Dark Flames

Angel Falls #5

by Tess Thompson, Charlene Tess, Judi Thompson

She's a widow mourning the loss of her husband, and he's a driven ATF agent looking for a killer.

What will happen when these two hearts collide?

The suspense continues in the next heart-pounding story in the Angel Falls series.

Sunshine Davis refuses to accept the findings of the official police investigation into her husband's death in a warehouse fire. Left with two small children to raise alone, she is forced to ask for help from a man she detests, ATF agent Matt Bentley.

Matt, torn by feelings he can't explain for this stubborn, independent, determined young widow, reluctantly agrees to take another look at the warehouse fire against his better judgment. What he finds on his journey to the truth is a glimpse into a life he never knew he wanted and a love he never expected.

But someone doesn't want the truth to be revealed and is willing to kill again to keep his secrets. Will Sunshine and Matt become the next victims of this cunning serial arsonist?

Read the romantic suspense novel that readers are saying is both a thrilling adventure and a heartwarming romance. Get your copy now.***** "This series is one of the best. This one was not only filled with intrigue but also with new beginnings." - Amazon review

232 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2021

About the author

pen name of Charlene Tess and Judi Thompson

Reviews

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sunshine Davis is a widow. Matt Bentley is the ATF Agent investigating Sunshine's firefighter husband's death in a suspicious fire that Matt seems to think was started by the firefighter himself. Sunshine refuses to accept the findings of the official police investigation. Matt has reluctantly agreed to take another look into her husband's death.

The more Matt re-investigates, the more he learns that someone doesn't want the truth to be revealed and is willing to kill to keep his secrets.

Sunshine's home is broken into and ransacked. Then the home she's temporarily staying in is set on fire. Matt thinks that someone is looking for something .. or trying to destroy something .. but what? What did the firefighter know that got him killed?

It's an action-filled suspense novel with a heart-warming romance. Sunshine and Matt are genuine characters with a lot of depth. The romance is sweet and unassuming. The conclusion was well done ... a real nail-biter.

Many thanks to the author / BooksGoSocial / Netgalley for the digital copy of the Romantic Suspense. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

[LianaReads blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s been a while since I’ve read a romantic suspense by the author and I’m glad that I did it now because I loved it.
The heroine is bold while also human and emotional especially after she’s left with two small kids and a widow with lots of questions about her late husband.
Matt was an interesting addition to the story and I enjoyed how he made the transition for Sunshine much easier plus that push and pull between them was just fire.
I’m looking forward to read the next books in the series and already finished book no. 6 , review to come soon.

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book five to the Angel Falls series brings Sunshine and Matt's story. The author brings a cast of strong characters and weaves an intriguing story filled with mystery and suspense. She brings a heartwarming romantic suspense story ,moves it fluidly with perfectly painted scenes and delivers another great read.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Cath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book five of the Angel Falls series and the main characters are widowed single mum of two, Sunshine Davis and ATF agent Matt Bentley who originally was investigating her husband Ben for arson, in the warehouse fire than killed him. Sunshine is struggling with her two young children and none of the support of her dead husband’s life insurance or pension, since he was suspected of an act of arson, which killed him. She has steadfastly refused to believe her husband was responsible for his own death, or that he had money issues or was having an affair. She loved him will all of her heart and knew exactly what sort of man he was! She only has her job as the doctor’s surgery receptionist to keep her going. She has a new doctor to contend with now as well, Dr Wade Nex, who doesn’t seem to like how she does things. She has been working there for a while and likes working with Dr Harper King the best. But now that Harper is finally up to doing surgeries, she is splitting her time between Angel Falls and Santa Fe. Sunshine has to deal with her two kids Abby (9) and Tony (7) and is struggling to make ends meet, so asks Harper is she has any ideas. One of her patients is the Honourable Judge Eli Bentley, Matt’s dad, who had a stroke a few weeks ago and while he has a daytime carer, there is no one there to help if needed in the evenings or weekends. Matt was taken off Ben’s investigation when he broke his leg and has been on leave looking after his dad, but now he will be returning to work and needs someone to help out. Eli is in bed all the time, in a dark room and hating his physio and therapy, getting more depressed by his limitations each day.

Sunshine is offered the job, with the added caveat that she can bring her kids with her, and they can all sleep over at her dad’s place whenever she is needed to work nights. She just has to somehow put up with his son Matt, whenever he comes over, but she doesn’t realise he is still looking into her husband’s death. Harper is now married to Andras Aguilar, the horse whisperer, who inherited his gran Berta Soto’s horse farm and took in a young boy called Bobby Joe Wayne when he was being neglected as his father was unable to care for him. When his father died, Andras fostered Bobby and he and Harper plan to keep him as part of their family, until that is threatened by a distant relative! Andras has his friend Roddy’s sister Kris Eastman, who is a private detective, investigate this relative whilst he gets Roddy to help them with a recommendation to a family lawyer. Lots of reminders of characters from other books in the series, for anyone who has read them. I loved the relationship Booby has with Bear, Andras’ huge German shepherd, who is so protective of this small family. Sunshine and her kids know Booby and Bear from visits, with Harper. Another well-known character is Bella Morales, who has very good intuitions about people and also reads tarot cards and hands. Sometimes she scares people, she is so good reading them and warning them of dangers in the near future. When Harper, Andras and Bobby visit, Belle has a message for Bobby, as well as one warning of danger to someone close to Harper.

It seems Sunshine’s husband Ben was looking to further his career and become an investigator. He always kept notes about everything he does and this brings danger to his family and to the man still investigating unofficially, Matt. An arsonist has been getting away with burning down buildings for a nice payout and to keep their secrets safe. Matt finds his belief in Sunshine growing as well as enjoying seeing his dad interacting with her and her kids. He is beginning to glimpse the sort of life he could have and a love he never expected to have with a woman who is stubborn, yet extremely determined to see right done! Danger is coming as a serial arsonist wants to continue their run and won’t let anyone get in their way. This arsonist has killed before and is perfectly willing to kill again, to get their way. Another fantastic read in this series, with old and new characters adding to the excitement, with some truly heart stopping moments. I can’t wait to see what all the characters get up to next and what befalls Angel Falls. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A suspenseful storyline with a hint of romance between Sunshine and Matt. This was the first book I’ve read in the Angel Falls series and it includes several characters from previous books that make appearances throughout this story.

Sunshine was recently widowed when her husband, Ben was killed in a fire at an empty warehouse. He is suspected of arson so his pension and life insurance benefits have been frozen causing financial difficulties for Sunshine. Matt Bentley is the ATF agent who first accused Ben of arson and Sunshine has strong animosity towards him.

Matt needs help - his father, Eli, had a stroke and can’t be left alone in the evenings and overnight once Matt returns to work. Matt was on leave due to a broken leg when his father had the stroke, but his leg is now healed and he has been cleared to return to duty. Matt is no longer officially on the warehouse arson case, but he is still unofficially investigating.

Sunshine and her two young child breath new life into Eli, and help him regain his strength and overcome the depression he had fallen into after the stroke. She lives in Eli’s house during the week to be there if Matt is called into work. With frequent close contact, her animosity towards Matt gradually fades and a friendship blooms. Matt is strongly attracted to her, but is worried he has ruined any chance with her due to his accusation against her deceased husband. He is willing to give her time to grieve before pursuing anything with her.

The continued investigation puts Sunshine and her kids in danger, and eventually puts Matt’s life at risk. The arson case is solved by the end of the book with a satisfying wrap up.

The characters are well developed and quickly caught my interest and curiosity over the unsolved arson case and the evidence Matt begins to gather. This is a very clean story with minimal romantic moments that are implied or left at a tender kiss, and no foul language

I received an ARC from Hidden Gems and the author, and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[S Paschal · Rating 3 out of 5]

After the death of her husband, Sunshine and her children are devastated. Trying so hard to hold it all together, the bills continue to pile up, her work is suffering and she is still haunted by Ben in her dreams. Forced to take on a second job as a caregiver for an elderly stroke victim, she finds that the old man turns into a true companion for her and her children, giving them some relief from the cloud of grief that blankets their home. Too bad his son is the arson investigator that is investigating her late husband for starting the fire that killed him.

Outspoken and a bit impulsive, Sunshine strives to be a good parent and a good professional. Her grief, however, is draining and at times overwhelming. Arson investigator Matt can't help but be attracted to the feisty mom. As much as he is attached to her, he becomes attached to her children as well. He's a patient, loving and supporting man. Together they are a well-matched couple. I really liked these two characters and Sunshine really evoked sympathy from the reader.

The story seemed to be a bit disjointed at times. The Angel Falls series has a large cast of characters and at different points in the book, the story jumped from Sunshine and Matt to other residents of the town. There didn't seem to be rhyme or reason to the shift in the story until nearly the end of the book, when the story lines finally converged. With that said, the adoption story line is a significant part of the book, but isn't related to the arson mystery that seems to be the major plotline.

Because of the jumping from couple to couple and the disjointed nature of the storylines, three stars for this romance.

This is an honest, voluntary review of an ARC of the story.

[Ashante Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

RECEIVED THIS FREE ARC FOR AN HONEST REVIEW! This book was not really my jam. It was completely misleading in the fact that the synopsis alone makes it seem like the story is solely about this widow and her kids and the ATF agent working on her husband's case. However, not long into the story, the author switched over to two other characters and they become just as important as the main characters in that the book continues to shift focus to them but there's really no need for it. Every other chapter is their story. I think that this book could've been so much more, if the focus would've stayed on the main characters and trying to find out who the arsonist that killed the leading lady's husband was. The author says that the wife is in danger but, it didn't really feel like it until the end. I think if there were more attempts in her life, more fires, even some stalking, it would've made the book more interesting. Since the romance was really lacking and the heat factor was barely a one .. meaning no details, only a few kisses and an assumption of sex with the other two characters. It needed so much more. Also, it was completely obvious who the killer was. Maybe it was just me but I had that figured out almost immediately. It was ok. I probably won't venture into this author's world again.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

🔥🏘 Excellent😍!

4.5+🌟stars
A really well-paced whodunit with a bit of romance, this was my first venture into Tess Thompson's Angel Falls series, set in a small New Mexican town, and now I can't wait for the next book to come out!

An off-duty firefighter died under suspicious circumstances in a blaze leaving a wife and two children. His widow Sunshine never wavers in her conviction that her husband Ben was innocent of setting the fire. Soon ATF agent Matt who grows quite fond of Sunshine and her kids begins to dig deeper into the case.

I read this as a standalone and, though some characters return from earlier in the series there was no sense of cliffhanger or unresolved issues left over from the previous story. The author team's writing style is straight to the point and, though there are romantic feelings taking hold it's not the main focus and their interaction is limited and clean.

I loved the interplay of old events with the present and recuperating judge Eli adds a touch of warm and humor and he acts as a major catalyst in bringing Sunshine and Matt closer. For me it was not difficult to guess the identity of the fire bug fairly early on but I enjoyed the suspense and drama right through to the touching final page.

Thanks to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary copy of the book; this my voluntary and honest opinion.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This ARC was provided by Hidden Gems, and I have read most of this series through their ARC program. This is the fifth book in the series and could be read as a standalone but is more enjoyable if you have read the other books in the Angel Falls series, especially the first one. This one focuses on Sunshine Davis, who is a recent widow and a clinical assistant at the local doctor’s office. Sunshine’s husband was a firefighter and her high school sweetheart, but now that he is gone, she is having issues with her finances and being a single parent to two young kids. Oddly enough she gets a job taking care of the father of ATF agent Matt Bentley that was investigating her husband for possible arson in the case of his death.
A part of the story is focused on the investigation of what happened to Sunshine’s husband and the budding relationship between Sunshine and Matt. There are plenty of twists and turns that keep you guessing. The other part of the book follows other characters from the series and helps to wrap up or update other story lines. I sailed through this book, both wanting to see how it would end but also just the flow of the writing. I really like these authors and now must go back and read the books I missed in the series.

[Carolyn Wilhelm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark Flames make Dark Times for Some in Angel Falls

Sunshine Davis isn’t smiling or very happy. Dr. Nez isn’t understanding and wants specific work done around the medical office. Well, how would you feel after experiencing a devastating fire? Yet, she needs a job for her current situation. In her second job, another grumpy employer makes things rough, also, but since her children could be with her, she couldn’t say no. Then things begin to look even more severe and complicated.

Most of the same characters as in books 1-4 are back, and they are starting to feel like old friends. Bella says everything will be fine and is intuitive, so we believe her. We also know the author won’t let us down. Of course, we are still left on the edge of our chairs, wondering how things could resolve. And, this is Angel Falls, full of (mostly) good people who are willing to step up and help one another. That is if they can trust each other.

This book was a fantastic read. I read it almost nonstop, wanting to find out how it all ends. I highly recommend this read!

[Sharon Grow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunshine Davis’ nightmare becomes a reality and she must survive for her two children. After meeting Matt Bentley, the ATF agent who is investigating the fire that killed her firefighter husband, she must convince him that her husband could not have been at fault for the fire that killed him. Matt is injured and needs someone to help look after his father, Judge Eli Bentley. Without her husband’s paycheck and the delay in funding from his on-duty death, Sunshine agrees to help with the judge. When she is attacked in her home, the search is on for the person who tried to kill her and her children by setting her house on fire. When Matt gets too close to finding the killer, will he be the next one to die in the dark flames? Although a standalone story, this book mentions and updates the characters from the previous four books. I enjoyed how she and her children made a difference in the judge’s recovery. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

[Lillian Cummings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sunshine knows that her husband Ben didn't start the fire that killed him. She is finding it very hard not having him around to help with the children and she doesn't know what do to as the bills are mounting. So when she is offered a lifeline she knows that she needs to take it. There is only one problem Matt Bentley as he was investigating Ben's death and he was thinking that Ben started the fire seeing that he was a firefighter that wasn't on duty that night. But she hopes that he will help her prove that Ben was innocent. Her & the kids get on well with Judge and Sunshine is enjoying her time living there. But things are changing between her & Matt and she can't allow that no matter what. Will Matt be able to find out the truth about what happened that night without losing everything that he cares about? A great read. I was lucky enough to receive a copy from Netgalley & the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

[Tripip · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I liked the story, I felt the execution of it a bit clumsy. There were many threads going on which were all interesting but some were not integral to the story. Then there were the various POVs which for the first half of the story seemed very disjointed. But by the second half, everything seemed to even out and read more smoothly. While there is a suspense aspect, I didn’t find it heart pounding since it didn’t play a major role until close to the end. Most of the story dealt with Sunshine’s daily life with work and kids under the shadow of her husband’s suspicious death. There is a believeable but low key romantic aspect. My favorite scenes were with Bobby, another couple’s child and with Matt’s dad, Judge Bentley.

I received a free copy from Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of "DARK FLAMES" Sunshine Davies kisses her husband Ben in a warehouse fire but theres more to it something very suspicious was he in the wrong place at the wrong time or was it more sinister than that.
ATF Agent Matt Bentley tries to help Sunshine find out the truth behind her husband Ben's death she devasted left with two children she won't rest until she knows the truth of what happened.
I definitely recommend to get this heartwarming book especially the ending that will give you chills, during the investigation Matt & Sunshine become close.
You can't put this book down until down until finished there are a few surprises it's so well worth the read it won't disappoint I thoroughly enjoyed this series.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sunshine Davis is grieving the loss of her firefighter husband. She is having a hard time dealing with the findings that he started a fire for money. He wouldn't do that but she has other things to deal with, namely her two children and keeping a roof and food for them. Her job, while is good, isn't enough. She starts working with a judge who had a stroke. Unfortunately, his son is the ATF that found her husband starting the fire that killed him. There are other things that she must deal with also, a new doctor at the office she works at is rather rude and full of himself. But when someone starts a fire in Sunshine's house almost killing her and harming her children, maybe another look is warranted into the arson case. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light in the darkness

Sunshine was introduced in earlier books as the administrator at the doctor office. She seemed to have it all. This story begins with a major loss and her immediate impacts from her husbands death. The relationship between her and the ATF agent is a slow build as they didn’t have a good beginning and she is still grieving. The MVP of the book is Bear and the judge. The villain was predictable. The blend of action, family and romance was good.

This story also ties in to the previous story with updates on our new doctor and her née love and soon to be adopted son. Kris was her normal kicka** self and Bella shown bright. A great read for an interesting series.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fifth book in the Angel Falls Series a book I was not putting down until I was finished, this story grabbed my interest from the start. Widow Sunshine Davis, her daughter Abby, her son Tony and ATF agent Matt Bentley's story. Abby and Matt do not get off to a good start. I enjoyed seeing their story get a happy ending with the surprise at the end. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another great book in this series. Reading the prior books did show some light on some of the history of the characters, but from the first chapter, I was sucked into the plot. I can’t wait for the next one to come out! It’s a great blend of suspense and romance with such deep emotions that get you hooked

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

A blend of murder, intrigue and romance. A well thought out story. Ben is a firefighter that dies in a fire on his off time. But why was he there in an empty warehouse? Sunshine is the widow that just won't give up believing he was not guilty of setting the fire. The story is her fight to prove him innocent while trying to survive with his loss. I was so engrossed that I never put the book down until I flipped the final page. Excellent story.

[G · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do you do when it looks like someone is keeping secrets about an accident that caused the death of your husband? In Sunshine's case, you search for the truth and not give up. You get to the bottom of it b getting an ATF agent to help.

But what happens when hearts collide and someone don't want the truth to come out?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunshine knows they did not find out everything in her husband's death. Since it was a warehouse fire she needs ATF agent Matt's help even though she doesn't like him much. He looks into it but discovered other things besides the truth. The search for the truth is dangerous to them both. You keep the pages turning to see if love finds a way in all directions.

[Heather W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark Flames is the fifth book in the Angel Falls Series and is a great romantic suspense read.

I am really enjoying this series and the recurrence of the previous couples in each story. This book has danger, suspense, and romance that kept me engaged from start to finish.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tracy Quoka · Rating 3 out of 5]

I voluntarily read this book for a voluntary and honest review. this is book 5 in the series, and I'm beginning to think the last as it tied up loose ends if you will, with the characters of the previous 4 books, there were a few chapters devoted to each of them that intertwined into Matt and Sunshine's story.

[Cherry London · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunshine's world was rocked hard off its foundation by the sudden death of her husband. She has lost her anchor, and there was no time to think defeatist thoughts. Her kids needed her now more than ever.
As if that wasn’t enough for her to deal with, she now had to worry about their lives. Cause the killer wasn’t satisfied. It was an intriguing and entertaining read.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arsonist or victim??
When Sunshine’s husband was killed in a fire, she is told he set the fire and was not able to get out. She knew that was not possible. He was a fireman who was dedicated to his job. Now she just has to prove it!

[Ginger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part of a series but can be read as a stand alone book.

The plot is revealed through several points of view - pay attention as the narrative changes abruptly.

Suspenseful, complicated thriller.

[M.W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! It has great characters and a nice storyline. I would definitely recommend!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it

[jan johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read

This series is one of the best. This one was not only filled with intrigue, but also with new beginnings. I highly recommend this great read.

[Roberta Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it and want to get #6 but having trouble getting it.