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.