you are done! So just sit back and enjoy!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved this story. It is the first I've read of this author but won't be the last. I've already started researching her work. I found this story in the anthology Kiss and Spell. What a gem. I loved the characters. Aunt Zoe is so funny. Ooh and I would love to know what is in the Sugar Loaf building. I hope it's the next book in the series. I need to see what order to read the short ones in. This had just the right touch of supernatural and romance. I was so sad for Aunt Zoe when she talked about the past with Reid. I would've left him too! But I'm glad he's back and she's making him work for her affection and love.

[Elaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Great Deadwood Short

I love all the Deadwood Shorts because they give the reader a little extra insight into different characters and situations in the Deadwood series. I especially love this one since it finally answers the question of why Aunt Zoe is so anti-anti-Reid in a lot more detail than we get in the course of the series. I must say that I can't wait to see if Reid finally wears her down one day! Definitely worth the read!

[Janice Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

And now part of the Rest of the Story

Anne, Anne, Anne.....Thanks for the background of Aunt Zoe and Reid. Your writing skills had me sitting right next to you! My legs were even swinging! And for the bonus Doc Q&A!
On the edge of my seat for your next escapades.

[Raelene Cowley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The heat is on?

Finally got to understand some of the fire and flames between Reid and Zoe!!! Will it come back? As always Ann's stories keep you in suspense!!! Loved this short story!!
~Raelene~