A Flame Burns Inside

Infamous for her blocks on the roller derby circuit, Ballistic Miss L rolls with whatever life hands her. But Malinda Locke's fearless demeanor can't keep her wheels turning when she hears those dreaded three words: you have cancer. Having lost her brother to cancer, Malinda feels like her family is cursed. Determined to fight back without anyone knowing, she quickly finds keeping the secret from her best friend, also her brother's widow, is harder than accepting her fate. As Malinda faces life-altering decisions, she starts to rely on her derby friend Dex the Hall. Their attraction is undeniable, but circumstances dictate the relationship remain platonic. A jammer on the men's roller derby team, Declan Hall's as fast on eight wheels as he is to come to Malinda's aid. As a paramedic, he has a vast network to help Malinda learn about cancer and her options. Her reluctance to open her heart has him fighting the demons of his foggy and sordid past. AA helps him handle the alcoholism and spearmint gum staves the nicotine addiction, but not even the reality of cancer can deter the fixation he has for Malinda.