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Mixed Blood: A Novel
She lived between two worlds—one fading, one rising—and refused to be forgotten.
In Mixed Blood, history breathes through the voice of Hester, a Cherokee woman whose life straddles the collision of cultures on the American frontier in the 1700s. As the Cherokee Nation is forced to adapt to a patriarchal, market-driven society, Hester witnesses a world forever changed, yet fights to preserve the stories that shaped her people.
Now an elderly woman living with her son’s family, who have assimilated into white society, Hester shares her memories with her grandchildren, determined that they understand the truth of their heritage. Her story unfolds across two her quiet present and her harrowing past, where war, betrayal, and survival have etched themselves into her bones. From stolen homelands to fragile alliances, from matriarchal traditions to the encroaching grip of colonization, Hester endures.
Based on real people and historical events, Mixed Blood offers a vivid reimagining of one woman’s untold life—a mother, a survivor, and a silent witness to the birth of a new America. This is Hester’s story. And she will no longer be silent.
In Mixed Blood, history breathes through the voice of Hester, a Cherokee woman whose life straddles the collision of cultures on the American frontier in the 1700s. As the Cherokee Nation is forced to adapt to a patriarchal, market-driven society, Hester witnesses a world forever changed, yet fights to preserve the stories that shaped her people.
Now an elderly woman living with her son’s family, who have assimilated into white society, Hester shares her memories with her grandchildren, determined that they understand the truth of their heritage. Her story unfolds across two her quiet present and her harrowing past, where war, betrayal, and survival have etched themselves into her bones. From stolen homelands to fragile alliances, from matriarchal traditions to the encroaching grip of colonization, Hester endures.
Based on real people and historical events, Mixed Blood offers a vivid reimagining of one woman’s untold life—a mother, a survivor, and a silent witness to the birth of a new America. This is Hester’s story. And she will no longer be silent.
372 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 5, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 4, 2025
The truth about the Real People's history is revealed in this accurate historical fiction book.
“Mixed Blood, the daughter of a Cherokee Woman and a Scottish Trader on the American Frontier Tells Her Story,” and was written by Jeanean Doherty. The author is of Cherokee descent. Don’t let that fool you. She writes like someone from a long time ago is dictating to here so that the book is accurate, even though it is historical fiction. I think that means what is talked about in the book is factual, but the name have been changed to protect either the innocent or the guilty. One does not need a vivid imagination to understand the book, because the author writes with vivid clarity so there is no misunderstanding as to what happened. She is just as accurate and informative as the writers before her were; John Ehle (Trail of Tears the Rise and Fall of the Cherokee Nation) , Gloria Jahoda (The Trail of Tears the Story of the American Indian Removals 1813-1855), and Helen Jackson (A Century of Dishonor, the Classic account of our government’s mistreatment of Native Americans). The pages flow together, in easy-to-understand language.
I am very happy that Jeanean Doherty overcame her thoughts of “I must remain silent, I must not be seen” and wrote this book. I am glad that “whatever” moved her to write this book moved her to action, whether it be from her internal leanings or external forces no one talks about.
The book covers how the Cherokee People were a matrical society, for a long time. Cherokee People were great farmers, before white people ever showed up. The new immigrants were land hungry and took land away from the Cherokee People. The Cherokee People were purposefully infected with Smallpox, because of white traders tainted wool trade blankets. The Real People knew plants and their medicinal uses. There are many, many aspects about the Cherokee People’s lives that are covered in this wonderfully accurate book. Don’t be afraid to read this book, because it is far more accurate than Christopher Columbus sailing the ocean blue in 1492 and discovering America.
The book ends in 1820, which was 15-plus years before the ‘Trail of Tears’ started, and the Cherokee People were removed from their ancestorial lands to across the Mississippi River.
This book is not a page turner; it is a “CHAPTER” turner! I found it very difficult to put down. She just doesn’t write about “Real People” history. She also writes the truth about the Colonist History and English History. This book could easily be used to teach world history, where they would learn what is not taught in world history classes when I went to school, nor in history classes today. The book is so well written and accurate that I am now on my second reading.
This book is about the “Real People” and their story. I highly recommend this book for those that are looking for a refreshing book about “Real People” (Native American if you prefer) history. She went out on a ledge to write this book, and we should go out on ledge and read her book.
“Mixed Blood, the daughter of a Cherokee Woman and a Scottish Trader on the American Frontier Tells Her Story,” and was written by Jeanean Doherty. The author is of Cherokee descent. Don’t let that fool you. She writes like someone from a long time ago is dictating to here so that the book is accurate, even though it is historical fiction. I think that means what is talked about in the book is factual, but the name have been changed to protect either the innocent or the guilty. One does not need a vivid imagination to understand the book, because the author writes with vivid clarity so there is no misunderstanding as to what happened. She is just as accurate and informative as the writers before her were; John Ehle (Trail of Tears the Rise and Fall of the Cherokee Nation) , Gloria Jahoda (The Trail of Tears the Story of the American Indian Removals 1813-1855), and Helen Jackson (A Century of Dishonor, the Classic account of our government’s mistreatment of Native Americans). The pages flow together, in easy-to-understand language.
I am very happy that Jeanean Doherty overcame her thoughts of “I must remain silent, I must not be seen” and wrote this book. I am glad that “whatever” moved her to write this book moved her to action, whether it be from her internal leanings or external forces no one talks about.
The book covers how the Cherokee People were a matrical society, for a long time. Cherokee People were great farmers, before white people ever showed up. The new immigrants were land hungry and took land away from the Cherokee People. The Cherokee People were purposefully infected with Smallpox, because of white traders tainted wool trade blankets. The Real People knew plants and their medicinal uses. There are many, many aspects about the Cherokee People’s lives that are covered in this wonderfully accurate book. Don’t be afraid to read this book, because it is far more accurate than Christopher Columbus sailing the ocean blue in 1492 and discovering America.
The book ends in 1820, which was 15-plus years before the ‘Trail of Tears’ started, and the Cherokee People were removed from their ancestorial lands to across the Mississippi River.
This book is not a page turner; it is a “CHAPTER” turner! I found it very difficult to put down. She just doesn’t write about “Real People” history. She also writes the truth about the Colonist History and English History. This book could easily be used to teach world history, where they would learn what is not taught in world history classes when I went to school, nor in history classes today. The book is so well written and accurate that I am now on my second reading.
This book is about the “Real People” and their story. I highly recommend this book for those that are looking for a refreshing book about “Real People” (Native American if you prefer) history. She went out on a ledge to write this book, and we should go out on ledge and read her book.
February 22, 2026
I really enjoyed reading this book. The author revealed parts of the eastern Cherokee culture and expressed the relationship with European traders. The book was from the point of view of a Native woman who reflects on her life and the role that she played as a child, mother, woman. Learning about the life of the Native people, especially from a female perspective, is something that one has to pursue. This well researched historical fiction is worthy of the pursuit of.
September 4, 2025
As fascinating as it is insightful, Mixed Blood is a must read
Masterful storytelling. The fabric of the tale is woven from two different timeliness of Hester the mixed blood child, and Hester the aging adult who endeavors to teach her descendants their true history. A fascinating and historically accurate depiction of the injustices dispensed to the "Real People".
Masterful storytelling. The fabric of the tale is woven from two different timeliness of Hester the mixed blood child, and Hester the aging adult who endeavors to teach her descendants their true history. A fascinating and historically accurate depiction of the injustices dispensed to the "Real People".
July 8, 2026
interessting story of Cherokee woman who "married" white trader during revolutionary wars. Not compelling though.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews