Brent and Lara are about to be married, when circumstances conspire to make Brent believe his mother's suspicions that Lara is having an affair with Ted, a childhood friend.

Brent storms out, before she can tell him she is pregnant with their child.

Years later, Brent tries to find Lara - and at the same time finds his four-year old son, Christopher.  He proposes marriage, and after some hesitation and difficulties contrived by Brent's mother, they marry. 

A woman with whom Brent had a casual fling years ago, tries to insinuate herself into his life again.  Lara is upset, and Brent convinces her of his love.  At a preview of paintings at the art gallery where Lara used to work, the artist and Lara renew their casual friendship, to Brent's indignation. 
 

Reviews:

This book was such a sweet story of two young people who were cheated out of five years of their lives by his mother. Unfortunately, the lies she told her son, Brent Houghton, were just minor actions she would attempt. However, when she told Brent that his long-time girlfriend, Lara Cameron, was having an affair with her best friend, Ted Westwood, Brent was livid and cancelled the wedding. Nothing Lara tried would change his mind. She didn’t even get to tell him she was pregnant.

After he had time to get over his madness, he wanted to talk to her. However, his mother told him that she had married Ted and moved away. Brent’s personal assistant was also determined to keep Brent for her and refused to pass personal mail to him when Lara’s attorney wrote to tell him he had a son. Four years and eight months later, when he had a conversation with her best friend and attorney, he found out that she was still living in Ocean Breeze, Florida and had not married Ted.

The chemistry between Lara and Brent was instantaneous and explosive. Ms. Kate Hofman has written sensual scenarios which should come with high-powered fans. The couple was still in love after all this time. Even though they agreed to marry for the sake of their son, Chris, the two were, obviously seriously attracted to each other. Ms. Hofman has created her main characters to be so polite that it bordered on unbelievable. Even the son’s manner of talking to them was super sticky sweet. The manner of referring to each other and their family was always ‘my darling,’ ‘my love,’ and such. That was definitely not bad, but unique.

The couple’s continued stressful problems were well-developed by the author. The problems surfaced often and quickly. However, no matter how difficult the crisis, they were all polite at all times. And I was certainly not expecting the ending to be as it was. It was quite unencumbered with problems at the end. It’s a great book to make you feel good about life. I recommend it to all who love happily ever after.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Very sensual

Reviewer: Brenda Talley, The Romance Studio
July 14, 2008

Brent and Lara's relationship and upcoming marriage seem assured, until by a confluence of circumstances compounded by misunderstanding Brent returns from an out-of-town business trip to discover Lara's childhood friend sleeping in their bed. He immediately assumes that Lara had been intimate with the man. Refusing to listen to her protestations of innocence, Brent walks out on her, unaware that she is pregnant with his child. Brent's mother has always despised Lara and orchestrated doubts in Brent's mind to which he fell prey. Years later he comes to his senses, and upon locating Lara discovers his son Christopher, now 4.

 Author Kate Hofman specializes in the romance of misunderstandings, writing characters whose emotions and vulnerability run deep. The path of true love never runs smooth for her hero and heroine. They must always struggle through numerous tribulations to discover each other and to maintain a relationship. Ms. Hofman is skillful at keeping readers believing in the lives of her protagonists and even events that may seem far-fetched in the hands of other writers are believable and realistic in her novels. This prolific writer is a joy to read, and Brent and Lara's story continues in the next novel, HIDDEN DESIRE. A FIRE BURNS DEEP is another gem in the necklace of wonderful Kate Hofman stories and a fine introduction to her writing for those who are new to her stories.

 Rating: 5 Pixies

Frost

www.darkangelreviews.com

Lara Cameron and Ted Westwood have been best friends since they were children. Ted wants a career in the theater, designing sets. Lara wants to marry Brent Houghton.

Brent has his own real estate company, Houghton Inc., and is very successful. Lara and Brent having been together for a while despite the efforts of Brent’s mother. The day of the wedding is almost here and Lara’s friend, Ted, arrives to give Lara away. Brent is out of town and when he gets home, Lara tells him that Ted is in their bed because he’s too tall for the couch. Brent’s temper skyrockets and he accuses Lara of being unfaithful to him. Lara is devastated and can’t believe that Brent would believe his mother’s lies. Brent storms out before Lara can tell him she’s pregnant. She tries to contact Brent, but it seems everyone is out to keep them apart. Four years later Brent returns to Ocean Breeze hoping to make amends with Lara. He still doesn’t know about his child and has stayed away because he thought Lara and Ted were married. Lara agrees to talk to Brent but she doesn’t know if she can ever give him her heart again. As Brent and Lara try to find the happiness they once had, outside forces are determined to keep them apart.

As I read A Fire Burns Deep, I was caught up in the lives of Brent and Lara. The way Kate Hofman has written the dialog between the two is so real, almost as if I was listening to them really talk. The story line flowed well and fit right into the town of Ocean Breeze and characters from other books. I felt great pain for Lara when Brent walked out on her, and I could understand her reasons for wanting Brent to be patient with her. I did think Brent let his temper get the best of him at times. Ms. Hofman has a great ability for writing interesting stories with just the right amount of drama mixed in. A Fire Burns Deep is a great book that will keep you rooting for Brent and Lara to finally be able to be happy together.
 

Rating:

Julianne
www.twolipsreviews.com