Hidden Fires [Mass Market Paperback]

Sandra Brown (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1994

Preacher's daughter Lauren thinks that she is going to work for wealthy Olivia Lockett as a secretary. Instead, the matriarch makes Lauren a scandalous offer to marry her son in name only. Lauren has strong feelings for him but are they strong enough?

Editorial Reviews

Review

"ONE OF FICTION'S BRIGHTEST STARS".

-- Dallas Morning News

About the Author

Sandra Brown is the author of more than 50 New York Times bestsellers, including CHILL FACTOR (2005), WHITE HOT (2004), HELLO, DARKNESS (2003), THE CRUSH (2002), ENVY (2001), THE SWITCH (2000), THE ALIBI (1999), UNSPEAKABLE (1998), and FAT TUESDAY (1997), all of which have been positioned in the top five spots. Brown began her writing career in 1981 and since then has published 65 novels. Her books have been translated into 30 languages, and there are presently 70 million copies of her books in print worldwide. Her 1992 novel FRENCH SILK was made into an ABC-TV movie. A lifelong Texan, Sandra Brown was born in Waco and raised in Ft. Worth. Before embarking on her writing career, she worked as a model at the Dallas Apparel Mart, and in television, including weathercasting for WFAA-TV in Dallas, and feature reporting on the nationally syndicated program "PM Magazine." Awards and commendations include the American Business Women's Association's Distinguished Circle of Success, B'nai B'rith's Distinguished Literary Achievement Award, the A. C. Greene Award and the Romance Writers of America's Lifetime Achievement Award. She is a member of Author's Guild, Mystery Writers of America, International Association of Crime Writers, Novelists, Inc. and Literacy Partners. She is married to Michael Brown, a former television anchorman who recently produced the award winning documentary film DUST TO DUST. They live in Arlington, Texas.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 356 pages
• Publisher: Vision (October 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446364150
• ISBN-13: 978-0446364157
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1.1 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #95,559 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #17 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Romance > Authors, A-Z > ( B ) > Brown, Sandra

More About the Author

Sandra Brown is the author of sixty New York Times bestsellers, including RAINWATER (2010), TOUGH CUSTOMER (2010), SMASH CUT (2009), SMOKE SCREEN (2008), PLAY DIRTY (2007), RICOCHET (2006), CHILL FACTOR (2005), WHITE HOT (2004), HELLO, DARKNESS (2003), THE CRUSH (2002), ENVY (2001), THE SWITCH (2000), THE ALIBI (1999), UNSPEAKABLE (1998) and FAT TUESDAY (1997), all of which have jumped onto the Times bestseller list in the number one to five spot.

Brown began her writing career in 1981 and since then has published over seventy novels, bringing the number of copies of her books in print worldwide to upwards of eighty million. Her work has been translated into thirty-three languages.

A lifelong Texan, Sandra Brown was born in Waco, grew up in Fort Worth and attended Texas Christian University, majoring in English. Before embarking on her writing career, she worked as a model at the Dallas Apparel Mart, and in television, including weathercasting for WFAA-TV in Dallas, and feature reporting on the nationally syndicated program "PM Magazine."

She is much in demand as a speaker and guest television hostess. Her episode on truTV's "Murder by the Book" premiered the series in 2008 and she was one of the launch authors for Investigation Discovery's new series, "Hardcover Mysteries."

In 2009 Brown detoured from her thrillers to write Rainwater, a much acclaimed, powerfully moving story about honor and sacrifice during the Great Depression.

Brown recently was given an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Texas Christian University. She was named Thriller Master for 2008, the top award given by the International Thriller Writer's Association. Other awards and commendations include the 2007 Texas Medal of Arts Award for Literature and the Romance Writers of America's Lifetime Achievement Award.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What a change from other SB Books!, July 9, 2003

By 

janlouise (Ruston, LA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hidden Fires (Mass Market Paperback)

Set in the territory of Texas during the 1800's, Lauren Holbrook accepts the position of the family secretary offered by Mr. Lockett to escape her life of confinement as the preacher's daughter. When she arrives, she discovers that her dreams are no more. Mr. Lockett has died of a heart attack and his widow is hostile towards Lauren, thinking Lauren is a former mistress of Lockett's. To keep from being dismissed and sent home, Lauren accepts the proposal of an arranged marriage (purely a business arrangement only) to their son and heir, Jared Lockett. Jared is rebellious and wild- not ready to settle down, but will follow through to please his demanding mother. Lauren stumbles upon family secrets- and things start to crumble and be revealed to Jared. It's a good read... the marriage is to be in name only, but Jared and Lauren find passion and truth.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Read!, August 24, 2000

By 

Christina (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hidden Fires (Paperback)

This book is just wonderful, and keeps its emotional brilliance time after time of re-reading.

There was magic in the story of naive, sweet Lauren and playboy Jared. This book was set in the 1800s in a vilgalante style Texas, adding to the romantic aspect, but still left the reader completely feeling for and identifying with the believable characters.

Character development was wonderfully done, not only for the personalities and background of the lovers, but the suporting characters were so important. They were believable, and real. They played a part in the story's plots: each character's individual story, the romantic plot of Lauren and Jared, and the business-oriented plot of a railroad and the surprising turns that plot took.

All in all, I can't think of a single complaint for this book. It is suspenseful, sexually electric, believable, well developed, and leaves you with a good feeling afterwards, and a desire to reread and relive the tale all over again.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars perfect & realistic characters, September 29, 2000

By 

Abbys (Moreno Valley, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hidden Fires (Paperback)

This is my first American Historical Romance book & my first of Sandra Brown's as well. I am happy to say that I am not disappointed at all! This book kept me up most of the night. The story is so exciting, each page makes me squirm in wonder to read what's next. In the beginning, I was frustrated in Jared's attitude towards the sweet, beautiful & innocent Lauren. Eventually, as I read along, I understood his indifference towards her, yet I still feel sorry for Lauren. I was relieved to see improvements in their relationship as the story progressed... this is also when the love story twist becomes heart warming. This book doesn't only concentrate on the hero/heroine alone. It contains many unique characters that surrounds the couple. Each character is described realistically & it makes you understand the hero more... In my opinion, the additional interesting characters makes the book more appealing. I can't wait to read more of SB's book. This one is definitely one of my best books to reread many times in the future.