FAN THE FLAMES is a great feel-good story about getting a second chance at love. Two best friends love the same girl. One marries the girl and has a family but tragically dies. Author Michele Dunaway does a great job in showing the different ranges of guilt that are expressed. There is survivor's guilt, the guilt of desiring your friend's widow, and the guilt of having feelings for your husband's best friend. Imagine seeing the one person who is perfect for you end up with your best friend then that best friend dies after asking you to look after his family.

Brad Silverman is a former Navy SEAL turned marine rescue firefighter who for the past two years has been trying to fulfill is best friend's request by looking out for widow Scarlet Harrison and her daughter. He finds a way to convince her to return to her childhood home in St. Louis by telling her he needs someone to live in his home while he is renovating it. Brad has always had feelings for Scarlet but never acted on them. It soon becomes pretty obvious they have feelings for each other and things heat up that will definitely fan the flames. The deceased husband/best friend plays a prominent role in getting these two together. A close call makes this couple realize how close they come to losing out on a second chance at happiness.

Michele Dunaway does a great job in showing how people deal with survivor's guilt whether you are the surviving spouse or the best friend. It's touching how letters from the deceased husband/best friend helps Brad and Scarlet find a way to have a second chance. Great story!

Book Summary

Former Navy SEAL turned marine rescue firefighter Brad Silverman is tasked with his toughest mission yet: taking care of his best friend's wife. The only problem is that Scarlett Harrison has always been the one-the one who got away, the one who held his heart, and the one who has always been off limits...

Now widowed Scarlett returns to her childhood home in St. Louis, determined to get her life back on track. She misses her husband but can't fight the attraction she feels for sexy fireman Brad. As she spends more time with him, the connection they have had since high school grows stronger. Are they finally ready to overcome their pasts and lose their hearts to each other?

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