Alaskan Fire

Jessica Seymour has moved to Sydney both for her dream job and to start afresh. A journalist from South Australia, she has admired her new boss, Sam Armstrong, for many years. He has been the one she has used as her role model. Landing a job with his company, World Watch, is a dream come true, and something she has been working towards for more than eight years. When her first meeting with him goes horribly wrong, she is left very disappointed and fearful that she may lose the job she has coveted for so long. Her standing up to her new boss results in her keeping her job – for now. Her subsequent run-ins with him endanger her job once more. He treats her differently from the other journalists on staff, which she both resents and cannot understand. Having been with only one man in her life, Jess’ innocence prevents her from recognizing that the reason Sam acts abominably towards her is because he is attracted to her. With her own attraction to him increasing in strength, Jess finds herself confused by her response to him and in denial over her true feelings towards him. When Jess is faced with a threat from her past, she is extremely grateful when Sam steps in and helps to protect her, even though the resulting rumors have a huge impact on both their lives.

Being chosen by Sam to go with him to Alaska for a potential world coup story for World Watch is another dream come true for Jess. Whilst there, neither can deny their deep attraction to the other, both quickly giving in to it. But Jess has not confided the whole truth of her previous relationship to Sam, even though it has had far reaching consequences for her relationship with him now. Furthermore, Sam is not looking for love, or a permanent relationship. Will these two conflicted people admit their feelings towards each other and share a passion and love their fiery attraction can give rise to?

Christina Carlisle’s Alaskan Fire is a fabulously written, gripping story that hooked me from start to finish! I have loved everything about this novel, from the fiery cover to the plotline to the style of writing to the sensitive issues dealt with extremely well by Ms Carlisle. Jessica is a young woman who has built protective barriers around her heart, fearful of a repeat of her last horrendous relationship. Sam is a man whose life is completely focused on his work. Each character has strong feelings for the other; each wants to keep these feelings unknown to the other for fear of being inadequate or rejected. Both characters jump off the page and seem so real.

Several issues are dealt with in this tale in a way that draws the reader in and makes them feel for the characters involved, whilst also giving the story an added edge. This tale is guaranteed to draw a response from you; it certainly drew many from me. I occasionally had tears collecting in my eyes, waiting to fall, the story was at times so poignant, and all the while I was rooting for the characters, completely sure that their passion for one another would provide the basis for a brilliant relationship. There are several characters for whom I would love to have a tale of their own, but regardless this is a must read for any romance fan. I highly recommend Alaskan Fire to one and all and will most definitely be reading more from this excellent author!

Reviewed by: Elizabeth