by Wilbur Smith
First published 1977
Jake Barton works as an engineer in the Ethiopian highlands when Mussolini's armies cross the border in 1935. The tough Texan finds himself drawn into two battles he never expected. The first pits him against Italian forces as Ethiopia fights for survival. The second involves his heart, torn between loyalty and desire in a complicated triangle with Gareth Swales and Vicky Chambers. Swales runs guns with English charm and deadly efficiency. Chambers reports on the war as an American journalist who supports the Ethiopian cause. As bombs fall and armies clash, Jake must choose sides in a conflict that will reshape Africa. The war forces all three to confront what they value most. Personal loyalties collide with political convictions as the ancient empire struggles against modern warfare. In the chaos of invasion, Jake discovers that some battles cannot be won through engineering or firepower alone.
Genres: romance, historical-fiction, adventure, action
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, love-triangle
Setting: Ethiopia, Italian Highlands
Period: 1935
401 pages · Hardcover · Doubleday
Content warnings: violence, war