Into The Fire [Mass Market Paperback]

Anne Stuart (Author)

Book Description

Series: Mira S. | Publication Date: August 1, 2003

Jamie Kincaid knows that she can't move on with her life until she has answers. And she's walking straight into the fire to find them.

A year ago Jamie learned that her beloved cousin, Nate, had been killed. Beaten to death in what police suspect was a drug deal gone wrong, he was found by his childhood friend Dillon Gaynor. Dillon had always been the baddest of the bad boys, leading Nate astray, about Nate's death. He's not about to volunteer any information, and Jaime's only choice is to head to the Wisconsin town where he lives to find the answers for herself.

Jamie shows up unannounced on Dillon's doorstep, only to find that Dillon is as dangerous and seductive as she remembers. But despite his silky hostility, she discovers that she can't leave. Things start disappearing, strange accidents begin to happen and Jamie doesn't know whether Dillon is trying to seduce her or scare her away. And if she gives in to his predatory games, will she lose her soul? Or her life?

But something else -- something evil and threatening -- is going on. And Dillon knows more that he's saying. Is he the one behind the strange threats. . . or is he Jamie's only chance for survival?

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Bad boys are the darlings of the romance industry, but readers will be hard pressed to find anything appealing about brooding Dillon Gaynor, the hero of Stuart's (A Stranger's Kiss, etc.) convoluted "romance." Not only does Dillon treat good girl Jamie Kincaid abominably when she arrives at his garage/home to retrieve the belongings of her deceased cousin Nate, but he forces her into having sex with him. Twelve years ago, he came dangerously close to having sex with Jamie after her high school prom. Instead, he passed her off to all-star student Paul, who raped her. Unbeknownst to Jamie, Dillon beat Paul within an inch of his life after he learned what happened and spent a year in jail as a result. Now Dillon feels that she owes him, and he's determined to keep her nearby, even if he has to hide her purse and slash her tires. Although Dillon only intends to show Jamie a good time, his methods of persuasion cross the line. When Jamie admits that she doesn't like being touched, his reply is, "Get over it." Jamie ultimately does, but it's clear she never had any choice. Meanwhile, Nate's supposed ghost watches and waits for his chance to kill them both. As twisted as the protagonists' relationship, this silly subplot fails to lend suspense or credibility to this troubling tale.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

". . . romantic suspense's most popular novelist." -- Publishers Weekly

"A master at creating chilling atmosphere with a modern touch." -- Library Journal

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Mira (August 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1551666944
• ISBN-13: 978-1551666945
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,109,676 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I've been writing since the dawn of time. A child prodigy, I made my first professional sale to Jack and Jill Magazine at the age of 7, for which I received $25 (admittedly my father worked for the publisher). Since then I've written gothics, regencies, romantic suspense, historical romance, series romance -- anything with sex and violence, love and redemption. I misbehave frequently, but somehow have managed to amass lots of glittering prizes, like NYT, PW and USA Today bestseller status, Lifetime Achievement Award from the Romance Writers of America, and a decent smattering of Romantic times and RITA awards.
I live on a lake in Northern Vermont with my incredibly fabulous husband. My two children have flown the coop, but the three cats do their best to keep us from being lonely.
In my spare time I quilt and play around with wearable art, and the rest of the time I write write write. Apparently women of a certain age get a rush of creativity, and I'm currently enjoying it. Too many stories to write, not enough hours in the day.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars My 2-cents., August 19, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Into The Fire (Mass Market Paperback)

Well, there certainly are some mixed reviews on this one! I liked it. It has a lot of tension, both sexual and plot-wise, and the "bad boys" are (or were) REALLY bad boys! Dillon seems to have gotten his act together over the years, although he is very gruff. I do not agree with some readers that Dillon rapes Jamie. It was NOT rape! He would have stopped at any point he thought she was really unwilling. Nate was the big question throughout the book, and I will not give it away. This is a "dark" romance novel. Don't expect fluff. You won't find it here.

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!, August 22, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Into The Fire (Mass Market Paperback)

I couldn't put this book down. I agree with one reviewer, this is not a book for the faint of heart. If you like books that are wrapped up in a bow and made pretty, then this is not the book for you.

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Engrossing, August 20, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Into The Fire (Mass Market Paperback)

I must say this was different from my usual reading but I really liked the book. I almost didn't purchase because of some reviews, but I am glad I took the chance. I am a lover of romantic suspense but this books takes you further into the dark side than most. You have two very troubled characters who through each other find ways to heal from their troubled pasts. I know some people have issues with Dillon's treatment of Jamie, but he has lived his life without love and mostly he has lived life on the shady/dark side. I don't think Dillon or Jamie knows how to give or receive love. Dillon was raised without loving parents (his mother died when he was young) and although Jamie's father was loving and supportive, her mother was not. This is a side of life most of us can and choose to ignore, but unfortunately some people live this kind of life.

The chemistry and tension between Dillon and Jamie is undeniable. Ultimately, Jamie learns to trust Dillon which is difficult for her because she had never been able to trust anyone but her father and she thought Nate. Nate was pure evil and scary to say the least.

If you like your romance/suspense on the dark side you will love this book.