FIRE INSIDE is the story of what happens when a one-night-stand doesn't end, but eventually evolves into something more. This was an enjoyable relationship story, all the more so because the couple involved were not the twenty-something's often portrayed in romance. Lanie is 39, and Hop 40; giving the reader the feel of a couple who had been around long enough to know what they were looking for in love, and in a stable relationship.

Lanie Heron is a longtime friend of Tyra's, and has been on the fringes of the Chaos Motorcycle Club for a number of years. After the death of her fiancé and a long recovery; she decides to approach Hopper Kincaid for a one-night-stand, having long harbored an attraction to him. Hop is a longtime brother in Chaos, and has known Lanie for years. He accepts her proposition, but after the one night, he keeps coming back for more; eventually realizing that he wants more from Lanie than just sex. The one night stretches into a couple of weeks, then eventually into the beginnings of a real relationship; a relationship that Lanie fights against all the way. Hop must wear her down, and try to get her to accept that he is in her life, and is not going anywhere.

FIRE INSIDE is a very intimate story, focusing mainly on Hop and Lanie; and their familial relationships. There are subplots about Hop's children and ex-wife, and Lanie's fractured relationship with her parents. There is an unresolved storyline about a drug and prostitution ring encroaching upon Chaos territory, a thread which will continue in the next book(s) of the series. The trip to Vail was a climactic event, ripping open the storyline. A lot of old wounds are re-opened, and some serious issues bubble to the surface during that time. For the fans of Tyra and Tack; they get some pretty good page time in this story.

The story runs roughly along the same timeline as Own The Wind, but from another relationship point of view. There is a great deal of time spent in bed and with the sexual part of the affair, especially during the first half of the book. The relationship didn't really begin building and growing until the second half. Lanie fought Hop so hard about the secrecy of the relationship, and the fact that she wanted to hide the affair from Chaos members. There is just so much drama and arguing about that between them over this that it is often tiresome to the reader. Hop's bit about how long it takes Lanie to get ready for work is priceless; as is his reaction when she tells him about Tyra trying to set her up on a blind date.

FIRE INSIDE is an enjoyable read, one that will entertain the fans of the Chaos series; and keep them wanting more. The book could probably be read standalone, as the background incidents and characters are explained well enough to get the reader up to speed on the story.