Customer Reviews

Flashpoint (Harlequin Blaze)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Flashpoint written by Jill Shalvis is about Zach Thomas, a fireman, and Brooke O'Brian, a newly hired temp EMT. Immediately upon meeting, there is an instant connection between Zach and Brooke. Zach is a no commitments type of guy and Brooke knows she won't be staying in the area for very long, but that doesn't stop the sparks between them from flying! Talk about starting a fire! Zach needs to keep his mind on his job and the fires that he is independently investigating, but all he can seem to do is think about Brooke. Zach believes that there was an arsonist at work on some of the fires, and he is trying to put the pieces together. The closer that he gets to the arsonist though, the more danger he's in. You just can't beat a Jill Shalvis story, if you are looking for a good contemporary romance. I especially like her firemen stories. I wish she would write more of them. 5 stars for Flashpoint!

Jill Shalvis's smoking hot firefighters are back in Flashpoint.

Firefighter Zach Thomas loves his job and his coworkers. They have become the family he lost years ago in a tragic fire. Zach comes across as a carefree no worry surfer dude but he is much deeper then what appears on the outside.

New hire EMT Brooke O'Brian has moved to California to settle her grandmother's estate. Living the life of a nomad is all she has know, so a six week stint as an EMT is perfect for her. That is until she meets Zach. There is an instant pull towards Zach that makes Brooke wish she could stick in one place forever.

As Zach and Brooke work side by side on runs their attraction becomes harder to ignore. They decide to explore their chemistry until Brookes time is up.

But there is an arsonist playing havoc with their lives and their community. Zach isn't willing to let anything happen to neither Brooke nor his coworkers. This puts him in harms way.

Flashpoint is a tribute to those men and women who put their lives on the line every day to protect us. The romance of Zach and Brooke is beautifully told and their relationship is deep and meaningful. The suspense of who is setting the fires will keep you guessing. I am looking forward to the next firefighter to get his own story.

Firefighter Zach Thomas felt the sort of attraction to New Hire Number Seven (also known as EMT Brooke O'Brian), that sparks blazes, and getting the buttoned up beauty to loosen up a little becomes his goal when he's between fires calls. A pretty young woman in town for a six week duty before she moves on seems perfect for the no-strings-allowed Zach. And that thought sticks with him...right up until he gets his first taste of Brooke and realizes with startling, sinking clarity that there's no way that one time only will be enough to put out his fire for her.

In town to settle and sell her recently deceased grandmother's house, footloose and rootless Brooke feels an instant connection to the house and the town of Santa Rey, California, and her first sight of the mouthwatering Zach Thomas leaves her hungry for more. It's not until Brooke finally lets her hair down with the sexy Zach, though, that she realizes that despite the one time only assurance she got from him, the conflagration between them is anything but contained, and for the first time the thought of leaving a town...leaves her cold.

As a serial arsonist ups the stakes and town politics keeps Zach from the investigation, the relationship between he and Brooke starts to burn out of control. If they're not careful, the next fire could flash over them both, leaving their hearts scorched and their lives forever charred in its aftermath.

Hot, fast, and sexy, this Harlequin Blaze by Jill Shalvis burns up the pages, but beneath the heat and the delicious chemistry is enough depth and character definition to satisfy me more than I was anticipating. Zach and Brooke were great together, and despite the shorter length Blaze novel, they were given enough backstory and development to be realistic and sympathetic.

I appreciated the arsonist plot thread, which added a nice layer of suspense, added a pleasant amount of pressure and conflict, and gave the story some balance. It was well conceived and developed nicely as the book progressed. That, along with a few ancillary plot threads surrounding secondary characters added much to this fiery little gem and made it far more robust.

I did feel the ending was a little abrupt and there sure were a lot of plot threads left dangling. I hadn't realized when I first read it that there is a follow-up book by Shalvis, Flashback, that picks up were this one left off, more or less, and features Zach's partner Aidan as the lead male character. Hopefully there are some answers to the many questions that were raised in Flashpoint, because while the romance between Zach and Brooke felt complete, the subplot of the arsonist definitely did not.

There was also quite a bit of repetition in the narrative concerning Brooke's feelings about her grandmother's house and the town. Her previous rootlessness and current growing attachment to the house, the burgeoning feeling of belonging, and the too-oft repeated fact that she's leaving at the end of the job (and we all know what that means) seemed to be on an endless loop that started to become distracting well before the midway point.

The sexual tension between Zach and Brooke, on the other hand, was exquisite as it was slowly brought to a boil and poured out over the pages with steamy intensity. I loved that aspect of the book, and was impressed by Shalvis' ability to stoke the fire, keep it hot and tense, and follow it to its natural, incendiary conclusion without once slipping. Zach and Brooke were total scorching reaching enjoyment for that reason alone. I enjoyed them, and look forward to seeing what Aidan has to offer when it's his turn.

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Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.

I read this book in less than 24 hours. I couldn't put it down. The only negative? I read Flashback before I read Flashpoint. I read them out of order. But I still loved the world that Jill created in the town of Santa Rey. having been a paramedic myself and coming from a family of firemen, I can really related to the commraderie and friendship of the characters.

Not only do we get caught up in the strong attraction of Zach and Brooke, Jill throws us for a wild ride with a rash of fires and EMS calls. I will attest to Viagra being a vaild and common problem with calls about body parts not working right. Then, she throws an arsonist into the mix. But here's a tip. Read Flashpoint BEFORE you read Flashback.

If you like hot stories about firemen, you need to read Jill's stories. Or just buy it to stare at the cover. But if you did that, you'd miss out on a great read!

Zach Thomas and Brooke O'Brian experience some sizzling chemistry from the first time they lay eyes on each other. Brooke has lived a wandering life, but comes to town for a temporary job as an EMT and to settle her late grandmother's estate. Can she find a place she fits in and put down roots? Firefighter Zach has seen plenty of EMT's drift in and out of his station. What makes Brooke different? Will she stick? Does he want her to?

Zach Thomas lost his parent to a fire years ago and once he became an adult he fulfilled his wish to not only help people but to battle fires. He has also been blessed with being a nice guy and a "hottie". But, he hasn't found the one woman that makes him want to settle down yet. He does know that his is attracted to the spunky Brooke, but she is a temp fill in EMT, and he knows that before he does anything he needs to make sure she knows he is a no commitment kind of a guy. But, what will happen if this no commitment guy wants to make a change?

Brooke has led a nomadic life and her professional career has not been any different. She takes temp jobs but, she has never been to California before. Now suddenly she has inherited a house, now there is something when a woman who can carry everything she owns in a car has a house. So she decides to take a temp job in the area of the house and clean it out to be sold. What she doesn't count on is "Officer Hottie" and the draw he has on her hormones. But, she doesn't think she only wants casual with Zach so what is a girl to do?

What is sexier than a fit, funny and kind firefighter? I don't know but if you do please tell me. Flashpoint has this sexy man in spades, and he has finally found the woman that he doesn't want to just have a casual thing with either. I thoroughly enjoyed Ms. Shalvis's characters and storyline from the mysterious arsons, to the nomadic lifestyle of Brooke and how she finds her inner peace. I am glad Flashpoint is the start of a series by Ms. Shalvis and I am looking forward to the next chapter, of the men in this firehouse.

Tanya
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I must admit I felt a bit out of step with this book. It's like I'm in the wrong generation to fully get this lifestyle (i.e., too old). However, that didn't stop me from enjoying it nonetheless. The group setting of the firehouse was a bit too reminiscent of an MTV reality show for me, but it was engaging to read. All of the characters were interesting and developed enough to make me care about them, but the main hero and heroine were awfully inundated with their co-workers/friends' comments and opinions. Hard not to be in the setting, I suppose. I also enjoyed tales of the not-so-emergency responses that were called in. Nice anecdotal material there.

Brooke O'Brian has spent her entire life on the move, having been raised by a free spirit of a mo ther. When she inherits her grandmo ther's house in California, she decides to take a temporary EMT job while preparing the house for sale. The first person she encounters when she arrives for work is firefighter Zach Thomas, and the sparks begin to fly almost immediately. Regardless of the chemistry between them and knowing that Zach might be interested in more than just a quick fling, Brooke knows that her time in Santa Rey is limited and there's no room in her life for a lasting relationship.

Zach Thomas has dedicated his life to firefighting, having lost his parents in a fire. While his job and his friends have always been enough for him, he finds himself restless for something, or maybe someone, to round out his life. When he meets Brooke, the attraction is instantaneous and it is definitely undeniable. Zach understands that Brooke has always been content to live in a constant state of motion and total independence, but he's hopeful that he can convince her to consider a serious, long-term relationship with him.

Jill Shalvis never fails to deliver characters and settings that are believable and realistic; Zach and Brooke are no exception. They both have painful pasts that are reflected in the adults they have become. Both are insecure as to what they have to offer in a lasting relationship so they've simply avoided becoming involved. Now that they've met each o ther, it looks like they may have to rethink their plans for the future. I highly recommend this book for all contemporary romance readers.
COURTESY LAURIE/ROMANCE JUNKIES

I loved this book. I read it pretty much in one shot. Great, fun read!

Another "can't put it down - keep turning the pages" kind of read. Loved it....never a dull moment here!!!!