The Leopard Tree by Valerie Parv

Bodice Tipplers

You guys. We have done it. We have finally gone so far down the rabbit hole of vintage romance that we have found one that is not on Goodreads. Welcome to The Leopard Tree by Valerie Parv, reigning queen of Australian romance!

There's a UFO! It's Australia! He's a... he's an ex-military rodeo bronco buster and she makes ugly jewelry and has an awful fiancé and she'd like to pretend that he's from outer space but really there's a sad and sordid little crime story! I dunno, all crammed into fewer than 200 pages!

This book does have a kidnapping and threatened rape (although not by the hero) and a disabled character who stops needing his wheelchair because he finally realizes his daughter needs him.