HOPE FLAMES – Jaci Burton
A Hope Novel
Berkley Sensation
ISBN: 978-0-425-25976-4
January 2014
Contemporary Romance

Hope, Oklahoma – Present Day

Veterinarian Emma Burnett has returned home to Hope to open her own practice. She is finally able to breathe a little after having spent years with a boyfriend in a controlling relationship, but she isn't currently looking for a romance as she concentrates on her career. Police officer Luke McCormack brings his dog into Emma's office one day, and they click, although both swear it can only be a friendship. Yet, the more they're around each other, the greater is their chemistry that can't be ignored, and soon their friendship turns into something more. After her painful past, can Emma trust Luke enough to think about a future with him?

Luke enjoys his job working in Hope as the dog handler for the police department, but he's managed to steer clear of female relationships after being burned. Emma makes it clear she isn't looking for one, but he feels a tingle of desire for her. He honors her request to take things slow, but that doesn't stop the burn of heat that sizzles between them. Luke is not looking for love, but has cupid hit its mark with him and Emma?

Small towns like Hope rarely have drama, so when a rash of break-ins has folks and the police scrambling to catch the perpetrator, Luke's attention is torn between his job and his feelings for Emma. Yet they manage to spend time together, such as walking their dogs in the park. While Emma hasn't told him why, Luke realizes there are reasons why she doesn't want to jump headfirst into a sexual relationship with him. Heck, even he's not looking for one. But it doesn't stop them from starting one anyway, and it only fans the flames of desire between them. Can Emma let go of the past and think about Luke as someone she could love for a lifetime?

HOPE FLAMES is not actually the first introduction to readers of Jaci Burton's new series, as a short story in HOT SUMMER NIGHTS features Luke and Emma's friends, Will and Jane. But now we get to meet the whole cast of characters, including Luke's brother, Logan, who runs the family ranch, and Emma's friends, including Chelsea and the ladies who work at Emma's veterinary practice. Of course, minor supporting characters would also have to include Luke's dog, Boomer, and Emma's two, Daisy and Annie.  The dogs help connect Emma and Luke, giving them excuses to be together as they develop their friendship—and fall in love.

A sexy, warmhearted romance to please contemporary romance readers, HOPE FLAMES has at its heart two likeable characters in Emma and Luke. Love is a slow and winding road for them that finally erupts into heated passion, but once they take the chance, readers are in for a tale that is pure enjoyment.

Patti Fischer