RUNNING FOX

Author: Cassie Edwards ISBN: 0451219961 12/2006 HISTORICAL Publisher: NAL/Signet
Time Period: Michigan 1879

Nancy Partain's life in pioneer Michigan has become a nightmare of fear and degradation since her mother remarried. Her villainous stepfather will stop at nothing—from making her sing nightly at his sleazy saloon to involving her in his underhanded whiskey trading scheme. Forced to accompany him as an added attraction on this peddling runs to the Indian tribes, beautiful Nancy is trapped in a world without hope... Then Running Fox, handsome chieftain of the Fox band of the Lakota tribe, steals into Nancy's bedroom one night, determined to kidnap Nancy and stop her stepfather's corruption of his people. Nancy knows nothing of desire until the moment the fierce warrior strides into her life and stirs up feelings of hope, freedom, and longing. Stolen away to eerie Ghost Island by Running Fox, Nancy finds herself falling for her abductor. But can she allow his tender passion to heal her wounded heart?

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Cassie Edwards debuts her new Dreamcatcher series with the first book titled, RUNNING FOX. Fans of Cassie Edwards will instantly fall in love with this book because it is penned in the same style as her Indian romances. In fact, RUNNING FOX could be included in her Indian romances, because it follows the exact plot that is typical of a Cassie Edwards historical.

After having the opportunity to read and review many of Cassie Edwards's books, I have noticed that her plots are lacking in one thing: development of the relationship between the hero and heroine. In my opinion, meeting the hero one day, and realizing you are in love with him the next day, just doesn't sit right with me. I need substance, I need development, and I want reasons why she loves him! The same goes for a hero, in love with the heroine because she is beautiful is just too artificial for me.

I was enjoying RUNNING FOX until the heroine, Nancy, on the second day of her kidnapping, realizes that she loves the Indian Chief Running Fox. In turn, he realizes that she is the one for him. There's no chemistry, there's no passion and, quite frankly, there's no spark!

I think Edwards's plot was interesting and she could have gone far with it, but the book was predictable and lacked luster. It is evident that she puts a lot of time and effort into learning the Indian tribes customs and language that she writes about. Unfortunately, her books fall short for me.

I will say this for Cassie Edwards RUNNING FOX—the cover is fantastic! Nathan Kamp is dressed as the hero of the story and he is very sexy! If, for no other reason, you buy RUNNING FOX, buy it for the cover!

Julie Kornhausl