Author Description

The Fires of Love & Hate" is a sweeping historical saga of a woman who is given advantages in life through circumstances beyond her control, how she deals with them and how she lives her life. Hattie Morran is from a poor family in Missouri. She gains the love and affection of an older woman, Rebecca Garland, who wants Hattie to marry her son, Abner. Rebecca is planning to leave all her wealth to Hattie, bypassing both her son and husband. This of course leads to deception and betrayal, something to be expected when lives are turned upside down. The difficulties that Hattie goes through show how determined she can be and that she must continue on no matter what happens. According to the author, this story is loosely based on his family history. My take: This is a good story for those who like romances based on some truth, a bit of history and some legends, a book filled with rich settings and culture that is very character-driven. By Pam Brewer Idaho Statesman "My fortune, my dear, is mine to do with as I please. It is not Jess's money nor is it Abner's, and it would please me immensely to give everything to you. I can only imagine the pleasure it will bring me to see my fortune in the hands of a beautiful and intelligent young woman like yourself." "But Mrs. Garland...," Hattie tried to protest. "Now, you listen to me, Miss Hattie. There are a few things we need to get straight, right now. From now on you're going to have to call me either Mother or Rebecca, but not Mrs. Garland. And from this moment, Hattie, it's going to be you and me... against them. We'll play this 'man's game' with Jess and Abner, and by all that is holy, we'll win! When you marry Abner and become my daughter-in-law, there isn't a court in the land in which they could challenge what I've done and