What's behind the mask?

Any additional comments?

The story is about a beautiful woman, Miranda, forced into marriage by her father. She has the power to create fire but refuses to use it or tell anyone about it. She also has an identity in the underworld of London as Pan. This is where our main characters first meet. Ben hides behind a mask, like in the Phantom of the Opera, not letting anyone see him. They don't even have sex for the longest time because of it. Miranda said it the best...she was his partner but not his wife. So it is quite obvious that they both have trust issues to work through.

The weakest part of the book, for me, was the romance. It was easy to identify the systematic formula used to lead us into the passionate moments. Each time the characters came together they moved to a new base, until they finally reached home. I wanted to scream "About time!" Talk about being teased.

When we finally get to the unveiling of the mask, I didn't guess 100% correct, but I was on the right track. That was a neat twist and the solution to the problem took on two point of views. It was interesting to listen to Miranda's view and then take a moment to know what Ben was experiencing too.

I wasn't expecting the villan to be who I thought it would be...although, looking back, I didn't like the person in question, but I didn't know how they fit in to the over all mystery...all the clues lead to that person tho. I don't read alot of mysteries, but I think that is what a reader is suppose to do...keep guessing. And if you can guess who did it the author didn't do a very good job of writing. So good job!

13 people found this helpful

This is the most frustrating book I ever read!!

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I am not sure how to rate this book the story was great but the writer just took too long to get to the point. A few times I just wanted to tear my hair out. I stopped listening few times.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Get to the point !!! it was frustrating !!!

4 people found this helpful

Enjoyable

Would you try another book from Kristen Callihan and/or Moira Quirk?

The author tells a good tale. The reader was a bit on the breathy side, kind of airy, but she did a good job and was worth listening to.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I tend to read romance's for the interaction between the hero and heroine, this was missing a bit of that. The murderer is kind of easy to figure out. The lying and hiding between the two is a bit off putting and kind of made it hard to finish.

What three words best describe Moira Quirk’s performance?

Breathy, Quiet, Solid

What would have made this romance irresistible?

More interaction between the two main characters, more dialogue and chemistry.

Any additional comments?

This is an entertaining book, not something I was expecting. I did enjoy most of it and found it worth the listen. I wish it had more romance as it is a romance and less focus on other characters or the non-mysterious murder. But it is worth the listen.

4 people found this helpful

A Beauty and the Beast kind of story.

A regency romance with a bit of paranormal tinge. I liked this story but I didn't love it. It does have a unique paranormal twist which I enjoyed, but I would have liked a bit more details on the back ground of what was happening to Archer. I really liked Miranda and her fiery spirit, but also that she realized when she was being a ninny too. My biggest problem with the book is how they keep saying how they never tell a lie and that they are straight forward, but then lie and avoid the truth with the important parts of their lives. The redeeming part is they call each other on it and eventually get past it. I also guessed who the bad guy was almost immediately and never strayed from my conclusion. I will read the next book in the series, but I will probably wait until there is a sale. The narrator was decent in the sound of her voice, but needs a little more work on the distinctiveness of each character.

3 people found this helpful

Fantastic book

Any additional comments?

I found this book in my library and had forgotten i had it. I have just finished listening to this amazing author and narrator. The story has everything, suspense, excitement, love, lust, danger and much more. I thoroughly enjoyed this story so much i must say it is the best book i have read for a long time. Defiantly in my top 10. So very GOOD :)

3 people found this helpful

Fiery Start to a New Series

Would you consider the audio edition of Firelight to be better than the print version?

I prefer audio books to reading so I don't know

What did you like best about this story?

The interesting paranormal creatures

What about Moira Quirk’s performance did you like?

She was okay, I think she did a good job with Miranda's voice, but needs to work on the emotional undertones of the characters in the story. So she is not bad but she could do better.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I thought the story was well written or told It keeps you engaged throughout. The romantic connection between the two main characters, but it also leads you to want to know more about their world and the people who in habit it.

3 people found this helpful

A Perfect Book

What did you love best about Firelight?

This book is one of the best that I've listened to. Great story with well paced action. Absolutely no slow spots. A Historical/Paranormal Romance that doesn't seem forced at all. And Moira Quirk's narration was flawless. I gave serious thought to listening to this book again half an hour after finishing it the first time. It's a book I'm glad to have on those occasions when I'm out of credits. Miranda's very entertaining sisters have their own books coming out. This is a no-brainer, auto-buy series. Very well done.

9 people found this helpful

A fun, mysterious adventure!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes! Very well written and read! The story was well paced and revealed just enough detail to keep the mind wondering about the rest of the mystery. The narrator was fantastic and actually enhanced the story with different accents and speech patterns that were very well done. Her interpretation of male voices was seamless and believable.

What other book might you compare Firelight to and why?

It is kind of a fairy tale. I wouldn't compare it to a single one--though it clearly has La Belle et la Bete overtones--because this story gives strength and power to the female lead. It was fun!

Have you listened to any of Moira Quirk’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Nope. This was my first one. Wouldn't hesitate to listen to her again though! One of my new favorites!

2 people found this helpful

Enjoyable PNR

3.5 stars

Firelight started out holding my attention almost immediately. Miranda is a strong character with a witty sense of humor; she’s intelligent, brave, and loyal, and fights for those whom she loves. She holds a secret power that has both ruined her family’s fortune and saved her life. For much of the novel she internally struggles with the power and freedom of wielding such a thing.

Archer is my favorite type of man to read about – a beta male. It’s such a breath of fresh air to read about a man without the machismo “I am man. submit to my will” type of guy. He is also holding a secret about himself that was unique and surprising. I can’t say much more without ruining it, but i enjoyed the ‘unmasking’ of him, both emotionally and physically.

Plots can sometimes be lost within some PNRs, but the story-line in Firelight was strong and enjoyable. The series will continue with a different couple, which I much prefer to a series that drags on a relationship to the point of tedium.

I thought the middle was a little repetitive and I began to get frustrated with how long it took for Miranda and Archer to just come clean about their major secrets. There was insta-love which I can dig, but I know isn’t everyone’s style. I also figured out who was the killer pretty early on, which was regrettable because I love a good mystery. The thing that redeemed the story though was the strength of the characters, so I was able to look past those things.

Audio
I haven’t listen to anything of Moira Quirks before, but she was fantastic. Her cadence was smooth and the characters were easily distinguishable, which must have been a feat because the character list was extensive as Callihan did a lot of world building in this book to set up for the series.

1 person found this helpful

Loved the British accent

Firelight was highly addictive. Right from the beginning this book/audio drew me in. It made me INSTANTLY miss reading historicals. I’m picky with the historical romance books that I read since they aren’t my favorite genre but I do enjoy them. Firelight had the perfect mixture of historical with a paranormal twist, a touch of mystery and romance.

The story is about Miranda and Archer, their tumultuous relationship. Both of them are holding back secrets from each other. Archer will not reveal what he looks like, not many people know why, but you can imagine in London 1881 there is tons of gossip about him. Miranda holds powers that only her family knows about and have no clue of it’s origin. Miranda and Archer hit it off from the start. Miranda being slightly different herself will not shun Archer like others do.

Miranda is one tough cookie, she is not the typical meek young lady that will sit back and do as her father or husband says. She always speaks her mind and will not wait idly for anything, whenever action need to be taken SHE WILL take care of it.

Archer is an old soul. He is dark and sexy and very far out of the norm. Like Miranda, I was falling in love with Archer throughout the book without even knowing what he looked like.
Their love for each other build through out the book. It was serious torture witnessing the sexual chemistry that crackled between them.

Callihan told Firelight from several point of views, although it was primarily through Archer and Miranda. Several other characters held the reins quickly but it was more so to enhance the story in my opinion not to take away from the main couple.

I think I would have enjoyed the book a little bit more if I had more info on how or why Miranda had her powers. But, I very much liked this book and can’t wait to hear more from Kristen Callihan and this Darkest London series.

Narrator Note: I heard some of my friends didn’t like this narration that much and was hesitant to start this one. I will say that I LOVED the narration in this audio. I’m a sucker for accents and her British accent I thought was right on. She also had very distinctive voices for each character, either male or female, boy or girl. I can’t wait to hear more of her narrations.

3 people found this helpful