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Hope Falls #14
Fire and Foreplay
Stand-alone Hope Falls romance, complete with HEA--and plenty of heat and heart along the way!
One look…
That was all it took for Gabe Maguire to realize something was missing in his life. After beating cancer and returning to the cage to claim victory in the octagon, Gabe was ready to settle into his life in Hope Falls as a firefighter. The sexy MMA champion was grateful to be alive but still felt like he was just going through the motions until he laid eyes on her.
One promise…
That was what Adriana Hale was determined to keep. As a young, single mother raising her twin girls and her late cousin’s son, Adriana was willing to sacrifice anything for her kids, including her heart.
One night…
That was what brought them together, but could it also be what would tear them apart. After realizing a connection that will change everything, will Adriana and Gabe find the happiness and love they both deserve or will fate have other plans for them?
**Intended for 18+
One look…
That was all it took for Gabe Maguire to realize something was missing in his life. After beating cancer and returning to the cage to claim victory in the octagon, Gabe was ready to settle into his life in Hope Falls as a firefighter. The sexy MMA champion was grateful to be alive but still felt like he was just going through the motions until he laid eyes on her.
One promise…
That was what Adriana Hale was determined to keep. As a young, single mother raising her twin girls and her late cousin’s son, Adriana was willing to sacrifice anything for her kids, including her heart.
One night…
That was what brought them together, but could it also be what would tear them apart. After realizing a connection that will change everything, will Adriana and Gabe find the happiness and love they both deserve or will fate have other plans for them?
**Intended for 18+
233 pages, ebook
First published October 2, 2017
612 people are currently reading
567 people want to read
About the author
Melanie Shawn
134 books1,851 followersNEW YORK TIMES & USA TODAY bestselling author Melanie Shawn writes HEAs filled with sweet and sassy heroines, heroes who are cinnamon rolls in the streets alpho-holes in the sheets, casts of supportive *cough: meddling* friends and family who put the fun in funny, toe-curling combustible heat, and sugary sweet “aww” moments that will have your hearts and e-readers melting.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
April 1, 2019
1.5 years ago I shelved it as nope.
Today I rate it with 4 stars. Go figure...
Not perfect, but sweet and touching.
Likable characters, good message.
I even cried a bit. Apparently I do have a soft side 😉
Today I rate it with 4 stars. Go figure...
Not perfect, but sweet and touching.
Likable characters, good message.
I even cried a bit. Apparently I do have a soft side 😉
October 8, 2017
**SPOILERS**
2.5 stars..
2.5 stars..
June 4, 2019
This is going to be a quoted review because I don´t have words to describe this story. Well, I don´t have words but I have this: OTT.
Chapter 4
They met. 20 minutes after he said: You´re really beautiful. You´re the kind of beautiful that men wage wars over. You´re the kind of beautiful that men make monuments for, like the Taj Mahal or the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. You´re the kind of beautiful that makes men drunk. You´re intoxicating. You´re more than just beautiful, you´re devastating.
…
No comment.
Chapter 5 or 30 minutes later…
He: Or when she´d laughed, and it sounded as heavenly as a choir of angels.[…]His game had never been so corny or overly sentimental.
That´s the one and only time the author and I agree about something.
Being with Adriana(the heroine)was like waking up after sleepwalking through life.
My, my…
Chapter 7 Or a couple hours later…
Gabe´s golden gaze was focused on her. Adriana felt the stare supercharge the air surrounding her,
It seems the old plain awareness wasn´t enough.
On paper, everything that Gabe said to her sounded like a bad pickup line. But being on the receiving end of those lines, it didn´t feel cheesy. It felt sincere.
If you say so…
Chapter 8 Next morning…
She: Thank you for bringing me home last night.
He: It was my pleasure.
Hearing the word pleasure out of his mouth was like snapping a glow stick. His words were the snap, and they made everything inside of her glow.
And.So.On.
It was such an overload of cheesiness. There are tons of quotes like the above, but I don´t want to spoil the plot.
So, evidently, this story is not for me.
Chapter 4
They met. 20 minutes after he said: You´re really beautiful. You´re the kind of beautiful that men wage wars over. You´re the kind of beautiful that men make monuments for, like the Taj Mahal or the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. You´re the kind of beautiful that makes men drunk. You´re intoxicating. You´re more than just beautiful, you´re devastating.
…
No comment.
Chapter 5 or 30 minutes later…
He: Or when she´d laughed, and it sounded as heavenly as a choir of angels.[…]His game had never been so corny or overly sentimental.
That´s the one and only time the author and I agree about something.
Being with Adriana(the heroine)was like waking up after sleepwalking through life.
My, my…
Chapter 7 Or a couple hours later…
Gabe´s golden gaze was focused on her. Adriana felt the stare supercharge the air surrounding her,
It seems the old plain awareness wasn´t enough.
On paper, everything that Gabe said to her sounded like a bad pickup line. But being on the receiving end of those lines, it didn´t feel cheesy. It felt sincere.
If you say so…
Chapter 8 Next morning…
She: Thank you for bringing me home last night.
He: It was my pleasure.
Hearing the word pleasure out of his mouth was like snapping a glow stick. His words were the snap, and they made everything inside of her glow.
And.So.On.
It was such an overload of cheesiness. There are tons of quotes like the above, but I don´t want to spoil the plot.
So, evidently, this story is not for me.
October 6, 2017
The beauty of this love story lies in its simplicity deeply intertwined with the complexity of life. This is one of those very few times that the main characters, Gabe Maguire and Adriana Hale have such intense chemistry that fills every word Melanie Shawn has penned!
When fate deals MMA fighter Gabe Maguire a left hook, he takes it in his stride with courage and patience, with support and care from his family, victorious and a champ. Now officially a firefighter, he wants to have his own HEA and family in Hope Falls, and destiny brings him face to face with Adriana Hale.
Mother of twins and guardian of a nine year old nephew, Adriana Hale at a young age of twenty six has her life mapped out around her little family. Circumstances and with the need to do the right thing, brings Adriana to the charming town of Hope Falls, warmth and Gabe, who may vey well be deeply connected to her family.
The grandeur of this romance lies in the expert narration by Melanie Shawn as Gabe and Adriana handle the normal complexities of life with patience, practical and reasonable and a healthy dose of attraction and love. With the presence of kids and their personal lives and feelings interlaced with that of the adults, I love the fact that their feelings were given precedence, yet not taking away the essence of adulthood, the complexities and the emotions.
“Fire And Foreplay” is a poignant read of two of the most beautiful people who deserve all the happiness in the world, for themselves and for their readymade family. Kudos to Melanie and Shawna as they keep the plot tight, the narration light and humorous, highlighting emotions and relationships and full of warmth and incredibly beautiful. In a world going so wrong, here is a lovely romance to make us feel hopeful and the belief that the good outweighs the bad.
Received an ARC from the author for an honest review.
When fate deals MMA fighter Gabe Maguire a left hook, he takes it in his stride with courage and patience, with support and care from his family, victorious and a champ. Now officially a firefighter, he wants to have his own HEA and family in Hope Falls, and destiny brings him face to face with Adriana Hale.
Mother of twins and guardian of a nine year old nephew, Adriana Hale at a young age of twenty six has her life mapped out around her little family. Circumstances and with the need to do the right thing, brings Adriana to the charming town of Hope Falls, warmth and Gabe, who may vey well be deeply connected to her family.
The grandeur of this romance lies in the expert narration by Melanie Shawn as Gabe and Adriana handle the normal complexities of life with patience, practical and reasonable and a healthy dose of attraction and love. With the presence of kids and their personal lives and feelings interlaced with that of the adults, I love the fact that their feelings were given precedence, yet not taking away the essence of adulthood, the complexities and the emotions.
“Fire And Foreplay” is a poignant read of two of the most beautiful people who deserve all the happiness in the world, for themselves and for their readymade family. Kudos to Melanie and Shawna as they keep the plot tight, the narration light and humorous, highlighting emotions and relationships and full of warmth and incredibly beautiful. In a world going so wrong, here is a lovely romance to make us feel hopeful and the belief that the good outweighs the bad.
Received an ARC from the author for an honest review.
October 31, 2017
Sweetly sexy, sizzling hot, emotionally gripping and a feel good small town romance that was the perfect escape on a not so great day.
Gabe Maguire scoring hot MMA champion turned Firefighter is so ready to settle down in Hope Falls and build a happy life. Adriana Hale is a young, sassy single mom who moves to Hope Falls to raise her twin girls and her late cousin's son. She is hoping for a stable quite life in this perfect small town. She never expected the heat of the sparks that fly when she runs into Gabe and fights hard to resist an attraction she is sure will only cause trouble. Highly entertaining and uplifting romantic journey.
Gabe Maguire scoring hot MMA champion turned Firefighter is so ready to settle down in Hope Falls and build a happy life. Adriana Hale is a young, sassy single mom who moves to Hope Falls to raise her twin girls and her late cousin's son. She is hoping for a stable quite life in this perfect small town. She never expected the heat of the sparks that fly when she runs into Gabe and fights hard to resist an attraction she is sure will only cause trouble. Highly entertaining and uplifting romantic journey.
October 4, 2017
Ever sit down and start a book, and within the first few pages you know you’re evening is shot, that any plans you may have made are now pushed to the back burner, because you won’t be able to put the book down until you’ve finished??? Fire and Foreplay is one of those books. It will suck you in from the beginning, and have you falling in love with Gabe and Adrianna. These two are perfect for each other. They were brought together by a tragedy, and made the best of it. This was a fun, sweet, sexy read that will have you laughing at some parts, and crying at others. I feel like I say this every time these ladies release a new book, but this is definitely my favorite of the series, and a must read!!!
October 7, 2017
Love everything Hope Falls. It was great to be back. Gabe and Adriana are a great addition to Hope Falls series. Adriana was a great heroine and what is not to love about Gabe. Fire and Foreplay is a sweet feel good read.
March 4, 2019
Likeable characters, but I just couldn’t get past the coincidences, the artificial chemistry and the general, abstract outlook on Gabe’s illness.
January 3, 2020
Instalove alert🚨 The love interest is literally proposing like 2 week after he meets our main character and she says yes🥴
No chemistry, no complex characters, and the writing was bland.
1.5 stars just because it’s not the worst book I’ve read.
No chemistry, no complex characters, and the writing was bland.
1.5 stars just because it’s not the worst book I’ve read.
October 22, 2017
Oh my goodness! Can there be a more perfect man than Gabe Maguire?! He is kind, sincere, goofy, spills off bad poetry, his great with kids, he is a nurturer, caretaker, protector, and build like a Greek God and his game is foreplay... He is not a shy person when it comes to his feelings towards Adriana Hale and her kids. He is all in, and he wants everyone to know it. I mean, he is the dream, the ideal man that is impossible not to love.
Adriana is the match for Gabe. She is brave, strong, capable woman, who has created a great life for herself and her kids. She is the heroine that is easy to look up to and appreciate everything she does. She is willing to fight for her kids, to keep them safe and happy, that is the main thing in her life, a responsibility and a pleasure she never forgets or wants to put aside. She is a completely dedicated mom, an entrepreneur with over thirty employees, a superwoman indeed.
And the chemistry between Gabe and Adriana is sizzling, the connection between them is immediate yet it is genuine, sound, and true. With the situation they are in, the feelings sit fast and deep into their hearts and minds. The link between them is tight, it reaches their souls as well as their bodies.
They had me smiling, swooning, and sighing, reading about Gabe, Adriana, and the kids had all my emotions involved. The story is about survival in the biggest test that life can through at your way, it is about finding your soul mate at the least expected time with the least expected person, it is about forming the connection, falling in love, letting your mind go, and trusting that the person is there to catch you when you fall. It is about being a parent, and everything it involves, it is about family, about that place where you belong. It is a touching, adorable, heartbreaking, and healing story about love, family and coming home.
Prepare for tears, tears from the hardships all the way to the happiest moments in life. There are tears of loss and tears of healing, with lots of smiles and even belly laughs in between because life is unpredictable, filled with surprises no one can expect. The smoothly flowing tale will capture your mind, the characters will make you fall in love with them, and you will be living each moment, right there, with them, with your emotions churning and the anticipation high. Just the typical visit to Hope Falls, if you ask me, cause I am in love with the series where each story is fresh and anew
~ Five Spoons!
Adriana is the match for Gabe. She is brave, strong, capable woman, who has created a great life for herself and her kids. She is the heroine that is easy to look up to and appreciate everything she does. She is willing to fight for her kids, to keep them safe and happy, that is the main thing in her life, a responsibility and a pleasure she never forgets or wants to put aside. She is a completely dedicated mom, an entrepreneur with over thirty employees, a superwoman indeed.
And the chemistry between Gabe and Adriana is sizzling, the connection between them is immediate yet it is genuine, sound, and true. With the situation they are in, the feelings sit fast and deep into their hearts and minds. The link between them is tight, it reaches their souls as well as their bodies.
They had me smiling, swooning, and sighing, reading about Gabe, Adriana, and the kids had all my emotions involved. The story is about survival in the biggest test that life can through at your way, it is about finding your soul mate at the least expected time with the least expected person, it is about forming the connection, falling in love, letting your mind go, and trusting that the person is there to catch you when you fall. It is about being a parent, and everything it involves, it is about family, about that place where you belong. It is a touching, adorable, heartbreaking, and healing story about love, family and coming home.
Prepare for tears, tears from the hardships all the way to the happiest moments in life. There are tears of loss and tears of healing, with lots of smiles and even belly laughs in between because life is unpredictable, filled with surprises no one can expect. The smoothly flowing tale will capture your mind, the characters will make you fall in love with them, and you will be living each moment, right there, with them, with your emotions churning and the anticipation high. Just the typical visit to Hope Falls, if you ask me, cause I am in love with the series where each story is fresh and anew
~ Five Spoons!
October 9, 2017
**Advanced copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review**
This is one of those books that the minute I started reading it, I knew I wasn't going to want to put it down! I was taken in by the story of Adriana and Gabe from the moment I fired up my Kindle!
Gabe Maguire has been through quite a bit over the past several years. He was diagnosed with and beat cancer, revived his MMA career and started a new career as a firefighter. Now that he has settled in Hope Falls, he hopes to stop just going through the motions of life and to actually live. He wasn't sure how to do that until he saw a dark haired beauty who immediately captured his attention.
Adriana Hale made a promise to her cousin before she passed away that she fully intends to keep. The single mother of twins, is also the adoptive mother of her cousin's son, Jonah, and while making a go of it as the sole caregiver is difficult, it's a job she wouldn't trade for the world. When Jonah asks Adriana to watch an MMA fight with her, the last thing she expects is to find a clue to the one promise she made to her cousin.
When Gabe and Adriana meet, the chemistry is immediate. They both realize it and they both aren't sure what to do with it. When Adriana suggests they spend one hot night together, will that be the start of something amazing or will it be just what she suggested, one night and that's it?
For me this book was centered in it's reality. Both Gabe and Adriana have faced battles and had to make decisions that were not only hard, but gut wrenching. They are dealing with the day to day of life and the intricacies that go along with it, but they also were lucky enough to find that person that they wanted to try for. With kids, health issues and life throwing things at them, they continued to persevere and they saw what was most important - love.
This was another great trip to Hope Falls and I can't wait to be back again very soon!
This is one of those books that the minute I started reading it, I knew I wasn't going to want to put it down! I was taken in by the story of Adriana and Gabe from the moment I fired up my Kindle!
Gabe Maguire has been through quite a bit over the past several years. He was diagnosed with and beat cancer, revived his MMA career and started a new career as a firefighter. Now that he has settled in Hope Falls, he hopes to stop just going through the motions of life and to actually live. He wasn't sure how to do that until he saw a dark haired beauty who immediately captured his attention.
Adriana Hale made a promise to her cousin before she passed away that she fully intends to keep. The single mother of twins, is also the adoptive mother of her cousin's son, Jonah, and while making a go of it as the sole caregiver is difficult, it's a job she wouldn't trade for the world. When Jonah asks Adriana to watch an MMA fight with her, the last thing she expects is to find a clue to the one promise she made to her cousin.
When Gabe and Adriana meet, the chemistry is immediate. They both realize it and they both aren't sure what to do with it. When Adriana suggests they spend one hot night together, will that be the start of something amazing or will it be just what she suggested, one night and that's it?
For me this book was centered in it's reality. Both Gabe and Adriana have faced battles and had to make decisions that were not only hard, but gut wrenching. They are dealing with the day to day of life and the intricacies that go along with it, but they also were lucky enough to find that person that they wanted to try for. With kids, health issues and life throwing things at them, they continued to persevere and they saw what was most important - love.
This was another great trip to Hope Falls and I can't wait to be back again very soon!
October 7, 2017
Gabe Maguire was a fire fighter and MMA fighter who lived in Hope Falls. He had beat a malignant of the bone and was in Las Vegas to fight the man he was suppose to fight before he got sick. Adriana Hale had twin three year old girls named Lexi and Laney. The father didn't want anything to do with the girls and signed off on any rights. Adriana's cousin Emily and her son Jonah lived with Adriana and they helped each other. Emily got sick and died leaving nine year old Jonah with Adriana as his mother. She had one request which was to find Jonah's dad named Jake. Unfortunately she only knew his first name as he had been a one night stand in Las Vegas ten years ago. Jonah was such a wonderful and helpful boy that when he asked to see Gabe's fight on pay per view TV, Adriana bought it for him. As she was watching all the preliminaries with Jonah, they showed a younger picture of Gabe and he looked just like the picture Emily had of Jake. Adriana had her mother watch the children for a long weekend and drove down to Hope Falls to find out if Gabe was Jonah's father, and if he was a good man.
I loved this story. Adriana is such a strong and wonderful single mother raising three children. If was so nice to see Gabe begin to feel again when he met Adriana. Gabe was a special man that any woman could fall in love with. He was not only handsome, but had such a giving heart and so much love in him. I loved all the children in the book which made me smile. I strongly encourage you to read the book. I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book.
I loved this story. Adriana is such a strong and wonderful single mother raising three children. If was so nice to see Gabe begin to feel again when he met Adriana. Gabe was a special man that any woman could fall in love with. He was not only handsome, but had such a giving heart and so much love in him. I loved all the children in the book which made me smile. I strongly encourage you to read the book. I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book.
October 21, 2017
I loved reading Fire and Foreplay by the amazing duo Melanie Shawn, the fourteenth book in their Hope Fall series. We met MMA fighter Gabe Maguire in the last book. After winning the rescheduled match postponed by his cancer diagnosis he returns to Hope Falls to join the fire department, working with his cousin, the chief. Adriana Hale, a single mom of twin four-year old girls, promises her dying cousin to try to find the father of the nine-year old son she had after a one-night stand. While watching a MMA fight together, Adriana realizes that Gabe could be the missing father. Taking a chance, she travels to Hope Falls to meet Gabe and get to know him, before dropping her bombshell. The minute he saw Adriana, Gabe falls for her, hook, line and sinker. She makes him feel alive again, which hadn’t happened since his cancer diagnosis. Could she be his soul mate? These two need to discover if they can handle the obstacles this entire scenario places in their way and if they actually are able to share the journey to the future.
Through their amazing and vivid writing Melanie Shawn did an outstanding job tackling this love at first sight story. I genuinely enjoyed reading Fire and Foreplay and was pleased with the way Melanie Shawn found a way for Gabe and Adriana to find their way to a happy forever. Although this book is part of a series, it can also be read as a stand-alone. I highly recommend this book and am looking forward to reading the next story in the Hope Falls series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Through their amazing and vivid writing Melanie Shawn did an outstanding job tackling this love at first sight story. I genuinely enjoyed reading Fire and Foreplay and was pleased with the way Melanie Shawn found a way for Gabe and Adriana to find their way to a happy forever. Although this book is part of a series, it can also be read as a stand-alone. I highly recommend this book and am looking forward to reading the next story in the Hope Falls series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
October 7, 2017
Gabe is an MMA fighter that is just coming back to the sport after a 4 year absence. During that 4 years, he was in the fight of his life against cancer. While he was recovering he also became a fire fighter & made the news for rescuing a woman from a fire. He loves kids but doesn't think he'll ever have a family. Since he's been diagnosed, he's felt empty, with nothing left to share with anyone & the treatments had made him sterile.
Adriana is a jewelry designer & a single mother. Not only is she raising young twin daughters of her own, she's adopted her best friend's 9 year old son, Jonah. Her friend died of cancer & didn't know the name of the father. Jonah was a big fan of fighting & Adriana purchased the pay per view fight as a treat for him. Fate had stepped in since Adrianna recognized Gabe as Jonah's father. She decided to go meet him, explain & get him to take a paternity test. Who knew they'd have such an incredible chemistry?
This book exceeded my expectations! The emotion, the laughter, the tears - It grabbed my attention from the first page & I couldn't put it down. The characters were well developed & realistic. Jonah was allowed to show the emotions any child in his situation would feel. Gabe was an alpha male that still allowed his sensitive side to show & was extremely sympathetic to Jonah's feelings. I love Hope Falls!
Adriana is a jewelry designer & a single mother. Not only is she raising young twin daughters of her own, she's adopted her best friend's 9 year old son, Jonah. Her friend died of cancer & didn't know the name of the father. Jonah was a big fan of fighting & Adriana purchased the pay per view fight as a treat for him. Fate had stepped in since Adrianna recognized Gabe as Jonah's father. She decided to go meet him, explain & get him to take a paternity test. Who knew they'd have such an incredible chemistry?
This book exceeded my expectations! The emotion, the laughter, the tears - It grabbed my attention from the first page & I couldn't put it down. The characters were well developed & realistic. Jonah was allowed to show the emotions any child in his situation would feel. Gabe was an alpha male that still allowed his sensitive side to show & was extremely sympathetic to Jonah's feelings. I love Hope Falls!
October 11, 2017
Hands down this is my favorite book in the series. I don't think Gabe and Adriana could be any sweeter.
I enjoy this series and the characters in Hope Falls but Fire and Foreplay is my favorite in the series. I loved everything from the first page to the last. I read the book in one sitting. I couldn't put it down!
Both Gabe and Adriana are dealing with life. Gabe has moved across county , overcoming the odds of cancer and restarting his career both as a MMA fighter and firefighter. Adriana is running her own business, raising twin 3 year old girls , a 9 year old son and dealing with loss of her cousin.
All it took was one look and Gabe knew he was a goner. I loved the instant attraction and chemistry that these two possessed. He was thoughtful and knew what Rina needed. He wanted to be her rock and her everything.
Not everything was easy for this pair but they were determined to make their relationship their own. Adriana knows she has 3 little people who depend on her and she definitely put their needs before her own.
The ending was perfect for this family however you won't get through the last few chapters without crying. You might need a tissue or two but it was worth it.
I received a copy for a honest review.
I enjoy this series and the characters in Hope Falls but Fire and Foreplay is my favorite in the series. I loved everything from the first page to the last. I read the book in one sitting. I couldn't put it down!
Both Gabe and Adriana are dealing with life. Gabe has moved across county , overcoming the odds of cancer and restarting his career both as a MMA fighter and firefighter. Adriana is running her own business, raising twin 3 year old girls , a 9 year old son and dealing with loss of her cousin.
All it took was one look and Gabe knew he was a goner. I loved the instant attraction and chemistry that these two possessed. He was thoughtful and knew what Rina needed. He wanted to be her rock and her everything.
Not everything was easy for this pair but they were determined to make their relationship their own. Adriana knows she has 3 little people who depend on her and she definitely put their needs before her own.
The ending was perfect for this family however you won't get through the last few chapters without crying. You might need a tissue or two but it was worth it.
I received a copy for a honest review.
October 8, 2017
**Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**
"Fire and Foreplay" is written by Melanie Shawn, and it is the 14th book in the Hope Falls series. It can be read as a stand-alone book. It features Gabe Maguire and Adriana Hale.
Adriana is a single mother to two twin girls, Lexi and Laney, and her late cousin's son, Jonah. When Jonah asks Adriana to watch an MMA fight with him, Adriana makes a shocking discovery. Gabe looks like the guy in her late cousin's photo. The guy who happens to be Jonah's father...
Gabe was eating in a restaurant when he saw Adriana pull into a parking spot. He was instantly captivated by her. He actually thought Adriana was the blogger, who was supposed to interview him. But she didn't exactly correct him. She just didn't know how to break it to him that he might be Jonah's father.
How will Gabe take the news that he could possibly be a father? What happens when the media finds out that Gabe is seeing a mystery woman? What are the results to do the DNA tests?
"Fire and Foreplay" was a beautiful, heartwarming story to read! Gabe is swoonworthy, and you see how much he absolutely adores Adriana as well as the children. He quickly embraces them. Readers will fall in love with Gabe and Adriana!
"Fire and Foreplay" is written by Melanie Shawn, and it is the 14th book in the Hope Falls series. It can be read as a stand-alone book. It features Gabe Maguire and Adriana Hale.
Adriana is a single mother to two twin girls, Lexi and Laney, and her late cousin's son, Jonah. When Jonah asks Adriana to watch an MMA fight with him, Adriana makes a shocking discovery. Gabe looks like the guy in her late cousin's photo. The guy who happens to be Jonah's father...
Gabe was eating in a restaurant when he saw Adriana pull into a parking spot. He was instantly captivated by her. He actually thought Adriana was the blogger, who was supposed to interview him. But she didn't exactly correct him. She just didn't know how to break it to him that he might be Jonah's father.
How will Gabe take the news that he could possibly be a father? What happens when the media finds out that Gabe is seeing a mystery woman? What are the results to do the DNA tests?
"Fire and Foreplay" was a beautiful, heartwarming story to read! Gabe is swoonworthy, and you see how much he absolutely adores Adriana as well as the children. He quickly embraces them. Readers will fall in love with Gabe and Adriana!
October 12, 2017
Honest review for free arc
Adriana Hale, a single mother of three, is on a mission. One night while watching an MMA fight with her adopted son Jonah, her world spins off its axis. Jonah’s hero, Gabe Maguire looks suspiciously like the man in the photo strip she has of her best friend/cousin Emma and her Vegas one night stand, which produced Jonah. Emma raised Jonah alone until she died of an aggressive cancer. Adriana promised Emma she would try to find Jonah’s father for her, and now she believes has.
Fast forward a tad…
Gabe has decided to settle down and begin a life in Hope Falls. He has family, friends, and a job he loves, but something is missing. He has battled many foes, including his MMA nemesis and cancer. Life has never been a picnic for him, but he’s ready to start looking for that missing piece in his life. The instant he sees Adriana, he feels that missing piece click in.
Adriana wasn’t ready to meet Gabe, but the minute she walked into Sue Ann’s restaurant, she spotted him. She wanted to get a feel for him before explaining her reason for coming to Hope Falls (to take a paternity test), but Gabe approaches Adriana mistaking her for a blogger he was suppose to meet, and they seem to be on the same wavelength.
The chemistry between Adriana and Gabe is explosive. As a reader, I found myself pleased that they didn’t feel the need to fight the attraction.
Adriana Hale, a single mother of three, is on a mission. One night while watching an MMA fight with her adopted son Jonah, her world spins off its axis. Jonah’s hero, Gabe Maguire looks suspiciously like the man in the photo strip she has of her best friend/cousin Emma and her Vegas one night stand, which produced Jonah. Emma raised Jonah alone until she died of an aggressive cancer. Adriana promised Emma she would try to find Jonah’s father for her, and now she believes has.
Fast forward a tad…
Gabe has decided to settle down and begin a life in Hope Falls. He has family, friends, and a job he loves, but something is missing. He has battled many foes, including his MMA nemesis and cancer. Life has never been a picnic for him, but he’s ready to start looking for that missing piece in his life. The instant he sees Adriana, he feels that missing piece click in.
Adriana wasn’t ready to meet Gabe, but the minute she walked into Sue Ann’s restaurant, she spotted him. She wanted to get a feel for him before explaining her reason for coming to Hope Falls (to take a paternity test), but Gabe approaches Adriana mistaking her for a blogger he was suppose to meet, and they seem to be on the same wavelength.
The chemistry between Adriana and Gabe is explosive. As a reader, I found myself pleased that they didn’t feel the need to fight the attraction.
January 29, 2018
I absolutely loved this book. I have only read a handful of books by these authors, but they have a fan forever. Even though the book is part of a series, if like me , you have only read a couple of other stories in this series, it is definitely a stand alone.
The story takes us back to Hope Falls, a town you would like to live in. This one centers around Gabe Macguire, a MMA fighter, a cancer survivor, and a newly appointed firefighter and Adriana Hart, single Mom to 3 year olds, and the son of her deceased cousin.
Adriana goes searching for Gabe for news that will turn his life upside down. But life is full of surprises, because in the midst of all of this , their attraction is strong and something neither expected.
Not only are the plot and the characters well developed but the story is heartbreaking, heartwarming and there are moments when you will shed a tear or two. When a book moves you to feel all these emotions, you know you have found a winner.
Thank you for another wonderful trip to Hope Falls.
I was gifted this copy. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
October 12, 2017
I loved Gabe and Adriana’s story from the start. Fate placed Adriana in front of a TV with the nephew she is raising for her deceased cousin just as Gabe is about to start his comeback MMA flight after battling cancer. Adriana recognizes Gabe as her cousin’s “wild crazy night in Las Vegas” and the father of her newphew and sets off to Hope Falls to see if he is a decent guy she should introduce to his son. Gabe falls for Adriana at first sight and pursues her during her weekend in Hope Falls. The two quickly fall in love and Adriana struggles with how to tell Gabe about his son. When he finally sees him, the likeness to himself as a boy is undeniable. They then have to determine how to breach homes in two different cities and a young boy who isn’t convinced he wants a dad. This was a great book. I really enjoyed reading it and can’t wait to read the next installment in the Hope Falls series.
October 14, 2017
Fire and Foreplay is the fourteenth novel in the Hope Falls series. I really enjoy all of the characters in the Hope Falls series. Gabe and Adriana may be my favorite though!
Gabe Maguire is a hero on so many accounts. He is a successful and famous MMA fighter, a cancer survivor and now a firefighter for the Hope Falls Fire Department. He recently made a decision to stay in Hope Falls and in doing so is beginning to realize there is so much more in his life that he is missing. Can Gabe find what he is looking for to make his life feel whole?
Adriana Hale is a single mother to two lovely twin girls and her cousin’s son, Jonah. Everything she does is for those kids. She also made a promise to her cousin that she is not sure how she is ever going to fulfill, until one night she thinks she has the answer. Now she just has to determine if that is truly the case.
When Adriana finds herself in Hope Falls she runs into Gabe and they find that they have an incredible time together and discover that they can talk to each other about almost anything. With Adriana’s short time in town, can Gabe convince her to stay a little longer? What happens when all the secrets come to light?
I really enjoyed Fire and Foreplay. It was fun and I loved the characters! Definitely worth the read!
Gabe Maguire is a hero on so many accounts. He is a successful and famous MMA fighter, a cancer survivor and now a firefighter for the Hope Falls Fire Department. He recently made a decision to stay in Hope Falls and in doing so is beginning to realize there is so much more in his life that he is missing. Can Gabe find what he is looking for to make his life feel whole?
Adriana Hale is a single mother to two lovely twin girls and her cousin’s son, Jonah. Everything she does is for those kids. She also made a promise to her cousin that she is not sure how she is ever going to fulfill, until one night she thinks she has the answer. Now she just has to determine if that is truly the case.
When Adriana finds herself in Hope Falls she runs into Gabe and they find that they have an incredible time together and discover that they can talk to each other about almost anything. With Adriana’s short time in town, can Gabe convince her to stay a little longer? What happens when all the secrets come to light?
I really enjoyed Fire and Foreplay. It was fun and I loved the characters! Definitely worth the read!
August 27, 2019
If you love sappy, HEA romances where everything magically goes right, you are going to love Fire and Foreplay by Melanie Shawn. I almost hate to knock the book, because, well, it was adorably sweet and perfect. Too perfect.
We are talking irresistible love-at-first-sight, characters without any real flaws, cute kids, wild attractions… and absolutely no plot twists, surprises, or tension. Everything went perfectly. Hell, the last three chapters were basically a three-part HEA epilogue.
Was it a bad book? No – but it wasn’t really good either. There were times when the narrative slogged on longer than necessary and I began to skim. The characters often repeated themselves, and certain phrases were echoed by other characters. It was, dare I say it, amateurish – like the author was trying too hard to remind us of how amazing everything and everyone was. It got old, and yes, I did begin to skim more and more as it went on.
Overall, the book was just okay. I read it, I was happy for the characters… it just lacked the draw of a superbly written book. I wanted there to be more to it, writing-wise, than there was. In the end, it was a bit too sweet for me to stomach.
We are talking irresistible love-at-first-sight, characters without any real flaws, cute kids, wild attractions… and absolutely no plot twists, surprises, or tension. Everything went perfectly. Hell, the last three chapters were basically a three-part HEA epilogue.
Was it a bad book? No – but it wasn’t really good either. There were times when the narrative slogged on longer than necessary and I began to skim. The characters often repeated themselves, and certain phrases were echoed by other characters. It was, dare I say it, amateurish – like the author was trying too hard to remind us of how amazing everything and everyone was. It got old, and yes, I did begin to skim more and more as it went on.
Overall, the book was just okay. I read it, I was happy for the characters… it just lacked the draw of a superbly written book. I wanted there to be more to it, writing-wise, than there was. In the end, it was a bit too sweet for me to stomach.
October 6, 2017
Fire and Foreplay by Melanie Shawn
is a wonderful book. It is a touching,
& sexy story about Gabe & Adriana.
Gabe had moved to Hope Falls, to live & train for his MMA career. It's his comeback, after having to take time off, due to illness. He is also a firefighter.
Adriana was watching the start of Gabe's fight on TV, with her cousin's son, Jonah.
Em had recently passed away, & now Adriana is raising him, along with her
twin girls. When she saw a picture of Gabe, from years ago, Adriana remembers where she had seen his face before. Adriana needed to talk to Gabe in person. She wants to fulfill, Em's last request.
What they didn't expect when meeting,
is their undeniable chemistry.
I loved the book, & really enjoyed reading it!
A MUST READ FOR EVERYONE!!!
is a wonderful book. It is a touching,
& sexy story about Gabe & Adriana.
Gabe had moved to Hope Falls, to live & train for his MMA career. It's his comeback, after having to take time off, due to illness. He is also a firefighter.
Adriana was watching the start of Gabe's fight on TV, with her cousin's son, Jonah.
Em had recently passed away, & now Adriana is raising him, along with her
twin girls. When she saw a picture of Gabe, from years ago, Adriana remembers where she had seen his face before. Adriana needed to talk to Gabe in person. She wants to fulfill, Em's last request.
What they didn't expect when meeting,
is their undeniable chemistry.
I loved the book, & really enjoyed reading it!
A MUST READ FOR EVERYONE!!!
October 13, 2017
I couldn't put this book down, I kept thinking "just one more chapter" and before I knew it, I had finished the whole book..
Melanie and Shawna never fail to deliver a beautiful story.
Adriana had become a single mother of three, taking care of her twin daughters, when her cousin passed away, she became so mother to her son Jonah.
Adriana promised her, she would find his father..
So she heads to Hope Falls, in search of Gabe, hoping to convince him to do a paternity test.
She doesn't bargain on the insanely hot Gabe, setting her heart racing..
Gave us shocked to find he could be a father to a nine year old boy, but one look at Jonah and he already knows the truth..
He wants Jonah to be his and he wants Adriana an her beautiful girls.. After a battle with cancer, he stopped feeling anything. But this beautiful family brings him to life and he's determined to make them his..
This is a beautiful, heart breaking, heart racing story...
It's a definite Must read...
Melanie and Shawna never fail to deliver a beautiful story.
Adriana had become a single mother of three, taking care of her twin daughters, when her cousin passed away, she became so mother to her son Jonah.
Adriana promised her, she would find his father..
So she heads to Hope Falls, in search of Gabe, hoping to convince him to do a paternity test.
She doesn't bargain on the insanely hot Gabe, setting her heart racing..
Gave us shocked to find he could be a father to a nine year old boy, but one look at Jonah and he already knows the truth..
He wants Jonah to be his and he wants Adriana an her beautiful girls.. After a battle with cancer, he stopped feeling anything. But this beautiful family brings him to life and he's determined to make them his..
This is a beautiful, heart breaking, heart racing story...
It's a definite Must read...
October 4, 2017
These are the times I wish there was a better rating system. 5 stars doesn't even begin to tell you how awesome this book was. Gabe was all in from the first moment, even before the revelation, and you could just tell that from the first moment fate had stepped in to change his life. Adriana was amazing as a heroine. She was beautiful, strong, smart, caring, and everything else too. A single mom of twins who has stepped up to the plate every time? How can you not love these characters? Laughs, tears, sighs, gasps, I felt them all deeply. I didn't want to stop reading and I didn't want it to end!
October 8, 2017
I just have to say that Melanie Shawn has done it again. I loved this book. Adriana goes searching for Gabe with news that will turn his life upside down and inside out. When they meet things do not always go as planned. The chemistry between these 2 was hot. You could feel it coming off the pages of the book. The journey these 2 take to the end of this book is anything but predictable. I loved everything about this book. It was full of so much emotion and so much heat it kept me reading until the very end. Definitely a 5 star read. I voluntarily reviewed this book in exchange for a honest review
October 8, 2017
Gabe is a firefighter and MMA fighter who has been through cancer and came through on the other side, though with some baggage that he is trying to deal with. Adriana is a single mother of twins and her adopted son, who was her cousin's child before she died of cancer. Both are strong individuals who have faced more than their fair share of problems in their lives. Together, they are even stronger.
This story had me captivated from the beginning. They gravitated toward each other from the start and had me feeling emotional right along side them. These characters had me rooting for their happy ever after especially when you find out all that they are and have been going through.
This story is one of my new favorites out of all of the Hope Falls series.
This story had me captivated from the beginning. They gravitated toward each other from the start and had me feeling emotional right along side them. These characters had me rooting for their happy ever after especially when you find out all that they are and have been going through.
This story is one of my new favorites out of all of the Hope Falls series.
October 11, 2017
Gabe and Adriana's story will tug at your heartstrings. It's definitely an emotional read and I loved every bit of it. Both of the main characters have been through some major struggles and come out the other side. They've still got a lot to overcome on their quest to find their happily ever after. They'll face uncertainty when it comes to the paternity of Jonah, Adriana's cousin Emily's son who Adriana adopted when Emily passed away. They'll have to face their intense chemistry and figure out where their relationship will lead if Gabe is the father, and how that will impact Adriana's life as a single mom to not only Jonah but also her twin girls as well. This story grabs you from the first page and keeps you wanting more.
October 15, 2017
Absolutely loved this book. Such a good read and a tear jerker.
Gabe was the perfect character for this story. So loving and been through so much himself. Adriana also having been through so much was his perfect much.
Gabe is an MMA fighter that had just made his comeback after having survived cancer. Adriana is a single mother of twin toddlers as well as a mother to his cousins son Jonah because of her cousin passing away from cancer shortly before.
Adriana is trying to fulfill her cousins dying wish to find Jonah’s father. Did Adriana go to Hope Falls to find Gabe or could running into Gabe just be an happy accident? Why do you read this great story of love and heartache and fresh starts. You won’t be disappointed.
Gabe was the perfect character for this story. So loving and been through so much himself. Adriana also having been through so much was his perfect much.
Gabe is an MMA fighter that had just made his comeback after having survived cancer. Adriana is a single mother of twin toddlers as well as a mother to his cousins son Jonah because of her cousin passing away from cancer shortly before.
Adriana is trying to fulfill her cousins dying wish to find Jonah’s father. Did Adriana go to Hope Falls to find Gabe or could running into Gabe just be an happy accident? Why do you read this great story of love and heartache and fresh starts. You won’t be disappointed.
October 5, 2017
This is one of those books that you fall in love with in the first few pages. Gabe is a cancer survivor and MMA fighter. Adriana is a jewelry designer and single mom of twins who also took in her cousins son and is raising him. She's amazing. When she finds out that Gabe may be the father of her cousins son, she goes to Hope Falls to meet him. What she doesn't expect are the feelings she has for him from the start. And Gabe? He falls hard and fast. But what you may think would be an easy romance is anything but. Love, heartache and compassion fill the pages of this book. I highly recommend this one!
October 11, 2017
Sweet and sexy
Hope Falls is a magical place. The whole series brings together townsfolk, out of towners and returnees to meet their real loves. Gabe and Adriana are new to town. Gabe spent many a happy childhood summer in Hope Falls. He's a sexy MMA champion who has moved his base to Hope Falls. Adriana shoto satisfy her late cousin's last request. The combination of the young single mom and the celebrity MMA firefighter is dynamite. Add in three little kids and Adriana's hippie mom and this story is great. Wonderful, tender and touching I loved this book.
Hope Falls is a magical place. The whole series brings together townsfolk, out of towners and returnees to meet their real loves. Gabe and Adriana are new to town. Gabe spent many a happy childhood summer in Hope Falls. He's a sexy MMA champion who has moved his base to Hope Falls. Adriana shoto satisfy her late cousin's last request. The combination of the young single mom and the celebrity MMA firefighter is dynamite. Add in three little kids and Adriana's hippie mom and this story is great. Wonderful, tender and touching I loved this book.
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