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Fire and Steel
He was fascinating but dangerous, too
No ordinary man could transcend humble beginnings to become a millionaire so quickly. But then, Garth Vanner was no ordinary man.
Arwenna was aware of his magnetism the moment they met, and she knew her I ife would never be the same. Her folly was to fall in love with him....
For he was like the irresistible force, she the immovable object. And that explosive kind of relationship could only destroy them both!
No ordinary man could transcend humble beginnings to become a millionaire so quickly. But then, Garth Vanner was no ordinary man.
Arwenna was aware of his magnetism the moment they met, and she knew her I ife would never be the same. Her folly was to fall in love with him....
For he was like the irresistible force, she the immovable object. And that explosive kind of relationship could only destroy them both!
187 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1981
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 22, 2018
Rambling, disjointed, plot holey, hot mess of a story. Black sheep turned millionaire Hero barges into plucky heroine's tidy, small English village life to whisk her away to London, under the threat of blackmail. He will either ruin or rescue heroine's bankrupt fiance (with the added enticement of paying for her aunt's gallbladder operation) depending on whether she will become his............mistress bride of convenience fake fiancee translator???? Ummmmmm okay. I guess her vast experience as an au pair and holiday travel history make her the perfect candidate to assist hero in his international property development ventures lol.
There is a catfight straight out of Dynasty at the beginning (OW wears a very Alexis Carrington like pink jumpsuit paired with high heels and dangly earrings bwahahahaha the eighties *sigh*). The violent heroine stops slapping the OW long enough to punch and kick the hero, even giving him a black eye. Wth??? Call 911!
The cherry on top of this cake is the hero's name: Garth. No offense to anyone but I just kept picturing Dana Carvey in Wayne's World so yeah, not really working for me on the romance front.
Don't dismiss Mary Wibberley on the strength of this turkey. I hear she's a wonderful writer and I loooouuuuvvvved her Debt of Dishonor.
There is a catfight straight out of Dynasty at the beginning (OW wears a very Alexis Carrington like pink jumpsuit paired with high heels and dangly earrings bwahahahaha the eighties *sigh*). The violent heroine stops slapping the OW long enough to punch and kick the hero, even giving him a black eye. Wth??? Call 911!
The cherry on top of this cake is the hero's name: Garth. No offense to anyone but I just kept picturing Dana Carvey in Wayne's World so yeah, not really working for me on the romance front.
Don't dismiss Mary Wibberley on the strength of this turkey. I hear she's a wonderful writer and I loooouuuuvvvved her Debt of Dishonor.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2024
I read this awhile ago, but don't remember enough details to write a very accurate review. I'm writing this one to clean up my TBR list.
I don't really like ancient feud plot lines and heroines who fall for village gossip. I'm also not thrilled with heroines who find themselves engaged to wimpy guys who need bailing out. So I really don't want to spend the time with her to re-read.
Lots of other great reviews to help you judge if you want to read this one.
I don't really like ancient feud plot lines and heroines who fall for village gossip. I'm also not thrilled with heroines who find themselves engaged to wimpy guys who need bailing out. So I really don't want to spend the time with her to re-read.
Lots of other great reviews to help you judge if you want to read this one.
August 26, 2023
Giving this a four because while I hate the name Garth (sounds like barf) I was very taken with this H. His ability to focus and compartmentalise, to charm and to be absolutely ruthless in pursuit of a goal (work or woman) are very attractive qualities. Ok yes he reminds me of my husband.😂 Although without the 70s era shaking and violent undertone, although frankly it's the h Arwenna dishing out the uppercuts and black eyes. Man no one is going to mess with this woman. Garth's current/recent squeeze Marcia corners her in a locked room at a party and Arwenna makes verbal and physical mincemeat of her. Stands back in rare moment HP admiration. She has style and class and intelligence and linguistic skills which complement the H's needs perfectly. Her engagement to wet lettuce James is soon history and the attentions of other male studenty friends no diversion at all.They fought a lot, these two, but he was a broken man by the end 😂
May 6, 2014
Very entertaining. I loved the hero and I could was tell early on where he was coming from, which made for some fun screwball antics. The heroine was a bit of a ninny at times, but for the most part she had character and commonsense. I think the secondary characters were fun and added to the story.
A little more violence than I expected with a lot of slapping, hitting, mostly from our heroine.... She actually gets into a tussle with OW and comes out the winner. For that alone, it was a fun read.
A little more violence than I expected with a lot of slapping, hitting, mostly from our heroine.... She actually gets into a tussle with OW and comes out the winner. For that alone, it was a fun read.
August 31, 2019
This was one of the first Harlequins I remember reading as a young teen. I enjoyed the story but the 5 stars are purely nostalgic.
September 10, 2020
A good read. I like the chemistry between the man and woman. The man is a rich, arrogant, powerful alpha male and I like that in Harlequin books.
Mary Wibberley is a fantastic writer. The way she describes the kissing scenes are wow.
Mary Wibberley is a fantastic writer. The way she describes the kissing scenes are wow.
February 3, 2021
....da hell? That was crazy. No romance. A lot of fighting. Tons of slapping and force kissing. Choppy of plot. Skip all of this.
November 9, 2024
Rarely have I read anything more vapid than this nonsense. The heroine, although pleasingly forthright initially, is unfortunately just stupid. How can she think he does all that manoeuvring just to have her randomly translate documents whilst in his London flat all day and night (why not at an office)? He supposedly fell for her 4 months before and yet left it that long, with her engaged, to meet her (when everything else is done straight away)? Whilst having a full on affair with a tv advert model and someone else on the side simultaneously? He’s really a disgusting hero (zero) and I got bored hearing how wealthy he is. Plus all the hitting and tantrums? They were both really pathetic and shallow. I felt sorry for the poor OM fiancé who had loved her for years and she finishes it over the telephone.
On top of that, this book lacked descriptions of where all this “action” takes place so it was horribly superficial.
I’ve read a few MW books now, and this is in her Law Of The Jungle class.
On top of that, this book lacked descriptions of where all this “action” takes place so it was horribly superficial.
I’ve read a few MW books now, and this is in her Law Of The Jungle class.
March 10, 2022
Not very good. Plot is decent. Hate how toxic the relationship is. Completely forced, always fighting, I don't think they actually ever get along and then suddenly it's all better. Lots of hitting him on her end.
Not exactly a sweet melt your heart romance book in my opinion. However, those are just my preferences. I will also add, that if you are looking for smutt this isn't it either.
Not exactly a sweet melt your heart romance book in my opinion. However, those are just my preferences. I will also add, that if you are looking for smutt this isn't it either.
August 29, 2023
Best heroine ever, and I mean, this book was written in 1980.
She’s everything you want in a heroine.
Young but not silly, cute and funny but also serious, beautiful but not vain and with a sensible way of dealing with things.
The hero is an ex bad boy who grew up in the same small town as the heroine’s, he went away and became a billionaire. Now he’s back and the heroine meets him at a dinner with her fiancé. It’s clear that the hero is besotted with her. He basically blackmails her to accept a job with him in London, he will pay for her aunt’s surgery.
Of course she accepts but she’s quite disappointed.
She’s no doormat and she’s not passive aggressive.
She accepts to live in his flat and to work for him, even if she smells a rat.
The hero takes her to a party where his mistress attacks her in the ladies room. Don’t worry, the woman will regret it painfully cause the heroine is no crybaby. She slaps her back and beats her to a pulp. Then she goes and tell the hero exactly what happens. No tears, no scenes, no nothing. Best set down ever. Or better, best knockout ever.
The hero gives the mistress her congee’ and is very impressed with the heroine’s abilities.
But he doesn’t learn any lesson because he makes her angry, and as Hulk said at the time, you wouldn’t like to see me angry.
He keeps kissing her and pushing her to break with her fiancé and of course the heroine is having doubt because she doesn’t love her fiancé and the hero’s kisses are another thing, but he pushes once too much so she gives him a black eye.
And the poor man has to go about with a black eye and a headache for several days.
How hard I laughed.
There’s a lot of banter and some silly behavior by both parts, the heroine flirting like mad with two of her friends, the hero kissing another girl to make her jealous, but eventually the poor hero is the first to declare he’s hopelessly in love with him.
And he admits that he saw her two months before walking down a street and fell like a ton of bricks.
Now the heroine, that thought he only wanted an affair with her, can declare her love back and all is well.
I enjoyed this one, the heroine is to die for, she’s one of the less doormat I’ve met in hp and m&b ever, without being a bitch. She says what she has to say, she is ready to defend herself and her beliefs and is cute as hell.
She’s everything you want in a heroine.
Young but not silly, cute and funny but also serious, beautiful but not vain and with a sensible way of dealing with things.
The hero is an ex bad boy who grew up in the same small town as the heroine’s, he went away and became a billionaire. Now he’s back and the heroine meets him at a dinner with her fiancé. It’s clear that the hero is besotted with her. He basically blackmails her to accept a job with him in London, he will pay for her aunt’s surgery.
Of course she accepts but she’s quite disappointed.
She’s no doormat and she’s not passive aggressive.
She accepts to live in his flat and to work for him, even if she smells a rat.
The hero takes her to a party where his mistress attacks her in the ladies room. Don’t worry, the woman will regret it painfully cause the heroine is no crybaby. She slaps her back and beats her to a pulp. Then she goes and tell the hero exactly what happens. No tears, no scenes, no nothing. Best set down ever. Or better, best knockout ever.
The hero gives the mistress her congee’ and is very impressed with the heroine’s abilities.
But he doesn’t learn any lesson because he makes her angry, and as Hulk said at the time, you wouldn’t like to see me angry.
He keeps kissing her and pushing her to break with her fiancé and of course the heroine is having doubt because she doesn’t love her fiancé and the hero’s kisses are another thing, but he pushes once too much so she gives him a black eye.
And the poor man has to go about with a black eye and a headache for several days.
How hard I laughed.
There’s a lot of banter and some silly behavior by both parts, the heroine flirting like mad with two of her friends, the hero kissing another girl to make her jealous, but eventually the poor hero is the first to declare he’s hopelessly in love with him.
And he admits that he saw her two months before walking down a street and fell like a ton of bricks.
Now the heroine, that thought he only wanted an affair with her, can declare her love back and all is well.
I enjoyed this one, the heroine is to die for, she’s one of the less doormat I’ve met in hp and m&b ever, without being a bitch. She says what she has to say, she is ready to defend herself and her beliefs and is cute as hell.
October 22, 2018
The lead characters are strong decisive people. The hero bull dozes his way into the girl's life. She resists as much as in her power. But the great charm is at work, and both of them declare undying love of the divine kind within a week of knowing one another !
Sounds too fantastic? Well, it is presented well. So the story doesn't sound outrageous as it unfolds. The hero has run away from the village as a teenager after being labelled a violent bully. This is the image the heroine carries of him as a child. Now he is back, and this time he is a suave businessman, and a millionaire too (goes without saying!).
He breaks up the heroine's tentative engagement with a spineless OM. He forces her to work for him. He makes her beholden to him by paying for her aunt's hospitalization. So in a few days, he completely takes over her life. However, she doesn't submit meekly. She works hard for him, keeps him on tenterhooks, doesn't shy away from his kisses but maintains her dignity.
She realizes the attraction between them is too overwhelming. And his dominant personality is likely to engulf her completely. She does eventually sleep with him (only a faint reference to this in the story) before moving out of his circle of influence. She wants to keep some distance, to think rationally about the whole whirlwind affair. But he comes charging behind her, proposes undying love. And that puts an end to all her indecision.
A millionaire hunk claims he is crazy about you and wants to marry you and cosset you for life! What's left to think , just say yes, dammit !! So that's what she does.
Sounds too fantastic? Well, it is presented well. So the story doesn't sound outrageous as it unfolds. The hero has run away from the village as a teenager after being labelled a violent bully. This is the image the heroine carries of him as a child. Now he is back, and this time he is a suave businessman, and a millionaire too (goes without saying!).
He breaks up the heroine's tentative engagement with a spineless OM. He forces her to work for him. He makes her beholden to him by paying for her aunt's hospitalization. So in a few days, he completely takes over her life. However, she doesn't submit meekly. She works hard for him, keeps him on tenterhooks, doesn't shy away from his kisses but maintains her dignity.
She realizes the attraction between them is too overwhelming. And his dominant personality is likely to engulf her completely. She does eventually sleep with him (only a faint reference to this in the story) before moving out of his circle of influence. She wants to keep some distance, to think rationally about the whole whirlwind affair. But he comes charging behind her, proposes undying love. And that puts an end to all her indecision.
A millionaire hunk claims he is crazy about you and wants to marry you and cosset you for life! What's left to think , just say yes, dammit !! So that's what she does.
May 27, 2024
"Fire and Steel" is the story of Arwenna and Garth.
Aptly name, this is the story of two passionate beings. He's the ostracized poor boy whos now wealthy, she's engaged to one of the rich men's sons. Paraded like a bait, she is instead hired by the hero, and soon a battle of wills begin and sparks fly.
Kickass heroine, confused hero, very volatile relationship. Mentionable scenes are the OW slapping the heroine and her rebuttal is absolutely dragging the woman (LITERALLY), and when the hero misbehaves she gives him a shiner. By midway, they both have it bad but keep pushing it away until the dramatic showdown and HEA.
SWE
3.5/5
Aptly name, this is the story of two passionate beings. He's the ostracized poor boy whos now wealthy, she's engaged to one of the rich men's sons. Paraded like a bait, she is instead hired by the hero, and soon a battle of wills begin and sparks fly.
Kickass heroine, confused hero, very volatile relationship. Mentionable scenes are the OW slapping the heroine and her rebuttal is absolutely dragging the woman (LITERALLY), and when the hero misbehaves she gives him a shiner. By midway, they both have it bad but keep pushing it away until the dramatic showdown and HEA.
SWE
3.5/5
August 28, 2025
DNF at 75% - he was so alpha he was repellent, and for all of her tantrums and fist swinging, she was a tremulous dimbulb with BBS. Horrid, toxic couple.
November 12, 2022
He was fascinating but dangerous, too
No ordinary man could transcend humble beginnings to become a millionaire so quickly. But then, Garth Vanner was no ordinary man.
Arwenna was aware of his magnetism the moment they met, and she knew her I ife would never be the same. Her folly was to fall in love with him....
For he was like the irresistible force, she the immovable object. And that explosive kind of relationship could only destroy them both!
No ordinary man could transcend humble beginnings to become a millionaire so quickly. But then, Garth Vanner was no ordinary man.
Arwenna was aware of his magnetism the moment they met, and she knew her I ife would never be the same. Her folly was to fall in love with him....
For he was like the irresistible force, she the immovable object. And that explosive kind of relationship could only destroy them both!
January 15, 2017
I think I read this decades ego when I was in my early teens. I remembered the part how he became rich. Otherwise not a memorable read. I am not fun of undying love that develops in matter of days.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews