Lani Lynn Vale proves yet again she is an amazing storyteller.  Shock Advised, book one in her new series, Kilgore Fire, has all of her signature elements woven into a compelling novel I literally couldn’t put down.  I finished it in one evening!  Action, suspense, witty dialogue, steamy sex, and let’s not forget the emotion, are all combined in a fast and furious ride that was much more than the synopsis led me to believe.  This story kicked me in the gut, then reached in and ripped my heart in two.  I was exhausted by the time I finished it.  

Tai Stoker is haunted by regret.  This guy has had a rough life, and things don’t seem to be getting any better.  Mostly due to the heavy dose of guilt he’s saddled himself with.  Thankfully, his buddies at the fire station, as well as his brother Jack, give him his space but still have his back.  The Kilgore FD is a tight-knit group, and I got the feeling there was history between some of these guys that I wasn’t privy to.  Especially between Tai and Jack.  There are references to events that obviously happened in another series.  While it didn’t affect the story it was nevertheless odd.  Regardless, I liked Tai.  He’s the classic Lani Lynn Vale hero: damaged, and doesn’t believe he deserves happiness.  He uses his job as an excuse to keep everyone at arm’s length except family, which includes the firehouse crew.  But ask him for help and he’s more than willing to do anything and everything in his power to make it happen.

Which is exactly what he does when Mia Darling barges into his life.  Talk about leading a rough life!  This girl has gone through fire ever since she was a young teen.  And just when all seems right in her world…well, let’s just say, have the tissues within reach.  I loved Mia.  She’s strong and determined.  She doesn’t wallow in her own problems.  That’s not to say she doesn’t fall apart more than a few times, deservedly so.  But she pulls all the stops in order to prevail. Which is what leads her to Tai, asking…begging for his help.

The chemistry is slow to build between Tai and Mia for many spoilery reasons I can’t reveal, however, I love that it was written this way.  Once they finally give in to their undeniable attraction to each other, it’s over the top hot.  It’s also a life-saving connection.  Which is key to how their relationship grows.  Once again, Ms. Vale gives us plenty of emotional ups and downs as Tai and Mia not only fight their own demons but struggle to allow themselves to love.  And, once again I love that we are not subjected to endless back and forth angsty nonsense.  Things continually move forward, albeit with some bumps in the road.

One of my favorite things about Ms. Vale’s characters is they don’t succumb to the dark abyss of self-pity even though the tragedies that befall them are quite often shocking as well as heartbreaking.  Her heroes and heroines are made of tough stuff but still have a soft side. Her stories are complex , packed full of action, and move FAST.  Admittedly, I’ve had the Say what? look on my face a time or two.  However the stories flow so well I never feel like any of it is too much.  If anything, I can’t put her books down until I’ve reached the end.  

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