August Fire

by Kasey Riley

Sparks fly… Stephanie is independent. Doyle is bossy and his dog needs training.Danger unites… Trapped by the arsonist while rescuing animals from a rangeland fire, danger and heat kindle the passions each has been ignoring.Trust… Both Stephanie and Doyle need to get past painful betrayals from other lovers. Will the final chapter be a wedding, or a fond farewell?Riverview represents rural America, where the citizens can be counted on to support each other when times are tough.

Genres: Romantic Suspense

361 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 30, 2015

About the author

PRESS RELEASE:

Desperate Endurance now available in Audible, soon in Amazon and iTunes:
https://www.amazon.com/Desperate-Endu... So excited that it's finished. Skeleton Trail should be available by September and August Fire by the end of July. Do Not Assume might be out in Audible by Christmas, the same with Ruff Cut. I'm currently working on sequels to DNA and RC, but also working on a YA suspense novel that should be available after the first of the year.

Reviews

[Gloria Antypowich · Rating 5 out of 5]

August Fire is a departure from the first two books that I have read by Kasey Riley. “Desperate Endurance” and “Skeleton Trail” both centered around endurance riding, mystery, and bad dudes. The blurb for this book seemed quite different, I was curious to see how she handled it. I was not disappointed!

The book starts off like many traditional romances—Doyle is a hunky man, Stephanie, a beautiful woman—both are running away from former love gone wrong; neither seeks the attraction they feel for the other, neither are able to trust. There is conflict, but they find themselves thrown together in inevitable situations, and gradually the tension and magnetism grows.

Fires start springing up in the area, and one night the two of them find themselves driving back roads together, intent on rescuing livestock from the latest inferno. Unwittingly they come upon the arsonist, but they assume he is just a firefighter lighting a backfire. After they pass him, Stephanie looks back, and realizes that the man has deliberately set fire on both side of the trail, cutting off any chance of them driving back out. They are trapped.

From there on, the story line takes a deadly turn. The arsonist knows they could recognize him and he is determined to make sure that never happens. They find themselves in a fight for their lives, and it doesn’t end when they escape certain death, by the using ingenuity and Stephanie’s knowledge of the area to save themselves from the fire.

The book gives you a look into the mind of the arsonist—why he lit his very first fire as a child, why he continued to do so until he became addicted to the thrill of the burn. What starts out as resolve not to be caught, becomes a determination to destroy the two people who have foiled his efforts to eliminate them. He is devious, and willing to take anyone out as he targets Doyle and Stephanie.

Ironically, I read this book while the area where I live has been experiencing an explosion of wildfires cause by nature. Before we retired, I was a rancher’s wife, and I well understand the devastation that fires wreak on livestock and range. I can only imagine how terrifying it would be to be caught in a wildfire with no way out. Riley did a wonderful job of portraying the situation, making me feel like I was caught up in it.

But she also put other realist elements into the story. I had to cringe at the honesty she wrote into the bout of food poisoning that Stephanie experienced. And I loved Doyle’s matter of fact reaction and consideration as he dealt with it all.

Kasey Riley has proven to me that she is a talented, multi-faceted author. I will be looking for her next book when it comes out.

August Fire is a great, quick read. I suggest you don't miss it!!

[Midwest Romantic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blogLive Laugh & Love Books



I really enjoyed this read. It is a great love story with enough suspense to keep me intrigued. Doyle is a man who says “ma’am” and I LOVE that. Nothing like a true gentleman to get make your mouth water right? I also really liked Stephanie, she was a very good main character. Together they are just amazing, and they mesh so well! It does seem as if one bad thing follows another in this story but they are there for each other, as friends at first and then as a couple in love and working it out.

I would recommend this story. It is an easy read and once I picked it up I didn’t put it down unless I had to!

*I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for a fair and honest review.*

[Brandy Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

i was given this story for my honest review i liked this book the way things were described and then how we got to see little snippets of the side characters thoughts i loved catcher that dog had his own personality and kept me laughing and the couple had a lot of chemistry between them i liked how the towns people kept pushing them together like unplugging things in Stephanies shop so Doyle could come to the rescue and the steam was hot i think it was good build and i didn't fill rushed like some stores do so i was happy about that and i no ill read more from this author im going to go back and read Desperate Endurance Bethany and Roger i really want to read there story so thank you kasey riley for introducing my to theses amazing characters

[Janette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this read. It is a tale of a love story between Stephanie and Doyle. Doyle is ex military, a man who says "ma'am" and grins when something strikes his fancy. Stephanie decided early in life that she had been disappointed by men and can live on her own just fine. Perhaps she didn't realize what she was missing till Doyle stumbled into her life...well...more like she stumbled into his! It does seem as if one mishap follows another in this story for sure! But through it all, they are there for each other, first as friends and then in the end...as a couple in love and working it all out. I would recommend this story. It is an easy read and I didn't put it down till I had to :) ***Reviewer for Paranormal Romance and Authors That Rock.

[Debbie Vetter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wish I could

A very cute story with spunky Stephanie and caring Doyle. Wish I could find a town like Riverview. Back in the day romance novels left more to the imagination. Today's are much more graphic. I did a lot of page flipping for two reasons 1. I don't like reading about someone's sexual exploits. 2. I do a lot of read aloud while I'm working and never know who might walk in the room. Definitely a book for adults not preteens or young teens. I am not a price just believe in age appropriate. Other than that, lots of laughs, suspense, friendships and a wonderful dog. Also, very nice to visit with the other Riverview residents. Looking forward to more of Riverview especially the mysteries. Thank you.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was provided with a copy of this book for my true and honest review.

Stephanie and Doyle's story had potential. Sadly though, it just didn't flow for me. They have a meet cute story, with Doyle rescuing Stephanie on the side of the road when her car breaks down. As it turns out, Doyle is renting the guest house behind where Stephanie lives with her Mom and sister.

There is some mystery/suspense woven in to the story, however even that lacked interest for me.

The writing was sloppy, with typos and missing words. The dialogue didn't flow and it often felt forced. It's hard to explain, but at times it just didn't seem like these two were having conversations. It was just a string of sentences thrown together.

There were also some loose ends that just seemed to be left hanging. Without giving spoilers, there was a particular part of the book where womanly issues were discussed, and discussed and discussed. I think it was meant to make us wonder, yet it just got dropped at the end and never discussed again.

Overall the story just didn't do it for me. I didn't buy that these two were falling in love. I just didn't buy the whole story, including the arsonist portion.

[Jo-Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a "can't put it down" kind of story that I am so glad to have read! Stephanie has had some bad relationships so she doesn't want to get involved with a man again. Doyle found his wife in bed with one of his best friends so he is in no hurry to get involved with anyone either. But these two get together and make it work. It's not easy though because trouble follows Stephanie where ever she goes. Well, Doyle doesn't get off scot-free since he has his share of hard situations to deal with too.

This is a great romantic suspense full of action, intrigue and great characters that I highly recommend. The characters are so well developed that I felt I knew them. The secondary characters helped bring the story along but didn't overpower the main characters. I loved the chemistry between Doyle and Stephanie. It kept me turning the pages and glued to the book.

I am so glad I received a complementary copy of August Fire in exchange for my honest review. I appreciate the opportunity of reading and reviewing this fabulous book.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this story.. From the first meeting between Stephanie and Doyle I was hooked. Due to his reaction to that meeting Stephanie thinks he's a jerk and sexy. He thinks she's uptight but gorgeous. Their second meeting doesn't change her opinion of him when his dog once again causes her acute embarrassment. Hey, it's uphill from there.. Doyle is a gentleman and as they're constantly thrown together they get to know each other. She is prickly and he has a huge sense of humor, which makes her prickly.

Add an arsonist to the story and we have danger and suspense right up to the end of our story. I had a hard time putting it down and read it in record time. I can't wait to read more from Kasey Riley.

“I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review”.

[Locs and Lenses · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice romance novel with suspense.

I received this book for an honest review. In the beginning to book moved quickly. It was very cute how the couple resisted each other. When they finally got together the book began to move and the excite began. We got quick glances at the arsonist but it was annoying as some books fail when they try to do this. I thought the romance moved a little unrealistically fast in some areas and some questions were never answered ; why was she crying all the time ? The ending had a twist that I enjoyed. A great by the pool read.

[Kaila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one. The story was sweet.. the characters were cute.. and the writing kept me going. It had parts where the characters made me want to scream but overall I really enjoyed it. I am so glad I got to review it

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

the evil person who was an arsonist who kept setting fires to buildings grass land cars.he committed murders.a surprise ending.