Reckoning: A Cactus Blossom, Taggert Family Historical Romance

by Rain Trueax

A moving romance set in a fast growing frontier oasis.With the coming of the train and links to California and the east coast,Tucson is mixture of grit and culture. Living in Rose’s Cottage provides a wellspring of inspiration for Lily Jacobs’ art.It also helped her avoid a man in Chicago, who was threatening with his unwelcome attentions. After years of doing her father’s bidding, Lily is now a woman of means, free to choose her own path. When famous painter, Patrick Jamison arrives in Tucson, Lily is eager to take lessons and improve her work. But, she isn’t looking for love.Slow from birth,Jesse Taggert lives on the desert as he trains horses and works for a large ranch. Jesse knows animals and finds the further he is from people, the better—especially beautiful woman, but how can he refuse his brother’s request that he teach his sister-in-law, Lily, how to ride the horse he has trained?Once these two meet, sparks fly. A woman like Lily would never want a man like Jesse, someone who can’t even read. If that hasn’t been enough reason to avoid her, the dangers his father is bringing onto him will be. Lily isn’t listening. She sees things in Jesse he does not see in himself. Some loves are worth fighting to hold onto. Reckoning is a love story not only of two people but also of the desert. Danger walks with this land, but the passion it stirs can make it all worthwhile—if one survives.Previously presented as Lands of Fire.85,058 words. Heat level #4

242 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 3, 2015

About the author

As a life-long lover of stories, a writer and artist, Sasquatch country raised and city college educated, I have experienced a blended life between sophisticated and simple living with homes in the Arizona desert and on an Oregon ranch.

All my stories attempt to portray the values of self worth, hard work, and community while intertwining the complications of physical attraction, sexuality and outside challenges, whether, truly malicious or societal. Curiosity for what might lie beyond has led to two paranormal novels (one of which is also available as 3 novellas with closed doors on sex). Currently I have 11 historical romance novels set in Oregon and Arizona. There are 10 contemporary romance suspense. My writing plans this year are to add 5 contemporary, paranormal books and probably one more historical romance in the fall. Except for the novellas, all of my books are spicy with some violence and strong language.

With grown kids and grandkids growing up too fast, my husband and I travel with our RV-- when we can get away from the cattle and sheep. When we are on the road doing research for future books, I keep connected with a satellite link.

Reviews

[Judy Esposito · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Wonderful Series! Book 6, Jesse's Story!

I just love this book. We have a hero that has the kindest and most loving heart. I don't understand why, but I love heroes that are hurting little boys inside, and this was Jesse. Growing up, he was always told he was very slow and never learned to read or write. He learned not to look for love that was denied him as he grew to be a man. He felt no woman would want to be married to him since he was stupid. But along comes a heroine that Is so feisty, I want to be just like her. She knows what she wants and goes about it and doesn't stop until it's hers. Lily, beautiful, strong and independent, is the perfect woman for him. But will he come to realize he's worth being loved? Our hero and heroine are not the only main characters in this book. I'm sure the author didn't realize how wonderful she wrote the character of Charlie, which is probably meant to be a secondary one, but I just fell in love with him, the loveable ornery old coot! To me, he became as important to the whole story as Jesse and Lily and brought humor to the story. Bad guys, good guys and the ones in between, along with romance, humor and adventure, kept me busy swiping the pages of book 6 in this series. Well written with wonderful secondary characters, along with awesome descriptions of the surrounding area, made me feel as though I were there. You can tell this Author knows and loves this part of the country very well. Well done Rain Trueax! I'm glad you took it upon yourself to write this book. Very lovingly written and it brought happy tears to my eyes at the ending. Looking forward to book 7. Some sexual content. JudyE