A View of the River

A View of the River evokes emotion through the inequities of human nature: one group profiting from the loss of another, greed, buried lies, and the sins of the fathers. Ms. Eagle artfully weaves past and present, giving us a glimpse of Minnesota around the beginning of the 20th century, and the emotional struggles of Native Americans and white families, alike. In an effort to preserve her heritage, when Rochelle LeClaire decides to turn an historic family home into a bed and breakfast, she uncovers some old family secrets and a little more about her family members than anticipated. She reunites with Birch Trueblood, an Ojibwe medicine man with whom she has a long-held fascination. Digging through family archives, and convinced that spirits of the past are revealing themselves to him, Birch and his daughter uncover truths about his and Rochelle's family lineage. As the relationship between Rochelle and Birch blossoms, a Minnesota snow storm traps them at Rochelle's ancestral home. When the electricity goes out, the fires are stoked in more ways than one. The characters are colorful and the relationships are believably smooth. (How does she do that?) The sub-plot includes visitors--the likes of which you would only tolerate because they are family--such as a sister, who is more concerned with her inheritance than spending the last days with her aging aunt or preserving the family legacy, attempting to weave her way back into the family by planning her wedding at the historic home. She brings along her equally greedy future in-laws, only to have their hopes for a profitable financial future derailed by mother nature, giving us a sense that the spirits don't appreciate their motives, either. Kathleen Eagle is a master at weaving stories that impart a rich sense of family, history, Indian folk lore and spirit. A View of the River is all that, and more. If you are a Kathleen Eagle fan, you'll enjoy this one.

Schoolteacher Rochelle LeClair returns to her home in Little Falls, Minnesota to insure her once wealthy philanthropist Aunt Meg has a roof over her head. The family fortune earned by great-grandfather Martin Bruner back in 1911 also devastated the homes of a small but courageous band of Ojibwe Indians. Ojibwe shaman Birch Trueblood is doing quite well with providing Native American rituals to believers and tourists though he himself is a cynic. He raises his preadolescent daughter Robin by himself ever since his wife, a soldier, died on active duty overseas. Birch is hired to help the spirits that reside at Meg's home which was converted to a bed and breakfast move on to the next level. Everyone who attends his performance including Robin thinks he is the real deal except himself and Rochelle. Their ancestors crossed back in 1911 and they have known each other on and off for years; she believes he is fraud, something he would agree with. However, this time encouraged by her aunt, his daughter, and several spirits they fall in love but she refuses to believe him when he insists he has seen ghosts that no one else sees. This is an interesting contemporary romance with a paranormal spin and a delightful final reverse twist that will surprise readers. The cast makes for a pleasant read as the past haunts the present in more ways than just the ugly "eminent domain' 1911 incident that link the lead duet. Though Robin is too precocious, fans will enjoy this fine tale with ghostly intervention. Harriet Klausner

Whether you're already a K.E. fan or trying her for the first time you should read "A View of the River." Eagle blends American Indian mysticism with a good-old don't-look-out-the-window-at-night ghost story. And there's a strong, handsome Ojibwe shaman to fall in love with to boot. But it's more than just a love story. It's more like a "Love of Life" story, and few authors capture and convey everyday joys like Kathleen Eagle. [...]

There is no fiction writer in the United States that writes about the Native American people, their lives and history like Kathleen Eagle. And A View of the River is no exception. It is simply a beautiful blend of two people from two different worlds who come together in the celebration of life, love and acceptance. From the first sentence 'Rebecca was dressed for drowning,' through the fascinating prologue, to the final gratifying sentence, each reader will enjoy this unforgettable story for their own reasons. Birch Trueblood is an Ojibwe shaman practicing among the New Agers and other tourists in northern Minnesota. He's lived a life that's left him cynical about most things. And with the cynicism he's really become nothing more than a 'professional holy man' doing what he needs to do to get along. But Trueblood isn't completely lost; he has a nine-year-old daughter, Robin that he loves deeply and is raising alone since his wife died. When Trueblood is hired by an eccentric woman, Meg, to communicate with the ghosts of Rosewood, a new bed-and-breakfast located in an historic old house, things change. Meg brings the shaman to Rosewood and ultimately to Rochelle LeClair. Rochelle and Trueblood have met in the past and while she believes him to be a fake, she's drawn to him, as he is to her. Their journey begins as secrets of the past and the heart come to light. The lucky reader gets to come along for a scintillating ride. Armchair Interviews says: This is a book you'll enjoy reading and then will think about long after you've finished. We eagerly look forward to Eagle's next release!