This was an absolutely, wonderful historical fiction, I had a hard time putting it down. Brenda Joyce has a remarkable talent of taking real historical events, characters and battles, and writing a heart wrenching love story. The Darkest Heart is definitely an old style romance with a lot of bad things the main characters must overcome. Jack Savage (he names himself), who is a half breed Indian, is torn between two worlds and can't find his fit. He saves Candace from dying in the desert after she runs from a horrible elopement gone wrong. She is spoiled and loved by her family and neighbors who have instilled hatred in her for the "savages". She doesn't know what to think when she realizes all the biases she believed regarding Jack aren't as they seem. Their relationship was very up and down as they both tried to live in each others worlds, but they were beautiful together especially when they showed their love to each other and forgot about everything else.
Another reason I was so absorbed into the story is because it has some of my favorite themes, strong alpha male, love triangles, jealousy, lots of good sex scenes (not overly long with details) and a heart wrenching romance that you hope the H and h are strong enough to endure. I have read a lot of Brenda Joyce's books and have found these themes reoccur throughout many of them. The Conqueror is my favorite Brenda Joyce book, this one and Dark Fires a close second. Even though they are completely different settings, they have similar angst, brutality and love connection between characters.
Another reason I was so absorbed into the story is because it has some of my favorite themes, strong alpha male, love triangles, jealousy, lots of good sex scenes (not overly long with details) and a heart wrenching romance that you hope the H and h are strong enough to endure. I have read a lot of Brenda Joyce's books and have found these themes reoccur throughout many of them. The Conqueror is my favorite Brenda Joyce book, this one and Dark Fires a close second. Even though they are completely different settings, they have similar angst, brutality and love connection between characters.
believable characters.
Good book. Some pretty intense rape scenes though. Brenda Joyce is always a sure bet for a great romance.
This was an absolutely, wonderful historical fiction, I had a hard time putting it down. Brenda Joyce has a remarkable talent of taking real historical events, characters and battles, and writing a heart wrenching love story. The Darkest Heart is definitely an old style romance with a lot of bad things the main characters must overcome. Jack Savage (he names himself), who is a half breed Indian, is torn between two worlds and can't find his fit. He saves Candace from dying in the desert after she runs from a horrible elopement gone wrong. She is spoiled and loved by her family and neighbors who have instilled hatred in her for the "savages". She doesn't know what to think when she realizes all the biases she believed regarding Jack aren't as they seem. Their relationship was very up and down as they both tried to live in each others worlds, but they were beautiful together especially when they showed their love to each other and forgot about everything else.
Another reason I was so absorbed into the story is because it has some of my favorite themes, strong alpha male, love triangles, jealousy, lots of good sex scenes (not overly long with details) and a heart wrenching romance that you hope the H and h are strong enough to endure. I have read a lot of Brenda Joyce's books and have found these themes reoccur throughout many of them. The Conqueror is my favorite Brenda Joyce book, this one and Dark Fires a close second. Even though they are completely different settings, they have similar angst, brutality and love connection between characters.
Another reason I was so absorbed into the story is because it has some of my favorite themes, strong alpha male, love triangles, jealousy, lots of good sex scenes (not overly long with details) and a heart wrenching romance that you hope the H and h are strong enough to endure. I have read a lot of Brenda Joyce's books and have found these themes reoccur throughout many of them. The Conqueror is my favorite Brenda Joyce book, this one and Dark Fires a close second. Even though they are completely different settings, they have similar angst, brutality and love connection between characters.
Part of the Bragg series. This is about Jack and Candace. Their son Shoz is the 'hero' of her book "The Fires of Paradise". Mass market version of this book is out of print but new version available trade size.
SHE WAS CALLED THE BELL OF THE SOUTHWEST
Beautiful Candice Carter enjoyed the attentions of every eligible man in the New Mexico Territory, until her reckless heart led her to near death in the desert. But rescue came from a savage...Jack Savage, the hard-muscled Indian warrior who both terrified and fascinated her. Suddenly she was at the mercy of an arrogant halfbreed whose forbidden passion she dared not admit she wanted to taste.
HE WAS CALLED SAVAGE
From the moment he saw her, Jack branded Candice his woman. No matter that he had chosen the Indian way...no matter that he could hang for touching her. nothing could stop him from making her his reluctant bride. Vowing to teach her every sensual pleasure, he set out to tame the fiery spirit of the blond beauty who had stolen his soul. But as war raged between the white man and the Apache, he found himself torn between duty to his people and a forbidden love he could not resist and could not live without.
SHE WAS CALLED THE BELL OF THE SOUTHWEST
Beautiful Candice Carter enjoyed the attentions of every eligible man in the New Mexico Territory, until her reckless heart led her to near death in the desert. But rescue came from a savage...Jack Savage, the hard-muscled Indian warrior who both terrified and fascinated her. Suddenly she was at the mercy of an arrogant halfbreed whose forbidden passion she dared not admit she wanted to taste.
HE WAS CALLED SAVAGE
From the moment he saw her, Jack branded Candice his woman. No matter that he had chosen the Indian way...no matter that he could hang for touching her. nothing could stop him from making her his reluctant bride. Vowing to teach her every sensual pleasure, he set out to tame the fiery spirit of the blond beauty who had stolen his soul. But as war raged between the white man and the Apache, he found himself torn between duty to his people and a forbidden love he could not resist and could not live without.