To Trust Again

Sisters of Fire #6

by Kathryn Shay

The Sisters of Fire, a hot new firefighter series, follows the path of six women who trained together and remained friends ten years later.

When Battalion Chief Lynn Lucas’ marriage turns cold and she can no longer tolerate the inactivity of a small township firehouse, she decides to change her life. But when she meets Brady Jamison, a younger man with a secret, will she lose sight of her goals once again?

Grab a copy of all six Sisters of Fire novellas: MORE THAN ENOUGH, AT LAST, NO EASY CHOICE, EQUAL PARTNERS, A DIFFERENT WAY and TO TRUST AGAIN.

Genres: Romance

153 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 12, 2021

About the author

Kathryn Shay is a lifelong writer. At fifteen, she penned her first 'romance,' a short story about a female newspaper reporter in New York City and her fight to make a name for herself in a world of male journalists - and with one hardheaded editor in particular. Looking back, Kathryn says she should have known then that writing was in her future. But as so often happens, fate sent her detouring down another path.

Fully intending to pursue her dream of big city lights and success in the literary world, Kathryn took every creative writing class available at the small private women's college she attended in upstate New York. Instead, other dreams took precedence. She met and subsequently married a wonderful guy who'd attended a neighboring school, then completed her practice teaching, a requirement for the education degree she never intended to use. But says Kathryn, "I fell in love with teaching the first day I was up in front of a class, and knew I was meant to do that."

Kathryn went on to build a successful career in the New York state school system, thoroughly enjoying her work with adolescents. But by the early 1990s, she'd again made room in her life for writing. It was then that she submitted her first manuscript to publishers and agents. Despite enduring two years of rejections, she persevered. And on a snowy December afternoon in 1994, Kathryn Shay sold her first book to Harlequin Superromance.

Since that first sale, Kathryn has written twenty-one books for Harlequin, nine mainstream contemporary romances for the Berkley Publishing Group, and two online novellas, which Berkley then published in traditional print format.

Kathryn has become known for her powerful characterizations - readers say they feel they know the people in her books - and her heart-wrenching, emotional writing (her favorite comments are that fans cried while reading her books or stayed up late to finish them). In testament to her skill, the author has won five RT BookClub Magazine Reviewers Choice Awards, three Holt Medallions, two Desert Quill Awards, the Golden Leaf Award, and several online accolades.

Even in light of her writing success, that initial love of teaching never wavered for Kathryn. She finished out her teaching career in 2004, retiring from the same school where her career began. These days, she lives in upstate New York with her husband and two children. "My life is very full," she reports, "but very happy. I consider myself fortunate to have been able to pursue and achieve my dreams."

Reviews

[Beeg Panda]

note to self - amazon blurb
pub date

Battalion Chief Brooke Cartwright lost the love of her life, and she’s not looking to replace him. But will a lonely child and her father, Cord Remington, a man with a mysterious past, be enough for her to trust in fate again?

[Jennie Fortna · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC for honest review with no compensation

To Trust Again is book 6 and the final book in the Sisters of Fire series by Kathryn Shay and what a way to end this series!

Totally did not see that coming…Battalion Chief Brooke Cartwright lost her husband about a year ago and is trying to move forward, sending her sons off to college and being alone. When she is asked to attend a meeting she meets Cord Remington, a man from her past…

Can these two work through what happened in the past and build a future and family together or will it all go up in flames??

[Erin Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Star reviews of To Trust Again (Sisters of Fire #6) by Kathryn Shay
Book six and the final book in Kathryn Shay's latest series and was an entertaining read that I was drawn to from the first chapter. This is Battalion Chief Brooke Cartwright and Cord Remington’s second chance at love story. These two have history and now fate has brought them back into one anothers lives.
Brooke has suffered loss, but she has pulled herself back up and is determined to move forward. Her journey has not been easy and at times my heart broke for her. Reconnecting with Cord and meeting his adorable little Olivia (Livy) she slowly begins to come back to life.
I enjoyed this story line, it was fast paced, well written with characters whose story you cannot help but become invested in. It was also good to catch up with the other couples and learn what has been happening. A fitting way to end an entertaining series.

[Carey S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Brooke Cartwright and Cord Remington were firefighters together years before, when they were both new to the profession. They shared time and experiences together, at a time when Brooke’s husband, Zack, was working all the time and they were experiencing a rough patch in their marriage. Brooke and Cord loved each other, but never took it to a physical level, because Zack forced her to choose between him and Cord before it could go deeper. She chose her marriage, but never got to say goodbye to Cord because Zack wouldn’t let her. Fast forward a couple of decades later and Brooke is a widow and Cord has recently moved back to town to be closer to his family after discovering that he has a 5-year-old daughter that he knew nothing about. There is a well of pain and suffering within each of these protagonists, and somehow they have to either figure out how to get through it or figure out how to say goodbye permanently. Brooke’s Sisters of Fire community helps her figure out what is important to her and they meddle a bit toward the end, but it adds up to a delightful storyline.

This is a quick and engaging story that tugs on reader’s heartstrings. Almost everyone has experienced loss and/or the residual feel of having unfinished business with someone; this makes this story very relatable. However, this is the crux of the problem that these two have to face, and they have to decide if there is room in their lives for forgiveness or if it hurts too much to process it all. While they are figuring it out, the story flows nicely, and the community feel of their good friends is entertaining to observe. There are lots of children of various ages present in this story as well, and that adds a bit of enjoyment, too.

[Patrice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful conclusion to the Sisters of Fire series. I enjoyed Brooke's story. It was heartbreaking in each of the prior stories to see the sadness she had and how hard it was for her to get motivated; after her husband's death. I applaud the author on how frank she was with the children of the sisters of fire when it came to the parents having open discussions with them; especially about relationships and sexuality. These are strong women both emotionally and physically and they are always there for each other in the best of times and the worst of times. The love interest for Brooke is an old friend from her early fire fighting career: Cord Remington. It was interesting to learn that Brooke and her husband Zach had a rocky patch early in their marriage and Cord was part of that. When Brooke made the decision to stay with her husband and try to work things out; Cord took it as the worst betrayal towards him and vowed to never let anyone get close to him again. Watching Brooke and Cord try to deal with seeing each other and working together was very realistic. Some people can't seem to ever be as adult as Brooke is in this instance. Even Cord tries to sever the relationship before it gets going.
This was a well written story and a quick read. I thank the author for allowing me to read the arc of this book; in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Yvonne Cruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those new to the series, it centers around six strong women who met when they trained together as firefighters and have become sisters of the heart. Ones that support each other in good times and bad.
In this sixth and final book in the series, we finally get the story of widowed Battalion Chief Brooke Cartwright. After her husband’s death a year ago , her smiles are rare.
When Cord Remington, the man from her past, comes to train the firefighters in her town, she is shocked to see him again. Cord barely recovered when twenty years ago Brooke chose her husband over him.
Life has changed them both and Cord , though still attracted to her, he is not willing to trust his heart or Brooke since he’s sure he wouldn’t survive a second break up.
This was a thought provoking story. Can an emotional affair be as bad as a physical one? Can trust be regained? Are they willing to give themselves a second chance?
This last story gave us a chance to visit with the rest of the characters of previous books and “check up” on them.
Sad to see the series end, but looking forward to the next one by this talented author.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

[Jennifer Pierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not going to lie, I'm sad that the Sisters of Fire series is coming to a close as I've loved every bit of it. Of course since Kathryn Shay is brilliant at creating the ultimate #GIRLPOWER squads, I know that she's come up with something just as great over & over again. Before I get into detail, I have to let you know that the blurb isn't for this book, it's for the previous book so if you read the reviews, it follows a different sister. Brooke is a Battalion Chief, who has lost the love of her life, but she's strong so she's going to keep moving forward especially since she has some boys who come first, not wallow in it. I can't say the same for Cord, who is still bitter about what she did to him 20 years previously, so he's not exactly happy to learn that they're going to cross paths again as they teach a class together. I want you to understand that I'm #TEAMBROOKE all the way, and she's definitely gone through the fire, so Cord would be so lucky to get another shot with her LOL, and I sure didn't get on board with him for a cool minute but that's just me. To Trust Again was a fitting end to a fantastic series that I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of all the books in this series this one touched my heart. Brooke's husband Zach died a year ago. She's moving on with her daily life. Her boys are going back to school. She is getting her footing. Then her past shows up.
Cord was in the academy with Brooke twenty-year ago. They fell for each other hard, but she was married. While didn't cheat physically, she did emotionally. And when push came to shove she choose her marriage. This completely devastated Cord. He went off the deep end.
Now they are back working together and old flames ignite.
This is a truly heartwarming story that many may relate to and understand her misstep and then doing everything to make it right.
I was thrilled with the outcome. And like how the author dealt with the cheating and the reconciliation with Cord and dealing with her boys.
I will truly miss the Sisters of the Fire. They are a group we all could use on our side

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 6th and final book in this amazing series and is Brooke and Cord’s story. Brooke is a widow and single mom to her sons, and she is determined to move forward with her life. Cord and Brooks have a history, and after Brooke left him 20-years ago, he is left determined to avoid relationships, and he is a single dad to his little girl. Fate has destined Brooke and Cord to cross paths again when he arrives in town to help teach her classes. The chemistry between them is undeniable, but is Cord willing to put he heart on the line? This is a well 2nd chance romance story, which is fast paced, and with emotions, family, friendships, and love, which leads to an entertaining and thought-provoking storyline. I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend for all.

[Felicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

To Trust Again was a great way to end the Sisters of Fire Series. Brooke Cartwright lost her husband early in the series and has worked hard to move on with her kids as she has seen all her friends fall in love and have new babies. After sending both her boys off for the school year and returning home alone, she finds out she is set to work the next several weeks with Cord Remington, a man she had engaged in an emotional affair with right after coming out of the fire academy. At the time she had to make a choice of whether to reengage in her marriage or follow Cord – she choose her marriage. Cord has never forgiven Brooke for her choice, however their attraction remains strong. They must learn to trust again and move forward for a second chance. I can’t wait for Kathryn Shay’s next series!

[Cathi Lange · Rating 5 out of 5]

"To Trust Again" in the sister of fire series is the last one. I am so sad that this is the end of the line.
I will miss the group of woman that are so strong and loyal to their friends. This is Brooke story.
Brooke Cartwright & Cord Remington were both firefighters at the same station and had shared time and
experiences and they grew close. Brooke and her husband Zack were having problems of their own. Zack found out about their relationship although they never took it to a physical level. He made her choose.
Years later Brooke is Battalion chief and her husband has since past away. In walk Zack back in her life to help teach a class to the firefighters. The chemistry is undeniable between them but is Cord willing to take a chance on them? He is willing to let go of the past hurt? Brooke choosing her husband over him? The story was a great end to the series.

[Spunky N Sassy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spunky N Sassy Rating: 5.0

~~~~~~~~~~Tracy's ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review~~~~~~~~~~

This is the final book in the Sisters of Fire Series and it is the story that I have been waiting for. Brooke lost her husband a year ago and now Cord walks back into her life still full of pain and anger. I absolutely loved this story and Brooke. She has had such a hard road and even when it looked like her marriage was idealic from the outside it wasn't always that way. I was rooting for her all the way. I was happy to see all the updates on all the Sister of Fire and so very sad seeing this series ending. This series was simply amazing and I loved every story. I feel like everyone of these women is part of my heart and family!!! Wish I could give Kathryn more than five stars because her stories deserve it.

[Jackie Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 6 in the Sisters of Fire Series but like all the previous books you could read and enjoy them as stand-alone’s but I’m betting one visit with this group of Fire fighters will never be enough.
This is Battalion Chief Brooke Cartwright and Cord Remington’s second chance at love. It seems fate is not prepared to let the history this couple share slip away and once again they find themselves in each other’s lives but with love be kinder to them this time around…..
This book has all the feels, it’s well written with strong characters, it’s about learning to trust, learning to put the past and the pain behind you as you find love once again. I adore catching up with the previous couples from this series but for me it was a little girl called Olivia who stole the show.

[Kari Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brooke is still healing from losing her husband to cancer and both her boys are headed off to college. When she is introduced to the man who will be helping her instruct some firefighters, she is surprised to find out it is the same person that she hurt so deeply so many years earlier when a choice needed to be made.

Cord was devastated by Brooke’s choice and he is no longer the same man. He is focused on his career and his daughter and isn’t about to let Brooke close enough to repeat the mistakes of the past however the Sisters of Fire don’t agree.

Brooke and Cord’s story is one of healing, forgiveness and second chances as they fight to overcome the past so that they can have a future together.

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about the h who when married fell in love with her best friend and when her husband asked her to make a choice she chose her husband. The h is now a widow and when her best friend the H comes back in to her life, she has an affair and they work on repairing the relationship and HEA.

The one thing that was unanswered was about being second best! I bet if there had been a role reversal with the H being married and having an emotional affair with h as his best friend and she had been ditched, I am pretty sure the h wouldn’t have liked being second best and there wouldn’t have been a HEA like this one.

[Anne Donaldson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved the Sisters of Fire, and what a finale this is. Brooke and Cord Remington have a past, and it’s one no one could have foreseen. This truly is about learning to trust again, and both have a good reason for reserving that trust from each other. Cord is now determined to focus on his daughter, never having forgotten Brooke, but never having forgiven her either. And Brooke also paid dearly for their relationship, but also lost the man she chose, a year before this story. This book is packed with emotion – like all Sisters of Fire books, all the sisters have a part in the book, and there are babies and love and hope and a sense of an ending for the series, and that is bittersweet.

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brooke and Cord,their story showing their lives the choices they made.
Seeing each other later, could they work together.
Her husband has been gone a year, her boys are off to complete their training.
Nice to see the steps she takes to have Cord and love again.
Choices some good some bad that had been made.
Will be interesting if there is a Brother of Fire series sometime.
This series showed that The Sisters of Fire was a pillar for these women.
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion

[Karen Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!! It was a great finish to the Sisters of Fire series. Brooke and Cord’s story had me hooked right away. I hated to put it down. The anguish and emotions Brooke and Cord suffer through before they get together were hard. The Sisters of Fire are a wonderful support group and the best friends Brooke could have. Kathryn Shay does a great job wrapping up the series and letting the reader know what is going on with all the other characters from the first 5 books. I look forward to reading more books from this author.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

We've met Brooke in the past and went through her husband's illness and then his death. But in this story we get to learn the back story on her marriage and some rough spots in it and why. Seems she and Cord have quite the history and while they both feel they've moved on and put that relationship in the past, old memories and feelings resurface. What do they do about it and how do they deal with it? We also get caught up with the other sisters as this series comes to an end. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving my review.

[NJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the last (😢) in Kathryn Shays Sisters of Fire series and again she has written a winner! Brooke and Cord worked together many years ago and had a relationship which ended badly. Now a widowed Brooke has to work with a distrusting Cord. The book explores the relationship between the two of them and shows us that trust and love can be found again. And it also shows the power and love of a group of women. I am sorry to see the series end but am looking forward to more books by the author!

[Dawn Byers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Years ago Brook & Cord had an emotional affair while working at the fire academy. Since then Brook married and had two boys and then she lost her husband to cancer. Cord, deeply wounded loosing Brock, becomes a sole dad and very involved in his business. But when Cord and Brook begin to work together again, the sparks fly. Can Cord trust again? Can their relationship progress?
A beautiful ending to the sisters of fire!

[Geri Grinstead · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an eyeopener this book was. I love the Sisters of Fire and have felt sympathy for Brooke over the course of the series and I still do. But Brooke’s life wasn’t as perfect as I initially thought. Kathryn Shay has written very interesting characters with Brooke and Cord. Cord is carrying frustration and resentment towards Brooke as they are forced to work together but they have history as young firefighters and more. I am sad this series has ended. Thanks to Kathryn Shay for a great series.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

To Trust Again is book #6, and the final story in the Sisters of Fire series. Brooke has had to deal with the loss of her husband Zach. If it wasn't for her boys, and her Sisters of Fire friends, pulling her through the heartache, who knows where she would be. However at work, she has just seen the one guy who was once her best friend, until she broke his heart. Can Brooke, and Cord, let go of the past, to move forward for a future together. I enjoyed this series, and this coven of friends.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in one setting. Brooke lost her husband to cancer. Cord enters her life again and feelings come back for both of them. Love the title. They each had to trust again.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Recommend this book? Yes! Author? Yes!
Read more from this author? Yes!

Happy Reading!
Melissa

[Andrea Akers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A second chance at love for Brooke and Cord. As rookies together and then assigned to the same fire house, Brooke and Cord became close. After Brooke decides to focus on her marriage to Zach, she and Cord do not see each other again until a year after Zach passes away. With their history, can they work through their past to find their own happily ever after?

[Kathleen Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great finish to the series.

I loved every one of the six Sisters of Fire series. The closeness of these women is amazing and the support for each other can't be beat.
This final book brings past love back into play.

[MaryJane Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sisters of Fire book 6

Another great Katherine Shay read! Sorry to see this series reach its finale. However based on Shay history I truly believe there will be many more books worthy of being read!

[Norine Fry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good Sisters of the Fire book. It’s a quick read and not easy to put down.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have enjoyed reading about the Sisters of Fire. Been fun watching their challenges.

[Linda Zelinsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great end to a series. Loved how Brooke and Cord found each other again and over came the distance between them. A great read.