Memories: Firehouse Family Series: Book One [Paperback]

Laurie Loveman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 14, 2002

MEMORIES begins the story of the tumultuous, passionate, and forbidden love affair of Jake McCann and Laura Darvey. In the height of Prohibition in June, 1932, after suffering the terrible loss of his firefighter friends in one fire, followed by the death of his wife and son in another fire, former New York City Fire Captain Jake McCann is appointed fire chief in the small town of Woodhill, Ohio. The town may be small, but the trouble and turmoil in Woodhill are not. Jake is joined by his two friends, Freddy Pratter and Mickey Justini, who are appointed to the fire department with Jake. Like Jake, they have their own personal demons.
     Sharing an interest in horses, Jake falls in love with Laura Darvey, a woman who is married to a local bootlegger and operator of a protection racket. The affair causes the three friends to become entangled in a series of horrifying crimes that force them all to unexpectedly face their demons.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Memories is truly memorable...I am looking forward to reading more about these courageous men and women. -- Brenda Ramsbacher, Scribblers, February, 2002

This Woodhill, Ohio trilogy demonstrates and documents Laurie Loveman as a masterful storyteller with a superb grasp of her craft. -- James A. Cox, Midwest Book Review, March 14, 2002 --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

In addition to more than 40 years' experience in the horse industry, Laurie Loveman has been a volunteer firefighter since 1990. She has written articles for numerous equine and fire service publications, and her Firehouse Family series of novels reflects both of those interests.

Product Details

• Paperback: 366 pages
• Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (October 14, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591094682
• ISBN-13: 978-1591094685
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,330,961 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Laurie Loveman is an author, fire department officer, and a member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Technical Committee on Fire and Life Safety in Animal Housing Facilities. She has a degree in Fire and Safety Engineering Technology from the University of Cincinnati and is a consultant on fire safety in equine facilities. With more than forty years experience in the horse industry, Laurie has written many articles for equine and fire service publications, and her novels, set in the 1930s, reflect her interest not just in horses, but also on topics relevant to firefighting today, such as firefighter stress, medical ethics, and arson. You can learn more about Laurie's FIREHOUSE FAMILY SERIES: MEMORIES, THE QUARRY, and THE FARM FIRES, by visiting her website at www.laurieloveman.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great view of firefighting history with romance to boot!, February 1, 2002

By 

Cindy C. (Cleveland, OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Memories (Paperback)

I really enjoyed this story about rural firefighting, arson, the Cleveland mob, and a nice romance story. It's very detailed with historical events of the 30s. As a Clevelander I got a kick hearing about the events "close to home" but I think everyone can identify with the story.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Memories:" A Tale of Intrigue, Mystery & Romance, January 10, 2011

By 

Deanie Humphrys-Dunne "Deanie Humphrys-Dunne" (CT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Memories: Firehouse Family Series: Book One (Paperback)

"Memories" A Tale of intrigue, mystery, & Romance
Why does Jake McCann decide to leave the familiar setting of New York City in favor of the "wilderness" of Woodhill, Ohio? Does his best friend, Freddy Pratter relocate too? Does Jake have family members already settled in Woodhill?
Laura has lived in Woodhill since she was eleven years old. She marries Dan, but is he the right partner for her? Dan is a conniving racketeer, hiding a secret. He goes to great lengths to conceal the secret. Eventually, a strong attraction develops between Jake and Laura. How does Jake intervene? Are there terrifying consequences once Dan's secret is revealed?
The reader is mesmerized by the combination of intrigue, mystery, and romance carefully woven throughout the story. You'll want to discover how the story ends and you'll be hoping that Laura and Jake are together in the end.
I highly recommend "Memories"to anyone who loves mystery, suspense and romance. It's a riveting story, which was a finalist for the 2006 Fresh Voices award.
Reviewed by author, Deanie Humphrys-Dunne

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MEMORIES Review by Scribblers - Brenda Ramsbacher, July 26, 2009

By 

Laurie Loveman "Laurie" (Ohio, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Memories: Firehouse Family Series: Book One (Paperback)

Dan Darvey has a secret he's hidden from everyone in Woodhill, Ohio for four years. He has also operated on the wrong side of the law without being caught filching money from people who can't afford to pay, using threats to keep the money flowing. Now he's stolen from his boss, the fire chief found his secret, and the cops want to questions him.
Laura Darvey is a woman married to the wrong man. She's allowed the freedom to raise her horses and do her work without interference but at a cost to her well-being. Then she meets the new fire chief who lights her blood hotter than her husband ever has. When her husband runs, Laura forgets about her watchdog, invites Jake over, and ends up fighting for her very life.
Jake McCann and two of his friends are firefighters from New York hired to keep the small town of Woodhill safe. Bringing emotional baggage along for the ride, Jake is surprised to find himself caring for another man's wife. But now fires are being set to give someone an opportunity to search the firehouse and Jake wants to know why. All seems to be find until Jake uncovers the box Dan has been looking for.
Loveman has an intriguing story that has the reader cheering on Jake and Laura as they struggle to overcome their feelings while the world is falling apart within their very souls. Only they can fight the demons to win the confrontation between good and evil before the entire town is destroyed by one evil man and his henchmen. MEMORIES is truly memorable. Part of the FIREHOUSE FAMILY series, I am looking forward to reading more about these courageous men and women who put their lives on the line in the face of danger.