FAQ: J. H. Croix’s Small Town Romance Series

All About J.H. Croix’s Steamy Small Town Alaska Romance

Welcome! If you’re curious about how my Willow Brook, Alaska and Diamond Creek, Alaska romance stories connect, what kind of heat to expect, how to read my series, and where to start — you’ll find those answers here.

Where is Willow Brook, Alaska?

Willow Brook, Alaska is a fictional small town set in Southcentral Alaska, west of Anchorage and north of the Kenai Peninsula. While Willow Brook exists only in my stories, it’s inspired by the rugged and stunning landscape and close-knit communities of genuine Alaskan towns.

I lived in Homer, Alaska for over a decade, and that experience deeply shaped the world of Willow Brook. The mountains, the ocean, the long winters, the fierce independence, and the way neighbors rely on one another all find their way into my small town Alaska romance novels. Like many towns across Alaska, Willow Brook is built on love, loyalty, trust, a little bit of gossip, strong coffee, and the kind of friendships that feel like family.

Are the Willow Brook stories connected?

Yes—very much so! The Willow Brook, Alaska books are part of a deeply interconnected small town romance world. Characters frequently cross over between series, with fan favorites appearing again and again as friends, coworkers, and family members.

Many of my firefighter and first responder heroes show up across multiple books, and readers love seeing familiar faces return. Beck Steele from Slow Burn (Into the Fire Series) is one of the most beloved recurring characters, but he’s far from the only one.

Beyond the heroes and heroines, Willow Brook itself connects the stories. Local landmarks like the Firehouse Cafe (home of the best coffee in Alaska!), the neighborhood pizza place, the Gallery Cafe, and Fireweed Winery appear throughout the series, helping the town feel alive and continuous.

Each series can be read on its own, but together they create an expanding small town Alaska romance community built on friendship, loyalty, and found family.

Which series are set in Willow Brook?

1 - Into The Fire Series

2 - Light My Fire Series

3 - Wild Fire Series

4 - Heartfire Falls Series

5 - more to come!

Which J.H. Croix books feature firefighters and first responders?

Firefighters and first responders are at the heart of many of my small town romance series.

All books set in Willow Brook, Alaska feature firefighter and first responder heroes. These interconnected Alaska romance series are built around the wildfire crews, fire station daily life, and the tight-knit community that supports them.

In the Diamond Creek, Alaska world, the Diamond Creek Series, The Lodge Series, and the Dare With Me Series also center around firefighter and first responder heroes. These stories blend emotional small town romance with the high-stakes intensity of Alaska’s rugged landscape.

The Fireweed Harbor Series includes several firefighter and first responder heroes, though not every book focuses on that role.

Outside of Alaska, the Swoon Series, set in Stolen Hearts, North Carolina, centers on a first responder team.

A number of these series—including The Lodge Series, Dare With Me Series, and Heartfire Falls Series—are also set around wilderness expedition resorts, where every hero is trained as a first responder, adding adventure and emotional tension to the romance.

What kind of romance stories do you write?

I write emotionally rich, steamy small town romance with guaranteed happily-ever-afters. Most of my stories are set in Alaska and center around interconnected communities where firefighters, first responders, and fiercely independent heroines fall in love against a rugged wilderness backdrop.

My heroes are strong and protective, but never afraid to show vulnerability. My heroines are smart, capable, and more than a match for the men who fall hard for them. I’m especially drawn to complex emotional journeys—hurt/comfort, healing, second chances, and the kind of love that grows out of loyalty and trust.

With a background in clinical mental health work, I bring authenticity to themes of trauma, complicated family dynamics, and emotional resilience. At the heart of every story is found family, deep connection, and a small town community that feels like home.