She Brings Beauty To Me

The Medicine Man #4

by Karen Kay

A woman deserted. A troubled warrior. A passion denied.

1855. When eighteen-year-old Czanna Fehér is forced to flee her home in Hungary, she journeys with her younger siblings and her father's manservant to Montana in search of her cousin. Mourning for her recently deceased parents, she sings a prayer to the grand, Montana mountains. From the first moment Stands Strong hears Czanna singing, he is transfixed. When he meets her, he is captivated as much by her dark beauty as he is by her voice.

But, after the family's hired guide steals their money and runs, her father's servant leaves Czanna to go and serve justice to the man, leaving Czanna desolate and in charge. Being of the gentry class in Hungary, Czanna knows she and her siblings cannot survive in this land without help. When Stands Strong comes to her aid, she realizes she must trust this man.

Lakota born, though raised by the Blackfeet, Stands Strong descends from a long line of medicine men, but this legacy seems to have skipped over him. Accepting this, he has become an expert scout. But, when Czanna attempts to hire Stands Strong as their guide, offering him the "evil gold rock" as payment, he suggests marriage to him instead. Czanna refuses him, even though the flame of love is burning heatedly in her heart.

Can two people from incompatible cultures ever come together? Or are their star-guided paths meant only to briefly cross?

A sensuous romance that might cause a desire to go West in search of love and adventure.

Genres: Native American

314 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 2, 2024

About the author

Bestselling 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.

Reviews

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

She Brings Beauty to Me is part of an excellent series called The Medicine Man. Karen Kay weaves an amazing tale proving that family is not dependent on who you are and where you are from, but on love and acceptance. Czanna Fehér flees Hungary with her younger siblings and her father’s man servant and his daughter. They travel to Montana in search of their cousin. Learning of her parents’ death, she sings her grief and is overheard by Stands Strong who finds her captivating. When her hired guide deserts her and her family, taking their money, the man servant goes after him, leaving Czanna alone. Czanna grew up with servants and has no clue how to proceed and keep everyone safe. Stands Strong offers to help. He comes from a family of strong medicine men but it seems to have passed him by allowing him to become an excellent scout and now an excellent guide. Helping Czanna for pay is wrong to him and insulting. He suggests she marry him instead. Czanna refuses due to their many differences.

Czanna is only eighteen but she knows what she needs to do. She is very strong but recognizes she cannot survive alone. She needs Stands Strong. We met Stands Strong in a prior book when he was a child and it was so nice to see the admirable man he grew into. We also get to visit with our friends from the other books in this series. It was fun to watch Czanna grow and fall in love. Stand Strong had to have patience and for her to realize that love. There are cultural differences and communication was the key to understand those differences. This series is fantastic. There is so much on each page that you cannot stop. Kudos to Karen Kay for another great book.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and this is my unbiased opinion.

[Lana Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karen Kay draws you in with her writing, just pulling you into the world of the First People (American Indians) through all of the Medicine Man books in the Medicine Man series! I love the way you feel as if you’re right there with the characters, living in the book with them. Going through all of the trials, hardships, prejudices, and total love, too, between a man and a woman. Love conquers all, they say, and this story is no exception to that rule! You will fall in love with Czanne, her siblings, and the Blackfoot (Pikuni) Indian man who, always true to his word, watches out for her, then rescues her when she needs saving! I so love these stories that fill your heart to overflowing! I highly recommend this latest book, as well as all of the Medicine Man series, especially if you love the history of our Native peoples, or if you’d like to get to know about them. I believe this author has done her research very thoroughly and that is why she is able to write these beautiful words and help us to understand and appreciate our ancestors. Not all ancestors are Native American, as you will see, but each of these books have a Native American hero! You will enjoy every page of this book! I was given an advanced copy of this book. This review is my own personal opinion of this story. 🙏♥️💙🙏

[G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karen Kay is one of, but a few authors writing about the American West and the Native American people. When you read one of her stories it brings that part of history alive for the reader. Kay paints a vivid picture of the West and the different tribes that inhabited the Frontier. 'She Brings Beauty To Me' is book 4 in The Medicine Man Series. Czanna Fehér is forced to flee her life of nobility in Hungary. Sent to America by an older brother, she is tasked with the safety of her younger brother and sister. Czanna is told to try and locate a cousin who had previously settled in the West. Struggling due to a set of various circumstances, she is aided by Stands Strong, who is Lakota born, though raised by the Blackfeet. I read an ARC of this book and chose to leave a review.

[Tami Willard · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this book could be read as a standalone, some of the characters overlap with the other books in the series. Reading in order recommended. Several years have passed and the next generation is now finding their place within the tribe for the future.
She's forced to flee her homeland with her younger siblings and two of the family servants. Now she's responsible for their lives and locating the only person she knows in the wilds of America. How does he react to seeing a white woman alone? Will they be able to fulfill all of their missions? There are a few scenes that are detailed enough to increase the steam level but not graphic.

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written romance.

A beautiful story about Czanna and her siblings, who flee their homeland of Hungary, after the Hungarian Revolution, to the unknown Northwest Indian Country in America. Along the way she meets Stands Strong, a Pikuni scout, who helps Czanna and her family make their way to her cousin’s camp. Along the way they fall in love. This is a sweet and touching story. As with every other book that I have read by Karen Kay, I found myself fully immersed in the story. This book is well written, entertaining and vividly detailed.

[Shelly Dabbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karen Kay has always done such a great job of storytelling with Native American people. I loved how she brought a family from a foreign land into the west & wrote a story that brought the two cultures together to form a unbreakable bond. How the two formed this bond & found love is so touching to read about. They both had to make compromises to be together & lived through heartbreak & elation. How accepting the family became so all lived in harmony. I was so glad to see that there will be a book 5, how exciting. Can not wait.

[Mary Jane McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really Great Series

I am so enjoying this series and absolutely loved Stands Strong and his beloved Matsowá'p Czanna's story. When I've finished each of these books, my first thought has been what a great story. These stories just seemed to get better and better. These two are from very different cultures but they found a love that couldn't be denied.  A really great Native American story.

[Billye Herndon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Czanna had to go to a strange country to protect her brother and sister. She was not equipped to travel in a hostile country but she did the best she could. Stands Strong hear her singing and couldn’t help seeing who the lady was that was singing a sad song.

He followed her and her family to keep them safe. This story is about their journey.

I really enjoyed their story and their trials to find happiness.

This is my honest review.

[Carolyn Valdez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another beautiful story by my favorite author. Ms. Kay is one of the most interesting storytellers to tell about the Native American people. I love all her stories and can’t wait to read more. If you want to read about Native Americans and their way of life Karen Kay is the best one to read.


I received a complementary copy and I’m voluntarily leaving my honest review

[Colleen C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Beautiful Story From This Author...
This book brings you to a different time and place... totally draws you in. Stands Strong is all grown up and we get to see his and Czanna's story play out. A wonderful tale of strength, family and culture with an ending that was so touching! Enjoyed it!

[lizzie wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another trail blazer

A great story from Karen for anyone who loves stories of the first people. Refreshing to read of them in the way Karen tells her wonderful stories you want them never to end and l wish Karen could write faster

[Sai Lilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, I had no expectations going in to read this book. I had watched A LOT of native-American romance movies (Stolen Women Captured Hearts and Cheyenne Warrior to name a few) and I was hungry for more. To my dismay, I couldn't find any more romance-geared movies like those and I turned to books... to which I was very disappointed in. Particularly with the native-American Indian males. The writing, the (non-existent) character development...very disappointing. Very bland.
But not She Brings Beauty To Me. This was beautiful.
Stands Strong has my heart. He is the epitome of a charming gentleman and I love his reactions of chuckling or grinning whenever he uses his wisdom to explain things to Czanna. He is not barbaric or forceful, but he is patient and understanding. He doesn't flaunt his knowledge to Czanna or makes her feel inferior. He always asks for permission. He always saves the day and is extremely respectful towards her- and her family. Why, I dare say he embodies what it meant to be a man by Western standards more so than any Caucasian male I have read about in a 19th or 18th centaury setting. Quelle ironie!
I think I finally understand why some girlies say they have book boyfriends. Stands Strong definitely made that appeal to me. Most definitely my favorite native-American romance, and maybe one of the only books I may re-read in the future. Excellent work Karen.

[Susan's Kathie Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

ANOTHER AMAZING AND BEAUTIFUL STORY FROM THIS AWESOME AUTHOR Karen Kay!!!

I just finished reading This WONDERFUL BOOK AND I LOVED EVERY MOMENT THAT I SPENT READING THE STORY OF STANDS STRONG AND CZANNA!!! Each book in this Series about The Medicine Men and the women that they loved and changed their lives!! I just can't wait to read more books by this Wonderful Author. She takes the reader and makes you feel a real part of the Blackfoot life and customs, beliefs and an absolutely beautiful way of life that existed in the 1800's before everything changed by the discovery of gold and the devastating changes with the so called "Westward Expansion"...... These books take me back to a time that I can only experience by reading books by this Author! Thank You Karen Kay for all the beautiful hours of reading enjoyment as I got to experience the love between these characters and the Culture and Heritage of these Beautiful Native Americans!!!! I T is A Wonderful Story and I look forward to more books that give me a glimpse into the lives that these Native Americans lived.

[Bianca · Rating 2 out of 5]

my least favorite so far

I was very excited to read Stands Strong’s story. Unfortunately, I did not really enjoy it. I think what took my much of my enjoyment away was his internal monologue throughout the beginning about not wanting to “ruin her for another”. That’s gross. I know it’s historical fiction, but I am a modern reader and I just couldn’t see him the same way anymore. Especially considering his own parents’ love story.

Also his romance with Czanna was lacking until about the last fourth of the book. It didn’t really tug at my heart strings. This was a miss for me out of an otherwise solid series for the genre.