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The Warriors of the Iroquois #1
Black Eagle
When Marisa Jameson, who is on the run from her corrupt uncle, and her guide, Mohawk warrior Black Eagle, get caught in the crossfire of war, they must learn to trust each other in order to survive. Original.
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 24, 2015
138 people are currently reading
147 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 - 23 of 23 reviews
did-not-finish
January 8, 2010It takes a lot for me to be angry about a book but I think this one managed it. I found out from a review and some research that Gen Bailey, who I assumed was a debut author that I was supporting, is actually Karen Kay. I would never have bought a book from Karen Kay because I cannot stand her writing. So guess what? I feel jipped.
I only made it 30 pages into this book because the writing is terrible and so unrealistic. The dialogue is stilted and ridiculous, it reads like a 10 year-old wrote it but I might be insulting 10 year-olds.
I don't recommend this book at all. Plus what the heck is with the mountains on the cover? Mountains in New York do not look like that, they are tree covered not rocky peaks. At least I got to see the Mullet up close.
I only made it 30 pages into this book because the writing is terrible and so unrealistic. The dialogue is stilted and ridiculous, it reads like a 10 year-old wrote it but I might be insulting 10 year-olds.
I don't recommend this book at all. Plus what the heck is with the mountains on the cover? Mountains in New York do not look like that, they are tree covered not rocky peaks. At least I got to see the Mullet up close.
February 1, 2023
Rating: 2.4 / 5
Okay. Okay, okay, okay, okay, o-kay.
I get that Karen Kay is used to writing heroes and heroines that don't "do commitment", but at least in some of her books, she is able to tone this down a bit. By far, my favourite book by this author is Wolf Shadow's Promise, because at least there, both the hero and heroine are together as friends and allies, until they get together as lovers. In retrospect, I'm sorry that that's not the book I chose to read today, for it would have been a better option if I wanted to read a Native American romance to start me off this year.
But no, alas, I wanted to try something new, and now I'm paying the price for that a la being annoyed and therefore giving this book no more than a 2-star rating.
The story, for how it starts off, isn't at all bad, and I actually appreciated there being a focus on the Mohawk culture, as that's not one that I've seen represented often in Native American romances. No, those are usually reserved for the Cheyenne, Lakota, Sioux, Blackfeet, and especially Comanche peoples in this genre of romance. Most westward, in other words, centered around the prairies and the 1800s. Having this take place in New York necessitates the author going back to the 1750s and the French-Indian War, so it was a new historical perspective to explore as well.
Great, great, great, I say!
BUT
Then the plot gets moving, and boy does it ever get moving. Within 100 pages we have the hero and heroine already getting together without barely knowing each other, and not a hint of it is satisfying in the least, as it's . Now, this isn't unusual for the author to do and, again, I wasn't expecting instant commitment or anything like that, but the problem is that even when the characters do get together, it's just not for the right reasons.
This just went a step too far down that route for me, I'm afraid and, for someone who wants to read a wholesome romance--for which commitment is a MUST, and I'm thoroughly turned off of anything that doesn't involve full commitment--then it's definitely not the right choice.
I'm sure that, for the right people, perhaps this could be an interesting book, especially if they're looking for something a little different compared to your typical Native American representations and the time period in which the romance takes place. For myself though, I'll take a hard pass.
Okay. Okay, okay, okay, okay, o-kay.
I get that Karen Kay is used to writing heroes and heroines that don't "do commitment", but at least in some of her books, she is able to tone this down a bit. By far, my favourite book by this author is Wolf Shadow's Promise, because at least there, both the hero and heroine are together as friends and allies, until they get together as lovers. In retrospect, I'm sorry that that's not the book I chose to read today, for it would have been a better option if I wanted to read a Native American romance to start me off this year.
But no, alas, I wanted to try something new, and now I'm paying the price for that a la being annoyed and therefore giving this book no more than a 2-star rating.
The story, for how it starts off, isn't at all bad, and I actually appreciated there being a focus on the Mohawk culture, as that's not one that I've seen represented often in Native American romances. No, those are usually reserved for the Cheyenne, Lakota, Sioux, Blackfeet, and especially Comanche peoples in this genre of romance. Most westward, in other words, centered around the prairies and the 1800s. Having this take place in New York necessitates the author going back to the 1750s and the French-Indian War, so it was a new historical perspective to explore as well.
Great, great, great, I say!
BUT
Then the plot gets moving, and boy does it ever get moving. Within 100 pages we have the hero and heroine already getting together without barely knowing each other, and not a hint of it is satisfying in the least, as it's . Now, this isn't unusual for the author to do and, again, I wasn't expecting instant commitment or anything like that, but the problem is that even when the characters do get together, it's just not for the right reasons.
This just went a step too far down that route for me, I'm afraid and, for someone who wants to read a wholesome romance--for which commitment is a MUST, and I'm thoroughly turned off of anything that doesn't involve full commitment--then it's definitely not the right choice.
I'm sure that, for the right people, perhaps this could be an interesting book, especially if they're looking for something a little different compared to your typical Native American representations and the time period in which the romance takes place. For myself though, I'll take a hard pass.
September 2, 2021
Another fantastic story!
I was consumed by this story just like I have been with the other Karen Kay books I've read. Couldn't put it down!
I loved the mystery, the suspense and, well, the love between Marisa and Black Eagle.
I will DEFINITELY be reading more of Karen's books!!!
(I purchased this eBook from Amazon)
I was consumed by this story just like I have been with the other Karen Kay books I've read. Couldn't put it down!
I loved the mystery, the suspense and, well, the love between Marisa and Black Eagle.
I will DEFINITELY be reading more of Karen's books!!!
(I purchased this eBook from Amazon)
January 19, 2022
Marisa Jameson has led a fairly sheltered life until now. Her family perished on their way to America when she was but a baby. Her only living relative, a step-uncle John Rathburn, gives her the protection of his name and home, but no freedom. He is a rich landowner and everyone that knows him thinks his act of kindness is to his dead sister. John Rathburn is known as a cold man, given to fits of temper but many acquaintances overlook this flaw in view of his fostering Marisa. Little does anyone realize exactly how scheming he really is.
At the age of seven, Marisa is summoned to her uncle's library. Sarah, her maid, and close friend assist the little girl to dress in her nicest clothes for this meeting. Marisa is so excited that maybe now Step-Uncle John Rathburn has waited for his niece to mature and he is now going to profess his love for her.
The butler leads her into the library with a sneer on his face and closes the door on his way out. Uncle is sitting at his desk and pays no attention to her arrival. She is told to sit on a chair and sit still. Her uncle then proceeded to instruct her as to her behavior while living under his roof. To never be a disgrace to their family name, no childish displays of emotion, always display a polite, calm demure. He also mentioned it might be a little early to discuss these issues but he will have it understood now what is expected of her at all times. Also, when he deems it, she will marry who he chooses for her husband. He also proceeded to explain in detail her duty in the marriage bed. He demands her word that he expects full repayment for his taking her in, she will do exactly what she is told when she is told. At such a young age Marisa really can't utter the words he is demanding of her. Does he not love her? Is this not why he took her in. He is unable to wait for this nit-wit girl to utter the words he demands to hear. Figuring she must be too young John Rathburn is resigned to mold her into what he needs. To obtain her fortune when she comes of age. He yells at her to leave his sight and Marisa runs to her room and cries herself to sleep. She resolves then and there she will never marry.
So go the years slowly by, if not for Sarah she has no hope. One evening Marisa hears footsteps outside her door very late at night. Her bedroom is the only occupied room in this wing. She sneaks out her door and proceeded to the door down the hall with the light showing under it. She there hears her Step-Uncle instructing a man to quietly invade a Dutch Pennsyvalian settlement and burn the fields and houses to the ground. When questioned why she hears a terrible plan. Since all the land is in owed debt to him, if the houses and fields are destroyed they will not be able to repay the payments. Therefore all the crops will belong to him and the people will be forced to work for nothing, just adding to the existing high debt they already owe.
Marisa is shocked that he can be so cruel but then she remembers Sarah in indentured to her uncle for a total of twenty years because her parents were killed in a fire that destroyed their property and since Sarah is the only remaining member the debt falls to her. Marisa realizes then she must get her and Sarah away from her uncles' house. They will visit friends in Portsmouth New Hampshire. Marisa makes the mistake of confronting her uncle that she knows of his plans to destroy the Dutch town for his own gain and demands to visit the family friends.
Little does she know her uncle has already employed the man he was secretly meeting with when Marisa heard them. Richard Thompson was to employ a dumb Indian as a guide and then kill the whole party.
As luck would have it Richard contacted Black Eagle an English schooled scout who has already fallen under Marisa's charms and determines to protect her till she and her maid safely reach their destination.
So begins an epic journey. Filled with danger, mishaps, many injuries and a love time will just enrich.
At the age of seven, Marisa is summoned to her uncle's library. Sarah, her maid, and close friend assist the little girl to dress in her nicest clothes for this meeting. Marisa is so excited that maybe now Step-Uncle John Rathburn has waited for his niece to mature and he is now going to profess his love for her.
The butler leads her into the library with a sneer on his face and closes the door on his way out. Uncle is sitting at his desk and pays no attention to her arrival. She is told to sit on a chair and sit still. Her uncle then proceeded to instruct her as to her behavior while living under his roof. To never be a disgrace to their family name, no childish displays of emotion, always display a polite, calm demure. He also mentioned it might be a little early to discuss these issues but he will have it understood now what is expected of her at all times. Also, when he deems it, she will marry who he chooses for her husband. He also proceeded to explain in detail her duty in the marriage bed. He demands her word that he expects full repayment for his taking her in, she will do exactly what she is told when she is told. At such a young age Marisa really can't utter the words he is demanding of her. Does he not love her? Is this not why he took her in. He is unable to wait for this nit-wit girl to utter the words he demands to hear. Figuring she must be too young John Rathburn is resigned to mold her into what he needs. To obtain her fortune when she comes of age. He yells at her to leave his sight and Marisa runs to her room and cries herself to sleep. She resolves then and there she will never marry.
So go the years slowly by, if not for Sarah she has no hope. One evening Marisa hears footsteps outside her door very late at night. Her bedroom is the only occupied room in this wing. She sneaks out her door and proceeded to the door down the hall with the light showing under it. She there hears her Step-Uncle instructing a man to quietly invade a Dutch Pennsyvalian settlement and burn the fields and houses to the ground. When questioned why she hears a terrible plan. Since all the land is in owed debt to him, if the houses and fields are destroyed they will not be able to repay the payments. Therefore all the crops will belong to him and the people will be forced to work for nothing, just adding to the existing high debt they already owe.
Marisa is shocked that he can be so cruel but then she remembers Sarah in indentured to her uncle for a total of twenty years because her parents were killed in a fire that destroyed their property and since Sarah is the only remaining member the debt falls to her. Marisa realizes then she must get her and Sarah away from her uncles' house. They will visit friends in Portsmouth New Hampshire. Marisa makes the mistake of confronting her uncle that she knows of his plans to destroy the Dutch town for his own gain and demands to visit the family friends.
Little does she know her uncle has already employed the man he was secretly meeting with when Marisa heard them. Richard Thompson was to employ a dumb Indian as a guide and then kill the whole party.
As luck would have it Richard contacted Black Eagle an English schooled scout who has already fallen under Marisa's charms and determines to protect her till she and her maid safely reach their destination.
So begins an epic journey. Filled with danger, mishaps, many injuries and a love time will just enrich.
January 24, 2022
I always know I'm going to enjoy the books by Karen Kay, I like her native American romances, I enjoy her writing style and her way of painting pictures with her worlds something she did admirably with this book, once I picked it up I didn't want to put it down, not wanting the story to end.
The characters are so well drawn so it's easy to feel like you know them. I don't know much about the Iroquois but know considerably more after reading this book. I like the way Karen Kay researches before writing her books. The storyline is set during a very interesting time in America's history when the English and the French were vying to gain control of the new continent when the incomers for want of a better term were trying to control their own destiny.
The plot is interesting and exciting, there's danger and drama as well as intrigue but let's not forget the romance which is very well done. There may be a few more sex scenes in this book than I'm used to seeing by this author but they are tastefully done and for me, at any rate, added to my enjoyment of the overall story.
The characters are so well drawn so it's easy to feel like you know them. I don't know much about the Iroquois but know considerably more after reading this book. I like the way Karen Kay researches before writing her books. The storyline is set during a very interesting time in America's history when the English and the French were vying to gain control of the new continent when the incomers for want of a better term were trying to control their own destiny.
The plot is interesting and exciting, there's danger and drama as well as intrigue but let's not forget the romance which is very well done. There may be a few more sex scenes in this book than I'm used to seeing by this author but they are tastefully done and for me, at any rate, added to my enjoyment of the overall story.
November 9, 2021
It's been a few years since I read this story but I know I really liked it. I remember the heroine thinking about the hair style of the hero, He didn't have the normal long hair or braids like most Native American's. I thought that was a good twist to how she felt. That seemed more down to earth of how a person would feel about such a hair style Todays hair styles are anything from bald to dyed green. blue, orange or even the amount of tattoos people have. I enjoy all of Karen's stories and look forward to many more!
January 15, 2021
I received this book in a give a way, so these are my own thoughts. I really loved the “warning” at the beginning of the book. Go check it out. This is not my normal type of book. But I found that it was extremely well written. I enjoy historical books that grab my attention and will not let go. Karen Kay took me on a wild adventure. I recommend this book if you like reading about Indians and Whites and their interactions with each other. Well worth the read.
September 9, 2023
I rate this book at 4 1/2 stars!! This is my favorite time period to read! I love the colonial Era! This is also the first book I’ve read by this author. I absolutely loved Black Eagle and Marisa’s story!!! They had a great love for each other that couldn’t be broken even though they were from different worlds!!! Love has a way of doing that! I can’t wait to read Seneca Surrender, the second book in this series!! Enjoy!
February 19, 2022
BLACK EAE
Well, it was a steamy love story. A happy one I would sum up too, I would also say no nasty talk. So, when you have all that without the nasty talk, I think the author done a jam up job. It was interesting, and if had a story. I thought Karen Kay done a good job, and this book is worth reading. J🐣
Well, it was a steamy love story. A happy one I would sum up too, I would also say no nasty talk. So, when you have all that without the nasty talk, I think the author done a jam up job. It was interesting, and if had a story. I thought Karen Kay done a good job, and this book is worth reading. J🐣
December 10, 2021
This is my first book by this author. I really enjoyed it. I love history, it introduced me to the Indian history and I found myself fascinated and want to read more of her books
I really enjoyed this book black eagle
I really enjoyed this book black eagle
March 16, 2021
Did not finish. Felt no connection/chemistry at all between the characters. Second meeting between h & H they get it on in a tree. Nope!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2021
Well done
Thanks for a good read. It put a few things I had wondered about in a better understanding on the move west.
Thanks for a good read. It put a few things I had wondered about in a better understanding on the move west.
January 3, 2023
I love this book.
I can't wait for more.
I will be leaving reviews on AMAZON & GOODREADS!
And letting everyone know about it.
So I gave it FIVE STARS!
I can't wait for more.
I will be leaving reviews on AMAZON & GOODREADS!
And letting everyone know about it.
So I gave it FIVE STARS!
October 26, 2023
It’s not great literature, but it was fun.
December 15, 2025
I loved the book and could not put the book down. It is book one in series the 2nd book is Seneca Surrender. If it is as good as the 1st book then I'm in for a real treat
October 19, 2019
I never finish book . It was too unbelievable. Maybe I was not in the mood to read this book .
May 24, 2011
A love story like so few others. Black Eagle falls in love with Marisa the first time he lays eyes on her.
There are so many evil men like Marisa's step-uncle even today. They do not care what they have to do to secure wealth. Nor who they hurt.
Marisa raised by her step-uncle after her parents are gone wants to be free along with her maid. But instead her Uncle plans to have both her and her maid killed because of a plan she overheard.
Black Eagle foils their plans. Maris falls in love with Black Eagle when she first sees him but feels marriage will never be in the question. Yet they do eventually marry.
I loved the love between Black Eagle, an Indian, and Marisa, a white woman. It was so pure and beautiful.
I have Indian heritage in my lineage and I have been taught to be proud of it. I loved reading a story that showed Indians as everyone else with family times, feelings, etc. They suffer heartache like all of us do.
This book was an adventure I did not want to end and hope continues.
There are so many evil men like Marisa's step-uncle even today. They do not care what they have to do to secure wealth. Nor who they hurt.
Marisa raised by her step-uncle after her parents are gone wants to be free along with her maid. But instead her Uncle plans to have both her and her maid killed because of a plan she overheard.
Black Eagle foils their plans. Maris falls in love with Black Eagle when she first sees him but feels marriage will never be in the question. Yet they do eventually marry.
I loved the love between Black Eagle, an Indian, and Marisa, a white woman. It was so pure and beautiful.
I have Indian heritage in my lineage and I have been taught to be proud of it. I loved reading a story that showed Indians as everyone else with family times, feelings, etc. They suffer heartache like all of us do.
This book was an adventure I did not want to end and hope continues.
Read
April 1, 2010Marisa is trying to get away from her overbearing Uncle. She overhears him plotting to destroy others in order to gain. When her uncle realizes that she knows, it places her life in danger. Black Eagle is a scout who agrees to take Marisa to "visit her friend" but her real purpose to get away from her uncle and expose his plots. Black Eagle falls for Marisa but then realizes that there is more to her story than meets the eye when "accidents" keep happening to her.
Read
September 17, 2010I did not finish this book, nor will I, but I did get something out of it: a new rule. I will not read a book that uses the phrase "feminine sanctuary" or "rampant manhood". I have standards. They may be low, but they're mine.
February 6, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. It was quite a page turner. A gold loving uncle who had raised the heroine orders her assassination after she defies him over an arranged marriage. Enter Iroquois warrior, Black Eagle. Set against the background of the French and Indian wars.
August 1, 2012
Certainly this is an easy read with the usual love story however I like that this novel portrayed history honestly. It's nice to read how Natives helped the English instead of the typical scalping, war cry BS.
August 19, 2016
This book was okay, however I never became invested in the story. The writing style was simplistic and at times I found it slow and a little tedious. Regardless I don't regret reading it, but probably won't ever do so again.
June 7, 2012
READ THIS BOOK!!
Not because it's good, mind you, but because it does EVERYTHING it shouldn't. It had me nearly crying from amusement and joy.
Not because it's good, mind you, but because it does EVERYTHING it shouldn't. It had me nearly crying from amusement and joy.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews