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Heaven's Fire (A Fireworks Thriller) [Kindle Edition]

Sandra Balzo
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)

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Print List Price: $15.99
Kindle Price: $0.00 includes free wireless delivery via Amazon Whispernet
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Book Description

"Heaven's Fire" may be what Pasquale Firenze, patriarch of the family-owned Firenze Fireworks, calls his painting of the night sky with light, color and sound, but television producer Wendy "Jake" Jacobus has more practical considerations than her featured showman's artistry. Or so she believes, until Pasquale is killed--live on-camera--by an explosion, and Jake is hurled into a tangled web triggered by her job, her legacy as a cancer survivor, and her growing attraction to Simon Aamot, the federal agent assigned to the investigation.

Aamot has problems as well, but when the two are forced together by the tragedy, the man unable to let go of his past and the woman afraid to trust her future must race to prevent another catastrophic explosion--this one at the county's Fourth of July celebration.

“Equal parts thriller, romance and family saga . . . a compelling and deeply human read.”
--Joan Johnston, New York Times bestselling author of Texas Bride

“Rooted in the dangerously exotic world of a multi-generational fireworks company . . . spell-binding.”
--Jeremiah Healy, award-winning author of The Only Good Lawyer and Spiral

“A fast-paced mystery that explodes off the page.”
--Ali Brandon, national bestselling author of Double Booked for Death

"What moves Balzo high above other writers who try to cover the same territory is a sharp and often amusing skill that convinces us that this is real life, and that it matters.”
--Chicago Tribune

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Equal parts thriller, romance and family saga . . . a compelling and deeply human read."
--Joan Johnston, New York Times bestselling author of Texas Bride

"Rooted in the dangerously exotic world of a multi-generational fireworks company . . . spell-binding."
--Jeremiah Healy, award-winning author of The Only Good Lawyer and Spiral
 
"What moves Balzo's book high above other writers who try to cover the same territory is a sharp and often amusing skill that convinces us that this is real life, and that it matters."
 --Chicago Tribune on Uncommon Grounds

". . . crisp dialogue, complex characters and a puzzle that can't be beat."
--Kirkus (starred review) on Bean There, Done That

"[Balzo's] new franchise is a full-throttle joyride. "
--Kirkus on Running on Empty

From the Author

My "day job" for nearly 25 years was public relations and event managment for a large bank holding company in Wisconsin. One of those events was Milwaukee's Fourth of July fireworks on Lake Michigan, a celebration that was actually held on July 3rd, so as not to interfere with the smaller civic celebrations the next day.

It was a wonderful job, but the highlight was getting to know and work with the Bartolotta family of Bartolotta Fireworks, just outside Milwaukee. I've dedicated Heaven's Fire to late patriarch and founder, Sam Bartolotta, whose son John died with two other people in a 1991 explosion at the factory one awful morning.

I'd also like to express my gratitude to--and appreciation for--Sam's oldest son, Joe, and Joe's wife Linda, who have been great friends and know,  all too well, the gain and loss, joy and sorrow, push and pull, of this singular family business.

This one is special.

Sandy
SandraBalzo.com

Product Details

  • File Size: 504 KB
  • Print Length: 202 pages
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B004VF675W
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled
  • X-Ray: Enabled
  • Lending: Enabled
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #438 Free in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Free in Kindle Store)
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Customer Reviews

It was well written, the characters were well developed, and the story held my interest to the very end. Stuart F. Stowers  |  4 reviewers made a similar statement
I know my mysteries and take notes when I read to keep track of the clues uncovered by the good guys. Dark Haven Maven "Dark Haven Book Reviews"  |  1 reviewer made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition
The story starts off with a bang, literally, and the momentum kept building as I tried to determine the villain responsible for the death of a beloved patriarch at a fireworks demonstration.

I know my mysteries and take notes when I read to keep track of the clues uncovered by the good guys. But in this story, I didn't figure out the culprit until the characters did. That alone gives Ms. Balzo a couple of bright lights on my blog. What gives her writing even more lights, is her well developed but flawed characters. I especially liked Wendy `Jake' Jacobus, former TV anchor, now a behind the scenes news producer. She's a woman with a secret that once told initially shocked me, but then had me thinking `Brava' Ms. Balzo.

Then there is Simon Aamot, ATF investigator, and the romantic interest for `Jake' who is an equally appealing character with a less than perfect record with the ladies . Tragedy brings the two together as investigator and witness but it's the sparks between them that won't allow them to stay away from the other. The two play off each other very well. And though their romantic and sexual entanglement happens early in the story; considering their personal histories it works.

Romance, mystery, suspense and note worthy male and female leads are not the only things that make this novel a good read. There's a lot of humor in this story and I found myself smiling or laughing out loud more than once. I'm not sure if Ms. Balzo's plans a series with these characters. I personally hope she does. I'd like to see more of Jake and Simon and the characters at Channel TV8.
Rated 4 1/2 at DHBR. Just couldn't rate it a 4 here. This is too good. See complete review at [...]
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Fireworks, death, and romance. Not a bad foundation for a book. Then add the TV industry and its thirst for blood on the screen, an ATF Agent charged with investigating a death during a fireworks demonstration, and a TV producer torn between her industry and doing what is right, and you'll find Sandra Balzo's new book, HEAVEN'S FIRE. Oh, I forgot to mention a traditional extended Italian family whom you'll love as they struggle to save their business. There are even a couple of nosy ex's thrown in for good measure.
Pasquale Firenze, the patriarch of the family business, Firenze Fireworks, is killed in a malfunction during the climax of the biggest fireworks extravaganza of the year. Local TV8 is on the scene and captures everything on tape--some of it so graphic that producer Wendy "Jake" Jacobus is torn between doing what's right for the station and what's right for society. As she struggles with her dilemma, Simon Aamot, the local ATF investigator, enters the scene. From that moment forward, Balzo spins a story that will glue your eyes to the pages . . . uh, screen of your Kindle. And, as with any good mystery, every time you're sure you know the answers, you discover you don't.
All this for $2.99. Read HEAVEN'S FIRE. You can't go wrong.
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Heaven's Fire November 5, 2011
By DJD
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is this first book I've read by this author. Her detailed descriptions of the fireworks construction and setup were right on. She obviously did her research. I've been in the pyro business for 35 years and this story was quite believable. Except for the ATF agent--he was far too human ;-)
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars Slow but ended good
I am glad to be done it was slow for most of the
book. It did get much better at the end.
Published 6 days ago by Tracey
5.0 out of 5 stars I thought I had it figured out
This was a very good read. I like that I couldn't figure out who did it until the very end.
Published 7 days ago by cmhallma1
4.0 out of 5 stars Unexpected
Story was ok. It did keep your interest and the ending was totally unexpected. Proof reading of this book was incomplete as there were several grammar errors.
Published 9 days ago by Kay C. Wallace
2.0 out of 5 stars This was a dud, nothing happened here, just move on folks!
Really disjointed and superficial. It never accomplished the promise of the publisher's review. Way too complicated to follow every nuance presented. Read more
Published 15 days ago by Donald L. Andersen
2.0 out of 5 stars 5 stars
I enjoyed this book.. my first time reading a book from this author. I will read more of her books
Published 19 days ago by Irene Price
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
Well developed, likeable characters, lots of details on the fireworks industry and a surprise ending. All the bits that make an arresting read. The good guy even gets the girl.
Published 23 days ago by Susan Bales
5.0 out of 5 stars A Real Winner
Agood story line, kept me interested until the end. A refreshingly good story without a lot of graphic sex and vulgar language thrown in.
Published 4 months ago by Pat Moldenhauer
4.0 out of 5 stars Heaven's Fire
I really enjoyed this book. It was well written, the characters were well developed, and the story held my interest to the very end.

Frank
Published 5 months ago by Stuart F. Stowers
5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of sizzle...
I thought Heaven's Fire was a great story and included many characters that people can relate to - TV personalities, ATF, small businesses. Read more
Published 6 months ago by EP
3.0 out of 5 stars Heaven's Fire
This was a quick read that kept you entertained until the end. The characters were complex and the plot was well thought out.
Published 7 months ago by Melissa Jaeger
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More About the Author

Sandra Balzo is an award-winning author of crime fiction, including nine books in two different mystery series from Severn House--the Wisconsin-based Maggy Thorsen Mysteries and Main Street Murders, set in the High Country of North Carolina and featuring journalist AnnaLise Griggs.

Balzo's books have garnered starred reviews from Kirkus and Booklist, while being recommended to readers of Janet Evanovich, Charlaine Harris, Harlan Coben, Joan Hess and Margaret Maron. A Wisconsin native, Sandy now splits her time between South Florida and North Carolina but continues to root for the Packers.

Find Sandy online at www.SandraBalzo.com, Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/sandrabalzo), Facebook (Sandra Balzo Mysteries) and Twitter (@SandraBalzo).

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