BOOK REVIEW ~ BLAZE BY JOAN SWAN

Blurb from Goodreads

The hotter they come, the harder they fall…

With a man like him, every mission becomes personal…

Ever since FBI agent Keira O’Shay started tracking a young boy named Mateo, she’s felt a connection even her empathic abilities can’t explain. She needs to save Mateo from the cult leader holding him hostage. Nothing can interfere with that—not even the reappearance of Luke Ransom, the hot-as-hell fire captain she’s regretted walking out on for three long years.

Losing Keira left Luke vulnerable—in every way. When they were together, the powers each possesses were mysteriously enhanced. But it’s the sexy, surprising woman beneath the tough exterior that Luke’s really missed. Even if she betrayed him utterly. And even if agreeing to help her uncover a government conspiracy means watching his life and his heart go up in flames again…

BLAZE  is the second book by Joan Swan ~ and second in the series, Phoenix Rising.

Although the book could be classified as a Romantic Suspense, there are some characteristics to the Paranormal genre.

Back story:  Three years ago, seven firefighters respond to the call of a blazing fire where their world changes forever for each of them. Now each member has a physical scar and an eerie ability to do things inhumanly possible. 

Luke Ransom and Keira O'Shay share a romantic history. They worked as firefighters from the same house and fought the blaze that irrevocably changed their lives forever.

When one of their own, (Teague Creek-from FEVER, Book One), is incarcerated for a crime he didn't commit, Luke and Keira step in to help take care of Teague's daughter.

Luke starts picturing the family that he craves-and wants-with Keira. And an ultimatum has Keira running in the other direction.

Present time: The ex-lovers are forced together again, to help rescue a little boy with amazing abilities...so similar to their own. Unresolved feelings come crashing back to the surface and the ultimatum that dissolved their relationship in the past, threatens to permanently break them apart again.

There are a lot of twisty, turn-y plots going on in Swan's BLAZE-but she carries them off like a pro and you are swept up in the action along with her characters. From the fight scenes to the bedroom scenes, there is an emotional pull.

What draws me to series romance is the re-visitation of old characters. As a reader, it's like seeing old friends and family.  Mitch Foster, lawyer extraordinaire, is back and frisky as ever. I swear, that man drives me just as crazy as he does Luke in this book. He knows just what buttons to push. We also get more back story of the other firefighters involved in the massive explosion three years ago. And a secret's revealed  that'll have you almost peeing your pants. I know I did.

Although you can read BLAZE as a stand-alone, I highly suggest you don't. You will miss out on so much with plot development, character ARCs and so much more.

I'll leave with you with a scene that I marked as one of my favorites:

"I want more." She arched the small of her back, tilting her pelvis, trying to take him deeper. "I want it all."

"It's all for you."  Luke made a low growling sound in his throat and pushed his heps forward, filling her another inch.

They picked up a quick, perfect rhythm. With each of Luke's thrusts, Keira angled her hips up and back. Inch by inch, he drove deeper on each push. By the time he finally filled her, sweat dripped down her temple and stung her eye.

Wedged deep inside her, Luke pushed up on his hands. "My negotiation skills..." he panted, wiping his forehead on his bicep, "have been exhausted. Time to rock and roll, baby."

Christ, wasn't that what they'd been doing?

 

And I lurve Luke.  He is such a great, er...negotiator.

GREAT, fantastic, action-packed, smexy times, read!