Southern Heat Series by Jamie Garrett

I don’t remember what happened. How I ended up in the fire that I was dragged from, unconscious and minutes from death. I don’t know what I was doing in a town hundreds of miles from where the police say I live. I don’t remember…anything. Not even my own name. I have no memories of Mason Rawlings, the firefighter who pulled me from the blaze and saved my life. Even so, it’s obvious my body does. It craves his touch, though my mind is blank. We were together, he tells me, many years ago... moreI don’t remember what happened. How I ended up in the fire that I was dragged from, unconscious and minutes from death. I don’t know what I was doing in a town hundreds of miles from where the police say I live. I don’t remember…anything. Not even my own name. I have no memories of Mason Rawlings, the firefighter who pulled me from the blaze and saved my life. Even so, it’s obvious my body does. It craves his touch, though my mind is blank. We were together, he tells me, many years ago. Then I left him. As Mason helps me discover my past, I find myself falling for him all over again. But then maybe there’s a reason why I haven’t spoken to him for over ten years. A reason why I was back in Monroe. A reason that someone would kill to keep hidden. less

It was a new start, a new life, and a chance to make a difference. After an ugly divorce, Meg Devers was ready to move on with her life. She was making a difference to the lives of others too, converting the old house she’d scrimped and saved to buy into a shelter. With the support of the community, her dream had finally come true. She loved her new life, right up until she woke trapped in the attic with the house in flames... moreIt was a new start, a new life, and a chance to make a difference. After an ugly divorce, Meg Devers was ready to move on with her life. She was making a difference to the lives of others too, converting the old house she’d scrimped and saved to buy into a shelter. With the support of the community, her dream had finally come true. She loved her new life, right up until she woke trapped in the attic with the house in flames. As an arson investigator, Liam Cohen worked across the county, but Monroe felt the most like home. That night, attending another routine house fire turned out to be anything but. Meg Devers set off every protective instinct he had, and more than a little lust. She was so strong, but at the same time as vulnerable as hell. He wanted to hold her, to keep her safe. But he should keep it professional—at least until he can prove she didn’t set the fire. But then someone tries to kill her again, and all bets are off. Fighting the Flames is book 2 in the Southern Heat series, and can be read stand-alone. Characters from earlier books do appear as secondary characters. less

Amy Valenso had been to hell and back and survived. So why did she still shake at the thought of leaving Promise House for a simple walk to the park? There should be nothing to be afraid of, not anymore. That didn’t stop the dreams. Nightmares where she woke up gasping for breath. She’d been helpless, bound and gagged inside that shipping container. Sometimes it felt like she was still there. Her physical wounds had healed, but she was far from a complete recovery... moreAmy Valenso had been to hell and back and survived. So why did she still shake at the thought of leaving Promise House for a simple walk to the park? There should be nothing to be afraid of, not anymore. That didn’t stop the dreams. Nightmares where she woke up gasping for breath. She’d been helpless, bound and gagged inside that shipping container. Sometimes it felt like she was still there. Her physical wounds had healed, but she was far from a complete recovery. It had been more than six months, but in her mind it was like yesterday. Would she ever find peace? Dean Gibson has lived his entire life in Monroe. It was home, and he’d never wanted to live anywhere else. Especially since he’d met Amy. He’d first seen her standing on the sidewalk on the night of the fire at Promise House, and he couldn’t get her out of his mind since. Still, he’d kept a respectful distance. Something bad had happened to Amy, something bad enough that she barely left the shelter. Sloane encourages him to visit Amy, to get to know her better. Was it possible that Amy felt the same way? Over dinner, then coffee, slowly, but surely, she was opening up to him. But then the FBI arrives in town, shattering any sense of safety Amy had. The man who kidnapped her, branded her, and was about to sell her had escaped from jail, and he was heading their way. Burning the Past is book 3 in the Southern Heat series, and can be read stand-alone. Characters from earlier books do appear as secondary characters. less

Maya Graves needs a small miracle. She’d arrived in Monroe with a bulging suitcase, a stack of research, and little more than a prayer. The FBI said her brother killed someone and then set the house on fire, accidentally killing himself too. Her parents had given up, writing him off as the black sheep of the family. That was easier, she guessed, with the FBI breathing down their necks. That didn’t mean she was going to drop it—hell, no... moreMaya Graves needs a small miracle. She’d arrived in Monroe with a bulging suitcase, a stack of research, and little more than a prayer. The FBI said her brother killed someone and then set the house on fire, accidentally killing himself too. Her parents had given up, writing him off as the black sheep of the family. That was easier, she guessed, with the FBI breathing down their necks. That didn’t mean she was going to drop it—hell, no. Her brother had been there for her since the day she was born and now it was her turn. She’d prove he hadn’t killed anyone, or die trying. Seth Hale might be the squad’s rookie, but he knows enough to tell something was off about that fire. Even if there wasn't, he’d protect Maya regardless. Standing in the chief’s office that morning, one look at her big blue eyes, wet with tears, and he was gone. When county arson investigator Liam Cohen confirms his suspicions, he’s determined to help Maya prove her case. But the truth they uncover just leads to more secrets, ones someone will kill to protect. Trial by Fire is book 4 in the Southern Heat series, and can be read stand-alone. Characters from earlier books do appear as secondary characters. less

Charlotte “Charlie” Roberts is an EMT, and a damned good one. Out of all the firehouses she rotates through, she loves the guys at Engine Co. 81 the best. They always make her feel welcome, especially her paramedic partner, Shane. Wickedly good looking and an amazing paramedic, she could easily let herself feel something more for him—if she didn’t have a dark secret hidden away in her past. She swore she’d never go back, but now bizarre things are happening, threatening her patients... moreCharlotte “Charlie” Roberts is an EMT, and a damned good one. Out of all the firehouses she rotates through, she loves the guys at Engine Co. 81 the best. They always make her feel welcome, especially her paramedic partner, Shane. Wickedly good looking and an amazing paramedic, she could easily let herself feel something more for him—if she didn’t have a dark secret hidden away in her past. She swore she’d never go back, but now bizarre things are happening, threatening her patients. Has the past she’s fought so hard to escape finally caught up with her? Shane Parker liked Charlie from the moment they first met, probably a little too much. After she ignored his flirting attempts, he’d backed off, respecting her decision. Yet even still, just a glimpse of her always spark a fire deep within him, one he can’t seem to put out. But they were only colleagues and good friends. And that was all they’d ever be. But then Engine Co. 81 comes under attack from a serial arsonist and someone threatens Charlie’s life. With the squad taking fire from all sides, Shane’s determined to keep Charlie safe, whether she wants him to or not. Whoever is stalking her is going to quickly discover just how far Shane would go to protect one of their own. Charlie may not want him in her life, but Shane would still sacrifice his own if it meant saving her. Only problem is her stalker knows that, too… Line of Fire is book 5 in the Southern Heat series, and can be read stand-alone. Characters from earlier books do appear as secondary characters. less

One moment from the past haunts Matt Rivers. With every fire he works, he tries to forget his own secrets by saving others. But in the quiet of the night, he’s haunted by dreams and guilt from a decision he made over ten years ago—one that kept him safe but left his father dead. Everything changes when he rescues Lauren Mancini from a hotel fire. The last time he saw her, he was barely eighteen years old, and running for his life... moreOne moment from the past haunts Matt Rivers. With every fire he works, he tries to forget his own secrets by saving others. But in the quiet of the night, he’s haunted by dreams and guilt from a decision he made over ten years ago—one that kept him safe but left his father dead. Everything changes when he rescues Lauren Mancini from a hotel fire. The last time he saw her, he was barely eighteen years old, and running for his life. He has no right falling in love with Lauren all over again, especially when she now has a son, but when he’s with them, he feels at peace for the first time in years. Matt needs to protect the family he wants from the one that refuses to let any of them go. But Lauren has secrets of her own, ones that have the potential to shatter Matt’s entire world. Up in Flames can be read standalone and contains no cheating, no cliffhangers, and a happily ever after, guaranteed. less

A guarded heart. Scarlett knows the terror of getting a knock on the door. She lost her husband when he died in the line of fire, and her heart couldn’t bear that dreaded news a second time. So it’s pre-decided. Connor McClellen, the rugged, six foot-plus firefighter can count on exactly one night with her. Or that’s what she tells herself. One night with a molten hot fireman who whispers dirty things and promises a glimpse of paradise... moreA guarded heart. Scarlett knows the terror of getting a knock on the door. She lost her husband when he died in the line of fire, and her heart couldn’t bear that dreaded news a second time. So it’s pre-decided. Connor McClellen, the rugged, six foot-plus firefighter can count on exactly one night with her. Or that’s what she tells herself. One night with a molten hot fireman who whispers dirty things and promises a glimpse of paradise. But one night with Connor quickly leads to another. With his slow, masterful seduction, he unravels her defenses and soon Scarlett’s falling for her protective and possessive fireman. A burning desire. One night with Scarlett? Connor has nothing against a quick hook-up, and if the pretty brunette wants to go home with him, he’s more than fine with that. He figures one night of hot action will cool his desire. But there’s nothing casual about their chemistry, and one mind-blowing night only makes him crave more. Scarlett’s not like any woman he’s ever known. Beautiful. Delicate. Sultry. No. One night isn’t near enough… Shadowed threats. While Connor plans how to win her battered heart, someone else in the small town of Monroe is making very different plans. Someone wants Scarlett dead. Under Fire can be read standalone and contains no cheating, no cliffhangers, and a happily ever after, guaranteed. less

The trouble with being the squad joker is that no one takes you seriously. Injured on a call, firefighter Jeremy Halstead has been benched for over a month, something that’s been driving him slowly insane. Unable to work and living out of town, Netflix and chill was pretty damn boring when all you had to keep you company was your right hand. Thank god it was his left shoulder he’d injured, or he’d be royally screwed... moreThe trouble with being the squad joker is that no one takes you seriously. Injured on a call, firefighter Jeremy Halstead has been benched for over a month, something that’s been driving him slowly insane. Unable to work and living out of town, Netflix and chill was pretty damn boring when all you had to keep you company was your right hand. Thank god it was his left shoulder he’d injured, or he’d be royally screwed. The only highlight of his day? Seeing Rachel Sorenson, physiotherapist extraordinaire and the hottest woman he’d ever laid eyes on. Her skills and persistence were a big reason why he would be back to fighting fit much sooner than expected. She’d never balked at him wanting daily sessions to get better as quickly as possible. If only he’d realised that meant he was fast running out of excuses to see her at all. He’d tried asking her out, but she’d thought he was just flirting, joking around. He’d never been more serious. This man made her want to break all the rules. Rachel loves her job. Joining the hospital in small town Monroe meant she could pretty much run the department as she wanted. It also meant there were no witnesses to watch her make a complete fool of herself every time Jeremy Halstead walked through the door. He was a patient, and therefore entirely off limits, but images of what else they could be doing on her treatment table still ran through her mind every single session. Then a miracle happens, and after literally running into Jeremy, she manages to stumble through asking him out. But hope is swiftly followed by tragedy. During their first real date—as opposed to making out in the back of his pickup—a tornado strikes Monroe, leaving death and destruction in its wake. Rachel and Jeremy are both needed by the town in the wake of the disaster, more than ever before. But a firefighter, and then a cop are injured, and die, right in Rachel’s ER. One death was sad, two are suspicious—three are downright impossible. Did they merely succumb to their injuries or is there an angel of death walking the hallways? Rachel thought they just had to survive the storm, but now she’s certain that there’s a killer out there gunning for first responders. Will she and Jeremy live long enough to find the truth or will one of them be next? Fuel the Fire can be read standalone and contains no cheating, no cliffhangers, and a happily ever after, guaranteed. less