Into the Fire

Author: Irene Hannon
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Series: Undaunted Courage #1
Pages: 400
Release Date: October 17, 2023
Publisher: Revell

Instinct only takes you so far. After that, you need proof.
But cunning killers hide their tracks.

As a former smokejumper, arson investigator Bri Tucker knows her way around fires. But after a mysterious blaze takes the life of a former colleague, Bri inherits a curious puzzle from him that raises questions about several fiery deaths. Someone, however, doesn't want her picking up where he left off in search of answers.

When she teams up with ATF Special Agent Marc Davis to solve the puzzle, the case heats up--as does the attraction between them. Sparks fly as the danger escalates, but will they manage to track down the person behind the mysterious deaths before their budding romance--and maybe even their lives--go up in flames?

In this pulse-pounding new series from the bestselling and award-winning queen of romantic suspense, you'll be swept up in a whirlwind of danger, mystery, and romance. Get ready to burn through the pages as Bri and Marc race to solve the puzzle and uncover the truth.

---

Reviewer: Elisha Varela

To say I wasn’t hooked from the first chapter would be a lie. I loved the way it started knee-deep with the mystery and drama. Both characters were so dynamic yet fit perfectly with one another. I loved the chemistry they had. Their romance was so cute, and it wasn’t the suffocating kind where it was cringy. It was just really sweet.

Their individual relationships and faith in God were an important and major part of each of their stories, and they shed a lot of light on their characters. I was not ready for the twists and turns, but being hooked and surprised was the best part. I will say, though, that the villain reveal scene was a bit too anticlimactic for me. I was expecting more, but when it just ended, I was like, Oh, okay. But other than that, it was a really fun, quick read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through Interviews & Reviews. All opinions are my own.

---

---

Reviewer: Kristina Hall

A thrilling start to the Undaunted Courage series!

Bri and Marc were both sympathetic characters whose backstories added depth to the plot. I enjoyed "watching" them work together on the case and thought their developing romance was sweet.

The plot contained plenty of action and suspense, along with a few relaxing moments of character development. I appreciated that Irene Hannon kept both the language and the romance clean. Her clear, fast-paced writing style worked great for this book, and I liked that the characters trusted God.

I did find the villain to be a bit predictable, but that didn't affect my enjoyment of the story.

Overall, Into the Fire was an exciting read that I'd recommend to those who enjoy Christian fiction and romantic suspense novels. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

Disclosure: I received this book free from Revell through Interviews & Reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

---

---

Reviewer: Paula Shreckhise

Another page-turner from Ms. Hannon that starts a new series. This book is about Bri Turner, a former smokejumper who is now a fire investigator for the county in St. Louis. I always enjoy this author because she sets her stories in the city I called home for twenty years.

With a look into the warped mind of an arsonist who is crafty enough to cover the evidence, this was a tense, exciting story. But Ms. Hannon also crafts Bri and ATF agent Marc Davis with determination and the ability to work together in order to solve the case of a retired arson investigator who died in a house fire. As the case heats up, sparks fly in the romance department.

This author never disappoints in her polished plotting, believable characters, or credible faith thread. With themes of redemption, forgiveness, and justice served, this was an excellent beginning to the stories about the Turner siblings.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Revell through Interviews & Reviews. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

---

---

Reviewer: Conny Withay

“Because for whatever reason, he had a feeling the puzzle of Brianne Tucker wouldn’t be solved as easily as the mystery of this house fire,” Marc considers in Irene Hannon’s novel, Into the Fire.

The first in the Undaunted Courage series, this four-hundred-page paperback targets those interested in romantic suspense involving arson investigations. Using slang words such as heck, dang, and drat, there is no profanity or overtly sexual scenes; the topics of physical abuse, illness, injury, and death may not be appropriate for immature readers. The ending includes an excerpt from another book series, acknowledgments, the author’s biography, and advertisements.

In this current-day story based in St. Louis, arson investigator Bri Tucker has returned to her hometown after being injured as a smokejumper. When a former colleague dies from what is deemed as an accidental fire, she works with ATF Special Agent Marc Davis to connect the dots on several individuals’ deaths. Sifting through the ashes of past fires, they establish links that become too close to home. As the two question why Bri is being targeted, they try to tamper down their burning feelings for one another.

This is an engaging read that covers the ins and outs of investigating arson while learning to move on from one’s heartbreaking past. I enjoyed the multiple narrators that shed light on protective emotions, tragic memories, and broken relationships. The story was progressive as it flamed the fires of intrigue and mystery.

Those who do not like reading about fires and the damage and death they can cause might not appreciate this read, but it is not overly gruesome. Those who do not believe in God may pass it up, although it is subdued and understated. Some may tire of the flawless character and attributes of one of the protagonists.

Assuming this is a Christian-based book, it would be nice to include the eternal plan of salvation.

If you like a series that encompasses the flames of murder fueled with trust and romance, this one that deals with forgiveness and mercy will sear your imagination.

Thanks to Revell for this complimentary book. I am under no obligation to give a positive review.

---

---

Reviewer: Tammy Lunsford

Once again, Irene Hannon has hit one out of the park. This book grabbed my attention from the very beginning. Fires are scary to me, and the investigation into how they start is a very interesting subject.
 
Bri Tucker is a former smoke jumper who is now an arson investigator. When she is called to the scene of a fire that has taken the life of a former co-worker, she is not only distraught about his death, but she is also puzzled as to how this happened. How could a seasoned arson investigator be so careless?  We, as the reader, know that an individual is dispensing their own brand of justice to those they feel need to be punished. To a normal investigator, it looks like a tragic accident. Bri Tucker is not a normal arson investigator. When you add in ATF Special Agent Marc Davis, who also has a sharp eye and is very observant, you have a fire investigation dream team.
 
This story is about a killer using fire as a weapon, but it is about so much more. Both Bri and Marc have a past that has left them broken. They know that they need forgiveness in their hearts, but sometimes that is easier said than done. As they try to outsmart a killer and tie puzzle pieces together, they are also in danger. There is also immediate chemistry between these two that is very evident from their first meeting.
 
This romantic suspense was gritty and had emotional depth as well. Marc's grandmother, Nan, was one of my favorite characters. She dispensed wisdom that only a seasoned believer could do. Both main characters captured my heart as they rose above their pasts to become the best versions of themselves. It was impossible to put down once I started it.
 
I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

---

---

Reviewer: Charity Henico

WOW. This book started off with a bang and didn't stop until the end!

I loved the way Irene Hannon had different points of view. It started off in  first person—the one committing the murders. And then, in third person, were the lawmen and fire inspectors. This was intriguing to me, and I don't remember reading a book written in quite this way before.

If you want a heart-pumping, breath-holding, whirlwind of a book, this is the one you need. Action and suspense, twists and turns, with just a little bit of romance. This is a perfect book.

What a rush!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book by Interviews & Reviews, NetGalley, and Revell. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own

---