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The Smokejumpers #1
Tempt the Flames
Someone is bound to get burned…
Meg Buchanan is determined to prove she didn’t get the trainer job in Redmond, Oregon’s rookie smokejumper class because of her family’s long history as firefighters—or out of pity. But if teaching one of her own brothers isn’t challenge enough, she’s shocked to see Lance Roberts in the new class of recruits. Once her brother’s best friend, and her first, unrequited crush, he’s also the son of the man responsible for her dad’s death.
Lance is stunned to realize that this confident redhead is the stubborn girl he once dreamed about. There’s no way he can fall for her now. He needs to focus all his attention on his training—and uncover the truth behind the long-ago fire that killed both their fathers. But as the undeniable heat between them threatens to ignite, someone attempts to put an end to Lance’s amateur sleuthing—and his life…
Meg Buchanan is determined to prove she didn’t get the trainer job in Redmond, Oregon’s rookie smokejumper class because of her family’s long history as firefighters—or out of pity. But if teaching one of her own brothers isn’t challenge enough, she’s shocked to see Lance Roberts in the new class of recruits. Once her brother’s best friend, and her first, unrequited crush, he’s also the son of the man responsible for her dad’s death.
Lance is stunned to realize that this confident redhead is the stubborn girl he once dreamed about. There’s no way he can fall for her now. He needs to focus all his attention on his training—and uncover the truth behind the long-ago fire that killed both their fathers. But as the undeniable heat between them threatens to ignite, someone attempts to put an end to Lance’s amateur sleuthing—and his life…
186 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 11, 2018
61 people are currently reading
561 people want to read
About the author
Marnee Blake
7 books213 followersSign up for news and giveaways! http://www.subscribepage.com/marneeblake
Award-winning author and RITA® finalist Marnee Blake used to teach high school students but these days she only has to wrangle her own children. Originally from a small town in western Pennsylvania, she now battles traffic in southern New Jersey where she lives with her hero husband and their happily-ever-after: two very energetic boys. When she isn't writing, she can be found refereeing disputes between her children, cooking up something sweet, or hiding from encroaching dust bunnies with a book.
Find Marnee on the web at www.marneeblake.com, on Twitter @marneeblake, or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AuthorMarneeBlake/
Award-winning author and RITA® finalist Marnee Blake used to teach high school students but these days she only has to wrangle her own children. Originally from a small town in western Pennsylvania, she now battles traffic in southern New Jersey where she lives with her hero husband and their happily-ever-after: two very energetic boys. When she isn't writing, she can be found refereeing disputes between her children, cooking up something sweet, or hiding from encroaching dust bunnies with a book.
Find Marnee on the web at www.marneeblake.com, on Twitter @marneeblake, or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AuthorMarneeBlake/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
September 5, 2018
My Rating: 3.5 Stars
The horror of one bad call killed two smokejumpers and destroyed a town, two families and lifelong relationships. Now Lance Roberts has come back to Redmond in an attempt to uncover what really happened the day his father was responsible for killing both himself and his best friend’s father. Lance needs to prove he has what it takes to be counted on in the dangerous world of smokejumpers, but will can he?
Meg Buchanan lost her father, her family was destroyed and her heart was broken that fateful day. Now she is an instructor at the latest smokejumping class and not only is Lance her student, but she must struggle with all the confusing emotions seeing him again has brought to the forefront. Will she find forgiveness? Will the town? Is Lance still paying for the sins of his father? Is that morally right or has this small town proven how cruel it can be?
TEMPT THE FLAMESby Marnee Blake is fueled by the flames of the past and small-minded hearts. As Meg struggles throughout much of the book with her conflicting feelings about Lance, I couldn’t help but wonder how anyone could dump the deadly events on his family, especially when no one knew exactly what happened that day, or is that true?
A quick read with tons of angst and conflicting emotions that grew tedious at times. As two people let the past get in the way of their future.
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Lyrical Liaison!
Series: The Smokejumpers - Book 1
Publisher: Lyrical Liaison (September 11, 2018)
Publication Date: September 11, 2018
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Print Length: 192 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
The horror of one bad call killed two smokejumpers and destroyed a town, two families and lifelong relationships. Now Lance Roberts has come back to Redmond in an attempt to uncover what really happened the day his father was responsible for killing both himself and his best friend’s father. Lance needs to prove he has what it takes to be counted on in the dangerous world of smokejumpers, but will can he?
Meg Buchanan lost her father, her family was destroyed and her heart was broken that fateful day. Now she is an instructor at the latest smokejumping class and not only is Lance her student, but she must struggle with all the confusing emotions seeing him again has brought to the forefront. Will she find forgiveness? Will the town? Is Lance still paying for the sins of his father? Is that morally right or has this small town proven how cruel it can be?
TEMPT THE FLAMESby Marnee Blake is fueled by the flames of the past and small-minded hearts. As Meg struggles throughout much of the book with her conflicting feelings about Lance, I couldn’t help but wonder how anyone could dump the deadly events on his family, especially when no one knew exactly what happened that day, or is that true?
A quick read with tons of angst and conflicting emotions that grew tedious at times. As two people let the past get in the way of their future.
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Lyrical Liaison!
Series: The Smokejumpers - Book 1
Publisher: Lyrical Liaison (September 11, 2018)
Publication Date: September 11, 2018
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Print Length: 192 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
July 16, 2019
I read this as part of my firefighter books. I really liked how this showed the training and work of a different type of firefighter - the smokejumpers. It is a second chance romance with a suspenseful mystery from when the current generation, who lost their fathers in a fire, are now in the training program for smokejumpers. Ah if people were objective and looked at facts instead of being emotional, well there wouldn't be much story or romance I guess.
COYER: Read a book with Trees on the cover. PTS: 2
COYER: Read a book with Trees on the cover. PTS: 2
August 30, 2018
Meg Buchanan and Lance Roberts have always been drawn into each other’s orbits, after being separated for a decade, they’re now reunited as assistant trainer and rookie with tons left unsaid and a good dose of suspense on the side. Throw the dangerous, adrenaline-fuelled world of smokejumping into the mix and that’s pretty much Marnee Blake’s new series in a nutshell, which I’m actually quite excited about.
As an establishing novel, ‘Tempt the Flames’ does a good job of introducing the smokejumper rookies around whom the series would presumably be written. And to jump straight in (pun not intended!) with the second-chance, best friend’s sister forbidden tropes with the weight of tragedy behind them is something that makes for a solid plot with tons to be resolved.
There were parts of the storytelling that seemed to falter, however: bits that dwelled too long in the protagonists’ head which slowed the pace (Meg and Lance, who pretty much spent the majority of the time dancing around each other, then prevaricating about whether they should be together or not), the sudden glut of events and twists happening towards the end that came out of left field before the rushed closure, and the writing of action scenes that didn’t quite get my heart into my throat as I’d hoped.
My quibbles aside, I do think that 'Tempt the Flames’ is a good start to the series and I’m still eager to see how it all shapes out .
*ARC by the publisher via Netgalley
As an establishing novel, ‘Tempt the Flames’ does a good job of introducing the smokejumper rookies around whom the series would presumably be written. And to jump straight in (pun not intended!) with the second-chance, best friend’s sister forbidden tropes with the weight of tragedy behind them is something that makes for a solid plot with tons to be resolved.
There were parts of the storytelling that seemed to falter, however: bits that dwelled too long in the protagonists’ head which slowed the pace (Meg and Lance, who pretty much spent the majority of the time dancing around each other, then prevaricating about whether they should be together or not), the sudden glut of events and twists happening towards the end that came out of left field before the rushed closure, and the writing of action scenes that didn’t quite get my heart into my throat as I’d hoped.
My quibbles aside, I do think that 'Tempt the Flames’ is a good start to the series and I’m still eager to see how it all shapes out .
*ARC by the publisher via Netgalley
August 15, 2018
Review also found at https://kristineandterri.blogspot.com...
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
I, like many others, cant resist a good firefighter story. I was excited to see how this one panned out.
It started out strong. An unrequited love (or was it?) revisited, a man who had run from his problems ten years earlier, and a girl who struggles between professionalism and personal loyalties. As is common in this genre, the chemistry between Meg and Lance is strong. You know from the beginning that their attraction will blur the lines for both of them and their life objectives.
I was having a really good time with the story until about the middle to three quarters of the way through. When the truth came out about what Lance was doing I began to struggle with the interactions between Meg and Lance. Meg's reaction was very confusing. She kept saying she couldn't be with someone like him and in the next breath continuously sought him out in an attempt to resolve things once and for all. Talk about an endless pile of mixed messages.
Overall this story was pretty good however I see even greater potential in the series and the rest of the smokejumpers. I will keep my eye open this once they come out
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
I, like many others, cant resist a good firefighter story. I was excited to see how this one panned out.
It started out strong. An unrequited love (or was it?) revisited, a man who had run from his problems ten years earlier, and a girl who struggles between professionalism and personal loyalties. As is common in this genre, the chemistry between Meg and Lance is strong. You know from the beginning that their attraction will blur the lines for both of them and their life objectives.
I was having a really good time with the story until about the middle to three quarters of the way through. When the truth came out about what Lance was doing I began to struggle with the interactions between Meg and Lance. Meg's reaction was very confusing. She kept saying she couldn't be with someone like him and in the next breath continuously sought him out in an attempt to resolve things once and for all. Talk about an endless pile of mixed messages.
Overall this story was pretty good however I see even greater potential in the series and the rest of the smokejumpers. I will keep my eye open this once they come out
October 10, 2018
4 stelle e mezza
Non mi ricordo come sono inciampata in questo libro, ma sono contenta di avergli dato una possibilità. Confesso che l'ho comprato perché ho un debole per i personaggi che si occupano del primo soccorso...
C'è anche un po' di mistero, anche se poi la soluzione è abbastanza ovvia, o almeno lo è stata per me.
Non mi ricordo come sono inciampata in questo libro, ma sono contenta di avergli dato una possibilità. Confesso che l'ho comprato perché ho un debole per i personaggi che si occupano del primo soccorso...
C'è anche un po' di mistero, anche se poi la soluzione è abbastanza ovvia, o almeno lo è stata per me.
July 25, 2018
Family Tragedy effects the friendship between the Buchanans and the Roberts. Ten years after two fathers perish while fighting a fire their children have a chance to rekindle their feelings. The story was good with strong characters. Love finds Meg and Lance and assume the series will continue with her brother's stories. A copy of this book was provided by Kensington Books via Netgalley with no requirements for a review. Comments here are my honest opinion."
September 23, 2018
Review Posted at HarlequinJunkie.com
Lance Roberts was once the best friend of Meg Buchanan’s brother until they went their separate ways after both their fathers died while battling a fire years ago. However, now Lance is back in town and determined to fight for a spot on the Smokejumpers team while investigating what happened when their fathers died. Yet, the further Lance gets into his investigation, the more dangerous things become for him. Will Lance discover the truth before it’s too late or will he lose his shot at happy ever after with Meg? Read More
September 5, 2018
What an interesting story of two families who were at one time one big family brought together by two men who loved putting out fires. One day ten years ago it all changed both their lives were all cut far too short forever.
You see Meg Buchanan and Lance Roberts’ dads were smokejumpers in Redwood, Oregon. They had grown up together and were buddies on each other’s smoke team. They had made a jump with some rookies and didn’t make it back alive on their last jump. Although, the official report couldn’t make any real call as to finding fault talk was that since JT (Lance’s dad) was the risk taker as far as extreme sports, and whatnot and Jason quieter than JT caused him to be the one to jump on the wrong side of the fire.
So, ten years later Lance was offered a chance to try out for the same spot for the Redwood Smokejumpers. Therefore, that would be his big chance to start his own private investigation into what happened the doom-filled day. Shattering six children and the two, widows as well. Instead of being honest with the one woman in the world who has always meant the most to him, Meg, he lied through omission to her.
What started out as small pranks to get him to leave the tryout became no laughing matter rather quickly. Scary to say, making those around him a target on so many levels. When he would back away from Meg. During those times making serious situations even more serious, it made her wonder who lives like this. Was the man she was in love with even worth it?
Meg would then stiffen her spine and walk away. Only seeing him at the training sessions. Oh yeah, did I fail to tell you she just happened to be one of his physical fitness trainers who could pass or fail him during this course? You know to basically be a jumper? Good thing she’s not petty and he’s extremely fit because he was hands down the top of the class.
See who is gunning for Lance but who gets caught in their crosshairs. Find out if what the townspeople say about Lance’s dad is true for the last ten years or if the answer will surprise you as it did me. Most of all, see if Lance can stiffen his backbone enough to be the brave and honorable man who can love and take care of Meg. Something that’s she’s needed over the last ten years. I give this: 5 stars. Provided by netgalley.com.
Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com.
You see Meg Buchanan and Lance Roberts’ dads were smokejumpers in Redwood, Oregon. They had grown up together and were buddies on each other’s smoke team. They had made a jump with some rookies and didn’t make it back alive on their last jump. Although, the official report couldn’t make any real call as to finding fault talk was that since JT (Lance’s dad) was the risk taker as far as extreme sports, and whatnot and Jason quieter than JT caused him to be the one to jump on the wrong side of the fire.
So, ten years later Lance was offered a chance to try out for the same spot for the Redwood Smokejumpers. Therefore, that would be his big chance to start his own private investigation into what happened the doom-filled day. Shattering six children and the two, widows as well. Instead of being honest with the one woman in the world who has always meant the most to him, Meg, he lied through omission to her.
What started out as small pranks to get him to leave the tryout became no laughing matter rather quickly. Scary to say, making those around him a target on so many levels. When he would back away from Meg. During those times making serious situations even more serious, it made her wonder who lives like this. Was the man she was in love with even worth it?
Meg would then stiffen her spine and walk away. Only seeing him at the training sessions. Oh yeah, did I fail to tell you she just happened to be one of his physical fitness trainers who could pass or fail him during this course? You know to basically be a jumper? Good thing she’s not petty and he’s extremely fit because he was hands down the top of the class.
See who is gunning for Lance but who gets caught in their crosshairs. Find out if what the townspeople say about Lance’s dad is true for the last ten years or if the answer will surprise you as it did me. Most of all, see if Lance can stiffen his backbone enough to be the brave and honorable man who can love and take care of Meg. Something that’s she’s needed over the last ten years. I give this: 5 stars. Provided by netgalley.com.
Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com.
October 2, 2018
Review posted on Les Romantiques – le forum du site
Reviewed by Rinou
Review copy by the publisher
The Smokejumpers series presents a group of rookies in the smokejumpers. Ten years ago Lance’s father and his best friend didn’t survive after a fire and the investigation concluded about the first man’s responsibility. Lance’s mother took her teen son and fled the state, neither ever giving any news. Now Lance, s firefighter himself, comes back apparently to enlist in the same unit as his father but secretly to try and reveal the truth about the mortal accident.
Meg is the deceased friend’s daughter, and one of her oldest brothers was best friend with Lance. After the accident they had to cope with the pain of losing their father and their friend, so they all are very hostile when Lance arrives. Because of course when someone doesn’t stay in touch after a terrible accident affected everyone one must hate him, as if the father’s fault rested on the son’s shoulders too…
The attraction is immediate between them two, but little by little we learn they were already attracted to each other as teens but never act on it. Lance is a bit reticent because he doesn’t want this attraction to influence his search for truth, Meg is very reticent because she’s just got the job of physical trainer for the rookies and she doesn’t want anyone to reproach her for becoming too friendly with someone under her orders. There a lot of sexual tension between them but also a lot (or too much) introspection about what the y want in life and their attraction for the other, and what’s more each of them is stuck on his convictions about the other as about their fathers’ deaths. However we can see them evolve, Lance tries to make peace with the past and Meg tries to understand that she fled the familial problems and the weight on her shoulders.
There a part of suspense because Lance is quickly targeted by someone who begins by little pranks like ruining his clothes but quickly comes to more dangerous things like damaging hi parachute before a jump, and if I suspected a part of what had happened ten years before I didn’t imagine the one making these problems and why.
All in all this is a book pleasant to read in spite of these negative points.
Reviewed by Rinou
Review copy by the publisher
The Smokejumpers series presents a group of rookies in the smokejumpers. Ten years ago Lance’s father and his best friend didn’t survive after a fire and the investigation concluded about the first man’s responsibility. Lance’s mother took her teen son and fled the state, neither ever giving any news. Now Lance, s firefighter himself, comes back apparently to enlist in the same unit as his father but secretly to try and reveal the truth about the mortal accident.
Meg is the deceased friend’s daughter, and one of her oldest brothers was best friend with Lance. After the accident they had to cope with the pain of losing their father and their friend, so they all are very hostile when Lance arrives. Because of course when someone doesn’t stay in touch after a terrible accident affected everyone one must hate him, as if the father’s fault rested on the son’s shoulders too…
The attraction is immediate between them two, but little by little we learn they were already attracted to each other as teens but never act on it. Lance is a bit reticent because he doesn’t want this attraction to influence his search for truth, Meg is very reticent because she’s just got the job of physical trainer for the rookies and she doesn’t want anyone to reproach her for becoming too friendly with someone under her orders. There a lot of sexual tension between them but also a lot (or too much) introspection about what the y want in life and their attraction for the other, and what’s more each of them is stuck on his convictions about the other as about their fathers’ deaths. However we can see them evolve, Lance tries to make peace with the past and Meg tries to understand that she fled the familial problems and the weight on her shoulders.
There a part of suspense because Lance is quickly targeted by someone who begins by little pranks like ruining his clothes but quickly comes to more dangerous things like damaging hi parachute before a jump, and if I suspected a part of what had happened ten years before I didn’t imagine the one making these problems and why.
All in all this is a book pleasant to read in spite of these negative points.
October 9, 2018
Oooh, I do like a good mystery and I got into this baby and could not put it down!
We are talking about yummy firefighters here, so I was not planning on resisting. These guys save other people so they are way up there on the sexiness meter.
The book centers around Meg and Lance, both of them come from firefighting families but years ago, both of their fathers died on a fire incident and well, Lance’s dad was blamed and those 2 who were childhood friends… got separated since.
This is not one of my usual super lighthearted fun reads, Tempt the Flames is different, meaning it is fraught with high emotions, we are talking about grief, sadness, anger, regret, and love.
Honestly, Marnee did an amazing job with the book and I got sucked in from the first page. It was a really nice change of pace compared to the reading I have been doing recently and the change was most welcome. I really felt like part of the book and got quickly and easily emotionally attached to Mega and Lance.
As I mentioned above they have a really long and complicated history and it makes for really charged interactions between the two. Meg also has two firefighter brothers that are pretty much not helping the whole situation.
I am not going to give you any more details, but I wanted to let you know that this was truly a fantastic read, ticked all the right boxes for me and I cannot wait to get my hands on book 2. Now what I don’t know if that will be following the aftermath of what took place at the end of Tempt the Flames or if we are going to be introduced to a new set of firefighters.
Frankly, I would love to keep Meg and Lance and expand the universe around them quite a bit more and see how things go. But then, that is just me; it doesn’t mean that Marnee will go the way I want or I should say would like her to.
I am going to be very highly recommending Tempt the Flames to you all, if you love a bit of drama, sexy firefighters and a bit of a mystery to solve, then this is the book for you my friends!
I do hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
We are talking about yummy firefighters here, so I was not planning on resisting. These guys save other people so they are way up there on the sexiness meter.
The book centers around Meg and Lance, both of them come from firefighting families but years ago, both of their fathers died on a fire incident and well, Lance’s dad was blamed and those 2 who were childhood friends… got separated since.
This is not one of my usual super lighthearted fun reads, Tempt the Flames is different, meaning it is fraught with high emotions, we are talking about grief, sadness, anger, regret, and love.
Honestly, Marnee did an amazing job with the book and I got sucked in from the first page. It was a really nice change of pace compared to the reading I have been doing recently and the change was most welcome. I really felt like part of the book and got quickly and easily emotionally attached to Mega and Lance.
As I mentioned above they have a really long and complicated history and it makes for really charged interactions between the two. Meg also has two firefighter brothers that are pretty much not helping the whole situation.
I am not going to give you any more details, but I wanted to let you know that this was truly a fantastic read, ticked all the right boxes for me and I cannot wait to get my hands on book 2. Now what I don’t know if that will be following the aftermath of what took place at the end of Tempt the Flames or if we are going to be introduced to a new set of firefighters.
Frankly, I would love to keep Meg and Lance and expand the universe around them quite a bit more and see how things go. But then, that is just me; it doesn’t mean that Marnee will go the way I want or I should say would like her to.
I am going to be very highly recommending Tempt the Flames to you all, if you love a bit of drama, sexy firefighters and a bit of a mystery to solve, then this is the book for you my friends!
I do hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
July 22, 2018
Meg comes from a family of firefighters but she is a nurse practitioner. Her father was killed ten years ago when a jump went wrong and he and his best friend, Lance’s dad, were burned up. Lance is a firefighter but wants to be a smokejumper like his father. He knows it’s going to be tough because everyone blamed his father for their deaths. Meg is the physical trainer to the new recruits and has had a crush on Lance since they were kids. Someone doesn’t want him there and are sabotaging his equipment and almost gets Meg’s brother Hunter killed. When his truck stalls and he wrecks, he realizes stuff his getting serious. On the last day to jump, lightning hits and a fire starts. Lance and Meg’s other brother Will are partnered together but when Lance spots a cabin, him and Will go to see if it’s empty or not. A man is fighting the fire outside and Will goes inside. Will is trapped and Lance saves him and gets him out of the cabin. But the surprises are just starting. Can Lance stay and have a life with Meg or will he runaway again?
Suspense, action, sex, and a man looking to prove everyone he’s not like his father and that he didn’t get his best friend killed. Really good story. Meg was going from wanting Lance to being upset he was there, she wanted him but didn’t want to want him.
* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for Netgalley *
Suspense, action, sex, and a man looking to prove everyone he’s not like his father and that he didn’t get his best friend killed. Really good story. Meg was going from wanting Lance to being upset he was there, she wanted him but didn’t want to want him.
* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for Netgalley *
September 6, 2018
I feel a bit bad giving this only three stars, it's probably worth about a 3 1/2. I enjoyed most of the book. I liked both Meg and Lance and liked the way that they rediscovered their feelings for one another.
There were, however, a couple of things that for me at least, stopped this from scoring better. Firstly, I didn't quite buy the idea that the whole community would be against Lance for something that his father had supposedly done. It just didn't ring true. My second issue was with the end of this book. The last few chapters felt rushed and I didn't really like the big reveal as to who was causing the trouble. I'd already guessed what happened with Meg and Lance's fathers and I felt that the other part of the mystery was just a bit much.
I don't want to give the impression that I didn't enjoy this book. I really did. I liked Meg and Lance and their romance. I also think that it set up a series well and I would like to see where it goes next. It looks as though there's plenty of material for future stories, with a whole cast of fit firefighters who might have stories to follow. I'd be interested to see what happens with each of them in future books.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
There were, however, a couple of things that for me at least, stopped this from scoring better. Firstly, I didn't quite buy the idea that the whole community would be against Lance for something that his father had supposedly done. It just didn't ring true. My second issue was with the end of this book. The last few chapters felt rushed and I didn't really like the big reveal as to who was causing the trouble. I'd already guessed what happened with Meg and Lance's fathers and I felt that the other part of the mystery was just a bit much.
I don't want to give the impression that I didn't enjoy this book. I really did. I liked Meg and Lance and their romance. I also think that it set up a series well and I would like to see where it goes next. It looks as though there's plenty of material for future stories, with a whole cast of fit firefighters who might have stories to follow. I'd be interested to see what happens with each of them in future books.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
September 20, 2018
The Smokejumper series is off to a great start with the first book Tempt the Flames. All the characters are strong, compelling characters that easily draw readers into their story especially the hero and heroine, Meg and Lance. The best friend’s little sister is all grown up and the attraction is hotter than ever, but their romance is on shaky ground due to the emotional issues that stem from the deaths of their fathers, so while their attraction is hot enough to ignite from the beginning, the relationship has a few hurdles to overcome before it blazes to life.
The past causes all the characters emotional strain and the author does a great job of portraying the intense friction as well as the sizzling chemistry between Meg and Lance. The story has a steady to fast paced and smooth flowing plot that keeps readers hanging on to the edge of their seat in anticipation of what will happen as someone tries to keep Lance from learning the truth of that long ago fire. Determining just who the culprit or culprits are is quite difficult as they are several suspects and I have to say that the conclusion to the conflict was quite surprising.
The past causes all the characters emotional strain and the author does a great job of portraying the intense friction as well as the sizzling chemistry between Meg and Lance. The story has a steady to fast paced and smooth flowing plot that keeps readers hanging on to the edge of their seat in anticipation of what will happen as someone tries to keep Lance from learning the truth of that long ago fire. Determining just who the culprit or culprits are is quite difficult as they are several suspects and I have to say that the conclusion to the conflict was quite surprising.
November 12, 2018
Ten years ago, the lives of two families imploded. Two men died in a fire, one was blamed for both deaths and friendships crumbled.
Lance Roberts is back in Redmond, Oregon. First, to get his father's old job and second, to uncover the truth about the death of his and his best friend's father, his father was also blamed for. He doesn't really expect a warm welcome, but he also doesn't expect threats and sabotage...Or falling (again) for his ex-best friend's sister who also happens to be his trainer.
I liked the blurb of this book...But that's pretty much all I liked. Let me put it this way. This book was the reading equivalent of puffed rice cakes. Bland, tasteless and odorless.
The characters were bland, the story was bland, the pacing was poor, the suspense lacked any oomph, the villains were one too many, the romance was lackluster at best (I preferred the angst before they got together)...
It failed to capture my attention and I was bored by the time I got to chapter 4. I admit to only skimming the rest of it, because I kept hoping something would click.
It didn't.
Lance Roberts is back in Redmond, Oregon. First, to get his father's old job and second, to uncover the truth about the death of his and his best friend's father, his father was also blamed for. He doesn't really expect a warm welcome, but he also doesn't expect threats and sabotage...Or falling (again) for his ex-best friend's sister who also happens to be his trainer.
I liked the blurb of this book...But that's pretty much all I liked. Let me put it this way. This book was the reading equivalent of puffed rice cakes. Bland, tasteless and odorless.
The characters were bland, the story was bland, the pacing was poor, the suspense lacked any oomph, the villains were one too many, the romance was lackluster at best (I preferred the angst before they got together)...
It failed to capture my attention and I was bored by the time I got to chapter 4. I admit to only skimming the rest of it, because I kept hoping something would click.
It didn't.
September 26, 2018
Ms. Blake created a world I'm looking forward to returning to for other reads. Lance and Meg (hero and heroine) are likable characters with great chemistry. I loved the idea of learning about these firefighters. I would recommend the book to anybody interested in new adult and I know there is A LOT of interest in NA.
Although it couldn't be helped there was some sadness in Tempt the Flames that has me holding back giving it a five star review. Maybe it was designed to make the reader care for these two characters and pick up other books in the series to peek in on how they are doing, because I know they'll be fine from the strength both characters possess throughout the book. It wouldn't surprise me in the least to see this series picked up by the family channel. If you're searching for a book to snuggle up under a blanket with a cup of hot chocolate and lose yourself for several hours Tempt the Flames would be for you.
Although it couldn't be helped there was some sadness in Tempt the Flames that has me holding back giving it a five star review. Maybe it was designed to make the reader care for these two characters and pick up other books in the series to peek in on how they are doing, because I know they'll be fine from the strength both characters possess throughout the book. It wouldn't surprise me in the least to see this series picked up by the family channel. If you're searching for a book to snuggle up under a blanket with a cup of hot chocolate and lose yourself for several hours Tempt the Flames would be for you.
August 10, 2018
4 1/2 star Review......
Tempt the Flames is the first book in Marnee Blake’s Smokejumpers and it has set the bar high for future books in this series. Fabulous world building, intriguing and complex characters, misconceptions, secrets and life threatening danger, all combined to make this a story I couldn’t put down till the very last page.
Lance and Meg are wonderful together; and while the past and the present battle to destroy their fragile relationship, the passion and love they share is soul deep. I loved the mystery and intrigue of the storyline, and had moments of heartache and anger on behalf of our heroes.
I can’t wait to see who Ms Blake chooses for her next foray into the exciting world of smoking hot fire fighters, who thrive on the adrenaline and danger that drives them into flames.
Tempt the Flames is the first book in Marnee Blake’s Smokejumpers and it has set the bar high for future books in this series. Fabulous world building, intriguing and complex characters, misconceptions, secrets and life threatening danger, all combined to make this a story I couldn’t put down till the very last page.
Lance and Meg are wonderful together; and while the past and the present battle to destroy their fragile relationship, the passion and love they share is soul deep. I loved the mystery and intrigue of the storyline, and had moments of heartache and anger on behalf of our heroes.
I can’t wait to see who Ms Blake chooses for her next foray into the exciting world of smoking hot fire fighters, who thrive on the adrenaline and danger that drives them into flames.
August 31, 2018
Meg Buchanan is excited to become the new trainer in the area smokejumper class and now see her brother’s old friend and her first love is in the class, her nerve level is high. Lance Roberts wants to not only make this class, he wants to find out the truth about both his and Meg’s father’s death and hopefully clear his dad’s name. But when little annoying things start happening that soon escalate to people starting to get hurt, it becomes a matter of life and death.
I enjoy finding new authors and series and The Smokejumpers series by Marnee Blake is the well worth reading – you won’t be disappointed. Tempt the Flames grabbed me from page one and couldn’t put it down until the end. I am looking forward to the next one in the series.
I enjoy finding new authors and series and The Smokejumpers series by Marnee Blake is the well worth reading – you won’t be disappointed. Tempt the Flames grabbed me from page one and couldn’t put it down until the end. I am looking forward to the next one in the series.
May 24, 2025
Meg has been waiting her whole life for a chance to prove herself with the smoke jumpers. Working with a physician, she gets the chance when she is called to be an assistant trainer at the base that housed her father before he died 10 years ago.
Lance, the son of the firefighter/smoke jumper who died with Meg's father, is back at the same base, as a rookie who will undergo training to become a smoke jumper under Meg's tutelage.
There are still rumors and innuendos flying around the 10 years old fire and a certain tension between the Buchanan and Roberts families.
Well researched, the author puts forward a book that captivates the reader from the start in such a way tht one feels like he or she is j site during training and actual firefighting. A great read with a mystery to be solved as well as twists and turns that may be predictable for certain readers but do not affect the quality of this book that I highly recommend and rate with 5 Stars.
Lance, the son of the firefighter/smoke jumper who died with Meg's father, is back at the same base, as a rookie who will undergo training to become a smoke jumper under Meg's tutelage.
There are still rumors and innuendos flying around the 10 years old fire and a certain tension between the Buchanan and Roberts families.
Well researched, the author puts forward a book that captivates the reader from the start in such a way tht one feels like he or she is j site during training and actual firefighting. A great read with a mystery to be solved as well as twists and turns that may be predictable for certain readers but do not affect the quality of this book that I highly recommend and rate with 5 Stars.
September 9, 2018
A big thank you to NetGalley and Kensington/Lyrical Laison for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. First time reading this author. This book was not for me. I was interested in it due to the fact that I know nothing about smokejumpers. But I couldn't handle the angst, nepotism and deceit. I basically skimmed the book. I never really connected with the main characters Meg and Lance. I didn't understand Megs job or why the entire family wanted to be firefighters. The book seemed slow in places and then bam, you name it it happens in the last 2 chapters. I rate this a 3. I think that there are many who will enjoy this book, it just wasn't for me.
September 3, 2018
This was a very enjoyable story with strong characters. The death of two fathers causes two families to be torn apart. One family is favored over the other and the town closes rank around them, which causes prejudice against the other family. Now that the children are adults they are thrown together competing to become smokejumpers, just like their fathers were. The daughter from the favored family renews her love with the son from the other family. They find danger as they search for the truth behind their fathers' death.
November 3, 2018
Engaging
Story was engaging and kept me reading well past exhaustion. I gave 4 stars simply due to finding the writting frustrating. There were quite a few times where the reader is told something but the characters never actually talk about it. It came off as if the characters must read each others minds, because while the reader has the information the other character doesn't - yet makes decisions like they do.
Story was engaging and kept me reading well past exhaustion. I gave 4 stars simply due to finding the writting frustrating. There were quite a few times where the reader is told something but the characters never actually talk about it. It came off as if the characters must read each others minds, because while the reader has the information the other character doesn't - yet makes decisions like they do.
January 29, 2019
This is the first book that I have read from this author and I loved it. Based on the title I was expecting a super steamy romance, and while the author delivered on the steamy romance, there was also an amazing story. There was interesting and complex chemistry between the two lead characters that kept me turning pages. This book was the total package, mystery, action, romance and it kept you guessing. Can't wait to read more from this author.
September 14, 2018
A quick but interesting start to a new series. I liked Meg and Lance, their angsty history, and their attempt to move forward...together. I'll be keeping my eye out for more from this author.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias.
September 20, 2018
It was him!
Ok. So, the plot didn't surprise me. At all. But the characters were likable and there was chemistry between Lance and Meg. Overall, it was a nice easy read that left me screaming "It was him." from the early chapters.
Ok. So, the plot didn't surprise me. At all. But the characters were likable and there was chemistry between Lance and Meg. Overall, it was a nice easy read that left me screaming "It was him." from the early chapters.
July 30, 2018
I had to force myself to put the book down and go to sleep. If that doesn't tell you everything you need to know then you are not a bookaholic.
September 21, 2018
Whew, intrigue until the last page - loved it. and totally knew it, the first part anyway!!!
November 19, 2018
A sexually tense novel that I would recommend to anyone craving a little lust.
November 21, 2018
Great read
This was a great read. Full of suspense, mystery, hot smokejumpers and romance. Beautifully written to capture the pain and loss of family and how it changes a person.
This was a great read. Full of suspense, mystery, hot smokejumpers and romance. Beautifully written to capture the pain and loss of family and how it changes a person.
April 24, 2020
Review of Tempt the Flames
Marmee is a new author for me. I really enjoyed this book. She keeps you involved from page one until the end.
Marmee is a new author for me. I really enjoyed this book. She keeps you involved from page one until the end.
October 23, 2018
I was quick to pick this one up as it's about smoke-jumpers and was glad I did. A tragedy occurred while they were teens between the fathers of Meg Buchanan and Lance Roberts (who were best friends) and tore both families apart. Lance didn't handle it well and cut the Buchanans out of his life, but now he has returned to join the new jumper team managed by the Buchanans. Most of the family are not welcoming, except Meg. Their chemistry is electric, but Lance has a secret. Also someone is sabotaging Lance's chance and innocent people are getting caught in the crossfire.
I thought the story started a little slow but eventually is picked up the pace. I like the story of Lance and Meg, there was some suspense, and there was also some emotional moments while the readers see the characters in the aftermath of the accident, who was able to move on and who still struggled. I will definitely be reading the next in the series.
I thought the story started a little slow but eventually is picked up the pace. I like the story of Lance and Meg, there was some suspense, and there was also some emotional moments while the readers see the characters in the aftermath of the accident, who was able to move on and who still struggled. I will definitely be reading the next in the series.
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