What does a woman do when she and her children are stranded on the side of a mountain with winter looming? Jessica Maxwell finds out how uncertain life can be when her husband dies on the trail, leaving his family alone.

What does a Lakota Sioux Warrior do when he is compelled to aid a family of White people, though he despises the White Man? Swift Eagle learns to care and heals his wounded spirit with the help of the Maxwell family.

REVIEW

Moon Of The Falling Leaves left me crying a little at the hardship and pain that these characters had to endure. But it also had me laughing and cheering them on when they made the little things seem so touching and poignant.

Set during a time in America's history when the white man sought riches and gold and the Indians fought for survival amidst hatred and prejudice, this story is about Jessica Maxell and her children. She followed her husband into the wilderness as he sought riches and land. Soon she found herself lost, alone, bone tired, and struggling to keep her kids safe.

Swift Eagle is a Shaman who has lived alone with his heart full of hatred and resentment at what his family has suffered at the hands of the white man. But when his vision foretold that he must help Jessica and her children, he stepped up and willingly helped them, despite resentment and puzzlement at why he was led to come to their rescue. Soon all of their lives would be in grave peril as enemies plotted to enslave them, even kill them if necessary.

There's also a forbidden love with intense feelings that would soon develop into a love that couldn't be ignored or fought against, no matter how hard they tried to fight it.

I truly enjoyed reading this story. The book came alive in my mind's eye as I could picture the characters as they evolved and went through the many trials and heartaches they would endure before finding true happiness.

Reviewed by: Margo Arthur

EXCERPT

Swift Eagle sat before the campfire, his gaze intent on the blue-white flames. He settled more comfortably on the buffalo robe and closed his eyes, a mournful chant rising and falling from his throat in prayer.

Suddenly the flames burst high and Swift Eagle opened his eyes, only to see a dark tunnel. Sadness fell upon his spirit like a widow's veil. The Lakota floated into the tunnel, blinded by the darkness, heart beating rapidly then slowing again, almost to nothing. As his eyes adjusted to the dark, he could see shadows that looked like people, just ahead of him. Coming closer, he saw Jessica walking with her head bowed, but only three of her children followed. Grace walked between Samuel and Jeremy, her small hands clinging to theirs as they followed their mother.

Freddie was not there. Swift Eagle looked frantically around the tunnel but could not spy the child and a chill went through him at the sudden realization of this omen. Swift Eagle knew the child lived and he must find him.

Abruptly, the flames died and Swift Eagle awoke from his trance, sweat pouring off him, chilling his flesh in the cool mountain air. But his heart was chilled as well and the foreboding that struck his spirit caused him to bow his head wearily. Soon, though, he looked upward at the dark sky, knowing he was far from finished with the Maxwell family. His mission was as yet incomplete, and hope speared his heart. Perhaps Jessica had been right, perhaps he'd misread the vision of another woman for him, another man for her. He would only find the answers when he found the woman and her children.