Delilah Devlin

What I loved the most about this bundle was that all the books had one thing (other than featuring SEALS) in common--strong heroines. Few things aggravate me more than when a heroine is weak and whiny, sitting back and expecting other people to solve their problems. In these stories the women stand up and, in a few cases, face life-threatening situations head-on.

It's rare for me to rate a bundle as five stars because there's usually always one or two stories that I don't like or enjoy as show more much as the others. This is not the case here. I loved each story.

These are a part of an existing series by each author, but I haven't read any of the other books prior to this and I didn't feel like I was missing any of the backstory for any of them. I enjoyed these so much though that I'd like to go back and read some of the prior books.

**A free copy was provided by one of the authors (Kimberley Troutte) via LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review.** show less

I haven't read a lot of Delilah Devlin's stories, but I have to say, this one is a sizzler from the first pages. I found the introduction a little choppy, but after the first scene, the book settled into a smooth, easy to enjoy tale of dangerous attractions and even more dangerous events waiting to unfold.

Lace and Dax are both strong, sexually driven characters. Neither of them has forever in mind when they seek to explore the explosive attraction between them. However, there is no denying show more their connection, a bond that is made more unbreakable with each new encounter. Lace trusts Dax with her innermost fantasies, and he more than delivers when she places herself in his willing hands.

The novella is fast-paced, sexy, and adventurous. I'm sure Devlin fans will be delighted, and I have to admit, I really enjoyed this peek into the world she's created with her Adventure Girls. If you like a hot and wild ride, you'll love this one!! show less

AMAZING book!!! I have to admit I was very iffy about this one at first because I generally do *not* like anything having to do with vampires. But before I bought the book I read part of the story "Pet Door".... And I was *hooked*. Utterly completely fell in love with this book.

I really like that a lot of the stories didn't over-state the "vampire" aspect, there was very little gore or over-use of blood or anything, these stories very much focused on the plot, the characters, and the show more vampirism was either a background thing or something that only came into play at certain points.

Despite "Pet Door" being the one to originally capture my attention and make me spend money on this book, I don't think I can pick a favorite out of these stories. I've said it before in my reviews, anthologies are usually a pretty mixed bunch, it's usually a lucky find to get one where you really like half the stories. So finding one where every single story is a Winner... That's something special. show less

First, let me start by saying that I devoured this entire book in one sitting as soon as it arrived in the mail. While I was feverishly flipping pages, I kept repeating in my head: “Please don’t let this be the last story. Please, don’t let this be the last story.” There are seventeen stories in this anthology, and not a single one was disappointing. Not one. Keep in mind that this is a scorching hot collection of very short stories, therefore a lot of the couples experience show more instalust and HFN (happy for now) endings. If firefighters have starred in your fantasies, then you’ll want to grab this book. Each story was uniquely different and well told. I’ve already read some of them more than once. I may even have to buy an extra copy that I won’t handle because my current copy will surely need scotch tape soon.

#1 – Smoking Stilettos by Rachel Firasek

Red is terrified to death whenever her husband Matt goes out on a call. Her latest impulsive act involved throwing a designer shoe at his head. He calms her down the only way they both know he can. When their interlude is interrupted, Matt’s best friend and colleague decides to take her along so she can see first hand what Matt does, and maybe she’ll understand him better.

Cute and funny! I thought Matt was really sweet and patient with his wife for lashing out because she feared for him.

#2 – Saving Charlotte by Sabrina York

While searching a burning apartment building for a child, Mark Conner finds a beautiful woman tied to a bed. They barely manage to escape the burning building. He assumes she is a sub and that her Dom has failed her. When she says it was a first time experiment, he’s disappointed to realize she doesn’t live the lifestyle he craves. He leaves her with the option of finding him if she ever wants to try an experienced Dom. Charlotte makes a move a month later. Mark can’t believe she’s there to accept his offer.

The only way I can describe what follows is “holy hotness!”

#3 – Hook Me Up by Adele Dubois

Knox Bennett experiences every firefighter’s wet dream – rescuing a half-naked damsel, Lexi Wentworth, in distress from a tree. Three weeks pass before they can act on their attraction. Interesting use of a fire helmet.

Phew, that was hot! I can imagine the conversation if/when future kids ask how daddy met mommy.

#4 – Big Trucks by Lynn Townsend

Steve Tillery is divorced with a son. Amy Whitaker is a fire engine driver. There’s an unspoken attraction between them. Amy takes the lead in trying to get Steve to admit he wants her, but he’s reluctant because they work together, but he can’t resist.

Fire trucks don’t just put out fires. Apparently they can start one between a ready and willing couple.

#5 – Lost and Found by Nanette Guadiano

1st person POV.

Heroine is thirty-six and stuck in a rut. No longer willing to compromise her dreams, she dumps her boyfriend of five years, quits her job, sells her house and moves to Italy. There she meets a handsome British fireman, who seems to be hiding from some pain of his own, and cue the sparks!

This was the first time I yelled, “no!” I didn’t want it to end. I hope the author expands on this story.

#6 – Temperature Rising by Cathryn Fox

Heroine waiting for her blind date. Fire chief shows up. She wants to stay away from him but can’t resist his skilled seduction. She has a firefighter fantasy that needs fulfilling, and he might be the one to do it.

I guessed the ending from the beginning but it made the story even hotter! Sex in the garage against a fire truck. Yum!

#7 – Unexpected Detour – Ily Goyanes

While on his morning run, José saves the lovely Isabella from a burning building. Isabella can’t let him slip through her fingers, so she hopes to spend more time with him by offering him a ride home. They don’t quite make it there. Instead they end up off the side of the road on the edge of the rainforest.

Multicultural couple and one well-endowed hero. HOT HOT HOT!

#8 – Rescue Me by Maggie Wells

Addi’s shower time is interrupted when a firefighter breaks down her door and grabs her. When she realizes the firefighter is the bad boy from high school that all the girls lusted over, she can see what all the fuss was about. She’s widowed, not dead.

This story had one of the funniest openings and the door wasn’t the only piece of wood furniture to suffer from their eagerness.

#9 – Chasing Fire by Elle James

Maggie Parker has sworn never to fall in love with a smoke jumper. When Chance Muldoon, the SJ she’s been seeing for the past three months proposes to her, she runs for the hills. While Chance is out fighting a forest inferno, she comes to a startling realization. But is she too late?

This story was touching. I loved them together and the fact that she went after him.

#10 – Stoke by Tahira Iqbal

1st person POV

Nick saves Aida from her burning vehicle, and provides excellent after care. He wants her, and doesn’t beat around the bush. He books a secluded cottage along the beach because he promises to make her scream. Boy, does she ever.

Nick was so sweet and tender, but underneath that calm and quiet exterior was one hot as hell man who knew how to satisfy a woman. Phew.

#11 – Something’s Burning by Cynthia D’Alba

Dr Bree Hardy is frustrated with her love life and her cooking skills, or lack thereof. When her latest grilling attempt ends up burning the fence between her and her hunky neighbor, Lieutenant Roman Diamond, he knows just how she can repay him. And he expects her to comply.

Roman was one hell of a wicked and dominating male, in a very good way. He wrung one hot BJ out of the more than willing heroine.

#12 – Fire Hazard by M. Marie

1st person POV

The blaring of a smoke alarm, and the heroines pissed off cat leave her with a few battle scars. Jackson, one of the firefighters on the scene tends to the heroines wounds, and things get heated very quickly. Before they can finish what they started, he has to leave, but promises to return after his shift.

A cute and titillating story that left me wanting more.

#13 – The Fireman’s Rescue by Kalissa Wayne

Multicultural/Interracial, BBW.

Dispatcher, Heather Titsworth, has the fire chief, Drew, tied up in knots. When Heather risks her life to run into a burning building to save someone, she doesn’t expect to end up saving Drew instead.Fear and anger over her reckless behavior make him lash out at her. He goes to see her to make sure she’s okay and to apologize, but ends up spilling his feelings.

I enjoyed seeing Drew get brought to his knees by the woman he always referred to as “not his type”. Damn hot dirty talk!!!

#14 – Falling Ashes by Shoshanna Evers

Susan worries about her boyfriend, Trent. He’s out fighting a forest fire and hasn’t checked in. She’s about to hunt him down when he shows up. Their relief turns into passion best consummated right on the spot – outdoors under the falling ashes.

That hint of desperation between them made this story hot and romantic.

#15 – Fire Extinguisher by Rowan Elizabeth

1st person POV, Domme, Anal play.

When Eric comes off a particularly bad job, only his wife is able to lift his burden in a unique way.

I thought this was quite touching and made the most sense for this couple. Even though it was short, I felt Eric’s tension and his need to submit; to not be the strong one to carry the burden of the horrors he experienced. He was able to let go under the capable ministrations of his loving wife.

#16 – Her Hero by Catherine Paulssen

Holly is desperate to put the romance back in her marriage after feeling like her husband’s job comes first in his life. It’s their wedding anniversary, and he seems to have forgotten all about it. The next day she drives to the fire house to talk to him, but she doesn’t make it there. Nathan saves his wife’s life and realizes that life is too short to take things for granted.

I loved this story, and I’m not going to lie, but I got a thrill out of the near tragedy scenario. The make-up sex was worth the bit of angst.

#17 – Johnny Blaze by Delilah Devlin

Librarian, Bridget Luckadoo has had a crush on the hunky fireman, James Cooper from across the street. But he’s so gorgeous, he can’t possibly ever be interested in someone like her. When her best friend drags her to a male strip club to celebrate her birthday, she caves when she sees that the main attraction will be performing. Johnny Blaze. That firefighter will have to do, since she can’t have the real thing. She never expected to become the main act of the night, nor did she expect to come face to face with her crush.

Seriously, this was HOT! You’ve got to love a man who will go to such great lengths to make an impression on the woman he’s had a crush on while fulfilling a fantasy. And the fact that they couldn’t even make it back to either of their apartments and settled for some hot outdoor/in a truck sex. Hot damn!

Disclaimer: I won a paperback copy during the Smokin’ Hot Firemen Blog Tour. show less