Are you looking for an edge of your seat, action packed story that has a beautiful romance as well then this is one to pick up, there is a lot going on in this one as we return to CoalCliff and see Doctor Prita and Flynn Findlay find their much deserved HEA.

Prita has moved to Wilson’s Bend to start over again with her adopted son Carter determined to put everything behind her, she is not looking for love and there are good reasons for that but when it appears that some of the locals do not want her there as a new doctor and threatening phone calls are coming through Prita is staying strong and standing up for herself and then there is the Flynn from the horse ranch CoalCliff who is there determined to help even if her feelings are running high when they shouldn’t for this man.

Flynn is widowed and will always love his wife, he and his son Aaron are doing well on the horse ranch stud with his family he struggles at times, the death of his wife has left him struggling with fire of any sort but no one will know of this if he has his way. But spending time with Prita sees his feelings change and his feelings and emotions are running riot when she is around not to mention the fires that seem to be popping up.

I really enjoyed this story, there is so much happening and the emotions and spark that are flying between Prita and Flynn are too much to ignore but Prita has secrets and Flynn is determined to keep a promise but as the threats to Prita get more serious Flynn needs to be there and find a way to keep his secrets as well. I loved the strength and the caring that both Prita and Flynn show two beautiful people, I loved the way that family and friends surround and support these two people that are falling in love in such a beautiful way even with everything that is going one.

This is a story that I do highly recommend Leisl Leighton has bought the characters to life and the danger is so real yes there were lots of heart stopping moments while reading this one but so many beautiful ones as well, thank you MS Leighton for another fabulous story.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy to read and review

The second book in the CoalCliff Stud series, book #1 Climbing Fear was a great introduction to the CoalCliff Stud and the extended family that live there, I enjoyed returning to CoalCliff Stud and it's cast of characters along with some new ones including the new doctor in town Prita and her adopted son Carter.

Prita is a tough and capable doctor who is starting a new life in town whilst hiding from some personal issues she doesn't want to deal with. She is being threatened and she thinks she knows who the culprits are, but when things escalate she has to start taking the threats more seriously. 

Flynn from out at CoalCliff Stud lost his wife a few years before in a fire and is determined not to get emotionally entangled again. Unfortunately, his connection with Prita is stronger than his determination to stay away from her. I really liked the connection that was between Prita and Flynn and I liked the fact that when push came to shove they weren't able to fight it. 

As the secrets Prita has been running from catch up with her, they really highlighted the difference in the way people perceive things and how with communication, so many misunderstandings could be avoided. They also showed what a giving person Prita was and the sacrifices she had made for others. I liked that she was realising that it was time to focus on what she needed and wanted. 

I really enjoy the friendships and family connections that this series contains and the way everyone is there to help when needed. There is definitely something to be said for small-town communities. There is plenty of suspense in this novel and while I thought I knew who one of the bad guys was, I wasn't completely sure until the end. 

Another great read in this series and I really hope there is more to come in this series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Escape Publishing for a digital copy in return for an honest review.

I’ve enjopyed Blazing Fear, second in Leisl Leighton’s Coalcliff Stud series. Set in the tiny town of Wilson’s Bend in the gorgeous Victorian bush near Walhalla, this story is perfect for those who love to escape to the country. This story very strongly focuses on family and community, showcasing the love and care we all show to those who mean something special to us.
I loved the way the suspense built as this story progressed. With bushfires a part of life in our country, I could fully sense the fear that was a part of Prita’s life as one fire after another was lit, each one ramping up the drama. While external events pushed the story along issues affecting both Prita and Flynn were forcing them to face their fears. I thought both Prita and Flynn were well developed characters and I liked the way they dealt with the issues affecting them. While at times I thought things happened a little too conveniently the story pulled together nicely and left me with a happy smile on my face as I finished reading.

Someone is after Dr Prita, but who? Flynn is the handsome man that Dr Prita wants! But the doctor has a secret. Flynn has a secret of his own! Can the two of them find the flame to their love or will the flame find them!


I read and reviewed this advanced complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley

Leighton writes a fine example of romantic suspense that is absolutely worth the read. Though this story is the second in the series, it can be read as a standalone and understood as well as appreciated fully with the aid of backstory details that don't give too much away. I enjoyed this read and its fun descriptions and moments of action and suspense. I definitely recommend.

Blazing Fear is the second book in Leisl Leighton’s Coalcliff Stud series. This is a romantic suspense novel that takes place in Australia. It is well written with a fantastic storyline and great, well developed characters.

Dr. Prita Brennan, has moved to Wilson’s Bend with her adoptive son, Carter looking for a fresh start. She doesn’t have time in her life for love, especially from Flynn Findlay, widower and owner of a local horse stud farm. Controlling his feelings and being a good father to his son, Aaron, has played a very important part of Flynn’s life since his wife’s death, but when Prita moves to town everything changes. Suddenly, controlling his emotions becomes very hard and when mysterious gifts and fires start popping up around Prita, Flynn has no choice but to face his fears and his feelings. But will he be able to find and save Prita when she disappears, or will he lose his second chance at love? Read it and find out.

I originally discovered Leisl Leighton and this series through Netgalley. The cover drew my attention and once I read the synopsis I was hooked. This book contains a happily ever after, and although it is the second book in the series, it can be read as a standalone. The author does a fantastic job explaining storylines and characters from the first book without giving too much away. I cant wait to read the first book in the series, Climbing Fear.

This is a voluntary review of an advanced readers copy received from Netgalley.

Blazing Fear is an entertaining and well written romantic suspense. Great plot with believable characters. Suspense fans will not want to miss this book. I received an arc from the publisher and Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.

3.5 stars.

A quote (from ARC):
Had he betrayed his promise to her? No. He hadn’t forgotten her. Would never replace her. What he’d had with Prita wasn’t a replacement. It was something else. Something completely and utterly foreign and wild and… and necessary.”

The closeness and authenticity between the romantic couple and other character’s relationships are captivating in “Blazing Fear”, by Leisl Leighton (Escape Publishing), an Australian set romantic suspense novel, acutely opportune when bushfires are devastating this country.
The story has a slow start, with lots of unnecessary details or descriptions of prosaic routines and tasks; Flynn and Prita’s romance also seemed a bit like teenagers with crushes in the beginning.
But as the story moved forward I was engrossed with this very well put together, competent and passionate woman, the traumatized hero, who manages to be an alpha and beta male, overbearing yet sweet and gentle, and the complicated and genuine relationship and intimacy between them.
The tortured hero’s journey is fascinating to watch, as he leaves the past behind, without forgetting it, being vulnerable without being weak.
Prita and Carter’s bond is also amazing, this little boy – as the other children in the story – would make a great adult character.

BLAZING FEAR by Leisl Leighton is a romantic suspense novel and the second book in the CoalCliff Stud series. It is set in Australia. The two main characters in the story are Dr. Prita Brennan who is making a fresh start with her adoptive son and Flynn Findlay who operates a horse stud farm and whose wife died six years ago during a brushfire. Prita is being harassed and then this intensifies and spirals into arson.

Unfortunately, the timing of the publication of this novel coincides with the actual brushfires that are devastating so much of Australia and may not be a comfortable read for those that are affected by this stark reality.

However, the characters are compelling and felt three-dimensional. There was enough at stake to keep me engaged throughout the story. The world-building was absolutely fantastic and gave a clear sense of place. The ending was heartwarming and satisfying. There are a number of themes running through this novel including family relationships, greed, arson, assault (verbal and physical), love, marriage, friendship, traditional and cultural family customs and values and much more.

Overall, the plot was intriguing, suspenseful, ominous and well-paced. I would recommend it to those that enjoy romantic suspense novels that are heavy on the suspense. The first steamy scene isn’t until about 60 percent into the book. I look forward to reading the first book in this series.

Thanks to Harlequin Australia – Escape Publishing and Leisl Leighton for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.

‘Blazing Fear’s’ association with bushfires is an honestly uncomfortable one at the moment, more so since this is being read just as Australia suffers from an unprecedented bushfire climate catastrophe. To read about lost lives, property and the overwhelming number of animals that perished in the blazes in the news—and to see it mirrored in fiction as PTSD is a crossover from reality is just unfortunate timing.

But this didn’t work out for me not because of its link to Australia burning, but rather, because of its glacial pacing and a determination to put every minute detail (of observations, of events, of dialogue) onto paper.

I could understand the need to build up the tension between Prita and Flynn but mostly, the plot got bogged down by superfluity, with very wordy scenes (like off-shoots that throw in more and more secondary characters) and inner monologues about their own emotional angst that felt it belonged more in the halls of high school than between two consenting adults with their own issues.

As a result, it was difficult to get into a pairing that spent more time in their own heads and second-guessing their own emotions, as their children did their own things. I skimmed major parts of it, unable to wait around for the suspense or the romance to develop when I wanted was a strong, driving forward momentum that just didn’t seem to be there.

And perhaps this was my biggest gripe: that this could have been halved and made more effective without the rambly and repetitive storytelling. Whatever interest I had somehow dwindled and as I found myself skipping more and more pages just trying to search for the book’s emotional core, then realised that it was better that I called it a day.

This book sounding so good and I think it would have been but I just didn’t like the authors style of writing, it felt all over the place at times, repetitive and pointless descriptions. Sorry this just wasn’t for me