Sara Luck is known for her "well-developed characters, accurate historical settings, and hot naked men" (RT Book Reviews), and Under the Desert Sky does not disappoint! Fans will love this story of a widowed frontierswoman and the ranch hand who might be all that stands between her and ruin.
Phoebe Sloan isn't afraid of hard work-she couldn't have survived on the Arizona frontier if she were. But ever since her husband was killed in a ranch accident, she's struggled to make ends meet and preserve her young son's birthright. Her last gamble was to start raising ostriches-the plumes are prized by fashionable city ladies-and it could work, but someone's determined to sabotage her efforts.
Enter Christian de Wet, a South African importer who finds himself drawn to the fragile but determined Phoebe. He begins helping her around the ranch as a kindness, but the two quickly find that the heat rising between them has nothing to do with the Arizona desert! When the saboteur finds a way to endanger not just the ranch, but Phoebe's family, will she have to forsake her happiness to save her son?
I love historical romance and jumped at the chance to read this frontier novel. Phoebe Sloan is a widowed homesteader with a four-year-old son. She is desperately trying to save their land and her son’s birthright. In the 1900’s Ostrich, feathers were the height of fashion in America and England. Phoebe is trying to raise them but someone is sabotaging her efforts. She knows who the culprit is and refuses to comply with his wishes. I liked Phoebe she is tough and while she feels guilt about somethings, she is a good mother and doing the best she can.
Christian de Wet, a South African importer is delivering ostriches to a neighboring farm and enjoying a visit to the Americas. During a meeting between farmers, he meets Phoebe and is intrigued. When her hands are off celebrating Mexico's Independence someone breaks into her hatchery. Christian unwilling to leave a vulnerable woman and child alone soon finds himself protecting Phoebe, her son and the farm.
The chemistry between Christian and Phoebe was sweet and I loved the banter. This was a slow-building romance that vied for attention with the suspense angle. I would have liked Christian to communicate more, I knew how he felt but Phoebe struggled and was unsure. Luck weaved in some hilarious moments between the characters, Phoebe’s son and others. I quickly found myself caught up in the raising of ostriches and these hardworking folks. Secondary characters added to the tale, even an unwelcome competitor for Christian’s affections. I adored a certain four-year old and his ostrich.
The suspenseful thread regarding the farm gave us a villain to loathe, weaved in some danger and balanced out the swoon-worthy moments. Luck touched on racism and I enjoyed how she weaved in those messages. We even experienced some brief glimpses of the political climate in the US, changes to the waterways and more. These extras enhanced my enjoyment of the story.
Copy provided by publisher. This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer
Reading updates
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Started reading
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18 April, 2016:
Finished reading
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18 April, 2016:
Reviewed