Former bad-boy Tucker Newman has learned his lesson—as the temporary team leader of the Jude County Smokejumpers, he’s all about following the rules to keep his team safe. Especially when he has to partner with a group of local low-security prisoners to knock down the raging fire. But the prisoners are not who they seem, and when they stage a break, kidnapping one of his teammates, he’ll have to break every rule he knows to get her back.
US Marshal Stevie Mills knows that to get the job done, she must work alone. She simply can’t risk another person getting hurt because of her. When she discovers that a wanted fugitive accused of rape and murder has not only been set free to fight the fire—but is now on the lam with a hostage—the last thing she needs is a zealous smokejumper getting in the way of her pursuit.
Whether they like it or not, Tucker and Stevie must join forces if they hope to save lives, and in the meantime, they just might discover a new definition for the word teamwork, in book 1 of the Summer of the Burning Sky.
I can't help be amazed at the gifts God has delighted me with - a wonderful husband, four amazing children, and the opportunity to write for Him.
I've been writing as long as I can remember - I won my first book writing contest in first grade! Over the years, writing has become, for me, a way to praise God and see Him at work in my life.
Although I have a degree in Mass Communications from the University of MN, my real writing experience started when I penned the The Warren Report - a bi-monthly newsletter that detailed our ministry highlights.
Living in Russia meant I never lacked for great material - and those experiences naturally spilled out first into devotionals and magazine articles and finally into my first published story, "Measure of a Man," in the Tyndale/HeartQuest, Chance Encounters of the Heart anthology.
Susan and husbandI grew up in Wayzata, a suburb of Minneapolis, and became an avid camper from an early age. My favorite fir-lined spot is the north shore of Minnesota - it's where I met my husband, honeymooned and dreamed of living. The north woods easily became the foundation for my first series, The Deep Haven series.based on a little tourist town along the shores of Lake Superior. I have to admit - I'm terribly jealous of Mona, the heroine of my first full-length book, Happily Ever After, a Christy Award Finalist published in 2004 with Tyndale/Heartquest.
Our family moved home from the mission field in June 2004 -- and now we live in the beautiful town I'd always dreamed of! God has amazed me anew with His provision, and blessings -- and allowed me a season when I can write full time for Him.
I 'm delighted you've stopped in to visit. My hope is that you'll be blessed and encouraged by soul-stirring stories of regular people interacting with a God who loves them.
I'd love to hear from you! I love getting mail, especially from readers and I welcome your questions and comments. Write to me at susan@susanmaywarren.com. And, if you're interested, sign up for my newsletter, a quarterly sneak peek into upcoming releases and projects. Thank you for your interest and support.
A fast pace and non-stop action made this book one I couldn't put down! I was thrilled when I heard the author is writing more stories about the smokejumpers and hotshots that fight wildfires. Tucker comes from a difficult background, but has learned that following the rules keeps people from getting hurt- most of the time. He feels responsible for those under his leadership, and struggles with his faith when things go south.
Stevie has a past full of regrets that she hasn't forgiven herself for, and thinks those she lives the most and hurt the most can't either. She has a tough exterior and a dogged determination to work hard and get the job done, characteristics that attract Tucker, but it's the vulnerable side that she shares with him that bring them close together.
Mix firefighting with fugitives in the run and it's a recipe for high stakes danger. The escalated tension brings emotions to the surface and as struggles are revealed, Tucker, Stevie, and team member Skye provide much-needed encouragement and support in the midst of their trials. The end of this book provides a great lead-in to the next, and I can't wait to continue the adventure!
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
Ooh, I'm so happy to be back with the hotshot firefighters again. This time in Alaska! This book is short, over before I wanted it to be, and so full of fast paced action that my heart was beating double time. While there was a bit of resolution, it wasn't enough for me. I know this story is continued in the next book which comes out soon. It's hard to wait though!
Oh, oh, oh! There is a reason why Susan May Warren is a favorite and this is action-packed adventure and romantic suspense that you can't put down.
What do you get when you have smoke jumpers fighting a raging wildfire, a prison break, and a US Marshall all wrapped up in the adventure. Somethings gotta give. But its not the writing. Ms. Warren had me surrounded by the drama with absolutely no hope for escape. Put the book down? Forget it.
I can't say too much about the book because it is only 152 pages long, and it only took mere hours to read, but I am still reeling from the adrenaline rush, short of breath, shaking, and oh my word. And I have to wait a month for book two to find out what happens next in this continuing drama!!!
I paid money for this kindle copy, it was in no way, shape, or form free or discounted and I am a verified buyer. This review is simply because I loved the story.
Oh wow, this was an adventure filled book with a hero and heroine who had to face shadows from their past. Once I started reading I didn’t want to stop and was really glad that I had time to finish it in one day.
I love how Susan May Warren brings adventure, great characters and a clear Christian message in her books.
Yes, there was a few cheesy parts but overall the adventure ride and Christian message I loved.
Warning: do not read what the next book is about before you finish this book. And do have the next book available before you start this one.
Recommended to fans of Christian Romantic Suspense.
“Love gives us power, makes us risk everything we have, everything we are. Love is not for the weak. It’s for the strong.”
This first novella in the three-part series called Summer of the Burning Sky continues the adventure of the Jude County Smoke Jumpers, which actually started in the Montana Fire series. I haven’t read the Montana Fire series and, man, have I missed much! After reading Light My Fire, I need to read all the books in the Montana Fire series. This newest offering has everything I’ve come to expect and love about Susan May Warren’s books - great writing, emotionally-charged dialogue, sharp twists and turns to the plot, a healthy dose of suspense, fantastic characters, and a solid theme of redemption, forgiveness, and God’s grace.
In Light My Fire, a smokejumper Tucker and a US Marshal Stevie are thrown together as they battle Alaskan forest fire as well as a prison break. Tucker is a dependable, loyal, tender-hearted swoon-worthy hero (who reminds me a lot of Ty Remington from the Montana Rescue series). Stevie is a regret-filled, hurting law enforcer trying to reconcile her past with the present. Stevie’s history is unearthed in this novella and Tucker’s is somewhat revealed....I’m hoping the next installment in the series will give us more glimpses into his story.
The action and suspense are intense in this one! So hold onto your hats and purses because it’s a wild, thrilling ride, for sure!
I was given a copy of this book by the author and was under no obligation to post a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own and subjective.
Deb’s Dozen: Fire is everywhere—in the forest—in the relationships—in the armed conflicts.
Light My Fire is the first book in Warren’s Summer of the Burning Sky series. She introduces new characters in a new environment although she refers back to Montana, scene of her last series. Tucker Newman has trained with the Jude County Smokejumpers—a group of firefighters who do not walk in to fire locations but are dropped by parachute into the hotspots. Because his boss’s wife, Kate, went into labor prematurely, Tucker is unexpectedly left in charge even though he doubts his own abilities. Seems he has some baggage from a previous incident and now doesn’t trust his instinct, but only follows the rules.
He should have followed the rules because as soon as his boss leaves, he’s embroiled in a bar melee involving a woman, Stevie Mills, who says she can take care of herself. After getting out of the place, he takes Stevie the rest of his dinner—spicy chicken wings—and they talk. A romance is brewing, at least on Tucker’s end.
But they’re off to fight a fire on Denali mountain. And Stevie, a US Marshall, is off to pick up a murderer and transport him to a secure prison. But he’s not there—he somehow was allowed on a work detail hiking up-country to help the firefighters. So, of course, Stevie goes after him.
All the players are in place: a firefighter in charge for the first time who always follows the rules; a feisty female US Marshall willing to break rules to get her man; and a gang of cons—one of which is Stevie’s dad—who proceed to engineer an escape.
Warren has written a gaggle of good characters. You’ll enjoy the adventures and mishaps. I understand the fascination with fighting fires and bringing in the convicts adds spice to an already heated situation. Lots of twists and turns, romance and roguery, gunfights and grit. The series holds promise. I’d rate this one four stars.
Susan May Warren is a bestselling, much-awarded author of several series. She is a USA Today bestselling author and has won the HOLT, RITA, and numerous Christy Awards. She writes historical, contemporary, mystery-suspense, and comedy—all laced with a healthy dose of romance. Find her at susanmaywarren.com.
Revell Books gave me an Advance Reader Copy of Light My Fire, but I was in no way obligated to write a review.
Susan May Warren enjoys creating stories filled with characters with heart. I have enjoyed most of the stories she has written. Her historical series, Heiress, Baroness, and Duchess, plus the Christenson family are some of my favorite series by Warren. I enjoy a good suspense story filled with hair raising moments and catching the bad guy. With the introduction to a new trio of novellas, Warren has captured that feeling again for me.
I always adore the way Warren writes. She dives deep into the characters flaws and allows me to really feel what they are feeling throughout the entire novel, or in this case, novella. She does a fabulous job at inviting me into the setting and allowing me to feel like I am right there with the characters. I admire how much work she does into research for the character's jobs. In this series, smokejumpers. I really know nothing about them, but Warren brought them to life for me.
The plot begins with a typical introduction to the characters and their careers, but then Warren throws me for a whirlwind of emotions as the characters collide and have to deal with an active prison break alongside of a fighting fire. The story moves rapidly, begging me to flip the pages and keeping me engrossed in the action. I thoroughly enjoyed the story. The novella ends with a cliff-hanger and then a sneak peak at the second book, leaving me gasping for the second novella already.
The romance feels a little out of place for me. Maybe because it is a novella, and I believe there isn't enough time for the sparks to fly yet. But she does create the beginning of some emotions between Tucker and Stevie.
Overall, "Light My Fire" by Susan May Warren is a thrilling ride into the world of smokejumpers that I had a hard time putting down. With the introduction of this new team, Warren creates characters with deep emotions and deep hurts that I can't wait to explore more. I think fans of Warren's other's works, Dani Pettrey, and Lynette Eason would enjoy this series.
I received a complimentary copy of "Light My Fire" from Susan May Warren, but the opinions stated are all my own.
Any book by Susan May Warren is an automatic read for me. This one is just awesome!
A wildfire in Alaska brings in the Jude County Smokejumpers and Tucker Newman is one of them. They don't have enough personnel to fight this fire and so they agree to allow prisoners of the local jail to come help. The prisoners are not exactly what they seem, soon stage a break and make a run for it and kidnap one of the Tucker's firefighters. Things deterioriate rather quickly from then on. U.S. Marshal Stevie Mills knows how to get a job done, but she prefers to work alone. One of the prisoners sent to help fight the fire is a fugitive wanted for rape and murder. She can't have a smokejumper getting in her way to bring justice about. But can she and Tucker work together?
Susan May Warren knows how to ratchet up the danger in her books. She also knows how to tell a great gospel message. That is one of the reasons I love her books so much. They are just a huge blessing. This one is great! I can't wait for the next 2 novellas in the series, debuting in July and August. What a great summer for readers of hers with her Summer of the Burning Sky novella series!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinion stated here is entirely my own.
Fans of the Montana Fire Series, rejoice! The Jude County Smokejumpers are back with a few familiar faces and some new ones as well! If you’ve read the Montana Fire series, you’ll know the kind of high-intensity action you’re in for. It’s amazing how much Susan May Warren can fit into 150 pages!
This book takes place in a very short amount of time—only a few days��but even so, I thought the connection that grew between Tucker and Stevie was believable and went beyond surface attraction. And, as always, I relished not only the way Susan May Warren recreated the wilderness of the area they were in (in this case, Alaska), but also incorporated details of actual fire fighting and management. It really was an immersive experience!
And the escaped prisoners have added a whole new dimension to this series—not to mention the phrase ‘escaped prisoners’ is a story all in itself! The only other thing to say is that you’ll definitely want to read these books in order. Based on the sneak peek at the end of this story, book two will be going back to fill in parts of the story that were missing from Tucker and Stevie’s point of view as well as taking the story further. And it’s going to be an exciting ride!
I love Christian romantic suspense and this book has all the elements. There is an action packed storyline,sweet romance and an intriguing cast of characters. This book is recommended for those who love Christian romantic suspense.
The newest series from author Susan May Warren, Summer of the Burning Skies, I found a lot to love in Light My Fire. The book follows Tucker Newman, who’s been put in command of a team of Montana smokejumpers detailed to fight fires in Alaska and U.S. Marshal Stevie Mills, a loner who can’t shake decisions in her past. When the prisoner Stevie is charged with transporting is mistakenly released to an inmate fire work crew, and later escapes, she’s going to have to find some common ground with Tucker.
Fast-paced and exciting. It’s easy to develop a soft spot for Tucker, the man who wants to do the right thing and to prove himself. And Stevie, who may be trying to prove something herself. You don’t need to have read any of the Montana Rescue series to jump right into this series.
I thoroughly enjoyed the action, danger, and romantic tension. Even at a novella length, the characters have depth and the story world is well crafted. There’s no skimping on plot or character arc—it’s all still there.
As it’s a novella, the only downside is that it might leave you wanting more of Susan May Warren’s writing. The tightly written storyline has no room for subplots, though you’ll find hints that there are definitely more stories smoldering under the surface for these smokejumpers. I’m looking forward to future releases in this series to see those fleshed out and revealed.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. This review represents my personal, honest opinion.
Light My Fire is the first book in the Summer of the Burning Sky series. This story was packed full of action and danger, with plenty of romantic tension thrown in, as well!
Readers can jump into this series, even if they haven’t read the Montana Fire series to which it is loosely connected. The smoke jumper novels are just so exciting and I find myself struggling to set these stories down.
The two main characters, Tucker and Stevie, were definitely hauling around some intense emotional baggage. They were such interesting people to read about. Tucker’s absolute dedication to protecting others was really wonderful. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Fast paced and attention grabbing, this book is quickly devoured and hard to put down. The main characters are immediately likable and ready to move past the emotional roadblocks. This was a great start to another smokejumper series, and I look forward to the next!
Great suspense, romance and excitement! This book kept me on the edge of my seat! Tucker (hero) was so brave, tender, sexy and full of courage. This book is an excellent read I highly recommend:) Susan is a master at keeping you wanting more of her amazing romantic suspense. Now onto the next in the series...
3.5 stars - This is the first in the three-book novella series 'The Summer of Burning Sky' which is part of a larger series of fire-fighting hunks and heroines. LOL - It's hard to keep up with all these series. Ex-snowboard champion and firefighter Tucker Newman is put in charge of his smokejumping team when the usual leader is called away. It should be a straightforward assignment to stop a smallish fire from reaching an Alaskan campground. However, things soon get complicated when they need reinforcements and the only people available are some inmates from the local prison.
Meanwhile, female US Marshall Stevie Mills arrives in town, after a long absence, to pick up a dangerous prisoner who is wanted on rape and murder charges. Somehow, the murder/rapist is accidentally assigned to the fire mop-up team with the other low-security prisoners. Of course things go wrong, and Stevie sets out to recapture him. She and Tucker can't deny their growing attraction, but Stevie has learned that it's best to be alone, and she can't afford to fall for this man who promises he'll be there for her. Can they stop a killer before it's too late, and will there be kissies? Well, of course there'll be kissies. It's a romance novel!!!!
I've read a lot of Susan May Warren books and I decided to start this series because it fills in the story of Larke, who is sister to the hunky Kingston triplets in another series I'm reading. Though Larke doesn't star until Book 3. There's lots of cross-pollination. I think there are others before this one as well, but you can come into this series and you're at the beginning of a story arc, so it doesn't matter if you haven't read the others.
I liked both of the main characters in this one. They each have issues in their background, and sparks fly pretty quickly - literally. There's lots of action and a few twists and turns. I liked the faith element, though there was one spot where I felt one character was giving the other a mini-sermon at a point where they had only just survived an incident, so it was a bit unrealistic that one of them would be able to deliver such an eloquent argument right at that very moment. I guess that's one of the difficulties with a novella--everything has to get going and wrap up quickly. It was a good message though.
I did enjoy it overall and it stops at a spot that you know will carry on into Book 2, so it's really Part 1 of a continuing story. I've already started reading Book 2, so I must be enjoying it. Recommended for those times when you want an easy, quick read that still has good writing and some depth to the characters.
With overlapping timelines, non-stop action, and sweetly steamy romance, this series is the perfect summer binge-read! New readers can jump right in with this series while fans of Susan May Warren’s Montana Fire and Montana Rescue series will reconnect with familiar characters.
Warren excels in crafting genuine, authentic characters, vivid story worlds, and intricate adventurous plots with foundational faith themes. While these three stories are tightly connected, each installment also has its own conflict or crisis and resolution, leaving readers eager to dive into the next book without the use of a cliffhanger ending.
If you’re fascinated by the ever-present Alaskan summer sun (like I am) then you’ll especially enjoy this smokejumping crew’s heart-pounding adventure! This is a series I plan to reread time and again and I highly recommend it!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Light My Fire is the first book in the Summer of the Burning Sky. The Jude County Smokejumpers crew is in Alaska helping put out wildfires. When Jed has to go home immediately, former bad-boy Tucker Newman from Deep Haven is left in charge. Things take an unexpected turn when the prisoners who have been helping the smokejumpers put out the fires escape and have taken one of the smokejumpers as hostage with them. This is clocked full of suspense, intrigue, danger, and romance as Tucker and US Marshal Agent Stevie Mills chase after the escaped prisoners to stop them and rescue Tucker's teammate. Stevie and Tucker both have wounds from their past and have to learn to work together as a team and not alone.
I chose a 5 star rating because i liked the storyline as it was believable. The characters were real and had thought problems that a person could identify with in ones own life. I also appreciated the scripture references and getting the gospel message out in plain and simple words. I would reccommend this book to those who follow Susan May Warren and those who dont yet!
This is the a great start to a series that is related to the Montana Fire series (and Deep Haven series, too). Even in a novella, the author was able to add action, danger, romance, and spiritual content without feeling underdeveloped. The story isn't lengthy but it seems to set up a plot thread that will carry over into the next two books. Tucker and Stevie had great chemistry and I can't wait to see them again and read about Skye and Rio in the next book.
If you are looking for a suspenseful love story, this is it! It has something for everyone.
Likeable hero. √
Plenty of action. √
Clean read. √
Mystery. √
Dreamy romance. √
This story checked all of the boxes for me, but I'm a huge Susan May Warren fan so that is no surprise.
This is the first book in a new series, Summer of the Burning Sky.It is a quick read, at 152 pages, but those pages are crammed full of characters I could emphasize with, tension so tight you could cut it with a knife, and plenty of action.
I love the whole smoke jumpier's world the author has created. So interesting! Tucker is left in charge of his team when his boss leaves to be present when his new grandchild arrives. Tucker has issues and we get a front row seat to watch him navigate through them when he is called to lead his team in to fight a fire.
At the same time, Stevie, the US Marshal is called to transport a prisoner from a local prison. Stevie has to confront demons from her past in order to survive her present circumstances.
I loved this story. Beautifully done. Can't wait for the next book in the series.
Light My Fire, the first of Susan May Warren’s new novella collection, was an enjoyable read. It is quick paced and keeps you on the edge of your seat as the suspense zigzags through the story – and the Alaska wilderness. The descriptions in this book had me feeling as if I were right there on that mountain in Alaska with them. Weaved amidst the suspense is a blossoming romance and some very real conversations that reveal struggles with trusting God completely. Through a series of events the characters find themselves in unexpected places, facing unexpected danger. The characters, and readers, are reminded that we are never alone. The Summer of the Burning Sky Trilogy is loosely connected to the Montana Fire Series. If you’re a stickler for reading your books in order – as I am – I recommend starting with Where There’s Smoke, the first Montana Fire book. If you’ve read any of Susan May Warren’s books, you already know you’re going to love this one. If you haven’t read any of hers yet, this is a great example of her consistently fantastic work. I’m very much looking forward to the next installment already…hurry up July!!
This is an amazing book. It is an exciting world of racing to get the fires out. It draws the reader to know what coming next. The firemen in the story are from Montana and go to Alaska to fight the fire. You will find lots of good and evil . The team work and support of the firemen are so strong in the book. Life is interesting and the characters are well developed. It is hard to put the book down since you are wondering what is around the bend and will it be good or evil. The Christian values and character prevails and the reader sees the high principle lived out! It is bound to be a very popular series and read by many. I highly recommend this first book and look forward to the future book in the series! This book was given to me to review and promote the book for the upcoming release on June 19th! I am excited to see the wonderful future response. It presents a positive view of firemen. It shows their determination and true desire to help mankind in their difficult time when their lives are at risk! It is great to recognize their sacrifice! this book gave me an inside view of what sacrifices firemen and their families face each day! I applaud Susan May Warren for a wonderful book!
How ironic it is that I had the Weather Channel on to check the forecast and the program was about wildfire rescuers. Susan May Warren has crafted another hit series with this opener that keeps you guessing and up late to finish. With a glimpse into the next action-packed installment, prepare for more trouble ahead while firefighters battle the Alaskan landscape, danger and escaped prisoners.
Light My Fire is a page-turning novella! I loved the Alaskan setting and was delighted by the tie-in to the Montana Fire series. Tucker and Stevie’s adrenaline-fueled adventure boasts elements of suspense and romance, and I was captivated by their story. Light My Fire begins the Summer of the Burning Sky trilogy, and I can’t wait for more!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.
An epic start to this series! I was pulled in to the action from the very beginning! With characters easy to like and root for, this is a story of drama and danger with a very personal message of rescue and help at its center. I loved seeing Stevie learn how forgiveness is possible and for both her and Tucker to know that together is a good thing, whether it be in the form of God on your side, backup close by, or even navigating life with another person.
This book isn't very long but, WOW, it packs a punch... There's heart-pumping, adrenaline-fueled fire fighting action. There's a simmering romantic interest that you just know is going to ignite into a red-hot flame. There's suspense that twists and turns and deceives like sightings of smoke in the distance. Can't wait to read the next one in this series.