HOT SHOT – M. J. Fredrick
Samhain Publishing
ISBN: 1-59998-954-9
April 2008
Romantic Suspense

Montana Mountains – the Present

Peyton Michaels is a reporter working on a story about wildland firefighters in Montana. She has taken courses designed to train her in fire fighting, but nothing prepares her for the adventure and danger she finds after becoming a member of sexy lead firefighter Gabe Cooper’s crew, the Bear Claws.

Gabe Cooper does not allow rookies on his crew, nor does he talk to reporters. He is given no choice with Peyton, but his feelings of discomfort are discarded after he catches an interesting glimpse into the psyche of this complex woman. Thinking she puts the team in danger, Gabe quickly reevaluates Peyton after watching her hold her own on a rescue mission. He begins to think of her as more than an annoyance and sees her with newly hungry eyes.

But when Gabe’s former friend, Doug, is arrested on arson charges, the two begin a search for the true arsonist. What they find will burn some while creating a fresh start for others.

Ms. Fredrick has done an excellent job writing a suspenseful tale centered around a wildfire in Montana. The fire becomes a secondary character worthy of mention. It is given human characteristics reminiscent of a murderer and a stalker. It is intelligent in a way that only the unknown can be. The fire is key to the story. Without it you have no setting, action, or way for Peyton and Gabe to be thrown together.

The fire is not the only thing that burns in HOT SHOT. The romance between Gabe and Peyton progresses at an even pace; their relationship starts with resentment, moves on to grudging respect, and finally blossoms into love. It is a relationship to root for and one worthy of the two great characters Ms. Fredrick introduces to us.

HOT SHOT is an engaging and emotional story that will have you wanting more from M. J. Fredrick.

Stacy Cooper