New York – Present Day

Liam O’Neil and his family own Bailey’s Irish Pub. He does the cooking -- the pub is a favorite hangout for firefighters in Manhattan. There are four O’Neil brothers, Liam, Patrick, Aidan, and Dylan, and one sister, Bailey, who is married to the vice-president of the United States. Liam lost his wife three years ago and is still grieving, but his brothers are encouraging him to begin dating again. He has two sons, Cleary and Mike. Mike is still having trouble adjusting without his mother. The O’Neils are a close-knit family.

Sophie comes into the pub with her fellow-firefighters for breakfast. She has worked hard to overcome the stigma of being a woman in an all male fire station and keeps herself strong and dependable. In order to afford an apartment on her own in New York, she takes a part-time job waiting tables at Bailey’s. She and Liam become good friends, and when he kisses her on her birthday, they are both stunned by the feelings generated by one kiss. But will this relationship develop further? Liam is in a quandary -- he cannot accept Sophie’s dangerous job after seeing her get hurt several times. He does not want his children to get attached and go through the debilitating experience of losing a loved one again, particularly Mike, who is very fragile and afraid.

An arsonist is setting fires in the neighborhood making it even more dangerous for the firefighters who risk their lives every day. Sophie is more concerned now -- she worries about what Liam and little Mike are thinking and feeling when she risks her life fighting a fire or rescuing someone. Will Liam and Sophie be able to work out their differences?

Although TAKING THE HEAT can stand alone, the O’Neils have been featured in several of Kathryn Shay’s books, so readers will be revisiting old friends who have married and started families. They are always there for each other with lots of teasing and love. Liam is the most sensitive of the brothers, a sweet, kind man and a devoted father who wants the best for his children. Sophie keeps herself very fit and does her job, even though she has to fight the battle of the sexes to remain a firefighter. The attraction sizzles between Liam and Sophie. Can they deny the magnetism between them?

TAKING THE HEAT is an exciting story and a hot romance with two strong characters and a warm family that everyone would love to have. Ms. Shay has done her homework and makes firefighting very realistic, but frightening. Readers will experience the close friends and family in the camaraderie of the pub. The story flows at an even pace with likeable characters, and an interesting storyline. The ending felt a little rushed as the arsonist is caught, and Liam and Sophie make decisions about their future. Nevertheless, TAKING THE HEAT is a wonderfully heart-felt, romantic tale, and another winner for this talented author.

Marilyn Heyman