Burning Desire

BURNING DESIRE is the second instalment in Marie Harte’s contemporary, adult TURN UP THE HEAT erotic, romance series focusing on a group of first responders in the Seattle Fire Department. This is twenty-nine year old, former US Marine turned Seattle firefighter Roger ‘Tex’ McGovern, and twenty-seven year old, photographer Bree Gilchrist’s story line. BURNING DESIRE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from several third person perspectives including Tex and Bree, BURNING DESIRE follows the building but forbidden romance and relationship between twenty-nine year old, former US Marine turned Seattle firefighter Roger ‘Tex’ McGovern, and twenty-seven year old, photographer Bree Gilchrist. After three disastrous attempts to date Bree Gilchrist, firefighter Roger ‘Tex’ McGovern has been assigned as Bree’s tour director while our heroine photographs the firefighters at rest and on the job but Tex has been forewarned by Bree’s father, the Seattle battalion chief, that to mess with his daughter could mean the end of his job. Trying to keep their distance was a complete and utter failure but falling for one another would prove to be the hardest secret of all. What ensues is the forbidden romance and relationship between Breen and Tex, and the potential fall-out when Bree’s father discovers what has been going on behind his back.

Tex McGovern has been trying to ‘woo’ our heroine for several months but every attempt is met with disaster and failure. ‘Assigned’ to tag along with our story line heroine, Tex sees his chance to seduce Bree Gilchrist until orders from above threaten his job with the Seattle FD. Bree Gilchrist is an award winning photographer whose father is unable to cut the chord. Threatening our hero with the loss of his job means Chief Gilchrist is about to face the wrath of his daughter but not before facing the wrath of his own man.

Throughout the story line we are introduced to Bree’s step-sister Melissa, and her step-mother Charlie, as well as her best friend and attorney Carrie. Melissa and Bree’s relationship is slowly spiralling out of control, and when Carrie interferes, Bree may not only lose her sister, but her best friend as well.

The relationship between Bree and Tex begins acrimoniously as one disaster after another befalls their attempts to get to know one another. Tex is determined to claim Bree as his own but Bree struggles with her father’s threats, threats that may destroy the man that she loves. The $ex scenes are intimate, passionate, erotic and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters include shift lieutenant Ed O’Brien, battalion chief John Gilchrist, EMT Brad Battle and Avery (Make Me Burn 1), Reggie, Air Force Mack, Hernandez, Washkowski, Marcus, as well as Tex’s brother Wyatt, and his cousin Josh.

BURNING DESIRE is a story of power and control, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The premise is edgy; the sexual tension is palpable-the chemistry is hot; the characters are animated and feisty.

I love how infatuated Tex is with Bree!! Despite two bad dates with Bree, he is committed to winning her over. Bree believes that despite her attraction, she can remain professional and keep her distance. So naturally there is an intense tension between them that draws you in. It’s just a wonderful story balancing drama, friendships and heat. A few slow spots but overall a great story.