Customer Reviews

Desert Sunshine

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3 star:		(1)
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"Desert Sunshine" debut novel by Reece Daniel is a well-written narrative that rivals the best of Tony Hillerman. Using words, Daniel paints pictures of the beauty that abounds in and around the desert while presenting readers with a portrait of pristine lands untouched by progress. Daniel's glimpses into the life style and spirituality of the Apaches, brings a sense of reality to his story. "Desert Sunshine" is easily one of the best time travel tales that I have read. This book is part mystery, part romance, and page after page just plain great reading. Having read many stories concerning the unusual abilities of Native American Shamans, much of Daniel's narrative reads like non-fiction. Desert Sunshine is Best-Seller quality and I look forward to reading much more from this talented author.
Beverly J Scott author of "Righteous Revenge" & "Ruth Fever"

This is the first book written by Reece Daniel, and he is to be commended for his effort. The story of a modern day Arizona Ranger going back in time to 1882, where he is again an Arizona Ranger, is a nice twist. I like time travel stories as well as westerns, so this fits the bill.

The story is generously laced with good descriptions and attention to detail; the comedy of the main character adjusting to life of over 100 years ago is great. The relationship of Native American spiritualism and Christianity is nicely portrayed, and there is plenty of action, too. I especially liked Waddie... the drunken side-kick.

Predictably, the main character almost gets caught in on of those "space-time continuum" paradoxes, but it all works out, and the end leaves you thinking there may be a sequel in the works.

Desert Sunshine has it all- romance and time travel wrapped within a murder mystery. The time travel aspect leads the reader to a baffling ending that Jack Finney would have enjoyed. I look forward to future works from this author.

Desert Sunshine was an unanticipated gift where reading experiences are concerned. Reece Daniel tells this story almost tenderly, with a palpable respect for life and earth.

Ed Adair is a retired police chief who returns to his boyhood home in Arizona. Raised on the reservation by his half Apache grandmother, Ed has nursed ill feelings all his life towards his mixed race heritage. His ice blue eyes earned him the nickname Blue Eyes, a name he considered taunting in childhood and finds derogatory as a man. It is clear from the outset that Ed may have the looks of a white man, but his spirit is Apache, through and through.

When Ed is dry gulched and left near death by a long distance shooter, modern technology can do little to save him. Ed Adair the modern law officer lays comatose and dying in the present, while the Arizona Territory Ranger known as Blue Eyes wakes up in 1882.

Arizona of the 1880s is far different from the one Ed knew in the 21st century. Primeval White Mountain forests still stand. Gone are the logged out rutted remnants Ed remembers from the future. Sweet nature scents blow in on desert winds to stir Ed's native spirit. Life is simple, full of wonder. Enemies are not disguised as friends in Arizona's past, and evil presents itself quite clearly. Men live and die by the gun without reprisal in the Arizona Territory. Ed fits right in, packing his .45 Colt Peacemaker and a high powered Sharps rifle. His vision quest as Blue Eyes introduces Ed to his Apache progenitors and ties past to future in unexpected and surrealistic ways.

What makes Desert Sunshine work is the tender and poignant way this author crafts his tale. Yes, the story features a very masculine protagonist and macho action. Men are men and women are women and both are well aware of the difference in the best John Wayne and Gary Cooper style. But it is the heart and thoughts of the 1880s Blue Eyes, the half breed Apache finding truth and love that made this book stand out for me.