5 stars! (Even after all these years!)I read this book back in January 1990 when it was first released under the Silhouette Desire line. It was a favorite of mine the instant I read it, and remarkably, after just re-reading it 25 years later, it's STILL is a favorite of mine!Luke MacKenzine, the owner of the Rocking M ranch, has had feelings for his best friend's little sister for what seems like forever. The initial "big brother" feelings eventually morphed into an elemental, physical, and sexual attraction. Luke fought these feelings with everything in him, as he didn't want to ruin the friendship between he and his best friend Cash McQueen, and he wanted to keep Carla in his life (if only from a distance).When in a matchmaking ploy, Cash intentionally looses a card game with Luke that sends Carla to the Rocking M for a summer to cook and clean, it's like lighting a match to a powder keg: things are bound to explode!I love this book (and series) for so many reasons. In this first book, we are introduced to the secluded and yet remarkably beautiful Rocking M ranch, that almost serves as another character in the book. The descriptions of the land, and the history of the Anasazi people added depth and life to an already remarkable love story. I also enjoyed the everyday life descriptions of what daily life is like on a ranch. Carla's cooking and cleaning for the men was at times hilarious and I never forgot Carla's first meal experience feeding a dozen hungry cowboys!The attraction and sexual tension between Carla and Luke is really off the charts, and is what I remembered most about this book. When Luke finally succumbs to his attraction and desire for Carla, it is an absolutely beautifully written chapter.This book reads like a series title, but it also has depth that was often times missing with Silhouette books. There was a stubbornness in Luke that was very irritating, but when he finally falls and realizes what he has and what he's been pushing away, he holds on to Carla for what turns out to be a destined union.There are few books that remain with my for the entirety of my life, and this is one of them!
Nunca había leído nada de esta autora, ni siquiera la había oído mencionar, este libro lo compre a inicios de año junto con uno de Nora Roberts porque los halle a un precio súper barato. Ahora puedo darme cuenta porque.Bien, salgamos de lo desagradable primero, este libro no presenta nada de misterio e intriga, la escritora no tiene lo que se llama un excelente uso de la palabra a menos claro que se traten de esas de alto contenido sexual, en cuento a descripciones, nula; sentimientos de personajes, pues fue bastante irregular puesto que mientras que a unos los describía intensamente a otros igual de importantes no los describía. Por otro lado, la trama es en unos momentos bastante tierna y en otros sumamente machista, con un protagonista que además de antipático es necio y ni siquiera lo conoces a fondo porque ni te lo describe ni te deja entenderlo.Sin embargo, no todo es malo, siempre digo que hay que ser lo más objetivos posibles a la hora de criticar a un libro, en cuanto a toque romántico esta muy bueno, además de que es una lectura rápida y apropiada para después de lecturas pesadas, por ejemplo: si te has pasado dos meses leyendo la saga del Señor de los Anillos, pues este es el libro perfecto para salir de la monotonía, rápido, sin descripciones innecesarias y subiéndole bastante la tensión en cuanto los protagonistas están a dos metros de distancia.Creo que es todo lo que puedo decir del libro, pero saben, no me ha dejado tan mal sabor de boca como para no seguir intentando con la misma autora, quizás encuentre algo que me guste más.
What do You think about Fire And Rain (2004)?
This is a classic, old-school romance that really hit the spot. The formula is tried and tested for a reason: virginal heroine overwhelmed by her passion, emotionally unavailable hero with a heart of gold, set on an isolated, wild ranch full of Anasazi ruins. What could be finer?Lowell's writing is florid and rich, and although none of the swoony, melodramatic dialogue is even within orbit of being realistic, it's all the more fantastic as a result. This is an enjoyable glimpse into romance novel history, with high drama and passion that stand the test of time.
—Rebecca Crowley
