July 30, 2001
Kole Kills Crow is a perfect romance hero—brooding, dangerous, "other"—cast in the same mold as a gypsy from the wild moors, or a rogue who is no longer received in Charleston. Kills Crow is a hero of the Native American movement, a terrorist according to the law and possibly a murderer. Now he lives like a fugitive, holed up in a remote cabin, until he is discovered by journalist Heather Reardon. Sexy and feral as his wolf-dog, he possesses an unpredictable cruel streak balanced by a dash of tenderness and sensitivity—he is also a maker of fine, highly prized flutes. Once Heather locates him in a honky-tonk, she inveigles him into dancing with her and then convinces him to let her into his life so she can tell his story. "This would be more than an interview. She believed him to be one of a rare breed, maybe even a dying breed of men... a true champion of the people." Thus begins a long tease. There is much inane, double-entendre conversation as the two move inevitably through mistrust to lust to true love. Along the way, there are political issues to settle, and a quest for fairness for Native Americans leads to an intense climax under the Hollywood sign above Los Angeles. Eagle (What the Heart Knows; The Last Good Man) won't disappoint her fans with this spicy, fast-paced tale. (Aug.)Forecast:With more than 35 books to her credit and several awards for her romances, Eagle has a solid following. The political aspect of her latest doesn't overshadow the romance and may increase her readership. National print advertising, a four-city author tour and a teaser chapter in the paperback of The Last Good Man are planned.
April 15, 2002
Inspired by her husband's Lakota Sioux heritage, Eagle (The Last Good Man) illuminates the injustices and stereotypes visited upon Native Americans in this politically charged yet temperate romance. Determined to write the story of her career, freelance journalist Heather Reardon tracks down Native American Kole Kills Crow, a retired Native American rights activist and prison escapee who doesn't wish to be found, in a Minnesota dive. Heather spends a few nights with Kole in his remote cabin as his "hostage" before he finally agrees to be the subject of her article and head one last campaign to bring the plight of his people to the public's attention. During their journey south to Hollywood, the attraction between Heather and Kole turns to love, but first Kole must put the ghosts of his past to rest and find out who wants him dead. Heather and Kole exchange a bevy of one-liners—some witty and some downright corny ("You're nuts." "They come with dessert")—and their chemistry is only a degree above tepid. Overall, this novel succeeds more in piquing the reader's social conscience than in lifting the romantic soul. Agent, Steven Axelrod.