The two books Alyssa Brooks has written for Liquid Silver are both women in jeopardy stories, though the woman who happens to be in jeopardy isn't necessarily the heroine. Both involve the hero in a uniform. They also involve heroes who are just a bit more dominant than the run of the mill protagonist and have heroines who enjoy being bossed around (at least in bed) just a little bit more than the run of the mill femme.

In Fighting Fire, newly divorced Carmen Hart returns to the town of her youth in order to take over her inheritance, which happens to be an ancient relic of a bar called The Lucky Hart. As a fixture of the town, The Lucky Hart needs serious renovation. Carmen is not only up to those renovations; she is depending on them because a successful Lucky Hart means new life after a bad marriage. Enter Brent Sommers, former football star, now fire Marshall determined to shut down the business for failing to meet the local fire code. These two have a mutual love/hate relationship that goes back to high school. But both are bitter, and for good reason. Complicate matters further with Sam, the mysterious bartender who seems to be on the run; Carmen's ex-husband Doug (a real charmer); Brent's miserable, bitter, drunken father; and a mysterious stalker who might (or might not) be any of the aforementioned men, and you have the perfect recipe for the wojep (woman in jeopardy).

The erotic scenes in Fighting Fire do not stint their appeal. Ms Brooks has the male mastery thing down pat. Brent Summers and Carmen Hart crackle with magnetism as they inevitably draw each other due to chemistry and repel each other due to circumstance and imperceptions. This is a quick read with a fast pace, and though there are no huge surprises, the story proves again that while the romantic path to true love may not be smooth, it is likely to take your breath away.

Reviewed By Maitresse
© Dec 2004