"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 Harriet Klausner
Posted December 14, 2001

Summary

A man whose blood has condemned him to a solitary existence, he is determined to live ­and die alone.

A ruined woman whose one chance at love rests in the hands of a man who refuses to let go of the dragons that feed on his soul.

Amidst the glitter and gossip of regency England, she must convince him that the man she loves is the passionate man he has locked in his soul.