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Storm Family #1
Sunflower
There love was never meant to be...
Analisa:
A young Dutch beauty, her dreams of a new life in the West were shattered by a savage Indian massacre. Ravaged by the men who killed her family, she was determined to raise her half-breed son alone on the Iowa prairies.
Caleb:
A handsome stranger who appeared half-dead at her doorstep, his gratitude turned to love as Analisa nursed him back to health. But Caleb had a terrible secret; Caleb himself was a half-breed.
Sunflower
She was a strong and independent woman. He was a man whose brutal heritage challenged every feeling in her heart. And yet, their love was as inevitable as the sunrise...and as powerful as the prairie winds.
Analisa:
A young Dutch beauty, her dreams of a new life in the West were shattered by a savage Indian massacre. Ravaged by the men who killed her family, she was determined to raise her half-breed son alone on the Iowa prairies.
Caleb:
A handsome stranger who appeared half-dead at her doorstep, his gratitude turned to love as Analisa nursed him back to health. But Caleb had a terrible secret; Caleb himself was a half-breed.
Sunflower
She was a strong and independent woman. He was a man whose brutal heritage challenged every feeling in her heart. And yet, their love was as inevitable as the sunrise...and as powerful as the prairie winds.
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 1988
About the author
Jill Marie Landis
83 books255 followersJILL MARIE LANDIS is the bestselling author of nearly thirty novels which have appeared on the NYT bestseller list, USA Today and other national bestseller lists. She has won numerous awards for her heartfelt characters and sweeping emotional historical romances that include SUMMER MOON and MAGNOLIA CREEK and the Irish Angels Series; HEART OF STONE, HEART OF LIES, and HEART OF GLASS. All of her Historical Romances are available in eBook format.
She is currently writing The Tiki Goddess Mysteries series which includes MAI TAI ONE ON, TWO TO MANGO, THREE TO GET LEI'D, TOO HOT FOUR HULA and HAWAII FIVE UH-OH! from Bell Bridge Books.
Toes in the sand and head in the clouds, she is living the dream in Hawaii with her husband, Steve. Jill Marie loves to spend hours at the beach reading or writing and she also loves dancing the hula.
She is currently writing The Tiki Goddess Mysteries series which includes MAI TAI ONE ON, TWO TO MANGO, THREE TO GET LEI'D, TOO HOT FOUR HULA and HAWAII FIVE UH-OH! from Bell Bridge Books.
Toes in the sand and head in the clouds, she is living the dream in Hawaii with her husband, Steve. Jill Marie loves to spend hours at the beach reading or writing and she also loves dancing the hula.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
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February 26, 2016read 40%, not liking it much.
August 15, 2013
DNF - started well but did not hold my interest after the first third.
June 1, 2024
The print was so small. Loved the story but had such difficulty reading.
August 31, 2013
SUNFLOWER is the first of three books about the Storm family. At the beginning of the story, Caleb Storm is sick (with measles) when he is found near Analisa Van Meeteren's home on the Iowa plains. Frightened of this man but still empathetic because of his illness she brings him inside and cares for him until he gets better. Over a period of several days Caleb regains his strength only to become enamored with Analisa. He knows there is more to this striking Dutch woman and her little family.
Long story short, after finding out more details about this young woman, he offers a marriage of convenience. There are some misunderstandings and, when everything is forgiven, they start their new life together with an adventure. Analisa has some insecurities that rear their ugly head here and there. Caleb's biggest problem is his lack of communication sometimes. Ms. Landis's tale of misfortune that turns into kismet won a 'Golden Heart Award'. She manages to keep the reader entertained.
All in all, my biggest gripe is the story could have been condensed. At 385 pages, it was about 100 pages too long. During this time, Analisa had a few TSTL moments that detracted from the storyline. I felt at times that someone else was telling the author to repeat situations that already were covered. It wasn't necessary.
Still, I liked it enough to continue with this American West romance trilogy. Kase's (Analisa's son) story is next in ROSE and lastly is COME SPRING. If you enjoy historical romances with a mixed heritage theme you will want to check out this series.
Long story short, after finding out more details about this young woman, he offers a marriage of convenience. There are some misunderstandings and, when everything is forgiven, they start their new life together with an adventure. Analisa has some insecurities that rear their ugly head here and there. Caleb's biggest problem is his lack of communication sometimes. Ms. Landis's tale of misfortune that turns into kismet won a 'Golden Heart Award'. She manages to keep the reader entertained.
All in all, my biggest gripe is the story could have been condensed. At 385 pages, it was about 100 pages too long. During this time, Analisa had a few TSTL moments that detracted from the storyline. I felt at times that someone else was telling the author to repeat situations that already were covered. It wasn't necessary.
Still, I liked it enough to continue with this American West romance trilogy. Kase's (Analisa's son) story is next in ROSE and lastly is COME SPRING. If you enjoy historical romances with a mixed heritage theme you will want to check out this series.
March 24, 2011
Book 1 in this American Western trilogy, is the story of Caleb and Annalisa. A beautiful story that I really enjoyed.
It is the story of Annalese and Caleb. Caleb is part Sioux Indian and white man. Annalese is Dutch and lives with her grandfather and young son Kace. Kace is about 4 years old and he is part Sioux Indian. The 3 of them live in a soddie outside of town in Iowa.
Caleb comes to the door of the soddie and literally drops in a faint at Annalese’s feet. She takes him in and cares for him. They marry quickly after the town people who are prejudice against Indians and half breeds back them in a corner. Caleb and Annalese both have secrets to hide. They come to trust and love each other over time very deeply.
It is the story of Annalese and Caleb. Caleb is part Sioux Indian and white man. Annalese is Dutch and lives with her grandfather and young son Kace. Kace is about 4 years old and he is part Sioux Indian. The 3 of them live in a soddie outside of town in Iowa.
Caleb comes to the door of the soddie and literally drops in a faint at Annalese’s feet. She takes him in and cares for him. They marry quickly after the town people who are prejudice against Indians and half breeds back them in a corner. Caleb and Annalese both have secrets to hide. They come to trust and love each other over time very deeply.
June 7, 2013
This was my first book by Jill Marie Landis and won't be my last. I really enjoyed all aspects of this book. i find some Native American Romances are hit or miss this one is definitely a hit. I couldn't put it down
January 24, 2023
There love was never meant to be...
Analisa:
A young Dutch beauty, her dreams of a new life in the West were shattered by a savage Indian massacre. Ravaged by the men who killed her family, she was determined to raise her half-breed son alone on the Iowa prairies.
Caleb:
A handsome stranger who appeared half-dead at her doorstep, his gratitude turned to love as Analisa nursed him back to health. But Caleb had a terrible secret; Caleb himself was a half-breed.
Sunflower
She was a strong and independent woman. He was a man whose brutal heritage challenged every feeling in her heart. And yet, their love was as inevitable as the sunrise...and as powerful as the prairie winds.
Analisa:
A young Dutch beauty, her dreams of a new life in the West were shattered by a savage Indian massacre. Ravaged by the men who killed her family, she was determined to raise her half-breed son alone on the Iowa prairies.
Caleb:
A handsome stranger who appeared half-dead at her doorstep, his gratitude turned to love as Analisa nursed him back to health. But Caleb had a terrible secret; Caleb himself was a half-breed.
Sunflower
She was a strong and independent woman. He was a man whose brutal heritage challenged every feeling in her heart. And yet, their love was as inevitable as the sunrise...and as powerful as the prairie winds.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 28, 2021
Lady Dutch is stubborn......
That's what I thought! Liked this love story read about a hard life in the late 1870's. Lots of misunderstanding because of language barriers. A few typo's but a mistake about Kane being a step brother, since he has the same mother as his sister that makes him a half brother or just a brother. I felt the end was rushed, one minute their swimming naked by the Indian camp and the next their in Boston in a huge home with their baby daughter, and no mention of Kane...? Like I said rushed.
That's what I thought! Liked this love story read about a hard life in the late 1870's. Lots of misunderstanding because of language barriers. A few typo's but a mistake about Kane being a step brother, since he has the same mother as his sister that makes him a half brother or just a brother. I felt the end was rushed, one minute their swimming naked by the Indian camp and the next their in Boston in a huge home with their baby daughter, and no mention of Kane...? Like I said rushed.
November 6, 2021
I loved Jill Marie Landis books in the mid 90's so I decided to reread a few of them but this one seems very dated and the heroine is TSTL which really annoyed me. The ebook was filled with spelling errors.
April 7, 2022
Great Gtrat Book
She can really spin a tale. This was a wonderful story I hated to see it end. Highly recommend. Will keep and read again.
She can really spin a tale. This was a wonderful story I hated to see it end. Highly recommend. Will keep and read again.
May 5, 2019
This book won a RITA award for 1989 and I can see why; it is a beautifully written story. It is about Annalisa Van Meereten, a Dutch immigrant who lives with her grandfather and son, Kase. They live in a soddie outside a small town in Iowa.
When the Van Meereten’s where arriving in Iowa, Sioux Indians attacked them and killed the mother, father, and oldest son. Annalisa was raped and wounded – left for dead. A younger brother and sister were taken away with the Sioux.
Annalisa’s son is half Sioux; the citizens of the town felt sorry for what happened but felt Annalisa should have died rather than have the baby. The church gave the soddie for the 3 to use; they didn’t want her in the town. All this happened 5 years before the story begins.
Caleb Storm, ½ Sioux Indian and lawyer, is secretly working for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, trying to get rid of the unscrupulous Indian agents who are robbing the Indians of their monthly food, blankets and other goods.
However, Caleb meets Annalisa because he falls at her doorstep, ill with the measles. As she cares for this man, they realize they are attracted to each other. When the citizens condemn her for having a man in her home, Caleb promptly marries her.
However, they each have secrets and fears. This is a wonderful story about prejudice and forgiveness. 4.5 stars
Flower Series
1. Sun Flower (1988) Rita Awards Best Novel winner (1989): Sun Flower
2. Wildflower (1989)
3. Rose (1990)
4. Come Spring (1992)
When the Van Meereten’s where arriving in Iowa, Sioux Indians attacked them and killed the mother, father, and oldest son. Annalisa was raped and wounded – left for dead. A younger brother and sister were taken away with the Sioux.
Annalisa’s son is half Sioux; the citizens of the town felt sorry for what happened but felt Annalisa should have died rather than have the baby. The church gave the soddie for the 3 to use; they didn’t want her in the town. All this happened 5 years before the story begins.
Caleb Storm, ½ Sioux Indian and lawyer, is secretly working for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, trying to get rid of the unscrupulous Indian agents who are robbing the Indians of their monthly food, blankets and other goods.
However, Caleb meets Annalisa because he falls at her doorstep, ill with the measles. As she cares for this man, they realize they are attracted to each other. When the citizens condemn her for having a man in her home, Caleb promptly marries her.
However, they each have secrets and fears. This is a wonderful story about prejudice and forgiveness. 4.5 stars
Flower Series
1. Sun Flower (1988) Rita Awards Best Novel winner (1989): Sun Flower
2. Wildflower (1989)
3. Rose (1990)
4. Come Spring (1992)
March 14, 2014
Never let us forget the sacrifices made by our forefathers and how they still endured
A lesson in history too often forgotten and the most heartwarming story of love between two people who should never should have found any fondness for each other melded with a lesson in forgiving and renouncing prejudice and embracing love of family, neighbor and country. Excelling
ever
e between
A lesson in history too often forgotten and the most heartwarming story of love between two people who should never should have found any fondness for each other melded with a lesson in forgiving and renouncing prejudice and embracing love of family, neighbor and country. Excelling
ever
e between
February 26, 2018
This novel is an older one of hers. The plot is slow moving, but the author is determined to show true character development that happens over time rather than overnight. The books are slow but I love them for their character development. When I’m in the mood for a slower pace, I like books like this one. The secondary characters were mostly quick to judge and never tried to think about the heroine’s plight. The hero was in my opinion the weaker or perhaps the less aware character.
February 25, 2017
I made it to 75% of the book. Actually, I wanted to top earlier than that but I pushed myself to read further and that's how far I went. After that, I couldn't take it anymore. Wasn't a huge fan of the characters.
April 9, 2011
I enjoyed reading this story. I almost gave this book five stars but the story had some slow parts.
April 3, 2012
Need to be reviewed.
August 30, 2013
I really liked this for the first 70% until the heroine does something that made her TSTL.
3.5 Stars
3.5 Stars
October 26, 2013
Not a fan of the violence.
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October 21, 2014Great book !!!
April 5, 2016
It was a wonderful book -- had me from the very beginning. A love story, but some history thrown in. Just a beautiful book and I didn't want it to end.
January 24, 2017
Great book
I love this series. I love the characters and story lines. I wish she would write more about these characters
I love this series. I love the characters and story lines. I wish she would write more about these characters
January 31, 2017
Very cute and homey with just the right touch of romance! Very old. 1980 - something. So, the library copy was almost falling apart.
October 11, 2023
Really good but it can get bogged down in parts
January 5, 2019
Oh this was a wonderful read. I love books that you can get lost in for hours. This was no exception. The attraction between these two formed and spread throughout this entire novel. That she had a great son Kase was a great added bonus to this story. The undercover spy business added the dramatic effects to this story. I was in love with this book from start to finish.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews