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24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A way with words, November 17, 2010
I am very impressed by Magnolia Belle's way with the written word. She weaves a story that is complex. But yet is compelling to the reader in such a simple way. She touches the reader's heart by giving life like characters and a storyline that crosses the line in a time when the wild frontier was new and every day was a struggle to survive. The story revolves around Lana Cooper, a young girl in the wilds of Texas. Who finds herself smitten by a young Kiowa warrior. You will certainly find yourself enthralled as you follow her struggle to come to terms with her heart. Though her mind tells her to conform to the wishes of her parents, and to marry a solider in the U.S. army. Once you read this novel. You will want to pick up more of Magnolia's work. I for sure am looking forward to her next installment in this series that is sure to be a hit. Shawn Weaver - Author, Dragon's Chest
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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Historical Romance..., March 4, 2010
In Ton Ma by Magnolia Belle the reader is taken on a romantic adventure dating back to the 1800's. We meet Lana, a seventeen year old girl, who proves to be brave beyond her years when she stands her ground against a Kiowa brave. The encounter sets the tone of her novel which is between foreigner and the native, between woman and man, between fear and bravery. Magnolia Belle elegantly describes the two separate groups of people with images of the Kiowa in braids of fur and mexican silver and the foreigners from a simple, but hard working background which leaves them exhausted in mind and body. We learn that Ton Ma means water woman which is where Two Hawks, the Kiowa, first saw Lana. As romance blossoms between the two unlikely strangers, the tensions between the two families intensifies and the differences between two cultures could strain their attraction. Magnolia Belle paints the picture of their love and struggles beautifully with historical details and sincere feeling. Her words evoke passion and while the world is against them, the reader will find him or herself cheering for the two characters. Beyond the families, Magnolia Belle explores further jealousies and pains felt by some of the Kiowa tribe because of Two Hawks attraction to a foreigner and when Corn Flower gets her chance, she declares with words and fists her detest of Lana. When Lt. O' Connell arrives the threat between the two characters widens and the story twists into a unpredictable moment when the Apache appear. But as Two Hawks rescues the woman he loves, the Lt. O' Connell proves to be a valuable acquaintance. But will the rescue of a foreigner create a chasm between the Kiowa and Apache who were friendly tribes with each other? Complexities mount when the reality of Native living washes upon Lana's life and she is faced with questions of Two Hawks hunting behavior and her own survival if she marries him. Love and life are often at different ends of the spectrum and if she choses love, will she have life and if she choses life, will she ever have love? Magnolia Belle uses this dilemma intelligently interwoven into the two lives of these two once strangers from different worlds with the biases of Lana's family and the attentions of the Lt. O' Connell while exploring the disparate cultures of the two main characters. As the climatic ending approaches, the resolution is found through a series of events soaked in truths, sorrows, pains, and poetic clarity which finally leads Lana to finding where her life is meant to take her and who she is meant to love. I enjoyed this original novel about Native Indians and the foreigners they encountered while educating myself in their rich history and the passionate romances. Reviewed by: Ami R Blackweler March 4, 2010
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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Historically Sensitive Love Story!, March 22, 2010
It is after the Mexican-American War (1846-1848). Set in Texas. It is the love story of Lana Cooper and Two Hawks, a young Kiowa warrior. What I really like about the book is that the then social custom, cultures are carefully woven within the fabric of the story. The author finds a way to subtly inform the reader about the socio-economic-political sentiments between the different Native American tribes and the early European settlers. Magnolia Belle also brilliantly portrays and raises our awareness as to how similar and better Kiowa social structure is compared to that of the early European settlers like Lt. Liam O'Connell's family. Lana Cooper mentions "...unlike my mother, Kiowa wives own their own homes and property....that's how the power is balanced out." The author also informs us that "even woman who had been rescued from capture found re-entry into society difficult because of the prejudice of the time." Readers also learn, as Lana rationalizes, that "one sold slaves in Mexico and other in the eastern seaboard. Both did it for commerce." Lana concludes in regards to widows that "at least Kiowa solution showed compassion." What is even more enjoyable is that the book is so easy to read. The plot twists and turns, therefore will hold the readers attention to the end. I was given this book to review and I am glad I read it because I am much more informed about the then society and culture.
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