"brilliant period romance"

Windsong by Kelly Furtjetz opens in 1837 in Michigan in the United States. The back-story - Windsong, an Indian maid lives with the husband she was forced to marry, a young heir to the chief ship of a local tribe. He manages to do his husbandly duty before dying of small pox, leaving her alone and with child. Bear Dancer is the father-in-law, and he feels he must find a suitable husband for Windsong and a good father for her baby, Sky Warrior. Since his father died, this mean Sky Warrior will one day be the chief.

During the freezing Winter Bear Dancer journey's to Mackinac Island. There, he intends to report the death of his son to the Indian agent. Since the weather is so bitter, he thinks it best to leave Windsong and Sky Warrior on the island while he continues his father hunt. He leaves, promising to come back in the spring with a new husband for her. While staying on Mackinac Island, she meets Etienne Nicholet. Instant attraction flairs between the two. Nicholet is an Indian Scout and he arranges for Windsong and her son to stay at the same home where he rooms.

While things heat up between Windsong and Etienne, she knows her father-in-law will never accept this man for her husband. His grandson is to be chief, he needs to learn the ways of their people, and grow up in the traditions of his heritage as ruler of the tribe. She loves Etienne, but to marry him would mean she'd have to give her child to Bear Dancer to raise.

Oddly, the same small pox epidemic that killed Windsong's husband, also took many other fine braves, so Bear Dancer is not finding a man suitable to step into the role. Their laws do allow for a form of marriage, saying a man and woman may live together as if they were married for the summer. Come fall they must go their separate ways. Windsong seizes upon this chance to be with Etienne. She hopes when Bear Dancer sees what a wonderful man Etienne is, how he loves her, he will finally give his blessing to their union.

Ferjutz is meticulous in her period research, thoroughly weaving a tapestry of the Indian ways and White Man's ways, far beyond other authors of this genre. She paints with vivid colours their beliefs, prejudices and the power of love. The author doesn't give you stereotypes, but richly conceived characters and who come alive in this mesmerizing tale, that neither is preachy nor takes one "side". The chemistry between Etienne and Windsong nearly burns up the pages. I understand this is to be a series of books, and I for one cannot wait for the next one

Very highly recommended.

Reviewed by DeborahAnne MacGillivray
Posted June 25, 2006