Shadow of an Indian Star

by Bill Paul, Cindy Paul

Shadow of an Indian Star is an epic novel which chronicles three generations of a brawling pioneer family, their friends and enemies, and the women who helped battle tragedy, corruption, and their own inner demons to save themselves and the Chickasaw Nation from annihilation. In 1825, 16-year-old Smith Paul runs away from a broken North Carolina home, is adopted into the Chickasaw tribe, and travels the infamous Trail of Tears to Indian Territory with his adopted family, Rev. McClure and his captivating Chickasaw bride, Ala-Teecha. There, Smith rediscovers the rich, pristine valley between two rivers he had encountered years before as a scout. Out of raw wilderness, he forges Smith Paul’s Valley where he vows that whites, Indians, and blacks will be treated equally. Torn between love and honor, Ala-Teecha remains a pillar of strength as she and Smith fight their forbidden love for each other. Charismatic Sam Paul, Smith’s half-breed son, rides with his own renegade posse, including former Billy the Kid sidekick, Fred Waite. Sam is brought before “hanging judge” Parker for murder three times before he’s finally convicted of manslaughter. His stint in jail opens his eyes to the greed of white men and he returns home determined to rescue Indian Territory form impending white encroachment. Sam’s insatiable lust earns him a libertine reputation until he meets the one woman who can sequester his fiery passion, the spirited Jennie Tolbert—the only woman Sam Paul every truly loved. Sam makes deadly enemies as he rises to political power, but no one bears him as much hatred as his neglected, bitter son, Joe Paul, who possesses all the “Pauls’ passionate fire and none of his father’s charisma nor his grandfather’s visionary fair-mindedness. Jealously drives Joe to seduce Jennie, igniting a bitter feud between father and son. One woman believes she can tame the desperate Joe Paul, brawny Maulsey Stewart, but Joe is already on a one-way path to self-destruction. Today, the reborn Chickasaw Nation is thriving, and the Paul family rests in peace in Pauls Valley’s old cemetery around which so much turmoil swirled for decades.

472 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2005

Reviews

[Tami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadow of an Indian Star looks at the lives of three generations of Paul men: Smith Paul, Sam Paul, and Joe Paul. One of the authors (Bill Paul) of this book is the direct descendent Smith Paul and his son Sam. Bill spent much of his life hearing what he thought were tall tales about his ancestors. Bill's co-author, wife Cindy, had also heard plenty of these stories and decided to do a little research to find out if any of these amazing accounts were even close to reality. To Bill and Cindy's surprise not only were the recollections true but there were lots of other tales that they'd never even heard.

The three Paul men in this story are as similar as they are different. Each man was full of full of spirit and adventure. Each would appear lost to many until he found his calling. Each man would struggle with family relationships, particularly in love and father-son relationships. Smith Paul the white man adopted by the Chickasaw Nation; Sam Paul the hotheaded sheriff and senator; and Joe Paul the murderer.

[Mari · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this story and wanted more. As a writer, I noticed some grammatical and point-of-view errors, but the story was so engrossing that I was able to overlook those slips. I hope the Pauls continue their family saga.

[Cat Rayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 100 year old, 1/2 Chickasaw mother begged me to read this book. She gave me her lovely hardback novel and made it clear it was a loan.

Sat down one afternoon to skim through enough of the story to be able to feign a discussion with my literary loving Indian mom. But it was instantly that the story had me, and while other commitments kept me from devouring the book, it was read carefully and enjoyed immensely.

Really can't say enough about the story. The writing had some grammar issues and occasional point of view problems and likely could have used a more detailed editor. BUT the storytelling was strong and engrossing so it became easy for me to overlook the other.

This is the Old West at best, and maybe having driven through Pauls Valley, and being a quarter Chickasaw makes the story more interesting. It is a saga, spanning three generations and one has to often check to ensure you are not applying today's morality to the times then. And maybe that is the crux of the great read, to be transported back in time.

The Chickasaws today are a force, the tribe has had many successes. Reading this book is a small part of their story and the tie to the Paul family made clear.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting history of Pauls Valley ,and the Five Civilized Tribes. My father was born and raised in Pauls Vally, so I was happy to get my hands on this book.the love and hate was strong between the three generations, and often so sad. Death and murder was a major part of history, but this book was well worth the read.

[Kevin Driskill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a historicalish book about the town where I was born. As such it was very interesting because I knew places and names. It is a wild tale that covers a pivotal time in U.S. history. Gritty with real life drama and the tough truths of by-gone days.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed this book, it has a lot of history of where I grew up and about the 5 civilized tribes. Pauls Valley is my home town and this is about the man that established the valley and his son, Sam Paul. They were some interesting characters and the son could even be considered an outlaw and knew Billy the Kid. It has a lot of Oklahoma and Indian History in it and a good story line along with it. I would definitely recommend this book if you are interested in either part of history.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of the Chickashaw coming and developing their nation in the Indian Territory reads like a very good mystery. The descandants of Smith Paul made their mark on the establishment of Pauls Valley. This community is very near my own.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read at the recommendation of my grandma and father, I was hoping to glean a bit about my Chickasaw heritage. It was quite heavy in a Gone with the Wind sort of way.

[Tara Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riveting historical fiction

Was hard to put down. Not sure how much was embellished though. Need right more words, you sat? Alrighty then

[Jeanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of the Paul family beginning with Smith Paul, who came to Oklahoma and settled in the area that became the town of Pauls Valley in Indian Territory. Although the book is listed as fiction, the story is based on real people and real places in Oklahoma. The characters are interesting (although not always likable) and the story added to my knowledge of Oklahoma history. The book is lengthy and took me longer to read than usual because I stopped often in order to Google people and places. There is a simple family tree in the back of the book which was helpful. I referred to it more than once.

[Renee Jackson]

If you like history with true events you will like this book! It was a book for me that I easily kept turning the page to see what happened. And what makes this even better is it happened right here in Oklahoma, Pauls Valley, to be exact! I promise you, you will not be disappointed!