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Bragg Saga #2
Firestorm
From the sensuous voice of novelist Brenda Joyce comes Firestorm, the extraordinary second book in the Bragg family saga that has captured the hearts of readers everywhere. Here is the beginning of the Bragg empire-opulent and glamorous-vast, dangerous, and as untamed as the sweeping plains of Texas...
Storm Bragg could outshoot and outride any man, but her family decided it was time she traded in her buckskins for a ballgown and made her debut in San Francisco society.Quickly pursued by every eligible gentleman in town, the young hellcat from Texas had eyes for only one, and he was no gentleman.Brett D'Archand was a self-made success -- arrogant, impossibly attractive, blatantly sensual -- and looking for a wife who would give him respectability.
Storm was completely bewitched by him, but she made him lose his head as well as his heart. And, threatened by scandal and ruin, they are forced to wed -- a tempestuous union of free spirits, shackled only by the irrepressible bonds of love.
Storm Bragg could outshoot and outride any man, but her family decided it was time she traded in her buckskins for a ballgown and made her debut in San Francisco society.Quickly pursued by every eligible gentleman in town, the young hellcat from Texas had eyes for only one, and he was no gentleman.Brett D'Archand was a self-made success -- arrogant, impossibly attractive, blatantly sensual -- and looking for a wife who would give him respectability.
Storm was completely bewitched by him, but she made him lose his head as well as his heart. And, threatened by scandal and ruin, they are forced to wed -- a tempestuous union of free spirits, shackled only by the irrepressible bonds of love.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
About the author
Brenda Joyce
111 books1,304 followersBrenda Joyce is the bestselling author of forty-one novels and five novellas. She has won many awards, and her debut novel, Innocent Fire, won a Best Western Romance award. She has also won the highly coveted Best Historical Romance award for Splendor and Two Lifetime Achievement Awards from Romantic Times BOOKreviews. There are over 14 million copies of her novels in print and she is published in over a dozen foreign countries.
A native New Yorker, she now lives in southern Arizona with her son, dogs, and her Arabian and half-Arabian reining horses. Brenda divides her time between her twin passions—writing powerful love stories and competing with her horses at regional and national levels. For more information about Brenda and her upcoming novels, please visit her Web sites: www.brendajoyce.com, www.thedewarennedynasty.com and http://mastersoftimebooks.com.
A native New Yorker, she now lives in southern Arizona with her son, dogs, and her Arabian and half-Arabian reining horses. Brenda divides her time between her twin passions—writing powerful love stories and competing with her horses at regional and national levels. For more information about Brenda and her upcoming novels, please visit her Web sites: www.brendajoyce.com, www.thedewarennedynasty.com and http://mastersoftimebooks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
February 13, 2021
After reading "Innocent Fire" the first book in the "Bragg Saga" series about Derek Bragg`s and Miranda`s epic love-story i was so intrigued by their three wildhearted children:their oldest son the dangerous and lion-hearted Nicholas Bragg,their daughter the fiery and wild Storm Bragg and the youngest son,the devil charmer Rathe Bragg...and in this book we follow the untamed tigress Storm whose heart will be stolen by the rich charmer of a businessman Brett`D Archand.What Brett doesn`t know is that he also lost his heart the moment he set his eyes on her.
I loved every second of their stormy romance.Every glance,every word,every kiss,every emotion...every bodice-ripping angsty scene!!!!!These two fought like cat and dogs and i just LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!They both were so stubborn and had their remarkable pride.
There are many scenes i LOVED:
Their first kiss by the sea (that was so epic and beautiful)
The scene where Brett was jealous at the ball
The scenes where he tries to woo her (he was so cute)
The scene where Rathe and Nicholas threatens Brett
Many scenes after their marriage..and the steamy scenes WOHOOOOO!!!!
Brett is similar to most of Joyce`s heroes.His tortured soul,his crave and desperation for heroine`s affection and love...how he never wanted to let her go!There is one scene however where i felt much conflicted and that was when Brett went to his mistress on his wedding night.Storm had rejected him and told him to have as many mistresses as he wanted and at that time they solely hated each other and it was a moc marriage on both parts-so Brett tried to heal his wounded pride and heart in another woman`s arms.I let it slip because of the circumstances and when Brett knows he loved Storm and decides to keep her forever he tries to woo her.Many readers will however find this a great trigger.How i adored every scene with Storm`s brothers and her parents.Derek are still a besotted goner when it comes to his wife!!!Gosh how they were adorable!And Rathe...what a womanizer! and Nicholas....I AM SOOOO ROOTED UP FOR HIS BOOK!!!He totally interested me in the epiluge from "Innocent Fire" and i am so intruged by him in this book.I AM SO EXCITED FOR HIS BOOK!"Firestorm" is exactly the perfect word for this unforgettable romantic book.It had great passion in it...and it`s intensity of it is something i will never forget.Brenda Joyce is one of my favourite authors because of it.
I loved every second of their stormy romance.Every glance,every word,every kiss,every emotion...every bodice-ripping angsty scene!!!!!These two fought like cat and dogs and i just LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!They both were so stubborn and had their remarkable pride.
There are many scenes i LOVED:
Their first kiss by the sea (that was so epic and beautiful)
The scene where Brett was jealous at the ball
The scenes where he tries to woo her (he was so cute)
The scene where Rathe and Nicholas threatens Brett
Many scenes after their marriage..and the steamy scenes WOHOOOOO!!!!
Brett is similar to most of Joyce`s heroes.His tortured soul,his crave and desperation for heroine`s affection and love...how he never wanted to let her go!There is one scene however where i felt much conflicted and that was when Brett went to his mistress on his wedding night.Storm had rejected him and told him to have as many mistresses as he wanted and at that time they solely hated each other and it was a moc marriage on both parts-so Brett tried to heal his wounded pride and heart in another woman`s arms.I let it slip because of the circumstances and when Brett knows he loved Storm and decides to keep her forever he tries to woo her.Many readers will however find this a great trigger.How i adored every scene with Storm`s brothers and her parents.Derek are still a besotted goner when it comes to his wife!!!Gosh how they were adorable!And Rathe...what a womanizer! and Nicholas....I AM SOOOO ROOTED UP FOR HIS BOOK!!!He totally interested me in the epiluge from "Innocent Fire" and i am so intruged by him in this book.I AM SO EXCITED FOR HIS BOOK!"Firestorm" is exactly the perfect word for this unforgettable romantic book.It had great passion in it...and it`s intensity of it is something i will never forget.Brenda Joyce is one of my favourite authors because of it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2015
(my rating: -0)
I'm not one of those who immediately dismiss Brenda Joyce's style, and there are few books both in the de Warenne series and the Bragg saga I've quite enjoyed. However, after subjecting myself to the torture that is 'Firestorm', a horror of a book, I'm very much tempted to move her name to my 'avoid like the plague' list. 'Firestorm' is easily one of the worst romance books I've ever read, and, as many a romance reader knows, the race to the bottom of the barrel is fierce.
Even armed with the kind of immunity I have developed to utter crap, I could not believe Brenda Joyce wrote a book as bad as this. There are so many eye-rollingly wrong things with it, but, as life is short, and I can easily pretend I have better things to do, I will not list them one by one; I will, however, dwell on the main point of ueber frustation: the heroine.
Storm (one of those ridiculous names that are popular in Romanticshire) makes for a very painful (akin to root canal surgery) reading. She's one of those heroines who cannot end a scene without either slamming a door, or slamming a fist in the hero's midsection, while she fills the in-between time with screaming matches, endless immature put downs, pouting, and being petulant and obnoxious. And all this goes on and on until a couple of pages from the end. Be prepared to read 'I hate you' plastered on every second page, to marvel at her constant verbal abuse of the hero ('pig', 'bastard', 'fop', etc.), or to witness her constant clawing of his pulchritudinous cheeks. And when she does not do all that she simply bad-mouths him to their mutual friends!!! Yet, BJ (could not resist) wants us to believe that this insufferable bore is deeply in love with the hero, and is in possession of an irresistible personality that calls forth Eros. The only thing the heroine is capable of is turning even the most fervent feminist into a misogynist.
In this book, Joyce displays a shocking inability to bring to life a remotely interesting, half-decent, minimally rational female character. This is a common failure in Romancia, and it is a truly shocking failure. Even the so-called, or especially those, 'strong' women are nothing but indulgent, spoiled, irrational bores. Storm has the emotional literacy of an inanimate object and the reasoning ability of protozoa. She's written as nothing but a vapid dullard, yet we are asked immediately to believe that her obvious lack of common sense is equivalent to 'free spiritedness'. Somebody should have told BJ that a romance novel heroine must have much more than 'striking features' to hold our attention, and that screaming, slapping and clawing are expressions of a grand passion only in the bedroom scenes and nowhere else. As this vapid, irredeemably immature caricature of a young girl dominates the book with her tantrums, unbelievable aggression and emotional illiteracy, whatever interest one could have had about a plot involving a hero with a rather dark background (which Joyce only remembers to unearth now and then, probably when even she has tired of her heroine's voice, without ever really engaging with it) is soon defeated.
If you don't mind screaming matches every second page and a heroine from whom even the most desperate Quasimodo would run away, then, by all means, go ahead and read this waste of Amazonian forest.
I'm not one of those who immediately dismiss Brenda Joyce's style, and there are few books both in the de Warenne series and the Bragg saga I've quite enjoyed. However, after subjecting myself to the torture that is 'Firestorm', a horror of a book, I'm very much tempted to move her name to my 'avoid like the plague' list. 'Firestorm' is easily one of the worst romance books I've ever read, and, as many a romance reader knows, the race to the bottom of the barrel is fierce.
Even armed with the kind of immunity I have developed to utter crap, I could not believe Brenda Joyce wrote a book as bad as this. There are so many eye-rollingly wrong things with it, but, as life is short, and I can easily pretend I have better things to do, I will not list them one by one; I will, however, dwell on the main point of ueber frustation: the heroine.
Storm (one of those ridiculous names that are popular in Romanticshire) makes for a very painful (akin to root canal surgery) reading. She's one of those heroines who cannot end a scene without either slamming a door, or slamming a fist in the hero's midsection, while she fills the in-between time with screaming matches, endless immature put downs, pouting, and being petulant and obnoxious. And all this goes on and on until a couple of pages from the end. Be prepared to read 'I hate you' plastered on every second page, to marvel at her constant verbal abuse of the hero ('pig', 'bastard', 'fop', etc.), or to witness her constant clawing of his pulchritudinous cheeks. And when she does not do all that she simply bad-mouths him to their mutual friends!!! Yet, BJ (could not resist) wants us to believe that this insufferable bore is deeply in love with the hero, and is in possession of an irresistible personality that calls forth Eros. The only thing the heroine is capable of is turning even the most fervent feminist into a misogynist.
In this book, Joyce displays a shocking inability to bring to life a remotely interesting, half-decent, minimally rational female character. This is a common failure in Romancia, and it is a truly shocking failure. Even the so-called, or especially those, 'strong' women are nothing but indulgent, spoiled, irrational bores. Storm has the emotional literacy of an inanimate object and the reasoning ability of protozoa. She's written as nothing but a vapid dullard, yet we are asked immediately to believe that her obvious lack of common sense is equivalent to 'free spiritedness'. Somebody should have told BJ that a romance novel heroine must have much more than 'striking features' to hold our attention, and that screaming, slapping and clawing are expressions of a grand passion only in the bedroom scenes and nowhere else. As this vapid, irredeemably immature caricature of a young girl dominates the book with her tantrums, unbelievable aggression and emotional illiteracy, whatever interest one could have had about a plot involving a hero with a rather dark background (which Joyce only remembers to unearth now and then, probably when even she has tired of her heroine's voice, without ever really engaging with it) is soon defeated.
If you don't mind screaming matches every second page and a heroine from whom even the most desperate Quasimodo would run away, then, by all means, go ahead and read this waste of Amazonian forest.
February 24, 2012
Storm's Story Sizzles!
I read the low reviews on this one and just don't agree. When I can't put down a romance and find myself reading late into the night, I know I have a good one. I think it is inherently believable that a 17-year old girl from Texas in the 1800s could get into trouble in a big city, and in those days, end up in a shotgun marriage to an older, experienced man. I can see complaining about that in a review if it bothers you, but Joyce is just too good at her craft to deserve a low review for that. And this is too good a romance. I am only giving it 4 stars, as opposed to 5, by contrast with Fires of Paradise and Dark Fires that I rated 5 stars. But all in the series are good!
Second in the Bragg saga (see full list below), this is Storm Bragg's story, set in San Francisco in 1858. She is the daughter of Derek and Miranda Bragg, the founders of the Bragg dynasty. Raised in South Texas with her two brothers, Storm can ride, hunt and fight like a man, even an Apache (her father is half Apache). At 17, she is a hellion, a force unto herself. Her parents decide she needs lessons in being a lady and send her to San Francisco for the summer. Unused to dressing or acting as a lady, Storm is refreshingly unusual and instantly mesmerizes the handsome Brett D'Archand, a successful self-made man--and a rake. Discovered in a very compromising position, they are forced by her guardian to marry. Neither wants the marriage so it's a battle from the start.
This is a well-written, fast paced story that provides some very interesting California history of the late 1800s as the rancheros were being imposed upon by squatters and San Francisco and the surrounding counties were being developed. And you have to love Storm and Brett, two wonderful characters, both strong and stubborn.
The Bragg Saga:
Innocent Fire, June 1988 (Derek Bragg and Miranda)
Firestorm, November (1988 Storm Bragg and Brett)
Violet Fire, May 1989 (Rathe Bragg and Grace
Dark Fires, June 1991 (Nicholas Bragg and Jane)
The Fires of Paradise, April 1992 (Lucy Bragg and Shoz)
Scandalous Love, November 1992 (Nicole Bragg Shelton and Hadrian)
Secrets, April 1993, first in the Delanza Series, (Regina Bragg Shelton and Slade Delanza), and see After Innocence, second in the 2-book Delanza series (Edward Delanza and Sophie)
Lastly, you might want to read The Darkest Heart, December 1989. It's connected to The Fires of Paradise--it's the story of the hero's parents (Candice Carter and Jack Savage)
I read the low reviews on this one and just don't agree. When I can't put down a romance and find myself reading late into the night, I know I have a good one. I think it is inherently believable that a 17-year old girl from Texas in the 1800s could get into trouble in a big city, and in those days, end up in a shotgun marriage to an older, experienced man. I can see complaining about that in a review if it bothers you, but Joyce is just too good at her craft to deserve a low review for that. And this is too good a romance. I am only giving it 4 stars, as opposed to 5, by contrast with Fires of Paradise and Dark Fires that I rated 5 stars. But all in the series are good!
Second in the Bragg saga (see full list below), this is Storm Bragg's story, set in San Francisco in 1858. She is the daughter of Derek and Miranda Bragg, the founders of the Bragg dynasty. Raised in South Texas with her two brothers, Storm can ride, hunt and fight like a man, even an Apache (her father is half Apache). At 17, she is a hellion, a force unto herself. Her parents decide she needs lessons in being a lady and send her to San Francisco for the summer. Unused to dressing or acting as a lady, Storm is refreshingly unusual and instantly mesmerizes the handsome Brett D'Archand, a successful self-made man--and a rake. Discovered in a very compromising position, they are forced by her guardian to marry. Neither wants the marriage so it's a battle from the start.
This is a well-written, fast paced story that provides some very interesting California history of the late 1800s as the rancheros were being imposed upon by squatters and San Francisco and the surrounding counties were being developed. And you have to love Storm and Brett, two wonderful characters, both strong and stubborn.
The Bragg Saga:
Innocent Fire, June 1988 (Derek Bragg and Miranda)
Firestorm, November (1988 Storm Bragg and Brett)
Violet Fire, May 1989 (Rathe Bragg and Grace
Dark Fires, June 1991 (Nicholas Bragg and Jane)
The Fires of Paradise, April 1992 (Lucy Bragg and Shoz)
Scandalous Love, November 1992 (Nicole Bragg Shelton and Hadrian)
Secrets, April 1993, first in the Delanza Series, (Regina Bragg Shelton and Slade Delanza), and see After Innocence, second in the 2-book Delanza series (Edward Delanza and Sophie)
Lastly, you might want to read The Darkest Heart, December 1989. It's connected to The Fires of Paradise--it's the story of the hero's parents (Candice Carter and Jack Savage)
April 18, 2022
Reread 2022
Keeping it 4 stars. Great if you’re looking for an angsty trainwreck and like ow drama…the H doesn’t sleep with ow after having sex with the h, but it’s still not safe for safety readers.
Not safe🚩
Spoilers
He cheats once after the marriage. It happens on the day of their marriage. she refused to sleep with him, told him she wanted to annual their marriage, and pulled out a gun on him so he went to his mistress. Before the marriage there was heavy petting - 2-3rd base, but no penetration between the MCs.
I want to point out that reviews are wrong. She did not tell him to go to his mistress when he cheated, because she didn’t know he had one. But the next day when she found out, it was then that she told him to keep goin to her. The h continues to refuse him in bed. The h an immature child, and quite annoying, but her stupidity and her thinking that the H is constantly cheating stirs up loads of angst.
This book has lots of ow drama.
He slept with A few ow after meeting the h.
He finds ow arousing after having sex with the h, and he did intend to cheat again because h pissed him off, but he was caught by the h. (Before MCs had sex)
Few descriptive sex scenes with the Ow in the beginning, before MCs had sex.
After he had sex with h, although he finds ow arousing, he turns them down.
Keeping it 4 stars. Great if you’re looking for an angsty trainwreck and like ow drama…the H doesn’t sleep with ow after having sex with the h, but it’s still not safe for safety readers.
Not safe🚩
Spoilers
He cheats once after the marriage. It happens on the day of their marriage. she refused to sleep with him, told him she wanted to annual their marriage, and pulled out a gun on him so he went to his mistress. Before the marriage there was heavy petting - 2-3rd base, but no penetration between the MCs.
I want to point out that reviews are wrong. She did not tell him to go to his mistress when he cheated, because she didn’t know he had one. But the next day when she found out, it was then that she told him to keep goin to her. The h continues to refuse him in bed. The h an immature child, and quite annoying, but her stupidity and her thinking that the H is constantly cheating stirs up loads of angst.
This book has lots of ow drama.
He slept with A few ow after meeting the h.
He finds ow arousing after having sex with the h, and he did intend to cheat again because h pissed him off, but he was caught by the h. (Before MCs had sex)
Few descriptive sex scenes with the Ow in the beginning, before MCs had sex.
After he had sex with h, although he finds ow arousing, he turns them down.
November 13, 2012
The second book to the Bragg Saga tells the story of the middle child, Storm. When her parents worried that she’ll never be the lady she’s meant to be, they shipped her off to San Francisco where she’s to spend the summer coming out to the society. It wasn't easy; the girl-woman was wild with a penchant for speaking her mind and would rather be riding her horse Demon than hobnob with the society. With her unusual beauty and stature, it didn't take long till men noticed. And when entrepreneur Brett D’Archand saw her, he was instantly bewitched. Too bad she was too rough for his taste. The two rubbed each other the wrong way but couldn't deny their attraction. One compromising rendezvous led to a shotgun wedding. But what started off as a misfortune quickly turned into disaster as neither wanted to give in to the chemistry that’s palpable between them. One way or another, their sham of a marriage would end…that’s if they don’t kill each other first.
The Bragg kids are all grown up and having lives of their own. I was excited to read this one because from what I briefly read about Storm in the first book. I just knew she wouldn't be the wilting violet like her mother was. She’s named quite so aptly.
I’m glad that there wasn't too much violence in this one but again, the author has a thing with rape. I don’t know. Perhaps it was a thing back in the days but men can’t seem to help themselves. This book also had incest – which is kinda weird. I didn't think people from back then would actually be involve in such impropriety. But I haven’t read too much Historicals so, what do I really know?
Scheming women is the name of the game of here instead of men killing each other. I think one of the things I can only complain about is the soap opera-level of predictability with these books. I've only read a couple, this being the second one. There was this brother/sister tandem that drugged the hero so and set it up so the heroine would find her beloved in bed with another woman. I think I saw that episode from Days of Our Lives before. Heh.
Storm was very quick to forgive Brett, in my opinion. I think in some ways, her heritage didn't really shine through. She’s half-Apache. I think, I’ll neuter the man if I’d find out he bedded his mistress on our wedding night. But I wouldn't be so quick to judge, two sides to the coin and such. I was just hoping for more fireworks but as soon as Brett turned on the charms, Storm is quickly swept away.
Predictable though as they were, these books are so addictive! I have read the first two books in two days and am looking forward to the rest.
The Bragg kids are all grown up and having lives of their own. I was excited to read this one because from what I briefly read about Storm in the first book. I just knew she wouldn't be the wilting violet like her mother was. She’s named quite so aptly.
I’m glad that there wasn't too much violence in this one but again, the author has a thing with rape. I don’t know. Perhaps it was a thing back in the days but men can’t seem to help themselves. This book also had incest – which is kinda weird. I didn't think people from back then would actually be involve in such impropriety. But I haven’t read too much Historicals so, what do I really know?
Scheming women is the name of the game of here instead of men killing each other. I think one of the things I can only complain about is the soap opera-level of predictability with these books. I've only read a couple, this being the second one. There was this brother/sister tandem that drugged the hero so and set it up so the heroine would find her beloved in bed with another woman. I think I saw that episode from Days of Our Lives before. Heh.
Storm was very quick to forgive Brett, in my opinion. I think in some ways, her heritage didn't really shine through. She’s half-Apache. I think, I’ll neuter the man if I’d find out he bedded his mistress on our wedding night. But I wouldn't be so quick to judge, two sides to the coin and such. I was just hoping for more fireworks but as soon as Brett turned on the charms, Storm is quickly swept away.
Predictable though as they were, these books are so addictive! I have read the first two books in two days and am looking forward to the rest.
November 5, 2012
This book never gets old for me, it was actually my first HR and maybe that's the reason why I love it so much { they do say you never forget your first ;) }.
Storm Bragg comes to San Francisco to enter the society so they could find her a husband, and yes, the most wanted bachelor Brett D'Archand becomes crazy about her... cliche yes I know... the whole can't-stop-staring-at-you-from-the-second-I-laid-my eyes-on-you / why-can't-you-stand-any-sight-of-me essential element of HR :)
She doesn't want to be in the city, want's to go back home in Texas to their family ranch, doesn't want to have anything with Brett, but still is jealous of other women...
and he doesn't want wife, only mistresses, her rude behaving only assures him it's better to stay away from her but simply can't stand any other man in her company...
but because of their incident in the garden on the ballroom party
( “Storm,” he said urgently.“I need you,” he said. “Please.” His hands went to his trousers, hesitating. She found herself staring at the thick, rigid erection straining against the fabric. He looked at her, waiting for a word, a sign that he should stop.“Yes,” she whispered, as a delicious ache began to build and throb again. “Sweet Jesus!” a woman screamed. )
they end up married and living in SF :) shocking I know :D
Destiny tests them all the time, they pretty much have only problems from the beginnig. He has wounds from past (of course he is broken = "shock"), she comes from loving family (of course she'll be the one to heal that woonds = another "shock"). Yes I wanted to slap her lots of times and tell her to swallow that huge pride of hers, and Brett... oh him I wanted to shot with her Colt couple of times, especially on their wedding night!
But even the mighty fall!
He half groaned and half laughed. “Since the day I first saw you, you turned my life upside down. I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I tried to tell myself it was just lust. That I didn’t need you.” He looked at her, taking a deep breath, and slid down the length of her until she could feel the fullness of his arousal against her groin. He reached for his fly. “I can’t wait.”
“No,” she said, firmly stopping his hand. Their breath mingled. “Finish.”
“Finish?” he asked stupidly, then laughed shakily. “Yes, chère, that’s what I’m trying to do if you’d let me open my pants. Finish what we’ve started.”
“You know that’s not what I mean, Brett.”
Storm Bragg comes to San Francisco to enter the society so they could find her a husband, and yes, the most wanted bachelor Brett D'Archand becomes crazy about her... cliche yes I know... the whole can't-stop-staring-at-you-from-the-second-I-laid-my eyes-on-you / why-can't-you-stand-any-sight-of-me essential element of HR :)
She doesn't want to be in the city, want's to go back home in Texas to their family ranch, doesn't want to have anything with Brett, but still is jealous of other women...
and he doesn't want wife, only mistresses, her rude behaving only assures him it's better to stay away from her but simply can't stand any other man in her company...
but because of their incident in the garden on the ballroom party
( “Storm,” he said urgently.“I need you,” he said. “Please.” His hands went to his trousers, hesitating. She found herself staring at the thick, rigid erection straining against the fabric. He looked at her, waiting for a word, a sign that he should stop.“Yes,” she whispered, as a delicious ache began to build and throb again. “Sweet Jesus!” a woman screamed. )
they end up married and living in SF :) shocking I know :D
Destiny tests them all the time, they pretty much have only problems from the beginnig. He has wounds from past (of course he is broken = "shock"), she comes from loving family (of course she'll be the one to heal that woonds = another "shock"). Yes I wanted to slap her lots of times and tell her to swallow that huge pride of hers, and Brett... oh him I wanted to shot with her Colt couple of times, especially on their wedding night!
But even the mighty fall!
He half groaned and half laughed. “Since the day I first saw you, you turned my life upside down. I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I tried to tell myself it was just lust. That I didn’t need you.” He looked at her, taking a deep breath, and slid down the length of her until she could feel the fullness of his arousal against her groin. He reached for his fly. “I can’t wait.”
“No,” she said, firmly stopping his hand. Their breath mingled. “Finish.”
“Finish?” he asked stupidly, then laughed shakily. “Yes, chère, that’s what I’m trying to do if you’d let me open my pants. Finish what we’ve started.”
“You know that’s not what I mean, Brett.”
January 18, 2010
4.5 Stars
I enjoyed this book as well. This one is the story of Miranda and Derek's daughter, Storm. She was raised on a ranch in the "wild" of Texas during the mid-late 1800's.
Her parents send her to her Uncle's home at the age of 17 for 6 months to enjoy city life.
Having a bit a Apache blood she stands out because of her coloring,her lack of etiquette training, and her astonishing beauty.
This story was a fun read, however, I did find myself annoyed with the hero/heroine because they wouldn't TALK to each other! This is Brenda Joyce's style so I wasn't surprised.
I enjoyed this book as well. This one is the story of Miranda and Derek's daughter, Storm. She was raised on a ranch in the "wild" of Texas during the mid-late 1800's.
Her parents send her to her Uncle's home at the age of 17 for 6 months to enjoy city life.
Having a bit a Apache blood she stands out because of her coloring,her lack of etiquette training, and her astonishing beauty.
This story was a fun read, however, I did find myself annoyed with the hero/heroine because they wouldn't TALK to each other! This is Brenda Joyce's style so I wasn't surprised.
February 8, 2022
Дръзка, скандална и много вълнуваща. Определено Бренда Джойс знае как да ти задържи вниманието, държейките до малките часове на нощта. Определено продължавам с още нейни книги.
Някои сцени ще си останат звинаги в ума ми- плажът, дървото и ездата.
Някои сцени ще си останат звинаги в ума ми- плажът, дървото и ездата.
August 30, 2018
OMG. FOR THOSE WHO HAD THIS RATED FOUR STARS...YOU NEED TO GET YOU SENSES CHECKED. BIG TIME. I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHY I FORGE ON WITH THIS SERIES, IM HOPING THAT THIS ONE WON'T DISAPPOINT ME.
FACT, IT MADE ME WANT TO TEAR MY HAIR OUT.
I CAN READ DARK, EMO AND SICK SHIT...BUT I JUST COULDN'T STAND THE BIPOLAR HEROINE. SHE WAS WAY TOO MUCH. HOW CAN THE AUTHOR CREATE SUCH A HORRIBLE PERSON?
OUR HERO while not as likeable as Derek...at least I can see that Brett does try with Storm and he's the one who puts more effort into their whirlwind marriage than she did. Of course, man was taken in by her beauty in the first place and if you're new to the BRAGG SAGE (not all of Joyce's books are like that) that you will know that the heroes are pretty shallow. They just fall for beautiful women then get to know them.
OUR HEROINE was as bad as her mother in the first book. I don't think this is about her being a 17 year old...and she wasn't ignorant about sex like her mother. She was just a jealous bitch who couldn't channel her emotions properly. One moment she blows hot, then next she blows so cold...I'm amazed Brett hasn't committed suicide from the drama she causes just by breathing. I've never hated the heroines I read about. NEVER. But Storm and her mother are firsts. They were such horrible women...and if women were like them in the historical era, I think I understand why men in the past believed them to be overly dramatic and hysterical. Storm is too proud and selfish. She gets angry at everything Brett does, she's angry at her attraction for him...treats him like shit and blows him off everytime, she gets all riled up for no reason...even when he just says HELLO. She says 'I HATE YOU' everytime she loses a fight and she NEEDS to get the last word. AND not to mention...she's so fucking childish and immature...I really don't know why anyone would even LOVE her...except her parents cause they're her parents.
OVERALL OMG I feel real bad about talking shit about the characters but I couldn't hold it in anymore. After two Bragg saga books in two nights....the heroines really pushed me off the brink and I think I'm going to read a more NORMAL romance without all that conflicting an unfulfilling drama.
FACT, IT MADE ME WANT TO TEAR MY HAIR OUT.
I CAN READ DARK, EMO AND SICK SHIT...BUT I JUST COULDN'T STAND THE BIPOLAR HEROINE. SHE WAS WAY TOO MUCH. HOW CAN THE AUTHOR CREATE SUCH A HORRIBLE PERSON?
OUR HERO while not as likeable as Derek...at least I can see that Brett does try with Storm and he's the one who puts more effort into their whirlwind marriage than she did. Of course, man was taken in by her beauty in the first place and if you're new to the BRAGG SAGE (not all of Joyce's books are like that) that you will know that the heroes are pretty shallow. They just fall for beautiful women then get to know them.
OUR HEROINE was as bad as her mother in the first book. I don't think this is about her being a 17 year old...and she wasn't ignorant about sex like her mother. She was just a jealous bitch who couldn't channel her emotions properly. One moment she blows hot, then next she blows so cold...I'm amazed Brett hasn't committed suicide from the drama she causes just by breathing. I've never hated the heroines I read about. NEVER. But Storm and her mother are firsts. They were such horrible women...and if women were like them in the historical era, I think I understand why men in the past believed them to be overly dramatic and hysterical. Storm is too proud and selfish. She gets angry at everything Brett does, she's angry at her attraction for him...treats him like shit and blows him off everytime, she gets all riled up for no reason...even when he just says HELLO. She says 'I HATE YOU' everytime she loses a fight and she NEEDS to get the last word. AND not to mention...she's so fucking childish and immature...I really don't know why anyone would even LOVE her...except her parents cause they're her parents.
OVERALL OMG I feel real bad about talking shit about the characters but I couldn't hold it in anymore. After two Bragg saga books in two nights....the heroines really pushed me off the brink and I think I'm going to read a more NORMAL romance without all that conflicting an unfulfilling drama.
February 12, 2016
Alors, les 4 étoiles pour le plaisir de lire de la vieille romance comme on n'en fait plus. D'ailleurs, il est dommage que la série ne soit pas traduite (seulement le tome 2 et le 4...).
Après, il y avait dans l'histoire des passages que je ne supporte plus, tous les non-dits, les quiproquos, ça m'énerve ! Heureusement, j'ai bien aimé l'héroïne, même si elle n’arrête pas de pleurer !
Bref, plus une lecture nostalgique.
Après, il y avait dans l'histoire des passages que je ne supporte plus, tous les non-dits, les quiproquos, ça m'énerve ! Heureusement, j'ai bien aimé l'héroïne, même si elle n’arrête pas de pleurer !
Bref, plus une lecture nostalgique.
December 2, 2009
I loved it.. There are just 4 of her books translated in Croatian language, but I've read them all, and I love her.. She is great writer. This book is funny, interesting, enthusiastic, inspiring, and awesome romance.
January 1, 2022
A reader can take this book 2 different ways, accept that times were different and women had little choice or power or just no.
They have a love/hate.
End up married to avoid scandal, so bad feeling at the start.
She says have mistresses, so he goes to his mistress on his wedding night.
Society knows.
There are constant misunderstandings due to a lack of communication, selfishness and youth.
I wouldn't reread.
HEA.
They have a love/hate.
End up married to avoid scandal, so bad feeling at the start.
She says have mistresses, so he goes to his mistress on his wedding night.
Society knows.
There are constant misunderstandings due to a lack of communication, selfishness and youth.
I wouldn't reread.
HEA.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2021
This is not a safe book for People of Color to read. It was originally published in 1988, and it does not hold up well.
As a review, I'm going to do something a little unfair, and not focus on the romance. This, of course, is unfair because it's a romance book and therefore I should probably be allocating all of my attention to it... but no. I'm not going to do that. And to be frank, there's a lot of problematic shit going on with the romance aspect, too. Not least of which is Brenda's reoccurring trend of making her male leads attracted to child-like attributes (that they identify as child-like. This isn't something the men are oblivious to).
Alright, so we've got the male lead, who is the bastard son of a Californio and criollo (father's side) and his mother was a French prostitute. The female lead is the daughter of a Texas ranger, but she has English aristocracy on her mother's side, and her father is half-Indian, specifically Apache. So far, it has the appearance of inclusivity. But really, this book is an excellent example of fetishizing People of Color, but only the lived experiences that contribute to the plot (barely).
There's dehumanizing language used against the very indigenous people/identities that this book is supposedly an advocate for? "He just wasn't expecting this kind of reaction - she screamed, a scream that sounded half woman and half Indian" (p. 284). Notice how the "Indian" is separated from the human?
Also, there's a whole lot of use of the word "savage" as a term of endearment. Which just. Is gross.
This is an excellent article as to why this word should not have a place in polite language: https://chrissyking.com/stopsayingsav....
Honestly, I'm not good at reviews, and I don't consider myself to be a book reviewer. I just think that people who are exploring the genre of historical romance should know that this book is not a safe space for People of Color. There are macroaggressions and microaggressions in every page. Although if you find you can look past all of that... you'll have a problematic and flimsy romance story waiting for you.
As a review, I'm going to do something a little unfair, and not focus on the romance. This, of course, is unfair because it's a romance book and therefore I should probably be allocating all of my attention to it... but no. I'm not going to do that. And to be frank, there's a lot of problematic shit going on with the romance aspect, too. Not least of which is Brenda's reoccurring trend of making her male leads attracted to child-like attributes (that they identify as child-like. This isn't something the men are oblivious to).
Alright, so we've got the male lead, who is the bastard son of a Californio and criollo (father's side) and his mother was a French prostitute. The female lead is the daughter of a Texas ranger, but she has English aristocracy on her mother's side, and her father is half-Indian, specifically Apache. So far, it has the appearance of inclusivity. But really, this book is an excellent example of fetishizing People of Color, but only the lived experiences that contribute to the plot (barely).
There's dehumanizing language used against the very indigenous people/identities that this book is supposedly an advocate for? "He just wasn't expecting this kind of reaction - she screamed, a scream that sounded half woman and half Indian" (p. 284). Notice how the "Indian" is separated from the human?
Also, there's a whole lot of use of the word "savage" as a term of endearment. Which just. Is gross.
This is an excellent article as to why this word should not have a place in polite language: https://chrissyking.com/stopsayingsav....
Honestly, I'm not good at reviews, and I don't consider myself to be a book reviewer. I just think that people who are exploring the genre of historical romance should know that this book is not a safe space for People of Color. There are macroaggressions and microaggressions in every page. Although if you find you can look past all of that... you'll have a problematic and flimsy romance story waiting for you.
March 17, 2012
The book was very good but the end was too rushed. There is no way Storm to forgive Brett so quickly after in the whole book they fought for the smallest things. And the ends also left a lot of an answered about how her family is going to accept Brett. If Brett's father is going to leave the land to him, about his little sister and so many things.
Despite this the end was interesting and it was nice to read about these two, how the fell in love and started to trust each other, which wasn't easy at all.
Despite this the end was interesting and it was nice to read about these two, how the fell in love and started to trust each other, which wasn't easy at all.
February 26, 2011
Wow. I thought romance when I saw the cover of this book. But it was more than a romance novel. Everything that happened in the book shocks you or surprises you. Not for the faint of heart.
March 30, 2016
Amazing.
April 5, 2022
TW: rape, incest, hero sleeping with other women
I couldn’t believe I’ve enjoyed this book as much as I have! I’m giving this 4.25 stars, with 0.75 docked off because the hero was an absolute ass in the first 40% of the book. I can’t take it that he slept with his mistress on his wedding night. Gag.
But somehow the writing style is still hypnotic, and I adore the heroine much more than the one from the first book since she’s much much stronger, albeit still a bit immature (cutting her some slack since she’s still 17 and naive with boys and relationships).
Storm Bragg is the daughter of Derek and Miranda Bragg from the first book, Innocent Fire. She was sent to England so she can have a “season” to enjoy and meet eligible bachelors. There she met the hardened and ruthless businessman, Brett. He immediately felt attraction to her but since he is an ambitious person, he wanted to marry a woman of noble birth, plus he was still expanding his wealth so he was NOT prepared to get married.
But he still took advantage of her and was forced to marry her after they were discovered. And boy, their marriage was explosive! It was filled with so many fights due to hidden desires and pent up lust. It was highly enjoyable to read. Although tbh I really hated that he goes to his mistress when he feels frustrated and wants to satiate himself 🤮 Arse.
Despite these unsavory instances, still a fun read.
I couldn’t believe I’ve enjoyed this book as much as I have! I’m giving this 4.25 stars, with 0.75 docked off because the hero was an absolute ass in the first 40% of the book. I can’t take it that he slept with his mistress on his wedding night. Gag.
But somehow the writing style is still hypnotic, and I adore the heroine much more than the one from the first book since she’s much much stronger, albeit still a bit immature (cutting her some slack since she’s still 17 and naive with boys and relationships).
Storm Bragg is the daughter of Derek and Miranda Bragg from the first book, Innocent Fire. She was sent to England so she can have a “season” to enjoy and meet eligible bachelors. There she met the hardened and ruthless businessman, Brett. He immediately felt attraction to her but since he is an ambitious person, he wanted to marry a woman of noble birth, plus he was still expanding his wealth so he was NOT prepared to get married.
But he still took advantage of her and was forced to marry her after they were discovered. And boy, their marriage was explosive! It was filled with so many fights due to hidden desires and pent up lust. It was highly enjoyable to read. Although tbh I really hated that he goes to his mistress when he feels frustrated and wants to satiate himself 🤮 Arse.
Despite these unsavory instances, still a fun read.
July 19, 2017
There was a lot of potential for this book plot-wise. However, there were a lot of things holding it back, mostly centered around both characters' unlikable immaturity. The hero is an over-grown combination man-wh#$% and child, who blows hot and cold unattractively from paragraph to paragraph. As for the heroine, she is just WAY too young, at 17 to appeal to a modern audience and is just straight-up childish and cowardly, which only emphasizes, the squicky age. I just sometimes wished she would just grow a backbone and confront our unworthy wannabe-suitor and tell him that he us a useless, self-serving, cheating, arrogant, thinks he is god's gift to women jacka$$. Some lady should have #itch-slapped the self-absorbed/pitying jerk out of their boudoir long ago!
April 23, 2024
Let me start off by saying I was utterly confused by this book.
The first 60% of the book was absolutely fantastic. I was charmed by the banter of the MCs and would surely have placed this in my list of favorites ….
However, the book suddenly takes an about turn. It feels like it was suddenly overrun by a completely different and deranged author. The plot is so unpredictable and laughable that I had to skim through to prevent placing a permanent mar on my opinion of Brenda Joyce. The last 40% of the book rated a 2 for me.
Overall, a weird 4 star rating.
The first 60% of the book was absolutely fantastic. I was charmed by the banter of the MCs and would surely have placed this in my list of favorites ….
However, the book suddenly takes an about turn. It feels like it was suddenly overrun by a completely different and deranged author. The plot is so unpredictable and laughable that I had to skim through to prevent placing a permanent mar on my opinion of Brenda Joyce. The last 40% of the book rated a 2 for me.
Overall, a weird 4 star rating.
August 14, 2019
Poor Storm. This girl was a true tomboy thrown into a world she was totally and completely unprepared for.
I really felt for her, I did. I wasn't too thrilled with her love interests, not any of them really, but it was a decent enough read I guess and I am sucker for happily ever afters. ☺
I really felt for her, I did. I wasn't too thrilled with her love interests, not any of them really, but it was a decent enough read I guess and I am sucker for happily ever afters. ☺
March 8, 2019
Great writing. A sinister plot-line with interesting characters and lots of family drama as a backdrop to a lovely romance.
June 13, 2022
Disappointed. I loved the #1 in series but didn’t connect with this.
April 7, 2025
4.5 stars. It’s a wonderful book with vivid descriptions and characters. Great follow up to Miranda and Derek’s story.
May 12, 2025
they are going to have D1 babies and that's beautiful ❤️
Did Not Finish
May 15, 2025I refuse to believe it’s the same author who wrote the first book in the series, which I loved.
May 3, 2026
DNF @ 80%
June 2, 2026
Third Time an Still Amazing!!!
I will never get tired of reading Storm and Betty's love story! Keeps you reading an turning the pages to the end!
I will never get tired of reading Storm and Betty's love story! Keeps you reading an turning the pages to the end!
November 15, 2010
This is story about Miranda and Bragg's daughter, Storm.
Storm On her eighteen years of age Miranda had to move to San Francisco at his uncle.
Brett, the handsome business gentleman met her here. He found interesting thing about Storm. Unusual one that he ever met.
As like her father and her uncle, her new friend Marcy, try to modernize Storm fancy outfit ; but Storm fell can not go with it.. She thought it was unnecessary. She was more prefer as a Texan girl with a ranch dress.
Next she had to deal with Brett un-sensible manner over her. But Storm admit that something strange had come to her deep feeling about Brett. On one occasion after their galloping race on the beach, Brett Kiss her ; and for a second Storm welcome it .. then fell regret .. even slap Brett face seriously. She had him.
Storm, as her Texan, like riding alone very much. She didn't like escorted on her riding as her uncle suggest. and again Brett interfere on her with reporting her stubborn to her uncle. Storm hated him getting worse. Until Storm get the deed after almost rape by the burglars on her alone riding. Fortunately come Brett to save her.
And then come incident that made Storm desperately shameful after catch by hand by a peeper girl on her lust with Brett in the garden on ball party. His Uncle, Paul had getting mad and punch Brett at once.
Paul insist Bret to marry Storm. Brett had to deal with Paul regarding about his business. If he decline to marry her its mean his loan on Paul bank would be suspended ; an it would be disaster to Brett holding.
And Brett married her then. On first Storm welcome the marriage. She just known that Brett intend to marry her. But after she learn the truth she want a annulment. As well for Brett because he think he was a victim ; kind of conspire by Storm to get him as a best catch pair.
The marriage had not consummate yet.
In their wedding night, Brett had to spend her night with his mistress; such a good gossip for society. And in her jealousy Storm spied on him when he on his own mistress.
But Brett caught her by hand when she was on the tree spying. Storm fell off from the tree and unconscious. It was a new gossip but Sterm hold it up.
By the time Sterm don't want the annulment. In the night of the ball party their mariage consumate.
And Storm went away. She thought that Brett had wanton her as like his mistress.
Brett found her and brought her back home/
Next tale about Brett Spanish family their visit to them.
Storm On her eighteen years of age Miranda had to move to San Francisco at his uncle.
Brett, the handsome business gentleman met her here. He found interesting thing about Storm. Unusual one that he ever met.
As like her father and her uncle, her new friend Marcy, try to modernize Storm fancy outfit ; but Storm fell can not go with it.. She thought it was unnecessary. She was more prefer as a Texan girl with a ranch dress.
Next she had to deal with Brett un-sensible manner over her. But Storm admit that something strange had come to her deep feeling about Brett. On one occasion after their galloping race on the beach, Brett Kiss her ; and for a second Storm welcome it .. then fell regret .. even slap Brett face seriously. She had him.
Storm, as her Texan, like riding alone very much. She didn't like escorted on her riding as her uncle suggest. and again Brett interfere on her with reporting her stubborn to her uncle. Storm hated him getting worse. Until Storm get the deed after almost rape by the burglars on her alone riding. Fortunately come Brett to save her.
And then come incident that made Storm desperately shameful after catch by hand by a peeper girl on her lust with Brett in the garden on ball party. His Uncle, Paul had getting mad and punch Brett at once.
Paul insist Bret to marry Storm. Brett had to deal with Paul regarding about his business. If he decline to marry her its mean his loan on Paul bank would be suspended ; an it would be disaster to Brett holding.
And Brett married her then. On first Storm welcome the marriage. She just known that Brett intend to marry her. But after she learn the truth she want a annulment. As well for Brett because he think he was a victim ; kind of conspire by Storm to get him as a best catch pair.
The marriage had not consummate yet.
In their wedding night, Brett had to spend her night with his mistress; such a good gossip for society. And in her jealousy Storm spied on him when he on his own mistress.
But Brett caught her by hand when she was on the tree spying. Storm fell off from the tree and unconscious. It was a new gossip but Sterm hold it up.
By the time Sterm don't want the annulment. In the night of the ball party their mariage consumate.
And Storm went away. She thought that Brett had wanton her as like his mistress.
Brett found her and brought her back home/
Next tale about Brett Spanish family their visit to them.
March 16, 2017
our heroine, Storm, is the daughter of Miranda and Derek from the romance Innocent Fire, which was the first novel in the Bragg Saga. Storm having been brought up with her two brothers, who under her fathers teachings learns to ride, hunt, fish and shoot better than most young men her age. After she is caught fighting with one of the local boys Storm;s mother Miranda decides it is time for her daughter to learn to act like a lady and not a wild and free boy child.........So Storm is sent to San Francisco to her uncles home for six months ....to wear dresses, go to lunches, dances, and hopefully embrace being a young beautiful woman. She is very upset with this plan and can not understand why her mother and her dad would do this to her. She loves and misses her family at the Texas ranch very much. Our hero is one of the wealthiest business men in San Fransico. Son of a whore bastard son of a wealthy California ranch owner. He is a business partner with Storm's uncle in a few buiness ventures. As a handsome wealthy man women fall at his feet and line up to hopefully change is batchlor statis . When he meets Storm for the first time he is besotten. Enjoyed this romance very much and would highly recomend it . Sensual level of this is a very strong 6.
July 23, 2016
Storm is a real wild child. She loves riding her horse and hanging with the boys, but she hates wearing dresses and going to parties. Until her parents decide it's time for her to learn to be a lady and they sent her to San Francisco.
There she meets Brett. Brett has made his own fortune and he's proud of it. When they see each other the attraction is instantaneous.
Storm is great. She is headstrong and won't back down. It's great to see how she finds her match in Brett. Brett is attracted to Storm and he can't understand why he can't get her out of his head.
I felt for storm when she feels so out of places when she's introduced to Society. I felt for her even more the moment some jealous witches start spreading unfounded rumors.
They could have benefited from talking a bit more, especially when they visit his father, but in the end everything turns out all right.
The books are a bit predictable, but they're good nonetheless.
There she meets Brett. Brett has made his own fortune and he's proud of it. When they see each other the attraction is instantaneous.
Storm is great. She is headstrong and won't back down. It's great to see how she finds her match in Brett. Brett is attracted to Storm and he can't understand why he can't get her out of his head.
I felt for storm when she feels so out of places when she's introduced to Society. I felt for her even more the moment some jealous witches start spreading unfounded rumors.
They could have benefited from talking a bit more, especially when they visit his father, but in the end everything turns out all right.
The books are a bit predictable, but they're good nonetheless.
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