"Magnificent historical romance!"

His body was on fire as burning embers were placed in pockets cut deep into his flesh, just the first of many insults dealt to his body by the Wyandot Indians. It took every ounce of strength, every bit of courage he possessed, but Nicholas Kenleigh would not utter a sound as he suffered pain and torture far worse than any man should ever have to endure. He had all but resigned himself to death. But there was only one rule on the frontier -- survival.

Even though Nicholas already felt dead inside, there still beat the heart of a man strong with principles, a man who could show kindness and compassion, all the feelings deeply buried from a childhood of privilege and filled with love. It took the chance meeting of Elspeth Stewart to awaken him and direct him on the path of rebirth.

Bethie is a widow, alone on the frontier, expecting her first child and very much afraid. Nicholas rides into her small homestead, half dead, pointing a gun at her and threatening her safety. He swears not to harm her or her unborn child. And for the short time she shelters him, to protect her at all cost. Then he will leave and return to the only life he is fit to live.

But as Nicholas and Bethie spent time together, the healing begins and their desire for each other grows. They both have their own shadows, their painful pasts. Nicholas wants to be the man who heals her, soothes her fears, teaches her about pleasure. Could Nicholas, the man who trusts no one, win Bethie's trust? Could Nicholas, with his scarred body, heal her hidden wounds?

Nicholas awakens longings in Bethie she didn't know she possessed. She soon finds it safe to touch him, to want him, to give herself to him without hesitation, without pain, without fear. Bethie cannot imagine a single sunrise without her Nicholas. Heaven and earth sing when they touch each other; these two beautiful and gentle tortured souls. Together they heal and love and RIDE THE FIRE.

When I first read about Pamela Clare in RT announcing her debut novel, SWEET RELEASE, I knew I had to read it. And read it I did. It overwhelmed me. I was overjoyed to find out there was going to be a sequel, CARNAL GIFT. I was left breathless once again. I didn't think stories could get any better; not until I read RIDE THE FIRE, the perfect ending to a remarkable trilogy. Words cannot express how magnificent it is. The passion with which Ms. Clare writes is overwhelming, humbling, incredible. RIDE THE FIRE is a brilliant masterpiece to be savored like a fine wine. It's a journey to hell and back, with characters so rich, so endearing you can almost hear their voices, smell their scent, feel their heartbeats. You glory in their strength, celebrate their joy, feel their love; a true journey of the heart. If you read only one author in 2005, give yourself a gift and make it Pamela Clare. Even though RIDE THE FIRE stands alone in its beauty and magnificence, treat yourself to the whole trilogy. I will hold these stories in my heart forever. You will, too.

Reviewed by Suzanne Tucker
Posted February 15, 2005

He was her only chance for survival. She was his only hope for redemption.

Ride the Fire concludes the Kenleigh/Blakewell family trilogy that started with Sweet Release and continued with Barnes and Noble bestseller Carnal Gift.

Summary

There was only one rule on the frontier—survival. So when a wounded, buckskin-clad stranger appeared at the door of her isolated cabin, Elspeth Stewart felt no qualms about disarming him and then tying him to her bed. Newly widowed and expecting her first child, she had to protect herself at all costs. And Nicholas Kenleigh threatened not only her safety, but her peace of mind. The terrible scars on his body spoke of a tortured past, but his gentle touch and burning gaze awoke longings she had never expected to feel. Bethie had every reason in the world to distrust men; the cruelty she suffered at their hands had marked her soul, though her blonde beauty showed no sign of it. But little by little she found herself believing in Nicholas, in his honor, his strength. As he brought her baby into the world, then took both mother and daughter into his care, she realized this scarred survivor could heal her wounded spirit, and together they would... Ride the Fire.