Sandy M’s review of Ride the Fire (Firefighters of Station Five, Book 5) by Jo Davis
Contemporary Romance published by Signet 7 Dec 10

I’ve only read two books in this series so far, but in each of my reviews I commented that I looked forward to Sean’s story. He’s had a hell of a time with life knocking him for a loop and then some, so I’ve been waiting to see how Ms. Davis handles him up close and personal.

When we last saw Sean, he’d been handed some tough love, and now his book begins just after his release from rehab. His drinking to numb the pain of losing his wife and kids two years before had gotten out of control, so much so he was responsible for injury to one of his men, which resulted in the firefighter having to change occupations.

But Sean is now on the mend, attending AA, looking forward instead of behind him, and facing his first day back at work. His nervousness is for naught, all the men welcoming him back with the humor and camaraderie he’s always loved. It’s the welcome from Eve that also has him tied in knots. They’ve been dancing around one another for a while now, and Sean is hoping to move forward with the lady.

As things look up for Sean, the new life can’t last, danger and revenge waiting in the wings for the right moment to strike. A mysterious phone call, a devastating package, and an old betrayal shove doubt back into his life, nearly pushing his hard-won success right back into the bottle. All the while there is some slight protesting from the firehouse guys when it comes to Sean and Eve pursuing their relationship. On top of all that, Sean still feels the need to prove himself on the job with near-fatal results. It’s Eve who keeps the man on an even keel when he could easily let go to return to previous his numbness and empty life.

Ms. Davis draws Sean’s vulnerabilities out amid his strengths to give readers a hero they just have to love. As much as he wants to move forward with Eve, his tragic and betrayed past interferes with their new happiness. When Sean’s emotions finally allow him to grieve, that makes for a raw and heartfelt scene, as are the love scenes when this couple can’t deny their feelings for each other any longer.

In the past I’ve had issues with the dialogue in Ms. Davis’ books. Her growth as an author has taken tremendous strides, and my concerns about the dialogue have lessened, though there’s still one or two small areas that pop up here and there. However, it’s miniscule when compared to her earlier work.

It’s the emotion in the story that keeps you reading to the very end of this book.

Grade: A-

Summary:

After a day of putting out blazes, the firefighters of Station Five tend to give off their own heat. But Captain Sean Tanner is about to get burned…

After a tragedy took the lives of his wife and children, Sean was a shattered man who drowned his pain and heartbreak with alcohol. Now, fresh from rehab, he wants to stay clean, regain the trust of his team, and begin again. The last thing he needs is to have feelings for Eve Marshall, the beautiful lone female at the station.

But even as they dare to explore their mutual desire, Sean discovers that the accident that stole his family may have been a cold-blooded murder. And that a vengeful shadow from his past has returned to commit a shocking act of terror—and finish off Sean and anyone he loves…

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of Line of Fire (Firefighters of Station Five, Book 4) by Jo Davis
Contemporary Romance published by Signet 4 May 10

I really enjoy seeing an author grow and come into her own in her writing. Jo Davis is definitely doing that with her Firefighters of Station Five books. Granted, so far I’ve read only the first and fourth books, but I can see a marked growth in her work. Kudos, Ms. Davis. You’re doing a terrific job.

This is a younger man-older woman theme, which I normally don’t care for, but Ms. Davis handles it extremely well. I like all of the characters a lot and, of course, that helps.

Tommy is a firefighter, a job that really wasn’t his calling. He’d been on the fast track heading into pro football when his brother is killed. Feeling his parents needed him at home then, though he feels his mother in some way blames him for their tragedy, he left college and his dreams behind, eventually joining Station Five in Sugarland, Tennessee.

He’s had a thing for Shea for a while, but she’s concerned about their age difference. She’s a nurse and is on duty when Tommy suffers injuries during a dangerous rescue attempt. I have to say that scene is a very well written and really gets emotion and danger across to the reader. I was riveted throughout.  In fact, all of the rescue/firefighting scenes are very powerful.

Shea begins to look at their relationship more closely, perhaps she’s being too one-track-minded on the age issue. So she dumps the city manager she’d been seeing – she never liked him much anyway – and gives herself a chance with Tommy. It’s the best thing she’s ever done, even despite a horrible incident in her past. But she tells Tommy about it and suddenly all is fine.

There have been a number of arson fires in both Nashville and Sugarland, and later Tommy is injured again, this time much more seriously, while fighting one of these fires. He eventually turns away from Shea, believing she doesn’t need his new problems in her life. He basically cops out of his life for a bit until the crew from the station house gang up on him and chew his butt about his attitude.

These last two issues of Shea getting over her past and Tommy’s attitude adjustment after his butt chewing are solved way too quickly and easily. Another issue, though it is better for me in this book than in the first in the series, but it fell off the wagon a few times, is the dialogue. This is where Ms. Davis has definitely grown in her writing. There are spots that need a little extra work, but for the most part the dialogue just sounds and reads better than before.

Other than those two issues, this is a good read. I enjoyed all of the secondary characters, and I’m really looking forward to Sean’s book, which is up next, Ride the Fire. This man has some seriousness going on and I can’t wait to find out what happens.

Grade: B

Summary:

To his fellow firemen, Tommy Skyler has it all. But the golden boy of Station Five hides a private pain. He was once a star quarterback until tragedy derailed his dream. Since then, he’s struggled with his choices-including his decision to become a firefighter. His one ray of light shines in beautiful nurse Shea Ford. When a dangerous rescue lands Tommy in the ER, what better opportunity to win her over? But when a conspiracy culminates in deadly arson, Tommy realizes that a ruthless enemy is closing in, threatening to destroy the couple’s love- and their lives.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

This just in…

Texans aren’t about to be left out of sharing the love of romance. The third annual Buns & Roses Tea for Literacy will be held Sunday, October 12, 2008, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel in the Dallas suburb of Richardson, Texas.

~ Sherrilyn Kenyon will be the keynote speaker and Candace Havens will host as emcee.

~ There will be raffles and door prizes aplenty, as well as a booksigning with more than thirty authors, including Adele Ashworth, Sandy Blair, Judy Christenberry, Jo Davis, Geralyn Dawson, Katherine Garbera, Lorraine Heath, Sophie Jordan, Karen Kelley, Julia London, and Pamela Morsi, just to name a few.

~ There are tickets still available. You can reserve a table for nine with your author of choice for $360. Individual tickets are $35.  You can even buy your tickets online.

~There’s even a Premium Package for hard core Kenyon fans.  Check it out here.

~ The tea is hosted by the Richardson Adult Literacy Center and the Richardson Public Library and sponsored by FreshFiction. All proceeds go to Richardson literacy programs.

Consider yourself flashed.

Sandy M’s review of Trial by Fire (The Firefighers of Station Five, Book 1) by Jo Davis
Contemporary Romance released by Signet 5 Aug 08

After reading Trial by Fire, I see why little boys say they want to be a fireman when they grow up. Yes, they’re sexy and as romance readers we definitely want to have that in our stories, but they’re also sensitive people who see a horrible side of life, live it every day; men and women who forge friendships that run deep, who look out for their own, and Ms. Davis has captured that right down to the core in her debut book.

Of course, there’s a lot more going on in this book, and within the first few pages we’re given several other side stories to go along with our main romance. We get to know each of the firefighters quite well throughout these pages, and like their brothers, if one of them hurts, we hurt along with them. Howard Paxton is the chief of Station Five and also an EMT. The night he meets the woman who can blast through his barriers he’s erected around himself is also the night his nightmares begin to resurface and his life spirals back into the hell of his childhood just as he truly begins to live it. As the gruesome details of recent arson fires are discovered, he realizes that he’s somehow tied to them and the monster who is preying on innocent women.

Howard is one of those men who’s almost too good to be true, but then that’s when you find out he has some ghosts buried in his past, things he won’t talk about with anyone. He loves his best friend, Sean, who is the captain at the station house, to the point of kicking in his front door to make sure Sean hasn’t done something stupid, even though no one could really blame him if he had. That’s one of those side stories that will break your heart. Howard loves his adoptive parents with all his heart, but his past always seems to get in the way when he wants to tell them so. It’s when he meets Kat that his life finally takes on some new meaning.

I liked the fact that Kat is a heroine who isn’t sticks and bones, has a little extra on her — and Howard loves her anyway. In fact, that’s one of the first thing that draws him to her. He’s a big man, so he needs more to a woman when he makes love to her. A man after my own heart. Kat is the opposite of Howard on almost every score. She grew up in a loving household, parents who love her. She’s open and believes in talking things out, facing your inner demons head on.

At the same time Kat’s a little vulnerable when it comes to her body, just as most women are who are her size. But she likes herself, loves her family and her job, and is ecstatic that Howard wants to be with her. She doesn’t run from him when she finds out about his troubled past or when the current trouble rears its ugly head. The only time Kat balks at Howard’s dominance is when he goes a little too far to protect her from the arsonist/murderer who has targeted him. Well, and the time she takes after him with a fishing pole. Even then, these two are good together.

I liked this storyline. Ms. Davis gives us one hell of a villain. He’s right up there with the best who have no remorse and get a thrill out of killing. The camaraderie and banter among the firefighters is fun and heartfelt. Just from the little bit we’re given for future stories, I’m really looking forward to Sean’s story. We get a glimpse of that romance in the making here. The only thing I stumbled over now and again in the book is the dialogue. At times it felt choppy and not quite right for the situation or the relationship, especially between Howard and Kat. But that happened only here and there, and I feel this is something that will definitely improve with each book as Ms. Davis gains experience in her writing. Otherwise, her story, her characters, and the emotion are all well done and very enjoyable.

I look forward to the subsequent books in this series. Two more are scheduled for next year. They’re only going to get better and better.

Grade: B-

Summary:

Meet Lieutenant Howard “Six-Pack” Paxton—
one of the handsome, hard-bodied firefighters of Station Five.

Four-alarm fires have nothing on him…

Howard may love being a firefighter and riding his Harley, but there’s nothing he values more than his bachelorhood. That is, until a feisty, curvaceous teacher named Kat McKenna falls into his arms at the scene of a fire—and melts the six-foot-six tower of bronze muscle…

But just as passion ignites between them—and they explore new heights of sexual ecstasy—a ruthless arsonist with a deadly secret and a thirst for vengeance becomes their worst nightmare…

Read an excerpt.

Well, it’s taken me a week to recuperate and get back into the swing of things since I got home from San Francisco.  Was it all worth it?  Damn straight!

I was supposed to be at the RWA National Conference as a writer.  I started writing only a year or so ago, so I was really looking forward to learning more about the craft.  But who was I trying to kid?  I was 99.9% reader in San Francisco.   I couldn’t help myself.  Everywhere I looked were authors I’d been reading for years, authors who I just discovered, and even newer authors who I hadn’t yet discovered while at the conference.   And the books!  You’ve all seen my TBR mountain.  You all know how bad my addiction is.  There was no way in hell anyone could have kept me away from the books in the city by the bay, no matter how they tried.  So while I did learn a little, I had a dream of a week just schmoozing and staring in awe the majority of the week.

I had some wonderful highlights during the hustle and bustle of the conference.  The first was meeting two of my all-time favorite authors, who have also become friends.  First is Sandy Blair.  I started reading her books because of the time travel elements that appear every so often in her Scottish historicals.  But I joined her fan club because she’s one of the nicest, sweetest ladies I’ve ever met.  So it was a thrill, indeed, to meet her in person.  We had lunch together a couple of times, had drinks together, just chatted, laughed our tails off — she’s a great storyteller even outside of her books — and I enjoyed my time with her immensely.  I will remember each and every one of those moments forever.

Added to all that, I found some friends to get re-acquainted with while schmoozing with Sandy B.  It was great to meet author Tracy Garrett since getting to know her when I interviewed her online last year, and soon-to-be-published-I-just-know-it Suzy Welsh from the Romance Bandits is a hoot and a half and it was nice to chat with her outside Sandy B’s group.  I also met author Jo Davis, who just had her debut book, Trial by Fire, released last week.  You know, I started talkin’ with a southern accent after spending time with all those Texas ladies!

My next highlight came when I met author C.L. Wilson.  We’ve been chatting online for the last year or so after the release of her first two books, Lord of the Fading Lands and Lady of Light and Shadows.  Her series of Fae and magic and flying jaguars has captured not only my imagination, but the world’s.  It was so enjoyable meeting this lady who has such a lyrical voice when writing, an imagination that takes you away into fantasy so that you never want to leave.  Cheryl is a delight.  She’s so friendly, open and honest, and getting to know her was a pleasure.  She also joined Sandy B. and me for lunch on our first day in San Francisco. Let me tell you, I haven’t laughed so darned much and so darned hard in a very long time.   Author Susan Edwards also joined us at lunch, along with several other friends, and a good time was had by all and another wonderful memory was made.

If you haven’t read Cheryl’s books yet, you should.  There’s very few authors out there who can string ordinary words together and make them sing like Cheryl.  The next two books in the series, King of Sword and Sky and Queen of Song and Souls,  are being released this October and February 2009, respectively.  Start now and I guarantee you will be mesmerized and anxiously awaiting those new release dates.

Then there’s the Goody Room that’s a highlight at every conference.  My heavens, what an oasis and/or cacophony, depending on how you look at it and when you were there, of activity and goodies that was.  And everything there was free!  Books, buttons, bookmarks, candy, ink pens, CDs enticing you with book excerpts, business cards and flyers advertising anything and everything, and so much more filled table after table throughout the room.  You had to be quick in that room too.  No thinking you can come back later and pick up whatever you were looking at.  No guarantees whatsoever.  You had to make quick decisions and stick with them!

The Literacy Signing on Wednesday night was almost ovewhelming.  500 authors just waiting for you to walk up, chat for a minute, and buy a book.  What reader wouldn’t be in heaven while in that room?  I met more authors there who I’d corresponded with online or had gotten a thank you for reviewing their book:  Melissa Mayhue, Nancy Haddock, Lorraine Heath, Jill Shalvis, Lisa Kleypas, Kresley Cole, Kathryn Smith, Lynda Sandoval, just to name a few.  Then there were the authors that I’d read and loved for so long and newer authors who have given me hours of reading pleasure: Shana Galen, Jennifer Ashley, Shana Abe, Susan Crandall, Marianne Stillings, Christina Dodd, Julia Quinn, Gena Showalter, Elizabeth Hoyt, Bonnie Edwards and the list goes on and on.  And so many more than I’ll ever be able to remember!  It was a spectacular night and all topped off quite nicely when we learned the next day approximately $60,000 had been raised for literacy.  Good show!

There were other book signings the last days of the conference, and I had been warned to take large totes, rolling and handheld, and to be prepared to ship box after box of books home.  Pffft.  We were able to drive to San Francisco, who needs to ship the books back home?  I did.  Four of them.  Four big, big boxes of books.  I’m glad I took all the advice given to me. I definitely went prepared and I’m sure I was a sight lugging all those books across that big old hotel for two days!

My last huge highlight was meeting author Melissa Mayhue for dinner at Bubba Gump’s on Pier 39 our last free night of the week.  What a lovely lady!  Not only is she a wonderfully talented author, Melissa is one of the sincerest, kindest people I’ve ever met.  And there’s something about authors and humor.  Twelve women together with writing in common and we laughed and laughed.  And laughed.  For several hours.  I made a few more new friends that night and hope to keep in touch in the future.

In fact, I made new friends throughout the entire week, even some from my area.  It was a great time to share experiences and knowledge and I’m so glad I was part of it.  It was a time in my life that will never be forgotten, even when I attend another conference in the future.  The first time is special and the people I met will always have just as special a place in my heart.

Oh, the writer in me?  Yes, I did go to workshops and I did learn some.  So maybe the next time I’ll have more percentage points on the writing part of it all.  I have a feeling, though, the reader in me will emerge once again because she just has to be part of the fun.

I had everything planned. Really, I did. Yeah, right. I had plans too. Besides meeting and chatting with all the authors I’ve gotten to know online over the past several years, I was going to write to ya’ll and let you know what’s happening. What’s stopped me? I forgot my wireless adapter for my laptop. Hmmmm. Do I have a brain? I thought my brain was intact and figured it would be so until I met my first real, live author. Maybe not. 

So I’m doing the next best thing. Paying for internet access at the Marriott. It’s better than nothing, which is what I’ve had for the last two days. Has it been worth it? Not having access to net? At all? You betcha!

I’ve had lunch with Sandy Blair and C.L. Wilson, chatted with Jade Lee, Jo Davis, Eve Silver, Caroline Linden, Jill Shalvis, Thea Devine and a multitude of other writing greats, dinner with Melissa Mayhue, chatted with aspiring authors like myself who have been nomiated for the Golden Heart, drinks with Tracy Garrett. I’ve listened to wonderful, humorous speeches by Victoria Alexander and Connie Brockway. I’ve gotten great advice from Elizabeth Hoyt and Susan Elizabeth Phillips so far. There’s still a boatload of workshops to choose from to learn so much more from those authors who I’ve admired for years. And there’s still the RITA and Golden Heart Awards Ceremony Saturday night to experience.

Talk about a dream come true. I never, ever thought I’d be doing any of this just a few short years ago. If I hadn’t listened to friends and decided to begin writing again, I wouldn’t have known RWA was going to be sorta in my backyard this year. Of course, I’m having fun more as a reader this week.

More than 500 authors were at the Literacy Signing on Wednesday night. OMG. Left and right, up and down aisle after aisle I saw Sabrina Jeffries, Cherry Adair, Jayne Ann Krentz, Lorraine Heath, Shana Abe, Stacey Kayne and so many more than my poor brain can’t even recall them all in one sitting. Who I couldn’t see because of all the people in line and surrounding them so you had to ask folks who they were in line for, Nora Roberts and Sherrilyn Kenyon just to name a couple. That’s okay though this time around. My noggin probably would have exploded if I’d seen them up close and personal!

Despite the tiredness and the sore feet, I’m in heaven. As usual, time is going way too fast and I’ll be headed home before I know it, but I’m going with a myriad of memories that will last me a lifetime. Usually when I come to San Francisco for a visit, I’m the common tourist roaming through Fisherman’s Wharf, Piccadilly Square, riding the cable cars, taking a crooked drive down Lombard Street, eating shirimp cocktails while watching waves roll across the ocean. Haven’t missed that a bit this time. And I won’t think of San Francisco in the same way ever again.

Time to go! Have more authors to meet! I’ll chat with ya’ll when I’m back home and recovered from the trip of my dreams!