Taking Fire (A First Responders Novel, 4)

Whenever a Radclyffe books arrives at my home, I drop everything. If I"m reading another book, it is put on the shelf until I have read her newest novel. Radclyffe takes to so many diverse environments and occupations to tell her story. "Taking Fire" is no exception. We don't always think of Africa as being a battle ground for life, limb and the pursuit of happiness, but in this case we got all three. Max is a seasoned Navy medic with combat background and can hold her own in battle. Rachel WInslow is a stubborn Red Cross working who is about saving everything for the cause. How can Max save Rachel without getting sucked in emotionally? Does she want to stop the feelings she has for Rachel and will Rachel be the seductress or the seductee? Another fantastic read!!!!

I'm a bit of a sucker for these first responder novels. I love, love, love Trauma Alert, but Firestorm and especially Oath of Honor were let downs in my opinion. So I had high expectations for this one to bring the series back up a notch. I would say for the most part this was an enjoyable read. The part in the jungle did start to get a little over the top. At one point, GI Jane aka Max was running all over the place for no apparent reason. And she left the main woman she was supposed to protect alone with an injured guy and asked her to guard the door. Guess Rad's alter ego had to flex her muscles a bit. I found the second half to be a bit more enjoyable. They are subjected to a fairly intense investigation about what really happened with the operation, so there's a mystery element. There is the blossoming relationship and tension around the sustainability of it once back in the real world. There are multiple orgasms. So good stuff and the writing is for the most part up to Rad's typical level.

Radclyfee has again created new characters and situations that will capture the reader from the first page. Based primarily in Somalia this story revolves around a few of those helping refugees to escape the brutal terror and the violence of the war. It is about two women, Rachel working as a volunteer with the Red Cross/Red Crescent and Max, a Navy combat physician. It is an episode in the lives of these protagonists that is apart from their “real world” that will change them and their view of the world in a way that the reader is left to imagine. These characters show themselves to be true heroes while being simply human with all the attendant flaws, fears, strengths and beauty. Two women isolated from the time and space of their “real world” that find themselves, each other and of course love.

I absolutely loved this book. The story is intense, full of action, drama and makes me feel connected to the characters. I found myself cheering for Max and Rachel when they finally got together. Radclyffe is an awesome writer and I love all her books.

Radclyffe's familiar strong style comes through in this novel, but unfortunately so do her usual weaknesses. On the positive side, she has an extremely easy-to-read style, and her heroines are generally (and also specifically, in this novel) appealing. When her stories are set in medical surroundings she is clearly in her element, and it comes through in nice little details that make the story more fleshed out. It's also great for a reader as pedantic as I am that the editing is perfect. On the negative side, Radclyffe's perfect characters are a bit too familiar. Romance moves very fast and doesn't provide any real surprises, which left me feeling apathetic (although this is subjective - if you like "love at first sight" type stories and have not been bothered by it in this author's previous novels, I'm sure you'll be fine). I really enjoyed the start, but the later change of pace and lack of tension felt flat. Not Radclyffe's best.

This was another great Radclyffe read. The reader quickly joins the characters as the story develops. Having invested 7 plus years of service this book was intriguing. You won't get a lot of military acronyms, but you will get action, love and politics. The politics is subtle, and it does happen in the military. Radclyffe does a great job of exposing it without it overtaking the story line.

Enjoyed it. Though I've complained that her last several books seemed rushed and formulaic, I felt like she took a little more time this go-around to delve into the characters and plot a little more. Still lots of areas it would have been nice to see fleshed out, but the main characters were both interesting, I believed their chemistry, and the plot was pretty good. Would have liked to see a little more than the semi-rushed ending, but again, 4-stars for Rad here. After the last few left me wanting, I'm actually looking forward to the next book again.

“She was alive, and the price she paid was guilt.” • ~ • ~ • ~ • An action-packed, entertaining story with interesting characters & riveting plot lines. It was a very enjoyable read. I recommend this book.

I'm a huge fan of the First Responder Novels and this one I had to have. Radclyffe is once more in her element and the book is a must have. I loved every page.

Fantastic story!

Thoroughly enjoyable hotmail k. Great story written with passion. The book is awe inspiring. It captivates the horror of war and the exhilaration of true love. Hey what can I say I'm a romantic at heart and love can conquer all. Heart book, easy read and hard to put down.

Very good reading!

You can’t go wrong with this author, it’s like putting on a pair of comfy shoes! I would say the story was really well paced until the last 10% where it felt rushed, I would have loved a little bit slower of an ending or an epilogue. But still a good read