And she never expected to be drawn to Gabe. After the loss of her husband in the line of duty, the last thing she wants is to fall in love with yet another man who routinely puts his life at risk.
Gabe has had enough of women who want to make him into someone he’s not. Women like his ex, who couldn’t handle the heat of his job. Like Peyton, who sees him as a hero when he’s just a man doing a job. Except time after time, the pesky reporter proves her mettle. And gets deeper under his skin.
But there’s an arsonist at work, and danger is closing in with the speed of a raging brush fire. Peyton and Gabe have to dig deep for what it takes to be a real hero—to find the courage to reach out and grab a forever kind of love. Before it’s too late.
Reviews for Hot Shot
"Hot Shot is a brilliant romantic suspense with a realistic look at the men and women who risk their lives fighting wildfires every year. I was enthralled from the first page and hated to be interrupted for anything while reading this story! I loved the characters of Peyton and Gabe who are extremely stubborn, intelligent, hard working, honorable, and hurt from previous relationships. Of course, they are instantly attracted to one another and fight against the attraction. I also really enjoyed reading about what it can be like battling a wildfire. The horrors of what being in the middle of a fire is really like, the risk, the challenge, and the adrenaline rush when they make it back. And the story also has a mystery that Peyton and Gabe will have to figure out before they are killed from the mischief of a fire starter; this fire isn’t an accident. There are so many aspects of what I love in a good story in this one book. This is one of the best books I’ve read this year and I can’t wait to see what else Ms. Fredrick has written! I highly recommend this story to anyone who loves romantic suspense, adventure, heroes, and strong determined characters." - 5 Hearts, Steph B., The Romance Studio
"Wow I had no idea how sexy and risk takers smoke jumpers are until I read an M.J. Fredrick book. Where this author got her research is beyond me but she is talented when it comes to storytelling. Gabe is definitely a macho, military type of guy always taking risks never backing down even if it his own life at risk. Now Peyton she is definitely a good match for Gabe. These two hate each other yet when it is just them wow the passion. There is definitely a great deal of story behind them from betrayal, suspense and oh yes the hot passion between. Great read and can’t wait for more from this author." - 5 Roses, Lena, My Book Cravings
"This is definitely a must-read. And a re-read. It was a pleasure to discover and it goes straight to my keeper shelf." - 5 book rating, Cherry Blossom, Long and Short of it Reviews
Visit M.J. Frederick's web site
Visit M.J.'s blog
An excerpt from Hot Shot
About M.J. Frederick
MJ Fredrick has been writing romance since 5th grade, and completed her first book 13 years ago. The road to publication has been more like a roller coaster – contest finals and wins balancing out enough rejections to paper a wall. Persistence is the key, that and having supportive family and friends! Now MJ has two e-books with two publishers, and another coming down the road. MJ is a 4th grade teacher who is grateful beyond belief for summer vacation.
Back list:
Where There’s Smoke from The Wild Rose Press
An Interview with M.J. Frederick
By Holly Hewson, Marketing Director for The Romance StudioHH: MJ, welcome and thank you for talking to us at TRS. Please tell us about your featured story, Hot Shot. MJ: Thank you so much for having me! Hot Shot is an action/adventure romance about a woman, Peyton Michaels, who is trying to discover what makes heroes do the jobs they do. She finds the ultimate hero in wildland firefighter Gabe Cooper. She gets assigned to his crew and they have to fight fires and their attraction for each other as they work together to find an arsonist.
HH: Your heroine is a woman who's already loved and lost a hero. Your hero is a no-nonsense man who isn't looking for another woman intent on changing him. Where did you get the idea for this suspenseful story? MJ: Back in 2000, when the Colorado wildfires were so bad, fellow San Antonio Romance Author (at the time) Cindi Myers was talking about the heroics of the firefighters trying to save the homes there. Since I almost always come up with my heroes first, I knew I had to write about this. Finding my heroine was a little trickier. She started out as a political aid, but I couldn't figure out how to get her out on the fire. So she became a reporter who'd trained to be a firefighter, and I needed her to have a good motivation, so she's lost her SWAT team husband and she has to know why people take these dangerous jobs.
HH: What sort of research went into this tale? MJ: Lots of reading. I read about Mann-Gulch and Storm King, two deadly wildfires. I joined bulletin boards where firefighters talked about their experiences. I joined a firefighter website…can't remember the name now, but I was able to get some very in depth details.
HH: What do you like best about your two leading characters? MJ: Gabe is so no-nonsense, but he's also got this vulnerability. He was destroyed when his wife left him for his best friend. Still, he manages to do what is right almost all the time.
Peyton is so much stronger than she thinks she is. Her husband died in her arms and that haunts her, but she becomes focused on her work and discovers the strength in herself along the journey.
HH: You're also a teacher. With the end of the academic year do you have more time to write? MJ: After I stopped dancing down the street and through the house - yes! I have already finished one novel (it was close to the end) and revised a novella for The Wild Rose Press and an essay for a Smart Pop book about Supernatural. I'm getting ready to finish another novel, also close to the end, and revise another.
HH: Does your teaching career benefit you as a writer in any way? MJ: Other than vacations? =) I've been known to bounce ideas off my class. I have a great idea for a historical that we came up with together after reading a passage. Of course, they keep trying to kill my characters - they aren't much for happy endings! And I have to say, when my first book came out this spring, my colleagues were very excited for me! I got a cake and a banner, and after the principal made an announcement about me, students I didn't know came up to congratulate me!
HH: What else do you have coming up for readers? MJ: My first book from The Wild Rose Press, Where There's Smoke, will be available in print in September, and I also have a novella for their Wayback Rodeo series releasing later this year. The Supernatural book from BenBella is going to release in April 2009, I believe.
HH: What's your favorite way to interact with readers? MJ: Online! I'm a member of a number of loops, which I find easier to manage than message boards. I also have a blog, which I think is a lot of fun: marywritesromance.blogspot.com. I talk about books, TV, writing, life, and I always post a picture of my hero inspiration. Yes, that's my favorite part.
HH: What would you like to accomplish most in your writing career by year's end? MJ: I would love to have four more books revised enough to market and maybe two more contracts? Is that greedy? And I cannot WAIT to hold my books in my hands!
HH: What would you like to tell readers out there? MJ: If you have a dream, never never give up - it's taken me 13 years to get here and I wouldn't trade this experience for the world!
And if you have read my books, come tell me what you thought!
HH: Thank you!
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