Review
Belle MacKay leaves behind a well paying a job and a not so committed boyfriend to discover the history of her family. She never knew her grandfather Reason MacKay but he has left her an island on Lake Papakeechie-- provided she meets all the criteria stipulated in his will. Drawn to the past and to the family she has never known, Belle expects a solitary life on the island while she maps the genealogy of her ancestors. She gets much more than she ever expected. With an odd assortment of small town folk showing up on her doorstep Belle doesn't have time to be lonely. She meets David Kinzie because of his midnight antics when he relives the life of one of her Native American ancestors. Young David only visits Lake Papakeechie on the weekends and because of his attachment to Reason, Belle takes him under her wing and offers him a job. As much as she likes David, she is wary of his father Juda. Still recovering from her last relationship, Belle keeps her distance from Juda. But the attraction between them grows as Juda and David become a part of Belle's new life. The peaceful quality of Papakeechie is disturbed when someone tries to run Belle off the island. There are people that want the land her grandfather gave her-- those that do not respect nature and history. Mystical dreams of people she has never known start haunting Belle. As the desperation of others turns violent, Belle finds an inner peace that she attributes to the woman in her dreams. Living on Lake Papakeechie gives her a sense of belonging she has never known. Juda, David and her other new friends become the family she has always wanted. Belle has found her home at last... (Includes a forward by Nick Clark, director of the Minnetrista Cultural Center for Native American Woodland Tribes, Great Lakes studies)Magical! A haunting story that lingers like a familiar melody... Laura Lynn Leffers has written a stunning debut novel! A wonderful story of Native Americans and the history they have left behind! An uplifting and memorable tale! Dance on the Water is good for the soul! A fascinating novel from a new author! Ms. Leffers has a very promising career ahead of her!Kristina Wright -- Copyright © 1994-97 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved -- From Literary Times
