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War Cloud's Passion
A dangerous passion.
Legendary Warrior, Book 2
At twenty-three, Anna Wiley is lucky. The children aboard an orphan train headed west don’t care that their nurse is too tall, too homely to be loved. They need her, and she will not rest until each one is placed in a loving home, including the last twelve bedraggled, rejected urchins clinging to her skirts.
When their train is attacked by a band of warriors bent on rescuing a kidnapped Indian boy, she doesn’t think twice about protecting the children—all the children, including the boy. Except keeping her charges safe means she must trust the formidable warrior who led the attack.
War Cloud plans to get the strong-willed white woman and her gaggle of children off his hands as soon as possible. Yet as he guides them toward civilization, he realizes there is beauty beneath Anna’s ill-fitting clothes, a strong spirit behind her sparkling green eyes.
Even as passion grows, War Cloud prepares to put her from him, and not only because of the animosity that hangs between their cultures. A centuries-old curse hangs over his ancestral line. A spell that could take her from him forever—should he dare to fall in love.
This book has been previously published.
Warning: Contains a passion that could lead to soul-stirring love, if the whispering ancestors have their way.
389 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2001
249 people are currently reading
253 people want to read
About the author
Karen Kay
57 books974 followersBestselling author of American Historical Romance, KAREN KAY is a multi-published author of Native American Historical Romance. She has been praised by reviewers and fans alike for bringing insights into the everyday life of the American Indian culture of the past.
Although there are other authors who write under the pen name of Karen Kay, this author's books concern only Historical Native American Romance.
As Reviewer, Suzanne Tucker, once wrote, “Ms. Kay never fails to capture the pride, the passion and the spirit of the American Indian…"
KAREN KAY's great grandmother was Choctaw, and she is adopted Blackfeet. Ms. Kay is honored to be able to write about the rich culture of a people who gave this country so much.
“With the power of romance, I hope to bring about an awareness of the American Indian’s concept of honor, and what it meant to live as free men and free women. There are some things that should never be forgotten.”
Find Karen Kay online at www.novels-by-karenkay.com.
Although there are other authors who write under the pen name of Karen Kay, this author's books concern only Historical Native American Romance.
As Reviewer, Suzanne Tucker, once wrote, “Ms. Kay never fails to capture the pride, the passion and the spirit of the American Indian…"
KAREN KAY's great grandmother was Choctaw, and she is adopted Blackfeet. Ms. Kay is honored to be able to write about the rich culture of a people who gave this country so much.
“With the power of romance, I hope to bring about an awareness of the American Indian’s concept of honor, and what it meant to live as free men and free women. There are some things that should never be forgotten.”
Find Karen Kay online at www.novels-by-karenkay.com.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 15, 2009
about a woman who while leading a group of children to new homes falls in love with a young indian , and how they defy the odds to fulfill their destiny to be together
July 29, 2021
I couldn’t put it down!
This is not my first Karen Kay book, and I am sure she is now one of my favorite authors.
I loved everything about this story; the action, the magic, the love. I was almost in tears at one part!
With any historical romance, accuracy is much appreciated, and it’s obvious that Karen has done her research to make everything about this story as true as possible while also keeping it a fictional story.
I thin my favorite part of the story, though, was Anna. She was not perfect, as none of us are, and she had no illusions about it, therefore making her a little more “no nonsense” about the situations she found herself in. I also liked how she was portrayed as strong and independent without being hit over the head with the fact that she’s a strong woman, like i am with so many other romance novels.
All in all, I absolutely loved it and I can’t wait to read more of Karen’s books!
This is not my first Karen Kay book, and I am sure she is now one of my favorite authors.
I loved everything about this story; the action, the magic, the love. I was almost in tears at one part!
With any historical romance, accuracy is much appreciated, and it’s obvious that Karen has done her research to make everything about this story as true as possible while also keeping it a fictional story.
I thin my favorite part of the story, though, was Anna. She was not perfect, as none of us are, and she had no illusions about it, therefore making her a little more “no nonsense” about the situations she found herself in. I also liked how she was portrayed as strong and independent without being hit over the head with the fact that she’s a strong woman, like i am with so many other romance novels.
All in all, I absolutely loved it and I can’t wait to read more of Karen’s books!
January 8, 2013
Quickly bought this book after reading another one of Karen Kay's books for the first time. This one even better than my first experience and I couldn't put it down until I finished it.
Anna Wiley is your average heroine, except that she is responsible for 12 young children that are all under the age of 15 and considers herself ugly due to her tall stature and lanky body type. War Cloud is one of the last Cheyenne Dog Soldiers that has a deep-rooted hatred for the whites and understandably so. To top it off, his lineage has been cursed for hundreds of years by a vengeful medicine man.
The children really shine through this book and is what makes it feel special. There were some parts where I just couldn't believe the scenarios possible, so I would consider this more of a leisurely read. The love scenes were a delicious treat, and I really enjoyed War Clouds' personality especially since he is cursed. He's not some quasi-emo character, completely despondent at the fact that he's to be forever alone. Karen managed to balance it off pretty good.
The way the story starts off and ends is perfect. :)
Anna Wiley is your average heroine, except that she is responsible for 12 young children that are all under the age of 15 and considers herself ugly due to her tall stature and lanky body type. War Cloud is one of the last Cheyenne Dog Soldiers that has a deep-rooted hatred for the whites and understandably so. To top it off, his lineage has been cursed for hundreds of years by a vengeful medicine man.
The children really shine through this book and is what makes it feel special. There were some parts where I just couldn't believe the scenarios possible, so I would consider this more of a leisurely read. The love scenes were a delicious treat, and I really enjoyed War Clouds' personality especially since he is cursed. He's not some quasi-emo character, completely despondent at the fact that he's to be forever alone. Karen managed to balance it off pretty good.
The way the story starts off and ends is perfect. :)
April 21, 2019
I cried and laughed so much reading this book
5/5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
It's been a while since I've read a book, and enjoyed it just as much as I did reading about Anna and War Cloud's journey, but I'm so glad that I got a chance to. I laughed at certain parts, and cried at others, but more than anything there is a heartwarming thread throughout this entire book that made it simply a joy to read.
5/5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
It's been a while since I've read a book, and enjoyed it just as much as I did reading about Anna and War Cloud's journey, but I'm so glad that I got a chance to. I laughed at certain parts, and cried at others, but more than anything there is a heartwarming thread throughout this entire book that made it simply a joy to read.
December 26, 2021
Rating: 3.4 / 5
Once one establishes what a pattern is, it becomes very easy to pinpoint what the highs and lows of that pattern are. In the case of Karen Kay, it isn't so much that I don't like this book or that it didn't have its high points, but rather that the low points are so repetitive that this time, War Cloud's Passion just happened to be the book for me that went a step too far into being tiresome.
That being said, I want to clarify that I did like the book, and the 3 stars I'm giving it are representative of Goodreads's identification of 3 stars as "liked it" rather than the 4 stars of "really liked it". So, for once, 3 stars is not a bad reflection on something, truly.
Basically, if I had to sum up Karen Kay's major plot hiccup when it comes to her romances, in one word I'd say that it's commitment, or rather the lack thereof. This isn't true throughout all of her works though, and in fact in the first book of this series--Wolf Shadow's Promise--the romance is so sweet and consistent that you definitely can't call it out for a lack of commitment. For Kay though, "love" seems to equate to sex rather than long-term commitment and plans, with the expectation that the latter will just follow once the former is out of the way and that not only the heroes, but the heroines as well should be asking that there not be any commitment in the couple.
In the case of this book, it's the hero who asks for no commitment, and though he has a good reason for it, it was still disheartening to read through. What's even more tiresome is that even though Kay invokes her inaccurate (and, frankly, a bit disrespectful) spirits-ex-machina to get the couple together regardless, War Cloud still persists in denying any commitment thereafter--and Anna, of course, follows along for this.
In a sense, I get it, really. Kay is acknowledging that there are difficulties when different cultures and lifestyles come together; but in romances, that's just not the point. Heck, the point of interracial romances is to show how love can bring people past those differences and make them stronger as a result. Well, I have news for Kay: settling for just a "tryst" or "liaison" as a result of this isn't sexy--it's just depressing to read through. The love scenes and even the romance itself essentially loses all meaning when the characters just get together for physical reasons and then only half-acknowledge their feelings to themselves before going through a bunch of life-testing angst before they admit that they love each other.
This time, I just didn't put up with it, and so while the book is a definite reread at some later date and may merit a higher rating later on, for now my first ranking of it is a definite 3 stars.
Once one establishes what a pattern is, it becomes very easy to pinpoint what the highs and lows of that pattern are. In the case of Karen Kay, it isn't so much that I don't like this book or that it didn't have its high points, but rather that the low points are so repetitive that this time, War Cloud's Passion just happened to be the book for me that went a step too far into being tiresome.
That being said, I want to clarify that I did like the book, and the 3 stars I'm giving it are representative of Goodreads's identification of 3 stars as "liked it" rather than the 4 stars of "really liked it". So, for once, 3 stars is not a bad reflection on something, truly.
Basically, if I had to sum up Karen Kay's major plot hiccup when it comes to her romances, in one word I'd say that it's commitment, or rather the lack thereof. This isn't true throughout all of her works though, and in fact in the first book of this series--Wolf Shadow's Promise--the romance is so sweet and consistent that you definitely can't call it out for a lack of commitment. For Kay though, "love" seems to equate to sex rather than long-term commitment and plans, with the expectation that the latter will just follow once the former is out of the way and that not only the heroes, but the heroines as well should be asking that there not be any commitment in the couple.
In the case of this book, it's the hero who asks for no commitment, and though he has a good reason for it, it was still disheartening to read through. What's even more tiresome is that even though Kay invokes her inaccurate (and, frankly, a bit disrespectful) spirits-ex-machina to get the couple together regardless, War Cloud still persists in denying any commitment thereafter--and Anna, of course, follows along for this.
In a sense, I get it, really. Kay is acknowledging that there are difficulties when different cultures and lifestyles come together; but in romances, that's just not the point. Heck, the point of interracial romances is to show how love can bring people past those differences and make them stronger as a result. Well, I have news for Kay: settling for just a "tryst" or "liaison" as a result of this isn't sexy--it's just depressing to read through. The love scenes and even the romance itself essentially loses all meaning when the characters just get together for physical reasons and then only half-acknowledge their feelings to themselves before going through a bunch of life-testing angst before they admit that they love each other.
This time, I just didn't put up with it, and so while the book is a definite reread at some later date and may merit a higher rating later on, for now my first ranking of it is a definite 3 stars.
June 23, 2012
I had high hopes for this book because I usually really enjoy Karen Kay's books. I just couldn't wrap my head around this one though. Anna watches War Cloud's war party massacre an entire train full of people. We aren't given an exact number, but are lead to believe that it's well over 100 people. So, she sees his people literally slaughter men, women, and children, and then she and her 12 orphans are taken captive. He makes it clear that he wants to kill her too. Most people would be terrified by this. I guess Anna is, but she seems to be too busy checking out how handsome he is, and trying to get to know him. I don't mean that days or weeks pass, and she's getting to know him better. Hours. Like, that same night, it's like she's forgotten what happened on the train. And if I had to see her say, "Sir.." one more time, I honestly thought about just deleting the book from my Kindle. There are some redeeming moments, I guess. I mean, once you get over the ridiculousness of her falling in love with him the way she did, I suppose it has it's romantic moments. If you're interested in a great Native American romance then check out Comanche Moon by Catherine Anderson. It's like this book, but way better.
November 8, 2020
War Cloud & Anna
I love the way actual historical events are in this novel.
Not only does Karen Kay weave a great story, she keeps alive the history of a great people.
I love the way actual historical events are in this novel.
Not only does Karen Kay weave a great story, she keeps alive the history of a great people.
October 2, 2024
I have always loved reading historical romance books involving Native Americans and this does not disappoint. I have read this story before years and years ago but never did a review. Karen Kay is in the top ten of my favourite authors as a lot of her books are Native American romance with a paranormal twist involving myths, legends, superstitions etc. The book is about how a young woman is assigned to take a group of orphans out west to find families for them. She saves a young Native boy and before long he saves her in return by stopping the other Natives from killing the children as well as her. Along with his older brother they set out on their journey to find homes for the children.
January 29, 2024
Contract for love
Wow! War C!oud and Anna are amazing characters that steal your heart from their first meeting! The strength of Anna's belief is such an incredible part of this story that you are enveloped immediately in her faith! Excellent!
Wow! War C!oud and Anna are amazing characters that steal your heart from their first meeting! The strength of Anna's belief is such an incredible part of this story that you are enveloped immediately in her faith! Excellent!
January 19, 2024
Interesting
A bit wordy but a good story. I liked the ancestors and the story continues at the end. Made for an interesting read!
A bit wordy but a good story. I liked the ancestors and the story continues at the end. Made for an interesting read!
August 3, 2024
Must read love story
A fictional true love story with true facts. I felt like I was watching them as it was truly there.
A fictional true love story with true facts. I felt like I was watching them as it was truly there.
February 24, 2019
Anna Wiley is traveling with twelve orphans trying to find them good Christian homes. Her train was attacked but Anna is spared along with the twelve children. She finds herself at the mercy of a handsome Cheyenne brave and is determined to not show any fear. War Cloud finds himself fascinated with this woman but she is the enemy for War Cloud hates the whites. He cannot ignore the feeling she invokes, the feeling that she is his destined mate. He admires her courage and spirit but knows he must resist anything more.
The relationship between Anna and War Cloud was amazing to experience. Anna was determined and War Cloud found himself intrigued with this woman who would question him. Their trip together was not an easy one and each formed an admiration for the other, an admiration that had the possibility of being so much more
I love the way Karen Kay brought these two and the others alive. They quickly become real and you could feel the emotions every one was experiencing. We are afforded a glimpse into each one's life and learn how and why each felt as they did. Your admiration will grow for both War Cloud and Anna as they struggle with their feelings. The ending is wonderful and will leave with a smile and looking for more of Karen Kay's delicious stories.
The relationship between Anna and War Cloud was amazing to experience. Anna was determined and War Cloud found himself intrigued with this woman who would question him. Their trip together was not an easy one and each formed an admiration for the other, an admiration that had the possibility of being so much more
I love the way Karen Kay brought these two and the others alive. They quickly become real and you could feel the emotions every one was experiencing. We are afforded a glimpse into each one's life and learn how and why each felt as they did. Your admiration will grow for both War Cloud and Anna as they struggle with their feelings. The ending is wonderful and will leave with a smile and looking for more of Karen Kay's delicious stories.
January 27, 2011
3.5/5.0
AGH! I read this a while ago but completely forgot to write a review when finished, now I can't remember enough to do it justice! I do remember the heroine is very plain, verging on dowdy. The hero hates all whites with a passion but is drawn to the heroine because of her intense loyalty to the children she has been entrusted with. Her naivete concerning the relationship between whites and Indians was so rose-colored it became gratingly unrealistic. I do remember I enjoyed it, although there are other Karen Kay books I liked better.
AGH! I read this a while ago but completely forgot to write a review when finished, now I can't remember enough to do it justice! I do remember the heroine is very plain, verging on dowdy. The hero hates all whites with a passion but is drawn to the heroine because of her intense loyalty to the children she has been entrusted with. Her naivete concerning the relationship between whites and Indians was so rose-colored it became gratingly unrealistic. I do remember I enjoyed it, although there are other Karen Kay books I liked better.
December 3, 2012
This book was pretty good. I would like to read more in this series. I liked the characters and challenges. The story line was good too. I didn't know a lot about this and felt where the heroine was coming from. It's an eye opener as well. I loved the sparring and the understanding that came along, and the ending was great. Page-turning and suspenseful, with a touch of other. I would read this again, but I wouldn't consider it a Great Favorite. I really enjoyed reading this book and am looking forward to reading more in the series. Enjoy!
April 2, 2020
Sweet and kind!!
It's a beautiful analogy and life and gentle all at once. All can conquer if you persist. It's good to see not everyone gave up!! After a harsh life and struggle definitely enjoyed it!!
It's a beautiful analogy and life and gentle all at once. All can conquer if you persist. It's good to see not everyone gave up!! After a harsh life and struggle definitely enjoyed it!!
November 30, 2009
I've always liked indian romances, finding a new author to love just makes me want to read them all the more!
May 4, 2013
Read this when I was just a young gal. ;)
I adore Native-American romance. And this book is written by a Native-American author. I was mesmerized by the beautiful culture depicted in her stories.
I adore Native-American romance. And this book is written by a Native-American author. I was mesmerized by the beautiful culture depicted in her stories.
October 13, 2014
I might round up for the prologue and the epilogue and some great moments. The final chapter just didn't work for me.
March 18, 2018
War Clouds Passion
I loved this story. I look forward to reading more of her books. I recommend everyone to read this book. Kattie
I loved this story. I look forward to reading more of her books. I recommend everyone to read this book. Kattie
December 21, 2020
It was a cute, little story. The curse thing came in a little heavy handed, but other than that a nice, basic romance adventure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 11, 2024
I haven’t finished this book so I need to read it okay.I got a few pages on my kindle app
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews