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Secret Shadows
When undercover FBI agent Dane White Eagle meets Dr. Claire Colby, they realize they not only share a dedication to their work--and to making life better for those on the reservation--but also strange dreams of the legendary trickster spirit Iktomi, as well as a growing passion for each other that may lead them into mortal danger. Original.
321 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 4, 2010
I've always been a fan of Native American themed romances, but most of them tend to fall into the historical category. Secret Shadows is the first fully contemporary Native American themed romance that I've read, and pairing that with a suspense plot, made the story unique and engaging. Judie Aitken is the best author I've read to date at rendering the Native American culture and lifestyle in a very realistic way. I really appreciate this and actually feel like I'm learning things from her writing. In fact, the book begins with a letter from the author which includes a recipe for frybread and notes on specific aspects of Native American culture that are mentioned in the story. Lakota words and phrases are also peppered throughout the narrative. The majority of the novel takes place on a fictional Indian reservation and a very poor one at that. I felt that the author really conveyed the pride these people have in their culture and the close bonds within the tribe, which evoked empathy in me, but not pity as some might feel, in spite of some heartbreaking living conditions. The author keeps the plot moving steadily forward, but at a rather languid pace, which gave the story the feel of what I imagine the pace of life on an Indian reservation to really be. Actually, no matter what type of scenes Judie Aitken is writing, she seems to have a knack for keeping it real. Whether it's courtroom action, prison scenes, undercover action, or medical scenes, Ms. Aitken either has personal knowledge of these things or has done her research well, because everything seemed very authentic to me.
Dane was a very sexy hero. He is an undercover FBI agent, working to bring down an illegal drug operation on the reservation. Even though it brings pain to both him and his family and friends, he isn't able to tell them who and what he really is, leaving some, including his own mother, thinking that he has betrayed his own people. Dane even allowed himself to be wrongly imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit, and one that personally affected him in a profound way at that, in order keep up the pretense of being a drug dealer. I personally know someone who used to work deep cover narcotics, just like Dane, so I really liked the way that the author brought out Dane's feelings of loosing his sense of self in his undercover work, which was another very genuine aspect of the story. I also really enjoyed reading about Dane's commitment to his culture and tribe, and how everything about him was so very “Indian”. I also throughly enjoyed Dane's sense of humor and the way he teased Claire. Most of the time he was very serious, but these subtle exchanges showed another side of his personality, the “real” him, which often made me smile.
Claire is a very admirable heroine. She is a talented ER doctor whose testimony helped put Dane in prison, which sets up an intriguing conflict. She desires a change of pace and the ability to build real relationships with her patients, rather than seeing them just one time, which drives her to apply for a job as the Indian Health Services doctor on the reservation. In my own personal experience, it is very rare for a doctor to have this level of care and commitment for their patients, and as such, I thoroughly liked and deeply respected Claire for this. I thought she also exhibited a certain braveness of spirit to enter a culture that was very different from her own, and to move from the conveniences of city life to a tiny town on a reservation where some don't even have running water. I love that she wasn't scared away by the filthy house that came with the job, and how she threw herself into her work with gusto, wanting to get to know everyone and treat the whole person, not just their illnesses. There was one thing about Claire that I felt the author left as a hanging thread, and that was her former marriage and history of domestic abuse. I had thought that this might become a bigger part of Claire's characterization, and help build relationship intimacy between her and Dane, but aside from mentioning that she was divorced, she never even told him about it during the course of the story. I really would have liked to see more come of this element, but in the end, it didn't really add anything to the plot, making it rather unnecessary.
I'm sure that it is very difficult for an author to find the right balance between suspense and romance in a romantic suspense novel. There isn't much of a mystery to be solved (in my mind, the motive was really the only question), but the suspense aspect of Secret Shadows was very well done, in my opinion. It held my interest and kept me reading, but I did feel that it somewhat overshadowed the romance. There is an instant attraction and a decent amount of sexual tension between Dane and Claire. They also repeatedly have the same shared dream and are both mysteriously being followed around by wild rez dogs. All of these things helped to build a connection and the latter two added just a hint of the paranormal, however, they don't even kiss until nearly 2/3 of the way into the story. I guess this was all rather understandable since Dane couldn't tell her who and what he really was, and he was reluctant to get involved while he was working undercover for fear that it might endanger her. Still, I couldn't help but be a little disappointed by the rather low-key nature of their romance.
Aside from a few continuity errors, Ms. Aitken managed to create a strong story with a likable hero and heroine. There was a large group of supporting characters too, my favorite of whom was probably Clement, a wise old Indian who becomes Dane's staunchest defender. The book gets off to a heartbreaking start right in the first chapter, and then builds into an interesting cat-and-mouse game between Dane and the bad guys. Secret Shadows is the second book by Ms. Aitken that I've read and I thought both were very well-written. Although she has only authored a total of four books, I look forward to trying the other two at some point. Anyone who enjoys romantic suspense and/or Native American stories should definitely give Secret Shadows a try.
Dane was a very sexy hero. He is an undercover FBI agent, working to bring down an illegal drug operation on the reservation. Even though it brings pain to both him and his family and friends, he isn't able to tell them who and what he really is, leaving some, including his own mother, thinking that he has betrayed his own people. Dane even allowed himself to be wrongly imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit, and one that personally affected him in a profound way at that, in order keep up the pretense of being a drug dealer. I personally know someone who used to work deep cover narcotics, just like Dane, so I really liked the way that the author brought out Dane's feelings of loosing his sense of self in his undercover work, which was another very genuine aspect of the story. I also really enjoyed reading about Dane's commitment to his culture and tribe, and how everything about him was so very “Indian”. I also throughly enjoyed Dane's sense of humor and the way he teased Claire. Most of the time he was very serious, but these subtle exchanges showed another side of his personality, the “real” him, which often made me smile.
Claire is a very admirable heroine. She is a talented ER doctor whose testimony helped put Dane in prison, which sets up an intriguing conflict. She desires a change of pace and the ability to build real relationships with her patients, rather than seeing them just one time, which drives her to apply for a job as the Indian Health Services doctor on the reservation. In my own personal experience, it is very rare for a doctor to have this level of care and commitment for their patients, and as such, I thoroughly liked and deeply respected Claire for this. I thought she also exhibited a certain braveness of spirit to enter a culture that was very different from her own, and to move from the conveniences of city life to a tiny town on a reservation where some don't even have running water. I love that she wasn't scared away by the filthy house that came with the job, and how she threw herself into her work with gusto, wanting to get to know everyone and treat the whole person, not just their illnesses. There was one thing about Claire that I felt the author left as a hanging thread, and that was her former marriage and history of domestic abuse. I had thought that this might become a bigger part of Claire's characterization, and help build relationship intimacy between her and Dane, but aside from mentioning that she was divorced, she never even told him about it during the course of the story. I really would have liked to see more come of this element, but in the end, it didn't really add anything to the plot, making it rather unnecessary.
I'm sure that it is very difficult for an author to find the right balance between suspense and romance in a romantic suspense novel. There isn't much of a mystery to be solved (in my mind, the motive was really the only question), but the suspense aspect of Secret Shadows was very well done, in my opinion. It held my interest and kept me reading, but I did feel that it somewhat overshadowed the romance. There is an instant attraction and a decent amount of sexual tension between Dane and Claire. They also repeatedly have the same shared dream and are both mysteriously being followed around by wild rez dogs. All of these things helped to build a connection and the latter two added just a hint of the paranormal, however, they don't even kiss until nearly 2/3 of the way into the story. I guess this was all rather understandable since Dane couldn't tell her who and what he really was, and he was reluctant to get involved while he was working undercover for fear that it might endanger her. Still, I couldn't help but be a little disappointed by the rather low-key nature of their romance.
Aside from a few continuity errors, Ms. Aitken managed to create a strong story with a likable hero and heroine. There was a large group of supporting characters too, my favorite of whom was probably Clement, a wise old Indian who becomes Dane's staunchest defender. The book gets off to a heartbreaking start right in the first chapter, and then builds into an interesting cat-and-mouse game between Dane and the bad guys. Secret Shadows is the second book by Ms. Aitken that I've read and I thought both were very well-written. Although she has only authored a total of four books, I look forward to trying the other two at some point. Anyone who enjoys romantic suspense and/or Native American stories should definitely give Secret Shadows a try.
September 1, 2010
I read this book several years ago and, because it was very good, I looked for other stories by Judie Aitken. I reread it recently (it is still a good book and not dated) so I could write my review. Ms. Aitken's style of writing is both original and compelling. I have to credit her with producing a smooth adventure that includes both a romance and suspense.
Dane White Eagle is an FBI agent working undercover to expose a problem with illegal drugs on a Lakota reservation. The very same reservation that is home to his mom and sister. Because he is a Sioux and he works for the government, he is not allowed to tell those he loves what he does. When things go wrong his life takes some nasty turns to keep his job a secret.
Dr. Claire Colby works long hours in an emergency room when she first comes in contact with Dane and his little sister. She is used to seeing pain and people dying but Dane has a profound familiarity about him. After their initial encounter he stays on in her dreams. Eventually their lives will entwine on both a professional and personal level.
Ms. Aitken is gifted with showing respect for the Lakota culture and impressing upon the reader these observations. The reason for four stars rather then five was the conduct of Dane's mother. Her actions made me pause for thought; I couldn't comprehend why she treated Dane so negatively for a good portion of the story. Otherwise, Ms. Aitken wrote a nice romantic suspense narrative. If you enjoy good contemporary fiction about Native Americans and don't care for all the 'fluff' that so many authors write try this author.
Dane White Eagle is an FBI agent working undercover to expose a problem with illegal drugs on a Lakota reservation. The very same reservation that is home to his mom and sister. Because he is a Sioux and he works for the government, he is not allowed to tell those he loves what he does. When things go wrong his life takes some nasty turns to keep his job a secret.
Dr. Claire Colby works long hours in an emergency room when she first comes in contact with Dane and his little sister. She is used to seeing pain and people dying but Dane has a profound familiarity about him. After their initial encounter he stays on in her dreams. Eventually their lives will entwine on both a professional and personal level.
Ms. Aitken is gifted with showing respect for the Lakota culture and impressing upon the reader these observations. The reason for four stars rather then five was the conduct of Dane's mother. Her actions made me pause for thought; I couldn't comprehend why she treated Dane so negatively for a good portion of the story. Otherwise, Ms. Aitken wrote a nice romantic suspense narrative. If you enjoy good contemporary fiction about Native Americans and don't care for all the 'fluff' that so many authors write try this author.
October 27, 2007
One of my favorite authors because of her book "A Love Beyond Time," which I have read numerous times, brings us another tale of Native American life. Dane White Eagle is undercover, but nobody knows, not his family or his friends. They all think he's just a no good security guard, dealing on the side. But when his sick sister is shot with his own gun, they use his jail time as a way to find out info from a drug lord. In the process he meets Claire, the ER doc on call when his sister was shot. She even testified against him, telling the jury that he blamed himself. He did, but not because he pulled the trigger. Great story, with a bit of Indian legend and mysticism thrown in. Warm sensuality rating. Gets the heart pumping, but not very desciptive.
May 5, 2022
I just loved the mystery within the book. There wasn't as much focus on the romance but the couple came together quite nicely.
November 27, 2010
A romantic suspense set with a Native American background. I found it well done, though, I admit I'm not familiar with life on a reservation.
Dane White Eagle is a FBI agent, working deep undercover to bust an illegal drug operation on the reservation where his family lives. Claire Colby is the ER doctor on duty when Dane brings in his sister.
Dane White Eagle is a FBI agent, working deep undercover to bust an illegal drug operation on the reservation where his family lives. Claire Colby is the ER doctor on duty when Dane brings in his sister.
November 4, 2008
If you are looking for a good mystery romance, this is for you.
June 14, 2009
Great read, I got through this in one day. I loved the characters, great dialogue and enjoyable and uplifting story.
September 27, 2015
It's nothing super-stand out or anything, but a pretty decent romantic suspense which takes place on a Lakota reservation. If you like suspense romance then you'll probably like this one.
November 29, 2015
Holy fuck I love this book!! Seriously. Stop whatever you are doing and read this book. I couldn't love the characters and plot and just such real descriptions any more than I do
December 6, 2017
Onvan : Secret Shadows - Nevisande : Judie Aitken - ISBN : 042519941X - ISBN13 : 9780425199411 - Dar 321 Safhe - Saal e Chap : 2004
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews