White Fire

by Cassie Edwards

National bestselling author Cassie Edwards proves again why she is one of America's favorite romance novelists with this thrilling 19th-century tale of a half-breed held captive by the Sioux in the Minnesota Territory. He must first escape and then fight to the death to win back his son--and the heart of the enchantress he has always loved.

Genres: Romance, Native American, Historical Fiction, Historical Romance

384 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1997

About the author

Edwards began writing romances in 1982 and released her 100th novel, Savage Skies, on August 28, 2007. Although her earlier books were classic historical romances, the vast majority of her novels involve Native American tribes. Edwards's grandmother was a full-blooded Cheyenne. Her first 99 books sold a combined 10 million copies as of August 2007, with her more recent novels averaging sales of 250,000–350,000 copies.

Edwards has won the Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award and the Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award, as well as being named one of Affaire de Coeur's top ten favorite romance writers. Edwards has a reputation for meticulously researching the proper anthropological backgrounds of each tribe she writes about.

Edwards and her husband Charles, a retired high school biology teacher, have been married for over 50 years. They have two sons, Charles and Brian, and three grandchildren. The family lived in St. Louis, Missouri for over thirty years, but now reside in Mattoon, Illinois.

Reviews

[Lover of Romance · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance Summary
Flame met White Fire when she only ten years old and she knew that she wanted to marry him. She didn't see a "breed" as so many others did. She saw his kind eyes and his humor and didn't treat her as a child with little notice. Now Flame is a full grown woman, and has been stuck in doors taking care of her ailing mother. But when her mother passed she was to live with her father in the wilds of Minnesota. Flame has dreamed of adventure and was thrilled with the opportunity to spend time with her father and continue her search for White Fire. White Fire has been held captive for three years by the Sioux and has just been released. Learning that his wife died from disease and his six year old son is being raised by another family. When he is called upon to act as a negotiator for Flame's father, he knows he needs to do it even though her father has changed since he once knew him. White Fire and Flame meet again and soon share a love and passion. But there is one huge obstacle preventing them from sharing a life together. Flame's father refuses to allow her to marry White Fire. And there is a mystery that must be solved around a murder and the real intentions of Flame's father, will Flame and White Fire find a way to happiness after all or be serparated forever...
Plot and Story Line
I have been a fan of Cassie Edwards for many years. And I was so excited when I heard that she was working on getting some of her backlisted titles to be republished. So when I saw that White Fire was one of those, I knew I needed to grab it up. White Fire has been on my TBR for many years. Ever since I first discovered this author. This book is a single title, so you don't have to worry about getting in the middle of one of her huge never ending series. Now my only complaint about this one was the beginning of White Fire and Flame's romance, It is a bit of a rush with the whole instant love connection. And it is really the only downside to the story but didn't detract too much from my enjoyment of the story. It does have a old school feel to some of the "writing" at times but I didn't mind that aspect.  Normally I liked seeing more build up in a relationship however once I reached about half way I realized that with the other factors involved I knew that it fit. The development of the plot that Cassie Edwards writes here makes up for my lack of enjoyment of the "instant love" trope. We have a ghost or "spirit" that is a best friend to White Fire that comes to him showing him truths of the true intentions of Flame's father. Intentions that are racist and downright evil in some ways. Now at this time frame, their relationship is solid. They have declared their love for each other and dreams of sharing a life together. But it soon becomes apparent the battle that they will need to find to reach their dreams to be together. White Fire is stimulating, dramatic and enchanting.
The Cover
I honestly don't know how I feel about the new cover....I like it but I don't. I do like the fresh look of it though. With the light blues and the Canoe.
Overall View
White Fire is a breathtaking adventure of sensuality, intrigue and danger..... a romance that simultaneously delights and makes the reader eager for more....WONDERFUL!!

[Vellum Voyages · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 helms


Please follow me on my blog :) Review originally posted on Vellum Voyages (www.vellumvoyages.com)

Drama! Drama! Drama! Lots of it! Great pace of story and very easy to read but slightly unrefined and old school style of writing (which I don't usually mind) with a few unpredictable twists along the way.

Flame has loved White Fire since she first saw him at the age of ten and has never stopped, dreaming one day she will find him and marry him. Now at eighteen, she leaves her childhood home for adventure and a life with her father, a Colonel stationed in Minnesota. Her childhood love, White Fire, is also rumored to be here. White Fire, a "breed" has been held captive by the Sioux for three years. After his release, he comes to realise his life was not what it was three years ago! He discovers his wife has died from pneumonia and his son has been adopted into a white family. He takes on a job as as intepretor for Flame's father to set himself up again, and in due course comes in contact with Flame. He remembers her as the beautiful flame haired child from many years ago and falls passionately in love with her. Flame's father is bigoted towards "breeds" and tries to keep them apart with his cunning and trechery. White Fire now has a fight on his hands for Flame, their love, his son and their future together as a family.

Stereotypical much? And again.....heaps of drama! I felt like I was reading a soap opera as there was something always happening to either White Fire or Flame. It kept the book going somewhat and I was surprised at some of the twists but I just felt like sometimes it was a bit over the top. For example Chief Grey Feather's love/hate relationship with White Fire.If the Chief didn't get his way he sulked like a child and hated White Fire and then he would like him again. All the main characters seemed two dimensional, selfish and superficial. Oh and let's not forget about the way Flame was objectified as a sex symbol at the age of ten! That really really creeped me out!

"White Fire’s heart skipped a beat, for never had he seen anyone so beautiful. With her long, flaming red hair hanging in deep waves over her shoulders, and her green eyes smiling at him in a most flirtatious way, her lashes fluttering, he was taken aback and suddenly at a loss for words. But he quickly reminded himself of the girl’s age. He had heard his mother and father discussing the child, remarking how pretty she was, and commenting on how mature and well developed she was for her age of ten."

Well developed! What the heck? Too weird! It just made the romance seem a bit icky. This age gap and childhood love trope has obviously been done countless times before but never have I felt so weirded out by the whole thing! Flame is again constantly described as a sex symbol even after she has grown up and everything she seems to wear in the book is green! There are other colours that complement red hair you know! Lol..I just found the whole book really stereotypically written.

I don't know if I would really recommend this book to be honest...I didn't hate it but I could have done without it.

*Thank-you Cassie Edwards, Netgalley & Kensington Books for the ARC.

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cassie Edwards is the undisputed Queen of Indian Historical Romance. Edwards has woven another magical tale that keeps you reading til the end.
I highly recommend this to lovers of Historical Romance.
Publication Date 28 Feb 2017 .

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books Zebra for a copy of this for my honest review purposes.

[AnnMarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

White Fire is a stand alone novel by Cassie Edwards.

When Flame was 10 years old, she was a rebellious child who already knew what she wanted. One of the things she wanted was to be known as Flame, not her given name. What she also wanted was to marry the 'breed - White Fire. She knew from the moment she saw him, and after only saying a couple of words to him, that he was the man for her. He was only there in passing, and moved on to Minnesota. The next 8 years Flame never forgot him. Even after her 'come out' at 18 she only socialised for fun, knowing that she would never want to marry any of the men she met because she was determined White Fire was for her. With that in mind, when the opportunity arose to join her father at his army fort in Minnesota she jumps at the chance. Oh she knows the likelihood of seeing White Fire is slim, but just the thought that he might be there is enough for her. That and knowing she would be in for the adventure of a life time living somewhere so beautiful where she can ride her horse daily and be around so many new things and people.

White Fire is a Chippewa warrior, and in the 8 years since Flame saw him he spent a year discovering his roots and learning how to be an Indian, then found work making the roads, hired by the army from the fort. He also met and married a woman who bore him a son. 3 years into his marriage, he finds himself kidnapped by the Sioux Indians. Three years of captivity later and he is finally rescued by none other than Chief Grey Feather, the man who took him in when he first arrived on the Frontier and taught him the way of the Indian. White Fire's first port of call after recuperating on the reservation, was home. He needed to see his wife and child who by now would have thought him dead. When he reaches his old cabin he finds it empty. He has no idea what has happened, but figures if he makes his way to the fort he should be able to find out where his family is.

He arrives there the very same day that Flame does, and as she disembarks from the steamboat that brought her there, she can't believe that after her wishing and hoping, White Fire IS there. He sees her and from a distance he realises who she must be, especially knowing her father is the commandant of the Fort. He doesn't give it another thought though as his first priority is finding his wife and son. He is told that his wife has passed away and that his son has been adopted out to a nice 'white' family. He is also told by Flame's father that he should leave his son with them because he will be better off being brought up with nobody knowing that his father is a 'breed! He is very much a racist against Indians.

White Fire refuses to listen to the man and the story continues on to tell us how and if he can get his son away from the 'white' people. We also see Flame and him reunite, with Flame letting him know from the get go that she is more than interested than him. White Fire, despite losing his wife recently, can appreciate the attraction he feels to Flame, and the pull she has on his heart. Can he have a relationship with her knowing her father would kill him rather than let them be a couple? Can he even ask her to think of a life with him knowing she is so much younger than him and she would be taking on both him and hopefully his son?

Alongside the romance aspect of this story and the need for White Fire to claim back his son, there is also the war between the Indian tribes with the Sioux being the Indians known for kidnapping people and causing problems, and the Chippewa being a more gentle Indian. We have some skulduggery afoot at the fort involving Flame's father. We even have a ghost sighting or two. There is a lot of action and adventure going on in this story to keep you wanting to read the book as quickly as possible to see how everything ends.

I love how the author so obviously knows her stuff when it comes to Indians and their way of life, including their language which she uses in the book on occasion. I love the idea of Flame and White Fire being soul mates. There is only one thing that I didn't like, and that is that because there is so much going on in the book, at times it seemed very rushed. The romance happened too quickly considering our hero only just found out his wife died. The custody of his son one minute seemed impossible, and the next probable and sometimes it seemed that White Fire wasn't trying his hardest to get his son back. It just seemed a little implausible at times. That said, when the book was good it was great, it's just a shame it wasn't longer so that the story's plot could be more fully developed.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers' Copy of this book.

[Kim Vanravenswaay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a re-release book. I could tell from some of the wording. Most authors don't use the term "loins, as in I feel a fire in my loins". This actually made it a little comical to read for me. And then there was the attempt at paranormal. I didn't care for that part. I thought the book could have been written without it at all.
Flame knew as a child of ten that she was going to be with White Fire someday. Talk about long term goals. White Fire is a little more nonchalant about it. After all he did just find out that his wife is dead.
If there has to be a villain, then I would say that it is Flame's father. Talk about a sick bastard.

[Brenda Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

I love cassie Edwards she is the greatest.this book won't disappoint those who read it.Will read again and again.love it.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is only the second book by Cassie that I have read. She is becoming one of my favorite authors. I have always been a fan of the fantasy kind of books but I came across her book in a dollar store. I thought why not give it a try. I am so glade that I did, I was up all night because i had to see how it eneded. There was so many ups and downs that they had to face. Not to mention the secrets that got revealed. this book just had me on the edge of my seat. So it looks like I am going to be making a book store run very soon. I cant wait to see what other surprises Cassie Edawrds has in store for me.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cassie Edwards was the very first romance author I ever read, going back to early high school years. I used to love the stories, and the wild romances. I picked this up thinking I would still feel that way, but now as a grown woman I find issues in her writing and in her characters. This book was completely forgettable for me. I read it over a few sittings and set it down quite a bit. It was slow, lacking excitement and the sex was boring. Overall, I perhaps loved her when I was younger because romance was new to me.

[Margaret Koger · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read. I was not disappointed. Love Cassie Edwards. Recommended to anyone who is a romantic at heart White fire was a wonderful gentlemsn

Lover to flame.. I read this book until the wee hours of the morning. Very excited for Ms. Edwards
Love from Mag pie
Mil

[Jo Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

One of Cassie Edwards really great books. Held my interest from beginning to end. White fire and Flame such a great couple. Love the Indian culture and how Cassie intergrades the true history into her stories.

[Cynthia Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ultimate

I just adore this author. Her Indian romances were the first I ever read years ago, when I was a young bride and, she has never disappointed in her writings including this one.

[Shandy Mathis · Rating 5 out of 5]

breathtaking!!

This book was amazing. An absolute read for EVERYONE! Cassie Edwards is one of my all time favorite authors! I have been reading her books since I was 12. She definitely did not disappoint with this book!!

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical Edwards read. The storyline of White Fire's heritage was interesting, but just too crazy to throw in Flame's. Not a big fan of "my dad isn't really my dad, and he's sexually attracted to me" themes...they're just gross.

[PATRICIA HEMBREE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

I loved the way the story was told I couldn't put it down . I had to keep reading what happens next full of surprise s .

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flame has known her destiny was the warrior White Fire. They find their journey together in Minnesota of the early 1800s. This author is known for her Native American books and have always enjoyed them.
Ebook from Netgalley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own.

[Shaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had forgotten how much I enjoyed her Indian romances.

[Dana Busenbark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who and what is White Fire? Where is he from? Who are his parents? When his father dies, what does White Fire think and feel? Why does he think one person in particular killed his father? What does White Fire end up doing? Who is affected by it and begs him not to go? Who is Flame? When her father takes over the running of a Fort in Minnesota, when she turns 18, she decides to move to Minnesota. Why? What happened to White Fire when he disappeared three years ago? Where did he go? What happened to him? Is he dead? When Flame gets to the Fort, what does her father say? What does she do? This is a book filled with intrigue, bigotry, and romance. It sort of reminds me of Cassie Edwards Savage Series books, but it is different. It was an interesting read.

RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS A GIFT FOR A FAIR/HONEST REVIEW and REVIEWER FOR Bloggin' With M. Brennan.

[Denise Koopman · Rating 5 out of 5]

You won't be able to put this book down.

[Autumn Mcquarrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

White fire is well written. I fell in love with how Flame is extremely stubborn and very disobedient from her father. Who doesn't want her seen with or near White Fire. White Fire is loving and handles everything that goes wrong well. The only parts that I thought were a bit unrealistic was how White Fire's son spoke. It was as if he was in his twenties when he was six.
Song Sparrow was also an issue "spoiler alert" for an issue that she fell in love with White Fire but instead of taking his let down easily she goes off and kills herself. What kind and of a mother leaves her child and kills herself over a man? This just disappointed me so much.
I absolutely loved how the book ended. I was shocked when some major points came out in the book but overall a four star rating it deserves.