Saturday Book News

MJ Fredrick
Samhain 

Buy link: http://tinyurl.com/cabkl7
Your link/Publisher Link www.mjfredrick.com
Blurb

Their passion rivals the fires they battle. Peyton Michaels expected her assignment to be simple-write an article about everyday heroes. Heroes like Hot Shot firefighter Gabe Cooper. She never expected to find herself running up a mountain, a wildfire nipping at her heels, her life in his hands. And she never expected to be drawn to Gabe. After the loss of her husband in the line of duty, the last thing she wants is to fall in love with yet another man who routinely puts his life at risk. Gabe has had enough of women who want to make him into someone he's not. Women like his ex, who couldn't handle the heat of his job. Like Peyton, who sees him as a hero when he's just a man doing a job. Except time after time, the pesky reporter proves her mettle. And gets deeper under his skin. But there's an arsonist at work, and danger is closing in with the speed of a raging brush fire. Peyton and Gabe have to dig deep for what it takes to be a real hero-to find the courage to reach out and grab a forever kind of love. Before it's too late.

Reviews*

Fallen Angels Review gave it a Recommended Read and said:

My opinion of Hot Shot by M.J. Fredrick can be summed up in three words: GET THIS BOOK!!! Is it obvious I loved it? She had me sucked in from the first page and it wasn't until my eyes watered did I put the book down. It was 4am! I'd gone to bed at 9pm planning to read for about one hour; didn't happen and if it wasn't for the fact that my leaky eyes threatened to short circuit my e-book reader I'd have kept going. Ms. Fredrick delivers a romantic suspense that will knock your socks off. With her vivid description of the raging wildfire and her in-depth, complex characters she weaves a story of courage, determination, sacrifice, dedication and love that will live in my memory, and on my keeper shelf, forever. Peyton is gutsy but vulnerable and I enjoyed watching her grow to understand herself more as each page turned. Gabe had me in lust and a little in love from the second he hit the page. Should I mention a bit of a weakness for firemen? But what got me most about this book was the way it played in my head like a movie; it was there in full color, and all with just the flick of a page. I can't recommend Hot Shot enough and if you happen to come across this or any other book with Ms. Fredrick's name on it don't hesitate, pick it up and take to the register, then race home and lock the doors because if Hot Shot is anything to go by you won't be coming up for air until the end.

Hot Shot was Joyfully Recommended and Tanya said:

MJ Frederick is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors and Hot Shot is one of the reasons why.  She takes you into the lives of those daredevil men and women who fight forest fires, and not just the glamorized smoke jumpers, but the ground crews.  Ms. Frederick has written the scenes in such a way I am drawn into the story and can imagine the crackling and heat of the fire, and not just between the main characters.  There are also a lot of twists and turns in the plot, which will keep you on your toes.  I am pleased to be able to Joyfully Recommend Hot Shot as a July Recommended Read, especially with the summer fire season underway.

The Romance Studio gave it 5 Hearts and wrote:

Hot Shot is a brilliant romantic suspense with a realistic look at the men and women who risk their lives fighting wildfires every year. I was enthralled from the first page and hated to be interrupted for anything while reading this story! I loved the characters of Peyton and Gabe who are extremely stubborn, intelligent, hard working, honorable, and hurt from previous relationships. Of course, they are instantly attracted to one another and fight against the attraction. I also really enjoyed reading about what it can be like battling a wildfire. The horrors of what being in the middle of a fire is really like, the risk, the challenge, and the adrenaline rush when they make it back. And the story also has a mystery that Peyton and Gabe will have to figure out before they are killed from the mischief of a fire starter; this fire isn't an accident. There are so many aspects of what I love in a good story in this one book. This is one of the best books I've read this year and I can't wait to see what else Ms. Fredrick has written! I highly recommend this story to anyone who loves romantic suspense, adventure, heroes, and strong determined characters.

You Gotta Read reviews wrote:

Ms. Fredrick writes a story with such precise detail that the reader feels like they have received a small course in firefighting. The procedures that are involved in containing and fighting wild fires are well-researched and thoroughly described. The love-hate relationship that develops between the two main characters of Peyton and Gabe is timed perfectly. There is ample time for the couple to get to know one another and build up into the realization of their feelings that have far surpassed their expectations. Add in possible arson and loss of life and you have a suspense-filled, power-packed story that is a fantastic way to spend the weekend. I had not read this author's work before, and was immensely glad I did.

Romance Reviews Today wrote:

Ms. Fredrick has done an excellent job writing a suspenseful tale centered around a wildfire in Montana. The fire becomes a secondary character worthy of mention. It is given human characteristics reminiscent of a murderer and a stalker. It is intelligent in a way that only the unknown can be. The fire is key to the story. Without it you have no setting, action, or way for Peyton and Gabe to be thrown together. The fire is not the only thing that burns in HOT SHOT. The romance between Gabe and Peyton progresses at an even pace; their relationship starts with resentment, moves on to grudging respect, and finally blossoms into love. It is a relationship to root for and one worthy of the two great characters Ms. Fredrick introduces to us. HOT SHOT is an engaging and emotional story that will have you wanting more from M. J. Fredrick.

The Long and the Short of It gave it 5 Books and said:

MJ.. Frederick knows how to build up suspense with the skill of a seasoned storyteller, even though Hot Shot is only her second published book. The reader cheers for the main characters from the first lines, and the tension between them doesn't abate until the end. Nor is it forced: the author creates a solid background for the characters with enough baggage to keep them apart emotionally throughout the story.

The wildfire at the center of the plot is itself a powerful character. If I didn't know better, I would've sworn that MJ was a firefighter who's experienced forest fires in the mountains. Her research is solid and believable, and doesn't stop at the edge of the burned land. She manages to demonstrate in quick, sharp portraits of minor characters how the fire season affects all the area's inhabitants.

Nor are her antagonists flat and uninteresting. They're worthy opponents for Peyton and Gabe, and... I'll let you discover them for yourselves. Hot Shot reads like a romantic suspense, but is built like a mystery, with clues laid out from the beginning, and bright-red herrings scattered along the way.

This is definitely a must-read. And a re-read. It was a pleasure to discover and it goes straight to my keeper shelf.