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Lone Warrior
When she is kidnapped by a group of raiding Comanche while touring the wild frontier, Marissa Williams finds herself powerfully attracted to her captor, warrior Wind Ryder, who awakens a fierce passion within her. Original.
358 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2002
152 people are currently reading
336 people want to read
About the author
Bobbi Smith
71 books514 followersAfter working as a department manager for Famous-Barr, and briefly as a clerk at a bookstore, Bobbi Smith gave up on career security and began writing. She sold her first book to Zebra in 1982. Since then, Bobbi has written over 40 books and several short stories. To date, there are more than five million of her novels in print. She has been awarded the prestigious Romantic Times Storyteller of the Year Award and two Career Achievement Awards. Her books have appeared on numerous bestseller lists. When she's not working on her novels, she is frequently a guest speaker for writer's groups. Bobbi is mother of two sons and resides in St. Charles, Missouri with her husband and three dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
January 4, 2024
it’s a pretty terrible book actually. however i read it bc i’m a mood reader and for the moment it gave what it needed to give. 😚
November 3, 2020
Rating: 4.2 / 5
As a lighter historical romance read--"lighter" in this case meaning that it doesn't involve heavy duty stuff like angst, rape, or graphic descriptions of harm or torture--this is really well done. I was attracted first by the cover, which gave me somewhat of an idea of what to expect, and then of course I was attracted by the story itself, which was really fast-paced and therefore easy to get through. The writing overall I'll say was decent, though with the story being so fast-paced and all, this worked both as an advantage and a bit of a disadvantage for the story.
For one thing, it being fast-paced covered a lot of ground, both in plot components and emotional development for the characters. The main advantage to this was that it didn't linger over anything over-long and thus make it annoying; but the downside of that is also that at times it felt rushed and like not enough attention was given to certain things. Kind of clipped writing-wise as we moved from sentence to sentence with little time left for the characters to sort of reflect. So, a mixed bag there overall.
The main reason I'm taking off a star is because of the overuse to clichés in the story. We've got the following:
- first hate/distrust relationship to love
- male rival who at one point tries to rape the heroine
- female rival who at one point tries to seduce the hero
- heroine tries to run away at some point and gets in trouble so the hero can save her
- stupid misunderstanding between main characters that make them believe that the other one doesn't love them
- hero/heroine thinking that they're not good enough for one another at that point
So, of these clichés, I don't necessarily mind all of them, but having so many (and probably more that I don't remember or didn't mention) all at once was a bit off-putting, so for that main reason I took off one star.
Otherwise though, this is a sweet, loving read, a bit typical of a Native American romance...
...in all ways but one.
This is, I think, a bit unique in that the conclusion to the story is not the heroine joining in the hero's Comanche culture--of course because he isn't really Comanche. Now, while that's not the narrative that I prefer, as I find Native American culture beautiful and love when the heroines in these novels embrace it, it was nice to see a narrative that changes things up a bit and still keeps the spirit of Native American culture alive. (I mean, the author didn't go into detail about any of it, but at least she still showed respect to the Comanche and didn't paint them in necessarily a bad way. Or, at least, I didn't think so. This story was so tame and mild compared to other heavier stuff that you really get the sense that there wasn't any harm done.)
All in all, I would recommend it to anyone who really loves this genre. Personally, it's my great weakness in literature, so of course I liked it.
As a lighter historical romance read--"lighter" in this case meaning that it doesn't involve heavy duty stuff like angst, rape, or graphic descriptions of harm or torture--this is really well done. I was attracted first by the cover, which gave me somewhat of an idea of what to expect, and then of course I was attracted by the story itself, which was really fast-paced and therefore easy to get through. The writing overall I'll say was decent, though with the story being so fast-paced and all, this worked both as an advantage and a bit of a disadvantage for the story.
For one thing, it being fast-paced covered a lot of ground, both in plot components and emotional development for the characters. The main advantage to this was that it didn't linger over anything over-long and thus make it annoying; but the downside of that is also that at times it felt rushed and like not enough attention was given to certain things. Kind of clipped writing-wise as we moved from sentence to sentence with little time left for the characters to sort of reflect. So, a mixed bag there overall.
The main reason I'm taking off a star is because of the overuse to clichés in the story. We've got the following:
- first hate/distrust relationship to love
- male rival who at one point tries to rape the heroine
- female rival who at one point tries to seduce the hero
- heroine tries to run away at some point and gets in trouble so the hero can save her
- stupid misunderstanding between main characters that make them believe that the other one doesn't love them
- hero/heroine thinking that they're not good enough for one another at that point
So, of these clichés, I don't necessarily mind all of them, but having so many (and probably more that I don't remember or didn't mention) all at once was a bit off-putting, so for that main reason I took off one star.
Otherwise though, this is a sweet, loving read, a bit typical of a Native American romance...
...in all ways but one.
This is, I think, a bit unique in that the conclusion to the story is not the heroine joining in the hero's Comanche culture--of course because he isn't really Comanche. Now, while that's not the narrative that I prefer, as I find Native American culture beautiful and love when the heroines in these novels embrace it, it was nice to see a narrative that changes things up a bit and still keeps the spirit of Native American culture alive. (I mean, the author didn't go into detail about any of it, but at least she still showed respect to the Comanche and didn't paint them in necessarily a bad way. Or, at least, I didn't think so. This story was so tame and mild compared to other heavier stuff that you really get the sense that there wasn't any harm done.)
All in all, I would recommend it to anyone who really loves this genre. Personally, it's my great weakness in literature, so of course I liked it.
July 22, 2019
Lone Warrior
Marrisa was a lady that was on her way to go live with her uncle when she captured by Indians and taken to their village. She was given to Wynd Ryder, the chief 's adopted son. He had also been captured when he was a young boy. As they work through their trials to find themselves, they might find something more precious than they've ever had before. This is a really good read, this is the second time for me and I enjoyed it just as much as In did the first time. BRAVO 👏👏BRAVO
Marrisa was a lady that was on her way to go live with her uncle when she captured by Indians and taken to their village. She was given to Wynd Ryder, the chief 's adopted son. He had also been captured when he was a young boy. As they work through their trials to find themselves, they might find something more precious than they've ever had before. This is a really good read, this is the second time for me and I enjoyed it just as much as In did the first time. BRAVO 👏👏BRAVO
May 11, 2019
Bravery and fear of the unknown.
Taken by Indians protected by a white man raised by Indians.Hate and jealousy in village.The girl wants to escape and go back to white world.A really good book to read.Well written.Will the white be able to join white world again.Their are others characters in book too.See what happens to them very interesting.
Taken by Indians protected by a white man raised by Indians.Hate and jealousy in village.The girl wants to escape and go back to white world.A really good book to read.Well written.Will the white be able to join white world again.Their are others characters in book too.See what happens to them very interesting.
December 14, 2020
The writing style (narrative) of this book is very frustrating. This book is in a bad need of editing. There is nothing wrong with the story, but the writing style killed most of it. It is as if the text was written to those with special needs. I regret buying this book. I basically paid for headache.
April 25, 2019
Have to say I felt this book was more about a story being told versus the characters tell the story. I read a lot of historical romance, usually in print and not ebook, but this time I took a chance and have to say, I feel like the story has changed or some stuff left out to make it go quicker.
July 21, 2019
This book was a great adventure with several twists and turns. A great romance. It was very enjoyable and absolutely warrants 5 stars except for the spelling errors (which is my issue). I read about 7 books a month and I love Western Adventures---this is one of the good ones!
September 27, 2021
Wow! What a precious story! Full of anguish and lots of emotions. You’ll feel like you are living the story as you read. I’m very impressed with author Bobbi Smith! Her style of writing is unique and so easy to read! Read this story, you won’t regret it!
HAPPY READING 😊
HAPPY READING 😊
February 13, 2024
good read
I liked the way Wind Ryder became Zach Ryder again. Too bad his Comanche mother didn’t love him as much as his adopted father did! Luckily for Marissa, she and Zach were thrown together and she didn’t suffer badly. With his help she was brought home to her uncle.
I liked the way Wind Ryder became Zach Ryder again. Too bad his Comanche mother didn’t love him as much as his adopted father did! Luckily for Marissa, she and Zach were thrown together and she didn’t suffer badly. With his help she was brought home to her uncle.
January 22, 2018
Best book
Loved it. Awesome book. Would recommend to everyone. She is an awesome writer.so so so so so so so good.
Loved it. Awesome book. Would recommend to everyone. She is an awesome writer.so so so so so so so good.
March 10, 2018
Good
Keeps you forget the outside world. One that just keeps your interest. Makes you want a love likes this in your own life
Keeps you forget the outside world. One that just keeps your interest. Makes you want a love likes this in your own life
July 29, 2018
Romance and history
Enjoyed this book a lot. Would recommend it to all.
Customs and history were excellent.
I will be looking for more of this author's work.
Enjoyed this book a lot. Would recommend it to all.
Customs and history were excellent.
I will be looking for more of this author's work.
September 30, 2018
I love this & I can't wait for more.
I will be also leaving a review on Goodreads @ Amazon.
And letting everyone know about it.
So i gave it a 5 Stars.
I will be also leaving a review on Goodreads @ Amazon.
And letting everyone know about it.
So i gave it a 5 Stars.
January 18, 2019
Good romance
I like how they try to have decency and care for each other. Good people make good romances. Now a favorite.
I like how they try to have decency and care for each other. Good people make good romances. Now a favorite.
March 31, 2019
Amazingggg
July 24, 2019
Excellent
A wonderful romance story of two people from two different worlds. Well developed characters makes this a joy to read.
A wonderful romance story of two people from two different worlds. Well developed characters makes this a joy to read.
August 10, 2019
Loved it!
I'm so happy to have found this author! The characters are wonderful, the storyline kept me hooked. I'm off to find another book from her!
I'm so happy to have found this author! The characters are wonderful, the storyline kept me hooked. I'm off to find another book from her!
March 13, 2020
It was ok. I guess it’s my fault for reading a book which was written so long ago and so differently to what we are used to now.
Read
May 11, 2020Awesome
Wonderful book could not put it down it all seems so real can't veto read more books love it .
Wonderful book could not put it down it all seems so real can't veto read more books love it .
August 28, 2023
New life
It's been years since I have read a romance about a native Americans and a captive woman and I have to say I enjoyed this as much as when I was younger!
It's been years since I have read a romance about a native Americans and a captive woman and I have to say I enjoyed this as much as when I was younger!
August 10, 2024
I don’t read a lot of Native American romance books but I did like this one a lot! It was a KU book and I’m glad I picked it. Quick read but maybe because I was engrossed in it! Sweet love story good plot!
December 22, 2025
I’m not sure why I read this book as I am clearly not the demographic.
Two stars because I was interested enough to finish it.
Two stars because I was interested enough to finish it.
December 19, 2025
The hero felt dull to me, and his moods and attitude made the story feel heavy rather than engaging. I found him quite boring overall. The heroine was fine, but she didn’t stand out enough to compensate.
In the end, the book wasn’t very exciting, and I found myself skimming just to get through it.
In the end, the book wasn’t very exciting, and I found myself skimming just to get through it.
August 11, 2019
The story is of Marissa, a beautiful young white girl in the American West taken captive by a Comanche Indian tribe. (The novel uses term “Indians”). Marissa is “given” to Wind Ryder, a handsome young warrior who is himself white. He had been captured as a boy by this tribe, adopted by the chief, and has apparently over the years assimilated to the Indian culture, becoming the best warrior in the tribe. At the same time apparently, except for the chief and the love-sick Moon Cloud, the tribe never accepted him, and his brother, the real son of the chief, hates him. (Warning: spoiler follows.)
After first resisting Marissa’s beauty as they share a tipi, Wind Ryder speaks with her in English and comes to love her—and she comes to love him, especially after he rescues from her from his brother’s attempted rape. Finally both Marissa and Wind Ryder escape from the tribe and return to her uncle’s ranch, taking with them a young white boy the tribe had just captured and tortured. Marissa does not know that she and Wind Ryder had been considered married in the tribe, and back at the ranch they marry in a white ceremony and clearly live happily ever after: “The past had been difficult for him, but as [he and Marissa] stepped out into the sunshine, he knew their future would be as bright as this day was—and just as full of love.”
There are some problems with the plot. If Wind Ryder is such a great warrior, are we to believe he hasn’t participated in any of the tribe’s crimes against whites? When he and Marissa return to her uncle’s ranch, why does he have so little trouble adapting to white ways again, dressing in white clothes, getting his hair cut, even dancing with Marissa at a local dance—in short, quickly becoming a handsome WHITE man named Zach Rider? These unbelievable plot elements undercut, for me, the very happy ending. A more realistic story depicting this situation is Conrad Richter’s A Light in the Forest (1953), whose white-boy-turned-Indian protagonist, when returned to his family, ends up torn between the white and Indian cultures, unable now to be a part of either.
After first resisting Marissa’s beauty as they share a tipi, Wind Ryder speaks with her in English and comes to love her—and she comes to love him, especially after he rescues from her from his brother’s attempted rape. Finally both Marissa and Wind Ryder escape from the tribe and return to her uncle’s ranch, taking with them a young white boy the tribe had just captured and tortured. Marissa does not know that she and Wind Ryder had been considered married in the tribe, and back at the ranch they marry in a white ceremony and clearly live happily ever after: “The past had been difficult for him, but as [he and Marissa] stepped out into the sunshine, he knew their future would be as bright as this day was—and just as full of love.”
There are some problems with the plot. If Wind Ryder is such a great warrior, are we to believe he hasn’t participated in any of the tribe’s crimes against whites? When he and Marissa return to her uncle’s ranch, why does he have so little trouble adapting to white ways again, dressing in white clothes, getting his hair cut, even dancing with Marissa at a local dance—in short, quickly becoming a handsome WHITE man named Zach Rider? These unbelievable plot elements undercut, for me, the very happy ending. A more realistic story depicting this situation is Conrad Richter’s A Light in the Forest (1953), whose white-boy-turned-Indian protagonist, when returned to his family, ends up torn between the white and Indian cultures, unable now to be a part of either.
February 13, 2012
The Hero was raised by the Comanche from the age of 6. He was take captive when his ranch was raided and his family killed. Heroine was the niece of the richest rancher in the county. She was on the way to live with him when the stage station was raided. Marissa was captive of the Chief, to be given as a gift to Wind Ryder. She believed everyone was killed in the raid, however her companion lived. Wind Ryder took Marissa as his wife in the Comanche way so the tribe would not harm her. A young boy, Joe, was taken in another raid, and was being tortured by the tribe. Wind Ryder agrees to take Marissa, the boy, and an older woman captive back to her Uncle's ranch. That takes up most of the story, with little invested in the return to the ranch. The companion and Uncle get married, Wind Ryder (Zach) and Marissa get married the "white" way, and Joe had family survived the raid. Good book, but ending leaves much to be desired.
May 5, 2015
Great book
Great story line. I loved the characters. There were a couple of grammar errors which could be easily fixed. I wonder if there aren't any true stories about white people captured by Indians. While this was a great book I highly doubt things turned out nearly as well in real life
Great story line. I loved the characters. There were a couple of grammar errors which could be easily fixed. I wonder if there aren't any true stories about white people captured by Indians. While this was a great book I highly doubt things turned out nearly as well in real life
June 18, 2014
A great sweet romance story. Loved from beginning to end. I will definitely look for more books by this author.
January 26, 2016
Another Dollar Store purchase. Many typos.
March 4, 2020
Just "okay". Had some really great tense set-ups that were left to just fizzle ...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews