The Touch of Fire

By: Linda Howard

Narrated by: Natalie Ross

Length: 10 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's Summary

Rafe McCay has a bullet in his side and a bounty hunter on his tail. Since there are few doctors in the Arizona Territory, he takes what he can get...literally.

Pointing a gun at Dr. Annie Parker, he abducts her into the mountains so she can tend his wounds. In this dangerous wilderness world, Rafe wakens in Annie a woman's hungry desire, as Annie finds a man wounded in soul as well as body. Her healing touch brings him new hope, but the secrets of the past still pursue them.

The exhilarating journey they must take together teaches both the true meaning of danger...and of enduring love.

©1997 Linda Howard (P)2009 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Great Balls of Fire!

Rafe and Anne had an adventure. Rafe was set up and chased across the country by bounty hunters, a U.S. Marshall and a private army by one of the rich men in the country at that time. The papers Rafe has hidden could be a potential historical game changer, and silencing him was the only sure way to protect one of the richest, most influential man in American History. Injured Rafe kidnaps Anne to tend his wounds and decides to keep her. The adventure begins, they are hunted, chased, and walk into an Indian Camp that is plagued with a deadly measles outbreak. I thoroughly enjoyed this story, it was a great read, had some hot, steamy sexual scenes, and of course action. I gave it 5 stars because the story kept my interest, and the wonderful narration by the talented Natalie Ross, kept me riveted. Yes she was dramatic in some areas, maybe a lil bit too much, however it certainly made my heart race.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

A really good historical western romance

If you could sum up The Touch of Fire in three words, what would they be?

It's not the lonesome Dove saga, however, it is a good 19th century American romance. I'm so tired of the Regency era, I could just explode.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yessir. I didn't have to hear about Bathe or Whitehall and there were no Lords or Ladies.

Have you listened to any of Natalie Ross’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yep. Pretty good.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Oh bother, "The doctor and the outlaw." I have no idea. Now if this was a regency novel it would be, "I have no idear".

Any additional comments?

Please, let's not all be juvenile and correct my errors. Seriously, this is one I like.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Good Story

The story was well put together and the female narrator did an excellent job with the male voices.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Enjoyable!

I enjoyed this Linda Howard tale. It moved along at a good pace and concluded in a timely manner. I had a little trouble when the story took a "woo woo" turn, but others of her books have included a touch of the supernatural, and ultimately it worked!

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Enjoyable western.

The story begins in 1871 with Rafe on the run from bounty hunters. He is shot and goes to a doctor’s home where Dr. Annie Parker treats his wounds. She tells him his wounds will need medical care for three days, so he kidnaps her to keep her with him while on the run.

Most of the story happens while they are on the run together. There are some neat things happening toward the end of the book. The ending was great.

AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR:
Natalie Ross did a great job.

DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 312 pages. Swearing language: moderate plus s*** a few times. Sexual language: moderate. Number of sex scenes: eleven. Setting: 1871 Arizona. Copyright: 1992. Genre: historical western romance.

I recommend

Very good story! Excellent narrator! Really enjoyed this audiobook. I read a review lately that said reviews are subjective - - - that is absolutely correct. So if you like alpha males - strong smart women - - a little danger/action - - AND HEA. Look no further.

Very Different Than the Last Linda Howard Listen

Would you listen to The Touch of Fire again? Why?

Yes, but not right away.

Rafe McCay has a bullet in his side and a bounty hunter on his tail. Since there are few doctors in the Arizona Territory, he takes what he can get...literally.

Pointing a gun at Dr. Annie Parker, he abducts her into the mountains so she can tend his wounds. In this dangerous wilderness world, Rafe wakens in Annie a woman's hungry desire, as Annie finds a man wounded in soul as well as body. Her healing touch brings him new hope, but the secrets of the past still pursue them.

The exhilarating journey they must take together teaches both the true meaning of danger...and of enduring love.

Would you be willing to try another book from Linda Howard? Why or why not?

Yes, I REALLY enjoyed 'After the Night' which was a totally different genre. A small town, political, heart wrenching drama.

Touch of Fire is set in the old west-not really original plot-outlaw kidnaps female doctor. However the story is intriguing and fun at times with bits of naughtiness. There is not a lot of technical horse or cowboy detail.

A nice, easy 'beach' read

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

I am always impressed by an author who manages to pull off the performance of the opposite sex. Natalie Ross is very good.

Any additional comments?

While not spectacular this is nice, above average book.

Disappointing leading lady

I have enjoyed lots of Linda Howard novels. This one was sadly disappointing. The leading lady, Annie, bucked the trend, showing an independent, strong will, to become a doctor in the wild, wild West. However, when Rafe comes along, she turns into a meek, frightened, uncertain (fill in the appropriate synonymous-adjective) sissy. It would have been a much better story if Annie had stayed true to her character throughout. The narrator was fine, but not outstanding. I may be judging her a little on her material, though.

Ann

I'd give this a 3 star for the first half and 4 star for the second. Started out slow, repeating thoughts but improved with length.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

The Wild West? Really?

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Not sure this has the qualities of a 4 or 5 star book. The story, characters, and even the setting were unexciting.

What was most disappointing about Linda Howard’s story?

The plot of this story was just so simple. The characters were not believable.

Did Natalie Ross do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Yes - it was well read, but there were some parts of the story that were a bit over-acted.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful