"A moving tale"
The Earl of Haverwood relishes the public hanging of
vicious serial killer rapist Jack Cady as his wife Mary was
a victim of the odious individual. However, unlike most of
his targets, Mary had survived the throat slashing and
given birth to Colin, the rapist's son. Nine years after
the rape, Colin watches the state execute his biological
sire while his "father" pounds into him that he has the
taint of that vicious animal and is worthless too. Almost two decades later, Colin learns he must marry if
he is to continue to manage the St. George Orphanage, the
place he does penitence for the evil of his father. Colin
fears marriage because the father who raised him taught him
that he is a beast just like Jack was. That is why he
avoids Sarah Banks, who he desires with all his soul.
Sarah manages a successful gaming business that leaves her
unsuited for marriage to most of the Ton except those who
need cash. She wants Colin, but knows she must slay his
dragons if she is to have him. Though a rookie, Kathleen O'Reilly provides fans with
the kind of exciting character driven story usually told by
a veteran. TOUCHED BY FIRE engages the audience as Colin
struggles with his father's lessons about his gene pool vs.
the chance to embrace love for the first time in his life.
Though Sarah is a fine heroine and the support cast adds
depth even if the Earl overdoes the blaming of the father?s
sins on the son, this novel belongs to Colin, a protagonist
that readers will cherish. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted December 14, 2001
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