Hard-edged fireman Dean Mulligan has never been a big fan of Christmas. Twinkly lights and sparkly tinsel can’t brighten the memories of too many years spent in ramshackle foster homes. Although he’s established himself as one of the top firefighters at San Gabriel Station 1, he doesn’t think he’s good enough for someone like gorgeous Lizzie.
Lizzie Breen is used to fighting—from her alpha male brothers, who try to smother her in the name of safety, to the life-threatening childhood illness she overcame. She knows what she and Mulligan feel for each other is a lot more than a fling, but she can’t get him to see that. The only gift Lizzie wants to give him this season is her love, but he’s not willing to accept it.
When Mulligan is trapped in the burning wreckage of a holiday store, a Christmas angel arrives to open his eyes. But is it too late? This Christmas, it’ll take an angel, a determined woman in love, and the entire Bachelor Firemen crew to make him believe … it is indeed a wonderful life.
With a whoosh, his breath was knocked from his body by a sudden hug from Lizzie. More than a hug—she meant business. He turned and steadied her against him. Her face tilted to gaze up at him, her bright eyes misting with tears.
“You really did get me a present. The perfect present too.”
He felt a smile begin, a helpless, goofy, adoring smile. She always made him feel so good. “Of course. You think I’m that much of a horndog that I’d lie to lure you into my evil snare?” He stroked her supple upper arms, savoring the fine texture of her skin.
“Well . . .” She made a comical face. “Not exactly, since you’ve been keeping me at arm’s length for weeks now.”
“That was for your own good,” he growled. “But all bets are off if you’re going to wear stuff like this.” He traced the neckline of her dress, the warmth of her skin radiating under his hand.
“Really? Because I was kind of wondering what would happen if I stopped wearing it.” Without warning, she reached toward the side of her dress and drew down the hidden zipper. He went pale.
“Stop right there.”
“Why?” She shimmied, the dress inching down her body.
“Because I can’t be responsible for the consequences.” His gaze latched on to the skin revealed by the zipper. Most of Lizzie was a golden tan from all her outdoor activity, but her torso had a moon-glow sheen that made his mouth water.
“I release you from all responsibility,” she whispered. “I hereby declare that I, Lizzie Breen, am dying to make love to you, Dean Mulligan, and that if I have to wait much longer I won’t be responsible for the consequences, but they’ll be ugly and will probably involve a fire hose or some martial arts moves or something drastic like that. Signed, Elizabeth Elspeth Breen.”
“Elspeth?”
“Don’t ask. Just make love to me, Mulligan.”
This is officially the last book in the series, and of course I'm a bit sad to see it end. I've truly enjoyed all these wonderful firemen. Jennifer Bernard has written an amazing series, with some incredible heroes, whose stories I could read over and over again.
I do like that she's finishing this off with a Christmas novella. It's one of the best times in the year and somehow with the cold weather and the hot chocolate, all books feel a bit more magical than usual. Which is very true when it comes to this one.
Mulligan is kind of a scrooge when it comes to Christmas. With not the best upbringing, the holidays don't really do it for him. Also because of his past, he tends to put himself down a lot. He's got the confidence in himself, but he downplays a lot of the good that he does and when it comes to relationships, he almost feels unworthy.
You can say that Lizzie, who he has been dating, doesn't see him that way. Though it seems she has a hard time trying to convince him. When Mulligan gets trapped in a burning building, things change. Faced with possible death, Mulligan goes on a little trip down memory lane. Meanwhile Lizzie is stuck on the outside, and also has to come to terms with her feelings towards him. They need to decide if they will give it their all.
It's A Wonderful Fireman is exactly what you've come to expect from Jennifer Bernard. Funny, sweet, sexy, literally hot, are just a few words to describe this novella. I especially loved the end, though there were plenty of other "awww" moments throughout. A very sweet ending to a wonderful series.
Jennifer Bernard is the USA Today bestselling author of the Bachelor Firemen of San Gabriel series. A graduate of Harvard and a former news promo producer. The child of academics, she confounded her family by preferring romance novels to any other books. She left big city life for true love in Alaska, where she now lives with her husband and stepdaughters. She’s no stranger to book success, as she also writes erotic novellas under a naughty secret name not to be mentioned at family gatherings.
Besides reading, writing and living romance, another passion is Ashtanga yoga. She practices daily, and has traveled to Thailand, India and Hawaii to learn from the best teachers on the planet. Other than that, she love hiking, meditating, hazelnut chocolate, the children she is graced to have in her life.
I do like that she's finishing this off with a Christmas novella. It's one of the best times in the year and somehow with the cold weather and the hot chocolate, all books feel a bit more magical than usual. Which is very true when it comes to this one.
Mulligan is kind of a scrooge when it comes to Christmas. With not the best upbringing, the holidays don't really do it for him. Also because of his past, he tends to put himself down a lot. He's got the confidence in himself, but he downplays a lot of the good that he does and when it comes to relationships, he almost feels unworthy.
You can say that Lizzie, who he has been dating, doesn't see him that way. Though it seems she has a hard time trying to convince him. When Mulligan gets trapped in a burning building, things change. Faced with possible death, Mulligan goes on a little trip down memory lane. Meanwhile Lizzie is stuck on the outside, and also has to come to terms with her feelings towards him. They need to decide if they will give it their all.
It's A Wonderful Fireman is exactly what you've come to expect from Jennifer Bernard. Funny, sweet, sexy, literally hot, are just a few words to describe this novella. I especially loved the end, though there were plenty of other "awww" moments throughout. A very sweet ending to a wonderful series.
The Bachelor Fireman Of San Gabriel - Reading order and purchase links
All novels can be read as a standalone, though you will probably want to read them all :)
All novels can be read as a standalone, though you will probably want to read them all :)
The Author
Besides reading, writing and living romance, another passion is Ashtanga yoga. She practices daily, and has traveled to Thailand, India and Hawaii to learn from the best teachers on the planet. Other than that, she love hiking, meditating, hazelnut chocolate, the children she is graced to have in her life.
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