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Fire and Rain
Priscilla came to the Dakota territories to help her missionary father "civilize" the Indians. But the Minnesota-bred beauty was enchanted by the ways of the Lakota Sioux...and by a proud warrior called Whirlwind Rider, who awakened a magnificent passion within her --wondrous, forbidden...as elemental as the fire and the rain.
In a century-old steamer trunk, journalist Cecily Metcalf discovers the diary of a remarkable young woman whose words reach out across time--touching Cecily's heart, leading her back to her handsome, enigmatic first love, Kiah Red Thunder...inspiring them both in their glorious, dangerous quest to reclaim a lost and powerful passion.
In a century-old steamer trunk, journalist Cecily Metcalf discovers the diary of a remarkable young woman whose words reach out across time--touching Cecily's heart, leading her back to her handsome, enigmatic first love, Kiah Red Thunder...inspiring them both in their glorious, dangerous quest to reclaim a lost and powerful passion.
373 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
About the author
Kathleen Eagle
117 books168 followersKathleen Eagle published her first book, a Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award winner, with Silhouette Books in 1984. Since then she has published more than 40 books, including historical and contemporary, series and single title, earning her nearly every award in the industry. Her books have consistently appeared on regional and national bestseller lists, including the USA Today list and the New York Times extended bestseller list.
Born in Virginia and raised "on the road" as an Air Force brat, Ms Eagle earned degrees from Mount Holyoke College and Northern State University. She taught at Standing Rock High School in North Dakota for 17 years.
Eagle's work is often singled out by book reviewers for its exceptional quality and appeal. THE NIGHT REMEMBERS was a Chicago Tribune Notable Book. SUNRISE SONG, THE NIGHT REMEMBERS, THE LAST TRUE COWBOY, and WHAT THE HEART KNOWS made the Library Journal "Five Best Romances of the Year" list. BookPage listed WHAT THE HEART KNOWS among its "Top Six Romance Picks" for 1999. THE LAST GOOD MAN was a finalist for the 2000 Minnesota Book Award for Popular Fiction--the only Romance so honored thus far. YOU NEVER CAN TELL was named to RWA's "Top Ten Favorite Books of the Year" list. She is an RWA RITA award winner.
Kathleen Eagle lives in Minnesota with her husband, who is Lakota Sioux. The Eagles have three children and three grandchildren.
Born in Virginia and raised "on the road" as an Air Force brat, Ms Eagle earned degrees from Mount Holyoke College and Northern State University. She taught at Standing Rock High School in North Dakota for 17 years.
Eagle's work is often singled out by book reviewers for its exceptional quality and appeal. THE NIGHT REMEMBERS was a Chicago Tribune Notable Book. SUNRISE SONG, THE NIGHT REMEMBERS, THE LAST TRUE COWBOY, and WHAT THE HEART KNOWS made the Library Journal "Five Best Romances of the Year" list. BookPage listed WHAT THE HEART KNOWS among its "Top Six Romance Picks" for 1999. THE LAST GOOD MAN was a finalist for the 2000 Minnesota Book Award for Popular Fiction--the only Romance so honored thus far. YOU NEVER CAN TELL was named to RWA's "Top Ten Favorite Books of the Year" list. She is an RWA RITA award winner.
Kathleen Eagle lives in Minnesota with her husband, who is Lakota Sioux. The Eagles have three children and three grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 8, 2008
Reviewed for THC Reviews
Fire and Rain is one of those books that has sat on my TBR list for a couple of years, and I never seemed to get around to reading it. Now that I finally have, I'm kicking myself and wondering why I didn't pick it up sooner. This is the type of book that should be handed to naysayers who think that romance is nothing more than light fluff, because if a wonderful story like this can't change their minds, nothing ever will. Fire and Rain is loaded with Native American history and culture that was a feast for my intellect. I can't even begin to explain how much I learned from this book, and how it has made me think about what has happened to Native Americans over the centuries in an even deeper way than I had before.
Fire and Rain alternates between the 1870's and 1970's as it details the brutal realities of many things that the Indian peoples have had to endure both in recent and more distant history. The 1870's part of the book covers events in the years leading up to the Battle of the Little Big Horn and much later, the massacre at Wounded Knee and includes some real-life Native Americans, such as Crazy Horse and Red Cloud, as characters. I can only begin to imagine what it must have been like to make an agreement with the U.S. Government, only to have those promises broken over and over and then have their land stolen. Some of the Native Americans tried to make peace with the white man and learn a new way of life, but it was completely understandable that they would revert to the old ways to provide for their children when the government would not. This part also showed what life was like for an Indian agent and what they hoped to accomplish. The 1970's part detailed what it was like for Native Americans in a more modern world, but the harsh prejudices they still faced even after a century. Perhaps it's because I'm too young to remember or perhaps it's because the Indian Civil Rights Movement didn't get as much media attention, but I never realized they went through some of the same things that African Americans faced in the search for racial equality. Just thinking about it all brings tears to my eyes while also making me angry. The latter part of the narrative covers the Supreme Court's ruling to award $106 million dollars to the Sioux in compensation for the Black Hills being taken from them, but as far as I know, the money still to this day, has not been accepted by them, and I fully understand why. I love a book that can make me think and learn and grow, and Fire and Rain is just such a book. Before I had even finished it, I was starting to do my own research on the events depicted in the story, which has only served to educate me further.
In addition to the amazing historical and cultural perspectives this book imparts, Fire and Rain also follows not one but two couples, one in each century, whose lives mirror one another and intersect in unexpected ways. The two stories are seamlessly woven together, alternating back and forth between the two sets of heroes and heroines, until the last quarter or so of the book when Kiah and Cecily, the 1970's couple, discover their surprising connection to Whirlwind Rider and Priscilla, the 1870's couple. At that point, Kiah and Cecily can't stop until the mystery of what happened to Whirlwind Rider and Priscilla all those years ago is solved, and as everything comes full-circle, it brings them inspiration in their own relationship. In both cases, it takes years for the couple's romances to fully develop and for each hero and heroine to realize that they are totally meant for each other. Normally this isn't a theme that I tend to like very well, but in this case, it somehow just fit the story and made sense to me. Both couples faced racial and cultural differences that had to be bridged within their own relationship and the likelihood of prejudice from outsiders that could lead to danger, especially for Whirlwind Rider and Priscilla. Even though the road to happiness for the couples was tinged with the bittersweet, it made their eventual HEAs even better, because it showed their love never died and was worth fighting for. Through all the doubts and uncertainties of life, it was each other that they kept coming back to, and in the end, they simply couldn't fight fate anymore.
Whirlwind Rider and Priscilla became friends when Priscilla came to help her father, an Indian agent, for the summer. There is an immediate and undeniable attraction between them as they teach each other their respective languages. Whirlwind Rider is a man who is proud of his heritage and doesn't think that the Indians should simply loaf around the agency waiting for provisions, especially as they come less and less frequently. He is a man of action and deeply spiritual. I liked that he understood that not all whites wanted to do his people harm, but at the same time, he was also a Tokala, a warrior both of his people and in his heart, and needs to provide for his tribe. He comes to love Priscilla very much, but isn't sure that she could be happy as the wife of a Lakota. Priscilla is a woman who is fascinated by Indian history and culture, kind of an anthropologist of a sort. She also has a burning desire to educate herself and as such, she initially can't fathom not going back to school. Eventually, after she has gone to college, she realizes her calling is to be a teacher to the Sioux which brings her back home again and into Whirlwind Rider's arms for good. I loved that Priscilla was a white woman who thought that the Native American culture was absolutely beautiful, and she was incredibly strong to have stood steadfastly by her husband right up until the very end. Theirs was not an easy life, but their love for each other gave them strength to see them through the hardships.
Cecily and Kiah are very similar to their historical counterparts. Much like Priscilla, Cecily is fascinated with the Native American culture and is very much an idealistic romantic, who also loves school and wants desperately to be a top-notch journalist. She volunteers to work at a mission on the reservation during a summer break from college where she meets the enigmatic Kiah who is a soldier in the Army on a brief leave from Vietnam (another very unique aspect of the story, as I've never read a romance that takes place in that era). Kiah is a smooth-talking charmer (and a good “dirty” talker too who's always full of innuendos), albeit a little too cocky for my taste initially. It doesn't take long for Cecily to fall for him, and as the story progresses Kiah does soften up a little without loosing his edginess. They share what they both think will be a youthful fling that ends up being much more than either expected. Just like Whirlwind Rider, Kiah is a warrior at heart, but when he returns from Vietnam, not surprisingly, he feels all “used up.” He has to deal with the demons of PTSD, having been on the “loosing” side, and the prejudices of those who were against the war. Then an unexpected tragedy makes him even more bitter and withdrawn. He loves Cecily very much, but just can't bring himself to express it and feels like he has nothing left inside to give her. Kiah was never quite the gentleman that Whirlwind Rider was, but one thing I loved about him was that no matter how much pain he was in, he always treated Cecily with kindness and respect and was a tender lover to her. Cecily was a strong woman to be able to love Kiah on his terms, giving him whatever he was able to accept at the time and just being there for him when he needed her. His seeming indifference hurt her deeply, but she was never given to recrimination or jealousy. She let him go when she had to, and when they reunited, they were all the stronger for having had the time to grow and mature while they were apart. During those times, they always carried their memories of each other with them wherever they went.
Fire and Rain turned out to be one of those hidden gems that I don't hear much about in romance reading circles. Anyone looking for one of those light, fluffy tales should definitely look elsewhere, but anyone who loves history or Native American culture, and is open-minded and enjoys learning new things, should definitely appreciate Fire and Rain. It even has some great spiritual and philosophical messages to be gleaned from it's pages, and everything combined will probably have me thinking about the book and what I learned from it for a long time to come. The author has also included a glossary of Lakota terms and some recommended non-fiction reading in her notes at the end of the book which I will definitely be checking out. Fire and Rain was my first read by Kathleen Eagle, but it certainly won't be my last. I borrowed it from the library, but will be on the look-out for a copy to place on my keeper shelf and will eagerly be looking forward to seeing what else this talented author has to offer.
Fire and Rain is one of those books that has sat on my TBR list for a couple of years, and I never seemed to get around to reading it. Now that I finally have, I'm kicking myself and wondering why I didn't pick it up sooner. This is the type of book that should be handed to naysayers who think that romance is nothing more than light fluff, because if a wonderful story like this can't change their minds, nothing ever will. Fire and Rain is loaded with Native American history and culture that was a feast for my intellect. I can't even begin to explain how much I learned from this book, and how it has made me think about what has happened to Native Americans over the centuries in an even deeper way than I had before.
Fire and Rain alternates between the 1870's and 1970's as it details the brutal realities of many things that the Indian peoples have had to endure both in recent and more distant history. The 1870's part of the book covers events in the years leading up to the Battle of the Little Big Horn and much later, the massacre at Wounded Knee and includes some real-life Native Americans, such as Crazy Horse and Red Cloud, as characters. I can only begin to imagine what it must have been like to make an agreement with the U.S. Government, only to have those promises broken over and over and then have their land stolen. Some of the Native Americans tried to make peace with the white man and learn a new way of life, but it was completely understandable that they would revert to the old ways to provide for their children when the government would not. This part also showed what life was like for an Indian agent and what they hoped to accomplish. The 1970's part detailed what it was like for Native Americans in a more modern world, but the harsh prejudices they still faced even after a century. Perhaps it's because I'm too young to remember or perhaps it's because the Indian Civil Rights Movement didn't get as much media attention, but I never realized they went through some of the same things that African Americans faced in the search for racial equality. Just thinking about it all brings tears to my eyes while also making me angry. The latter part of the narrative covers the Supreme Court's ruling to award $106 million dollars to the Sioux in compensation for the Black Hills being taken from them, but as far as I know, the money still to this day, has not been accepted by them, and I fully understand why. I love a book that can make me think and learn and grow, and Fire and Rain is just such a book. Before I had even finished it, I was starting to do my own research on the events depicted in the story, which has only served to educate me further.
In addition to the amazing historical and cultural perspectives this book imparts, Fire and Rain also follows not one but two couples, one in each century, whose lives mirror one another and intersect in unexpected ways. The two stories are seamlessly woven together, alternating back and forth between the two sets of heroes and heroines, until the last quarter or so of the book when Kiah and Cecily, the 1970's couple, discover their surprising connection to Whirlwind Rider and Priscilla, the 1870's couple. At that point, Kiah and Cecily can't stop until the mystery of what happened to Whirlwind Rider and Priscilla all those years ago is solved, and as everything comes full-circle, it brings them inspiration in their own relationship. In both cases, it takes years for the couple's romances to fully develop and for each hero and heroine to realize that they are totally meant for each other. Normally this isn't a theme that I tend to like very well, but in this case, it somehow just fit the story and made sense to me. Both couples faced racial and cultural differences that had to be bridged within their own relationship and the likelihood of prejudice from outsiders that could lead to danger, especially for Whirlwind Rider and Priscilla. Even though the road to happiness for the couples was tinged with the bittersweet, it made their eventual HEAs even better, because it showed their love never died and was worth fighting for. Through all the doubts and uncertainties of life, it was each other that they kept coming back to, and in the end, they simply couldn't fight fate anymore.
Whirlwind Rider and Priscilla became friends when Priscilla came to help her father, an Indian agent, for the summer. There is an immediate and undeniable attraction between them as they teach each other their respective languages. Whirlwind Rider is a man who is proud of his heritage and doesn't think that the Indians should simply loaf around the agency waiting for provisions, especially as they come less and less frequently. He is a man of action and deeply spiritual. I liked that he understood that not all whites wanted to do his people harm, but at the same time, he was also a Tokala, a warrior both of his people and in his heart, and needs to provide for his tribe. He comes to love Priscilla very much, but isn't sure that she could be happy as the wife of a Lakota. Priscilla is a woman who is fascinated by Indian history and culture, kind of an anthropologist of a sort. She also has a burning desire to educate herself and as such, she initially can't fathom not going back to school. Eventually, after she has gone to college, she realizes her calling is to be a teacher to the Sioux which brings her back home again and into Whirlwind Rider's arms for good. I loved that Priscilla was a white woman who thought that the Native American culture was absolutely beautiful, and she was incredibly strong to have stood steadfastly by her husband right up until the very end. Theirs was not an easy life, but their love for each other gave them strength to see them through the hardships.
Cecily and Kiah are very similar to their historical counterparts. Much like Priscilla, Cecily is fascinated with the Native American culture and is very much an idealistic romantic, who also loves school and wants desperately to be a top-notch journalist. She volunteers to work at a mission on the reservation during a summer break from college where she meets the enigmatic Kiah who is a soldier in the Army on a brief leave from Vietnam (another very unique aspect of the story, as I've never read a romance that takes place in that era). Kiah is a smooth-talking charmer (and a good “dirty” talker too who's always full of innuendos), albeit a little too cocky for my taste initially. It doesn't take long for Cecily to fall for him, and as the story progresses Kiah does soften up a little without loosing his edginess. They share what they both think will be a youthful fling that ends up being much more than either expected. Just like Whirlwind Rider, Kiah is a warrior at heart, but when he returns from Vietnam, not surprisingly, he feels all “used up.” He has to deal with the demons of PTSD, having been on the “loosing” side, and the prejudices of those who were against the war. Then an unexpected tragedy makes him even more bitter and withdrawn. He loves Cecily very much, but just can't bring himself to express it and feels like he has nothing left inside to give her. Kiah was never quite the gentleman that Whirlwind Rider was, but one thing I loved about him was that no matter how much pain he was in, he always treated Cecily with kindness and respect and was a tender lover to her. Cecily was a strong woman to be able to love Kiah on his terms, giving him whatever he was able to accept at the time and just being there for him when he needed her. His seeming indifference hurt her deeply, but she was never given to recrimination or jealousy. She let him go when she had to, and when they reunited, they were all the stronger for having had the time to grow and mature while they were apart. During those times, they always carried their memories of each other with them wherever they went.
Fire and Rain turned out to be one of those hidden gems that I don't hear much about in romance reading circles. Anyone looking for one of those light, fluffy tales should definitely look elsewhere, but anyone who loves history or Native American culture, and is open-minded and enjoys learning new things, should definitely appreciate Fire and Rain. It even has some great spiritual and philosophical messages to be gleaned from it's pages, and everything combined will probably have me thinking about the book and what I learned from it for a long time to come. The author has also included a glossary of Lakota terms and some recommended non-fiction reading in her notes at the end of the book which I will definitely be checking out. Fire and Rain was my first read by Kathleen Eagle, but it certainly won't be my last. I borrowed it from the library, but will be on the look-out for a copy to place on my keeper shelf and will eagerly be looking forward to seeing what else this talented author has to offer.
December 27, 2022
3.5 stars
I found this book at the library sale and the Native American theme intrigued me right away. What was even more impressive was the dual storyline that interlaced 1970’s and 1870’s. Story of a white woman and Sioux Native American.
Romantic slow burn at times with really great dialogue.
There was however little too much political descriptions and evolutions an element which was not driving the plot and felt forced on us.
That made the book and the both romances in it to drag.
However the writing was quality.
I found this book at the library sale and the Native American theme intrigued me right away. What was even more impressive was the dual storyline that interlaced 1970’s and 1870’s. Story of a white woman and Sioux Native American.
Romantic slow burn at times with really great dialogue.
There was however little too much political descriptions and evolutions an element which was not driving the plot and felt forced on us.
That made the book and the both romances in it to drag.
However the writing was quality.
February 28, 2024
Incredible story- four stars plus.
January 7, 2020
Wow.... I've read many of Eagle's books now and I must say this one has been the most touching of her career. Great insight into the Native American culture and history. What I wouldn't give for a cup of tea with Kathleen! She truly makes me think about the way I've been cocooned in my white world with a deplorable lack of insight into the plight of any other people of color. I really feel the need to apologize to any and all non whites.
The beautifully written stories of the couples in this book are so engaging and not to be missed. Here it is 2020 and I'm just now reading it! Well done, Kathleen. I'm honored to have had the opportunity.
The beautifully written stories of the couples in this book are so engaging and not to be missed. Here it is 2020 and I'm just now reading it! Well done, Kathleen. I'm honored to have had the opportunity.
June 17, 2020
A century apart, two interracial couples navigate the complexities of the Native American experience through socio-political events, particularly the theft of the Black Hills from the Lakota peoples, as well as their own hopes and fears. The novel is a moving, careful exploration of love, history, and the ways people get caught up in both, satisfyingly brought full circle.
October 30, 2023
Wow. Such a powerful story. I loved every line, every twist.
A hauntingly beautiful love story, in fact love stories, a century apart.great characters, great stories. It's no wonder Ms Kathleen Eagle is among my favorite authors.
A hauntingly beautiful love story, in fact love stories, a century apart.great characters, great stories. It's no wonder Ms Kathleen Eagle is among my favorite authors.
May 27, 2012
plot spoilers
First off, the cover is incredibly cheap. Second, the name Whirlwind Rider. I could not get past that. What kind of name is that? I could have come up with something better than that when I was 5. Third, the story just sucked. It has been years since I've read it, so I've forgotten some things, but a few of the details have stayed with me over time. Bad things tend to do that.
I'll start with the one good thing I liked about this book, and I mean it; it's the only thing I liked about it. Whirlwind Rider was participating in the Sun Dance. Roughly explained, that's where the men's chests are tethered to a pole by an object piercing their skin, and they have to dance until it pulls through their skin and they are released. The women are allowed to bring the men gifts to help them, and the woman in here whose name I cannot remember brings him mint leaves. She crushes them in her mouth and then gives them to him through a kiss I believe. That was really sweet, and I loved the insight into Native American culture. Sadly, it ended there.
The woman talks to his family about him and their connection, and some more stuff happens, the details of which have faded over time. For some reason that is just beyond me, the author chose to switch narratives between the historical story of Whirlwind Rider and that lady, and the modern day story of these two poor teenagers that have cheap, trashy sex. I believe there were comments about him wanting sex with her, and he was very experienced. It was at this time that I threw it down in disgust. But then I picked it up and flipped to the back, to find that no one ended up together, Whirlwind Rider and his white woman, or the two teenagers. I was glad that I hadn't wasted any more of my time with this piece of crap.
First off, the cover is incredibly cheap. Second, the name Whirlwind Rider. I could not get past that. What kind of name is that? I could have come up with something better than that when I was 5. Third, the story just sucked. It has been years since I've read it, so I've forgotten some things, but a few of the details have stayed with me over time. Bad things tend to do that.
I'll start with the one good thing I liked about this book, and I mean it; it's the only thing I liked about it. Whirlwind Rider was participating in the Sun Dance. Roughly explained, that's where the men's chests are tethered to a pole by an object piercing their skin, and they have to dance until it pulls through their skin and they are released. The women are allowed to bring the men gifts to help them, and the woman in here whose name I cannot remember brings him mint leaves. She crushes them in her mouth and then gives them to him through a kiss I believe. That was really sweet, and I loved the insight into Native American culture. Sadly, it ended there.
The woman talks to his family about him and their connection, and some more stuff happens, the details of which have faded over time. For some reason that is just beyond me, the author chose to switch narratives between the historical story of Whirlwind Rider and that lady, and the modern day story of these two poor teenagers that have cheap, trashy sex. I believe there were comments about him wanting sex with her, and he was very experienced. It was at this time that I threw it down in disgust. But then I picked it up and flipped to the back, to find that no one ended up together, Whirlwind Rider and his white woman, or the two teenagers. I was glad that I hadn't wasted any more of my time with this piece of crap.
October 22, 2010
In modern times, Cicely Metcalf finds the diary of
a remarkable young woman --- Priscilla Twiss arrives in Dakota
Territory in 1823 with a goal to civilize the Indians and a
desire for high adventure. Little does she know that the Indians
do not want to be civilized nor does she know she will soon find
herself on the side of the Lakota Sioux or that the Sioux brave
Whirlwind Rider will stir passion in her heart.
The diary bring Cecily's heart back to her first love, Kiah Red
Thunder.
Two stories in different times run through this novel.
a remarkable young woman --- Priscilla Twiss arrives in Dakota
Territory in 1823 with a goal to civilize the Indians and a
desire for high adventure. Little does she know that the Indians
do not want to be civilized nor does she know she will soon find
herself on the side of the Lakota Sioux or that the Sioux brave
Whirlwind Rider will stir passion in her heart.
The diary bring Cecily's heart back to her first love, Kiah Red
Thunder.
Two stories in different times run through this novel.
January 22, 2012
This read was OK, Eagle has focused the plot of her story upon social commentary and spend a lot of the story explaining the historical focus on the Indian nations and their rights to the mining of gold in the black hills. Whilst it is an issue that requires redress, I wish the book had been a little more forthcoming on the jacket, as to the storylines course, I found that I wasn't all that taken with either of the storylines and didn't find any of the characters particulary interesting nor did I feel involved in the stories theme...in other words I've read better books than this one!
January 29, 2009
Although I don't usually like books that jump around in time, this one is great. The Sioux nation in the 1800's compared to the Sioux nation in the 1900's is fascinating - the changes, the losses in ethnicity, the gains in acceptance, although not in all areas. One scene in particular is horrifying. It makes you want to rush out to see how the Dakota Indians are doing in the 2000's.
July 29, 2007
One of the best romance novels I've ever read and definitely warranting another read. Eagle has done massive amounts of research into the world of Native Americans as well as written a timeless romance…or two. Cecily and Kiah, Priscilla and Whirlwind...it was beautiful.
June 13, 2012
This is the first book of Kathleen's that I ever read. I loved the pacing and the back and forth between past and present. Nobody does that better than Kath in my opinion!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews