Smoldering Embers (Charlotte Grace #1) by P.M. Briede was a confusing read for me, I really wasn't sure what the plot. The book blurb made the book sound interesting, but the actual book was a different story.

This review is based only on the first book and will not include info provided in the 1st chapter of book two, which was provided as a preview teaser.

First off there are really only about 9 characters that make up this story, 4 of them are primary and the remaining secondary characters or name only references. I felt the characters lacked background, history, and anything that made me believe in them or want to support them throughout the story.

Here's what I was able to put together:


Charlotte – was married; husband died; has had dreams and bad headaches since her teens involving green fire; moves back to New Orleans to become the arts director of a private school after being jobless for 7 years

Wesley – childhood friend of Charlotte; Governor’s Chief of Staff; claims to have been in love with her for years

Olivier – new music director @ private school; secretive, mysterious, not forth coming with info; potential love interest of Charlotte

Paige – college friend of 13 years; single mother; head of the crime lab

Giles – Charlotte's husband, former Mayor of Boise; secondary name only character

Max – Governor of Louisiana; Wesley’s boss

Regina – Max’s wife - pretty much a name only character

Abigail – daughter of Max and Regina - pretty much a name only character

Henry – college love interest of Charlotte; secondary name only character


Knowing so little about the character’s I really wasn't vested in their story; I didn't find any chemistry, or connection, between Charlotte and the two potential love interests. I didn't feel like this was a romance, it lacked convincing, sexual tension, angst, longing, desire, courtship, or other romantic elements. The first sex scene happened at about 57% of the book, it was mechanical, short, boring, and unconvincing for me.

The flow of the story was choppy, not fluid, and at times seemed to jump around. I never grasped what the actual plot of the story was. It seemed that both Wesley and Olivier were pursuing Charlotte as a love interest, Paige was supporting Charlotte getting back on love’s bandwagon, and Charlotte continued to have bad dreams of green fire and debilitating headaches. The story seemed to lag, didn't divulge info, and just made me want to know more about Charlotte's dreams. I felt like there was lot of filler in the book. The book didn't hold my interest, maybe if I had felt the connection between the characters, there were some hot sex scenes, and I knew what was going on and why I would have a different feeling. The last 5% of the book, finally began to provide some info about what was going on and then it just abruptly ended – leaving me with a HUH – it ended like that! Feeling. The teaser chapter from book two explained more than the entire first book did, but it’s not enough to make me want to continue the series.

For me I'm calling this a 2 star read.

I am very appreciative to the author for providing this copy of the book, in exchange for an honest opinion



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This is a really great book. I didn't want to stop to write a review, as I just need to read the next one! Charlotte Grace is a very deep character, and I found myself empathizing greatly with each emotion she portrayed. Grief, hurt, anger, love, lust, contentment,... I felt them ALL, strongly. The two men warring for her affections couldn't have been more different. Wesley, with his boy-next-door charms, and Olivier, with his strong passions... The only thing they have in common is their love for Charlotte. The thing that really made this book stand out for me, was the last couple of chapters. The ending was completely unexpected, and the reason I can't wait to read book 2! ( )