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Tallchief
A Dream...Or A Nightmare?
Ever since the night Morgan Tallchief lost the only woman he would ever love, he has struggled to seal away the past. But now Kathleen Ryder is back in his life--still pursued by the deadly secrets that forced her to flee before. And even though Morgan swears to protect her, he is helpless against his own rekindled passion.
Kathleen has never forgotten the achingly sweet hunger that bound them together years ago. Now, still on the run, all she dares ask is that Morgan keep her safe--never expecting that he has the power to breathe life-giving fire to an ember that has grown cold.
Ever since the night Morgan Tallchief lost the only woman he would ever love, he has struggled to seal away the past. But now Kathleen Ryder is back in his life--still pursued by the deadly secrets that forced her to flee before. And even though Morgan swears to protect her, he is helpless against his own rekindled passion.
Kathleen has never forgotten the achingly sweet hunger that bound them together years ago. Now, still on the run, all she dares ask is that Morgan keep her safe--never expecting that he has the power to breathe life-giving fire to an ember that has grown cold.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 24, 1997
102 people are currently reading
822 people want to read
About the author
Dinah McCall
20 books162 followersDinah McCall is a pseudonym for author Sharon Sala.
It was a job she hated that drove Sharon Sala to put the first page of paper in an old typewriter, but it was the love of the craft that kept her writing. Her first efforts at writing came in 1980 when she began a book that wound up under her bed. A second book followed in 1981 and suffered a similar fate, but she claims the writing bug had bitten hard. However, she let life and the demands of a growing family delay her from continuing until a tragedy struck.
Her father died in May of 1985 after a lingering illness, and then, only two months later, her only sister died unexpectedly. She vowed then and there that she was not going to wind up on her deathbed one day with regrets for not following through on her dreams.
She joined writers' groups and attended conferences, and she slowly learned her way around the written page. By 1989, she decided she had come far enough in her writing to attempt another try at book-length fiction and began a book that would later be entitled Sara's Angel. As fate would have it, the first publisher she sent it to bought it, and she hasn't looked back.
As a farmer's daughter, and then for many years a farmer's wife, Sharon escaped the drudgeries of life through the pages of books, and now, as a writer, she finds herself often living out her dreams. Through traveling and speaking and the countless thousands of fan letters she has received, Sharon has touched many lives. One faithful reader has crowned her the "Reba of Romance," while others claim she's a magician with words.
Her stories are often dark, dealing with the realities of this world, and yet she's able to weave hope and love within the words for the readers who clamor for her latest works.
Her books repeatedly make the bestseller lists, including those of The New York Times, USA TODAY, Publishers Weekly, and the Waldenbooks mass market fiction list, and she's been nominated for a RITA® Award seven times, which is the romance writer's equivalent of having an Oscar or an Emmy nomination.
Always an optimist in the face of bad times, she finds that many of the stories she writes come to her in dreams, but there's nothing fanciful about her work. She puts her faith in God and still trusts in love and the belief that, no matter what, everything comes full circle.
It was a job she hated that drove Sharon Sala to put the first page of paper in an old typewriter, but it was the love of the craft that kept her writing. Her first efforts at writing came in 1980 when she began a book that wound up under her bed. A second book followed in 1981 and suffered a similar fate, but she claims the writing bug had bitten hard. However, she let life and the demands of a growing family delay her from continuing until a tragedy struck.
Her father died in May of 1985 after a lingering illness, and then, only two months later, her only sister died unexpectedly. She vowed then and there that she was not going to wind up on her deathbed one day with regrets for not following through on her dreams.
She joined writers' groups and attended conferences, and she slowly learned her way around the written page. By 1989, she decided she had come far enough in her writing to attempt another try at book-length fiction and began a book that would later be entitled Sara's Angel. As fate would have it, the first publisher she sent it to bought it, and she hasn't looked back.
As a farmer's daughter, and then for many years a farmer's wife, Sharon escaped the drudgeries of life through the pages of books, and now, as a writer, she finds herself often living out her dreams. Through traveling and speaking and the countless thousands of fan letters she has received, Sharon has touched many lives. One faithful reader has crowned her the "Reba of Romance," while others claim she's a magician with words.
Her stories are often dark, dealing with the realities of this world, and yet she's able to weave hope and love within the words for the readers who clamor for her latest works.
Her books repeatedly make the bestseller lists, including those of The New York Times, USA TODAY, Publishers Weekly, and the Waldenbooks mass market fiction list, and she's been nominated for a RITA® Award seven times, which is the romance writer's equivalent of having an Oscar or an Emmy nomination.
Always an optimist in the face of bad times, she finds that many of the stories she writes come to her in dreams, but there's nothing fanciful about her work. She puts her faith in God and still trusts in love and the belief that, no matter what, everything comes full circle.
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October 28, 2014Never again and this is why. Pseudonyms OK for authors. Not okay for readers. Sorry, I don't think so.
Here's my original review so those who will cannot accuse me of being a drive-by troll. If anything I was a silly fangirl. I wrote this way back when. Ahhh, innocence was bliss.
Morgan Tallchief was on top of the world. Only eighteen years old and a record breaking runner with Olympic dreams he has a beautiful girlfriend who loves him with all her heart and his future looks bright. Then all of his dreams are shattered when his legs aren't quick enough to save the girl he loves from a fiery death. Grief stricken he joins the Navy to escape his heartache.
Sixteen years later Morgan, now an accomplished artist and former Navy SEAL, is living an isolated life until the day Kathleen comes back from the dead with their daughter in tow. All of the old pain comes back full force when he has to face the fact that Kathleen has been alive all of these years and the one glorious night they spent together as teenagers resulted in the birth of a daughter.
Kathleen has been on the run her entire life. When she was a child her father's testimony against a criminal placed their lives in danger and they were put into the the Federal Witness Protection Program. Torn from the boy she loved the only thing that kept her going was the birth of their baby daughter. When her dad dies she believes the nightmare is finally over. She's wrong. She realizes someone still wants revenge when she finds her apartment ransacked and receives a threatening phone call. Because the FBI has closed the case she has nowhere to turn and sets out to find her one true love hoping he will keep their daughter safe.
An emotional story from beginning to end, Ms. McCall captures all of the angst and heartache of first love lost and love reborn. The story is told mainly from the hero's viewpoint and what a wonderful viewpoint it is! Her hero defines the term heroic, he's not only brave and strong but he's also sweet, sensitive, loving and vulnerable. A perfect combination, if you ask me. If anybody deserves a happy ending it is this man. The portrayal of the budding relationship between father and daughter is realistic and moving. After reading this story I ran out and bought everything I could find with Dinah McCall/Sharon Sala's name on it (alas, with mixed results).
Here's my original review so those who will cannot accuse me of being a drive-by troll. If anything I was a silly fangirl. I wrote this way back when. Ahhh, innocence was bliss.
Morgan Tallchief was on top of the world. Only eighteen years old and a record breaking runner with Olympic dreams he has a beautiful girlfriend who loves him with all her heart and his future looks bright. Then all of his dreams are shattered when his legs aren't quick enough to save the girl he loves from a fiery death. Grief stricken he joins the Navy to escape his heartache.
Sixteen years later Morgan, now an accomplished artist and former Navy SEAL, is living an isolated life until the day Kathleen comes back from the dead with their daughter in tow. All of the old pain comes back full force when he has to face the fact that Kathleen has been alive all of these years and the one glorious night they spent together as teenagers resulted in the birth of a daughter.
Kathleen has been on the run her entire life. When she was a child her father's testimony against a criminal placed their lives in danger and they were put into the the Federal Witness Protection Program. Torn from the boy she loved the only thing that kept her going was the birth of their baby daughter. When her dad dies she believes the nightmare is finally over. She's wrong. She realizes someone still wants revenge when she finds her apartment ransacked and receives a threatening phone call. Because the FBI has closed the case she has nowhere to turn and sets out to find her one true love hoping he will keep their daughter safe.
An emotional story from beginning to end, Ms. McCall captures all of the angst and heartache of first love lost and love reborn. The story is told mainly from the hero's viewpoint and what a wonderful viewpoint it is! Her hero defines the term heroic, he's not only brave and strong but he's also sweet, sensitive, loving and vulnerable. A perfect combination, if you ask me. If anybody deserves a happy ending it is this man. The portrayal of the budding relationship between father and daughter is realistic and moving. After reading this story I ran out and bought everything I could find with Dinah McCall/Sharon Sala's name on it (alas, with mixed results).
February 17, 2014
4.5 Stars! I really really enjoyed this!
A little bit of everything! Captivating story about a second chance at love, great characters...I liked all of them, mystery and suspense, some angst, but nothing too crazy. Oh yeah, and Morgan Tallchief *swoon*...he's my kind of guy!
May 29, 2011
Love never dies, is what Tallchief is all about.
Morgan Tallchief is a runner, who has the ability to make it to Olympics when unable to save the girl he loved (Kathleen), he gave it up and joined the navy.
Sixteen years have passed and Morgan has left the military and paints instead but he still remembers, loves and grieves for Kathleen. He has never loved any woman besides her, when in walks the shock of his life, Kathleen, a little older and his daughter.
Kathleen loved Morgan, but her family was in the Witness Protection Program, she didn't want to leave Morgan and was forced to, she tried to get back to him and if it wasn't for the fact that she was pregnant she would not have lived. She has kept tabs on Morgan, loving him from afar and making sure his daughter Trish loved him too. She comes to Morgan for protection(and maybe a chance to be a family they should have been).
I loved seeing these three together, I never had any doubt that they loved each other, fate had kept them apart but their love had not died. Morgan was such a wonderful hero and he loved his family and would go to any lengths to protect them. Seeing them find a way towards each other, over-coming the past was a beauty.
Morgan Tallchief is a runner, who has the ability to make it to Olympics when unable to save the girl he loved (Kathleen), he gave it up and joined the navy.
Sixteen years have passed and Morgan has left the military and paints instead but he still remembers, loves and grieves for Kathleen. He has never loved any woman besides her, when in walks the shock of his life, Kathleen, a little older and his daughter.
Kathleen loved Morgan, but her family was in the Witness Protection Program, she didn't want to leave Morgan and was forced to, she tried to get back to him and if it wasn't for the fact that she was pregnant she would not have lived. She has kept tabs on Morgan, loving him from afar and making sure his daughter Trish loved him too. She comes to Morgan for protection(and maybe a chance to be a family they should have been).
I loved seeing these three together, I never had any doubt that they loved each other, fate had kept them apart but their love had not died. Morgan was such a wonderful hero and he loved his family and would go to any lengths to protect them. Seeing them find a way towards each other, over-coming the past was a beauty.
March 27, 2011
Very romantic book all the way around. Just what I was looking for after some lighthearted stuff. The emotion continued throughout the book even after the hero figures out that the heroine is still alive. These two fell in love early and never fell out even when separated for years.His love for her was just all consuming. She was still in danger and he was committed to keeping her safe.
The action scenes were very well done. Sometimes, authors make their heroes SEALs and then waste that aspect of their character. Here he is an ex SEAL and uses his skills to save her in a very real way.
Also the reason for the bad guys chasing this family for years is well set up. I also enjoyed the FBI agents who were working on solving their case from a different angle unknowing where the trail was leading.
Most of the story is told from the hero's POV which I particularly enjoy. Characterizations were very well done. Writing flowed well. Plot moved right along and made sense.
Loved it.
The action scenes were very well done. Sometimes, authors make their heroes SEALs and then waste that aspect of their character. Here he is an ex SEAL and uses his skills to save her in a very real way.
Also the reason for the bad guys chasing this family for years is well set up. I also enjoyed the FBI agents who were working on solving their case from a different angle unknowing where the trail was leading.
Most of the story is told from the hero's POV which I particularly enjoy. Characterizations were very well done. Writing flowed well. Plot moved right along and made sense.
Loved it.
April 1, 2013
I had high hopes for Tallchief, but I found it disappointing. The dialog is lame. The descriptions were overwrought. As an example of the writing style - at one point, the author described the wind blowing a 16 year old character's t-shirt against her "young breasts." Not only is that gross, it added nothing to the scene. In another scene, she describes Morgan's "manhood" as "fully extended." That makes it sound like he has an Inspector Gadget style robo-penis.
Kathleen spent so much time beating herself up for "lying" to Morgan about her past and her faked death that I could hardly stand her. I'm pretty sure the point of being in Witness Protection is that you don't tell people about it. I actually found the sections about the side characters - the hit men and random FBI agents - more interesting than lot of the scenes with Morgan and Kathleen.
Kathleen spent so much time beating herself up for "lying" to Morgan about her past and her faked death that I could hardly stand her. I'm pretty sure the point of being in Witness Protection is that you don't tell people about it. I actually found the sections about the side characters - the hit men and random FBI agents - more interesting than lot of the scenes with Morgan and Kathleen.
August 10, 2012
There are some books that are just keepers. Characters that jump off the page into your heart, stories that long to be told. Books that are readable over and over again, that hold one's interest no matter how many times they are read.
Too bad this isn't one of those books.
Stuck fast in the "noble Indian" mold, Tallchief is almost embarrassing to read. I lost count of the steotypical behaviors perpetuated in this morass of bad dialog, silly people and overblown prose. This book is on its way to the second-hand shop, tout suite!
Too bad this isn't one of those books.
Stuck fast in the "noble Indian" mold, Tallchief is almost embarrassing to read. I lost count of the steotypical behaviors perpetuated in this morass of bad dialog, silly people and overblown prose. This book is on its way to the second-hand shop, tout suite!
August 12, 2016
Contemporary romantic suspense, first released about 1997. This is the story of a life-long devotion between a Native American (Comanche) and a Caucasian (no ancestry provided). Their love affair begins in high school in small-town Oklahoma, is halted for 16 years, and picks up again in Santa Fé, New Mexico.
NUTSHELL PLOT: Morgan Tallchief is a record-setting sprinter and long-distance runner, a former SEAL, and a world-famous artist. Kathleen Walker is running for her life from Marco Benini's thugs, including an FBI agent on the take. The Witness Protection Program has let her down. It has let her entire family down. She reaches out to Morgan for help. He protects her, killing the baddies. Happy ever after. Sweet epilogue.
MY THOUGHTS: A sweet and tender romance, with some angst. Their devotion to one another is clear. Each would die for the other, and over the 16 years, they never fell out of love, remaining bonded in heart but separate in body. Tallchief is protective and passionate. Several mildly explicit love scenes: on the roof, on the grass, etc. Sweet! Gotta love Tallchief! (Liked his brothers, too.)
My only quibble about their relationship is that Kathleen dragged around a lot of guilt for "lying" to him in high school, letting him think she had died. Her reasons were solid, and she explained her reasons, plus she was ordered by Feds and father not to reveal anything. All her guilt-tripping got on my nerves. She was a victim, not a criminal.
Despite the love, too much plot contrivance, forcing Morgan out of character. As a former SEAL, Morgan would be a world-class expert in covert ops, but he totally bungled the job several times. In Seattle he struck out. Amateurish. What did he do? .
Then, he does something else that is out of character for a SEAL. Why? Made no sense to me. What if she had talked to the reporters swarming the art gallery? Why put K's life at risk? What did it buy him?
But the biggest disappointment with sheer plot contrivance came when Morgan
Finally, the long run. Spare me such stupidity.
These plot contrivances were used to stage a climactic, overly dramatic situation where McCall could portray Tallchief with the adjectives she so often used in her narrative: noble, fierce, brave, courageous, proud, warrior, etc. I got no problem with that, but don't make him look stupid. Give him credit for his SEAL training and for common sense.
Bottom line, this is a sweet love story. McCall created a wonderful hero. Too bad she took him out of character to develop her stupid plot.
NUTSHELL PLOT: Morgan Tallchief is a record-setting sprinter and long-distance runner, a former SEAL, and a world-famous artist. Kathleen Walker is running for her life from Marco Benini's thugs, including an FBI agent on the take. The Witness Protection Program has let her down. It has let her entire family down. She reaches out to Morgan for help. He protects her, killing the baddies. Happy ever after. Sweet epilogue.
MY THOUGHTS: A sweet and tender romance, with some angst. Their devotion to one another is clear. Each would die for the other, and over the 16 years, they never fell out of love, remaining bonded in heart but separate in body. Tallchief is protective and passionate. Several mildly explicit love scenes: on the roof, on the grass, etc. Sweet! Gotta love Tallchief! (Liked his brothers, too.)
My only quibble about their relationship is that Kathleen dragged around a lot of guilt for "lying" to him in high school, letting him think she had died. Her reasons were solid, and she explained her reasons, plus she was ordered by Feds and father not to reveal anything. All her guilt-tripping got on my nerves. She was a victim, not a criminal.
Despite the love, too much plot contrivance, forcing Morgan out of character. As a former SEAL, Morgan would be a world-class expert in covert ops, but he totally bungled the job several times. In Seattle he struck out. Amateurish. What did he do? .
Then, he does something else that is out of character for a SEAL. Why? Made no sense to me. What if she had talked to the reporters swarming the art gallery? Why put K's life at risk? What did it buy him?
But the biggest disappointment with sheer plot contrivance came when Morgan
Finally, the long run. Spare me such stupidity.
These plot contrivances were used to stage a climactic, overly dramatic situation where McCall could portray Tallchief with the adjectives she so often used in her narrative: noble, fierce, brave, courageous, proud, warrior, etc. I got no problem with that, but don't make him look stupid. Give him credit for his SEAL training and for common sense.
Bottom line, this is a sweet love story. McCall created a wonderful hero. Too bad she took him out of character to develop her stupid plot.
April 24, 2011
4.5/5.0
Oh, I HATE it when you have to round it up or down and neither way fits!!
The romance, angst and relationships in this story are INCREDIBLE!! Heart-wrenching, tear-jerking, sigh-worthy wonderfulness. The suspense was just a little tiny, itty-bit flat.
Oh, I HATE it when you have to round it up or down and neither way fits!!
The romance, angst and relationships in this story are INCREDIBLE!! Heart-wrenching, tear-jerking, sigh-worthy wonderfulness. The suspense was just a little tiny, itty-bit flat.
March 27, 2019
This book kept showing up that it would be a good match for me due the book I was reading. I always wondered why because from the cover it looked like historical romance and those sometimes don’t work for me. Finally after the hundredth time I put the book on my maybe shelf. One of my goals this year is to read more off of my maybe shelf, so I checked with my library, they had loads of copies, so I checked one out and off I went to read.
Color me surprised when as the book started it was set in the early 80’s, so not historical romance at all. Sure it was a bit older, but not what I expected. I quickly was drawn in, loved Morgan and Kathleen and how cute they were together, was horrified with what happened to them. The promise of them was so great!
Now that I’m done with the book I’m thinking Goodreads might know a thing or two about how different books match what you a reading and I may pay attention to what is up there a little more.
Color me surprised when as the book started it was set in the early 80’s, so not historical romance at all. Sure it was a bit older, but not what I expected. I quickly was drawn in, loved Morgan and Kathleen and how cute they were together, was horrified with what happened to them. The promise of them was so great!
Now that I’m done with the book I’m thinking Goodreads might know a thing or two about how different books match what you a reading and I may pay attention to what is up there a little more.
May 11, 2016
Another 3.5 stars for Sharon Sala. I can't bring myself to say I really liked it, but three stars just doesn't seem like enough. It's... weird, sorry.
My issue lies, as usual, with the heroine. She was wishy-washy and I don't think she tried hard enough. And she was one of those heroines that lives to deny herself happiness. But she was a good person with endearing qualities, so I liked her the more I read.
Our hero was an odd mix of athlete-warrior-artist, but it somehow worked well for him. I don't have any specific draw towards heroes of Native American descent, but I definitely see the appeal now. Phew, he was hot and fierce.
Nice choice of conflict with the secrets, the drama, and the revelation. It's a plot I haven't seen before, though I have a feeling it is because I don't do many long-lost-love stories. Though we do have some mystery as to why there is a threat, the who isn't much mystery. I wish it had been.
As usual, this author is overly wordy. I swear she could have knocked 30 pages off this by not describing the sunset and the spirit of the desert so many times. I liberally skimmed paragraphs about walking down the hallway and ruminating over the past.
But it was still a really good story, so there's that.
My issue lies, as usual, with the heroine. She was wishy-washy and I don't think she tried hard enough. And she was one of those heroines that lives to deny herself happiness. But she was a good person with endearing qualities, so I liked her the more I read.
Our hero was an odd mix of athlete-warrior-artist, but it somehow worked well for him. I don't have any specific draw towards heroes of Native American descent, but I definitely see the appeal now. Phew, he was hot and fierce.
Nice choice of conflict with the secrets, the drama, and the revelation. It's a plot I haven't seen before, though I have a feeling it is because I don't do many long-lost-love stories. Though we do have some mystery as to why there is a threat, the who isn't much mystery. I wish it had been.
As usual, this author is overly wordy. I swear she could have knocked 30 pages off this by not describing the sunset and the spirit of the desert so many times. I liberally skimmed paragraphs about walking down the hallway and ruminating over the past.
But it was still a really good story, so there's that.
July 14, 2024
Morgan Tallchief (18) and Kathleen Ryder (16) are teenage lovers when it is believed she has died in an explosion that destroyed her family home. Distraught he joins the navy and becomes a seal. Sixteen years later Kathleen brings their daughter to his home. They are in danger, and need his help.
August 4, 2020
Mighty Fine
Lots of heart in this tale of star crossed lovers. Tallchief is everything a hero needs to be, an Olympian potential runner, a Navy seal, an artist, and the man who can't believe his eyes when he finds his lost love. nicely done.
Lots of heart in this tale of star crossed lovers. Tallchief is everything a hero needs to be, an Olympian potential runner, a Navy seal, an artist, and the man who can't believe his eyes when he finds his lost love. nicely done.
June 29, 2014
One of my favorite!
November 9, 2025
November 2025
❤️ 𝑨𝒏 𝑶𝒍𝒅-𝑭𝒂𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝑺𝒖𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒆
about a strong alpha man who'll do anything to protect his family, and a woman who is happy to be taken care of. I like that the h is relatable—average, with some strength, and cares a lot about those she loves.
There was a nostalgic feeling as the main MCs fell in love in high school, then were separated by unforeseen circumstances for sixteen years. When they reunited, they had changed, but beneath their hurt, their love still waited to be rekindled. It’s an emotional story about loss, pain, and the hope of healing. They resolve their past hurts, and face danger together with renewed trust and deep devotion.
Half of the book focuses on the MCs reconnecting, while the other half follows the villain chasing Kathleen for her father's hidden secret. Although I usually dislike multiple POVs, here it worked well, making the story more engaging by showing different perspectives—bad guys, FBI agents, and others. It gave a full view of everything happening.
The sex scenes are low-steam. They're poetic with metaphors and sensory details.
EXAMPLES:
▪️They rocked to the rhythm of love, and when it became impossible to think, they rode the explosion all the way to the stars.
▪️She shattered, and the sky above began to spin like a psychedelic light on black velvet.
▪️Walls gave. Sense shattered. Honey flowed.
📕 𝚂𝚄𝙼𝙼𝙰𝚁𝚈 & 𝚂𝙿𝙾𝙸𝙻𝙴𝚁𝚂 📕
Morgan Tallchief, a Native American track star, and Kathleen, the math teacher's daughter, fell in love in high school in Comanche, Oklahoma. Their story begins at the state track meet, where Morgan sets a national record. On their walk home, they make love in a field. Tragedy strikes when Kathleen and her family die in a house explosion. Morgan sinks into despair, knowing he wasn't fast enough to save her.
Sixteen years later, it's learned Morgan didn't pursue a college athletic scholarship, instead going into the Navy and leaving a SEAL. Now a successful artist in Santa Fe, he's had a string of women but nothing serious, still haunted by his loss.
It's revealed that Kathleen and her family were in witness protection. When all involved died, Kathleen and her daughter were dropped from the program. Things happen to show their lives are still in danger, and they turn to the only man Kathleen loved and was intimate with. She hopes to finally find a place of safety. Morgan is not only shocked to see Kathleen, but to discover he has a daughter, 15-year-old Trish.
The MCs work to forgive past hurts and reunite. It took a few days, even though it seemed longer. It turns out that the villain's son wants the notebook that Kathleen's father hid, that leads to a fortune. FBI agent Caldwell arrives to help the MCs after investigating a corrupt agent tied to their situation. (I want to read Caldwell's story!)
A Favorite Scene at the End: Kathleen is kidnapped and taken to an abandoned airport. Morgan uses his amazing running skills and SEAL training to rescue her alone: Kathleen was out there somewhere, and he’d promised to keep her safe. And so he ran, a lone warrior, at home with the night. 😍 He ends up killing seven men, including the main bad guy. Worried she’ll fear him now, he’s reassured when she shows love and acceptance in a tender scene.
★ Morgan’s close family was a strong support. His brother James and wife Mary gave assistance early on. Later on, his five brothers and two brothers-in-law arrived with guns to protect their own.
🥹 In the epilogue The MCs are married with a one-year-old girl. They’re at an outdoor track meet in Albuquerque to watch Trish compete. Trish shows she’s like her father by tying his record, the same one he set as a teenager at the start of the story.
Morgan hears his late grandmother's voice: "Everything comes full circle." He hadn’t heard the voice in such a long time now, and he knew it was because she hadn’t been needed. Once again, he gazed down beyond the crowd to the field below. There had been others of his kind before him. He’d seen them in his mind and painted their picture so people would know. Now it had come full circle, from father to daughter, and so it would go. Peace settled within him. Yes, Grandmother…I can see that now.
❤️ 𝑨𝒏 𝑶𝒍𝒅-𝑭𝒂𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝑺𝒖𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒆
about a strong alpha man who'll do anything to protect his family, and a woman who is happy to be taken care of. I like that the h is relatable—average, with some strength, and cares a lot about those she loves.
There was a nostalgic feeling as the main MCs fell in love in high school, then were separated by unforeseen circumstances for sixteen years. When they reunited, they had changed, but beneath their hurt, their love still waited to be rekindled. It’s an emotional story about loss, pain, and the hope of healing. They resolve their past hurts, and face danger together with renewed trust and deep devotion.
Half of the book focuses on the MCs reconnecting, while the other half follows the villain chasing Kathleen for her father's hidden secret. Although I usually dislike multiple POVs, here it worked well, making the story more engaging by showing different perspectives—bad guys, FBI agents, and others. It gave a full view of everything happening.
The sex scenes are low-steam. They're poetic with metaphors and sensory details.
EXAMPLES:
▪️They rocked to the rhythm of love, and when it became impossible to think, they rode the explosion all the way to the stars.
▪️She shattered, and the sky above began to spin like a psychedelic light on black velvet.
▪️Walls gave. Sense shattered. Honey flowed.
📕 𝚂𝚄𝙼𝙼𝙰𝚁𝚈 & 𝚂𝙿𝙾𝙸𝙻𝙴𝚁𝚂 📕
Morgan Tallchief, a Native American track star, and Kathleen, the math teacher's daughter, fell in love in high school in Comanche, Oklahoma. Their story begins at the state track meet, where Morgan sets a national record. On their walk home, they make love in a field. Tragedy strikes when Kathleen and her family die in a house explosion. Morgan sinks into despair, knowing he wasn't fast enough to save her.
Sixteen years later, it's learned Morgan didn't pursue a college athletic scholarship, instead going into the Navy and leaving a SEAL. Now a successful artist in Santa Fe, he's had a string of women but nothing serious, still haunted by his loss.
It's revealed that Kathleen and her family were in witness protection. When all involved died, Kathleen and her daughter were dropped from the program. Things happen to show their lives are still in danger, and they turn to the only man Kathleen loved and was intimate with. She hopes to finally find a place of safety. Morgan is not only shocked to see Kathleen, but to discover he has a daughter, 15-year-old Trish.
The MCs work to forgive past hurts and reunite. It took a few days, even though it seemed longer. It turns out that the villain's son wants the notebook that Kathleen's father hid, that leads to a fortune. FBI agent Caldwell arrives to help the MCs after investigating a corrupt agent tied to their situation. (I want to read Caldwell's story!)
A Favorite Scene at the End: Kathleen is kidnapped and taken to an abandoned airport. Morgan uses his amazing running skills and SEAL training to rescue her alone: Kathleen was out there somewhere, and he’d promised to keep her safe. And so he ran, a lone warrior, at home with the night. 😍 He ends up killing seven men, including the main bad guy. Worried she’ll fear him now, he’s reassured when she shows love and acceptance in a tender scene.
★ Morgan’s close family was a strong support. His brother James and wife Mary gave assistance early on. Later on, his five brothers and two brothers-in-law arrived with guns to protect their own.
🥹 In the epilogue The MCs are married with a one-year-old girl. They’re at an outdoor track meet in Albuquerque to watch Trish compete. Trish shows she’s like her father by tying his record, the same one he set as a teenager at the start of the story.
Morgan hears his late grandmother's voice: "Everything comes full circle." He hadn’t heard the voice in such a long time now, and he knew it was because she hadn’t been needed. Once again, he gazed down beyond the crowd to the field below. There had been others of his kind before him. He’d seen them in his mind and painted their picture so people would know. Now it had come full circle, from father to daughter, and so it would go. Peace settled within him. Yes, Grandmother…I can see that now.
February 22, 2019
The first half of the book was better than the second. It went from a pretty typical (if exaggerated) paperback romance to some Tom Clancy novel. The idea that the FBI would allow a civilian man (even a former Navy SEAL) to get involved in a hostage situation is pretty ridiculous. And Witness Protection is under the Department of Justice and US Marshals, not the FBI. Details that, ultimately, don't change the story much, but can be somewhat irritating.
The worst part of the book, however, is the way in which the author, in the voice of both the hero and heroine, describes a 15 year old girl. This 15 year old, who by the way, is the hero and heroine's own daughter. Talking about her breasts, calling her "womanly" and "exotic", and speaking of her as if she was a sexual object while also being a child AND BY THE WAY, THEIR CHILD, was creepy and uncomfortable. I also found that the way in which the author wrote this 15 year old to be off; calling her father "Dad" and "Daddy" but often referring to her mother, who she's known her entire life, as "Mother" quite frequently. I attribute this perhaps to just a generation gap with the author and character (hopefully).
Ultimately, it was a decent book. I enjoyed some of the lighter moments, and I appreciated that the romance was rebuilt rather than rushed into. But man, some of the writing was weird and awkward and hard to get through at parts.
The worst part of the book, however, is the way in which the author, in the voice of both the hero and heroine, describes a 15 year old girl. This 15 year old, who by the way, is the hero and heroine's own daughter. Talking about her breasts, calling her "womanly" and "exotic", and speaking of her as if she was a sexual object while also being a child AND BY THE WAY, THEIR CHILD, was creepy and uncomfortable. I also found that the way in which the author wrote this 15 year old to be off; calling her father "Dad" and "Daddy" but often referring to her mother, who she's known her entire life, as "Mother" quite frequently. I attribute this perhaps to just a generation gap with the author and character (hopefully).
Ultimately, it was a decent book. I enjoyed some of the lighter moments, and I appreciated that the romance was rebuilt rather than rushed into. But man, some of the writing was weird and awkward and hard to get through at parts.
February 17, 2021
There were good things and bad about this book. It was a quick and easy read and the young romance in it was beautifully done. The rest of the plot however was not convincing and the phrase TSTL kept popping into my head. This author was recommended to me based on my read shelf and I can see from reviews she’s a love it or hate it type of writer. She fell firmly in the middle for me. I’m unsure at this point whether to pick up and try something else she’s written
October 17, 2019
I have owned this book for several years along with most of "Dinah McCall" aka Sharon Sala books. It is one of my favorites that I return to again and again. I think there is enough mystery/suspense mixed in with the relationship between the older and younger versions of our hero and heroine to make a good story.
July 11, 2019
The whole point of the story seems to be not only that love never dies, but that true love transcends... well, every boundary. Action, suspense, and a HEA, this book has the main ingredients that make it the perfect read for me...
July 15, 2023
Great Book !!!
I could not put this book down . Reading the trials of all Kathleen and Morgan went through and the love they had for each other. Loved the ending . Cried happy tears at the end. Another great book by Ms Sala.
I could not put this book down . Reading the trials of all Kathleen and Morgan went through and the love they had for each other. Loved the ending . Cried happy tears at the end. Another great book by Ms Sala.
January 13, 2024
Tallchief
I love this book. But then I lobe all of Ms. Salas books. I do wish she would again write books centered on her native heritage.but is a real pleasure to read a positive, engaging book . Proud to be part of these astonishing, brave people.
I love this book. But then I lobe all of Ms. Salas books. I do wish she would again write books centered on her native heritage.but is a real pleasure to read a positive, engaging book . Proud to be part of these astonishing, brave people.
October 25, 2017
I don't recommend this.
October 14, 2018
loved it!
August 5, 2020
It blends masculine chivalry, mystery, suspense and tender kindness. A quick powerful read!
October 17, 2020
Thought Dinah could not get better----WRONG----this story brought me to tears several times. Awesome!
December 16, 2020
Tallchief
I loved the book it was great. What they went through was tough I felt so bad for them in the beginning but things worked out great
Gloria rolfe
I loved the book it was great. What they went through was tough I felt so bad for them in the beginning but things worked out great
Gloria rolfe
March 5, 2022
Cheesy and not at all what I wanted or expected. I really really would have liked this story if it was written better. Too much telling not enough showing. Not engrossing. Meh DNF.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2024
Great read.
An all time favorite. Read many times and know I will read it again. Just love this book! Highly recommend.
An all time favorite. Read many times and know I will read it again. Just love this book! Highly recommend.
October 21, 2024
Enjoyed!
This was a great love story. You had to pay attention because of the characters changing. Vert suspenseful. We all need a Tallchief.
This was a great love story. You had to pay attention because of the characters changing. Vert suspenseful. We all need a Tallchief.
August 17, 2025
Have read several times. Always enjoy.
June 29, 2022
Keeper
Truly love love love this book. I have read this book a 1000 times and will read it a 1000 more. Anyone look for a book to pass the time must get this book.
Truly love love love this book. I have read this book a 1000 times and will read it a 1000 more. Anyone look for a book to pass the time must get this book.
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