Sand by Charlie Cochrane

715gT+bpBDL._SL1425_Title: Sand
Author: Charlie Cochrane
Genre: Historical Romance
Length: Novella (44 pages)
Publisher: MLR Press (July 25th 2014)
Heat Level: Mild
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 3.5 Hearts
Reviewer: Tams
Blurb: The desert works its magic on a wounded heart.

“Come and see my shining palace built upon the sand.”

Andrew Parks has come to Syria to escape potential disgrace in Edwardian England, burying past heartache and scandal among the tombs. Charles Cusiter has travelled here more reluctantly, as chaperone to a friend whose fondness for the opposite sex gets him into too much trouble at home. Out in the desert there aren’t any women to turn Bernard’s head — just the ubiquitous sand.

The desert works its magic on Charles, softening his heart. Not even a potentially fatal scorpion sting can overcome the power this strange land exerts.

Purchase Link: http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=CC_HSAND
Review: Charles Cusiter is an aspiring author in need of a paying job to cover the bills. When the opportunity presents itself for him to chaperone an overzealous young man to Egypt at his mother’s behest, for which he will be paid quite nicely, Charles hesitantly agrees. In a small settlement that is lacking the female persuasion, much too young Bernard’s chagrin, there is one man in particular that catches Charles’s eye.

Andrew Parks is an archaeologist that left England to avoid a scandal back home because he prefers the company of men, to that of women. He and Charles are quite smitten with each other from the start, but it’s not until Charles falls victim to the possibly deadly sting of a scorpion that the two act on their mutual attraction. The old adage about Sand working its way into every crevice, takes on an entirely new meaning in this short story!

This was just a fast, fun read full of old world prim and proper verbiage. The dialogue is all about elegance and the backdrop is the sand dune desert of Egypt. Charles would rather be anywhere but here. He hates the desert, the camels and especially the sand. But he does enjoy Andrew, and hopes that their simple stares and quiet touches will lead to something more.

This isn’t one of those short, steamy stories as the two are just getting to know each other at the end. But enough of a story was told to wet my appetite, and I hope to see more for Charlie and Andrew in the future.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *