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Hill City Heroes #1

Fire Princess

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New relationships are always hard, but throw in an arsonist hell bent on killing someone, and they are nearly impossible.

Autumn is a paramedic at a fire station full of dominant men.

Leland is the firefighter determined to keep her safe, whether she likes it or not.

Sparks will fly, and the heat will rise as the two deal with the trials of life-threatening careers and a relationship that is in danger of being extinguished before it can even begin.

Publisher's Note: This steamy contemporary romance contains a theme of power exchange.

154 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 16, 2019

67 people are currently reading
50 people want to read

About the author

Rachel Blake

23 books39 followers
I have been writing since high school, but truthfully never thought it would go any further than a few short stories hidden deep within my laptop. It wasn't until my family moved away from everything we knew that I started writing stuff worth sharing. Now, my husband, three kids, our plethora of animals, and I live in the Midwest. When I'm not running around like your stereotypical soccer mom (sans the minivan) I am writing the type of stories I have always secretly treasured. Love stories with a sexy alpha male and a strong submissive female.

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5 stars
42 (43%)
4 stars
29 (30%)
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20 (20%)
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2 (2%)
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3 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
Profile Image for Kathy Heare Watts.
7,012 reviews175 followers
July 20, 2019
A FEW TEARS NEVER HURT ANYONE

From the first page to the last, I was engrossed in the story and fell in love with the characters and their interaction. I will even admit that I sobbed at one point from the emotional pain. As a series junkie, I am thrilled to know there will be more stories to come. While this did not end in a cliffhanger, it does leave the reader craving more and yes, there is still an unsolved issue.

The story is deep, with strong friendships, comradery, work ethics, and as hard as these firefighters and paramedics work, they play just as hard. With a group that accepts and embraces their roles in both their job and when they get together in play parties with the dominance and submission.

Sierra will want to get her brother and best friend together, and what a shock when Leland returns to Hill City and they meet at the firehouse. Autumn is a paramedic, and Leland is a firefighter who has recently returned. The story will have the friendships of those who work together, along with teasing, get-togethers and even D/s scenes together. What a shock when Autumn also learns that her friend, nurse Liv, is married to Kevin, the chief at the firehouse.

There has been a rash of fires, arson, and they revolve around when Leland and his team are on shift. When the arsonist doesn’t feel he is getting his due, he will become more insistent and start making demands, ones that will also place Autumn, her partner, Gwen, and reporter, Sierra on the line. It will become a challenge for these dominant men to do their jobs and protecting their women.

I love the chemistry between Leland and Autumn. While he challenges her, pushes her comfort zone, he is always there to catch her. Once he lays claim on her, he allows her to give the final consent, but it was just a matter of formality.

“She is more than just my submissive, Kev. She is my girl, my lover, my princess. She is mine. Yeah, she’s my forever.”

The story has several tense, life, and death moments, leading to heartache and tears. It will affect most of the characters and none more than Autumn. She will go through several emotions, and it will take Leland and Liv to help her heal.

“Possibly, Sir, but right now it’s a risk I’m willing to take if it means I’m getting the attention I desire from the man I love.

The story includes exhibition, voyeurism, public punishments, discipline, and explicit sex scenes. It has a mystery, suspense, that isn’t over, and I can’t wait for the next book.
Profile Image for JD (on semi-hiatus).
984 reviews226 followers
February 26, 2022
Just no:

1) An adult brother spanks his adult sister. Given that spanking is deeply sexualized in these books, Ms. Blake may as well be writing incest.

2) In the Me-Too Movement, no less, an H threatens to punish an h at their workplace, while her boss watches ("Don't be embarrassed on my behalf, Autumn. I have had to get after my own wife more than a few times for the same thing, and I am sure that will not be the only time I see him show you how truly displeased he is with you," Chief Atwood reassured, somehow knowing exactly what she had been thinking.) Really? In a public-sector job subject to multiple regulations? There isn't enough disbelief to suspend in the world...
Profile Image for A-reader.
1,598 reviews50 followers
August 1, 2020
I felt like this could loosely be called a romance, it was more of a Dom/sub book with lots and lots spankings and disciplines and very little sexy interaction and almost no romantic times.
There is an arsonist in town and he is escalating in his demands for attention. Leland has come back to town and is a firefighter, Autumn is the paramedic for the fire station. Their interactions seemed strange and forced to me. It always seemed Leland was disciplining her for the smallest thing and didn’t follow with the usual love and attention a Dom gives his sub afterwards. Many of the other fire station personnel were also into the life style and it is said they participate in scenes together. No swapping of couples happens in this book, but they do watch the fire chief and his wife have sex together. There are more books in the series, this ended with a happy for now with the epilogue from the arsonists point of view.
The writing was good, only a few errors, story was ok, but I missed the romance and didn’t feel any love between the couple. And way to many people were spanking each other or just plain hitting each other. When a co-worker came and slapped Autumn’s behind, that was out of line and grounds for sexual harassment. Also was weird the brother was spanking his grown sister.
Profile Image for C. Gray.
1,580 reviews16 followers
July 30, 2019
Autumn is one of two female paramedics at the station house so when her partner asks if she has seen the new firefighter she could careless about him. But after some jabs toward each other they get a call. The next day when she meets up with her best friend for lunch she stops short when she sees who her best friends brother is. Of course they can’t deny the pull that they have but is she really ready for all that he is or will she run in the opposite direction??

I’m looking forward to the next book in this series to see what happens with these characters
Profile Image for Jennifer Bourgeois.
319 reviews3 followers
October 2, 2019
I really enjoyed the book. I love the characters interaction with each other. I love the ending. The person dyeing in the fire was a little too much.That part could of been left out of the book. That is why it is getting 3 stars out of 4 stars. If you love bdsm and/spanking books, then this book is for you.
Profile Image for Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon).
16.4k reviews218 followers
August 7, 2019
Extremely entertaining, captivating and interesting sexy read. I could not put it down. Wonderfully written with strong, intriguing characters. I want to read more from this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Saskia.
1,775 reviews52 followers
August 23, 2020
This is my first book by Rachel Blake and the first book in a series. This means there are a lot of characters and their relationships introduced beside the main couple.

Leland and Autumn are very likable characters and I loved the fact that the story takes place in a firehouse filled with Doms. Their interactions made me laugh out loud.

There were also sad moments and a big twist at the end.

I enjoyed the book but also would have liked it to be a bit longer so everything could have been a bit more fleshed out.
Profile Image for E. Leta Davis.
923 reviews4 followers
December 20, 2019
A very enjoyable read

A very enjoyable a and entertaining story. It's nice to read a story where the Dom and submissive come together without a lot of anxiety in their relationship tension comes from the job and the existence of an arsonist. Very much looking forward to the next book.
Profile Image for BookishBrat.
87 reviews2 followers
July 26, 2020
Actual rating: 4.5

First line: “New guy starts today! Do you think he’s hot?”
1,240 reviews10 followers
August 4, 2019
Fire Princess is the first book in the Hill City Heroes series. Autumn is a paramedic in a firehouse filled with Dominants, and when Leland arrives, who wants to keep her safe no matter what cost to her backside. When a serial arsonist targets the ladies in Leland’s life, will they survive the heat of the fire and the burn of their passion?

I enjoyed reading this book, seeing the drama, passion, and romance that blossoms between Autumn and Leland. I like that this book just dives right on in, and you feel like you’re just a part of the conversation and team. Autumn is new to the lifestyle and afraid that being a submissive might effect her relationship with the men that she works with daily. Being in a relationship with Leland doesn’t always help that fear, but he helps guide her, keep her safe, and fills her world with love. There’s not much from Leland’s point of view, but I liked his character, his motivations, his persistence, and how he opens up Autumn’s world to a D/s and devoted relationship. While their relationship is developed within the pages of this book, I feel like there’s a few things that didn’t get resolved in this book, some on purpose to set up the next book. I enjoyed this firefighting romance and will look forward to the next book in the series to see how it evolves.
2,071 reviews3 followers
July 21, 2019
This is the first book in the Hill City Heroes series & it's a hard book for me to review. Yes, it sets the scene & provides a number of characters with which to build a series. Yes, the main characters (Leland & Autumn) go through their relationship from strangers to lovers. Is there a HEA? Well, kinda. You see, Leland & Autumn do get their HEA but there is a story arc which doesn't end but continues on, presumably into book 2. I did enjoy this story but I didn't love it for a couple of reasons. Firstly, in starting the series, there were simply too many characters introduced all at once which made it difficult to focus in on the main relationship. Secondly, the inclusion of all of the characters took time away from Leland & Autumn throughout the book, again, drawing my attention away from them. By the time I came to their personal HEA, it almost just felt like a side story. If you enjoy books that read like TV series' & follows a number of characters & their relationships over time, this could be right up your alley. Give it a read & decide for yourself. At best, you'll be getting in on a great new series right from the beginning. If not, you'll have filled a couple of hours reading a pleasant story.
Profile Image for Soscha.
425 reviews9 followers
July 26, 2019
"Fire Princess" is the the initial entry in Rachel Blake's "Hill City Heroes", which features a whole fire station house full of hot alpha doms. (Oh, if only life were as enticing as fiction, eh?) The protagonists are colleagues, although Autumn is a paramedic and Leland is the firefighter.

There's an shocking amount of sexual shenanigans that occur in that station house that again, in real life would eventually result in sexual harassment charges or a whole city block burning down while your on-the-clock public servants are spanking each other in the supply closet.

BUT it's all good fun. Being a first volume there's a lot of characters and familial connections to keep track of which will no doubt come into play as the series continues. There's not that much romantic tension between the two protagonists as they like each other from the beginning, start dating each other, play with each other, etc, although Autumn the sub is new to the scene so she's helpfully instructed on how things are meant to work.

I myself am predominantly a spanko and there's elements here that are more 'straight' BDSM that don't personally appeal to me but I can deal with it.

This is great jumping-in point to new series with your promised HEA & more action to come in forthcoming volumes.
458 reviews3 followers
August 4, 2019
Fire Princess is such a great way to start the Hill City Heroes series! The plot is interesting and the characters interactions draw you in from the beginning. Autumn and Sierra share a longtime friendship that shows strength and love while supporting each other and their dreams. Leland, is a fire fighter that has strong opinions and old fashioned beliefs. As a Dom, he will be in control of his life and choices while protecting those he loves. Autumn, a paramedic loves her job and does it well. However, in her personal life she is trying to figure out and understand her submissive side and how to balance the two parts of who she is. When these two characters meet the sparks fly in both work and in their personal life! With an arsonist on the loose the excitement starts and does not end. I loved the mix of friendship, romance, danger, mystery, and crime. The emotions ranged from sadness, happiness, fear, and confusion, along with deep respect, love, and passion. I loved this story and highly recommend you enjoy the beginning of a great new series! I voluntarily received an arc copy of this book.

577 reviews10 followers
July 19, 2019
The new series by Ms. Blake, Hill City Heroes, kicks off with the story of Leland and Autumn. Autumn is a paramedic assigned to the Hill City Fire Department and Leland is one of their newest recruits. He is also the brother of her best friend….., and a red hot DOM. This story is ostensibly their story, and a lovely romantic spanking story it is, but it seems to serve more as an introduction to a treasure trove of kinky firemen and their like-minded friends and families. There is also a searing mystery plot involving an arsonist who is getting increasingly active at setting fires and demanding the involvement of specific individuals to witness his crimes. There are a lot of great moments in this story (some very sexually exciting scenes with lots of D/s graphic interactions) but also some very emotional and heart tugging ones that may bring tears to your eyes. There is definitely lots more to come in Book 2 and beyond, and you will absolutely need to read this one in order to carry on with the series. 4 Stars.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
3,221 reviews4 followers
August 8, 2019
Autumn is a paramedic, and exploring the world of kink. To the point that she might be open to a full-time D/s relationship with the right person. Leland is the new guy on the job, and doesn't make the greatest first impression when he meets Autumn. Unfortunately they're going to have to deal with each other at work, and also not at work - he's her best friend's brother, and Sierra sets them up, only to sit back and watch the fireworks. Things begin to happen to make the fire chief and his crew realize that recent fires may be the work of an arsonist, and the arsonist appears to be interested in Sierra. Not so much into the D/s aspect of this story, but it was a good story. I really enjoyed seeing Autumn and Leland fall into a relationship that they both want. And the drama of the fires and who the arsonist is had me on the edge of my seat.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
956 reviews4 followers
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August 9, 2019
An okay read. Quickly jumped into a Ds relationship with each other. I didn't think they had that much chemistry with each other and it felt more like play partners. Interesting firehouse ethics as IRL a few situations would have been called into question and harassment for sure.
A lot of people were introduced in this first book and i get that the author wa setting up the environment for the reader, but i quickly got confused and lost track. Even worse when that terrible incident happened, who it happened to didn't even register because i got lost with names and where hey played in the bigger picture.

My biggest bug bear was how Autumns co-worker Gwen and her best friend found out about the clubs she had been visiting secretly to get her head around her kink, even worse when she asked Sierra that answer of this individual wanting not to lose their standing in the community!!like by already speaking about Autumn without her knowledge is bad surely.
6,573 reviews27 followers
August 8, 2019
This is the first book in a new series and I thoroughly enjoyed it While it is a full story for Autumn and Leland you also meet a lot of other characters that are obviously going to be future stories plus there is a n underlying story that I believe will run throughout the entire series

Autumn is a paramedic and she works with a large group of alpha males in fact most of them men she works with are Doms she has a feeling that she could be a submissive but she isn't sure if it the lifestyle for her. When she is introduced to her best friend Sierra's brother Leland who is also a fire fighter newly stationed at Hill City the attraction between them is instant May be he is the Dom that she will be able to relax with. So begins a romance that will draw you in and keep you engaged to the end. Now I am looking forward to more books in this series
2,286 reviews13 followers
August 25, 2019
I volunteered to read this ARC for an honest review. I enjoyed this story about Leland and Autumn. She's a paramedic and he's a fireman for the same city. He also happens to be her best friend's brother and a Dom. So when Sierra suggests Lee and Autumn go out, she's surprised that he's interested. The two have a typical Dom/sub relationship. They also have several friends in the same lifestyle. Kevin is her boss and Liv is his wife. They are also involved in the life and openly participate. But there is a danger that keeps popping up, an arsonist is trying to cause problems on their shift. The danger keeps increasing and Leland is trying to keep both Sierra and Autumn safe. The two grow closer and they relationship grows. Can't wait to see where it goes.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,200 reviews
August 7, 2019
This is book one in the Hill City Heroes series. Meet Autumn who is a paramedic at a fire station of men. Meet Leland who is a firefighter at the same fire station. There are a lot of characters in this book and a lot of plots to enjoy along the way. The main focus is Autumn and Leland, can they maintain a work relationship and explore a personal one? Just when these two start to have things heat up between them, the city starts heating up as well with an arsonist on the loose. This was a good story that has a lot of potential for a series with all the firefighters in the station. Interested in book two....

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Marybeth.
2,304 reviews22 followers
July 18, 2019
This was a wonderful story. Autumn is a paramedic and Leland is a firefighter who is also a dom. In fact, most of the firefighters at the firehouse where they work together are in the lifestyle. Autumn knows that she is a submissive, but she also suspects she wants to live the D/d lifestyle openly as well. She and Leland start their relationship and then an arsonist is discovered in their city. There are spankings, but everything is consensual.

This is the start of a series. There is a HFN (happy for now) ending. I am really looking forward to the next book!
7,160 reviews33 followers
August 6, 2019
You are glued to your seat till the very last word in this book. I could't put it down, it will take you on a ride full of pain, heartache, family, and what it takes to be a first responder. The chemistry is off the charts between Leland and Autumn. A great start to this series. I can't wait to see what happens next. There is a lot of information packed in here so keep that in mind as well. Overall a great read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Kaye Robinson.
938 reviews4 followers
August 19, 2019
Smoking hot read....

This is the first book by this author that I have read and I have really enjoyed this book.
Based at a city fire station, where firemen and paramedics who work there face danger on a daily basis so there is suspense and some action that lead to a dramatic ending.
I loved the whole interaction of the characters as they seem to be one big family (not a literal family) and the strong D/s Lifestyle and spanking scenes that run through this book..def would love to read more.
Profile Image for Ida Jolley.
739 reviews17 followers
September 3, 2019
Fire Princess Hill City Heroes Book 1

This was a very interesting story. It centers around a firehouse where they are a group of men who most are into the BDSM lifestyle, and a few ladies who are also. And then you have an arsonist who is going around setting the fires, trying to get their attention and especially the one reporter Sierra, who is related to a fire fighter and also a friend of a EMT, who also caught his attention. It’s very sexy, suspense, realistic, page turner. I am looking forward to reading book 2
351 reviews3 followers
September 15, 2019
This was my first book by Rachel Blake! Let me say that it definitely left an impression! This story pulled me in from the very beginning! I was so invested in the characters that I cried at one point because of it!

Leland and Autumn are a couple that I absolutely! Leland is a Dom who is sincere about taking care of his sub! Autumn is a fiesty sub who knows her mind but also has this need for submission. Rachel does an amazing job of keeping the power exchange consistent which I love! This is a book that you just won't want to put down!
575 reviews5 followers
July 18, 2019
A sexy firefighter and a sweet paramedic made the pages of my eBook-reader burn. The intimate scenes were off the charts and very sensuous. Leland is a very caring man, but also very dominant and he is determined to show Autumn that she can count on him in every situation, especially when there is danger lurking. The story is a great mixture of suspense, action, mystery and smexy scenes which I loved reading.
1,413 reviews9 followers
July 23, 2019
Autumn is a paramedic who is also a submissive. In fact almost everyone in her fire station is in the life. Especially the new fireman, Leland. Once they the, there's no stopping their fire. Added to the mix is an arsonist who brings danger and suspense to the story. There's love, tragedy and some delicious BDSM activity.. I really enjoyed this read and looking forward to the next one. .

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
6,494 reviews22 followers
August 7, 2019
Sexy, playful, intense, serious and so much more. This is an amazing introduction to the Hill City Heroes Series. I like that it felt like you were dropped in the middle of the characters' lives, creating a dynamic world. Leland and Autumn have amazing chemistry and dynamics. This book keeps you on you toes. I cannot wait to read the other characters stories.
I received a free copy of this book. This review was posted voluntarily.
741 reviews2 followers
August 8, 2019
WOW what an amazing book. I laughed. I cried. I snorted. I wished this hot dominating fireman could be my dom!!!! Leland and Autumn have such a great chemistry together. I just absolutely loved this book and can't wait for the next one. So grab a box of tissues and a cold drink and settle in with this great book.
I received a free copy of this book.This is honest and voluntary review

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews

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