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The Lost Clan #3
Red Hawk's Woman
When Red Hawk, a man from her past, tracks her down, Effie Rutledge, who has discovered four artifacts that could finally free his people, finds herself unable to resist this brave warrier, risking the wrath of the Thunder God. Original.
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
75 people are currently reading
181 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 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 18, 2021
Rating: 3.5 / 5
I can't say that I've read many Karen Kay books, but even so, I know a pattern when I see one.
The story, by and large, it sweet, though it is also, shall we say, quite embellished with fictional legends and narratives. In this case, "The Lost Clan" is a clan of the Blackfoots that have pissed off the "Thunderer" (or Thunderbird, I guess) and so they must be punished. Their "curse" is to pretty much live forever in a mist, with eons going by for them as though it is only a night. Once, every fifty years, a young brave is chosen to emerge out into the real world to try and break the curse, and somehow...get them off the hook, I guess?
Meh, it's a bit of a confusing myth, to be honest, much like Red Hawk's Blackfoot but not Blackfoot identity. No matter how Kay tries to explain it, I just couldn't understand it.
But anyway, putting this aside, Red Hawk is the chosen brave this time, and as soon as he comes out he encounters Effie Rutledge, as an innocent eight-year-old, bathing in a stream and he joins her for a day of fun. They seem to fall in love then and there, but then of course they don't see each other for years and years until meeting up again as adults.
By this point, Effie's carrying on her father's legacy of searching for artifacts which, wouldn't you know it, tie in to the legend of the Lost Clan and are exactly what Red Hawk also needs in order to save his people.
Anyway, Effie hires Red Hawk on as a guide and even though they recognize each other fairly early on and even admit an attraction...*sighs* I can see that it's going to be an annoying Karen Kay-plot point for the heroine to be very reluctant in terms of commitment, thereby holding up the plot.
Like...ugh, okay, I can understand wanting to do something different by having the female be more independent-but-wants-sex-anyway, but seriously, it's still annoying It really toned down my enjoyment of this book about two-thirds of the way through, and already I was kind of having a hard time grappling with the whole "legend" thing about the Lost Clan.
Ultimately, although this is definitely my least-favourite Karen Kay book to date, I still opted to give it a four star rating because...well, gosh darn it if Red Hawk isn't the cutest and the sweetest! Like...that scene between him and Effie as kids is just darling, and it's so cute how he gets clumsy and nervous around her too. That's just not something you often see in a historical romance for the male role, and it was nice to get a break from the "macho all the time" male persona that most romances aim for. I could stand more of these, to be honest.
Anyway, I'm just sort of lukewarm on this one for now, so even in terms of the Lost Clan series, if there's more of this fake legend stuff involved, I'm not sure if I'll want to read more. *dashes off to check if other books are on my to-read list from this series, and therefore to remove them*.
Might change my mind later on, but just...not now.
I can't say that I've read many Karen Kay books, but even so, I know a pattern when I see one.
The story, by and large, it sweet, though it is also, shall we say, quite embellished with fictional legends and narratives. In this case, "The Lost Clan" is a clan of the Blackfoots that have pissed off the "Thunderer" (or Thunderbird, I guess) and so they must be punished. Their "curse" is to pretty much live forever in a mist, with eons going by for them as though it is only a night. Once, every fifty years, a young brave is chosen to emerge out into the real world to try and break the curse, and somehow...get them off the hook, I guess?
Meh, it's a bit of a confusing myth, to be honest, much like Red Hawk's Blackfoot but not Blackfoot identity. No matter how Kay tries to explain it, I just couldn't understand it.
But anyway, putting this aside, Red Hawk is the chosen brave this time, and as soon as he comes out he encounters Effie Rutledge, as an innocent eight-year-old, bathing in a stream and he joins her for a day of fun. They seem to fall in love then and there, but then of course they don't see each other for years and years until meeting up again as adults.
By this point, Effie's carrying on her father's legacy of searching for artifacts which, wouldn't you know it, tie in to the legend of the Lost Clan and are exactly what Red Hawk also needs in order to save his people.
Anyway, Effie hires Red Hawk on as a guide and even though they recognize each other fairly early on and even admit an attraction...*sighs* I can see that it's going to be an annoying Karen Kay-plot point for the heroine to be very reluctant in terms of commitment, thereby holding up the plot.
Like...ugh, okay, I can understand wanting to do something different by having the female be more independent-but-wants-sex-anyway, but seriously, it's still annoying It really toned down my enjoyment of this book about two-thirds of the way through, and already I was kind of having a hard time grappling with the whole "legend" thing about the Lost Clan.
Ultimately, although this is definitely my least-favourite Karen Kay book to date, I still opted to give it a four star rating because...well, gosh darn it if Red Hawk isn't the cutest and the sweetest! Like...that scene between him and Effie as kids is just darling, and it's so cute how he gets clumsy and nervous around her too. That's just not something you often see in a historical romance for the male role, and it was nice to get a break from the "macho all the time" male persona that most romances aim for. I could stand more of these, to be honest.
Anyway, I'm just sort of lukewarm on this one for now, so even in terms of the Lost Clan series, if there's more of this fake legend stuff involved, I'm not sure if I'll want to read more. *dashes off to check if other books are on my to-read list from this series, and therefore to remove them*.
Might change my mind later on, but just...not now.
Read
January 4, 2008Just a typical Native American story about a man falling in love with the "white woman" and she helps him find some artifacts that below to his tribe.
May 8, 2015
I thought this book was a little hard to swallow. Too many things, including his expressions, were far fetched.
April 8, 2024
Another intriguing tale by Karen Kay.
I love her stories weaving in mystical tales of Indian lore. They always shine with mankind’s best traits brought into the limelight. I pray that they gain a large readership as it is sadly needed at this time in our history. Bless you Karen! I hope everyone who reads this book enjoys the hope and encouragement for mankind told in a nonjudgmental way. As is the gentle nature of the Native Americans I know.
I love her stories weaving in mystical tales of Indian lore. They always shine with mankind’s best traits brought into the limelight. I pray that they gain a large readership as it is sadly needed at this time in our history. Bless you Karen! I hope everyone who reads this book enjoys the hope and encouragement for mankind told in a nonjudgmental way. As is the gentle nature of the Native Americans I know.
April 7, 2019
Red Hawks Woman
I loved this story, I recommend every one to read her books, I look forward to reading more of her books. KATTIE.
I loved this story, I recommend every one to read her books, I look forward to reading more of her books. KATTIE.
September 11, 2014
When Red Hawk first saw Effie Rutledge frolicking in the water he was immediately drawn to the light and joy that seemed to emanate from within her. The short time they spent playing together, though neither spoke the other's language, was the happiest time in Red Hawk's short life, and it was a time that would carry him through the journey he was about to embark on. For it was not joy that would save his Clan from the curse of a vengeful god, but mercy toward an enemy. And he had only eighteen years to achieve the impossible.
Effie Rutledge first heard about the Lost Clan as a child listening to her father recount the legend to his best friend. Seventeen years later, Effie leads an archaeological expedition into the heart of Blackfoot country at the behest of her father in order to find clues as to the existence of the Clan, and possibly locate the final two artifacts the legend speaks of as a path to redemption for the Clan. Unfortunately, someone - or something - doesn't want her to succeed, and several incidents convince many that the expedition just might be cursed. In need of a new guide, Effie discovers an Indian watching her curiously in town and approaches him about taking the job. It isn't until after he is already hired that Effie learns Red Hawk is the little boy she has never been able to forget. Soon they embark on an adventure fraught with pleasure, mystery, and a danger neither of them were prepared for.
When I first started reading romance novels as a teen my only options were whatever my mother or grandmother were reading (I was a bit of a sneak and thought they didn't notice). Their collective preference at the time was Native American, Pioneer, and Western Historical Romance. Consequently I became very adept in deciphering the differences between the three sub-genres, which all often took place in similar settings with similar characters. What set the Native American Romance apart was the "useless white man" stereotypes, and this story had those in abundance. Everything is there from greed for gold, the fact that the white man cared nothing for nature, and the white man's inability to track or scout due to his being generally unobservant.
However, there is a twist. This story also incorporates a Paranormal Romance angle. The legend of the Lost Clan is fantastical enough, but that still lends to basic Native American mysticism, which is an easily explained and generally accepted belief among historical aficionados. What is not as easily accepted is the actual existence of Spirit Guardians and vengeful gods who take physical form. The inclusion of these elements in the story allows the reader to immerse themselves in a world of fantasy at the same time that they are learning about the cultural differences and practices of the mid-to-late 1800s. Karen Kay plots all of this in such away that she actually makes archaeology sound fun and exciting without resorting "The Mummy" methods (where they forget that the characters actually have to work to uncover artifacts).
The supporting characters in the story lend credence to the mystery that encompasses the plot and never really give the reader a true peak at whether they can be trusted. As a reader you are constantly guessing at who the bad guy really is, and that leads to a satisfying reading experience.
Overall, this is an adventurous romp through Native American culture with side trips detailing the white man's incompetence, and somehow none of this comes off as offensive. That alone is impressive. My only complaint would be that I would have liked to have seen their romance grow more gradually. It seemed very rushed, but I guess they had seventeen years to pine for each other.
Effie Rutledge first heard about the Lost Clan as a child listening to her father recount the legend to his best friend. Seventeen years later, Effie leads an archaeological expedition into the heart of Blackfoot country at the behest of her father in order to find clues as to the existence of the Clan, and possibly locate the final two artifacts the legend speaks of as a path to redemption for the Clan. Unfortunately, someone - or something - doesn't want her to succeed, and several incidents convince many that the expedition just might be cursed. In need of a new guide, Effie discovers an Indian watching her curiously in town and approaches him about taking the job. It isn't until after he is already hired that Effie learns Red Hawk is the little boy she has never been able to forget. Soon they embark on an adventure fraught with pleasure, mystery, and a danger neither of them were prepared for.
When I first started reading romance novels as a teen my only options were whatever my mother or grandmother were reading (I was a bit of a sneak and thought they didn't notice). Their collective preference at the time was Native American, Pioneer, and Western Historical Romance. Consequently I became very adept in deciphering the differences between the three sub-genres, which all often took place in similar settings with similar characters. What set the Native American Romance apart was the "useless white man" stereotypes, and this story had those in abundance. Everything is there from greed for gold, the fact that the white man cared nothing for nature, and the white man's inability to track or scout due to his being generally unobservant.
However, there is a twist. This story also incorporates a Paranormal Romance angle. The legend of the Lost Clan is fantastical enough, but that still lends to basic Native American mysticism, which is an easily explained and generally accepted belief among historical aficionados. What is not as easily accepted is the actual existence of Spirit Guardians and vengeful gods who take physical form. The inclusion of these elements in the story allows the reader to immerse themselves in a world of fantasy at the same time that they are learning about the cultural differences and practices of the mid-to-late 1800s. Karen Kay plots all of this in such away that she actually makes archaeology sound fun and exciting without resorting "The Mummy" methods (where they forget that the characters actually have to work to uncover artifacts).
The supporting characters in the story lend credence to the mystery that encompasses the plot and never really give the reader a true peak at whether they can be trusted. As a reader you are constantly guessing at who the bad guy really is, and that leads to a satisfying reading experience.
Overall, this is an adventurous romp through Native American culture with side trips detailing the white man's incompetence, and somehow none of this comes off as offensive. That alone is impressive. My only complaint would be that I would have liked to have seen their romance grow more gradually. It seemed very rushed, but I guess they had seventeen years to pine for each other.
November 9, 2011
I liked the beginning and hearing about the legend was very interesting. The mystery was also intringing. I didn't have much of an idea who the person would be until the end.
The end i felt lagged a bit, but it wasn't horrible.
I liked the characters, but i felt like they jumped into their relationship too quickly. I would've liked to see more of a progression.
The basic story is that they met when they were kids, had a fun day playing, then didn't see each other for many years. When they meet again it's like their in love off the bat. I thought it was a bit too qucik.
Anyway, the characters' personalities were well written. I would've liked to see more of Red Hawk, but it's not a big deal.
At the end, this really was just an average read, not great, but not bad.
The end i felt lagged a bit, but it wasn't horrible.
I liked the characters, but i felt like they jumped into their relationship too quickly. I would've liked to see more of a progression.
The basic story is that they met when they were kids, had a fun day playing, then didn't see each other for many years. When they meet again it's like their in love off the bat. I thought it was a bit too qucik.
Anyway, the characters' personalities were well written. I would've liked to see more of Red Hawk, but it's not a big deal.
At the end, this really was just an average read, not great, but not bad.
August 24, 2014
I enjoy this author's stories, I enjoyed Spirit of the Wolf and this one is just as good. Red Hawk I liked immediately I felt for him from the beginning, I didn't like his nickname or what his new people called him but he's a strong man on a mission. Effie I liked also from the beginning, when she was listening to her father speak about the curse and the artifacts he must find. Very interesting and intriguing story, I loved the passion between the characters, their love for each other and how their souls touch. Another great story by this author in this series, I enjoy her descriptions of their surroundings, the feel of being part of the story and the love described. Great story 4 stars review by Nanee at upallnightreadallday.blogspot.com
October 9, 2015
great series doesn't haven't to be read in order, I didn't
Read
March 31, 2009like to read it.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews