{Guest Post+Giveaway} Controlled Burn by Shannon Stacey

Item: Controlled Burn
Author: Michelle @ Book Briefs

Posted November 27, 2015 by Michelle @ Book Briefs in Blog Tours, Giveaways, Guest Post, New Adult / 9 Comments

Controlled Burn by Shannon Stacey
Pages: 384
Published by Carina Press on November 24, 2015
Series: Boston Fire #2
Genres: adult, contemporary, Romance

Rick Gullotti lives the good life. He fights fires, dates beautiful women—though none long enough so they cast wistful glances at jewelry stores—and has great friends. And thanks to helping out the elderly couple who own his building, his rent is low. But when concerns about their health lead him to contact their only son, his life starts getting away from him.

Jessica Broussard has no interest in leaving sunny San Diego or her cushy corner office for Boston, but her father—who happens to be her boss—dispatches her to deal with the grandparents she's never met. She's unprepared for the frigid winter, loving relatives who aren't the monsters she's been led to believe, and the hot, scruffy firefighter who lives upstairs.

At first, Jessica is determined to get back to her comfortable life as quickly as possible. All she has to do is talk her grandparents into selling their monstrosity of a house and moving to a retirement community. But she underestimates Rick's dedication—and his considerable charm. Nobody's taking advantage of his friends on his watch, even if that makes the tempting southern California girl with the long legs his adversary. Unfortunately for them both, the only thing more urgent than the matter at hand is their sizzling chemistry, and it's quickly becoming too strong to resist.

Note: This book may be unsuitable for people under 17 years of age due to its use of sexual content, drug and alcohol use, and/or violence.

Also in this series: Controlled Burn

What Makes a Swoon-Worthy Romance Hero?

With so many characters in a romance novel it can be hard for a hero to shine, especially if the book is part of an ongoing series. But he’s the lead, so he needs to be a man the reader can and will fall head over heels for. Whether he’s a firefighter or a cowboy or a vampire, there are things we look for in a man when it comes to happily ever after.

Abs. Yes, a swoon worthy romance hero will have rippled abs the heroine itches to run her hands over. If you’ve seen the cover for Controlled Burn, the second book in my Boston Fire series, you know my hero, Rick Gullotti, doesn’t lack in the sexy abs department.

But Rick, who’s a lieutenant with the fire department, is a lot more than his looks. One of the things I love most about him, and about most of the heroes from favorite books, is his sense of family. Besides having a good relationship with his actual family, he also has the bond of brotherhood with his fellow firefighters. And he looks after his elderly landlords, caring for them as he would his own parents.

If a hero doesn’t have a family of his own, I enjoy seeing him interact with the family he’s made for himself. Rick, for instance, has a great relationship with the other guys in the fire house, and their banter and almost sibling-like vibe helps make Rick a more well-rounded character. And I love a hero with a sense of humor.

Of course a romance hero really shines when he’s on the page with his heroine. Rick is suspicious of Jessica’s motives at first, as she’s arrived in Boston to meet her grandparents, who happen to be Rick’s landlords. But he’s a gentleman, no matter how conflicted he is on the inside. He makes some mistakes, of course. To be an irresistible character, the hero has to be authentic and there are a lot of opportunities to mess things up on the road to true love.

But when it’s too messed up and the love of his life is about to walk out of it forever, a good hero knows it’s time to set aside his pride and do whatever it takes to keep her. Maybe, like Rick, he needs a little help from his friends, but in the end, he’ll bare his soul and win the lady’s heart. And hopefully readers’ hearts along the way.

Author @shannonstacey tells us what makes a swoon-worthy hero. (& you can win a $25 GC & copy of #ControlledBurn) @BookBriefs Share on X

To enter, fill out the rafflecopter below to win

Thanks to the team at Harlequin and Carina Press, one lucky winner will receive the following:

10,000 Harlequin Rewards Points (US/Can only)
eCopy of CONTROLLED BURN
$25 Amazon Gift Card

Note: Book Briefs Contest Policy applies. All of the prizes, terms and conditions of the giveaway should be contained in the rafflecopter below. No Purchase necessary to enter. Void where prohibited by law.

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For more info about Controlled Burn you can visit the Tour Page

About Shannon Stacey

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Shannon Stacey lives with her husband and two sons in New England, where her two favorite activities are writing stories of happily ever after and riding her four-wheeler. From May to November, the Stacey family spends their weekends on their ATVs, making loads of muddy laundry to keep Shannon busy when she’s not at her computer. She prefers writing to laundry, however, and considers herself lucky she got to be an author when she grew up.