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Running Wolf
Rival Tribes...
Running Wolf is a valiant Sioux warrior. During his first raid as war chief, he captures a surprising Crow enemy -- a woman! This spirited fighter is unlike any he's ever met. Her beauty and audacity are entrancing, but threaten his iron resolve...
Rival passions...
Snow Raven must focus on freeing herself, not on the man who keeps her captive. But as she falls deeper under Running Wolf's spell, she realizes he is her warrior -- and she'll risk everything for him!
Running Wolf is a valiant Sioux warrior. During his first raid as war chief, he captures a surprising Crow enemy -- a woman! This spirited fighter is unlike any he's ever met. Her beauty and audacity are entrancing, but threaten his iron resolve...
Rival passions...
Snow Raven must focus on freeing herself, not on the man who keeps her captive. But as she falls deeper under Running Wolf's spell, she realizes he is her warrior -- and she'll risk everything for him!
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 2015
10 people are currently reading
619 people want to read
About the author
Jenna Kernan
123 books394 followersThank you for finding me on GoodReads.
Find my social media links here: https://linktr.ee/jennakernan
Here's a bit more about me...
Publishers Weekly bestselling author, Jenna Kernan has written over forty novels, most recently penning domestic thrillers. Her debut thriller, A Killer's Daughter, won the bronze medal in popular fiction from the Florida Book Awards in 2021. Jenna’s 2022 domestic thriller, The Ex-Wives, won the gold medal in the same category. The Nurse, was released in 2023, The Patient's Daughter released in 2024, and The Fake Mother in 2025. Her thrillers are intense, unsettling, and gripping with unexpected twists and turns.
Jenna began her writing journey penning historical romance, paranormal romance and romantic suspense. Find them here: https://www.jennakernan.com/books-1
A member of International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Florida Mystery Writers and Novelists, Inc. and a natural redhead living with her husband on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Jenna has recently increased her sunblock to SPF 50.
Jenna offers a FREE BOOK as a welcome gift to new VIP Readers. Subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/jennakernan/grippi...
Visit Jenna at www.jennakernan.com
Follow Jenna here ...
BookBub: jenna-kernan
Twitter: @jennakernan
Instagram: jenna-kernan
Facebook: AuthorJennaKernan or join her newsletter at www.jennakernan.com
Find my social media links here: https://linktr.ee/jennakernan
Here's a bit more about me...
Publishers Weekly bestselling author, Jenna Kernan has written over forty novels, most recently penning domestic thrillers. Her debut thriller, A Killer's Daughter, won the bronze medal in popular fiction from the Florida Book Awards in 2021. Jenna’s 2022 domestic thriller, The Ex-Wives, won the gold medal in the same category. The Nurse, was released in 2023, The Patient's Daughter released in 2024, and The Fake Mother in 2025. Her thrillers are intense, unsettling, and gripping with unexpected twists and turns.
Jenna began her writing journey penning historical romance, paranormal romance and romantic suspense. Find them here: https://www.jennakernan.com/books-1
A member of International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Florida Mystery Writers and Novelists, Inc. and a natural redhead living with her husband on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Jenna has recently increased her sunblock to SPF 50.
Jenna offers a FREE BOOK as a welcome gift to new VIP Readers. Subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/jennakernan/grippi...
Visit Jenna at www.jennakernan.com
Follow Jenna here ...
BookBub: jenna-kernan
Twitter: @jennakernan
Instagram: jenna-kernan
Facebook: AuthorJennaKernan or join her newsletter at www.jennakernan.com
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 2, 2023
I love reading Native American romance novels, but it is SO VERY HARD to find one with a Native Hero and heroine. Almost always writers make one of them white and it's usually the heroine because most likely the writers who are white want to insert themselves in the stories. And somehow they feel all coloured men desire white women?! I specifically searched for a novel with a Native heroine and Goodreads gave a me a pretty long list of novels to choose from. I chose this one because I was intrigued by the idea of the heroine being a warrior woman. I recently watched the movie Prey which has a Native American warrior woman as a main character and I have been interested in learning more about how a woman can be a warrior. I'm glad of my choice because this story is very sweet! It's like a Native American version of Romeo and Juliet since the Hero and heroine are from enemy tribes. They kind of fell in love at first sight and they were good to each other from the very beginning (well, they were as good as they could be to someone who was the enemy of their tribe). No one made stupid decisions or said stupid things to the other and best of all, no one had a big misunderstanding which is the worst subplot in a romance novel! The Hero and heroine simply loved each other and supported each other and they truly and sincerely wanted the best for each other which was very sweet! The only downside of this novel is that the ending was a bit rushed. But their Happily Ever After was still very nice. It was a good read.
December 7, 2017
This was a pleasant surprise, like when you get a gift on a non-gift giving holiday. It is so well-researched, the couple is believable, and the payoff at the end is so redemptive after all the struggling the characters endured. It wasn't your run-of-the-mill lust at first sight in the ballroom where everything is light and fluffy. It is gritty. It gets a little intense sometimes, but that just makes the ending all the sweeter. Again, I can't stress enough how detailed this book is. As short as it is, Kernan still found a way to slip in a lot of research that really grounded me. Granted, I still couldn't erect a teepee after reading her book, but I have a much better understanding about family dynamics and clothing than I did before reading this book.
The Running Wolf is about two Native Americans from warring tribes: Sioux and Crow, a sort of Romeo and Juliet forbidden love. There was an added dimension to this dynamic with both characters being very concerned about their duties to their respective tribes. It upped the stakes and propelled the narrative, especially at the end. Just when you think everything's solved, you still have 12% of the book left. The amazing thing for me was that it never seemed to drag. There wasn't a lull in the middle or fabricated drama at the end. Every scene was meaningful, and the pace was just right.
I don't have too many negative things to say about this book. It got a little predictable at times, but that's not the end of the world. If violence or physical abuse trigger you in any way, I would be wary of this book. Like I said, it's not about lawn bowling and parties. It gets very real, but that's why I like it so much. There are broken families and hurting people in the world, and I want to see them represented in the books I read. If you can get past that, then I think you'll appreciate this book. At the very least, you'll learn something, and that's always a plus in my book. :)
The Running Wolf is about two Native Americans from warring tribes: Sioux and Crow, a sort of Romeo and Juliet forbidden love. There was an added dimension to this dynamic with both characters being very concerned about their duties to their respective tribes. It upped the stakes and propelled the narrative, especially at the end. Just when you think everything's solved, you still have 12% of the book left. The amazing thing for me was that it never seemed to drag. There wasn't a lull in the middle or fabricated drama at the end. Every scene was meaningful, and the pace was just right.
I don't have too many negative things to say about this book. It got a little predictable at times, but that's not the end of the world. If violence or physical abuse trigger you in any way, I would be wary of this book. Like I said, it's not about lawn bowling and parties. It gets very real, but that's why I like it so much. There are broken families and hurting people in the world, and I want to see them represented in the books I read. If you can get past that, then I think you'll appreciate this book. At the very least, you'll learn something, and that's always a plus in my book. :)
November 27, 2019
I'VE READ PLENTY OF NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN ROMANCES BUT I RARELY TOUCHED ONE WHERE THE MCS' ARE OF THE SAME RACE. MOST AUTHORS ALWAYS PAIR AN INDIAN WITH A WHITE. I ENJOYED THIS ONE VERY MUCH.
RUNNING WOLF is a Sioux who captured Snow Raven by accident during the raid of her tribe. Circumstances made her his captive, and for some reason, he's very possessive of this female who appeared different from any other. An enemy who can hunt, trap and track as well as any man, the Sioux believed her to be a witch. Running Wolf knew better, and he's very much attracted to her strength and beauty. For the first time, this brave and indestructible war chief faces a dilemma of the heart and mind, torn between keeping Raven safe from his own people and taking on the duty of marrying another woman, becoming the leader of his tribe. Running Wolf never betrayed Raven given how protective he was even when she escaped him. Passion runs high, and the chemistry between them was tangible, almost leaping from the pages.
SNOW RAVEN is an unconventional Crow Indian. She rides, hunts and does what any male of her tribe does...perhaps a little overindulged by her Father, the famous Six Elks Chief. As his daughter, she had liberties that other females didn't. One day, Sioux riders came to raid their tribe and she was caught by accident while saving her grandmother. Trying to face her fate like a brave little warrior, she never expected to fall for the Sioux male who captured her. They were enemies yet that doesn't stop the heart from wanting. I rather liked Raven because she's smart, capable and clearly no simpering miss and NOT a doormat.
OVERALL it was a simple story, but filled with emotions that just keeps you turning the pages and hoping to see them both get a happy ending. What would have made it more sweeter to me, was a bit of jealous angst. That always gets my blood pumping.
RUNNING WOLF is a Sioux who captured Snow Raven by accident during the raid of her tribe. Circumstances made her his captive, and for some reason, he's very possessive of this female who appeared different from any other. An enemy who can hunt, trap and track as well as any man, the Sioux believed her to be a witch. Running Wolf knew better, and he's very much attracted to her strength and beauty. For the first time, this brave and indestructible war chief faces a dilemma of the heart and mind, torn between keeping Raven safe from his own people and taking on the duty of marrying another woman, becoming the leader of his tribe. Running Wolf never betrayed Raven given how protective he was even when she escaped him. Passion runs high, and the chemistry between them was tangible, almost leaping from the pages.
SNOW RAVEN is an unconventional Crow Indian. She rides, hunts and does what any male of her tribe does...perhaps a little overindulged by her Father, the famous Six Elks Chief. As his daughter, she had liberties that other females didn't. One day, Sioux riders came to raid their tribe and she was caught by accident while saving her grandmother. Trying to face her fate like a brave little warrior, she never expected to fall for the Sioux male who captured her. They were enemies yet that doesn't stop the heart from wanting. I rather liked Raven because she's smart, capable and clearly no simpering miss and NOT a doormat.
OVERALL it was a simple story, but filled with emotions that just keeps you turning the pages and hoping to see them both get a happy ending. What would have made it more sweeter to me, was a bit of jealous angst. That always gets my blood pumping.
June 21, 2015
4 stars
Despite my reservations regarding Snow Raven's lack of agency in her relationship with Running Wolf, I did enjoy this story quite a bit. It's a bit grittier than I expected, and Raven's life after being captured by the Sioux was not easy or pleasant. She lost everything but her pride and her courage, which helped her survive her ordeal. I was worried about their HEA, but the author came through with a satisfying ending.
Despite my reservations regarding Snow Raven's lack of agency in her relationship with Running Wolf, I did enjoy this story quite a bit. It's a bit grittier than I expected, and Raven's life after being captured by the Sioux was not easy or pleasant. She lost everything but her pride and her courage, which helped her survive her ordeal. I was worried about their HEA, but the author came through with a satisfying ending.
November 3, 2023
This is a really good book! It should be on Kindle and audible and everywhere! It is an objectively good book - not only within the so-called "Native American romances" - but on the whole. In my opinion, it should rank among the very best books in this subgenre.
The writing is good and the book appears well-researched except for the following:
The romance is between a Lakota warrior and a young Crow woman, whose tribes are at war, which was indeed the case at the time the book is set.
Then, on page 26, the author makes the following claim: I quote, “Their languages were very similar…”
No! Crow and Lakota are NOT similar languages! Allow me to illustrate with a few examples:
Yellowstone River - Lakota: Heȟáka-Wakpá, Crow: Iichíilikaashaashe
Buffalo - Lakota: tȟatȟáŋka, Crow: bishée
Lazy - Lakota: úŋčihišni, Crow: íishihte
So maybe I am just a language nerd, who was jolted violently out of my little escape from everyday life…
Is the book from the 1990’s, I thought, before something like this could be googled?
Nope… 2015!
Now I understand the narrative shortcut, I really do, and the book contains lots of really well-written, sizzling dialogue to make up for it. However… most readers would have slammed a book shut if the author had claimed that “Their languages were very similar…” about an English man and a Spanish woman. The fact that this seems OK to do with Native American languages is an issue in itself, but I won’t open Pandora’s box here.
The problem for me was that after this, I questioned all the other cultural aspects that were touched upon as in: “he could not do this because of cultural thing X” and “she did that because of cultural thing Y”.
After recovering from my initial annoyance, however, I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, lost myself in the story and couldn’t stop turning the pages. I wish more books in this subgenre were as good as this one!
The writing is good and the book appears well-researched except for the following:
The romance is between a Lakota warrior and a young Crow woman, whose tribes are at war, which was indeed the case at the time the book is set.
Then, on page 26, the author makes the following claim: I quote, “Their languages were very similar…”
No! Crow and Lakota are NOT similar languages! Allow me to illustrate with a few examples:
Yellowstone River - Lakota: Heȟáka-Wakpá, Crow: Iichíilikaashaashe
Buffalo - Lakota: tȟatȟáŋka, Crow: bishée
Lazy - Lakota: úŋčihišni, Crow: íishihte
So maybe I am just a language nerd, who was jolted violently out of my little escape from everyday life…
Is the book from the 1990’s, I thought, before something like this could be googled?
Nope… 2015!
Now I understand the narrative shortcut, I really do, and the book contains lots of really well-written, sizzling dialogue to make up for it. However… most readers would have slammed a book shut if the author had claimed that “Their languages were very similar…” about an English man and a Spanish woman. The fact that this seems OK to do with Native American languages is an issue in itself, but I won’t open Pandora’s box here.
The problem for me was that after this, I questioned all the other cultural aspects that were touched upon as in: “he could not do this because of cultural thing X” and “she did that because of cultural thing Y”.
After recovering from my initial annoyance, however, I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, lost myself in the story and couldn’t stop turning the pages. I wish more books in this subgenre were as good as this one!
July 31, 2018
I literally just finished this book and I loved it! it was well written and the story line, though heartbreaking at times, definitely intrigued me. It was hard putting this one down and I was so happy both characters got a happy ending.
June 29, 2021
3.75***
June 15, 2015
This was a very good historical romance. It was set within Native America slightly after the civil war. The heroine is captured by a rival tribe's war chief. To say more would be a spoiler. The plot was very good and kept me reading the book whenever I had a spare minute. I loved the ingenious ending. I also liked learning about Native American culture. The Crow actually spoke a dialect of the Sioux language (thanks, Wikipedia) so it makes sense that the two tribes would be able to communicate so easily. The information about how feathers were given for certain behaviors was completely new to me and fascinating.
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway but that has not impacted my review.
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway but that has not impacted my review.
June 26, 2016
What a buffoon. The guy is a fuckin' buffoon. I kind of hope the heroine would say yes when the Sioux medicine man was like "yo prefer women? Because what you did was dykey af." lmao.
actual rating: 2.5
actual rating: 2.5
November 26, 2016
Amazing love story about bravery, forgiveness and taking chances. Unique and captivating historical romance. I read the entire book in one sitting, couldn't put it down! I've already bought three other books from this author as well and I can't wait to read them.
Read
August 3, 2015"Fast-paced, action-packed and entrancing, Running Wolf is a captivating romance about two star-crossed lovers and the treacherous trials they face in the name of love" (RT Book Reviews, 4 stars).
Read
January 12, 2016"Fast-paced, action-packed and entrancing, Running Wolf is a captivating romance about two star-crossed lovers and the treacherous trials they face in the name of love" (RT Book Reviews, 4 stars).
August 6, 2015
This genre is my all time favorite. Jenna did not disappoint. I wish she would write more stories involving the Native Americans. This is on my favorites list.
October 12, 2015
Loved this book could not put it down.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews