"Strong, character-driven historical romance."

After living in a Lakota village for the past seven years, Emma Louise Hartwell is finally home again. A raid by soldiers, in which she was nearly killed, has resulted in her rescue and return to her family. But the whispers and looks of pity from those she once called friends are almost her undoing. No one, including her family, has any idea what her life with the Lakota was like, yet they've all judged her - and found her guilty.

Ridge Madoc, an ex-army scout, seems to understand some of Emma's feelings, and he's the only one to offer her even a shred of kindness. Now, even his attentions seem to have cooled after Emma's father makes it clear that Ridge is to keep his distance. When Emma's parents think it best to send her away to live with her aunt, Emma realizes she no longer has a home with her natural parents. Even the Lakota, with whom she's lived and come to love, have been scattered and driven from their lands. Although Emma knows she can never return to the Lakota way of life, she has unfinished business and chapters to close where her old life is concerned.

When Emma sets out against her family's wishes, her father hires Ridge to go after her and bring her back. Ridge respects Emma's courage and determination to get on with her life in spite of what the world has dealt her, but he's determined to set aside his personal feelings to bring her home. Emma is hiding something, something she's willing to risk her life for. And it's more than just a strong physical attraction to Emma that has Ridge determined to find out what it is.

The author has done a good job of taking a common plot line and making it her own by weaving a full range of emotion into a strong and unique character-driven story. The depth of a mother's love, the strength of family, the humanness of flaws and forgiveness forge a bond between the characters that make this both an exciting and inspiring read. Don't miss this one.

Reviewed by Margaret Ohmes
Posted June 12, 2004

Summary

It has been seven years since Emma Hartwell's capture by a tribe of the Lakota Sioux. But her recent rescue by the US Cavalry feels like anything but salvation. She has been forced to leave behind her beloved child, and return to the family who can't accept her, only to be shunned by the townspeople as an outcast. Emma is haunted by her life with the Elk tribe. She sets off on a dangerous journey, fueled by a fierce love of her son and fears for his safety, in an effort to find the tribe and reclaim him.

Only Ridge Madoc stands in her way. A former army scout with a keen tracking sense and a keener sense of justice, Ridge has been sent by Emma's father to bring her back—a task that will give him the chance of reclaiming some of the land that was rightfully his. But, he never expected a woman as determined and courageous as Emma. Now, Emma must appeal to Ridge to help her with her desperate quest, and Ridge must struggle with his desire for a woman who no longer has a place in his world...