The Fifth Daughter of Thorn Ranch

"Julia Daily builds a captivating world by letting her imagination lead the way. The result? A unique story that's a little Wild West, a little old Mexico, a little ancient history, and a lot rebellious-in all the most interesting of ways. What happens when a strong-willed ranching heiress crosses a line she never knew existed? An adventure that's bigger than Texas!"-Julie Cantrell, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Perennials

"The Fifth Daughter of Thorn Ranch by Julia Daily takes heroine Emma and hero, Kai, on an adventurous journey across a vast South Texas canvas filled with unforgettable characters and a storyline that will have you turning the pages to see how each scene unfolds. It is a novel that combines mystery, suspense, adventure, and a romance that neither hardships nor time can erase between the main characters."-Debra Holt, award-winning, multi-published Texas author of series such as The Tremaynes of Texas and The Lawmen Series.

"A dignified, passionate, and layered tale in a rugged yet picturesque landscape... This book testifies to the rewards of fighting for enduring connections between family members and home." - RECOMMENDED, The US Review of Books

"An heir to a Texas ranch goes missing after stumbling upon a group of people living in caves on its grounds.Twenty-two-year-old Emma Rosales is riding her horse Honey-Boy through the Thorn, her family's Texas ranch, which is "a million acres and larger than the cities of Los Angeles and New York City combined." She's an only child and her family's sole heir and, having just graduated from college, is ready to pick up the reins of ranch life. She's saddened, however, that her classmate and crush Jeff Bower seems more interested in the ranch than her. During her outing, Honey-Boy falls and breaks his leg, forcing Emma to put him down. Now injured and struggling on foot, she crawls into a cave to sleep and soon discovers the People, who've long been "living life as if it were the sixteenth century." Emma is held captive by the People for several months; the eldest leader, Chatpa, introduces her to grandson Kai, who wins the honor of being Emma's husband. Emma and Kai are attracted to each other but remain chaste, instead bonding over their love of nature and healing methods. When illness and death invade the camp, the People blame Emma, who's feverish herself. She begs Kai to help her return home to her despairing parents back at the Thorn. This novel is an adventure saga in which Emma comes to increasingly appreciate the People's ways the longer she lives with them. The book also works as a winning wish-fulfillment romance, as sensitive, sexy Kai makes for an excellent alternative to loutish Jeff. The book's alternations between the past and present, and the third-person perspectives of multiple characters, help to create some suspense before it arrives at its fairy tale-like conclusion. The novel's most striking element, however, is its depiction of its Texas setting, encompassing awe-inspiring red sandstone cliffs and wild horses as well as the threats of rattlesnakes and raging thunderstorms.

A fantastical adventure/romance that most effectively celebrates the Lone Star State's raw beauty."-Kirkus Reviews