🚒🔥🧯 “Brotherhood by Fire” (2022) 🧯🔥🚒 – Book Review
Book Title: Brotherhood By Fire by Lindy Bell
Category: Adult Fiction (18+), 445 pages
Genre: General Fiction
Publisher: Day Agency
Release date: August 2022
Content Rating: PG. There is one use of "hell" and one "oh my god." There are also several instances of kissing and one reference to "they loved each other with abandon" and one reference to "The bed where they'd loved each other so gloriously and so happily."
While passionately in love with his wife Katie, Andy also loves being a firefighter and when he is diagnosed with cancer, his whole world is turned upside down. What seemed so certain only days before, is now an unknown. Andy tries to protect Katie by not telling her, but her fears, and his increasing pain and moodiness only succeed in fueling a growing divide between them.
The fire station and its comradery are Andy’s refuge, but station officer Lt. Mike Bentley wages a vendetta against Andy, only making Andy more determined not to reveal weakness of any kind. In spite of Bentley, the C shift crew rallies to support Andy until events take a downward turn.
Firefighters face a myriad of dangers but invisible dangers can pose the greatest threat of all. Will courage, duty and even love be enough to save Andy from this unseen threat? If the worst should happen, would his greatest legacy be the love of the fire service or his love for his wife? Time can only tell because in the end, the unforeseen might have the greatest impact of all.
Thank you in advance to the author, Lindy Bell, for providing a complimentary review copy through iRead Book Tours. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.
This is the author’s debut novel, and was previously published in February 2021 as Fully Involved. To be quite honest, the previous title seems to fit the story a bit better. This is, for anyone wondering, a standalone read.
Bell tackles a different kind of story – one that is steeped in a reality that is not getting near the attention it should. And, one I didn’t even know until I read the book. It has a personal connection as my uncle was a firefighter, making it to assistant chief, and retired with 30 years of service. And, given this takes place in Texas – my home state (and I lived in Mesquite for a short time) – I couldn’t not read it.
The heart of the story is based on the all too real deaths of firefighters from cancer. The one that inspired the author is from 34 years ago in 1988 – Larry Kraus (32) of the Abilene, Texas fire department.
Bell starts off the book talking about Kraus’ death which began with a 1982 telephone transformer fire. A fire that coated Kraus’ bunker gear with oil containing PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl) – a known carcinogen. And, at the time of his death and autopsy, high levels of PCB were found.
From there, she includes statistics about firefighter deaths from cancer, which are now considered “line of duty” deaths, and the BIGGEST risk factor.
Knowing what happened on 9/11 and “ground zero”, this sets the book of for an informative, compelling, and heart-breaking read.
Those who are fighting a battle with, know someone battling, or have lost a loved one to cancer, particularly pancreatic cancer – this book can be a bit triggering. There were many places in this book that I cried as it hit really hard.
While this is about Andy and Katie’s relationship and “battle”, there are other characters:
🚒 Lt. Mike Bentley (C-Shift
supervisor, Station 2)
🚒 Chief Jerry Hamilton
🚒 Battalion Chief Curtis
Rogers
🚒 Sean Hedrick (Firefighter/Paramedic,
Station 2)
🚒 Keevin Jernigan (Firefighter/Paramedic,
Station 2)
🚒 Canfield (Firefighter/Paramedic,
Station 2)
🚒 Hart (Firefighter/Paramedic,
Station 2)
🛍️ Charlene Todd (RITE2U
office manager)
🛍️ Walt Henderson
(supervisor at RITE2U)
📖 Sally Morton (teacher
at school, becomes Katie’s friend)
🏥 Mandy Fitzhugh (ER
Nurse; tragic connection with firefighter; father killed in fire – doesn’t live
above the first floor)
👒 Natalie (Jerry’s wife)
These are in addition to Katie’s parents and brother’s family. While the ages are not mentioned until the very end – both Katie and Andy are in their mid-late 20’s.
There are quite a few characters to keep sorted, so it would likely have been best to have a character guide in the beginning.
While this is told from multiple POVs – Bentley, Jerry, Sally, and even Mandy. Though the main focus is on Andy and Sally.
The characters are compelling and supportive in their own ways. Bell definitely captures the brotherhood of firefighters in the characters and their interactions.
In addition to Andy’s battle, there are also a few other story arcs in this book:
👨👦 Lucas and his
attachment to Andy (Big Brother, Little Brother program)
💕Mandy and Sean’s relationship
This begins, pretty much mundane – Katie getting ready for a new school year and Andy worked a second job at RITE2U. Katie is also dealing with Sally’s “infatuation” over Andy – which causes a slight problem.
It is clear right off – something is wrong with Andy. But, what is it? Sally seems to hint at “someone else”, but Katie knows that isn’t it. Andy doesn’t want to make a big deal of it. He also has to deal with the antagonistic Lt. Bentley.
Katie also senses something is wrong with one of her students – Lucas Matthews and learns that his father isn’t in his life and his mother isn’t getting any child support. (As of note – this hits close to home for me, as this was my situation). Andy becomes Lucas’ big brother.
Katie confides in Natalie that something is wrong with Andy. Andy finally sees a doctor, but doesn’t tell Katie. Sally wrongfully assumes Andy is having an affair.
Andy is forced (34%) to tell Katie about it – but doesn’t want to tell anyone at either workplace. They need the money from all three jobs. They do tell Chief Hamilton who is taken back to a tragedy in his family. But, he is the one who helps the Garretts with a “work-related injury claim” due to the diagnosis.
Mandy figures out what is going on based on Andy’s schedule at the hospital, and eventually it silently spreads to Andy’s brothers at the station house. He will eventually tell them after a near-fatal fire (around the 78% mark).
In the middle, despite her reservations with firefighters due to them being a reminder of the night her father died, and the reason she doesn’t live above the first floor – starts a relationship with Sean.
The story has a pretty predictable storyline and ending. Given the plot, it isn’t hard to figure out where this is going to go. Though, it is an entertaining read to see the camaraderie of the firefighters and how supportive everyone is.
There is a scene in which Bentley is taken to task for something that happens to Andy. Though, in my opinion – I thought Bentley was a coward, but not malicious. It was interesting to see how the incident refocused him.
Overall, this is a great read – but, again, knowing the subject, it isn’t a book I’d re-read that often given its realistic tone and dialogue. Bell does have a wonderful ability to tell a story that keeps the readers interested, despite the length of the book (459 pages of story). Short chapters are definitely the way to keep me reading in that case.
I did feel the book was a bit too lengthy though. There was also part of a sentence or paragraph that went missing on page 256 – “Their bitter taste was worth the relief Andy” and then it goes into another paragraph.
The “end” takes readers 40 years AFTER Andy’s death, which I thought was TOO far out. Realistically, given the year he died, I would’ve gone only 30 years maximum; ideally 25. Though, it was interesting to see where everyone ended up. The “surprise” at the end was touching and inspirational.
I did have a slight problem with Andy working at the station as well as RITE2U as his firefighter pay and Katie’s teacher pay SHOULD’VE been enough money. I do have to wonder about their house payment, car payments, and other expenses. This factors in when the cancer progresses.
It is hard to delve into a book like this without spoilers, and knowing ahead of time what the end is going to be. And, let’s face it – anyone who knows someone who had pancreatic cancer – it is best caught in the VERY early stages. Most have a life expectancy of 3-3½ years; however, the prognosis isn’t good.
Some very famous people have died of pancreatic cancer. Some battled it publicly, while others had it revealed after their deaths:
✳️ Alan Rickman, Actor (2016) [was not known until after his death]
✳️ Patrick Swayze, Actor (2009)
✳️ Michael Landon, Actor (1991) [as of note, he actually talked about it on a Johnny Carson episode]
✳️ Alex Trebek, Jeopardy Game Show Host (2020)
✳️ Luciano Pavarotti, Singer
(2007)
✳️ Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Supreme Court Justice (2020)
While the author’s intent is to raise awareness about the unseen dangers that firefighters face, the book should also serve as a PSA for ANYONE who is noticing unexplained changes in their health and lifestyle – appetite, weight loss, fatigue, other symptoms – to get themselves examined by a doctor AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Early detection is key to survival
I rounded up from 3.8 stars to 4 for the research, presentation, and how this book truly serves as an informational asset.
There are certain elements of faith contained with reference to praying. It isn’t a religious book, and does not attempt to preach at the reader. It is a clean read for those wondering about content such as language and intimacy portrayed. It is only referenced, not seen on the page, so no graphic details are involved.
Given the subject matter, it is best suited for those who
want realism with their fiction, and those over 18+.
RATING:
4 (3.8) ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
BOOK NOT ON BOOKBUB
4 (3.8) ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
– Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html;update https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2022/07/what-goes-into-my-reviews-2022-edition.html)
A project ten years in the making, Brotherhood By Fire is Lindy Bell’s debut novel and avidly reflects her admiration and love of the fire service. Thoroughly researched, the quest for accuracy for the book led Lindy to participate in the Plano Citizens Fire Academy, attend classes and accompany firefighters on ride outs. With a retired fire chief and a current paramedic/firefighter in the family, Lindy has witnessed firsthand the dedication and humbleness of first responders which fueled the impetus to convey the importance of the legendary fire service brotherhood and create cancer awareness and its growing effect on the fire service.
Lindy’s first book, Jane Austen Celebrates~Holidays & Occasions Regency Style, is a showcase Regency Era holidays and their impact on modern holiday celebration traditions. A member of the Jane Austen Society of North America, Lindy has spoken to a variety of groups and taught Continuing and Adult Professional Education courses at Southern Methodist University (SMU). A graduate of Abilene Christian University, Lindy currently lives in Plano, TX and works from home for a governmental executive recruitment and training firm. As hobbies, Lindy enjoys supporting Plano Fire Rescue by volunteering with the Plano Fire Rescue Association, writing, reading an engaging novel and cross stitching.
connect with the author: website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ pinterest ~ instagram ~ goodreads ~ bookbub
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