Book Review: Playing With Fire (Hot in Chicago #2) by Kate Meader

Playing With Fire
Hot in Chicago

By:
Kate Meader

Release Date:
Sept. 29, 2015

Publisher:
Pocket Books

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Goodreads

Source:
eARC from publisher in exchange for a honest review

GR's Summary:

From popular romance author Kate Meader comes the second novel in Hot in Chicago, a brand-new, sizzling series that follows a group of firefighting foster siblings and their blazing hot love interests! 

As the only female firefighter at Engine Co. 6, Alexandra Dempsey gets it from all sides: the male coworkers who think she can’t do the job, the wives and girlfriends who see her as a threat to their firefighter men, and her overprotective foster brothers who want to shelter their baby sister at all costs. So when she single-handedly saves the life of Eli Cooper, Chicago’s devastatingly handsome mayor, she assumes the respect she’s longed for will finally come her way. But it seems Mr. Mayor has other ideas… 

Eli Cooper’s mayoral ratings are plummeting, his chances at reelection dead in the water. When a sexy, curvaceous firefighter gives him the kiss of life, she does more than bring him back to the land of the living—she also breathes vitality into his campaign. Riding the wave of their feel-good story might prop up Eli’s flagging political fortunes, but the sizzling attraction between them can go nowhere; he’s her boss, and there are rules that must be obeyed. But you know what they say about rules: they’re made to be broken… 

Hot in Chicago Series:
My Review of Flirting With Fire Here
My Review of Melting Point Here

*Add this Series to Goodreads Here

My Thoughts:

The Hot in Chicago series by Kate Meader has been a blast and a half.  I'm in love with the Dempsey family and their love and loyalty for one another.  Each member of this family, has made quite an impression on me with the passionate way that they lead their lives.  The Dempsey's are foster and adoptive siblings, who each joined the Chicago Fire Department after their father and brother died heroically. 

Playing with Fire is Alex Dempsey's story, and this woman is a trail blazer.  She is a female firefighter that demands respect, and doesn't put up with chauvinism or misogyny.  She met the delicious mayor, Eli Cooper, in Flirting with Fire.  While these two shared a scorching chemistry; they also pushed each other's buttons like crazy.  In this installment, Eli convinces Alex to "pretend" they are in a relationship, to help him get re-elected for mayor because Alex is known as "America's sweetheart."  With her support, he hopes to get the blue collar vote.  Alex isn't quick to agree, but Eli puts her in a position where she feels like she cannot refuse.  

Alex and Eli give us a very entertaining story.  Alex's feistiness and sass were one of my favorite things.  Eli loves this about her, and enjoyed bringing it out in her time and time again!  Eli had some secrets that added a level of suspense to the story, and I was biting my nails anticipating how all would be revealed to Alex.  These two had raw chemistry, and were already two very passionate individuals, but when they came together, "Kaboom!!!"  

Of course I loved how all of the characters from previous installments in the series had a role to play.  Next, we will be getting Alex's brother, Wyatt's story, and from the teaser excerpt I got, it's sure to be as good as all of the other books in this series! 

My Rating:

I give, Playing With Fire, by Kate Meader, 4 "It's getting Hot in Here" Saucy, Sexy, and Thrilling Stars! 

Book Teasers:

Purchase At:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

About Kate Meader:

Originally from Ireland, Kate cut her romance reader teeth on Maeve Binchy and Jilly Cooper novels, with some Mills & Boon thrown in for variety. Give her tales about brooding mill owners, oversexed equestrians, and men who can rock an apron or a fire hose, and she’s there. Now based in Chicago, she writes sexy contemporary romance with alpha heroes and strong heroines who can match their men quip for quip.

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Book Review : Playing With Fire (Guarded Hearts #1) by Ashley Piscitelli

Playing With Fire (Guarded Hearts #1)

Author: Ashley Piscitelli

Published: July 15th 2013

Source: Author

ebook

Goodreads Summary:

Madison Stevens has had a shitty life, her mother died at the age four and her father has always blamed her for it. She went through the foster system and is now attending college. Her boyfriend Chris is not willing to share Madison with anyone, not even her friends. 

Her first day at college she meets Carter James, who makes her want everything she never thought she could have. She knows that she should ignore her feelings for Carter, but it's not as easy as it sounds.

As Carter and Madison begin to fall in love, they face many obstacles. Their biggest one is Chris who is not going to let her go easily.

Playing with Fire will be the first book in a three book series. It is about the obstacles that stand in your way on the path to love. It tests the characters strength and commitment to each other on every level from old boyfriend/girlfriends, to insecurities, and throws a little violence and scheming into the mix.

"Chris was like fire. It was pretty to look at but if you got too close you got burnt, and if it wasn’t controlled it would destroy everything in its path. Doing what I was about to do with Carter was dangerous, but what can I say I never had parents to warn me not to play with fire."

**Playing With Fire is for mature audiences only—strong language, and explicit sexual content are apparent.**

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Purchase At:

Amazon | B & N | Kobo  

My Review:

Playing with Fire was a very pleasant surprise to me. Ashley Piscitelli gave us an amazing debut novel. I was not sure what to expect from this book. This story brings us on an emotional journey. I have to admit that I had a hard time reading some of the scenes, they were so raw. You could feel every emotion that Madison was going through.

In Playing with Fire we follow Madison who at the age of 4, lost her mom in a tragic accident. Her world starts to crumble from that moment on. Her father blames her for her mother's death and he becomes an alcoholic. After the state takes her away from him, she goes from one foster home to another and gets abused in the process. In High school she meets Chris who becomes her boyfriend. With time she realises that he does not care for her like she thought. Chris becomes verbally and physically abusive towards Madison. Her Salvation comes when she meets Carter on her first day of University.

Madison was a very well developed character. We could see her grow throughout the book and we could feel her pain and sense her fear. What Chris did to her was horrible! My heart was breaking for her. He did not only leave her with physical scars, but emotional ones as well. You could see that Carter's love saved her from this personal battle that she was fighting. He made her understand that she was worthy of love. I loved that Madison did a complete transformation. She was a fragile human being at the beginning, but turned out to find the confidence to fight back by the end of the book.

Carter was like the sun after the rain. He was there at the right moment to catch Madison. His love was perfect for her. He made her feel and experience things for the first time. He gave her what she deserved, which was someone who would take care of her unconditionally. All his little gestures put back together the pieces of Madison's heart and soul.

Chris is just despicable! That's how I can describe him best. I was livid and I was just reading the book! The things he says and does to Madison are just cruel!

This story ended with a HUGE cliffhanger. I was like... Nooooooo!!! Where is the rest? I was not expecting it to end at that exact location. I look forward to Breaking Through the Wall, which is going to answer some unanswered questions and we get to follow Jason' story. Awesome work by Ashley Piscitelli!

Casting

The way I see Madison

The way I see Carter

My Rating:

I give Playing with Fire 4 intense and emotional stars. 

About the Author:

I love reading romance books! I feel like being able to lose yourself in a book in one of the more exciting aspects. The books I love to read and write will be ones that make you feel for the characters. You should have an opinion on every character in a book. Whether you love them, hate them, or think they are up to something. 

I live in Philadelphia Pennsylvania with my husband, two kids, and two dogs. On top of starting a writing career I am a full time student, and a full time mom. I love spending time with my kids, although I have to hide the computer from them when I am writing! I love being active and being able to do any activity outdoors. 

I have always thought as an author the most important critic is your reader, so I would love to hear from you. If you read the book and loved it or hated it, tell me. As long as it is in a constructive way I will always answer and interact with you. I want fans to feel free to tell me what they want for the characters in the story and what they want to see happen.I cannot wait till my first book is published and I can start this amazing journey!

Follow Ashley:

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Picture Teaser: Playing With Fire by Ashley Piscitelli

Playing With Fire by Ashley Piscitelli

Excerpt: Playing With Fire (Guarded Hearts #1) by Ashley Piscitelli

Playing With Fire

Guarded Hearts #1

By:  Ashley Piscitelli

Click Here to Add to Goodreads

Release Date:  July 15, 2013

I pulled back and looked at her. I needed to make sure she was really ready and not just doing this because she thought I expected it. Although at this point, if she changed her mind, no amount of cold showers would help me. 

I pulled away and looked in her gorgeous hazel eyes. “Are you sure about this? I don’t want to rush you; I would wait forever for you.” She looked at me with the most adorable smile on her face.

“Carter, I have wanted this since I moved in. I love you, I trust you, and I know that you will never hurt me. I want this, Carter. I. Want. You.”

That was all I needed to hear. I grabbed her and kissed her with everything I had been holding back. She let out a moan. I pulled back to look at her. How did I ever get so lucky that she chose me? I found the zipper on the back of her outfit and eased it down. It fell and around her feet, and then I saw what she had on underneath.

Picture Teaser: Playing With Fire

Playing With Fire by Ashley Piscitelli