Memories deals with the emotional trauma of fire fighting and how Jake McCann and his friends cope with those memories when they move to a small Ohio town.
Memories begins the Firehouse Family series in 1932 with Jake McCann's appointment as fire chief in the town of Woodhill. Until Jake's arrival in Woodhill, Laura Darvey's life has been fairly predictable; she is 31, married, a nurse, and horse breeder. Upon Jake's arrival her life changes when she learns of Jake's interest in horses. Their friendship deepens to a love affair that leads to terrifying consequences when Jake inadvertently discovers Dan Darvey's deepest secret.
Excerpt
Suddenly there were threatening noises everywhere in the house. A click, click sound from near the side door set her heart to beating loudly and thudding heavily against her ribs. She thought, Oh no! Dan already knows about the divorce! How could he find out so fast? What can I do, what can I say? She cut off her anxious thoughts for a moment to listen again for the sound. Something--or someone--was tapping on a window but she couldn't locate which window. Or was someone at the milk chute, trying to reach the side door knob? And what was that? It came from the front porch?
Part of her mind told her sternly to calm down, that she was letting her imagination run rampant. But fear built upon fear, until whimpering uncontrollably, Laura was convinced she was being watched through the downstairs windows, and that whoever was watching her was planning to break in. Laura crawled into the kitchen to the telephone and called Dave's apartment, knowing he would come immediately to help her. The phone rang and rang. Dave and Clair weren't home, and that brought fresh tears of frustration. Laura considered calling Annie, thinking she could sneak out of the house and spend the night with her, but before Laura called, she saw it was close to midnight, and illogically, she didn't want to alarm Annie at this late hour. That left the police department, so she called, thinking of what she would say, while trying to choke back sobs so she'd be able to speak. Laura was so frightened that without realizing her error, she automatically called the firehouse, wanting desperately to hear her father's voice.
Professional Reviews
Scribblers Reviews - Brenda Ramsbacher
Dan Darvey has a secret he's hid from everyone in Woodhill Ohio for four years. He has also operated on the wrong side of the law without being caught filching money from people who can't afford to pay, using threats to keep the money flowing. Now he's stolen from his boss, the Fire Chief found his secret, and the cops want to question him.
Laura Darvey is a woman married to the wrong man. She's allowed the freedom to
raise her horses and do her work without interference but at a cost to her well-being. Then she meets the new fire chief who lights her blood hotter than her husband ever has. When her husband runs, Laura forgets about her watchdog, invites Jake over, and ends up fighting for her very life.
Jake McCann and two of his friends are firefighters from New York hired to keep the small town of Woodhill safe. Bringing emotional baggage along for the ride, Jake is surprised to find himself caring for another man's wife. But now fires are being set to give someone an opportunity to search the firehouse and Jake wants to know why. All seems to be fine until Jake uncovers the box Dan has been looking for.
Loveman has an intriguing story that has the reader cheering on Jake and Laura as they struggle to overcome their feelings while the world is falling apart within their very souls. Only they can fight the demons to win the confrontation between good and evil before the entire town is destroyed by one evil man and his henchmen. MEMORIES is truly memorable. Part of the FIREHOUSE FAMILY series, I am looking forward to reading more about these courageous men and women who put their lives on the line in the face of danger.
All About Murder - Kim Atchue-Cusella
Jake McCann comes to Woodhill, Ohio as the new fire chief. He is leaving behind New York City to join his brother, Dave, who is the town doctor. His friends Freddy and Mickey also join him at the firehouse. His first order of business is to bring the town buildings up to code without making enemies of the townsfolk.
Dan Darvey and his wife Laura have lived in Woodhill for most of their lives. Laura moved to the town when she was eleven so that her father could become the chief. Laura makes her money raising horses. Dan helps run moonshine during the Prohibition period. The town police chief ignores this practice.
Jake uncovers a deep secret held by the town realtor and Dan. When Dan finds out he was discovered, he leaves town not caring about Laura, until he finds out that Jake is in love with her. The situation becomes dangerous and Jake needs to save Laura from life threatening circumstances.
Laurie Loveman writes Memories, the first in the trilogy of the Firehouse Family series, with suspense, romance and the feelings of loyalties between families and friends. The story is set in 1932 and is well written to make you feel as you are there, standing next to the characters. Jake and Laura have such deep-rooted problems dealing with conditions that life has dealt them that you want to see them get past the pain to live happily ever after. The next in the series is The Quarry, followed by The Farm Fires. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
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