Customer Reviews

Hidden Fire (Firefighters of Station Five, Book 3)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This has been a fun series since the first book, but I really enjoyed this installment. Julian and Grace's interactions started in the earlier books and it was a natural progression for them to have their own book. I especially liked that it was the hero, not the heroine, that knew what he wanted from their relationship first. In a lot of books, it's the female lead who spends the book chasing after the hero trying to prove they should be together.
I also enjoyed catching up on the secondary characters, although I admit I was hoping to see more of Sean this time around. Maybe next time...I am definitely looking forward to the fourth book in this series.

HIDDEN FIRE, the third book in the Firefighters of Station Five series by Jo Davis, gives readers a heated look behind the scenes of the firehouse and the courthouse with firefighter Julian Salvatore and defense attorney Grace McKenna.

Grace McKenna has avoided the advances of firefighter Julian Salvatore because of his reputation as a shameless ladies man. She doesn't understand Julian's extreme, almost desperate, concern over her latest client when he sees them together. Julian works with Grace's brother-in-law, Howard, and while she's hesitantly interested in spending more time with him, she finds herself incredibly attracted to his irresistible charm. But there are layers to Julian that he's kept hidden until Grace is drawn into his violent past.
Julian has been doggedly pursuing Grace for some time and can scarcely believe when she agrees to a date. What Grace doesn't know is that his feelings for her run much deeper than simple lust. Julian has issues from his youth that he would just as soon keep to himself, but threats to Grace require their revelation. Recent, disturbingly violent, kidnappings and murders appear to be connected to Grace's new client and the terror from Julian's past. It isn't long before Julian and Grace, together with many of his co-workers, are caught up in a shocking investigation.
HIDDEN FIRE is a wonderful example of romantic suspense. Readers will find themselves cheering for the relationship between Julian and Grace to work. Secondary characters from previous books in this series are smoothly and successfully woven into the story and it was extremely satisfying to catch up with them. Jo Davis has many fans of her work, this series in particular, and they will be thrilled to know that the next book in the series, LINE OF FIRE, will be releasing in May, 2010.
COURTESY LAURIE/ROMANCE JUNKIES

I loved this 3rd book in the Firefighters of Station Five series. It was as good as the last two and the writing may even have been better. I have recently read a couple of romantic suspense books which didn't quite do it for me and when this one did I wondered what the difference was. I believe it is because there are no words in the book that don't absolutely have to be there. The writing was tight and clean. The characters were believable. I did like how the hero put his foot wrong with the heroine several times and backed up realizing he'd been a jerk. Sometimes dating and bedroom action isn't all perfect between a couple who are falling in love with each other. It's nice to read a more realistic story. It was also nice to see a heroine who held off the hero because she just wasn't sure that this was the man for her or even if she really wanted to get married but she wasn't nasty about it. That hit a very realistic note for me also. The author does a very good job capturing how men talk which is a factor which can make or break a book for me. I know how my husband and his buddies talk to each other and many times women authors just don't do that type of back and forth talk justice. It rings pretty true in this book though.

I didn't give it the final star only because the part with the bad guy could have been a bit more suspenseful. But mostly because I would have liked to see more firefighting action and interaction with the other firefighters. However, that last star is real close.

I liked how Sean's plot was advanced a bit and can't wait for Tommy's story and hope to see many more stories from Station Five.

Hidden Fire by Jo Davis is another scorcher about those hot firemen of Station Five.

Julian Salvatore seemed to be able to get any woman he wants. But the one he can't forget at first wants nothing to do with him. Julian is willing to put in the time and effort to get attorney Grace McKenna in his bed.

Grace McKenna always prided herself on hard work and keeping her feelings in check. For months Grace has tried to ignore her attraction to hunky firefighter Julian Salvatore. Grace finally agrees to a date with Julian. Their connection is electric and unlike anything Grace has ever felt.

Just as their relationship deepens an evil force from Julian's past threatens both of their lives. But this threat is also affecting a current case of Grace's. Can these two new lovers fight off this evil?

Hidden Fire is another riveting story that will keep you enthralled till the very end. Grace and Julian both are exciting characters. Their past keeps affecting their lives. The danger that surrounds them has them both trying to survive. Jo Davis has become an author I can't wait for the next book to hit the shelves.

I had vowed to not read any more in this series, because I had problems with Zach's. But reading several good comments on other boards made me pick it up, and guess what? Loved it. Julian was a very well-rounded character, with very good reasons to have issues, IMO, and Grace was awesome. I liked the love story very much.

So many references were made to how the team saw Julian, however, and I couldn't remember why, that it made me hunt down the first one, Trial by Fire, and I loved that too. So either my perceptions have changed or I was just in a weird mood the first time I read it, but this series is pretty good.

My only complaint is sometimes this writer "tells" rather than "shows", for instance, there is an intervention and Julian's comments aren't revealed. Why not? I thought it was a weird lapse, since Julian has had problems with the captain in the past, I'd like to have known what he said.

The villians are pretty darn bad, and wow, Julian is luckier than he realized, but overall a good solid effort for the series.

So far I'm enjoying Jo Davis' Station Five firefighter's series quite a bit. I like this book, but after the first two books and hearing about Julian's spicy love life I really expected more spice from Julian in this book. Don't get me wrong, he was hot, but I guess I wanted him hotter! The story line in this book seemed much more involved to me than in Trial by Fire or Under Fire. I thought it was very suspenseful and intriguing. I loved seeing more of Station Five crew in this book, and hope (and pray) someday Sean will get his own story and finally find some peace. Julian and Grace's love story will warm your heart but at the same time put you and the edge of your seat as it's a thrill ride at times they both wish they weren't a part of. It is the third in a series and it is best to read each book in order, however I also think it works as a stand alone.

Station Five firefighter Julian Salvatore knows he is in love with beautiful attorney Grace McKenna, but she ignores his efforts to start dating even as he knows he is being a pest. He just refuses to accept negatives from her.

However, Julian becomes concerned for Grace's safety when he learns she represents the person who molested him as a child. He voices his fears to her but she blows away his trepidations. However, she reconsiders his warning when he is injured in a hit and run that seemed deliberate at a time someone is abducting and killing people. As he heals, they team up to investigate who the culprit is as they each believe the driver is the deadly kidnapper.

The latest Firefighters of Station Five (see Under Fire) is a fast-paced romantic suspense thriller starring a hero with issues forged by his childhood molestation that comes back to haunt him as the client of his beloved and the lawyer he loves who has her own issues with doubt re commitment. Julian's issues with his cronies especially his Captain make him seem genuine as does Grace's indecisiveness even as she overdoes the changing of her mind to the point of irritatingly sending the reader yelling at her to stay the course. Although the villain is a caricature over the top of the station house, fans will enjoy the latest escapades of the Station Five firefighters.

Harriet Klausner

Jo Davis has once again delivered what she prosmises, a hot story about a tortured hero, a woman worthy of his love and a suspenseful plot to keep you turning the pages.

Julian Salvatore made his first appearance in TRIAL BY FIRE. He was the hounddog crew member who seemed to be a player. In UNDER FIRE, we learn that Julian wants to belong to the team but has issues he's not ready to deal with. Now, in HIDDEN FIRE, the thrid book in her Fire Station Five books, just as Julian starts to find a solid relationship with Grace McKenna, his past comes into play, and not in a nice way.

Davis made us curious about Julian in the two previous books and delivers his story with every ounce of emotion she promised. If you haven't checked out her writing, be sure to buy all the Fire Station Five books...with more to come!

There are many things I liked about this book, including the main characters. Julian and Grace were people the reader could care about. And even though was was some misunderstanding and dancing around each other, they treated each other with respect which I appreciated. I also liked the twist of Julian's alpha-male tendencies turning more beta when he realized he could overstep his bounds with Grace. Nice save. ;-)

The mystery/suspense plot, however, was weak and too contrived. There were too many convenient occurrences and the bad guys were 2 dimensional. I also missed the whole fire station emphasis. Both this and the last book, Under Fire, took place almost entirely outside the fire station, and I really missed that setting.

After the 2nd book, I was seriously doubting whether or not I should have bought the series in one shot:)

This book changed my mind!

It was a fabulous read- definitely caught my attention- I loved Julian a lot- I think he's my favorite hero so far in the series. But then again, I do have something for latin lovers;) He had humor and wit- and great intelligence that managed to come through. Dealing with his issues on his terms- so male, but it seemed very believable and was perfect for the story. Fabulous writing.

Grace- I liked her as well- I liked how the two of them danced around each other- and I liked that it was more realistic- he wasn't a saint while he was chasing after her. Perfect to a T. Down to the "friend with benefits" that was a perfect add in:)

The story itself was great because it added in some of the harsh realities of life that you don't see a lot in romance novels- some gritty secrets. And that's what made it suck me in. And I couldn't put it down.

And I'll definitely be finishing the series! :)