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Firehawks #4

Flash of Fire

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Fourth in M.L. Buchman's critically acclaimed Firehawks romantic suspense series

The elite firefighters of Mount Hood Aviation fly into places even the CIA can't penetrate.

FROM WILDFIRE TO GUNFIRE
When former Army National Guard helicopter pilot Robin Harrow joins Mount Hood Aviation, she expect to fight fires for only one season. Instead, she finds herself getting deeply entrenched with one of the most elite firefighting teams in the world. And that's before they send her on a mission that's seriously top secret, with a flight partner who's seriously hot.

Mickey Hamilton loves flying, firefighting, and women, in that order. But when Robin Harrow roars across his radar, his priorities go out the window. On a critical mission deep in enemy territory, their past burns away and they must face each other. Their one shot at a future demands that they first survive the present-together.

"A richly detailed and pulse-pounding read...tender romance flawlessly blended with heart-stopping life-or-death scenes." -RT Book Reviews, 4 1/2 stars for Full Blaze

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 3, 2016

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562 people want to read

About the author

M.L. Buchman

322 books614 followers
USA Today and Amazon #1 Bestseller M. L. “Matt” Buchman started writing on a flight south from Japan to ride his bicycle across the Australian Outback. Just part of a solo around-the-world trip that ultimately launched his writing career.

From the very beginning, his powerful female heroines insisted on putting character first, then a great adventure. He’s since written over 60 action-adventure thrillers and military romantic suspense novels. And just for the fun of it: 100 short stories, and a fast-growing pile of read-by-author audiobooks.

Booklist says: 3x “Top 10 of the Year.” PW says: “Tom Clancy fans open to a strong female lead will clamor for more.” His fans say: “I want more now…of everything.” That his characters are even more insistent than his fans is a hoot.
As a 30-year project manager with a geophysics degree who has designed and built houses, flown and jumped out of planes, and solo-sailed a 50’ ketch, he is awed by what is possible. More at: www.mlbuchman.com.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
Profile Image for Cardyn Brooks.
Author 4 books29 followers
May 21, 2016
Robin and Mickey's story in Flash of Fire continues M.L.B.'s reign supreme of consecutive tales about smart, fearless, ambitious, successful women and men who are drawn to those same traits in their romantic partners. Reading about these pairings never gets old since M.L.B. always manages to reconfigure similar attributes into new personalities and exciting, unpredictable storylines.

[A few proofing oversights like using the singular policeman instead of policemen and a missing descriptive article or two (Didn't want to stop compulsively reading long enough to note pages.) And one short phrase that clanged for me as soon as it registered was a description of a North(?) Korean official as having "piggy eyes". It jarred me because it just felt as if an Anglo character's eyes wouldn't have been described in that way, but maybe that's one of my personal tripwires.]
Profile Image for Christa.
2,218 reviews584 followers
August 14, 2017
A book by M.L. Bachman is like a comfortable blanket to me because I know I'm going to enjoy every minute of reading it and be right in my reading comfort zone. I thought this book was a great addition to the Firehawks Series, and I continue to love how these books tie in with the The Night Stalkers Series.

The couple featured in this one, Mickey and Robin, had lots of great chemistry between them. I loved their dialogue and interactions and enjoyed their romance. The storyline was a good one that kept me on edge. I liked the fast pace and action.

Another great one by this author!
Profile Image for Beth.
4,222 reviews18 followers
May 27, 2023
I got this book for the Male Authors month of KCLS's Romance Book Club, but I forgot why I got it and ended up reading it a month late.

It's a fun romance where the plot drives most of the energy and the romance kinda skates on behind, but honestly that's often how I like it, especially in contemporary romances. In this case, we have two super hot hot-shot (see what I did there?) helicopter pilots on a fire fighting team. But their team is so special they get called to do super-secret spy work in foreign lands. So the first half we see the girl pilot getting hired and having to prove herself and be awesome, while the boy pilot is supporting and also awesome and ready to have a relationship, and then in the second half they get sent by the president off to fight a fire in North Korea where they have to also do so Secret Stuff, and oh yeah, the girl decides that even though she never thought she'd have a relationship this guy is nifty enough that she'll do it.

It's the fourth in a series, and I suspect they all follow this plot, and I enjoyed going along to fight fires with them.
Profile Image for Marlene.
3,455 reviews241 followers
April 29, 2016
Originally published at Reading Reality

Whatever was in the water at SOAR seems to also be in the water at Mount Hood Aviation. Everyone who shows up to fly to fire ends up very happily married. And it’s wonderful fun!

Like so many of the books in Buchman’s Firehawks series, the story follows a particular pattern. What makes things interesting is always the characters, both the ones that series readers are familiar with, and the new ones who are introduced or at least focused on in the current entry.

In the case of Flash of Fire, our hero Mickey Hamilton is one of the pilots who has been with MHA for a while, but hasn’t had his own story because he’s been waiting for the right heroine to arrive.

The heroine for Mickey is Robin Harrow. She’s former Army National Guard, and currently serving as a reluctant waitress in the biggest independent truck stop in Arizona. But working at Phoebe’s Truck Stop is a family tradition – her mother did it, and now runs the place. Her grandmother is Phoebe herself. As far as fathers and grandfathers go, they aren’t in the picture. Harrow women don’t have husbands, they have sperm donors.

Someday, Phoebe figures that she will follow the family tradition. But right now, she’s flying lead for Mount Hood Aviation for one glorious season, because Emily Beale is much, much too pregnant to fit in even a helicopter’s cockpit. And Emily sees something in Robin that makes her believe Robin is the right pilot to take her place.

Robin initially sees Mickey as her extra-curricular fun for the summer, for what little downtime MHA seems to get. Mickey discovers that Robin is the only woman he will ever want, and is thunderstruck when she rejects his love, but is still more than willing to share his bedroll, tent, or bunk, as long as there are no strings attached.

Everyone who sees them knows that whatever they have is for the long haul – if Mickey can just muster the patience to let the reluctant Robin figure it out for herself.

And if they can survive not just the dangerous fire season, but also one of MHA’s mysterious Black Ops missions in one of the most dangerous places on Earth.

Escape Rating B+: While the regular firefighting is always interesting, it’s the crazy Black Ops missions that send these books into the stratosphere of nail-biting tension. As much as I enjoyed this story, it took a little longer than usual for the insane part of the fun to really begin.

Once they take off for parts nearly unknown, across the DMZ in North Korea, the action in this book ramps up to a thrill a minute.

For those new to the series who don’t want to start with either Pure Heat, the first Firehawks book, or The Night Is Mine, where Emily Beale and Mark Henderson’s story really begins in the Night Stalkers, Flash of Fire is a great place to pick up the series.

Because Robin is a complete outsider to both MHA and the folks who came over or drop in from SOAR, everyone has to get introduced to her, and she has to learn everyone’s place in this high-adrenaline “family of choice”. For new readers, her introduction is their introduction. For those who have followed the series, it’s a nice refresher. At something like 20 books in for the combined series, the cast is getting pretty large. It’s always nice to see how everyone is doing.

In general, Robin makes a very interesting heroine to follow. She’s the best of the best, but she always thinks she still has so much to learn. While everyone around her at MHA is better at one thing or another than she is, Robin is excellent at pulling all those things together and creating coherence. She makes good decisions fast, which is a talent desperately needed when flying to fire, because the fire moves and changes quicker than an eye blink.

At the same time, she’s always living in the moment. She signs on to MHA for a one season contract, not because she doesn’t want more, but because that’s all they need. Emily Beale won’t be pregnant forever, however much it may seem like it by the start of her third trimester. So Robin believes that she and Mickey can only have one season, and that it is stupid to get involved when she knows she has to leave, while MHA is his home.

Not that Robin doesn’t think emotional involvement isn’t inherently just a bit stupid, and not that her family history doesn’t make her believe that it won’t work for her. Her personal history also contributes. Men want to challenge the strong soldier woman, or they want to break her. They don’t fall in love with her, and often don’t even like her very much.

Mickey is something Robin hasn’t encountered before. A man who likes her and is interested in her just the way she is. It’s the one thing she can’t resist, even if it takes her an entire exhausting fire season to finally see the light. That Robin finds not just a man who loves her, but also women who accept her as one of their own, is a marvelous touch. Flash of Fire easily passes the Bechdel Test, as Robin and the women of MHA bond not just over the men in their lives, but the risks they shared as fellow soldiers, and the dangers and rewards of flying to fire.

Like all of the books in both the Night Stalkers and Firehawks series, what makes the story work is that Robin and Mickey are equals in every possible way. Equally strong, equally intelligent, equally excellent at what they do and sometimes equally stubborn. I always love romances where the hero and the heroine are perfectly capable of rescuing each other – and where they both acknowledge it.
Profile Image for  Reading In Pajamas .
1,091 reviews105 followers
May 3, 2016
Spotlight Tour: Review, Guest Post & Giveaway: Flash of Fire (Firehawks Series) by M.L. Buchman http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-4We
Publication Date: May 3, 2016
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Donna
Rated 4.5 Stars

Donna review 4.5 stars


I liked Robin from the start. She was talented and badass but you could still relate to her. I especially loved her realistic reactions to being the new girl in the group. The author writes all the characters and how they interact in a fun way that makes you believe they have faced the ongoing dangers of firefighting together for a long time. There is a lot of technical information about fighting fires and the aircraft used but it did not detract from the lovely romance. Mickey is every girls dream, not only in sexiness but in how he lets Robin be Robin. This is another exciting installment in the Firehawks series and I loved it.


*Review copy provided by Sourcebooks in exchange for an honest review. 


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Profile Image for Hannah.
2,009 reviews33 followers
May 5, 2016
ARC REVIEW

I wish I found this series earlier. Flash of Fire is part of the Firehawks series about an elite group of firefighters who form the Mount Hood Aviation a private company that helps put out wild fires and something a little bit more top secret. Firehawks is a spin-off of Buchman's Night Stalkers series also an elite team of helicopter pilots doing super secret spy stuff. I don't think you have to read the other books in order to enjoy this one but the supporting characters are the H/hs from the previous books and it's just good background for them and for M.H.A. I enjoyed the story well enough, it was a little dry in some spots and really intense in other and it kinda balances out; the romance was probably the best part for me. Of course my favorites always tend to be the reluctant woman and the insta-love man. Robin and Mickey were great characters I love the way they were written and Mickey is a playboy but as soon as he sets eyes on Robin he has eyes for no one else.

Robin Harrow wants more to life than just being a waitress at her Mom's diner, in her Grandmother's truck stop. She joined the National Guard and learned to fly, but due to so much time being grounded and not being able to fly her copter she leaves. Still yearning to be something more she applies for a very coveted position as a pilot for Mount Hood Aviation. She never expected to get the job, but she got the job before the interview was over. Mickey Hamilton was just thinking about a summer fling with the new girl but before he knew it; her skills at flying, her attitude, and her beauty, and he was head over heals and ready for a permanent commitment. Robin believes that the Harrow women don't marry, her grandmother didn't, her momma didn't and she won't either. So when Mickey confesses his love for her she runs scared even if in her heart she knows she loves him too. The fire season isn't easy on them, right off the bat they are battling a Canadian Fire and after a short reprieve they end up on their way to Korea to help put out a fire on the border of North and South and also a super secret directly from the President mission.

Overall, this was a good book and a fun and entertaining read.
Profile Image for Ruthie Taylor.
3,723 reviews40 followers
May 2, 2016
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~

This is part of a series, but the first that I have read. I plan on going back, even though I know the pairings that have happened, I am curious to know their stories too.

In this book we meet new to the team, Robin, who has been brought in as the temporary team leader. She is an interesting character, as she is constantly striving to be the top, and has some issues with not knowing as much as the rest of the team, yet being a leader. I really enjoyed watching her learn and grow. It worked really well. She has an immediate and visceral connection with Mickey, a very experienced helicopter pilot and major player. He is also knocked for six by his desire and the ease with which he and Robin fall into each others company. Using flying terms to describe their first time together amused me a lot!

I have to say that there is a lot of 'technical' flying information, which I enjoyed, and much about the practicalities of fire fighting from the air. Do not let this put you off - firstly you will definitely learn a lot, and develop a high level of regard for the bravery of these people, but also the intensity with which they work spills over into how they play, and it is scorchingly hot. I am adding this series to my read list, and look forward to catching up with the whole team, and looking forward to who's turn it is next.

Wicked Reads Review Team
992 reviews10 followers
June 1, 2023
All the usual characteristics of Buchman’s novels are here: admirable, strong, competent characters, action, and straightforward romance with no games. Robin Harrow (formerly pilot for the Arizona Army National Guard – AANG) has signed a one season contract with Mt. Hood Aviation while lead pilot Emily Beale is grounded with a second pregnancy. Emily and Mark put Robin in Firehawk 1 which makes her the team leader even though the other pilots have much more fire fighting experience.

Robin finds her way with the support of the other pilots, especially Mickey Hamilton who is attracted to her from the get go. Robin is a confirmed bachelorette like her mother and grandmother. Permanent relationships are not part of her family expectation or desire. Mickey realizes he wants to change her ‘no promises’ policy.

A wicked fire in Canada is superseded by an overseas secret mission for part of the team. Lots of suspense adds to the steamy romance. A very satisfying novel with lots of action, physical and mental challenges, and teamwork. Highly recommended as a standalone and a series.

Readalikes:
Kathryn Shay’s Firefighter trilogy; Bella Andre’s Hot shots; Lindsay McKenna’s Operation: Shadow Warriors; Jackie Ashenden – Raw Power; Lea Griffith – Flash of Fury; Julie Ann Walker’s Black Knights, Inc.; Donna Grant – The Hero; Janie K. Crouch – Storm.

Pace: Fast-paced
Character: Strong men and women with good backstories
Storyline: Action-packed
Writing style: Engaging
Tone: Steamy
Frame: Oregon, Canada, Alaska, Korea; Contemporary
Themes: Dealing with danger (natural disasters); Found family
2,287 reviews7 followers
March 16, 2018
I would rate it higher because I liked the story and the characters, but lowered it by one star because of the sex (outside of marriage, though this book had less details than some) that seems to be in most novels in this genre--so it ended up with 3 stars.

I found the flying and firefighting details interesting. There's a lot more to it in terms of strategy and analysis than I knew and also in coordinating with ground crews. I like the camaraderie of the MHA team--they give each other grief and joke with each other, but in the end, they know they can rely on each other too.

I feel for Emily--she's been Queen Bee for a while from the sounds of it and is now sidelined by her second pregnancy. It must have been hard for her to give up that spot and the control.

I like Robin--she's got both a gentleness and toughness. But let's face it, folks, we know from the get go that she and Mickey are going to end up together, despite her protests that Harrow women don't get married.
Profile Image for Gail.
Author 25 books216 followers
November 21, 2017
I like these firefighting adventure romance stories. The heroine is a helicopter pilot who is going crazy working at her mom's/ grandma's truck stop in Arizona after she leaves the Arizona Air National Guard. So she signs up to fly helicopters for a top-notch firefighting service. The hero is also a helicopter pilot who's been flying against fires for 10 years or so. When they meet the morning they are sent to fight a fire on the Alaska-Canadian border, they each think the other is cute, and the attraction heats up really quick. But it doesn't flow too smoothly. The heroine was raised by a single woman who was raised by a single woman, so she has a lot of weird ideas about what a Harrow woman is like and how she should live. There's fires and borders of countries and bizarre orders, and figuring stuff out. Good read all the way through.
265 reviews2 followers
September 26, 2017
I love the Night Stalkers and the Firehawk series, and Flash of Fire continues the series when a new pilot, Robin Harrow, joins the Firehawks. She is quickly faced with her first major fire in Alaska, where she learns that there is more to the team than she ever dreamed. When she meets her fellow pilot, Mickey Hamilton, her first wild fire gets even hotter! I love the setting of helicopter firefighters and the ground crews, which creates plenty of action, and dangerous situations. Don't miss this one!
3,527 reviews
May 11, 2018
A former helicopter pilot with the Arizona Air National Guard, Robin Harrow signs on with the Mount Hood Aviation Company to battle forest fires. There she meets Mickey Hamilton, another pilot who is a genuine outdoorsman. Sexual attraction blooms between the two. He falls in love with her but she is strongly independent and does not want a “forever”. Then the team is called upon to take part in a secret mission in the DMZ of North Korea and he has her back in a dangerous maneuver. She begins to rethink her independent stance.

Profile Image for Dewey.
2,080 reviews1 follower
September 8, 2023
Buchman is a top favorite author of mine in this genre. I like that he features strong although flawed females as lead characters. This is a good series, and I really appreciate the crossover to other characters from the Nightstalkers. I also like the deep operational & technical knowledge Buchman brings to his series. Robin has a big chip on her shoulder which is giving me a slow start to the story. I never connected with Robin; she nails Mickey in the 1st 24 hours of meeting, so there's none of the romantic tension & character development that he usually develops. Mickey is in love by day 4; not buying it. I will always miss not having a follow-up to Michael & Claudia.
4,547 reviews29 followers
April 5, 2018
Not sure why all of these books heroines have to be commitment phobic... Other than that another great entry in the series. I like the crossovers from the other series as well.
Profile Image for karen.
1,627 reviews
May 27, 2018
Robin is a tough one. Again your past gets in the way of your future mickey is a dream. Again I can’t get enough of Emily and Mark
Profile Image for Kem.
1,141 reviews1 follower
November 3, 2019
Really scary part near the end. Couldn't get very fond of the heroine in this one. Lots of dangerous fire stuff.
Profile Image for Aubrey Bertucci.
44 reviews
February 26, 2023
It was like an action movie version of a book with plenty of romance involved. Didn't love it or hate it. Some spice 🌶️, lots of geography, military action, and of course romantic drama.
Profile Image for Sandy S.
8,284 reviews207 followers
May 6, 2016
4 stars

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 3, 2016

Seventh in M.L. Buchman's critically acclaimed Firehawks romantic suspense series

The elite firefighters of Mount Hood Aviation fly into places even the CIA can't penetrate.

FROM WILDFIRE TO GUNFIRE
When former Army National Guard helicopter pilot Robin Harrow joins Mount Hood Aviation, she expect to fight fires for only one season. Instead, she finds herself getting deeply entrenched with one of the most elite firefighting teams in the world. And that's before they send her on a mission that's seriously top secret, with a flight partner who's seriously hot.

Mickey Hamilton loves flying, firefighting, and women, in that order. But when Robin Harrow roars across his radar, his priorities go out the window. On a critical mission deep in enemy territory, their past burns away and they must face each other. Their one shot at a future demands that they first survive the present-together.

••••••••••••

REVIEW: FLASH OF FIRE is the seventh full length installment in M.L.Buchman’s adult, contemporary FIREHAWKS action, romantic suspense series focusing on an elite group of fire fighting experts-helicopter pilots, fighters, and jumpers from Mount Hood Aviation. The Firehawks series is a spin-off from M.L. Buchman’s Night Stalker military/romance/suspense series. Several characters cross over throughout the series but each book can be read as a stand alone without too much difficulty. Any important information from previous storylines is imparted where necessary. This is helicopter pilots Robin Harris, and Mickey Hamilton’s story.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Robin and Mickey) FLASH OF FIRE follows new Firehawk recruit Robin Harrrow-a former Army National Guard helicopter pilot –as she is thrown head first into her first fire fight near Dawson City, Alaska where she will discover that only the best of the best are chosen for the job, and she is among the chosen few. With a personal recommendation from the top, Robin will take control of the mission ensuring everyone comes home alive. Enter Mickey Hamilton, the man who would steal Robin’s heart, but a man that will come up against some heat of his own.

FLASH OF FIRE follows the Firehawk team as they struggle with the wildfires of Alaska, and then a chosen few are secreted away to a special mission overseas where Robin and Mickey are once again, partnered in a rescue operation that involves more than fighting fires.

The world building continues to focus on the men and women from Mount Hood Aviation: their job; their friendships; and their relationships with one another. FLASH OF FIRE has a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters from many of the previous story lines and series, making for an intimate and familiar feel to the story. As in all of M.L.Buchman’s story lines there is a copious amount of technical detail and terminology including an up close and personal view of whitewater rafting 101.

FLASH OF FIRE focuses on the danger and life-threatening job of the elite fire fighting crews of the Mount Hood Aviation Firehawks. There are moments of darkness and danger, romance and love, action and suspense; and lighthearted humor at the hero’s expense-Mickey is a man who has fallen for a woman who isn’t about to settle down with any man. The premise is engaging and inspiring; the characters are heartwarming and passionate. FLASH OF FIRE is an action-packed story that shares an intimate look at the ‘super heroes’ in real life.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.

www.thereadingcafe.com
Profile Image for Book Gannet.
1,572 reviews17 followers
May 4, 2016
Strong men and even stronger women, ferocious fires and secret government missions all taking place in and around helicopters. This series is fast, intense and full of action. But it also manages to pack in a decent romance and complicated characters, which ticks so many of my boxes that I can’t help but enjoy it.

Especially when the hero is like Mickey. Admittedly, I wasn’t overly impressed with his intro, since he’s busy sizing up the new female members of MHA, looking for his next good time. Yet somehow, somewhere during his first few scenes, he changed and became amazing. Not just because he’s a super talented pilot who isn’t intimidated by the incredible women around him, but the way he supports Robin without undermining her is great to read.

When it comes to his feelings for Robin though – I loved him. He’s adorable. And so confused. She baffles him completely, which is fun to watch, although rather less so when it leads to hurt. Yet he doesn’t sulk (too much) and keeps on supporting her. I loved so much about him, right up to the end. He’s great.

Robin is a little different. She’s prickly and arrogant and has quite the chip on her shoulder. She would be easy to dislike, and yet I didn’t actually dislike her. There’s a lot of good points about her, not least the way she forms friendships with the other women in MHA. However, her attitude to Mickey grated a little bit. I’m all for switching things around and having the woman being a commitmentphobe, but her reasoning felt pretty flimsy, yet she stuck to it so rigidly. Until she didn’t. The transition could have been a bit smoother for me.

Also, why does nobody ever think to ask what would have happened if she’d had a son? Or are the women in her family magically adapted to only have daughters?

Anyway, for most of this book the romance is the main focus as the MHA team battle a monster forest fire. The action is fast and furious, and mostly revolves around how exhausted everyone is. Which leaves more time for the romance to evolve and flourish and hit a few rough spots. Then things switch over to the secret mission, which for me was less interesting than I think it could have been. Great for cameos if you’ve read all of the related books, maybe not so much if you haven’t. It did give the book a chance to go overseas and bring Robin and Mickey into the covert side of the MHA fold, but in terms of this book and the relationship between Robin and Mickey, I didn’t find it as gripping as what had gone before.

I also would have liked a bit more of an explanation at the end about how exactly things are going to work out now, because I have a few questions. But hopefully they’ll shake out in the next book.

Overall this is a solid, enjoyable, action-packed read perfect for those who love strong characters, both male and female, and a romance that offers a real partnership. I’m still pretty new to this series – so if you’re also here for the first time, you can easily pick it up and find plenty to enjoy without worrying about the many, many other books in multiple series that have gone before – but so far I’m finding it fun and will definitely explore more when I get a chance.

(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
Profile Image for CatherineAA.
719 reviews62 followers
May 9, 2016
Every time I read a new book by M. L. Buchman, I feel like jumping right into the next one because I don't want to leave the exciting, action-filled world he's built around his characters!

Former Army National Guard helicopter pilot Robin Harrow is the newest pilot at Mount Hood Aviation and she's got big shoes to fill. Her predecessor is the most legendary helicopter pilot to have ever flown the skies both inside and outside the service and she's determined to bring her best game to this party, which is what she'll need to take on her new role. However, a little extracurricular activity won't hurt and fellow pilot Mickey Hamilton is just the person to give her what she needs.

However, what Robin doesn't know is that MHA is not just a fire-fighting outfit, but is partly a black ops operation that is able to infiltrate even enemy territory under the guise of helping fight fires and she's about to get her first taste of the heat that comes with this job, both literally and figuratively.

Robin started out with a major chip on her shoulder but all her experience with the National Guard did not prepare her for MHA, especially not the level at which they were operating and I enjoyed watching her realize that she was chosen because she had what it took to fit in there. Mickey was another surprise for Robin and after growing up with the belief that she was destined to remain single, it would take some mental gymnastics for her to come to terms with the fact that she could share her life with someone.

One thing I love about this author's writing is the fearless and skilled women characters he writes and the fact that he's unapologetic about making them as alpha as can be, and having read a lot of his books I can say that Robin is way up at the top of that list, and Mickey was perfect for her because while he was her match in every other way, his laid-back and fun-loving nature balanced out her more intense and rigid side. They both had to adjust to being in each other's life, but in the end it worked out for them.

I'm new to this firefighting series but I love that some characters and familiar things from the Night Stalkers carried over here, especially the black ops that ramp up the tension and the bonds of friendship among women who put their lives on the line and the men who love them.

M. L. Buchman has become a favorite of mine and I'll read anything that carries his name, no questions asked. If you love action movies, romantic suspense or a well-researched and written book, meet your new favorite author!


Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.



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Profile Image for Marsha Keeper Bookshelf.
4,290 reviews88 followers
May 29, 2016
Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf

Robin knew she was good at what she did, still she was surprised just a bit at how quickly she joined forces with the other members of the elite firefighting teams of Mount Hood Aviation. Former National Guard, Robin flew helicopters with a natural ease that filled her with pride and purpose. She is focused on the job she’s taking on and maybe she’s got a bit of a chip on her shoulders – but she’s a female pilot who is used to proving herself, constantly. She’s gruff, no nonsense and since she’s only been hired for one season she’s not too concerned if everyone likes her or not. As long as she can do the job, keep her team safe and fly, Robin is fine with what others think of her.

She didn’t really have to worry about any of that. She fit in well with the other members and caught the attention of one particular man. A born flirt, a man who loved women almost as much as flying and fighting fires. And it doesn’t take Mickey long to realize that while beautiful and talented, Robin can also stand toe to toe to any of them. She’s one strong woman in a sexy package. Yet, Mickey isn’t thinking about her as he usually does… maybe he’s finally met his match and found that partner for life that other members have found at MHA.

When Mickey and Robin take on a secret ops assignment in one of the most dangerous places on the planet, their relationship kicks into another gear. They need each other to get out of this one alive – the emotions swirling between them can either make or break this situation. For this one they both have to be either all in or go home. And neither one is going home without the other.

Flash of Fire is packed full of the action, suspense and romance we’ve come to expect from a new M. L. Buchman novel. The relationship between Mickey and Robin is alternately sizzling, funny, charming and intense. Exactly what to expect between two equally strong, stubborn people who really see the other and their worth, even if the love part is at times a bit rocky for them.

I enjoyed my time spent in this world once again and I believe that any reader who loves action packed, edge of your seat tensions, good friendships and a solid romance would love this one too. If you are new to the Firehawks series then this one is the perfect fit for new readers. Many of the couples from previous books and the original series, Night Stalkers, make appearances in this story. You sort of get to meet them as Robin does as she is introduced to them. With the large number of stories in both series, this could be the perfect way to decide if you want to go back to the beginning. And I personally would recommend that since all of these stories are amazing with strong characters and interesting, suspenseful tales to tell.

*I received an e-ARC of Flash of Fire from the publisher, Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*
2,843 reviews20 followers
April 19, 2022
Review of Flash of Fire

I absolutely loved this book and I will definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves romance novels. He is an awesome writer.
Profile Image for Carolyn.
1,120 reviews29 followers
August 5, 2016
This is the 4th book in the Firehawk Series. Best read in order but each book can also be read as a stand alone issue. M. L. Buchman can certainly write about successful, fearless women who are on a mission in life and who meet men that change their minds, and he can do it well! These characters are people you would like to have in your own life...

Mount Hood Aviation, ASA: MHA, contain an elite group of men and women who are firefighters and are sent on missions to fly into places far and wide by the government.
In Flash of Fire we are introduced to former Army National Guard helicopter pilot Robin Harrow, who goes from a waitress in her family's truck stop in Arizona to joining up with MHA. She expects to fly and fight fires for one season and return back home. Plain and simple, but that's not how it turns out. Robin finds herself falling hard for this elite bunch of people but most certainly with a co-pilot who is as hot as the fires she's fighting and when they are sent on a secret mission together, the flames just burn hotter.
Mickey Hamilton is a top notch pilot and loves to firefight, the two combined is his job and he loves it. Throw Robin into the mix and his job and life has just become complicated. He wants forever and she wants no promises. But while on a crucial and dangerous mission in enemy territory, the "what ifs" in their relationship is not so important anymore as staying alive is. And if that can happen then maybe they have a real good shot and a future together....
Profile Image for Darcy.
14.4k reviews543 followers
April 10, 2016
With how Robin was written she very easily could have been very unlikable. Instead you realized that she had a bit of a chip on her shoulder, yet didn't think she measured up to those she was flying with. A very odd dichotomy. My favorite parts of the book was Robin realizing that she was a good pilot one who would hold her own with this group, then have her mind blown when she realized at what level these guys were playing at. That threw her almost as much as Mickey.

Mickey and Robin were cute together. Mickey could have come off as a not worth it man-whore, instead you liked him and didn't seem to mind he was a ladies man. I think that was because he quickly realized Robin was it for him and didn't pay attention to other females. Of course to a ladies man like Mickey Robin threw him with her views on relationships. It was more like most men think which ended up being what their big fight was about. I sort of liked the fight because Emily and Mark chimed in, giving advice on both sides.

The super secret mission disguised by fighting a fire was fun. I love see the cameos from the other series. Robin seemed to take what she had to do with easy. Loved how the rest of the team supported her while not really having a clue what was going on. That takes a lot of trust and faith, something this team has in abundance.
Profile Image for Book Him Danno.
2,399 reviews78 followers
May 3, 2016
Flash of Fire is the Third book I have read by M.L. Bucman and I have to admit I need to go back and read a few more. While the basic story is the same each characters brings a new element and charm with it. They can be read as a stand alone but readers will enjoy the books more if they start at the beginning.

Robin was a little hard to deal with because the chip on her shoulders but as the story moved along to a fast pace Robin seem to lose the chip and trust her gut. Making her more relateable.

Mickey is the cute fly boy who falls for Robin but I think he fell for her over time nothing was really insta love it was all a progression in the story. Which as a reader I appreciated.

I really enjoyed the fight between Mickey and Emily it added more depth to the basic story making it come alive. Readers get cameos of characters from the other books in the series. Which is fun to see where they are going and if they will have another book.
The super secret mission was great and perfect ending to this book.
Another perfect blend of romance, getting to know someone, love and action.
AC from Netgellay.
Profile Image for Ashley Dawn.
Author 41 books81 followers
December 4, 2016
This was a good one. Robin has just joined up with the MHA to be a pilot and fight wildfires. She and all the ladies in her family before her have never needed men in their lives, except for an occasional good time. Mickey loves flying in the MHA and hooking up with women along the way. When Mickey and Robin fly out in the same group, sparks are flying from more than just the fire.
I love the characters the author has made here. There is a depth to them and more happening than what you expect. Robin had a hard time thinking that she could have more than just a fling with Mickey. She isn't supposed the love a man, no woman in her family has ever kept one around. Mickey is a fun go-lucky guy and enjoys Ron immensely. They are both surprised by everything they have to do on their mission and it could be more dangerous than either ever anticipated.
It was a 3/5 for me. I really enjoyed the characters in this one.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy of this book (via netgalley). I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.
Profile Image for Heather andrews.
9,520 reviews162 followers
February 20, 2016
Mickey can be a tad slow at the important times, like naughty time but he makes up for it real quick:
“You’re staring,” she said when she had the long johns off all but one leg.
“Damn straight!”A firestorm wasn’t going to make him look away.
“You’re also still fully dressed. If I’m the only one naked in this tent, then there sure as hell isn’t going to be any more sex.”
“Right.” Mickey got to work and was soon out of all his gear.
I liked Mickey he liked to oblige his woman when she has a complaint, “I’ve been robbed,” she protested as she continued dragging on her clothes. “A girl goes and lets herself get all soft and mushy on a guy and she doesn’t even get wakeup sex!” Still just three-quarters dressed, he pulled her into his lap. “What? We don’t have time, Mickey. I was just whining.” I liked this I loved Mickey he was sexy.
Profile Image for Mariah.
1,613 reviews50 followers
June 20, 2016
I won this review copy from Fresh Fiction.

This book was rather interesting to me. I learned about some techniques on firefighting wild fires. Sounds hot and dirty, but rather rewarding. If only I knew how to fly a helicopter. Haha. Not for me. Yet it was strangely perfect for our main characters. Together they meshed but they bumped heads constantly. It was fun to watch these two come to terms with their attraction and give in. She fought it a bit but in the end it became good. So soooooooooooo good.

Robin Harrow; headstrong, sure, intelligent. Mickey Hamilton; strong, sure, confident. Alone they are powerful, together they are nigh invincible. Against fire, and their own hearts anyway. They save lives, have amazing sex, and spectacular arguments. Harrow women do not marry. Hamilton men fall hard at first sight - not that he believed it at first. Funny how fate intervenes and sends you that one person you can't live without.
Profile Image for Debs.
1,189 reviews13 followers
August 4, 2016
Robin is one headstrong woman, but I love her. Mickey is a strong man, but in a different way as he bides his time. He is more of a silent type, but shows in actions when the time is right. 4th in the Firehawks series, we meet up with some old friends that I have not seen since the Nightstalkers Series. I love the interactions of old meeting the new. All of the books are stand alone, but for me, they are enriched with the intertwining of past characters. Robin flying in Emily's helicopter gave me a hint of the strength of character that Robin would have in "Flash of Fire". I cannot wait until the next in the series. I recommend "Flash of Fire". 4.5 Stars!
Profile Image for Make.
468 reviews7 followers
May 8, 2016
4-1/2 stars to Flash of Fire by M.L. Buchman! The dangers of fighting fire and foreign powers add spice to true love

Buchman does a superb job of balancing technical details and the nitty gritty of fighting fire with the more tender emotions growing between our couple. FLASH OF FIRE makes my pulse pound doubly, from the danger and intrigue as well as from the sexy escapades. Once again, Buchman delivers a masterpiece of military action and romance.

See my full review at Fresh Fiction: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id...
#ffreview #Sourcebooks
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