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Misfit #1
Dance on the Wind
A bargain made in haste. Desperate but determined, lovely Brandy answers an advertisement for a mail order bride, hoping to build a new life out West for herself and the five orphans she’s taken under her wing. She needs a guide to reach Fort Laramie by wagon train and turns to Thunder, a Cheyenne scout, for help. When he curtly refuses, Brandy is undaunted. And when he’s jailed after a gunfight she makes a devil’s bargain: he gets his freedom and she gets a guide.
Thunder has learned the hard way that prejudice runs deep for half-breeds. Now, his only desire is to live among the Cheyenne people. He doesn’t want the temptation beautiful Brandy offers and the wild passion that explodes between them only hardens his resolve to avoid what he cannot have: another man’s soon-to-be-wife. Can he truly walk away from Brandy and the ragtag family? Or has his destiny been sealed by a kiss.
Thunder has learned the hard way that prejudice runs deep for half-breeds. Now, his only desire is to live among the Cheyenne people. He doesn’t want the temptation beautiful Brandy offers and the wild passion that explodes between them only hardens his resolve to avoid what he cannot have: another man’s soon-to-be-wife. Can he truly walk away from Brandy and the ragtag family? Or has his destiny been sealed by a kiss.
242 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 2, 2002
78 people are currently reading
463 people want to read
About the author
Brenda Jernigan
33 books247 followersBrenda Jernigan is a bestselling author. Her books have been nominated for
many awards - Book Seller’s Best Award, The Maggie Award, and The Holt
Medallion Award. Publisher’s Weekly said, “Brenda Jernigan writes Romance,
Adventure and Magic”
She grew up living the life of a tomboy – climbing trees, playing ball, and excluding starry-eyed romance from her daily repertoire. Brenda discovered the love of books while taking her son to Story Hour at the local library -- she was hooked. She set an ambitious goal and began work on her first novel. She continued to write six more novels in rapid succession. She figured having the same birthday as Ernest Hemingway couldn’t hurt.
Her books have been printed in several languages and her last book “Southern Seduction” written under the name of Alexandria Scott was printed in Russian.
Web Page - www.brendajbooks.com
many awards - Book Seller’s Best Award, The Maggie Award, and The Holt
Medallion Award. Publisher’s Weekly said, “Brenda Jernigan writes Romance,
Adventure and Magic”
She grew up living the life of a tomboy – climbing trees, playing ball, and excluding starry-eyed romance from her daily repertoire. Brenda discovered the love of books while taking her son to Story Hour at the local library -- she was hooked. She set an ambitious goal and began work on her first novel. She continued to write six more novels in rapid succession. She figured having the same birthday as Ernest Hemingway couldn’t hurt.
Her books have been printed in several languages and her last book “Southern Seduction” written under the name of Alexandria Scott was printed in Russian.
Web Page - www.brendajbooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 19, 2014
**Spoilers** - This book wasn't what I expected. I found the characters to be somewhat shallow although the story-line had a great premise - that of a young woman who was responsible for five "orphans" who were left in her care when the priest, who was the head of the orphanage, passed away. Because the orphanage was scheduled to be closed and was greatly in debt, Brandy decided to respond to an ad from a Mr. Sam Owens from the Fort Laramie area who wanted a bride and was willing to pay her debts and her way to Fort Laramie.
Initially, I was also interested in the great Cheyenne half-breed, Thunder, until I realized he wasn't much of a hero. Thunder agreed under duress to help Brandy and the orphans on the wagon train to Fort Laramie, where she was to meet up with her husband-to-be. Even though Thunder was more than pleased to take Brandy's virginity on the trip to Fort Laramie, he didn't stick around to make sure she and the children would be safe in their new situation. The excuse was, he had to rush to his sick mother's side. However, he had been away from his mother for many long years so what difference would a couple of days have made.
Brandy soon realized that her husband-to-be, Mr. Owens, actually ran a brothel which serviced the soldiers at Fort Laramie and it seems that he wanted her to work in the brothel. She declined to marry him and also declined to work in the brothel. Because Mr. Owens had put out so much money, Brandy and the other orphans had no choice but to become drudges at the brothel where they became responsible for all the cleaning and other chores. During this time Mr. Owens was cruel and threatening. Brandy and the children did manage to hold out but months went by and Thunder didn't return to check up on them. Finally, Mr. Owens attempted to rape Brandy and she shot him dead - good for her. As a result, she was placed in jail to be tried for murder.
Only then, did the story-line drag the big hero, Thunder, back in time to show off the lawyerly skills that were hinted about in the beginning of the story. He had taken law classes in Boston years earlier where his mother had sent him to become "white." I do like my heroes to act like heroes - Thunder had the name - but he was no hero. It was of little matter to me that he came back at the end to save the day. By then, I was disgusted with him and his character.
Initially, I was also interested in the great Cheyenne half-breed, Thunder, until I realized he wasn't much of a hero. Thunder agreed under duress to help Brandy and the orphans on the wagon train to Fort Laramie, where she was to meet up with her husband-to-be. Even though Thunder was more than pleased to take Brandy's virginity on the trip to Fort Laramie, he didn't stick around to make sure she and the children would be safe in their new situation. The excuse was, he had to rush to his sick mother's side. However, he had been away from his mother for many long years so what difference would a couple of days have made.
Brandy soon realized that her husband-to-be, Mr. Owens, actually ran a brothel which serviced the soldiers at Fort Laramie and it seems that he wanted her to work in the brothel. She declined to marry him and also declined to work in the brothel. Because Mr. Owens had put out so much money, Brandy and the other orphans had no choice but to become drudges at the brothel where they became responsible for all the cleaning and other chores. During this time Mr. Owens was cruel and threatening. Brandy and the children did manage to hold out but months went by and Thunder didn't return to check up on them. Finally, Mr. Owens attempted to rape Brandy and she shot him dead - good for her. As a result, she was placed in jail to be tried for murder.
Only then, did the story-line drag the big hero, Thunder, back in time to show off the lawyerly skills that were hinted about in the beginning of the story. He had taken law classes in Boston years earlier where his mother had sent him to become "white." I do like my heroes to act like heroes - Thunder had the name - but he was no hero. It was of little matter to me that he came back at the end to save the day. By then, I was disgusted with him and his character.
June 29, 2014
Ms. Jernigan's Dance on the Wind is a quality blend of romance, adventure, and the struggle to survive. At the young age of three, Brandy's mother left her at a church with nothing more than the clothes on her back and an old trunk. Now fully grown, the priest who had raised her has passed, leaving Brandy to care for the other orphans at the church. With the bills piling up, no money on hand or skills needed to find a job, Brandy must figure out a way to support herself and her young charges when the Bishop informs her he is closing the church. Spotting an announcement for a mail-order bride, Brandy quickly responds and is relieved when the man accepts her and sends money for her and the children to travel to his home via wagon train. Trouble is Brandy needs to hire someone to keep her and the children safe or the wagon master won't allow them to make the trip. Enter Thunder, half white and half Cheyenne; his kisses set the innocent Brandy on fire. And his temperamental personality sets her senses into a tailspin.
Brandy and Thunder make for a charming couple. She has a knack for getting into trouble and he has a knack of saving her, mostly from herself. Not only do the sparks of aggravation fly between these two, so do the sparks of desire. Throw in four orphans of various ages, most who don't like Brandy and take it upon themselves to make her life miserable, and this bunch is sure to snag your interest. Accompanied with historical fact relating to the Cheyenne, Dance on the Wind is an enjoyable and heartwarming read.
Brandy and Thunder make for a charming couple. She has a knack for getting into trouble and he has a knack of saving her, mostly from herself. Not only do the sparks of aggravation fly between these two, so do the sparks of desire. Throw in four orphans of various ages, most who don't like Brandy and take it upon themselves to make her life miserable, and this bunch is sure to snag your interest. Accompanied with historical fact relating to the Cheyenne, Dance on the Wind is an enjoyable and heartwarming read.
November 26, 2013
Good story - reminds me a little of Maggie Osbourne's stories.
January 4, 2019
This is my first read by Ms. Jernigan
and I am now a fan! This story has romance, laughter, tears, and enough twists and turns to keep you captivated until the very end.
and I am now a fan! This story has romance, laughter, tears, and enough twists and turns to keep you captivated until the very end.
September 25, 2022
She is an orphan and when the priest that had been caring for her dies she is now left with the care of the other orphans. She applies for a mail order bride so she can travel west and care for the other children. He's the scout for the wagon train and she needs him as her guide. A gunfight ensures this happens. They sort of fall in love but she is promised to another and as his mother is gravely ill he leaves. Not all is what it seems, she soon discovers that her husband to be has evil intentions.
October 7, 2017
Excellent
Great story with so many plot twists you'll never see it coming! Loved the story of Brandy Brown and her love for her little family of orphans. They are forced to go west and meet a half breed Indian who surprises them all! Great story!
Great story with so many plot twists you'll never see it coming! Loved the story of Brandy Brown and her love for her little family of orphans. They are forced to go west and meet a half breed Indian who surprises them all! Great story!
August 28, 2018
What a wonderful story!
I loved the characters in this story. They were so believable and realistic. I laughed and cried as the story developed. Great job!
I loved the characters in this story. They were so believable and realistic. I laughed and cried as the story developed. Great job!
February 23, 2021
Well written
I enjoyed Brandy's story. A few surprises along the way was a good touch. I will read more of your books.
I enjoyed Brandy's story. A few surprises along the way was a good touch. I will read more of your books.
February 9, 2017
I enjoyed this book. Great characters. I will watch for more of Brenda's books.
October 9, 2012
***** Now here is a great story! Brenda Jernigan created characters that I fell in love with quickly. I could not seem to read fast enough! The pages flew by! Everything was so well written and flowed so smoothly! Don't start this one until you are sure you will have plenty of time to read. You won't want to put it down. AWESOME! Highly recommended! *****
Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.
Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.
March 12, 2015
Made light of some serious issues.
Heroine banked on a reputation of being truthful to get custody yet had been constantly lying & deceiving. Massacre of Native Americans no biggy and killing a man (even if a pig) no remorse. The whole premise felt like a caricature.
It's the Native Americans cavalier mistreatment & not slightest repercussions that set me on edge the most.
Heroine banked on a reputation of being truthful to get custody yet had been constantly lying & deceiving. Massacre of Native Americans no biggy and killing a man (even if a pig) no remorse. The whole premise felt like a caricature.
It's the Native Americans cavalier mistreatment & not slightest repercussions that set me on edge the most.
January 14, 2017
Not bad for a light read.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews