RELEASE DAY REVIEW: Fire and Iron – Carlisle Troopers #4 – Andrew Grey

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Gregory Montrose and Fillian O’Connell grew up next door with a tall fence separating their families.

Fillian, now a state trooper, grew up with plenty of love and little else, looking over the fence at the neighbor’s pool he never got to swim in. His family barely made ends meet and he worked hard for everything he has—including making it to the police academy and graduating at the top of his class, and landing a posting in the Carlisle area.

Electrician, Gregory had everything growing up, at least on the surface, but it was for appearances. He looked over the fence at the family who did everything together, and listened to his parents fighting most nights. His parents made sure he had all the advantages money could buy, but little else.

When a domestic disturbance call reunites them, both men have changed, and yet they are so very different. Fillian has the life he’s always wanted and Gregory is struggling to raise his niece and nephew. Attraction is a surprise for both of them and as heat builds between them, family disasters threaten to either blow them apart or forge them stronger, like steel.

Fillian O’Connell grew up next door to Gregory Montrose and envied him his swimming pool and all his toys. Fillian’s parents struggled to give him whatever they could afford but showered him with love.

Fillian is now a State Trooper working in Carlisle PA when he is called to a domestic dispute. When he arrives, he finds a man running out of the house while someone inside is shooting. When the dust clears the victim comes out of hiding and the suspect is sent to jail. When he begins getting information from the victim, he recognizes his childhood next door neighbor Gregory Montrose.

Gregory was doing electrical work at the home when Lawrence the suspect tried to attack him when everyone was safely away the entire house exploded taking the two houses nearby. Expecting that to be the last time he saw Gregory he was mistaken because Fillian showed up for Rugby practice as the new teammate.

After so many years the two men are reunited and begin to spend time with each other. Gregory is now the caretaker for his young niece Marnie and nephew Weston after the death of his brother and his wife. Although he is attracted to Fillian he doesn’t expect anything to come of it what single man would want to be tied down to two very young children.

When Lawrence, who has made bail begins to stalk Gregory he begins to fear for the kids, but nothing can be done until Lawrence does something or is caught stalking, so Gregory’s fear escalates. Fillian tries to be there for Gregory and the kids, but his hands are tied. Spending time together Fillian begins to realize that all the material things that Gregory appeared to have meant nothing without love and parental care. It just proved the grass may be greener on the other side but it is full of weeds.

The stalking continues but gets worse and Gregory’s fear just increases. The budding romance between Gregory and Fillian is jeopardized by all the incidents that occur, notes, a fire and more.

The kids are adorable and take to Fillian right away welcoming him into the family. Of course, there is sex, suspense and what I love most about Andrew Grey’s books it is filled with heart. Everybook, I have read has left me feeling a sense of joy or a lesson learned but mostly the way Mr. Grey can show the main characters each with a profound sense of acceptance and love.