Southern Heat Series by Jamie Garrett

I don’t remember what happened. How I ended up in the fire that I was dragged from, unconscious and minutes from death. I don’t know what I was doing in a town hundreds of miles from where the police say I live. I don’t remember…anything. Not even my own name. I have no memories of Mason Rawlings, the firefighter who pulled me from the blaze and saved my life. Even so, it’s obvious my body does. It craves his touch, though my mind is blank. We were together, he tells me, many years ago... moreI don’t remember what happened. How I ended up in the fire that I was dragged from, unconscious and minutes from death. I don’t know what I was doing in a town hundreds of miles from where the police say I live. I don’t remember…anything. Not even my own name. I have no memories of Mason Rawlings, the firefighter who pulled me from the blaze and saved my life. Even so, it’s obvious my body does. It craves his touch, though my mind is blank. We were together, he tells me, many years ago. Then I left him. As Mason helps me discover my past, I find myself falling for him all over again. But then maybe there’s a reason why I haven’t spoken to him for over ten years. A reason why I was back in Monroe. A reason that someone would kill to keep hidden. less

It was supposed to be a new start, a new life. After an ugly divorce, Meg Devers was ready to move on. She was making a difference in the lives of others, converting the old house she’d scrimped and saved to buy into a shelter. With support from the community, her dream had finally come true. She loved her new life, until she woke up trapped in the attic with the house in flames. As an arson investigator, Liam Cohen worked for the county, but Monroe felt the most like home... moreIt was supposed to be a new start, a new life. After an ugly divorce, Meg Devers was ready to move on. She was making a difference in the lives of others, converting the old house she’d scrimped and saved to buy into a shelter. With support from the community, her dream had finally come true. She loved her new life, until she woke up trapped in the attic with the house in flames. As an arson investigator, Liam Cohen worked for the county, but Monroe felt the most like home. One night, he was called to a routine house fire that turned out to be anything but. Meg Devers set off every protective instinct he had, along with more than a little lust. She was strong, but at the same time, vulnerable as hell. Liam wanted to hold her and keep her safe, but he had to remain professional—at least until he could prove that she didn’t set the fire. But when someone tries to kill Meg a second time, staying professional is the last thing on his mind. Can Liam clear Meg's name and catch a killer, before the flames consume them both? Fighting the Flames is book 2 in the Southern Heat series, and can be read stand-alone. Characters from earlier books do appear as secondary characters. less

Amy Valenso had been to hell and back and survived. So why did she still shake at the thought of leaving Promise House for a simple walk to the park? There should be nothing to be afraid of, not anymore. That didn’t stop the dreams. Nightmares where she woke up gasping for breath. She’d been helpless, bound and gagged inside that shipping container. Sometimes it felt like she was still there. Her physical wounds had healed, but she was far from a complete recovery... moreAmy Valenso had been to hell and back and survived. So why did she still shake at the thought of leaving Promise House for a simple walk to the park? There should be nothing to be afraid of, not anymore. That didn’t stop the dreams. Nightmares where she woke up gasping for breath. She’d been helpless, bound and gagged inside that shipping container. Sometimes it felt like she was still there. Her physical wounds had healed, but she was far from a complete recovery. It had been more than six months, but in her mind it was like yesterday. Would she ever find peace? Dean Gibson has lived his entire life in Monroe. It was home, and he’d never wanted to live anywhere else. Especially since he’d met Amy. He’d first seen her standing on the sidewalk on the night of the fire at Promise House, and he couldn’t get her out of his mind since. Still, he’d kept a respectful distance. Something bad had happened to Amy, something bad enough that she barely left the shelter. Sloane encourages him to visit Amy, to get to know her better. Was it possible that Amy felt the same way? Over dinner, then coffee, slowly, but surely, she was opening up to him. But then the FBI arrives in town, shattering any sense of safety Amy had. The man who kidnapped her, branded her, and was about to sell her had escaped from jail, and he was heading their way. Burning the Past is book 3 in the Southern Heat series, and can be read stand-alone. Characters from earlier books do appear as secondary characters. less

Maya Graves needs a small miracle. She’d arrived in Monroe with a bulging suitcase, a stack of research, and little more than a prayer. The FBI said her brother killed someone and then set the house on fire, accidentally killing himself too. Her parents had given up, writing him off as the black sheep of the family. That was easier, she guessed, with the FBI breathing down their necks. That didn’t mean she was going to drop it—hell, no... moreMaya Graves needs a small miracle. She’d arrived in Monroe with a bulging suitcase, a stack of research, and little more than a prayer. The FBI said her brother killed someone and then set the house on fire, accidentally killing himself too. Her parents had given up, writing him off as the black sheep of the family. That was easier, she guessed, with the FBI breathing down their necks. That didn’t mean she was going to drop it—hell, no. Her brother had been there for her since the day she was born and now it was her turn. She’d prove he hadn’t killed anyone, or die trying. Seth Hale might be the squad’s rookie, but he knows enough to tell something was off about that fire. Even if there wasn't, he’d protect Maya regardless. Standing in the chief’s office that morning, one look at her big blue eyes, wet with tears, and he was gone. When county arson investigator Liam Cohen confirms his suspicions, he’s determined to help Maya prove her case. But the truth they uncover just leads to more secrets, ones someone will kill to protect. Trial by Fire is book 4 in the Southern Heat series, and can be read stand-alone. Characters from earlier books do appear as secondary characters. less

Charlotte “Charlie” Roberts is an EMT, and a damned good one. Out of all the firehouses she rotates through, she loves the guys at Engine Co. 81 the best. They always make her feel welcome, especially her paramedic partner, Shane. Wickedly good looking and an amazing paramedic, she could easily let herself feel something more for him—if she didn’t have a dark secret hidden away in her past. She swore she’d never go back, but now bizarre things are happening, threatening her patients... moreCharlotte “Charlie” Roberts is an EMT, and a damned good one. Out of all the firehouses she rotates through, she loves the guys at Engine Co. 81 the best. They always make her feel welcome, especially her paramedic partner, Shane. Wickedly good looking and an amazing paramedic, she could easily let herself feel something more for him—if she didn’t have a dark secret hidden away in her past. She swore she’d never go back, but now bizarre things are happening, threatening her patients. Has the past she’s fought so hard to escape finally caught up with her? Shane Parker liked Charlie from the moment they first met, probably a little too much. After she ignored his flirting attempts, he’d backed off, respecting her decision. Yet even still, just a glimpse of her always spark a fire deep within him, one he can’t seem to put out. But they were only colleagues and good friends. And that was all they’d ever be. But then Engine Co. 81 comes under attack from a serial arsonist and someone threatens Charlie’s life. With the squad taking fire from all sides, Shane’s determined to keep Charlie safe, whether she wants him to or not. Whoever is stalking her is going to quickly discover just how far Shane would go to protect one of their own. Charlie may not want him in her life, but Shane would still sacrifice his own if it meant saving her. Only problem is her stalker knows that, too… Line of Fire is book 5 in the Southern Heat series, and can be read stand-alone. Characters from earlier books do appear as secondary characters. less