Why has local hero NY firefighter Ricky Sharp suddenly come home to Temple Mountain? All Acting Editor of the local newspaper Jodi Ruskin knows is that the handsome firefighter is on compassionate leave and has taken up a humdrum job with the town council.

Ricky, battling the trauma of discovering his deceased former girlfriend Chrissie, is also on a mission to find the child she gave up for adoption. He doesn't expect to be drawn back into the local community, or to fall in love with the girl he once kissed behind the pantry door.

Sparks fly between Ricky and Jodi when they join forces to find an increasingly dangerous firebug, with evidence pointing to the foster twins of the new ministers at Temple Mountain Community Church. Jodi believes the boys are innocent. Ricky's not so sure.

Playing With Fire (72,000 words) was the winner of The Emily Contest 2023 (Contemporary Short) and the overall contest winner, The Best of the Best. Readers of small-town mystery/romance will enjoy this warm story about extended, adoptive and foster families, and about second chance love.