Customer Reviews

Under Apache Skies

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A fast pace western romance about Martha, a responsible common looking woman that runs the household since her mother had abandoned her years before, and a half Apache gunman named Ridge Longtree, who talks and lives like a white man but possesses the instincts of his Apache kin.
Martha was not very likeable and the romance between her and Longtree just did not do it for me. It seemed made up, not sensational. I found myself hurrying through their boring parts to get to the secondary romance of the book between Martha's younger sister Dani, sweet and naive, and her Apache captor; Sanza, whom stole my heart. Sanza was sexy, brave, and powerful however he was passionate and understanding when it came to his beautiful white captive. With tender hands he taught her his people were not savages and that he could not give her wealth or a fine home but unconditional and faithful love.
There was also an underlying plot about the abandonment the sisters struggled with regarding their mother who returns when Dani is captured by the local Apaches. I found myself teary eyed as I sympathized with both sides.

Ridge Longtree has made his name as a highly regarded gunfighter. He finds that he is tired of the killing, and having no place to call home. He happens upon the ranch of Martha Jean Flynn and her sister Dani. He recognizes that they are unsure of his intentions, but allows him to stay in their bunkhouse.

Martha knows that Ridge is not your normal ranch hand in search of work. In his eyes she sees an edge you don't normally find in your typical man. His air of mystery heightens her womanly senses.

When Martha's father's horse returns blooded and without a rider, she fears for the worst. She hires Ridge to go in search of her father. Ridge is able to locate Martha's father, but it is too late to save him. He returns to the ranch with the grim news of his death.

Martha believes that her father was murdered, and she wants to seek out the person responsible for his death. Then her world once again goes spinning out of control when her sister is kidnapped by Apache.

Ridge can't stand to see Martha so distraught over her sister's disappearance. He agrees to lead her into Apache territory to rescue her. As the two journey to find her sister, the close quarters results in them falling in love.

Will Ridge and Martha be in time to save Dani? Or will they be shocked to discover her living circumstances?

Fans of Madeline Baker will rejoice at another award winning novel in UNDER APACHE SKIES. You can almost feel yourself being projected back to the Native American culture each time you pick up one of her books. Once again, she proves that she reigns supreme as the Queen of the Historical romance genre

First review hits the spot.
Excellent writing - enjoyable story - danger not strong enough or really present.

Ridge Longtree is half Apache, fast gunman and dangerously good looking.
Martha Jean Flynn recognizes an attraction but fights it, her attitude for a 23 year old doesn't quite fit, bull-headed, stubborn and she can walk among the men and not get propositioned?

So much angst against the absent mother, Nellie - what really happened between her and her husband?
The will, the will - who gets the ranch now that Flynn is dead?
Who will Victor Claunch actually marry?
Who killed Seamus Flynn? Did he know his killer?

Her sister, Dani, appears to be flighty, and ready to fall into some man's arms. It didn't take Sanza long to seduce her. It just doesn't fit.

Sanza didn't rough Dani up even a little - doesn't make sense. Even if he was smitten with her he would have been a little agressive.

Still, a very enjoyable read - Will definitely recommend.

This was the first Madeline Baker book I've read. I'm really partial to the Native American books so when I ran across this one I thought I'd give it a try. WOW, I couldn't put it down! I'll be shopping for some more of her stuff, it was great!

I liked this book, but it seemed pretty abrupt to me. The story is cruising along then, bam, suddenly the girl who was in love and wanting to marry one man is in love and marrying another. Then, bam, out of nowhere, Marty and Ridge are in love and engaged. I just felt like I missed part of the story somewhere. (It's a good book, though, and I've added Baker's other books to my to-read list.

Ms. Baker's novels are so well-researched and historically accurate that it's surprising to find that she isn't Native American herself. This book gives a fascinating insight into Apache culture set against a rich romance with characters both sexy and sympathetic. Highly recommend!

Ridge Longtree is a highly regarded gunfighter, but is weary with no place to call home. Marty Flynn allows him to spend the night in the bunkhouse while she and her sister Dani worry that their father has not come home. When they find blood on her dad's horse, Marty hires Ridge because she believes their neighbor Victor Claunch bushwhacked her father. Ridge finds her dead dad.

Victor tells Ridge he will be unemployed once he marries Marty, who writes a letter to her estranged mother that her husband is dead and Dani needs her. Victor informs Marty she will marry him, but she avoids the topic by saying that her dad just died. That night Dani meets her beau Cory. Nettie arrives, but Marty fails to welcome her. They realize Dani is not home. Ridge figures out that Apaches have taken Dani and Cory.

Apache Sanza speaks English with Dani who he decides he will make his wife. Ridge and Marty follow. The Indians recognize Ridge from when he lived with them. He and Marty go to the Apache camp. Ridge tells Marty that Cory is dead. Sanza proposes marriage and Dani accepts. Ridge proposes to Marty who accepts, but first they must prove Victor killed her father and their mother feels she can.

The lead couple is a fine pairing that readers will enjoy because their growing love provides different types of redemption for them. The insight into the Apache relationship between in-laws is quite interesting. The villain is obviously sneaky which leads to readers wondering why townsfolk think highly of him. Though the estranged mother seems too innocent while the deceased father too guilty, fans will enjoy this exciting western romance.

Harriet Klausner