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Secret Shadows (Berkley Sensation)

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The brutal murder of his baby sister, Kylee, puts undercover FBI agent Dane White Eagle in a unique and dangerous position. He is trying to infiltrate the Big Elk gang, which manufactures a deadly form of Ecstasy. The FBI hopes that by pinning Kylee's murder on Dane, he can get into prison, and more importantly, next to Bobby Big Elk. Dr. Claire Colby ends up involved with Dane. It was Claire who treated Kylee's gunshot wound and who testified at Dane's trial. She is shocked when months later, Dane's murder conviction is overturned and he goes home to the reservation where Claire now works. The evidence points to Dane being a scoundrel, but she can't help feeling there is more to him than meets the eye. Both Dane and Claire appear to be experiencing the same strange dream, but what does it mean? Can they figure it out before danger boils over? The culture and beliefs of the Lakota people play a significant and influential role in Aitken's mesmerizing novel. Having to keep so many secrets from those he loves places a great burden on Dane. Choices made and justice sought make this extremely powerful reading. Jill M. Smith - reviewer

Judie Aitken has woven an intricate pattern of cultural history and loyalty. She describes facets in life that few of us will experience. Her characters come to life and enter the reader's mind, to travel the adventure together. A great read, her best effort yet!

Dane White Eagle is another one of Judie Aitken's to die for Lakota heroes. Dane is an undercover FBI agent working uncover on the rez to find the drug dealers who have been poisoning users. His little sister is murdered and due to the testimoney of Dr. Clair Colby the ER doctor he is sent to prison. While in prison he contiues to try and get information on the dealers and waits for his chance to clear his name. Meanwhile Clair, seeking meaning in her life takes a job on the reservation where she is soon tormented by a strange recurring dream. There are some excellent side lights in the story, the strange dream that both Dane and Clair share, a pack of wild dogs who seem to be stalking the pair and of course the mystery of the drug dealers and the murder. While all this is going on Clair and Dane somehow manage to find time to fall in love. Things aren't pretty on reservations and Ms. Aitken pulls no punches in showing the reality of life for Native American's who live on them.

Dane White Eagle works undercover for the FBI at the Cold Creek Lakota Reservation in South Dakota trying to find the lab where the Big Elk gang makes dangerous Ecstasy to sell to tribe members. Dane takes his dying thirteen year old sister Kylee to a party in Rapid City, but stops at his home. When he returns he finds Kylee shot with his revolver in her good hand. He quickly takes her to the nearby Pennington General ER where Dr. Claire Colby pronounces Kylee dead.

Dane's FBI partners arrange for him to be convicted of his sister's murder. In prison he befriends Big Elk before being released on a technicality. Big Elk's brother Leland adds Dane to the team at the same time Claire joins the Red Star Clinic on the Cold creek reservation. As she and Dane meet outside a medical facility, they fall in love, which places her in danger from the Big Elk gang even as Dane nears achieving his personal objective of finding his sister's killer.

This exhilarating Native American police procedural romance is action packed starring two caring protagonists, especially Dane. His courage is unbelievable not because of risking his life, which he does, but because he knows how much he has hurt his mother yet knows his sacrifice is the right thing. The motive for killing Kylee seems ridiculous even though life is cheap to the culprit. Adding to the fine tale is strong support characters to include the two fed partners, Kylee's dog, Claire's medical friend, Dane's sis, mom and surrogate grandfather, and the comparison between the two gang brothers. Together the cast makes for a strong tale.

Harriet Klausner

I enjoyed SECRET SHADOWS. I found Judie Aitken's tale entertaining and creative. The author's writing style is smooth and glides along at a very quick pace. But I think Aitken's strong suit is her ability to move on, this author does not bog down her storyline by overemphasizing. Although, the story is suspenseful, the author avoids reading anxiety and I found this approach very satisfying.

Dane White Eagle is a modern day Sioux warrior. He is Lakota. He is also an enigma; he is not what he appears. Dane White Eagle is an FBI agent who is working undercover, filtering through the narcotic underworld. An agent who hopes to penetrate the flagrant drug ring operating on the Cold Creek Lakota Reservation -- the reservation where his mother and his young sister live.

In the local hospital, Dr. Claire Colby spends every waking moment in the emergency room, dealing with the wounded and the dying. Claire Colby is also moving on with her life; Claire Colby is recently and happily divorced. On a cold December night, Dr. Claire Colby and Dane White Eagle collide.

Judie Aitken further attracts her reader by allowing Lakota culture and words to filter throughout. This is a respectable touch. So why not a higher rating? I waited too long for the romance; I wanted more for Dane and Claire. And in the end, there were too many open questions, I found the tidied up conclusion too evasive. I couldn't believe the actions of White Eagle's mother and I didn't understand why Aitken brought up Claire's abusive husband when that storyline went nowhere!

Still, Judie Aitken delivers a good tale and she has piqued my interest in her work. Grade: B+

Grace Atkinson, Ontario - Canada.

This review is based on an Advanced Reading Copy.

Just in time for Summer reads, Berkley has cut the prices on some of it most talented authors. So here is a chance to find some new voices you might have missed. One of the best finds is Judie Aitken. She is an extremely talented writer, drawing strongly on her Native American background. It's through this pride, this passion she is able to write vivid books with strong Lakota backgrounds that carry the reader into a brilliantly envisioned world of the Lakota Indian Reservation. Secret Shadows was a 2004 Reviewers International Award Winner, as well as winning other awards for her books, Love Beyond Time, A Place Called Hope and Distant Echoes. Once you read one of her books you will be scrambling to get the others.

In Secret Shadows, Dane White Eagle is an undercover FBI agent. He is hot on the trail of drug dealers using the Lakota Reservation as a cover for other dirty dealings. Dane is furious they're peddling the stuff to his people and wishes to stop it. As he is drawing nearer to the Ecstasy dealers, they move to put a stop to his meddling. Dane returns home to find his 13-year-olds sister, who was dying of cancer, shot with his gun.

Dr. Claire Colby is covering the graveyard shift at the emergency room when Dane's sisters is rushed there. She is the one who pronounces her dead. Dane is arrested for the sister's death and Claire is called to testify against him. With the strength of her testimony Dane is sent to prison. Their paths cross again as Dane is knifed by an inmate and she must save him. Later, after Claire takes a job on the Cold Creek Lakota Reservation, she is surprised to learn Dane is there. He has been freed on a technicality.

Dane is more determined than ever to find the drug lab and the true killers of his sister. Claire becomes involved with Dane's investigation, and finds herself falling for the brooding man, even though she is not certain whether he is innocent or not. Still, she cannot deny the dreams she has begun to have, begun to share with Dane. As Dane and Claire fight to end this evil plaguing the reservation, they cannot fight the passions that arise between them.

The book is simply unforgettable. I read hundreds of books each year, and maybe only a dozen will stay in my heart and mind, that ten years later I will touch the spine of that book and recall all the details so vividly. Secret Shadows is just that sort of a book. Aitken is just not a well-researched writer, she is a Native America, proud of her heritage and it's that power that gives her the magic ability to pen such strong tales depicting the beauty and grim realities of the reservation and the people who have often been denied their rights, their voice. Her prose are fluid, moving the reader through the mystery, the passion.

So take advantage of Berkley Summer push to introduce you to new writers. It's just doesn't get any better than this.

I read this book several years ago and, because it was very good, I looked for other stories by Judie Aitken. I reread it recently (it is still a good book and not dated) so I could write my review. Ms. Aitken's style of writing is both original and compelling. I have to credit her with producing a smooth adventure that includes both a romance and suspense.

Dane White Eagle is an FBI agent working undercover to expose a problem with illegal drugs on a Lakota reservation. The very same reservation that is home to his mom and sister. Because he is a Sioux and he works for the government, he is not allowed to tell those he loves what he does. When things go wrong his life takes some nasty turns to keep his job a secret.

Dr. Claire Colby works long hours in an emergency room when she first comes in contact with Dane and his little sister. She is used to seeing pain and people dying but Dane has a profound familiarity about him. After their initial encounter he stays on in her dreams. Eventually their lives will entwine on both a professional and personal level.

Ms. Aitken is gifted with showing respect for the Lakota culture and impressing upon the reader these observations. The reason for four stars rather then five was the conduct of Dane's mother. Her actions made me pause for thought; I couldn't comprehend why she treated Dane so negatively for a good portion of the story. Otherwise, Ms. Aitken wrote a nice romantic suspense narrative. If you enjoy good contemporary fiction about Native Americans and don't care for all the 'fluff' that so many authors write try this author

Secret Shadows pairs an unlikely couple: a Lakota FBI agent working undercover, and the burned-out ER doctor whose testimony helped convict him of his dying sister's murder.

Dane White Eagle is the FBI agent. Tainted Ecstasy has been killing people, and the evidence points to a group on the reservation where his mother and sister live. Even worse, one of the culprits, Leland Big Elk, is dating his mother. When he's taking his dying sister to a Christmas party in town, he stops at his apartment to pick up the presents for the party, leaving her sleeping in the truck. When he returns minutes later, she's been shot. He rushes her to the emergency room, but it's too late.

Dr. Claire Colby is the emergency room doctor who treated his sister.

The tragic situation is a godsend for Dane's FBI mission. By allowing him to be convicted of his sister's murder, Dane can be imprisoned with the head of the gang making and distributing the drugs, and attempt to get information about the location of the lab from him. It's an almost intolerable situation for him--he's unable to tell his mother about the ruse, because of her friendship with Leland, and he's unable to search for the real killer.

When he's released on a technicality, he returns to the reservation to find his mother disowning him, and Claire Colby setting up a practice on the reservation.

I can't say much more for fear of giving away the whole story--hopefully I haven't said too much already.

Secret Shadows has a lot going for it: a romance between a couple where the reader can't be sure how they'll ever manage to get together; a murder mystery--who killed Kylee and why; a police procedural story about finding the drug dealers; an emotional story about family loyalty; and a glimpse into life on a Lakota reservation. All the various story threads are woven together seamlessly in a page-turning tale with characters you can care about.

Author Judie Aitken is a true wordsmith. She tells her stories in such a way that you cannot put the book down...really. I read Secret Shadows straight through. I had to know who killed Dane's little sister. Had to know how Dane would handle the killer once found. And of course, the hot romance is a driving factor in this story as well.

Judie Aitken is a force to be reckoned with in the Romance and Suspense genre.