Night Falls Like Silk

I thought this was the best Eagle book I've read in a number of years, probably since THE NIGHT REMEMBERS. It has a riveting plotline, a fast pace, a strong, dark story, a sexy love story. Eagle always gives readers an honest, intelligent book, but I thought this one had more energy and spark than some of her other recent books, and I really enjoyed it.

This is a sequel to what was possibly Kathleen Eagle's best book. I was nervous about her revisting these characters. This is true to the original and enhances it rather than detracts for it. Tommy T has grown up in to be a man and to have family conflicts firmly rooted in the Tommy T we knew as a child. Never explotative nor preaching about mixed heritage or Native American traditions, the theme of Native American tradition is perfectly used to move the plot forward. This romance deals deftly with drug use and it's effect on a family, culture clash, age difference in couples, and the bravery it takes to hope. A really fine book well worth buying in hardcover.

I really enjoyed this novel as it now features Tommy T aka Thomas Warrior, now a famous comic strip writer. At an auction for White Bull's ledger drawings, Thomas finds himself competing with another fan of White Bull's drawings as well. As they compete, Thomas gives up and defeated, he leaves the auction a bit angry and bemused. Cassandra, after winning the ledger drawings for her gallery, is excited to have them and find them inspiring. The mysterious man who wanted them makes her curious about him. There is a spark between them but each go their separate ways after acknowledging each other after the auction.Less than a month pass before Angela, Tommy T's adoptive mother asks him to mentor a friend's nephew. The aunt, Cassandra, of the said nephew happens to be none other than the woman who outbid him for the ledger drawings. Their mutual attraction sparks and sizzles. The trademark Eagle sexual banter flames up hot and intense between them all throughout the book. They made a great couple.The suspense of the book was pretty strong. Someone threatens Cassandra and her nephew Aaron from the shadows. It is unexpected and the upcoming events tests the relationship between Cassandra and Thomas and involves an innocent little boy. The ending was touching. The secondary characters help round out the story. Jessie and Angela's romance is rather subtle. You assume that they are happy with each other but so much tension still exists between all of them with Tommy T. The past keeps rearing it's ugly head. Jessie tries to help when things start to heat up and eventually, the two men do come to terms with the past and I would like to think that their relationship is on the mend.This was a great novel. A vast improvement over Eagle's last book. Ms. Eagle, we love your stories. We love that you take real life sometimes and create stories out of them. What the Heart Knows, Reason to Believe, This Time Forever are all wonderful books. We want more! Sunrise Song, Fire and Rain...Kathleen Eagle, you are wonderful. Those books I listed were excellent reads. We want MORE, MORE, MORE

In the Chicago area, Thomas Brown Wolf has become a famous somewhat reclusive comic strip writer-artist with popular characters like Dark Dog and Victory. Thomas overcame a stressful life with the help of cop Jesse Brownwolf and his wife and teacher Angela. However, Thomas is angry with his surrogate father who arrested his brother Stoney on drug charges.Angela asks Thomas to mentor young Aaron, nephew of a friend wealthy widow art dealer Cassandra Findley. Reluctantly Thomas agrees, but hates being attracted to Cassandra, who he previously met during a bidding war between them at an auction. As Angela and Thomas fall in love, someone begins stealing her art while mimicking his comic, placing her in danger from an unknown assailant who seems to want to keep the two of them apart.Though the twist that causes the tension is difficult to accept (0nce revealed), readers will enjoy this taut romantic suspense due to the obvious flaws of the lead duo. Angela is an interesting protagonist, having married an older man who has since died leaving her rich. Thomas displays impatience and anger until Angela begins to calm him down. Aaron is especially a solid secondary player whose artwork is as dark as they come though he is quite young. The plot implies that his mother's flirty inanity might cause the youth's somber outlook. The audience will gain pleasure with the intriguing relationships between the key players that make for a fine read.Harriet Klausner