Review: A Near Death Experience Makes A Man Take Stock of His Life and Leads Him to A Chance At Love
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 11 2, 2012
This was a real surprise for me and it was a good surprise.  I had an idea of what the story would be like when I read the blurb and it did have those elements to it that I was anticipating, but then Lee, the second hero of the story came as a surprise.The story is about Dirk, a gruff prickly firefighter who experiences a near-death injury on the job that leads him to time in the hospital and home recovery.  His eyes are opened to what people think of him and how he has been acting both through the straight up words of the only co-worker who would come to see him and by the absence of the others along with his dad's painful visits.Dirk's co-worker Lee sees right through his defensive exterior to what he has been trying to hide from everyone.  Unfortunately, even though Dirk is slowly emerging from his selfish delusions it is not in time before he repeatedly hurts Lee in the process.  Can he redeem himself with his co-workers and the man who has come to be special to him or is it too little too late?The story is novella-length so the plot moves along quickly.  I enjoyed the blend of the firefighter action stuff and the growing that Dirk does through the story.  He was a very unlikeable guy in the beginning even though there are hints that he is redeemable and it was great to see him own his failures and his weaknesses eventually.It is all from Dirk's point of view, but it isn't too hard to know what Lee is thinking and feeling because he is a very demonstrative person who says and shows what he thinks and feels.  Lee was the surprise because he is a blend of 'tell him like it is' strong firefighter with a tender and vulnerable heart who is willing to take a chance on Dirk.I am glad to see that this is part of a series because I look forward to more of Dirk and Lee's story particularly because the story thread of Dirk and his dad is still unfolding.  Definitely worth picking up for those who enjoy seeing strong character growth in their main characters with a little action to keep things exciting.