Liam O'Neil is trying to take care of his troubled
seven-year-old son and cocky teenager, and work full time at the
family-owned Bailey's Irish Pub. Widowed three years ago, he's ready to date
again (at the insistence of his brothers). But his life is in flux, his
future unclear, when he meets Sophie Taylor, a female in the Fire Department
of New York.
A consummate firefighter who was rescued herself by the FDNY when she was
ten, she loves her job and her "firefighter family." Liam's as attracted to
her as she to him, which is fun and flirty, until they both start to care
about each other. Yet she's the last person he can get involved with. His
youngest is suffering from abandonment issues and depression, and needs
stability. Even when they become involved, both Liam and Sophie know their
relationship is doomed. Or is it?
♥ ♥ ♥
When I discovered I would be reviewing this book, AND
that it was part of a series, I ran out and grabbed the first two books and
read them first (what a great choice on my part, as Ms. Shay is a superb
author). “Taking the Heat” is the story of Liam, and can stand alone, but is
far richer when read in conjunction with the first two books, “Someone To
Believe In” and “Close To You”.
Of all the brothers, Liam was the one who intrigued me most from the
beginning. Quiet, introspective, a good and devoted father...I wanted to
know what made him tick. “Taking the Heat” did not disappoint. In fact, it
only made me care about him more.
But, more than just a well-written, contemporary romance, this novel also
addresses the issues facing a woman in what is typically a man’s job: a
firefighter.
Liam is struggling to regain his footing after losing his much-loved wife,
Kitty, to cancer three years before. He’s just feeling ready to enter the
dating pool again, when he meets Sophie and is surprised by the depth of
attraction he feels. Still, she’s entirely inappropriate for him, and for
his family. He needs someone who’s going to be around, and Sophie throws
herself in harms way on a daily basis. Still, there’s not denying their
attraction, and they quickly become involved in an illicit affair.
As things progress beyond the physical, it becomes clear that there’s an
arsonist on the loose, and he’s targeting Sophie and her co-workers. The
danger, and what the fear of losing her does to Liam and his sons, is more
than anyone wants to face. Will Sophie and Liam be able to work things out?
Who, if anyone, will make the sacrifices necessary to build a strong and
lasting relationship?
Sophie was such a fun character. Certainly, she was full of worry and angst,
as any person is. But she was also funny and loving and kind. And sexy. Oh
yeah, that little character trait was picked up on by Liam and his brothers
right off the bat. I say, good for her for not trying to hide her femininity
or sexuality in the name of fitting in to the boys club of the NYFD.
Liam was an amazing character, and I fell head over heels in love with him.
Who wouldn’t? Irish temper aside, he was a thoughtful friend, a loving and
adventurous boyfriend and a dad willing to sacrifice everything for his
sons’ happiness.
I really loved this story! Ms. Shay has amazing talent and a way of telling
a story that grabs you right from the start. Packed with emotion, it’s a
sexy and exciting book that’s difficult to put down before finishing. The
author also deals nicely with the aftermath of the great loss of those
firefighters who died selflessly helping the city of New York during 9/11,
and with the difficulty most firefighters face when trying to juggle a
family life with the ever-present possibility of death.
Dylan’s story is next, right Ms. Shay? I for one can’t wait to grab it the
moment it hits the shelves! |
