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Bragg Saga #1
Innocent Fire
From the sensuous voice of novelist Brenda Joyce comes Firestorm, the extraordinary first 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…
Leaving behind the sheltered life of a French convent, Miranda journeyed to the New World and an arranged marriage to a prosperous Texan rancher. Arriving in America, the innocent European met her fiance's friend Derek Bragg, a rough-hewn Texas Ranger, whose harsh manner and candid comments about her beauty enraged the shy miss.
Although Bragg fought to deny his feelings for his charge, he knew that he was falling in love with her. Miranda, too, was struggling with her desire for her escort as they trekked across the treacherous wilderness. Drawn to the lawman--enflamed by his raw masculine virility--will Miranda sacrifice her innocence to the fire blazing out of control in her heart?
Leaving behind the sheltered life of a French convent, Miranda journeyed to the New World and an arranged marriage to a prosperous Texan rancher. Arriving in America, the innocent European met her fiance's friend Derek Bragg, a rough-hewn Texas Ranger, whose harsh manner and candid comments about her beauty enraged the shy miss.
Although Bragg fought to deny his feelings for his charge, he knew that he was falling in love with her. Miranda, too, was struggling with her desire for her escort as they trekked across the treacherous wilderness. Drawn to the lawman--enflamed by his raw masculine virility--will Miranda sacrifice her innocence to the fire blazing out of control in her heart?
376 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
45 people are currently reading
737 people want to read
About the author
Brenda Joyce
106 books1,298 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 64 reviews
July 12, 2025
What did I just read? This was like stepping into a time capsule of romance tropes that really haven’t aged well...and not in a charming, nostalgic way.
My first Brenda Joyce book… and I’m afraid it’ll also be my last.
The writing is undeniably vivid at times, and I can see how this once hit the mark for a certain era of romance readers. But the power dynamics, the forced proximity, and the constant "I'm a man who can't help myself" energy made it feel more exhausting than swoony.
tw: rape (multiple times)
🎶"The Blower’s Daughter" – Damien Rice
My first Brenda Joyce book… and I’m afraid it’ll also be my last.
The writing is undeniably vivid at times, and I can see how this once hit the mark for a certain era of romance readers. But the power dynamics, the forced proximity, and the constant "I'm a man who can't help myself" energy made it feel more exhausting than swoony.
tw: rape (multiple times)
🎶"The Blower’s Daughter" – Damien Rice
January 3, 2019
With too much violence for a romance novel, at least for my tastes, and an unappealing heroine, by the novel’s end it left me with a feeling of exhaustion rather than exhilaration. Not my cup of tea.
September 29, 2013
1st in Bragg Series a Fast Moving Western Romance
I have seen the low reviews on this one and I just don't agree. First, you can't tell this story without rape. Not to give away the plot but it isn't gratuitous violence; it very much reflects the times and the threat every woman faced on the frontier. Although at times Miranda's life looks a bit like the Perils of Pauline with more dire consequences, it is still believable. Second, I don't agree with the one who said it was slow. It does slow a bit in the middle but that is only by contrast with the horserace the rest of it is. I am so glad I ignored those reviews and bought this first in in the Bragg Saga (see list below).
The story begins in 1840, as Miranda, daughter of the Earl of Dragmore, raised in a convent in France, travels to Texas to meet her betrothed, a wealthy Texas rancher and a member of the British nobility, who fell in love with her picture two years ago when she was only 15. Once in America, Derek Bragg, a handsome Texas Ranger, who is half Apache, escorts her to his best friend's ranch. Miranda is so innocent she has no idea of the ways of men and women and doesn't even recognize her attraction to the handsome Bragg. Beautiful, with black hair and violet eyes, she is coveted by all men who see her, including a Comanchero named Chavez they meet in a small town, who wants her.
I felt like I was on a fast moving train reading this romance. The story was so intriguing that Joyce had me reading late into the night as Bragg and Miranda crossed the American west, and Miranda, a sensitive well-bred lady, encounters the harsh realities of life on the frontier and the rough ways of hard living men. There is much action in the story: Indian attacks, fights, Texas Rangers fighting Indians to protect the settlers and then the ever-threatening Chavez and his Indians. Derek is a wonderful hero, a man who could be both tough and tender, as he came to grips with his feelings for Miranda. And Miranda, who had a lot of innate spunk, went from a naïve girl to a strong woman.
My advice is that you ignore those low reviews and get this one if you plan to read the series. It's captivating and it is also foundational.
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)
After Innocence follows Secrets (Edward Delanza and Sophie)
See also, 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 have seen the low reviews on this one and I just don't agree. First, you can't tell this story without rape. Not to give away the plot but it isn't gratuitous violence; it very much reflects the times and the threat every woman faced on the frontier. Although at times Miranda's life looks a bit like the Perils of Pauline with more dire consequences, it is still believable. Second, I don't agree with the one who said it was slow. It does slow a bit in the middle but that is only by contrast with the horserace the rest of it is. I am so glad I ignored those reviews and bought this first in in the Bragg Saga (see list below).
The story begins in 1840, as Miranda, daughter of the Earl of Dragmore, raised in a convent in France, travels to Texas to meet her betrothed, a wealthy Texas rancher and a member of the British nobility, who fell in love with her picture two years ago when she was only 15. Once in America, Derek Bragg, a handsome Texas Ranger, who is half Apache, escorts her to his best friend's ranch. Miranda is so innocent she has no idea of the ways of men and women and doesn't even recognize her attraction to the handsome Bragg. Beautiful, with black hair and violet eyes, she is coveted by all men who see her, including a Comanchero named Chavez they meet in a small town, who wants her.
I felt like I was on a fast moving train reading this romance. The story was so intriguing that Joyce had me reading late into the night as Bragg and Miranda crossed the American west, and Miranda, a sensitive well-bred lady, encounters the harsh realities of life on the frontier and the rough ways of hard living men. There is much action in the story: Indian attacks, fights, Texas Rangers fighting Indians to protect the settlers and then the ever-threatening Chavez and his Indians. Derek is a wonderful hero, a man who could be both tough and tender, as he came to grips with his feelings for Miranda. And Miranda, who had a lot of innate spunk, went from a naïve girl to a strong woman.
My advice is that you ignore those low reviews and get this one if you plan to read the series. It's captivating and it is also foundational.
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)
After Innocence follows Secrets (Edward Delanza and Sophie)
See also, 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)
January 6, 2015
I have read 262 pages and there are 370 of them. I won't continue.
It's bad.
Miranda, female character is not likeable at all. I just can't accept that women then didn't know anything about sex, rape, kisses. She is always so scared and the only thing that is interesting about her is her beauty. Well, that's so stupid I must say. I'm sick of these beautiful stupid girls that everyone want just because they are pretty. Damn, give me one normal looking girl who will charm everyone with their humour and personality. I really can't be into a story where a girl with purple eyes walks and everyone is amazed by her looks.
And I have read more than half of this book and she only kissed Derek and nothing else. She was always so tense and scared.
The worst part that made me stop reading this is rape. She was raped and then rescued. The same night when she was with Derek, he wass so opsessed with getting into her pants and disappointed when she didn't want to. Is he for real? She was just raped and tortured and you just can't see behind her beauty? Many books disappoited me lately, but this one...I don't know what the author was thinking. This can't be normal.
It's bad.
Miranda, female character is not likeable at all. I just can't accept that women then didn't know anything about sex, rape, kisses. She is always so scared and the only thing that is interesting about her is her beauty. Well, that's so stupid I must say. I'm sick of these beautiful stupid girls that everyone want just because they are pretty. Damn, give me one normal looking girl who will charm everyone with their humour and personality. I really can't be into a story where a girl with purple eyes walks and everyone is amazed by her looks.
And I have read more than half of this book and she only kissed Derek and nothing else. She was always so tense and scared.
The worst part that made me stop reading this is rape. She was raped and then rescued. The same night when she was with Derek, he wass so opsessed with getting into her pants and disappointed when she didn't want to. Is he for real? She was just raped and tortured and you just can't see behind her beauty? Many books disappoited me lately, but this one...I don't know what the author was thinking. This can't be normal.
November 12, 2012
Surprisingly enough, my foray into Historical Romance started off quite well – though not without instances of frustration with the heroine. Set at a time when women were raised to be pure and virginal until they find the worthy males to have their children, it was hard not to snigger at how ridiculous the dictates of what was proper and what wasn't.
Anyway, this saga starts off with the story of Miranda, an English belle who was to marry a Texan rancher. Escorted by Derek Bragg a half-breed Ranger who’s every bit the definition of a man Miranda was taught to avoid. The journey they had to take across the plains to Texas was fraught with peril: Indians, outlaws, and all different sorts of trouble one delicate beauty had to endure. The most troubling of all was Captain Bragg himself: lurid, lawless, godless, careless, sensual, dark and handsome. Derek Bragg promised to take the virginal bride to his blood brother. Whether in one piece or even intact would be the challenge he’s determined not to fail.
This is the type of novel where the land plays a major role in the overall credibility of story. Brenda Joyce knew her history and as well the economic thematic of the times. I’ve always had this stigma that Historical Fictions are a tedious read but this series is definitely proving me wrong so far.
I’ve had to curb the snark every time the heroine blushed or said something as ridiculous as having monkey sex with her husband made her a slut. But that’s just the way it goes back then. It also didn’t help that she grew up in a convent so her opinions about men and sex was a little skewed. She was sometimes sporadic about how she felt. She would have moments when she wanted to please her husband and the next, a complete 180 and would tell Derek to jump from the nearest cliff.
The story also had painted the Comanche Indians as savages; you know, pillaging the village, raping the women, torturing and killing of men. I haven’t a clue how close to the truth the author was but it wasn’t fun times reading those scenes. And dear God, just how many times would this woman be raped anyway? That wasn’t fun times as well.
Bragg Saga is turning out to be my fantastic baptism into Historical Romance. It wasn’t as boring as I thought it would be. Just a warning though, you need to leave all your feminist views at the door because, damn. This girl tried my patience.
Anyway, this saga starts off with the story of Miranda, an English belle who was to marry a Texan rancher. Escorted by Derek Bragg a half-breed Ranger who’s every bit the definition of a man Miranda was taught to avoid. The journey they had to take across the plains to Texas was fraught with peril: Indians, outlaws, and all different sorts of trouble one delicate beauty had to endure. The most troubling of all was Captain Bragg himself: lurid, lawless, godless, careless, sensual, dark and handsome. Derek Bragg promised to take the virginal bride to his blood brother. Whether in one piece or even intact would be the challenge he’s determined not to fail.
This is the type of novel where the land plays a major role in the overall credibility of story. Brenda Joyce knew her history and as well the economic thematic of the times. I’ve always had this stigma that Historical Fictions are a tedious read but this series is definitely proving me wrong so far.
I’ve had to curb the snark every time the heroine blushed or said something as ridiculous as having monkey sex with her husband made her a slut. But that’s just the way it goes back then. It also didn’t help that she grew up in a convent so her opinions about men and sex was a little skewed. She was sometimes sporadic about how she felt. She would have moments when she wanted to please her husband and the next, a complete 180 and would tell Derek to jump from the nearest cliff.
The story also had painted the Comanche Indians as savages; you know, pillaging the village, raping the women, torturing and killing of men. I haven’t a clue how close to the truth the author was but it wasn’t fun times reading those scenes. And dear God, just how many times would this woman be raped anyway? That wasn’t fun times as well.
Bragg Saga is turning out to be my fantastic baptism into Historical Romance. It wasn’t as boring as I thought it would be. Just a warning though, you need to leave all your feminist views at the door because, damn. This girl tried my patience.
October 15, 2010
If you love reading about helpless heroine who keeps getting rapped again and again. This is the book for you. For the life if me, I have never read such a book as this. I was shocked, horrified, disgusted, and totally disturbed. I couldn't sleep for two nights thinking about how badly the female is treated by all those males. And she's only 17. Thanks for this book, I am now scarred for life.
March 25, 2008
This book was irritating in many ways. I wouldn't go so far as to say it was bad, just irritating.
For one thing, the plot was way too similar to Kat Martin's Natchez Flame - though I believe Joyce's book was written first. The plots were different, but the entire premise was nearly identical. It hasn't been that long since I read Martin's book, so to read one so similar was a little boring and annoying.
Aside from that, Miranda was an overwhelmingly tiring character. She was the very extreme of the typical naive miss of the time, to the point where she just seemed damn stupid. I realize that innocence and naivte was the norm back then for women, but she was and extreme and it got freakin' annoying to constantly read all her witless babble. And it seemed kind of unfitting that such a wordly man as Derek would become so connected to her.
The plot was a bit long and tedious and repetitive. I mean, Miranda is kidnapped three times in the book. Once or twice, okay fine, but three times? It was a bit much.
I also thought that the resolution of Miranda's feelings and her situation was poorly dealt with. It was like *snap* she'd changed her mind about certain things and all was right. There was also this side storyline dealing with Miranda's father. There were some serious issues there, but that's never resolved. At the end, he comes to see Miranda. She spends about a half hour with him, where they talk about nothing serious, and Miranda suddenly thinks to herself that he's not the beast she thought he was. That was it. It was a really cheap way to resolve something that had such an impact on the story.
Anyway, Innocent Fire wasn't a horrible book, but it's not one I'd recommend to others for reading.
For one thing, the plot was way too similar to Kat Martin's Natchez Flame - though I believe Joyce's book was written first. The plots were different, but the entire premise was nearly identical. It hasn't been that long since I read Martin's book, so to read one so similar was a little boring and annoying.
Aside from that, Miranda was an overwhelmingly tiring character. She was the very extreme of the typical naive miss of the time, to the point where she just seemed damn stupid. I realize that innocence and naivte was the norm back then for women, but she was and extreme and it got freakin' annoying to constantly read all her witless babble. And it seemed kind of unfitting that such a wordly man as Derek would become so connected to her.
The plot was a bit long and tedious and repetitive. I mean, Miranda is kidnapped three times in the book. Once or twice, okay fine, but three times? It was a bit much.
I also thought that the resolution of Miranda's feelings and her situation was poorly dealt with. It was like *snap* she'd changed her mind about certain things and all was right. There was also this side storyline dealing with Miranda's father. There were some serious issues there, but that's never resolved. At the end, he comes to see Miranda. She spends about a half hour with him, where they talk about nothing serious, and Miranda suddenly thinks to herself that he's not the beast she thought he was. That was it. It was a really cheap way to resolve something that had such an impact on the story.
Anyway, Innocent Fire wasn't a horrible book, but it's not one I'd recommend to others for reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2017
Review in another cover
July 19, 2020
Innocent Fire. Drama is over the top. It can get distressing with everything that is going on. This one is full of disturbing violence typical of the bodice-ripper genre. 2/5
August 30, 2018
CAN I JUST SAY THAT I LIKE THIS STORY BUT MAINLY I JUST REALLY LIKE IT? YES I'M HAVING MIXED FEELINGS AND SOME REGRETS. WHY? THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A DARNED GOOD BOOK IF THE HEROINE WASN'T SUCH A PANSY...AND RAPE, RAPE, RAPE...THAT'S ALL THIS STORY HAD TO OFFER.
OUR HERO was the GEM in this story...the only one worth mentioning because despite his faults, for a man who never loved another although he was married once...he was extremely patient, caring, kind and very very thoughtful of the heroine. Hell, he should receive a reward for it! I was surprised by his tender loving and kind of felt bad for him when they didn't get to have sex until the final part of the story. Derek was asked by his blood brother to escort his fiancee to him in Texas, cause he had an accident ane couldn't fetch Miranda. A little put out by the babysitting factor, he was blown away by Miranda's beauty and from that moment on he was caught. But, there's something awfully wrong with the woman...she's too shy, too fearful, too rigid and a prude that tops all prude. Vexing is how I can describe Miranda. What annoyed me severely was the many times the author cut off the chance for their time together besides the escort part. This story was divided into three parts. FIRST was about the escort and attraction, SECOND was Miranda's married life to John and THIRD was the H/h story but with rape in it. I was pissed...like seriously what is the point of putting an already traumatized woman through twice the rape and thus causing Derek so much pain and longing...Goddamn.
OUR HEROINE was no heroine but an annoying, miserly bug. Her irritating character stemmed from her trauma of witnessing her fighting parents, her brutish father who nearly raped her mother and then he struck Miranda out of rage. To say she hated him was an understatement and made worse when her mother died in childbirth. She accused her father for killing her mother. What annoyed me was how naive and innocent she was, like having the mind of a 6 year old. She doesn't know kisses, doesn't know what's sex and doesn't even know when someone has or hasn't raped her. Too skittish, a bit spoilt and sometimes stupid...oh gosh the list goes on and on...I cannot conceive of what the author was thinking when she created Miranda.
OVERALL....and this part has spoilers... I didn't like that Miranda was nearly raped once by an enemy, sending her into first trauma, I didn't like her marriage to John who was more rutting bull and obsessed with her...of course he never taught her sex...he just plunged into her cause HE COULDN'T STAND IT ANYMORE...seriously can somebody tell me that all men in the historical era was this lustful? AND I didn't lIke that she got raped by Chavez and got pregnant with his kid...and what was worse...Miranda and Derek never had sex after all these events that pushed her fear of sex into overdrive and she constantly refuses to sleep with Derek, her now husband. I'm a woman and I feel so sorry for Derek because as much as he wanted his wife, he understood that she needed time to heal if not forever and he was willing to do it all for her.
SIGH, like I said it could have been a great story if not for many things. This is the first book of Ms Joyce that let me down.
OUR HERO was the GEM in this story...the only one worth mentioning because despite his faults, for a man who never loved another although he was married once...he was extremely patient, caring, kind and very very thoughtful of the heroine. Hell, he should receive a reward for it! I was surprised by his tender loving and kind of felt bad for him when they didn't get to have sex until the final part of the story. Derek was asked by his blood brother to escort his fiancee to him in Texas, cause he had an accident ane couldn't fetch Miranda. A little put out by the babysitting factor, he was blown away by Miranda's beauty and from that moment on he was caught. But, there's something awfully wrong with the woman...she's too shy, too fearful, too rigid and a prude that tops all prude. Vexing is how I can describe Miranda. What annoyed me severely was the many times the author cut off the chance for their time together besides the escort part. This story was divided into three parts. FIRST was about the escort and attraction, SECOND was Miranda's married life to John and THIRD was the H/h story but with rape in it. I was pissed...like seriously what is the point of putting an already traumatized woman through twice the rape and thus causing Derek so much pain and longing...Goddamn.
OUR HEROINE was no heroine but an annoying, miserly bug. Her irritating character stemmed from her trauma of witnessing her fighting parents, her brutish father who nearly raped her mother and then he struck Miranda out of rage. To say she hated him was an understatement and made worse when her mother died in childbirth. She accused her father for killing her mother. What annoyed me was how naive and innocent she was, like having the mind of a 6 year old. She doesn't know kisses, doesn't know what's sex and doesn't even know when someone has or hasn't raped her. Too skittish, a bit spoilt and sometimes stupid...oh gosh the list goes on and on...I cannot conceive of what the author was thinking when she created Miranda.
OVERALL....and this part has spoilers... I didn't like that Miranda was nearly raped once by an enemy, sending her into first trauma, I didn't like her marriage to John who was more rutting bull and obsessed with her...of course he never taught her sex...he just plunged into her cause HE COULDN'T STAND IT ANYMORE...seriously can somebody tell me that all men in the historical era was this lustful? AND I didn't lIke that she got raped by Chavez and got pregnant with his kid...and what was worse...Miranda and Derek never had sex after all these events that pushed her fear of sex into overdrive and she constantly refuses to sleep with Derek, her now husband. I'm a woman and I feel so sorry for Derek because as much as he wanted his wife, he understood that she needed time to heal if not forever and he was willing to do it all for her.
SIGH, like I said it could have been a great story if not for many things. This is the first book of Ms Joyce that let me down.
January 15, 2010
I couldn't put this book down! Amazing!
1850's
This is story of a young girl who starts of seeing her parents arguing and her father abusing her mother. She tries to intervene and he slaps her in the process of his anger getting the best of him. As the reader we don't know if this was a recurring incident, or if it was a one time issue. The mother feared for her daughter thus taking herself and the young girl to a convent in France. The father finds them and talks the wife into returning home with him and leaving their daughter there for her safety.
The daughter is called home years later to find that her mother died in childbirth, and her father had betrothed her to a well off Texan. She was shipped to the Americas with an Aunt a week later.
She is escorted by her fiance's friend across the plains enduring (Comanche) Indian's raids.
I don't want to comment anymore on what takes place after she makes it to America, but this story was wonderful. I read it in one day! I couldn't put it down!
If you liked Comanche Moon, yo will love this story as well!!!
1850's
This is story of a young girl who starts of seeing her parents arguing and her father abusing her mother. She tries to intervene and he slaps her in the process of his anger getting the best of him. As the reader we don't know if this was a recurring incident, or if it was a one time issue. The mother feared for her daughter thus taking herself and the young girl to a convent in France. The father finds them and talks the wife into returning home with him and leaving their daughter there for her safety.
The daughter is called home years later to find that her mother died in childbirth, and her father had betrothed her to a well off Texan. She was shipped to the Americas with an Aunt a week later.
She is escorted by her fiance's friend across the plains enduring (Comanche) Indian's raids.
I don't want to comment anymore on what takes place after she makes it to America, but this story was wonderful. I read it in one day! I couldn't put it down!
If you liked Comanche Moon, yo will love this story as well!!!
August 1, 2011
I started this after starting Deadly Love, thinking it might give insight into the hero in DL (same family, diff generation). If I had read this book ~25 years ago when it came out I might have liked it more. As it was, it hit ALL the romance cliches. She is VERY young and VERY innocent, he is rough and tumble. She is kidnapped not once, not twice, but THREE time and raped, which is definitely not pleasant to read about. I am definitely over the scared virgin heroines and want a heroine who owns her own sexuality.
Read
August 2, 2015London,1830
Miranda was seven and watched as her father knocked her mother to the ground, ripped her clothes off and proceeded to rape her. Miranda ran into the room and grabbed her father's arm to stop him from beating her mother. Her father slapped her so hard she fell to the ground. He then regretted it and apologized. He was drunk. A few days later, Miranda and her mom ran away to a French convent where her mother had grown up. A week later her dad found them. Miranda's father agreed to let Miranda stay at the convent if her mother would come home with him. Her mother left Miranda at the convent and returned home with her husband.
When Miranda turned 17, her father sent for Miranda and told her that her mother had died in childbirth. Miranda was afraid of her father and avoided him all she could. A week after being home, Miranda's father told her that he had arranged a marriage for her to a wealthy ranch owner in Texas, John Barrington. Another week passed and Miranda traveled to America with her father's sister, Elizabeth. They waited for her fiancee to come pick her up but he sent a letter with his friend Derek Bragg, a Texas Ranger, stating that he was unable to travel and Derek was to bring her to him.
Miranda and her Aunt Elizabeth, Derek and Pete Walsh soon left for Texas with Pete driving the wagon and Derek as the scout. They drove through Louisiana and Miranda was soon exposed to things she had never seen. One of those things was the sight of Derek without a shirt on. He took has shirt off one day when he was helping to get the wagon out of a mud puddle. Derek had noticed Miranda staring at him and from the way she acted, he thought that she was disgusted by him but soon figured out that she was attracted to him but she didn't know how to handle the feelings she was having. He was very attracted to her but knew he had to stay away from her because she was to be married to his friend. He explained things to her that she had no knowledge of and he felt she should know before she married. They arrived in a town and he saw her with a woman and he soon realized that she didn't even know how babies were conceived. He tried to explain that in a way so as not to embarrass her. He didn't really know how to act around Miranda because she was so naive. They didn't talk much because her aunt was most always around and Miranda had lived a very sheltered life.
They left Nacogdoches and were followed. A man named Chavez took Miranda from her tent and one of his men shot and killed her aunt. He took her to his cabin and attempted to have sex with her. She didn't know what he was going to do to her. She was scared and threw up. He determined that she was disgusted by him and told her that he would take his time and court her until she decided to become his wife. He started to get up and Bragg surprisingly showed up and shot him. He took Miranda, who was now without clothes and continued on towards the ranch. He gave her one of his shirts to wear for the rest of the journey.
They arrived at the ranch and Miranda was given a bath and clothes. Derek explained to John what had happened for Miranda to end up without clothes. Derek also told John that he had kissed Miranda twice. John hit him in the face was over it. John did notice how Miranda looked at Derek. Derek knew he was jealous and left to work with the Rangers up until the wedding. John married Miranda a week after they arrived and Derek came back to give Miranda away. Miranda didn't enjoy having sex with John. He was a little rough and she wasn't really prepared. John tried to not make it uncomfortable for her so he stayed away from her for about a week at a time. John made Derek promise that if anything happened to him, Derek would marry Miranda. Derek told John that it was ridiculous, but he promised. A couple weeks after they were married they were invited to a neighbors house. One of the men there grabbed Miranda and kissed her. She told John. The two men fought and John ended up dead. Derek told Miranda that he would marry her in a week. Miranda wasn't given a choice. She needed someone to take care of the ranch and protect her. Derek tried to get close to Miranda but she told him that she would need a year to mourn John even though she didn't really feel a loss at his death. She blamed herself for John's death. Derek tried to get close to Miranda but she kept pulling away. She kept telling herself that she was disgusted by Derek's behavior. She didn't recognize the fact that she was attracted to him and she desired him.
A couple weeks after the wedding, the Rangers came to get Derek. They told him they needed help capturing some Indians who had killed a family and taken the wife and daughter. Derek left Miranda with a bodyguard telling Miranda that she would be safe while he was gone. Two days after he left, she was taken by Chavez and his Indian followers. They burned all the buildings of the ranch and killed her bodyguard.
Chavez took Miranda back to his Comanche tribe and there raped her. He didn't understand why she still bled when they had sex because he knew that with her being married that she was no longer a virgin. He left her alone and told her that he would let her heal before he came to her again. His Comanche wife was very mean to Miranda. She slapped her and yelled at her for being too slow at her work.
Derek was traveling back towards his home with the Rangers and they stopped at one of the ranches and he was told that the ranch was burned down and the guys were all killed and Miranda and his housekeeper were taken. Derek and the Rangers all went after the Comanches. They went into the camp and discovered that most of the warriors were not there at that time. They went into the camp and killed anyone who fought them and took all the captured people they found. There was about twenty people they rescued.
Derek took Miranda to his property rather than back to the ranch. Miranda helped Derek build a wickiup for them to live in. Derek tried to get Miranda to have sex with him but she was afraid of being hurt again. She let Derek touch her and kiss he so Derek decided to get her used to touching him and being around him. He taught her too shoot and then he taught her to swim. Then he tried getting her to have sex again and she agreed but it was mostly because she didn't want him mad at her. That wasn't what he wanted so he waited a few more days and they finally had sex. After that, she was afraid that because she enjoyed it, she was not being a lady and that was unacceptable. Derek noticed she was upset and found out why and explained to her that she wasn't being a whore because she enjoyed having sex, it was normal and right between a husband and wife. He explained to her that the reason she had so much trouble having sex with the others was because there was no love involved. He loved her and that's why it didn't cause her pain. She chose to believe him and everything was OK for awhile. His family returned to the area where they were staying and she met some of his family. Her and Derek talked about staying in the area and him building a house for them there. She agreed and he started gathering lumber and she started having morning sickness. She didn't understand what was wrong with her and Derek told her that she was pregnant. He was upset about her being pregnant with Chavez's child. He told her that he would take care of the child but he could never love it and she asked to return to England. Derek didn't want to lose her so he told her that he would try with the child because it was innocent. They were once again attacked by Indians and Miranda was taken. Derek got a spear high in his chest and knife in his back. Miranda couldn't help him. She rode with the Indians for two days and assumed that Derek had died. The Indians traded her to a white trapper. Derek drug himself to the river and took the spear out of his chest. He kept passing in and out of consciousness. He ran a fever for awhile and ate bugs and worms he dug up because he had no strength to move.
When Derek was strong enough, he rode out after Miranda. Miranda had been sold by the trapper to a whore in Galveston. She thought Derek had died and she didn't talk much. She told the other women that her husband was murdered by the Comanches and they felt sorry for her. The woman who owned the girls tried to put Miranda to work but the other girls covered for her. Miranda only served drinks. After about a month, Derek had tracked her down and came to get her. The bartender tried to stop them but he told them he was a Texas Ranger and not to risk attacking or following them. He took Miranda back to the JB, her ranch that had been burned out. Derek rebuild the house but Miranda refused to live there. She lived in San Antonio with a seamstress and helped her in exchange for room and board. Derek finished the building and came and told Miranda she was coming home. She reluctantly agreed and went with him. She got to the ranch and really liked it.
She had a son who they named Nick. She also had a daughter that they called Storm and another son, Rathe. Her father came to visit when Rathe was five. Miranda came to understand as they talked, that he had really loved her mother. She wondered why she had been afraid of him because he was not a beast, just a man.
Miranda was seven and watched as her father knocked her mother to the ground, ripped her clothes off and proceeded to rape her. Miranda ran into the room and grabbed her father's arm to stop him from beating her mother. Her father slapped her so hard she fell to the ground. He then regretted it and apologized. He was drunk. A few days later, Miranda and her mom ran away to a French convent where her mother had grown up. A week later her dad found them. Miranda's father agreed to let Miranda stay at the convent if her mother would come home with him. Her mother left Miranda at the convent and returned home with her husband.
When Miranda turned 17, her father sent for Miranda and told her that her mother had died in childbirth. Miranda was afraid of her father and avoided him all she could. A week after being home, Miranda's father told her that he had arranged a marriage for her to a wealthy ranch owner in Texas, John Barrington. Another week passed and Miranda traveled to America with her father's sister, Elizabeth. They waited for her fiancee to come pick her up but he sent a letter with his friend Derek Bragg, a Texas Ranger, stating that he was unable to travel and Derek was to bring her to him.
Miranda and her Aunt Elizabeth, Derek and Pete Walsh soon left for Texas with Pete driving the wagon and Derek as the scout. They drove through Louisiana and Miranda was soon exposed to things she had never seen. One of those things was the sight of Derek without a shirt on. He took has shirt off one day when he was helping to get the wagon out of a mud puddle. Derek had noticed Miranda staring at him and from the way she acted, he thought that she was disgusted by him but soon figured out that she was attracted to him but she didn't know how to handle the feelings she was having. He was very attracted to her but knew he had to stay away from her because she was to be married to his friend. He explained things to her that she had no knowledge of and he felt she should know before she married. They arrived in a town and he saw her with a woman and he soon realized that she didn't even know how babies were conceived. He tried to explain that in a way so as not to embarrass her. He didn't really know how to act around Miranda because she was so naive. They didn't talk much because her aunt was most always around and Miranda had lived a very sheltered life.
They left Nacogdoches and were followed. A man named Chavez took Miranda from her tent and one of his men shot and killed her aunt. He took her to his cabin and attempted to have sex with her. She didn't know what he was going to do to her. She was scared and threw up. He determined that she was disgusted by him and told her that he would take his time and court her until she decided to become his wife. He started to get up and Bragg surprisingly showed up and shot him. He took Miranda, who was now without clothes and continued on towards the ranch. He gave her one of his shirts to wear for the rest of the journey.
They arrived at the ranch and Miranda was given a bath and clothes. Derek explained to John what had happened for Miranda to end up without clothes. Derek also told John that he had kissed Miranda twice. John hit him in the face was over it. John did notice how Miranda looked at Derek. Derek knew he was jealous and left to work with the Rangers up until the wedding. John married Miranda a week after they arrived and Derek came back to give Miranda away. Miranda didn't enjoy having sex with John. He was a little rough and she wasn't really prepared. John tried to not make it uncomfortable for her so he stayed away from her for about a week at a time. John made Derek promise that if anything happened to him, Derek would marry Miranda. Derek told John that it was ridiculous, but he promised. A couple weeks after they were married they were invited to a neighbors house. One of the men there grabbed Miranda and kissed her. She told John. The two men fought and John ended up dead. Derek told Miranda that he would marry her in a week. Miranda wasn't given a choice. She needed someone to take care of the ranch and protect her. Derek tried to get close to Miranda but she told him that she would need a year to mourn John even though she didn't really feel a loss at his death. She blamed herself for John's death. Derek tried to get close to Miranda but she kept pulling away. She kept telling herself that she was disgusted by Derek's behavior. She didn't recognize the fact that she was attracted to him and she desired him.
A couple weeks after the wedding, the Rangers came to get Derek. They told him they needed help capturing some Indians who had killed a family and taken the wife and daughter. Derek left Miranda with a bodyguard telling Miranda that she would be safe while he was gone. Two days after he left, she was taken by Chavez and his Indian followers. They burned all the buildings of the ranch and killed her bodyguard.
Chavez took Miranda back to his Comanche tribe and there raped her. He didn't understand why she still bled when they had sex because he knew that with her being married that she was no longer a virgin. He left her alone and told her that he would let her heal before he came to her again. His Comanche wife was very mean to Miranda. She slapped her and yelled at her for being too slow at her work.
Derek was traveling back towards his home with the Rangers and they stopped at one of the ranches and he was told that the ranch was burned down and the guys were all killed and Miranda and his housekeeper were taken. Derek and the Rangers all went after the Comanches. They went into the camp and discovered that most of the warriors were not there at that time. They went into the camp and killed anyone who fought them and took all the captured people they found. There was about twenty people they rescued.
Derek took Miranda to his property rather than back to the ranch. Miranda helped Derek build a wickiup for them to live in. Derek tried to get Miranda to have sex with him but she was afraid of being hurt again. She let Derek touch her and kiss he so Derek decided to get her used to touching him and being around him. He taught her too shoot and then he taught her to swim. Then he tried getting her to have sex again and she agreed but it was mostly because she didn't want him mad at her. That wasn't what he wanted so he waited a few more days and they finally had sex. After that, she was afraid that because she enjoyed it, she was not being a lady and that was unacceptable. Derek noticed she was upset and found out why and explained to her that she wasn't being a whore because she enjoyed having sex, it was normal and right between a husband and wife. He explained to her that the reason she had so much trouble having sex with the others was because there was no love involved. He loved her and that's why it didn't cause her pain. She chose to believe him and everything was OK for awhile. His family returned to the area where they were staying and she met some of his family. Her and Derek talked about staying in the area and him building a house for them there. She agreed and he started gathering lumber and she started having morning sickness. She didn't understand what was wrong with her and Derek told her that she was pregnant. He was upset about her being pregnant with Chavez's child. He told her that he would take care of the child but he could never love it and she asked to return to England. Derek didn't want to lose her so he told her that he would try with the child because it was innocent. They were once again attacked by Indians and Miranda was taken. Derek got a spear high in his chest and knife in his back. Miranda couldn't help him. She rode with the Indians for two days and assumed that Derek had died. The Indians traded her to a white trapper. Derek drug himself to the river and took the spear out of his chest. He kept passing in and out of consciousness. He ran a fever for awhile and ate bugs and worms he dug up because he had no strength to move.
When Derek was strong enough, he rode out after Miranda. Miranda had been sold by the trapper to a whore in Galveston. She thought Derek had died and she didn't talk much. She told the other women that her husband was murdered by the Comanches and they felt sorry for her. The woman who owned the girls tried to put Miranda to work but the other girls covered for her. Miranda only served drinks. After about a month, Derek had tracked her down and came to get her. The bartender tried to stop them but he told them he was a Texas Ranger and not to risk attacking or following them. He took Miranda back to the JB, her ranch that had been burned out. Derek rebuild the house but Miranda refused to live there. She lived in San Antonio with a seamstress and helped her in exchange for room and board. Derek finished the building and came and told Miranda she was coming home. She reluctantly agreed and went with him. She got to the ranch and really liked it.
She had a son who they named Nick. She also had a daughter that they called Storm and another son, Rathe. Her father came to visit when Rathe was five. Miranda came to understand as they talked, that he had really loved her mother. She wondered why she had been afraid of him because he was not a beast, just a man.
April 5, 2022
I’ve quite enjoyed reading the first few chapters of this book when our hero, Derek Bragg, a half Apache Texas Ranger, was tasked by his blood brother to escort his exquisitely beautiful fiancée from crossing the border from England to Texas.
The first part shows us that the violet eyed beauty, Miranda, was raised in a French convent and was painfully innocent. Yes, it’s painful to read how a woman like her is so fragile and easily bothered. She gets beet red just by looking at Derek’s sweaty body, and she gets insulted easily. I get it, she’s a prude, basically.
I like reading books where we have a strong willed and witty heroine who can hold her own, so reading about Miranda’s “fragile senses” kind of annoyed me, but it’s nice to see her opening up in the later chapters. I am extremely irritated with her views on copulation and religion though. It makes her hot and cold towards Derek.
This book is like a Spanish TV series with a lot of happenings in Miranda’s life in such a short time. She was abducted not once, but twice! Also she married man who loved her but who died shortly- then she was kidnapped the second time. Later she was sold to a brothel. Like this happens in less than 6 months since she has been at Texas. 😖
What can I say? I had to skim after 50% of the book because I can’t stand the heroine’s skirmishes. Sorry but not sorry. I know there are girls like this during the olden times but I never realized it’s quite annoying to witness. Grow some spine, girl! Own yourself! She eventually did.
Moving story all in all. 3 stars for the story’s imaginative twists and turns but really just 3 stars max since the heroine annoyed me 😒
The first part shows us that the violet eyed beauty, Miranda, was raised in a French convent and was painfully innocent. Yes, it’s painful to read how a woman like her is so fragile and easily bothered. She gets beet red just by looking at Derek’s sweaty body, and she gets insulted easily. I get it, she’s a prude, basically.
I like reading books where we have a strong willed and witty heroine who can hold her own, so reading about Miranda’s “fragile senses” kind of annoyed me, but it’s nice to see her opening up in the later chapters. I am extremely irritated with her views on copulation and religion though. It makes her hot and cold towards Derek.
This book is like a Spanish TV series with a lot of happenings in Miranda’s life in such a short time. She was abducted not once, but twice! Also she married man who loved her but who died shortly- then she was kidnapped the second time. Later she was sold to a brothel. Like this happens in less than 6 months since she has been at Texas. 😖
What can I say? I had to skim after 50% of the book because I can’t stand the heroine’s skirmishes. Sorry but not sorry. I know there are girls like this during the olden times but I never realized it’s quite annoying to witness. Grow some spine, girl! Own yourself! She eventually did.
Moving story all in all. 3 stars for the story’s imaginative twists and turns but really just 3 stars max since the heroine annoyed me 😒
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2023
Brenda Joyce’s debut novel, Innocent Fire (1988) is a bodice ripper doozie!!! It’s the first book in the Bragg Saga of 7 books.
The 17 year old heroine, Miranda who has been living in a French convent for 10 years is sent by her English father to marry one of his friends, a Texan. He fails to show up in Natchez to meet her because he broke his leg so he sends instead his best friend, Derek Bragg, a hunk of hotness rough Texas Ranger, to escort her and her aunt the 500 miles to the ranch.
Miranda’s so beautiful with violet eyes and long wavy black hair that every man who sees her is filled with lust… she’s shy, innocent, timid, blushes and faints a few times. The night before Derek meets her, he’s upstairs at the local saloon f**king his favorite. He’s always got a hard on and when he sees Miranda he too wants her. But she’s marrying his friend!!
The story depicts the Comanches as savages, in the worst way possible even tho the hero is part Apache. Hard to read how Miranda suffered thruout most of the story including multiple rapes, physical violence, emotional trauma… and because of her sheltered upbringing she was doubly terrified of sex for most of the book. Derek does redeem himself, rescues her repeatedly, loves her almost from the beginning, and they get their HEA. Finally.
This is a stereotypical bodice ripper with all the trimmings … except no purple prose for the passionate kisses and sex scenes which instead are vivid and detailed. OTT storyline and a good first book from Brenda Joyce. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Cover by Robert Maguire.
The 17 year old heroine, Miranda who has been living in a French convent for 10 years is sent by her English father to marry one of his friends, a Texan. He fails to show up in Natchez to meet her because he broke his leg so he sends instead his best friend, Derek Bragg, a hunk of hotness rough Texas Ranger, to escort her and her aunt the 500 miles to the ranch.
Miranda’s so beautiful with violet eyes and long wavy black hair that every man who sees her is filled with lust… she’s shy, innocent, timid, blushes and faints a few times. The night before Derek meets her, he’s upstairs at the local saloon f**king his favorite. He’s always got a hard on and when he sees Miranda he too wants her. But she’s marrying his friend!!
The story depicts the Comanches as savages, in the worst way possible even tho the hero is part Apache. Hard to read how Miranda suffered thruout most of the story including multiple rapes, physical violence, emotional trauma… and because of her sheltered upbringing she was doubly terrified of sex for most of the book. Derek does redeem himself, rescues her repeatedly, loves her almost from the beginning, and they get their HEA. Finally.
This is a stereotypical bodice ripper with all the trimmings … except no purple prose for the passionate kisses and sex scenes which instead are vivid and detailed. OTT storyline and a good first book from Brenda Joyce. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Cover by Robert Maguire.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2019
This book leaves me with two minds. One, the heroine was realistic (for the time and her years in a convent and her violent father) and the pages sped by because there was always something happening. On the other hand, getting kidnapped three times was a bit much, even if the girl/woman was gorgeous. I tried to remember that the heroine was only 17-years-of-age.
The points made by the author seemed redundant and after a while became tedious. Derek Bragg was a great character; Miranda was less interesting. Because the author harped on the innocence of Miranda, I grew tired of the character. The interesting story really seemed like a 4-star book but the author's repetition knocked it down to a 3.5 star.
Bragg Saga Series
** 1. Innocent Fire (1988)
2. Firestorm (1988)
3. Violet Fire (1989)
4. Dark Fires (1991)
5. The Fires of Paradise (1992)
6. Scandalous Love (1992)
7. Secrets (1993)
The points made by the author seemed redundant and after a while became tedious. Derek Bragg was a great character; Miranda was less interesting. Because the author harped on the innocence of Miranda, I grew tired of the character. The interesting story really seemed like a 4-star book but the author's repetition knocked it down to a 3.5 star.
Bragg Saga Series
** 1. Innocent Fire (1988)
2. Firestorm (1988)
3. Violet Fire (1989)
4. Dark Fires (1991)
5. The Fires of Paradise (1992)
6. Scandalous Love (1992)
7. Secrets (1993)
June 20, 2020
Okay, I have very mixed feelings about this one. I loved it for being so easy and light. Not gonna lie, I read it in a matter of days. I was obsessed with it, but at the end of the day, it was like any other basic romance book full of cliches and characters. I think I enjoyed reading it mostly because of a inside-joke I share with a friend. I first read the book a couple of years back and I didn't see it that problematic. Now, from today's perspective, and after I've taken 3 feminist courses in college, I see it... in a different light. Miranda is problematic because of her innocence and her exaggerated beauty - her beauty is her personality. But in a way, I get it - she wasn't educated to be an independent woman, in a monastery she was taught to stand there, smile and look pretty while men do their own manly things - it was how it was back then.
April 24, 2024
I had forgotten that I had read this book a long time back.
If you're looking for the classic bodice rippers then this one sure delivers-the well worn tropes are all here the frustratingly naive 17 year old convent bred virgin h (more than half of the book you feel like hitting here and have to keep reminding yourself she is very young) then we have the H a ruggedly handsome and domineering Texas Ranger who is also half Apache. The book is split into various parts and I see what the author tried to do there with character development and it does work towards the end. The story is high on drama and never boring (frustrating,yes). TW;if you have a problem with rape and consent then you might want to skip this one.
If you're looking for the classic bodice rippers then this one sure delivers-the well worn tropes are all here the frustratingly naive 17 year old convent bred virgin h (more than half of the book you feel like hitting here and have to keep reminding yourself she is very young) then we have the H a ruggedly handsome and domineering Texas Ranger who is also half Apache. The book is split into various parts and I see what the author tried to do there with character development and it does work towards the end. The story is high on drama and never boring (frustrating,yes). TW;if you have a problem with rape and consent then you might want to skip this one.
December 7, 2023
A Love Story in a Different Time and Place
From the painting of the surroundings to the development of the characters, I was caught up in the adventure as my imagination transferred the words from the pages to the invisible movie screen in my brain. My heart was also quickly drawn in as the feelings and interactions of the characters were revealed in a way which was tantalizing, creating a sense of anticipation for the events and emotions yet to be revealed. This story has a wonderful mix of adventure and love to carry your mind and heart on a journey that provides a very fulfilling experience.
From the painting of the surroundings to the development of the characters, I was caught up in the adventure as my imagination transferred the words from the pages to the invisible movie screen in my brain. My heart was also quickly drawn in as the feelings and interactions of the characters were revealed in a way which was tantalizing, creating a sense of anticipation for the events and emotions yet to be revealed. This story has a wonderful mix of adventure and love to carry your mind and heart on a journey that provides a very fulfilling experience.
August 10, 2019
I wish I had the energy to write an amazing review but alas, I just don't have the time.
I will say that I loved it.
If you don't like books that contain violence, rape, realistic depictions of old world prejudices etc. don't bother picking this up.
If you are a fan of old school historical fiction with rich world building and dramatic characters that pop off the page, please dive in. ☺
I will say that I loved it.
If you don't like books that contain violence, rape, realistic depictions of old world prejudices etc. don't bother picking this up.
If you are a fan of old school historical fiction with rich world building and dramatic characters that pop off the page, please dive in. ☺
November 24, 2018
I could not like this book. I love books with deepful, emotional plots but even this was too much for me. I will not lie though I disliked it, it was well written. Why i didnt like it: there is Too much abuse towards woman in this book including rapes, unwanted pregnancies, and polygamous marriages. With all that being said I am happy there was a chance for a happy ending.
December 8, 2023
Surprisingly entertaining for a slowburn. Although the MC was hard to like/relate to somehow the story and plot line over came that fault. The LI on the other hand is everything I look for, masculine but still respectful, especially so for when this book was written. Due to some of the themes and events in this book I wouldn't recommend for anyone under the age of 18.
January 17, 2024
Just Ok
This was a good book but a bit far-fetched. Miranda starts out as a total innocent. Anyway, I had a hard time believing any woman was as innocent as Miranda even though she was raised in a convent. All in all, it wasn't a bad read but lacked the wow factor. It ended abruptly and left questions unanswered. Probably to get you to buy the next in the series.
This was a good book but a bit far-fetched. Miranda starts out as a total innocent. Anyway, I had a hard time believing any woman was as innocent as Miranda even though she was raised in a convent. All in all, it wasn't a bad read but lacked the wow factor. It ended abruptly and left questions unanswered. Probably to get you to buy the next in the series.
June 11, 2022
Absolutely loved this book. The plot was of an English girl with an arranged marriage in Texas and the guide and her slowly fell in love. Really quite a novel. It was hard to put it down and I was in love with the characters- Derek was amazing. Really enjoyed.
March 31, 2020
Good read. I did fire of Miranda being kidnapped. Country description is excellent.
June 3, 2020
Boring book
December 30, 2022
This book was just non stop suffering of the main character
Every chapter ending horriblely and I didn't like any of the characters
Cute cover tho
Every chapter ending horriblely and I didn't like any of the characters
Cute cover tho
December 9, 2024
Ew.Just disgusting
December 28, 2025
This book was heavy, intense, and packed with angst—an absolute emotional drain.
The heroine was extremely naïve and innocent. She annoyed me at times, but overall I still liked her and felt protective of her.
The hero, on the other hand, was a completely different story. He came across as overly lust-driven and reckless, and for most of the book, I honestly hated him. He does improve later, but it took a long time to get there.
This book felt unsafe for me because the hero continues sleeping around despite clearly having feelings for the heroine. Yes, the heroine is engaged to his friend at the time, so I tried to let it slide—but it still left a bad taste. The hero’s behavior was just… ugh.
The story begins with the hero escorting the heroine to her betrothed. On the journey, they face several dangers. The hero is instantly attracted to her, and along the way she is kidnapped by a barbarian. The hero rescues her, and eventually they reach their destination, where the heroine marries her intended husband.
Her husband is actually a good man—gentle, patient, and far better than the hero in many ways. Naturally, though, the author pushes us to root for the hero instead. While the hero claims to miss the heroine, he continues enjoying the company of other women, which made him even more unlikable to me.
The husband is later killed while defending his wife, and as his blood brother, the hero is obligated to marry the heroine to protect her. You’d think this would finally lead to their HEA—but no. They go through even more trauma. The heroine is distant and resistant, and she is kidnapped again by the barbarian. The hero rescues her once more.
Eventually, the hero tries to win her over, and when they finally come together, the chemistry is intense and undeniable. However, the heroine is pregnant—with the barbarian’s child. She is kidnapped yet again and sold to a brothel. The hero nearly dies but manages to save her.
The hero initially struggles with accepting the child but ultimately steps up. The epilogue shows them together, with more children and a HEA.
This book exhausted me emotionally. I gave it 4 stars, not because I loved it, but because it completely hooked me—I needed to see them end up together. The chemistry was off the charts. Still, I couldn’t get past the hero’s excessive lust, his constant sleeping around, and even crossing lines within the heroine’s household. He remained deeply unlikable for most of the story.
The heroine was extremely naïve and innocent. She annoyed me at times, but overall I still liked her and felt protective of her.
The hero, on the other hand, was a completely different story. He came across as overly lust-driven and reckless, and for most of the book, I honestly hated him. He does improve later, but it took a long time to get there.
This book felt unsafe for me because the hero continues sleeping around despite clearly having feelings for the heroine. Yes, the heroine is engaged to his friend at the time, so I tried to let it slide—but it still left a bad taste. The hero’s behavior was just… ugh.
The story begins with the hero escorting the heroine to her betrothed. On the journey, they face several dangers. The hero is instantly attracted to her, and along the way she is kidnapped by a barbarian. The hero rescues her, and eventually they reach their destination, where the heroine marries her intended husband.
Her husband is actually a good man—gentle, patient, and far better than the hero in many ways. Naturally, though, the author pushes us to root for the hero instead. While the hero claims to miss the heroine, he continues enjoying the company of other women, which made him even more unlikable to me.
The husband is later killed while defending his wife, and as his blood brother, the hero is obligated to marry the heroine to protect her. You’d think this would finally lead to their HEA—but no. They go through even more trauma. The heroine is distant and resistant, and she is kidnapped again by the barbarian. The hero rescues her once more.
Eventually, the hero tries to win her over, and when they finally come together, the chemistry is intense and undeniable. However, the heroine is pregnant—with the barbarian’s child. She is kidnapped yet again and sold to a brothel. The hero nearly dies but manages to save her.
The hero initially struggles with accepting the child but ultimately steps up. The epilogue shows them together, with more children and a HEA.
This book exhausted me emotionally. I gave it 4 stars, not because I loved it, but because it completely hooked me—I needed to see them end up together. The chemistry was off the charts. Still, I couldn’t get past the hero’s excessive lust, his constant sleeping around, and even crossing lines within the heroine’s household. He remained deeply unlikable for most of the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 28, 2017
A epic historical romance,the first book in "Bragg Saga" about the savage Texas Ranger Derek Bragg and the innocent lady Miranda...Joce creates a magic peace of romance...
“Are you stubborn or stupid, Miranda?”
“Stop insulting me! Stop insulting me because you’re angry with yourself!”
She glared up at him.
“You’re right,” he said unpleasantly.
His eyes were cold. “I am angry with myself—and with John. I’m angry at myself for wanting you, and angry at him for bringing you out here in the first place. You don’t belong in Texas. You belong in some fancy duke’s castle, tucked away nice and cozy, in fine dresses and silk stockings.”
Miranda stared, her mouth open.
“John is a damn fool.” His eyes held hers fiercely. “And so am I,”
OH WHAT THIS BOOK DID TO ME.From the beginning to the end,it hold me captivated and oh so in love.
Derek Bragg was helluva sexy and hot and just so passionate!!!!!!!!!His Alpha-male character was so swoon his immensely deep raw character stole my heart.He fall so hard in love with Miranda,and my heart broke for him many times when she rejected his advances.His need and love for her was INTENSE and so everlasting.She soon becomes his whole world.
Miranda is in my age,17 years old and i really admired her in a way.She didn`t know anything about love nor lust or the outside of the world of the convent she has growed up in.She gets through many hardships,really horrible ones,and i so felt for her pain.
But with the help of her beloved,she and Derek together made it through and i now look forward to reading about their children`s love-stories.
“Are you stubborn or stupid, Miranda?”
“Stop insulting me! Stop insulting me because you’re angry with yourself!”
She glared up at him.
“You’re right,” he said unpleasantly.
His eyes were cold. “I am angry with myself—and with John. I’m angry at myself for wanting you, and angry at him for bringing you out here in the first place. You don’t belong in Texas. You belong in some fancy duke’s castle, tucked away nice and cozy, in fine dresses and silk stockings.”
Miranda stared, her mouth open.
“John is a damn fool.” His eyes held hers fiercely. “And so am I,”
OH WHAT THIS BOOK DID TO ME.From the beginning to the end,it hold me captivated and oh so in love.
Derek Bragg was helluva sexy and hot and just so passionate!!!!!!!!!His Alpha-male character was so swoon his immensely deep raw character stole my heart.He fall so hard in love with Miranda,and my heart broke for him many times when she rejected his advances.His need and love for her was INTENSE and so everlasting.She soon becomes his whole world.
Miranda is in my age,17 years old and i really admired her in a way.She didn`t know anything about love nor lust or the outside of the world of the convent she has growed up in.She gets through many hardships,really horrible ones,and i so felt for her pain.
But with the help of her beloved,she and Derek together made it through and i now look forward to reading about their children`s love-stories.
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