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K A T M A R T I N · · · New York Times bestselling author · · · · Historical Romance · Contemporary · Romantic Suspense · |
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REVIEWS OF AGAINST THE FIRE A knock down great book...
Mary Gramlich You always get burned when you play with fire but sometimes the heat is passion. Gabriel Raines is a tough native son of Wyoming turned Texas transplant no matter what way you looked at it. He grew up tough from neglect and bullying; did his time as a Marine and faced his demons on the battlefield; and ran a successful construction and renovation business. But Gabe was no match for the sassy little slip of a woman named Mattie Baker. They met under terrible circumstances and never one to believe in coincidences but Gabe thinks a miracle may develop from this disaster in his life. Someone is torching his construction sites and when a young man who Mattie is counseling is falsely accused her path collides with the rock hard Gabe and she is going to make him change his mind or else. He quickly realizes that accusing this boy is the wrong road to be traveling down but any road where Mattie goes he just might have to follow. She goes out of her way in her career as an architect and volunteer and trusts so few people that when Gabe comes on too strong her sense of flight kicks in. Gabe is a man used to getting what he wants so the chase is on even though it is derailed by another fire and another construction site burned to the ground. The apparent fact that these fires are personal, not random makes everyone jumpy but Gabe also wants to protect Mattie and do a little pouncing perhaps of his own. Gabe and Mattie search for answers while the arsonist is getting more aggressive and the attacks more vicious. Gabe has some people angry with him as everyone does but he can’t think of anyone, including ex-soldiers that carry this kind of grudge. Women may have been scorned but did they take their vengeance this far in seeking pay back, Gabe was not buying that simple answer. The nights are lighting up with Gabe and Mattie and he is wearing down her defenses even though she likes playing some cat and mouse games with him and has a very unusual secret she is keeping from him. Mixed signals are driving Gabe crazy but not having Mattie full time in his life, sleeping in his bed and planning a future together is just not what he wants to think about. Solving the crime and sending the arsonist away forever sounds better and then he and Mattie can hopefully have a life – plans are great aren’t they? Love this 2nd book in the series it was captivating, thrilling, scary and romantic which is a great combination. You really see so many suspects and no one that fits the criminal profile so when it all comes together you as the reader are completely shocked which is just as it should be. The back story with Mattie’s friend is so sweet and having Gabe’s brothers involved make it all the more well-rounded. Thanks to Kat Martin for a knock down great book. I continue to be in awe of Ms. Martin’s writing. She has impressed me not only with one book, but with two in a row. . . http://suspenseromancewriters.com Ratings: Overall: 10, Sensuality: 9, Suspense Element: 10
Suspense Romance Writers Reviewer Comments: After reading the first book about the Raines brothers, I knew Kat Martin would have to do something pretty amazing to make her second book as much of a joy to read. As soon as I opened the book, I realized that she has succeeded. The second book is as amazing as the first. Ms. Martin continues to draw her readers into the stories of these three wonderful brothers and to show us the power of love in helping others to heal. The second book is about Gabriel Raines. He left the Marines and has built a very lucrative construction business for himself. He isn’t too serious about the women he meets and likes his independence. All of this changes when one of his buildings is burned to the ground and he meets Mattie Baker. Mattie Baker is a successful architect. She learned at a young age that a woman cannot rely on anyone other than herself. She is fiercely independent and enjoys that part of her life. She also volunteers at a local Family Recovery Center, which is dedicated to helping victims of domestic violence move on and improve their lives. Mattie is devoted to the families that she meets at the Center. When one of the teenagers is accused of arson, she will do everything she can to prove he is innocent. The closer Mattie and Gabe get to finding the real arsonist, the more danger they find themselves in. Their feelings for each other continue to escalate and Mattie wonders if she can really make a real relationship work. Gabe also wonders if he will ever be able to convince Mattie to trust him. I simply loved this book. I didn’t want to put it down. There are so many similarities between this novel and the first in the trilogy. Both books are full of suspense that keep you guessing until the end. We wonder if Gabe and Mattie will find the arsonist and look for suspects among their friends. Another similarity is the element of victims of domestic violence. Ms. Martin shows the strength and courage women and children have to possess in order to move on from horrific circumstances. She doesn’t allow her characters to be controlled by the violence in their pasts, but demonstrates how much hope and healing can be achieved by having people who believe in you and help you. Ms. Martin has a very positive message about life after abuse for all who have suffered from it. I appreciate the realism with which Ms. Martin crafts her characters. We know people just like this. Those who have fears and baggage that prevents them from opening themselves to love. As well as those who are full of compassion for others. I can see myself being friends with any of her characters and this likability makes her books even more compelling. I continue to be in awe of Ms. Martin’s writing. She has impressed me not only with one book, but with two in a row. I can’t wait to see what happens when Devlin gets his story. Given Ms. Martin’s track record, I am sure it will be as stunning as the first two. Novel Reaction.com Mattie Baker is determined to take care of herself, she learned from her mother that you can’t depend on a man to save you but then she met Gabriel. Against the Fire by Kat Martin opens with a bang when Gabriel Raines’ construction site goes up in flames. The suspect of the arson caused fire is Angel Ramirez, a juvenile delinquent with a past conviction of starting a fire, but Mattie is determined to prove to Gabriel that Angel is innocent. When a second fire consumes another construction site, Gabriel realizes that someone is determined to ruin him. Mattie has worked hard her entire life to get the type of education she needed to take care of herself, now that she is finished with school she spends all her time and energy on her job and volunteering at the Family Abuse Center. The only way Mattie lets her hair down is when she gets on the stage to sing at the Karoke Bar. Gabriel finds himself drawn to the conservatively dressed Mattie but isn’t sure why until he watches her sing at the Karoke Bar in his neighborhood. Mattie tells herself that she is only helping Gabriel with his investigation to save Angel but as things escalate in the investigation and in the bedroom Mattie realizes she might be in over her head. Against the Fire is the second book in the Raines of Wind Canyon Series, Gabriel is the middle brother and like Jackson in the first book Against the Wind Gabriel was wild in his teenage years but has gone on to make something of himself by creating and running his successful construction business. The story was suspenseful and the relationship between Mattie and Gabriel was enjoyable. Mattie’s concern and dedication to the Abuse center was touching. I loved the secondary story line of the relationship between Tracey and Sam, I wish they would have been in their own novel but the glimpses we get of them is great. Finally, the love and companionship between the brothers is heartwarming and I am excited to read Against the Law to see who can finally bring Dev, the last remaining bachelor, to heel. |