Saturday, May 12, 2018

Simmering Heat by Leora Gonzales


Where there’s smoke...

Spark

Growing up as the privileged daughter of two doctors, Jasmine Kingford always thought the housekeeper’s son was hot—and the feeling was mutual. But back then there were lines they couldn’t cross. Good thing they’re all grown up now—and in the same wedding party...

Blaze

As best man for a fellow firefighter, Leo Trask is floored to discover the maid-of-honor is a blast from his past. One that ignites fireworks that have been brewing for years. Soon enough, he and Jasmine are having a very private, all-night-long celebration of their own—and it’s clear neither wants it to end there...

Wildfire

Jasmine’s all too happy to finally shed her pampered princess demeanor with Leo. What she finds is a connection—and a complication—she didn’t expect. Leo’s the opposite of the nine-to-five guy she planned on. She wants a nursing career, kids, and a man who’s home by dinnertime. Leo’s an irresistible bad boy with a dangerous, unpredictable job. And he’s everything she never knew she wanted, and more...


Add to Goodreads –


Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo



Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah☆☆☆
3.5 stars

This is a sweet coming of age romance between a nurse and a firefighter. Jasmine is the child of two affluent and controlling doctors and Leo is the son of her parents’ housekeeper.

The connection between Leo and Jasmine is all sorts of insta-love – except that while they are strangers when they meet as adults, they did grow up together. I still think Leo comes across almost stalkerish at the start with caveman declarations and Velcro tendencies. Jasmine starts the story timid and flattered by Leo’s attention.

Even with their shared history, Leo and Jasmine’s romance moves too quickly for me. Conversations about love, jealousy, and future babies happen almost from first meeting. There is an assumption from the start that they will be together, and it doesn’t leave much room for sexual tension. Some of Leo’s lines are incredibly cheesy. There is a fine line between infatuated lover and possessive caveman and Leo steps over the line a few too many times for my tastes.

I enjoyed watching Jasmine grow up and establish herself against her parents. I like that her parents aren’t single dimensional baddies but some of the changes in her parents are drastic and instant. I’m not sure a lifetime of poor relationship habits can be broken so quickly.


Mary Jo☆☆☆☆
I enjoyed this book. Leo and Jazz were basically raised together as his mother was the housekeeper for her family while she was growing up. Her parents are doctors who spent more time on their patients than with their children, so in effect, Leo's mom was Jazz's mom.

Leo wants to get to know the grown up Jazz. Wants to know what makes her tick, the reason she wants to be nurse, and the million other things that makes Jazz unique. Jazz wants to know Leo as well, but she's still the insecure girl that he remembers even though she hides it well.

Having to face her fears or losing what she loves most, Jazz has to decide what truly matters.


Ruthie☆☆☆
This is the first in a new series, and given that it will feature firefighters, some we've met already, it is going to be scorching hot!

I enjoyed reading this story, and was happy with the direction it took. Whilst Leo and Jasmine fall for each other pretty quickly, it fits with their past, his profession, and the whirlwind that are Winter and Will. There were certainly some suitable candidates for future books introduced too.

The one funny thing was that I was distracted by it being written in the third person. Usually I have to think about who narrated the story, or didn't after I have finished the book, but here I was very aware of it all along. It didn't stop me enjoying the book, it was just noticeable and unexpected.

There is some lovely humour, some warm and fuzzy bits, and some heated romance, which altogether made for an enjoyable read.


Also Available in the Braving the Heat Series

Book 0.5
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our Melting Snow post.



Leora Gonzales is an original Kansas girl who misses the Sunflower State every day. She spends time reading, writing... and making sure her two kids don’t kill themselves or each other. She’s addicted to tattoos, good food, good company—and finding lots of reasons to laugh or smile every day.

Connect with Leora

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads


http://www.lyricalpress.com


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Simmering Heat (Braving the Heat #1) by Leora Gonzales to read and review.

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