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Fire & Ice #1
Fire & Ice
Sailing from England to her family estate in Savannah, Kathleen Haley meets the dashing and domineering Captain Reed Taylor, whose actions during a rampaging storm at sea determine her fate. Original."
Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
80 people are currently reading
516 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Hart
39 books117 followersCatherine Hart is one of today's most popular romance authors and has earned many prestigious writing awards since she started her craft. With 16 historical romances and 2 novellas under her belt, Catherine keeps very busy giving romance readers lots of great reading. Many of her books have made their way to bestseller lists then went on to win awards such as the Romantic Times Storyteller of the Year, a Lifetime Achievement Award for Western Romance. Also, she was recently inducted into her high school's Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame, an honor she cherishes. Catherine is donating total profits from one of her novellas to promoting adult literacy and she credits her success to a firm belief in true and lasting love, an overactive imagination, an insatiable thirst for knowledge and an off-the-wall sense of humor.
Catherine resides in Ohio, where she was born and raised and she is the mother of 3 grown children, a "Nana" and the adoptive "mama" of a Siamese cat named Sassy and a Pekingese dog named B.J., both of whom have found a place in her historical novels. Ms. Hart has a passion for Ohio State football, Native American crafts and culture, romantic movies and books, travel, "oldies tunes" and her husband of 29 years, her own special hero.
Catherine resides in Ohio, where she was born and raised and she is the mother of 3 grown children, a "Nana" and the adoptive "mama" of a Siamese cat named Sassy and a Pekingese dog named B.J., both of whom have found a place in her historical novels. Ms. Hart has a passion for Ohio State football, Native American crafts and culture, romantic movies and books, travel, "oldies tunes" and her husband of 29 years, her own special hero.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
August 13, 2007
This is one of the best romance novels I have ever read!! The story is about Kathleen Haley and Reed Taylor. Kathleen is forced into marrying Reed and believes he only wants her inheritance. Kathleen begins her campaign of revenge against Reed by using her skills against him in her battle. The love between them is passionate and explodes throughout the novel. I really liked Kathleen's character because she fought passionately for what she believed and did not let Reed overpower her. The best part of the book was Kathleen's plan to seek revenge against Reed. She fought him at his own game, even though she had some tricks up her sleeve.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good romance where the characters love and fight each other with such a fiery passion that it is almost impossible to put the book down.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good romance where the characters love and fight each other with such a fiery passion that it is almost impossible to put the book down.
March 6, 2020
This is the first book in a duology that I had never heard of; it definitely has a unique layout. I don't think I've read anything like it before. My buddy found Ashes and Ecstasy on a bodice ripper list. The books were originally released in 1984-85, but the ebooks are available free with Kindle Unlimited (with modern covers) and don't show that they are part of a series. I think a lot of people assume they are standalones. I will say after reading both, they could each work as a standalone (even though they feature the same couples) because other than the repeat of secondary characters...they don't really reference earlier info, and part of me could have done with the second book.
Both books are rather long Fire and Ice (542) and Ashes and Ecstasy (441) They both follow the same couple (Kathleen and Reed) and their struggles with each other which are a lot.
The book has an unrealistic element to it, and a hinted weird magical element. The first part of the book is rough. Kathleen Hadley is headed to the colonies to meet up with family, along the way she meets up with Captain Reed Taylor. Events cause them to marry which Kat is very bitter about as she thinks he tricked her to gain access of her wealth and ship. Their relationship is volatile throughout the book. They argue A LOT, and there is an endless push/pull back and forth between them. Kat is described as a fiery Irish lass, but I found her exhausting in this book. She wobbles from loving to hating him constantly. Reed is broody, and has major jealousy issues that fuels the animosity. They both (but mostly Kat) have countless conversations with themselves to "voice" their feelings, and so much angsty drama could have been avoided if they used their words with each other. They are both prideful and stubborn to a fault.
Around the 60% mark, Reed decides he must leave Kat in Savannah while he goes off "pirating" because her life is in danger. This completely INFURIATES Kat, and she blackmails him that he can not tell anyone they are married so she is free to enjoy herself. She also creates her secret pirate persona and makes it her mission to fuck with Reed and force him sell her back her precious ship....because with black hair dye and a mask, her husband can't recognize her.
This goes on and on, along with them having loads of sex, and Kat flip flopping on her feelings towards Reed to the very end where they finally put it all aside and express their love for each other then the book just ends. Overall it was ok, I did get bored and skim parts that I found stupid, but it's free so there's nothing to lose.
*Trigger warning* There is a couple of situations involving slaves, specifically a whipping that is highly disturbing.
Both books are rather long Fire and Ice (542) and Ashes and Ecstasy (441) They both follow the same couple (Kathleen and Reed) and their struggles with each other which are a lot.
The book has an unrealistic element to it, and a hinted weird magical element. The first part of the book is rough. Kathleen Hadley is headed to the colonies to meet up with family, along the way she meets up with Captain Reed Taylor. Events cause them to marry which Kat is very bitter about as she thinks he tricked her to gain access of her wealth and ship. Their relationship is volatile throughout the book. They argue A LOT, and there is an endless push/pull back and forth between them. Kat is described as a fiery Irish lass, but I found her exhausting in this book. She wobbles from loving to hating him constantly. Reed is broody, and has major jealousy issues that fuels the animosity. They both (but mostly Kat) have countless conversations with themselves to "voice" their feelings, and so much angsty drama could have been avoided if they used their words with each other. They are both prideful and stubborn to a fault.
Around the 60% mark, Reed decides he must leave Kat in Savannah while he goes off "pirating" because her life is in danger. This completely INFURIATES Kat, and she blackmails him that he can not tell anyone they are married so she is free to enjoy herself. She also creates her secret pirate persona and makes it her mission to fuck with Reed and force him sell her back her precious ship....because with black hair dye and a mask, her husband can't recognize her.
This goes on and on, along with them having loads of sex, and Kat flip flopping on her feelings towards Reed to the very end where they finally put it all aside and express their love for each other then the book just ends. Overall it was ok, I did get bored and skim parts that I found stupid, but it's free so there's nothing to lose.
*Trigger warning* There is a couple of situations involving slaves, specifically a whipping that is highly disturbing.
March 17, 2021
This is the very best historical romance book I have ever read ! 💖 Kathleen And Reed when they came together twas the meeting of Fire & Ice. Kathleen has lost her father and with his death she has to leave her home Ireland to go to Savannah Georgia. where the only family she has left is there since she's only 16 they feel she's too young to live by herself with only the servants in ireland. She was very capable of being the captain of her ship. but that doesn't happen instead Captain Reed Taylor becomes the captain of her ship. And from there The story begins later Kathleen believes that Reed only married her for her ship so she swears to seek revenge she will not rest until she makes him pay yet she falls in love with him. But she can't let go of the revenge. So She blackmails him into not being able to reveal there marriage to there families And the story only gets better because Kathleen comes up with a plan she will seek her revenge by disguising herself as a ship's captain she will defeat Reed at Sea. And he'll never even know that it was her ❣️ this story takes so many twists and turns and it keeps you guessing page after page just can't wait to see what's about to happen next Kathleen and Reed find a love between them that is stronger than revenge....💘
💕I love how Reed calls Kathleen Kay or Kitten 🐈💗 this really is a great book one of the best love stories I have ever read part two to this book is also good...💕 and
I love this poem but actually it is a song in the book but I love how it describes
( Reed & Kay 💓 )
There once was a god and a goddess
Different as day and night.
And when they came together
'Twas the meeting of🔥fire and ice.🍚
She was the sunshine. He the darkness.
Enchantress and devil were they.
A flash of lightning. A roll of thunder.
As they clashed throughout the day.
She as a small orange kitten.
He as the panther dark.
She as playful dolphin. 🐬
He as the deadly shark.
She as soft as the clouds above.
He as hard as tempered steel.
And spirits say when they made love💗
It made the universe reel.
His eyes were blue as a cloudless sky.
His hair was black as midnight.
Her emerald eyes could weave a spell.
Her tresses long and spun of sunlight.
She was the honey. He the bee.
She the rose and he the thorn.
She the turbulent. Mystic sea.
He the heavens racked with storm.
He swore to tame the fiery maiden
With all his power and might.
She said she'd see him first to fall.
They battled through endless night.
His lips so warm. Demanding.
Hers so soft and tender.
He used his strength. She her wiles.
Testing who would first surrender.
But when the storm clouds parted
And the newborn day had dawned.
They both lay sleeping. Still embracing.
Conquered by the love they'd spawned.
🔥💓🍚
💕I love how Reed calls Kathleen Kay or Kitten 🐈💗 this really is a great book one of the best love stories I have ever read part two to this book is also good...💕 and
I love this poem but actually it is a song in the book but I love how it describes
( Reed & Kay 💓 )
There once was a god and a goddess
Different as day and night.
And when they came together
'Twas the meeting of🔥fire and ice.🍚
She was the sunshine. He the darkness.
Enchantress and devil were they.
A flash of lightning. A roll of thunder.
As they clashed throughout the day.
She as a small orange kitten.
He as the panther dark.
She as playful dolphin. 🐬
He as the deadly shark.
She as soft as the clouds above.
He as hard as tempered steel.
And spirits say when they made love💗
It made the universe reel.
His eyes were blue as a cloudless sky.
His hair was black as midnight.
Her emerald eyes could weave a spell.
Her tresses long and spun of sunlight.
She was the honey. He the bee.
She the rose and he the thorn.
She the turbulent. Mystic sea.
He the heavens racked with storm.
He swore to tame the fiery maiden
With all his power and might.
She said she'd see him first to fall.
They battled through endless night.
His lips so warm. Demanding.
Hers so soft and tender.
He used his strength. She her wiles.
Testing who would first surrender.
But when the storm clouds parted
And the newborn day had dawned.
They both lay sleeping. Still embracing.
Conquered by the love they'd spawned.
🔥💓🍚
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2019
Suffered through till the end. It's amazing to me how perfect this heroine was....she was the best captain, an expert sailor, inspired loyalty in her men, an expert fencer, a pirate, accomplished guitar player, perfect card player, expert horseback rider, a dress designer, an artist... She was rich, had natural grace "never seeming awkward or clumsy", had a beautiful full throated singing voice, more beautiful than any woman wherever she went, went to a finishing school in England where she learned French, Spanish, and English all without an accent (in 2 years), got away with everything a woman wouldn't have gotten away with in that time period where women were subservient to men, saved a dolphin that was beached, saved her enemy from sharks....all at the ripe tender age of 17. My goodness, the shenanigans that went on in this book. I suffered through it and was disappointed. I hated her character. I hated this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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January 16, 2014This book was incredible, i lost it many years ago. it stayed with me for over 10 years. one day i'll get it back. kathleen was once tough heroine, and one who captured your attention.
June 28, 2017
I wonder how h managed to appear as Emerald with black tresses and the next as Kathleen with coppery hair in the same ball. I enjoyed how she bested her husband.
September 19, 2023
I found the heroine exhausting. She was so petty, bitchy and spiteful. I also found the idea ridiculous that she would win every encounter in pirating her husband. It made him seem dim and inept. I mean, after one or two losses, you would think that he would prepare better. Let's not even talk about his inability to recognize her when she is in disguise [insert eyeroll].
Also, for a historical, she was wayyyyy too alpha. He pretended to act alpha but she ran the show the whole book. Also, it seemed that every character fell at her feet and did her bidding.
Somehow, I still finish it.
Also, for a historical, she was wayyyyy too alpha. He pretended to act alpha but she ran the show the whole book. Also, it seemed that every character fell at her feet and did her bidding.
Somehow, I still finish it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 15, 2013
I happened upon this book by pure luck. My dad actually found it with some other books in a bag inside a dumpster near where he used to work a few years ago. He knows how much I love to read and grabbed them for me ^.^ Out of all the books this is the one I loved the most and you can tell because it's falling apart by me rereading it a lot.
avoid
April 22, 2023Cheating in book 2. Avoid.
June 13, 2015
LOVE THIS BOOK!!! It reaches from Ireland to the Caribbean to Savannah Georgia. I am a huge fan of Johanna Lindsey's Malory novels and this book tops all those. It is almost like a combination of all the Malory stories just happening to one couple. The leading lady Kathleen Haley is a bit of the fiery Roslynn Chadwick mixed with splash of Georgina Anderson, a huge dose of Jacqueline Malory. The hero, Reed Taylor, plain and simple is the embodyment of James Malory.
Captain Reed Taylor wants a mousy women for a wife but married an independent hellcat in Kathleen Hayley. As he tries to bend her to his will and turn her into something that she will never be their story plays out. She blackmails him and forces him to keep their marriage a secret. As revenge for tricking her into marrying him she takes to the seas when he does and with the help of her Irish grandmother, no one knows about, she pirates his ship in an attempt to drive him to ruin. Fire and Ice
I read it years ago and have been looking for it since then. Sadly there is no ebook version of it seems you can only get it in paperback. Now that I finally found Fire and Ice again it will never leave my bookshelf.
Captain Reed Taylor wants a mousy women for a wife but married an independent hellcat in Kathleen Hayley. As he tries to bend her to his will and turn her into something that she will never be their story plays out. She blackmails him and forces him to keep their marriage a secret. As revenge for tricking her into marrying him she takes to the seas when he does and with the help of her Irish grandmother, no one knows about, she pirates his ship in an attempt to drive him to ruin. Fire and Ice
I read it years ago and have been looking for it since then. Sadly there is no ebook version of it seems you can only get it in paperback. Now that I finally found Fire and Ice again it will never leave my bookshelf.
August 23, 2008
One of my all time favorite books. I love how strong Kat's character is and she doesn't let Reed walk all over her. And when he pushes her too far, she exacts her own bitter sweet revenge on him.
March 31, 2010
I am embarrassed that I read it. I used to like these kinds of books. I guess I have grown up.
August 1, 2011
Coworker loaned it to me. It was quite long. Overall it was ok, but a bit cheesy at times.
September 7, 2011
Loved it when I read it, one of my keepers.
November 7, 2012
one of my favorites recomned it to all
March 8, 2023
DNF 20% …. basically Kathleen is the PERFECT pretty Princess that does everything just right. She has a beautiful full throated singing voice, plays the piano forte, speaks Spanish, English and French without a hint of an Irish accent, has excellent manners, knows how to walk, talk, eat, dance, and sit like a lady, entertain a gentleman so he doesn’t know she is bored to tears and how to flirt perfectly when necessary. Moreover she is better than her fencing teacher at fencing, she can run his fathers estate and shipping co., and is even a captain on her father’s ship and even the sailors respect her and are proud to sail under her all while being STUNNING beautiful and rich to boot…..Boooooooring. This is all in the first few paragraphs. I was ready to give up!
August 29, 2022
Did not really hold my attention. Would have scored 3 1/2. This is book one of two and the beginning of a hate to love historical romance. She needs to leave her home and he is the captain of one of her ships. Circumstances brings them together and to prevent her reputation being ruined they are wed. She is a fiery red head and he quick tempered and a jealous person. They are forever clashing with each other as their love grows stronger. At the end their love for each other binds them together.
December 31, 2018
Classic Bodice Ripper
He's a cad, but not irredeemable. She is no wilting flower though! She doesn't take his crap and beats him at his own game. Now, it is all far fetched, but this is fiction, so it's forgivable.
I thought I had run out of bodice rippers, but happily I have discovered a treasure trove!
He's a cad, but not irredeemable. She is no wilting flower though! She doesn't take his crap and beats him at his own game. Now, it is all far fetched, but this is fiction, so it's forgivable.
I thought I had run out of bodice rippers, but happily I have discovered a treasure trove!
July 14, 2021
Love this book!!!
I love this book! I have read it numerous times since it’s release back in the 80’s. Who wouldn’t love a lady pirate. Their love story is timeless. You will enjoy this this story immensely and it will become an all time favorite.
I love this book! I have read it numerous times since it’s release back in the 80’s. Who wouldn’t love a lady pirate. Their love story is timeless. You will enjoy this this story immensely and it will become an all time favorite.
November 13, 2018
My absolute favorite
November 14, 2018
This is my favorite book!!
February 14, 2019
Far fetched but a nice love story.
July 13, 2021
A Long Time Favorite
I have loved this book since the first time I read it many years ago! This one and the sequel Ashes and Ecstasy will always be two of my most loved novels!
I have loved this book since the first time I read it many years ago! This one and the sequel Ashes and Ecstasy will always be two of my most loved novels!
February 20, 2024
This is a great book I because she's brave and courageous and is afraid of nothing
December 29, 2024
Little free library find, it was a cheesy but a quick read to hit my 34th book/reading challenge for the year! 😅 made it with 2 days to spare
July 3, 2019
My favourite old-school romance of all time. passion, intrigue, and dirty sex.
November 17, 2008
The first quarter of this book was hard to get through because the heroine kept talking to herself and it was REALLY annoying and distracting. However, once I got into it, it was hard to put down. I loved how strong BOTH characters were. Neither one of them would put up with any of the others nonsense. And both characters were very likeable so I found myself really rooting them on and hoping for their happy ending. There were certain things that happened with a former mistress though that really had me disliking him for part of the book. I'm not really sure why the author felt the need to throw that in there. There's a second book with these characters, but after reading the reviews I will NOT be reading it. From what I've heard, it will totally ruin this book if you read the second book because the hero does some really unforgiveable things.
January 17, 2011
This started off so rough with the writing so bad that I didn't even want to finish it at first. The first 1/3 of the book is awful. I was intrigued by the storyline and decided to keep reading hoping that it got better. It did. The writing improved and the storyline was catching. The ending felt rushed though and I felt slightly let down at the end even though we got the happy ending that we all wanted. If I went by the first part of the book I would rate it 1 star. However, it did get better and I ended up actually satisfied with the storyline, so in the end I would say it is a 2 1/2 to 3 star book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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March 23, 2015I read this book at 16 years old and have been trying to find it for the next 18 years just to read it again. I couldn't remember the author and there are so many books with the same name that it was almost impossible to locate. But now my search is finally over. I will buy 2 copies of this and the second book in the series. 18 years of crazy book lady has come to a satisfied end. A sigh of relief has never been sweeter. Tiffany LeLeux
May 10, 2013
it is good.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews