Glynna & Dare from “Fired Up” by Mary Connealy

Fired Up is the 2^nd book in Mary’s Trouble in Texas series; I was hooked with the first one and fired up for this one!  It didn’t disappoint in any way, but some of the doctoring situations made me a bit squeamish.  I’m not so good with blood and have a very vivid imagination!  Despite my aversion to all things medical, the book was still a great read.  Mary’s books are always exciting with a good mix of drama, adventure, and romance- all the elements of a good Western!

The story picks up shortly after the events of book one.  While it’s not necessary to read the first book (Swept Away) before diving into this one, I think doing so would make it more enjoyable.  The first interactions between the main characters Glynna and Dare really sparked my interest back when I read it.  I loved the tension between them, and reading Dare’s first impression of her, comparing her to a lioness.

Glynna's first husband's surname was Sevier, her second's was Greer.

True to his first impression, Glynna continues to be a feisty, strong woman, but in Fired Up we also get to see the depth of her character and her vulnerable side.  With her 2^nd no-good husband dead and his ranch returned to its rightful owner Luke, Glynna has little options and chooses to move into the café in town with her two children in order to make a living.  The only trouble is… she can’t cook to save her life!  Luckily her good looks are enough to still bring customers in for a meal, and then strait to Dare, the self-appointed town Doctor who had a hand in previously recuing Glynna.  With business booming and romance in the air all is well.  Oh, except for the avalanche, an epidemic among the natives, all kinds of sick patients, an angry son, a threatening fire…  I told you it was exciting!

Dare can't keep his eyes off Glynna

Throughout the story Glynna struggles between making things work at the café and giving her children what they need.  Her son is filled with anger from the men who’ve treated Glynna poorly and won’t let Dare have an inch.  Dare, madly in love with Glynna tries to help the boy, but is having a crisis of his own when it comes to his Doctoring.  Never having received any official training, he starts to feel that practicing is wrong, but with no one else in town to do it, he feels compelled to keep helping people.

You’re in for a ride with this one.  I assure you the ending is satisfying, and of course the foundation for book 3 is clearly laid by the end of it, keeping me in anticipation for the next!

*Art Note- I knew I had to draw Glynna proudly displaying a burnt something!  I originally was going to draw in guys swooning off their stools over her, but decided to keep it simple.  That's where the above sketch of Dare came from.  I just thought it would be funny.

(I received a review copy of this book from the publisher)

-Monica