Book Review: Strengthened By Fire by Andrew Grey

Title: Strengthened By Fire
Series: By Fire, Book 2
Author: Andrew Grey
Genre: Contemporary Romance, M/M Romance
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: review copy from publisher
Published: August 2012 by Dreamspinner Press

Lee Staunton and Dirk Krause have been seeing each other for a couple of months when they get the bad news: the firehouse they work at will be closed unless they can come up with the money to complete some maintenance and repairs. The union wants to stand and fight. There’s just one problem: the only suggestion for how to raise the money is Lee’s. And Dirk hates it.

Unfortunately, everyone else thinks Lee’s “Chicken and Beefcake” dinner—which they’ll attend in just their hats, boots, and fire pants—is a great idea, and Lee goes ahead with the organizing. But interference from the borough council and low ticket sales threaten to rain on Lee’s parade. If Dirk can’t put aside his pride and stubborn nature for one night, it could cost both him and Lee their jobs—never mind their relationship.

Reviewed By: J9

In a Nutshell: Great continuation romance from novella one with perfectly blended emotional and sexual intimacy.

The Set Up: Dirk and Lee have been a committed couple for a few months but their fire station house may be closed due to lack of funds. So Lee comes up with a “beefcake” dinner idea but Dirk hates it. Is Lee wrong to want his partner’s support?

Why I Read this Book: Loved novella one in the By Fire series but felt Lee and Dirk’s relationship needed further development so looked forward to reading novellas two and three.

What I Liked: Lee is his usual honest self from book one and I continued to love his character. Dirk was the prickly character and he still his here but he begins to realize how important Lee is to him and learns he’ll need to comprise to make a relationship work. I like reading stories like this where one character is changed through his (or her) love for someone. Dirk hurts Lee when he won’t initially support him and while this was painful for Lee, in the end it has deeper meaning for the men’s relationship. Their emotional intimacy is matched by their heartfelt sexual intimacy as well so I was totally satisfied on all levels.

What I Also Liked: The plot of Lee and the other firefighters planning a fundraiser “beefcake” dinner was fun and light. I enjoyed the down to earth humor of Lee and the others setting themselves up as hunks to serve dinner to appreciative women and men.

What I Didn’t Like: This is a great read, highly romanticized I suspect but that fit for my romance sweet tooth.

IMO: This is a great continuation of Lee and Dirk’s romance that would be best read after novella one for full enjoyment.

J9’s Rating: