Into the Fire by Irene Hannon Review

 

It's been a while since I read a book by Irene Hannon (not for lack of WANTING to read more of her books), but I was recently approved to read book two of her Undaunted Courage series through NetGalley, and I just had to read book one, Into the Fire, first. Thankfully my library system had gotten it in. I am so very glad I had a chance to read this book. What an awesome romantic suspense book.

There are a few things that meant to me that this definitely was going to be a five star rating.

One, I couldn't stop telling my daughter all about what I was reading.
Two, when I had to put it down, I couldn't stop thinking about it.
Three, I literally couldn't put it down Sunday afternoon and finished the last half of the book in one sitting.

Into the Fire is the first book in the author's new Undaunted Courage series. Bri Tucker is a former smokejumper who is now working as an arson investigator. She finds herself taking over a puzzling case after the former investigator dies in a suspicious fire. Is the fire that killed her predecesor related to other fires that which have been ruled accidental? Bri sets out to find out, with the help of ATF Special Agent Marc Davis. Will a connection be found before it is too late?

The suspense had me on the edge of my seat and flipping pages, and also blocking part of the page so I wouldn't skip ahead (does anyone else have to do this?). The romance was sweet and believable. Bri and Marc ended up working together on this case, and both felt somewhat of an attraction from the get-go, but neither felt they were ready for a relationship. However, I loved reading about their interactions that came through work and other circumstances, and seeing how their relationship evolved.

Faith was real in both of their lives and they are seen to be working through some difficult circumstances, where they find themselves looking to God's Word and leaning on Him through the struggle. Forgiveness also plays an important role in this story and the author delves into how it is so hard to forgive in some circumstances. This was just so real.

I have to say, there were twists I didn't see coming, which I love in the suspense I read. And there was a mystery to solve that included a code/puzzle. And to top it off, there were two villains. It was interesting how the author slowly revealed more about these villains, and how knowing more actually ramped up the suspense.

I can't wait to read book two in this series.