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Emerald Fire
In Baton Rouge, where she was wrenched from her home by a scandalous affair...On a wagon train west, where she met danger and adventure...
Across thousands of miles where the only law was the point of a gun and a beautiful woman like Emerald could trigger a passion in any man...She burned for the love of one man - and was swept up in a fury of passion by another.
Lovely, eighteen-year-old Emerald Regan was brought up in the finest Southern finishing schools, perfectly groomed for life on her family's Baton Rouge plantation. Then her slave heritage was exposed and she faced the unbridled lust of a man who would take her body, but never give her his name.
Forced to flee west, in St. Louis she joined a wagon train and met an undreamed of lover, the mysterious mountain guide, Mace Bridgeman. Theirs was a great love, until she met Wolf Dreamer...
Wolf Dreamer, Sioux medicine man, who initiated her into his sensual world of drugs and magic - but whose passions could never keep her from the love that tore at her heart, and the triumphant destiny that awaited her in the beautiful Sierra Mountains.
Across thousands of miles where the only law was the point of a gun and a beautiful woman like Emerald could trigger a passion in any man...She burned for the love of one man - and was swept up in a fury of passion by another.
Lovely, eighteen-year-old Emerald Regan was brought up in the finest Southern finishing schools, perfectly groomed for life on her family's Baton Rouge plantation. Then her slave heritage was exposed and she faced the unbridled lust of a man who would take her body, but never give her his name.
Forced to flee west, in St. Louis she joined a wagon train and met an undreamed of lover, the mysterious mountain guide, Mace Bridgeman. Theirs was a great love, until she met Wolf Dreamer...
Wolf Dreamer, Sioux medicine man, who initiated her into his sensual world of drugs and magic - but whose passions could never keep her from the love that tore at her heart, and the triumphant destiny that awaited her in the beautiful Sierra Mountains.
472 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1978
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71 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 28, 2016
doing a throw back romance is actually pretty eye opening. no wonder they were popular! 350 pages of non stop action and romance. today's romance can't compare, really.
these seem more like a serial than a cohesive book. every chapter something totally farfetched and OTT happens and then you turn the page for more.
lost limbs, bad decisions, hidden agendas, and a cast of ne'er do wells up to all sorts of things.
modern romance is 350 pages of navel gazing instead of the wtfery brought to you pre-1990.
these seem more like a serial than a cohesive book. every chapter something totally farfetched and OTT happens and then you turn the page for more.
lost limbs, bad decisions, hidden agendas, and a cast of ne'er do wells up to all sorts of things.
modern romance is 350 pages of navel gazing instead of the wtfery brought to you pre-1990.
March 16, 2024
Fleeing her plantation home to escape her lecherous cousin, Emerald ends up joining a wagon train headed to California as a mother's helper. She's drawn to their guide Mace, but has a long way to go before she can reach her happy ending.
More a pioneer adventure than a true romance, we follow Emerald on her way west as the train tangles with illness and injury, hostile Native Americans and a pair of bank robbers. We encounter all kinds of curious characters both on and off the trail, and there was plenty of action and adventure. It was just a plain fun read, and I was continually curious about what fate might befall the characters next.
But this book has more dropped plot-lines than a Lifetime movie. There's the abiding mystery of Emerald's mother, whatever mystical thing was going on at the Native American camp, the ultimate fate of Trude and the other folks on the wagon trail - and they don't even get to California by the end! I wonder if there was supposed to be a sequel wrapping up the storylines?
Mace is also an underwhelming hero, dallying with both Emerald and Trude for most of the book in the name of not being tied down by any one woman. I was rather more interested in the possibility of Ben Coult actually, until his true character was revealed. Emerald really didn't need to run afoul of so many men, but I guess this is a bodice ripper for a reason, and a bodice is indeed ripped in one scene.
More a pioneer adventure than a true romance, we follow Emerald on her way west as the train tangles with illness and injury, hostile Native Americans and a pair of bank robbers. We encounter all kinds of curious characters both on and off the trail, and there was plenty of action and adventure. It was just a plain fun read, and I was continually curious about what fate might befall the characters next.
But this book has more dropped plot-lines than a Lifetime movie. There's the abiding mystery of Emerald's mother, whatever mystical thing was going on at the Native American camp, the ultimate fate of Trude and the other folks on the wagon trail - and they don't even get to California by the end! I wonder if there was supposed to be a sequel wrapping up the storylines?
Mace is also an underwhelming hero, dallying with both Emerald and Trude for most of the book in the name of not being tied down by any one woman. I was rather more interested in the possibility of Ben Coult actually, until his true character was revealed. Emerald really didn't need to run afoul of so many men, but I guess this is a bodice ripper for a reason, and a bodice is indeed ripped in one scene.
September 18, 2015
I do feel some measure of shame for enjoying a bodice ripper so fiercely that it was delegated a five star rating, but these books are like junk food for my mind- delicious as fuck but I'm throwing away the wrappers before anyone can know my McBodiceRipper beetus literature shame. What I don't understand is why the few people who reviewed this one felt it was mediocre. Of the many bodice rippers I've tried, this is definitely one of the better ones. It's full of unsparing historical accuracy that was reminiscent of the Oregon Trail pc game I played in my bored youth, except more death, drownings, amputation, rape, scalpings, gang bangs, starvation and dust involved. You can almost feel the dust and thirst of these poor people and I was completely gripped by their day-to-day strenuous routines and challenges.
Elmerald as a character is actually quite likable as she breaks through the mold of the Mary Sue and actually works her ass off the entire book, pulling as much weight as any other character with even more at stake as the story goes on. She sacrifices for the children and family she's hired by constantly and with good reason as they develop a genuine compassion and friendship with each other that goes beyond pure employment convenience. She is extremely intuitive and perceptive of the people she comes to know on the wagon trail as well as of her personal fate the fate of those she crosses paths with. It's even implied that she has the gift of predicting the future through dream logic. I also liked that she was more than just a pretty face that encounters peril. She loves art, drawing, literature and nature and these things hold her interest just as steadily as the romance she encounters.
Mace is the ideal romantic hero, being untamed and rawly masculine but also respectful and sensitive in equal measure. He and Mace share a chemistry that goes beyond pure insta-love but is actually grounded in mutual hobbies, compatible personalities and a shared passion for drawing. Instead of annoying misunderstanding or constant mis-communications, Emerald and Mace maintain a consistent, believable friendship that is only occasionally challenged by the callous conditions of the wagon trail and Mace's desire to be independent. And even when their love and friendship is challenged, they still treat each other civilly and maturely. The only non-pc romantic encounters are with men outside of the main love interest, so no harm done. It was a refreshing change of pace to witness an actual healthy relationship in a genre known for batshit crazy behavior and banter.
The author was immaculate at pacing the story. Just when you start to get bogged down by the details of the current trail routine, she would throw in a shocking twist of fate or conflict that would leave you on the edge of your seat. She was really adept in my opinion at knowing when to be slowly meditative or descriptive and when to get the ball rolling. It made it really difficult to put down the book. I look forward to reading more of Julia Grice. I've managed to get a copy of her "Passion Star" novel that I plan to read next, but perhaps I'll head to amazon to check out her full bibliography.
Elmerald as a character is actually quite likable as she breaks through the mold of the Mary Sue and actually works her ass off the entire book, pulling as much weight as any other character with even more at stake as the story goes on. She sacrifices for the children and family she's hired by constantly and with good reason as they develop a genuine compassion and friendship with each other that goes beyond pure employment convenience. She is extremely intuitive and perceptive of the people she comes to know on the wagon trail as well as of her personal fate the fate of those she crosses paths with. It's even implied that she has the gift of predicting the future through dream logic. I also liked that she was more than just a pretty face that encounters peril. She loves art, drawing, literature and nature and these things hold her interest just as steadily as the romance she encounters.
Mace is the ideal romantic hero, being untamed and rawly masculine but also respectful and sensitive in equal measure. He and Mace share a chemistry that goes beyond pure insta-love but is actually grounded in mutual hobbies, compatible personalities and a shared passion for drawing. Instead of annoying misunderstanding or constant mis-communications, Emerald and Mace maintain a consistent, believable friendship that is only occasionally challenged by the callous conditions of the wagon trail and Mace's desire to be independent. And even when their love and friendship is challenged, they still treat each other civilly and maturely. The only non-pc romantic encounters are with men outside of the main love interest, so no harm done. It was a refreshing change of pace to witness an actual healthy relationship in a genre known for batshit crazy behavior and banter.
The author was immaculate at pacing the story. Just when you start to get bogged down by the details of the current trail routine, she would throw in a shocking twist of fate or conflict that would leave you on the edge of your seat. She was really adept in my opinion at knowing when to be slowly meditative or descriptive and when to get the ball rolling. It made it really difficult to put down the book. I look forward to reading more of Julia Grice. I've managed to get a copy of her "Passion Star" novel that I plan to read next, but perhaps I'll head to amazon to check out her full bibliography.
August 2, 2010
Hum.
The story began well enough, but that didn't last long. Most of the book encompassed all those tiresome cliche plot lines...beautiful heroine falls under the power of the perverse male in charge of the household. To save herself, she has to flee or succumb to his bed.
So she hits the trail, literally. Leaving Baton Rouge, she joins a wagon train heading to California - yeah, my home on the range.
God only knows why Grice added the character, Wolf Dreamer. Read the book and you'll know why I say this.
The cliched plot line continues on the wagon train trail to California when she meets their guide, Mace Bridgeman.
I didn't get emotionally involved with any of these characters. They seemed pretty flat and one dimensional.
There was adventure and twists with outcomes that I didn't foresee. So it was interesting in places along the way. But with all the faulty writing; inclusion of undimensional and in one case - needless characters, it took a bit longer than usual to complete the book. I didn't have to force myself to finish it. (Does that make me wishy washy? Oh well :) I was just disappointed because historical western is my #1 pick. Throw a Native American in the mix and it's my preference.
To me, Julia Grice needs to polish up her writing talent and not write so ADD, or better yet, get another editor.
The story began well enough, but that didn't last long. Most of the book encompassed all those tiresome cliche plot lines...beautiful heroine falls under the power of the perverse male in charge of the household. To save herself, she has to flee or succumb to his bed.
So she hits the trail, literally. Leaving Baton Rouge, she joins a wagon train heading to California - yeah, my home on the range.
God only knows why Grice added the character, Wolf Dreamer. Read the book and you'll know why I say this.
The cliched plot line continues on the wagon train trail to California when she meets their guide, Mace Bridgeman.
I didn't get emotionally involved with any of these characters. They seemed pretty flat and one dimensional.
There was adventure and twists with outcomes that I didn't foresee. So it was interesting in places along the way. But with all the faulty writing; inclusion of undimensional and in one case - needless characters, it took a bit longer than usual to complete the book. I didn't have to force myself to finish it. (Does that make me wishy washy? Oh well :) I was just disappointed because historical western is my #1 pick. Throw a Native American in the mix and it's my preference.
To me, Julia Grice needs to polish up her writing talent and not write so ADD, or better yet, get another editor.
June 3, 2010
Probably not the book's fault, but I just couldn't get interested. Onwards and upwards, as they say -- in this case, the book is on to Karla...can't wait to read your review!
July 3, 2022
This was a good story, though it did drag in spots, and gives a realistic picture of life on a wagon rain, though the characters tended to be exaggerated, the situations were pretty true to life.
It sure takes a long time for Emerald and her true love, wagon scout/artist Mace, to find their HEA, what with his attitude toward marriage, affair with another woman, and insisting on keeping things NSA, not to mention her kidnapping by a Native man, coerced marriage to the wagon train doctor, and (as with so many early HR novels) several rapes. All of which could have been prevented if Mr. Stupid had listened to his heart in the first place.
Emerald is the type of h I like. as she doesn't come on strong, yet she's no fragile flower, either. She's resourceful, cool-headed (often necessary in a wagon train) and manages to keep a spirit of independence, without resorting to willful rebellion. Though young, others on the wagon train often turn to her for help and she can always be relied on, even assisting in an operation, and standing up for a Native boy, whose attempt to steal a horse made the wagon master (whose family Emerald travelled with) decide to enslave him. (Since Emerald grew up on a plantation, this may seem hypocritical, but her heart was in the right place.)
From time to time, the novel sees things from the perspective of other characters, not just Emerald and Mace, which is a good way of rounding out the story, rather than just seeing things from the main character's eyes.
It goes without saying that I could have done without the rapes, and that includes the drug-induced one, where she's forced by her native captor to smoke a drugged pipe and drink a spiked concoction, making her unwillingly respond to him (though thinking of Mace). I've read those kinds of scenes in more than one novel, and they always bother me.
Toward the end, it does get annoying, with a search for lost gold (that was stolen to begin with) that was just too much. I'd also have liked more communication between Emerald and Mace throughout the story, not just her telling him she loves him and would make him a good wife, while he keeps stating he's not the marrying kind. It got a bit repetitious after a time. Still, it's a good story and worth taking a look at.
It sure takes a long time for Emerald and her true love, wagon scout/artist Mace, to find their HEA, what with his attitude toward marriage, affair with another woman, and insisting on keeping things NSA, not to mention her kidnapping by a Native man, coerced marriage to the wagon train doctor, and (as with so many early HR novels) several rapes. All of which could have been prevented if Mr. Stupid had listened to his heart in the first place.
Emerald is the type of h I like. as she doesn't come on strong, yet she's no fragile flower, either. She's resourceful, cool-headed (often necessary in a wagon train) and manages to keep a spirit of independence, without resorting to willful rebellion. Though young, others on the wagon train often turn to her for help and she can always be relied on, even assisting in an operation, and standing up for a Native boy, whose attempt to steal a horse made the wagon master (whose family Emerald travelled with) decide to enslave him. (Since Emerald grew up on a plantation, this may seem hypocritical, but her heart was in the right place.)
From time to time, the novel sees things from the perspective of other characters, not just Emerald and Mace, which is a good way of rounding out the story, rather than just seeing things from the main character's eyes.
It goes without saying that I could have done without the rapes, and that includes the drug-induced one, where she's forced by her native captor to smoke a drugged pipe and drink a spiked concoction, making her unwillingly respond to him (though thinking of Mace). I've read those kinds of scenes in more than one novel, and they always bother me.
Toward the end, it does get annoying, with a search for lost gold (that was stolen to begin with) that was just too much. I'd also have liked more communication between Emerald and Mace throughout the story, not just her telling him she loves him and would make him a good wife, while he keeps stating he's not the marrying kind. It got a bit repetitious after a time. Still, it's a good story and worth taking a look at.
August 31, 2015
I loved it! One of my favorite books in high school. I have read it about 5 times!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews