Harriet Klausner's Review Archive
Union Captain Paul Baron entered the military with plans to become a lifetime soldier expecting to serve out west when the war eventually ends. On the last day of the Civil War, Paul kills a rebel sniper. However, when he sees his victim, Paul's soul feels as if it has just been sucked out of his body. Stunned, he wants his honorable discharge immediately, but his commanding officer "persuades" him to remain with the Army by helping Paul turn into an alcoholic.
Out west, Paul is the lone military survivor of a battle with the Lakota. He is taken prisoner and welcomes the chance to die. However, the Indian Hope lives up to her name as through her, Paul meets depressed Yellow Leaf, whose son recently died. Yellow Leaf adopts Paul and through these two Lakota women, Paul begins to reclaim his life, but has doubts about spending eternity as an Indian even if he loves his two saviors, one as a mother and the other as his soul mate.
Theresa Scott has written her best novel to date with the exciting Reconstruction Era tale, EAGLE DANCER. The story line is deep as the Lakota and White ways of life conflict especially through Paul. The lead male character is three dimensional as the audience can feel his angst over that final killing that haunts his essence. Hope has her own internal disunity to deal with especially her love for the former enemy of her people. Fans of absorbing historical romances starring strong characters from different lifestyles will find Ms. Scott's strong story simply stupendous.