RIDE THE FIRE by Jo Davis

Firefighters of Station Five Series
Publisher: Signet Eclipse
Date published: December 2010
ISBN: 978-0451231796
Romantic Suspense
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Tammy
Obtained via: publisher


The final story in Jo Davis’ Firefighters of Station Five series, RIDE THE FIRE, is a suspenseful story within a story sure to ignite lots of interest.

After losing his family to a tragic accident, fire Capt. Sean Tanner let alcohol rule his life. Now, fresh from rehab, he just wants to get back to work, earn back some respect and begin his life again. No one is more surprised than Sean by his growing feelings for fellow firefighter Eve Marshall. But when Sean discovers that the accident that took his family may have actually been murder and those closest to Sean are now targets, Sean’s alcohol dependence and being Eve’s superior at work suddenly become the least of their problems.

Jo Davis’ RIDE THE FIRE opens with Sean returning from rehab and nervous about returning to work. Shortly after being introduced to his co-workers, readers learn of the heart wrenching story of why he was in rehab in the first place. For this reader, that small story within the story was so vividly emotional and heartbreaking that it overshadowed the rest of the book. I cannot imagine how difficult it would be to show up at a fire to find out that not only are all the occupants of the fire dead but that the youngest might have been saved if only you had arrived sooner and even more horrifying, that the youngest died begging for her father to save her only to discover that it was your family that had perished. I get chills just recalling that grisly scene. And then to find out that they might have been killed on purpose, just to torture you? Suffice it to say that the suspense and action were both heated and explosive.

The romance between Sean and Eve was well deserved for both of them. Eve has held a flame for Sean for years and certainly Sean deserves a little happiness after all his tragedy. Their romance, however, was the lesser story with the suspense part of the story at the forefront of this book. Romance readers might have been a little disappointed with that, but for this reader, it just made for great storytelling. But read RIDE THE FIRE for yourself and see what you think. Whether you prefer romance in your suspense or suspense in your romance, Jo Davis’ firefighters of station five books and RIDE THE FIRE are sure to stoke your fire.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.