Heat

Firefighters #1

by Tory Temple

Chance thinks he's got a pretty good life. He loves his job as a fireman, he's got an ocean view, and he has a great bunch of friends. He figured there's not much reason to change until he meets Tucker, a paramedic who works his shift. Tucker might even be worth breaking the don't ask, don't tell policy at work, might just be worth coming out for. Trouble threatens to tear the two apart, though, when Chance is injured, which takes a toll on all of his relationships, most importantly the one he had developed with Tucker. In fact, it shatters everything they've worked so hard for. Can Chance and Tucker rebuild their lives, coming back together to be better than ever?

Genres: M M Romance, Firefighters, Romance, Contemporary, Erotica, Gay, Contemporary Romance

114 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

I live in southern California, the land of no seasons. (Is wind a season?) I live with three dogs, two cats, and some tortoises. I'm married to a firefighter, which is great in the sense that some nights I get the TV all to myself, but not so great in the sense that some nights I have to figure out what to do when the washer starts leaking. (Or when there's a bat in the house, which is a thing that happened when he was working.)

Most of my books are centered around the firehouse. When you spend a lot of time around firemen, you write what you know! And what's hotter than a fireman?

Two firemen.

Enjoy!

Reviews

[Gigi · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG, I LOVED this series! (Well, I did in 2012. I hope I still do!)

It's being re-published as a compilation. AND THE COVER!



Click here for the full-size glory

*happy dance*

[Jewel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to read this series when I heard that Chris Owen and Tory Temple just released Never Too Early, which brings together Jake and Tor from Chris Owen's Bareback series and Chance and Tucker from Tory Temple's Firefighters series.

Heat begins the story of Chance and Tucker, two firemen who, thank FSM, can't seem to keep their hands off one another. I loved the story and the MC's and their sex was HOT. Things are not always smooth sailing, though, and we learn that not only is Chance bossy (a trait that Tucker loves), but when faced with a long recovery period following an accident, Chance also has a tendency to push people away.

Tucker is such a sweet, genuine man who hasn't often had t easy being gay in the South, so he relocated to California where the attitudes are more liberal. His flaw, as it were, was the tendency to enable Chance after his accident. They both have some work to do, for sure, but they are meant to be together.

I hated that they broke up during Chance's recovery, but it really was a good thing in the end. They both needed to take that step back and reevaluate themselves and their relationship. And they didn't get back together right away, either. It was months later, which I found to be realistic. So even when my heart was breaking for them, I knew they were doing what they needed to do. Well, that's not entirely accurate. Thank goodness for the voice of reason that was Robert, another fireman at station 11. When Chance and Tucker do get back together, I thought it was the sweetest thing! I cried happy tears.

[Alina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book for those, who love firefighters!
Nice and likeable characters, interesting development of their relationship, and although I usually absolutely hate middle-book break-ups here it worked well for the story. I especially liked the fact that Tucker didn't sleep with anyone, while he and Chance were apart, coz rebound sex is another thing I don't like in romance books. Also I loved the fact, that Tucker still went to Chance's ceremony and put the badge on him - it felt very right :)

[Bitchie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this years ago,but didn't leave a review. I do stand by my original rating. I liked the characters, and I liked the story. What knocked the rating down was the sheer volume of sex scenes. These guys got it on more than two horny teenagers who's parents are out of town. I wish we had seen the guys getting to know each other outside the bedroom. And the kitchen. And the shower. And the gym. And the locker room. And on top of the engine! And....well you get my point.

[Katharina · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was a surprisingly good read! I've read quite a few firefighter stories and while almost all of them had some entertaining value, they were often in the good enough, but not great category. This one though was thoroughly enjoyable with two thick-headed, sometimes dumb, but still likeable main characters. I'll definitely need to have a look at the rest of the series...

[Roger - president of NBR United - · Rating 4 out of 5]

a good firefighter gets injured take it out on lover angsty book. the reunion at the badging ceremony is great. secondary characters make this even more enjoyable.

[Saritza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, fast, smutty read that leads to a series! How can you go wrong with that?

Summary: Chance thinks he's got a pretty good life. He loves his job as a fireman, he's got an ocean view, and he has a great bunch of friends. He figured there's not much reason to change until he meets Tucker, a paramedic who works his shift. Tucker might even be worth breaking the don't ask, don't tell policy at work, might just be worth coming out for.

Trouble threatens to tear the two apart, though, when Chance is injured, which takes a toll on all of his relationships, most importantly the one he had developed with Tucker. In fact, it shatters everything they've worked so hard for. Can Chance and Tucker rebuild their lives, coming back together to be better than ever?

What I liked about this book: I'm on a firefighter kick and am so glad I decided to start out with this series to get my fill. While the attraction between Chance and Tucker is palpable from the get-go, their foreplay is as steamy as their job. Tucker's not afraid to go after what he wants and while Chance appears to be (at the beginning) the one most comfortable with his sexuality, he's the most clueless about relationships of the two. The conflict between the characters is one many couples go through -- dealing with a convalescing, ornery partner.

Excerpt: Finally, frustrated with himself and needing to blow off steam, he retreated to the workout room. He set a treadmill on high and ran for twenty minutes. It helped a little. The racked weights caught his eye and he figured he could lift for a while. If nothing else, he could at least exhaust himself so that maybe he wouldn't dream tonight and wake up at four a.m. with a raging hard-on.

Chance was lying on the bench, staring up at the barbell and wondering if he should go ask Alex to spot him or just give up on working out altogether, when the door opened. If he had been blind and deaf he would have known it was Tucker, because wouldn't that just be his goddamned luck?

A dark head appeared in his line of vision and Chance got
an excellent view of Tucker's t-shirt pulled tight across his
chest. "Want a spotter?"

No, Chance thought. "Yes."

"Gotcha. Go."

Thankfully, it took most of Chance's attention to focus on the weight, because he'd added eight more pounds than usual. His muscles were screaming and he could feel sweat standing out on his forehead when he was finished, Tucker helping him put the weights back on the bar above him.

Chance let himself lie there and breathe for a minute. He was about to get up with a mumbled "thanks," but before Chance could even sit up, Tucker had come around to the front of the bench and straddled Chance's legs. Tucker didn't sit; merely stood above him and gazed down with a serious expression. Once again, Chance found himself frozen by only a stare.

"I do my job, yeah?"

Chance blinked, not expecting the question. "Yeah."

"Then why the shitty attitude, man?" Tucker was as straight-faced as Chance had ever seen him, and it occurred to Chance that Tucker really wanted an answer.

Because I'd like to turn you around and nail you to the wall was probably not the answer Tucker was looking for. Chance opened his mouth and then closed it again, not willing to tell the truth and not wanting to lie. His eyes strayed to the front of Tucker's shorts and then back up to his face.

Tucker cocked a dark brow and slowly lowered himself until he was sitting astride Chance's hips. "This why?" he whispered, giving a slow, downward nudge. Chance felt Tucker's cock through his shorts, full and solid.

He darted a panicked look at the door. "The guys," he said, his voice sounding hoarse to his own ears.

"Watching a movie. Come on, Shanahan. You don't waste your breath talking to me if we're not on a call. I wanna know why not." Tucker leaned forward, placing both hands on Chance's chest and bringing their cocks into fuller contact.

"You afraid?"

"Fuck you," Chance growled, and grabbed a handful of Tucker's hair, bringing Tucker down to him for a vicious kiss.

Chance felt Tucker grinning against his mouth before Chance shoved his tongue inside, sweeping and claiming and growling. He fisted a hand in the back of Tucker's t-shirt and rocked up against him, trying like hell to release some of the pressure of the last few weeks. Tucker groaned into Chance's kiss, pushing back against him, and before Chance could get his bearings, they were humping each other like kids.

"Been starin' at your ass for weeks," Tucker was muttering. "So fuckin' cocky, the way you parade around here with your shirt off and your tan line peekin' out over your shorts. You fuckin' bastard, Chance."

"Shut up," Chance hissed, arching his neck so Tucker could bite at it. "Shut the fuck up or they'll hear us."

[Meep · Rating 2 out of 5]

Erotica - read as a smut-fest it's fine but there's not much more to it.

Starts off with the feel of getting the info out of the way, then Tucker walks into the station and Chance becomes a walking erection, they fuck, from then on it's mating season.

Tucker shares his childhood trauma without any lead in, the two men have barely spoken at this point, it's all about the smut, might have been better to keep it simple because the background on Tucker isn't given any real relevance.

Everyone at the station is very accepting. I'm not sure how they'd keep it a secret what with the having sex at every opportunity even on the fire engine.

About 70% the 'trouble' starts Chance getting hit by a car and gets understandably stroppy at being cooped up unable to do things and Chance acts stroppy so Tucker leaves. I didn't like the friendly chat with a random colleague shifting blame to Tucker who'd been looking after him, and thought less of Chance for liking the reasoning so much.

The getting back together just happened. There's no contact then suddenly Tucker is there, they're all dressed up and all is forgiven, and other people there for support are forgotten as they rush off home to fuck.

Enjoyable as a light smutty read but my personal taste is for more build-up and story between bouts.

[Tracy~Bayou Book Junkie · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, I picked this book up, after I finished the Bareback Series. I am thinking of reading the collaboration between Chris Owens and Tory Temple and thought I should get to know Tucker and Chance first.

I loved Chance and Tucker. Chance a firefighter/medic had been at the same station for 8 years. He has an immediate attraction to the new medic, Tucker when they meet. He tried to avoid Tucker, but after a while Tucker confronts him. They start sleeping together and eventually enter into a relationship.

Things go good for a while, then start to fall apart after tragedy strikes.

I loved these guys. Even thought they were stubborn. They were hot together and had an awesome chemistry.

Looking forward to book 2

[Fff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hesitated to rate this book between 3,5 Stars and 4 Stars.
This is a sweet and pleasant story between two firefighters: their encounter, their mutual attraction, their relationship growing up… Then Chance is injured on duty and from that moment things go wrong between them… until their separation… But fortunately everything will work out for them (if only everything could be so simple and have happy ending in the real life…!).

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life is good for Chance and tucker until Chance is hit by a car and suffers a broken leg. He takes it out on Tucker and the relationshi sgoes to pot and Tucker moves out.
A shortish, cute story that has a HEA and I certainly want to read further books in the series.

[Suze · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Chance meets Tucker! I have read Never Too Early with these two so this was back to the beginning. And not unsurprisingly they have lots and lots of sex.
Tucker’s methid of finding out if Chance is gay is amusing - though dangerous if he was wrong! Their sex at work got a bit daft, especially after being warned to not once their relationship goes public.
A couple of incidents but largely it is the relationship development and sex.

[Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. M/M romance. Book 1/2.
I don’t know if I would consider this erotica as some reviewers suggested. It has good sex scenes and a good amount of them but doesn’t meet my threshold.
It is a really simple plot where two alpha male firefighters fall into insta lust that grows into more. Chance and Tucker seems to be drawn to each other like magnates. Character development was ok but maybe could have used some more work. I didn’t particularly understand or like Chance’s actions or Tucker’s ceding so much power to Chance.
They had good chemistry so their breakup seemed a bit over the top. Honestly Chance was behaving like a sulking teenager.
I hope the sequel will have a more interesting plot.

[Susan65 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Blogger Girls

I’ve had Heat on my to-read list since forever and have no idea why I didn’t get to it sooner, because this was smoking hot in so many ways. I especially loved the interaction and dialogue between Chance and Tucker, mainly because they didn’t tip toe around each other; they would just as easily say “I want you” as they would “fuck you”…and that was refreshing and reminiscent of how I remember MM novels used to be way back when I first started reading them. Which makes a lot of sense considering this one was originally released in 2005.

Chance and Tucker are firefighters,,, and who doesn’t love a firefighter, am I right? These two are not in the closet, per se, but they aren’t out loud either. Chance never really needed to share his business, because no one ever made him feel enough to put it out there, until Tucker joins his station. Now it gets fun.

Tucker is a nut. Funny and playful and just like a little boy. I simply adored him. He wore his heart on his sleeve and would do anything for anyone. Chance didn’t stand a chance. But with all things MM, we have to have the requisite lack of communication…or in this case, Chance being a complete asshole to Tucker. I understood completely why Chance was being a dick, but it wasn’t fair, and it was so typically male. Haters gone hate that I said that, but it was the first thing that popped into mind while I was reading it.

What surprised me, though, was how long it took for them to get past this issue…and how easily it was resolved. That was probably the only reason I gave this four stars. I do love my men having to work for their happily ever after, and these two got theirs way too easily. Plus, to me, it was all Chances fault, no matter what the others said.

So yeah, for the most part I loved this. It was fast, it was sexy, it had the “trouble in paradise” with the Chance-being-a-dick situation, and it had a happy ending. I wish I had read it sooner.

[Daniela · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful down to Earth story. I totally love it!!!

Chance had been living his life in the most comfortable environment during the last 8 years, he is a gay firefighter still in the closet because nothing good will come if all of his coworkers fine out; this is only until the mos beautiful man appers in front of him as he new memeber of the of the squad with the name of Tucker. And that's when life for Chance an dTucker start to change

At first, Chance does the only thing that can help him keep his hands for himself, but soon he finds out that his not the only suffering wiht a hard on. And just like Chance and Tucker relashionship starts off.

But during the develop of this new experiece for both, an accidet happen and it turns Chance's life upside down; and the bond they had been creating starts to suffer until it breaks.

Of course at the end everything goes back to normal and we have of WEA, but I love it.... and I on my way to start all the books of this series.

[Felicia (Ferishia) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I pick this book to read for my m/m Reading Challenge. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. But then, what's not to like about hot fireman. The story features Chance, an 8-year veteran firefighter who just happens to be gay. He gets a new partner, a rookie named Tucker, with a sexy southern drawl. Chance is attracted immediately Tucker's good looks, and tries to keep his distance, unless they are on a call together. Tucker corners him asking why he's acting so stuck up and that starts off the smexfest. There is a good story between the smexing, full of angst and drama. I'm excited that I've discovered a new m/m writing author and I plan to check out more of her stories.

EDIT: No wonder I liked it so much. Just found out that Tory Temple is another name that Chris Owen's writes under, and I loved 911.

[Plainbrownwrapper · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had forgotten that I read this one already. The plot is rather forgettable, really, and not terribly much happens in it aside from both MCs acting like idiots. Also, the plot structure is episodic, jumping from month to month, which really irritates me (and incidentally, it's the same episodic structure used by Chris Owen for 911 -- what is it with firefighters and episodic plots?) So, anyway, the main point for the book is the sex scenes -- which are not bad. Not the best I've ever seen, but entertaining enough.

3.4 stars, rounding down to 3.

[Ro · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went back and forth between 3 and 4, but just the fact that it was firemen, and a surfer, brought it up. Chance and Tucker are firefighters at the same company, and fall fairly easily into a relationship. When Chance has an accident, things fall apart. This is where I was tempted to give it a 3, because there was a chunk of the story (not a huge one, but there) where they are separated, and the story dragged here. It ends well, a pretty smooth story.

[Karina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic book. Great story and very hot characters. As much as I have a SERIOUS distaste for the cover, I'm glad that it didn't throw me off from reading this book.
I'm a sucker for people with some kind of disability in stories and I felt it for Tucker when he wanted to help Chance so bad but the IDIOT kept pushing him away.

They are just so good together. Seriously.

[Shirley Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was picked for me for a challenge and I truly enjoyed it. Well duh, hot firemen! Anyway, the characters were great, funny and emotional and loving and the story seemed so real, so true, that I found myself laughing with them and crying too. I recommend it to anyone who loves a good romance with a HEA!

[Meggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is an oldie, but always an enjoyment for rereading it. Chance and Tucker were like kids around each other. I liked their story it was warm. Chance really behaved like an ass after his accident, but then they both acted like idiots. We have great HEA at the end, which is really satisfying. The story was well written and the text flown fast.

[Nic · Rating 4 out of 5]

It may follow a fairly standard plot - fireman gets together with the hot, new guy who joins the station, issues adjusting to a work relationship, accidents, injuries, disagreements - but well worth reading if you like hot firemen and a wonderful happy ending.

[Alli · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really cute story with sexy characters. However, the techniques used to masculinize the dialogue are overused & cliche. Other than that, enjoyable.

[Bookbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved these guys, even though I wanted to smack Chance upside the head more than once! I'd forgive Tucker anything just for his dimples! ;)

[Nancy L · Rating 4 out of 5]

how could you not find firefighters/paramedics hot????

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Jane (PS) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute fun book. Yes, there is a bit of stupidity, but there are also some good chuckles and laughs and a HFN/HEA. I'll be continuing the series :)

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first fireman book! I liked it, Chance annoyed me with the way he acted so I guess that is a good sign if the character gets on my nerves.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5*

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

*** 3.5 Stars ***