Distant Echoes

In DISTANT ECHOES we have another outstanding read by Judie Aitken. Jesse Spotted Horse is a wonderful intelligent caring hero and Kathleen is wonderful to watch as she grows from a repressed spinster into an open loving woman. The story of the off rez Indian Schools is a painful chapter in our history and Ms Aitken manages to bring that pain to life without ever getting preachy or maudlin. One of the best things about her books is the fact we can learn more about the Native American experience as well as enjoy deeply touching romances. Another for my keeper shelf. You can't go wrong with this book.

As I have come to expect, Ms. Aitken's characters are extremely well written and truthfully portrayed. Jesse and Kathleen could be the people you pass by on the street tomorrow morning, and I adore that about Ms. Aitken's writing. Because of my own family history regarding the indian schools, this particular book was both painful to read and liberating in that it is a story which deals with a very touchy part of American history in an open and honest way. You can see both sides and understand the difficulty with which the characters must deal with and overcome on their course to finding each other. Thank you Ms. Aitken, for replying to my email. I cannot wait for the next book. So glad to hear that it's off for review! And, once again, kudos on the website! www.judieaitken.com

As I have come to expect, Ms. Aitken's characters are extremely well written and truthfully portrayed. Jesse and Kathleen could be the people you pass by on the street tomorrow morning, and I adore that about Ms. Aitken's writing. Because of my own family history regarding the indian schools, this particular book was both painful to read and liberating in that it is a story which deals with a very touchy part of American history in an open and honest way. You can see both sides and understand the difficulty with which the characters must deal with and overcome on their course to finding each other. Thank you Ms. Aitken, for replying to my email. I cannot wait for the next book. So glad to hear that it's off for review! And, once again, kudos on the website! www.judieaitken.com

Judie Aitken's new book blew me away! DISTANT ECHOES encompasses romance, mystery and danger, each deftly handled and carefully wrought. Dealing with an aspect of American History long ignored, this book brought it to life. Her heroine is someone I'd like to know. And the hero! Strong and beautiful. I highly recommend Judie Aitken's DISTANT ECHOES!

The Brookstone Foundation provides a $2.5 million grant to movie director Jesse Spotted Horse to film a documentary on the "Stolen Children, Stolen Culture: The Story of the off-Reservation Schools". To fulfill a promise he made to Grandma Boo to find what happened to her relative Tokalu Sapa at the DuBois Indian School, Jesse obtains permission to film at the now closed school, whose museum is part of the Dubois Academy.Jesse meets the museum curator Kathleen Prescott whose family goes back several generations to when the founder ran the school. She believes her ancestors were caring individuals trying to help while he feels that they destroyed families and individuals. When they begin filming, suddenly smoke breaks out. When it clears the two combatants find they somehow are back in 1886 where both will learn the truth about the salad days of the DuBois Indian School even as they fall in love with one another.This engaging time travel romance is at its best during the squabbles over what happened as handed down by generation to generation by the lead protagonists' respective families. As Jesse and Kathleen observe the truth, their misconceptions seem foolish, adding to a historiographic feel to the plot. Though the time travel device remains shaky, the use provides the audience with a deep look at a questionable practice from a bygone era.Harriet Klausner