Nobody Bodine came from a nobody and will always be a nobody. He can disappear into the shadows—no one can see him if he doesn’t want them to. He exists on the edge, in neither the white man’s world nor the tribe’s, dispensing vigilante justice when he sees fit. There’s no other place for a man like him in this world. Until Melinda Mitchell shows up on the rez. From the first moment he lays eyes on her, he can tell there’s something different about her. For starters, she’s not afraid of him. She asks where his scars came from, and why he has so many. But more than that, she sees him. For the first time in his life, Nobody feels like a somebody in her eyes. Melinda has come west to run the new day care on the White Sandy Reservation. She’s intrigued by this strange man and his tattered skin, and when she discovers that he’s a self-appointed guardian angel for the boy in her care, she realizes that there’s more to Nobody than meets the eyes. But how far will he go to keep the boy safe? And will she be able to draw him into the light?
The wall between our world and that of vengeful spirits has protected humanity for more than 400 years. It’s about to come crashing down. Ellie Lancaster has lived her whole life by the site of the mysterious Lost Colony of Roanoke, the Virginia settlement that vanished without a trace around 1590. Only the descendants of the two men who banished the spirits of an enemy tribe from the material realm know what really happened to the colony. Ellie is one of those descendants—a Curse Keeper. Her father took pains to teach her what he knew of the curse and the responsibilities of its guardians. He taught her that if the two Curse Keepers ever meet, the curse will be lifted, the gate will open, and the raging Native American spirits will be unleashed to seek their revenge. Despite her father’s seriousness, Ellie has always taken the legend for a harmless fairy tale. Until she meets the darkly handsome, but downright infuriating, Collin Dailey and realizes everything she was told is true. For when they meet, it’s like the air is sucked from the room. Collin’s presence is electrifying… and it’s not just attraction Ellie feels, but the inexorable pull toward her destiny. The prophecy is real, and now Ellie and Collin must battle supernatural forces and their loathing—and passion—for each other to set things right.
The Curse Keepers are all that stand between the world and its destruction.
Again, Kame and I are trying something a little different for today's post! We both picked up Masked Cowboy at the same time, and decided to do a double review and discussion about it. A few emails later, and here's what we put together. Let us know what you think about this post--do you want to see more like it or not?
He hides from the world…but he can’t hide from her.
Men of the White Sandy, Book 2
Moving her veterinary practice out west is a chance for Mary-Beth to start over. But her resolve to learn to hold her tongue goes out the window when she meets Jacob, a Lakota cowboy who says next to nothing—especially about the black leather mask covering half his face.
Sometimes he seems to be almost flirting. Other times, it’s as if he’s angry she exists. But there’s no mistaking the heat that flares between them.
Jacob still isn’t sure who—or what—carved up his face and killed his best friend three years ago. All he knows is the thing was after a child he now hides with his silence. A medicine woman’s granddaughter he would die to protect.
Outspoken, sexy Mary Beth reminds him of how lonely his life has become. But he can’t forget how much he stands to lose if any distraction allows a monster to rise again and destroy the last hope of his people.
Warning: This book contains a masked cowboy with a lot to hide, a woman who shoots her mouth off at all the wrong times, and the wanton destruction of a certain pair of panties during explosive sex.
CFO Ben Bolton has enough on his plate running his family business. But when lovely Josey White Plume enters his office, his priorities shift. He refuses to let such a compelling woman walk away. The chase is on.
All her life, Josey has sought one thing: to fit in with her Lakota family. She has no time for some sexy rich guy's pursuit. But she can't stop thinking about Ben—wanting him…kissing him. Yet falling for a wealthy outsider will destroy everything she's worked for—unless she can find a way to straddle the line between his world and hers.
Josey White Plume stands in two worlds---yet neither one fully embraces her. She's too "white" to be accepted by her Lakota tribe, yet not enough to fit in outside of the rez. What's a woman to do? She has to find a way to live in both worlds, to find out who she really is. Her family and people are important to her, but so is being able to fit in.
Ben Bolton can understand where Josey's coming from. Oh, sure, he may not have the exact same problem, but he, too, knows how difficult it can be to straddle two lines. In his case, it's a balance between keeping his family together and standing up for what he wants, living his own life. Easier said than done when he has a father who's word is law, an older brother who prefers to let his muscles do the talking, and a younger brother who is an annoying pain in everyone's ass, not caring about the family business or how it really runs. After meeting Josey, he realizes that it's time for him to stand up to them all...either they come to an understanding, or the family is broken forever.
I really enjoyed Straddling the Line! A quick read, it set up the Bolton family, and I look forward to seeing Billy and Bobby find their HEA (though I'll admit, at this point I'm a little uncertain about Bobby---in this book, at least, the only thing I wanted to do to him was kick him out the door...but I'm willing to keep an open mind, I think Anderson may be able to turn him around.)
I loved Josey, loved watching her struggle to keep her two heritages strong. It's not easy, and I felt for her. We all want to be accepted, in one form or another. Ben was great, too. He was the right combination of a bad-boy type, complete with the motorcycle, but he was also responsible and reliable, trying to be the rock foundation and glue for his family, taking the place of his mother.
3.5 STARS! Sarah M. Anderson delivers another great contemporary, proving that she can write great tales whether it's cowboys or bikers, Native Americans or just your typical guy next door. This was my third book from her, and I know that I'll be reading many more! For a quick read, one that's both sweet and a little sexy, be sure to pick this one up!
~ * ~ * ~ I received an e-ARC of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion. ~ * ~ * ~
Have you read any of Sarah M. Anderson's books? Which one has been your favorite so far?
Enjoy!
Until Next Time,
*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!
Just who does Rebel Runs Fast think he is? Dr. Madeline Mitchell, the new doctor on the White Sandy Lakota Indian Reservation, knows there’s a good answer to that question. Somewhere.
Sure, the Lakota medicine man is every cowboy-and-Indian fantasy she ever had, but he sends patients to sweat lodges instead of clinical trials, talks them out of flu vaccines. Even more irritating, he makes her heart race.
Rebel swore off the white man’s world—and its women—years ago. Madeline doesn’t speak the language, understand the customs, or believe he’s anything more than a charlatan. Yet she stays, determined to help his people. And he keeps finding excuses to spend more time at the clinic.
When he discovers her in the throes of dangerous heat stroke, Rebel’s efforts to cool her down set fire to a passion neither thought they wanted. But when the people start falling violently ill, the cultural gap stretches the connection between their hearts to the breaking point…
Product Warnings This book contains smoking-hot skinny dipping, emotional and emotionally satisfying sex, and a shirtless cowboy who is also an Indian.
My first time reading Sarah M. Anderson...and I loved it! :) Mystic
Cowboy is a wonderful story about a man who's trying to remain true to
himself, and his people, and a woman who's trying her hardest to make a
difference in the world, one sick person at a time. When Rebel sees a vision of
his people all dead, he asks Madeline for help; she may not believe in the
spirit world and visions like he does, but she realizes that he does believe,
and isn't that what matters? Together, they must find out what the ranchers
just off the rez are doing...before it's too late.
I loved Rebel! He's trying so hard to be the right person—his
tribe needs a medicine man, which he can be, while the outside world wants a
Native America artist, one they can more or less parade around like a prize
show dog. He doesn't want to be that person...but if it means he receives money
to help his whole tribe, how can he say no? But it's just a part he plays, it's
not who he is, and it never will be. He's already tried his hand at being that
man, and it didn't work out... Nope, his duty is to his tribe, keeping them
alive and well, and helping to keep the traditions of the Lakota alive as well.
Really, what's not to love in a hero like that? He puts so much of himself into
helping everyone else!
Madeline is, in a way, much like Rebel. She gives and gives,
often until there is no more to give. She works hard, very hard, to heal the
people of the rez. With no supplies, no room, and very few people to help, she
manages to do it. And while many of the people may look at her as an outsider
at first, I think by the end, after seeing how well she does her job, they
start to see her as more than that. It may not seem like they'd match together
(two people who give everything they have to everyone else) but they do. Rebel
takes care of her, and when she sees that he is the one who needs the support,
she'll be there for him. Will their relationship be easy? No, of course not. But
it's real, and they're willing to work through it, for love, and that's what
matters.
4 STARS! A sexy tribal cowboy for a hero, a cast of
wonderful characters to help bring the story alive, and a heroine who won't
take any crap, Mystic Cowboy kicks off Anderson's new series and
left me wanting more! I especially look forward to Nobody's story. Oh my. Dark,
quiet, mysterious...and with an air of “deadly” about him, I'm dying to know
more! :D
~ * ~ * ~ I received an e-copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. ~ * ~ * ~
I'll definitely be looking forward to Sarah's other books! :)
Enjoy!
Until Next Time,
*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!
White Shadows by Susan Edwards
Publisher: Carina Press (November 21, 2011) [reprint]
Series:The White Series,3
Genre: Historical Romance (Native American/Western)
Summary (Amazon.com):
Missouri Territory, 1838
Night Shadow is driven by the need for vengeance, to find and punish the man who murdered his family and kidnapped his sister. And what better way to exact that revenge than by stealing his enemy's intended bride on their wedding day: a woman for a woman. He will release his captive if and when his sister is returned to him.
The daughter of a great chief and no meek maiden, Winona fights her captor every step of the way. But she cannot deny that the warrior's touch arouses something in her that her betrothed never has. She sees through the anger in Night Shadow's eyes to the despair within, and knows in her heart it is her destiny to help him learn to live again.
Night Shadow is mesmerized by Winona's beauty and spirit, and soon realizes he must face his past and end the hatred in order to offer her a future.
Susan Edwards delivers yet again! Her
bestselling White Series, now being re-released in digital format,
allows readers (both new and old) to journey into the wilds of
America, when Native Americans still lived on the land—with the
land. Each book helps to strengthen the bond between the characters,
one big family (if not always by blood), and highlights a new couple
for the readers to fall in love with. With White Shadows,
Edwards brings us the story of Winona and Night Shadow (aka, Clay,
aka Sun Walker—it's a long story...). Once again, I was drawn into
the story and fell head over heels for the characters, the writing,
and the tale being so artfully told!
Winona is a heroine that I could really appreciate. She was strong,
knew what she wanted and was determined to get it. This alone helped
to provide a solid foundation for the book; after all, good
characters often mean a good book!
Clay (or Sun Walker, depending on what part of the book we are
referring to), was a close call. For the first part of the book, I
almost couldn't stand him. After all, he was the “bad guy” (or so
we thought), capturing Winona to help accomplish his plan for revenge
against the man he once called brother (who goes by another name now,
and was to be Winona's husband). Much of what he did and said made it
hard for me to like him. But the more that his story—especially his
painful past—was revealed, the more I started to like him. By the
end of the book, I was almost as crazy for him as Winona. Don't worry
girl, you can have him—he needs you, after all, and I've seen how
determined you are, I would hate to fight you for your man! :)
Clay and Winona's story was very enjoyable, if a bit slow at first
(mainly, I think, due to Clay's iffy character). But once the story
picked up, the characters came through, and they began to fall for
one another, I couldn't put the book down! I was reminded yet again
of Ms. Edwards talents at writing a wonderful romance, one full of
adventure and passion, love and family. I have yet to be disappointed
by any of her novels, and I highly doubt that such a day will ever
come.
^Favorite Quote:
“What am I going to do with you?” He hadn't meant to speak aloud.
He couldn't believe he'd actually voiced his frustration.
Winona didn't laugh. She didn't smile or act smug at her obvious victory. Instead her eyes filled with tears and her hands crept up to caress the sides of his face. “You are going to live. With me. For me.”
With that bold declaration, Winona kissed him hard. As soon as his mouth opened under the demanding insistence of hers, she slid down and walked off, leaving Night Shadow staring after her with an ache in his loins, eyes filled with wonder and fear, and a slowly thawing heart.
This
was around the time that I, too, began to fall for dear Clay. Winona
knew what (or should I say who)
she wanted, and she wasn't going to stop until she had him!
4
STARS! Another
great novel in the White Series, White Shadows
has
a bit of everything in it, from sweeping romance to steamy love
scenes so hot you will need a cold shower (or two—or three) to help
put out the flames! Winona and Clay are both great characters, and
their story shows that they belong together. Who else but Winona
could handle Clay's stubborn warrior attitude? And who but Clay could
support and infuriate her all at the same time? Their love is strong
and true, and it comes through the pages to the reader. I'm glad that
these books are finally being reprinted (if only digitally right
now). Otherwise, I may never have had the chance to finish this great
series---I managed to find most of her books in a used bookstore, but
not all of them .Now I can finally catch up on all my favorite
characters! If you have yet to try Susan Edwards, I highly suggest
you put these books on your list! And if you are already a fan, like
me, well, I guess I don't have to say anything more, do I? For a
lushly written Native American romance, one that is both sweet and
spicy, Susan Edwards is, in my mind at least, the reigning queen of
the genre!
^Quote belongs solely to the author. I do not claim it in anyway.
~*~*~*~
I received this e-book from NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.
~*~*~*~
Enjoy!
Until Next Time, *TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!
Blaze was an outcast. The most powerful healer in her tribe, she used her impossible abilities only for good, but even that had alienated her fellow Sioux. Her father, who was pejuta wichasha, her tribe's medicine man, feared her. She herself feared some of the things she could do. And her dreams--those dreams of the child and the two slaughtered birds--were more terrifying than anything.
But it was a season of change. Blaze saw answers on the horizon, keys to the secrets she needed to unravel. The winds of destiny were rising, sweeping her toward freedom and others of her kind. There was darkness in her visions, but also a man: a tall, bucksin-clad stranger with golden-brown hair and eyes as green as the leaves on the trees. And though he was nothing like her, was a Frenchman, a trapper, his eyes promised understanding, kindness, and most important, a love that would be hers and hers along. Yes, the winds of fate were rising, and they promised a long, hot... Summer of the Eagle.
Though I have nothing against Native Americans, actually quiet the opposite, I have never really wanted to pick up a romance novel with the subcategory of 'Native American'. I can't describe my reasons, if there even were truly any, as to why I didn't. Maybe it was because the few that I had looked at did not hold my attention? Because they plot seemed too common? Poorly written? I'm honestly not sure. But whatever it was, it almost prevented me from picking up Summer of the Eagle by Susan Edwards about six months ago. I'm glad I picked it up and finally read it!
I've always been drawn towards books-- and movies-- that were magical. And no, I don't mean that in a flattering type of way (I.E.: "The moment was magical!"), although I guess that could be used to describe a lot of them. But magic, gods and goddesses, healing, things like that have always interested me. Becuase of this, Summer of the Eagle was very interesting and I savored every word! I may not believe in all of those things I just listed, but I do know that some of them are not entirely as fake as present day Society has made them out to be. It's hard to explain to a nonbeliever, but there are things that no one can explain.. things that shouldn't happen...things that are almost magical.
Susan Edwards deftly spins a delightful tale filled with mystical pleasure at every turn, a hint of mystery (Who is Taya, the child in Blaze's dream?), the story of a woman's quest to find out who she really is, and a love that binds Blaze and Luc spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Summer of the Eagle has everything that a good romance needs. It has it's moments of near fantasy, flaming love scenes, touching love/bonding scenes, and a touch of adventure. What more could you possibly ask for?
There were very few things that I could find faulty in Summer of the Eagle. The only thing that I could maybe put in the 'flaws' list is that it has a time or two when the story is rocky/slow in building up. But this one flaw, if you could even call it that (Seriously, what book does not have one part that the reader feels could have been slightly better, or could have been written this way or that way, et cetera? It's only bad if it happens more than twice AND each time the scene was messed up horribly.), was still not enough to ruin the overall fantastic story.
4.5/5 stars. This is a must read for anyone who is constantly devouring great romance novels! Come on, pick up Summer of the Eagle, and be prepared to find yourself fully submerged, body and all, into a lush story that soars along at the perfect swift speed (Yes, I know that sounds like an oxymoron, but just trust me.)
Until next time.. Read plenty, laugh often, love unconditionally, and live each day to it's fullest! Happy 4th of July!
