DANTE’S FIRE
by Jennifer Probst

It’s Time To Meet A New Kind Of Hero…

Dante Stark has a dark secret–a legacy left to him by his father which is both a blessing and a curse. A traumatic experience as a small boy gave him special powers of healing, but it comes with a price. Destined to wander the world alone to heal others, he’s accepted his fate. Until Selina Rogers forces him to confront his deepest fears, erotic desires, and question his capacity to love.

Selina Rogers has made a name for herself at Inferno Enterprises. She’s tough, confident and prepared to succeed. She’s also built a world she believes is safe, until she’s attacked and then saved by a masked stranger. As he helps her heal physically and emotionally, she becomes fascinated by his overwhelming power and gentle touch. Determined to show Dante the love he’s been denying himself, Selina surrenders her heart, and dreams of a future with the mysterious man who completes her.

But will his dark legacy destroy them…or save them both…

ME: So, Sage, I have a bone to pick with you. Dante’s Fire was supposed to be a short standalone novella. NOT a trilogy. Imagine my surprise when I write the very last chapter—the actual ending—and I find you in an alley, calling on Dante to save you. But you didn’t really need him, did you?

Sage: Sorry. No, really, I mean it! I know you’re crazy with deadlines and have these other series going on, but come on, you can’t be mad at me for long. Wait until you write my book, I will rock it for you. All I wanted to do was finally connect with my half brother, I’ve been looking for him for years, and knew if I was assaulted our connection would bring him.
But of course, I didn’t need him. I take care of myself. Always did. And all I had to do was call the hounds—well they were really a bunch of sweet dogs living in the streets—and told them to make sure those rapists were punished. Badly.

Me: Rubbing my head. “Back up and explain to the readers who havent’ read the book what you’re talking about.”

Sage: Sorry! I have the ability to talk with animals. I mean, not like a cocktail dialogue or anything weird. I just sense their energy and am able to connect completely where if I give them a simple command or explain something, they understand and obey. Make sense?

Me: Yep. And are you going to bring a whole lot of trouble when I write your book?

Sage: Of course, I pride myself on trouble. Good trouble. To be honest, I have my eye on that hunky best friend of my brother’s. Chase? Deee licious.”

Me: He’s a man whore. Gorgeous, yes, and loyal to Dante, but not into relationships.”

Sage: So? I need a bit of fun and frolic and pleasure. And orgasms would be great too.

Me: Chase is so not going to like this.

Sage: I know. I can’t wait. When are you writing me?”

Me: As soon as possible. Anything else you want to tell our readers?

Sage: Just that I intend to entertain, get that yummy Chase into my bed, and find the third sibling we’re missing to complete our circle. My father had three children, and we all inherited a special gift. Oh, and I’m going to hang out a bit with Dante and Selina—get to know them better. See you in the spring hopefully!

Me: Yes, let’s hope. Thanks for hanging out with me, Sage. I have a feeling your’e going to be a kick ass kind of heroine. My fave kind.

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~MY REVIEW~

WOW! I wasn’t sure what to expect from DANTE’S FIRE and certainly wasn’t expecting it to have such an immediate connection to the main character, Dante Stark. I seriously felt his loneliness, his seclusion, his despair, and his yearning for more. Jennifer Probst easily pulls me into the emotion of her characters and her stories with every book I’ve read of hers, so I’m not sure why I thought this might be different. Maybe because it’s different than any of the other books I’ve read from her. Dante’s Fire has a paranormal or supernatural aspect to it that is new from her. I loved it!

I also think the fact that the format was an audiobook made a huge difference in how much I connected to the story. The experience of having someone reading to you with the inflections of a professional speaker/reader really does increase the enjoyment of the story.

Dante was orphaned at a young age and raised by an aunt after watching his mother be murdered at the hands of a gang of men. He has inherited the gift of healing and the use of the element of fire. Specifically he is literally “called” to the side of women when they are being assaulted to protect them and then to help them heal from the experience. Because of these abilities and the immediacy he has not been able to maintain a relationship aside from one with his friend, Chase. The only other person who is aware of his abilities and the problems they create. The only person Dante trusts and this leaves him with a very lonely life.

Dante may be a millionaire, but he must hide even that in order to keep up the secrecy of his gifts. His companies are outwardly ran by Chase as the CEO and face of the company, while Dante remains the named but not seen owner and takes a job at the core of the company. In his chosen role as mailroom worker, he is able to interact with and keep an eye on his employees. This is how he gets to know and fall in love with Selina Rogers. She is ambitious and determined to move up in the company from team leader through making the difficult and most profitable property acquisitions. As a woman in a male dominated field she has learned to be tough and blend well with her male coworkers, earning her a high level of respect by all.

Selina comes to look forward to her daily interactions with the obviously astute and intelligent Dante and finds herself attracted to the man she knows as Dan or Daniel despite his lower level position with the company. She grows to respect and value him, having a hard time ignoring the carnal feelings she has when around him. Dante too is drawn to Selina, but his history of failed relationships causes him to keep his distance. To keep it platonic, despite the fiercely erotic feelings she stirs in him.

As the synopsis says, Selina is attacked, and a masked Dante comes to her rescue. And as he is compelled to do, he helps her to heal past the pain and fear, just as he has done for countless other women. Selena finds herself drawn to her hero, to the comfort he offers, and to the sense of safety he provides. In their time together, both at work (as Daniel) and at night when Dante is masked they become close and fall for each other. Their emotional ties are powerful and beautifully written by Ms. Probst. I must also say, although Dante must spend time in a closed setting with all the victims he rescues, and it is in a way intimate, it is not sexual, there is no cheating.

I don’t want to say much more, other than this was a beautiful and very touching story. Not long, just enough to thoroughly develop and establish the relationship between Selina and Dante. It leaves no doubt they have their HEA and is not a cliffhanger. Also, as it is the introduction to a new series it was the perfect length to leave me wanting more, eager to meet the other men/women with gifts similar to Dante’s. 5 stars

~Complimentary audiobook received in exchange for a honest review~

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Jennifer Probst wrote her first book at twelve years old. She bound it in a folder, read it to her classmates, and hasn’t stopped writing since. She took a short hiatus to get married, get pregnant, buy a house, get pregnant again, pursue a master’s in English Literature, and rescue two shelter dogs. Now she is writing again.

She is the NYT and USA Today bestselling author of The Marriage Bargain. She is published both erotic and sexy contemporary romance with Entangled, Decadent, Red Sage and TWRP. She has also written a children’s book, Buffy and the Carrot, co-written with her twelve year old niece, along with a short story, “A Life Worth Living.” Visit her website for more info!