Customer Reviews

Memories: Firehouse Family Series: Book One

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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.

"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

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.

First in Laurie Loveman's Firehouse Family series, Memories is filled with scenes and voices from the Depression. From the oppressive heat of a Ohio summer, to the icy blast of winter; from New York city streets to the small town of Woodhill; from arson and Prohibition to the healing of wounded memories; all is vividly rendered in evocative prose with dialog that turns into sound as the pages are read. Jake has been hired to oversee Woodhill's new fire department. Twin brother Dave is the local doctor. And just outside town, Laura rides her Appaloosas while husband Dan makes money by dubious means. Fire is a threat, not just a force of nature. Politics is trouble. Greed is danger. And memory of loss is the stuff nightmares are made of.

The trio of New York firefighters, Jake, Mickey and Freddy, are very nicely drawn with all the disrespect and short-fused anger you'd expect in such a high-strung friendship. They face a rash of arson fires and begin to investigate. But when Rabbi Steiner's temple's attacked more than property comes under threat.

Jake's not the only one running from memories in this tale, but maybe anger can give way to love, and fear to release, given good opportunity. The story progresses very naturally, with an unforced feel and light touch. Gentle romance, generous wisdom, and a cast of characters as varied as the land they live on, carry the story to a fine conclusion and leave the reader glad to know these people can be revisited in further tales.



Disclosure: I read this ebook as a judge in the mystery section of the Dan Poynter Gobal eBook Awards. It (very deservedly)won the mystery/suspense award.