Firemen of Waterford, TN

Talk about making a bad first impression. The rookie at Waterford's fire station literally hauled me out of my own home, over his shoulder. Was my kitchen on fire? Yes. Did I have it nearly contained? Also yes. And now he's been tasked with making up for his overzealous rescue attempts by showing up to my bakery to grovel daily. And beg for my donuts. Don't get me wrong, the man is built like a redwood, has the personality of a golden retriever, and eyes you could get lost in for days. But I'm not dating. Not after my last serious boyfriend left town without looking back. I'm devoted to three things: my hometown, my bakery, and my friends. That is, until an opportunity to enter a baking contest catches my eye. And I need a partner. Enter the rookie. Yes, the same one who easily lifted me and slung me over his shoulder. My best friend and business partner, bless her heart, suggests we fake a relationship-just for the sake of the contest. It seems like a simple fix. Don't worry. It's not like I'm going to fall for him. I'm immune to his charms. Mostly. Fire and Icing is a sweet, closed-door romcom with kisses that might require a fire extinguisher. This standalone story is the first in the series The Firemen of Waterford, TN.

My nemesis is about to ruin my life. Is Patrick O'Connell gorgeous? Unfortunately, yes. Jet-black hair, smoldering eyes, and those muscles I accidentally saw when my friends dragged me to spy on the fireman calendar photo shoot. Is Patrick O'Connell also the bane of my existence? Absolutely. He wrecked my dream years ago, and I'll never forget what he-and his family-took from me. Now the O'Connells want to dump a big-box store right next to my cozy bookshop. Over my dead body. Thankfully, I have a distraction: the anonymous podcast host of Burning Through the Pages. His voice is pure comfort-like a warm blanket by a crackling fire. He's clever, kind, and funny. With each late-night message, I want more. So much more that I'm almost tempted to ask him to meet face-to-face. The future of my bookshop is uncertain-but the fate of my heart feels even more fragile. Book and Ladder is a sweet, closed-door, hidden-identity, enemies-to-lovers romcom-a slow burn with kisses hot enough to need a fire extinguisher. A standalone in The Firemen of Waterford, TN series.