I enjoyed reading Rage of Passion by Diana Palmer. I gave it four stars because of the interesting characters and the strong story that Ms. Palmer weaved. The hero, Gabe, in this story is 39 and the heroine, Maggie, is 25. They first met when she was visiting her friends from school, the hero's young sisters, when she was 16. The hero at the time was 29 years old and was taken aback by his attraction to the young innocent 16 years old. The story now picks up nine years later......With a chance meeting with her Godmother while shopping, Maggie Turner is invited for a one month vacation at her godmother's ranch near Abilene which would be the perfect place for Maggie and her daughter to escape her ex-husband's threats. Perfect, that is, if it hadn't been for Gabe Coleman. Tall, lithe and lean, he was just as blunt, rude—and powerfully sensual—as he'd been nine years ago. His cold formality gave her the goose bumps. And his icy blue eyes watched her like those of a hungry cat—daring her to look beneath his savage surface. She thought marriage had cured her of desire. Then the raging passions of a Texas cowboy gave her a new lease on love.Like I said I enjoyed this story....what I did not like is the hero smoked quite a bit, which the smell to me is a complete turn off, how do you kiss a mouth that smells of burning cow dung. But I guess when it was originally published, 1988, it was considered sexy. Also would have liked to have just a bit more graphic description in the couples hot sizzling passion. I feel it was grazed over. Because Gabe at 29 years old, was attracted when he first met 16 year old Maggie did not creep me out, well maybe a little it did, thank God he did nothing about it. I would recommend this as a good solid enjoyable romance read. sensual level I would rate a 6...
4 1/2 Stars! ~ Ms. Palmer creates such delicious heroes who are rough and gruff on the outside but oh, so amazingly tender on the inside. Once Gabe learns of Maggie's horrific marriage and her fears of her ex-husband, he doesn't hesitate in stepping up to protect her. They've always had such a strong chemistry, but Gabe has to tread carefully to alleave Maggie's fears of intimacy. I love how Ms. Palmer's heroes have this inner vulnerability that her heroines instinctively tune in to. There are some wonderfully flirty moments that made me chuckle out loud. This is definitely a keeper. I also loved that we get a glimpse of John and Madeline from Friends and Lovers and their adorable twins.
What do You think about Rage Of Passion (1999)?
Another great story from DP.Maggie Turner memutuskan berlibur di ranch milik Gabriel Coleman atas undangan ibu Gabe untuk melarikan diri dari ancaman mantan suaminya utk merebut Becky, putri mrk.Gabe yang galak dan kasar dan membuat Maggie takut ternyata memendam perasaan pd Maggie sejak lama sehingga ketika mengetahui bahwa Maggie dan Becky dalam bahaya segera memutuskan bahwa yang terbaik adalah agar Maggie menikah dengannya agar mantan suami Maggie yang tlh menikah lagi tdk bisa mendapatkan hak perwalian atas Becky. Hilangnya kepercayaan diri dan sikap ceria Maggie yang dulu dikenal Gabe karena hidup Maggie yang selama penuh trauma selama pernikahannya membuat Gabe mengubah sikap kasarnya demi Maggie dan perlahan2 meyakinkan Maggie bahwa Gabe akan menjaga dan menyayanginya. Dengan alasan berlandaskan persahabatan keduanya menikah tp ternyata persahabatan tidak cukup terlebih disaat Gabe yakin bahwa saat mrk bercinta adalah cara Maggie berterima kasih padanya..
—Gramedia Pustaka Utama