Darington a.k.a. Dare Knight, Montana smoke jumper is back in Australia for her grandfather’s funeral. She hasn’t been back since she was a geeky, introvert teenager now back again, she doesn’t feel like she belong in the crowd of people except she catches handsome Lachlan a.k.a. Lock Ryker, Melbourne Senior station officer. Sparks are flying all over them and she brings him along for getting tattoo to honor their grandfather with all her cousins. Dare decided to leave the place with Lachlan and spends a night but leaves him early in the morning.
After couple month, Dare is back in his station staring at Lock. Lock couldn’t believe she is at his station except she is reporting for duty. Due to Dare’s grandfather’s passing and investigation on his reputation, she couldn’t stay anywhere near his cousins so she was handed to Lock for remaining time in Australia.
Lock is stickler for rules and he decided to offer her a job at his station but off limits. However, he offers his house while staying in his station and he can’t keep his mind off her. Dare is always pushing limit but she understood rules and respected Lock for keeping his distance.
Dare seems fearless and strong but she was referred as damaged on file. when she was in high school she lost her soul mate to brain tumor and ever since then she wanted to live her life for him. That’s why she joined military instead of pursuing swimming in UCLA and can’t never commit to any relationships. She believed keeping his first in heart meant she keeps all her feelings at bay.
Lock has his past as well. When he lost his parents to tragic accident, he had to take care of his younger siblings and married who he thought he was compatible with his family. But that didn’t last as long as he thought he would and that turned him away from relationships.
He knew strong pull toward Dare and she wanted to know more about her even if file read damaged. He knew she was better than any women. But he can’t risk his job and he knew she was heading back to the states.
Now, both are finally opening up to each other, his ex-wife comes back and stirs things for both and Dare has surprise of her own. What will both do to over come their fears and will they finally find happily ever after.?

Sexy, strong minded firefighters in love with dark past. Both were sexy and perfect fit for each other. It was interesting how Dare struggle through losing a love but finding another one.. I can’t wait to read about her other cousins.

I will always try to enjoy firefighter stories, because they are firefighters. We meet Dare and Lachlan, and they meet in a funeral and have sex, yup, a funeral and he ends up being her boss. She was feisty, and her name says it all, so she was not my favorite person, it took me a while to get into it, but I eventually did, read til the end, and it was hot, I will give you that, but they did have a lot of issues, which you know eventually got resolved. Ok read, not my favorite

Whoah! This one had my cheeks pinking up in well under a chapter. In fact the moment Dare Knight and Lachlan Ryker, Lock to his friends, locked eyes I knew this was going to be one sizzling hot story, and I was not disappointed. Third in the four-book Hot Aussie Nights, this story delivers plenty of ripped abs and gorgeous bodies, but there is also a strong emotional thread.
The story sensitively explores Dare's issues with relationships and commitment which arose from the deaths of people who were very close to her. I liked the way Dare confronted her demons and healed as the story progressed. Mind you, this is not just a story of healing. There's also the growing relationship between Lock and Dare and the way they come to realise their love for each other.
The story is nicely paced and a good length for a long afternoon read. With well developed lead characters it had me sucked in from the early pages and kept me there.

The opening of the book was a lot of fun. Dare and Lock are at a funeral and the follow up wake. Her grandfather--a well-respected firefighter in Australia--has died. She's been close to him for years, even after a traumatic experience that left her wounded. He was her anchor.

Though she's from and American branch of the family, she has a ton of relatives at the wake. She's arranged to serve in a temporary position in Australia to learn some new techniques. These two meet and there are instant sparks. What I like is that it's totally believable and totally character based.

Of course things go wrong after, and then eventually they are thrown together with him as her boss. The story goes from there, with each learning trust and learning how to reach out to the other. I thought the end was satisfying and both came together in a real and emotional way. Definitely worth reading.

Not having read the first book in the series did not deter me from thoroughly enjoying this story...I never felt lost or was missing important parts of the backstory.

I enjoyed Lach and Dare's interactions and the growth of their relationship. The dialogue and banter between the two was enjoyable.

This ARC book was a complimentary copy provided by the Publisher and Netgally, I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

I really loved the premise on this one but sadly the story did not pull through for me. Dare and Lochlan didn't work their way into my heart. Dare is a touch gal and I get that she is a spitfire but there just wasn't enough softness to her character to allow me to feel something for her. She was just to brazen and at times it just kind of came off as skanky instead of endearing. I liked Lochlan's character and did feel come connection to him. Sadly I couldn't help but want him to find a different girl. The second half of the book did pick up and I ended up enjoying it more than the first half but was not blown away and left with just kind of a "okay that's done" kind of feeling at the end.

The second story in the Hot Aussie Knights series is well on its way to making this reader a long-term fan!

Each main character has their own unique background and breaking the rules on a temporary assignment will only complicate an already heated and volatile situation. Dare is confident, resilient and nobody’s doormat, while Lachlan is a by-the-book supervisor, who doesn’t mix business with pleasure……but will he cave?

A great storyline, captivating characters and intense, undeniable attraction, make this a wonderful sequel to Hot Mess.

Burning Both Ends is a sizzling romance where both the heroine and the hero bring in much of their conflict from their pasts. Going to Australia as part of an exchange program with the firefighters wasn’t exactly Dare’s choice in the matter. She’d been pretty much told she was going and that was it. Add into that situation the stress of her grandfather’s recent death – and there is a lot of emotional turmoil facing Dare as she arrives for her firefighter grandfather’s funeral and wake at the local bar. Lock had also lost his friend and mentor at the senior Knight’s death, and nothing about being at this reunion of friends, family and firefighters was comfortable for him right up until she walked in the bar. It was her eyes that got to him first, vulnerable sadness that was quickly covered with determination, that super body, maybe – but in truth it was the attitude, the total sass that was hot, sensuous and beguiling all at once that had him doing what he knew he shouldn’t. Both had issues in their past, their present could easily be a hot, sexy, momentary fling until their future became more important – the stay with me forever kind of important.

I enjoyed my time with Dare and Lock in Burning Both Ends which is the second story in two series, Hot Aussie Knights and Smoky Mountain Knights. There is a lot of emotion going on in this story. Some of it I completely understood, yet there were times when I really wanted them each to move beyond what was and reach out for what could be. There are aspects of this story that I cannot talk about for they fall under major spoilers. So, I’ll say I wish there had been another type of resolution, bringing them together. I think they deserved better than what they were served. But. It’s not my story to tell, only a story to read and react to. In the end, all of their issues were dealt with, and I guess that’s what really matters.

If you’re in the mood for an emotional, sizzling story with hearts fully engaged, then Burning Both Ends is one you’ll want to pick up. It’s a solid story, engaging main characters and a story that will touch your heart. I’d recommend this one for any Romance reader.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

I haven’t read a Sinclair Jayne story that I didn’t like with Burning Both Ends being no exception. Book 2 in the Hot Aussie Knights Series begins at the funeral that book 1 also has. Each book in this series has different authors but share the Knight family though Burning Both Ends has transplanted to Australia, Darington “Dare” Knight as the lead female character with fire station commander, Lachlan “Lock” Ryker as the male lead.

Romance among co-workers has its own share of problems besides being in a dangerous life-threatening career. Throw in these two hooking up before they knew that they would be working together and you can see the fireworks coming. Angst is strong as they work through all the emotional baggage both have. I found myself pulling for them while wanting to dish out some needed advice to Dare.

Burning Both Ends is the second book in the Hot Aussie Knights series. In this sexy, sensual story send Darington “Dare” Knight to Australia as part of an exchange program after she loses two of her own. There she meets Lachlan “Lock” Ryker, fire station commander, the same man she shared a night of sizzling passion with. Can these two work together and keep it professional or will the fires spark brighter and cause a burn the neither will be able to avoid.

Great story I really enjoyed the writing style of this author and look forward to reading more of her books.

A fantastic read i just loved Lock and Dare they were fantastic characters and the chemistry between them was smoking hot.A super read i can not wait to read the rest of the series would recommend this book to all.

These two characters are so opposite to each other but share so much that is the same. Dare never thought she'd find someone to love ever again and Lock just didn't trust himself enough to have a relationship with anyone. But for them, it was love at first sight. They just didn't know it yet. The book follows their time together as Dare who initially gets jostled from one firehouse to another and finally ends up at Lachlan's. Keeping this firecracker under control is more than Lock can handle but protecting his heart from her is even more difficult than he can imagine. Dare is clinging on to a ghost but Lock is fast breaking through her defenses. In spite of each of them placating themselves that their relationship has an expiry date, love has much greater and better plans for them.

** spoiler alert **

The second of this multi-author series about a firefighting family makes the most of its opposites attract premise, throwing in a bit of secrecy and forbidden fruit and more than a few issues around romance and trust. I found it mostly enjoyable, if a little irritating at times with regards to some of Dare’s actions, but it was okay.

Until it wasn’t. But I’ll get to that later.

Firstly, Lock seems like a decent guy. He’s a big protector-sort, who tries not to let the power of his position go to his head. Yes, he follows the rules, but in a dangerous profession like firefighting, I can’t see that as a bad thing. He’s also sporty and sexy and a nice guy.

Then there’s Dare, who is everything Lock isn’t. She’s impulsive and not one for rules and I was always waiting for her to do something dangerous or foolhardy. She’s also suffered quite a lot of loss in her life and seems to be at a crossroads, unmoored, uncertain and unconnected to pretty much anything. Lock is a safe harbour for her, providing friendship as well as sex, and they get on well.

However, their relationship is never particularly well balanced. Lock is clearly all in from very early on, while Dare vows never to fall in love and pouts about him not caring enough for her to ask her to stay. Her emotions lack maturity (for a reason), but it did mean Lock often seemed the more adult of the two, always taking her feelings into account while she stuck her fingers in her ears and pretended the obvious wasn’t happening.

Which, in my opinion, was more than enough issues for them to have to clamber over to find their HEA. They normally live an ocean apart, Dare thinks her heart still belongs to a boy she loved ten years ago, there’s a no fraternisation policy at work, Lock’s technically her boss, her family is legion and protective, he has an ex-wife who did a number on him… is this not enough?

Apparently not, because low and behold, despite her being on the pill and him always using condoms, her breast start to feel tender. That one throwaway line had my heart sinking. Please don’t go there, please don’t, I thought, but of course, it did. Yep, we have an unwanted pregnancy, because a baby really is the only way to resolve all your issues. And birth control fails. All the time.

That pisses me off. Not just the failure of birth control, but the way throwing a fetus into the mix will cure everything. It feels lazy and unnecessary and it made me annoyed for the rest of the book. I would much rather Lock had time to tell Dare his feelings in his own time. Likewise, I would have much preferred that Dare came to realise that her love for Lock was enough to get over the past because he was enough, not because his children deserved a father and she wanted to be with the father of her babies. There was plenty of angst already swilling around and instead of getting work-related drama, we got baby drama that made me want to smack Dare upside the head and shout, “Consider the source!”

So. Yeah. I liked Lock, felt a bit indifferent about Dare and whether or not she was going to do something reckless or keep using Lock like an emotional crutch, and hated the pregnancy plot. All of which left me feeling mostly disappointed by this one. Lock deserved better.

It's hard to deal with all the loss Darington 'Dare' Knight has had in her life, but when tragedy struck while on the job as a smoke jumper, her commander was worried enough to send her on a firefighter exchange program where she could be closer to family. However, when she discovers the hot guy she hooked up with -- on her first night Down Under -- is her new station commander, Dare finds herself having to fight their attraction, because Lachlan 'Lock' Ryker is a big stickler for rules and that means no fraternizing with other firefighters under his command. Yet, there's no denying their chemistry and when things start to get serious between the pair, will Dare run or will she finally realize that she needs to move on from the past to be completely happy in life?

Having really enjoyed the first book of this series, which was penned by the brilliant Amy Andrews, I couldn't wait to read this story, because I was absolutely charmed by the Knight family and their legacy as firefighters and I've got to say that this book was just as enthralling as the first book. Seriously, the beginning drew me into this story immediately, due to how Dare is reacting to where she is and the other reason why she's in Australia besides being part of a firefighter exchange program. However, it was from the moment where the hero and heroine come face-to-face for the first time that this story really takes off, as Dare needs a distraction. She's had too much loss already in her life, and with her grandfather, the one person that was able to reach her during the darkest moment of her life being gone, it was hard not to understand why she needed the distraction.

Both the main characters are compelling, and I loved their playful banter the moment they met. It was hot, suggestive and definitely revealed what they both wanted, despite the way they were talking in code a tad. Then there's the main characters back stories that made me empathize with Dare. She's already experienced a great love and she doesn't think she'll ever be ready to let another man in. Yet, there's something about Lock that makes her want to take a chance, even though she's scared of losing yet another person she loves, if she takes a chance on him. I also liked that she was brash, impetuous and wasn't afraid to push Lock to the limit when it came to their growing relationship and convincing him to break his rules.

While Lachlan, he's a fantastic hero and I loved how he won Dare over. He's already been through a divorce where his ex was a bit controlling in what she wanted and there was no way he was going to adhere to her demands. Not when he was determined to do what's right for his siblings after what happened to their parents. Luckily, Dare is the complete opposite to his ex, and I liked the moment that the heroine and his ex met. Talk about awkward, but at least Dare held her own. I also liked how Lock proved to Dare about how wrong his ex was when it came to what he wanted for the future. That there was nothing wrong with the surprise she had for him.

Overall, Ms. Jayne has penned a delightful read in this book, which was a tad emotional at times and where the romance was hot and Lock made Dare feel really special. The way this story ended was perfect, despite Dare being worried about Lock's reaction after what his ex told her. Luckily, Dare is special to Lock and he proves that with his words and his actions. However, it was the epilogue that wrapped this story up beautifully, as Dare is finally ready to let go of the past and cement her future with Lock. I would recommend Burning Both Ends by Sinclair Jayne, if you've read the first book of this series, enjoy second chance romances, or books by authors Amy Andrews, Victoria Purman or Trish Morey. I would also recommend reading A Country Love Song by Sinclair Jayne, as the heroine in that story is Dare's sister.

Darington Knight is nicknamed Dare and this feisty smoke jumper firefighter sure lives up to her name, though she used to be shy and reticent until tragedy struck, changing her attitude and aspirations. Another double tragedy sees her sent to Australia on a firefighter exchange program just in time to attend the funeral of her beloved Grandfather - another firefighter! At his funeral she meets Lachlan Ryker and, you’ve probably guessed it, he’s a smoking hot firefighter, too! With passion to spare, the attraction between them is explosive, so how will they cope when she’s assigned to his firestation for three months? Will Lachlan be his usual ‘follow the rule-book’ self or will the sparks between them be hot enough to burn the book to ashes?

Dare has had so much tragedy in her life, you just had to feel for her. She lost her teenage soul mate and decided she had to live life to the full for both of them after recovering from severe depression. She’s been an army medic and is now a smoke jumper, she’s an independent, brave and rule breaking young woman who still mourns her first love. After more tragedies involving people close to her she’s very sensitive and somewhat broken. The story is a fiery feast of flames and passion, daring and doing, loving and fighting for a future together. It is a highly entertaining and moving read with great characters, fast paced action and plenty of angst and turmoil to ensure life isn’t a smooth ride for any of the characters. They have to face their demons (including an ex-wife) before love will find a way for them to find their HEA together.

I requested and was gifted a copy of this book via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion after choosing to read it.

This is a romantic story of love found in the land "down under". Author chose a very unique theme... combining firefighting, smokejumpers, medics, and other types of emergency personnel. Both Dare and Lock have a lot of deep, emotional issues to overcome. They make a way for their love to bloom though in an unconventional way.

Great read, no major drama just individual issues from their past which I liked. Dare, loved her name it really suited her, is someone I would love to be friends with and Lock I would love to get my hands on!! This was the first book I have read by this author and I will be reading more.

**I received a copy of Burning Both Ends from Net Galley in exchange for a voluntary and honest review**

Burning Both Ends by Sinclair Jayne is book two of the authors Smokey Mountain Knights series of stories of the Legendary Knight family. I haven't read any of the previous books and was able to read this story as a standalone without any problems. This is Darrington and Lochlan's story.

Darrington Knight has been sent to Australia by her Montana Smoke jumpers boss after losing two of her crew and friends to a devastating fire. Since her grandfather has recently passed away she agrees to go and represent her father's side of the Knight family. When she announce to her cousins that everyone should get a tattoo to honor her grandfather it will be Loch who'll act in the instant attraction they feel. She'll meet Loch who will be her soul mate and future boss. She's in an exchange program with the Melbourne Fire Brigade and on her first fire she races to rescue a young girl who's trapped which causes a media fire storm that proves to everyone she's an adrenaline junkie. But she lost a love once before, can she love again and show Loch that she's ready to take the big step towards forever?

Lachlan Tyler isn't looking for more than a one night with the beautiful Dare but when she's assigned to his station he'll find it hard to keep a hands off Dare. He's just received a promotion to Senior Station Officer and having raised his brothers and sister after his parents death can he stay away? But she has agreed to behave while at the station but when Loch gives her a place to stay, she wonders if it will be easy to resist each other. But when Dare is confronted with a surprise will she run away or stay with Loch and create a new life in Australia? Even Loch who's been married before must look deep within to convince her that what they are both feeling is a lifelong love.

So this is the second novella in a series where different authors write the books, centred around an Australian firefighting dynasty called the Knights. The first two books have started at the funeral of Leonard Knight, the grandfather of the dynasty and a former Commissioner of the Brisbane fire brigade.

Darington 'Dare' Knight is an American fire jumper, sent to Australia for a change of scene after two of her colleagues died in a fire. At Leonard's funeral she meets and has a onenight stand with a hot senior fire station officer from Melbourne called Lachlan 'Lock' Ryker.

A month later Dare is foisted into Lock's fire station as the investigation into her grandfather and the ensuing taking of sides has made Brisbane stations wary of taking her. Despite their passion running hotter than the sun, Lock is a stickler for rules even if Dare isn't. Lock tri s to remain professional as Dare's boss while she does everything in her power to tempt him..

I liked this, even though Dare did annoy me with her refusal to consider the consequences of her actions. I liked it better than the first novella and I will keep my eye out for the next one in the series.

Burning Both Ends by Sinclair Jayne
A Hot Aussie Knights Romance #2

This sizzling sensual story of two firefighters who meet at a funeral, feel immediate lust for one another and then decide to spend one memorable night together definitely does not end after that one night. Nope, Darington “Dare” Knight has been sent to Australia as part of a firefighter exchange program and eventually ends up working under Lachlan “Lock” Ryker, fire station commander. Lock, as you might have guessed, is Dare’s man of the one night stand. With rules in place against fraternization, pasts that impact the present and scorching chemistry it is not long before the two are busy evaluating the pros and cons of spending heir few months together as colleagues or as perhaps more. With a few surprises thrown in to keep things interesting this was a book I could not put down once I started reading. And, I am still thinking about Lock…he’s a keeper…and thankfully he and Dare eventually get their HEA. Oh…Dare is no slouch, either. The two SO deserve to end up together :)

NOTE: This is book 2 of Hot Aussie Knights but also book 1 of Smoky Mountain Knights. Prolific Leonard Knight had 7 sons all of whom became firefighters. Those sons had children that will be showcased, I believe, in the two book series. Rocky Mountain Knights will include Dare’s sisters and take place in Sweet Tea, Tennessee while the cousins down under will have their stories told in Australia. At least…that is my guess. Fun thing is that some of the books seem to be written by different authors so though connected a variety of voices will be used to share the stories of at least some of the Knight family.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tule Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.