Against The Fire - Kat Martin

Synopsis:
You can't fight what you can't see. And Gabriel Raines can't be sure just who's setting the fires in his new real-estate development. When two fires hit back-to-back, he knows it's personal, but any number of competitors or ex-employees could be the arsonist.

The police suspect Angel Ramirez, a local teen who's been in trouble before. But Mattie Baker, a volunteer at the Family Abuse center, just can't believe the kid she's been working with would go back to his delinquent ways.

Determined to convince Gabe that she's right, Mattie must get close to him and find out who's putting their neighborhood in jeopardy. And just as the arsonist's flames continue to burn, they find a heat developing between them. It might just turn into a full-fledged fire…if they can survive long enough.

Review:

Against the Fire is the 2nd book in the Raines brother's series.  Right off the bat, you are pulled into the action as the building Gabe is constructing is torched. Of course, he’s angry over the fire and determined to find the person who did it. They arrest a teen, Angel, who had a record of torching a building in the past, as Gabe goes to the police station to get it all figured out he encounters Mattie, who’s determined to prove Angel couldn’t have done it. Mattie tried very hard to convince Gabe that Angel is innocent of the charges. When another fire occurs, it becomes imperative Gabe stop them before someone is killed. 

Meanwhile, his lust for Mattie knows no bounds, and one night with her isn’t enough to dull his appetite. She pushes him away, but of course he has no intention of letting her fend him off. Their attraction is sizzling hot, with enough chemistry to prove Gabe and Mattie belong together. But she’s a hard sell, with her working to keep her heart intact from heartache and disappointment. After all, Gabe isn’t the type that should be someone she falls in love with, right?

Notable Quote:

"One of these days we're going to finish what you keep starting in here." (Mattie & Gabe in the cleaning supply closet)

Rating:

An exciting, suspenseful tale set in Dallas, you will hold your breath as each fire brings even more danger for Mattie and Gabe. I thought I had the fire bug picked out within the first few chapters.  So many twists and turns.  Finally Dev (the younger Raines brother) steps in with his own theories and adds more suspects to the pile.  A definite page turner, I am counting down the days to Dev's book, Agains The Law