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Blazing Hearts Wildfire #1
Alaska Spark
Can a chance encounter on a wildfire lead to true love under a
midnight sun?
Tara Waters loves being a firefighter and the adrenaline rush of fighting wildfires and saving lives is her calling. She must be on her game to join an elite hotshot crew in Montana. But when
Tara is sent to fight fires in Alaska, her dream falls out of reach.
Ryan O’Connor helps Tara when she fails to save someone on a wildfire, and she figures she owes him one. But she doesn’t owe him her heart just because of his undeniable charm and good
looks. He tries to help her deal with the line of duty death, but Ryan has his own story with plenty of demons in his past. And Tara may be the spark his life needs.
But someone is sabotaging Tara on the job and she soon discovers a threat more dangerous than fire—a threat that can destroy everything she’s worked for and another chance for love that
could be snuffed before it ignites.
As they grapple with the unknown threat, Tara and Ryan discover fighting fire isn't just about battling flames—it’s a fight for survival—and a willingness to risk everything for love.
Romance, fire, and sabotage are a deadly mix.
midnight sun?
Tara Waters loves being a firefighter and the adrenaline rush of fighting wildfires and saving lives is her calling. She must be on her game to join an elite hotshot crew in Montana. But when
Tara is sent to fight fires in Alaska, her dream falls out of reach.
Ryan O’Connor helps Tara when she fails to save someone on a wildfire, and she figures she owes him one. But she doesn’t owe him her heart just because of his undeniable charm and good
looks. He tries to help her deal with the line of duty death, but Ryan has his own story with plenty of demons in his past. And Tara may be the spark his life needs.
But someone is sabotaging Tara on the job and she soon discovers a threat more dangerous than fire—a threat that can destroy everything she’s worked for and another chance for love that
could be snuffed before it ignites.
As they grapple with the unknown threat, Tara and Ryan discover fighting fire isn't just about battling flames—it’s a fight for survival—and a willingness to risk everything for love.
Romance, fire, and sabotage are a deadly mix.
378 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 31, 2020
292 people are currently reading
347 people want to read
About the author
LoLo Paige
30 books407 followersLoLo Paige is an award-winning, multi-genre author, publishing independently and traditionally, with the Wild Rose Press. Her books have received several awards, including the Eric Hoffer and Kindle Book Review awards for best indie romance. Her romantic comedies, Everybody Loves Polar Bears, Hello Spain: Goodbye Heart, and Irish Thunder are all based on personal experiences in and out of Alaska.
LoLo’s romantic suspense books about wildland firefighting have topped Amazon Bestseller Lists in the U.S., Canada, and Australia, and Publishers Weekly has featured her books from the Blazing Hearts Wildfire Series in their Booklife section. As a former wildland firefighter, her true story in The Anchorage Press about escaping wildfire in Alaska won an Alaska Press Club award, which led to her debut novel, Alaska Spark. Cherry Adair and Kat Martin have both endorsed her romantic suspense fire series.
LoLo Paige also writes historical fiction and women's fiction under the name Lois Paige.
LoLo’s romantic suspense books about wildland firefighting have topped Amazon Bestseller Lists in the U.S., Canada, and Australia, and Publishers Weekly has featured her books from the Blazing Hearts Wildfire Series in their Booklife section. As a former wildland firefighter, her true story in The Anchorage Press about escaping wildfire in Alaska won an Alaska Press Club award, which led to her debut novel, Alaska Spark. Cherry Adair and Kat Martin have both endorsed her romantic suspense fire series.
LoLo Paige also writes historical fiction and women's fiction under the name Lois Paige.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
June 14, 2020
Whether outrunning flames in Deadman’s Ravine or saving wolf pups in a cataclysmic burn, Alaska Spark delivers. The book’s main characters, Tara and Ryan develop a slow-burning romance that picks up steam as they fight fires in Alaska. Honor, humor, gripping close calls, vengeance, a fierce comradery, and tangled disappointments fuel the events in this story across every dazzling page. By the end, I truly cared about the characters, hoping their love would overcome survivor’s guilt and the complicated emotions they each endured from tragic losses in their pasts. LoLo Paige is a darn good writer. Through “the sharp reek of burning timber” I could smell those fires. I could sense the bravery of daring smokejumpers, taste the terrifying panic in the fight to survive a burn-over. I don’t know what LoLo Paige has in store for us in her next book of this series. But I do know Its arrival can’t come too soon.
December 10, 2020
This novel is marketed as "Romance, sabotage, and fire are an explosive mix. This smoking hot, action-packed romantic suspense will keep you turning pages long into the night." It did not disappoint. The story moved at a fast pace and held my interest. I loved the author’s descriptive phrases. For example, Gone down Guilt Street and hung a right on Failure Avenue; Gunner helped himself to an abandoned French fry on Ryan’s plate; Tara always thought Gunner’s ego had its own zip code.
The author’s overuse of fire terms such as Smokerjumper and Nomex got tiring. Also, the author threw in a couple of unnecessary tidbits such as making Ryan’s former girlfriend a porn star and making one of the female firefighters a pole dancer in the offseason. These visuals distracted from the storytelling but not from my overall enjoyment of the book. Her fire scenes enthralled me. I’ll definitely read more from this gifted writer.
The author’s overuse of fire terms such as Smokerjumper and Nomex got tiring. Also, the author threw in a couple of unnecessary tidbits such as making Ryan’s former girlfriend a porn star and making one of the female firefighters a pole dancer in the offseason. These visuals distracted from the storytelling but not from my overall enjoyment of the book. Her fire scenes enthralled me. I’ll definitely read more from this gifted writer.
July 30, 2020
I could not put this terrific book down. It’s a real page-turner. It took me behind the scenes of a world that was completely unfamiliar to me – the world of firefighters in Alaska – and it introduced me to characters who’ve stayed with me ever since I finished the novel.
The central characters in the novel, smokejumper Ryan – any man who would save baby wolf cubs has my vote - and firefighter Tara – going that extra distance to show that she can shine in a man’s world - are so well drawn that the reader enters into their concerns, feels for them, and hopes that, loving each other as they do, they can find a way of being together, despite threats from others to do them ill.
All of the supporting characters are extremely well drawn, too, and the world of the firefighting community, with the friendships and romances that are forged within, as well as the destructive element of spite and jealousy, much of which is directed against Tara, is brought alive for the reader.
The fires are so graphically described, benefiting as they do from the author’s personal experience of firefighting, that the reader is there on the scene, feeling the heat of the fire, smelling the burning wood and vegetation, inhaling the smoke, standing side by side with the firefighters, facing the dangers they faced, as they fought the flames that threaten whole communities and vast tracts of forestland, and sometimes fighting for their lives in sequences that are really gripping.
A fast-moving, romantic novel, that is highly recommended.
30.07.2020
The central characters in the novel, smokejumper Ryan – any man who would save baby wolf cubs has my vote - and firefighter Tara – going that extra distance to show that she can shine in a man’s world - are so well drawn that the reader enters into their concerns, feels for them, and hopes that, loving each other as they do, they can find a way of being together, despite threats from others to do them ill.
All of the supporting characters are extremely well drawn, too, and the world of the firefighting community, with the friendships and romances that are forged within, as well as the destructive element of spite and jealousy, much of which is directed against Tara, is brought alive for the reader.
The fires are so graphically described, benefiting as they do from the author’s personal experience of firefighting, that the reader is there on the scene, feeling the heat of the fire, smelling the burning wood and vegetation, inhaling the smoke, standing side by side with the firefighters, facing the dangers they faced, as they fought the flames that threaten whole communities and vast tracts of forestland, and sometimes fighting for their lives in sequences that are really gripping.
A fast-moving, romantic novel, that is highly recommended.
30.07.2020
July 26, 2020
Great characters, the excited and the danger of wildfires. Lois goes full tilt boogie with her pen (computer haha). Waiting for the next book!
Want to read
November 11, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (11/11/2020)! 🎁
September 13, 2021
Sparked my interest, for sure.
Confession. Curiosity at what my wife was reading drove me to read this book. Usually, I proofread ARC Thrillers for several Indie authors, whose plot lines are male dominated with lady sidekicks - dangerous international scenes - a platoon of bad guys - all testosterone flushes.
I’ve been to Alaska, Girdwood on the other side of the Chugach from LoLo’s home over Crow Pass, and I dug in hoping for some genuine scene setting. Got that in spades! The book drips believable descriptions of what makes the Final Frontier so special.
I also grew up in the home of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, Prescott, Arizona. Their tragic loss taught followers of their dangerous profession that all is not gung-ho bravado. Nature sometimes takes the best of us the hard way.
‘Nuf said. LoLo has written a very good book, and it’s only my demanding gruff nature to give it 4-stars. By any measure, well worth reading as a blend of Romance and Adventure.
Have an Amber on me, and make Inferno a worthy follow up!
Confession. Curiosity at what my wife was reading drove me to read this book. Usually, I proofread ARC Thrillers for several Indie authors, whose plot lines are male dominated with lady sidekicks - dangerous international scenes - a platoon of bad guys - all testosterone flushes.
I’ve been to Alaska, Girdwood on the other side of the Chugach from LoLo’s home over Crow Pass, and I dug in hoping for some genuine scene setting. Got that in spades! The book drips believable descriptions of what makes the Final Frontier so special.
I also grew up in the home of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, Prescott, Arizona. Their tragic loss taught followers of their dangerous profession that all is not gung-ho bravado. Nature sometimes takes the best of us the hard way.
‘Nuf said. LoLo has written a very good book, and it’s only my demanding gruff nature to give it 4-stars. By any measure, well worth reading as a blend of Romance and Adventure.
Have an Amber on me, and make Inferno a worthy follow up!
May 24, 2020
Alaska Spark is a riveting story inspired by the author’s real life experiences as a firefighter and smokejumper and it sucked me in straight away. I love anything that has real-life experiences woven into it.
This is an exhilarating, action-packed romance novel. The author knows how to paint a picture with words like very few can. The characters, the fires, the Alaskan landscape, the smoke inhalation and a certain sexy kiss jump off the pages. I felt like I couldn’t read or turn the pages fast enough.
The female character is smart, strong and relatable—but she’s had her share of challenges, setbacks and bad choices. The male lead is sexy and charming but he’s not perfect either. He’s got his own internal conflicts. I don’t want to say too much. Just read it! I think this is a story for modern-day women...about modern love. And it’s the perfect romance for pandemic times. Enjoy!
This is an exhilarating, action-packed romance novel. The author knows how to paint a picture with words like very few can. The characters, the fires, the Alaskan landscape, the smoke inhalation and a certain sexy kiss jump off the pages. I felt like I couldn’t read or turn the pages fast enough.
The female character is smart, strong and relatable—but she’s had her share of challenges, setbacks and bad choices. The male lead is sexy and charming but he’s not perfect either. He’s got his own internal conflicts. I don’t want to say too much. Just read it! I think this is a story for modern-day women...about modern love. And it’s the perfect romance for pandemic times. Enjoy!
May 25, 2020
Talk about a true immersive experience! The very definition of authentic voice and authentic story.
Alaska Spark is a debut novel by author Lolo Paige who uses her professional experience as a wilderness firefighter to drop you right into the hot zone. As sparks fly and tempers flare, can the fires be tempered in this modern realistic quest battling self truth and love? Paige’s personal experience shows, with each page turn giving you an authentic journey that can sometimes be more fire and less romance, but the realism of relationships in a masculine dominant field is complex and honest. The story is high on action, soft on intimate but sure to leave you eager for more. I flew through the pages in one sitting, raptured by the story.
With a craft of characters that I want to know more on, I am excited to see what else Paige has set for the series!
Alaska Spark is a debut novel by author Lolo Paige who uses her professional experience as a wilderness firefighter to drop you right into the hot zone. As sparks fly and tempers flare, can the fires be tempered in this modern realistic quest battling self truth and love? Paige’s personal experience shows, with each page turn giving you an authentic journey that can sometimes be more fire and less romance, but the realism of relationships in a masculine dominant field is complex and honest. The story is high on action, soft on intimate but sure to leave you eager for more. I flew through the pages in one sitting, raptured by the story.
With a craft of characters that I want to know more on, I am excited to see what else Paige has set for the series!
June 16, 2020
I've read a lot of "first" novels, but this one had the feel of having been written by a seasoned pro. LoLo Paige writes with such insight and passion that I felt like I was right there with the characters. I could almost feel the heat of the wildfires that surrounded the crews as they staved off threats to the community and, in some cases, to each other. The attraction between Tara and Ryan was crafted so well that I was on edge wondering when they would let go of their doubts and fully go for it. I am definitely looking forward to reading the next book in the series and following the journeys of characters who piqued my curiosity in this first book.
December 14, 2021
Alaska Sparks
Witty with humour as a added bonus. LoLo Paige, is new in my library. I love the fresh storyline of Alaska fire fighters as a romance. I have this novel a five due to the storytelling. It was actually a story with out the continues filled pages of sexual f..king. Worthy read . . . thank for making this novel enjoyable.
Witty with humour as a added bonus. LoLo Paige, is new in my library. I love the fresh storyline of Alaska fire fighters as a romance. I have this novel a five due to the storytelling. It was actually a story with out the continues filled pages of sexual f..king. Worthy read . . . thank for making this novel enjoyable.
May 22, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyed this book; kept me in suspense and had a hard time putting it down. I also learned a lot about fire fighting, which I had no knowledge of. I hope to read more from this talented author.
August 29, 2020
Really enjoyed this book, had me gripped from page one, full of action, fab characters, humour, bad guys and good guys and a beautifully written love story in the midst of danger. Can’t wait for the next one and spend more time with these brave firefighters
November 11, 2020
Great story
Has a lot of action,danger,about how dangerous it is for a fire fighter on the front line and the smoke jumper firefighters who risk their lives everyday who no matter how had the fire is will do their jobs to save lives,house,animals
Has a lot of action,danger,about how dangerous it is for a fire fighter on the front line and the smoke jumper firefighters who risk their lives everyday who no matter how had the fire is will do their jobs to save lives,house,animals
June 12, 2020
Well-written, adventurous story with great main and side characters. Loved the smokejumper/firefighter setting 👍🏻😊🔥
January 18, 2021
Action thriller
This book is so well written you forget that it is friction and beautifully honors the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to save ours. From beginning to end it portrays the story of firefighters putting everything they have on the line to save lives even at their own expense. Tara is a firefighter following in her dads footsteps and wants to be as good as he was. Ryan is a fire jumper in Alaska and has been asked to keep an eye on her when she is sent to Alaska for a few months. Both have personal demons to overcome. Sparks fly between them as hot as the flames they put out with both fighting their attraction. This is so beautifully written, I can't wait to read more books by Lolo. As action packed and intense as it sometimes gets, you will also find plenty of humor. I don't know when I ha e enjoyed a story more and feel honored to be able to read it.
This book is so well written you forget that it is friction and beautifully honors the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to save ours. From beginning to end it portrays the story of firefighters putting everything they have on the line to save lives even at their own expense. Tara is a firefighter following in her dads footsteps and wants to be as good as he was. Ryan is a fire jumper in Alaska and has been asked to keep an eye on her when she is sent to Alaska for a few months. Both have personal demons to overcome. Sparks fly between them as hot as the flames they put out with both fighting their attraction. This is so beautifully written, I can't wait to read more books by Lolo. As action packed and intense as it sometimes gets, you will also find plenty of humor. I don't know when I ha e enjoyed a story more and feel honored to be able to read it.
March 5, 2021
What can I say about this book other than HOT HOT HOT. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the wildland fires and how realistic every single part of this book was. I loved the details the author put into the character's personalities along with the fire fighting. I had the pleasure of interviewing the author for a podcast and she was a true-to-life woodland firefighter and has experience in what she was writing about. This book will have you up and down and your heart puttering until the very end. Sparks are definitely flying and you will fall in love with the main character and want to walk in her shoes for sure. Bravo for your first book, like I said in the interview, you came out swinging and knocked it out of the park.
August 13, 2020
A wildfire to reckon with
This book was an informative, blazing success! I learned so much about fire jumpers... living in the Plain states fire jumpers really are something we read about, or hear about with the forest fires rage out of control in the west, or northern states! It peaked my curiosity and my interest! Alaska Spark was filled with twists & turns, love & hate (harsh word!) but a very suspenseful read! And always the romance that occurs through the pages of the book! I gave it 5 stars because I was totally entertained and it was difficult to put it down! My criteria for a good good book!
This book was an informative, blazing success! I learned so much about fire jumpers... living in the Plain states fire jumpers really are something we read about, or hear about with the forest fires rage out of control in the west, or northern states! It peaked my curiosity and my interest! Alaska Spark was filled with twists & turns, love & hate (harsh word!) but a very suspenseful read! And always the romance that occurs through the pages of the book! I gave it 5 stars because I was totally entertained and it was difficult to put it down! My criteria for a good good book!
June 28, 2021
This is such a fun read. It is equal parts romance and adventure. Tara is facing some major problems from losses in her past, but she's always actively trying to move on and she crosses paths with some great minor characters. She's a fun, determined person to experience the story through. I know a tiny bit about wildland firefighting through friends, and there is a little exageration in this book, but lots of details, the tools, the training, the dangers, the camaraderie, are accurate. You'll get the gist of wildland fire (and Alaska!) without being bogged down in too much detail. If you love romances that are literally and figuratively on fire, Alaska Spark is the book for you.
May 23, 2020
Love this book! Worth Re-reading.
Alaskan Spark is a wild ride that threw me into the world of wildland firefighting - something completely foreign to me. The characters are fun and memorable, and the setting is gorgeous. As an Alaskan, the author has everything from the animals to the plants and places dead on. The story takes you through quite a few twists and turns which I really enjoyed, and there are events that will have you on the edge of your seat. I highly recommend this book. I plan to keep it in my library to reread whenever the mood strikes me.
Alaskan Spark is a wild ride that threw me into the world of wildland firefighting - something completely foreign to me. The characters are fun and memorable, and the setting is gorgeous. As an Alaskan, the author has everything from the animals to the plants and places dead on. The story takes you through quite a few twists and turns which I really enjoyed, and there are events that will have you on the edge of your seat. I highly recommend this book. I plan to keep it in my library to reread whenever the mood strikes me.
June 29, 2021
An absolutely fantastic read!
This is the second book I have read by Lolo Paige and I just can't say enough to express how much I have loved them! This book is filled with a love story, but it is also an adventure and a drama, and also sheds light on social issues that women face when they choose to work in male dominated fields. If you HAVEN'T read this book, you SHOULD!! I am looking forward to many more of LoLo's books!
This is the second book I have read by Lolo Paige and I just can't say enough to express how much I have loved them! This book is filled with a love story, but it is also an adventure and a drama, and also sheds light on social issues that women face when they choose to work in male dominated fields. If you HAVEN'T read this book, you SHOULD!! I am looking forward to many more of LoLo's books!
June 11, 2020
“Alaska Spark,” indeed. The men are wild and yummy and the women are strong and lovingly feisty. The plot moves along at a fast pace and it’s obvious Lolo Paige loves Alaska and knows about firefighting first-hand. It’s hard to believe this is her debut novel. I look forward to seeing some of the characters return in the second in the series, which I hope will be out soon.
May 21, 2020
An absolute enjoyable read. Could not wait to turn pages to see how beloved characters Tara and Ryan dwelled into their romance and what awaited them in their fire fighting lives, Author captures your interest and the suspense keeps you on the edge of your seat! Loved it
July 22, 2020
I loved this heart warming tale.
I could not put this down, spent all day reading it. I loved most of the characters and wanted the best for them. I love that Jon is in the second book. I shall get that.
I could not put this down, spent all day reading it. I loved most of the characters and wanted the best for them. I love that Jon is in the second book. I shall get that.
November 8, 2020
What a book
It took me a hour or so to read the last few chapters as I was busy wiping my eyes and blowing my nose! That does not happen very often. May all of you enjoy this read as muchas I did.
It took me a hour or so to read the last few chapters as I was busy wiping my eyes and blowing my nose! That does not happen very often. May all of you enjoy this read as muchas I did.
November 17, 2020
Will warm your heart!
This book was axciting! Lots of action, great characters ,and lots of romance. Everything a good read needs.
Read in one sitting. A very warm story, pun intended!
This book was axciting! Lots of action, great characters ,and lots of romance. Everything a good read needs.
Read in one sitting. A very warm story, pun intended!
November 19, 2020
Alaska Spark
A first read of a LoLo Paige story for me and while I found some of the terminology a bit confusing at first, I eventually got the hang of it (I'm an Aussie). I liked the characters and the way the story was told, with heaps of drama to keep me turning pages.
A first read of a LoLo Paige story for me and while I found some of the terminology a bit confusing at first, I eventually got the hang of it (I'm an Aussie). I liked the characters and the way the story was told, with heaps of drama to keep me turning pages.
June 9, 2020
The first book of the Blazing Hearts series did not disappoint! Loved the suspense, and the story incredible to experience from the author's point of view. Can't wait for the second installment!!
July 25, 2020
Enthralling
This was my first read of this author & I really enjoyed reading about the lives of these firefighters. Excellent & enthralling action story.
This was my first read of this author & I really enjoyed reading about the lives of these firefighters. Excellent & enthralling action story.
August 24, 2020
Loved it!
November 13, 2020
Great book.
Writing was excellent. Kept reader engaged in both the story of firefighting and the romance. Highly recommend that you read.
Writing was excellent. Kept reader engaged in both the story of firefighting and the romance. Highly recommend that you read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews