🏞️🔥🌪️ “Yosemite Firestorm” (2023) 🌪️ 🔥 🏞️ – Book Review

 

MY REVIEW

 

Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired Books (March 28, 2023)
Language: English
ISBN: 1335587659
ISBN-13: 978-1335587657
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information

 

“A raging forest fire

 

isn’t the only threat…

 

When an act of arson claims the life of a hiker, Yosemite Park Ranger Livy Chatham is the only witness—putting her right into the path of determined criminals. Only rock climber Hayden Bryant can protect her from the killers destroying all evidence of their crimes. But can Livy and Hayden outrun the danger that’s as hot on their heels as the fires blazing through Yosemite?”

 

Thank you in advance to the author, Tanya Stowe, for providing a complimentary review copy through JustRead Publicity Tours. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.

 

Believe it or not, I do have one of the author’s books on my TBR – Vanished in the Mountains, but this is the first book I’ve read.

 

When I began reading Harlequin Books back in 2000 – I was drawn to the Intrigue line which is Romantic Suspense. And, over the past 22-23 years, my tastes have changed (I still have some unread Intrigue on my TBR list though and still have a fondness for the line).

 

I was introduced to the Love Inspired line in 2003 when I got some “intro” books. I packed them away, and honestly – lost track of them. Then, in 2019, I was re-introduced to Love Inspired, and it wasn’t long until I found the Love Inspired Suspense line, a Christian version of what I enjoy.

 

So, being a fan of the genre – I’m drawn to it by default.

 

What also drew my attention – that cover. Eye-catching, intense, terrifying. Yet, despite all that – one cannot look away from it. The story is just as intense, terrifying, heart-stopping, and suspenseful as the cover appears.

 

Fire is the only thing that REALLY terrifies me and gives me nightmares. It’s truly a devastating and destructive force. Some say water is – but, even some water ravaged items can be salvaged – fire destroys. I can read a water-logged book once it dries. I cannot read a burnt one.

 

Anyway ...As someone who lived in California for about five years of my life (and returned off and on from 1991-1997; then from 2011-2019), I remember every summer with the smell of forest fires. It was almost a “summer begins” sign.

 

I don’t enjoy fires at all. I enjoyed the smell only because it reminded me of a fireplace (never had one), but heartbroken by the devastation (and death) it causes. I was intrigued by the glow, yet fearful of its approach. Naturally, I respect fire and electricity. One cannot be too cautious around it. I’m even leery around my gas stove preferring an electric one.

 

My last summer in California (1985), I remember being in a swimming pool with my mom and watching as the mountain range glowed red from the forest fire. I often wondered how fast it’d move, and if anything could stop it.

 

In 2016, a fire took out the historic Summit Inn on the I-15 in the El Cajon Pass. My mother and I had traveled by there before and after the fire. Incidentally, in 2017, my mother and traveled to Knott’s Berry Farm between the Canyon 2 fire and multiple Los Angeles fires. Seeing the resulting devastation cannot be put into words. It’s almost surreal.

 

Naturally, I approached this book with excitement for the story, yet fearful.

 

Obviously, as it is about a forest fire that will no doubt be triggering for some people in the affected areas, as well as those who’ve been in and survived a forest fire.

 

In addition, this also touches on a tough subject for me – mental health, particularly Livy’s mother who had severe issues resulting in a suicide. While my mother hasn’t contemplated it – dealing with a parent with mental health issues is very difficult, so I truly understood Livy’s position.

 

Stowe’s bio reads: “fills her books with the unusual – mysteries and exotic travel, even a murder or two. No matter where Tanya takes you – on a trip to foreign lands or a suspenseful journey packed with danger – be prepared for the extraordinary” – that is EXACTLY true with this book. I honestly didn’t know what to expect.

 

I will say that I was drawn right in and couldn’t stop reading. It was definitely one of those “day reads” back from my Intrigue days.

 

Stowe introduces us to:

 

🏞️ Olivia (Livy)

🧗🏻‍♂️ Hayden

🏞️ Dale

💍 Paulette (Hayden’s ex-girlfriend, now married to Boyd)

🔎 Aaron (state investigator with an angle)

🧗🏻‍♂️ Boyd (Married to Paulette, up to no good)

🚗 Dennis

🚓 Maggie (ISB Investigator, goes on the “trail”)

🪢 Ron (connected to Boyd)

🚓 Larry (ISB Investigator)

🚓 Mitch (ISB Investigator)

 

Right off, Livy is looking forward to a hike and sees a car parked in the parking lot. She’s hoping to have some time alone on the trail. It to be honest – that’s pretty dangerous as readers soon find out.

 

The car belongs to Mr. Miller who’d had an altercation with Dennis (a store employee). Miller is grateful to Livy and ends up giving her an El Capitan charm for her bracelet that he finds.

 

A fire grabs Livy’s attention. After calling it in, she attempts to locate the man given how close the fire is to the vehicles. Search and Rescue is dispatched, that means Hayden will be sent. She definitely has some feelings towards him, yet he doesn’t seem to know she exists.

 

Livy locates Miller who has been injured. The man is alive and trying to tell her something. At the time, she doesn’t think much of it. And, despite CPR, Miller dies holding her hand before SAR arrives.

 

Hayden has his own past. He used to be a successful and famous climber until an accident claimed the life of his friend. Now, he’s content with his SAR duties and teaching people to climb.

 

After the rescue, Livy is honored for her efforts. But, Hayden’s ex-girlfriend warns him – there is trouble ahead for the ranger. Paulette is married to Boyd, a man who wants to break Hayden’s records. More beneath the surface lingers.

 

It’s apparent Boyd knows something or is planning something.

 

It isn’t long until that “something” comes in the way of “questionable allegations” towards Livy by Aaron, the state investigator as the fire was intentionally set. Hayden gets Livy out of there. Livy’s boss says their team is coming. But, to keep Livy out of the way – Dale has her work with Hayden. It’s clear Dale doesn’t trust Aaron.

 

It’s clear that Hayden doesn’t trust Aaron either. He and Livy of them are wondering if Dennis is connected given his skirmish with Miller. And, Hayden believes Boyd might be involved because of what Paulette has said. Dale isn’t sure Boyd is involved, but remains cautious.

 

The focus shifts to Hayden’s climbing class. A man, Ron, seems to have an issue with Livy. That night, Hayden notices who Ron is having dinner with, upping Hayden’s suspicion.

 

The ISB team of Larry, Mitch, and Maggie clue Dale, Hayden, and Livy into a bigger investigation that the FBI is looking into. An investigating Miller was part of.

 

While the six people know something is wrong, they elect not to change much up with their routine so as not to arouse suspicion. This inadvertently sets up a literal fire storm.

 

Hayden, Livy, and Maggie go along on the class – but a fire breaks out, and threatens them, trapping them from escaping. Ron knows something and tells Hayden and Livy. The fire is no accident.

 

As Hayden and Livy try to get the group – with a few injured people – to safety, they’re running from a deadly fire, as well as some deadly men with only one intention – kill whoever is in their way.

 

But, despite a rescue looming – Hayden and Livy are both trapped by not only the fire, but their pasts. Stowe keeps us reading until the very end with twists, turns, and revelations.

 

And, after closing the book at the end – the heart-stopping action and suspense had me looking for a place to rest.

 

Despite the longer chapters, the fast-paced action and vivid writing kept the story moving. It could also be that it was quite realistic at times – almost placing me right there. I felt the faster I read, the faster I’d get out of there.

 

Like Livy, I could definitely relate to the “being falsely accused” of something. It is not a good feeling going from hero-zero. But, it was great that she had support with Hayden and Dale.

 

Also, the ending with the bad guys is definitely intense, though it does leave one wondering. It was nice to see an “informant” actually make it out. Stowe did a wonderful job describing the sound and visual of a fire.

 

I definitely not disappointed with this one at all! I am definitely going to have to get the author’s backlist titles, as well as being on the lookout for her future LIS books. This is definitely more on the suspense end than romance though.

 

Given that is this is from the inspirational line, it will have some elements of the Christian faith in it. It isn’t preachy in tone, but it is part of one character’s life.

 

Fans of the author and genre might want to check this out! It appears it is a standalone read so readers don’t have to worry about needing to read the books before or after.

 

 

 

 

RATING:

 

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads

 

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub

 

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/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)

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

TANYA STOWE is a Christian Fiction writer with an unexpected edge. Tanya has been married to her high school sweetheart for forty years. They have four children and twenty-one grandchildren, a true adventure. She fills her books with the unusual – mysteries and exotic travel, even a murder or two. No matter where Tanya takes you – on a trip to foreign lands or a suspenseful journey packed with danger – be prepared for the extraordinary.

 

 

You can find her on the following social media outlets:

 

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TanyaStoweReadersPage/

 

Instagram: https://twitter.com/tanyastowe1

Website: https://tanyastowe.com/

 

 

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