Shawnee Bride

The author really got into the heart of a seventeen year old girl from Baltimore. Clarissa Rogers had a lot to learn about herself and life. She begins in Fort Pitt as an unthinking young girl and ends up growing up to become a wife and mother. Seth Johnson runs for his life when a bear kills his alcoholic father and is saved and adopted by the Shawnee tribe. Now at 25 he is the warrior, Wolf Heart, and on a hunt for the tribe when he is attracted to the flame haired female who does not belong in his territory. There is quite a bit of humor [and respect] in his rescue of Clarissa from her abductors and the beautiful? Ohio-se-pe river. Clarissa is made to run the gauntlet and then given to Swan Feather who slowly teaches her the use of the healing herbs. Poor Clarissa battles for her modesty and against her hormones in this strange way of life. She is bound and determined to escape back to Fort Pitt [which I understand is about 3 days ride back east]. Wolf Heart needs to go on another vision quest to find where his loyalties would remain -- his love for Clarissa or to save his people. His vision brings fear to his heart and he takes council with his peace Chief, Hunts-at-Night, only to find that he has had a similiar vision. Clarissa has been named, Dancing Fox, because of her hair color and has been learning how to find the healing herbs and will inherit Swan Feather's title of healer. We also meet the women's chief, White Moon, Hunts-at-Night's younger wife and Cat Follower, Wolf Heart's close friend among others. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - great characters - great Native American story - wonderful [hopefully accurate]insite into tribe life - definitely a keeper.

Wolf Heart had been Seth Johnson in his former life, the son of an alcoholic, abusive trapper who lived along the Ohio River when the Ohio was the frontier. After Seth's father died being mauled by a bear, he was found by the Shawnee and adopted into the tribe. For the past years, he has proven his dedication to his tribe over and over again. He never questioned his allegiance - until he saved Clarissa Rogers' life. She begged him to return her to Fort Pitt, from where she was kidnapped, but Wolf Heart takes her to the Shawnee Council, instead. But in the coming months, he wonders if he shouldn't have listened to her, for not only is Clarissa having difficulty adjusting to Shawnee life, but Wolf Heart finds himself falling in love with her - which would only be a disaster for all involved! Clarissa Rogers may have been tentatively accepted into the Shawnee tribe after surviving the gauntlet, but she doesn't plan on staying there forever! As soon as she gets the chance, she is going to run away back to white civilization, no matter how difficult it is! But as the months pass, and she gets to know Wolf Heart and the Shawnee people more, she feels her heart becoming bound to the village. When her chance for escape comes, will she choose to return to Fort Pitt - or will she choose to stay with the man who has stolen her heart and his adopted people? This book was excellent. Out of all the Native American romances I have read, I would say that this is the most realistic of them all. Not only is the historic detail amazing in the book - from the clothes, to the language, to the customs - but Clarissa and Wolf Heart seem like they could be real people. Wolf Heart is torn between his allegiance to the Shawnee tribe and his feelings for Clarissa. Clarissa is a totally believable captive - she doesn't want to stay with the Shawnee forever, she wants to escape, but as she learns more about the culture and befriends some of the people, she is torn between staying and leaving. I think at least some captives went through similar feelings, struggling within on whether to stay or try to leave. Clarissa's internal struggle made her much more believable, as were her misconceptions of the Shawnee, which although untrue, were common. An excellent book for those who enjoy history and romance, especially Indian romance, and if the ending doesn't make you sigh, I'll be surprised! :)

What a wonderful book! The story of Clarissa and her Wolf Heart was touching, moving, and held me to the end. I had such a hard time putting this book down, and I recommend it for those who are interested in Indian Romance books, or anyone who loves a great romance story. The book took me in with the characters and made me feel at one with them. All I can say is "Well done! " and I loved it!