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Set the Dark on Fire

by Jill Sorenson (Goodreads Author)

3.61 · rating details · 79 ratings · 15 reviews

In a southern California town ablaze with sordid secrets, a free-spirited biologist and a straitlaced sheriff join forces to investigate a suspicious killing—and find themselves getting a little too close to the flames…

Shay Phillips knows her way around Dark Canyon. She’s handy with a gun and can track a wild animal with the best of them. It’s humans who usually give her ...more

Mass Market Paperback, 432 pages

Published August 25th 2009 by Bantam (first published August 15th 2009)

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Sep 14, 2009

Readdiction rated it

Shelves: contemporary, suspensemystery, mistress-experiencedheroine

I was a little surprised at the end when I realized that everything in StDoF had only occurred in four days; the mystery is solved, the bad guys captured, and of course, the h/h fall in love.

I'm usually sceptical about the chance of a real HEA if its founded on lust (no matter how hot) but I was mostly sold on Luke's and Shay's HEA. Why? Mainly because they both overcame their initial impressions of each other to actually understand the other person, and when they did, it was eviden...moreI was a little surprised at the end when I realized that everything in StDoF had only occurred in four days; the mystery is solved, the bad guys captured, and of course, the h/h fall in love.

I'm usually sceptical about the chance of a real HEA if its founded on lust (no matter how hot) but I was mostly sold on Luke's and Shay's HEA. Why? Mainly because they both overcame their initial impressions of each other to actually understand the other person, and when they did, it was evident that they deeply cared for each other. They had a sizzling sexual tension from the start and it translated vividly on page *fans self*.
I liked Shay, she wasn't perfect and she had a past she wasn't proud of but I admired her for owning up to her mistakes and for knowing what she wanted. Moreover, I liked Shay's attitude in that while she embraced her small town life, she wasn't oblivious to its faults and wanted more for her younger brother, but it was right for her. She was sexually aggressive (which is a nice change) with Luke and she wouldn't take his bullshit or his faulty impressions of her.
Luke, on the other hand, had a push and pull attitude with Shay. He was fiercely attracted but he didn't want to be trapped into the small town life in Tejana Falls. He fought against his feelings and when they finally got down and dirty (literally - in a cave), it was HOT. It was especially yummy to read his possessive and jealous moments but I was glad he didn't overreact to it. Luke represented stability, control and loyalty which Shay needed, particularly after her rocky childhood and her past, and addictive, relationship with the local lothario.

I don't have any experience with small towns but if it was anything like Tenaja Falls in StDoF, then it must be drama-filled and angsty, and it seems like everyone is linked to their neighbour in some way. It was entertaining but read a bit like a soap opera. E.g. Local lothario is married to half-brother's ex girlfriend and half brother is still in love with said ex, while local lothario is living up to his name BUT is still hung up over Shay. And all the while, you have the local slut who is, not surprisingly, known to just about everyone in some way.

It also felt like there wasn't any real sleuthing going on as all the questions are answered after one discordant scene where the bad guy tells all. StDoF had a fairly predictable mystery, although the bit involving the mountain lion did throw me off. On a side note, this reminds me of a particular squidgy scene - I do not find it at all romantic for Shay to be covered in blood while kissing the hell out of the hero. I'll somewhat allow it in paranormal romances (heh) but in this particular scene - *ick*
While the lead characters are off chasing lions, a murderer and almost getting killed, there's a secondary romance with two teenagers going on. Shay's genius but troubled younger brother has been in lust (and maybe love) with his neighbour's daughter for four years. Although there's not much of a HEA, their relationship felt very real and their feelings were complex and volatile. I really hope Sorenson writes YA romance novels some day because her teenage characters are realistic and messed up. I love reading about messed up people finding love.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading StDoF, not for its suspense-mystery, but for the main and secondary romance which were strong, endearing and damn sexy. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more from her.

Grade B+.(less)

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Sep 05, 2009

Katie(babs) rated it

Shay Philips is awakened in the early morning hours after a night of heavy drinking after celebrating her twenty-sixth birthday with some friends. The new interim sheriff for Tenaja Falls is the one to rudely interrupt her sleep. Sheriff Luke Menza has a crime on his hands and because the victim in question was mauled by a lion, Shay comes recommended because she is a lion expert with the Department of Game and Fish. Shay maybe hung over and look like something the cat dragged in, but she takes ...moreShay Philips is awakened in the early morning hours after a night of heavy drinking after celebrating her twenty-sixth birthday with some friends. The new interim sheriff for Tenaja Falls is the one to rudely interrupt her sleep. Sheriff Luke Menza has a crime on his hands and because the victim in question was mauled by a lion, Shay comes recommended because she is a lion expert with the Department of Game and Fish. Shay maybe hung over and look like something the cat dragged in, but she takes her job seriously and will join the investigation.

When Luke picks Shay up, he quickly comes to some conclusions about her. He assumes she is a party girl and can’t believe that this spacey young and probably unreliable girl can help him with this case. This is in part because Luke’s thirty-six year old mind set is that Shay looks like she is barely out of college. Shay knows from Luke’s demeanor and body language towards her that he doesn’t have a high opinion of her. She has enough responsibilities to deal with that include her seventeen year old brother Dylan who she caught almost having sex with Angel, an eighteen year old high school dropout, in her house. Now with both their parents dead, Shay has to make sure Dylan will keep his grades up so he can go to college and not end up with the wrong crowd and remain stuck in Tenaja Falls wasting his life away.

Shay is surprised that Yesenia Montes, a well known bad girl and paid sex worker for the town is the deceased. She saw her at the bar the night before with her former lover, Jesse Ryan. Shay is trying to get over Jesse and it’s quite hard because he’s the one man she can’t forget even though he is married and still wants her. After a search of the crime scene and putting down the lion they think killed Yesnia (the lion has a GPS signal placed in its collars and one Shay helped raised from a cub), Luke finds out that even though Yesenia was killed due to the lion, someone dropped her off at the area. That means a killer is loose in the small town.

Shay is shocked, as well as Luke, because he never though murder would happen here. That’s why he left Las Vegas. Luke wanted some peace and thought he would find it in Tenaja Falls, How wrong he was. He asks Shay to help him further, even though she should bow out because she is too involved with the potential suspects. At one point even Dylan is considered to be one and Shay will do whatever she can to protect her brother. She and Luke form a tentative friendship that leads them into dangerous areas where they are forced to rely on one another for protection. In turn, they will confront their desires for one another.

Not only is Shay being targeted by someone who wants her out of the way, but her feelings for Luke confuse her. She once had a great passion with one man who was so wrong with her. Now she doesn’t want to get hurt again, especially when Luke seems to only want her for her body and nothing else. Luke wants Shay desperately but first comes the case he must solve because another body is found and this time it isn’t a lion responsible because the victim has been scalped.

Set the Dark on Fire is a great murder mystery for anyone who enjoys reading and solving crimes. Jill Sorenson has written a nice small town atmospheric tale where you can feel the heat coming off the pavement and the grit in your eyes and mouth from the desert. Jill also has a great way of balancing her characters. You have the primary story dealing with the murder and the budding relationship between Shay and Luke. These two seem very analytical when it comes to making decisions. Luke’s are due to his job; Shay’s are more of a personal nature and what is best for the ones she loves. These two seem so world weary and even when they have a moment to relax and act on their pent up lust for one another, it’s too fast. Their first time in a cave. So romantic for a rendezvous, don’t you think? They can’t let down their defenses with one another because of everything that is happening around them. You want them to enjoy the tenderness they can find in one another arms, but they can’t because of the turmoil in their lives.

The secondary story with Dylan and his feelings for Angel, a young confused and lonely woman really grabs you. Jill can write wonderful teen characters and everything Dylan and Angel are feeling about themselves and for one another is so very real. Their dialogue and emotions really kept my interest and the way their relationship is handled, especially the intimate scenes are excellent. I think Jill would be an excellent Young Adult author just based on what I have read with these two, as well as the other teen storyline in her book, Crash Into Me. I absolutely enjoyed the dynamics of these characters as well as the adults.

As for the buildup surrounding who the murderer could possibly be, I had no clue. Kudos for Jill for keeping me on the edge of my seat, trying to figure out who was responsible for these killings and bringing terror into a town such as Tenaja Falls.

Set the Dark on Fire kept the temperature rising with the passion shared between Luke and Shay. Fast and furious are only two words that come to mind when I read a Jill Sorenson book. Definitely move this one to the top of your TBR pile.
(less)

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Oct 15, 2009

Miss Kim rated it

Shelves: 2009, cops-military-bodyguards, romantic-suspense, random-grab, native-american

I liked my first novel by Ms. Sorenson. There is a decent murder mystery with enough suspects to keep you guessing, sexual tension to keep you fanning your face, and a to-die-for hero, Luke. In my mind he was The Rock (specifically from the movie “Walking Tall”). The heroine was sassy, smart, sexy, and not TSTL--the perfect combination for my heroine.

The book bogged a bit, in my opinion with a secondary romance with the heroine 17 year old brother. It was done very well, but I wa...more

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Mar 13, 2010

Carrie rated it

Shelves: read-2010, suspense, law-enforcement, contemporary

Well-done romantic suspense with the emphasis on romantic. The suspense plot was good, but took a back seat to the character development and the romantic relationships. (That's not a problem, just an FYI.) Ms. Sorenson handled the transitions between the four major characters well, and the book read smoothly. I didn't quite buy into the speed at which the relationship between the adult protagonists progressed (pretty much the entire book takes place over four days), but I can suspend disbelief f...more

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Sep 01, 2009

Sobia rated it

Recommends it for: people who are wither bored or out of otehr reading materials

Recommended to Sobia by: Rt magazine

Seemed more like a contemporary Romance then romantic suspense.
and the hero is sort of a jerk for a while. Most of the book really.

and there are teens having sex in this book...and said sex is fully described (à la typical romance novel sex scenes) Not bad mind you, and obviously a reality... I just hadn't come across that in a romance novel before, so I figured I'd mention it.

I didn't hate it, but there wasn't anything that really grabbed my attention either......more

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Jan 06, 2011

Jane Stewart rated it

Shelves: romantic-mystery

3.5 stars. Pretty good, but I didn’t enjoy the relationship. He hurt her and denied his feelings. She pretended indifference.

STORY BRIEF:
As a detective in Las Vegas Luke made enemies of powerful casino groups. He decided to leave Las Vegas and took a temporary job as a sheriff in Southern California. A woman was killed by a mountain lion, and then someone moved her body to another location. Shay is a field research biologist working in the nearby State Preserve. She’s an ...more3.5 stars. Pretty good, but I didn’t enjoy the relationship. He hurt her and denied his feelings. She pretended indifference.

STORY BRIEF:
As a detective in Las Vegas Luke made enemies of powerful casino groups. He decided to leave Las Vegas and took a temporary job as a sheriff in Southern California. A woman was killed by a mountain lion, and then someone moved her body to another location. Shay is a field research biologist working in the nearby State Preserve. She’s an expert on mountain lions. State law requires her to find and kill any lion who kills a human. Luke accompanies her to find the lion. Another murder and other crimes occur which affect Shay or her brother.

REVIEWER’S OPINION:
This book was ok but not as good as “Crash Into Me” to which I gave 5 stars. However, I liked her writing style enough to buy her next book “The Edge of Night” coming March 2011.

I didn’t care for the developing relationship between Luke and Shay. He was silent, insensitive and hurtful. She acted like she didn’t care. For much of the story they kept denying their feelings for each other. Two examples follow. Page 242: “Luke hated himself for hurting her, even though it was for her own good. If they slept together again, he wouldn’t be able to remain emotionally uninvolved.” Page 270-271: “Realizing her feelings for him went deeper than she’d thought, she panicked … Taking a deep breath, she returned to the office, preparing to hurt him before he could do the same to her.” Their relationship consisted of negatives through most of the book, and then all of a sudden they admit they love each other. I would have preferred seeing interactions causing them to learn about each other and grow to like each other.

There are some deaths and crimes committed with unusual elements. On the one hand, these were creative and different. On the other hand, I had trouble buying into the motives and logic for some the actions, especially the one where a person hits Shay and takes her someplace. Some of the actions were to throw suspicion on others, but they weren’t well thought out and didn’t throw suspicion as intended.

DATA:
Story length: 401 pages. Swearing language: strong. Sexual language: strong. Number of sex scenes: 3. Total number of sex scene pages: 22. Setting: current day southern California. Copyright: 2009. Genre: romantic mystery.

OTHER BOOKS:
To date, I’ve read one other book by Jill Sorenson. My 5 star review of “Crash Into Me” Copyright 2009 was posted 8-20-09.(less)

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May 12, 2010

Mojca rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: bodyguard-military-merc-gov-cop-leo, e-book, jill-sorenson, own, suspense-mystery-adventure-thriller, monthly-challenge-read-may, once-and-never-again, hb, bitchslapable-heroine

After the wonderful surprise that was Crash into Me, this book was a huge disappointment. The pacing was slow, the plot boring, and the supposed chemistry between the two leads nonexistent. I didn’t like neither of them, Luke was a jerk, Shay was rather silly and too warped for my taste (for example, she dressed like a tramp and then resented people [Luke:] for thinking she was one).

I found myself skimming through it at times, especially during the redundant Dylan (Shay’s younger bro...more

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Jul 28, 2010

Norma rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: read-2010, romantic-suspense

Well-written romantic suspense. I enjoyed the story, but I didn't like the H. I don't like "I want you but I don't want to admit it" storylines, so I took a star off for that.

The suspense plot was good and character development was also good.

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Jun 26, 2011

Sara rated it

Not a great romance, but the story was great. Cougars, mysterious deaths, abandonment issues, danger and intrigue on the rez make for a good read.

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Jun 04, 2011

Trina rated it

I Love It! Reminds me of Linda Howard's style of writing. I have finally found another author I enjoy reading almost as much as Linda Howard.

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Sep 19, 2011

Sabrina rated it

Overall the story and characters were too messed up for my taste and I didn't like the heroine because of her behavior.

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Mar 20, 2011

Julia rated it

Shelves: fiction, romance

It's amazing what you can accomplish in four days... this romance unfolded in action-packed, rapid succession. While the mystery was a bit far-fetched, the characters were well drawn and interesting. An entertaining read.

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Sep 24, 2009

Tracy's Place rated it

4.25 out of 5

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Apr 18, 2011

Janet W rated it

Shelves: hawt, humourous, share

Sorenson creates families out of people who are drawn together through circumstances. Always readable and just the right level of scary for me.

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Apr 29, 2010

Emmanuelle rated it

3 1/2 actually. The book was good but definitely needed more pages. Some loose ends concerning secondary characters. The main plot was very good though. I can't wait to read Mz Sorenson's next book.

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Feb 10, 2012

Glenda Bettin marked it as to-read

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Jan 10, 2012

Maimuna Arefin marked it as may-be-read · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery-suspense, romance, contemporary, crime, pregnancy-children, army-cop-detective, animal

Dec 30, 2011

Lizzie rated it

Dec 30, 2011

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Dec 27, 2011

Liz Mc2 added it

Dec 26, 2011

Nbbooklist marked it as tbr-f-romantica

Shelves: stand-alone, ebk

Dec 21, 2011

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Dec 15, 2011

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About Jill Sorenson

Jill Sorenson writes gritty, sexy romantic suspense for Harlequin and Bantam Dell. She lives in San Diego with her husband and daughters.

THE EDGE OF NIGHT has been called "absolutely riveting" by NY Times bestselling author Eloisa James. Publishers Weekly said "deftly handled violent action and red herrings rush this thriller to a believable ending." STRANDED WITH ...more

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