Spirits & Sirens

Married writing duo Kelly and Tana Fireside tantalize in their third Owen Station queer romance (after Whiskey & Wine). Ambitious assistant fire chief Allison “Al” Jones is driven to succeed as a queer woman of color by her desire to inspire a younger generation to become firefighters. She’s job- and location-hopped repeatedly as she worked her way up the ladder, making it easy to avoid long-term romantic commitment. Now in tiny Owen Station, Ariz., where everyone knows everyone else’s business and conspiracy theories about local supernatural phenomena abound, she responds to a sinkhole in a residential area and meets Elena Murphy, a photographer, part-time mortuary worker, and occasional ghost whisperer, at the scene. An Owen Station native returning from a stint in Los Angeles, Elena initially butts heads with Al, who doesn’t buy into the supernatural. But when the women band together to solve a decades-old mystery, sparks fly. Readers will warm to Al, Elena, and the solid supporting cast, especially Elena’s feisty grandmother, who seems to know more about the mystery than she should. This quirky and tolerant small town remains a joy to visit. (May)