Lakota Love Song (Signet Historical Romance) [Mass Market Paperback]

Madeline Baker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2002

An award-winning author of "extraordinary storytelling talents" (Romantic Times), Madeline Baker presents a new tale of two lovers-a young white woman and a fierce Lakota warrior-whose passion is threatened by the hostility and fear that is sweeping their land.

"Baker is justly renowned for her portrayals of American Indians." (Publishers Weekly)

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Madeline Baker started writing simply for the fun of it. Now she is the award-winning author of more than thirty historical romance books and one of the most popular writers of Native American romance. She lives in California, where she was born and raised. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Signet (January 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451204980
• ISBN-13: 978-0451204981
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,139,071 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another wonderful story from a master of Native American rom, October 10, 2002

By 

Kelley Hartsell "Kelley" (Irving, TX) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Lakota Love Song (Signet Historical Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)

Courtesy of The Best Reviews

Kaylee Matthews is out riding her family's ranch one day and comes across a Lakota warrior who was wounded and left for dead. She knows she must help him, and does so while hiding him from her family. As she is helping him recover, Kaylee finds herself becoming bound to him, tighter and tighter.

Blue Hawk awakens to find himself in a white man's lodge, with a beautiful vision before him. He is an injured outsider to this world and longs to return to his village and people. All the while though, he is drawn to Kaylee and does not want to leave her. However, his people need him, and he longs for revenge against the white man who broke his word, stealing supplies meant for the Lakota, and shooting Blue hawk, leaving him for dead.

Kaylee promises to help Blue Hawk return home, getting a lot more than she bargained for in the process. Now Kaylee is the outsider among the Lakota, and must learn to live as they do. As she adapts to her new life, the passion between her and Blue Hawk grows...their love becoming stronger every day. Kaylee discovers she loves the Indian way of life, but misses her family all the same, hoping they are well.

However, the Lakota are on the run and Kaylee with them. Custer is tracking them down, to force all Indians on to reservations and free up their land for settlers to develop. The Indians decide to take a stand and defend their sacred land. Will they be successful? Will Kaylee and Blue Hawk overcome the odds to remain together?

Ms. Baker has once again proven why she is one of the reigning queens of Native American romance. Kaylee and Blue Hawk's relationship is so pure and true, each only wanting what is best for the other. The secondary characters are also a rare treat. The interaction between them and the hero and heroine is well done and adds to the story. Their growth as people is as evident as Kaylee and Blue Hawk's, but never overshadows them.

The research that went into this story is unmistakable. One will love all of the historical facts thrown in. It was wonderful to read such detailed scenes, even the violent Battle of Little Big Horn, which is a vital turning point to the story. There is even a little bit of mystery thrown in, though this reviewer had it solved as soon as it was mentioned.

This is a touching story, full of emotion. The reader will laugh, cry, scream, and grieve along with Kaylee and Blue Hawk. Their emotion is so powerful; one will feel how torn they are between their families and their love for each other. Ms. Baker's books are always a pleasure to read. It is known that each story will be unique...a masterpiece...and Lakota Love Song does not disappoint.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Wanted to Like it..., February 11, 2002

By 

Serene (Marina, CA, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lakota Love Song (Signet Historical Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)

Lakota Love Song is the story of the love between white captive Kaylee Matthews and a wounded Lakota warrior Blue Hawk (why are all American Indians in romance novels called Hawk?)

Against the advice of her mother and best friend Randy, naive Kaylee tends to the injured Blue Hawk, and nurses him back to health. In exchange, (surprise) Blue Hawk kidnaps her to fulfill a vision that this "White Woman" Hold's the "Answer" for him and his people.

What follows is, a somewhat predictable romp through the west with romance being the inevitable result.

For me, two things did not click about this novel. First, the author's choice of dialog in several sections was just too stereotypical: Phrases like: "The only one whose gonna get hurt is that murderin' redskin" and the hero's constant stilted pronunciation of the heroine's name as "Kay-Lee" jolted me out of the story at several crucial points.

Secondly, the heroine Kaylee was just too naive and innocent to be enjoyable. I would've much preferred a freethinking and intelligent heroine. Romantic tension was lacking because Blue Hawk was always MUCH wiser and MUCH more knowledgeable about everything.

Overall, a predictable story, with several interesting bits, and some good research and minor characters, but nothing new by any means.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent storytelling, January 2, 2002

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lakota Love Song (Signet Historical Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)

In 1876 Dakota Territory, Kaylee Matthews is playing hide go seek game on horseback with her long time pal Randy Harris when she spots the wounded Indian. Randy prefers the Indian bleed to death from his bullet wounds, but Kaylee feels that they must try to save a fellow human. Randy warns her that her abusive stepfather Shaun Randall will viciously take it out on her if he ever learns that she harbored and nurtured to health an Indian. Though she knows the belief Shaun harbors that all Indians should die, Kaylee hides the wounded warrior.

As Kaylee and Blue Hawk spend time together while he heals, they begin to fall in love. However, Blue Hawk realizes that duty must supersede personal feelings. He takes Kaylee prisoner so he can ransom her and use the money to purchase needs guns and supplies for his people. However, Kaylee takes to the lifestyle of the Lakota, leading to happiness for these star-crossed lovers. However, her people are coming to not only rescue her, but to destroy his.

The warm romance between the stars of LAKOTA LOVE STORY is set amidst a panoramic look at the Lakota nation as only Madeline Baker could so vividly describe the era. The story line is exciting; never slowing down as the action continues non-stop throughout the plot. Though the characters are typical of the sub-genre in terms of extreme prejudice or tolerance, the lead couple is a charming pair. The author bakes a powerful novel that sub-genre fans will appreciate.

Harriet Klausner