Twin Willows

by Kay Cornelius

Graduating from her prim Philadelphia finishing school, Anna Willow McKnight eagerly heads west to the wilds of the Kentucky territory to see her father and visit the place her lovely Delaware Indian mother, who died in childbirth, had called home. It is there, too, that the chestnut-haired beauty will be reunited with her beloved Stuart, the brave soldier-turned-schoolteacher, whose kisses ignite her with overwhelming desire.

But frontier life holds promise and peril far greater than any Anna could ever imagine. The growing conflict between native tribes and white settlers threatens to erupt in bloodshed. And in this untamed land is a sister Anna doesn't even know exists, a twin named Willow, hidden at birth and raised among the Indians.

As settlers and Indians clash, fate will bring Anna together with her unknown sister...and lead her to a passion beyond her wildest fantasies.

Genres: Historical, Romance, Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Native American, Westerns, Fiction

384 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 1997

Reviews

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Twin Willows” by Kay Cornelius takes place in the Northwest Territory around 1782. It begins in 1764 with the birth of twin girls to a Delaware Indian woman, Silverwillow, and her husband, a white Scottish trader named Ian McNight. Silverwillow dies in childbirth. The Indian women who tended her decide to keep one of the daughters as her own and hide her birth from her father. Ian takes his daughter, Anna Willow, to his sister to raise since his trapping and trading keep him on the move. Anna Willow is sent to a girls’ finishing school in Philadelphia, where she stays until she graduates at 18. She is looked down on because of her Indian blood and is not considered a good match for any of the young men there. She meets the nephew of the headmistress, Stuart Martin. They fall in love, but Willow must leave and return to her aunt’s home and Stuart must continue his education. She is not wanted at the farm because of her mixed heritage and because her aunt has willed her the farm ground. Her father has claimed a piece of ground in Kentucky and must stay there to keep it safe from marauders. Willow decides to travel to her father at Bryan’s Station. Her purpose is to have her father travel with her to her mother’s village.

In the meantime, Anna Willow’s twin, Willow has been raised in the Delaware tribe and is also now grown. Her “mother” wants to travel to her home tribe, so Willow travels with her. Along the way, her mother sickens and they are given help by a Shawnee warrior, White Eagle. White Eagle takes Willow and her mother to his Shawnee camp where they are welcomed. Willow and White Eagle soon marry.

Because the girls look so much alike, they are mistaken for one another. Willow is taken by her father to Kentucky, but in the meantime, there is a raid on Bryan’s Station and Anna Willow is taken by an Indian back to his camp, thinking that she is Willow. Events continue from there, although to say more would give the ending away. Suffice it to say that this was an intriguing book. The historical period is quite interesting as the setting of the book is where I live. I think anyone interested in reading about the past will enjoy this novel.

I received a free Kindle copy of this book for my honest review from the publisher. The opinions expressed here are my own.

You can read my reviews on my blog at: http://wp.me/p2pjIt-4e

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

A truly unique trip thru the growth of a young girl in early Pennsylvania cultural. A half breed not accepted in polite society but not accepted by Indian culture either. The author shows the lifestyles of two girls one young Indian and one young white the only thing is their twins and NO one knows the other exist until the young girl finishes her finishing school and travels to Kentucky to be with her trader father in a new settlement. Shortly after her arrival a young warrior mistakes her for the young Indian girl and mistakenly thinks he is rescuing her when in truth he has just kidnapped her. Meanwhile the Indian girl and her mother left the Indian village to escape her possibly being given as a bride to this particular warrior.

Events occur in which both girls learn about the other and about the others home life and how they live and in the end they are all reunited with their father in the Indian chiefs tent after MANY mix ups. And injuries. Great read and I highly recommend it

[Debbie Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! The story centers around the lives of twin girls separated at birth when their mother dies. Born to a Deleware woman and a Scottish trader, who by the way is unaware of the second child, one grows up English and the other grows up Shawnee. A series of unexpected events and a great adventure lead to their father figuring out that he has twin girls and the girls finally meeting each other. I lived in Ohio myself for many years and the historical research is spot on! This would make a wonderful movie and even though the book wraps up the story a little too quickly for my liking, I am sure Hollywood screen writers easily fix that. I look forward to reading more of Ms. Cornelius's work.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book. It was written in the 1700's about an Indian woman and a white man who had twin girls. The mother died in childbirth and the girls were split up, not knowing of each other. One went to a fancy school in the East and the other was brought up as an Indian. Of course we know they will somehow meet up, but the adventures until they did were really good. You'll be glad you read it.

[willie mae sowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twin sisters

Ian McKnight marries a Shawnee woman name Silverwillow. She had to daughters Little Willow and Anna Willow. Unknown to him at their birth, Ian believed he had one daughter. He took the one daughter to be raised by his sister. The Indian woman who help deliver both babies, hid one. In later years the girls are raised one as Indian and the other white. This secret is brought to light when Anna is kidnapped and mistaken for Willow.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book which goes between Maryland, Ohio and Kentucky is about a pair of twin sisters, that don't even realize that the other exists. One of the sisters is raised in the white society of her Aunt and Father and one with the people of her Native American Mother. This was a fast paced and interesting story, full of adventure and romance. I would enjoy a sequel to this story.

[Foxfire · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried this book several times because of the high ratings on Amazon but could not finish. The writing is okay but did not captivate me enough to tolerate the slow pace. It might be a good story, and certainly seems very well researched, but I found myself getting bored each time I picked up the book...

[McCree · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good historical read

Good historical read

it wasn't the best book I've ever read but I enjoyed it. the history was accurate and interesting. I would recommend it.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like how the book was written. Would love to see as a made for tv movie. I don't think it would do well as one for the big screen. The ending seemed to be wrapped up too quickly. Overall, a good, engaging storyline.

[Jo Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent Read

Cornelius is a new author to me. I found the plot to be,unusual. The,ending of the nov left me wishing for a sequel.I look forward to checking out what else,Mrs Cornelius has written.

[Terry Cobb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting!

good read, loved the interchanges with the characters, from sister to sister. ending was 'sappy' tho. looking forward to another book by this author.

[Gayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story about twins separated at birth. A bit predictable but interesting non the less.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

good book but bear the end got kinda confusing when they did not separate characters very well but over all good book

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book with lots of interesting history. My only problem was the very descriptive love making parts. Other than that I recommend the book.

[Trisha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for me, this book was too slow and not that interesting.

[Wendy English · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read

Sweet story of family love and determination. Great book to curl up with on a lazy weekend. Loved the history connection.