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Amber #1
Amber Fire
Auburn-haired, amber-eyed Melanie Morganfield had already lived in Asa Parker's mansion since she was a child. But with each passing day now, the kind family friend—29 years her senior—found it harder and harder to control his growing affection for the blossoming young woman. Asa was bewitched by Melanie's fresh beauty and saucy tongue and gave her everything he could give...everything but marriage.
Despite Melanie's devotion to respectable Asa Parker, she couldn't explain her reaction to Stephen Hull. Each time she saw the dark and sensual young man, Melanie's senses throbbed with a longing that seared her veins. She knew she must avoid meeting Stephen Hull ever again—before she begged him to never let her go.
Despite Melanie's devotion to respectable Asa Parker, she couldn't explain her reaction to Stephen Hull. Each time she saw the dark and sensual young man, Melanie's senses throbbed with a longing that seared her veins. She knew she must avoid meeting Stephen Hull ever again—before she begged him to never let her go.
400 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1981
21 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
Elaine Barbieri
59 books51 followersAKA Elaine Rome
Elaine Barbieri wrote over thirty historical novels that have been published worldwide. She was certain young adult readers would enjoy the excitement of historical romance if given a chance, and she welcomed the opportunity to write Miranda and the Warrior for this new audience. Elaine lived in northern New Jersey with her husband and family, and with Harrison, a demanding male who she is sure would be the ultimate hero -- if he weren't a cat.
Elaine Barbieri wrote over thirty historical novels that have been published worldwide. She was certain young adult readers would enjoy the excitement of historical romance if given a chance, and she welcomed the opportunity to write Miranda and the Warrior for this new audience. Elaine lived in northern New Jersey with her husband and family, and with Harrison, a demanding male who she is sure would be the ultimate hero -- if he weren't a cat.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 24, 2012
A commentary by Barney Stinson via EeeJay - Part II
Barney: I haven't read this book as yet but I mean: Come on! This chick AMBER is on FIRE!!!....What's not to love?!?!?!
[And, Ted? In case you're worried, I got the perfect hydrant for her - in my pants! 'Up'-FIVE!]
Ted: Actually, I think they missed an apostrophe in the title.
----
Barney: Okay, I've read the book. Ha! See, you believed me! Actually I just read the summary cuz I mean, come on, I'm awesome. But still, as the master of working when not, I have come to the following conclusions:
1-First of all, the title's all wrong. You read the summary expecting this heavy bossomed chick which clearly indicates a stripper and then suddenly there's this Melanie chick. I mean... okay so I do have a short attention span but I invested (quite literally if she's a stripper) in Amber so that's just...wrong.
2- Gold-digger-ship much? Well Barnabus Stinson warned us...it's a profession as old as prostitution, my friends...
3-"Melanie's senses throbbed with a longing"...honestly? I was born in the wrong era. i'm sure if I'd shown - suited up - she wouldn't have had this problem.
4-"Asa was bewitched by Melanie's fresh beauty and saucy tongue" - SAUCY tongue? Kinda makes you wonder doesn't it? Don't deny it....!
I am sure, once I read this book (or even without reading it), I'll understand much more. let's see.
Barney: I haven't read this book as yet but I mean: Come on! This chick AMBER is on FIRE!!!....What's not to love?!?!?!
[And, Ted? In case you're worried, I got the perfect hydrant for her - in my pants! 'Up'-FIVE!]
Ted: Actually, I think they missed an apostrophe in the title.
----
Barney: Okay, I've read the book. Ha! See, you believed me! Actually I just read the summary cuz I mean, come on, I'm awesome. But still, as the master of working when not, I have come to the following conclusions:
1-First of all, the title's all wrong. You read the summary expecting this heavy bossomed chick which clearly indicates a stripper and then suddenly there's this Melanie chick. I mean... okay so I do have a short attention span but I invested (quite literally if she's a stripper) in Amber so that's just...wrong.
2- Gold-digger-ship much? Well Barnabus Stinson warned us...it's a profession as old as prostitution, my friends...
3-"Melanie's senses throbbed with a longing"...honestly? I was born in the wrong era. i'm sure if I'd shown - suited up - she wouldn't have had this problem.
4-"Asa was bewitched by Melanie's fresh beauty and saucy tongue" - SAUCY tongue? Kinda makes you wonder doesn't it? Don't deny it....!
I am sure, once I read this book (or even without reading it), I'll understand much more. let's see.
February 3, 2011
I'm quite astonished to find myself saying this, but I liked this book. What's funny is that, this book had everything that I don't like in a romance novel, so I dreaded and put off reading it for years before picking it up because it was starting to get moldy from age.
I can't help thinking though, that if I didn't already know all the spoilers I might have reacted a bit differently. What impressed me the most about this book is that you really don't know what's going to happen, you will not know for sure who the heroine will end up with, which is really very un-romance novel like. We all know from the start who the "hero" is, as soon as you open the book, right? The guy's name that's printed in the back will end up with the girl...Well, be prepared to be surprised (or not), you really won't know until the very last few pages. This author will have you guessing until the very end. Perhaps, this was the ultimate reason why I'm giving this book a 4 star rating, I wasn't bored, so many romance novels are so predictable to me, they all seem so stale.
More SPOILER:
This is a part 1, first book in a a saga-like bodice-ripper romance (there are 3 books total in this trilogy). Melanie is a mind numbingly beautiful and promiscuous 16 year old girl, who falls in love with a cast of different heroes. Some of the heroes will (of course) rape, beat and cheat on her, however, there are some who truly were honorable and worthy to be loved... Yea, one of those really earthy, high drama romance from the late 70s. Except, for some odd reason, this book didn't piss me off (like Rosemary Rogers books).
You will meet 3 heroes:
Hero #1 : Asa : He is her father's bestfriend, a much older married guy who is 29 years older than the heroine. He is called "Uncle" Asa.
Hero #2 : Steve : Young handsome rake, he's a tortured soul and his complete obsessive love for the heroine drives him to the edge. Melanie can't get him out of her mind.
Hero #3: Simon : A wealthy, classy, handsome hero in politics, also a much older guy and also very much married to another. He's 18 years older than the heroine.
I can't help thinking though, that if I didn't already know all the spoilers I might have reacted a bit differently. What impressed me the most about this book is that you really don't know what's going to happen, you will not know for sure who the heroine will end up with, which is really very un-romance novel like. We all know from the start who the "hero" is, as soon as you open the book, right? The guy's name that's printed in the back will end up with the girl...Well, be prepared to be surprised (or not), you really won't know until the very last few pages. This author will have you guessing until the very end. Perhaps, this was the ultimate reason why I'm giving this book a 4 star rating, I wasn't bored, so many romance novels are so predictable to me, they all seem so stale.
More SPOILER:
This is a part 1, first book in a a saga-like bodice-ripper romance (there are 3 books total in this trilogy). Melanie is a mind numbingly beautiful and promiscuous 16 year old girl, who falls in love with a cast of different heroes. Some of the heroes will (of course) rape, beat and cheat on her, however, there are some who truly were honorable and worthy to be loved... Yea, one of those really earthy, high drama romance from the late 70s. Except, for some odd reason, this book didn't piss me off (like Rosemary Rogers books).
You will meet 3 heroes:
Hero #1 : Asa : He is her father's bestfriend, a much older married guy who is 29 years older than the heroine. He is called "Uncle" Asa.
Hero #2 : Steve : Young handsome rake, he's a tortured soul and his complete obsessive love for the heroine drives him to the edge. Melanie can't get him out of her mind.
Hero #3: Simon : A wealthy, classy, handsome hero in politics, also a much older guy and also very much married to another. He's 18 years older than the heroine.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2016
This review is of “Amber Fire”, the first book in the unofficial “Amber” series by Elaine Barbieri.
The Story: Ms. Barbieri’s first book, “Captive Ecstasy”, took place during the French and Indian War. “Amber Fire” begins after that war. We meet the heroine of the book-and the “Amber” series-Melanie Morganfield, when she is 13. Melanie, and her father, James, are going to live with a friend of his, Asa Parker, after the death of James’ wife and Melanie’s mother, Sara. James will be going to work for Asa, who is a wealthy foundry owner.
During the course of the book-which spans 11 years-James passes away and Melanie becomes sexually involved with Asa, one of Asa’s employees, Stephen Hull, who is also a member of Ethan Allen’s Green Mountain Boys, and Simon Young, an emissary for New York Governor William Tryon. Melanie also gives birth to a daughter, fathered by Asa, named Sara. Melanie goes through trials and tribulations and emerges stronger for having gone through them.
Upside: Unlike most romance novels, the characters in “Amber Fire” are not perfect humans who usually do the right things. They do things that I and other readers may find questionable and offensive to our sensibilities. That real humanity is very unusual and a strength of Ms. Barbieri’s early books. The characters emotions are on full display.
Downside: I’m not sure I liked any of the primary characters. Their behavior, while human, was also very unlikeable. Examples:
Melanie: Has affairs with Asa and Simon, both of whom were married when the affairs began. She also has an affair with Stephen while she’s involved with Asa, with whom she has Sara out of wedlock.
Asa: In addition to having an affair with Melanie, the affair begins when she is 16 years old!-he's 46-and the affair commences after James' death, when Melanie is vulnerable.
Simon: Has an affair with Melanie while he’s married. The argument Ms. Barbieri makes of his and Asa’s wives not being “true wives” to them is specious.
Stephen: He emotionally, mentally, physically and sexually abuses Melanie, which she forgives him for! He is also extremely unstable, going from kindness to rage in seconds.
All of the above are shallow and self-centered, not caring much about the effect their actions have on anyone else. They only care about what they want. There is an instance near the end of the book that feels a little creepy.
Sex: A few scenes, that are mildly descriptive, describing more of Melanie than of her lovers.
Violence: Multiple assaults and a rape scene. The violence is not overly graphic.
Bottom Line: On some level, “Amber Fire” is a five-star book. The unlikeability of the characters, combined with the other factors listed above, brings the grade down for me.
The Story: Ms. Barbieri’s first book, “Captive Ecstasy”, took place during the French and Indian War. “Amber Fire” begins after that war. We meet the heroine of the book-and the “Amber” series-Melanie Morganfield, when she is 13. Melanie, and her father, James, are going to live with a friend of his, Asa Parker, after the death of James’ wife and Melanie’s mother, Sara. James will be going to work for Asa, who is a wealthy foundry owner.
During the course of the book-which spans 11 years-James passes away and Melanie becomes sexually involved with Asa, one of Asa’s employees, Stephen Hull, who is also a member of Ethan Allen’s Green Mountain Boys, and Simon Young, an emissary for New York Governor William Tryon. Melanie also gives birth to a daughter, fathered by Asa, named Sara. Melanie goes through trials and tribulations and emerges stronger for having gone through them.
Upside: Unlike most romance novels, the characters in “Amber Fire” are not perfect humans who usually do the right things. They do things that I and other readers may find questionable and offensive to our sensibilities. That real humanity is very unusual and a strength of Ms. Barbieri’s early books. The characters emotions are on full display.
Downside: I’m not sure I liked any of the primary characters. Their behavior, while human, was also very unlikeable. Examples:
Melanie: Has affairs with Asa and Simon, both of whom were married when the affairs began. She also has an affair with Stephen while she’s involved with Asa, with whom she has Sara out of wedlock.
Asa: In addition to having an affair with Melanie, the affair begins when she is 16 years old!-he's 46-and the affair commences after James' death, when Melanie is vulnerable.
Simon: Has an affair with Melanie while he’s married. The argument Ms. Barbieri makes of his and Asa’s wives not being “true wives” to them is specious.
Stephen: He emotionally, mentally, physically and sexually abuses Melanie, which she forgives him for! He is also extremely unstable, going from kindness to rage in seconds.
All of the above are shallow and self-centered, not caring much about the effect their actions have on anyone else. They only care about what they want. There is an instance near the end of the book that feels a little creepy.
Sex: A few scenes, that are mildly descriptive, describing more of Melanie than of her lovers.
Violence: Multiple assaults and a rape scene. The violence is not overly graphic.
Bottom Line: On some level, “Amber Fire” is a five-star book. The unlikeability of the characters, combined with the other factors listed above, brings the grade down for me.
April 19, 2014
What the hell did I just read?
Melanie Morganfield is absolutely perfect in every way. She's too beautiful to be of this earth and every man she meets falls to worshipping the ground she walks upon. So of course I identify with her. The reader gets not one but three heroes in this HR. There's Asa Parker, a family friend old enough to be sixteen year old Melanie's father. Then there's Steve Hull, a bipolar rapist with mommy issues. Lastly is Simon Young, sort of a combination of Asa and Steve. He's still twice Melanie's age and is as controlling as Steve. He's still a cold fish, though. (Poor Josh Whitmore is also hovering around the edges but he never gets any from the captivating Melanie so doesn't get the chance to join the boys club.)
While I can understand a stressed out teenager falling into an affair with an authority figure (Asa), it's Melanie's "love" for her psychotic rapist Steve that totally baffles me. As another reviewer aptly put it, Steve loves Melanie so much he hates her. Or does he hate her so much he loves her? Either way, this guy is certifiable. When he's not raping her he's slapping Melanie around. Yet it takes about the entire book before Melanie finally moves on so she's not much better.
Shoved in between all the raping and worshipping of Melanie is the historic adventures of Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys. Adventures that barely have anything to do with Melanie's story. I saw no reason to include in great details Ethan's escapades other than the author trying to pad out a relatively thin story.
Melanie Morganfield is absolutely perfect in every way. She's too beautiful to be of this earth and every man she meets falls to worshipping the ground she walks upon. So of course I identify with her. The reader gets not one but three heroes in this HR. There's Asa Parker, a family friend old enough to be sixteen year old Melanie's father. Then there's Steve Hull, a bipolar rapist with mommy issues. Lastly is Simon Young, sort of a combination of Asa and Steve. He's still twice Melanie's age and is as controlling as Steve. He's still a cold fish, though. (Poor Josh Whitmore is also hovering around the edges but he never gets any from the captivating Melanie so doesn't get the chance to join the boys club.)
While I can understand a stressed out teenager falling into an affair with an authority figure (Asa), it's Melanie's "love" for her psychotic rapist Steve that totally baffles me. As another reviewer aptly put it, Steve loves Melanie so much he hates her. Or does he hate her so much he loves her? Either way, this guy is certifiable. When he's not raping her he's slapping Melanie around. Yet it takes about the entire book before Melanie finally moves on so she's not much better.
Shoved in between all the raping and worshipping of Melanie is the historic adventures of Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys. Adventures that barely have anything to do with Melanie's story. I saw no reason to include in great details Ethan's escapades other than the author trying to pad out a relatively thin story.
March 15, 2019
Not really sure where the author was going with this book according to the blurb. First of all, there were 3 love interests. Even though Steven did some horrible things, I still wanted Melanie and him together, idk why. I didn't even like Simon that much. What I really didn't like is that all the men kinda forced or cajoled Melanie into sleeping with them. She passively accepted. They chose her, rather than she choosing them.
The first half of the book is compelling and hard to put down for some reason.
The first half of the book is compelling and hard to put down for some reason.
August 15, 2025
A big roller coaster ride.
I still don’t think any guy in this book was worthy of being a hero.
Also I wished the author would have stick with one guy and made a story instead of having so many guys.
The older guy Asa was nice. I wish the author wouldn’t have killed him off.
And what was the purpose of the Stephen guy. He seems to be obsessed with the h but keeps disappearing.
Didn’t really warmed up to the Simon guy. After his re-entry I skimmed. The book got dull.
So there’s a sequel.
I don’t think I will read it.
I still don’t think any guy in this book was worthy of being a hero.
Also I wished the author would have stick with one guy and made a story instead of having so many guys.
The older guy Asa was nice. I wish the author wouldn’t have killed him off.
And what was the purpose of the Stephen guy. He seems to be obsessed with the h but keeps disappearing.
Didn’t really warmed up to the Simon guy. After his re-entry I skimmed. The book got dull.
So there’s a sequel.
I don’t think I will read it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
tried-sample-not-interested
March 13, 2025Someone rec’d this as a good guardian/ward, one of my favorite tropes, but … not so much. I actually downloaded in KU to skim beyond the sample since it was so wordy and slow, and yeah, it’s not good, even if read back when published (and I don’t have issue with the things others would have with it, it’s really just about the writing).
December 24, 2024
Beautiful And Sorrful
Well written.A story of lost of love.Jealousy and untruth.War with Britain and the Colonies..A beautiful girl who loved and the men who loved her.Hard to put down and not read
Well written.A story of lost of love.Jealousy and untruth.War with Britain and the Colonies..A beautiful girl who loved and the men who loved her.Hard to put down and not read
June 17, 2018
ohhhhh, loved this story, have to get more!
May 27, 2010
These three books in the Amber series where great and have read them again and again!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews