Fan the Flames (Search and Rescue, #2)

by Katie Ruggle

“Vivid and charming.”—CHARLAINE HARRIS, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Sookie Stackhouse series
He's a firefighter. He's a Motorcycle Club member.
And if a killer has his way...he'll take the fall for a murder he didn't commit.
Ian Walsh is used to riding the line between the good guys and the bad. He may owe the club his life, but his heart rests with his fire station brothers...and with the girl he's loved since they were kids. Ian would do anything for Rory. He'd die for her. Kill for her. Defend her to his last breath?and he may just have to.
Every con in the Rockies knows Rory is the go-to girl for less-than-legal firearms. When she defends herself against a brutal attack, Rory finds herself catapulted into the center of a gang war, with only Ian standing between her and a threat greater than either of them could have imagined.
In the remote Rocky Mountains, lives depend on the Search & Rescue brotherhood. But in a place this far off the map, trust is hard to come by and secrets can be murder..
“Gripping suspense, unique heroines, sexy heroes.” —CHRISTINE FEEHAN, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
Search and Rescue Series:
On His Watch (FREE novella)
Hold Your Breath (Book 1)
Fan the Flames (Book 2)
Gone too Deep (Book 3)
In Safe Hands (Book 4)
After the End (FREE novella)
What People Are Saying About Katie Ruggle's Romantic Suspense:
“I love Ruggle’s characters. They’re sharply drawn, and vividly alive. I’m happy when they find each other. These are wonderful escapist books.”—CHARLAINE HARRIS, #1 New York Times Bestselling author of the Sookie Stackhouse series
"Sexy and suspenseful, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough."—JULIE ANN WALKER, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author for Hold Your Breath
"Chills and thrills and a sexy slow-burning romance from a terrific new voice."—D.D. AYRES, author of the K-9 Rescue Series for Hold Your Breath

• ISBN10: 1492628204
• ISBN13: 9781492628200
• Publish Date: 7 June 2016
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Sourcebooks Casablanca
• Format: Paperback (US Mass Market)
• Pages: 448
• Language: English

Reviews

[kimbacaffeinate]

While this is a friendship to lovers romance packed with plenty of suspense, Ruggle made it her own with her unique heroine and hero. I was a tad nervous going into FAN THE FLAMES as I am not a fan of Motorcycle Clubs, but Ian Walsh, biker, and firefighter broke the mold and ended up being a swoon-worthy, stand up guy. Rory Sorenson our heroine is unlike anyone I have ever met, and I adored this complicated kick-ass babe with a gun. Her social skills shared insight into her childhood with Prepper parents. She was genuine, and Ruggle made her reactions to her first kiss and windows (yes, windows) believable.

The suspense angle was interesting and offered some intense moments. Rory owns her deceased parents gun shop and shooting range. As a female proprietor, she has her hands full, especially dealing when dealing with two gangs. When it appears someone is trying to break into the gunshop at night, Rory sets up traps. Her best friend and secret crush Ian, who is seeking to be something more, steps in to offer help. I absolutely loved the interaction between them. Ian gets Rory, and I liked his approach to her skitterish behavior. The suspense angle takes a few twists with both characters finding themselves in danger. The pacing and suspense kept me fully engaged.

As I stated, I loved the interaction between this couple. Ruggle allowed the romance to build slowly while offering insight into the characters themselves. Filled with humor and tender moments this genuine relationship offers the reader all the feels and none of the drama.

Narrated by Rachel Dulude, FAN THE FLAMES burst to life on audio. Dulude did a stellar job with the voices and pacing. She added an additional layer of enjoyment to an already fantastic tale.

While each book works as a standalone, readers of the series will enjoy seeing our previous couple. Ruggle offered some humorous moments with them.

Audio provided by publisher. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer

[Melanie]

My review and an extended sample of the audiobook are posted at Hotlistens.com.

This is the second book in the Search & Rescue series. This time, we are following Ian (who we met in book one). He’s a firefighter. He’s also a member of the local motorcycle club. There are many that feel that he’s very dangerous because of his affiliation with the club. He grew up in the club. He considers them family, even if he doesn’t agree with everything.

Rory is a local gun store owner. She was raised a lot different than most. Her parents were essentially preppers. They lived in a bunker. They made their own clothes and grew most of their own food. Rory was home schooled and taught to be wary of people.

It doesn’t take long to figure out that Rory is more of people person than her parents would’ve liked. While she is still wary, she is very kind to everyone who comes to her shop. She is able to have conversations. She’s had a crush on Ian since she was twelve years old.

The romance in this book is very slow building. With someone like Rory who has never gone on a data before. She doesn’t really know how to have a relationship of any kind outside talking about guns in her shop. Ian is very patient with her and tells her often that she was the one who would set the pace.

The mystery behind the headless dead guy is still going on. There wasn’t much progress on this front. There is another mystery to be solved. Someone has been messing around outside of Rory’s shop. It escalates quite a bit before the end of the story. There is also a story around Ian and his membership in the Riders. And also Ian’s step-father who is in severe depression after the death of his wife. Poor Ian can’t mourn the lost of his mother because he’s trying so hard to help his step-father.

Lou and Callum are still around in this story. Lou really becomes Rory’s friend, which is something that Rory isn’t used to. There were several great secondary characters from the fire crew. I also love the small town feel as everyone is investigating Rory and Ian’s relationship. Overall, I enjoyed this story as much as the first one. I’m very interested in seeing what happens in the next book.

Narration
Again, I thought the narration of this story was really well done. I like how Rachel Dulude did all the voices in this series. I love how she brings out the snark in this series. If you haven’t tried her, I suggest checking her out.

**I like to thank the publisher for providing me with a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

[Amanda]

I made the mistake of starting this book late at night, then spent at least three hours in the "Just one more chapter" bargaining stage with myself.

Totally worth it. Need MOAR of this series.

[thebookdisciple]

Very enjoyable! Ruggle creates great characters that are unique and believable! I am enjoying this series a great deal! Full review on The Book Disciple

[EBookObsessed]

Ian Walsh is trying to straddle two worlds. Worlds that, like oil and water, don't mix well. During his youth, Ian became involved with the The Riders Motorcycle Club. Some of their activities crossed the lines of legality.  As an adult, Ian has found his true calling as a firefighter and the close brothers he has made there. While Ian is respected at the firehouse, his role with the MC still creates some problems for him.

Especially when Ian's pendent is found wrapped around the weight holding down the headless dead guy who was dredged out of the lake a few months ago. Most of the guys at the firehouse don't believe that Ian would have anything to do with that, but would they say the same with his MC buddies?

Ian isn't the only one having problems with the Club. Ian lost his heart to Rory Sorenson when they were children. Rory has been the owner of the local gun shop since her parents passed away.  She has also had some back room dealings with the motorcycle club but things go from bad to worse when some of the Riders decide they want all of Rory's inventory and if she gets in the way, Rory is disposable.

Ian won't let Rory be hurt by anyone but standing behind Rory against his Club brothers puts Ian in the Club's cross-hairs. Ian is going to keep Rory close no matter what objections she might have. The Riders are out for Rory's blood and if they have to shoot through Ian to get to her, so be it.

THOUGHTS:
Author Katie Ruggle has created an exciting, tension-filled series. I think Rory was an interesting choice for a heroine. Rory's parents were doomsday preppers. She lives in a fallout shelter under her gun shop. Her parents ran practice drills for the zombie apocalypse, biological warfare and any other end of the world scenarios. Rory is one of those few twenty-five-year-old virgin heroines that I found believable due to her upbringing.  She was homeschooled and her parents didn't trust other people and that paranoia only got worse over the years. Unless she is taking about guns, Rory is a bit socially awkward and with the exception of Ian, has no friends. Or at least she feels that she is alone, but as the story progresses, we find that many of the folks in this wilderness town have come to Rory's shop from time to time for guns or hunting rifles or ammo, especially most of the search and rescue people. Once Ian forces Rory to come with him into Town so he can protect her, she has an opportunity to socialize with the locals outside of the gun shop and finally realizes she is part of the Town and not the weirdo outsider.

How sweet that hot and hunky firefighter, Ian, has been holding a torch for geeky Rory since they were kids. He sees the woman and not the oddball that Rory feels she is, especially standing beside the ultra gorgeous Ian. It is Ian who thought he could never win over Rory who he felt was always a bit standoffish with him but he still ignored all the women who tossed themselves at him.

The romance was sweet and the tension high. With the motorcycle club constantly trying to break into Rory's shop or punish her for calling the cops, I kept wondering if running a gun shop was worth the daily life/death threat from the more questionable element that desired what she was hiding.

This review was originally posted on EBookObsessed