"A realistic Native American romance"

In 1808 Dakota Territory, half-breed Chief Swift Foot refuses to shirk his responsibility towards his tribe the Hunkpapa Sioux as his father did. Thus Swift Foot gives up his love for a white woman and agrees to wed Small Bird of the Miniconjou tribe. He hopes his marriage ends hostilities caused by his father marrying for love rather than duty of as a member of the Miniconjou tribe.

Small Bird's sense of duty reluctantly propels her to agree to the marriage too though she regrets that it will be a relationship of unrequited love. Small Bird has loved Swift Foot ever since he saved her life years ago. However, she knows his heart belongs to someone else even though her visions show that she and her beloved share a destiny together.

The romance between Swift Foot and Small Bird is a beautiful story. The belligerence between the tribes is well written, but takes away from the lovely prime story line of the changing feelings and subsequently relationship between the lead couple. Known for her Indian historical romances, Susan Edwards has provided her myriad of fans with a delightful tale of love.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted October 23, 2002

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Summary

A dark night was coming, but Swift Foot was prepared. A winter of discontent had sent him on a vision quest, and he'd returned ready to be chief. Where his father had brought shame upon their family by choosing love over duty, Swift Foot would act more wisely. He would lead his people through the troubles ahead—and, to do so, he would marry for all the right reasons.

Small Bird was the perfect choice, especially as Swift Foot had saved her life years before. Their future had been decided by their past. But for their people to survive the coming darkness, the two would have to win each others hearts. On the sleeping mat or wrapped in furs, on riverbank or dusty plain, passion must somehow blaze to life between the half-breed chieftain and his new wife...and they had to start the fire soon, for dusk had already fallen.