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The Bride Wore Feathers
Dominique DuBois is a golden beauty, and niece to General George Custer, the stalwart enemy of the Indian nations. How could she be fiercely attracted to a shy and handsome Private in her uncle's charge?
But Jacob is more than a lowly private in Custer's Army. On behalf of his adopted people, the Sioux, he's on a dangerous mission to ensure the General's demise. The Sioux warrior he's fought to become mustn't be betrayed by his white-man's heart longing for one last tender kiss, for one more smoldering embrace with Custer's golden niece.
But Jacob is more than a lowly private in Custer's Army. On behalf of his adopted people, the Sioux, he's on a dangerous mission to ensure the General's demise. The Sioux warrior he's fought to become mustn't be betrayed by his white-man's heart longing for one last tender kiss, for one more smoldering embrace with Custer's golden niece.
317 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1991
39 people are currently reading
343 people want to read
About the author
Sharon Ihle
18 books26 followersPseudonyms: June Cameron, Sharon MacIver.
Sharon Ihle is the best-selling author of more than a dozen award-winning historical romances set in the American West. She lived in San Diego County until 2000. She then left the sunny beaches of California and moved to the frozen plains of North Dakota.
Sharon Ihle is the best-selling author of more than a dozen award-winning historical romances set in the American West. She lived in San Diego County until 2000. She then left the sunny beaches of California and moved to the frozen plains of North Dakota.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 12, 2012
Originally published as Dakota Dream in 1991, the story begins with a great historical western premise - the (fictional) niece of Custer is found nearly drown by a Lakota warrior who nurses her back to health. The promising plot fades a bit as he chooses the most predictable method to warm her body - stripping her of her clothing and using his naked body. Most of the first half of this book continues with the same sort of treatment. While much of the plot is fresh, even now, it is given a trite twist with poor dialogue and a very unlikable, spoiled character in the heroine, Dominique Dubois.
However, the second half of the novel seems to have reawaked the storyteller in the author as not only does Dominique become more likable, even endearing, but she fleshes out a much better, noble hero in Jacob. The second half of the story definitely makes up for the slow, moving meandering plot in the beginning (which is why I gave it 3 stars). Unfortunately, many won't make it far enough to enjoy the character development. Not to mention the often confusing changes in point of view, mid-paragraph, where you are unsure whose eyes you are living through.
That said, I have read a few of Ms. Ihle's novels and I know that this is not the best representation of her work (see Untamed for a fun example of her work!) This is her first print-published book (by her own introduction) and she has progressed beyond this amateurish prose, growth that is noticeable from half-way through the novel. There are some stirring moments in The Bride Wore Feathers and a very detailed sense of place throughout helping the reader to vividly imagine the Dakota frontier as it may have been in 1876. Ms. Ihle has obviously done her historical research as well, depicting accurate details of the period, including Lakota traditions and ceremonies.
As a fiction novelist,(Journey To Almighty Series) I know it is hard to separate from the characters we have created and allow the editor in our mind reign to change the story but this is a case where further revisions could have made the first half of the novel better.
However, the second half of the novel seems to have reawaked the storyteller in the author as not only does Dominique become more likable, even endearing, but she fleshes out a much better, noble hero in Jacob. The second half of the story definitely makes up for the slow, moving meandering plot in the beginning (which is why I gave it 3 stars). Unfortunately, many won't make it far enough to enjoy the character development. Not to mention the often confusing changes in point of view, mid-paragraph, where you are unsure whose eyes you are living through.
That said, I have read a few of Ms. Ihle's novels and I know that this is not the best representation of her work (see Untamed for a fun example of her work!) This is her first print-published book (by her own introduction) and she has progressed beyond this amateurish prose, growth that is noticeable from half-way through the novel. There are some stirring moments in The Bride Wore Feathers and a very detailed sense of place throughout helping the reader to vividly imagine the Dakota frontier as it may have been in 1876. Ms. Ihle has obviously done her historical research as well, depicting accurate details of the period, including Lakota traditions and ceremonies.
As a fiction novelist,(Journey To Almighty Series) I know it is hard to separate from the characters we have created and allow the editor in our mind reign to change the story but this is a case where further revisions could have made the first half of the novel better.
August 3, 2025
Dominique DuBois is a golden beauty, and niece to General George Custer, the stalwart enemy of the Indian nations. How could she be fiercely attracted to a shy and handsome Private in her uncle's charge?
But Jacob is more than a lowly private in Custer's Army. On behalf of his adopted people, the Sioux, he's on a dangerous mission to ensure the General's demise. The Sioux warrior he's fought to become mustn't be betrayed by his white-man's heart longing for one last tender kiss, for one more smoldering embrace with Custer's golden niece.
But Jacob is more than a lowly private in Custer's Army. On behalf of his adopted people, the Sioux, he's on a dangerous mission to ensure the General's demise. The Sioux warrior he's fought to become mustn't be betrayed by his white-man's heart longing for one last tender kiss, for one more smoldering embrace with Custer's golden niece.
December 9, 2020
All time favourite. Beautiful story.
September 22, 2012
At first I thought this book would be a wall banger for me. About 2/3 of the way in it improved a lot.
***Spoilers below***
Dominique is the (fictional) neice of George Armstrong Custer and Jacob is a caucasion who was raised by the Lakota from the age of 11 and is completely indoctrinated into the tribe.
The story starts out with the heroine in the hero's teepee after he's rescued her from drowning. They are both nude and he is warming her with his body. Obviously it would be disconcerting to a 19th century maiden but the heroine is rediculously haughty and cliched.
"Unhand me you brute. If you even think about violating me my papa will have you drawn and quartered!"
On and on she went, convinced he was going to take advantage of her when he obviously had no intentions. When he returned her to the fort he tried to get her to cooperate so he could safely return her without revealing himself. Of course, she had to be all headstrong & spunky (read-TSTL) and he wound up socking her and knocking her out so he could place her near the gates. He watched over her until a soldier discovered her. Now, I'm really not a fan of violence against women, but I was ready to sock her at that point!
The story takes off from there with Jacob masquerading as a soldier so he can gather information about what the military is planning. He's cut his hair and Dominique really didn't get a very good look at him but senses something familiar about him and develops a crush on Jacob.
It took a big turn for the better when Dominique realizes who Jacob is and takes her to the Lakota camp. This is where I finally warmed up to Dominique and her personality drastically changed for the better. I can say the last 1/3 made up for the beginning and I did enjoy the book overall.
***Spoilers below***
Dominique is the (fictional) neice of George Armstrong Custer and Jacob is a caucasion who was raised by the Lakota from the age of 11 and is completely indoctrinated into the tribe.
The story starts out with the heroine in the hero's teepee after he's rescued her from drowning. They are both nude and he is warming her with his body. Obviously it would be disconcerting to a 19th century maiden but the heroine is rediculously haughty and cliched.
"Unhand me you brute. If you even think about violating me my papa will have you drawn and quartered!"
On and on she went, convinced he was going to take advantage of her when he obviously had no intentions. When he returned her to the fort he tried to get her to cooperate so he could safely return her without revealing himself. Of course, she had to be all headstrong & spunky (read-TSTL) and he wound up socking her and knocking her out so he could place her near the gates. He watched over her until a soldier discovered her. Now, I'm really not a fan of violence against women, but I was ready to sock her at that point!
The story takes off from there with Jacob masquerading as a soldier so he can gather information about what the military is planning. He's cut his hair and Dominique really didn't get a very good look at him but senses something familiar about him and develops a crush on Jacob.
It took a big turn for the better when Dominique realizes who Jacob is and takes her to the Lakota camp. This is where I finally warmed up to Dominique and her personality drastically changed for the better. I can say the last 1/3 made up for the beginning and I did enjoy the book overall.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2014
synopsis:
dominique is kidnapped by a tribe and kept in a drugged haze, except for seeing one other supposed captive with her. once they are dumped outside the gates of the fort and dominique is returned to the bosom of her family, she tells the tale of the man who was with her. joseph has been assimilated into the army by this point, and thanked by george custer, her uncle, for rescuing his niece. joseph is actually a man a mission for his adopted tribe, and spies on custer. and so the improbablities continue.
what i liked: absolutely nothing.
what i didn't like: the writing was shoddy, the plot improbable, and although this book was supposed to, i think, draw on sympathy for the native plight, it failed miserably in my case. the hero and heroine were two of the most annoying characters it has ever been my displeasure to meet.
dominique is kidnapped by a tribe and kept in a drugged haze, except for seeing one other supposed captive with her. once they are dumped outside the gates of the fort and dominique is returned to the bosom of her family, she tells the tale of the man who was with her. joseph has been assimilated into the army by this point, and thanked by george custer, her uncle, for rescuing his niece. joseph is actually a man a mission for his adopted tribe, and spies on custer. and so the improbablities continue.
what i liked: absolutely nothing.
what i didn't like: the writing was shoddy, the plot improbable, and although this book was supposed to, i think, draw on sympathy for the native plight, it failed miserably in my case. the hero and heroine were two of the most annoying characters it has ever been my displeasure to meet.
February 17, 2016
The Bride Wore Feathers is a historical fiction in the setting of the events that became know as 'The Little Big Horn' battle where all of Custer and his men lost their lives. Dominique Dubois, the fictional niece of General Custer comes for a visit and an adventure. She meets and falls for Jacob Sholtz 'Redfoot', an adopted son of the Sioux and a new Private in Custer's 7th Cavalry.
Dominique finds adventure with a dip in the frozen Missouri, is rescued by Redfoot, has a adventure with a bear and escapes from the battlefield of 'The Little Big Horn'. The story moved quickly from one adventure to another as romance developed between Dominique and Jacob.
It is a fictional account of actual historical events meant to entertain and it does that very well.
Dominique finds adventure with a dip in the frozen Missouri, is rescued by Redfoot, has a adventure with a bear and escapes from the battlefield of 'The Little Big Horn'. The story moved quickly from one adventure to another as romance developed between Dominique and Jacob.
It is a fictional account of actual historical events meant to entertain and it does that very well.
January 11, 2013
I fell in love with the characters from the beginning. Once I started to read the book i just couldn't put it down until i finished. I had never read a Western/Native american historical romance book but now I'm going to have to keep and eye out there for these kind of books and specially this author, I loved her work can't wait to read more of her work.
January 26, 2016
WOW was this ever good.
If you like good HF this book is great. It tells a little about General Custer. And if you know your history, you will get a glimpse of him here.
The love story is great, just the right amount of loving without getting graphic. Someone torn between two worlds. Just great and so we're the author's other books!!!.
If you like good HF this book is great. It tells a little about General Custer. And if you know your history, you will get a glimpse of him here.
The love story is great, just the right amount of loving without getting graphic. Someone torn between two worlds. Just great and so we're the author's other books!!!.
November 7, 2020
A pioneer girl finds herself caught by Indians and is taken captive, she is cared for by a brave, who falls in love with her, but she is found and brought back to the fort. So he passes himself off as a scout for the army, so he can be near her. A good read.
the-kindle-black-hole
July 24, 20131/22/12. Kindle freebie.
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Want to read
March 24, 2012Free today on Amazon 03/23/2012.
September 16, 2012
Sharon Ihle is my new favorite author for historical romance novels especially for Western ones. I love the characters, story, and plot!! :)
July 19, 2013
Excellent
August 11, 2014
Not as good as The Bride Wore Spurs.
Interesting historical context, even if it is a little hokey.
Interesting historical context, even if it is a little hokey.
March 26, 2017
An Awesome Read!
I loved reading The Bride Wore Feathers (The Proud Ones, Book 1), all about Dominique DuBois was a young women who went out to stay with her cousin & his wife in the Spring of 1876 & Jacob Redfoot a young white man who lived with the Lakota Indians as the Cheif's son. They met when he plucked her out of the ice cold river and brought her to his tipi and attempted to warm her up so she would not freeze to death. How he tried warming her was by removing all her clothes and placing her under several buffalo hides, and then climbing in on top of her to warm her with his body heat skin to skin. Dominique was struggling to get away from him and was making lots of noise, he said 'be quiet while I try to warm you' in English! She was taken back since he clearly was an Indian, yet he spoke perfect English which was definitely unexpected in this time! The author wrote an amazing story about two people who are quite taken with the other even though there stations in,life don't jive! But love has no bounds and through many hardships it will prevail! I was enthralled with this story from page one until the last page! It was heart stomping and kept you on your toes! I would highly recommend this book to anyone!
I loved reading The Bride Wore Feathers (The Proud Ones, Book 1), all about Dominique DuBois was a young women who went out to stay with her cousin & his wife in the Spring of 1876 & Jacob Redfoot a young white man who lived with the Lakota Indians as the Cheif's son. They met when he plucked her out of the ice cold river and brought her to his tipi and attempted to warm her up so she would not freeze to death. How he tried warming her was by removing all her clothes and placing her under several buffalo hides, and then climbing in on top of her to warm her with his body heat skin to skin. Dominique was struggling to get away from him and was making lots of noise, he said 'be quiet while I try to warm you' in English! She was taken back since he clearly was an Indian, yet he spoke perfect English which was definitely unexpected in this time! The author wrote an amazing story about two people who are quite taken with the other even though there stations in,life don't jive! But love has no bounds and through many hardships it will prevail! I was enthralled with this story from page one until the last page! It was heart stomping and kept you on your toes! I would highly recommend this book to anyone!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews