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But That Was Yesterday
LIFE WAS FOR THE LIVING
Sage Parker knew what life at the bottom looked like — alcohol had seen to that. Now he was living day to day, rebuilding his ranch and teaching his people that life on the reservation had a value all its own...Then into his life walked Megan McBride, with her smile and her love and her absolute perfection. She was everything a woman should be — and everything a man like the former Sage couldn't have.
But this was a new Sage, one who drew in the strength of the tribal ways, yet had learned how to deal with the white man's world. All he needed to make his life complete was Megan by his side...
Sage Parker knew what life at the bottom looked like — alcohol had seen to that. Now he was living day to day, rebuilding his ranch and teaching his people that life on the reservation had a value all its own...Then into his life walked Megan McBride, with her smile and her love and her absolute perfection. She was everything a woman should be — and everything a man like the former Sage couldn't have.
But this was a new Sage, one who drew in the strength of the tribal ways, yet had learned how to deal with the white man's world. All he needed to make his life complete was Megan by his side...
249 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 1988
11 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
Kathleen Eagle
117 books164 followersKathleen Eagle published her first book, a Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award winner, with Silhouette Books in 1984. Since then she has published more than 40 books, including historical and contemporary, series and single title, earning her nearly every award in the industry. Her books have consistently appeared on regional and national bestseller lists, including the USA Today list and the New York Times extended bestseller list.
Born in Virginia and raised "on the road" as an Air Force brat, Ms Eagle earned degrees from Mount Holyoke College and Northern State University. She taught at Standing Rock High School in North Dakota for 17 years.
Eagle's work is often singled out by book reviewers for its exceptional quality and appeal. THE NIGHT REMEMBERS was a Chicago Tribune Notable Book. SUNRISE SONG, THE NIGHT REMEMBERS, THE LAST TRUE COWBOY, and WHAT THE HEART KNOWS made the Library Journal "Five Best Romances of the Year" list. BookPage listed WHAT THE HEART KNOWS among its "Top Six Romance Picks" for 1999. THE LAST GOOD MAN was a finalist for the 2000 Minnesota Book Award for Popular Fiction--the only Romance so honored thus far. YOU NEVER CAN TELL was named to RWA's "Top Ten Favorite Books of the Year" list. She is an RWA RITA award winner.
Kathleen Eagle lives in Minnesota with her husband, who is Lakota Sioux. The Eagles have three children and three grandchildren.
Born in Virginia and raised "on the road" as an Air Force brat, Ms Eagle earned degrees from Mount Holyoke College and Northern State University. She taught at Standing Rock High School in North Dakota for 17 years.
Eagle's work is often singled out by book reviewers for its exceptional quality and appeal. THE NIGHT REMEMBERS was a Chicago Tribune Notable Book. SUNRISE SONG, THE NIGHT REMEMBERS, THE LAST TRUE COWBOY, and WHAT THE HEART KNOWS made the Library Journal "Five Best Romances of the Year" list. BookPage listed WHAT THE HEART KNOWS among its "Top Six Romance Picks" for 1999. THE LAST GOOD MAN was a finalist for the 2000 Minnesota Book Award for Popular Fiction--the only Romance so honored thus far. YOU NEVER CAN TELL was named to RWA's "Top Ten Favorite Books of the Year" list. She is an RWA RITA award winner.
Kathleen Eagle lives in Minnesota with her husband, who is Lakota Sioux. The Eagles have three children and three grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 19, 2018
3.5 stars
I kind of have mixed feelings about this book. On the one-hand it had some really well-done elements, showing the problem of alcohol the Native-American community in the book had to deal with, realistic characters, the depiction of a hero who had to struggle really hard for his sobriety. The con for me will have to be the romance which was very subtle. Sage , the hero works on the road construction crew of which the heroine is the engineer. Sage is divorced and sober for four years. His dependence on alcohol cost him his his two kids he hasn't seen in six years but he is working on changing that and building a house and having his ranch. His Medicine Wheel group is also helping others like him and they are trying to make sure the license of a bar at the reservation isn't renewed. The h/H get talking when the heroine who has a good heart but not enough knowledge about their community, asks him about a fellow worker. As things come to pass he becomes the foreman on the project these two get talking and grow closer. The heroine is depicted as very naive refusing to accept her dad is an alcoholic and only saying if only he drank less. She doesn't truly understand the disease addiction is. When a setback causes the hero to stumble, she thinks he should have just listened to her. I did like the characters, but the romance like I said was very subtle. Even at the end these two just confess with their love with the heroine sticking around and I needed an epilogue I guess to be more happier with the book.
I kind of have mixed feelings about this book. On the one-hand it had some really well-done elements, showing the problem of alcohol the Native-American community in the book had to deal with, realistic characters, the depiction of a hero who had to struggle really hard for his sobriety. The con for me will have to be the romance which was very subtle. Sage , the hero works on the road construction crew of which the heroine is the engineer. Sage is divorced and sober for four years. His dependence on alcohol cost him his his two kids he hasn't seen in six years but he is working on changing that and building a house and having his ranch. His Medicine Wheel group is also helping others like him and they are trying to make sure the license of a bar at the reservation isn't renewed. The h/H get talking when the heroine who has a good heart but not enough knowledge about their community, asks him about a fellow worker. As things come to pass he becomes the foreman on the project these two get talking and grow closer. The heroine is depicted as very naive refusing to accept her dad is an alcoholic and only saying if only he drank less. She doesn't truly understand the disease addiction is. When a setback causes the hero to stumble, she thinks he should have just listened to her. I did like the characters, but the romance like I said was very subtle. Even at the end these two just confess with their love with the heroine sticking around and I needed an epilogue I guess to be more happier with the book.
October 16, 2014
This is an OOP book that came to my attention when the hero was mentioned in a blog. The book is from 1988, and is a bit wordy, as is typical of romance from the '80s. Also typical of the '80s, the sex scenes are ripe with innuendo. The story is amazing, though.
The hero, a Native American, is a recovering alcoholic. The heroine admires him greatly, and the guy is just a great guy. He's incredibly humble. This story makes clear that battling alcoholism is "one day at a time." The hero struggles. He's unsure of himself and his future. And,
I loved this hero. This guy is HUMBLE.
And I loved the slow building of the couple's relationship. She's an engineer. She's building a road. He works for her and is her best worker. It takes them a long time to trust each other. To get to know each other. To take a chance with each other. Just lots to like here, and it overcomes the '80s effects.
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I've come back a month later to change my rating from 4 stars to 5. I'd made it a 4 because of what I termed the '80s effect, but I've thought about this book a lot. Way more than the average read will make me remember and think about it. I'm already wanting to re-read it. Any book that can do that deserves a 5.
The hero, a Native American, is a recovering alcoholic. The heroine admires him greatly, and the guy is just a great guy. He's incredibly humble. This story makes clear that battling alcoholism is "one day at a time." The hero struggles. He's unsure of himself and his future. And,
I loved this hero. This guy is HUMBLE.
And I loved the slow building of the couple's relationship. She's an engineer. She's building a road. He works for her and is her best worker. It takes them a long time to trust each other. To get to know each other. To take a chance with each other. Just lots to like here, and it overcomes the '80s effects.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
I've come back a month later to change my rating from 4 stars to 5. I'd made it a 4 because of what I termed the '80s effect, but I've thought about this book a lot. Way more than the average read will make me remember and think about it. I'm already wanting to re-read it. Any book that can do that deserves a 5.
May 20, 2019
Romance novel originally written in the 1980’s featuring a woman highway engineer and a Native American road worker dealing with alcoholism. Treatment of everything - alcoholism, sexism, local politics, everything - is so realistic and well done, and the characters are well drawn. Eagle’s books sometimes feel a little too issue-y to me but the romance in this one, while low key, was really strong.
July 2, 2015
I read a lot of Kathleen Eagle’s books in paperback some years ago. Thinking this was a new work, I was excited to see it online. But That Was Yesterday looks to be a reissue from the late 80’s now in e-book form. Still I was not familiar with this story.
No one can write about the struggles of Native American men better than Kathleen Eagle. I find that her stories speak to the head as well as to my heart by developing memorable and sympathetic characters. Often her stories show their flaws and their valiant efforts to rise above they have found themselves to have fallen.
Clearly she has given us one a true hero with Sage Parker. He is recovering alcoholic who now is helping others in their struggle with alcohol abuse. The opening scene clearly shows his integrity, honor, compassion and realistic view on life. No wonder Megan McBride falls for him as they connect at the job site of which she is in charge and where he works. Their relationship builds as they get to know one another. There are ethnic, cultural and family issues explored throughout this romance. Much like real life is today.
Wonderful story. Still as relevant and heartwarming today as it was when it was first written.
The publisher through Net Galley provided a copy.
No one can write about the struggles of Native American men better than Kathleen Eagle. I find that her stories speak to the head as well as to my heart by developing memorable and sympathetic characters. Often her stories show their flaws and their valiant efforts to rise above they have found themselves to have fallen.
Clearly she has given us one a true hero with Sage Parker. He is recovering alcoholic who now is helping others in their struggle with alcohol abuse. The opening scene clearly shows his integrity, honor, compassion and realistic view on life. No wonder Megan McBride falls for him as they connect at the job site of which she is in charge and where he works. Their relationship builds as they get to know one another. There are ethnic, cultural and family issues explored throughout this romance. Much like real life is today.
Wonderful story. Still as relevant and heartwarming today as it was when it was first written.
The publisher through Net Galley provided a copy.
January 23, 2020
Her Best Yet
Powerful portrayals of troubled characters with no instalove in sight.
Thank you Kathleen Eagle for a brilliant novel about people struggling with their demons, sometimes losing the fight but getting back up to fight another day.
Mrs. Eagle writes with clear understanding of the grip alcoholism has in relationships but her insight provides the reader a path to the redemption one can have.
The story isn't pretty but the main characters bring a beautiful relationship to life and grab your heart as it unfolds. Sage is particularly wonderful. Strong, perceptive, caring and wise. A man in need of a second chance. Megan, his boss, has her flaws but is the partner Sage deserves.
Do yourself a favor and grab this book.
Powerful portrayals of troubled characters with no instalove in sight.
Thank you Kathleen Eagle for a brilliant novel about people struggling with their demons, sometimes losing the fight but getting back up to fight another day.
Mrs. Eagle writes with clear understanding of the grip alcoholism has in relationships but her insight provides the reader a path to the redemption one can have.
The story isn't pretty but the main characters bring a beautiful relationship to life and grab your heart as it unfolds. Sage is particularly wonderful. Strong, perceptive, caring and wise. A man in need of a second chance. Megan, his boss, has her flaws but is the partner Sage deserves.
Do yourself a favor and grab this book.
September 10, 2015
This was a very interesting novel . It had it me interested to the end. I liked how the roads turned around and you thought the author resource was going to writing about the landscape of the land but not of the emotional distress of the NATIVE population. This is the economy of the heart of the NATIVE people because of how the Kathleen Eagle represents the natives.
I felt this book is a terrific novel for a book club ,and it would be a good option to choose.
I felt this book is a terrific novel for a book club ,and it would be a good option to choose.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews