BRAVE THE HEAT (The McGuire Brothers #1) by Sara Humphreys

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 1, 2015

The only fire he can’t put out…

Jordan McKenna is back in town, and Fire Chief Gavin McGuire’s feelings when he sees her after all these years are as raw as the day she left. Then he was just a kid wearing his heart on his sleeve. Now he spends every day trying to atone for the tragedy he couldn’t prevent.

Is the torch he carries for her…

Jordan’s life has not exactly worked out the way she expected. A divorced mother of two with a failed acting career, Jordan’s biggest concern about coming back to Old Brookfield was seeing her first love. But when a series of suspicious fires breaks out, Jordan and Gavin realize that dealing with the sparks between them may be the least dangerous of their problems.

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REVIEW: BRAVE THE HEAT is the first installment in Sara Humphreys contemporary adult The McGuire Brothers romance series focusing on the McGuire brothers from the fictional town of Old Brookfield, New England. This is Fire Chief Gavin McGuire, and divorced mother Jordan McKenna’s second chance storyline.

Told from dual third person perspectives BRAVE THE HEAT focuses on the rebuilding of a relationship between Jordan and Gavin-two people whose lives were destroyed fifteen years earlier when Jordan walked away and never looked back. Following her divorce, with her two young daughters in tow, Jordan returns to Old Brookfield and the past that has all but haunted her life. Knowing Gavin is now the Fire Chief wasn’t a surprise, but the pain and hurt in his eyes, was more than Jordan could bear.

Gavin have never stopped loving Jordan McKenna. For fifteen years he has constantly thought about the one that got away; the whys and the what fors; never once coming close to understanding the reasons why Jordan ran without saying goodbye. Jordan’s return to Old Brookfield reawakens lost emotions and needs for Gavin but also for the woman he has never forgotten. But Gavin’s need to pursue Jordan will be placed on hold when an arsonist puts a plan into action forcing Gavin to walk away when yet, another loss, adds to Gavin’s already heightened sense of guilt and betrayal.

The relationship between Gavin and Jordan has already been established; BRAVE THE HEAT is a second chance romance for two people whose lives changed the day Jordan ran and never looked back. In fifteen years neither one took the opportunity to contact one another or rekindle the friendship, and it is the loss of time that hurts the most. The romance is seductive without the over the top graphic sexual content.

We are introduced to the secondary and supporting characters including Gavin’s brothers: Ronan, Tristan, Finn and Dillon; their mother Carolyn and father Charles who are about to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary; and Jordan’s best friend Maddie, along with her fire fighter boyfriend Rick. Several townsfolk play a role throughout the story including one that is both frightening and deadly. Jordan’s ex husband makes a cameo appearance but his storyline fizzles without resolution.

The world building focuses on the relationship between Jordan and Gavin, and Jordan’s return to her home town but it also looks at the fires threatening a small town and its people. The McGuire family is a well to do and well loved family in Old Brookfield, and it is their history that the local school principal likes to remember and reminisce.

BRAVE THE HEAT is an entertaining, engaging and fun read. The premise is intriguing and impassioned; the characters are colorful, family oriented and spirited; the romance is emotional and intense. Sara Humphreys writes a passionate tale of second chances, friendships and loss.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

Men in Uniform by Sara Humphreys

Who loves a man in uniform? ME!!! I also love a band of brothers and that’s why I simply had to write The McGuire Brothers series. These five sexy bros are all men in uniform and they are as devoted to each other as they are to their jobs. When the guys introduced themselves to me (I know that sounds weird but that’s kind of how it feels when the characters come to life in my head) one of the first things they told me about themselves was which uniform they wore.

Gavin, the hero in Brave the Heat is the oldest and the fire chief in their hometown. Ronan, the second born, is a K9 officer in New York City and a die-hard ladies man. His longest relationship, outside of his family, is with his partner, a bloodhound named Bowser. Tristan is the middle son, and admitted bad-boy. A former Navy SEAL, he is now freelancing as a gun for hire and bodyguard. The twins, Finn and Dillon, are the youngest of the bunch. Finn is an armed first responder in Miami and Dillon is an Air Force pilot but is on leave due to PTSD.

What I love most about these heroes-and all men in uniform-is their unwavering commitment, fiercely protective nature, and a clear sense of right and wrong. They are devoted to family and their mission-whatever that may be. All uniforms are sexy, except for maybe the UPS or mailman gear. If you find a hot mailman or UPS guy…please share.

To celebrate the release of my McGuire Brother series, I’m here to count down my fave men in uniform from movies and television:

1. Ryan Kwanten in True Blood: I know his character was a hapless dope and the fact that he became a Deputy was…ironic. BUT he did look great in his cop uniform. And out of it.

2. Keanu Reeves in Speed: He didn’t exactly wear a uniform but he did play a cop. And a damn fine sexy one too.

3. Mel Gibson in Lethal Weapon: What I loved most about Riggs was how damaged he was by the loss of his wife. The man was totally devastated and clung to the shredded remnants of his sanity. What saved him? Love. But not the love of a woman. It was the love of the Murtaugh family that brought him back from the brink.

4. Timothy Olyphant in Justified: One word. Sexy. Dead freaking sexy. The boy has a stride that will make a woman blush. Seriously. All he has to do is walk…and I’m hooked.

5. Russell Crowe in L.A. Confidential: Granted, Crowe’s character didn’t really wear a uniform but he did wear a badge. He might have taken some ethical liberties but it was all in the name of righting wrongs and getting the bad guys.

Gavin, and all of the McGuire brothers, wear their uniforms proudly and like most men in service, they are as devoted to their families as they are to their duties. I think it’s that quality which stands out above all the rest-devotion. Isn’t that what all of us want? We want to be loved, cherished, and protected and no one does that better than a man in uniform.

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Sara is a graduate of Marist College, with a B.A. Degree in English Literature & Theater. Her initial career path after college was as a professional actress. Some of her television credits include, A&E Biography, Guiding Light, Another World, As the World Turns and Rescue Me.

In 2013 Sara’s novel UNTAMED won two PRISM awards–Dark Paranormal and Best of the Best. Sara has been a lover of both the paranormal and romance novels for years. Her sci-fi/fantasy/romance obsession began years ago with the TV Series STAR TREK and an enormous crush on Captain Kirk. That sci-fi obsession soon evolved into the love of all types of fantasy/paranormal; vampires, ghosts, werewolves, and of course shape shifters.

Sara is married to her college sweetheart, Will. They live in New York with their 4 boys. For a full list of Sara’s books and reading order, please visit her Website.

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