Red Hawk's Woman by Karen Kay
When Red Hawk first saw Effie Rutledge frolicking in the water he was immediately drawn to the light and joy that seemed to emanate from within her. The short time they spent playing together, though neither spoke the other's language, was the happiest time in Red Hawk's short life, and it was a time that would carry him through the journey he was about to embark on. For it was not joy that would save his Clan from the curse of a vengeful god, but mercy toward an enemy. And he had only eighteen years to achieve the impossible.
Effie Rutledge first heard about the Lost Clan as a child listening to her father recount the legend to his best friend. Seventeen years later, Effie leads an archaeological expedition into the heart of Blackfoot country at the behest of her father in order to find clues as to the existence of the Clan, and possibly locate the final two artifacts the legend speaks of as a path to redemption for the Clan. Unfortunately, someone - or something - doesn't want her to succeed, and several incidents convince many that the expedition just might be cursed. In need of a new guide, Effie discovers an Indian watching her curiously in town and approaches him about taking the job. It isn't until after he is already hired that Effie learns Red Hawk is the little boy she has never been able to forget. Soon they embark on an adventure fraught with pleasure, mystery, and a danger neither of them were prepared for.
When I first started reading romance novels as a teen my only options were whatever my mother or grandmother were reading (I was a bit of a sneak and thought they didn't notice). Their collective preference at the time was Native American, Pioneer, and Western Historical Romance. Consequently I became very adept in deciphering the differences between the three sub-genres, which all often took place in similar settings with similar characters. What set the Native American Romance apart was the "useless white man" stereotypes, and this story had those in abundance. Everything is there from greed for gold, the fact that the white man cared nothing for nature, and the white man's inability to track or scout due to his being generally unobservant.
However, there is a twist. This story also incorporates a Paranormal Romance angle. The legend of the Lost Clan is fantastical enough, but that still lends to basic Native American mysticism, which is an easily explained and generally accepted belief among historical aficionados. What is not as easily accepted is the actual existence of Spirit Guardians and vengeful gods who take physical form. The inclusion of these elements in the story allows the reader to immerse themselves in a world of fantasy at the same time that they are learning about the cultural differences and practices of the mid-to-late 1800s. Karen Kay plots all of this in such away that she actually makes archaeology sound fun and exciting without resorting "The Mummy" methods (where they forget that the characters actually have to work to uncover artifacts).
The supporting characters in the story lend credence to the mystery that encompasses the plot and never really give the reader a true peak at whether they can be trusted. As a reader you are constantly guessing at who the bad guy really is, and that leads to a satisfying reading experience.
Overall, this is an adventurous romp through Native American culture with side trips detailing the white man's incompetence, and somehow none of this comes off as offensive. That alone is impressive. My only complaint would be that I would have liked to have seen their romance grow more gradually. It seemed very rushed, but I guess they had seventeen years to pine for each other.
Continuity/Flow – 4
Sex – 4
Characters – 5
Storyline – 5
