The Liaison by Nat BurnsThe Liaison by Nat Burns is the first book in The Desert Willow Series.

Lily Dawson reluctantly returns home when her father, who she has not seen or spoken to in a couple of years dies. She returns to a place she never thought she would visit again, her childhood home in New Mexico. Lily decides to pack up all of her father’s treasured possessions and sell the cattle ranch he bequeathed to her.

Things are not always as they seem. Lily is shocked to discover that her father was more than a cattle rancher/Lieutenant General and she slowly discovers that the Air Force is playing a larger role in protecting not only the United States but also the entire world from harmful alien forces.

There was a time when Lily would have never entertained the thought of following in her father’s footsteps, however, when she is charged with a great responsibility, she grudgingly takes on the job. Airman Hunter Moon is tasked with the responsibility of ensuring Lily’s safe arrival to the President’s headquarters. Sparks fly as both women try to focus on the job at hand and Hunter gives her unwavering support to Lily every step of the way.

The Characters

Lilianne ‘Lily’ Dawson is the daughter of Denny Dawson, a deceased Lieutenant General in the United States Air Force. She works as a waitress in her Florida hometown and she returns to New Mexico after her father’s death because she inherits the huge ranch from him. I really admire the way Lily handles her conflicting feelings concerning her parents, the ranch and the unexpected circumstances that come her way. I must admit that I really adore Lily because she is such a nurturing and loving woman.

Hunter Moon is an Airman in the United States Air Force. She is charged with carrying Lily Dawson safely to the President of the United States. Hunter puts other people’s well-being before her own and she is such a compassionate and determined woman. She stays by Lily’s side through the thick and thin situations without any second thoughts. I just love a woman who knows what she wants and I fall even deeper in love with a woman who will fight to the very end to keep what she has.

The Writing Style

The entire story just flows so seamlessly from one scenario to the next. I really love the detailed description of the New Mexico landscape and I really enjoyed the way the author brought the numerous characters to life with the use of witty dialogue and by giving them quirky personalities.

The Pros

You all know how much I love books with women in uniform! This book surely does not disappoint because I am so delighted that one of the main characters is in the Air Force! I am also delighted that the author created these awesome, culturally diverse characters who kept me enthralled with their unique customs and mannerisms.

The Cons

There are a few scenarios that should have been expanded to give the story more depth. I also felt that if these scenarios were expanded I would have had much more background on the characters and the situations they encountered as well.

The Conclusion

This story is going to have you hooked from the beginning. I was caught up in Lily’s world as she struggled with the death of her father, disbelief about the huge task she was about to undertake and guilt over the tough but necessary choices she had to make. I was just blown away by the appearance of the extraterrestrial beings and their relationship with the people on Earth. If you enjoy stories about other life forms, women in uniform, breathtaking landscapes with a dash of romance thrown in for good measure, then this is definitely the story for you!

Excerpt from The Liaison by Nat Burns

As she was entering the Southwest terminal, a small Native woman approached her. She was wearing a tailored gray broadcloth pantsuit over a crisp white blouse, her dark hair pulled neatly back into a bun. Military, Lily thought immediately. Beautiful, was her second, more pensive thought.

“Miss Dawson? My name is Hunter Moon. I was asked to contact you by Colonel Collins.”

Lily smiled and the woman visibly relaxed, returning the smile. “It’s very nice to meet you,” Lily said.

“If you’ll come this way, we have an area set aside for you to wait for your flight.” She indicated a narrow passageway off to the left.

Lily followed her, marveling at how nondescript the disguised passageway was. No one, if not told, would ever think it led anywhere other than to janitorial and mechanical areas. Instead, at the end of a long hallway, they passed through opaque glass doors and into a well-appointed waiting room. Two uniformed men raised their heads at her entry but quickly dropped their gazes. Hunter took the case from Lily’s hand and led her to a computer station. She placed the case on the floor and rapidly tapped keys, then, with a reassuring smile, handed a headset to Lily. Lily put it on and sat in the chair as the screen flickered.

“Uncally!” Lily said happily as Colonel Collin’s face appeared on the screen. He smiled, but his sedate green eyes regarded her worriedly.

“Hello, Peanut. You look none the worse for wear. Are you doing okay?”

“I am,” she hastened to reassure him. “Things are a bit crazy, of course, but I’m putting one foot in front of the other, just the way you taught me to.”

“That’s my girl,” he responded somewhat absently. “Listen, the plane should be touching down any minute. It’ll be government issue, and you’ll board through that side terminal like a usual flight, but then you’ll be on the tarmac instead of the umbilical. It’s the way it works. You ask Airman Moon for anything you need to make you more comfortable. Try to eat and rest, okay? When you get to the strip here in DC, a car will be there to pick you up and bring you here. Airman Moon will show you where to go and she’ll take care of you. You can trust her.”

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Series

The Desert Willow Series

The Liaison

Bits and Bobs

  • ISBN number: 9781594935879
  • Publisher: Bella Books

Nat Burns Online

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