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Legendary Warriors #1
WOLF SHADOW'S PROMISE
Legendary Warriors, Book 4
She saved his life. The only way he can save hers is to deny their forbidden passion…
When eight-year-old Alys Clayton saved the life of a young Blackfeet Indian, she had no idea her own life would be forever changed. To honor her bravery, Moon Wolf pledged his heart to her, vowing to marry her. But they were both too young…then.
Returning to Fort Benton in the Northwest Territory fifteen years later, Alys again encounters the deeply handsome hero who had once set her heart afire. But Moon Wolf has changed. He has become the legendary Wolf Shadow, a warrior intent on helping his people’s struggle against those who would destroy them.
Because a precious jewel like Alys warrants more from a man than risking death at every turn, Moon Wolf battles his desire for her, denying her what she needs most. But Alys has other ideas. She is determined he will not walk his chosen path alone.
Yet, how can their love survive when they are surrounded by enemies determined to destroy them, in a world where their love is forbidden?
This book has been previously published.
Warning: Sensuous romance that might renew a love that was written in the stars. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
She saved his life. The only way he can save hers is to deny their forbidden passion…
When eight-year-old Alys Clayton saved the life of a young Blackfeet Indian, she had no idea her own life would be forever changed. To honor her bravery, Moon Wolf pledged his heart to her, vowing to marry her. But they were both too young…then.
Returning to Fort Benton in the Northwest Territory fifteen years later, Alys again encounters the deeply handsome hero who had once set her heart afire. But Moon Wolf has changed. He has become the legendary Wolf Shadow, a warrior intent on helping his people’s struggle against those who would destroy them.
Because a precious jewel like Alys warrants more from a man than risking death at every turn, Moon Wolf battles his desire for her, denying her what she needs most. But Alys has other ideas. She is determined he will not walk his chosen path alone.
Yet, how can their love survive when they are surrounded by enemies determined to destroy them, in a world where their love is forbidden?
This book has been previously published.
Warning: Sensuous romance that might renew a love that was written in the stars. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
385 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2000
176 people are currently reading
357 people want to read
About the author
Karen Kay
57 books974 followersBestselling 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 25, 2017
Wolf Shadow's Promise is the first American Indian historical romance I have read and I loved it. Being part Cherokee Indian growing up hearing stories from my grandma about how bad things where for Indians and what I learned in school, I shied away from American Indian love stories. I figured it would be too sad and heartbreaking. But I was surprised at how captivated I was with the American Indian culture and history. I loved Alys and Moon Wolf's love story. Love is color blind and though their love story is not an easy one it's a beautiful one. Never once did I feel sad reading it. Instead I felt respect for what my and all American Indian ancestors lived through and overcame. I loved Moon Wolf, and thought he was sexy, playful, honorable, and very brave. I loved Alys too she was smart, brave, kindhearted, and a fighter. I love that they didn't let the the color of their skin hold them back. They like all interracial couples throughout history were trail blazers. There was no where they could be accepted together so they made their own way. I really loved this book. Nothing is more beautiful than a story of love overcoming. I will be reading more books from this author for sure!
May 26, 2023
Rating: 5 / 5
Okay, I'm officially a fan of Karen Kay because good golly are her stories charming! True, to an extent they are a bit lacking in realism in some ways and perhaps overly fluffy, but sometimes I just need those overly fluffy historical romances, and by goodness if I know where to get them now! Apart from Madeline Baker, I'm pronouncing Karen Kay the safest author in terms of Native American historical fiction romances, because as of yet I have not experienced any angst, rapes, abuses, or anything really devastating that, while realistic, usually makes me cringe away from a novel where I'm expecting romance.
So yeah, I gots to get me some more of this good lady's books, because I just love them!
Anyway, in terms of content, this story takes place in the 1870s, so it's wartime in full swing between the two different worlds/cultures/etc.; and I was a bit worried about this at first, but it's okay, because Kay doesn't get into gory details or make her characters suffer too long or too hard. It's tame compared to other historical romances, and by goodness by golly by gosh if that isn't exactly what I needed! This book is, for me, the perfect combination of fluff and conflict, having just enough of each, and satisfactory love scenes as well, to make it a perfect read insofar as this genre goes.
Put this one up in the 5 stars department. It's a keeper!
Okay, I'm officially a fan of Karen Kay because good golly are her stories charming! True, to an extent they are a bit lacking in realism in some ways and perhaps overly fluffy, but sometimes I just need those overly fluffy historical romances, and by goodness if I know where to get them now! Apart from Madeline Baker, I'm pronouncing Karen Kay the safest author in terms of Native American historical fiction romances, because as of yet I have not experienced any angst, rapes, abuses, or anything really devastating that, while realistic, usually makes me cringe away from a novel where I'm expecting romance.
So yeah, I gots to get me some more of this good lady's books, because I just love them!
Anyway, in terms of content, this story takes place in the 1870s, so it's wartime in full swing between the two different worlds/cultures/etc.; and I was a bit worried about this at first, but it's okay, because Kay doesn't get into gory details or make her characters suffer too long or too hard. It's tame compared to other historical romances, and by goodness by golly by gosh if that isn't exactly what I needed! This book is, for me, the perfect combination of fluff and conflict, having just enough of each, and satisfactory love scenes as well, to make it a perfect read insofar as this genre goes.
Put this one up in the 5 stars department. It's a keeper!
Read
July 21, 2019I **really** enjoyed this book. Moon Wolf and Alys are so cute together. When they are children Alys helps Moon Wolf escape from angry townspeople with his sister. When they say their childhood goodbyes, Moon Wolf promises to never forget her and gives her a necklace (which Alys then proceeds to always wear into adulthood). For children, they had obvious chemistry. Moon Wolf was so touched by Alys helping him and his sister, he offered to marry her. Adorable! Alys was one of the first non-Native Americans to be kind to him, she touched his soul in this way. Later, we find out Moon Wolf told his tribe about Alys and her kindness.
Flash forward some odd years and something similar happens. Alys brings Moon Wolf to the same tunnels she ushered him out of when they were children, except this time he is alone and he is in need of medical care. Alys takes care of Moon Wolf and nurses him back to health. The two then bond and reconnect while he is regaining his strength. They both thought about each other over the year's but reality is much different.
As adults, Alys is home from finishing school and Moon Wolf is attempting to thwart attempts to take advantage of his tribe. He dresses as Shadow Moon (as named by the townsman) and tries to stop the whiskey trade (which has terrible backlash for his tribe). Because of this, he considers his life forfeit and doesn't believe he can have a marriage and children. This presents a problem for him and Alys since she wants them to be together forever. Enter drama.
As a side note, I appreciated the fact that Kay addressed the plights of Native Americans (although some of the terminology/phrases might not have aged well...some certainly don't). Alys never judged Moon Wolf for being different from herself. She never questioned his culture - in fact, she completely embraced him. She was open minded and just wanted to be with him. Love transcending all is the corner of the romance genre.
P.S. Moon Wolf has an adorable "pet" wolf, who is a character and hero unto his own right. He saves the couple more than once. Honestly, I now want a wolf. I won't get a wolf since this one is fictional. But if I could get a wolf, I'd want this one.
Flash forward some odd years and something similar happens. Alys brings Moon Wolf to the same tunnels she ushered him out of when they were children, except this time he is alone and he is in need of medical care. Alys takes care of Moon Wolf and nurses him back to health. The two then bond and reconnect while he is regaining his strength. They both thought about each other over the year's but reality is much different.
As adults, Alys is home from finishing school and Moon Wolf is attempting to thwart attempts to take advantage of his tribe. He dresses as Shadow Moon (as named by the townsman) and tries to stop the whiskey trade (which has terrible backlash for his tribe). Because of this, he considers his life forfeit and doesn't believe he can have a marriage and children. This presents a problem for him and Alys since she wants them to be together forever. Enter drama.
As a side note, I appreciated the fact that Kay addressed the plights of Native Americans (although some of the terminology/phrases might not have aged well...some certainly don't). Alys never judged Moon Wolf for being different from herself. She never questioned his culture - in fact, she completely embraced him. She was open minded and just wanted to be with him. Love transcending all is the corner of the romance genre.
P.S. Moon Wolf has an adorable "pet" wolf, who is a character and hero unto his own right. He saves the couple more than once. Honestly, I now want a wolf. I won't get a wolf since this one is fictional. But if I could get a wolf, I'd want this one.
January 28, 2020
Cute story but not quiet good enough. He is a Native American who as a child saves the life of a young white female. She is cursed as she stole a gold cross from a sacred cave. When she realises the cross had caused the curse she looks for him and want's his help to return the cross. Some humorous parts to the story. HEA ending.
Read
July 19, 2015There was a project at Fort Benton to teach the Indians at their school. The teacher was new and demanding any answer from an Indian girl. She was crying and did not answer the teacher. The teacher hit the girl with a ruler on the arm. She started to hit the Indian girl a second time when an Indian boy jumped in between the teacher and the girl. He had a knife. The teacher backed out of the way and fell into a trashcan. She threatened to skin the boy and the boy cut off the teachers bun and ran out the window with the girl. Eight yr. old Alys was in the classroom and left with the rest of the school kids and headed home. She saw the Indian kids hiding and took them thru a basement next to her house and showed them a way out of the Fort through a tunnel. The boy gave Alys a shell necklace. He told her that a part of her would always be with him and he left with his sister, who did not understand English and didn't know what the teacher was asking of her.
Fifteen years later...
Alys was attending a ball in her honor for returning back home to Montana after finishing school back east. Her mother was sick at home with what appeared to be pneumonia. Alys would have rather stayed at home but her mother insisted she attend. She felt that she had stayed long enough and headed out. As she was leaving, there was a disturbance where an Indian they called Wolf Shadow was attacking the supply wagons and dumping out the supplies causing a loss to the merchants. The soldiers were shooting at him and Alys followed the soldiers to see for herself what was going on. She found blood and knew that the Indian had been shot. She also discovered that the supplies that the Indian had destroyed was whiskey that was supposed to be illegal.
Alys followed the trail of blood and covered it so there was no trail for anyone else to follow. She was surprised to find the trail led to the tunnel by her house. She found the wounded Indian and it was the same boy she helped as a child, now fully grown. She treated his thigh injury. He ran a fever a couple of days and then started to get better. He remained in the tunnels while healing and Alys cared for him as much as she was able. Alys told her mother that Wolf Shadow was in the tunnels and her mother told her that she had always wanted to leave the fort and live with the Indians to see what their life was like. Alys's mother told her to thank Wolf Shadow for the medicine and told Alys to not tell anyone that he was in the tunnels.
As Wolf Shadow grew stronger, he took to teasing Alys and touching her. Their attraction to each other grew and he held himself back because they were not married. He eventually decided that he would me married to her for them to get physically close. They satisfied each other without having intercourse because he was afraid to get her pregnant and he wouldn't be around in the future. He expected to die young.
Wolf Shadow asked Alys to find out if another shipment was leaving the fort soon and she did. Only she didn't tell him and decided to stop the shipment herself. She took his wolf disguise and tried to destroy the supplies herself. Wolf Shadow discovered what she had done when his pet wolf woke him up. He went to her rescue and overturned the wagon and got her back to the tunnel.
He decided that Alys needed move back to her house and stop living in the tunnels. Wolf had discovered that she was being watched by the lieutenant at the fort. She finally agreed and decided to pretend to be engaged to the shop owner's son. Bobby agreed because he was in love with Abigail and Alys agreed to help him get her attention for him. Wolf Shadow overheard the engagement but not that it wasn't real. He came to visit her in her room that night and they finally consummated their marriage. Alys didn't realize that Wolf was angry and she didn't see him for a week. She then went back into the tunnel to confront him after he started a couple of fires in the fort during the daylight hours. He still refused to talk to her and simply didn't return after she confronted him. She next went out during the time a ship was leaving from the fort and she had worked up her own wolf disguise. She wanted everyone to see her and think that the Wolf Shadow was a woman to take some of the pressure off the real Wolf Shadow. The townsfolk were discussing the fact that Wolf Shadow was really a woman. Wolf was not happy and confronted Alys but she told him that she would not stop helping him. He told her that he would teach her how to shoot and ride a horse in case she needed to escape capture. Alys still could not get Wolf Shadow to talk to her about what was bothering him.
Wolf Shadow taught Alys the ways of the Indians in using arrows and riding so that she would be more helpful in the raiding of the supply wagons. They spent a lot of time developing her skills. They chose a raid on some wagons and Wolf Shadow promised that after this attack he would find a place where they could live together without either the his people or her's judging them. Wolf Shadow shot a couple of arrows into the whiskey barrels and set some on fire. For the rest, he used his skills and started a buffalo stampede to take out the rest of the wagons. Alys was asked to stay behind with the wolf pet, Makoyi. Wolf Shadow did not want Makoyi hurt or Alys to distract him. Alys heard someone shooting and set out with Makoyi to find Wolf Shadow and they did. He was hurt and Alys tied a rope to the wolf and pulled Wolf Shadow onto his horse. Wolf Shadow had fallen off his horse and hit his head and also sprained an ankle.
After healing from his injuries, Moon Shadow took Alys to stay with his sister while he went to the fort where the whiskey was to have been delivered to see if they had stopped the delivery. Alys got tired of waiting and couldn't communicate with his sister so she went to the fort to check on him. She was dressed as in Indian and was grabbed by one of the soldiers who was attempting to rape her. It turned out to be the soldier from the fort where she lived who had been watching her for the lieutenant. He was drunk and refused to believe that she was a white woman. Wolf Shadow ended up having to kill him and they left to return home.
Alys's mother told Wolf Shadow that her dead husband had been given some land in exchange for his services in the Mexican war. She told them that the dead to the land was in the tunnels but she wasn't sure where. Wolf Shadow found the deed and Alys filed the deed with the land office. It turned out that the land was next to the reservation land for his Blackfoot tribe. Wolf Shadow and Alys were then married by a priest at with his family and Alys's mother present. They moved to the land that Alys's father had been given.
Fifteen years later...
Alys was attending a ball in her honor for returning back home to Montana after finishing school back east. Her mother was sick at home with what appeared to be pneumonia. Alys would have rather stayed at home but her mother insisted she attend. She felt that she had stayed long enough and headed out. As she was leaving, there was a disturbance where an Indian they called Wolf Shadow was attacking the supply wagons and dumping out the supplies causing a loss to the merchants. The soldiers were shooting at him and Alys followed the soldiers to see for herself what was going on. She found blood and knew that the Indian had been shot. She also discovered that the supplies that the Indian had destroyed was whiskey that was supposed to be illegal.
Alys followed the trail of blood and covered it so there was no trail for anyone else to follow. She was surprised to find the trail led to the tunnel by her house. She found the wounded Indian and it was the same boy she helped as a child, now fully grown. She treated his thigh injury. He ran a fever a couple of days and then started to get better. He remained in the tunnels while healing and Alys cared for him as much as she was able. Alys told her mother that Wolf Shadow was in the tunnels and her mother told her that she had always wanted to leave the fort and live with the Indians to see what their life was like. Alys's mother told her to thank Wolf Shadow for the medicine and told Alys to not tell anyone that he was in the tunnels.
As Wolf Shadow grew stronger, he took to teasing Alys and touching her. Their attraction to each other grew and he held himself back because they were not married. He eventually decided that he would me married to her for them to get physically close. They satisfied each other without having intercourse because he was afraid to get her pregnant and he wouldn't be around in the future. He expected to die young.
Wolf Shadow asked Alys to find out if another shipment was leaving the fort soon and she did. Only she didn't tell him and decided to stop the shipment herself. She took his wolf disguise and tried to destroy the supplies herself. Wolf Shadow discovered what she had done when his pet wolf woke him up. He went to her rescue and overturned the wagon and got her back to the tunnel.
He decided that Alys needed move back to her house and stop living in the tunnels. Wolf had discovered that she was being watched by the lieutenant at the fort. She finally agreed and decided to pretend to be engaged to the shop owner's son. Bobby agreed because he was in love with Abigail and Alys agreed to help him get her attention for him. Wolf Shadow overheard the engagement but not that it wasn't real. He came to visit her in her room that night and they finally consummated their marriage. Alys didn't realize that Wolf was angry and she didn't see him for a week. She then went back into the tunnel to confront him after he started a couple of fires in the fort during the daylight hours. He still refused to talk to her and simply didn't return after she confronted him. She next went out during the time a ship was leaving from the fort and she had worked up her own wolf disguise. She wanted everyone to see her and think that the Wolf Shadow was a woman to take some of the pressure off the real Wolf Shadow. The townsfolk were discussing the fact that Wolf Shadow was really a woman. Wolf was not happy and confronted Alys but she told him that she would not stop helping him. He told her that he would teach her how to shoot and ride a horse in case she needed to escape capture. Alys still could not get Wolf Shadow to talk to her about what was bothering him.
Wolf Shadow taught Alys the ways of the Indians in using arrows and riding so that she would be more helpful in the raiding of the supply wagons. They spent a lot of time developing her skills. They chose a raid on some wagons and Wolf Shadow promised that after this attack he would find a place where they could live together without either the his people or her's judging them. Wolf Shadow shot a couple of arrows into the whiskey barrels and set some on fire. For the rest, he used his skills and started a buffalo stampede to take out the rest of the wagons. Alys was asked to stay behind with the wolf pet, Makoyi. Wolf Shadow did not want Makoyi hurt or Alys to distract him. Alys heard someone shooting and set out with Makoyi to find Wolf Shadow and they did. He was hurt and Alys tied a rope to the wolf and pulled Wolf Shadow onto his horse. Wolf Shadow had fallen off his horse and hit his head and also sprained an ankle.
After healing from his injuries, Moon Shadow took Alys to stay with his sister while he went to the fort where the whiskey was to have been delivered to see if they had stopped the delivery. Alys got tired of waiting and couldn't communicate with his sister so she went to the fort to check on him. She was dressed as in Indian and was grabbed by one of the soldiers who was attempting to rape her. It turned out to be the soldier from the fort where she lived who had been watching her for the lieutenant. He was drunk and refused to believe that she was a white woman. Wolf Shadow ended up having to kill him and they left to return home.
Alys's mother told Wolf Shadow that her dead husband had been given some land in exchange for his services in the Mexican war. She told them that the dead to the land was in the tunnels but she wasn't sure where. Wolf Shadow found the deed and Alys filed the deed with the land office. It turned out that the land was next to the reservation land for his Blackfoot tribe. Wolf Shadow and Alys were then married by a priest at with his family and Alys's mother present. They moved to the land that Alys's father had been given.
July 1, 2021
The story and relationship wouldn't be bad if not for the stupidity of Alys and her mother.
A prime example (one of many) is when Alys tells her mother about Wolf - I'd have zero problems with my children ever dating and marrying outside of their race. I read this book after all.
But if I lived 150+ years ago and my teenage daughter, my only family told me that she's engaging in a non-legally sanctioned sexual relationship with a man, any man, who I KNOW is doing something dangerous and borderline illegal I would at least express some concern. Then there's also the fact that he's an Indian - he could get her pregnant and then die from doing the above mentioned dangerous and illegal things. My society wouldn't accept that they were even married. She'd be disgraced and likely have a hard time marrying again and could end up alone and riddiculed for the rest of her life. I'm not saying that's a good thing but that's what would likely happen.
But Alys' mother?: It's ok, you love each other. You really thought I'd mind? Who do you take me for?
I don't know, maybe not a complete moron? Someone who has her daughter's interest in mind?
She's literary back in town for a few days. It's like even Alys knew how unbelievably stupid her mother was with how she addresses her sometimes. And Alys is 17.
A prime example (one of many) is when Alys tells her mother about Wolf - I'd have zero problems with my children ever dating and marrying outside of their race. I read this book after all.
But if I lived 150+ years ago and my teenage daughter, my only family told me that she's engaging in a non-legally sanctioned sexual relationship with a man, any man, who I KNOW is doing something dangerous and borderline illegal I would at least express some concern. Then there's also the fact that he's an Indian - he could get her pregnant and then die from doing the above mentioned dangerous and illegal things. My society wouldn't accept that they were even married. She'd be disgraced and likely have a hard time marrying again and could end up alone and riddiculed for the rest of her life. I'm not saying that's a good thing but that's what would likely happen.
But Alys' mother?: It's ok, you love each other. You really thought I'd mind? Who do you take me for?
I don't know, maybe not a complete moron? Someone who has her daughter's interest in mind?
She's literary back in town for a few days. It's like even Alys knew how unbelievably stupid her mother was with how she addresses her sometimes. And Alys is 17.
May 2, 2023
Decent story but very wordy
Too caught up in giving readers the thoughts of the characters and scant action . I wold have loved to read a lot more action events as opposed to the excruciatingly long thoughts that each person has. I was exhausted by them less than half way in and found myself skipping ahead to hopefully more active reading but to no avail. Sad because this story idea is fresh and has such promise.
Too caught up in giving readers the thoughts of the characters and scant action . I wold have loved to read a lot more action events as opposed to the excruciatingly long thoughts that each person has. I was exhausted by them less than half way in and found myself skipping ahead to hopefully more active reading but to no avail. Sad because this story idea is fresh and has such promise.
April 2, 2020
Sweet, sad and romantic, dreamy!
I really was intrigued, enjoyed the reading the cause, the romance and the history of the reason it is sad who our government behaved, yet some people can find love!!
I really was intrigued, enjoyed the reading the cause, the romance and the history of the reason it is sad who our government behaved, yet some people can find love!!
October 1, 2023
Great story
Truly a touching story that love can confuse all. Our world changed a great deal. There are still prejudice mind out in the world. But I do believe that we are on the path to healing more so now.
Truly a touching story that love can confuse all. Our world changed a great deal. There are still prejudice mind out in the world. But I do believe that we are on the path to healing more so now.
February 11, 2018
Wolf Shadows Promise
I loved this story. I look forward to reading more of her. I recommend everyone to read this book. Kattie 2/10/18.
I loved this story. I look forward to reading more of her. I recommend everyone to read this book. Kattie 2/10/18.
July 28, 2011
My cousin and I bought this at a thrift store at the beach determined to read a "trashy" romance novel together. This book made our trip. We took turns reading it laughing out loud at some of the ridiculousness. No one curses but there are many explicit sex scenes while we respect native American names reading someone moaning moon wolf brings a laugh. Overall it was ridiculous but enjoyable. We tried not to but you get attached to Alys and Moon Wolf and their story.
June 19, 2014
I love this kind of love story's that have a history to them , there is truth to them in the history of the indian lives she has done great on it love it
February 19, 2015
My #1 favorite author for Native American romances.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews