Review: Trial By Fire by Jo Davis
Release Date: August 2008
Series: Firefighters of Station Five, Book 1
Book blurb: Don’t get burned…
Lieutenant Howard “Six- Pack” Paxton loves three things: being a firefighter, riding his Harley, and his bachelorhood. That is, until the curvaceous Kat McKenna falls into his arms at the scene of a fire–and melts the six-foot-six tower of bronze muscle?
But just as passion ignites between them–and they explore new heights of ecstasy–a ruthless arsonist with a deadly secret and a thirst for vengeance becomes their worst nightmare.
– It took me a while to write this review because I enjoyed the book but there were so many problems both with plotting and character development that it doesn’t merit a great review. The biggest selling point to this novel is that it’s a sexy read. The biggest problem is if you remove the sex, you have nothing left. Sex without plot does not equate to a satisfying reading experience.
The hero is far more emotional than the heroine and not in a good way. On their first date he does a backstory dump like I’ve never seen. He goes into his abusive childhood and he’s sure she won’t want to get involved with him…blah blah blah. Sorry, there isn’t a man on the planet who would reveal his Achillies heel on the first date. Not to mention the fact that he’s a confirmed bachelor. Even if he was feeling the need to get into a serious relationship, there’s no way he would be thinking forever on a first date. No one changes their spots that quickly.
Both the hero and heroine were victims through the entire book. They did nothing to stop what was happening to them. When your life is in danger, what are you going to do? Sit around and wait to see what happens next or do you move heaven and earth to get the upper hand? These two were too busy having sex to do more than pay lip service to the fact that someone wants them dead.
So whats the verdict? As erotic romance, Trial by Fire was a fun read because, let’s face it – no one expects character development. Ouch! As romantic suspense it was a wall-banger. ~ Ana, www.ireadromance.com
