Ride the Fire

This is by far her best book. Nicholas is a man any woman would love to have for her own; handsome, sexy, sensitive to his womans' needs, fears, wants....yummy. Simply the best I have read by her. It's hard to to find a better hero than this one. A keeper!

This is the first book I have read by Pamela Clare,and I loved it! Do not be put off by a pregnant heroine-Bethie is not whiny or helpless in the least.She is determined and quite capable,a very gutsy lady with a truly compassionate nature.When Nicholas Kenleigh appears at her doorstep in the wilderness,he is filthy and wounded,demanding that she help him.She does so,and he in turn helps her.They are both in need of the comfort of human contact and caring,which both have been without for so long.Together they learn to love again.They are woven right into the history in the story,you never feel as though you are pulled out of the book,as though it's a history lesson.Pamela Clare has an amazing talent for putting you "right there" in the heart of the history,without losing sight of the main story,the romance.I can't remember the last time I liked an American Historical,let alone LOVED it,I am easily bored with them,usually.Not this one!Even if you don't care for Am.Historicals,Ride the Fire will be an exception,it's that good!

Setting - Ohio wilderness, 1757 --- Nicholas Kenleigh had served in the army, been captured and tortured by the Indians, and then escaped. The things he'd done and been forced to do, the killing or be killed - the will to survive, had changed him. He'd gone home but, dead inside, he felt for the sake of his family he'd be better off alone. Six years roaming the wilderness he was attacked once more, killing his attacker but left with a mortal wound that would surely have killed him had he not happened upon the farm of the widow Elspeth Stewart. Elspeth, better known as Bethie, was widowed, pregnant, and trusted no man, given her history of abuse at the hands of her step-father and step-brother. She'd been married off to a man old enough to be her father who though treated her kindly, did so without any great affection. When Nicholas appeared -- looking as much like a savage as any others she'd seen, she didn't trust him at all, particularly when he stuck a pistol to her temple, forcing her to help him. Nicholas, weak from loss of blood, and after having his wound cauterized found himself at her mercy once Bethie was able to slip him a drug to knock him out. As he convalesced, Elspeth came to accept his presence, and thankfully he was there to help with the complicated delivery of her baby or both she and the child would have died. Unfortunately, their peaceful co-existence would be shattered when an old enemy came to call and they would have to rely on each other as they raced just ahead of marauding Indians in search of safety. Somewhere along the journey, Elspeth had slipped into Nicholas' heart bringing him back to the land of the living, and Nicholas knew he would do whatever it took to give her all the love in his heart as he began the slow process of healing both her heart and soul. **** WOW! Captured by savages, whose method of torturing their enemies was probably more detailed than I needed to know, the author pulls you into an amazing, sensually romantic adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat and turning the pages into the wee hours of the morning! As the second novel I've read by this author, I have to say she positively rocks! The historical events are well researched and the characters are brought to life with a perfectly sumptuous sensuality that will raise your temperature and send you in search of your partner for some loving of your own. Nicholas' body and soul had been brutally bruised yet he was able to help Bethie back from her trauma to begin the healing in her, thereby healing himself - awesome! Whew, this was one deliciously steamy and exhilarating read that I highly recommend! --- Marilyn, for www.romancedesigns.com ---

His body was on fire as burning embers were placed in pockets cut deep into his flesh, just the first of many insults dealt to his body by the Wyandot Indians. It took every ounce of strength, every bit of courage he possessed, but Nicholas Kenleigh would not utter a sound as he suffered pain and torture far worse than any man should ever have to endure. He had all but resigned himself to death. But there was only one rule on the frontier - SURVIVAL. Even though Nicholas already felt dead inside, there still beat the heart of a man strong with principles, a man who could show kindness and compassion, all the feelings deeply buried from a childhood of privilege and filled with love. It took the chance meeting of Elspeth Stewart to awaken him and direct him on the path of rebirth. Bethie is a widow, alone on the frontier, expecting her first child and very much afraid. Nicholas rides into her small homestead, half dead, pointing a gun at her and threatening her safety. He swears not to harm her or her unborn child. And for the short time she shelters him, to protect her at all cost. Then he will leave and return to the only life he is fit to live. But as Nicholas and Bethie spend time together, the healing begins and their desire for each other grows. They both have their own shadows, their painful pasts. Nicholas wants to be the man who heals her, soothes her fears, teaches her about pleasure. Could Nicholas, the man who trusts no one, win Bethie's trust? Could Nicholas, with his scarred body, heal her hidden wounds? Nicholas awakens longings in Bethie she didn't know she possessed. She soon finds it safe to touch him, to want him, to give herself to him without hesitation, without pain, without fear. Bethie cannot image a single sunrise without her Nicholas. Heaven and earth sing when they touch each other; these two beautiful and gentle tortured souls. Together they heal and love and RIDE THE FIRE. When I first read about Pamela Clare in RT announcing her debut novel, SWEET RELEASE, I knew I had to read it. And read it I did. It overwhelmed me. I was overjoyed to find out there was going to be a sequel, CARNAL GIFT. I was left breathless once again. I didn't think stories could get any better; not until I read RIDE THE FIRE, the perfect ending to a remarkable trilogy. Words cannot express how magnificent it is. The passion with which Ms. Clare writes is overwhelming, humbling, incredible. RIDE THE FIRE is a brilliant masterpiece to be savored like a fine wine. It is a journey to hell and back, with characters so rich, so endearing, you can almost hear their voices, smell their scent, feel their heartbeats. You glory in their strength, celebrate their joy, feel their love; a true journy of the heart. If you read only one author in 2005, give yourself a gift and make it Pamela Clare. Even though RIDE THE FIRE stands alone in its beauty and magnificence, treat yourself to the whole trilogy. I will hold these stories in my heart forever. You wi