"powerfully written terse tale"
Near New York City, the Hidden Cove Fire Department
responds to the dangerous Sinco fire. Three Malvaso
firefighting siblings become trapped inside, but
ultimately are rescued. Jenny insists that she, Mitch and
Zach pledge to change their messed up personal lives as
each one realizes how close to death they came. Six months later, the three remain on the job, but carry
mental scars from the Sinco fire. The vow has not been
met. Jenn tells her platonic duplex house partner Grady
O'Connor that she wants his baby through artificial
insemination. She refuses to marry as she failed at that
once. Grady also has relationship problems that haunt him. Zach wants to remarry his ex wife Angela, who he treated
very badly. He feels jealous when she goes on a date with
an assistant principal. However, he is spending quality
time with his two preadolescent sons. Mitch remains in an ugly marriage for the sake of his two
teenage children. Newly arrived Detective Megan Hale
suggests to Mitch that they need to start a camp to help
the children of deceased emergency workers. He loves the
idea, but worries about his attraction to Megan. Though the multiple subplots can be overwhelming at times,
readers will appreciate the powerfully written terse
emergency situations. The Malvasi clan and the other key
characters, except Mitch's out of control wife, seem
genuine in and out of emergency scenarios. Kathryn Shay
pays homage to rescue workers with this exhilarating tale
that demands a sequel starring Zach. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted October 25, 2003
SummaryDetective Megan Hale has come to Hidden Cove to begin a
new life. What she's leaving behind are painful
memories—of her father and husband, both policeman
killed in the line of duty. What lies ahead for Megan is a
dream—to start a summer camp for the orphaned
children of firefighters and police officers.
Firefighter Mitch Malvaso vowed to change his life after
escaping an inferno—by promising to be a better
husband in a marriage-gone-bad. Instead, he finds his
newfound peace in Megan's selfless plan, and a deep
respect that turns to unspoken love. As they work together
on the camp and cross paths in their respective roles as
police officer and firefighter, the attraction between
them grows; so does the fear that theirs is a love never
meant to be—unless they can find the courage to face
the past and embrace a passionate future of endless
possibilities.
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