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4 stars �� Romantic Suspense

I was eagerly anticipating the first book, “Wild Heat��, in the new ‘Hot Shots: Men of Fire�� series about wildland firefighters because a) who doesn’t love a heroic hot-as-sin firefighter?, b) it’s classified as romantic suspense, and c) author Bella Andre writes some fairly steamy sex scenes. The fact that the series focuses on wildland firefighters who battle dangerous forest fires for 6-9 months out of the year is a unique take on the firefighter theme and the main reason why I still liked this book, even though there are lots of plot holes and a lack of realistic romantic development between the H/H. The wildland firefighters, referred to as hotshots, in this series are based in Lake Tahoe and battle the tough wildfires that blaze through the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California.

Arson investigator Maya Jackson comes from a family of firefighters: her father was a wildland firefighter and her brother was a Lake Tahoe firefighter. After enduring the pain of losing them both to the dangerous profession, she’s determined to never lose her heart to a firefighter...cue hunky, brave wildland firefighter, hotshot Logan Caine, who’s resolved to make Maya all his. Maya and Logan first met at a bar and shared a moment of wild, reckless passion where no names were exchanged. Fast forward to six months later and Maya’s in Lake Tahoe to investigate suspicious wildland fire activity, and guess who her primary arson suspect is? Yep, hotshot Logan, and to complicate matters further, neither of them have been able to forget the other and they just can’t seem to deny the passion that burns so hot between them. Maya figures out pretty early on that Logan’s innocent and they team up together to find the real ‘bad guy��, and of course to heat the sheets!

There are several potential arson suspects thrown in to keep the reader guessing, but when the arsonist/villain is finally revealed, I actually flipped the pages a couple of times to be sure I was reading it accurately and rolled my eyes with a “you’ve got to be kidding me right?��! I’m pretty good at suspending belief for the sake of good escapism, but the plot in this one really pushes the limits. The twists-and-turns come out of left field and too many holes are left wide open out in that field; but for the most part, I just tried to let go and enjoy the ride (and yummy Logan Caine).

Of course, there’s the whole ‘will she be able to take the risk on love before it’s too late thing��, but I just didn’t feel a true connection between Maya and Logan. Their relationship progression isn’t very realistic, but at least it’s plenty steamy!

“Wild Heat�� has a sexy-as-sin firefighter hero, scorching romance, and is an overall pretty good start to the new ‘Hot Shots�� series, even with its somewhat weak plot. Oh, and let’s not overlook the sizzling stud on the book cover...YOWZA! I’ll definitely still read book 2, “Hot as Sin��, when it comes out later this year. 4 stars.