Feel the Fire: A Firefighter Reunion Romance

Annabeth Albert

Oct 2020 · Hotshots Book 3 · Sold by Carina Press

About this ebook

“A poignant, sexy and satisfying romance featuring likeable, complex characters whose intense emotional connection leaps off the page." —All About Romance

When their career paths bring two high school sweethearts together again, the forest isn’t the only thing ablaze…

Fire behavior specialist Luis Riviera goes where his job takes him. But when he’s assigned to an arson investigation in Central Oregon—the place he left his broken heart twenty years ago—he’s afraid of being burned all over again.

Tucker Ryland had planned to join his first love, Luis, in LA after high school graduation, but life got in the way. Now a fire management expert and a divorced father of teen twins, Tucker’s thrown for a loop when he finds himself working side by side with his Luis, now all grown up and more intriguing than ever.

Though consumed by a grueling fire season and family responsibilities, the two men discover their bond has never truly broken. Tentative kisses turn to passionate nights. But smoking sheets aside, old hurts and new truths stand in the way of this time being the start of forever.

Danger lurks everywhere for Central Oregon’s fire crews, but the biggest risk of all might be losing their hearts.

Hotshots
Book 1: Burn Zone
Book 2: High Heat
Book 3: Feel the Fire
Book 4: Up in Smoke

Also by Annabeth Albert:

Shore Leave
Book 1: Sailor Proof
Book 2: Sink or Swim

Out of Uniform
Book 1: Off Base
Book 2: At Attention
Book 3: On Point
Book 4: Wheels Up
Book 5: Squared Away
Book 6: Tight Quarters
Book 7: Rough Terrain

Ratings and reviews

Feel the Fire by Annabeth Albert Hotshots #3 Young love, distance and life got in the way when Luis’s family moved back to Los Angeles leaving Tucker behind in Bend. The two have two decades of life between them and both are now men that have grown and changed but seem to still feel the chemistry they felt in high school. Whether this time will see them finding their HEA or not is up in the air for awhile BUT as Carina Press promises…every story they publish has a HEA or HFN ending. What I liked: * The family element and how both men loved their families * Luis: knowledgeable, excellent in his profession, has experienced love in the past, knows what he likes, is open and communicates well. He is perfect for Tucker * Tucker: a great father, does well at co-parenting with his ex-wife, great at his job, rooted in his community, makes long strides in getting to know what is truly values for his future. He is perfect for Luis. * Walker and Wade: Tucker’s twin sons heading off to college in a year. Their lives are ahead of them and they have big decisions to make. * Getting to see the two couples from the first books in the series * Hearing about the arson investigation – and that they arsonist was caught though not much was said about the arsonist. * Blaze: a cranky cat that had a lot of personality * That the story was complete in and of itself. What I did not like: * I can’t think of anything except that hearing about the fires made me think of the horrendous fires in the USA this year. Did I enjoy this book? Yes Would I read more in this series/by this author? Yes Thank you to NetGalley and Carina Press for the ARC – This is my honest review. 4-5 Stars

3.75 stars--FEEL THE FIRE is the third instalment in Annabeth Albert’s contemporary, adult HOTSHOTS erotic, MM, romance series focusing on first responders and firefighters. This is fire behavior specialist Luis Riviera, and firefighter Tucker Ryland. FEEL THE FIRE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. NOTE: FEEL THE FIRE is a M/M romance story line with graphic, sexual scenarios. Told from dual third person perspectives (Luis and Tucker) using present day and memories from the past, FEEL THE FIRE follows the rebuilding relationship between high-school sweethearts fire behavior specialist Luis Riviera, and firefighter Tucker Ryland. Close to twenty years earlier Luis’ family moved to LA California leaving a heart broken Tucker behind. With promises of a future together that never came to fruition Tucker and Luis went on with their lives but always remembered the loss of first love. With a suspected arsonist in Central Oregon, Luis Riviera is tasked with returning to his home town, remembering the boy now man he could never forget. Enter thirty five year old Tucker Ryland. What ensues is the rebuilding romance and relationship between Tucker and Luis, and the potential fall-out as Luis’ time in Oregon comes to a close. Tucker Ryland had always intended to follow Luis to California but a one-night stand resulted in Tucker becoming a young father to twin boys. A seven year marriage ensued but Tucker remains on friendly terms with the mother of his sons. Coming out of the proverbial closet has been a struggle for Tucker Ryland but he calls himself a demisexual, and will only enter into a sexual relationship with someone he has close emotional connection. Luis Riviera has loved and lost twice-the first time with Tucker, and the second time with a fellow firefighter but Luis’ reconnection with Tucker gave Luis another chance at a happily ever after but hundreds of miles, and family commitments meant someone or both had to make a sacrifice or compromise. The relationship between Luis and Tucker is one of second chances; a rekindling romance that was splintered when Luis’ family moved while the boys were still in high school. Both Luis and Tucker wanted to be firefighters, and each having succeeded at their plans, it was now time to take the next step towards their own happily ever after. The $ex scenes are intimate and erotic without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text. The colorful secondary and supporting characters include Tucker’s seventeen year old twin boys Walker and Wade, as well as his ex-wife Heidi, and her husband Isaac. We are reintroduced to Lincoln Reed and Jacob Hartman (Burn Zone #1), Garrick Nelson and Rain Fisher (High Heat #2); fire captain Fred, and his assistant Christine. FEEL THE FIRE is a story of family and friendships; love and loss; second chances and moving forward. The premise is engaging and entertaining; the romance is seductive and passionate; the characters are energetic and charismatic.

Fantastic Story, Great Audiobook I have loved all of the books in Annabeth Albert's Hotshots series but this one features one of my all-time favorite romance tropes – reunion/second-chance, and it's now tied with book two, High Heat as my favorite in the series. I received a review copy of the ebook from the publisher but then I also got an advanced copy of the audiobook from the audiobook publisher. So, I got to read the story and then listen to the fantastic Iggy Toma perform the book for me. He's now done all three of the audiobooks in this series and I absolutely love his performances. I listened to it straight through because I just couldn't put it aside, the same as I couldn't put the ebook down when reading it. The blurb is pretty detailed so I won't try to restate it. What it can't convey is the depth of feeling the characters had for each other. Their reunion, after many years apart, wasn't all hugs and kisses; just the opposite in fact. Both Tucker and Luis had bad feelings about how their high school relationship ended when Luis moved away. When they are reunited due to their jobs, they were both angry. Luis doesn't want to get involved with Tucker and have his heart broken again. But the same pull that was there between them all those years ago still exists and neither of them can resist. Tucker has shared custody of his twin sons and they have to be his first priority but he wants Luis. The strong emotional connection he feels for Luis isn't something he's really felt before and he doesn't want to lose it. Like every book I've read by Annabeth, and I've read nearly all of them, this one really had my emotions all over the place. There is sadness at times but there are even more happy times. Tucker's sons provide several entertaining moments. I loved the way that Tucker handled one of his sons concerns about his relationship with Luis and the son's relationship with his girlfriend. Every kid should be so lucky to have a dad like Tucker. I could go on and on but this review is already too long. If you enjoyed Annabeth's Out of Uniform series you don't want to miss reading all of the Hotshots books. A review copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley but this did not influence my opinion or rating of the book. A copy of this audiobook was provided to me but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author or narrator. ***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***

About the author

Annabeth Albert grew up sneaking romance novels under the bed covers. Now, she devours all subgenres of romance out in the open—no flashlights required! When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, she’s a Pacific Northwest romance writer of many critically acclaimed and fan-favorite LGBTQ romance series. To find out more, check out: www.annabethalbert.com. The fan group, Annabeth’s Angels, on Facebook is also a great place for bonus content.