Fire: A Romance of Hawaii

by Armine Von Tempski

1929. Maui writer Armine von Tempski, who died almost a half-century ago, is one of Hawaii's enduring literary legends. She spent her childhood years on the family ranch in Haleakala with her Polish-American father and English mother. Her books reveal the daily life and customs on Hawaii with a colorful prose that captures the beauty of the spectacular tropics. Fire is a story of love transcendent and terrible, of the forsaking of old gods and the finding of new. It is a story of conflict between two men who love the same woman-a battle fought on bare mountain tops, in brilliant drawing-rooms and at an unforgettable climax on the polo field. An infinitely difficult and dramatic situation, lived through to a defeat that is victory and a victory that is defeat, makes a story that challenges every reader's love of thoroughbred courage. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.

344 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1992

Reviews

[Marcia Murphey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book and Von Tempski’s book, ‘Born in Paradise’, which is her real life story of growing up at Haleakala Ranch, back in the early 1900’s. This is a love story, cleanly written, which takes place on the Big Island and on Oahu, and I grew to love its two main characters. It’s well written, and very enjoyable, and just like her biography, the descriptions of the islands are so vivid! I’m going to be on the lookout for more of her books.

[Nancy Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was published in 1929 and was owned by my dear mom. She had the series by this author and I have kept them all. I read it previously some time ago and as I recall I enjoyed them. So, it was interesting but I didn’t like it as much as I thought I would. I plan on trying another but not quite yet.