Montana Firefighter

Glacier Creek #2

by Karen Foley

He loves to take risks, except when it comes to love.

Volunteer firefighter Dylan McCafferty enjoys anything that gets his adrenaline pumping. He has too many adventures left on his bucket-list to consider settling down. But when Hayden Temple rolls into town, bringing her two young nephews and a whole lot of trouble, he finds himself falling fast and once again embracing risk—this time with his heart.

Hayden Temple knows she’ll never outrun her past. Longing for a home and a new life, she believes she’s finally found peace in the small town of Glacier Creek—and the sexy, thrill-seeking Dylan is a man who can keep even her ghosts at bay. But after her nephews inadvertently start a wildfire that threatens the town, she’s determined to protect them, no matter the cost.

When Hayden’s past finally catches up with her, can Dylan convince her to trust him or will their chance of a future go up in flames?


First published as The Firefighter’s Slow Burn

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Amazon, Firefighters

250 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 10, 2018

About the author

Karen is the multi-award winning author of 28 novels, and is both a RWA RITA ® and a RWA Vivian Award nominee. She believes life is better with love, chocolate, and a view of the ocean. Karen splits her time between writing romance and folding laundry, and escapes to Ireland as often as possible. She lives in coastal New England, in a sweet little waterfront cottage that she shares with her high school sweetheart and one very skittish cat.

Reviews

[Paula Pugh · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is not often that I find a book that I just cannot get into at all. This is one of those books. It is not that it is not a good book, I am sure it is, but I found myself a tad bored with the story and just not feeling the attraction between the main characters. The idea of the book: a former fire fighter finding himself attracted to a woman whose nephew caused a wild fire and the dilemma that would result is a good one. I am sure other readers will love the book but just not me.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (6/20/2019)! 🎁

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thanks to the author for providing a copy of this book via Netgalley.
I liked this story a lot! If you like enjoy wildlife and go for hiking... This story is for you!
MC’s were very good, our H is quite a man-ho, but we dont get scenes with his OP o any other women. He was only with our girl through the story.
Poor girl thought she made very bad decision in her teens, but that was not her error, but some others.
She was strong, independent. She cared a lot for her nephews.
I dont like instant lust and falling in love in 3 days, but this book worked just fine.

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll actually put this one down as two and a half stars.

So, Karen Foley can string some pretty good sentences together. Unfortunately, that isn't enough to make you a good novel writer. Where she failed miserably was her storyline and characters. The whole way through I was aware of her pushing the story along, forcing the action and drama, and attempting to stir up the emotion in it. Events, conversations and actions all just felt quite contrived.

A few examples:

So we have a missing medical kit from Hayden's bag. She finds matches in Jackson's pocket that match the ones from the medical kit, the kit itself is missing and Jackson took her backpack to pull out snacks for him and his brother. Hayden feels certain that Jackson is involved in its disappearance, but instead of having a conversation about it and trying to find the missing kit, Dylan says they should just give Jackson the benefit of the doubt and Hayden agrees to leave it until they get back to the campsite. This is all so that they (and supposedly the reader) don't discover about him playing with matches until there is a massive fire threatening them all. I just kept thinking: "Really?" I mean, maybe it's different in Australia, but here first aid kits are pretty expensive. You don't just shrug it off and not try to find it. I just couldn't imagine her waiting to get back to the campsite to discover that it was abandoned one hour into their hike, especially if they were walking straight past the place it was left.

Then we get the whole Wesley character. He seemed to be purely there to add some drama to the whole situation. The thing is, it wasn't needed. There is a group of people fleeing a massive wildfire. There was enough going on for Karen to work with but she took the easy option of just throwing in a character who creates trouble for a little while. That whole bridge scene where Wesley jumps on to "help" Hayden and nearly tips her? It all just felt too odd for my liking.

And then there was Hayden's decision to leave town and Dylan at 4am. She has a trailer getting repaired that she needs to collect later on, she is still meant to stay in town until the police say they are done with her, but suddenly, because she is falling for Dylan, she just has to leave that morning at 4am. And happens to see a fire with a little girl that needs rescuing.

As I said, I just kept feeling like Karen Foley was forcing a story rather than telling one, and that always bugs me. I don't think I could cope with any more of her books.

[Pelusa Rivera · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rcvd an ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) Well I guess the name says it all a slow burn, because I found it too slow for me, and I was bored I couldn't really get into it. We have the small town dilemma's that they just know your business and can be small minded. Hayley is trying to start over, but that can be difficult where she is at. Then there is Dylan an adreline junkie, yes they are interested but can they? Twist and turns, it not a bad book and I am sure many will enjoy but I like it a little quicker.

[Marsha Keeper Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf

While there were many things that I liked about The Firefighter’s Slow Burn, there were also parts that kept this one, for me, at that just a touch more than a good book rating. Here, on my own blog, it gets a 3.5 star rating, but I will round that up to 4 stars when I cross-post on other sites. The story itself is intriguing as Hayden’s past or perceived past seems to follow her to the new start she’s making with her nephews. Yet, I never really felt that emotional connection between Dylan and Hayden. I don’t really know why, I simply didn’t find them believable enough to overcome that lack of connecting to them personally. The other part was that downside to a small town. Usually I love the tight knit communities, but this time the finger pointing, the know it alls who easily make accusations without facts simply rubbed me the wrong way.

So, I’m going to leave this review at this point simply saying that you really need to make up your own mind on this (or any) story. Just because I couldn’t connect with the main characters well doesn’t mean that you won’t love them completely. Let me be clear, The Firefighter’s Slow Burn is a good story, I certainly didn’t hate it but I couldn’t love it either. It fell somewhere in-between so it’s a good book that many readers will enjoy. It’s my loss that I couldn’t connect to it.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

[Shelagh · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a lot to like about The Firefighter’s Slow Burn, the second book in the Glacier Creek series. Set in Montana in the small town of Glacier Creek, the story is a sexy contemporary romance with a strong flavour of community running through it. For the most part it’s easy to see that the people of this town genuinely care about each other, which is always a strong drawcard for me.
The people in this story are well developed. I identified with Dylan as soon as he looked out the window and saw his car in danger of being hit. I could just imagine his panic and of course I immediately cared that he would successfully resolve the situation. Hayden was also easy to care about. Just the fact that she was prepared to put her life on hold to help out while her sister was going through a divorce was enough to get me cheering for her
With much of the story set in national park where the threat of fire was ever present there was plenty going on to keep me hooked. Really I loved the story until close to the end where things started to get tied up a little too neatly. I couldn’t quite come to terms with the rapid about face in emotions and behaviour either from Hayden’s sister or from the people of Glacier Creek.
Despite the tidy ending there was more than enough to like about this story and plenty to keep me looking forward to any possible additions to the series.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Firefighter's Slow Burn by Karen Foley is a small-town romance that has shows both the good and the bad of this community life. It can be freeing for a newcomer who wants to start over such as Hayden, but it can also be a place of finger pointing too.

Glacier Creek’s firefighter, Dylan McCafferty has the perfect job. He is an adrenaline junkie who just may be using his adventures in place of emotional connections. Newcomer Hayden Temple and her nephews bring his choices into light. I liked these characters even though none of them is perfect. This realistic story found me rooting for Hayden and Dylan too as they worked through the problems from her past and now are found in the present.

An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Bette Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this one. It's a slow moving story that shows us the best and worst of small town life. When a wild fire threatens the life of a group of hikers, Dylan McCafferty steps up to keep them safe and guide them back down the mountain to safety. Hayden Temple and her two young nephews are part of that group. Dylan and Hayden know that when the truth of how the fire was started comes how their will be backlash from the town but Dylan stands by Hayden's side. Stuck in Glacier Creek until the investigation is complete Hayden and Dylan really get to know each other and before long their is an intense fire burning between them.

Great read that I definitely recommend.

[Karen Roma · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Firefighter's Slow Burn definitely lived up to the title, as the story smouldered, but never really burned. While I liked the characters, I didn’t feel there was any real chemistry between them, and the expected spark was missing.

The overall story plot was good, but there definitely needed to be more passion and a deeper connection between Dylan and Hayden.

[Clarie Giselle Speights · Rating 2 out of 5]

So boring

I skipped so many pages. Here’s a synopsis there’s a fire Hayden takes the blame for her nephew. Dylan helps her. They fall head over heels for each other within two weeks. The story drags on as to the who, the what of the story. Descriptions upon descriptions. Lust perceived as love the end.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Firefighter’s Slow Burn by Karen Foley
Dylan McCafferty enjoys anything that gets his adrenaline pumping. He’s an avid risk-taker, except when it comes to love. He has too many adventures left on his bucket-list to ever settle down. But when Hayden Temple rolls into town, bringing her two young nephews and a whole lot of trouble with her, he finds himself out of his comfort zone. Now, the biggest risk is the one he’ll take with his heart.
Blamed for a barn fire that killed her father when she was just a teenager, Hayden Temple knows it’s impossible to outrun the past, yet she still longs for a place to call home. She believes she’s found that in the small town of Glacier Creek—and the sexy thrill-seeker who might be the one person capable of keeping her ghosts at bay. But after her young nephews inadvertently start a wildfire that threatens the small town, she’s the one raked across the coals. When Hayden’s past finally catches up with her, will she be forced to stand by and watch as any future with Dylan goes up in flames?
this is Dylan McCafferty and Hayden Temple’s story.
A loud commotion outside the offices of Adrenaline Adventures made Dylan McCafferty look up from where he studied a topographical map of the mountains surrounding the small town of Glacier Creek, Montana. On the street below, a lime-green Jeep towing a shiny silver Airstream trailer tried to turn into a small side street, but the driver had misjudged the amount of clearance. In a classic rookie move, the driver had attempted to reverse out of the side street but had overcompensated. Now the Jeep and the trailer were jack-knifed at an impossible angle, completely blocking the road. Dylan might not have intervened, except the back end of the trailer was dangerously close to his Range Rover, parked along the curb.
He shot to his feet, drawing the attention of his friend and partner, Jamie Colter, who was talking on the phone with a client. Now he followed the direction of Dylan’s gaze, and cupped his hand over the phone.
The Jeep came to an abrupt stop, and Dylan looked through the glass to see a woman behind the wheel, her expression both alarmed and frustrated.
But then she dragged her gaze from his and craned her neck to look through the open passenger door, and saw the trailer was scant inches from the Range Rover. Dylan was still trying to collect his wits, which had scattered somewhere on the floor near her feet. Jesus, she was more than just pretty—she was like something conjured out of his fantasies, with glossy, black hair cut in short layers that curled up gently at the ends, and made him want to slide his fingers through them. The long fringe of her bangs framed her face so the first thing you noticed were those amazing eyes. No makeup, either, he was sure of it. Just flawless skin, thick lashes, and those decadent lips.
“Oh, sugar beets!” She thrust the Jeep into drive, but there was nowhere for her to go, wedged as she was by the surrounding cars. Realizing her predicament, she thumped her hand on the steering wheel and threw him an accusing glare, as if he were somehow to blame. “Now what am I supposed to do?”
“Slide over,” he said “I’ll get you out of here.”
"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book."
The Firefighter’s Slow Burn by Karen Foley is a 4 star book.
Karen's Books with Tule:
Heat
Firefighters of Montana
A Hummingbird Christmas
A Hot Montana Summer
Glacier Creek
The Firefighter’s Slow Burn
Glacier Creek
A Soldier’s Homecoming
Glacier Creek

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and I am voluntarily reviewing it.

This was a wonderful story and I enjoyed reading it.

Hayden Temple comes to Glacier Creek, Montana with her two young nephews. She is caring for the boys during the summer while her older sister and husband go through a contentious divorce. They have been on the road for 5 weeks while traveling across country from New Jersey. Unfortunately Hayden miscalculated a turn in her Jeep while towing an RV and gets into a sticky situation. Dylan McCafferty is in his office when he hears a commotion from the street below and sees that his vehicle is in danger of being hit. Dylan races downstairs and helps Hayden out of the tricky situation.

Hayden and Dylan instantly feel sparks between them. But they live states away from each other and Dylan isn’t ready to settle down. He co-owns an adventure company that requires him to do some traveling. Hayden decides to stay in the charming town and takes the boys on a hike. While hiking, they come across Dylan who leads them to a waterfall and swimming hole. When heading back, two women racing towards them yell about a wildfire on the path. It is a good thing Dylan is a former smoke jumper and a volunteer firefighter!

Getting out of danger along with others while discovering who may have caused the fire made for an intriguing story.

This is a sexy read. I would recommend this to anyone over the age of 18. It was also written in my favorite dual POV format. This helped to fully understand the characters.

[Sandi Ramirez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those books that keep me reading it even though it was slow going for a pretty good while. Let me set the scene. Girl pulls into town in a large moving trailer with 2 boys. Handsome guy sees her trying to park the Webago that is close to hitting his Jeep and high tails it out to lend a hand. Really just being neighborly and keeping his jeep from being hit. He discovers the girl in not the boys mom but their Aunt. But you know boys will be boys and these 2 are into everything. Hayden and the boys go for a walk in the wilderness and meet Dylan. It's a good thing too as later there is a fire and Dylan is a volunteer firefighter. Now a this point for me the book goes wonky. We learn some info on Hayden and her past history that could have changed how the book flowed better in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, this book is a good book and one I definitely recommend that you read and judge for yourself.

[Bette Stanek · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one and it may even be a 3.25 or 3.5-star book, but I can't really bump it to 4 stars. It kept me engaged and reading, but I always felt there was something missing. Maybe it was a deep connection between the M/m? The pacing of the story was a little off, most of the time it was good, but would occasionally drag. Then, the story seemed to rush through the ending. It was like the author ran out of words and had to get to the finish before they completely ran out. There was a little bit of mystery and intrigue, but it was easy to figure out exactly what happened in Hayden's past. I don't feel like I wasted my time reading this one. It was entertaining and since I'm familiar with Glacier National Park, it was easy to visualize Glacier Creek. If you're looking for something to read before you decide on your next big, really involved book, pick this one up. It's quick and easy with a decent storyline.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually read this book twice because I read book three in the series just recently and then I had a different perspective of the hero in this story. It made more sense after learning the relationship of the hero with his family and friends earlier.

In reality, Book 2 should be 3 and vice versa because chronologically this is the order it happened. However, I enjoyed rereading the book and understanding Dylan better and his background. I ended up remembering the story but not the timeline in the book, so I found myself waiting for the reveal that I knew was coming.

All in all, I enjoyed the book and found that some of the comments by other reviewers made no difference to my enjoyment of the book.

[Tracy Sylvester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dylan finds himself injured during a smoke jumping mission and needs to make a change in his life while he heals. He decides to go into business with his two best friends and creates and adventure company. While working one day he looks out his office window to find a jeep pulling a camper jackknifed in the middle of town creating a traffic nightmare. Dylan jumps in to help and finds himself eye to eye with one of the most beautiful and mesmerizing women he's ever encountered. Hayden is in Glacier Creek to give her nephews some fun during the summer break. Such a well written and sweet romance.

[Laura D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hayden and her two nephews are on an adventure that leads them to Glacier Creek. She has never felt at home anywhere, but Glacier Creek makes her want to stay. Well, that and a sexy risk taker named Dylan. Dylan has no plans to settle down. That is until he meets Hayden and she changes everything. When Hayden gets blamed for a wildfire Dylan has to pick sides.,.. Hayden or the rest of the town. Will the truth set her free and give her a chance with Dylan or will the town be unforgiving to a stranger innocent or not? Good read.

[poppy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read in the series but not the first one I have read by this author and what another great read it was. This is Dylan and Hayden's story she's in town with her nephews and Dylan is one of Glacier Creek’s firefighter's when her Nephew accidentally start a fire that gets out of control she is the one to take the brunt of the anger from the small town. I liked these two characters and really enjoyed getting to know them the book is a little slow paced but not in a bad way If like me you are a huge romance fan then you will enjoy this one.

[Fedora · Rating 4 out of 5]

MONTANA FIREFIGHTER by Karen Foley is the second in her Glacier Creek series.

Dylan McCafferty has recovered from his near fatal smoke jumping accident and is happily running the outdoor adventure company with his best friend and sister.

Hayden Temple is visiting with her nephews, enjoying a leisurely summer exploration that includes some hiking. Dylan and Hayden meet by chance, and their chemistry ignites amidst a backdrop of wildfires, the heat of public opinion, and the pain of past injustices.

Karen Foley pens an emotional story, and a page turner at that.

[Donnajo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily read a advanced reader's copy of this book

The Firefighter's Slow Burn by Karen Foley, book three in the Glacier Creek Series. Another great addition to the series. I've enjoyed past books in the Glacier Creek series and this one hadn't disappointed me. Loved the characters, the romance and suspense of the storyline kept me going back for more. I hope there are more books to come in this series. A sure win series in my opinion.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book got off to a bit of a slow start for me, but then it picked up. Initially, I felt like the characters were too stereo-typically male and female. He was good at navigating a car through a tight space and she was a little flighty. If you can get past that at the beginning, you will find a book that has a good plot and touches on some tough interpersonal relationships. I liked the romance that eventually bloomed in this story.

[Becky Burciaga · Rating 4 out of 5]

A riveting story with intense, breath holding action. The characters and scenes are realistic and attention grabbing, the heartbreak and emotional suffering is deeply felt. An entertaining continuation of the Glacier Creek series.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firestarter Gets A New Name

For years Hayden had lived with knowledge that her carelessness had caused a fire that killed her father. When her nephews accidentally start new wildfire, she determines to protect them from the hate that she has known. That a firefighter takes her side is hard to believe. Saving a little girl from a house fire turns everything around.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a good story, it is steamy, he is a firefighter and she is taking care of her sisters children for the summer, if you like a mystery and want to see what happens when secrets are keep and how they can come back to haunt you later in life you will like the book. love the descriptions of the area makes you want to visit

[Shirley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick summer read! Hayden Temple runs into difficulty in small town Glacier Creek. A handsome firefighter comes to her rescue. Was a bit surprised that Hayden could be hated by the town and then end up with the opposite reaction by the townspeople. But oh well, it was just light entertainment!

[Melissa B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent plot

Loved this story from very first when heroine is driving a Jeep with Airstream trailer along with two young nephews. She had driven across the country to Montana. Hero has to help her out with trailer. As story goes along you find out more about heroine’s teenage years. Great combination of events to final happy ending.

[Iris Hehe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Hayden met Dylan when she was trying to get her Air Stream around a corner. He came out and helped her till they weren't jacknifed anymore. Then he told her how to get to the campsite. She got a map and she and her nephew 's went on a hike. They met Dylan on the trail and her joined them and guided them to a waterfall. After that there was a fire.

[Sandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

This does have a lot of the elements that I like, romance and bit of mystery/suspense, and who doesn't like firefighters?
But it somehow fell a bit flat for me, it did stretch the believable at times. I think there would be many readers who would love this, it's reasonably well written, it just didn't grab me and not let go like some stories do.

[fay cooke-nurse · Rating 5 out of 5]

A definite page turner!

Montana Firefighter is an excellent read! Karen Foley is a superb story teller and her descriptive telling of this story kept me enthralled from start to finish. Like the other works in this series, it's well written - but it"s by far the most exciting to date!