Brave the Heat

July 6, 2015
The first McGuire Brothers contemporary boasts suspense that burns as hot as the love scenes. It’s been 15 years since Jordan McKenna left Old Brookfield, N.Y., right after high school graduation. Gavin McGuire, who’s now the town’s fire chief, was dating her then and still isn’t over her. From his perspective, she just disappeared; he has no idea that Jordan ran off to New York City to become an actress and escape her abusive father. Unable to find success, she married a wealthy man who turned out to be another abuser. Hoping to save her daughters, she leaves him and brings the girls back to Old Brookfield. As soon as Gavin sees Jordan, he rushes to propose that they restart their relationship—a move quite at odds with his otherwise sensible attitude—and she calmly declines, determined to show her girls she’s able to stand on her own. But when an arsonist strikes the town, Jordan and Gavin end up working together to find the culprit while fanning their own embers of attraction into passion. This crafty romance, with its spirited characters, will leave readers anticipating the sequel. Agent: Jeanne Forte Dube, Forte Associates.

Kate Russell narrates the first in a series about the Maguire brothers. Jordan McKenna returns home to confront her dying father and meets up with the boy she loved and left, Gavin Maguire. Gavin has become the town fire chief and has never forgotten the girl who ran away. Russell brings life to the characters--from the wacky flower shop assistant to Jordan's father. Especially endearing are the voices of Jordan's two young daughters. An enjoyable story and a great narrator will delight the listener. S.B. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine