Cherise E. (CherryDuck) reviewed Against the Fire (Raines of Wind Canyon, Bk 2) on + 150 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This book was, thankfully, a whole lot better than the first. Both main characters were well defined and likable; their chemistry, palpable. The story line was gripping and well, almost plausible.
The book really flowed for me, it's a page turner. I liked the secondary characters and enjoyed seeing their lives play out in that happily ever after warm fuzzy way that only romances can deliver. The author wrote a book that is easy to read and hard to put down.
So why only 3 stars? Like the first book there are a few things I just couldn't get on board with. Once again the main characters take the law into their own hands. Though, in this one they still work with the police, there is still a whole lot of investigating and amateur sleuth playing that just gets on my nerves. Especially when a side character gets hurt playing PI and the main characters charge on like no big deal.
My other rather large gripe had to do with Mattie and her man issues. I didn't buy it. I couldn't. Her father dies unexpectedly at an early age of natural causes. Mattie is a young girl and because he didn't leave them financially high on the hog - she can't trust men. *rolls eyes* If her father left them purposefully and penniless, then yeah I can see why she'd have some man hate. But from what I gather from the story he was a good father, her mother and him had a good marriage, all that he did wrong was die too early and with no life insurance. This is where I have to say Sh!t happens, grow up, get over it... Move on already! She also had man issues because of an ex-boyfriend. That resentment rang true and if the author would have left out the father BS, it would have made Mattie's character more believable.
Gripes aside, this was definitely a good read. The storyline was exciting and kept you on your toes. Do I think I will read Dev's story, the 3rd book in this trilogy? I am on the fence. I think Kat Martin and I have different ways at looking at things that just may prevent me from ever trully loving one of these books.
Cherise Everhard, April 2010
The book really flowed for me, it's a page turner. I liked the secondary characters and enjoyed seeing their lives play out in that happily ever after warm fuzzy way that only romances can deliver. The author wrote a book that is easy to read and hard to put down.
So why only 3 stars? Like the first book there are a few things I just couldn't get on board with. Once again the main characters take the law into their own hands. Though, in this one they still work with the police, there is still a whole lot of investigating and amateur sleuth playing that just gets on my nerves. Especially when a side character gets hurt playing PI and the main characters charge on like no big deal.
My other rather large gripe had to do with Mattie and her man issues. I didn't buy it. I couldn't. Her father dies unexpectedly at an early age of natural causes. Mattie is a young girl and because he didn't leave them financially high on the hog - she can't trust men. *rolls eyes* If her father left them purposefully and penniless, then yeah I can see why she'd have some man hate. But from what I gather from the story he was a good father, her mother and him had a good marriage, all that he did wrong was die too early and with no life insurance. This is where I have to say Sh!t happens, grow up, get over it... Move on already! She also had man issues because of an ex-boyfriend. That resentment rang true and if the author would have left out the father BS, it would have made Mattie's character more believable.
Gripes aside, this was definitely a good read. The storyline was exciting and kept you on your toes. Do I think I will read Dev's story, the 3rd book in this trilogy? I am on the fence. I think Kat Martin and I have different ways at looking at things that just may prevent me from ever trully loving one of these books.
Cherise Everhard, April 2010
Connie P. (Activegram149) reviewed Against the Fire (Raines of Wind Canyon, Bk 2) on + 809 more book reviews
Great series. Yummy brothers.
Dorothy S. (nonekindleperson) reviewed Against the Fire (Raines of Wind Canyon, Bk 2) on + 13 more book reviews
Gabe Raines, brother to Jackson and Dev orginally from Wyoming and all cowboys. Gabe lives in Dallas working at revitalizing the downtown area now finds that he has an enemy out to destroy everything he has built. In the search of the arsonist he runs into Mattie Baker and sparks fly. Not the sparks of an arson fire but sparks of lust they both ignite in one another.
Can Mattie save Gabe? Kat Martin's Against the Fire smolders with intrigue, sorrow but mostly love and desire.
Can Mattie save Gabe? Kat Martin's Against the Fire smolders with intrigue, sorrow but mostly love and desire.
I love the mystery aspects of these books. If you read the series Martin pretty much uses the same formula and there seems to always be a bonus romance from the side characters. But it hasn't gotten boring for me yet. It might be because the characters are just different enough.
Kris G. (CaseyEmma) - , reviewed Against the Fire (Raines of Wind Canyon, Bk 2) on + 286 more book reviews
decent read
Simone W. (mamawaite) reviewed Against the Fire (Raines of Wind Canyon, Bk 2) on + 175 more book reviews
I enjoyed this novel. Also great secondary story.
Christine H. (solarawynn) reviewed Against the Fire (Raines of Wind Canyon, Bk 2) on + 724 more book reviews
Was ok, first I have read by this author.
Carolyn S. (Redhatlady) reviewed Against the Fire (Raines of Wind Canyon, Bk 2) on + 2 more book reviews
I really enjoyed this series***
This was a good book.
Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Very good book with excellent suspense and good romance. Gabe overcame a rough childhood and has become a successful development and construction businessman. When one of his projects is torched by an arsonist, a young teen with a previous record is accused and arrested. Mattie is a successful architect and volunteers with a local Family Abuse Center. When a teen she's been working with is accused of arson, she's determined to show he's innocent.
I loved the initial meeting between Gabe and Mattie. She's passionate about her belief in Angel's innocence and that gets Gabe's attention. Because of his own past, he's willing to give Angel the benefit of the doubt. There's an immediate spark between Gabe and Mattie that he is interested in pursuing, but she is wary. Mattie avoids entanglements with men and devotes herself to her work and her volunteering. Her father passed away when she was young, leaving her and her mother with little to live on, convincing her that it is better to be self sufficient than relying on someone else. Then the man she was engaged to deserted her when she was pregnant, reinforcing those beliefs. She's attracted to Gabe, but reluctant to get involved
When Angel is cleared of suspicion he wants to help find who is targeting Gabe and ends up getting badly injured. Feeling like they're responsible, Gabe and Mattie decide to do some investigating of their own. Constant proximity to each other has the sparks burning brighter and feeling beginning to develop. Gabe hasn't been much interested in relationships and permanence in the past, but the more time he spends with Mattie, the deeper his feelings go. But Mattie's fears have her trying to keep some distance between them. I liked Gabe's patience with Mattie's fears, but he also wasn't above pushing a bit to get her where he wanted her. Mattie slowly realizes that she has fallen in love with Gabe, but trusting him with her heart is something she isn't willing to do. It isn't until their lives are in danger that she's ready to give him everything.
The suspense of the story was excellent, with the attacks on Gabe's properties escalating throughout the book. There were multiple suspects, all of whom had motive, and it was interesting to see them sort through them all. The fires start to take a heavy toll on Gabe's business and his frustration is obvious. He also became very worried about Mattie's safety as the attacks got more intense. I really liked seeing the help and support Gabe got from his brothers, especially Devlin. The final confrontation with the arsonist was intense and very scary.
I also enjoyed the secondary romance between Mattie's best friend Tracy and Gabe's foreman and best friend Sam. Tracy has her own fears thanks to an abusive childhood, and doesn't plan to ever marry. She has no problem using men for physical pleasure, but doesn't trust them. Sam is a really sweet guy who takes the time to show Tracy the respect he feels she deserves. He slowly shows her what real love is and that they can have a future together.
I loved the initial meeting between Gabe and Mattie. She's passionate about her belief in Angel's innocence and that gets Gabe's attention. Because of his own past, he's willing to give Angel the benefit of the doubt. There's an immediate spark between Gabe and Mattie that he is interested in pursuing, but she is wary. Mattie avoids entanglements with men and devotes herself to her work and her volunteering. Her father passed away when she was young, leaving her and her mother with little to live on, convincing her that it is better to be self sufficient than relying on someone else. Then the man she was engaged to deserted her when she was pregnant, reinforcing those beliefs. She's attracted to Gabe, but reluctant to get involved
When Angel is cleared of suspicion he wants to help find who is targeting Gabe and ends up getting badly injured. Feeling like they're responsible, Gabe and Mattie decide to do some investigating of their own. Constant proximity to each other has the sparks burning brighter and feeling beginning to develop. Gabe hasn't been much interested in relationships and permanence in the past, but the more time he spends with Mattie, the deeper his feelings go. But Mattie's fears have her trying to keep some distance between them. I liked Gabe's patience with Mattie's fears, but he also wasn't above pushing a bit to get her where he wanted her. Mattie slowly realizes that she has fallen in love with Gabe, but trusting him with her heart is something she isn't willing to do. It isn't until their lives are in danger that she's ready to give him everything.
The suspense of the story was excellent, with the attacks on Gabe's properties escalating throughout the book. There were multiple suspects, all of whom had motive, and it was interesting to see them sort through them all. The fires start to take a heavy toll on Gabe's business and his frustration is obvious. He also became very worried about Mattie's safety as the attacks got more intense. I really liked seeing the help and support Gabe got from his brothers, especially Devlin. The final confrontation with the arsonist was intense and very scary.
I also enjoyed the secondary romance between Mattie's best friend Tracy and Gabe's foreman and best friend Sam. Tracy has her own fears thanks to an abusive childhood, and doesn't plan to ever marry. She has no problem using men for physical pleasure, but doesn't trust them. Sam is a really sweet guy who takes the time to show Tracy the respect he feels she deserves. He slowly shows her what real love is and that they can have a future together.
