"Securing your legacy isn't always easy"
Reviewed by Sandra Wurman
Posted September 4, 2016
Romance Western | Romance Contemporary
Just when I think I've read all of Diana Palmer I come
across an unfamiliar title. FIRE BRAND was originally
published in 1989 when Palmer was writing as Susan Kyle.
But the style is vintage Diana Palmer. I always alert my
followers when there is a reissue. FIRE BRAND is a lovely
tale of two people who have known each other for quite a
while. Their beginning isn't too auspicious but they each
held parts of themselves aside -- call it security or fear --
but the end result is that neither was too candid with
their feelings. Bowie McCayde was brought up with a father that invested
more of himself in his ranch than in his wife and son. The
McCayde holdings were immense and had been in the family
for generations. Bowie acknowledged the job of securing
that land was now his responsibility and took it seriously.
His mother Aggie saw a lot of her husband in her son and
unfortunately treated him with some distance for much of
his life. And yet when a lost young girl -- Gaby fifteen at
the time -- was found on their property Aggie immediately
bonded with her. In fact as far as Bowie was concerned Gaby
was the daughter Aggie had yearned for forever. It is difficult to discern feelings when young and so Bowie
was envious of the relationship of his mother and this
mystery girl. But as time went on Gaby became part of the
family -- in fact most in the area considered her Bowie's
step sister. As years passed Bowie realized his attraction
to Gaby was anything but brotherly so he spent more and
more time away from the family ranch. Gaby had literally run away from an unfortunate incident
that left her alone and scared. She kept all these facts
hidden deep inside. But the fears bubbled to the surface
generally causing her to keep a distance from any and all
men. Gaby found it somewhat strange that the only man she
didn't fear was Bowie. Perhaps that was due to the fact
that he wasn't really approachable and that definitely made
him safe. Well that safety zone was becoming smaller and smaller when
Bowie is spending more time at home. The community has been
approached by a company that wants to buy land and develop
a truck farming operation which according to their
prospectus will reinvigorate the town's economy with jobs.
Bowie is skeptical about the effects this developing will
have on an already shrinking water table. So it is
basically pits Bowie against the town. Gaby doesn't see it the same way as Bowie. To her the town
needs this boost in jobs and taxes and she can't understand
why Bowie is so stubborn. Surely he has enough land that he
can sell off part to help with this project. But nothing is as simple as it sounds. Bowie is determined
that his land stay as pristine as it now is. Threats don't
sway his opinion until they include his family and Gaby.
Gaby is busy researching the developer to see if she can
convince Bowie he is wrong. But the more she investigates
the more damaging the facts. Bowie's and Gaby's mutual
attraction isn't going to prevent either of them from
pursuing their goals. Diana Palmer likes to set the scene with bits of folklore
and history. In FIRE BRAND the ranch is her canvas and she
vividly paints it with characters from the old west. FIRE
BRAND is a true western romance with the requisite amount
of angst and humor thrown in for good measure.
SUMMARY
He'll risk his whole heart to save her from the past Gaby Cane was always a bit afraid of her attraction to Bowie
McCayde. Even when she was fifteen and Bowie's family took
her in, she had sensed his simmering resentment. Now ten
years later, she's an aspiring journalist who can hold her
own with any man professionally, the dark shadows of years
gone by far behind her. Then Bowie strides back into her
life—only this time, he needs her, and the pull of loyalty
to his family is too strong to ignore. When Bowie asked Gaby to help save his family's Arizona
ranch, he never expected the girl he once knew to return
transformed into a stunning, successful woman. As they work
together, Bowie is shocked to find that her innocence and
beauty stir a hunger he can't deny. But the rogue rancher
can sense something holding her back, and he's determined to
uncover the terrible secret Gaby is fighting to keep hidden…
What do you think about this review?
Comments
1 comment posted.
Re: Securing your legacy isn't always easy
I have read a lot of Diana Palmer's books & this one sounds
interesting too. She never disappoints you in her writings
they are always awesome. The review has me putting this book,
Fire Brand on my TBR list. Thanks.
(Lois Imel 6:43pm September 19, 2016)
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