The Second Vow

In 1876, Irishman Braden Flynn escorts a band of Sioux, led by Sitting Bull, across Canada. Following the battle of Little Big Horn, tension runs high as the Sioux seek sanctuary in Canada and the United States demands their return and forces them onto reservations. The Irishman in Braden can't help empathizing with a people suffering from hunger, pursued, and driven by desperation.Braden soon finds his vow of loyalty questioned when he falls in love with the beautiful Dancing Bird, the niece of Sitting Bull. She likewise feels a bond forged by starvation and the sorrow that accompanies it. Fiercely independent, protective of her family and loyal to her people, Dancing Bird's spirit and loyalty prove irresistible to Braden. For political reasons, his request for permission to marry her is denied, and brings incredible pressure to bear as he makes a second vow -- one born of love --to his beloved Dancing Bird. Even as her people seek to recapture their glory days, even temporarily, dwindling food supplies will eventually drive them back across the boarder onto United States reservations. Despite the challenges, however, Braden's determined to honor his second vow.Katheryn Fox captures the flavor, the texture and the tension of this historical era with flair. Sympathetic to the plight of the Indians, Fox nobly recreates the last peaceful days of the Sioux in this touching love story. As two cultures battle to fulfill destiny, this tender love story captures the best of both cultures with a gentle characterization and respect. Told from a Canadian perspective, Fox brings to life a viewpoint often neglected by American audiences. Indeed, Fox brings renewed life to the legendary Sitting Bull and his people through gift of fiction, powerfully representing their culture's demise with a sense of immediacy and sympathy. A beautiful love story, THE SECOND VOW comes highly recommended.

As life in Fort McLeod grew too tame for him, Constable Braden Flynn transferred to Fort Walsh. Fort Walsh was close to the Canada/United States border. The American Sioux were on the run. The battle of Little Big Horn was fresh in the minds of all. Canada granted sanctuary to the Sioux as long as they obeyed only a few rules. The Sioux easily agreed. Sitting Bull was the chief and led his people wisely. The Blackfoot tribe was nearby but each tribe respected the other during these uncertain times ... to an extent. Dancing Bird was the niece of Sitting Bull and unlike most of the other women in the tribe. Acting as interpreter, she and Braden got to know each other well. They fell in love. However, Braden was not given permission to wed and the United States Government was interfering too often. The future of the Sioux tribe was unclear, as was any possible future for a relationship between Dancing Bird and Braden. **** In the first book Colen and Maggie were the main characters with Brayden as the Irishman co-character. In this second book about the Mounties, Colen and Maggie are seen a couple of times which makes the story feel more realistic. Brayden's story was fascinating to me! The author changed history a bit for the sake of the story, but not much. The story was well written and flowed smoothly. An excellent story by the talented pen of Kathryn Fox!