"Beautiful love story"

In 1876 Dakota Territory, Kaylee Matthews is playing hide go seek game on horseback with her long time pal Randy Harris when she spots the wounded Indian. Randy prefers the Indian bleed to death from his bullet wounds, but Kaylee feels that they must try to save a fellow human. Randy warns her that her abusive stepfather Shaun Randall will viciously take it out on her if he ever learns that she harbored and nurtured to health an Indian. Though she knows the belief Shaun harbors that all Indians should die, Kaylee hides the wounded warrior.

As Kaylee and Blue Hawk spend time together while he heals, they begin to fall in love. However, Blue Hawk realizes that duty must supersede personal feelings. He takes Kaylee prisoner so he can ransom her and use the money to purchase needs guns and supplies for his people. However, Kaylee takes to the lifestyle of the Lakota, leading to happiness for these star-crossed lovers. However, her people are coming to not only rescue her, but to destroy his.

The warm romance between the stars of LAKOTA LOVE STORY is set amidst a panoramic look at the Lakota nation as only Madeline Baker could so vividly describe the era. The story line is exciting; never slowing down as the action continues non-stop throughout the plot. Though the characters are typical of the sub-genre in terms of extreme prejudice or tolerance, the lead couple is a charming pair. The author bakes a powerful novel that sub-genre fans will appreciate.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted December 20, 2001