Tuesday, May 01, 2012

Sandi Rog's Walks Alone ~ Reviewed

By Sandi Rog
Published by Whitefire
ISBN# 978-0983455653

Book Blurb: A Cheyenne warrior bent on vengeance. A pioneer woman bent on fulfilling a dream.
Until their paths collide.

After fleeing her abusive uncle, Anna is determined to reach the city of her dreams. But White Eagle and his fierce warriors take her prisoner. Anna attempts a harrowing escape, but her savage captor is determined to have her at all costs and forces her to be his wife. Has God forgotten her, or does He have plans of His own?

A man with a boot in one world and a moccasin in the other, White Eagle is disillusioned with his faith after a minister leads a massacre on his peaceful tribe. Where is his God? He s definitely not with the white men who are slaughtering his people. But White Eagle also can t give in to the idolatry practiced by his fellow tribesmen. Only the Truth can set him free. And it s found in beautiful Anna s carpetbag.

Review: Walks Alone is an unforgettable and amazing story! It reminded me of the epic movie Dances with Wolves. I was never the same after watching that movie. I was shaken to the depths of my soul. It made me re-think what I had been taught. It made me laugh, cry, cheer and rejoice along with the characters. Reading Walks Alone made me feel the same as Dances with Wolves did.

I instantly connected with the main character Anna, through all her trials and tribulations. Her life took some unexpected turns! She finds herself learning about the Cheyenne massacre at Sandi Creek, directly from the survivors!

Anna thinks as the survivor shares, “Reminders of that terrible day were everywhere…How could these people not want to kill her when her own people had been so cruel?...It amazed her that this couple would take her in. They accepted her and treated her as one of their own. Why would they accept a perfect stranger? Especially someone whose culture brought grief to their people. It touched Anna in a way she couldn’t explain. It frightened her.”

Anna is a naïve young lady in search of a dream. A dream her Dad had about the west and Denver City. Anna told a friend, “I just want to go home. I feel as though I’ve been trying to get home ever since I touched American soil, and it’s constantly out of reach. Contentment – Home – is waiting for her in Denver City.”

This author has some surprising twists and turns in Anna’s journey to Denver City. Some I never saw coming! Loved that.

This author has masterfully written an astonishing story of faith, hope, love and forgiveness as two cultures are intertwined and learn from the other. As the cultures collide and sparks fly it takes a miracle to have them learn from one another. Learn to listen. Learn to take the time to understand ways that are not their ways as they both seek peace; a love of the land and each other.

It’s a novel you will tell your friends they must read because it will open their eyes and touch them deeply. I highly recommend this book as a book club pick; it will start rich conversations and so much more!

Reviewed by: Nora St.Laurent

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