Fire on the Mountain (Mountain, #1)

Sep 08, 2012 Buggy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Buggy by: D

Shelves: ebook, man-love, shelf-12, quickie, men-in-uniform-pc-ff, gay-for-u, virtual-vacation

Opening Line: “Fires would be part of my summer-I’d know that even before ever getting up to the mountains.”

This was a fantastic little find (thanks D) containing not only a very satisfying friends to lovers romance but complete escapism due to J.D Singer’s vivid descriptions of the Colorado park setting and obvious research she’s put into forest firefighting. Her descriptions are so accurate that at times I was shaking my head, is this author a fire ranger in her spare time? We also get some ab...more Opening Line: “Fires would be part of my summer-I’d know that even before ever getting up to the mountains.”

This was a fantastic little find (thanks D) containing not only a very satisfying friends to lovers romance but complete escapism due to J.D Singer’s vivid descriptions of the Colorado park setting and obvious research she’s put into forest firefighting. Her descriptions are so accurate that at times I was shaking my head, is this author a fire ranger in her spare time? We also get some absolutely breathtaking action scenes so that by the end I could smell the smoke and wanted to wash the ash from my clothes. Oh yeah and then there’s the man love…

After a disastrous weekend college road trip sends our narrator Jake back into the closet, all he can think about is getting the hell away from everyone and everything until he can sort out his sexuality. A six month stint as a forest ranger in the mountains of Colorado sounds just about perfect; beautiful scenery, loads of exercise, lakes full of trout and a quiet, judgement free life in an isolated cabin away from it all. Sure he’ll have to contend with directing the odd tourist or scout group back to town, maybe even risk his life with a potential forest fire but hello adventure.

Arriving in the tiny town of Meeker Colorado Jake (for whatever reason) expects to be partnered up with a “crusty old mountain man” for his first fire season instead he gets “the” Kurt Carlson; experienced, popular, self-confident (because he’s good at everything) and gorgeous. Kurt is everything Jake wishes he could be and he’s immediately drawn to him in a hero worship sort of way. This is one friendship he can’t risk ruining though so for now he’ll just keep his emerging feelings and dirty thoughts to himself. We the readers on the other hand get pagefulls of lusty angst and masturbation (not that I’m complaining)

The two become fast friends, filling their time (and a good early portion of the story) with the day to day routines of forest ranging and dealing with potential fire hazards. Because Kurt already has a couple years under his belt he takes on the role of mentor, teaching this rookie all he’ll need to know about fighting fires and living in the bush. This is when Fire On The Mountain takes on a Brokeback Mountain sort of quality; it’s just two men cut off from civilization, living in their own little world, completely reliant on each other. Of course both assume the other is straight, dancing around the obvious signs they’re each putting out until a life or death situation forces the truth to the surface. They want each other.

Their first time together is…. oh yeah, finally! And then *big sigh* as a subsequent forced separation tugs at your heart. Jake unable to sleep unless he gets into Kurt’s sleeping bag; remembering the missed opportunities, overanalyzing the relationship. His anticipation and even fear of seeing that person again was so relatable. Will he still feel the same? Or was it a onetime thing? “I wanted to believe that night was more than the product of fear and impending death. I didn’t want to be the last novelty before oblivion”.

This was a well written, engrossing story and I can’t wait to see where this series goes from here. I should mention that Singer has also included the short story INTO THE MOUNTAINS, which takes place two years prior and is told from Kurt’s POV. It’s an excellent addition to the story as a whole, tying the two together and giving us a look into Kurt’s somewhat obscure character (due to the Jake’s 1st person POV) It was nice to finally get a look into his head and learn why he had some of the fears he did, It also arcs us back to how he first became a Ranger. If you’re at all scared of heights though, look out, this is one exhilarating story. Damn is P.D Singer a rock climber too? Cheers. 311jb4.

*Originally reviewed for my friend D over on PANTS OFF REVIEWS http://pantsoffreviews.blogspot.com/ check it out :)(less)

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Jul 11, 2010 Eden Winters rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

What set this apart from other books I've read of this genre is that I actually learned a thing or two along the way. The story never dragged or raced, but was perfectly paced.

The scenes were described in adequate detail to be pictured clearly, while not falling prey to over-wordiness. While some books I've read toss two totally unsuitable people together and tie them neatly, but unbelievably together, the relationship between Jake and Kurt never once taxed credibility-- I could really see them...more

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Sep 01, 2009 Elisa Ramblings added it · review of another edition

One of the complaints I heard most from gay romance authors is that the genre often doesn't respect the reality. In today time it's not so easy to be gay or to come out, and all those romances where people are out and proud, and happy and comfortable, are not realistic. Coming out is still an issue for most gay men, and often to gather the courage to do it takes years and you arrive well over 20 years old without having done so.

In Fire on the Mountain there is a similar situation; Jake is the ne...more One of the complaints I heard most from gay romance authors is that the genre often doesn't respect the reality. In today time it's not so easy to be gay or to come out, and all those romances where people are out and proud, and happy and comfortable, are not realistic. Coming out is still an issue for most gay men, and often to gather the courage to do it takes years and you arrive well over 20 years old without having done so.

In Fire on the Mountain there is a similar situation; Jake is the new arrive on a mountain ranger station and he is paired with Kurt to patrol a small patch of mountain. They have to spend six months in a small cabin, most of the time alone. Jake is gay but he has not yet done coming out. More, he is scared to do that. All his sexual experience amounts to some mutual strokes with one night stands when he was still in the city. Now he has a big crush on his fellow fire ranger Kurt, but he fears to let it knows since if the feeling is not mutual, he has to still spend six months with the man. And so Jake is suffering the pain of hell being unwillingly teased by Kurt and by the forced proximity. But maybe it's not so unwillingly: in Kurt's action I read something that makes me thing that he is teasing Jake for real, and with a clear purpose in mind.

The story is basically simple; what I find most interesting is, like I said, the process of coming out of a twenty something young man, Jake, and all his insecurities. He is not experienced, everything is unknown and scaring. Even the physical aspect of the thing, how to have sex, what he wants or what his partner doesn't want, is something to be worried about; not to give too much details, but for example Jake is worried about his measures (let us say that he is bigger than usual), and he has never had the chance to be encouraged by someone like him.

On this perspective, the story is pretty sweet, Jake is apparently a big and strong man, but inside he is still a novice. He is not able to speak his desires not since he is shamed, but since he exactly doesn't understand them. On the other hand, I didn't rightly framed Kurt: I have the feeling that he is more experienced, and we know that he is not at his first sexual experience with a man, but still, like Jake, more than face the matter full front, he tries to walk around it. If not for a dangerous experience they share, I don't know if these two men would have ever found the courage to come clear to each other. This is exactly what I was saying at first: coming out is not so simple.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003156QBS/?...(less)

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May 04, 2013 Candice rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, ebook-not-a-kidney, m-m

In the beginning, I will be honest, it was kind of slow for me. It wasn't holding my attention. I thought that Jake was too much a thinker. Then his reactions to Kurt were a little over the top for me. I mean, you're an adult, act like one. You should be able to talk to your boss while the man of your dreams is in the shower without anyone questioning whether you are alright or not.

Then it started falling into place for me and I couldn't pry my eyes away from my Kindle. The descriptions of the...more

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Nov 11, 2012 Mandy*reads obsessively* rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook-owned, m-m, adventure, feel-good-read, gfy-ofy, hurt-comfort-disability, pet-peeve, series-sequels, sweet

3.45*

I really liked the setting, the rangers in the mountains, the setting with the cabin, lake, forest ..different and interesting.
Jake is firmly in the closet and has decided to take a break from school and joins the rangers for a season, there he is partnered with Kurt.
There was a lot of action and drama, but not enough of the relationship building for my taste, that part sort of dragged, and then when it finally moved forward it was rushed and although it was probably realistic what was goin...more

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Nov 23, 2012 Top 2 Bottom Reviews Interviews and More rated it 4 of 5 stars

http://top2bottomreviews.wordpress.com/

Jake Larson is a young man who is taking a summer job as a park ranger before starting pharmacy school. He’s hoping that his assigned partner is an older gruff unattractive man because he was severely burned after his college friends found out he was gay. The incident pushed him so far into the closet, he may never come out.

Kurt Carlson is the young, very attractive man assigned to be Jake’s partner. Jake falls in lust with Kurt almost immediately and it is...more

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Oct 31, 2012 ManOhMan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: manohmanreviews, reviewed

http://manohmanreviews.blogspot.ca/20...

Reviewed by Stacey Jo: Jake signs up as a forest ranger while taking a break from college. Kurt is a veteran forest ranger and teaches Jake his skills. He's paired up with Kurt. Jake hasn't come out yet and this is something he struggles with. He's also have very little experience. As best he can tell, Kurt, whom he has a crush on, is straight. This creates quite a bit of angst in the story. But we learn that maybe Kurt’s not straight as Jake had thought,...more

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Nov 17, 2011 Arthur rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

4.5 stars

You are gay. You are a fire ranger who is basically in the middle of nowhere in the mountain area in Colorado. Worse, you are stationed in a small cabin with this sexy, smart man who is your 'mentor'. Two of you are in the confine of the cabin 24/7, with only once-per-week trip to a nearby small town. What would you do?

That's what Jake feels when he's stationed with Kurt. Everyday contacts with the other man has driven him crazy. Kurt is his mentor and his friend, but Jake really wants...more

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Jul 29, 2011 Josephine Myles rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, m-m, romance

This was my first experience of PD Singer's writing, and I was very pleasantly surprised by the beauty of her descriptive detail. She made the forest park setting come alive with vivid description, but never so much as to become overwhelming. The forest fire scene was particularly dramatic and by far the most memorable scene of the book - I think that will remain seared into my memory for a long time.

Kurt and Jake are both young men and this shows in a certain lack of depth to their characterisa...more

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Jan 01, 2011 Carole Cummings rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Though each book in this series can stand alone, it's hard for me to separate them into individual stories, because they're so inter-woven. The characters become deeper and more 'real' with each edition, but that doesn't by any means indicate that they're not already very real from Page One of Book One. the whole series is like a layer cake, with each layer adding something you didn't consider missing, but yet enhances the whole. The author doesn't 'talk down' to her audience. Have you ever read...more

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Nov 17, 2009 Michael rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: gay-drama, gay-fiction, gay-romance, gay-firefighters

Every once in a while I read a story that makes me appreciate destiny’s hand in love. Two people meet, be it on the job, on the street or at a store and fate has brought them together for a reason. It’s all the more interesting when those two people happen to be gay men...because all too often you can feel like you are the only gay person in this big old world.

Fire on the Mountain is one of those books. Jake and Kurt are fire rangers stationed together in the mountains of Colorado. The story is...more Every once in a while I read a story that makes me appreciate destiny’s hand in love. Two people meet, be it on the job, on the street or at a store and fate has brought them together for a reason. It’s all the more interesting when those two people happen to be gay men...because all too often you can feel like you are the only gay person in this big old world.

Fire on the Mountain is one of those books. Jake and Kurt are fire rangers stationed together in the mountains of Colorado. The story is told from the POV of Jake who is in his early 20’s and gay. He’s out to himself but not out on the job. He slowly realizes he’s developing feelings for Kurt. He has no idea if Kurt is gay or not and he’s desperate not to screw up because it’s just the two of them stationed at this ranger’s cabin.

The slow building of Jake’s attraction to Kurt grabs you and makes you wish the best for him...you hope it turns out that Jake is “cut from the same cloth”. The steady pace of the story and Jake’s gradual coming out is fantastic. Being able to follow his thoughts as he struggles with his attraction, his insecurities and his desires really pulls you into the character and story.

One of the best things about this story is that these two talk. Jake vocalizes his insecurities about his inexperience in gay sex. It’s not your average “perfect” sex scene. They fumble and their fumbling only adds to the heat. It’s not often that you really feel the joy and shock a person experiences when they encounter a physical feeling for the first time. It’s not often (at least for me) in romance books that you read two characters, one novice and one a little more experienced, talking about sex in such a plain and honest way:

“...stutters to a stop to think of what to say next. ‘Buttholes are small. I don’t want to hurt you.’
‘Buttholes are stretchy. You won’t.’ He sounded confident, and I wanted to believe him.”

Moments like that put a smile on my face.

I loved this story and I highly, highly recommend that others read it. It’s a fun, sexy and believable story. There are some suspenseful forest fire scenes as well.
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Nov 16, 2009 Jenre rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m, romance, contemporary

I’ve not read a book by this author before but the blurb to Fire on the Mountain sounded so attractive, I thought I’d give it a go. It turned out to be a an engaging story with realistic, likable characters.

Jake is spending his summer season as a forest ranger before heading off to Pharmacy college. His job is to drive through the forest park looking out for the beginnings of forest fires and putting them out before they can catch and do too much damage as well as keep an eye on the various tour...more I’ve not read a book by this author before but the blurb to Fire on the Mountain sounded so attractive, I thought I’d give it a go. It turned out to be a an engaging story with realistic, likable characters.

Jake is spending his summer season as a forest ranger before heading off to Pharmacy college. His job is to drive through the forest park looking out for the beginnings of forest fires and putting them out before they can catch and do too much damage as well as keep an eye on the various tourists, walkers and occasional scout groups who wander around the park. He is partnered by Kurt who has spent a few years doing this job. Jake and Kurt are basically living in each other’s pockets in a tiny cabin in the middle of nowhere so it’s a good job that they gel and work together. Jake is gay and he finds Kurt, who he believes to be straight, very attractive. He’s managed to keep a lid on his feelings for a few weeks now until something happens to put a spark to his lust for Kurt. The following few weeks are difficult for Jake as he struggles with his raging lust and growing respect and admiration for Kurt, until one day both men are thrown into a life threatening situation and Jake can no longer keep his feelings to himself.

Fire on the Mountain is what you might call a ’slow burner’ – no pun intended. For most of the book we are treated to descriptions of the daily lives and job of a forest ranger. I didn’t know anything about this job before I read this book, so I found this part completely fascinating. I had no idea about how much effort goes into seeking out potential fire hazards and dealing with them. I also loved the descriptions of the forest park and the simple life that these two men lead, cut off from civilisation:

The road had been heavily shored up with rocks where the truck was supposed to back up to the water, to prevent erosion and tire tracks, but the rest of the lakeside was untouched. The trees came all the way to the water in a few places. One was tall and sturdy enough to hang a Tarzan rope on. There was a rim of long grass around most of it, but no real beach, unless the rocky section leading into the water by the truck ramp counted. The lake was only about sixty yards across, and deep, a beautiful blue jewel set into the mountains. A little stream fed the lake with snowmelt –deer liked to come down to the water there. I’d spent evenings here with a fishing rod, watching the stars come out. The stars don’t look like that in the city, where there are too many competing lights. In the wilderness, it’s like it must have been thousands of years ago, when men started naming the constellations. I loved the lake; it was one of the great joys of being out here.

As you can see from this quotation, the story is told in the first person by Jake. I liked Jake very much. He has almost a wide eyed innocence about him and the way he views the world which I found utterly charming. Jake is also somewhat of a naval gazer, being introspective, and he perhaps worries over his problems a little too much, especially later in the book. He has tried so hard not to fall for Kurt because he knows that it will cause a rift in their burgeoning friendship. Once he realises that it is too late and he has a huge case of unrequited lust, he tries to deal with it the only way a man can and takes himself in hand (literally). The number of masturbation scenes in the story was at first mildly amusing but got a bit tiresome after a while – there’s only so much that can be said about a man masturbating, after all, and I began to wish that some of them had been ‘fade to black’. Although Jake’s naivety was endearing most of the time, when it came to his assumptions about Kurt’s sexuality I was astounded that he didn’t figure it out before he did. Even Kurt is exasperated at what he saw as his obvious attempts to get Jake’s attention:

“I spent most of two weeks trying to get your attention, and you have to ask that? I did everything but drop one wing and run in circles,”

Because we only see Kurt from Jake’s point of view it was a little more difficult to get an idea of his character. Jake has an obvious case of hero-worship when it comes to Kurt so he comes across as a little too wonderful. Having said that he acts kindly to others, gets on well with people and is an all round ‘nice guy’ so it was very difficult to dislike him at all. The other characters were also interesting, if a little stereotyped at times, but not enough to detract from my overall enjoyment of the book.

By the time I had finished Fire on the Mountain, I was pleased that I’d taken a chance with this ‘new to me’ author. The book was tightly plotted with a number of tense, exhilarating action scenes; the relationship between the heroes as friends and then lovers was beautifully done and contained a lovely gentleness which I found delightful; finally the descriptions of the forest park in all its terrible beauty just added to the overall positive feelings I had for this book. I recommend that you read Fire on the Mountain – you won’t regret it. (less)

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Jan 02, 2010 Jimmy Hanson rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2009, m-m

I liked this book. Not sure exactly why; it could be the firefighting element [and how realistically PD Singer was able to describe it:], or whether it was the detail of them being out in the wilds and the reality of not having everything right there and handy. If Singer doesn't have first-hand experience in being a Ranger, I'd be greatly surprised.

The slow progression of the relationship is neat, if a little angsty. The 'first time' scene kind of came out abruptly [Kurt actually came on to Jake...more

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Nov 01, 2012 Susan Laine rated it 5 of 5 stars

There wasn't much I didn't like about Jake and Kurt. The story has a very realistic approach to the everyday life of rangers, and that realism just made me look at the characters more deeply. Jake is the adorable novice in the affairs of love, while Kurt has been burned by passion before. Then again, Kurt could be straight for all Jake knows. There's a lot happening here, from destructive fire storms in the wilderness to a violent bad guy brandishing a blade. The action juxtaposed with everyday...more

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Nov 15, 2012 Sue rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book surprised me.
I wasn't sure I'd enjoy a tale about rangers patrolling forests to put out flash fires, but blimey, I really did.
Lovely setting up, with the two men in a small cabin for six months during the fire season, with only a day in town once a week to interrupt their mutual yearning.
Although each wants the other, neither thinks their potential partner is gay, and daren't take the leap of trying to connect on a romantic level because it would make their job incredibly awkward if...more

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Jun 19, 2012 Becky Mrs Condit Reads Books rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

OK, I’ll admit it up front and say that I’m a fan of PD Singer’s style of writing, and FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN certainly did not disappoint. This is a great story of two gay men dancing around each other, wondering, “Is he… Isn’t he…” all while battling forest fires and pure desire for one another.

FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN is a sexy, entertaining story and the beautiful way Ms Singer puts words together makes it very enjoyable to read. Her research into the job of a forest ranger added details that rea...more

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Mar 03, 2013 Kukko rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: z-bookie-nookie-scavenger-hunt, 1-app-kindle-borrowed, a-contemporary, a-erotic, character-fireman, sex-mix-m-m, series-to-be-read-in-order, z-2013

Kurt and Jake are 20-something volunteer fire-fighter park rangers who are teamed during a Colorado fire season. I learnt a lot about forest fires from this book - more that I want or need to know.

Although it ended happily, Jake clearly has more going for him career-wise than Kurt. If anything, I felt kind of down after completing the story - as I could not help wondering if their relationship would last, since Kurt is clearly not a planner! But then again this is a series, so I guess they will...more

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Jul 19, 2012 Francesca the Fierce ~Eyelet Ecstasy~ rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-read-2012, man-loving

This review was posted at Under the Covers

This is an emotional story about how two young men deal with their feelings and attractions, how they deal with being gay and how they deal with falling in love.

Landon is young and wasn't expecting to be attracted to his assigned partner when he signed up as a ranger. He's supposed to spend the summer in a cabin in the middle of the wilderness and patrol for fires. While in the forest, alone with his partner Kurt, who happens to be a vet at this position...more

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Aug 16, 2010 Buda rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I am totally in love with Jake and Kurt, two regular guys with extraordinary jobs and real issues of their own.

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Aug 01, 2012 Kaetrin rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, ebook, m-m-romance

3.5 stars

Enjoyable story about a young firefighter/ranger in the Rocky Mountains who is teamed with a hot slightly older (by 3 years) and more experienced firefighter for a 6 month stint. Jake isn't out and isn't sure if Kurt is gay. They are stuck with each other for 6 months, with only short trips to town for supplies. If he makes a move and Kurt rejects him how will they manage to spend the rest of their season? But, what if...? Told from Jake's 1st person POV, I found the will he/won't he a...more

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Feb 03, 2010 Mara Ismine rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: male-male, romance, 2010, contemporary

4.5 stars as I've only read it once so far. I've been saving this one for a while. I knew it would be good and I wanted to savour it properly. It was well worth the wait. The detailed background of fighting forest fires in the Colorado Rockies is built naturally through rookie ranger Jake's eyes. The slow build-up as the relationship between Jake and his work partner Kurt deepens was beautifully done. Jake's worries and fears are real and understandable. And the ending was exactly right for the...more

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Mar 23, 2013 Thomaidha Papa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, first-love, firefighters, m-m, romance

4 Hearts

Review written for MM Good Book Reviews

http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/

Fire on the Mountain is a lovely story that follows Jake’s attempt at leaving human contact behind and hide on the mountains for the summer. Being in the closet for a long, long time, Jake intents to keep staying there after a near bad experience that cause him a couple of friendships. He figures it’ll be easy for him to hide in the heart of the mountains, but he never counted on having a partner like Kurt.

Sexy...more 4 Hearts

Review written for MM Good Book Reviews

http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/

Fire on the Mountain is a lovely story that follows Jake’s attempt at leaving human contact behind and hide on the mountains for the summer. Being in the closet for a long, long time, Jake intents to keep staying there after a near bad experience that cause him a couple of friendships. He figures it’ll be easy for him to hide in the heart of the mountains, but he never counted on having a partner like Kurt.

Sexy and alluring Kurt is driving Jake slowly but steadily out of his mind and with him me too. It’s crazy how easily I fell under Kurt’s spell. The writing made it all happen in quite the special way. I found myself lost in the wonderful pictures the author painted with her words and the intensifying emotions of Jake’s longing. It was quite funny somehow seeing him going crazy with lust a bit more day after day. The fact that the entire story is narrated from Jake’s PoV leaves us no indication of what Kurt must be thinking. We witness little things that might give him away, but Jake’s fear laden brain shuts them all down and the angst that is created by that took a hold on me as a reader too. When Kurt finally lets that armor down it was the best reward for me. I loved him then even more and they both won me over as a couple. They were perfect for each other.

The power balance of the story plot and emotional plot was fantastic with one fueling the other and the blend was almost magical. In between fighting the fires, trying to survive certain death and fighting with emotions there was a healthy dose of everyday life in there that felt so damn normal. The humor wasn’t lacking either and I do have a soft spot for the underwear scene. I couldn’t stop laughing with poor Jake’s frustration.

So I loved this story, made the whole ranger/firefighter stereotype shine and while I’m not much for them I can’t not admit there was quality here that I’d love to see more. Strongly recommended if you love firefighters, rangers, mountain, and action/romance stories. Totally worth it.

P.S.

The short story included was awesome too. Beautiful description that seems to be this authors trademark and very helpful into loving Kurt even more. I could’ve kill Benji that jerk of a character that had my blood pressure high in a matter of seconds. Pff.

Thommie(less)

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Dec 28, 2012 ttg rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m, reviews, challenge-read

3.5 stars - This was a pretty interesting adventure romance about Jake, fresh out of college but still deep in the closet, who signs up for a six-month stint as a forest ranger since he thinks being stuck in the woods watching out for fires will solve his problems of (not) dealing with being gay, especially since he’ll probably be partnered with some Grizzly Adams old man who he won’t be tempted by at all. But Fate says, “Think again!” and his partner is the young, experienced ranger Kurt, who i...more 3.5 stars - This was a pretty interesting adventure romance about Jake, fresh out of college but still deep in the closet, who signs up for a six-month stint as a forest ranger since he thinks being stuck in the woods watching out for fires will solve his problems of (not) dealing with being gay, especially since he’ll probably be partnered with some Grizzly Adams old man who he won’t be tempted by at all. But Fate says, “Think again!” and his partner is the young, experienced ranger Kurt, who is also super hot, and Jake is questioning his fool-proof plan, and wondering how long he can last until his secret is out.

What I liked: Knowing nothing about rangers and what they need to do to fight forest fires, I really dug all the information about Jake and Kurt’s work, and Singer does a great job here providing consistent details to set the scene and their actions, never forgetting what clothing they need, the supplies they have to carry, and what steps they take to protect the woods as well as themselves. It was neat to read about.

I also liked Jake and Kurt, and their slow evolution from colleagues to friends to lovers was nice to read. They’re also a good “equal partnership” couple where one isn’t falling into a set role, but they both support each other, protect each other, and are open and very willing to switch things up in the bedroom (or the outside, as things seems to be.)

What was harder for me: People have mentioned the slow pace before, and it is slow, but what worked less for me were some overall pacing issues and Jake’s over-ruminations.

For the pacing, there’s a big climatic fire about half-way through the story, which leads to things, and then there’s a slow unspooling as our MCs get together. The pacing never really picked up after the fire though, and I kept thinking that maybe something else exciting would happen, something “post-coitus,” but it didn’t, and the book (DSP’s release from this year) ends at a little over 80%. The rest of the book is a short story set two year’s prior that shows what led to Kurt joining the rangers. I wish there had been something else to help pick up the pacing—an action or event outside of the sex, which I was a little bored by, and the epilogue was nice, but very short and because it was coming around the 80% mark, I didn’t really realize it was the epilogue until it was over.

Jake’s ruminations also really slowed the pace down. That boy was a thinker, and he spun around on the same conflict and worry for a long time unless that was replaced by a new worry, and he thought about that for a while. Around the 30% mark, as he internally lamented about his attraction to Kurt and how he was worried that if Kurt found out about him, that he’s be rejected (or worse), I was left thinking, “Jake, sweetie, I’ve been with you the entire book. I fully 100% understand your core conflict. You don’t need to tell me about it again.” After the fire at the midway point, and he started to over-ruminate about his worries that related to that, I started to skim until the next action piece or dialogue. So, I wish some of the writing there had been tightened up.

So overall, I thought parts of this were really interesting, the fire part was especially riveting, and I wished more action scenes had been included to help keep the pacing up. I know this is the beginning of a series, and even though I had some issues with this book, I am interested in checking out the sequels, especially since I hear the recent sequel Blood on the Mountain is pretty exciting. My only hope is that Jake’s over-thinking mind might be tightened up a bit by then.(less)

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Mar 08, 2013 Cryselle rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: dreamspinner

Review originally posted at Reading Reality

Jake Landon’s ready to hide from the world and his own sexuality for the duration of the fire season, a plan that would work a whole lot better if his new partner wasn’t seriously hot and wholly uninhibited. From the opening scene, where Kurt rinses off the sweat from firefighting in an impromptu shower to an unplanned trip into a chilly mountain lake to retrieve runaway groceries, Kurt’s clothes don’t stay on consistently. For two guys who aren’t exact...more Review originally posted at Reading Reality

Jake Landon’s ready to hide from the world and his own sexuality for the duration of the fire season, a plan that would work a whole lot better if his new partner wasn’t seriously hot and wholly uninhibited. From the opening scene, where Kurt rinses off the sweat from firefighting in an impromptu shower to an unplanned trip into a chilly mountain lake to retrieve runaway groceries, Kurt’s clothes don’t stay on consistently. For two guys who aren’t exactly part of civilization, this shouldn’t be a problem.

Unless, of course, everything about your partner, from his little adjustments of your arm to correct your archery stance to the sight of his ranger-green utilities stretched tight across his butt while he’s climbing a tree gives you a raging case of lust. Poor Jake—he’s terrified to reach out to what he’s not entirely sure is being offered. At twenty-two, he’s only now coming to terms with his own desires and is almost completely inexperienced.

The unresolved sexual tension chases Jake through the national forest where he and Kurt patrol and on into the tiny mountain town where the local girls see them as romantic opportunities. The mountains, the town, and the people they meet are vividly drawn and very much a part of city-boy Jake’s new experiences, and the firefighting that Kurt and Jake occasionally have to do leaps off the page.

Matters come to a head when a fire goes out of control and they find themselves trapped in a small cave, unsure if they’ll be alive in twenty-four hours and with nothing else to do except sleep, swap stories, and discover exactly what’s on Kurt’s mind. If they live through this, there will be time enough to find out what’s next, and the scene that makes it possible made me cry every time. (I’ve read this more than once.)

Jake is the POV character throughout the entire story, and so we’re privy to his longings and terrors, and we see Kurt only though his eyes. Kurt’s something of a mountain man, experienced in the wilderness, although his occasional lapses in either good sense or skills keep him from being too heroic to his greenhorn partner. Kurt has his own scars and fears, which come out very gradually, and explain the slow build of the relationship and the difficulties they have resolving it. It’s sweetly done in and around the adventure, and the ending is the perfect lead-in for the sequels.

This story was originally released in shorter form by another publisher, which I have read, and can say that the expansions are appropriate and add dimension to the story. As part of the re-release, the author included an 11k bonus story in Kurt’s POV, which elaborates on a pivotal incident in his past, touched on briefly in the story. While technically it’s a prequel, it belongs in its current position after the novel in order to avoid spoilers on Kurt’s personality and motives. It’s also an armchair adventure for those of us who will never climb El Capitan. Into the Mountains makes Kurt’s eventual HEA with Jake that much more poignant.(less)

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Mar 04, 2011 Maya rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: hearts

Fire on the Mountain by P.D. Singer
Mountain, Book 1
2.5 Hearts
Reviewed for www.heartsonfirereviews.com

This was a fairly enjoyable story of two likable young men working as forest rangers and paired together for a six month stint. Jake is very inexperienced both on the job and in life. In his early twenties, he is still a virgin. Kurt is a few years older and much more experienced in life and on the job. They are both hiding the fact that they are gay and they are both terribly attracted to each o...more

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Mar 07, 2012 Stacey Jo rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mm-action-suspense, mm-firemen-or-forest-rangers, mm-coming-out, series-part-of, mm-i-own, mm-i-ve-read, mm-angst-and-or-unrequieted

Jake signs up as a forest ranger while taking a break from college. He's paired up with Kurt. Jake hasn't come out yet and this is something he struggles with. He's also have very little experience. As best he can tell, Kurt, whom he has a crush on, is straight. But then we learn that maybe he's not, and when they get trapped on the mountain when a small fire burns out of control, they finally admit their feelings.

The writing is well done. It's very descriptive and you can really get a good pic...more

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Jul 04, 2012 Lisa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m-romance, contemporary-romance, glbt

Jake Landon believes he’s going to spend the summer after his college graduation fighting wildfires in the Colorado Mountains, partnered with some cantankerous and hygiene-challenged geezer who’ll make Jake forget that he’s at all attracted to men. Fighting fires will eat up a few months, and then some, of the year he’s taking off before he starts pharmacy school, or, at least that was the plan, but plans don’t account for much of anything if the fates refuse to get with your program, which make...more Jake Landon believes he’s going to spend the summer after his college graduation fighting wildfires in the Colorado Mountains, partnered with some cantankerous and hygiene-challenged geezer who’ll make Jake forget that he’s at all attracted to men. Fighting fires will eat up a few months, and then some, of the year he’s taking off before he starts pharmacy school, or, at least that was the plan, but plans don’t account for much of anything if the fates refuse to get with your program, which makes Jake’s idea to stay in the closet until he can figure a way to get out become a whole lot more challenging when he ends up partnered with Kurt Carlson—walking, talking temptation—the man who lights a fire in Jake’s libido hot enough to rival anything Mother Nature could possibly whip up.

It’s a shaky start for both men, for reasons that have nothing to do with ability or experience and everything to do with attraction, but Jake and Kurt quickly form a working partnership, become friends, and, eventually, come to discover that the connection they feel is as elemental to them as the fires they fight are to nature. It’s a slow burn as their desire chases them like the flames on a shifting wind and when they finally succumb to it, the results are scorching, and before I knew it, I was completely invested in them and my hope for a long and lovely romance.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from reading P.D. Singer’s work, it’s that I always learn something, whether it’s what mise en place means, how a hedge fund works, or what it feels like to be thisclose to becoming a victim of your job. There is no “this seems really authentic” about her work. It is authentic and never fails to draw me in every time.

I’m sorry to say I never got around to reading the first edition of Fire on the Mountain, (why, I have no clue) so what’s been improved upon, I can’t say. But I can say whatever it was, the improvements made for some seriously sizzling summer reading.

TNA (less)

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Mar 20, 2011 xbmbgrl rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Jake and Kurt are forestry rangers working out of a little cabin in a remote area of the Colorado Mountains. Kurt is somewhat older and has some experience as a forest ranger and is training young newbie Jake. Jake is enjoying his forestry training but really wants to learn more personal stuff from Kurt yet is unsure how to go about it. The book is told entirely from Jake’s POV which does make the book seem a bit lopsided without some understanding of what Kurt is thinking or why he does some of...more Jake and Kurt are forestry rangers working out of a little cabin in a remote area of the Colorado Mountains. Kurt is somewhat older and has some experience as a forest ranger and is training young newbie Jake. Jake is enjoying his forestry training but really wants to learn more personal stuff from Kurt yet is unsure how to go about it. The book is told entirely from Jake’s POV which does make the book seem a bit lopsided without some understanding of what Kurt is thinking or why he does some of the things he does.

The first half of this book has a lot of information about forestry rangers, the nature of fire fighting and how rangers live and work in these remote areas. All of the information seemed viable and accurate to me, but frankly, I can’t say for sure. Do they really live in a 16 x 16 foot cabin with no electricity for 6 months out of the year? Seems like a generator wouldn’t be all that hard to obtain but maybe that is how they live. Whether the info is accurate or not isn’t really important except that there is so much of this type of information, it seems like it is somehow important.

Still for the same first half of the book while we are learning all about fire fighting, Kurt and Jake are getting to know each other better. But not well enough to answer the burning question that obsesses Jake ... is Kurt gay and how can I approach him to find out without ruining everything if he isn’t? Jake spends a lot of time trying to figure out how to approach him about it. He also spends a lot of time masturbating and fantasizing about Kurt.

The second half of the book moves to a new dilemma for Jake to mind-fuck himself thinking about. In a life-threatening situation a moment of quick passion occurs between Kurt and Jake. To Jake’s astonishment, the interlude is initiated by Kurt but fueled by Jake. The following morning, situations conspire to deny Kurt and Jake an opportunity to really discuss their actions. Additional emergencies keep them separated for several weeks after their discovery. This is all the time in the world for our two heroes to completely think themselves in circles.

This leads to most of the remaining chapters dedicated to Jake wondering if Kurt really meant it or if it was a one-time thing in the face of danger. Their reunion was quite touching. The realization of how things stand was a long time coming and finally leads to some real sexual interaction between the two that is well written and erotic.

I liked Kurt and Jake even if they were your basic clueless men with limited communication skills until their actions have backed them against a wall.

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Feb 10, 2010 Kassa rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I originally got this book because Jenre’s Well Read raved about the sequel and thus prompting me to read the first book in the series. While I may not have enjoyed this offering as much as Jen did, there are some interesting aspects to the book. The fire fighting depiction is really stunning in detail and authenticity, which helps the book since the romance aspect is rather weak and diluted. The setting and strong sense of work in the fire scenes kept the book interesting, although more time an...more
I originally got this book because Jenre’s Well Read raved about the sequel and thus prompting me to read the first book in the series. While I may not have enjoyed this offering as much as Jen did, there are some interesting aspects to the book. The fire fighting depiction is really stunning in detail and authenticity, which helps the book since the romance aspect is rather weak and diluted. The setting and strong sense of work in the fire scenes kept the book interesting, although more time and attention to developing the characters and the romance would have helped the book.

The book opens with a scene of Jake and Kurt fighting a mild fire and preventing it from spreading. Once the last embers are out, Jake struggles with his attraction to Kurt and sets up the pace and plot of the book. Told in first person from Jake’s POV, Jake and Kurt are fire fighters and spend the time in the book with Jake fighting his attraction while working alongside Kurt at their job. The story goes into extensive detail about their job as forest rangers and introduces multiple life threatening harrowing fires they must tirelessly work to put out. This keeps the two men mostly busy and any down time is spent with Jake masturbating about Kurt. There is only one sex scene at the very end, a gratuitous and unnecessary scene but without it there would only be the numerous masturbation scenes of Jake’s.

The setting is similarly well developed and the crisp wind and mild temperatures of the time come across very well. This helps keep the first half of the book interesting and entertaining even while the connection between the two men stutters and develops incredibly slowly. Although the story gives tremendous detail about fire fighting, the actual characters are not nearly as thorough. There is one comment about Jake being a forest ranger in between school but why did he choose that particular job? Is there a background or training needed? What is his family like and his history? What experiences have led him to be the way he is and shaped who he is? None of these questions are answered and I left both characters lacked depth from their surface characterization. Jake and Kurt appear to simply exist in the time and place of the actions and events in the book, even with the vague reference to Kurt having been hurt in the past, without the much needed context. Additionally Jake’s virginal status is mentioned numerous times but the reasons are vague and indistinct.

By about halfway through the book I was getting bored and struggled to finish the last half as the men are separated for most of it. The attack of conscience Jake has and how he convinces himself his feelings for Kurt are unwelcome lingers on slightly too long. His inexperience forgives part of the extended angst and Kurt’s actions clearly show the truth, so this angst ended up being too much instead of just right. This combined with the too many solo masturbation scenes which had me skimming until the story moved on.

The writing is decent and really the best parts are the fire fighting. If you’ve never read a book that uses such intimate knowledge affectively, this may hold your attention and give a fascinating view of a setting and job not often well depicted. The immature and inexperienced Jake wears slightly as a first person narrator and showing more of Kurt’s personality would have improved the story, as well as a tighter connection. However clearly reader opinion will vary and if nothing else, I can recommend the book for the descriptive quality, which is higher than a good number of books offer.
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Oct 23, 2012 Carey rated it 3 of 5 stars

I liked the plot of this one but I had issues with the writing and editing. Parts of the voice just didn't strike me as authentic and just served to pull me out of the story. I liked the short story at the end of the book more than I did the main story because It didn't seem to have the same issues.

I think the book would have been better served to have the short story be the prologue and the current prologue just worked back into the book. I didn't feel that Jake had a young man's "voice" consis...more

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Fire on the Mountain (Mountain #1)

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