Jumping Feet First

Highland County Heroes, Book 3

By: Melissa Stevens

Narrated by: Bump Turgeson

Length: 4 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

He had a job to do. She had a home and livelihood to save. Could they even survive?

Welcome to Highland County. Where we take our heroes seriously.

James is a wild land firefighter tasked with getting one stubborn woman out of the path of the blaze. But when she refuses what can he do? He hates to see her arrested but if it's the only way to save her life, he'll do it. He's trying to save not just her place but the entire town. Can he manage it?

Allison wasn't about to leave the animals she'd come to see almost as pets behind to die. She wasn't entirely stupid, she'd done everything she could to protect her little farm but with no way, nor time, to get the animals out, she was willing to die with them if that's what it took. But that stubborn firefighter just wouldn't leave her alone.

When the flames get even closer, sparks fly in more than one sense of the phrase. Can they make things work or was it just the heat of the moment?

Find out how hot the fires burn between James and Allison, get your copy of Jumping Feet First now!

©2019 Melissa Stevens (P)2019 Melissa Stevens

Okay

This was an okay and entertaining read. It had some good spots for sure that kind of grabbed my attention but it just didn't blow me away or super engage my attention. It is on the shorter and faster side of books and so things do move at a different pace. The story was interesting, I just didn't connect to it as much (reason for the rating). The story had potential and I enjoyed the way that our heroine stood on her own two feet and was doing everything she could to protect her animals and home. Our hero respected that and that she wasn't being blind or stupid about the risks in doing what she was doing.
I listened to the audio book and the narrator was okay, not the best at times with changing voice for male/female which made it a little more difficult to tell who was talking at times but otherwise was fine.

I really enjoyed this sweet story!

James is a firefighter sent to notify the stubborn sheep and goat lady that the wildfire is getting close and she has to leave her property. Ally has no intention of leaving her animals to die in the fire and actually has a pretty good plan of action in place. Although Ally and James start out at odds, the chemistry between them goes from a smoldering slow burn to steaming hot! Narrator Bump Turgeson did a fantastic job switching between the voices and also adding extra heat to this sweet read! Jumping Feet First is a fun, very well written book that I definitely enjoyed!

I Really Hate to Say This...

...but I think I would have enjoyed this better as a printed book than an audiobook. The narrator basically trashed this story for me. Imagine having your grandfather read a romance novel to you as though you were a twelve year old. Did a cold chill just creep up your spine? Yeah. It was kinda' like that for me. I hate to bash people, but it just really wasn't a good narration. I stuck with the book anyway (I won't review a book I didn't finish because that's not cool), and the narrator did finally fall into a little bit of a groove. But honestly, I hope he sticks to narrating non-fiction and leaves the romance genre alone in the future.

As for the poor story that got butchered: it was a decent enough story (when I could focus on it without being distracted by narration). It's got a sweet heat sort of feel to it with an opposites attract style going on. James, the hunky wildcat fire fighter meets Allison, the independent goat and sheep rancher when he goes to convince her it's time to evacuate her property. She has no intention of leaving her animals in the path of a potential wildfire. While she at first seems like a crazy "hippie-dippy" tree hugger who's clueless to the world around her, we soon learn that's she's actually extremely intelligent, aware, strategic, and self-sufficient. This small ranch is her dream, and she'll do everything she can to save it. The rest, as they say, is history. Because hunky James has more than just muscles going on, and he loves her smart sufficiency and how tough she is. Smart man.

As it turns out, Allison and James develop about as much heat as that previously mentioned wildfire. They're cute together, and seem to have some nice personality quirks that work well with each other.

Great Story!!

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. This is a great story that will have you on the edge of your seat. The chemistry between James and Allison (Alley) is hot. James is a firefighter and Allison has a sheep and goat farm. There is a fire raging and is heading to Allison's farm, James is sent out to get Allison that refused the first round of evacuations, Allison still refuses to leave her animals. This is a well written and very entertaining story. Narrator Bump Turgeson does a wonderful job with the characters and story! Love his voice!! I will definitely be listening to more of Bump Turgeson.

Firefighter romance

James is a fireman and arrives at Alley’s property to evacuate her with a fire close. Ally refuses. She won’t leave her animals. James is a firefighter and is needed elsewhere so he must leave her but he can’t stop thinking about her. Ally is young, beautiful, smart and stubborn. Wish the story was longer.

very good

Loved it !! this story. the narrator is so fantastic it's like your really there!! good overall

Great Characters & Storyline

I've been putting off writing this review for a few weeks now; finally, I decided to go with it. First, I like to start by saying, I love Melissa Stevens's writing, and I've more than enjoyed every single one of her books. The plot in this book are well developed and interesting. Allison and James are well-rounded characters, they are genuine and intriguing. Their connection is one of mutual desire and passion. Overall it was an enjoyable book. However, something felt missing. I'm not sure if it was something in the storyline or the narration. Whatever it was, the audiobook as a whole didn't fully resonate with me. It hurts me not to give this book a perfect rating. I was given a free copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review.

Nicely done

I liked this story a lot. It actually had me on pins and needles waiting to figure out what would happen with the fire. I completely understand Allison’s reasons. She seemed to have it all under control. James made a comment that had me wondering. He said that he hopes she doesn’t freak out and run out into the fire. I thought about that comment for a while. I could see the panic set in and out the door she runs to get away from the fire. Anyway. This is more than just the fire and these two taking time to see if they have a relationship.

I listened to this on audio. Bump Turgeson was smoking hot as usual. Ha ha! See the fire reference there?