Wildfire: a passionate one night stand to a summer romance to a happily ever after?

Wildfire by Hannah Grace is the second book in the Maple Hills series. Russ Callaghan and Aurora Roberts cross paths at a Maple Hills party celebrating the end of the academic year. When a drinking game results in a passionate one-night stand, Aurora slips away before Russ has a chance to ask her full name. Both are shocked to learn that they are both counselors at a summer camp. The camp has a strict “no staff fraternizing” rule that has Russ determined to walk the straight and narrow while Aurora never truly cares for the rules. As they learn that they are both dealing with complicated family issues and hoping for a peaceful, fun summer, they are drawn together, further fanning the fire between them. Can they keep the fire of their passionate night under control or is it a fire that won’t be put out?

Wildfire is more than a spicy romance. It is more than a summer romance. It deals with deep family issues and finding the courage to stand up and say enough’s enough. I loved Russ and Aurora as individuals and as a couple. I loved that they found the strength to make changes inspired by each other. Add in fun banter and spicy moments and it is a great romance. I found the spice was a bit less than Icebreaker. There was more flirty build up than spicy scenes. I enjoyed seeing many of the characters from Icebreakers make the occasional appearance. Overall, I enjoyed Wildfire. I laughed. I sighed. I smiled. There are also humorous interactions between characters and heartwarming moments. I am looking forward to reading more books in the series. If you enjoy romance with fun banter and dramatic moments, I highly recommend Wildfire. 

Wildfire is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Home Fires: a community rebuilds after a devastating wildfire

Home Fires by Fiona Lowe is a drama about one small town recovering from a devastating wildfire. The aftermath will expose many secrets and change their lives in more ways than one. The town of Myrtle, nestled in Victoria’s beautiful Otway Ranges, was devastated by a lethal brushfire. What was left was smoldering ash, everyone’s lives have changed. The story follows three women in particular: Claire Cartwright, Bec Petrovic, and Sophie Doherty. These women have very different lives and backgrounds but will come to find that friendship and support in each other will be their survival. Eighteen months after the fire, after the media frenzied attention has gone, Myrtle stands restored but deeper wounds are still festering in the community. When one secret reveals many more secrets that will rock the town to its foundations, these women must decide whether to band together and find a peace for themselves and their beloved town. 

Home Fires is a haunting tale of everyday people who must fight for their lives, their families and their town. Ms. Lowe has a beautiful gift and a keen eye for the foibles of humanity and weaving them into a story that resonates beyond just the Australian countryside. The story features a very real event known as Black Saturday, February 7, 2009 when multiple fires merge into one major emergency. At the end, 173 people would lose their lives and thousands were left homeless. Ms. Lowe dives into the characters’ psyche before and after the fires and how they were forever changed. One word of warning, the story slowing, and I mean slowing, builds as the house of cards begins to grow bigger and bigger and it only takes one shiver to cause it to fall. When that one shiver happens, the story rages like the wildfire that destroyed the town. I highly recommend Home Fires. 

Home Fires is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook.