REVIEW: Tempt the Flames by Marnee Blake

In Tempt the Flames (The Smokejumpers #1) by Marnee Blake, Lance Roberts was once the best friend of Meg Buchanan’s brother until they went their separate ways after both their fathers died while battling a fire years ago. However, now Lance is back in town and determined to fight for a spot on the Smokejumpers team while investigating what happened when their fathers died. Yet, the further Lance gets into his investigation, the more dangerous things become for him. Will Lance discover the truth before it’s too late or will he lose his shot at happy ever after with Meg?

”I can understand your concerns, Lance, but trust me, you and I are strictly professionals.” She glared at him. “In fact, I plan to pretend you don’t exist.”
Lifting his hands, he said, “That seems a bit extreme, doesn’t —”
“And I don’t date firefighters, especially the ones I train. From here on, you won’t touch me. At all.”

This is the first book I’ve read by Ms. Blake and I’ve got to say that I was absolutely impressed because this had everything I love in a romantic suspense. Such as lots of tension between the main characters that leads to some delightful romantic moments; plenty of suspense due to the hero’s investigation and whether he’ll come out on top against whoever is determined to stop him from discovering whatever truths the past holds; and intense and entertaining dialogue that drew me in from the very beginning because of the drama between the hero and the heroine’s family because of their past history and how what happened to their fathers tore their tight friendships apart. Will the hero be able to win back Meg and her brother’s friendships?

With the main characters, I was totally hooked by both the hero and heroine because of their back stories, their growing relationship and the obstacles they face to be together. Will secrets destroy any chance these two have of a future together? Will the hero be able to keep Meg safe? Moreover, I liked the uphill battle the hero faces with the heroine, as she isn’t about to let anyone hurt her the way he did in the past. I also liked the hero’s confidence when it comes to doing his best with the trials he faced to be a smokejumper. Yet, what I liked most of all about the hero was his determination to win Meg over, even if they could ever only be friends.

While the heroine, she’s been through so much, and yet, still become a very resilient, courageous and determined woman who has fought so hard to get to where she is in her professional life. Since what she’s doing is a chance to feel close to her late dad without being another person in her family that battles fires. However, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her when it came to her family because she’s had to take on the role of a parent because her mom has been struggling for years since her husband died. Will discovering information from the past finally help Meg and her family heal?

”I’m not running away.” Even as he said the words, he couldn’t deny he’d thought this would be easier.
“You’re going to leave here, let whatever dickh***’s trying to scare you win. That’s what you’re doing.” Dak put his hands on his hips. “Mostly though, you’re going to leave the woman you love behind because you’re too afraid to let her down.”
“You’ve gone too far.”
“I should have gone further before.” He stepped forward. Though his words caused Lance’s chest to hurt, he didn’t find any anger in his friend’s face, only sympathy and concern.

Overall, Ms. Blake has delivered a fantastic, fast-paced and well-written read in this first book of her Smokejumpers series where the chemistry between this couple was intense from the moment they come face-to-face for the first time in years; the romance was heart-warming and special because there’s always been something between these two that they’ve never acted on until now; and the ending had me on the edge-of-my-seat with worry for Lance and Meg and sympathizing with the pair because of things that they learn, but had me cheering for this couple’s happy ever after because these two are meant to be and shouldn’t let anything stand in their way of being together. I would recommend Tempt the Flames by Marnee Blake, if you enjoy romantic suspense, the brother’s best friend trope, the enemy to lovers trope or books by authors Rebecca Zanetti, Gerry Bartlett, Kris Rafferty and Dixie Lee Brown.

Book Info:

Publication: September 11th, 2018 | Lyrical Liaison | The Smokejumpers #1

Someone is bound to get burned…

Meg Buchanan is determined to prove she didn’t get the trainer job in Redmond, Oregon’s rookie smokejumper class because of her family’s long history as firefighters—or out of pity. But if teaching one of her own brothers isn’t challenge enough, she’s shocked to see Lance Roberts in the new class of recruits. Once her brother’s best friend, and her first, unrequited crush, he’s also the son of the man responsible for her dad’s death.

Lance is stunned to realize that this confident redhead is the stubborn girl he once dreamed about. There’s no way he can fall for her now. He needs to focus all his attention on his training—and uncover the truth behind the long-ago fire that killed both their fathers. But as the undeniable heat between them threatens to ignite, someone attempts to put an end to Lance’s amateur sleuthing—and his life…