When two strangers are trapped in a blizzard, heat rises.
Haunted by what he lost in Afghanistan, Captain Jack Turner is at a crossroads. While the last place he wants to go is the Arctic, at least the routine mission gets him out from behind his new desk. But he starts off on the wrong foot with the Canadian Ranger guiding him across the forbidding and dangerous land, and Jack would rather be anywhere than sharing a tent with Sergeant Kin Carsen.
The Arctic is in Kin's blood, and he can't seem to leave the tundra behind. He wishes he could live openly as a gay man, but the North isn't as accepting as the rest of Canada. Although he's lonely, he loves his responsibility as a Ranger, patrolling the vast land he knows so well. But he's on unfamiliar ground with Jack, and when they're stranded alone by a blizzard, unexpected desire begins to burn. Soon they're in a struggle to survive, and all these strangers have is each other.
Keira aims for the perfect mix of character, plot, and heat in her M/M romances. She writes everything from swashbuckling pirates to heartwarming holiday escapism. Her fave tropes are enemies to lovers, age gaps, forced proximity, and passionate virgins. Although she loves delicious angst along the way, Keira guarantees happy endings!
The Arctic is endless ice and northern lights. It’s intense cold and bone-deep loneliness. Kin Carsen knows. The Arctic is his home. Kin is a teacher and a ranger. His life is peaceful and predictable. Until the day he meets Jack.
Jack left a piece of himself behind in Afghanistan. He’s drifting, going through the motions, but he’s not living, not really. Sent to the Arctic on a discovery mission, Jack thinks the whole thing is pointless. But his commander insists. He knows Jack needs . . . something, something other than a desk job.
For Kin and Jack, it’s not love at first sight. Jack comes across as arrogant and dismissive. And Kin is defensive and standoffish. He knows this land better than anyone, and Jack has much to learn.
This story has a light enemies-to-lovers feel. There is a sense of anticipation, a slow burn. The men spend but a few days together, yet it feels like so much longer.
Because this is a Keira Andrews original, the story is beautifully written and there is a definite sense of place. Time seems to stand still as Kin and Jack get to know each other. There are heated kisses in the middle of a frozen land. There’s danger. And TRUST.
This story is fairly light on the sexy but high on the feels. Both men have lost someone close to them, and both play the what-if blame game.
The ending is a hopeful HFN. There is a sense of purpose, but Arctic Fire could easily be the first in a series. Much is left unresolved.
First things first. This is spectacular! I loved this novella so much. It is truly one of my top 10 books this year.
Army Captain and Afghanistan veteran Jack Turner shows up in Arctic Bay on the very north of Canada's Baffin Island in order to investigate an army enterprise that may or may not come to be. He's going through the motions and doesn't really feel much excitement about anything, especially not the barren ice desert he's supposed to inspect.
Kin Carson, elementary school teacher and leader of the Rangers of Arctic Bay, is supposed to give him a tour of the land, which he considers an honor and an exciting change in his daily routine.
But seeing the army captain's lack of interest, he's pissed. Half Inuk himself, Kin considers this land his home, even if it forces him into solitude. Being gay isn't a thing in the far north, where surviving in the cold is the main concern of everyone. Still, there's no place he'd rather be. And the dismissive, yet alluring southerner shaking up his quiet routine is the last thing he needs.
Gruff Captain Jack and Kin spend the next few days together exploring the cold lands, sleeping in a tent together and trying not to get frostbitten. At least... Jack needs to try hard. For Kin, minus ten isn't even cold.
There's plenty of opportunity to share body warmth. It's such a perfect story. I loved every single second of it.
We work through both guy's lives and traumatic experiences in their pasts and they're there for each other in the most beautiful way. Jack became such a lovely character once you got to know him.
Yes, it's a novella. Yes, it's not a HEA, but even if the rest of their story only takes place in my mind, I'm super happy and satisfied.
Ohhhh, I REALLY liked this one! Keira Andrews knows how to write a story!
Freezing cold weather, snuggling up in sleeping bags, slow burn, military men, and LOTS of feels all in 100 pages??? How does Keira Andrews do it?! And, I'm beginning to suspect that between my love of cold weather stories and my emerging love of hockey romances that I was secretly meant to be Canadian...
When I saw the blurb for this story, I was really intrigued. I mean, gay men in the arctic? I WANTED. However, novella-length stories are super hit or miss for me, and I was worried that Kiera wouldn't be able to pull it off. But she totally did.
I truly got a sense of both MCs in just 100 pages. I felt their pain and suffering, I understood their personal struggles, and I got a good feel of who they are as people. I really got them, and it didn't feel rushed or forced, which is an impressive feat.
Sure, I could have used about 100 more pages to push the HFN ending to something more definitive, and I wish I knew even more about these guys, but I was very pleased with this story. I think all fans of well written M/M novellas should snatch this gem up.
*Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
I looove a good arctic romance and I'm always on the lookout for more. My friend De'Siree said this was a good novella, so I downloaded the audiobook from my library. This was such a sweet romance! Jack is still recovering mentally from what happened during his time in the military. His next mission is to look at space the military is thinking of using, which means the attractive Ranger has to show him around. Kin isn't necessarily happy living in the tundra, especially since he feels like he'll always be alone. But when he and Jack get stuck overnight in a blizzard together, things start to heat up. I really enjoyed how much emotion was packed into such few pages while the romance also developed between Jack and Kin. The romance was great and I just wanted these two to find their happily ever afters! I definitely recommend picking this up!
This was so sweet! Short, hurt-comfort, sexy read. I loved the Nunavut setting. As a Canadian, I’ve never travelled further North than Edmonton, but I love reading about life in the Arctic. I have no idea how culturally and factually accurate it all is, but as a romance, it felt pretty real and well researched. The book spans over a few days, and ends with a HFN.
After losing all hope to find love again, Jack, former liutenenat in Afghanistan goes on a minor mission in the far lands of Canada and there he meets Kin, a closeted lonely Ranger . They like each other, give themselves a chance to feel again, but cautious that their time is limited.
I'd like more action between them and I think this story was too short. But, it was sweet, nonetheless.
When you think there's no hope to feel again, destiny finds surprising ways to show you that you're wrong and there's still someone out there who might be your soul mate.
[3.5] when life gets so busy, you don’t even time to play the daily wordle 😩😩😩
so novellas and audiobooks it is!
i’ve had maybe two hits with this author while the rest have fell flat, but the “oh no keep me warm as we share a tent in the middle of a frozen tundra” won me over 🤣 since it’s super short, the story understandably ends on more of a HFN note, but it was still a nice listen 😌
3.5 northern stars round up to 4 because still no 1/2 stars here on GR and because IT'S CANADA!!!
I'm pretty sure that I haven't read as many Keira Andrews books as some of my friends and while part of the reason I wanted to read this one was the author, I have to honestly admit an equally big part of that reason was because this book takes place in Canada. It's set in the part that's north of the Arctic Circle...that part that is really, really cold...as in I'm not even sure I can explain how truly cold this place gets in the winter...but it's Canada and as a Canadian I love this country...all of it and Nunavat (I know bad pun).
So as soon as I realized this I was all about reading this one. Now about the story. Jack and Kin meet when Jack is sent to northern Canada to do a report. Jack's been drifting and feeling a bit untethered since returning from Afghanistan. He's lost someone close to him and hasn't really dealt with it or the feelings of guilt that he's carrying around. Kin's not doing much better carrying around his own load of guilt over someone he's lost. Needless to say when these two meet there's a bit of a clash. Jack doesn't really see his assignment as constructive, Kin loves where he lives and wants to protect it not only from external forces but from poorly executed government projects. It's cold and at first glance may seem desolate but for Kin it's home, this place is in his blood.
In spite of their initial meeting as Kin takes Jack out on a patrol of the area and they spend time together they become drawn to each other and discover that whatever their differences may be they also have much in common.
This was a short story with a lot of emotion and a surprisingly well done slow burn. I say surprising because really with less than a hundred pages I had expected things to progress faster than they did but for me the speed at which this relationship progressed was comfortable and felt right, I really enjoyed it...well, everything except the raw seal...sorry, never going to happen.
The other part of the story that I really liked was the way that the author depicted life in northern Canada. Life in northern Canada is hard, the land is harsh and can be very unforgiving but at the same time it can seep into a person's heart and become a part of you and I felt those things while I read this story it was there in Kin both in the what he said and did and at the end it was also reflected in Jack.
While the story left Jack and Kin in a pretty good place with what felt like a very definite HFN that could easily lead to an HEA, I would happily read more.
******************** A copy of 'Arctic Fire' was graciously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Oi, this one started off so well, and then it kind of just pitter pattered at the end. Why? Well, it had all the elements I appreciate in romance:
1. Great characters. 2. Captivating plot. The characters' backstory and the setting of the book were interesting. Big points for that. 3. The romance had enemies to lovers feel to it. 4. Dual POV. 5. Excellent chemistry between the two MCs. I love a slow burn- and this one was executed perfectly.
But the ending just threw all those feelings out the window. There was so much left unresolved. The end was a tentative HFN, and it just left me feeling deflated. I was not prepared for the book to be over. I'm an epilogue kind of girl.
I'm praying this is the beginning of a new series. I'm giving this one 3.8 "Keira Andrews you can't leave me hanging like this" Stars!
Bueeeeeeeno :/. Entre las dos y las tres estrellas, demasiado insta para mi, muy poco recorrido de la relación, quizás porque es una novella. No me ha dicho mucho, la verdad, nada del otro mundo, a veces aburrido... Meh. Tres y soy generosa. Sorry.
The title says it.... Cold and Hot.....Out in the North some heat is burning.
Jack a traumatized soldier who has served in Afghanistan. After recovering from his injuries he is send (for his own wellbeing) to the Arctic. He will be on a routine mission with an Canadian Ranger.
Kin born and raised on the Arctic. Also marked by his past, but no place else he wants to be as an Canadian Ranger with his beloved Inuit community. Even if he never can come out. Being gay is not accepted.
Their start goes wrong. Jack doesn't want to be in the far cold North. And Kin doesn't want a Captain who doesn't respect the North.
When they get trapped in a blizzard they have to stay in a small tent. The sparkles flying round and the heat is on. In that small compartment they have to talk and so they do. Jack totally unknown with cold gets all the help to stay warm. Everybody knows how to stay warm with two bodies. Together they open up and bit by bit we get to know their horrible traumatic past.
This short story is decently done, the content and build up is well developed. The environments are well described and the storyline is convincing with very nice facts. The end has a suitable HFN with perspective to a HEA. It's a short story with enough sexual tension to melt some parts of the Arctic :)
I hope there will be a continuing story with Kin and Jack
*** This is a fresh and interesting tale of an Arctic Mission for two military men, who find what they have been missing, and find it under the Northern lights. ***
Sgt. Kin Carsen, 33, with brown/black hair and steel gray eyes, is a Canadian Ranger, who is native to the area he patrols. Educated down south in Edmonton, he came back to his roots, to teach and protect.
Captain Jack Turner, also in his 30s, with short blonde hair, left Afghanistan injured and scarred, inside and out. Now he's on a routine mission to scout the area. The men set off on a snowmobile, with a weeks worth of supplies at 7' below zero. They check out the site, talk and begin to relax around each other, but the air is super charged with these two. Kin is closeted because the area he lives isn't as forward thinking as the rest of the world. Confined to a small tent,
and together, alone on this run, the men grow close, and give in the their desires, and yes, they could melt the whole arctic with their super hot sexiness. They get a SAR call, "search and rescue" about a lost tourist, and in his haste, Jack falls into a crevasse. Kin will need to save him.
Their closeness isn't just sexual, and the men don't want to say goodbye when Jack has to leave. How will they ever work this out? Highly recommend this short, sexy story of two men finding what they were looking for. ENJOY !
Keira Andrews is a phenomenal author. It doesn't matter whether MCs are lost on a tropical island or dealing with the dangers of the arctic, or anything else indeed - it always comes out a top notch novel. Needless to say that I loved Arctic Fire.
The chemistry between Kin and Jack is tangible right from the beginning, and as their backstories slowly unravel, they start getting closer. But what they feel isn't just lust, there is definitely more there - an understanding, a connection they share that is deeper than purely sexual gratification. Although THAT was really very well done, too, and made me really happy! - so much heat in such a cold environment - hmmm, wonder whether Jack and Kin melted something somewhere along the line? (apart from each other's hearts?)
I was surprised by the thrilling drama that came along at about two thirds into the book. It was delightfully tense and angsty, and full credit to the author for making so much of a plot in this shortish novella. Not to talk about the intense emotions and feels!
This is a wonderful book, my only problem being that I would have wanted more - a lot more. I want to know what happens next, whether and how Kin will cope with having a 'boyfriend' when he's not out, how Jack will settle in a very hostile environment once the honeymoon period of their relationship is over, how and if they will make it work. Please write a sequel, Ms Andrews!
Highly recommended.
ARC received from author via Indigo Marketing And Design in exchange for an honest review.
It'll be available at all sellers after three months after the KU term expires. This novella was first published two years ago in an M/M military men bundle, and I've tweaked it in the meantime. I've waited because I really want to write more for Jack and Kin, but there are so many stories competing in my head! Isaac and David (and Rafa and Shane!) are getting very impatient, so I decided to republish this novella and put Jack and Kin back out into the world. Hopefully I can revisit them before too long.
This book was the perfect sweet, sexy pick-me up that I needed at the end of a busy week. Recommended for anyone who likes sweet, hot romance and is in the mood for a novella rather than a full-length novel. The arctic setting was lovely too and there was just enough hurt/comfort to make the romance all the sweeter. Two men trapped in a tent during a blizzard? Hell yes, sign me up.
Arctic Fire was originally published in the Unconditional Surrender Anthology, so if you have that anthology, you've already got this story.
I loved that Keira Andrews was able to make this novella seem like a touch of a slow burn while actually having some heat (without insta-love). And the ending is an HFN, which seems authentic to the time span in which the story takes place (just a few days). I thought Arctic Fire was a gorgeous story about two men who never thought they would actually find a connection, and finding it anyway, when and where they least expected it.
The entirety of the story in Arctic Fire takes place in a part of the world that is probably very beautiful in its starkness, and that I hope to never see in person (I don't deal well with cold). I looked up Nanisivik and Arctic Bay in Nunavut Province, on Google Maps, though, and wow. I had not realized that people actually lived that far north. But I digress, as usual.
Captain Jack Turner, 36, has spent most of his military life in Afghanistan, where his last tour ended with him in the hospital and some members of his team dead. And since he's been back on active duty, he has felt adrift. Not really wanting to be anywhere and not really caring about anything. His commander sends him up to Nanisivik to evaluate if a base is needed there. He agrees to go (not that he has any choice), but he feels it is a waste of time.
Sergeant Kinguyakkii "Kin" Carsen, 33, was born and raised in Nanisivic, and though he went south to go to college, he came back home to teach and live. He's somewhat at odds with himself, because he is gay and doesn't feel he would be accepted if he were out, so he's resigned himself to a life of loneliness. But the Arctic just speaks to him. His blood sings its songs and he cannot imagine himself being anywhere else.
Jack and Kin do not get off on the right foot, at all. Jack has a way of always saying the wrong thing. It's really uncanny. But out on patrol, they learn they actually have stuff in common, like a love for Star Wars (the original 3, not the new ones) and astronomy. They find common ground and then, of course, each other.
The steam level is light to moderate, but their chemistry can be seen from space. I liked the MC's and the story and I hope their HFN eventually turns into an HEA (in my head it sure does). I definitely recommend Arctic Fire.
--------------- Review copy of Arctic Fire was generously provided, by the author, in exchange for an honest review.
This book was provided by the author via IndiGo Marketing & Design in exchange for an honest review.
-4.5 stars- After surviving a bomb In Afghanistan, that killed his lover, Jack has barely been living. He is a shell of his former self, wracked with guilt and shame. He's sent on assignment to Northern Canada to scope out a potential training facility, which is where he meets Kin. Kin is a teacher and a ranger, who is in charge of showing Jack around. Well out, a blizzard hits and the boys are stranded. Well the temps get colder though, inside their tent things start to heat up. Both have pains from their past, having lost someone, and have been alone for so long, but together they find something amazing, a connection neither expected. The story had an amazing backdrop, that was described so wonderfully I could picture every part of it. This was a beautiful read, and I loved everything about both MCs. It was hot, it was passionate, it was perfect, with a little added heart stopping action that had me gripping my seat. I wish it were longer, with a HEA, but their was a strong HFN that hints things will work out for the pair in the long run. Highly recommend.
How can an author pack so much feeling into only 100 pages?
I've always said I don't like novellas because I don't have time to get to know and bond with the characters. I now have to stop saying that. Keira Andrews made me a convert.
There is nothing missing in this short story. I met and got to know Jack and Kin. Two strong, capable men. Each with lingering aftershocks of trauma in their past. While we only see a few days of their time together, I'd still call this a slow-burn.
We are allowed glimpses into the turmoil they each feel from their pasts. But it isn't until they share the details with each other that we also learn them. The men come together naturally, with emotion and the heartwarming touch of a another's empathy.
I loved reading about it.
Review ARC kindly provided by IndiGo Marketing & Designs
Am I broken? I can't find a m/m to fall in love with. This one was fine, the MCs have fleshed out backstories and were interesting. The Arctic background also came alive. But I didn't really feel the connection. The mcs make sense as a couple and were nice but I didn't fully feel it and I'm really not sure why 😞
This is a short one, but Keira Andrews gets the job done with sexual tension, a beautiful but dangerous landscape, and two hurting men who suit each other better than they expected.
Things don’t get off to a great start between Canadian Ranger Kin Carsen and Captain Jack Turner. Jack basically lets Kin know that he thinks he’s wasting his time on this trip. He’s disgruntled about his job and it shows. Things have not gone well since his return from Afghanistan and his superiors don’t know what to do with him, but deep down he realizes he is there to do a job and he needs to do it well and regrets his initial dismissive treatment of Kin.
Kin is proud of the work he does and of his home and expects Jack to be a military professional, not the arrogant ass he meets that first day. Kin left his home in Nunavut to attend school, but the place is in his blood and he couldn’t imagine living elsewhere so he returned to work as a teacher and a Ranger. Being gay isn’t something that would be easily accepted in his community, but even that isn’t enough to make him leave although it means a life of loneliness and fending off neighbors’ attempts to set him up with a nice girl. That’s just part of the pain he hides every day.
Jack is suffering from nightmares and probably PTSD after what he went through in the desert and Kin is harboring some guilt and regrets of his own that still haunt him. As their journey to scout the potential for a new base begins, tensions start to ease. Once alone out on the tundra the beauty of their stark surroundings helps to quiet their minds and they let their guard down around each other. They manage to start opening up over a shared love of astronomy and Star Wars. Their simmering attraction doesn’t hurt things either.
A blizzard confines them to their tent and makes their journey even more dangerous and that’s when their lust flares. They can’t deny their attraction and the need for comfort and a connection that they have both been hiding for so long. As they give in to what they both want, uncertainties are pushed to the backs of their minds, but scars don’t remain hidden for long and their lust quickly turns into something deeper as they share some of their pain.
Keira Andrews’ writing is, again, wonderful here. The descriptions of the town, the Rangers and the landscapes set the scene and had me running for Google maps to check out this area of Canada that I knew so little about. The story is short but she managed to pen a well-rounded tale of not quite enemies to lovers, mixed in with some danger, some heat amongst the frozen landscape and two men who both deserve the comfort and companionship they found in their short time together. With a HFN ending, I’d be more than happy to read more about Kin and Jack who won’t have an easy road ahead of them of trying to make things work.
As someone who was born and raised and always lived somewhere that's warm almost year round, I found all the atmospheric details more like a horror story. I got cold just reading the descriptions of how they traveled and lived. I would die if my pee froze when it came out. If frozen, raw seal was the go to snack. If I had to get out of my warm tent regularly to check for polar bears. *shuddering* But....the fact that I was shuddering through most of this shows how well the author did at world building and setting the feel of the landscape. I really felt like I was there.
The story starts when Jack is sent by the Canadian military to assess whether a military training center would be appropriate in this region. He is recently back from Afghanistan and he's suffering from grief and PTSD. He's been on a desk assignment but is still not handling his issues well. Kin is a local military reserve officer who is assigned to spend the week with Jack, showing him the land and some of what soldiers have to withstand in that climate. The two men get off to a bad start and Jack is rude and a bit offensive to Kin's culture. They start off on their journey looking forward to being done with each other as soon as possible. As they go along and various challenges arise they begin to open up and becomes confidants. They also give in to the sexual attraction to each other.
I really liked both of the MC's and I loved them together. Even though this was a shorter story both Jack and Kin were well developed and the attraction between them jumps off the page. It was just the right mix of romance and steam.
The story ends with a hopeful HFN. The way the story ends this could be the start to a new series. I don't know if the author plans that or not but I really hope she does. I would love to read more about these two. With my kindle, on the beach. Where it's warm. Where I wear shorts year round.
*more shuddering while trying to wrap my head around the concept of 40 below*
**review copy received through IndiGo Marketing & Design in exchange for an honest review**
Jack and Kin are a great M/M couple. Their story features some truly enjoyable getting-to-know-you banter, with lots of amazing pop culture references and an MC who speaks in hilarious acronyms. There are also some seriously sexy tent times; a heart-stopping action scene that had me positively flustered; some delicious hurt/comfort feels; and even the Aurora Borealis makes a spectacular appearance.
The story is told with a brilliant and memorable scenic backdrop – The Arctic Tundra – which Andrews describes so impeccably, that the whole thing became quite a visceral reading experience for me.
Basically, this is classic Andrews – great characters, flawless writing, and the perfect amount of angst, humour and smex.
3.5, redondeo a cuatro porque los protas hacen piececitos en la cama y yo soy muy de apreciar estos pequeños detalles xD Kin y Jack son muy monos y la Keira sabe montar escenas guarrer como nadie Una pena que la historia se queda corta y te quedas con las ganas de saber más de ellos, además que la autora nos remienda la cosa de forma bastante apresurada y poco creíble. Pero, en definitiva, he pasado muy buen rato con estos dos y sus calenturas en la tienda, sí, sí...
Considering this book is only 100 pages, I knew my expectation is going to be lower. However, Arctic Fire still gives a really good story, with both fleshed out characters that got me connected to them. I love the Arctic setting and enjoy knowing about their cultures and custom.
We have Captain Jack Turner who used to serve in Afghanistan and now he got a new assignment to the Arctic. Well, it does sounds like a redundant trip, and Jack doesn't seem enthusiastic about it at all. I mean, who would be excited to freeze their rocks off.
Sergeant Kin Carsen is born and raised at the Arctic and he is proud of his position. He sure as hell doesn't appreciate having a Captain from the South writing off his contribution.
Both men initially getting off on the wrong foot during their first meeting, but once they started their adventure at the tundra, sharing meals and tent together, they soon realize there is more beneath the surface.
Despite the length, there isn't any insta-love. In fact, I find the development of the romance was rather on the slow side and believable. Hotness level was pretty decent, but I still wish for more. I guess the only complaint I had is the rather abrupt ending. I wish there is an epilogue to wrap things up and give me a more satisfying resolution.