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Island Fire #1-3
Sparked: Island Fire Books 1-3
Sparked is a collection of three stand-alone novels in the Island Fire series, including Playing with Fire, Heat of the Night, and Fully Involved.
PLAYING WITH FIRE:
He may be the firefighter, but she’s the one playing with fire.
Derek Severson walked away from his career as a Dallas firefighter after tragedy shook him to his soul. Running his uncle’s beachside bar on a south Texas island gives him the chance to heal, find peace, and avoid entanglements. That is, until Macey, his childhood friend, tracks him down.
After spending two years abroad in a developing country, Macey Locke has come home ready to dive in to her Peace Corps-inspired foundation. But when she learns Derek is suffering, she can’t turn her back. Six weeks on a tropical island to help the guy she’s loved for years? No-brainer.
Derek can’t help but notice she’s not the same girl he used to know. She’s more. More self-assured, more determined, more irresistible. But is she enough for him to let go of his newfound fragile peace and give in to the passion sparking between them?
HEAT OF THE NIGHT
A future with him would mean facing her biggest fear.
Evan Drake may have had a challenging childhood, but he’s overcome it to build a life he loves—a career as a firefighter, with lots of friends and female attention, all on a tropical island. He couldn’t ask for anything more…until Selena waltzes into his world.
Selena Jarboe was born into old money, lacking for nothing, except the one thing she aches for most—a stable, secure family. After playing by society’s “rules” her whole life, she throws them aside, walks away from her East Coast mansion, and pursues a life—and a sexy stranger—on San Amaro Island. She can’t regret the no-strings night with Evan…until she learns it has a major consequence.
With an uncertain future, Selena is sure of only one thing—that Evan is the last man who could offer her any kind of security. Evan has a lot of experience fighting for what he wants, but will it be enough to win over Selena forever?
FULLY INVOLVED
This bad-girl drifter could be bad news for his custody case.
Firefighter Clay Marlow might have a colorful past, but priorities became black and white fast when he learned he has a daughter. As the custody battle heats up, Clay’s focus is providing the stability his little girl has never known. His alluring temporary renter, Andie, could only jeopardize his case.
Carrying everything she owns on her Harley, Andie Tyler is only on San Amaro Island to manage her friends’ bar for four weeks. A self-proclaimed drifter with more emotional baggage than a jumbo jet, Andie isn't interested in a forever relationship, even when she finds herself increasingly attached to an adorable girl and her sexier-than-hell father. She has secrets and a dark past, and Clay and his daughter deserve better.
The more she pushes him away, the more intrigued he becomes. Andie’s tenderness and strength draw Clay in, and he realizes she’s the vibrant color and life he and his daughter need. Can he convince Andie to become a permanent part of their family before she rides off again?
664 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2020
198 people are currently reading
208 people want to read
About the author
Amy Knupp
128 books599 followersAmy Knupp is a USA Today Best-Selling author of contemporary romance and a freelance copy editor. She loves words and grammar and meaty, engrossing stories with complex characters.
Amy lives in Wisconsin with her husband, and has two sons, four cats, and a box turtle. She graduated from the University of Kansas with degrees in French and journalism. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, breaking up cat fights, watching college hoops, and annoying her family by correcting their grammar.
Amy lives in Wisconsin with her husband, and has two sons, four cats, and a box turtle. She graduated from the University of Kansas with degrees in French and journalism. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, breaking up cat fights, watching college hoops, and annoying her family by correcting their grammar.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 3, 2022
5 stars
I purchased Playing with Fire by Amy Knupp and this review was given freely.
A well-written and well-balanced complex romance that is also an excellent introduction to the San Amaro Island Texas Firefighters found in the Island Fire series.
Macey upon returning from the Peace Corp is enlisted by her Mom and her Mother's best friend/business partner to take a 6 week vacation on San Amaro Island to help Derek, Macey's childhood friend and schoolgirl crush, heal after the death of his girlfriend. Derek, who is physically strong but emotionally lost, has been working 14-hour days seven days a week to revive his Uncle Gus' bar. This story contains realistic characters, a mysterious cook, guidance, and humor in the form of Uncle Gus, some brawny alpha firefighters that are also sensitive and helpful, a cute dog, and a woman determined to bring Derek both emotional healing and love.
4 stars
I purchased Heat of the Night book 2 in the Island Fire series by Amy Knupp and this review is given freely.
Playboy firefighter Evan has met his match when east coast socialite Selena comes to town looking for a man to help her forget her family and money troubles. Unfortunately, one night of passion only causes Selena's life to become more complicated. This is a complex story of avoidance, duty, acceptance, and love. The heckling and the support given Evan by Uncle Gus and the rest of the firefighters is both heartwarming and hilarious. I could identify with the dilemma of embracing the time you have with your loved ones vs secluding oneself to avoid the potential of pain. The beginning is a little stiff but the remainder of the book is action-packed and full of emotions culminating in both a surprise and a happy ending.
4 stars
I purchased Fully Involved book 3 in the Island Fire Series by Amy Knupp and this review was given freely.
Loaner and Harley rider Andie comes back to town for Derek and Macey's wedding and becomes involved with single dad and firefighter Clay. Learning to trust, accepting love, a struggle with giving forgiveness, a custody struggle, a wedding, and the birth of a baby are just a few of the things that make this complex story so good.
I purchased Playing with Fire by Amy Knupp and this review was given freely.
A well-written and well-balanced complex romance that is also an excellent introduction to the San Amaro Island Texas Firefighters found in the Island Fire series.
Macey upon returning from the Peace Corp is enlisted by her Mom and her Mother's best friend/business partner to take a 6 week vacation on San Amaro Island to help Derek, Macey's childhood friend and schoolgirl crush, heal after the death of his girlfriend. Derek, who is physically strong but emotionally lost, has been working 14-hour days seven days a week to revive his Uncle Gus' bar. This story contains realistic characters, a mysterious cook, guidance, and humor in the form of Uncle Gus, some brawny alpha firefighters that are also sensitive and helpful, a cute dog, and a woman determined to bring Derek both emotional healing and love.
4 stars
I purchased Heat of the Night book 2 in the Island Fire series by Amy Knupp and this review is given freely.
Playboy firefighter Evan has met his match when east coast socialite Selena comes to town looking for a man to help her forget her family and money troubles. Unfortunately, one night of passion only causes Selena's life to become more complicated. This is a complex story of avoidance, duty, acceptance, and love. The heckling and the support given Evan by Uncle Gus and the rest of the firefighters is both heartwarming and hilarious. I could identify with the dilemma of embracing the time you have with your loved ones vs secluding oneself to avoid the potential of pain. The beginning is a little stiff but the remainder of the book is action-packed and full of emotions culminating in both a surprise and a happy ending.
4 stars
I purchased Fully Involved book 3 in the Island Fire Series by Amy Knupp and this review was given freely.
Loaner and Harley rider Andie comes back to town for Derek and Macey's wedding and becomes involved with single dad and firefighter Clay. Learning to trust, accepting love, a struggle with giving forgiveness, a custody struggle, a wedding, and the birth of a baby are just a few of the things that make this complex story so good.
November 12, 2021
This volume includes the first three in the ten (so far) book series involving the folks on an island off the southern tip of Texas (in the barrier islands below Padre Island, maybe?). The theme is firefighters.
I could not talk myself into liking any of the characters except Andie and she got on my nerves with the blown out of proportion fear of her ex-boyfriend.
The first book, Playing with Fire, concerns itself with Derek Severson and Macey Locke who have known each other since early childhood. The vapid romance was shudderingly awful. She’s loved him forever; he’s hung up on his girlfriend who died a year ago. I really didn’t care if they got together or not.
The second book, Heat of the Night, is about a second woman with similarly outlandish expectations, Selena Jarboe, and love interest, Evan Drake. Surprise! An unexpected, unwanted pregnancy after a one-night stand. Can we all say overdone plot? Selena wanted a one-night stand and got it. Then she got pregnant and seemed to expect the stud she’d bedded to turn into a unicorn when in truth he was a jerk. For him it was about the play without consequences. Actually she’s a jerk, too. She overreacts, withdraws, becomes stubborn over silly things. Neither Evan (our intrepid hero) nor Selena (our reluctant mom-to-be) is particularly likeable. She should have left the island, made a life for herself elsewhere without the jerk sperm-donor. Of course then we wouldn’t have had a story, not this one anyway.
The third book, Fully Involved, is about biker babe Andie Tyler and tepid man-child Clay Marlow. Both come with tons of baggage. Andie is actually interesting and Clay is almost interesting. Clay’s father is a colossal jerk and we just know he’ll get his opportunity to turn it all around for son, Clay. The plot is lukewarm and indifferent. These two souls, Andie and Clay dance around each other for the entire book.
One thing I do like about these three books is the lack of porn. We are so inundated with non-erotic porn in so many contemporary romance novels that it is nice not to have to plow through these pornographic moments. However, some passion would not be out of place, perhaps just a little eroticism hinted at? I know it’s tough to write, but remains eminently doable without getting downright naughty, something these books strive for but miss the mark.
Clearly, the rest of the series is not for me.
I could not talk myself into liking any of the characters except Andie and she got on my nerves with the blown out of proportion fear of her ex-boyfriend.
The first book, Playing with Fire, concerns itself with Derek Severson and Macey Locke who have known each other since early childhood. The vapid romance was shudderingly awful. She’s loved him forever; he’s hung up on his girlfriend who died a year ago. I really didn’t care if they got together or not.
The second book, Heat of the Night, is about a second woman with similarly outlandish expectations, Selena Jarboe, and love interest, Evan Drake. Surprise! An unexpected, unwanted pregnancy after a one-night stand. Can we all say overdone plot? Selena wanted a one-night stand and got it. Then she got pregnant and seemed to expect the stud she’d bedded to turn into a unicorn when in truth he was a jerk. For him it was about the play without consequences. Actually she’s a jerk, too. She overreacts, withdraws, becomes stubborn over silly things. Neither Evan (our intrepid hero) nor Selena (our reluctant mom-to-be) is particularly likeable. She should have left the island, made a life for herself elsewhere without the jerk sperm-donor. Of course then we wouldn’t have had a story, not this one anyway.
The third book, Fully Involved, is about biker babe Andie Tyler and tepid man-child Clay Marlow. Both come with tons of baggage. Andie is actually interesting and Clay is almost interesting. Clay’s father is a colossal jerk and we just know he’ll get his opportunity to turn it all around for son, Clay. The plot is lukewarm and indifferent. These two souls, Andie and Clay dance around each other for the entire book.
One thing I do like about these three books is the lack of porn. We are so inundated with non-erotic porn in so many contemporary romance novels that it is nice not to have to plow through these pornographic moments. However, some passion would not be out of place, perhaps just a little eroticism hinted at? I know it’s tough to write, but remains eminently doable without getting downright naughty, something these books strive for but miss the mark.
Clearly, the rest of the series is not for me.
March 22, 2024
Series boxsets are the best!
I am a total fan of series collection boxsets. It keeps the stories in the correct reading order. This is the first three stories in Ms.Knupp's Island Fire series.
This series features the firefighters of the San Amaro Island fire department, an island off the coast of south Texas. These brave men and the strong, independent women who love them have unique stories to tell of their journeys to love and family. I love how they all support each other in difficult situations, and celebrate all the happy milestones as well.
I purchased a copy of this collection from the author's e-store and voluntarily chose to share my review.
I am a total fan of series collection boxsets. It keeps the stories in the correct reading order. This is the first three stories in Ms.Knupp's Island Fire series.
This series features the firefighters of the San Amaro Island fire department, an island off the coast of south Texas. These brave men and the strong, independent women who love them have unique stories to tell of their journeys to love and family. I love how they all support each other in difficult situations, and celebrate all the happy milestones as well.
I purchased a copy of this collection from the author's e-store and voluntarily chose to share my review.
October 27, 2021
Such a great story!
I felt so sorry for Derek, dealing with grief. It can take along time or longer time, everyone is different. Macey cared so much for him, she actually loved him and knew deep in her heart that there could never be anybody that she would love as much as Derek. So much went down before she decided she had to tell him everything on her mind and at the same time Derek’s realization hit him about Macey. So the soul mates finally United.
I felt so sorry for Derek, dealing with grief. It can take along time or longer time, everyone is different. Macey cared so much for him, she actually loved him and knew deep in her heart that there could never be anybody that she would love as much as Derek. So much went down before she decided she had to tell him everything on her mind and at the same time Derek’s realization hit him about Macey. So the soul mates finally United.
October 21, 2021
This was an excellent book with three stories about three firemen and love at first sight. Each story involves the resistance to falling in love between one or both persons and how they realize that love helps make their lives complete. Well worth reading..I didn't want to stop reading.
November 1, 2021
3 Hot Firefighters...a wonderful series.
I’m so happy I took a chance on this new to me author. The writing was fantastic and the stories were amazing! The characters were all well developed and lovable. I went through all of my must have feel good moments with each story.
I’m so happy I took a chance on this new to me author. The writing was fantastic and the stories were amazing! The characters were all well developed and lovable. I went through all of my must have feel good moments with each story.
November 12, 2021
Nicely done
Enjoying this series so far. Realistic characters, showing resilient spirit and growth. Connection between the couples in each story adds depth. Steamy and intimate, good happily ever after endings
Enjoying this series so far. Realistic characters, showing resilient spirit and growth. Connection between the couples in each story adds depth. Steamy and intimate, good happily ever after endings
Want to read
October 6, 2021🎁 FREE on Amazon & on Apple iBooks today (10/6/2021)!🎁
October 11, 2021
Please see individual stories for review.
October 18, 2021
Fun stories
I enjoyed these Fire Island stories. Getting to know the characters, seeing the comeraderie of the group, watching them fall in love was entertaining.
I enjoyed these Fire Island stories. Getting to know the characters, seeing the comeraderie of the group, watching them fall in love was entertaining.
October 25, 2021
Good read.
November 11, 2021
Sparkly
Sparkly romances, true to real life characters with lots of baggage to overcome. Three stories of how firemen get their girls inspite of the obstacles.
Sparkly romances, true to real life characters with lots of baggage to overcome. Three stories of how firemen get their girls inspite of the obstacles.
November 15, 2021
3 short stores. Together the length of a normal book. They were all cute, very hallmark and very predictable. But a good quick read if you want a happy little love story.
Would you recommend: maybe
Would you read more by this author: yes
Would you recommend: maybe
Would you read more by this author: yes
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews