In 1884, when Chase McBride was sixteen, he met his father for the first time. Chase's dying mother wanted to see Tom one more time, but he refused, kicking his half - breed son off his ranch and warning him to never come back. Now 12 years later, Chase is being summoned to the dying man's bedside. In the meantime, Chase has acquired a bride, through unusual circumstances, and wondering if he's done the right thing. Faith Bryant is nothing like the women Chase has known.

Faith was captured by a group of renegade Commanches. By staying calm and patient, she manages to escape them, only to be confronted by a half-breed she's afraid to trust. She's surprised to find he's a Texas Ranger, and gradually learns to trust him. When trust turns to something more, Faith and Chase form a team, ready to confront his family and an escaped outlaw gang bent on revenge. Can their 'partnership' survive the odds, and truly become something more?

Bobbi Smith offers the second book in the Secret Fires Series, telling the story of an unknown member of the McBride family... at least unknown to everyone but the family patriarch, Tom. Chase and Faith are strong characters, able to forge through hard times and provide support for one another. Chase is frequently surprised by the way Faith responds to situations.

Tom's wife, Clare, is once again her dastardly self, looking for a way to be rid of the 'filthy half-breed' who dares to lay claim to what should be her inheritance. Tanner and Callie (Secret Fires: The Wild One) are back. But then again, they never left the Circle M Ranch, conditions of Tom's will. Clare is still scheming to get Tanner into her bed.

The plot deals with two kinds of prejudice, and how Chase and Faith handle them. Secondary characters are well written, creating subplots which keep the story moving. Ms Smith goes deeper in describing the town of Sidewinder and some of the citizens who live there.

The Half-Breed, while part of the story of the McBride family, can easily stand on its own. It continues to showcase Ms Smith's talent as a top notch western writer.