In Flames
Jessica Jayne
Jessica Jayne
Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-77130-387-3
ASIN: B00CIOFYVG
Number of
pages: 110
Word Count: 42,780
Cover Artist: Sour Cherry Design
Book Description:
Gracelyn Riley
married a firefighter. She knew that
came with risks. But she never imagined
herself widowed in her early thirties with two children to care for on her own.
As a fireman, Matt
Riley was at the scene when his brother, Chad, was killed. He suffered greatly from survivor’s guilt and
depression after the accident.
The last year has
been difficult for both Gracelyn and Matt.
They’ve relied on each other to get through the tough times. With the anniversary of Chad’s death upon
them, Gracelyn and Matt once again turn to each other for comfort and
support. They find it in each other’s
arms (and bed). Will their desire for
each other consume them? Can they
overcome the guilt and scrutiny to find love again…together?
Review:
When Gracelyn Riley lost her firefighter husband, she turned to her best friend and his brother firefighter Matt Riley. He was her rock, she was his. After a year Matt is feeling things for Gracelyn that are more than brother-in-law feelings and is certain Gracelyn doesn't share the same feelings, or does she?
When a kiss leads to a passionate encounter, both Gracelyn and Matt are left confused, they both want to explore the spark between them but if they do it will hurt those they care about most. Gracelyn however feels the fog has lifted and she knows what she wants, Matt even if he protests it is not possible.
I thought this was written with deep emotion. You feel for both Matt and Gracelyn and get to read both perspectives, which I thought was important to really get the full impact of what this couple was beginning to build. Highly recommend.
Review:
When Gracelyn Riley lost her firefighter husband, she turned to her best friend and his brother firefighter Matt Riley. He was her rock, she was his. After a year Matt is feeling things for Gracelyn that are more than brother-in-law feelings and is certain Gracelyn doesn't share the same feelings, or does she?
When a kiss leads to a passionate encounter, both Gracelyn and Matt are left confused, they both want to explore the spark between them but if they do it will hurt those they care about most. Gracelyn however feels the fog has lifted and she knows what she wants, Matt even if he protests it is not possible.
I thought this was written with deep emotion. You feel for both Matt and Gracelyn and get to read both perspectives, which I thought was important to really get the full impact of what this couple was beginning to build. Highly recommend.
Excerpt:
“He wasn’t the perfect husband,” Gracelyn said. “I learned about the women. I was so angry with him. So angry.
He risked our marriage and our family for a few hot fucks. One of the hardest things I ever did was tell
him to leave our home… that I needed to separate from him so I could sort it
out on my own. And then, a week later he
is gone… for good. I felt so guilty. I
loved him. I really did. And he was a great father. I miss him.”
Tears started to flow down her face.
“I miss him too,” Matt said. He gave her hand a squeeze. “Gracey, I know you loved him. He knew you loved him. I know he made mistakes in your relationship,
but he did love you… a lot… even if he didn’t always show it properly. And he was going to work his ass off to save
your marriage.” Matt wiped her tears
away with the back of his hand.
“This is just so hard, Matty. Raising Jenna and Josh on my own. It’s a big responsibility when both parents
are around, but on my own… I feel like I am screwing everything up,” she cried. “Shit around the house that he would normally
take care of sometimes falls by the way side because I forget about it… like
the trash. And then I see it sitting
there and get mad that he isn’t here to take the trash out or mow the lawn or
help the kids with their math homework.
He was always better with math than I was. Not to mention, I feel so damn alone.” She looked up at him. Her blue eyes sparkled through her
tears.
“You know you can always count on me,” Matt said. He put his arms around her and cradled
her. “I’ll help with Jenna and Josh as
much as I can. And you know Mom and Pop
will always be here to help too. And
when I don’t have Brian on the weekend, I can be here to do whatever you
need…like I have been.”
“I can’t ask you to do more than you already do,” she
said. “You already do so much… too
much. You attend the kids’ events and
games. You help take care of the yard…
fix the little things around the house… make sure my car is always up and
running. You need to have a life. You can’t spend your free time taking care of
your brother’s widow all the time.”
“Gracey, you are more than just Chad’s widow. You’re family. And you have always been a friend. You’ve been a tremendous support for me. I wouldn’t have made it through this last
year without you. I will do whatever I
can to help you. You know that. We’ve helped each other through this last
year and I’m not abandoning you now.
I’ll always be here for you.”
“I just don’t want to be alone anymore,” she cried into
his shoulder. Her hands gripped his
t-shirt desperately. Matt held her
tight. Tears welled in his own
eyes. The past year had been difficult
for everyone, especially Gracelyn. But
she’d always stayed strong…whether for the kids, for everyone else or for herself.
They had shared
tears together over the last year, but he had only witnessed her completely
break down twice. First, when she found
out about the accident. Matt wouldn’t
let anyone else break the news to her.
He had been at the scene when the accident happened. Several firefighters had to restrain him to
keep him from rushing back into the collapsing building to get to his
brother. The fire chief wanted to tell
Gracelyn about Chad’s death, but Matt refused that as an option. He and Gracelyn were close and he did not
want her to find out from anyone other than him, so he rode with the chief to
her house. She knew the minute she
opened the front door and saw him standing in his turnout pants, t-shirt and
suspenders with his face all smudged black from the smoke and his own
tears. She collapsed in his arms when he
confirmed it. And then when they buried
Chad, Gracelyn broke down for the last time… at least in front of anyone
else. Maybe she sobbed every night in
the shower or lying in bed by herself.
But he had not seen it. The sight
of her in his arms now… it just broke his heart.
Gracelyn lifted her head and looked at him through her
tears. Matt gently touched her face with
the back of his hand, in an attempt to wipe away her tears and soothe her. Leaning into him, she pressed her lips to
his. At first, Matt didn’t comprehend
what was happening. Her lips were soft
against his, yet she kissed him so confidently.
Her fresh strawberry scent enveloped him… so sweet… so
intoxicating. She smelled like summer
despite it being the end of September.
Matt’s mind told him to stop the kiss. Stop it before it went any farther. But her tongue slid against the seam of his
lips and his head jumbled with a mix of thoughts—none of which were coherent.
About the Author:
I am a born and
raised small town Ohio girl, who moved to the Sunshine State after graduating
from college. I graduated with a bachelor's degree in English because I could
not imagine doing anything else but reading and writing. It is such a pleasure
to be able to share all the stories in my head!
In the journey of
life, I also became a wife and a mother of three children. So, life is always
an adventure. But the love of writing has never died.
My favorites: I love to read and write... obviously! But I
also enjoy all sports, especially college football and the Ohio State
Buckeyes! Go Steelers! Go Rays! I LOVE to travel... LOVE, LOVE, LOVE
to travel. And I love sharing my love to travel with my children. I love to
drink Teavana teas! I love a good glass of wine, especially if it comes from a
bottle made by the FOOLS wine club… yep, I’m a member of that! I
love hanging out with my family and my friends!
Big fan of music, but love nothing better than putting on my jean
shorts, tank top, cowboy boots and hat and watching Tim McGraw belt it
out! I’m a sucker for a cowboy hat!
Favorite
quote: “If nothing ever changed, there
would be no butterflies.”
Twitter: @JessicaJayne13
Thanks, Em and Musings From an Addicted Reader for hosting me and my latest book, In Flames, on your blog today. I appreciate it. And thanks for taking the time to review my book. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
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