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Secrets & Sins / Hearts of Fire
Hearts Of Fire
When Ryan Harris was approached with an unusual undercover assignment, the P.I. surprised himself by accepting. Posing as Kirsty O'Connell's new boyfriend was the only way he could protect the beautiful young heiress from the threat of kidnapping. Or maybe murder.
But wining, dining, and dancing Kirsty around Sydney's top nightspots fanned the flames of the attraction crackling between them, and though it wasn't part of the plan, he became Kirsty's lover for real. Any closer, and she'd discover the truth -- that he was the hired help...and there was a deadly stalker on her tail....
But wining, dining, and dancing Kirsty around Sydney's top nightspots fanned the flames of the attraction crackling between them, and though it wasn't part of the plan, he became Kirsty's lover for real. Any closer, and she'd discover the truth -- that he was the hired help...and there was a deadly stalker on her tail....
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
2 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Miranda Lee
816 books237 followersMaureen Mary was born on 1945 at Port Macquarie, a popular seaside town on the Mid-North Coast of New South Wales, Australia, and is the youngest of four children. Her sister was the novelist Wendy Brennan (Emma Darcy). Her father was a country school teacher and brilliant sportsman. Her mother was a talented dressmaker. When Miranda was ten, her father was transferred to Gosford, another coastal town in the countryside, much closer to Sydney. After leaving her convent school, she briefly studied the cello before moving to Sydney, where she embraced the emerging world of computers. Her career as a programmer ended after she married, had three daughters and bought a small acreage in a semi-rural community. Following this, she attempted greyhound training, as well as horse and goat breeding, but was left dissatisfied.
Miranda yearned to find a creative career from which she could earn money. When her sister suggested writing romances, it seemed like a good idea. She could do it at home, and it might even be fun! It took a decade of trial and error before her first romance, After the Affair, was accepted and published. At that time, Miranda, her husband Tony, and her three daughters had moved back to the Central Coast, where they could enjoy the sun and the surf lifestyle once again. Not long into her writing career, Miranda committed herself to writing a six-book series entitled, The Hearts of Fire, with a deadline of just nine short months. Bravely, her husband left his executive position to stay home and support Miranda’s writing career. He learned to cook and to clean, two invaluable household skills. Numerous successful stories followed, each embodying Miranda’s trademark style: pacy and sexy rhythms; passionate, real-life characters; and enduring, memorable story lines. She has one credo when writing romances: Don’t bore the reader! Millions of fans world-wide agree she never does.
Miranda was the sister of the late author, Emma Darcy.
Miranda yearned to find a creative career from which she could earn money. When her sister suggested writing romances, it seemed like a good idea. She could do it at home, and it might even be fun! It took a decade of trial and error before her first romance, After the Affair, was accepted and published. At that time, Miranda, her husband Tony, and her three daughters had moved back to the Central Coast, where they could enjoy the sun and the surf lifestyle once again. Not long into her writing career, Miranda committed herself to writing a six-book series entitled, The Hearts of Fire, with a deadline of just nine short months. Bravely, her husband left his executive position to stay home and support Miranda’s writing career. He learned to cook and to clean, two invaluable household skills. Numerous successful stories followed, each embodying Miranda’s trademark style: pacy and sexy rhythms; passionate, real-life characters; and enduring, memorable story lines. She has one credo when writing romances: Don’t bore the reader! Millions of fans world-wide agree she never does.
Miranda was the sister of the late author, Emma Darcy.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 22, 2018
Perfect end to the secrets and sin series! Loved Gemma and Nathan and how their relationship developed through each book. 🌟
October 4, 2021
Book – Hearts of Fire by Miranda Lee
Miranda Lee’s “Hearts of Fire” series for the Harlequin Presents line was an epic six book series that focused on the lives of two warring families in the glittering Sydney social set. While each book had its own romance, the over-arching story line was that of the sexually-damaged Nathan and his much younger and innocent wife, Gemma. I seem to be one of the few readers who enjoyed the series.
As for Hearts of Fire, a full-length romantic suspense novel… Well, it was a disappointing conclusion to the Australian“Hearts of Fire” series, if only because the series was so good and this book is rather anticlimactic.
Couple #1
Readers may recall that Nathan, the hero of the original series, had a daughter from his first marriage, Kirsty. Kirsty has loved Ryan since he saved her from a kidnapping when she was a teenager. But Ryan was married, so nothing came out of it.
Years later, there are threats against Kirsty. Nathan hires Ryan to protect his daughter…and bang her. Yup, Daddy dearest hires a bodyguard to help Kirsty loosen up, and take her virginity once and for all! Creepy!
Secrets from the past come to light as Kirsty and Ryan work together to find out who’s behind the threats. They also draw closer together as Ryan can no longer hide his attraction to Kirsty.
Shallow quibble: why did Kirsty dye her beautiful red hair blonde? I know she wanted anonymity after being kidnapped as a teenager, but I always imagined Kirsty looking a certain way, and that wasn’t it.
Ryan is an ok hero, although a bit of a man-slut like Kirsty’s dad was. He’s also a bit oblivious as a bodyguard, unable to piece together who the stalker is almost before it’s too late.
Couple #2
Meanwhile, Nathan is taking his wife Gemma on a romantic cruise. His marriage with Gemma has been on the rocks lately since he had a vasectomy without her knowledge. Gemma had wanted a houseful of children, but Nathan was content with two sons. So, controlling man that he is, Nathan took matters into his own hands without consulting Gemma.
Things look rough for the original “Hearts of Fire” pair. Will Gemma ever forgive Nathan? Will Nathan find consolation in another woman’s arms?
Big spoiler here: I hate the fact that Nathan has a secret daughter from a previous, horrible relationship. A much, much older woman (a good friend of his mother’s) basically sexually abused/raped him when he was sixteen and orphaned. I didn’t see the need for Mimi’s character at all.
Opinion
The villain was predictable, and I hated Nathan’s lies to Gemma.
Still, it’s a Miranda Lee book. It was filled with the requisite sensuality found in her previous works. Even her “bad” books aren’t that bad! This was a good read, but not great or excellent as her previous installments in the “Hearts of Fire” were.
3 stars
Miranda Lee’s “Hearts of Fire” series for the Harlequin Presents line was an epic six book series that focused on the lives of two warring families in the glittering Sydney social set. While each book had its own romance, the over-arching story line was that of the sexually-damaged Nathan and his much younger and innocent wife, Gemma. I seem to be one of the few readers who enjoyed the series.
As for Hearts of Fire, a full-length romantic suspense novel… Well, it was a disappointing conclusion to the Australian“Hearts of Fire” series, if only because the series was so good and this book is rather anticlimactic.
Couple #1
Readers may recall that Nathan, the hero of the original series, had a daughter from his first marriage, Kirsty. Kirsty has loved Ryan since he saved her from a kidnapping when she was a teenager. But Ryan was married, so nothing came out of it.
Years later, there are threats against Kirsty. Nathan hires Ryan to protect his daughter…and bang her. Yup, Daddy dearest hires a bodyguard to help Kirsty loosen up, and take her virginity once and for all! Creepy!
Secrets from the past come to light as Kirsty and Ryan work together to find out who’s behind the threats. They also draw closer together as Ryan can no longer hide his attraction to Kirsty.
Shallow quibble: why did Kirsty dye her beautiful red hair blonde? I know she wanted anonymity after being kidnapped as a teenager, but I always imagined Kirsty looking a certain way, and that wasn’t it.
Ryan is an ok hero, although a bit of a man-slut like Kirsty’s dad was. He’s also a bit oblivious as a bodyguard, unable to piece together who the stalker is almost before it’s too late.
Couple #2
Meanwhile, Nathan is taking his wife Gemma on a romantic cruise. His marriage with Gemma has been on the rocks lately since he had a vasectomy without her knowledge. Gemma had wanted a houseful of children, but Nathan was content with two sons. So, controlling man that he is, Nathan took matters into his own hands without consulting Gemma.
Things look rough for the original “Hearts of Fire” pair. Will Gemma ever forgive Nathan? Will Nathan find consolation in another woman’s arms?
Big spoiler here: I hate the fact that Nathan has a secret daughter from a previous, horrible relationship. A much, much older woman (a good friend of his mother’s) basically sexually abused/raped him when he was sixteen and orphaned. I didn’t see the need for Mimi’s character at all.
Opinion
The villain was predictable, and I hated Nathan’s lies to Gemma.
Still, it’s a Miranda Lee book. It was filled with the requisite sensuality found in her previous works. Even her “bad” books aren’t that bad! This was a good read, but not great or excellent as her previous installments in the “Hearts of Fire” were.
3 stars
June 3, 2017
3.5 stars
September 30, 2007
11/28/05 #210
TITLE/AUTHOR: HEARTS OF FIRE by Miranda Lee
RATING: 4/B
GENRE/PUB DATE/# OF PGS: Romance,2001, 298 pgs
COMMENTS: Continuation of the Sins & Secrets 6 book
series. Nathan's daughter,Kirsty is now an up & coming
actress. A few years back she was a kidnapping victim &
fell in love w/ her rescuer who at the time was married.
Nathan hires Ryan to secretly protect Kirsty when the
kidnapper is released from prison.
TITLE/AUTHOR: HEARTS OF FIRE by Miranda Lee
RATING: 4/B
GENRE/PUB DATE/# OF PGS: Romance,2001, 298 pgs
COMMENTS: Continuation of the Sins & Secrets 6 book
series. Nathan's daughter,Kirsty is now an up & coming
actress. A few years back she was a kidnapping victim &
fell in love w/ her rescuer who at the time was married.
Nathan hires Ryan to secretly protect Kirsty when the
kidnapper is released from prison.
August 12, 2008
This book is a good read when you are looking for something light to read. This book is not the most mentally challenging. If you are looking for a book that is light and has an edge of mystery, this is one you should try. This book is tied to a series, but it is set as the last book in it. This book can be read without reading the series.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews