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Fires of Cricket Bend #1
Haven's Flame
High-button dresses aren’t made for hot Texas springs—or the burning desire Haven Anderson has for Deputy Matthew Frank…
After a lifetime of friendship, Matthew and Haven are finally engaged, but he doesn’t seem to share Haven’s emerging passion. Feeling rejected and uncertain about her future, Haven finds herself attracted to the handsome new saloon owner, Hank Porter.
Matthew holds Haven at arm’s length, despite the love smoldering inside him…
Matthew’s father was run out of town years ago for nearly killing his mother, and Matthew fears the lack of control passion can cause. Having been taken in and raised by Haven’s family, he vows to always treat her with affection and respect.
The season brings cattle drives and rowdy cowboys—and Haven can’t stay away from the saloon…
As the doctor’s assistant, Haven tends Hank after a fight, and befriends a lively “upstairs girl,” Callie Lee, despite orders from the Cricket Bend Sheriff—her father—to have nothing to do with anyone at the saloon.
Along with the cattle drive come the lawless McKenzie brothers, a rude bounty hunter, and rumors of a dangerous man, Walker, headed their way. Caught up in this whirlwind, Haven remains torn between her love for the romantically distant Matthew and the more earthy passion offered by Hank and his scandalous reputation.
Should she follow her heart or the desire that puts everything she’s known at risk? Or even more importantly, will the people she loves still be standing in the aftermath of…
Haven’s Flame
After a lifetime of friendship, Matthew and Haven are finally engaged, but he doesn’t seem to share Haven’s emerging passion. Feeling rejected and uncertain about her future, Haven finds herself attracted to the handsome new saloon owner, Hank Porter.
Matthew holds Haven at arm’s length, despite the love smoldering inside him…
Matthew’s father was run out of town years ago for nearly killing his mother, and Matthew fears the lack of control passion can cause. Having been taken in and raised by Haven’s family, he vows to always treat her with affection and respect.
The season brings cattle drives and rowdy cowboys—and Haven can’t stay away from the saloon…
As the doctor’s assistant, Haven tends Hank after a fight, and befriends a lively “upstairs girl,” Callie Lee, despite orders from the Cricket Bend Sheriff—her father—to have nothing to do with anyone at the saloon.
Along with the cattle drive come the lawless McKenzie brothers, a rude bounty hunter, and rumors of a dangerous man, Walker, headed their way. Caught up in this whirlwind, Haven remains torn between her love for the romantically distant Matthew and the more earthy passion offered by Hank and his scandalous reputation.
Should she follow her heart or the desire that puts everything she’s known at risk? Or even more importantly, will the people she loves still be standing in the aftermath of…
Haven’s Flame
225 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 27, 2015
About the author
Marie Piper
30 books101 followersMARIE PIPER is a graduate of Michigan State University, a former actor/director, and a lover of stories. She’s especially interested in writing stories set in the weird and wild history of America.
The steamy western trilogy, FIRES OF CRICKET BEND, is available from Limitless Publishing. The five-part dime store serial, MAIDENS & MONSTERS, can be found on Amazon. Marie's short stories, ranging from erotica to sci-fi fairy tales, can be found in a variety of collections.
Marie lives in Chicago with her husband, kiddo, and three cats. In non-pandemic times, she goes on adventures with her zany family, reads everything she can get her hands on, loves visiting all the museums Chicago has to offer, and tweets too much. (Tweets have increased because, you know, pandemic.)
Currently, she is wearing a mask like a responsible citizen while working on a romance set during the Salem Witch Trials, as well as the third and final book in THE GILDED BRIDES.
Find her on Twitter/Instagram at @mariepiperbooks and say hi!
The steamy western trilogy, FIRES OF CRICKET BEND, is available from Limitless Publishing. The five-part dime store serial, MAIDENS & MONSTERS, can be found on Amazon. Marie's short stories, ranging from erotica to sci-fi fairy tales, can be found in a variety of collections.
Marie lives in Chicago with her husband, kiddo, and three cats. In non-pandemic times, she goes on adventures with her zany family, reads everything she can get her hands on, loves visiting all the museums Chicago has to offer, and tweets too much. (Tweets have increased because, you know, pandemic.)
Currently, she is wearing a mask like a responsible citizen while working on a romance set during the Salem Witch Trials, as well as the third and final book in THE GILDED BRIDES.
Find her on Twitter/Instagram at @mariepiperbooks and say hi!
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 9, 2016
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This is an engaging read, even if you aren’t a die-hard historical western romance fan.
The setting is authentic and vividly described; you can taste the dust, smell the horses and hear the shouts and calls of the cowboys, as they fight in the saloon. The residents of Cricket Bend are equally realistic, without being stereotypical.
Haven is tough minded young women, brought up in a loving home but now she has no one to confide in, as she struggles with her feelings for Matthew, the man she grew up with and is about to marry. Matthew is the strong and silent type, epitomised in American Westerns, a good man, he treats Haven like fine china, not realising she is a flesh and blood with needs he must understand and satisfy.
Callie and Hank are the antithesis of Haven and Matthew and both have a vital role to play in the young couple’s lives. These are complex characters, flawed but not necessarily bad. Other characters enrich this romantic story, notably the sheriff, the busybody women’s society and the cowboys just passing through. The effect is breathtaking.
The plot has enough twists to make it hard to put down and the ending is exciting and romantic. I look forward to the next book in the series; ‘Emma’s Blaze’.
I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.
Marie Piper
June 14, 2019
Love in Texas and a Frontier Town
Set in Texas in 1886, this is the story of Matthew Frank, deputy Sheriff, and his childhood sweetheart, Haven Anderson, assistant to the town doctor. This is my first by this author and I must say, it was easy to read and enjoyable. Piper has a clear style that moves the story along at a nice pace.
The story begins with a touching scene when Matt and Haven become engaged. Though Matthew cannot wait to show his bride his passion, he nobly holds himself back and tells her nothing of his struggle. Meanwhile, with no discussion, Haven assumes he does not desire her and she fantasizes about being the town whore (there is one) and having a passionate encounter with the saloon owner, a handsome guy. All that was a bit strange, and Hank cared nothing for Mathew or Haven’s innocence. He would have been happy to seduce her… and tried.
I enjoyed the characters and a few twists and turns kept me guessing as a villain from the past showed up to wreak havoc and provide some grizzly action.
Set in Texas in 1886, this is the story of Matthew Frank, deputy Sheriff, and his childhood sweetheart, Haven Anderson, assistant to the town doctor. This is my first by this author and I must say, it was easy to read and enjoyable. Piper has a clear style that moves the story along at a nice pace.
The story begins with a touching scene when Matt and Haven become engaged. Though Matthew cannot wait to show his bride his passion, he nobly holds himself back and tells her nothing of his struggle. Meanwhile, with no discussion, Haven assumes he does not desire her and she fantasizes about being the town whore (there is one) and having a passionate encounter with the saloon owner, a handsome guy. All that was a bit strange, and Hank cared nothing for Mathew or Haven’s innocence. He would have been happy to seduce her… and tried.
I enjoyed the characters and a few twists and turns kept me guessing as a villain from the past showed up to wreak havoc and provide some grizzly action.
March 21, 2016
Loved this book! This was the first time I've read a story set in the Old West, and I was instantly transported. Haven was a wonderful, complex character and made me wish I could head down to Cricket Bend to have a cup of coffee with her. I honestly couldn't put the book down, and as I neared the end, I was eager to finish but anxious about it being over. I did finish, and was happy with the exciting and completely satisfying ending. But now I have to wait (impatiently) for the next Marie Piper to be available. Sigh.
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May 22, 2021🎁 FREE on Amazon today (5/22/2021)! 🎁
November 7, 2015
I must admit I am not a Westerns person. I usually find them too formulaic and cliche. I picked Haven's Flame up because I've enjoyed Marie Piper's short stories and I am glad I gave it a chance!
Yes, it's the typical small town with one saloon, a tiny jail, and the usual crowd of uppity biddies, but Cricket Bend is refreshingly fleshed out with the farmhouses and prairie scenes Piper includes. The rich parlor filled with the backstabbing society women and their Ladies Meeting was vividly painted, and a scene that kept a smile on my face. From the Anderson's home to the remote pond, all of Piper's locations felt authentic and set a comfortable, homey place for her reader to fall in love with.
Her characters were equally enjoyable. Haven, Matthew, Hank, Braxton, and Callie are complex and unpredictable in their actions rather than the flat stereotypes they easily could have been. Even relatively minor characters like Jasper and Bill were relatable enough to make me want far more of their story than what could be included in this fast-paced, delightful read.
Piper threw a few curve-balls, enough to keep a reader turning pages, and stuck to sweet and sassy romance even when she could have shocked with unnecessary brutality or over-the-top sex. External action was well-peppered through our look into the internal struggles of Haven and Matthew.
Overall I'm impressed with Piper's first novel. I'm only sad I read it so early that I now have a long wait before the next installment!
Yes, it's the typical small town with one saloon, a tiny jail, and the usual crowd of uppity biddies, but Cricket Bend is refreshingly fleshed out with the farmhouses and prairie scenes Piper includes. The rich parlor filled with the backstabbing society women and their Ladies Meeting was vividly painted, and a scene that kept a smile on my face. From the Anderson's home to the remote pond, all of Piper's locations felt authentic and set a comfortable, homey place for her reader to fall in love with.
Her characters were equally enjoyable. Haven, Matthew, Hank, Braxton, and Callie are complex and unpredictable in their actions rather than the flat stereotypes they easily could have been. Even relatively minor characters like Jasper and Bill were relatable enough to make me want far more of their story than what could be included in this fast-paced, delightful read.
Piper threw a few curve-balls, enough to keep a reader turning pages, and stuck to sweet and sassy romance even when she could have shocked with unnecessary brutality or over-the-top sex. External action was well-peppered through our look into the internal struggles of Haven and Matthew.
Overall I'm impressed with Piper's first novel. I'm only sad I read it so early that I now have a long wait before the next installment!
May 17, 2023
As this book started, I will admit to being worried! It appeared that it was going the way of a love triangle which, although I don't hate, I do tend to dislike. However, I stayed with it and I'm glad that I did. This is an interesting and fast-paced tale, set when the West was Wild and women were buttoned up, unless you were a scarlet woman!
Haven is a strong female lead, although sometimes she does come across as a bit naive. She is only twenty years old though, so cut her some slack. Matthew, I loved. He is the strong, silent type that would probably drive me insane in real life. Because you could 'hear' his thoughts though, his reasons for behaving how he did made it understandable, even noble. Hank is someone that I didn't trust from the get-go, and I was glad when this book changed from a love triangle into something else!
Very well-written and with no grammatical or editing issues that I could see, this story flowed well and with plenty of details. Enough build-up to make the ending breathtaking. It was nice to see the main female being honest with the main male too!
I would have no hesitation in recommending this book to all fans of Historical Western Romance.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 9, 2016
Haven is a strong female lead, although sometimes she does come across as a bit naive. She is only twenty years old though, so cut her some slack. Matthew, I loved. He is the strong, silent type that would probably drive me insane in real life. Because you could 'hear' his thoughts though, his reasons for behaving how he did made it understandable, even noble. Hank is someone that I didn't trust from the get-go, and I was glad when this book changed from a love triangle into something else!
Very well-written and with no grammatical or editing issues that I could see, this story flowed well and with plenty of details. Enough build-up to make the ending breathtaking. It was nice to see the main female being honest with the main male too!
I would have no hesitation in recommending this book to all fans of Historical Western Romance.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 9, 2016
October 30, 2015
I have to admit, this is my very first historical. I am normally a full on Contemporary Romance kind of girl, but Marie Piper sucessfully brought me over to the dark side. Marie has a beautiful writing voice that is perfect for this genre. I was immediately drawn in by the love triangle (I'm a sucker for a well written love triangle) and Marie pulls it off perfectly. You struggle right along with Haven the entire way as she tries to find her between Mathew and Hank, and I definitely felt her pain. I couldn't image being stuck in that era when a lady was expected to keep all those feelings secret, even from the man she's engaged to!
I would definitely recommend this book for people who love historical, and even those looking to break into the genre. Marie will have you turning the pages and dreaming of saloons before you know it!
I would definitely recommend this book for people who love historical, and even those looking to break into the genre. Marie will have you turning the pages and dreaming of saloons before you know it!
July 29, 2016
I hadn't read a single Western, and I'm just really starting to dip my toe in the world of Romance, and I absolutely loved this book - started and finished in one night (with whiskey and chocolates at hand)! I was sucked in with characters I cared about and a world I could imagine - Cricket's Bend came to life the way the author described it. I love Haven and her complexity, how she's struggling to know herself and what she wants for her life, and I love the real (and sexy!) scenarios that she finds herself in, and the honesty of her internal struggles. Oh, and Callie Lee was an unexpected shining star of the book. Excited to pick up the next one in this series!
December 31, 2016
I am not a fan of Westerns, generally, but I absolutely loved this one, and was anxiously counting down the days to get the second one.
Marie loves this time period and westerns, and that comes through, and even makes me like it too. When an author can make me say "I love it" about a subgenre I usually pass on, you know she has done something right.
Marie loves this time period and westerns, and that comes through, and even makes me like it too. When an author can make me say "I love it" about a subgenre I usually pass on, you know she has done something right.
December 13, 2016
I won this book on Goodreads and I absolutly loved it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 28, 2016
Not my usual fare but I'll be honest it kept my interest. Always fun to read sex scenes written by someone you know! Interested to see where the second one takes the story.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews