Under Fire (Firefighters of Station Five, #2)

Apr 19, 2011 UniquelyMoi *Dhestiny* BlithelyBookish rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: genre-contemporary-series, firefighters, romantic-suspense, author-jo-davis, virginal-hero, 3-stars, 2010-reads, reviewed-by-me, mobsteresque-badguy, contemporary-romantic-suspense, series-firefighters-of-station-five

Before I begin, I’d like to remind you, dear readers of my review, that I think of ALL of the characters I read about as real people, with real hopes and real fears, who just want to be loved and cared about like the rest of us do. If I can’t connect, I don’t care about them the way I really hope to. Unfortunately, that can be a double edged sword, because if I love a character, I sometimes find myself upset with the author for giving that character a miserable storyline.

So, that said, here’s wh...more

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May 11, 2009 Auntee rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fans of the series; fans of firefighter romance

Shelves: contemporary-romance, firefighters, 2009_reads

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. After reading and enjoying author Jo Davis's first book in this Firefighters of Station Five series, Trial by Fire, I was really looking forward to the next installment. While I enjoyed it for the most part, I did find myself frustrated at times with the hero and rolling my eyes at the twists and turns in the plot. And I had to ask myself the question --how much physical abuse can one hero be forced to endure in a book?

This story focuses on young twenty-something Zack Knight. Zack's the FAO (fir...more

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Apr 21, 2011 Buggy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: shelf-09, rom-susp, men-in-uniform-pc-ff

Opening Line: "The back end of the SUV filled Zack Knight's windshield before his exhusted brain jolted to awareness, screaming the belated message to slam on his brakes."

Zack Knight loves to save lives and fight fires along with the other members of his `family' at Station Five yet outside the firehouse his private life has hit rock bottom. In trying to pay off his ailing fathers gambling debts he's managed to lose his house, his life savings and with this latest instalment he's also going to l...more Opening Line: "The back end of the SUV filled Zack Knight's windshield before his exhusted brain jolted to awareness, screaming the belated message to slam on his brakes."

Zack Knight loves to save lives and fight fires along with the other members of his `family' at Station Five yet outside the firehouse his private life has hit rock bottom. In trying to pay off his ailing fathers gambling debts he's managed to lose his house, his life savings and with this latest instalment he's also going to lose his baby, a 1967 silver Mustang. Its while pondering the loan sharks increasingly hostile demands that Zack rear ends Cori Shannon in what will become the first of many accidents he suffers throughout this book. The beautiful exotic dancer wants nothing to do with Zack or his crumpled Mustang and succeeds in destroying what's left of his pride before she leaves too.

With Zack's job on the line for being late, A shift's first call takes them to an MVA on Sugarland bridge. A car is teetering on the guard rail, precariously close to falling into the violent waters below. A car that contains one terrified and somewhat familiar exotic dancer. Zack makes it his personal mission to rescue Cori, climbing into the back and urging her forward to safety just as the car topples over the edge taking Zack with it.

The opening of UNDER FIRE is super exciting and I can't remember ever reading a romance where the author actually kills the hero within the first few chapters. (Okay it was only for a few minutes but still) Jo Davis just loves to torture her men and by the end I truly felt sorry for Zack; he drowns, gets pneumonia, is shot, drugged, stabbed, tortured and hit in the head with a 2x4. It's exhausting. Through it all Zack maintains his nice guy persona and between hospital visits even manages to lose his virginity (I know sweet right, he was saving himself for the right girl)

His `right girl' is very likable, feisty, and independent plus she made me laugh with her sassy comments. Cori is also older than Zack and no virgin which was an interesting dynamic. Together they both have a ton of secrets and I kept waiting for the inevitable explosion of truths, particularly after Cori's crazed stalker entered the scene.

This is a great read full of action, suspense and hard-bodied men. Although the love scenes here aren't as scorching hot as (Trial by Fire) Zack makes up for it in sweetness, solo shower scenes and role playing games, yeah he's a keeper.

Thankfully there are still several hot team members waiting to have their stories told, (Hidden Fire) is the next instalment. (less)

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May 25, 2009 Shawna rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fans of series; fans of suspense with sexy firefighters

Shelves: firefighter-paramedic-emt, jo-davis-jd-tyler-jo-carlisle, romantic-suspense, 2009-reads, hero-beta, heroine-i-adore, hero-stud-mantel-hall-of-fame, im-a-cover-hottie-ho, older-gal-younger-guy-cougar, hero-celibate-virgin-virginesque, series-firefighters-of-station-five, i-read-own-faves-keepers, favorite-romance-series, doctor-or-nurse-in-the-house-shrink, hh-exotic-dancer-stripper, dirty-talk-turns-me-on, 4-to-5-stars

4 ½ stars – Romantic Suspense

A little ditty, about Zack and Corrine, two American kids doing it as often as they can.....

I was really looking forward to this second installment in the Firefighters of Station Five series because the first book Trial by Fire was a smoking hot, thrilling romantic suspense read. After reading some less than stellar reviews, I had lowered my expectations for Under Fire and mainly read it for the sexy firefighters and steam factor, but I wound up really enjoying it.

It...more

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Apr 20, 2011 ♥ Sam ♥ ~S2~Im made of awesomness rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fire-fighters, next-in-the-series, part-of-a-series, romance, blog-reviews-for-my-wenchy

I get knocked down, but I get up again, your never gonna get me down, I get knocked down....

This is book two in the hunky fire-fighter series appropriately named ‘Under Fire’. I liked this book better than the first, simply because I felt I knew the characters and were getting to know their little quirks a lot better.

Let’s introduce Zach. He is adorable, sweet, hunky and completely drool worthy with his cute little Clark Kent glasses. As a boy he was the frumpy geek with who never got over play...more I get knocked down, but I get up again, your never gonna get me down, I get knocked down....

This is book two in the hunky fire-fighter series appropriately named ‘Under Fire’. I liked this book better than the first, simply because I felt I knew the characters and were getting to know their little quirks a lot better.

Let’s introduce Zach. He is adorable, sweet, hunky and completely drool worthy with his cute little Clark Kent glasses. As a boy he was the frumpy geek with who never got over playing with his fire trucks. He was raised by his gambling addict father who went and got himself into over three quarters of a million dollars debt. But when his father becomes an invalid, Zach is left with the bill and a casino mogil breathing down his neck. He is forced into financial ruin and just when he thinks he cant take anymore – the fun begins! Oh and did I mention he is a virgin , whats that you say – yes my ladies a V.I.R.G.I.N. Zach has been waiting for the perfect woman his whole life to give this precious gift to. *SAM JUMPS UP AND DOWN – ‘GIVE IT TO ME, GIVE IT TO ME ‘ - *

My ZACH -

Introducing our Heroine, Cori. This chic has got it going on. We’re talking drop dead gorgeous. And to add to that she is an exotic dancer, going to nursing school ( hmm...haven’t heard that story line used before *cough*not*cough*). Cori has escaped a past abusive marriage and fled to Sugarland to start new. Finally months away from graduating from nursing – Zach rear ends her Explorer and her world is turned upside down.

I really did like Zach, but he often reminded me of a pre pubescent teenager. He was a little awkard and well a litte girlie. And honestly how many times can one person be knocked down and still get back up again – were talking, Shot, drowning, phnemonia, beaten, hit by a 4x2, whipped in the face with a chain, poked at with a fire poker, gased and sliced up with a knife – but yes he gets up and somehow manages to find the time to make love to his woman and build her a bridge – awwwww.... And although I loved the virgin angle, I didn’t understand what made Cori different from other girls. He only knew her maybe a week before he knew that he wanted to loose his innocence to Cori. Meh...I guess when you know, you know – right ?

My favourite scene in the book is the shower scene, were Cori not so accidently walked in on Zach in the shower giving the old turkey a slap and moaning out her name –HAWT!!!

Im glad I was introduced to this series. Ms. Davis knows how to bring passion, mystery and suspence to our pages. I cannot wait to read the rest of the firefighters stories.
(less)

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Jun 24, 2010 DarienMoya rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone who likes men virgins and fires. Oh yeh and sex.

Shelves: 2010-reads

^^MMMM! IT BURNS SO GOOD^^

This book was way better for me than the first. Jo brings the heat in this one, and great story telling. Where I found the first book as being more of an intro to the characters this book definitely made them more solid. The fire fighters of station 5, they don’t just out fires they bloody well start them.

Zach Knight is having a bad day or I should I say a bad life. He is paying a debt that belongs to his father while he is laying comatose in a nursing home. He lost h...more ^^MMMM! IT BURNS SO GOOD^^

This book was way better for me than the first. Jo brings the heat in this one, and great story telling. Where I found the first book as being more of an intro to the characters this book definitely made them more solid. The fire fighters of station 5, they don’t just out fires they bloody well start them.

Zach Knight is having a bad day or I should I say a bad life. He is paying a debt that belongs to his father while he is laying comatose in a nursing home. He lost his beautiful house emptied out his life savings and is contemplating crawling into a hole and dieing. His bad day leads to him causing a fender bender to another vehicle, and the driver who is the hottest female he has ever seen can’t stand him. Things go into the ditch when he drowns and almost dies. The upside is that the hottest chick now digs him and the hell hole that is his life, is starting to look up.

Cori has got her issues, a past she is trying to get away from and the life she is trying to build. Underneath all the smart comments and cheeky attitude is a woman who has been through hell and is just trying to make her way back. In school to become a nurse and earning her keep by dancing and you know the kinda dancing I am talking about. Until she runs into Zach, in eyes she can see he has a beautiful soul and he just might be the most genuine man she has ever met. The younger man is making her want things that she never thought she would again, and that’s to settle down and just love him.

Well Zach and Cori are thrown into a relationship quick quick, where that would seen unrealistic it works in their case, because nothing brings two people together like almost dieing and hospitals. Where Zach was having a bad day the weeks ahead turn into something out of an action movie. He gets shot, boinked in the head by a 2x4, burned with a poker and things that would leave a less determined man dead. Someone wants them dead and will not stop until they are. Do not be discouraged this book isn’t just about the destruction of Zach its got hot sex, with little Zach who was a virgin, he becomes the ultimate alpha male all sex and attitude on legs. Seems he’s been waiting on the right woman to pop his man cherry and it turns out Cori was it. So nerd fire fighter turn sex god, you cant lose with this one.

I loved Cori she was all woman no simpering female, she got attitude and knows what she wants. Zach is everything I love about a male character, sweet, sexy and hardcore when he needs to be plus I just love me a nerd and a man in glasses. Thinking of hanging out in the geek area of Best Buy or hightailing it to the Sony store, there has got be some nerds who need corrupting. Under Fire is hot, and with all those other hot men at Station 5 this series is gonna be burning for a long time.

Hidden Fire I am hot on your trail.

(less)

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Mar 28, 2011 Pingle McCloud rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ibuk, romantic-suspense, thriller, favorites, firefighter, suspense, fiction, read-more-than-once, jo-davis, alpha-hero, favorite-hero, reviewed, part-of-series

dari ketiga buku Firefighters of Station Five Series yg dah dibaca, paling suka cerita yg ini, ttg Zack dan Cori.

Zack, seorang firefighter yg dijuluki geek oleh temen2nya karna dia seorang pemalu dan pake kacamata, trus sebenernya dia berIQ 150 alias jenius. tapi dia memilih jadi seorang firefighter karna jiwa penolong Zack yg besar. kehidupan masa kecilnya bisa dibilang suram, dia hidup dengan ayahnya setelah ditinggalkan didepan pintu rumah bapaknya oleh ibunya Zack. Ayah Zack yg seorang penju...more dari ketiga buku Firefighters of Station Five Series yg dah dibaca, paling suka cerita yg ini, ttg Zack dan Cori.

Zack, seorang firefighter yg dijuluki geek oleh temen2nya karna dia seorang pemalu dan pake kacamata, trus sebenernya dia berIQ 150 alias jenius. tapi dia memilih jadi seorang firefighter karna jiwa penolong Zack yg besar. kehidupan masa kecilnya bisa dibilang suram, dia hidup dengan ayahnya setelah ditinggalkan didepan pintu rumah bapaknya oleh ibunya Zack. Ayah Zack yg seorang penjudi dan pemabuk tidak peduli akan Zack.

Dia pertama kali ketemu Cori gara2 dia menabrak SUV nya Cori dari belakang. terus berlanjut dengan Zack yang menyelamatkan Cori waktu dia mendapat kecelakaan, yang sebenarnya akibat ulah seorang pembunuh yang mengincar Cori.
dari awal bertemu, Zack yg pemalu langsung tertarik sama Cori.
Karakter Cori juga lovable, lucu, berani, mandiri dan kadang2 sassy :p
kebalikan dari Zack yg pemalu, tapi heroic, idealis, ingin selalu melindungi dan innocent. yup, dia masih vi, dia berfikir, kalo dia akan berbagi pengalaman itu hanya dengan orang yg dia sayangi dan memiliki tempat yg khusus dihatinya.

pas baca novel ini, kita dibikin jatuh cinta sama karakternya Zack. seperti yg tadi dibilang dia memiliki sifat2 yg kita inginkan dari seorang pria. selain itu dia juga memiliki kelebihan dalam fisik, he's a hunk. walopun Zack sendiri tidak merasa seperti itu, dalam dirinya dia masih merasa seorang yg pemalu, gendut, kutu buku, seperti waktu kecil teman2nya menjulukinya.
kata2 Zack ke Cori bisa membuat yg baca meleleh, sangat romantis, malah Cori sampai ingin menangis pas mendengarnya saking terharunya. selalu saja jawaban Zack membuat tercengang.

Rahasia dimasa lalu Cori membuat mereka jadi incaran pembunuh dan pengkhianatan, bersama sama mereka menghadapinya, membuat mereka semakin dekat. disini beberapa kali Zack menyelamatkan Cori dan membuatnya cedera.
sebenarnya Zack juga memiliki masalah sendiri yg disembunyikan dari Cori dan teman2 sesama firefighter, yg membuat dia kehilangan rumah, tabungan dan membuatnya bangkrut. ternyata keadaan yg terjadi terhadap Zack berkaitan dengan Cori tanpa mereka sadari.(less)

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Feb 22, 2010 Colleen rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: own-book, 2010, firefighters, romantic-suspense

Okay, 3.5 stars. I loved the first book in the series, Trial By Fire so I couldn't wait to start this one about Zack and Cori. Well, I think I can suspend reality with the best of everyone, but c'mon, there is only just so much suspension, if you know what I mean. I felt Zack was like a little weeble wobble, he kept getting pushed, but just wouldn't fall down. I'm sorry, it's just hard for me to believe someone could experience so many injuries (and a lot of them MAJOR) and get up and do the thi...more

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Oct 23, 2011 Melanie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: rom-suspense, jo-davis, contemporary, lookin-out-my-backdoor, erotica, library

Not a great book, but still ok. I wasn't totally enamored with Zach - very much a nice-guy beta (and there's nothing wrong with that), but I would have appreciated him with a bit more gusto. Still, you have to feel bad for the guy as he spent much of the book in less than optimum condition.
Anyways, these books are fluffy, with a bit of suspense thrown in on the side (not the hair raising kind, but enough to move the plot along) and if take them for that then you have a somewhat entertaining rea...more

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Nov 25, 2012 Sylvie Fox rated it 1 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Apr 03, 2013 May Mostly Romance rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary

Under Fire ของโจ เดวิส

หนังสือเล่มนี้เป็นเล่มที่สองในชุด Fireflighters of the Station Five ที่เล่าเรื่องราวของบรรดาพนักงานดับเพลิงแห่งสถานีห้า เมืองซูการ์แลนด์ เล่มนี้เป็นเรื่องราวของแซค ไนท์ นักดับเพลิงและเจ้าหน้าที่กู้ชีวิตแห่งสถานีห้า

ช่วงก่อนหน้าจะได้อ่านเล่มนี้ แม็กซ์เข้าบอร์ดโรแมนซ์แห่งนึง ซึ่งได้มีการพูดถึงพระเอกที่มีฐานะยากจน ซึ่งถือว่าเป็นของแปลกมากในโรแมนซ์ เพราะส่วนใหญ่จะรวยระดับอภิมหาเศรษฐีกันทั้งนั้น ในเล่มนี้ก็เป็นอีกหนึ่งเล่มค่ะที่พระเอกจน

แต่ความจนของแซคไม่ได้เกิดจากความผิดของเขา พ...more Under Fire ของโจ เดวิส

หนังสือเล่มนี้เป็นเล่มที่สองในชุด Fireflighters of the Station Five ที่เล่าเรื่องราวของบรรดาพนักงานดับเพลิงแห่งสถานีห้า เมืองซูการ์แลนด์ เล่มนี้เป็นเรื่องราวของแซค ไนท์ นักดับเพลิงและเจ้าหน้าที่กู้ชีวิตแห่งสถานีห้า

ช่วงก่อนหน้าจะได้อ่านเล่มนี้ แม็กซ์เข้าบอร์ดโรแมนซ์แห่งนึง ซึ่งได้มีการพูดถึงพระเอกที่มีฐานะยากจน ซึ่งถือว่าเป็นของแปลกมากในโรแมนซ์ เพราะส่วนใหญ่จะรวยระดับอภิมหาเศรษฐีกันทั้งนั้น ในเล่มนี้ก็เป็นอีกหนึ่งเล่มค่ะที่พระเอกจน

แต่ความจนของแซคไม่ได้เกิดจากความผิดของเขา พ่อซึ่งห่างเหินกับเขาอย่างมากติดการพนัน และเป็นหนี้เจ้าของบ่อนในเมืองแอตแลนติค ซิตี้เป็นจำนวนมากถึงเจ็ดแสนห้าหมื่นเหรียญ และเมื่อพ่อของเขาป่วยหนักจนไม่อาจจ่ายชำระหนี้ได้ แซคจึงกลายเป็นเป้าหมาย และเขาก็สูญเสียทุกอย่างที่มีค่าในชีวิตไปเพื่อหาเงินมาใช้หนี้ ทั้งบ้าน เงินเก็บสะสมมาทั้งชีวิต และมันก็ยังไม่เพียงพอ

การทำงานอย่างหนักเพื่อหาเงินทำให้แซคไม่สบายขนาดที่เขาขับรถไปชนท้ายรถของสาวสวยนามคอรีน แชนน่อน หญิงสาวผู้กำลังเร่งรีบที่จะไปงานเลี้ยงที่เธอทำหน้าที่นักระบำเปลื้องผ้า การพบกันครั้งแรกของทั้งคู่ไม่โสภานัก แต่แล้วคอรีนก็ต้องการเป็นหนี้ชีวิตต่อแซค เมื่อเธอถูกลอบทำร้ายโดยมือมืด รถของเธอค้างอยู่บนราวสะพาน และก็เป็นแซคที่เสี่ยงตายช่วยเธอออกมา

ทว่าความเป็นฮีโร่ของเขาก็ตามมาด้วยราคาที่สูง แซคเจ็บหนักจนเกือบตาย เวลาที่เสียไปทำให้เขาถูกไล่ออกจากบ้านเช่า เพราะไม่มีเงินพอที่จะจ่ายค่าเช่า แต่ประตูที่ปิดลงบานนึงก็คือการเปิดประตูอีกบานนึงออก เพราะคอรี่ที่รู้สึกเป็นหนี้ชีวิตแซคอย่างมาก ตัดสินใจชวนเขาไปค้างที่บ้านของเธอ เพราะดูเหมือนคนร้ายที่ตามรังควานจะยังไม่เลิกรา เธอรู้สึกไม่ปลอดภัยอย่างมากในบ้านหลังใหม่ของตัวเอง

คอรี่ซึ่งเป็นนักระบำเปลี้ยงผ้า เพื่อหาเงินส่งเสียตัวเองเรียนพยาบาล จึงกลายเป็นผู้ดูแลอาการป่วยของแซค ในขณะเดียวกันเขาก็กลายเป็นผู้คุ้มครองเธอ แต่ความเกี่ยวข้องกันของทั้งคู่มันลึกยิ่งไปกว่านั้น เมื่อความจริงที่ว่า พี่ชายของคอรี่นั่นเองก็คือคนที่คอยข่มขู่รีดไถเงินจากแซคให้จ่ายหนี้พนันของบิดา และบ้านใหม่ของคอรี่ แท้จริงแล้วก็คือบ้านที่แซคโดนบังคับขายไปนั่นเอง

และแน่นอนว่า ในโรแมนซ์ ชายหนุ่มผู้มีไอคิวระดับอัจฉริยะ แถมยังบริสุทธิ์ผุดผ่อง เมื่อมาอยู่บ้านเดียวกับสาวแสนฮ็อตอย่างคอรี่ ทั้งคู่จึงก้าวเข้าสู่ความสัมพันธ์ด้วยกันอย่างรวดเร็ว ซึ่งตามสไตล์ของโจ เดวิส ฉากเซ็กส์ค่อนข้างฮ็อตมาก แต่ที่เหนือว่าเล่มแรกในชุด (Trail by fire) แม็กซ์รู้สึกถึงการต่อเชื่อมกันของตัวละคร เรารู้สึกถึงปฏิกริยาและการถูกตาต้องใจระหว่างแซคและคอรี่ค่ะ ดังนั้นจึงไม่มีอะไรโดดออกมาให้น่ารำคาญ

ในแง่ของตัวละคร เราค่อนข้างโอเคเลยกับทั้งแซค และคอรี่ โดยเฉพาะแซคที่ีมีความน่าสนใจ เขาทำให้คนอ่านเห็นว่า พระเอกไม่จำเป็นต้องเป็นอัลฟ่าก็เซ็กซี่ได้ แซคเป็นชายที่ต้องการอะไรมากกว่าความสัมพันธ์ชั่วแล่น ดังนั้นเขาจึงไม่ยอมมีเซ็กส์กับใครจนกว่าจะเจอกับคนที่ใช่ และเมื่อเขาเจอ แซคก็ไม่ยอมให้อุปสรรคทั้งหลายมาขวาง (สปอยล์) ยกเว้นตอนจบที่แซคออกอาการน่ารำคาญนิดหน่อย แต่เราพอจะเข้าใจนะว่าทำไมเขาถึงคิดว่าตัวเองไม่เหมาะกับคอรี่ เพราะเขาใช้ความรุนแรงและควบคุมตัวเองไม่อยู่ในการจัดการกับคนร้าย และคนที่เป็นเบต้ามากอย่างเขา ไม่น่าจะรับกับด้านนี้ของตัวเองได้ ส่วนคอรี่ก็น่ารักค่ะ รู้ใจตัวเองดี เมื่อเธอรู้ว่า ต้องการแซคในชีวิต เธอก็ไม่ยอมให้อุปสรรคมาขวาง

ปัญหาใหญ่อยู่ในส่วนของพล็อตค่ะ ที่ยังไม่รัดกุม และเราคิดว่า ใช้ความบังเอิญมากเกินไปน่ะค่ะ ตั้งแต่ให้พี่ชายของคอรี่มาเป็นเจ้าหนี้ของแซค บ้านของเธอคือบ้านของเขา และความไม่มีเหตุผลเท่าไหรนัก ในเรื่องบอกว่าคอรี่ต้องกลายเป็นนางระบำเปลื้องผ้าเพราะต้องหาเงินมาเรียนพยาบาล เธอทำเช่นนั้นทั้งที่บรรดาพี่ชายของเธอเป็นอภิมหาเศรษฐี และ (สปอยล์) เธอเองก็ได้รับมรดกจากสามีเก่าเป็นเงินมหาศาล เพราะเธอไม่ต้องการตกอยู่ภายใต้การควบคุมของพี่ชาย และ ไม่อยากใช้เงินสกปรกของสามี แล้วทำไมคอรี่ถึงได้ยอมรับบ้านที่เป็นของขวัญจากพี่ชายกันเล่า มันไม่สมเหตุผล และขัดกับนิสัยของตัวละครอย่างมาก

โดยรวมเป็นเรื่องที่อ่านสนุก ฆ่าเวลาไปได้ และทำให้เราเห็นพัฒนาการของคนแต่งที่เยอะมาก (จากเล่มแรก) แต่ก็ยังไม่ใช่เรื่องที่ไร้ที่ติหรอกนะคะ

คะแนนที่ 73 (less)

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Jan 19, 2012 KatiD rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: a-review-ish

Last night I finished the second book in Jo Davis' Firefighters of Station 5 series, Under Fire. I have to be honest, I was really disappointed.

First, the set up. Zack Martin is a young firefighter and paramedic with Station 5. He's a sweet guy, who has a passel of issues. His dad is an inveterate gambler, who ends up in debt to Joaquin Delzcruz, a bookie in Atlantic City, for $750K.

Zack must pay off the debt or Joaquin is threatening to kill his father, who is institutionalized after having a s...more Last night I finished the second book in Jo Davis' Firefighters of Station 5 series, Under Fire. I have to be honest, I was really disappointed.

First, the set up. Zack Martin is a young firefighter and paramedic with Station 5. He's a sweet guy, who has a passel of issues. His dad is an inveterate gambler, who ends up in debt to Joaquin Delzcruz, a bookie in Atlantic City, for $750K.

Zack must pay off the debt or Joaquin is threatening to kill his father, who is institutionalized after having a stroke. So far Zack has sold his house and most of his belongings and is working like a dog to try to make ends meet. One night, he is in a fender bender with a beautiful woman, and exotic dancer, Corrine Sheridan. Cori basically tells him off for not knowing how to drive and takes off in her SUV. Zack, completely bowled over, realizes he'll never see her again. But no, fate has a different plan. Later that night he's called to an accident scene where that same SUV is now dangling over a swollen river. Zack rushes to save Cori (which he does), but ends up being swept into the river and nearly drowning. Cori, who is studying to be a nurse, visits him regularly in the hospital and the two of them begin an attraction. When Zack gets out of the hospital, he goes home to find he's been evicted. Cori to the rescue! She invites Zack to come and stay with her. Because, you see, Cori is pretty sure she's got a stalker. Zack, whose protective instincts are on red alert, agrees to come and stay. Thus allowing them to further their attraction and soon fall in love.

The Good: Jo Davis writes some *smokin'* sex scenes. The FUTA scene notwithstanding, all of Zack and Cori's encounters are very steamy. Zack is a virgin at the beginning of the story, but apparently, he has mad skillz because he catches up damned quickly. I'd say our boy had either been watching a lot of pr0n, or he read Joy of Sex cover to cover. Because he apparently needs NO guidance whatsoever. Go Zack.

The Bad: Oh the issues -- let me count them! First of all, Zack is like Job. Every freaking bad thing that could possibly happen to this guy does. He gets the snot beaten out of him on such a regular basis, I began to think that he was a human punching bag. Second, ugh, the secretz. So many of them. He owes money, doesn't want to tell Cori. Cori is living in his house, which he renovated and then had to sell to pay off his dad's debts, he doesn't want to tell her that. Turns out, Cori's brother is Joaquin Delacruz (what are the odds?), Zack doesn't want to tell her his relationship w/Joaquin. Mean time, Cori's stalker. He's EEEEEEEEEEEEvil. Get it? EEEEEVIL. He's mean and threatening, and apparently willing to stop at nothing to do something. Except that he's the most inept killer like, EVAR. The number of times he tries and fails to kill Zack are ridiculous. The final confrontation between Zack and Cori and the killer is far-fetched and silly. And then, of course, once the killer is dispensed with, there's one more final big misunderstanding which is resolved in like, a page and a half, so why even put it in there? It's like throwing one more in for good measure, for no discernable reason except that you can't figure out how to get the couple together on your own. The book suffers from a terrible case of tell not show. If there weren't so many returning characters from Trial by Fire, I'd think that a different author wrote it.

My advice? Buy Trial by Fire, and read and love it. Then pretend like this book never happened -- that's my plan.

Final grade: D+(less)

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May 30, 2010 Christine Morehouse rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Romantic Suspense readers, Erotic Romantic Suspense Readers

Recommended to Christine by: myself

Under Fire is the second installment in author Jo Davis’s award-wining “The Firefighters of Station 5” H-O-T Series.

Zack Knight is the go-to-geek-guy that everyone at station five adores and goad him about his “innocence”. At twenty-six the man looks like a walking talking Clark Kent—metal rimmed framed glasses and bulging biceps to boot--but inside he still feels like the fat geeky whiz kid that was bullied by everyone he knew. Zack is the kind of guy that will do anything for anyone and give...more Under Fire is the second installment in author Jo Davis’s award-wining “The Firefighters of Station 5” H-O-T Series.

Zack Knight is the go-to-geek-guy that everyone at station five adores and goad him about his “innocence”. At twenty-six the man looks like a walking talking Clark Kent—metal rimmed framed glasses and bulging biceps to boot--but inside he still feels like the fat geeky whiz kid that was bullied by everyone he knew. Zack is the kind of guy that will do anything for anyone and give the shirt off his back while doing so. What’s not to love?

Lately, Zack has been placed in a severe financial strain. Being hounded by a Vegas mobster for is father’s quarter of a million dollars gambling debt.

Zack has sold everything, his house, cleaned out his savings and still that hasn’t made a dent in what he owes the mob boss. Making matters worse his Captain Sean Tanner—who is dealing with his own emotional issues- is riding him hard at work. His day couldn’t get any worse or so he thought. Heading into work, roads slick from the rain, pneumonia kicking in Zack barely registers the SUV before he slams into the back end. Who would know that at that moment he would find the one woman that would change and rock his world forever?

Corrine Shannon—Cori to her friends-- has not only escaped the clutches of a sadistic abusive husband but also the dominant control of her older broth Joaquin. She fled to Sugarland to start anew. Now an exotic dancer paying her way through nursing school her life was finally on the right road. That was until Clark Kent nailed the back of her Blazer and not only set her car tail spinning but her heart.

The two most unlikely of pairs come together to find that love isn’t a one way street. Zack and Cori have their very own deep personal demons to fight. Underneath, right below the surface Zack and Cori have an all consuming fire raging in both of them. Each has a fire to be in control and independent. Each has a fire for people to accept them for who they really are. Between Zack and Cori there is a fire of unquenchable desire that only the other can fulfill and find the love they’ve always searched for.

Ms. Davis’s unique blend of erotic, romance and suspense will leave you clamoring for more. Her characters are raw with a prose so original and genuine that the reader can picture every scene with crystal clarity. Ms. Davis’s strong emotional mixture with epicurean erotic love scenes will have you reaching for the closest fire hose. UNDER FIRE is a priceless read with flesh and blood characters that wage through adversity, triumph over the bad guys and finally get their happily ever after. (less)

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May 31, 2009 Romance Novel TV added it

(Book 2, Firefighters of Station 5)
Reviewed by PJ Ausdenmore
Publisher: Penguin
4.5 Stars

I strongly encourage you to make sure your fire extinguisher is in good working order before you start reading Under Fire because this book isn’t just hot, it’s smokin’!

With the second book in her Firefighters of Station 5 series, Jo Davis brings us the story of Zack Knight, a brilliant, gorgeous, hard-bodied, virginal firefighter. Yes, you read that right. Zack is a virgin. Growing up as a motherless, chubby...more (Book 2, Firefighters of Station 5)
Reviewed by PJ Ausdenmore
Publisher: Penguin
4.5 Stars

I strongly encourage you to make sure your fire extinguisher is in good working order before you start reading Under Fire because this book isn’t just hot, it’s smokin’!

With the second book in her Firefighters of Station 5 series, Jo Davis brings us the story of Zack Knight, a brilliant, gorgeous, hard-bodied, virginal firefighter. Yes, you read that right. Zack is a virgin. Growing up as a motherless, chubby geek, Zack was subjected to constant taunting from school bullies and indifference from his self-absorbed father.
Socially awkward and unattractive, he was rejected at every turn until he joined the fire department and evolved into the hunk he is today. Now women throw themselves at him but Zack decided early on that he was through being rejected and won’t give himself sexually to a woman unless he loves her and is confident she feels the same. Got to admire a man who knows what he wants and has the discipline to wait for it, even if that waiting has him ready to implode.

As the book begins, Zack is just about at the end of his mental and emotional rope after losing both his home and savings to the man his no-good father owes $750,000. He’s bankrupt, his father mentally incapacitated from a stroke, and there’s no more money for the man who doesn’t intend to take “no” for an answer, all of which causes Zack’s mind to be elsewhere when he rams into the back of Cori Shannon’s SUV on a rain-slicked highway. Zack is immediately smitten with the tall, gorgeous, smart-mouthed Cori, which causes him to come across as bumbling and inept. Cori is late for class and on edge because she thinks someone is stalking her, causing her to be short-tempered and sarcastic. She’s less than impressed with Zack, calling him Forrest Gump. Ouch! The next time they meet, Cori’s SUV is dangling from a bridge after someone shoots her tire and calm, confident firefighter, Zack is the one sent to rescue her. He almost dies, willingly placing her safety above his, causing the bold exotic dancer and nursing student to take a second look at this quiet, kind man who put his life on the line for her.

Cori is working hard to make a new life for herself. She’s survived an abusive marriage, three overbearing, overprotective brothers and a former jet-setting life that she no longer wants any part of. She’s ready to settle down with her nursing career and a good, honest man who cares for and respects her. Cori is also a highly sexual woman who put that part of her life on hold after her abusive husband’s death but when Zack moves in with her to help protect her from her stalker her sexual flame ignites…big time, especially after she accidentally catches Zack living out a fantasy (involving her) in the shower. Hot! Hot! Hot!

Zack may be inexperienced but he’s ready and willing and Cori is the only teacher he wants. Once he decides to take the plunge, pun intended, it’s clear he’s going to be an excellent student. The sex between these two isn’t just hot; it’s four-alarm fire hot, with their bold, inventive and very erotic encounters setting the pages on fire. But their relationship isn’t just about sex. Davis carefully tends to their emotional needs as well as these are two people who don’t trust easily and, even though they are falling in love, they both have issues from the past that make them reluctant to place themselves in a vulnerable position by sharing their secrets. Added to that are two villains with their own agendas who are determined to separate the couple by permanently removing Zack from the game, and only by being open, honest and working together will Cori and Zack be able to defeat the unknown enemies and have a chance at happiness.

Davis once again has brought us a passionate love story with tightly woven suspense, a likeable hero and heroine, plenty of sizzling hot sex, secrets that must be faced head-on and obstacles that can only be overcome through trust and love. Happily, the rest of the FS5 firefighters have plenty of face time in this book, though the primary focus remains on the hero and heroine, and the groundwork continues to be laid for their stories in future books - books that can’t come fast enough for this reader.

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May 09, 2009 Suzanne rated it 5 of 5 stars

Again, Jo Davis takes us into the world of the Station Five firefighters, This time with the story of Zack Knight. Zack may have a genius IQ, but he keeps his problems at home, where they should be, at home. Trying to handle his financial problems by working extra shifts, he runs into the heroine of our story, Cori Shannon, literally, and she rocks his world with one sassy look. The next time they meet, she's been driven off the road, and Zack risks his life to save her. An everyday occurrance f...more

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Jun 15, 2010 Ruth rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: military-specops-govt-fire-cops, contemporary-romance, steamy-dirty-smut, mystery-thriller-spies-suspense

OK, the plot is pretty silly, but let's face it, if you're looking for a book with a stellar plot then you shouldn't be reading this one! This is one smokin' hot romance, with the same characters as the previous book in the series, this time focusing on the genius of Station 5, and a nursing student, with interesting family connections, who moonlights as a stripper. Actually, the moonlighting as a stripper bit was probably the most believable part of the whole plot, and every time the hero got i...more

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Jan 27, 2013 Hayley rated it 5 of 5 stars

Zack fights fires and saves lives, yet his own thirst for life has run dry, until he comes to the rescue of a sharp-tongued exotic dancer named Corrine Shannon who soon has the normally shy hero burning out of control.

But just as they are consumed by flames of passion, they find themselves under fire from two relentless enemies with fifty million reasons to succeed. Can they withstand the heat while trying to save their own lives, or will their new found romance be extinguished as fast as it beg...more Zack fights fires and saves lives, yet his own thirst for life has run dry, until he comes to the rescue of a sharp-tongued exotic dancer named Corrine Shannon who soon has the normally shy hero burning out of control.

But just as they are consumed by flames of passion, they find themselves under fire from two relentless enemies with fifty million reasons to succeed. Can they withstand the heat while trying to save their own lives, or will their new found romance be extinguished as fast as it began?

The second book of The FireFighters Of Station Five Series and the main focus is on Zack Knight, the FAO of Station Five and somebody going through a heck of a lot and the only family he has to rely on are his fellow Firefighters, when he lets them in. On his travels to work he rear ends Corrine Shannon, after his collision with Corrine, Zack makes it to work to be called out to a MVA and Corrine is once again brought into his life and world, the journey for them is defiantly one you think was written in the stars. Zack owes Joaquin Delacruz the better part of three quarters of a million dollars due to his fathers gambling but all is not as it seems and as you read Under Fire it all starts to unravel. Corrine has inherited fifty million dollars but won't touch it due to the fact that it belongs to her dead husband Alex, she up'd and left him for reasons you read about. Her brother brought her a house in Sugarland but this house connects Zack and Corrine way more then you can imagine. What entails is a story of love, trust, emotions, shock and above all couple who make it through all the odds that are thrown at them, and they have alot thrown their way.

Once again I was unable to put this book down and it held my attention, as I thought it would. The characters draw you in and make you want the best for them. Jo's writing has a way of doing this to you. Even though each book is focused on two main characters, you still get your fill of the rest of the FireFighters from Station Five. I'm already dreading finishing the Series, I for one don't want The FireFighters of Station Five to ever end.

"Don't sweat it, fireboy. You can't afford me."

"In truth, she hadn't been able to take her eyes off the way his rain-splattered shirt clung to the hard muscles of his chest. Had feasted on the sight of his wet pants plastered to his long legs and tight, perfect rear end."

"Don't they stop at red lights where you're from, Forrest Gump?"

"No. A man like Zack was a hero everyday of his life. She'd been too blind to notice."

"Okay, um.... I once read Stephen King's IT. Worst mistake I ever made. Didn't sleep for a month."

"And, boy, were those boxers pink. Electric pink - with bright yellow happy faces all over them. One smiley, larger than the rest, graced the front escape hatch, a strategically placed tongue sticking from between its lips."
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Jun 11, 2011 Christi Snow rated it 5 of 5 stars

Full review to come...

Full review reposted from my Smitten with Reading blog
(****slight spoilers included, but only the first 2 chapters****)

My Review:
One word for this book...emotional...OMG, is it ever! Poor Zack just can't catch a break. Over the past few months, he has lost every single thing that has mattered to him. As this book starts, his despair is palpable and you just want to cry for him.

And then he dies.

See, I told you- E.MO.TION.AL! And that's only the first 2 chapters.

Zack is the...more

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Feb 10, 2012 Sarouel rated it 3 of 5 stars

oh god..the fact that zack almost died 3(4?) times in one month distracted me too much...
the characters seem to have a volatile personality, ok, the problems and secrets (a lot of them) where constant, but the reactions to stuff...how can you not fell like shit after almost dying a lot of times? or after seeing someone you love (sort of)almost die so many f**cking times?

it's so weird, but i feel like i have a love hate thing going on with this series..
the love part is mostly about the group (the...more

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Jul 15, 2012 Paige rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: i-own, 2012-books

My 100th book for 2012!

UNDER FIRE is the second book in THE FIREFIGHTERS OF STATION FIVE series that focuses on the young genius Zack Knight.

Unfortunately, Zack has hit on hard times. His gambling father’s debts are now his problem since his father’s accident. The Atlantic City mogul Joaquin Delacruz isn’t letting him off the hook despite him selling everything he has and still not having the money.

So when he rear ends an SUV on his way to work, his day doesn’t get any better, until he sees t...more

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Jun 06, 2012 Mei rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jul 25, 2011 Jessica Gadsden rated it 1 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Mar 14, 2011 Darcy rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011

While I did think that this book was loads better than the first, I think there is still something missing.

I can buy into Zack still thinking he is an unwanted, fat geek, instead of the hot fire fighter he really is. What I am having a hard time buying is that Cori is a stripper, her job paying for her schooling, all the while she has a family that had a large hotel corporation, and while she has a secret money stash.

I also have a hard time buying into all the coincidences that happened between...more

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Aug 02, 2011 Leanne rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011-books, contemporary-romance, jul-11, kindle, jo-davis

My summary of the book - After Zack accidentally hits Cori's SUV is like fate has intervened as comes to her rescue later in the day and events soon turn their lives upside down. As passion ignites between the pair they have to fight outside forces to save their own lives and their passionate relationship.

Thoughts on the characters - Cori is a tough woman who has been given a new lease of life and she is determined to make it on her own so when Zack comes to her rescue she really feels she owes...more

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Jul 08, 2011 Angie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, nook, 5-suspense

Zach is a firefighter, and a nerd. His childhood was far from ideal. He has never known what love is in any way, except for his friends, his teammates.
Cori is running away from a life she doesn't want and towards a new beginning. One car crash changes the landscape in two different ways. Someone is targeting her, trying to scare her, and she meets the one man different from all the rest who can be everything a girl can ever hope for.

I really liked this book better than the first. Zach made me...more

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Jun 13, 2010 Dee rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jul 08, 2012 Nikki rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: erotic, firefighters, mature-content, rom-drama, romantic-suspense, steamy-romance, read-in-2012

I must say, I am liking the sexy firefighters of Station 5! ;) How believable a 26 year old studly braniac of an alpha man like Zack being a virgin really is, who cares cause he is hot! I really liked the characters in this book. Cori was an awesome heroine who was strong willed, and did what she had to to stand on her own. She still had the slight damsel in distress that we kinda need for the sake of these kinds of books, but it wasn't overdone. I really enjoyed watching her and Zack's budding...more

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Apr 15, 2012 Sally rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: erotic, read-2012

Under Fire is Zack and Cori’s story. Whilst Zack is under pressure to clear a debt that his gambling father left him, Cori is desperate to finish nursing school and get on with her life whilst keeping all old skeletons locked tight in a closet. Neither expected a fender bender to lead to more than just exchanging insurance details.

This story has everything you expect from the Station Five series. Banter amongst the super sexy firefighters, hot steamy sex scenes with plenty of action and suspense...more

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Jan 02, 2012 Felicia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-read, kindlepurchase2011

Read for FUN!
Overall Rating 4.00
(I am really digging these Firefighters)

NOTE: I am kind of doing a series review for these so that is why they are so short and to the point!

Review: OMG these Firefighters of Station Five are HOT! I am really enjoying this series and Zach kept it going with his love for Corri. In Under Fire, we have another scorching hot romance that is surrounded by a good dose of mystery/thriller. I thought the romance of Zach/Corri was a great combo of sizzling/sweet. The way J...more

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Apr 04, 2010 Mspink rated it 3 of 5 stars

Zack Knight is a straight laced nice guy. Loves his job and everyone loves him. He's also a virgin. He wants so badly to find the right woman to be with and give her all of himself. He's a true romantic hero. Not quite the typical alpha male we read about, but still very Heroic. Its written in such a way that he doesn't come off like a total wuss. Life has hit him hard and he is at rock bottom trying to pay off insurmountable gambling debts for his invalid father....and so the drama ensues.

Cori...more

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title link	preview: Under Fire
avg rating	preview: Under Fire Goodreads rating: 4.13 (1201 ratings)
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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6069525-under-fire?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328361938l/6069525.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6069525-under-fire?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Under Fire by Jo Davis[/url]

Under Fire (Firefighters of Station Five #2)

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