Flash of Fire

The rush of adrenaline fans the flames of love in Buchman's fourth Firehawks contemporary romantic thriller, following 2015's Hot Point. Helicopter pilot Robin Harrow, fresh from her service in the Arizona Army National Guard, sees a season working with the firefighters of Mount Hood Aviation as preferable to waitressing at her mother's truck stop. She's stunned to discover she's temporarily replacing one of Mount Hood's top people, with much to learn and impossible high expectations. She first clashes with, then falls hard for fellow pilot Mickey Hamilton, who seems her perfect match in every way. However, Robin has no room in her life for romance, which threatens to destroy their fledgling relationship. When the two are assigned to help fight a devastating fire overseas, they have to confront their feelings in a life-and-death situation. Buchman skillfully weaves the pulse-pounding action of aerial firefighting with military intrigue, wrapping it around an emotionally rich romantic core to deliver a satisfying tale. The formulaic elements and familiar archetypes only add to the consistently reliable sense of satisfaction and fulfillment that comes with each new installment of this steadily expanding series. (May) No star.