I'm assuming the brake pump is running, right?? Is the red brake warning light glowing on the dash? If that is the case the pedal is probably going almost to the floor and then gets really hard??
Since you have no rear brakes, if the pump is running, it sounds like there is air in the pump and it's not building pressure. That would explain no rear brakes. the front brakes are probably getting hot due to them having to do all the work to stop the car. check out the How-to guides here on ROJ that cover flushing and bleeding the brakes and the way to get air out of the pump.