Frozen Tears [Paperback]

Mary Ann MacAfee (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 8, 2009

2009 READER'S FAVORITE GOLD WINNER FICTION-DRAMA In Alaska's stunning but brutal interior, where white and Native cultures clash, Kale Weaver struggles to survive a devastating tragedy that becomes the genesis for her allegiance to wolves and the circumstances making her target of a primitive superstition. Aided by her best friend, a worn-out helicopter pilot, and the bond shared with a wolf shaman, she then struggles against what follows: the bigotry and rejection imposed on her and her half-breed son,until she is challenged by the ultimate ordeal. Whatever the risks, she must fulfill a wish for her young son that she had never imagined for him. But above all, Kale's page-turning journey shows that love can triumph over life's most dire challenges and painful losses.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This mystical, contemporary, Alaskan adventure tale follows the love between a young environmentalist and her laconic Ennuit husband, with a supporting cast that includes a gun-happy, spurned ex-lover; a wise old "wolf shaman;" a feral child; a trusty sidekick (named Rusty, of course); and wolves. Lots of wolves. When Kale meets Elliot at The Crusty Miner--the local bar and pool hall in Midland, Alaska--it's love at first sight. Well, at least heavy attraction, since both of them have clearly been around the block a few times. After meeting again at the town's hoot-n-holler Gold Days founders celebration, the unlikely couple--she a California-bred white girl drawn to the cold North country for personal and professional reasons, he a commercial pilot of native ancestry--get married and seem set to live happily ever after, despite their cultural differences. But while on an emergency flight to the village where Elliot's family lives, an accident leaves him dead and Kale--pregnant and scared--lost and alone in the snowy wilderness. With the help of an entity she names Gray Wolf, she eventually finds her way back to civilization. Years pass, and though her preternaturally wise son Matthew yearns to explore his own Ennuit heritage, he is rejected by the tribe. When tragedy strikes again, Kale finds the inner strength to do what she knows to be right by seeking the spiritual guidance of the wolves she loves and protects. Again the ancient wisdom leads her to the right path, difficult as it may be. The action-packed plot often veers dangerously close to pure tabloid melodrama in this bracing, though meditative novel. Still, MacAfee's controlled poetic tone and obviously deep sympathy for environmentalism and respect for native customs mostly keep the potential cringe-factor at bay. While less metaphysically inclined readers might find Frozen Tears'transformative spiritual aspects a trifle off-putting, sentimental animal lovers with a fancy for rugged terrain and high tragedy will find much to relish. Enduring love and the endless cycle of death and rebirth. --Kirkus Discoveries Review

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (May 8, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1439218196
• ISBN-13: 978-1439218198
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,988,492 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars great book, December 19, 2009

By 

Matthew Arnold "author of The Shattered Silen... (Pacific Northwest USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Frozen Tears (Paperback)

The author has crafted a highly compelling story, placed in solid setting, and revolving around well developed characters. It pulled me in; I found it to be very engaging. The story incorporates themes of romance, love, tragedy, survival, inspiration, and Native American culture all well woven together and balanced. It is difficult to describe exactly what the book is about, except to say that it is a very compelling story of one woman's passions and tragedies through a decade or so of her life. Without revealing any spoilers, I will say that the story followed a far different path in the latter half than I had expected it to go and that in particular grabbed my interest throughout and impressed me greatly. By often setting a chapter to be months or years after the previous one, the story winds up encompassing quite a long range of the main character's life, but without bogging down in even the least at any point. Well done. It is quite a page turner.

5.0 out of 5 stars Of especial interest to those intrigued by the native Alaskan culture, October 8, 2009

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Frozen Tears (Paperback)

For your family, you would do anything. "Frozen Tears" is the story of Kale Weaver, an environmentalist as she is faced with a challenge of Alaska's beautiful natural landscape. Blending its native culture, creatures, and more, Mary Ann MacAfee blends a delightful read that will entertain many a reader. "Frozen Tears" is of especial interest to those intrigued by the native Alaskan culture.

5.0 out of 5 stars Heartbreaking and Heartwarming, September 14, 2009

By 

OCMD "bookworm" - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Frozen Tears (Paperback)

In Frozen Tears, a tale of love and adventure in contemporary Alaska, Mary Ann MacAfee parallels real life issues and spiritual elements to create a story that is haunting, heartbreaking and hopeful.

Kale Leland is a hydrologist in the remote wilds of Midland, Alaska. She has a job, friends and an overbearing boyfriend that her family approves of. Her life is pretty well set until she meets Elliot Weaver, an Alaskan Native at The Crusty Miner, a local bar. There's a strong attraction between the Ennuit bush pilot and the California-bred white girl. Over the objections of friends and family Kale marries Elliot and despite their cultural differences the young couple is happy and looking forward to a long life together. He takes her to visit the Native village where his family lives and she forms a bond with his grandfather, Ittuq who is a wolf shaman. But when they get a call that Ittuq is sick they attempt an emergency flight to the village and it ends in a tragic accident. Elliot dies leaving Kale pregnant and lost in the snowy wilderness. Caught in a whirl of pain, loss and confusion she is led to a cave and then later to the village by a gray wolf. She believes Ittuq became a wolf one last time before he died so he could save her and his grandchild. Kale comes to love the wolves and she will rely on their spiritual guidance in the future when tragedy strikes again.

I love to open a book and find myself immersed in another world. Frozen Tears did that for me. MacAfee paints vivid pictures of the Alaskan landscape and weather that left me breathless. Her descriptions of the Ennuit village with its native traditions, extreme poverty and alcoholism give the story a real depth. Her characters live and breathe. I found myself empathizing with Kale and her struggle to overcome each challenge and loss. This bittersweet tale will entice readers to suspend belief in ordinary reality and enter a world of mysticism and reincarnation. Themes of environmentalism are woven in a compelling exploration of life, love and loss. A wonderful story filled with redemptive hope and the promise of enduring love. I highly recommend it.

Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (May 8, 2009)
ISBN- 978-1439218198
Paperback: 368 Pages
Price: $15.99