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Wildest Alaska #1
Fire and Rain
Lives shattered…
Sean McKenna joined the Coast Guard to save lives. Now a flight mech, he loves living and operating in the wilds of Alaska. When a mission goes terribly wrong, Sean is badly injured. But no pain can compare to the guilt he feels over the loss of his best friend. It was Sean’s job to keep Justin, the rescue swimmer, safe. Now Justin is dead, leaving his wife, Eden, without a husband and their toddler son, Maverick, without a father. The best Sean can do is step up and help Eden in any way he can. As the months go by, he finds himself fighting a growing attraction to her. He knows people on base are talking. What kind of man hooks up with his best friend’s widow? But the heart wants what it wants, and this desire can’t be denied—because it’s mutual.
A heart torn…
Eden Koseki loved Justin from the moment he jumped out of a hovering helicopter, swam to shore, and asked her for her name and number. She thought they had all the time in the world. Losing him and the future they’d planned together is more devastating than she could have imagined. It’s only the support of her family—and Sean’s steadfast presence—that get her through those first months of overpowering grief. But as the weeks pass, she feels unexpectedly drawn to him. When she’s with him, she’s able to smile and laugh again—especially while watching him play with little Maverick. Still, her emotions leave her torn between loyalty to Justin’s memory and the living, breathing man who makes her feel alive again.
A second chance… if they’re both brave enough to take it
As winter turns to summer and snow turns to rain, the heat between Sean and Eden intensifies. So does the gossip in town. Still, Eden isn’t about to let anyone interfere in her business. She knows now just how fragile life can be. When Sean’s sense of duty threatens to keep them apart, Eden knows she must help him move past his survivor’s guilt—or risk losing this second chance at deep love and lasting happiness.
Sean McKenna joined the Coast Guard to save lives. Now a flight mech, he loves living and operating in the wilds of Alaska. When a mission goes terribly wrong, Sean is badly injured. But no pain can compare to the guilt he feels over the loss of his best friend. It was Sean’s job to keep Justin, the rescue swimmer, safe. Now Justin is dead, leaving his wife, Eden, without a husband and their toddler son, Maverick, without a father. The best Sean can do is step up and help Eden in any way he can. As the months go by, he finds himself fighting a growing attraction to her. He knows people on base are talking. What kind of man hooks up with his best friend’s widow? But the heart wants what it wants, and this desire can’t be denied—because it’s mutual.
A heart torn…
Eden Koseki loved Justin from the moment he jumped out of a hovering helicopter, swam to shore, and asked her for her name and number. She thought they had all the time in the world. Losing him and the future they’d planned together is more devastating than she could have imagined. It’s only the support of her family—and Sean’s steadfast presence—that get her through those first months of overpowering grief. But as the weeks pass, she feels unexpectedly drawn to him. When she’s with him, she’s able to smile and laugh again—especially while watching him play with little Maverick. Still, her emotions leave her torn between loyalty to Justin’s memory and the living, breathing man who makes her feel alive again.
A second chance… if they’re both brave enough to take it
As winter turns to summer and snow turns to rain, the heat between Sean and Eden intensifies. So does the gossip in town. Still, Eden isn’t about to let anyone interfere in her business. She knows now just how fragile life can be. When Sean’s sense of duty threatens to keep them apart, Eden knows she must help him move past his survivor’s guilt—or risk losing this second chance at deep love and lasting happiness.
290 pages, Paperback
First published June 28, 2022
54 people are currently reading
222 people want to read
About the author
Pamela Clare
57 books4,313 followersUSA Today best-selling author Pamela Clare began her writing career as a columnist and investigative reporter and eventually became the first woman editor-in-chief of two different newspapers. Along the way, she and her team won numerous state and national honors, including the First Amendment Award and the National Journalism Award for Public Service. In 2011, she was honored by the Colorado Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists with their Keeper of the Flame Lifetime Achievement Award for her work. A single mother with two grown sons and two cats, she writes historical romance and contemporary romantic suspense within view of Colorado’s beautiful Rocky Mountains. She is a two-time RITA finalist (Surrender, Defiant) and a three-time Daphne du Maurier finalist (I-Team series). She loves history, having studied archaeology in college, and has traveled extensively, living for almost three years in Denmark, which feels like home to her. She attributes her love of historical romance with the years she spent visiting ruins and castles in Europe.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
September 18, 2022
the setup…
Sean McKenna was living his best life in Kodiak, Alaska as a Coast Guard flight mechanic on rescue missions. He worked side by side with his best friend Justin Koseki, a rescue swimmer who’s happily married to Eden and has an 18-month old son Maverick. Then they were called out on a rescue that went horribly wrong where Justin died and Sean was seriously injured. As he went through physical therapy to recuperate, Sean also reached out to Eden, helping her through her grief and doing those things for her and Maverick that Justin would normally be doing. Meanwhile, Eden is trying hard to go forward for her son’s sake, perhaps relying a lot on Sean who shares and understands her feelings. However, after five months, both are facing a shift in their feelings towards each other.
the heart of the story…
Sean and Eden’s affection for each other grew when Justin was alive. He spent most of his free time with them so it was only natural for that affection to grow into something deeper. Sean’s guilt (survivor’s and otherwise) about it was understandable as well as Eden’s confusion about experiencing feelings for another man. If that wasn’t bad enough, they also had to deal with some negative judgments from some within the Coast Guard community (bro code stuff and all of that). But issues aside, I loved how their romance developed…slowly with an edge of sadness because of their love of Justin. And, Sean’s relationship with little Maverick just tugged at my heartstrings.
the bottom line…
Typical of any Clare story, this one also has a strong sense of community and setting. I learned a lot about how the Coast Guard rescues work and just how dangerous they can be, especially in a place like Alaska where the weather can turn on you in seconds. Eden is part Alutiiq and learned much about her heritage from her grandmother, practicing the art of “foraging” for natural elements used for cooking and medicinal purposes. All this in the background of a special romance between two remarkable people that I came to care about. This was a lovely, lovely romance and great start to a new series. Count me in for whatever comes next.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
Sean McKenna was living his best life in Kodiak, Alaska as a Coast Guard flight mechanic on rescue missions. He worked side by side with his best friend Justin Koseki, a rescue swimmer who’s happily married to Eden and has an 18-month old son Maverick. Then they were called out on a rescue that went horribly wrong where Justin died and Sean was seriously injured. As he went through physical therapy to recuperate, Sean also reached out to Eden, helping her through her grief and doing those things for her and Maverick that Justin would normally be doing. Meanwhile, Eden is trying hard to go forward for her son’s sake, perhaps relying a lot on Sean who shares and understands her feelings. However, after five months, both are facing a shift in their feelings towards each other.
the heart of the story…
Sean and Eden’s affection for each other grew when Justin was alive. He spent most of his free time with them so it was only natural for that affection to grow into something deeper. Sean’s guilt (survivor’s and otherwise) about it was understandable as well as Eden’s confusion about experiencing feelings for another man. If that wasn’t bad enough, they also had to deal with some negative judgments from some within the Coast Guard community (bro code stuff and all of that). But issues aside, I loved how their romance developed…slowly with an edge of sadness because of their love of Justin. And, Sean’s relationship with little Maverick just tugged at my heartstrings.
the bottom line…
Typical of any Clare story, this one also has a strong sense of community and setting. I learned a lot about how the Coast Guard rescues work and just how dangerous they can be, especially in a place like Alaska where the weather can turn on you in seconds. Eden is part Alutiiq and learned much about her heritage from her grandmother, practicing the art of “foraging” for natural elements used for cooking and medicinal purposes. All this in the background of a special romance between two remarkable people that I came to care about. This was a lovely, lovely romance and great start to a new series. Count me in for whatever comes next.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
July 29, 2022
Absolutely loved it.
Pamela Clare's ability to provide pure escapism through organically developed heartfelt romance, mature characters, passionate lovemaking scenes and suspenseful storylines is why I love her books so much. Another huge appeal is her predilection to highlight history and customs of native characters that are central to her stories' premises.
A bittersweet slow burn and second chance romance with an uplifting happy ending!
Pamela Clare's ability to provide pure escapism through organically developed heartfelt romance, mature characters, passionate lovemaking scenes and suspenseful storylines is why I love her books so much. Another huge appeal is her predilection to highlight history and customs of native characters that are central to her stories' premises.
A bittersweet slow burn and second chance romance with an uplifting happy ending!
July 27, 2022
Starting the first book in a new contemporary romance series from a favorite author – Pamela Clare -- is always such a treat. A solid and intriguingly suspenseful storyline that introduces exciting new characters, wonderful new localities to explore and, of course, a romance that never disappoints -- everything you could want is found within the pages. Once again, I’m following my usual practice of a no-spoilers-review. The more-than-generous book blurb offers a compelling hook for readers.
Tragedy strikes close to home and two team members are lost in the frigid Alaskan waters when a rescue mission spirals out of control. Clare clearly and meticulously lays out the fundamentals and procedures of the Coast Guard search and rescue teams who risk their lives with each call to duty. What follows is the inspirational story of friendship, love, loss and second chances.
An author who writes heroes that are strong, devoted, passionate and always willing to sacrifice it all for those they love. Sean McKenna is that kind of man – a knight-in-shining-armor – especially to the woman who owns his heart. Readers will find that there’s far more to this man behind that gorgeous outside layer.
Eden Koseki is a true-blue Alaskan who grew up on Kodiak Island. As a devoted mother to her 18-month-old son, Maverick, she’s somewhat of a naturalist who delights in gathering herbs and plants to use for food and medicines and a lover of the outdoors. I loved the personal time shared between Eden and her little boy each time they grabbed their buckets and started off on another treasure hunt. PC presents vivid and life-like imagery in her descriptive details of the landscape and legends that adds an extra-special touch.
A well-drawn group of secondary characters pops in and out of the pages and, of course, there’s always a bit of humor to be found in her stories as well.
Oh, how sweet it is when you find that author whose books are so well-edited and proofread – clean as a whistle every time! An impressive writer who has clearly written another dazzler.
High fives for a new series that’s off to a great start -- and worthy of keeper shelf status! I’m excitedly looking forward to a return visit to the wilds of Alaska in the next book.
July 31, 2022
Fire and Rain is book 1 of the Wildest Alaska series by Pamela Clare. It’s a standalone romantic suspense. Dual POV with a happy ending.
Tropes:
➵ forbidden romance
➵ friends to lovers
➵ romantic suspense
➵ second chance at love
➵ slow burn
Coast guard flight mech Sean McKenna had been living his dream of saving lives until a heartbreaking mission took his best friend’s life leaving him filled with guilt and the responsibility to look after his widow and toddler son.
Their initial grief is overwhelming, but caring for Eden Koseki and her son Maverick is easy as they’d been friends for years. As time goes by, they’re able to make each other smile again. As friendship turns to more. But will Sean’s sense of duty keep them apart?
Fire and Rain is the first book in Pamela Clare’s Wildest Alaska series and perfectly exemplifies her writing ability in which she offers a wonderful story filled with mature characters, a bittersweet yet deep and genuine romance, and a gripping plot highlighted by the beautiful Alaskan landscape and storytelling that honors the history and customs of the Alutiiq natives.
I loved this second chance at love story and can’t wait to see what comes next in the series.
By the numbers quick review:
★ Character dev.: 👤👤👤👤👤
★ Plot: 📚📚📚📚📚
★ World building: 🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
★ Romance: 💕💕💕💕
★ Sexiness: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
★ Overall Rating: 4.6
★ Check out all my book edits over at my Bookstagram
Tropes:
➵ forbidden romance
➵ friends to lovers
➵ romantic suspense
➵ second chance at love
➵ slow burn
Coast guard flight mech Sean McKenna had been living his dream of saving lives until a heartbreaking mission took his best friend’s life leaving him filled with guilt and the responsibility to look after his widow and toddler son.
Their initial grief is overwhelming, but caring for Eden Koseki and her son Maverick is easy as they’d been friends for years. As time goes by, they’re able to make each other smile again. As friendship turns to more. But will Sean’s sense of duty keep them apart?
Fire and Rain is the first book in Pamela Clare’s Wildest Alaska series and perfectly exemplifies her writing ability in which she offers a wonderful story filled with mature characters, a bittersweet yet deep and genuine romance, and a gripping plot highlighted by the beautiful Alaskan landscape and storytelling that honors the history and customs of the Alutiiq natives.
I loved this second chance at love story and can’t wait to see what comes next in the series.
By the numbers quick review:
★ Character dev.: 👤👤👤👤👤
★ Plot: 📚📚📚📚📚
★ World building: 🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
★ Romance: 💕💕💕💕
★ Sexiness: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
★ Overall Rating: 4.6
★ Check out all my book edits over at my Bookstagram
September 12, 2022
Pamela Clare just can't help herself. She sets out to write a Romance, but she always throws in a Mystery/Suspense element. She just can't help herself, and I'm so glad she can't. Straight Romance can be sooooo boring, I love a little mystery thrown in. It just spices things up a bit. I really loved the plot set around the Coast Guard men stationed in Alaska. Coasties are dear to me. the son of a good friend is one and they put their lives on the line on a daily basis. Now, the part I didn't like: I hate it when the hero or heroine continually beats themselves up over something they couldn't change.
What started as a routine rescue turns into a nightmare when a boat explodes, and two flight crew members are lost. Sean MeKenna is wracked with guilt over the loss of his best friend, Justin, feeling if he had just done something he could have saved him. Justin left a wife, Eden, and a son, Maverick and Sean is committed to helping them through this terrible time, even though he is grieving and has suffered injuries too. When Sean finds himself falling for the beautiful Eden, his guilt knows no bounds.
Eden Koseki loved her husband with her whole heart and now she is just shattered, but she has to move on, she has an 18-month-old to care for and raise. Sean has been a godsend helping with the paperwork and caring for her and little Mavie. Even though she loved Justin - he's gone, and she finds herself drawn to Sean. Hot, handsome, caring Sean has helped her see that there is a life beyond her grief.
As the investigation into the explosion continues, Eden receives threatening text messages warning her to stop the investigation or someone else close to her will die. Sean is determined that nothing will happen to Eden or Mavie and the persons responsible for the Justin's death will be brought to justice.
What started as a routine rescue turns into a nightmare when a boat explodes, and two flight crew members are lost. Sean MeKenna is wracked with guilt over the loss of his best friend, Justin, feeling if he had just done something he could have saved him. Justin left a wife, Eden, and a son, Maverick and Sean is committed to helping them through this terrible time, even though he is grieving and has suffered injuries too. When Sean finds himself falling for the beautiful Eden, his guilt knows no bounds.
Eden Koseki loved her husband with her whole heart and now she is just shattered, but she has to move on, she has an 18-month-old to care for and raise. Sean has been a godsend helping with the paperwork and caring for her and little Mavie. Even though she loved Justin - he's gone, and she finds herself drawn to Sean. Hot, handsome, caring Sean has helped her see that there is a life beyond her grief.
As the investigation into the explosion continues, Eden receives threatening text messages warning her to stop the investigation or someone else close to her will die. Sean is determined that nothing will happen to Eden or Mavie and the persons responsible for the Justin's death will be brought to justice.
July 28, 2022
Après le Colorado dans ses précédentes séries, Pamela Clare met le cap sur l'Alaska !
Un peu comme dans sa série "Colorado springs", l'autrice nous fait découvrir le quotidien d'une équipe de sauveteurs, qui interviennent ici en hélicoptère, le plus souvent dans l'océan. Sean, le héros, a pour rôle de s'assurer que les sauveteurs qui descendent de l'hélico le fassent en toute sécurité (c'est lui qui tient le câble qui permet de descendre), mais aussi de remonter, ainsi que les victimes, dans l'hélico. On découvre donc les interventions de ces garde-côtes qui font partie de l'armée, et laissez-moi vous dire qu'on fait le plein d'adrénaline !
Côté romance, je dois dire que le trope développé est un de ceux que j'aime le moins en romance : lorsque l'héroïne est la femme du meilleur ami décédé (dans de tragiques circonstances, qui plus est). Pamela Clare a bien développé toute la thématique du deuil, de la culpabilité du survivant, mais aussi l'envie et le besoin d'aller de l'avant, de continuer à vivre et de s'autoriser à retrouver le goût du bonheur, et ce en dépit des commérages et des regards en coin.
La relation entre Eden et Sean évolue très naturellement, on est plutôt dans le slow burn. Ce n'est pas un couple ni une romance qui m'auront fait battre le coeur plus vite, mais c'est bien ficelé, bien écrit et réaliste. Les interactions entre Sean et Mavie (le petit garçon d'Eden) sont évidemment mignonnes comme tout, c'est attendrissant de voir cet homme prendre autant soin de cette femme et de son enfant.
Les scènes de sauvetage apportent de l'action, mais ce que j'ai préféré, c'est cette marque de fabrique de Pamela Clare, qui met toujours en valeur, avec un immense respect, les populations autochtones. Ici, Eden est une descente des premiers habitants de cet état, elle va chercher dans la nature tout ce dont elle a besoin pour se nourrir (faune et flore) et est très sensible aux éléments, aux paysages, et à Mère Nature. Elle a hérité de la sagesse de sa grand-mère, et je trouve que cette originalité fait que les romans de cette autrice sortent vraiment du lot.
Au vu du nombre de sauveteurs qui semblent être célibataires, j'imagine qu'on aura droit par la suite à de nombreux tomes les mettant en scène, je suis curieuse de voir ce qui nous attend, et je serai au rendez-vous !
Un peu comme dans sa série "Colorado springs", l'autrice nous fait découvrir le quotidien d'une équipe de sauveteurs, qui interviennent ici en hélicoptère, le plus souvent dans l'océan. Sean, le héros, a pour rôle de s'assurer que les sauveteurs qui descendent de l'hélico le fassent en toute sécurité (c'est lui qui tient le câble qui permet de descendre), mais aussi de remonter, ainsi que les victimes, dans l'hélico. On découvre donc les interventions de ces garde-côtes qui font partie de l'armée, et laissez-moi vous dire qu'on fait le plein d'adrénaline !
Côté romance, je dois dire que le trope développé est un de ceux que j'aime le moins en romance : lorsque l'héroïne est la femme du meilleur ami décédé (dans de tragiques circonstances, qui plus est). Pamela Clare a bien développé toute la thématique du deuil, de la culpabilité du survivant, mais aussi l'envie et le besoin d'aller de l'avant, de continuer à vivre et de s'autoriser à retrouver le goût du bonheur, et ce en dépit des commérages et des regards en coin.
La relation entre Eden et Sean évolue très naturellement, on est plutôt dans le slow burn. Ce n'est pas un couple ni une romance qui m'auront fait battre le coeur plus vite, mais c'est bien ficelé, bien écrit et réaliste. Les interactions entre Sean et Mavie (le petit garçon d'Eden) sont évidemment mignonnes comme tout, c'est attendrissant de voir cet homme prendre autant soin de cette femme et de son enfant.
Les scènes de sauvetage apportent de l'action, mais ce que j'ai préféré, c'est cette marque de fabrique de Pamela Clare, qui met toujours en valeur, avec un immense respect, les populations autochtones. Ici, Eden est une descente des premiers habitants de cet état, elle va chercher dans la nature tout ce dont elle a besoin pour se nourrir (faune et flore) et est très sensible aux éléments, aux paysages, et à Mère Nature. Elle a hérité de la sagesse de sa grand-mère, et je trouve que cette originalité fait que les romans de cette autrice sortent vraiment du lot.
Au vu du nombre de sauveteurs qui semblent être célibataires, j'imagine qu'on aura droit par la suite à de nombreux tomes les mettant en scène, je suis curieuse de voir ce qui nous attend, et je serai au rendez-vous !
July 28, 2022
First book in a new series built around the men and women who make up the Coast Guard in Kodiak Alaska. What the Coast Guards do has always been fascinating to me so getting a new series from an author that writes with realistic descriptions of both the rescues and the scenic descriptions of harsh conditions of Alaska is a reading treat.
This book starts out with a tragedy on the team and how it affects everyone involved, from the best friend to co-workers and the spouse. I'm excited for the new series and cant wait for future books on the other members we met through this book.
This book starts out with a tragedy on the team and how it affects everyone involved, from the best friend to co-workers and the spouse. I'm excited for the new series and cant wait for future books on the other members we met through this book.
August 3, 2022
2.0 stars and spoiler ahead!***
Had issues with story. Justin/Sean are best friends and on the same Coast Guard SAR team. Justin dies on a mission as the story opens. He's been happily married to Eden and has a toddler son, Maverick. Die hard batchelor, wants no kids/Sean has been a close family friend from the beginning and helps her out. Eden naturally mourns but only all of a couple months before she gets feelings for Sean, and within another few months they're all over each other and in love. 🤯 WTH?!? SERIOULSY!?! All in 5 months time!?!
To be fair Sean has misgivings but obviously they're not stronger than the pull in his pants (eye roll #1).
One reason this hit me hard is because I've been there done that (husband dying too young, too soon). No way can I imagine losing that heavy fog of mourning so quick to have a relatiionship within a handful of months, chucking his stuff and moving on when your world has been shockingly turned upside down. Sure, sure everyone mourns differently and the process takes its own time, but I thought this was ridiculous. With all the rave reviews, or only the ones Goodreads posted, I'm in the minority.
My other issue here is with the "dumb heroine" drama near the end. Once again, there's danger to Eden's life (and her families) and she's warned not to go out alone. Of course, (eye roll #2) she puts herself in a life or death situtation, but natch, Sean saves the day.
This could've been less fairytale had the author told this with a fade forward a few years after Justin's death for her to move on naturally. And for the drama to have played out in a more creative way. Plus why is it always the female who has to pull the dumbshit move??? The story also makes a point to tell how quick hypothermia can end a life, except if you happen to be the heroine here (eye roll #3).
The Eden/Sean relationship just made me uncomfortable, and the addition of the drama ridiculous. I'm a huge fan of this author but this book just didn't measure up to her usual standards. Hoping book 2's storyline is an improvement.
Had issues with story. Justin/Sean are best friends and on the same Coast Guard SAR team. Justin dies on a mission as the story opens. He's been happily married to Eden and has a toddler son, Maverick. Die hard batchelor, wants no kids/Sean has been a close family friend from the beginning and helps her out. Eden naturally mourns but only all of a couple months before she gets feelings for Sean, and within another few months they're all over each other and in love. 🤯 WTH?!? SERIOULSY!?! All in 5 months time!?!
To be fair Sean has misgivings but obviously they're not stronger than the pull in his pants (eye roll #1).
One reason this hit me hard is because I've been there done that (husband dying too young, too soon). No way can I imagine losing that heavy fog of mourning so quick to have a relatiionship within a handful of months, chucking his stuff and moving on when your world has been shockingly turned upside down. Sure, sure everyone mourns differently and the process takes its own time, but I thought this was ridiculous. With all the rave reviews, or only the ones Goodreads posted, I'm in the minority.
My other issue here is with the "dumb heroine" drama near the end. Once again, there's danger to Eden's life (and her families) and she's warned not to go out alone. Of course, (eye roll #2) she puts herself in a life or death situtation, but natch, Sean saves the day.
This could've been less fairytale had the author told this with a fade forward a few years after Justin's death for her to move on naturally. And for the drama to have played out in a more creative way. Plus why is it always the female who has to pull the dumbshit move??? The story also makes a point to tell how quick hypothermia can end a life, except if you happen to be the heroine here (eye roll #3).
The Eden/Sean relationship just made me uncomfortable, and the addition of the drama ridiculous. I'm a huge fan of this author but this book just didn't measure up to her usual standards. Hoping book 2's storyline is an improvement.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2022
I really liked the setting of the Coast Guard and where they were in Alaska, both almost seemed like secondary characters. I also really loved how at the start we got to see the strong friendship between Sean and Justin, it made what happened to Justin hit all the harder.
In the aftermath of the accident, I liked seeing Sean give support to Eden. You could tell that he was there to scope her out, but to help his BBF's widow. There was no romance on either's mind for a long time. In fact, you could tell that if Justin was alive, Sean would have been happen in his friend role and Eden would have been happy in her marriage. Sadly that wasn't the life they were given, Justin died and they had to go on with life. It was interesting to see the little ways that they started to be aware of each other, feel guilty about it, then not guilty, realize that Justin would have wanted them to be happy. Eden finding the letter from Justin to Sean was perfect timing, after they made a choice with how things would go for them and confirmation that they were on the right path.
Things got a bit dicey towards the end. I hated what Eden was going through, but glad that she was level headed enough to lay out some clues. I was iffy with Sean suddenly making a change, but at that point you could tell that there was no way he would not have made that choice, he had to do it.
The ending to this one was great, a quiet new beginning to this couple, happiness that they deserved.
In the aftermath of the accident, I liked seeing Sean give support to Eden. You could tell that he was there to scope her out, but to help his BBF's widow. There was no romance on either's mind for a long time. In fact, you could tell that if Justin was alive, Sean would have been happen in his friend role and Eden would have been happy in her marriage. Sadly that wasn't the life they were given, Justin died and they had to go on with life. It was interesting to see the little ways that they started to be aware of each other, feel guilty about it, then not guilty, realize that Justin would have wanted them to be happy. Eden finding the letter from Justin to Sean was perfect timing, after they made a choice with how things would go for them and confirmation that they were on the right path.
Things got a bit dicey towards the end. I hated what Eden was going through, but glad that she was level headed enough to lay out some clues. I was iffy with Sean suddenly making a change, but at that point you could tell that there was no way he would not have made that choice, he had to do it.
The ending to this one was great, a quiet new beginning to this couple, happiness that they deserved.
October 10, 2022
Sorry to say that this story really didn’t work for me. The pacing was off and the timeline of romantic feelings happened too quickly to be even semi-believable. I realize this is fiction, but I still want to have some kind of connection to the characters to root for them! I had no emotional investment in the h/H’s romantic relationship succeeding and that made the book less enjoyable.
August 20, 2022
On the fence about rating this one. What I liked - the look at what it's like to work for the coast guard and a glimpse of life in Kodiak, Alaska. Ms Clare is an excellent writer, and many moments brought tears to my eyes. On the flip-side, I felt the relationship - for this situation - was really rushed. I kept checking the dates of the chapter headings to see if the progression was years and not weeks/months. Another shortcoming was the underdevelopment of secondary characters. One of my favorite things about this authors previous books is the camaraderie of the main character group -especially the "bromance" between the guys. This book fell short in that development. **3.5**
September 19, 2022
Widowed Eden Gets a Second Chance At Love With Late Hubbys Best Friend
Pamela Clare starts a promising new series set around the Coast Guard in Alaska. Fire & Rain tells how Sean and Eden come together over their grief following the death of Justin, Eden's Coast Guard rescue swimmer husband (& Sean's duty partner.) Justin leaves a young widow, Eden, and an adorable toddler Maverick.
Eden & Sean are already friends, of course, but their affection and camaraderie turns romantic as the months progress following Justin's death in a botched rescue. The story unfolds in a somewhat episodic fashion, Sean and Eden's feelings for each other gradually shifting from friendship to love over the course of several months. We drop in on these moments.
I was really looking forward to this series. Alaska? Coast Guard? Bring it on. I was mildly disappointed. I didn't find this as spicy as in previous stories. Maybe the episodic narrative prevents the reader from being fully immersed in this world? Maybe because 5 months of mourning the sudden death of a young husband before getting all hot & bothered over another man seems shockingly short to me? We are also introduced to a rather large cast of characters, most of whom I'm assuming will be in future entries to this exciting series, and they're a little hard to keep straight.
If you look beyond these issues, this is a terrific romance with a touch of danger and a truly satisfying HEA as die-hard bachelor, Sean, finds himself falling for his best friend's widow and toddler son.
I look forward to reading more of the series.
Pamela Clare starts a promising new series set around the Coast Guard in Alaska. Fire & Rain tells how Sean and Eden come together over their grief following the death of Justin, Eden's Coast Guard rescue swimmer husband (& Sean's duty partner.) Justin leaves a young widow, Eden, and an adorable toddler Maverick.
Eden & Sean are already friends, of course, but their affection and camaraderie turns romantic as the months progress following Justin's death in a botched rescue. The story unfolds in a somewhat episodic fashion, Sean and Eden's feelings for each other gradually shifting from friendship to love over the course of several months. We drop in on these moments.
I was really looking forward to this series. Alaska? Coast Guard? Bring it on. I was mildly disappointed. I didn't find this as spicy as in previous stories. Maybe the episodic narrative prevents the reader from being fully immersed in this world? Maybe because 5 months of mourning the sudden death of a young husband before getting all hot & bothered over another man seems shockingly short to me? We are also introduced to a rather large cast of characters, most of whom I'm assuming will be in future entries to this exciting series, and they're a little hard to keep straight.
If you look beyond these issues, this is a terrific romance with a touch of danger and a truly satisfying HEA as die-hard bachelor, Sean, finds himself falling for his best friend's widow and toddler son.
I look forward to reading more of the series.
August 5, 2022
Fire and Rain, Wildest Alaska Novel, Book 1
Those who have read Ms. Clare’s novels will know that her readers never quite know where she will take them next. From North America to Europe to Asia, the South Pole and back to North America. Her newest Contemporary Romance series takes us to Alaska and into the lives and loves of members of Coast Guard Rescue Six-Zero-Three-Eight stationed at Air Station Kodiak, Kodiak Island, Alaska.
Fire and Rain tells the story of Sean McKenna and Eden Koseki, he a Coast Guard flight mechanic conducting dangerous rescue mission, she married to his best friend, Justin. When Justin is killed during a rescue mission, Sean is full of guilt and blames himself for his friend’s death. He is determined to be there for Eden and her 18-month-old son, Maverick. Their journey as they realize the friendship they have had for years is turning into something more takes them and us on a wild ride indeed.
Fire and Rain once again proves Ms. Clare’s amazing skills as a writer and her meticulous attention to detail. She never fails to ensure her readers can picture themselves in the environment in which her characters live and work. Her descriptions of Kodiak Island, coast guard operations, and the relationships between family, friends, and comrades, are detailed and believable.
In Sean and Eden’s story, we are treated to a touch of suspense and a fascinating look into the world of Search and Rescue. If you love contemporary romance and are looking for a great new series written by an author has already proven her worth, give this one a try.
Those who have read Ms. Clare’s novels will know that her readers never quite know where she will take them next. From North America to Europe to Asia, the South Pole and back to North America. Her newest Contemporary Romance series takes us to Alaska and into the lives and loves of members of Coast Guard Rescue Six-Zero-Three-Eight stationed at Air Station Kodiak, Kodiak Island, Alaska.
Fire and Rain tells the story of Sean McKenna and Eden Koseki, he a Coast Guard flight mechanic conducting dangerous rescue mission, she married to his best friend, Justin. When Justin is killed during a rescue mission, Sean is full of guilt and blames himself for his friend’s death. He is determined to be there for Eden and her 18-month-old son, Maverick. Their journey as they realize the friendship they have had for years is turning into something more takes them and us on a wild ride indeed.
Fire and Rain once again proves Ms. Clare’s amazing skills as a writer and her meticulous attention to detail. She never fails to ensure her readers can picture themselves in the environment in which her characters live and work. Her descriptions of Kodiak Island, coast guard operations, and the relationships between family, friends, and comrades, are detailed and believable.
In Sean and Eden’s story, we are treated to a touch of suspense and a fascinating look into the world of Search and Rescue. If you love contemporary romance and are looking for a great new series written by an author has already proven her worth, give this one a try.
August 10, 2022
In the image, she smiled at the camera, newborn Maverick in a blanket on her bare chest, Justin bending low so that his face was next to hers.
"He was so happy that night."
"It's the happiest I've ever seen him."
Sean had been in the waiting room, pacing the floor.
"He kept that taped to the inside of his locker. He said it reminded him of his reason for being a rescue swimmer. He wanted to save lives so families could stay together."
The sorrow was palpable. Sean and Eden lost the same person, and the grief was different in their own ways.
Eden is left to raise her son alone. She loved Justin with every bit of her heart. Overcoming the sorrow has seemed impossible. With Sean's help, she was navigating the paperwork, the necessities, the things that had to be done. Day to day, she tried to still bring light into her son's life. Not wanting him to only know her as a sad mom. Sean was her husband's best friend - and a friend to her, as well. Time and shared grief naturally brings them closer together.
Sean cannot get over the guilt of Justin's death. Everything has been turned upside down. After having to recover himself from the crash, he wants to look after Justin's wife and child to honor Justin. When feelings start to happen between him and Eden, he fights against it. He gives it a good fight -but there is just so much there.
I love this story. So much emotion and a bit of thrill with the Search and Rescue aspect.
"He was so happy that night."
"It's the happiest I've ever seen him."
Sean had been in the waiting room, pacing the floor.
"He kept that taped to the inside of his locker. He said it reminded him of his reason for being a rescue swimmer. He wanted to save lives so families could stay together."
The sorrow was palpable. Sean and Eden lost the same person, and the grief was different in their own ways.
Eden is left to raise her son alone. She loved Justin with every bit of her heart. Overcoming the sorrow has seemed impossible. With Sean's help, she was navigating the paperwork, the necessities, the things that had to be done. Day to day, she tried to still bring light into her son's life. Not wanting him to only know her as a sad mom. Sean was her husband's best friend - and a friend to her, as well. Time and shared grief naturally brings them closer together.
Sean cannot get over the guilt of Justin's death. Everything has been turned upside down. After having to recover himself from the crash, he wants to look after Justin's wife and child to honor Justin. When feelings start to happen between him and Eden, he fights against it. He gives it a good fight -but there is just so much there.
I love this story. So much emotion and a bit of thrill with the Search and Rescue aspect.
September 2, 2022
Pamela Clare has a gift for writing engaging and evocative books and this first in a series is no exception.
Handsome, hunky Sean McKenna is part of the Coat Guard in Kodiak, Alaska. He absolutely loves his job but is badly injured when a mission goes horribly wrong.
His best friend Justin is killed during this mission and Sean cannot get over the guilt he feels for not keeping his friend safe and alive, even though it is not his fault.
But Sean not only has to heal himself, but help his best friend's wife Eden to heal too.
Sean becomes drawn to the beautiful Eden, and she is attracted to Sean too, as they both come to terms with Justin's death.
For a man who never wanted a wife, marriage or family, he finds himself falling in love with this brave, unusual and intelligent young woman and her cute loving son, Maverick, who will make you smile.
As usual Pamela pulls you in to this emotional story with extremely likeable and believable characters and as usual there's some danger too.
I am very much looking forward to the next book in this series.
Handsome, hunky Sean McKenna is part of the Coat Guard in Kodiak, Alaska. He absolutely loves his job but is badly injured when a mission goes horribly wrong.
His best friend Justin is killed during this mission and Sean cannot get over the guilt he feels for not keeping his friend safe and alive, even though it is not his fault.
But Sean not only has to heal himself, but help his best friend's wife Eden to heal too.
Sean becomes drawn to the beautiful Eden, and she is attracted to Sean too, as they both come to terms with Justin's death.
For a man who never wanted a wife, marriage or family, he finds himself falling in love with this brave, unusual and intelligent young woman and her cute loving son, Maverick, who will make you smile.
As usual Pamela pulls you in to this emotional story with extremely likeable and believable characters and as usual there's some danger too.
I am very much looking forward to the next book in this series.
July 27, 2022
Pamela Clare’s new literary creature is a mix of adrenaline, passion and suspence. It deals with loss, life and friendship and it’s about how to go for a second chance after so much hurt.
Sean McKenna, aviation technician for Costal Guard, is pained by the loss of his best friend Justin, while Eden, Justin’s widow, has to be strong for her son Maverick. But can they be happy again being together?
Pamela’s books are astonishingly precise. They’re full of specifics and “lingo”. Her writing is perfect in everything and her characters, being them main or side, are always incredibly well built.
Alaskan wilderness as a background was a nice surprise. Also, Eden and Sean’s love story is sweet and slow burn. They deal with loss and sense of guilt, and also with their growing affection towards each other.
Hope to hear soon from Lt. James Spurrier and his dark souls in the next book!
Sean McKenna, aviation technician for Costal Guard, is pained by the loss of his best friend Justin, while Eden, Justin’s widow, has to be strong for her son Maverick. But can they be happy again being together?
Pamela’s books are astonishingly precise. They’re full of specifics and “lingo”. Her writing is perfect in everything and her characters, being them main or side, are always incredibly well built.
Alaskan wilderness as a background was a nice surprise. Also, Eden and Sean’s love story is sweet and slow burn. They deal with loss and sense of guilt, and also with their growing affection towards each other.
Hope to hear soon from Lt. James Spurrier and his dark souls in the next book!
August 24, 2022
I like Sean's warm man image, and I don't think there's anything wrong with Eden falling in love with her husband's close friend Sean within six months of losing her husband, but the pace of the story is slow and the plot is too insipid. Whether it is Sean's emotional struggle with Eden, the expected weak villain (who wants to escape by boat even though he can't even drive a boat? Is it because the land transportation in Alaska is underdeveloped?), or the Coast Guard's reaction to Sean and Eden is not as resistant as Sean imagined. I don't think deleting the chapter where Sean and Eden go on vacation will affect the plot. What's more, Eden had already received a threatening text message at that time, saying that she should not be in the mood for fun, but she put down Maverick and went to the cabin. This is really unreasonable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2022
A delightful story set in Kodiak Alaska, with a Coast Guard hero and a local native. This is friends to lovers with a twist: Justin was Eden's husband who died in a Coast Guard rescue operation that went badly. Sean was Justin's best friend and wrongly blames himself for Justin's death. Working through a lot of pain and grief together and separately, Eden and Sean draw closer. Lots of interesting details about island and native life on Kodiak and cool inside info about the Coast Guard. This is not a suspense novel, but there is some suspenseful action in it. I loved the main characters and side characters, and especially sweetheart Maverick. Highly recommend.
October 13, 2022
I love most of Pamela Clare’s books but this was definitely not it.
You’re telling me that a woman who had been madly in love with her late husband… they have child together… they has been everything to one another - she moves on to falling for her late husband’s best friend after grieving for few months??
Yes, I know there’s no time limit to grievance but it would’ve been believable if it was at least a year later… I just couldn’t buy it that this progress happened after few months since his death.
You’re telling me that a woman who had been madly in love with her late husband… they have child together… they has been everything to one another - she moves on to falling for her late husband’s best friend after grieving for few months??
Yes, I know there’s no time limit to grievance but it would’ve been believable if it was at least a year later… I just couldn’t buy it that this progress happened after few months since his death.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2022
Meh!!! Not one of Pamela Clare's better books. I felt the heroine was way too quick to move on from her husband's death...5 months and she's already in love with someone else when supposedly her husband was the love of her life?! Just no! I also thought the hero getting over his survivor's guilt was a little "too easy". I didn't enjoy the late in the book intriduction of angst/drama but that's just me
September 24, 2022
Now I want to visit Alaska…..that is how good Pamela Clares writing is…her words makes you see, feel and hear everything so lively. The charcters in this book came alive to me, and I laughed and cried. I have loved all the other books written by Pamela Clare, and also this. Looking forward to the next book in this series
July 30, 2022
I would give this three stars but since it’s Pamela I gave it four. It’s a good start to a series and let’s face it, I love the coast guard and I hope the next book is about James. The story here is just mediocre and the suspense is pretty contrived but still this book is worth a read.
July 31, 2022
Dangerous Waves
The story of Sean and Eden is well worth reading. They have suffered the loss of her husband and his best friend, Justin, and must come to the terms of the loss while also discovering their attraction to each other. Fire and Rain is a story not to be missed.
The story of Sean and Eden is well worth reading. They have suffered the loss of her husband and his best friend, Justin, and must come to the terms of the loss while also discovering their attraction to each other. Fire and Rain is a story not to be missed.
August 2, 2022
The dangerous jobs of Coast Guard in the beauty of Alaska. The indigenous ways. Great friends and family. Add danger, jealousy, attraction and a precious little boy and you have an excellent first book in a new series.
December 31, 2022
Fire and Rain
Pamela Claire never disappoints her books are wonderful. The books takes place in Alaska and its about rescuing people from water.
This team is fantastic with all they need to do to make the rescue work.
Pamela Claire never disappoints her books are wonderful. The books takes place in Alaska and its about rescuing people from water.
This team is fantastic with all they need to do to make the rescue work.
July 31, 2022
Oh yeah....
Pamela Clare does it again. New series, new heroes, new strong women, new locations. All fantastically woven into a story that forces you to turn the page.
Pamela Clare does it again. New series, new heroes, new strong women, new locations. All fantastically woven into a story that forces you to turn the page.
August 18, 2022
21\2- 3 star for moi.....
August 29, 2022
Loved this first book for the beginning of a new series by my favorite author, Pamela Clare!
September 7, 2022
This book was great! It made me want to go visit Alaska. The characters are engaging and I loved how mature they were
September 7, 2022
I loved it!!!:)
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