By: Marcia, guest reviewer
Firestorm is the second installment in the Bragg series and is now in reprint. It takes place primarily in 1858, San Francisco. Storm Bragg is a rambunctious 17 year old who can ride, shoot and fight as well as any man, having been brought up in West Texas with two brothers and a father that adores her. At a community gathering she is found entertaining a crowd of young people by wrestling with a boy in the dirt. Her mother then decides that enough is enough. She is sent to live with her mother's cousin, a banker in San Francisco, for a year. Storm is horrified and disheartened by this decision.
The trip to San Francisco from West Texas takes several months by horseback and she arrives with her father at the cousin's mansion dressed in her favorite clothes; worn, skin tight, buckskins that reveal her tall, well endowed figure. Her cousin has a guest, Brett D'Archand, a young but extremely wealthy and successful businessman. He is not ready to marry, but has decided that when he does marry, it will be to a woman of breeding. At the moment he is having the time of his life sleeping with any number of available society ladies. Brett is immediately and passionately obsessed with Storm, although he refuses to admit this to himself. Brett thinks that Storm is wild and savage, needing a strong hand to control her. On her part, Storm finds that Brett has an effect on her that she has never before experienced. She has always seen boys as friends only. She thinks that Brett is domineering, overbearing, and arrogant. They do not like each other but cannot stay apart.
Over the following months, Storm struggles with homesickness and trying to fit into society, as well as, her sexual awaking. She is not comfortable in fancy clothes and does not think she is pretty. In reality, she is stunning. She attracts men like bees to honey. She also attracts gossip by jealous women, particularly when it is obvious to everyone that the most eligible bachelor in town is interested in her.
After several encounters with increasing passion, Storm and Brett are found in an indiscreet position in the garden at a ball. To avoid a scandal, they are forced to marry. Neither is happy with this arrangement. Compounding their disagreements, Brett spends his wedding night with his mistress. The only thing that Brett and Storm can agree on is an annulment. What follows is an abundance of misunderstandings, anger, bitterness, sexual tension and desire.
Brenda Joyce brings us a very enjoyable story with a well-constructed plot and realistic, interesting characters and plenty of action.
4 Stars
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Originally posted 2008-11-22 06:02:04. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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