Desert Fire by John Spencer Perry

Picking up a mysterious woman and her pup sends freshly lost Jeff Kain on the adventure of a lifetime in Desert Fire by John Spencer Perry. A ruggedly written homage to the West, this character-driven novel weaves through history, from outlaw legends to murderous mafiosos, with Perry’s star-crossed protagonists sitting firmly in the center.

Elyse and Jeff are the electric core of this wondrous story, which doesn’t shy away from the complications and pain that powerful connections can bring about. Delving into transient and adventure-seeking lifestyles and belief systems, the pair must navigate the unforgiving wilds of California, along with its many temptations, pitfalls, and unexpected villains. There is a particular literary joy in watching strangers get to know one another on the page, and Perry captures his gritty characters in stark and believable relief.

The physical interactions are sharp and funny, and the storytelling style plunges the story ahead at a road-trip pace. The playful romance that develops is pure and organic, albeit skewed through the male gaze. Some of the dialogue does feel overworked – too perfect and clever to be fully believed – yet the author excels at making readers forget whether this is fiction, memory, or somewhere in between.

All told, this novel is a borderline fantasy come to life, but also exposes deeply human moments of connection, suspicion, trust, lust, and learning, for a romantic and entertaining road thriller.