As a former smokejumper, arson investigator Bri Tucker knows her way around fires. But after a mysterious blaze takes the life of a former colleague, Bri inherits a curious puzzle from him that raises questions about several fiery deaths. Someone, however, doesn't want her picking up where he left off in search of answers.
When she teams up with ATF Special Agent Marc Davis to solve the puzzle, the danger escalates. But will they manage to track down the person behind the mysterious deaths before their budding romance--and maybe even their lives--go up in flames?
The bestselling and award-winning queen of romantic suspense is back with a brand-new series that is sure to get your adrenaline pumping as you burn through the pages to discover the truth.
Irene Hannon, who writes both contemporary romance and romantic suspense, is the author of more than 65 novels. Her books have been honored with three coveted RITA awards from Romance Writers of America (the “Oscar” of romance fiction) and she is a member of that organization's elite Hall of Fame. She has also received a Career Achievement award from RT Book Reviews for her entire body of work. Other awards for individual books include National Readers' Choice, HOLT Medallion, Daphne du Maurier, Retailers Choice, Booksellers' Best, and Reviewers' Choice from RT Book Reviews. She is also a two-time Christy award finalist.
Millions of her books have been sold worldwide, and her novels have been translated into multiple languages.
A former corporate communications executive with a Fortune 500 company, Irene now writes full time. To learn more about Irene and her books, visit www.irenehannon.com.
I always enjoy Irene Hannon's books, but especially her romantic suspense, and this is another great edgy, suspenseful story with mystery, danger, romance, and a touch of faith. Into the Fire is the first of a new series about three siblings related by adoption, Bri, Jack, and Cara Tucker. They call themselves the Three Musketeers, since their parents are gone. Bri is a former smokejumper now working as a fire investigator with the county in St. Louis. She is investigating a set of cases that appear to be related, including the death of a retired investigator who was to meet with Bri right before he was killed in a suspicious fire. ATF Agent Marc Davis has been assigned to work with Bri. The two are attracted to each other in spite of both not wanting to get involved. In typical Irene Hannon fashion, this is a hard to put down story that I was pulled into right away and engaged to the end. The killer, who was a surprise to me, is revealed fairly early but then the danger is amped up. This is another great read by the author, and I am excited about this new series. Looking forward to Jack's story next. I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review. All thoughts are mine only.
A truly engaging book. One where I guessed the antagonist early but didn’t care because I wanted to know the why. I also wanted to know more about the heroine — her character was complex and richly layered. I appreciated how the villain was flawed but had reasons for their actions — no cardboard motivations in this book. A great read for those who love a twisty romantic suspense.
A thrilling start to the Undaunted Courage series!
Bri and Marc were both sympathetic characters whose backstories added depth to the plot. I enjoyed "watching" them work together on the case and thought their developing romance was sweet.
The plot contained plenty of action and suspense along with a few relaxing moments of character development. I appreciated that Irene Hannon kept both the language and the romance clean. Her clear, fast-paced writing style worked great for this book, and I liked that the characters trusted God.
I did find the villain to be a bit predictable, but that didn't affect my enjoyment of the story.
Overall, Into the Fire was an exciting read that I'd recommend to those who enjoy Christian fiction and romantic suspense novels. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
Disclosure: I received this book free from Revell through Interviews & Reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Irene Hannon is known for her layered characters (including the villains!) and tightly written suspense, and Into the Fire is a prime example! What a way to kick off a new series! I was on the edge of my seat, waiting to see what would happen next and holding my breath when the danger blazes up into an inferno. I haven’t read many suspense novels that feature arson investigators, which is a shame because there are so many great possibilities! Possibilities which Hannon deftly weaves into this new novel, turning several into probabilities and making sure Bri & Marc have their work cut out for them! And while they’re working together to solve these potential crimes, there’s also a delicious bit of chemistry between them that fans from a slow burn to a steady flame.
Bri Tucker may be a relatively new arson investigator but she’s very experienced when it comes to fires, including her years as a smokejumper for the US Forest Service. And the fiery death of a retired arson investigator – who had recently reached out to her – isn’t sitting right with her. It looks like an accident. It probably IS an accident. Right? Well… maybe. She can’t put her finger on exactly what bothers her yet, but the more she digs into the puzzling clues he left behind the more convinced she is that Les’s death was no accident. And Marc Davis, the ATF Special Agent who’s lending her his expertise and gut instincts, agrees. Especially when several ‘accidents’ come a little too close to home where Bri is concerned.
Oh y’all. The layers in this case are so twisty. We start out with the antagonist’s POV and, while Hannon doesn’t tell us much about them, we can see right away that this is a seriously disturbed individual. But this may not be the only antagonist that Bri will need to watch out for, and we’re soon just as tangled in this investigation as Bri and Marc are. Except that we also know things that these two investigators don’t, thanks to Hannon’s signature ‘inside the killer’s head’ perspective, and what they don’t know really may hurt them. I felt like I was right in the trenches with Bri and Marc, trying to decipher Les’s clues, the sense of urgency increasing as we race ever closer to a showdown. I had definite suspicions about the main antagonist’s true identity but being suspicious certainly didn’t stop me from gasping out loud as one of the characters finally starts connecting the dots. Because while I may have suspected the who, I had no inkling of the why and it took me just as much by surprise as it did our brave protagonists. There’s also quite a bit of story left when the culprit is revealed, and it seemed at least in this case that the devil you now know can be scarier than the devil you still don’t. Because sometimes the devil you now know has nothing – and everything – left to lose.
Bottom Line: Into the Fire by Irene Hannon will keep you glued to the page and make you useless for anything else but reading this book until you’ve reached the final word. I was quickly caught up in the layered plot which was full of unexpected twists and some intense moments. All of the characters felt so compelling, from the protagonists to the supporting players and even the villain(s), and I look forward to seeing how Bri’s siblings are featured in future books. Bri and Marc both have deep pain in their life, pain that’s been harbored for many years and revealed to very few people. I loved how the author used this not only to bring them closer together but to naturally incorporate a look at the raw side of forgiveness – a theme that is not presented tritely but with thoughtful authenticity instead. Getting a front row seat to watch Bri and Marc fall in love is the icing on the cake to the suspenseful ride that is Into the Fire!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
I was excited to read this story because it is the start of a new series. The cover is pretty great and it is even better when you hold the paperback copy. The font just shimmers! All that to say that I went into this book with pretty high expectations and it wasn't my favorite. I really liked the overall plot. I think that arson as murder is more unique and different from a lot of suspense novels especially as it carries through the entire book. So this book is fresh and different from that perspective. The romance side of things is what really took me out of the story. Don't get me wrong, I love romance stories. But for some reason in this story I just had a hard time buying it all. The instant love/attraction and continual reference to how each other looked was just really distracting and didn't seem to flow for me. But that is just my personal opinion. I have read most of Hannon's novels and many I have loved. The mystery side was pretty good and it wasn't as suspenseful as I would have expected but still an intriguing read. I know many will love this book!
Three Stars.
"I received this book from Revell for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."
I enjoyed the pacing of this novel and the overall development of the storyline. Irene Hannon is an excellent writer!! I definitely appreciated how real and accurate the book felt compared to real life. The details from the author, Irene Hannon, made the entire investigation seem believable and realistic. Even the smallest of details came into place as Hannon wove multiple storylines together. I loved that the plot wasn't predictable - I had no idea who was committing the acts of arson/murder or how Bri and Marc were going to catch them. I also loved how the author wove faith into the story and contrasted Biblical worldviews with the acts of the arsonist. That element of the storyline I really enjoyed! One thing that didn't seem to work as well for me was the relationship between Bri and Marc. It seemed like they were instantly attracted to each other from the moment they met in the first few chapters - but their relationship seemed to lack depth. I would definitely have loved if their relationship started slower and then developed more throughout the story.
Oh my! This book had me on the edge of my seat! There’s something quite menacingly frightening about fires and this new series takes that fear and amps it up ten fold. Irene Hannon’s created a thrilling romantic suspense which features a former fire jumper now arson investigator and an ATF special agent. It’s one exciting ride filled with romance, action, and a touch of faith that I couldn’t put down!
Bri Tucker is investigating a series of fires that at first don’t seem to be connected. But, when one of the victim’s family members voices his suspicions and she finds new evidence that links a colleagues’ death with other victims, she teams up with ATF special agent Marc Davis to solve several potential murders. As Bri gets closer to the truth, a seemingly unrelated series of “accidents” befall her. Is it the old stalker ex-boyfriend she left in Idaho who’s followed her to her new job? Or, is she dealing with an unhinged murderer who’s targeted her next?
I absolutely loved this suspenseful read! Bri and Marc both have complicated pasts and carry a lot of baggage. As their pasts slowly unfold, they become more understandable, sympathetic characters. Bri is tough, strong, and no pushover. She’s hesitant to get into another relationship, but, Marc seems to melt down her walls and she in turn helps him find peace with his past. The faith element is expertly introduced through these characters and woven into the story in a natural way.
The mystery kept me guessing the whole time with plenty of twists and turns. I like to think I can solve things pretty quickly, but for me, the villain was a complete surprise! We’re given a look inside the twisted mind of the killer from the get go and it’s one creepy place! I loved that I was kept in the dark until the very end with a few breadcrumbs along the way. The pacing was fantastic with a great balance between action, romance, and suspense.
In addition to Bri, we get to know her siblings who along with her are all adopted. I can’t wait to get Jack’s and Cara’s stories. This is one series you need to read if you’re a romantic suspense fan! I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are completely my own and voluntarily provided.
This is another adrenaline laced romantic suspense that kept me turning the pages. Irene Hannon is one of my favorite authors in this genre. I never miss one of her books. The book is about a woman who is a fire investigator, which I thought was original and different. As always, the action is fast, and the romance is a slow build, and the ending is a happy one. All the things I love in a story. *I was given a copy of this book by Revell Publishers, and this is my honest opinion.
Bri Tucker was a smokejumper, now she investigates fires. When her colleague dies in a nonsuspicious fire, the situation seems cut and dry, but a few small pieces don't add up, which allows the investigation to continue, alongside an ATF agent, Marc Davis.
Bri doesn't trust men easily after her traumatic background, she tries hard to avoid opening up, but the longer the investigation takes, the longer Marc has to get to know her and build trust. He has his own difficult childhood as his parents were killed in a house fire, leading him into the career he has now.
You get to know both the characters as they investigate the fire, they both came to know the Lord and work out their challenges by seeking him. Irene Hannon fans will enjoy this latest release!
*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
I liked this a lot better the second time I read it and I understood it more! The cover is really pretty! Bri was a really good character and I enjoyed her! Her job as a former smoke jumper was fascinating! I really liked her family and the adoption aspect! Marc was good too! I liked how he took care of his grandma. She was so sweet! I liked Bri and Marc together and that they worked well together. I do think they started to like each other a little bit too fast and based on looks. The mystery was good and intriguing, keeping me hooked the whole time! My heart was pounding towards the end and I couldn’t read fast enough! The bad person was sick and down right evil! The faith content was really good although I didn’t like the mention of fate. I’m definitely thinking about buying this series! I would recommend it to anyone who loves a heart pounding mystery and heart warming romance! I’m excited to read the next one and see how this series continues!
This was a classic Irene Hannon novel. I really enjoyed it. The romance in this one was especially tender and I really loved the MMC, Marc.
However…that prologue was way too dark for me. I read it on release day and then had to pause the rest of the book for months because it creeped me out so bad.
The rest of the book was not as creepy as that prologue. So, if you are a chicken like me, just skip that.
It’s been a while since I’ve read Irene Hannon’s romantic suspense. Her books are always packed with suspense and action, fast-paced, easy to read, and filled with great characters. The author also includes the villain’s perspective, which adds another layer to the plot. I enjoyed getting to know Bri and Marc. They are a dynamite couple - one a fire investigator and the other an ATF agent. Both have broken pasts that need healing and extending of forgiveness. Though they don’t actually reach this by the end of the book, they are works in progress, which is refreshing and startlingly honest. It’s definitely an enjoyable book for those who love romantic suspense. I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Revell via NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.
A truly engaging book. One where I guessed the antagonist early but didn’t care because I wanted to know the why. I also wanted to know more about the heroine — her character was complex and richly layered. I appreciated how the villain was flawed but had reasons for their actions — no cardboard motivations in this book. A great read for those who love a twisty romantic suspense.
Bri Tucker was a smokejumper, now she investigates fires. When her colleague dies in a nonsuspicious fire, the situation seems cut and dry, but a few small pieces don't add up, which allows the investigation to continue, alongside an ATF agent, Marc Davis.
Bri doesn't trust men easily after her traumatic background, she tries hard to avoid opening up, but the longer the investigation takes, the longer Marc has to get to know her and build trust. He has his own difficult childhood as his parents were killed in a house fire, leading him into the career he has now.
You get to know both the characters as they investigate the fire, they both came to know the Lord and work out their challenges by seeking him. Irene Hannon fans will enjoy this latest release!
*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
This book started off strong with intensity in the beginning but then quickly diminished and for me kind of stayed that way until the end when more action happened, though I still wasn't as on my seat as I wanted to be for it, which is why I can't give this a full five stars. That said though, I did enjoy the way we got to the reveal and everything behind what was going on.
As a character driven reader I found the most enjoyment in the characters thanks to the depth Irene Hannon gave them- they are strong, caring, fantastic at their jobs, exude faith & also have been through a lot in their past. No character was lacking for me in this and they all bought something valuable to the table in the story. There is also a great sibling relationship in here with Bri, Jack & Cara and I loved how they care for each other (especially Jack and his protection for his sister when Marc first entered the scene). I'm looking forward to seeing more of them in future books.
Additionally, I just really appreciated learning about the jobs they were in as well - I love a good agent book and hearing about arsen investigation and ATF agents were just a fun element for me personally. We do also follow the antagonist pov a little bit which I know people either love or hate, but I typically like getting in their head more. I wouldn't have minded a little more with that in here, but I am glad we got to read it.
If you are into the romantic part of the romantic suspense, I REALLY Bri & Marcs story. Marc was definitely a 10/10 male main character for me from his work ethic, his care for his Grandmother, attention to detail, his patience and care for Bri, protectiveness -all the things. Watching them work together, open up and having it slowly turn into what did was delightful.
I am glad I picked this one up and am counting down until book two releases!
(Update) I found out my grandpa was a fire inspector like Bri…. EXCUSE ME THATS SO RAD!! Like whhhhaaaatttttt
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Yes hi hello! Can I order a Marc Davis to go please? …Ma’am this is Walmart.
This book was so good!!! I had no idea who the bad guy was until it was literally moved to their POV with their name revealed, and even then I did a double take. Like what?! I almost always guess the bad guy but I had no clue!!!
This book was so well crafted, but did I expect anything less from Irene?
Also the quotes in this book…. 👌🏻👌🏻 Here are a few to wet your palate…
“Well, crud.” - Bri “I’ve never met a carb I didn’t like.” - Marc
Swearing: None! Just mentions of “words not polite in conversation” or “expletives”
Spiritual: Talk of God, going to church, referencing bible verses and quoting scripture, characters pray, characters are christians, a Catholic priest comes in at one point.
Sexual: kisses, romantic tension, clean cheesy banter (pre and post kissing, some are seriously Hallmark worthy cringe, like what 😂💀), a mention of a guy forcing himself very strongly on Bri, fade-to-black in the epilogue.
Violence: Pretty violent since it is a suspense book. The bad guy is a serial killer, so various deaths throughout a two-three year timeline, arson, fights, gun fights, getting shot and getting shot at, old parachuting injury that Bri deals with, emotional trauma, etc
Characters:
-> Bri: this girl is a BOMBSHELL! She’s so strong and tough and augh I love her. It’s been awhile since I’ve read a book with an fmc that I genuinely loved.
-> Marc: Southern manners, tall, charming, takes care of his Grandma?! Yes PLEASE! He is such a good mmc oh my goodnessssssssss
-> Jack: I cannot wait for this bad boy’s book!! I love him sm what a stud!
Bri Tucker is an arson investigator. She's investigating a retired investigator's death, in a fire. Would an investigator really be that careless? Accidents happen right? Marc Davis works for the ATF. He's been called in to consult on the case. Everything seems cut and dried, but Bri believes she has found evidence that would point otherwise. Continuing to follow through on the investigation seems fruitless, yet for some reason Bri can't drop it. When a streak of bad luck seems to hit her Bri thinks nothing of it, but Marc is less than happy with the things that are going on and hopes to keep an eye on her. Book one in the Undaunted Courage series definitely kept me turning the pages. I loved Bri and Marc's characters. Neither one was looking to jump into a relationship, yet both are open to changing their minds. I liked Bri's independence, she was a strong female character. Both had struggles in their past that they needed to learn to get past. The spiritual lessons that the characters learned were very relevant, but not given to pat answers and outcomes. The suspense was perfect and raised the heartbeat while reading. The romance helped in that too! If you are a fan of Irene Hannon's writing, or even if you have never read one of her books before, I highly recommend you change that and do so! You won't be disappointed!
This was a great start to the Undaunted Courage series! I was definitely captivated throughout the story and couldn't turn the pages fast enough. In this story we meet Bri and Marc. I really enjoyed both of these characters. They both had deep backstories that made their characters believable. Their romance was not fast but developed in a very sweet manner throughout the story.
We are also introduced to Bri's siblings which were delightful to get to know through the story and I am assuming that the other books on the series will be about them, at least I hope so because there is definitely more to their story.
The villain in the story was a bit predictable but that did not stop me from enjoying the story. There were so many other elements going on in the story that figuring out the villain right away was okay.
Overall I thought this was a good story and I can't wait to read the rest of the series! If you enjoy suspenseful stories with mystery then you may want to try this one out.
I received a copy of this book for review. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
A page turner for sure. I enjoyed this first book in a new series by Irene Hannon. Bri and Marc were great characters. They were investigating some accidental fires, or were they just accidents? How were they connected? Can they find the answers before another dies?
I love this start to a new series! I really enjoyed this one, and was interested to see where it went. Liked the interplay between characters and that it was a very typical Hannon style of writing & plot. I know what to expect in her books and they always leave me satisfied!
Fans of this author will love this new series and those new to it will find a connection to her older books that might draw them there as well!
What an amazing ride! This book is the start of an exciting new series that follows the Tucker siblings. This book follows Bri Tucker, a fire investigator. New to the job in St. Louis, she ends up assigned to the case of a retired fire investigator who died in a house fire. Though there are suspicious findings, she can't find any actual leads, even with the help of ATF agent Marc Davis. When things begin happening to her, she finds that she must keep her wits and find the killer before she becomes the next victim.
The suspense element in this book was excellent. Though I figured out the villain pretty early on, that did not detract from the story line at all. The story line was intriguing and kept me turning pages. Even though the villain was confirmed about 2/3 of the way through, the story didn't stop there and was thrilling to the very end. Though I tend to not much care for the romance element of romantic suspense novels, this one was one I thoroughly enjoyed as the communication was on point and they were so no-nonsense about it. Fans of the romance element may not enjoy these not-so-swoony parts, but I absolutely adored the relationship between Bri and Marc, and admired how it developed. The faith thread in this one was solid as well and themes of forgiveness were prevalent throughout. This book had the perfect blend of romance and suspense and character development. All in all, this was a fantastic book and one I'd heartily recommend to fans of romantic suspense. Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-copy of this novel. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.
I love Irene Hannon's books. I love the cover of Into the Fire. It is the first book in her newest series, Undaunted Courage.
Into the Fire starts with an intense scene, and it snowballs from there. Toward the middle, I felt like the story was dragging, but it quickly picked back up.
There are many layers to this story. There are hints of who the bad guy is, but I wasn't certain until it was revealed. Once it was disclosed, it put a whole different spin on the story. I almost wish I had known from the beginning, because it wasn't what I had imagined.
Bri is a former smokejumper and an arson investigator. Her growing up years were complicated, and I enjoyed learning the different layers that molded her into who we meet as the story began. Bri has trust issues, and it is hard for her to let people in.
Marc is an ATF Special Agent who has moved back home to care for his Nan. He also has had a complicated life.
While there is mutual interest from their first meeting, Bri and Marc's relationship progresses slowly. They are focused on the case that brought them together. They are also distracted by the many "accidents" that happen to Bri.
Into the Fire will draw you in and keep your interest until the last fire is extinguished. All the characters are interesting, from the protagonist to the supporting cast and even the villain. This story has Bri and Marc confronting things from their past and working on forgiveness. I can't wait for the second book to be released.
Bri Tucker is a fire investigator. When she discovers several fires that all seem to have the same MO that look like accidents but rather could have been set, she is determined to find out who may have started them. Marc Davis a member of the ATF's National Response Team is assigned to assist Bri in her investigation. Will they discover if these fires were accidents or were they intentionally set and why and how well will the 2 of them work together?
Irene Hannon is a suspense mystery super star, and this debut novel for another series is top notch from start to finish.
Another great suspense novel from Irene Hannon! Bri, former smokejumper, and Marc, ATF agent, team up to crack the code that their now-deceased colleague left in order to figure out how a series of fires connect to one another. Bri's history is revealed throughout and the romance is just right between her and Marc. Recommended.
Let me first say that i love Irene Hannon books. This one not as much as others. The villain was very predictable. The book was about 100 pages too long. More fluff than story the ending and epilogue, was the best parts of the book.
I enjoyed this. The writing style felt a little choppy at times, and I wanted a little more from the romantic plotline, but the mystery part was incredibly well done, and the characters were compelling. Would read more of Hannon for sure.
“Arson investigators weren’t supposed to die in fires” (location 175). From the start Bri finds the case suspicious and has a hard time letting go even when the evidence suggests an accidental fire. That tenaciousness could lead her into more trouble. This book is a great start to a new Hannon suspense series.
Hannon is the only author I know who writes in two different genres equally well. What is the same though is the depth of her characters. I like books with close family ties or friend groups. I found Bri’s brother Jack’s antics amusing and endearing. I hope the next book is about him.
It was interesting seeing the case come together. I enjoyed the action and the suspense. It was a great read. Thank you to Revell for providing me with a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own.