Flirting with Fire (Hot in Chicago)

Oh man... this was so good! Great story with great characters that left me completely and thoroughly satisfied! I'm really looking forward to the next book... :)
This series revolves around the Dempsey family who were all raised together as foster children. They now all work as firefighters in the same unit. Luke is the guy that has elected himself as guardian of his foster brothers and sister. Because of a haunted past, he is obsessed with making sure they are safe and protected. He also has a nasty temper that got him into a bit of trouble with the Mayor. That's where Kinsey steps into the picture. She works for the mayor and it's her job to fix the PR nightmare that Luke has caused. But, she got more than she bargained for when she meets Luke for the first time and tries to organize a plan to save his reputation.
This first book revolves mostly around Luke and Kinsey. I loved their love/hate relationship in the beginning. But, as the layers of their past unfold, they find healing and happiness in each others arms. Oh, and lots of "heat"... let's not forget the heat!
There is also a very enticing M/M romance blooming with fellow firefighter Gage and ex-marine Brady. Gage is a self-proclaimed man-whore who knows he's hot and good looking. He's just little bit vain... yep, just a smidgen. Brady is a 5 star Chef who also rides a Harley, is covered in tattoos and doesn't talk much. Gage is drawn to Brady but Brady is mysteriously hands off. By the end of the book I was completely won over by Brady... I really want to know more about him. I think he may be just the medicine Gage needs for his self-absorbed ego. Should be interesting... their relationship is only just getting started.
We also have lots to look forward to with all of the other Dempsey family members. Too much to name but the author has done a fantastic job setting up what it surely to be a very entertaining series.
My favorite part of the book?? Hands down the filming of the fireman calendar... lots of giggles there... and who can resist a fireman holding a sweet little kitten?? Not me... :)

I am in love with Flirting with Fire. Not just because of the cover — because I do love a firefighter. But this story, these characters and Kate Meader’s words have driven the moving van straight into my heart so that they can set up residence.
When I talk about Flirting with Fire, three words keep coming up – funny, hot and sexy. All true adjectives. But there is also the over-arching theme of family. This book, while a (very hot) romantic love story, is also about the Dempsey’s and the love that bonds them. I adored their dynamic – their love and loyalty were deep and unconditional. The things they did for each other – big and small spoke volumes about what they meant to each other, but also a testament to what their late foster parents meant to them. So we not only get Luke Almeida, but also his brothers (Gage, Wyatt, Beck) and sister (Alex). They are not linked by blood, but by a love and acceptance that is stronger than any other substance known to man. How they all connect, interact and protect one another is one of the many joys of this book.
Luke Almieda and Kinsey Taylor? I don’t want to over-do on the fire metaphors, but seriously? These two were all of them….don’t get me wrong, their sexual attraction was sizzling, but it was their back and forth banter that truly had me falling in love with them both. Kate Meader writes them in voices that are equals – each gives as good as they get. They are hilariously funny, but it’s in the little moments where you can truly feel the affection and respect that they have for each other – that just had my heart swelling.
The back drop for this book is Chicago and we are given the city in all its glory. This is a city that is rich in its political history and we get to see it in action through not Kinsey’s eyes as the mayor’s right hand, but through Luke’s as someone who is on the frontline. I really felt like Kate Meader did a brilliant job of navigating us through all of its complexities.
There is so much about this book to love – I am afraid that I am not doing it justice. I fully expected to like Flirting With Fire whole, whole lot. But falling in love with it? That was best surprise of all.

Originally posted on my blog: Tangled Up In Books

I received a copy of this book, from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. In no way did this sway either my review or my rating!

Heartwarming. Sexy. Fun. Heartbreaking. Hilarious. Just a few of the adjectives I would use to describe this book. You first meet the family that this series is about briefly in Baby, It's Cold Outside . And while I never did fully connect with either Beck or Darcy, that the novella follows, I did however connect with the rest of Beck's foster family and knew that I desperately wanted to read this series when it finally came out. So when someone from Pocket Books got in touch with me and said to send them my address if I was interested in a copy, you can bet your sweet booty I was right on top of that one! I couldn't get enough of this book. I tried to do the right thing and go to bed at a decent hour, well as decent as midnight is anyway, after I started Flirting With Fire but my brain would not shut off or let these characters go. I ended up pulling an all nighter and finishing in one sitting. It was totally worth being a little bit groggy today. So worth it.

--"None of us needed it signed and sealed. Sean is my father. Mary is my mother."

The best thing that surprised me with this book is that it was in three POVs. Now don't freak out! No that doesn't mean there was a love triangle, because there so was not. But what you have instead is the added bonus of another family member's storyline, briefly, running alongside this one. But I'll come back to him later. It's so easy to fall in love with this family of foster siblings in the Hot in Chicago series. They have this incredible family dynamic and absolute love and devotion for one another. And each one of them is such an interesting and complex character with a touching and heartbreaking story and I can't wait until I've read each and every one of their stories. Sean and Mary Dempsey, who have passed on prior to the events of this series along with one of the other foster siblings Logan, seem like they were incredible people taking in these 6 troubled kids and creating this amazing family legacy that only keeps getting stronger.

--"You should have seen him, Alex," Gage said. "It was all zingers and eye [censored] and enough heat to set off the smoke alarms. Our Luke's ready to get his wang back in the game. So proud."

The main focus of this book is on Kinsey and Luke. Oh sweet baby Jesus, Kinsey and Luke! I love reading relationships that start out where there's either some kind of rivalry or situation to have the couple the book focuses on at opposing sides of a situation. There's something incredibly sexy about the heat that builds up between two people as they fight not only each other but the growing attraction and desires they start to feel for one another. Kate Meader does not disappoint one bit in this area. Because the sexual tension that builds up between these two can only be described as scorching. Both of their last relationships ended very, very badly and have left both of these two just a wee bit untrusting when it comes to relationships. But you just know, without a doubt, that these two compliment each other so well and are absolutely perfect for each other.

--Sometimes his head was more demon than human, and heaven help whoever got in his way.

Luke is full of confidence and a bit of cockiness and like all the rest of his family he's had a rough upbringing so he's got quite a bit of anger and darkness buried inside of him. He's also so many other things though. He's loyal and protective, a family man, passionate and very alpha male but with sweet and sensitive streaks blended in. He's the guy that everybody depends on. Yet he still has flaws like the tendency to punch first and ask questions later. Regardless of all of that most importantly he's like the glue that holds everyone together, he's the one who doesn't rest until he knows everyone in his family is okay and safe. He's pretty freaking great.

--She was a fool―and she had no one but herself to blame.

Kinsey was just freaking adorable. She's a strong and confident woman in a very male dominated world. Even growing up with a marine father and three older brothers. It's made her very competitive and ambitious. She likes to win and be in control.The only time she wasn't all of these things and was even the slightest bit unsure of herself was when it came to men and relationships. Her ex-fiancé really did a number on her confidence there. But she was such a fun character. Even meeting her family was great and even though it was brief moments I absolutely loved them, especially her dad. She has this very unique and awesome family dynamic of her own.

--And then there was the gorgeous streak of heat behind the bar in the form of Gage.

So back to that bonus storyline. The other POV in this book is the younger of the foster brothers, Gage. You know how there's that saying about men that how the good ones are always either taken or gay? Yeah, leave it to me to be totally freaking in love with the gay brother. But I adore, no adore isn't even a good enough word for how I feel about Gage. He's the life of the party and always so full of energy and life and funny as all hell. His story isn't complete with the end of this one, at least I hope it isn't because there wasn't a lot of closure, so I'm hoping it continues on in both their sister Alex and the oldest of the clan Wyatt's stories. I love how he's this self admitted ho and yet the one guy who turns his life upside down, Brady, is still very mysterious at this point and so full of issues that it pretty much breaks my heart when he's around. I didn't know whose story I wanted more of as I was reading, Luke and Kinsey or Gage and Brady. They both had my heart and mind completely wrapped up in them.

--"And there's no one left behind, just us looking out for each other."

It's probably pretty obvious at this point and doesn't need to be said, but I'm gonna say it anyway...I freaking loved this book. It was all the right amounts of everything. It was touching and heartwarming, a little bit sad and heartbreaking at times, and full of passion and heat. The characters are what puts this book above the rest, they have depth and really pull you in to their stories and lives and make you crave to know everything that makes them tick. I cannot wait until Alex's story comes out next. This book lays the groundwork for her and her guy and I am so excited! Can it be September already? Sigh...

Thank you so much Pocket Books for the opportunity to read and review this book!!

Flirting with Fire is an excellent start to a new series. When I first saw this cover, I knew I wanted to hold this book in my hands....this cover is HOT, but then I saw who wrote it, and I knew I had to buy it. Kate Meader is a favorite for me. Her books always leave me satisfied and smiling and her books are always 5 star material...and Flirting with Fire is no different. Once I started reading, I tuned all my surroundings out because I was so caught up in this story, to where there was no way I was putting this book down until the very end.

Luke and Kinsey have some major chemistry and it shows throughout the whole book. The sex scenes only enhance the spark between them. These two seriously heat up the pages...but don't worry Luke is a firefighter so he can handle the intensity. Kinsey is a definitely a favorite heroine for me. Strong, feisty, smart, and not afraid to run with the big boys. It's always a pleasure to read about a strong and intelligent heroine, who can handle herself PLUS she handles Luke like a pro. These two alone will make you want to read their story, but the secondary characters involved in this book, will steal your heart too. I am seriously chomping at the bit to read the next book in this series. Playing with Fire is the next book and as soon as I finished reading this one, I immediately pre-ordered it.

Flirting with Fire is definitely recommended!!!!!

Woo-hoo! Kate Meader is back and this time with a brand new series that features firefighters. Can we take a moment to drool over the cover? It’s stunning and ah, the look in his eyes screams determination!

We have great character development. Meader has always written strong characters and FLIRTING WITH FIRE is no exception. Our heroine, Kinsey Taylor, is feisty, competitive, and isn’t one to easily intimidate. I’ll admit, I thought I wasn’t going to like Kinsey because of how self assured and strong she is, but Meader made her relatable. How many of us have fallen for a guy only to realize he’s intimidated by us? Kinsey’s ex-fiancé can’t handle her awesomeness, but that’s okay because Meader has given her someone who isn’t afraid of her. And oh boy…Luke Almeida is everything Kinsey dreamed of and more! He’s protective of his family and dedicated to his job. And on top of that, he’s a fireman who isn’t afraid to pose for worthy cause. We have several secondary characters that play a vital role including his foster brother and sister, Gage and Alex.

I have yet to read a Kate Meader book I didn’t like and FLIRTING WITH FIRE was no exception. Meader gives us a well written romance that is developed and believable. I enjoyed watching Kinsey and Luke fall in love. This truly was a romance between two equals and it’s hard for an author to pull that off because somewhere along the way, a character changes and at times loses their way. Not here. Meader really knows her characters and stays true to them. Her writing is natural and conversations between characters are real. At no point did I find myself rolling my eyes or saying how unreal a situation was. And that’s what I enjoy about Meader’s books, she gives us characters and situations are that real and sigh worthy.

I know some readers might be turned off regarding a secondary storyline featuring Gage, but Meader establishes who he is early on and I wasn’t bothered by it. I won’t go into detail because this is about Luke and Kinsey, but honestly, I can’t imagine FLIRTING WITH FIRE written without Gage’s story. To be honest, I’m not a fan of secondary storylines because sometimes they take away from our main couple and are often more interesting than our main characters. In this case, I equally adored both storylines and in the end, both are needed in order to tell Luke and Kinsey’s story.

I’ve never been to Chicago, but Meader makes me want to visit even more each time I pick up one of her books. She truly brings the city to life and it’s easy to imagine walking the city alongside her characters. I’ve said it before, but I love how Meader makes us feel and think. I loved that FLIRTING WITH FIRE was not only about firefighters (who in real life share a very close brotherhood), but also about foster siblings. In romances we often see adults who grew up in the foster system grow up dysfunctional, but Meader shows us the other side to the system. I personally really enjoyed the interactions between the Dempseys and wanted to be part of their family!

If you’re a fan of contemporary romances or are looking for a great romance, I highly recommend Kate Meader’s FLIRTING WITH FIRE. I do have to warn you, Kate and I are not responsible if you decide to visit Chicago to look for your own Dempsey brother. I personally can’t wait for book two, PLAYING WITH FIRE and see the sparks fly between Eli and Alex (Ahhh! Can it be September already?)

**This review is posted on my blog**

Kinsey uprooted her life in Cali to move with her fiancé to Chicago. She left her family, friends and dream job so he could follow his career. Shortly after she arrives, he tells her he’s met another woman and it’s over.

Now, working as the PR for the mayor of Chicago, Kinsey is assigned a new job of cleaning up Engine Co. 6’s viral video nightmare. That’s where she meets hothead, fist-first, Luke.

“He was an alpha predator, a guy who turned to violence to solve his problems, a man who looked like a suit or a job or a woman could never contain him.”

Luke Almeida is a Demsey through and through. He has always protected his family first, and with his outburst that was viewed by everyone his family is in jeopardy of being separated into different firehouses. When fierce, all-woman, Kinsey comes in to clean up his mess, he knows he better do whatever she says if he wants his family to stay together.

***

You guys, I’m ashamed to admit that this is my first firefighter book! How have I not read about hot and sexy firemen?! But let me tell you, I am so happy this was my first. I loved everything about FLIRTING WITH FIRE.

Kinsey is a total “alpha” female. Her ex-fiancé despised it, but Luke finds it right up his ally. She is competitive, likes to win, and isn’t ashamed of it.

Luke is the typical “alpha” male. He see’s what he wants and he takes it. No apologies. So when these two alphas get together it’s explosive.

“You’re lucky that right now your job objectives coincide with mine, Kinsey.” Brute hands caged her on either side. “But when you stray your honeyed a** onto my turf, in my firehouse…..” He brushed his lips against her ear. “When you come within a five-mile radius of my body, baby, you need to leave your job at the door and let me take charge.”

I also fell for the secondary characters. The siblings were so involved and loving that I am now impatiently waiting for the next installment of this series!

FLIRTING WITH FIRE is a sexy romance novel about finding love after being betrayed by those you trust. It’s heartwarming and hilarious. I couldn’t flip the pages fast enough.

Why did I want to read it?

It’s the first full-length book from a brand new series from Kate Meader! I know she tide us over with her novella in the anthology Baby, It’s Cold Outside but it has just been too long since her last book. And oh my gosh, firefighter siblings! Yes, I’m there!

What worked for me?

What I really appreciate about Kate’s writing is that she allows her readers to get to know her characters really well. Luke and Kinsey are a power couple and that term goes for so many ways. They both are people with unbelievable strength and I don’t entirely mean physically. They find their strength in their bonds with their family, in the dedication and love they have for their professions, their innate integrity and goodness. And they’re both smart and sharp and sexy as all out. It was an amazing journey for me as a reader to get to know these two, their not-so-good past relationships that have shaped how they perceive relationships to be, the choices that they had to make that have pretty much defined the paths their lives would take.

I’m glad to see that Kate still delivers that great banter between her characters. Sparks flew every time Luke and Kinsey go head to head be that as adversaries or, let’s just call a spade a spade, when the sexual tension feels heavier and heavier with each scene. They’re no pushovers. And boy are they a couple of stubborn people! But they know what’s worth fighting for and worth fighting over and that compromise does not mean capitulation.

The romance was great. There’s a part towards the last quarter of the book where I was surprised by the turn of the story and to tell you the truth disappointed. BUT only for a while. Because it turned out to be one of my favorite things in the story. I kid you not. The way Kate explored that particular plot line, well, color me impressed. There was gradual realization and understanding on my part. And then complete acceptance. And then I thought, of course there’s no other way Kate could have written out this story. lol :)

And of course, how can I not mention the rest of the Dempseys! They’re fiercely loyal and they’re great people to hang out with, basically. Oh my gosh, I want to read all of their stories. Like, now! or Yesterday! Beck’s story I read and loved in REKINDLE THE FLAME. But I can’t wait for Wyatt, Gage, and Alex. I loved getting to know a little about them in this book. But I particularly would beg for Alex’s story. I’m just so glad that her book is up next, due out by Fall, I think.

What did not work for me?

I really enjoyed reading this book from cover to cover. And while I wouldn’t exactly label this as a did-not-work-for-me scenario, I did feel that there were a couple of scenes that felt a bit repetitive in terms of plot movement; just that back-and-forth sort of feeling. There were also a couple of times where I felt there was more telling than showing so I didn’t get that full experience on those parts.

My over-all take on it?

This was a great new beginning for a new series from author Kate Meader. You can’t miss meeting Luke and Kinsey, who will basically make you laugh, entertain you with the sexy times, and of course touch your hearts with the power of their love story. And of course, you wouldn’t want to miss getting to know the Dempseys a little better.

Confession time. I haven't read a single "firefighter" themed romance novel (my nephew is a Fireman and it just didn't seem right), but I'm so glad I finally changed that fact. Flirting With Fire by Kate Meader is a deliciously smart, sexy, and funny novel centered around the men and women of Engine Company #6, and the story that broke my ban on "firefighter" stories. it is also the first by Kate Meader and I am now firmly a fan.

What I loved about Flirting with Fire was the parallel potential romance stories between Luke Almeida and Kinsey Taylor, and the one brewing between his brother Gage and local chef Brady. Both stories have a bit angst, lots of chemistry, and mad, mad love. Both stories also dance around the subject of damaged people who are in desperate need to mend their broken hearts. Both couples face a moment or two where one or the other makes a bad decision or two, but in the end, well...love conquers all.

The writing is fabulous and the dialogue is clever, witty and charming. The focus is on Luke and Kinsey and like most, I suppose I paid more attention to them as individual characters. Kinsey is a bit a smart-ass but she is such a genuine and down to earth women. Luke is a smooth talker if a bit arrogant, but he has a huge heart and he is devoted to his rag-tag foster family. The "Dempsey clan" make up for a majority of the secondary characters which means, more Hot in Chicago adventures. I'm looking forward to these additions and recommend you start the series now. One thing Luke and Kinsey teach us is to relish the anticipation.

Flirting With Fire is the perfect name for this novel....the Dempsey brothers are HAWT!! This is my first book by Kate Meader but I am now officially a fan. Luke and Kinsey are a matched made in heaven and I loved watching their story unfold. Flirting With Fire has a full cast in addition to the main characters of the story there are soo many great supporting characters and you will fall in love with the entire Dempsey clan. Honestly though a book about a group of hot, sweaty, sexy fireman....and an equally hot firewoman how can you go wrong? Even though the novel is written in third person Meader still manages to draw you into the story.I cannot wait to read the rest of this series and look forward to learning more about the Dempsey clan. Well written, great flow, definitely recommend.

I'm a huge fan of non-military, non-billionaire heroes. I like to read salt-of-the-earth characters falling in love. In this one I was pleased to see both characters being more realistic and less escape fantasy. Seriously can I just say how pleased I am to escape billionaires for a few minutes?

Kinsey is a PR genius and has been tasked with fixing a scandal. When Luke Almeida, publicly hits a cop, Kinsey is called in to smooth things over. Her answer? Public apologies and a good old fashioned hot firefighter calendar. Okay so maybe not old-fashioned. Kinsey and Luke find themselves drawn together again and again as neither give any ground. Mix in a mayor worried about reelection, a douchenozzle newspaper guy, and some family and get ready to watch things get Hot in Chicago.

I was totally on board with the description of this book.when I read 'firefighter'. I love that job in romances. There is something just so hot about ripped guys saving lives. Also there's that whole sooty thing that in romancelandia is hot and in the real world...not so much. So I was totally there with the book.

Luke Almeida and his family were the bright, bright, bright points of the book. I loved meeting the siblings and gearing up for the future stories. Each character was hinted at, fleshed out, and introduced in a way that made me hunger for more. I cannot wait for Wyatt and Alexandra's books. I also loved Gage (more on him later). I love family dynamics that are not always perfect. This book portrayed them the way most family's wish they were like. Even when they fight you know everyone is totally supportive of the others. Even though they were not biologically related they were family.

Kinsey was the weak point for me in every sense of the word. I really struggled to like Kinsey and I found myself underwhelmed by her presence. She was a little too messed up in the head and a little too outwardly perfect. Sure she was smart and super attractive. She also had relationship issues and trust issues. Of course, she couldn't be well-adjusted. I honestly could overlook all that but I just never connected with her. I never really got her as a character. To me she did a lot of stuff off the page and then later would try to justify them. Even if she was right, she existed much more out of the book's purview than she did within the text.

The romance was decent but fell into the trappings of issues creating conflict. I'm not a fan of characters doing weird things when it comes to love. We had little to no indication Kinsey would do something like that and hurt Luke and then BAM! she did it. Not only did she seem OOC but she barely apologized at the end. We had 390 pages of romance building to have it ruined in 3 and finished in 5. I just felt Luke should have gotten more. Maybe it was me though.

The other shining moment in this book was a secondary storyline. Within the story Luke's younger brother Gage started finding his own romance. He's an out and proud gay firefighter and when he meets a chef, he can't help but feel attracted. His chef has his own issues and dislikes being touched. Gage just wants a chance and tries his best to attract this man he's fascinated by. The moments between these two were so hot and sexy, I could not wait to read more.

I asked Kate Meader about Gage and she told me her publisher was not behind a series book for Gage because at the time M/M romance wasn't really supported by big publishers. I'm really bummed about that. Gage's romance was one of the reasons I rated this book so high. It made me want his book now and then to find out I wasn't getting one because he's gay? Well that just saddened me.

I enjoyed this read even though I didn't connect with Kinsey. I'm sure others will love her but I just couldn't see myself getting to know her in a relatable way. I'm definitely going to read the other books in the series. I'll be honest that I'm in it for Gage who is sprinkled throughout the others. Seriously the M/M stuff is so hot in this book. It made me consider reading M/M romances.

4 Stars
Published by Pocket Books
March 24, 2015
400 Pages
Provided by--Kate Meader/Facebook Giveaway

**Upon reading this one I totally had forgotten I had read the novella in "Baby It's Cold Outside". I loved that story and for some reason never connected the dots to this one. I kept thinking about Beck and Darcy and thought they sounded familiar and my goodness did I want to read that story. Then I went looking through my reviews and saw I had read it. That's me and my brain is mush. So if that makes it seem like it's forgettable. It's not. I read my review again and went "This was the story I was trying to recommend the other day but couldn't remember the title!" So, in the end it all worked out. For my review of Darcy and Beck's romance, go to tsukibooks.blogspot.com.