Darkest Heart
Series: Bragg
Publisher: Dell
Published: November 2, 1989
Language: eng
ISBN-13: 9780440204725
First sentence: She knew she was dying.
Description: She was called the bell of the Southwest

Beautiful 18 year old Candice Carter enjoyed the attentions of every eligible man in the New Mexico Territory, until her reckless heart led her to near death in the desert. But rescue came from a savage...Jack Savage, the 24 year old hard-muscled Indian warrior who both terrified and fascinated her. Suddenly she was at the mercy of an arrogant halfbreed whose forbidden passion she dared not admit she wanted to taste.

He was called Savage

From the moment he saw her, Jack branded Candice his woman. No matter that he had chosen the Indian way...no matter that he could hang for touching her. nothing could stop him from making her his reluctant bride. Vowing to teach her every sensual pleasure, he set out to tame the fiery spirit of the blond beauty who had stolen his soul. But as war raged between the white man and the Apache, he found himself torn between duty to his people and a forbidden love he could not resist and could not live without.
Notes: The Darkest Heart is a prequel of sorts for Joyce's great Bragg Saga:

Innocent Fire, June 1988 (Derek Bragg and Miranda) 
Firestorm, November (1988 Storm Bragg and Brett) 
Violet Fire, May 1989 (Rathe Bragg and Grace) 
Dark Fires, June 1991 (Nicholas Bragg and Jane) 
The Fires of Paradise, April 1992 (Lucy Bragg and Shoz) - related to The Darkest Heart 
Scandalous Love, November 1992 (Nicole Bragg Shelton and Hadrian) 
Secrets, April 1993, 7th in the Bragg saga and 1st in the Delanza Series, (Regina Bragg Shelton and Slade Delanza)