Blazing Sun, Burning Hearts
Samantha SommersbyHistorical romance
Available from Linden Bay Romance
ISBN: 1-905393-01-5
June 2005
| Lieutenant Jackson Crawford is in Arabia. It is 1917. All he knows here is sun, heat and sand and he's tired of the desert. The British are protecting their interests in the Suez Canal. Jack has a message to deliver to Prince Abdulla. Crawford makes his way to Abdulla's caravan. There's another person there, a woman, Lillian Barton Drake, who was taken in after surviving a terrible battle where men, women and children were slaughtered. The Bedouins had named her Hessa, meaning destiny. Lillian/Hessa hadn't spoken since she got there. She was staying with Jemal and his wife Fatima in their tent. Lillian/Hessa is an archaeologist with Harvard. She'd been asked by the President to get close to the prince. Her father had worked as a spy before her but he was dead. When Jack arrived at the caravan, he was ill and needed to bathe. Jemal arranged to fix a bath for him. Lillian/Hessa checked on him. She gave him some water, bathed him, washed his hair, shaved his beard, and gave him some clean robes to wear. Jack told her he needed to see the prince. Jack fell asleep and Lillian/Hessa found the letter for the prince and delivered it. When Jack saw Prince Abdulla, the prince offered him a woman. Jack said he wanted Lillian/Hessa. Abdulla said she was promised as a wife to Ahmed. Jack challenged Ahmed to a fight for Lillian/Hessa. Prince Abdulla told Jack he couldn't kill Ahmed because he was his best swordsman. Jack won the challenge and claimed Lillian/Hessa. Thereafter, Jack spent his time protecting Lillian/Hessa from other men and also training her to protect herself in the event of another battle.
Jack and Lillian/Hessa are thrown together under very adverse circumstances - war, tribal conflicts, horrendous weather conditions, and the unrelenting danger of the desert. They begin a passionate affair that is sizzling and really touches the reader's heart. I felt very connected to this couple while reading their story. Their relationship was so very intimate because of the situations they survived together as well as the passion and love they shared. This story brings up a lot of emotions. Grab your kleenex and start your journey on an incredible story. You will be reminded of Lawrence of Arabia, The English Patient and any epic story set in the desert. I was very moved by this story and recommend it to everyone.
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Reviewer: Ellen |
