Twin Of Fire

Montgomery/Taggert: Publication order #7

by Jude Deveraux

Two unforgettable sisters discover heartfelt passions as powerful and compelling as ice and fire in this enthralling novel by the beloved New York Times bestselling author. Demure beauty Houston Chandler and independent, hot-tempered Blair are twins. While dreaming of practicing medicine, Blair falls in love with her placid sister’s fiancé, a doctor. Blair’s impetuous spirit has won her a medical degree in a man’s world—and captured Lee Westfield’s heart. But even as the couple’s ardor grows, there are nights when Lee disappears only to return exhausted, haunted. While his silence imperils their love—the truth would imperil her life.

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Westerns, Fiction, Adult

384 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 1985

About the author

Jude Gilliam was born September 20, 1947 in Fairdale, Kentucky. She has a large extended family and is the elder sister of four brothers. She attended Murray State University and received a degree in Art. In 1967, Jude married and took her husband's surname of White, but four years later they divorced. For years, she worked as 5th-grade teacher.

She began writing in 1976, and published her first book, The Enchanted Land (1977) under the name Jude Deveraux. Following the publication of her first novel, she resigned her teaching position. Now, she is the author of 31 New York Times bestsellers.

Jude won readers' hearts with the epic Velvet series, which revolves around the lives of the Montgomery family's irresistible men. Jude's early books are set largely in 15th- and 16th-century England; in them her fierce, impassioned protagonists find themselves in the midst of blood feuds and wars. Her heroines are equally scrappy -- medieval Scarlett O'Haras who often have a low regard for the men who eventually win them over. They're fighters, certainly, but they're also beauties who are preoccupied with survival and family preservation.

Jude has also stepped outside her milieu, with mixed results. Her James River trilogy (River Lady, Lost Lady, and Counterfeit Lady) is set mostly in post-Revolution America; the popular, softer-edged Twin of Fire/Twin of Ice moves to 19th-century Colorado and introduces another hunky-man clan, the Taggerts.

Deveraux manages to evoke a strong and convincing atmosphere for each of her books, but her dialogue and characters are as familiar as a modern-day soap opera's. "Historicals seem to be all I'm capable of," Jude once said in an interview, referring to a now out-of-print attempt at contemporary fiction, 1982's Casa Grande. "I don't want to write family sagas or occult books, and I have no intention of again trying to ruin the contemporary market." Still, Jude did later attempt modern-day romances, such as the lighthearted High Tide (her first murder caper), the contemporary female friendship story The Summerhouse, and the time-traveling Knight in Shining Armor. In fact, with 2002's The Mulberry Tree, Deveraux seems to be getting more comfortable setting stories in the present, which is a good thing, since the fans she won with her historical books are eager to follow her into the future.

Jude married Claude White, who she later divorced in 1993. Around the same time she met Mohammed Montassir with whom she had a son, Sam Alexander Montassir, in 1997. On Oct. 6th, 2005, Sam died at the age of eight in a motorcycle accident.

Jude has lived in several countries and all over the United States. She currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina and has an additional home in the medieval city of Badolato, Italy.

Reviews

[Mo · Rating 2 out of 5]

If I buy something in a shop and am not happy with it, I can return for a refund - usually! Granted it is usually and item of clothing and would not have worn it. But with a book, you read it and "use" it so can you really justify returning for a refund if you are not happy. I paid 12 dollars for this book. I have the second in the series and it sounded good but wanted to read them in order so, therefore, one-clicked this book. I was bored witless. I have read this author before and enjoyed the book but I just skimmed to the end with this one ... did not like either main character and now I am put off reading the second one in the series.

[Becky (romantic_pursuing_feels) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall: 2.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞
Sensuality: 💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥 (There’s plenty of sex but it’s a variety of vague/closed door and short scenes. I settled at 2 steam since there were a few scenes that were about a page long and barely counted)
Humor: Yes
Perspective: third person, mostly from the heroine’s POV

(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )

Should I read in order?
This was first on the chronological order on Jude Deveraux’s website, but many readers said to read Twin of Ice first. So I’m not sure :P But I don’t think you need to read anything else in her Montgomery/Taggert series before this if you didn’t want to, it’s kind of a new little time line.

Basic plot:
Blair has plans for life including practicing with her Doctorate degree and marrying – but first she must attend her twin sister’s wedding. Once in their hometown, Blair finds herself in the company of her sister’s fiance more than her sister...

Give this a try if you want:
- 1892 America setting
- Hero loves first
- Twin shenanigans
- Doctor hero and heroine


My thoughts:
I know. I KNOW! Why am I reading her again when you then have to listen to me complain in my reviews? We’ll I’ll keep it short.

Leander I actually did like for the most part as a character. I usually find that one of the main characters is just completely unpalatable in her books for me. I’m always hopeful I will love one of her novels when I end up liking the hero but then the heroine comes in and ruins it all for me. And that’s Blair did here.

But in general, her books are very plot oriented – there’s a lot of running here and there and danger and chaos and then usually a super rushed ending where they love each other. I found it here, though the beginning was a bit slower and nice other that THE THING. Where Blair ‘helps’ her sister by pretending to be her and going out with her fiance and then fucking him. And then just continuing to be a total idiot the rest of the book. This book didn’t give me feels and I just felt meh about it.

I’m sorry. I know Deveraux is loved and to everyone that loved it I am so glad for you. But this was another miss for me. Bonus points for Deveraux for having basically zero fatfobia in this book.

Here’s a few random parts that I wanted to note from the book

Everyone. EVERYONE! I never thought I’d find anything that caught my eye in a Deveraux book and never thought I’d have a quote to mark down. But. BUT this one line I enjoyed. It was my favorite part of the book.

A sound to her left made her whirl about.
A match was lit and the flame showed Leander’s face as he held the match to a cigar. “Need some help with your bag?” he asked, when he looked at her.
“What are you doing here?” she gasped.
“Protecting what I’ve come to think of as mine,” he said, smiling.



Content Warnings:

Infidelity/rape – heroine pretends to be her twin sister and has sex with her sister’s fiance while he thinks it’s the sister
Injury/illnesses treated – including a wound with maggots
Various medical treatments/illnesses/wounds discussed


Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:

Pg 41 – kiss with Leander as Houston
Pg 53 – first sex scene where she pretends to be Houstin and has sex with Leander
Pg 71 – kiss
Pg 91 – kiss between Alan and Blair
Pg 109 – kiss
Pg 154 – kiss
Pg 226 – kiss
Pg 239 – sex (about 1 page)
Pg 255 – sex
Pg 263 – very short and brief alluded to sex
Pg 282 – sex (about 1 page)
Pg 287 – brief sex/implied

[KatieV · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, as with the first book, I'll say 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 since I did enjoy the ride. If you're in the mood for a lighter, fluffier read that will still keep you engaged I do recommend the twins series.

Honestly I didn't expect to enjoy this one since I figured I knew everything from the first book (they take place simultaneously in the same town and many of the events are shared). However, I thought Deveraux did an excellent job of showing many of the same events from a different POV and therefore keeping them fresh. The impressions the sisters had of one another and of the heroes was so different and explained much. Lee ended up being TOTALLY different from what I expected him to be when I saw him as Houston's intended in the first book. He ended up being a really hot hero and not the rigid, buttoned up milksop I assumed he was. I also felt much better about the switch with the added perspective of Lee and the childhood background that wasn't in Twin of Ice.

[Darbella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blair and Leander. I liked this story however it did not move me as much as the The Twin of Ice story. Which is weird because Leander was the nicer hero.
I did find it strange that even at the wedding altar he could not tell Blair and Houston apart. (Kane always knew which one was Houston). Also, it was weird to me that Blair had sex with Leander while she was pretending to be Houston. Using that fact as an excuse of why she went that far seemed weak to me. (Leander thought it was Houston he was having sex with.) However, it was clear that these two fit better so all ended well. As usual for this author expect the ending to just stop at a certain point of their romance journey.

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

copyright 1985.

I gave a previous review of Twin Of Ice. I have to say that the hero of this story actually deserves the term hero. Lee's generous, kind & has decided he desperately loves Blair. Blair however, is another thing. I can tolerate the female lead (not the heroine!) doing a couple of stupid things, but Blair does one stupid moronic thing after another! Having sex with her sister's fiance is just the first. Of course all is forgiven(!!!) between her & Houston (sister), but they never really talk to each other about that issue, or any other of importance. I guess I should say Blair talks, but Houston just spaces off while she's talking. Through all this, Lee is trying any number of assinine ways to lure Blair away from her dimwitted fiance (very convoluted ain't it?). He finally gets it right, but by that time why bother?

So, basically this is the 2 books - Ice has a stupid, moronic man with a wonderful woman he doesn't deserve. Fire has a wonderful man with a stupid, moronic woman who doesn't deserve him. Too bad Jude couldn't put the stupid morons together & given us a wonderful couple!

[Jena · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[N.N. Heaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite romances by Jude Deveraux. In it, twin Blair, a female doctor, falls in love with her sister's fiancee after masquerading as Houston. Hijinxs ensue and Blair finds herself torn between honor and loving a compassionate man. There's a lot more here than just fluffy romance. This is an honest to goodness take on how hard it was for a woman to practice medicine during this time period. A must read!

My Rating: 5+ stars

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 12th book in the Montgomery/Taggert series. It takes place in Chandler Colorado in 1892. The h is Blair Chandler whose twin sister is Houston. Everyone calls them Blair/ Houston as they can’t tell them apart. The H is Leander Westfield (Lee) one of the town doctors. He doesn’t make much money as a doctor but is independently wealthy inheriting a fortune from his grandmother. Blair studied to be a doctor in Philadelphia with her Uncle. She was engaged to Alan Hunter another medical student. She headed back home to Chandler for her sisters wedding to Lee Westfield. When she got home she noticed a huge change in her sister like she wasn’t herself. She was so prim and proper and cold as ice. She observed no affection between Lee and Houston and was worried about her sister marrying him. Houston received an invitation to See Kane Taggert’s new grand mansion on the same night her fiancé Lee and she were supposed to meet the Governor at a social function. She asked Blair to switch places with her and be her for the evening. Blair acted like she thought Houston would as a loving fiancé. Lee had intentions of seducing Houston that evening as their wedding was two weeks away. He brought all the foods that were affrodectiacs and champagne. He kissed Blair and she kissed him back. She melted and couldn’t help herself. After the Governor’s dinner he took her to his new home he bought for them and seduced her. She was very passionate and Lee couldn’t be happier. The next day he found out the truth when he talked to the real Houston. He broke off the engagement and said he would marry Blair instead in two weeks. Alan Hunter showed up and Lee challenged him to win Blair away from him. After figuring out how to win Blair they were married in a double wedding with Houston and Kane Taggert. Alan Hunter married Lee’s sister Nina. There are some adventure scenes involving kidnapping and sneaking into the mine to start unions. I gave this 3.5 stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was more fun than most of the series so far.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am going to write the same thing for the Taggart and Montgomery series of Jude Deveraux. First, I can't believe that I read this books because they are so blatantly bodice rippers (not my style at all). And second, and more importantly, I devoured them all! Here is the scoop: We stopped at a friend's house in Tennessee on the last leg of one of our cross country trips about 11 years ago and I had run out of books. She gave me three of Deveraux's books in the Montgomery series and I kindly took them never expecting to read them (my God the covers alone were ridiculous!). Well, I gave in and read them because I needed something to do on the ride home. By the time we got home, I had already called the library and asked them to reserve all of the Taggart and Montgomery series books they had! I devoured them all and loved them? Here's the funny thing - I have never read any more Deveraux since that time (not even the last Taggart book or the last two Montgomery books). I can still vividly remember scenes from the books I read so many years ago!

[Fani *loves angst* · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like Blair when I met her in Houston's book and unfortunately my opinion didn't change here. I hated the stupid, pigheaded heroine for most of the book, and only the last 40 pages or so, saved her from my heroes-hall-of-shame shelf. Apparently, she was the one who was completely bigoted, disliking Taggert without cause just because of his crude manners, while Houston who was supposed to be the strickler for propriety, and her mother as well, didn't stick to the surface but quickly saw the man beneath. She also knew better than Lee how he felt and who he loved, because even though poor Lee told her he loved her, wanted her, made a fool of himself in the whole town while courting her, she kept thinking it was her sister he wanted instead and kept trying to find ways to bring those two together again, even though both kept saying they didn't have any feelings for each other. But no, Blair is super smart and caring, so there's no reason to listening to what other people want: she'll just deliver what she feels is needed!

She also was super smart but kept getting herself in trouble, from sleeping with her sister's fiance so he wouldn't find her reluctant and break off the engagement, to willingly following men who wanted to kidnap her; all she could think of was that she was a doctor and that anyone who came after her, needed her medical abilities. And boy, do we hear about those medical abilities! The first half of the book goes by with the heroine and the hero running around the country, stitching wound, bandaging arms, clearing people's stomach's, sewing intestines in perfect harmony.

Also, I found completely stupid and unrealistic, that after two doctors make love, not one of them considers the possibility that she may be pregnant. Instead, Blair demanted adamantly that she marry her former fiance Alan. And how would Alan feel if he had to raise another man's baby, did any of them consider the possibility? NO, because in this book, babies only come when the hero and heroine want them to, and biology has no say in the matter:(

After poor Lee, Houston and even Taggert save Blair from herself a half dozen times, Blair just does one more stupid thing -which I have to admit was Lee's fault for keeping his secrets for so long- and Lee has to play the knight in shining armor once more. He is though relieved that she loved his so much as to do what she did, and they live together in bliss and surrounded by asmany ruptured splenes and bullet wounds as their hearts desired:)

The end.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading Twin of Ice, the reader knows some of what is to happen to Blair, but it was fascinating to see how Ms. Deveraux worked in the parts you have already read with the parts you haven't. You also get the other twin's viewpoint on the pre-read parts, which gives a different slant to the events. I am very impressed. The romance portion of the book was so up and down that I got frustrated at times with Blair's not being in touch with her own emotions, and I couldn't blame Lee for his impatience. My favorite scene is by far the one where Blair delivers some papers for unionism to the coal mines. I was shaking right along with her.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I read it over and over again.

[Efrat · Rating 3 out of 5]

הספר השני בסדרה. משום מה פחות נסחפתי כמו בספר הראשון.
סיום הספר היה נראה חפוז מדי כאילו פתאום נגמרו לסופרת המילים.
הרעיון יפה על אישה פמיניסטית מסוף המאה ה19 אך לא פעם הייתה תחושה שהמסופר אינו תואם את התקופה כמו שימוש מאוד נרחב בטלפון הביתי.

[Kathy Davie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second in the Taggert as well as in the Twin series. It provides Blair's perspective on events in Twin of Ice in 1892 in Chandler, Colorado.


My Take
I had wondered what Deveraux could possibly say that wouldn't be just too repetitive and I was surprised. It almost felt like a different story as it focused so much on Blair and Lee. All kinds of stuff we learn about Lee that I would NEVER have expected! We learn some interesting things about their dad as well.

An interesting lesson in paying attention to people and basing a relationship on interests instead of expectations. It's certainly interesting to read Lee's side of the switch between sisters. Lots of revelations and introspection in this story. Most of the story focuses strictly on Lee and Blair with very little interaction with the characters we met in Twin of Ice.

What's the deal with the mother? How has she sat there with her sewing all these years and not interceded for Blair?? She's either obtuse or a doormat. Although, she does understand Blair's need to become a doctor. The obtuseness seems to be genetic because I can't believe Blair was so stupid as to believe Frankie all that time. Then Blair's idea to demonstrate to Lee how awful it would be if Blair truly were a housewife was fairly stupid. Not man could fail to see through this "lesson".

I enjoyed the cases that Lee took Blair on. A curious look at people's thoughts on healing. As well as their typical thoughts on women doctors...


The Story
Blair reluctantly took Houston's place at a dinner as Houston's fiancé's partner. Only, everything went wrong. And now Blair is being forced to marry Dr. Lee Westfield. A man who doesn't consider her a doctor. In spite of all her training. Nothing and no one will force Blair to give up her dream.

Nor will she be forced into marrying Lee! That is, until Blair's own fiancé arrives in town and Lee has no compunction as to how dirty he'll play to win her.


The Characters
Blair Chandler is Houston's twin, but her opposite in temperament and patience. She's been training for years back east, specifically in Philadelphia, to be a doctor. Yes, a woman doctor. Her uncle is Dr. Henry Thomas Blair and he and his wife, Aunt Flo, have been very supportive of her aims. Alan Hunter is her fiancé. Duncan Gates is her stepfather and excessively (and roaringly) conscious of a woman's place. One her mother, Opal, happily embraces.

Dr. Leander Westfield has some very hidden depths and passions and has been on Houston's horizon since she was six-years-old. And she has been determined to marry him. Reedis his dad and had some odd inconsistencies. Nina is his impetuous sister.

Kane Taggert is the man who usurped Lee's place with Houston. He's wonderfully supportive in this story. Mary Catherine is the telephone operator in town; talk to her to learn anything you need to know about people in town. Rafe Taggert is hooking up with Pamela Fenton.

Françoise, a.k.a., Frankie, is the woman who mistakenly kidnaps Blair. We never did find out why she wanted to hurt Taggert. LeGault is a gambler who teams up with Françoise to get back at Westfield.


The Cover
The cover is a textured red with a framed oval picture settled between the author's name and the title. The frame is ornate with its curlicues, but is red-on-red on a red background so the image it frames really stands out. A single peak mountain in the background with a creek-ribboned plain in front provide the background for Blair in her medical "uniform" with her doctor's bag and three horses grazing behind her.

The title is perfect for Blair is the Twin of Fire.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

1892 - Blair (twin to Houston), beautiful, adventurous, passionate, pulled to being a doctor, unhappy under her step father’s old fashioned ideas, so sent to her uncle – a famous pathologist… and she became a doctor – studying very hard, and with the benefit of accompanying her uncle always…
She returns home, just before her internship having scored top out of many applicants, for Houston’s wedding a month hence… to Leander – a boy 6 years their senior, whom Houston decided she was going to marry when she was 6… Blair, jealous (of Houston’s split affection, or wanting Lee’s attention?) spent many years playing pranks on him… and once home, her stepfather is haranguing & disapproving than ever (making Blair unhappy), and when she watched Houston and Lee together, they looked to distant from one another – no touches, little talking, no smiles… and Blair is concerned.

And Houston is fascinated with Kane Taggert (a very rich man) who kept separate, is rough, and built a beautiful house , that no one had been in… Houston gets an invitation to his house (more of their story in the next book), and she convinces Blair to pretend to be Houston and go with Lee to the governor’s ball… Blair agrees, thinking maybe she can get the goods on Lee and end their wedding plans… Lee, fed up with Houston’s coldness, takes his father’s advice and plans to seduce Houston after the ball – and if it did not work out (which he figured it wouldn’t), he would break the engagement… instead he is with Blair, and they fit… she joins him on an emergency call, and is the perfect supporting role… they dance… and they go to their home, where seduction is set – champagne, pillows, fire, oysters, candles… and Blair – partly because she thought she should be like Houston, and then because she is overwhelmed with feelings, has wonderful sex with him…

The next day, when a happy Lee comes to see Houston, and is confronted with her coldness, he realizes they had switched places… he gets their stepfather & his father together, and declares he will marry Blair on the upcoming wedding date… Houston is embarrassed, and refuses to talk with Blair, but starts to see more and more of Kane (next book)…

And Alan, Blair’s intern doctor fiancé comes the next day, and though Blair insists she just wants to leave with Alan that minute, the two men enter a competition to win her heart by the wedding date… at first Lee just shows up on Blair’s ‘dates’, and embarrasses Alan (startles his horse, knocks into the canoe, etc) but making a fool of himself over a woman… but when he has a talk with Blair’s mother, who gently reminds him why he wanted to be a doctor, and tells him of Blair’s need to be a doctor, and suggests that if he treats her as a doctor, he may come out ahead…

And so he does, and immediately comes to appreciate her knowledge, her touch, and they make a good team… but he is fearful of her fearless streak… They do end up married (double wedding, Houston marries Kane – though Blair did try to switch places to save her sister – but the men knew their women)… and …

Their marriage is complicated by the fact that he is smuggling a unionist into the coal mine camps, but refuses to tell Blair – not wanting her to jump in… and he leaves her on their wedding night… after some plot in & outs (kidnapping, rescue, manipulation, etc)… and Blair making her own plans on how to help the unionists… they finally trust one another to trust one another…
Funny scenes as he opens a women’s clinic for her to man… and it is difficult to get women to go see a woman doctor… until Houston gets their friends to go to her, and then Kane contacts those who owe him money (renters, etc) and gives them discounts if they take their wives and daughters to her… then the clinic takes off…

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twin of Fire is about Blaire & Lee then I will read #2 Twin of Ice and I know I will enjoy that one. Lee was supposed to marry the Twin of Ice but ended up, well, you have to read the book. I also love who Nina married and who Houston married! You MUST read both Twin of Fire AND Twin of Ice because it is from the prospective of the Twins, Blair-Houston.

[Lucimar · Rating 4 out of 5]

É uma história bastante agradável de se ler. Bem linear com a mocinha Houston que crescera para se tornar uma dama e estava noiva de Lee que num momento inesperado se envolve com sua irmã gêmea Blair, uma mulher nada comum e pouco parecida em caráter com a irmã. O noivado então é desfeito e Kane, um homem rude, e até mesmo grosseirão mais rico como Creso põe seu olhos sobre Houston, julgando-a ideal para decorar e servir de decoração em sua casa. É isso mesmo, mocinho era bastante orgulhoso e prepotente. Nascera pobre e enriquecera de forma legal e achava que podia comprar tudo e tinha uma necessidade de se vingar do dono das minas da cidade de Chandler. E o pior é que ele podia sim. Mas o que ele não sabia que Houston, que sempre era uma garota obediente poderia lhe ensinar que nem tudo se comprava e que dinheiro comprava muitas coisas, menos a honradez e amor de uma mulher.
Gostei pela rapidez que a leitura fluía, pela trama bastante interessante e pelos personagens secundários, além dos casal central.

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

2018 Popsugar Reading Challenge: 30. Un libro con personajes que son gemelos

Two twin sisters confront, each in their own way, a world dominated by men in the late nineteenth century in Chandler, Colorado.
In the first book of the series, Blair, the stubborn and rebellious twin, decides to study medicine facing the intolerance of the society of the time. When she returns home to attend her sister's wedding, all hell will break loose after a night of passion with her sister's fiance ...
Jude Deveraux never ceases to amaze me.

==============

Dos hermanas gemelas plantan cara, cada una a su manera, a un mundo dominado por hombres a finales del siglo XIX en Chandler, Colorado.
En el primer libro de la serie, Blair, la gemela cabezota y rebelde, decide estudiar medicina enfrentando la intolerancia de la sociedad de la época. Cuando vuelve a casa para asistir a la boda de su hermana, se armará la gorda después de una noche de pasión con el prometido de su hermana...
Jude Deveraux nunca para de sorprenderme.

[Dichotomy Girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been doing rereads of authors that I loved during the late 80s to mid 90s to see how they hold up, when I now have totally different tastes and preferences.

Currently I pretty much avoid romance like the plague, but in the 90s it was pretty much my Jam. And Jude Deveraux was one of my faves. (I've actually been avoiding a reread of A Knight in Shining Armor because I'm afraid that it won't hold up).

I came across this on open library and remembered how much I enjoyed this duology, so I gave it a try.

It is only with a mild amount of shame that I admit that I actually enjoyed this. I mean yeah, it has all the tropes of a typical romance novel, and the characters behavior was often unbelievable and even a bit annoying; and yet...

[Nicolle · Rating 5 out of 5]

whether you read this one first or Twin of Ice..Jude Deveraux never ceases to amaze. Blair Chandler is the outspoken, feminist twin..not to mention a newly made doctor in the mid-1800s...a big no-no by anyones standard. Then there's Leander Westfield, the very arrogant, very determined and ambitious town doctor and secret miner activist. These two just ignite fire when they're around each other...see Lee was suppose to marry Blair's twin sister Houston, but a night of fate and twin deviousness left Lee tangled in the sheets with the wrong twin...and now Blair who is engaged to another man must marry Lee. But, being the strong-headed woman she is doesn't make it very easy for Lee and makes him work for what he wants...and be wants Blair...badly. There's so much more to know but I don't like to give it away you're just going to have to pick up the book and read it yourself. Happy Readings !

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read both books in the series Twin of Ice first then Fire second, not quite sure which should be read first.

When both books line up together Twin of Ice gets the edge (that is from my perspective). Why do I so decide? Blair is a bit too headstrong she does not think things through for an educated woman. Nothing is wrong with a feisty heroin who takes chances, but she needed to just relax and allow some things to slide. I found her annoying in some scenes.

The comic aspect was also not as entertaining as Twin of Ice. A plus for Fire is the fact that readers got more insight into the twins mother and the decisions she makes. She is not as weak willed as perceived.

Long and short both books are good for fun reading, and one does not miss anything by reading only one of them.

[Pamela(AllHoney) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the Chandler series by Jude Deveraux. Set in the American West in the 1890s, this book focuses on Houston's twin sister, Blair. Houston was the heroine from the first book Twin of Ice. Also Dr. Leander Westfield, who was the fiance of Houston. Blair has been studying to be a doctor back east. Blair has a love-hate relationship with Dr Lee Westfield and after being caught in a compromising situation, Blair is forced to marry him.

Blair wasn't a particularly likable character but Lee was alright. Both books have an overlapping storyline. It was a good story, though.

[Cacophony · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really think that Twin of Fire and Twin of Ice are like one book in two parts. I think I would have enjoyed the experience of reading them in chronological narrative order rather than all Blair's story and then all Houston's story.

[Oridisi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, I am starting to read Jude Deveraux novels and she is a great writer, I loved Blair's character very much, she is opinionated, smart, and knws what she wanted, her sister Houston was too stiff but I guess that's why she is called the twin of ice. But overall I loved it.

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book is okay, exciting in the beginning, but after the couple got married, got kinda of boring..

[Socrate · Rating 3 out of 5]

APRILIE 1892

  — Surpriză! strigară unsprezece oameni când Blair Chandler intră în sufrageria casei ce aparţinea unchiului ei, Henry.

  Era o tânără frumoasă, cu părul castaniu cu reflexe roşietice, ochi mari, albaştri-verzi, un nas drept, aristocratic, şi o gură mică, perfect conturată.

  Blair se opri o clipă, clipind de câteva ori pentru a-şi împiedica lacrimile de fericire în timp ce privea la oamenii aflaţi în faţa ei. Erau mătuşa şi unchiul ei, Alan alături de ei, privind-o cu dragoste în ochi, iar în jurul lui se aflau colegii ei de la Facultatea de medicină, o femeie şi şapte bărbaţi. Aşa cum se aflau cu toţii acolo, zâmbindu-i radios în faţa unei mese pline cu daruri, formau un tablou mult prea frumos ce o împiedica să-şi mai amintească de ultimii câţiva ani, în care luptase din răsputeri pentru a absolvi şi a-şi lua diploma în medicină.Mătuşa Flo, cu graţia unei adolescente, veni iute către ea.

  — Hai, nu mai sta aşa, draga mea. Toată lumea moare de curiozitate să-ţi vadă darurile.

  — Mai întâi acesta, spuse unchiul Henry, întinzându-i un pachet mare.

  Blair bănuia ce poate fi în cutie, dar îi era teamă să spere aşa ceva. Când desfăcu ambalajul şi văzu geanta de piele cu instrumentele medicale noi şi curate se prăbuşi pe scaunul din spatele ei, incapabilă să scoată un cuvânt. Nu putu decât să pipăie cu degetele plăcuţa de alamă de pe geantă pe care scria: Dr. B. Chandler, M. D.

  Alan rupse tăcerea stingheritoare:

  — Oare aceasta este femeia care i-a pus ouă clocite în dulap chirurgului instructor? Oare aceasta este femeia care a înfruntat cu curaj întregul colegiu medical din Philadelphia?

  Aplecându-se, îi şopti la ureche:

  — Oare aceasta este femeia care a ieşit pe primul loc la examenul de la St. Joseph şi a devenit prima femeie din personalul lor medical?

  Se scurseră câteva secunde până când Blair fu în stare să reacţioneze.

  — Eu? şopti ea, ridicându-şi privirea către el, cu buzele întredeschise a neîncredere.

  — Ai câştigat postul de rezident, spuse mătuşa Flo cu chipul radios. Te vei prezenta la post în iulie, imediat ce te întorci de la nunta surorii tale.

[Patricia Levy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't like how it ended...I wish there was more...
This book, in my opinion, was hilarious. Blaire was a feisty woman who didn't take no for an answer. Lee is an extraordinary doctor who, as Reed pointed out perfectly, works too hard.
My favorite part was how Blaire decided to teach Lee a lesson about her real personality, how she was never, and never be a Lady. But I think Lee was also trying to show her that while he loves her huge heart to help people, he also loves knowing she's safe and sound.
My least favorite part was how Reed told Blaire that the French woman was Lee's long lost love. Horrible of him! Not to mention, it nearly got her killed!
After reading both books, I've learned how much the twins are alike. However, I think Houston had a tougher time trusting people than Blaire. After all, this book ended only half way through the other book. I wanted to know how Blaire reacted to the mine explosion, how Lee tried to keep her away from it, how Blaire reacted to Kane's revenge idea with her sister in the middle of it. There are so many unanswered questions. There are so many things I wish I could have understood: Lee, his family, Mr. Gates, everything! I wish there was more to the characters. While they were all wonderful, in both books, I wanted more background with Lee, Nina, Mr. Gates, me. Chandler, etc.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Twin of Fire, we revisit the Chandler twins and hear the story from Blair's point of view.

Blair is the rebel in the family or so we think as that is how she is seen. But Blair has a heart and she wants desperately to be a doctor. When she pretends to be her sister for one night to allow her sister one last adventure, she gets more than she bargains for when she lets Lee kiss her.

Lee is the town doctor and engaged to Houston Blair's twin. But where Houston is ice towards him Blair is first. When the sisters switch places Lee knows there is a difference but he is blinded by his attraction to question it.

I enjoyed getting to see both sides of the story. What I loved about this story was how much Blair truly loved her sister so much that she was willing to give up love for her. I also enjoyed the battle between Lee and Blair. You could feel the sparks coming off the pages.

Lee was good for Blair he challenged her, respected her, and encouraged her. Together they were a great team. This book was a great addition to the story. Getting to see both sides of the same story was very fun and enlightening.

[MJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a chore to read. A CHORE. i had to force myself to finish.

Twin of Ice and Twin of Fire are about a pair of twins in Chandler, Colorado in the 1890s. Each book covers a twin's stories over the same time period. There is a ton of overlap between the two books with the same scenes and dialogue but from different POVs. Twin of Fire, the second book, really suffered from this because not only was the writing repetitive, the plot was all over the place and hard to follow. Blair Chandler was hard to like in the first book and the second one did her slightly more justice but she's a very flawed and often TSTL character. Blair slept with her sister's fiance while pretending to be her. For the sake of the story, it's kind of NBD because it wasn't a love match and Leander was on the verge of breaking up with Houston anyway. It's hard to come back from that. While it's clear that Blair is not a bad person, she's a hot mess and I didn't enjoy her book. Leander is fine as a hero, I suppose, but Kane and Houston were a more compelling couple.