Moon of the Falling Leaves by Diane Davis White
Highland Press
Historical - Western
Full Length, Sensual
Review by Magnolia

Alone in the Wilderness…

Jessica Maxwell finds out just how uncertain life can be when she and her children are stranded on the side of a mountain with winter looming.

The Lakota Warrior…

Swift Eagle has discovered his destiny in the flames of a vision that leads him to help this white family.

Compassion Becomes Passion…

Duty becomes desire when Jessica and Swift Eagle are forced to fight for their love, their survival in the old West.

♥ ♥ ♥

"Moon of the Falling Leaves" is story of many layers.  It is a romance, a story of personal growth, a glimpse into the past, and a wonderful example of ‘love will prevail.’   The story takes place in 1870 in the Rocky Mountains.  

When we first meet the heroine, Jessica Maxwell, she is in a difficult situation.   Ms. White does an awesome job creating Jessica.  She is a woman that lives by the 1870 rules.  And does through the entire story.   The character of Jessica is heart warming and sincere.   The way she deals with the issues at hand is how a woman of that time would have.   I enjoy this….I enjoyed reading a historical where the characters very much limited by the time I.e. the social standards.   Jessica, however, is not a whinny woman.  She accepts what fate has dealt her and moves on.   Because of this attitude she doesn’t become bitter and people find themselves wanting to help her.  People that in normal situations would have turned a blind eye.

The hero, Swift Eagle, a Lakota Sioux Shaman, is hesitate to engage in any thing more than is required of him.  He is honest with Jessica that he is simply there because of a vision.  Swift Eagle retains this honesty through the story.   He never denies his feelings for Jessica but is also frank in that a relationship between an Indian and a White woman is just not possible.  In the beginning, Swift Eagle declares he is “a man accustomed to a lonely life, without companionship.”  But after a short time with Jessica and her delightful children he is rethinking that.

The story is mainly focused on Jessica, Swift Eagle and her children.  Most of the secondary cast isn’t introduced until the last quarter of the book.   Jessica’s four children are each written with their own personality and role in the story.  Grace, Jessica’s only daughter and third child, is however the most engaging.   From sticking her tongue out at the bad guy to asking Swift Eagle if he is going to sleep in bed with her mom like her dad did, Grace adds to the story.  Just when I was sure that the biggest road block to the happily ever after ending laid in Jessica and Swift Eagle’s personal trauma, enter Charlie Hawkins.   Hawkins is vile in every sense of the word. 

"Moon of the Falling Leaves" is definitely a five book story.   I would challenge any reader not to find Jessica endearing, feel a deep sadness for Swift Eagle, smile for Grace, and feel contempt for Charlie Hawkins.  It was a story that kept returning to my thoughts as all glad love stories should.

Comments:

Date:  Mon, Jul 14, 2008 at 11:26 AM

Your Name: Jo Webnar
Your Comment: This is a well written great review for a terrific book. It takes real talent to write a good review. I\'ve read the book and agree with everything she said. My congratulations to Diane White and Magnolia.