Customer Reviews

Firestorm

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Overall the book was an okay read. I could understand how the author was trying to portray the two cousins as devious characters with their relationship. That didn't bother me. What really bothered me throughout the book was that Storm was a seventeen-year-old. I could not connect with her because of her age. I understand that things were different back in that time period, but in several instances she was referred to as a child/woman. I could not help thinking, I am reading about a 17 year old, I could not get that thought out of my head. All I could picture was a high school kid shopping at the mall! Even a year older would have made a difference. I also did not like that Brett examined her like a doctor on the beach. I lost interest and respect for him after that. After that humiliation, I would have told him to take a hike. I will give the author another chance though. I just don't think most women can relate to and enjoy a book about a teenager. Just my opinion.

Deadly Love was the first Brenda Joyce book I have ever read. I really liked it (read it in one night) and was interested in reading her other books. I started with Firestorm and did not finish. Where all of Brett's sexual escapades are understandable considering the time period the story takes place in, his anger and how he treated Storm was something I did not like. To me he had no redeeming qualities and I just couldn't go on reading. I hope her other books are good and that the characters are better than this book, because otherwise the other three will end up with Firestorm at the book exchange unread. I would not recommend this book.

I enjoyed the book. The only flaw that I had with it is that their misunderstanding during the first week of their marriage was a little too lengthy. It seemed they were arguing every single second and I was surprised only a week of their marriage went by when it seemed like an entire month. As for the other disturbing scenes that other reviewers have mentioned like the spanking, the beach examination, and the cousin incest, I took it as part of the story and never felt it was that disturbing. I never had the feeling that the hero was ever going to rape her even though I felt his self-restraint was at a limit at times. I felt he was a very sexy hero and Storm was just gorgeous. This is definitely not a Julie Garwood book, but I find it very comparable with Judith McNaught's plots.

In this historical romance, set in America in the 18th century, the improbably-named Storm Bragg is sent by her family from their ranch in Texas to San Francisco to become a lady and, hopefully, marry a well-to-do man. Unfortunately Storm's entire upbringing has been in the rough and tumble of the ranch, wrestling and brawling with her brothers, riding horses with tight breeches and generally having a whale of a time far away from afternoon tea and polite evening entertainments. Her introduction to society in San Francisco isn't very successful because of her inappropriate behaviour, especially with eligible bachelor Brett D'Archand. Brett isn't in the market for a wife and he knows that when he is he will find someone elevated in society to attempt to mitigate his status as an illegitimate child of a Mexican landowner. His instant attraction to Storm rather scuppers his plans and when they are forced to wed he finds himself struggling with an unwilling bride and one who doesn't provide the social status that he needs. He and Storm have a very stormy marriage but when the chance comes for him to make some sort of peace with his father Storm comes along for support. Brett's family are almost pantomime villains in their behaviour and Storm and Brett stumble from one misunderstanding to the next. Can they ever really understand each other and admit their true feelings to each other?

The characterisation in this story was rather novel as both hero and heroine weren't at all appealing. The hero seems promising initially but his decision to visit his mistress on his wedding night is hardly heroic. He also threatens violence occasionally, spanks Storm from time to time, gets rather close to raping her and seems bad tempered much of the time. Storm seems to waft along in a world of egocentricity, having no respect for those around her and their wishes, trampling all over her host and hostess's efforts to help her, vacillating as to what she feels for Brett and generally behaving like a spoiled child. Perhaps her relative youth, she's aged just 17, is some mitigation but overall she appeared to have nothing to her credit apart from her looks and skills at horsemanship.

This book was originally published twenty years ago and unfortunately it shows its age in terms of the interactions between hero and heroine. The threats of violence, rakishness and other behaviours that appeared to be acceptable in books published in the 1980s tend to leave a nasty taste in the mouths of modern readers and there wasn't enough plot or other characterisation in this book to overcome this problem. The setting and overall concept were interesting but reading a whole book consisting of arguments and other spats between two selfish and egocentric people became very tiresome.

Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008

I love Brett and Storm. You could cut the sexual tension between those 2 with a knife. It is full of passion throughout the book. What can I say if you want an exciting, passion-lust-love filled romance, this is it!

The only disturbing and annoying thing was the incest between his 2 cousins and the fact that his uncle's wife took his virginity when he was a young teenager. Other than that...everythings fantastic!

This is part of the Bragg family saga by Brenda Joyce. It starts out with Innocent Fire, and I'm not sure it's ended yet. After "Secrets" with Regina Bragg, I lost interest in the series. It kinda split off into characters from Regina's in-laws, not the Braggs. This is about the story about Storm Bragg, one of the children of Derek and Miranda Bragg (from Innocent Fire). Storm was raised in Texas just like one of the boys and is gorgeous, but has no idea of what being a woman is about. Until she meets Brett D' Archand, in San Francisco, where she is sent to be taught to be a "lady". Storm is already more than most "ladies" but doen't know society and it's rules for women at this time. So she breaks all of them. She meets Brett and it's one rollercoaster after another. Storm is my kind of lady, she pack one great punch (physically) vaults on horses, and rattles Brett right down to his socks. My only disappointment with this book is the part where she forgives certain parts of Brett's behaviour. I would NEVER do that or see a real woman like this ever forgiving HER MAN anything, but it's a great read.
I would go all the way with the Bragg family saga and I have, this is a replacement. You'll love it.

I loved this sotry. Storm, was a firestorm, she was full of life and took on more that she could handle. Brett was sexy, rough and tough, yet Storm could reach a part of his heart that was buried. Another great book about the Bragg family. This couple was like a firecracker bursting to be free. I loved it.

I read the low reviews on this one and just don't agree. When I can't put down a romance and find myself reading late into the night, I know I have a good one. I think it is inherently believable that a 17 year old girl from Texas in the 1800s could get into trouble in a big city, and in those days, end up in a shotgun marriage to an older, experienced man. I can see complaining about that in a review if it bothers you, but a one star rating? Please. Joyce is just too good at her craft to deserve that. And this is too good a romance. I am only giving it 4 stars, as opposed to 5, by contrast with Fires of Paradise and Dark Fires that I rated 5 stars. All in the series are good!

Second in the Bragg saga (see full list below), this is Storm Bragg's story, set in San Francisco in 1858. She is the daughter of Derek and Miranda Bragg, the founders of the Bragg dynasty. Raised in South Texas with her two brothers, Storm can ride, hunt and fight like a man, even an Apache (her father is half Apache). At 17, she is a hellion, a force unto herself. Her parents decide she needs lessons in being a lady and send her to San Francisco for the summer. Unused to dressing or acting as a lady, Storm is refreshingly unusual and instantly mesmerizes the handsome Brett D'Archand, a successful self-made man--and a rake. Discovered in a very compromising position, they are forced by her guardian to marry. Neither wants the marriage so it's a battle from the start.

This is a well-written, fast paced story that provides some very interesting California history of the late 1800s as the rancheros were being imposed upon by squatters and San Francisco and the surrounding counties were being developed. And you have to love Storm and Brett, two wonderful characters, both strong and stubborn.

The Bragg Saga:

Innocent Fire, June 1988 (Derek Bragg and Miranda)
Firestorm, November (1988 Storm Bragg and Brett)
Violet Fire, May 1989 (Rathe Bragg and Grace
Dark Fires, June 1991 (Nicholas Bragg and Jane)
The Fires of Paradise, April 1992 (Lucy Bragg and Shoz)
Scandalous Love, November 1992 (Nicole Bragg Shelton and Hadrian)
Secrets, April 1993, first in the Delanza Series, (Regina Bragg Shelton and Slade Delanza), and see After Innocence, second in the 2-book Delanza series (Edward Delanza and Sophie)
Lastly, you might want to read The Darkest Heart, December 1989. It's connected to The Fires of Paradise--it's the story of the hero's parents (Candice Carter and Jack Savage)

I was disappointed! I was excited to discover that the heroine's family were related to charcters in a later book written by Joyce, but I was very disgruntled with the hero's family and their lust for each other. This family possessed no code of ethics, no morals and definitely not an ounce of love for one another. Sickening to say the least!

Set in San Francisco, mid 19th century. A girl who prefers to spend her time with horses is compelled to make her society debut and encounters an arrogant, self-made man. After a shotgun wedding the two must learn to love each other.