What do you think?
Rate this book
Whispering Cove #11
Fiery
The one way they don’t rub each other wrong is in each other’s arms.
Whispering Cove, Book 11
Carmen Smith’s artist’s eye saw inspiration wherever she glanced as soon as she set foot on the cobbled streets of Whispering Cove, and among the inspiration she’s found the slower pace she always hoped for.
But as warm as her new life is, she harbors a secret dream to find a man who sees her as an equal and who loves her for who she is, rather than out of charity. The man she’s been partnered with to re-design the town square gets her fired up—but not in a way she expected.
Ryan Alden gave up his military career to help his father with the family business. He’s accepted his place in Whispering Cove, but still feels like an outsider at times. When he meets the bombshell babe with a vintage flare who challenges him like no other, he glimpses the life he has always longed for—but not in a way he anticipated.
From the get-go, they clash like oil and watercolor. And a relationship that looked good on paper might not be the right composition at all…
Warning: This title contains an order-barking Gunny, a woman who won’t be told what to do, and a whole new meaning for “home is where the heart is.”
Whispering Cove, Book 11
Carmen Smith’s artist’s eye saw inspiration wherever she glanced as soon as she set foot on the cobbled streets of Whispering Cove, and among the inspiration she’s found the slower pace she always hoped for.
But as warm as her new life is, she harbors a secret dream to find a man who sees her as an equal and who loves her for who she is, rather than out of charity. The man she’s been partnered with to re-design the town square gets her fired up—but not in a way she expected.
Ryan Alden gave up his military career to help his father with the family business. He’s accepted his place in Whispering Cove, but still feels like an outsider at times. When he meets the bombshell babe with a vintage flare who challenges him like no other, he glimpses the life he has always longed for—but not in a way he anticipated.
From the get-go, they clash like oil and watercolor. And a relationship that looked good on paper might not be the right composition at all…
Warning: This title contains an order-barking Gunny, a woman who won’t be told what to do, and a whole new meaning for “home is where the heart is.”
- GenresRomance
74 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 27, 2014
2 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
Nikki Duncan
44 books113 followersMeet Nikki Duncan, Author of Small-Town Romance and Second Chance Love
Looking for emotional healing romance with strong female leads and second chance love stories? Nikki Duncan writes small-town romance novels and romantic women’s fiction about healing that go deeper than the surface. Her books explore the kind of love that repairs what’s broken, fuels self-discovery, and lingers long after the last page.
Nikki’s journey started in secret, writing her first story while devouring Harlequins. That quiet beginning led to a career of more than twenty novels and a fan-favorite debut, Sounds to Die By. The book began as a challenge to create a blind hero without drowning him in angst. It became a contemporary romance series readers still return to.
Over the years, Nikki’s work has appeared alongside romance icons like Shayla Black, Jaci Burton, Sylvia Day, and Cathryn Fox. Her stories blend emotion, resilience, and unexpected twists. Whether it’s laughter or heartbreak, Nikki’s characters push through life’s messes and find connection on the other side.
Off the page, she’s touched nearly every part of the book world. She’s designed covers, built websites, written for romance magazines, and hosted reader parties. One even featured a surprise cameo by EL James. After years of creative burnout, Nikki took a step back to care for her family and rekindle her spark.
Now, she writes from her restored farmhouse in Texas Horse Country. Her home, once dubbed “Dump to Dream,” inspires the kind of hope she weaves into every book. Whether it’s a reclusive star in Healing His Heart or a grieving sister in Her Twelve Miracles of Christmas, Nikki’s stories are layered with meaning.
When she’s not writing, she’s sipping tea, reworking her website (again), or dreaming up the next love story that just might change a life.
Looking for emotional healing romance with strong female leads and second chance love stories? Nikki Duncan writes small-town romance novels and romantic women’s fiction about healing that go deeper than the surface. Her books explore the kind of love that repairs what’s broken, fuels self-discovery, and lingers long after the last page.
Nikki’s journey started in secret, writing her first story while devouring Harlequins. That quiet beginning led to a career of more than twenty novels and a fan-favorite debut, Sounds to Die By. The book began as a challenge to create a blind hero without drowning him in angst. It became a contemporary romance series readers still return to.
Over the years, Nikki’s work has appeared alongside romance icons like Shayla Black, Jaci Burton, Sylvia Day, and Cathryn Fox. Her stories blend emotion, resilience, and unexpected twists. Whether it’s laughter or heartbreak, Nikki’s characters push through life’s messes and find connection on the other side.
Off the page, she’s touched nearly every part of the book world. She’s designed covers, built websites, written for romance magazines, and hosted reader parties. One even featured a surprise cameo by EL James. After years of creative burnout, Nikki took a step back to care for her family and rekindle her spark.
Now, she writes from her restored farmhouse in Texas Horse Country. Her home, once dubbed “Dump to Dream,” inspires the kind of hope she weaves into every book. Whether it’s a reclusive star in Healing His Heart or a grieving sister in Her Twelve Miracles of Christmas, Nikki’s stories are layered with meaning.
When she’s not writing, she’s sipping tea, reworking her website (again), or dreaming up the next love story that just might change a life.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 1, 2014
Slick‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
4.25 STARS
Fiery (Whispering Cove #11) by Nikki Duncan 4.5 stars
Author Nikki Duncan managed to surprise me with this story but I’m not going to say how, you’ll just have to read it and find out. What I will share with you though, is this is not a typical couple; they don’t meet and fall fast in love if anything they have this burning attraction but they can’t stop arguing. They seem to bring out the worst in one another yet at times they seem to complete one another. They are a conundrum but one that works.
Carmen Smith’s life has never been easy; abandoned by her parents she and her sister did everything they could to stay together and since moving to Whispering Cove they’ve felt more at home than anywhere. Now with her sister married and traveling with her famous husband and their daughter, Carmen is trying to figure out where she fits in her world. Being notified that her drawing for revamping the town’s square both makes her proud and scares her all at the same time. Learning she’ll be working with Ryan Alden who is home after leaving the military to help his family thrills her until the man opens his mouth and inserts his foot.
The thing I really loved about this couple was they were both searching for something and found it in each other despite spending a lot of time being upset, mad, or just plain crazed over the other person. Both characters had abandonment issues stemming from incidents in their lives and yet when together it just felt right. I’ll be the first to admit that Ryan lacked tact, big time and Carmen wears her feelings on her sleeve so yes, it did take them awhile to figure out how to work around those issues but it was very enjoyable to watch.
It was hard not to love this book; anytime a couple has an adversarial relationship when they fall it’s usually pretty epic and let’s just say Ryan pulled out all the stops. Fiery was intense, sexy, and so very enjoyable and another fine addition to this fun series.
4.25 STARS
Fiery (Whispering Cove #11) by Nikki Duncan 4.5 stars
Author Nikki Duncan managed to surprise me with this story but I’m not going to say how, you’ll just have to read it and find out. What I will share with you though, is this is not a typical couple; they don’t meet and fall fast in love if anything they have this burning attraction but they can’t stop arguing. They seem to bring out the worst in one another yet at times they seem to complete one another. They are a conundrum but one that works.
Carmen Smith’s life has never been easy; abandoned by her parents she and her sister did everything they could to stay together and since moving to Whispering Cove they’ve felt more at home than anywhere. Now with her sister married and traveling with her famous husband and their daughter, Carmen is trying to figure out where she fits in her world. Being notified that her drawing for revamping the town’s square both makes her proud and scares her all at the same time. Learning she’ll be working with Ryan Alden who is home after leaving the military to help his family thrills her until the man opens his mouth and inserts his foot.
The thing I really loved about this couple was they were both searching for something and found it in each other despite spending a lot of time being upset, mad, or just plain crazed over the other person. Both characters had abandonment issues stemming from incidents in their lives and yet when together it just felt right. I’ll be the first to admit that Ryan lacked tact, big time and Carmen wears her feelings on her sleeve so yes, it did take them awhile to figure out how to work around those issues but it was very enjoyable to watch.
It was hard not to love this book; anytime a couple has an adversarial relationship when they fall it’s usually pretty epic and let’s just say Ryan pulled out all the stops. Fiery was intense, sexy, and so very enjoyable and another fine addition to this fun series.
August 6, 2016
Another Whispering Cove matchmaking success! Although, this one had more than its share of bumps along the (somewhat short) path to that success. Carmen and Ryan get thrown together by the local "grandpas" to design and build the town square, but after a rough start (and despite some fantastic chemistry) Carmen does her best to stay out of the way and avoid Ryan. But, Ryan has other ideas and luckily for both of them, he is pushy enough to get his way on this one. It's touching to see two people who felt so alone at the start finally get the place they deserve...with each other. The ending was a bit abrupt even for a novella but this is still a heartwarming tale readers of the Whispering Cove series will adore. Although most definitely part of the series, it stands alone just fine, too, but I guarantee a newcomer will want to pick up the rest of Ms. Duncan's books after reading this one!
Fiery: 4/5 stars.
Note: I received a copy of this ebook from the author in exchange of an honest review.
September 8, 2016
Short but sweet! Fiery is Carmen and Ryan's story and it was a charming and romantic novella. When the elders of Whispering Cove throw these two together for a town project the sparks fly. I loved that there was passion between them from the very beginning, they get on each others nerves but also really enjoy being together. Both of them feel like they just don't quite fit in, for different reasons, and being together gives them a sense of belonging that they couldn't get anywhere else.
My only problem with this book was that it was too short, which is the biggest problem I have with most novellas anyway, it just feels too rushed. I want to know all of the little details, so I just wanted more by the end.
Whether you're already a fan of the series or just starting out you'll have no trouble picking up here, as it could work well as a standalone, and it is definitely worth a read. Check it out!
My only problem with this book was that it was too short, which is the biggest problem I have with most novellas anyway, it just feels too rushed. I want to know all of the little details, so I just wanted more by the end.
Whether you're already a fan of the series or just starting out you'll have no trouble picking up here, as it could work well as a standalone, and it is definitely worth a read. Check it out!
April 1, 2014
Carmen has been in Whispering Cove for a while now and I've wondered since we met her what her deal was. Ryan has his own demons and between them they almost ruin the grandpas' run at matchmaking.
The end is AMAZING and SUPER SUPER ROMANTIC!!! Not To Be Missed!!!
The end is AMAZING and SUPER SUPER ROMANTIC!!! Not To Be Missed!!!
July 6, 2015
This was my first time reading a book by this author, and I must admit I really enjoyed it, it was a very engaging and enjoyable read! I was pleasantly surprised to find that the story didn't seem rushed, as is the case, with most novellas I have read in the past. Definitely a great little literary treat for me! High recommend this book!
June 5, 2014
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews