Customer Reviews

Fire Eyes

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With her debut novel, Cheryl Pierson reveals herself to be a master of the western romance. Skillfully crafted and highly original, "Fire Eyes" boasts a richly-textured plot, authentic Western atmosphere and highly appealing characters that leap to vivid life. You'll be on the edge of your seat, unable to put it down, until you regretfully reach the very last page. The perfect beach read or afternoon escape, Fire Eyes has it ALL. Can't wait for the next one by this talented author and fresh new voice.

Fire Eyes by Cheryl Pierson is one of the best Westerns I've read in a long time. The action starts with the first sentence and never stops. The love scenes between Jessica and Kaed are sensual. I would certainly recommend Fire Eyes to anyone who enjoys historical westerns.

U.S. Marshal Kaedon Turner tries to save an impulsive marshal and two Choctaw children from Fallon and his band of cutthroats, but he's captured and beaten within an inch of his life before a war party of Choctaw Indian's rescue him. They deliver him to Jessica Monroe or Fire Eyes as the Choctaws have named her.

Jessica Monroe lost her husband to Fallon's Brigade and realizes what torture Kaed has endured. She's determined to save him, caring for him day and night, while she also cares for her adopted baby girl. An immediate attraction grows between the two. Jessica fears the lawman may break her heart for she knows that he must leave her once he's well enough to ride again.

Kaed never thought he'd fall for the beautiful woman with the gentle touch, but he must leave her and go after Fallon. He learns from his fellow Territorial Peace Officers that Fallon has captured two more girls and he is determined to find them before it's too late.

Fire Eyes is a wonderful story full of characters you'll love and those you'll hate. Jessica and Kaed's destined love for each other will warm your heart, making you wish for a happily-ever-after for them. Fallon and his Brigade are vicious in every respect and you can't help but hope they get what they deserve. I found the secondary story with Lilly and Tori heart wrenching as they cling to each other and pray that they can escape from Fallon's clutches. Kaed's fellow marshals were also a wonderful addition to the story, as the author portrays how their friendship and loyalty shape their lives. I have to say that Frank Hayes, who is young and still learning the ropes, is my favorite marshal.

Ms. Pierson has created a soulful tale about love, loyalty and friendships that last a lifetime. For those who like a bit of the paranormal in their story, there's a touching moment that is sure to make you smile.

Review Courtesy of Paranormal Romance Reviews

Fire Eyes This western romance by Cheryl Pierson really kept my attention. I would have read it all in one sitting if not for a scheduled event on the day the book arrived in the mail. I loved the setting and the main characters, Kaed and Jessica. I kept turning the pages of this very readable book because I had to know what happened next. Nicely done!

Book Review for "Fire Eyes"
Written by: Cheryl Pierson
Wild Rose Press
ISBN 1-60154-470-7
265 pages
4.5 Stars

Pierson pens a riveting romance with lush settings and compelling characters in "Fire Eyes." Set in the American old west just after the Civil War, Pierson submerses the reader in pure action. Kaed Turner is an experienced U.S. Marshal who learns that a younger Marshal has gone after Andrew Fallon, a man whose criminal actions border on insanity. Kaed arrives too late to help Mitch Beckley. Fallon has Mitch hostage, as well as two young native American girls. Kaed is helpless to prevent their deaths. Fallon assaults him and leaves him for dead. Standing Bear, the local Indian chief, finds Kaed, barely alive, and brings him to a white woman known to Indians as "Fire Eyes."

"Fire Eyes," is Jessica Monroe, and she lives in a cabin outside of the fort near the Indians. Jessica is raising a baby who was abandoned by her father when her mother died. The Indians bring Kaed to Jessica. She springs into action, nursing him back to life from the brink of death.

Kaed and Jessica fall in love as she's nursing him. They commit to each other. Kaed's Marshal friends find him with Jessica. They tell him they are on Fallon's trail (Fallon has taken two new hostages) and while Kaed isn't fully healed, he goes with them to find Fallon. Jessica understands, but she's concerned for Kaed's well-being since he isn't fully healed.

The Marshals dogged pursuit of Fallon is not without a price. When Kaed learns Jessica's life is threatened by the ruthless Fallon, he hurries home hoping to prevent the criminal from killing his new family.

Pierson's writing is crisp and sharp. Her beginning grabs the reader immediately, holding them in the moment. Her dialogue is authentic, evoking the old west with little effort. Pierson's descriptions are rich with emotional metaphors. Her love scenes are tasteful, full of passion.

Pierson writes in a point of view that shifts between characters within scenes. Known as a "Lonesome Dove" perspective (after the same novel) this point of view can be confusing to readers, however, the romance genre is generally forgiving of it.

Pierson's characters are real with strengths and weakness that the modern reader can identify with. The supporting cast compliments the main characters. The plot moves fast, unraveling the romance between Kaed and Jessica at break-neck speed. If anything, their romance happens too fast for the reader to enjoy it. "Fire Eyes" is a story that brings the American west alive. It's a perfect book to curl up next to the fireplace with, taking the reader on a rich, romantic adventure to the past.

From the moment the Indians dropped Kaed off at Jessica's (Fire Eyes) cabin, the romance started and burned hotter with each turn of the page. I really enjoyed watching these two wonderful characters get to know each and realize they'd found love. The villain of the story, Fallen, was everything you'd want in a scoundrel and added lots of conflict, disgust and fearful anticipation in places where the talented author had us gripped by her powerful words. The secondary people involved in the story, Jessica's adopted baby and Kaed's sheriff comrades fit in very well. A good read!

STORY BRIEF:
Kaed is a US Marshal. He is hidden nearby watching Fallon's gang (about 20 men) torture and kill Mitch, another US Marshal. They kidnapped two Indian girls. Fallon is planning to rape and kill them. Kaed leaves his hidden position thinking he can barter for the girls' lives somehow. He is unsuccessful and they beat him badly. Just before they shoot to kill him, a group of Choctaw Indians arrive and attack. The remaining gang members run off, and the Indians take Kaed's body to Jessica. She nurses Kaed back to health. Other marshals are looking for Mitch and Kaed and hunting for the Fallon gang.

REVIEWER'S OPINION WITH SPOILERS:
Logic and motivations were lacking. I was shaking my head a few times. Kaed should have known they would torture and kill him when he came out of hiding, after watching them do that to his partner. Later, a group of marshals and Indians are tracking Fallon. Fallon's brother Dave hasn't seen Fallon for six years. Dave visits Jessica and then proceeds to search for Fallon. Yet he finds Fallon before the marshals and Indians do? That didn't make sense. They had the best trackers and a few days head start. This was an illogical plot device so that Dave could tell Fallon that Kaed was alive and had a woman, so Fallon could go after her. Earlier Kaed and Jessica had an argument that felt forced. It didn't fit their previous actions which troubled me. There were others, but I don't want to give away spoilers.

Characters and plot needed better development. Some parts were told and not shown. Characters weren't developed well. Kaed and Jessica fell in love too quickly with no relationship development. The same happened with another couple later in the story. They just met and were immediately in love. Overall this story was good-guys/bad-guys series of events with little depth. It reminded me of a "shoot `em up" style tv story.

DATA:
Story length: 265 pages. Swearing language: strong including religious words. Sexual language: moderate. Number of sex scenes: 3. Approximate number of sex scene pages: 8. Setting: 1867 Arkansas. Copyright: 2008. Genre: historical civil war romance.