Three days before their betrothal, Fire Blossom, a free-spirited Comanche princess, rides back to her camp after secretly meeting Lone Wolf only to discover a posse of settlers slaughtering her tribe. She's captured, beaten and left for dead at a remote farm. Revenge is foremost on her mind when she awakens, but she can barely breathe let alone move and keeps a mistrusting eye on Colton, the Texas Ranger who rescued her.
Colton hasn't felt anything except revenge for two years and he's anxious to continue his hunt for the warrior who killed his wife. Yet, he's distracted by the blue-eyed beauty healing in his bed who refuses to admit she wasn't born a Comanche.
As Fire Blossom's terrifying memories unfurl, will she return to her place beside Lone Wolf or stay with Colton in a world she was taught to hate?
2020 Historical Winner – Romance Writers of America; 2020 Gold Medal Winner - Western - Reader's Favorite
Gail Meath is the author of the multi-award-winning Jax Diamond Mysteries, a fun 1920s series about wise-cracking PI Jax Diamond, his courageous German Shepherd partner, Ace, and Broadway star Laura Graystone, as they, along with a crazy group of friends, solve some of the toughest crimes in New York City. She is alternating that series with her new 1930s Golden Age of Hollywood mysteries series, Stone & Steele, starring Vivian Steele, a widow seeking justice, and Preston Stone, a playboy vigilante. As always, she blends the most lovable characters with a good, solid mystery.
Gail also has a list of other award-winning historical romances, westerns, and fictional biographies of true heroines. She lives in a small village in Upstate New York with her husband and their sweet Boston Terrier, and she spends loads of time with her grandchildren. Connect with Gail at www.gailmeath.com or Facebook @GailMeathAuthor.
In Texas, 1843, Comanche princess Fire Blossom returns to her village after a secret and passionate liaison with her betrothed, Lone Wolf. She is met with a horrific scene, as almost everyone in her village has been slaughtered by a hateful and violent group of white men. While attempting to flee, she is captured and forced to leave with these men, only because of her blonde hair and blue eyes. After her torture at the hands of one of them, she is left for dead and meets Colton, whose wife was murdered by a Comanche warrior. As she grows closer to Colton, who tries to get her to remember her former life, will she overcome blocked memories and look into her past? Meanwhile, Lone Wolf is on her trail, angry and desperate to find her.
This is a compelling and action-packed romance about a woman who belongs to two different worlds during a time of great turmoil. I learned a lot about the conflict between the white settlers in Texas and the Comanche during the mid 1800s, as they continued to inflict hatred and slaughter upon each other. The upheaval, anger, and injustice of the time is well portrayed by Gail Meath. Fire Blossom is such a likable and interesting character, as she is not just a princess, but an expert horsewoman and skilled fighter with deep love and respect for the Comanche. Caught between two worlds and two men, she struggles to find her true self and her true love. Her resilience and passion are written into every page, and her journey into her past is fascinating and compelling. Fans of historical romance will love this one, and will be thrilled that a sequel is coming in Fall 2021.
I downloaded a copy of this book on Kindle Unlimited, where subscribers can read it for free. It can also be purchased outright for only $2.99
The beginning was really captivating, tragic too. I really enjoyed the first conversation between Lone Wolf and his father -when they spoke of Fire Blossom. Lone Wolf’s love for her gave me butterflies. Was surprised that fire blossom survived all Dirk did to her. Showed how strong living with the Comanche made her. I understood that she had to remain in San Antonio to heal but I wished she didn’t settle in so well, seeing how Lone Wolf was waiting for her and all. I just kept waiting for them to reunite. While Colton was cool, I wasn’t really rooting for him with Blossom. My heart was set on Lone Wolf all along. I think it’s because I’m used to reading books where the first protagonist I’m introduced to remains the only hero. in a small way, It saddened me how Lone Wolf became the villain and how actions that endeared him to Fire Blossom in the beginning, revolted her in the end.
Apart from the romance, every part of it was perfect. The writing style, the pace (fast -my favorite), the description of events and the character development. The plot wasn’t predictable, which kept me glued to my phone. 100% recommend. Especially to lovers of Native American Historical romance.
"The main characters instantly captured my attention, drawing me deep into the story to the last page" - Reader's Favorite 5 Stars
"Fire Blossom (The Bridge Between Enemies) by Gail Meath is an engaging romantic western set during a time of turmoil in Texas. Seamlessly moving from the past to the present, this story takes the reader into a provocative account of murder, lies, betrayal, and ultimate healing. Immediately impressing me with how superbly Ms. Meath developed her characters and story world, the complex plot is masterfully executed with impeccable pacing, culminating in a thrilling ending. The main characters instantly captured my attention, drawing me deep into the story to the last page. The other characters stole my heart as well, as Ms. Meath expertly interwove their backgrounds throughout the novel. I appreciated how Ms. Meath added complex, yet defining nuances to the story, enhancing the enjoyment of the final outcome. I was surprisingly pleased with the conclusion and look forward to reading more from this author."
I love myself a good historical Western. Reading the first few pages of Fire Blossom I was a bit dubious as to whether this would be for me, but, Fire Blossom did not disappoint. Gail Meath has a talent for keeping the reader engaged, with each chapter I found myself reluctant to leave the story as I became increasingly entwined in the life of the Comanche princess and her unexpected fate. The events that took place between the Comanche Tribes and Texan settlers is confronting, and clearly an important time in American history - one that until now was unknown to me. The conflict had me intrigued and curious to learn more, just as a good historical should.
As was Fire Blossom, I also felt torn between my affection for staunch warrior Lone Wolf and enigmatic Texas ranger Colton. However, Meath is a skilled writer and was able to bring resolution to my uncertainty. I was pleased that the ending had played out as it had. The last man standing had captured not only Fire Blossom’s heart, but mine too. A satisfying end to a well-written story.
FIRE BLOSSOM by Gail Meath is a wonderful historical romance. The beginning is strong and captivating. The plot itself is well thought out and extremely engaging. The characters are relatable and somewhat realistic. I loved reading this book and I recommend it. 5 stars from me.
[I was given a free copy of this book by the author in exchange for a review through Voracious Readers Only]
This was a great historical romance novel! The story really starts off suspensefully as Fire Blossom's village is attacked and she gets abducted by a group of white settlers and the rest of the plot just goes off at a galloping pace with surprising twists all over the place. I couldn't stop reading to find out what was going to happen to her after she was captured, what the secret of her forgotten past was, and what she was going to do when she found out what it was too. Her internal struggle between choosing to belong to the Comanche tribe that adopted her or to the white farming family whose language and culture is oddly familiar to her creates a lot of drama, especially when it means she needs to choose between Lone Wolf and Colton and both the Comanches and the settlers are locked in a seemingly endless cycle of violence. I liked how the relationship between Fire Blossom and Colton and the rest of the Way family developed and the story reminds me a little of the real-life story of Cynthia Ann Parker or Naduah. I really enjoyed reading this book and readers who enjoy Western romances or the Earth's Children series (particularly The Valley of Horses) probably will too.
A wonderful story of adversaries, love and the shaping of the West. Strong characters, and a realistic story line. You find yourself rooting for the character to find happiness after so many life trials. Recommended read!
Fire blossom thought she was a scwa, Promised to lone wolf. After leaving him by the river filled with happiness and joy she stumbles of Borgne hard drives village only to see everyone either murdered or being murdered by white men. She saves her sister, but it’s taken by the white man. After being tortured she is finally saved by a nice but lady and a man with a beard who were also white. She will soon find out this was Clarissa, Shane and Colton. It isn’t this home with these kind people that memory start servicing a book she remembers verbatim that Shane is reading by Shakespeare, a bloody man crawling to her in the midst of a fire and the memories go on and on until one day she realizes she isn’t a native Indian, but a white woman. Her name was Rebecca and she was the granddaughter of the governor of South Carolina and he missed her immensely. Add to that the fact that she is slowly but surely falling in love with Colton and the mess continues to grow. They hear that Lonewolf and his tribe is killing every man he knows to have been at the village where her tribal family were killed and unfortunately thanks to their wayward brother Dirk the way farm is on that list. She knows if Lonewolf continues to go on a killing spree it will be a fight to the death in one of her will have to die but will it be fire blossom or Rebecca? This book was so so freaking good! I mean if you love historical Romance and plausible plots characters with commonsense people you will love this book. The thing I love most about this author if she doesn’t take shortcuts, she doesn’t give 21st-century opinions to people who are living in the 19th century. Everything from the dialogue to events that truly happened are accurate and proof is in this book. I loved it and highly highly recommend it!
Gail Meath’s tale of a young white woman believing she was raised Comanche after being abducted years earlier is as much a morality play as it is a romance. Once betrothed the the son of a chief of another tribe, she is abducted and abused by white vigilante settlers. Later saved and nursed back to health by a ranger, Colton, and his family, she comes to learn about her past and ultimately falls in love with Colton. The underlying theme running through this is that revenge and retaliation only leads to further revenge and retaliation unless someone breaks that cycle. Meath delivers a great story, emphasizing that underlying theme of respect and the possibility of peaceful coexistence without being preachy about it. Her writing style flows well and leaves the reader well satisfied.
This story takes place during a heartbreaking period of American history. The struggle between Native Americans and the settlers trying to start a country of their own. I spent most of my childhood and early adult years in this region of the country. My heart has always been torn between the two sides because they both wanted the same things. So it is in this story. Love and family is everything! The atrocities on both sides is horrible and the losses for both are heartbreaking. Can hearts heal and peace be found during such turmoil? I love these characters and really wished they all could find an outcome they could live with happily. I'm attached to these characters and wish their stories continued.
“Fire Blossom” is set in 1843 in a tumultuous time in early US history. The story follows a young woman named Fire Blossom who finds herself in the middle of a violent clash between two very different cultures. She experiences unspeakable tragedy and must find every ounce of strength within herself if she is going to remember her past and survive.
I am not usually into Westerns themes, but this book surpassed my expectation. It was heartfelt, emotional, tragic, and thought provoking. I hope to read more by this author in the future.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
A quick paced and captivating story involving the conflict between the Comanches and white settlers in the mid 1800s. Kidnapping, murder, rescue, revenge and retaliation follow the life of Fire Blossom/Rebecca, a white woman who thought she was Comanche but eventually regains her memory of who/what she really is and through out it all finds love. Life and the hardships one endured during 1843 and the evil and good it brought out in people. A heartwrenching story told in a well written plot with some intriguing characters.
This was my first book by GM and was a good read. Historical romance books about Native Americans are my favorite genre. This book was emotional and parts tragic. Fire Blossom lived as a Comanche princess was to be married to Lone Wolf. She is kidnapped and rescued by ranger Colton. She refuses to admit she is white as he can see by her blue eyes. She has adjusting to and a life to decide. I loved the romance between Fire Blossom and Lone Wolf. This was a well written, great story.
A great story full of courage, love and second chances. I really enjoyed the story and the characters. I loved each characters development and growth throughout the course of the story and the overall message as well.
This book was about white woman who had been captured by the Comanches. I don’t usually read too many western type books. This one however was pretty good. I enjoyed it
“Fire Blossom (The Bridge Between Enemies)" by author Gail Meath is a historical romance and adventure story that takes place in Western Texas in the year 1843. It is a time of great conflict between the Native American Indian Tribes, primarily Comanche, and the white settlers eager to claim land and establish farms and cattle ranches.
Lone Wolf had laid claim to the white skinned, blue eyed princess years earlier, but circumstances take Fire Blossom back to the white man’s territory where she begins having memories of being captured and watching as her parents and twin brothers were murdered by Indians. Everything the Comanche had told her about her past had been a lie.
Texas Ranger, Colton Way finds Fire Blossom beaten, whipped, deprived of food and water and left for dead in a small room in his barn. He quickly takes her into the house and has everyone do what they can to save her life. Over the months that follow as she recuperates, she falls in love with the big, strong and bearded Ranger.
I didn’t envy Fire Blossom’s difficult choices and I admire Ms. Meath’s ability to weave together two different worlds so seamlessly. The character development was well done, and the story line had me guessing up until the very end who would win Fire Blossom’s hand in marriage. It is a satisfying ending and I heartily recommend “Fire Blossom” by author, Gail Meath.
I was given this arc by the author, and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review
Oh yes! This is a good one. Captivating. It reminded me of when I was about 5 years old and my big brother and I played cowboys and Indians and I always had to be the Indian. Ever since, I have always been in sympathy with the Indians, so this story felt real. I lived it.
Fire Blossom improved the lives of those who, initially, had intended to harm her. There’s a life lesson in this book. Recommended.
Western Romance with a few twists. Fire Blossom is a Comanche princess. She is also a woman with hidden secrets, that she is just dealing with in her mind. The author takes an old west setting and twists it into a unique tale of romance. The characters are intriguing, and the story feels like one that could have easily happened.
This book is such a pleasant surprise! Fire Blossom is the first book I’ve read by Gail Meath as well as the first historical fiction I’ve read in the early American setting. I would say that this is such a nice introduction to it because I most definitely got hooked.
FIRE BLOSSOM follows the story of a white woman raised as a Comanche princess. Her story begins with her betrothal to Lone Wolf and their gripping love for each other. However, fate intervened and Fire Blossom finds her entire family and tribe slaughtered and her taken away by the white men. There, she suffered in the hands of Dirk until she was brought in a ranch in San Antonio where she met his family. At first, they were wary of her especially because Dirk’s cruelty extended to anyone who tries to help Fire Blossom. When Colton returned, however, he put a stop to the cruelty and Dirk was forced to leave. The rest of the family helped and cared for Fire Blossom and she later on earned their trust and respect through her spirit, kindness and natural aptitude to horses. This included Colton, a man deep in vengeance and hatred for his wife’s murderer. The days he spends with Fire Blossom allowed his heart to find healing and this turned to love for the two. But fate again is unkind to Fire Blossom because she soon becomes torn by the deceit and heartache of her true identity and her former lover.
This book was such a roller coaster ride of emotions. I’ve come to love and hate (and vice-versa) some characters. There was a lot of character development both good and bad and a lot of them changed primarily because of Fire Blossom (which I usually don’t like in my story but I didn’t really mind here). However, seeing as “The Bridge Between Enemies” is in the alternate title, I thought Fire Blossom would bring redemption to Colton and Lone Wolf’s relationship as well. So reading how Lone Wolf progressed was difficult because I actually liked him and I thought he deserved a little more especially because they were so obsessed with each other in the beginning. Also, I don’t know if I missed it but I would have liked it more if the story also emphasized on how Fire Blossom bridged the Indians and the Texans instead of just the short scene by the end and the little ending paragraph.
Looking at this novel as a historical romance, FIRE BLOSSOM is an enjoyable read even for first-time readers of the genre. Honestly, when I first realized what I got myself into, I was worried because I have very little knowledge and interest on the early American history and culture. I was even more hesitant to give a review because I don’t want to butcher it. However, Meath’s narration is so simple and coherent yet very descriptive and vibrant. It kept me reading on and I must confess that I lost a few hours of sleep because I just couldn’t put this book down. I’ll definitely be more adventurous and explore more novels of this kind thanks to Meath.
Fire Blossom grew into the life of a Comanche princess, deliriously happy over her upcoming wedding to Lone Wolf, a warrior with unmatched skill of his tribe. Three nights before their union, Fire Blossom returns home thinking of stolen kisses and pledges of undying love and discovers settlers burning tents and bodies, slaughtering her people.
Captured, Fire Blossom suffers horrific mental and physical abuse at the angry vigilantes’ hands. At home, Lone Wolf gives a heartfelt plea to his father of the ‘rightness’ of his union with Fire Blossom. With a blessing and a caution in his ears, Lone Wolf happily goes to Fire Blossom’s campground to pay the bride price.
Instead of finding an eager bride, Lone Wolf finds a smoldering campground and no sign of his Fire Blossom. Raising the alarm, Lone Wolf scours the territory for his lost love. Meanwhile, Fire Blossom survives the vigilantes and is rescued. Ranger Colton Matthew, surmises she was kidnapped from a white family when he notices her blue eyes.
At his home,Colt and his family, nurse Fire Blossom to health and help her regain lost memories of her life when she was Rebecca. The more Fire Blossom remembers, the more she resents the Native American people. Its Lone Wolf’s worst nightmare, the return of Fire Blossom’s memories changing her feelings toward him.
This vivid Native American romance is a fast-paced layered read with fleshed non-anglicized characters with passionate points of view for both sides. However, this reader was smitten with the soft, tender love of Fire Blossom and Lone Wolf but not so much of Rebecca and Colt’s togetherness as it changed her fundamentally. Rating: 4.5stars
I really enjoyed this book. It’s timeline is 1843 based in Texas. A Comanche warrior, Lone Wolf, goes on the warpath when his betrothed is kidnapped by a group of white men seeking revenge for atrocities committed by him. He’s one evil man, relishing each kill and torturing his victims mercilessly. He doesn’t discriminate, he kills men, women and children. The problem is the white men attacked the wrong tribe. The betrothed, Fire Blossom, is a white woman. Lone Wolf is search for his woman by going to the homesteads of the 45 men who were in the attack party and killing them and their families. This book has a great flow and you will not want to put it down.
This was a first for me , reading about Indians and settlers from 1843 , I’ve never read a story like this before . It was one of the best books I’ve ever read and I’ve read hundreds !! Fire Blossom/Rebecca suffered so much mentally and physically but she never lost her fighting spirit. She has Lone Wolf the Comanche searching for her , realizing he’ll kill everyone she’s come to love she goes willingly to him. Her feelings have changed now that her memories have come back, she no longer loves Lone Wolf . She now loves Colton , you don’t know what to expect this story is so well written and exciting from beginning to end !!!
The first pages of this book sizzle as the reader is introduced to the heroine and her betrothed Lone Wolf. This story has everything from murder, redemption, and most of all love. The story developed at a natural pace and I found it hard to put the book down! The author has a gift that allows the reader to feel a range of emotions with rich character development and it’s easy for the reader to become invested in each. As always, I hate for the story to end. I highly recommend this book as well as the others from this talented author.
Fire Blossom is a young white woman raised by Comanches- with no memory of her past the Comanche way of life is the only one she's ever known (including mistrust and hatred for the white man). Colton is a heart broken Texas ranger living only to avenge his wife's death by seeking to kill the Comanche warrior, Lone Wolf. Circumstances bring the two of them together, leading to danger for all involved. A quick paced novel set in 1843 Texas, Fire Blossom is historical romance at its best.
Fire Blossom: The Bridge Between Enemies tells the story of how a beautiful young girl, Rebecca Adams, survives in the violent times of 1843 Texas when more and more settlers encroach upon lands claimed by the long established Indian Tribes of the region and the Indians fight back. The story of Fire Blossom tells how she becomes involved in and survives the violence and confusion around her to find herself and her own happiness with the family she truly loves. A Wonderful story.
For the first pages of this book I worried that I might be disappointed. Gail Meath uses a standard formulaic theme, this time the typical western tale of a young girl kidnapped by Indians who becomes torn between two men and their conflicting societies. My worries were unnecessary; paced at the speed I tend to prefer, the story flows easily and enjoyably, with sufficient violence, romance and description to satisfy most tastes without being overwhelming. A pleasant read.
this was really great book! not the usual type i read but still enjoyed it! she has been brought up by a tribe. and her mate is from another tribe. her family is killed while she is away. now she is beaten and left for dead. the family takes her in and takes care of her. her soul mate wants to find her and bring her back! read to find out what happens.
I couldn't put down this book. It was a fantastic story, fast moving, suspenseful and the ending was wonderful. Gail Meath certainly captures the tenor of the time and of the people, both the Comanches and the Texans. There is a unity of life that she captures in this novel that is uplifting. I highly recommend it.