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K. Aten
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Burn It Down Kindle Edition

by K Aten (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 out of 5 stars 123 ratings
Ash Hayes was failed by the system at the tender age of sixteen and suffered an addiction. As a result she lives her life weighed down by the guilt of her past. To atone for childhood misdeeds, Ash trained as a paramedic after high school and eventually became a firefighter with the Detroit fire department, along with her childhood best friend Derek. Friend, confidant, brother, he has been her light in an otherwise dark life. When tragedy strikes on the job, injury and forced leave from the department are the least of her concerns. Suffering from even more guilt and depression after the loss of her two closest friends Ash is set adrift in a sea of pain.​

When Mia Thomas buys the house next door, Ash finds friendship in the most unlikely of places. It's Mia's nature to help and to heal. Many would say she has a knack for finding the broken ones and leading them into the light. But Ash's secret still lives deep inside her. Before the firefighter can even think of a future, she has to amend her past. Like the phoenix of legend, Ash has to burn her fears to the ground before she can be reborn.

✒ Winner of the 2019 Lesfic Bard Award for best Drama. ✒

♟ 2020 Goldie Finalist for Romantic Blend. ♟
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  1. Print length
    170 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    August 1, 2019
  5. File size
    401 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a story that will make you feel, feel, FEEL. Deep down. It's a MUST-READ and I highly recommend this superbly written and portrayed story to all readers who love to explore an extraordinary woman's story of self-discovery, redemption and rebirth whilst also finding her one true love, her soul mate, her true best friend during the most vulnerable moment in her life."
IN BUGS' OWN WORDSCommentary On Select Lesbian Fiction BooksBugs CH

About the Author

Award winning author writing heroines into existence one genre at a time.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07T99GC8S
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Regal Crest Enterprises
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 1, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 401 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 170 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1619294196
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 123 ratings

About the author

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K. Aten

K. Aten

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Award winning author and Michigan native, Kelly Aten brings heroines to life in a variety of blended sapphic fiction genres. She specializes in speculative fiction romance, focusing on extra-ordinary women who are as flawed as they are compelling.

Award winning novels:

✒ Waking the Dreamer

​✒ Burn It Down

✒ Remember Me, Synthetica

✒ ​Elemental Attraction

Please see my website, Amazon, or anywhere my books are sold for book descriptions & updates.

My handle is katenauthor everywhere, including Linktree.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
123 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's story quality positive, with one review noting its surprising depth. Moreover, the book receives praise for its emotional impact, with one customer describing it as emotionally wrenching. Additionally, customers appreciate the romance elements, with one review highlighting the butch/femme relationship dynamic.

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6 customers mention "Story quality"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story's surprising depth, with one customer describing it as a compellingly entertaining novel that deals with heavy topics.

"There are so many things to love about the book. I love the first-person narrative. I love that this is a butch/femme romance...." Read more

"...with the love interest, but it’s not a bad thing and the story has surprising depth for the length of the book...." Read more

"I loved Burn it Down. What a great story. Ash, Mary and Mia made the book come to life. Moral of the story? My childhood, such as it was, su- -ed...." Read more

"Another well written novel from K. Good storyline and intriguing main character. Loved the message that seeking help isn't weak...." Read more

4 customers mention "Heartwarming"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book heartwarming, with one describing it as emotionally wrenching and another noting how it truly touched their soul.

"...This book is a powerful, inspiring, and compellingly entertaining novel. I loved it!" Read more

"...This was such a wonderful book and it truly touched my soul. It will stay with me for a long time...." Read more

"...some trauma recovery myself right now so it was actually a pretty comforting read for me." Read more

"Emotionally wrenching and beautiful..." Read more

3 customers mention "Romance"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the romance in the book, with one review highlighting the butch/femme relationship dynamic.

"...I love the first-person narrative. I love that this is a butch/femme romance...." Read more

"...Mia took on the role of healer and lover to perfection. Sarah took on the role of therapist to perfection...." Read more

"...My childhood, such as it was, su- -ed. But I grew into a strong, loving woman." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • CLo
    5.0 out of 5 stars A very enjoyable read
    Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I remember reading this story what feels like a long time ago and lost the copy when my phone broke (go figure). Anyways, being a huge Aten fan I figured why not read it again...so that's what I did. I'm not sure what was different from the first time I read it or if anything was different for that matter but I throughly enjoyed this book. All the characters gave something to the story and helped give some type of depth to the main character, Ash. In my opinion its worth the buy and I honestly hope Aten expands on this world and makes it maybe a lose series because I wanted to know more about Mia's friends or even Gomez or even the kid Mary takes in.
    One person found this helpful
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  • zoe
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    There are so many things to love about the book. I love the first-person narrative. I love that this is a butch/femme romance. I love that the secondary characters are superbly written and crucial to the story. I love the spot-on title and cover art. I love how Aten divides the story into three parts: Flame, Ember, Ash. I love a “rise of the phoenix” character arc, especially a well-told one. This book is a powerful, inspiring, and compellingly entertaining novel. I loved it!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Carrie K
    4.0 out of 5 stars Tough subject matter. Growth. Some happy moments.
    Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Ashley Hayes is a firefighter who is forced to see a therapist before returning back to work after a significant fire claimed the life of her best friend, Derek. This tells the story of Ash’s terrible childhood through memories brought to the surface by some post traumatic stress.

    Well written, the book highlights all of the relationships in Ash’s life that contribute to helping her heal. We see progressive improvement in her well being as a result of every interaction she has. There is a lot of trauma to face and we are taken on her journey of repair.

    At times, this was difficult to read as we are taken back to the time when her mother didn’t care about her and the threat of sexual harassment and rape from the mother’s steady flow of boyfriends. It is very sad when the only thing between you and a predator is a butter knife.

    It also deals with addiction. Ash continues to fall back on burning things to cope with her past or even current difficult situations.

    Thankfully she meets the wonderful, Mia, who moves in next door. She is a saint because she looks beyond Ash’s brash behavior toward her in the beginning. She is a better person than me, because I would have stayed on my side of the property line. But Mia does admit being attracted to broken people.

    There are no sex scenes in this. It hints that it is coming and then confirms when it has happened. I love it when authors do not include explicit scenes. I do have to say that I wish there was a little bit more action leading up to the off-page sex.

    I really liked the woman who took Ash in as a teenager. Mary is a feisty old lady full of love and sage advice. For example:

    “…guilt is an anchor. While it may be tolerable in calm water, it will drown us when the water gets rough.”

    and

    “It does’t matter where you start in life, it’s where you end up that counts.”

    or

    “The first thing you need to learn is that sometimes what’s right outweighs what’s requested.”

    Needless to say, I really enjoyed Mary and her wisdom.

    This is a tough one to recommend, though. It is not really a happy story. Readers may like this if they can relate to this type of childhood and find some kind of solace by Ash overcoming everything. The relationships that Ash experiences are the highlights of this story.
    One person found this helpful
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  • The old one!
    5.0 out of 5 stars Absolute Perfection
    Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Ash had such a terrible, unfathomable childhood and then tragically lost her best friend as an adult. She had so much going against her that she needed special people in her life in order to overcome her fears and guilt. Mary took on the role of grandmother to perfection. Mia took on the role of healer and lover to perfection. Sarah took on the role of therapist to perfection. It was a joy to go with Ash on her journey to being who she wished to be. I liked how, through flashbacks, the reader is able to really get to know Ash. I ended up loving her and absolutely respecting her. This was such a wonderful book and it truly touched my soul. It will stay with me for a long time. In fact, I'm really not ready to say goodbye to Ash and Mia. So glad I bought this so that I can go back and re-read it. To the author,K Aten, you have written a real literary gem. Thank you so much for sharing your words.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Books!
    5.0 out of 5 stars Shorter but still packs a punch
    Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    It’s a little on the shorter side so some of the foundation is missing with the love interest, but it’s not a bad thing and the story has surprising depth for the length of the book. It deals with heavy topics but didn’t drag me into a crippling depression.
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  • Peggy Michmershuizen
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read.
    Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    "Burn it Down" is another excellent read from author K. Aten. While reading this book the reader can see and actually feel what Ash has gone through. K. Aten truly understands the human psyche because it pours out in the book. I have continued to enjoy K. Aten's books. I am currently on Chapter 9 in "Waking the Dreamer" and I cannot put it down.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed this book. Ash has been through so much and then an accident at work takes her best friend away. In walks Mia a new next door neighbor and she helps Ash grow and love. Read it!
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  • Margaret Snow
    5.0 out of 5 stars Intense book. Love the Detroit Michigan references.
    Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    A firefighter meets a nurse manager.
    Said firefighter faces demons with help of a therapist. She heals, she grows up. Great book. I love the hharacter interactions and the focus on the theapist/patient interactions.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • jane c
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five star read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 11, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    A brilliant read, Mia and Ash are great characters. The journey that Ash goes through is one of hope and love, a heartwarming story set in a dramatic and sometimes dangerous world. I thoroughly enjoyed this.
    K Aten highlights the danger and personal struggle that goes with being a member of fire department through this wonderfully written story.
    Good pace, good character development, good plot, everything that I look for in a good book
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good read
    Reviewed in Australia on August 6, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I really loved most of this book, however in regards to the firfighting I had to go with 4 stars. This was mainly due to some of the topics within the book. The romance was sweet though and as this was my first book by this author I look forward to reading more.
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  • Kat Davis
    4.0 out of 5 stars Easy read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 5, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This was a very easy to read book (I got through it in a single sitting), with a dark side and shafts of light. Firefighter, Ash, is on clinical leave due to the death of her best friend and fellow firefighter in the line of duty. Ash was unable to save him, and suffers terrible survivors guilt. Coupled with that, is the pressure of a dark secret from her past that threatens to engulf every aspect of her recovery if it cannot be dealt with. Then Mia moves in next door. This is a sort of insta-attraction with the brakes put on. The relationship between the two of them builds nicely and we get to understand Ash as a person and delve into her terrors. The dialogue between the two mains is both sassy, sometimes witty, and most often heartfelt. It really did bring them to life. The secondary characters also came through as 3D with distinctive voices. As sometimes happens in lesfic, just about everyone in the story was gay or bi - we are everywhere!

    I did feel Aten dropped a little too much of a hint regarding the ending with the dialogue between the two junkies in the warehouse part way through the book (I'll not say more). Let's just say based on what they said, I was not surprised at all by the big reveal at the end of the novel.

    There were also a few typos, punctuation things and a missed word or two, particularly in the first 100 pages, so it could probably do with another once over as far as editing goes, but it did seem to settle down after a while. It was generally the kinds of things a spell check wouldn't pick up on unless you are using pro-writing aid or something similar; things like 'than' instead of 'that' or 'it' instead of 'in'.

    There are a few bits of expression that might not sit well. I know many authors run their work through sensitivity readers now in order to avoid things like describing skin tone using food or describing the shape of eyes as exotic etc as they can be interpreted as derogatory or negatively stereotypical. There were a few instances of this in the book. I don't think it was intentional, but that's kind of the point in identifying and removing it, isn't it?

    Overall I enjoyed this read. It was quick and a page turner, with good dialogue and character interactions. For those who need a heads up, the novel does deal with trauma, anxiety, PTSD, addiction, alcoholism, abuse (including sexual and child abuse), neglect, drug use, emancipation of minors, obsessive behaviours, negative coping mechanisms.
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  • Kaz B
    5.0 out of 5 stars A really super read.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 7, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    First book by this author but won’t be my last. An emotional, endearing story about two women who fall in love despite an abusive childhood that leaves trauma.
    Really well written, I was sucked into the emotions of this book which were totally believable.
    Loved the characters of Ash, Mia and Mary.
    As a nurse I could relate to Mia and Mary’s nurturing.
    Just a totally great read!
    One person found this helpful
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  • A. McGillicuddy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Emotional & Powerful
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 13, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    This was my first book from this author so I didn't know what to expect. I enjoyed it so much I'm picking up another one ASAP. Emotional, powerful and definitely one that's hard to put down. You won't regret reading this one.
    One person found this helpful
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