Controlled Burn by Amy Briggs

Title: Controlled Burn

Author: Amy Briggs

Series: Brotherhood of District 23

Genre: Contemporary Military Romance

Publisher: Self-Published

Release Date: December 1, 2016

Edition/Format: eBook

Source: Amazon Purchased

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Blurb:  Seth Jackson, known as Jax to his friends and family, has always been the easy-going, loyal, and dependable friend to everyone. Marine Corps veteran and career firefighter, Jax enjoys a simple life, hanging out with friends, and chasing the ladies. Always the most level-headed of his friends, he suddenly finds himself spinning out of control, unable to sleep and suffering from nightmares and anxiety. When he finds out he suffers from PTSD, he second-guesses everything around him and starts searching for the normalcy he thought he was living.

Vivian Deveraux, a twenty-five-year old with a penchant for selling real estate deals like a seasoned agent, thought she was just negotiating another deal. While brokering a sale for his friends, Vivian meets Jax, who instantly stirs up emotions she had kept buried for years.

Jax pursues Vivian in an effort to fill a hole he didn’t realize he’d had, but will their connection actually create more darkness?

**Controlled Burn is the 3rd book in the Brotherhood of District 23 series, but CAN be read as a standalone**

Review: In this final installment, we meet Seth and Vivian, two great and loyal people who are trying to fight their way through the darkness.  Seth is working to come to the light and see his self-worth when he meets Vivian.  Vivian is also struggling through her own sense of darkness after the loss of her brother. 

With so many similarities they face, will they withstand the storm or crumble under the pressure?

Seth is trying to do the right thing but when confronted with the truth of Vivian’s past, will he fall back on bad habits or realize he is worthy.  Will it be too late to save themselves and each other?

I really think this book had a great storyline and I loved the characters but feel the ending was rushed.  I also felt an air of suspense around Vivian throughout the book as far as her job and wish the author would have tied up more loose ends since this is the final installment.

All in all, good book, great storyline, and great character development as well.

Purchase Links

Amazon

Don't miss out on any of the others in this series!

Fired Up and Fully Involved

Also, please check out my reviews for Fired Up and Fully Involved, here!

Fully Involved by Amy Briggs

Title: Fully Involved
Author: Amy Briggs
Series: Brotherhood of District 23
Genre: Erotic Suspense
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: August 30, 2016
Edition/Format: 1st Edition/eBook
Source: Amazon Purchased
Rating: 4 Stars 

Blurb: Isabel Cruise spends her days investigating crimes as a detective, and her nights hoping for a man who will finally satisfy her sexual cravings. Hiding her deep desires was easy until she let herself go one night with the sexy Matt Cavanaugh, a no-strings-attached firefighter who brings just the right amount of dominance that she’s been looking for. 

Refusing to give into the idea of a real connection, an arsonist on the loose creates a divide that threatens to destroy them before they ever get started. With all clues leading to a perpetrator at Matt’s station, Isabel is forced to investigate Matt and the other firefighters at District 23. 

Will Matt and Isabel have a chance to make a real connection beyond their steamy encounters, or will she have to prosecute one of the firefighters, ruining any chance for something more? 

**This book is intended for ages 18+ due to adult situations and graphic scenes

 Review:  In this spinoff tale from “Fired Up”, we get to know Brian’s brother, Matt, and detective, Isabel Cruise.  I really loved this story!!! I love Matt’s little notes and quirks that make him the way that he is.  I love how Isabel gives up control for him and breaks the rules.  Matt is very dominating and yet still gentle for her.

I also love seeing farther into Brian and Jo’s relationship, and how it grows.  I am also glad that Jo still holds onto her strong personality regardless of circumstance.  I’m happy that Matt is still a great friend to both Jo and Brian, and helps by giving much needed advice.

The drawback I noticed in this book is that the ending felt a little rushed but I am sure we’ll see more of these two in the third installment, “Controlled Burn”.  I also felt as if the whole Matt/Isabel/Jax scenario was a little anticlimactic, but am still happy with how everything ended up.

Purchase Links

Amazon

Don't miss out on the other books in the series!

Fired Up and Controlled Burn

Also, check out my review of Fired Up and Controlled Burn.

Fired Up by Amy Briggs Review

Title: Fired Up
Author:  Amy Briggs
Series: The Brotherhood of District 23
Genre: Contemporary Firefighter Romance
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date:  June 1, 2016
Edition/Format:  1st edition/eBook
Source:  Amazon Purchased
Rating:  4.5 Stars

Blurb: Jo Meadows did what she always dreamed, following her father’s footsteps and becoming a career firefighter. Still reeling from his sudden death, Jo attempts to settle roots where he had been the Chief. However, the new cocky Fire Chief, makes it difficult to stay focused on her goal, just like he has since they were kids.

Brian Cavanaugh is doing what he does best, taking command. After the Chief, his only father figure, passes away, he convinces Jo to come back to the department where her family is. While he’s always had his pick of the ladies, he quickly realizes what he’s been missing out on with Jo and what he’s been giving up for his career.

Torn between their responsibilities and their attraction for each other, their history ignites a spark that neither can deny. But Brian’s reputation for being a ladies’ man and now becoming her new boss challenges their scorching chemistry. Will he be able to prove to her he’s changed before Jo’s past comes back to haunt them both?

**Book contains adult themes, graphic sexual scenes and language. Not recommended for readers under the age of 18**

Review:  In book 1 of this trilogy, we meet Jo who has grown up with Brian.  There’s always been a chemistry between the two families that sets the pages of this book on FIRE.  Both characters are strong individuals, and Brian is the HOT alpha male yet a gentleman who makes no qualms about it.  Jo isn’t a pushover either.  Both Jo and Brian have a “no BS” type of attitude and are finally at a place in their lives that they can finally admit to what they’re feeling. 

Will their pasts’ get the best of them?  Can Jo look past Brian’s ways?  Will Brian be able to solve the mystery surround Jo?

This would have been a 5* book for me if it weren’t for the similarities between the names used in this book and that of other, more widely known books, and the somewhat predictable nature of this book.  I did LOVE LOVE LOVE the communication and familiarity we see between the two main characters. All in all, great book, great storyline, and I can’t wait for book 2!

Purchase Links

Amazon

Don't miss any of the other books in this series

Fully Involved and Controlled Burn

Also, Check out my reviews for Book 2 and 3 here!!!