Heart of Fire

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic story with witty & sexy characters
Review: I truly enjoy Linda Howard's work. This book is no exception. I read it at least 4 times already. The characters are strong, witty, intelligent & sensual. "Ben" reminds me of Indiana Jones & Mel Gibson wrapped in one sexy character --yum! Its a must read.

Jillian Sherwood is determined to find a lost Amazon city and prove to the archeological world that her father, (known as Crackpot Sherwood) was a legitimate scientist/archeologist. He died while searching for the "Stone City" somewhere in South America. Jillian has come to Brazil, backed by her skeptical stepbrother and some of his henchmen friends.

Jillian hooks up with Amazon river/jungle guide - Ben Lewis, and starts her personal quest. Ben is definitely the "alpha male" in every definition. He's aggressive, sometimes abrasive, and obnoxious at times. But he is shocked by & grows to admire Jillian's intelligence, her physical stamina for the 50 mile jungle hike, her compassion, and her duty to father's quest.

The plot is extremely interesting and unique. Ben is not what I would call a "sensitive male" but he does grow on you as the book progresses. There are some extremely steamy sex scenes; lots of passion and sexual tension. The dialogue between Jillian and Ben is quite funny - lots of bantering & barbs.

It's a good, fast read. I've kept my book for several years and have read it several times.

Rating:
Summary: Best of the best
Review: Linda Howard is my favorite romance author and this is her best book. Recently re-released, this is a must read. Jillian Sherwood is the most competent heroine ever, an archaelogist who is looking for a lost Amazon warrior city. Ben Lewis is a brash river guide who leads the expedition. Together, they sizzle in the rain forest. Worth re-reading.

Rating:
Summary: One word - Amazing
Review: What an amazing storyline with amazing characters by an amazing author. Heart of Fire was downright perfect in all aspects. It was definitely romantic with steamy scenes with a decent amount of humor added in.

Although the first few chapters were a little hard to get through, once the story came in it was so hard to put the book down. The way she ends chapters is taunting - you just have to keep reading for more, and more, until you're at the end of the book. And then you don't want it to end!

If you're thinking about picking this book up, PLEASE DO! It's a guaranteed winner. It really leaves you feeling, wonderful; excited; speechless.

Great job Linda Howard!

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely riveting, exciting romance!
Review: Heart of Fire is the first book by Linda Howard that I have read and it will be the first of many, if this book is any indication of her talent. From the beginning, the legend of the Empress diamond and the lore of the Amazons grabs your attention and you are hooked. I found I could not read fast enough, to find out what would happen next. I think it is proof of Howard's writing abilities that she makes this story believable... it's an adventure, plain and simple, but it also has an amazing love story, that of Jillian and Ben. To me, Ben seems the ultimate in masculinity: strength, confidence, a surprising sense of caring, everything you could want in a male lead character and then some. His determination to win Jillian begins as a plot to bed her but slowly he realizes he's attracted to her mind and strong sense of purpose as well as her body. Jillian is also a great character. She has brains, strength, and a wonderfully saracastic sense of humor. Her love for her father and desire to prove his professional credibility, even though he has been dead for years, are what drives her to seek out the Anzars and the Empress diamond... and this trip in the jungle is what draws she and Ben together. The sexual tension between them can only be described as electric. And when this tension finally becomes something more... all I can say is that you'll need a fan to cool yourself down! Linda Howard has written a great story, and if you are a reader of romance, you should read Heart of Fire. You will not be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: Hooked on Linda Howard's Compeling novels!!!
Review: Heart of fire was one of my very favorite of Linda Howard. I couldn't put it down! What interested me the most was jillian being an archaeologist which is what i want to be and now studying to be aswell. So far I've read five of Linda Howards books. I loved every one of them! I recommend all of them...Son of the morning, after the night, all the queen's men, and mr. perfect...and more. I haven't been disapointed yet!!! She makes it so real like your really there, you smile with every happy moment and cry with every sad moment. I plan on getting all of her books, she's my favorite author! In heart of fire i just can't get enough of the relationship between jillian and ben, it's fantastic and so is the adventures! I promise you won't want to put it down either!!!

Rating:
Summary: Listen Up! I've Struck Gold!
Review: If ever there was a solid five star romance then this is it. Heart of Fire is a passionate, sexy, funny and exciting novel that thrills from beginning to end. The plot is racy and pacy with plenty of interesting plot twists and the main characters have so much chemistry between them that the book is practically on fire.

From a physical perspective Ben Lewes is pretty much the ideal male hero; tall, dark, muscular, rough 'n' ready...[I could go on all day... :-)]. He has the perfect blend of sex appeal and confident masculinity. He is the ultimate alpha - tough, strong and brave and a real bad ass when he wants to be (but never to Jillian). Often such men are paired off with some spineless little moaner with less personality than a lettuce leaf - you know the type, don't you? - the kind of heroine that forgets to eat all the time and spends her days pouting and fainting if anyone speaks above a whisper. Therefore it is definitely worth celebrating that Ben's true love is Jillian Sherwood, a kind-hearted, clever, feisty woman. Ben might be the super-alpha male but Jillian is more than able to match him. It was hilarious to read the passages where Ben was desperately trying to work out whether Jillian was into him or not.

My other favourite things are that there are plenty of chances in the book for Ben to defend Jillian or to do some charming protective gesture. The dialogue between them is snappy and fun. The other characters add a lot to the story and the ending is great too. I guess I should admit that a few things bothered me - Ben was a little too free and easy about sex before he met Jillian, and there's a scene near the end where Ben tracks Jillian down in her bedroom after a brief seperation which I find a bit cringe worthy.

Overall Heart of Fire is a lovely, sizzling romance that I highly recommend. In addition to this book, Dream Man by Linda Howard is also one of my personal favourites. Dane, the hero in that book, has certain similarities to Ben. And that, fellow readers, is a wonderful thing!

JoAnne

Rating:
Summary: Annoying Hero
Review: What finally did it for me with this book was the annoying hero. Every time he called Jillian "sweetcakes" I just wanted to punch him. I put it down when he was towelling himself off and asininely asks her, "Want to dry my back?" Yeah, with sandpaper!

I also thought the descriptive scenes were lacking. It just sounded like Howard read one (1) encyclopedia, and did no research to enliven or spice anything up with further detail. Another thing -- why didn't Ben just tell Kates "No, Dutra can't come with us"? Once he found out what a sleaze Kates planned on bringing, I don't see why he couldn't have done that.

I didn't find the purse scene humorous at all. I couldn't understand why she was assaulting her own guide, the guy she was paying money for. Maybe it just sounded like a cute idea on paper.

But now I see all these other glowing positive reviews! so maybe I will give it a second chance. The heroine is admirable and her motivation is sound and believable.

Rating:
Summary: One of Linda's Best!
Review: This is a classic Linda Howard novel. A strong heroine, who does not allow the hero to walk all over her. Jillian, an archeologist, continues the work of her father in locating a lost city of Amazon warrior women. Her father's work, however, was laughed at by most of his peers, and is not taken seriously. To fund the expedition to prove her father's work was correct, she enlists the help of her loser brother and the drug cartel he works for.

Ben Lewis has lived in Brazil for years, guiding people up and down the Amazon river. When he first meets Jillian, she's a challenge because she does not instantly respond to his "charms." After a second meeting, involving a very amusing scene with a purse, Ben decides to help with Jillian's expedition, but only for his own interest in bedding her.

The battle of the sexes between Jillian and Ben are very amusing. You are easily enthralled by their story, and route for them in the end. Don't miss the HEART OF FIRE.

Rating:
Summary: Marry Me, Ben
Review: I loved this book. Ben is the atypical hero and watching him fall in love with Jillian was great. There is absolutely nothing about this novel that I don't like (except for the fact it had to end so soon).

Rating:
Summary: Corazon de fuego
Review: Aunque no me ha gustado mucho, el libro tiene una trama interesante y unos personajes bien caracterizados. Es por eso por lo que me ha gustado mucho, o no?