FEEL the heat...EXPERIENCE the fire...Be CONSUMED by the romance!

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I thoroughly enjoyed J. R. Ward’s CONSUMED and would highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good romance with lots of intrigue and suspense. This book is definitely one of the best romantic suspense books I’ve ever had the privilege of reading. The story’s plot pulled me in from the very beginning, the romance and intrigue held my attention and the fast paced action left me wanting more. I was totally “consumed” by this brilliantly written novel!

CONSUMED is the first book in J. R. Ward’s new Firefighters series. NOTE: There is a prequel to this book titled-The Wedding from Hell which introduces the reader to the many colorful characters in this new series. It also sets the stage for the history between Danny and Anne, the two main characters in this book. This book is written in various points of view and gives the reader a realistic look into the lives of firefighters and the many sacrifices they make, both physically and emotionally.
“Everyone of them that got into turnouts, and took their bodies and their minds into open flames for little money and lots of risks, for strangers, for animals they didn’t own, for houses they didn’t own, for people they weren’t related to...they were all insane. Because this was the other side of the adrenaline rush, the savior complex, the fight. Tragedy was but a moment. Responsibility for it was forever.”
CONSUMED takes you into the world of firefighters, exposing you to the fire, to the harsh realities of loss, and the raw, gritty truths of these high risk, adrenaline loving characters. This story is fast paced and so incredibly addicting that you won’t be able to put it down!

Anne Ashburn is the only woman firefighter at company 499. She is the daughter of a former fire chief that died in the line of duty and the sister of the current fire chief. Anne is fiercely independent, strong and always trying to prove herself in a male dominated profession. After finding out at a young age that her father was far from the man everyone in the department and community revered as a hero, she is determined not only to prove that she belongs but that she doesn’t need anyone. She trusts no one, admires no one and judges everyone, especially her family. The only thing she needs is her job. She loves being a part of the firefighter community. She’s driven and loves the adrenaline rush and thrill of fighting fires. The only thing Anne can’t seem to fight is her intense attraction to Danny Maguire. When Anne and Danny are fighting to survive at the beginning of this story, Anne makes a decision that will forever change her life, her career and her relationship with Danny. Will she find the inner strength to overcome this new challenge? Will she ever feel whole again? Can she trust Danny enough to give her heart to someone for the first time since her father’s betrayal?

“Dannyboy” Maguire is one of the best firefighters in the department. He’s damaged, reckless and doesn’t like playing by the rules. Danny has lost so much to the profession he loves, including his twin brother and most recently a close friend. He’s on a path of self destruction and continually takes unnecessary risks. The one thing that Danny cares deeply about is his coworker and recent love, Anne. When he and Anne are called to a warehouse fire he’s determined to be there for Anne despite his orders or any risk to himself. When everything goes wrong and they both get seriously hurt Danny blames himself and his behavior becomes even more reckless. Will Danny give into the darkness that consumes him? Will he be able to convince Anne that he can be trusted? Will they forever be separated by tragedy or will they rise above it together?

After losing her job as a firefighter, a job that defined her, Anne decides to become an arson investigator in the hopes of moving forward. When there are more suspicious warehouse fires, like the fire that ended her firefighting career, Anne starts an investigation determined to find the people responsible. Although she tries to push Danny away, Anne looks to Danny for help with her investigation. As the two of them look into the suspicious warehouse fires together, Anne is threatened and becomes a target. Danny is determined to keep her safe. As the danger gets closer these two grow and find renewed purpose together. Despite the investigation, Anne and Danny’s love begins to spark and soon their passion ignites!

I absolutely loved this story! I was totally immersed in this beautiful, heartbreaking and truly wonderful romance. J. R. Ward is probably one of the most powerfully, descriptive authors I’ve yet to experience. Her talented style of writing took me right into the story and into the fire where I could almost feel the heat, smell the smoke and experience the panic. I found myself holding my breath, sitting at the edge of my seat and possibly my sanity and being totally consumed by the events taking place in this story. Her characters are real- gritty, raw and damaged. Her description of the “corpses in their own skin” was heartbreaking. On the other hand, I totally enjoyed her witty sense of humor and laughed so hard at her description of the “millennial nurse.” I loved this book, the characters, the mystery and intrigue and most definitely the romance! I must confess that this was my first book by J. R. Ward. I was so thrilled that she started this new series and that I would have the opportunity to read one of her books. I’m definitely a huge fan now and I truly enjoyed taking this adventure into the lives of J. R. Ward’s firefighters. This was a brilliant start to this new series and I look forward to more of J. R. Ward’s remarkable books as the series continues.

I would like to thank Simon & Schuster, Gallery Books and Goodreads for this free giveaway which gave me the opportunity to read and experience this wonderful book by J. R. Ward!