Cassie Edwards, Savage Hope

Savage Hope

Cassie Edwards

Leisure, Aug 2004, $6.99, 372 pp.

ISBN: 0843950544

In 1880, Bright Arrow, Chief of the Thunderbird Clan of the Makah tribe, enjoys his life, especially how his people are thriving in the peaceful environs of Washington, overlooking the aptly named Pacific, though the squaws want him married. His calm falls apart when he sees a blond beauty crossing a frozen covered pond that he doubts can hold a child's weight since the heavy rains have begun melting the ice. The lovely vision falls through the ice, but Bright Arrow saves her life.

Ballet dancer Kathia Parish knows she is fortunate that the strong Indian saved her life. She feels she owes the handsome Bright Arrow, but has no idea how to pay anyone, let alone an Indian, for rescuing her from certain death. As the twosome becomes better acquainted, they do the taboo of falling in love. Besides her career, though they want to be together, his tribe needs him and her ailing father needs her.

Cassie Edwards has provided her most refreshing "Savage" tale in years as the lead couple has issues to deal with rather than the usual odious powerful white male causing trouble. The storyline provides readers with a glimpse of Pacific Northwest Indian life in the latter half of the nineteenth century. Although quite descriptive, the key to this tale is the wonderful lead couple; seemingly the only resolution to their dilemma means one of them has to concede a lifestyle as compromise appears impossible. Ms. Edwards furbishes a winner to her myriad of readers.

Harriet Klausner