Comanche Magic

I have read several Catherine Anderson books in the past but this is one of my top reads for 2008. Comanche Moon is the beginning of a "saga" that follows through to 3 more of Catherine's books. The story brings to light the cultural differences in White/Indian relations and how misunderstood both groups of people handled their differences. Through the fear of rape, raids and eventually death - one man and one woman find love. This book not only shows the culture during the 1880's but how all men/woman struggle to raise families and provide a better existence for their offspring. Not all are successful in this endeavor but as Catherine depicts, individuals are willing to risk their own lives to protect their people. I have passed my copy on to my oldest daughter as I think the story will certainly be attractive to multi generations.

This book is the last installement in the Comanche saga books, starting with "Comache Moon" "Comanche Heart" "Indigo Blue" and then we have "Comanche Magic" the story of Indigo's brother Chase, and the woman he falls in love with, Franchine. Chase returns to Wolf's landing after several years of absence as he worked the timber business. Now he's back due to an injury. Life has made him a hardened and cynical man. He first meets Franchine when she is visiting his sister Indigo. He doesn't know that she is a prostitute. Later when he learns the truth about her work, Chase rudely and coldly tells Franchine to stay away from his sister and her family. Franchine is a victim in every meaning of the word. Her story is heartwrenching. She conjures images in her mind, of good memories, of the beautiful life which she lost at the tender age of 13, when she was forced into prostitution. Through these images she escapes the horrible reality, when she is working in the Saloon at night. No lights are allowed to be turned on in the room either. And that is the way she keeps her sanity. The shame, guilt and incredible pain she feels is just heartbreaking. But having to feed eight siblings, the youngest of whom is sick and needs a very expensive elixir to survive, and a blind mother, force her to continue in this proffession which she hates. Mrs. Anderson does a great job showing how very few options were open to women back then, hence forcing the desperate ones into prostitution. As things progress, Chase and Franchine get to know each other through events that are both funny and tender. The more Chase learns about Franchine, the more he sees that she is a victim, and his heart breaks for her. Hence he begins to buy her services for the entire night, but instead of having any sexual relation with her, he takes her out on picnics, and moonlight walks. Franchine realizes that Chase is playing with her heart, and that is something that she can not afford to lose. For if he broke her heart, she would most definitely break down, and this time lose her mind completely. And her family would starve. She couldn't bear more heartache or afford to dream of the wonderful things that Chase was making her believe in again. So she tries to push him away, only Chase isn't so easily discouraged. I thought that Fanchine's mother got off too easily. I wanted to slap her for what she did. This story is about the power of love, and faith. How a completely shattered life, a hurting broken woman, found her dreams and her life again. How a hurting, cynical man learned to dream and to love. A very good read.

This is a wonderful love story between a man and a reluctant prostitute. The story will tug at your heart and make you think of Chase and Franchine long after the book is over.