Welcome to the bestselling Diamond Creek, Alaska Novels – a sexy and steamy contemporary romance series set against the wilderness and beauty of small-town Alaska! Sometimes love happens in a crash—or at least that’s how Risa and Darren met.
Risa Holden often feels like her life is spinning beyond her control. On the heels of an emotional betrayal, she’s more committed than ever to making sure she doesn’t hope for too much, especially not love. When Darren Thomas, a smoldering and oh-so-sexy cop, helps her after she crashes her car, she thinks a fling is in order. Her heart has other ideas.
Darren Thomas looks dangerously delicious in his uniform—with a smile that melts hearts and a body to notch up the heat. When he meets Risa, the spark between them burns so hot and fast, he can’t think straight. After facing a tragedy in his career, he retreated home to Alaska with plans to keep to himself. Risa tests his convictions by rattling the cage around his heart.
The sensual passion between Risa and Darren weaves a spell beyond their control. Both are tumbling far and fast—love the only thing that might break their fall.
*All novels in this series are full-length standalone novels with an HEA.
USA Today bestselling author J. H. Croix writes emotionally charged, steamy small town Alaska romance featuring protective firefighter and first responder heroes with big hearts and smart, strong heroines. Best known for her interconnected series set in Willow Brook, Alaska, Croix creates immersive fictional communities where the town itself becomes a character and found family is at the heart of every love story.
Another instance of a USA Today bestseller that just doesn’t work for me. Like, on any level.
Plot overview: Darren pulls Risa from her car after she wrecks it, and it turns out he’s her brother’s friend. She’s one of those “I’ve been betrayed so I only want a fling” types; he’s one of those “I usually only do casual but she’s so super special I can’t fight this thing between us” types. Cliche land, in other words.
At 6% of this story, after Darren has pulled Risa out of her car and says he’ll take her to her brother’s house, he pulls the car over on a deserted stretch of road says he just HAS to kiss her. They’ve only just met, and she is quite probably concussed after the accident. I had to go back at that point and check to make sure I hadn’t inadvertently downloaded a romantic suspense novel, because I’m pretty sure I’ve seen that EXACT storyline on Criminal Minds a time or two, and I can’t remember it ever working out in the heroine’s favor. But no, it’s not a romantic suspense. It’s just a totally unbelieveable amount of weird instalust.
Now, I don’t normally mind instalust, but pulling the car over because you just HAVE to kiss a woman who was just in a car wreck? A woman you JUST met? Are you INSANE, Darren? This makes you look like a crazy sicko stalker or something!
But Risa isn’t as paranoid as I am, I guess, because she was totally into the kiss. I guess I’m supposed to think, “aw, aren’t they sweet? Isn’t it hot that they’re so attracted to each other at first sight?” That’s not what I think, though. Not at all. I think it seems like everything is moving strangely fast for Darren and Risa for no good reason, and that even if the cop who pulled me from a car accident was the second coming of Hugh Jackman, I would probably still think he was going to kill me when he pulled the car over and insisted on kissing me. It was so strange to me that I couldn’t get past it, y’all. I DNF’d. I DNF’d with extreme prejudice, and I haven’t looked back since.
I seem to be in an "okay read" slump. This was just ho-hum. Nothing too exciting from this novel. At times I was a little bored with the story line. Nothing glaringly wrong with the story, it just wasn't great the characters weren't annoying, just not memorable.
Truely, J.H Croix's, Tumble into love is another fascinating addition to the series. Once again, Croix doesn't disappoint the readers as her usual strong story telling technique is at play. Infatuation and love are clearly not the same. The author makes sure that it stays that way. Retrospectively, the superb natural descriptions and attention to details are all her literary style that comes naturally, not to mention the solid grounds upon which the characterisation is built. It is but a great read, as the opening note lays the foundation of how Risa's car is crashed in the woods and a sexy cop comes along to help. Since then they are hooked into each other, as the readers get hooked as well with more adventure on the way.
My first read by this author have to say from her livid descriptions of Alaska it was like being there in person along with Ethan & James witnessing Darren & Risa falling in 💘.
I was very disappointed because I expected more. I have read other books by this author and I really enjoyed them especially the into the fire series. This was boring and it never grabbed me. Well all books will not be liked by every reader so I’ll move on to the next JH Croix book. Until next time y’all happy reading.
I guess there’s nothing wrong with the story itself I just couldn’t connect with it, or I maybe I just thought it was boring. They were a few typos and missing words throughout the book, but that wasn’t the main issue for me.
The thing I didn’t like the most is that the main characters had more dialogue with side characters than with each other. They never had a serious conversation, or much conversation really, until the end of the book. It seems that the only thing that happened when they were together was that they had sex. I couldn’t even tell if they got to know each other, or how much they knew about the other.
Another minor thing I didn’t like was that some of the chapters just ended without...closure I guess is the word I’m looking for. Like a scene would happen at the end of the chapter that could have continued but the chapter just ends and the move on to the next day in the next one. I don’t know if it’s just me, but that’s something that I found annoying.
It’s books like this (don’t want to finish it but really don’t want to add to my DNF pile) that makes me wish I was a speed reader but I’m not and I’m just going to have to live with that until I learn how. I’ve read other reviews and people seem to enjoy it so the choice is up to you.
Darren and Risa are both gun-shy on relationships. However, the sparks that fly between them could start a fire! A fling is what Risa decides will be best. Darren doesn't want just a casual hookup, but also doesn't want Risa to know he is broken. After helping her after her car accident, things continue to heat up between them. I love Ethan and Jack. They are so sweet and helpful. Trey and Emma slowly discover what is going on. Hayley wants to help out because she sees her brother happy for the first time in ages. Travis really wants to hassle his friend. I love how everything that happens up there becomes a Diamond Creek front-page headline type of thing. Only in a small town. This one made me smile from start to finish. I liked that the police chief also volunteers to fight the forest fires in the area...nice touch to make him an even bigger local hero and good guy. I loved how he had helped Emma with her ex before and you find out he really IS that awesome (and not just according to his sister!).
I did received Diamond Creek, Alaska Novels Book 5, Tumble into Love as a free ARC Copy in exchange for an honest review.
The story follows Risa Holden, who crashes on her way into Diamond Creek. She is rescued by Darren Thomas, a smoldering and oh-so-sexy cop, helps her after she crashes her car, she thinks a fling is in order.
Risa & Darren race off to speedy whirlwind romance. Both won't admit their feelings towards each other, but, neither can spend a moment away from one another.
Risa has been determined that it has been her that has not been doing well with relationships, and can't hold onto one.
Darren has nightmares and a past that won't let him forget things.
I was happy to get to read Darren's story. I loved the instant chemistry between Darren and Risa. It seemed to just keep building from their first meeting until the last page of the book. Darren has to step way out of his comfort zone when he realizes he wants more than just a casual fling with Risa. Risa has her own demons to face, which include accepting that she is good enough for Darren. I enjoyed getting to meet Darren's sister and Risa's bosses as they all supported the couple through their journey. I would love to read more about Darren's sister in the future (maybe her own book). The book had a good balance of the couples thoughts and others in their lives helping lead to them getting together. I enjoyed this book and hope to read more of the series soon.
Risa headed to Diamond Creek to visit with her brother Trey, totaling her car brings the Police chief Darren to the rescue. Finding themselves unable to ignore the attraction between them. Both having problems with intimacy, they try to avoid developing feelings for each other. When Risa has the opportunity to move to Diamond Creek she jumps on the chance. Another wonderful book in the Diamond Creek series. Risa made an entrance in the last book when she came to visit Trey. Darren has been in all the books but until the last one only a minor role. But I am happy he got his own story.. Hopefully not the last book in the series. I have toi say this one was one of my favorites in the series. I just loved the personalities of Risa and Darren.
A delightful romance novel set in Diamond Creek Alaska. Risa is on her way to meet visit her brother Trey and his family when she is involved in an auto accident. Darren who is a police office is first to respond to help her and the sparks instantly fly. But both Risa and Darren have reservations about getting seriously involved because of prior experiences. When Risa has the opportunity to move to Diamond Creek from Anchorage she can't deny being excited to be closer to Darren. Will they be able to get over the denial of their true feeling for each other? A steamy well written book. * I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A pleasant read. Can't say I have ever met a 'Risa' before. Maybe it was a typo for Lisa on the birth certificate or it's a nickname? Ok Google tells me it's a unisex Japanese name. Interesting.
Anyway, Risa and Darren were good together. Good chemistry. I liked Darren's backstory. I feel like his reluctance towards relationships was more justified than Risa's. I am surprised Trey (Risa's bro) didn't feature more. Back in Trey's book they had a really close sibling relationship so it was odd that he never had any involvement in Risa and Darren's relationship.
I am a huge fan of Ms. Croix and the Diamond Creek Alaska series! While this wasn't my favorite of the series, it was still another fun trip to Diamond Creek and a great visit with the crew there!! If I were to choose fictional characters to be friends with in real life, it would be these!!! I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the way the story starts out with a bit of a bang only to continue with many more bangs throughout the book. I also love how it seems that the whole series seemed to be worked straight up to this book and these two characters. Their attraction to each other was felt in each page I read and the way everything started to get blown up just a bit before confessions finally happened.
This is a great series. Truly hearfelt. Such a warm feeling community. I also loved how the bosses Ethan and Jack rallied round her to support her thru any problems that arose. True friendship.
I started with #6 in the series years ago and have finally finished up the last book. This time the match-up is between Darren (the helpful police chief in Emma and Trey's story) along with Risa (Trey's sister). There's a bit of revisiting with these former characters, but not too much. The story begins when Risa gets into a car accident when coming back to Diamond Creek to see her brother. Darren helps her out, but the chemistry between them it immediate and very hot. They give in to it quickly, but them the romance slows down since they are both gun-shy. Darren had a traumatic incident years ago as a policeman, and now he's afraid to commit to someone for fear of losing them. Risa, on the other hand, was cheated on by her boyfriend and now doesn't trust her instincts. I was frustrated with both of them after a while since it took so long for them to finally admit to their feelings, despite helpful advice from friends and relatives. Everyone else could see what they meant to each other, but they were both afraid to say anything. But all's well that ends well, and their relationship finally got on track (beyond the hot sex scenes they indulged in regularly). I enjoyed this series, learning a little bit about Alaska along the way.
I have read almost all of J.H. Croix's books and each one is as good as the next. This is Risa and Darren's story. If you have read the other books in the series you know that Darren is the town sheriff. He's had a cameo role in each book, especially in Emma and Trey's story where he helps to get rid of Emma's ex. He is not only the town sheriff who looks really hot in his uniform but also a forest firefighter! How much better can it get?! Risa is Trey's sister and has a tendency to get in car accidents throughout the story which is quite funny. The story starts out with Risa getting in a car accident and Darren arriving to help her out. There is an instant attraction and a steamy kiss all in the first chapter! Both characters have some emotional damage and neither thinks they are good enough for the other. The author makes her characters completely believable with real pasts and real problems. We've all made decisions in the past that we wish we could take back and situations that are completely out of our control that we still feel responsible for. Through time and friends they come to both realize they need to move beyond their past. Through the author you can vividly see the sunsets and the beauty of the mountains. You won't regret reading this book.
For two people who are both avoiding relationships, they sure have a strong chemistry that keeps pulling the together. If they could just get out of their own way maybe they could finally have a relationship that they want but believe they don't deserve. I can understand Darren feeling the way he does after the trauma he went through and nightmares he still has. Risa doesn't thing she deserves Darren because she has not been good enough for any of her previous relationships so why would she be good enough for Darren. Will they each get out of their own way so they can realize they love each other? Will Darren tell Risa what is behind the nightmares?
This was yet another wonderful book from JH Croix! Darren is called out to an accident, only to look into the eyes of the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen. Risa swerved to miss a moose, now she is sitting up against the alder trees when the hottest cop she’s ever seen comes to her rescue. These are two people who believe they are too broken for love. Can they figure out how to get out of their own way, to find a love that could last a lifetime? Check out this book today!
J.H. Croix writes books that I really enjoy that are set in Alaska. Police officers like Darren and other first responders are featured in her books. Darren and Risa both have trust issues when it comes to relationships. They are drawn to each other and have great chemistry. Can they overcome their issues before it's too late? Read this book and find out.
From the very first chapter, I didn't really like where this was heading. 5his must have been a writer's block story because to have anyone believe that a person with a heart of gold ( and a cop, no less) would actually behave in that manner , has got to be arrogant or really, really having to grasp at straws to break a writer's block. If you like reading porn for the sake of porn, this might be good. But if you read for more reality + fantasy, skip this and go to the next book.
Wow, I loved Rosa and Darren’s simmering attraction. It kept the story moving quickly and I couldn’t put the book down. This series has gotten better and better. It has it all — conflict, personal doubts and steamy tension between the main characters. The HEA is so sweet even though it may take a while to get there.
Darren is a cop who still suffers guilt and trauma from the death of a little boy he wasnt able to rescue. Risa has some emotional baggage of her own. While they r both extremely attracted to the other, neither is willing to admit the depth of their feelings. I really liked both of these characters and enjoyed the story. Their chemistry was electric. Enjoyed the author’s writing style.
Risa and Darren both have commitment issues. They have wild chemistry but are afraid to be the first to admit their feelings. Things drag a bit which is the reason for 4 stars instead of 5. They're adults, they should have gotten their nerve up faster.
Good characters with hot chemistry. A sweet romance with an HEA.
'Tumble Into Love ' is a good title for the book since immediate sexual attraction and continued bunny 🐇 sex is the main part of the book. Going past that into the story itself, character development and the beauty of the scenery described by the author made this a good read for me.
Risa and Darren's story is heartbreaking in part because of Darren's past. Although both characters initially struggle with their deep and unsettling feelings for each other, their sizzling hot chemistry is undeniable. Their way to each other is a highly emotional love story that I devoured from the first page to the last and simply couldn't put down.