Smoldering Flame

Rekindled Flame, Book 3

By: Andrew Grey

Narrated by: Michael Pauley

Length: 6 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

Sometimes the strongest flames take the longest to ignite.

Firefighter Dean’s life revolves around his very ill son, Sammy. Caring for Sammy and working to make ends meet leave Dean time for little else, and romance isn’t something he can even consider - no matter how much he longs for someone special to join their family. Because money is tight, Dean couldn’t be more grateful to the photographer who does Sammy’s session free of charge.

After growing up in the foster care system, Marco knows how to rely on himself, and his hard work is about to pay off - he’s poised on the cusp of fame and success he could only have imagined as a lonely child. When Dean brings Sammy into Marco’s studio, Marco can see they’re struggling, and both the boy and his father stir Marco’s heart. The slow burn between the two men isn’t something either expected, but neither wants to lose the possibility of a loving future. With Dean’s dangerous and possibly life-threatening career and Marco’s demanding one, can romance and forever find a place to fit?

©2018 Andrew Grey (P)2018 Dreamspinner Press

Will make the Grinch's heart melt

Wow! This is book three in Rekindled Flame but it stands alone ok. Some of the characters carry over from the previous books but the story is solely Dean and Marcus.
Dean is a firefighter and loves his job. He is a single father of a six-year-old son that is battling cancer.

Marcus is an up and coming high-end photographer.
Sammy, Dean's son saw a photo in the hospital of a child with a stuffed dalmatian that Dean took and wanted to see it. Dean takes him by the studio and the sparks start.
Sammy won my heart over just like he does Marcus. Even the Grinch's heart would melt meeting this sweet little boy. Andrew Grey dis a spectacular job creating Sammy. He is charming, innocent, yet the angst is not overdone. We see a normal child though he is dealing with a terrible monster.
Marcus has some secrets and he can relate to Sammy and that is part of why they click so much. He gets him.
The relationship is a slow burn which was perfect for the story but once those sparks turn to flames...watch out! The chemistry here is smoking!

I love this series and I think this one is my favorite so far!
Michael Pauley really brings the awesome characters to life. he makes a charming voice for Sammy and we can tell his age. I love the way he laughs when there is a laugh chuckle if its called for and sighs. and in the bedroom he makes the scene come alive.I suggest if you are going to invest in an Audio try this one! Or buy the book and add the audio so you have the est of both worlds. You won't regret it.
I am not one to reread a lot but this is on my will read again list!

Nice. Average Insta-Family Story, with Fireman

Would you consider the audio edition of Smoldering Flame to be better than the print version?

I did not have the opportunity to read the book prior to this so am unable to compare the two formats fairly.

What other book might you compare Smoldering Flame to and why?

I'd compare it to any book where one of the main characters was a fireman, police, or military (or equally "dangerous" job) where children are involved. Then add in an extra layer of emotion by making the child (or one of) sick with a potentially fatal condition. It had drama and angst.

Have you listened to any of Michael Pauley’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is the first title that I've listened to by Michael Pauley.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. I rarely have the time nor availability to listen to an audio in one sitting.

Any additional comments?

While pronunciation/diction is clean and easy to decipher, the words sometimes were spoken too quickly and made it difficult to follow. I'd also noticed, several times, that the character voices and intonations were not stable, bled together, or were lost entirely to the point where the listener would not know who was speaking. The biggest exception to this was Angus, who was done beautifully.
The drama- and angst-ridden plot of abandonment issues and unaccepting parental figures, topped with the fears of a dangerous job and having a potentially terminally ill child, all made for an emotional story. Those emotions were conveyed well by Mr. Pauley.

4.5 stars!

4.5 stars

Narration: Michael Pauley has an amazing voice. I can tell the difference in Michaels’ reading from the first two books. He’s really starting to come into his narrating skills. I still think he has a very sexy voice and brings the story to life. His cadence has improved so much over the year between the books in this series…and looking up his other narrations, there are plenty more to listen to by him! YES!

Story: When I read the blurb, I was curious to see how Grey was going to have Dean become a dad without a spouse. Dean trying to be straight to make everyone happy was a good way to do that. In this love story, we have a firefighter dealing with a sick child, Sammy. He doesn’t meet his love interest at a fire like in the other two books. Instead, he brings his son in to meet the huge stuffed dalmatian that Marco uses as a photo prop. Marco offers a free photoshoot that melted my heart! The love parts were a little faster in this one, but it wasn’t insta-love. The title was perfect.

Marco was a foster kid, turned photographer that’s about to hit it big. He’s worked hard for everything he has. Marco not only lost his mother at a young age to cancer, but he also fought it himself, which helps with his interactions with Sammy. Both characters are deep and realized so the story moves at a good pace.

Some side stories are going on in this book that are worth a mention because they could have changed the direction of the story. Marco’s foster parents play a significant role when they explain some truths to him. They change his point of view on things in a good way.
Dean’s mother is wonderful and helps put his father in his place. But before that happens, he tries to cause issues for the couple.

This is another must-read series by Andrew Grey!

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Great narration!

I'm really enjoying this series, and I think Smoldering Flame might be my favorite so far.

Michael Pauley does another fantastic job narrating the series. He brought Dean and Marco to life, and really brought out the emotions in the story, especially Dean's fear for his son and Marco's hesitation about taking on a lover and partner who's job is so unsafe.

Smoldering Flame has some great hurt/comfort elements, a dual POV, some action, and some close calls. Dean and Marco weather them all and stick together. (As a side note: I love the way that Dean (and Marco) stood up to Dean's father.)

If you're looking for an easy listen, low angst romance with some nice hurt/comfort elements, and a sweet HEA look no further.