By Kristy McCaffrey
I’ve previously reviewed One of Our Own by Cheryl
Reavis, but now that I’ve completed the entire series, I thought I’d put all
the books together in one post. This series features contemporary Navajo culture
in the Window Rock area. Since I lived for a year on the Navajo reservation
when I was nine years old, I can appreciate the time and care that Reavis took
in researching the setting and beliefs of the Native Americans. She gets it
right, and so much more. Please don’t be deterred by the old covers. My guess
is that despite these books being decades old, Ms. Reavis has been unable to
gain the rights back, so her hands have been tied as to updating and labeling
the stories (it took some digging for me to identify which books were in the
series and in which order they should be read). As an added bonus, I’ve
included an additional book (by a different but no less talented writer) that
also features a Navajo hero.
One Of Our Own
Book 1
Sloan Baron has come to Navajo Country to see her estranged
brother, who is in critical condition after a car accident. She already has
been caring for two of his children, and now she learns that he has a third
child, a young half-Navajo boy named Will. As she navigates the mess her
brother has left behind, she finds an unlikely ally in Navajo Tribal Policeman
Lucas Singer. Together, they try to unravel the laws regarding children on
Indian Reservations. They also fall hard for each other. This is such a
wonderful book! Ms. Reavis has created well-rounded characters that you’ll love
and root for and cry over, along with a peek into the traditions and beliefs of
the Navajo people. This is a story that will stay with you long after it’s
ended. Moving and deeply romantic, I highly recommend.
Meggie’s Baby
Book 2
This story features Meggie Baron, Sloan’s niece, who was a
child in the first book, and her love for Jack Begaye. The story begins with
their estrangement, but the bond is still there. However, Meggie has gotten
pregnant by another man, and although she didn’t love the father, this is a
hurdle that she and Jack must overcome, as well as the custody issues by the
grandparents of the unborn child. This is an engaging and emotional read, with
wonderful details about the Navajo and their culture.
Mother To Be
Book 3
The heroine in this tale, Lillian Singer, is older sister to
Lucas from Book 1 and in her forties. Wanting to carve an identity away from
the reservation, she became an attorney and works out of Albuquerque. But
family draws her home to Window Rock, and she’s tasked with getting Tribal Police Chief Johnny Becenti out of his self-imposed exile after the death of his wife.
Lillian and Johnny have a history of not getting along, but that’s about to
change. This book really got to me, as I didn’t expect to love these two as
much as I did.
The Music Box
Book 4
When Eden Trevoy learns from her archaeologist mother she
was adopted, and that her father was Navajo, she’s drawn to Tribal policeman
Ben Toomey to learn more about her heritage. But when she discovers the true
identity of her father, her world is turned upside down. To say more would ruin
the surprise, but through it all, Ben and Eden can’t help but fall for each
other. Another wonderful love story set against the backdrop of the Navajo
culture.
Medicine Man
Book 5
The last installment in the Family Blessing series features
Will Baron, who was the child involved in the custody issue from Book 1. Now a
paratrooper stationed in North Carolina, he’s awaiting orders when he meets
single mom Arley Meehan. The timing couldn’t be worse, since he’ll be leaving
soon and she’s in a custody battle with her ex. Will, half-white and
half-Navajo, had trained to be a medicine man, but is now at a crossroads as he
faces the legacy of his father, Sloan’s brother, a man he never knew. This
story didn’t have quite the sparkle as the others, and I think it was because
it didn’t take place on the reservation but rather in North Carolina. But
several of our favorite characters show up, so it’s a fitting end to the
series.
If you enjoy stories
with a Navajo hero, don’t miss this bonus read!
Coyote Dream
By
Jessica Davis Stein
Sarah Friedman has come from New York City to the American
Southwest to buy Indian art for her family’s store. When her car breaks down,
she finds herself in the company of Ben Lonefeather, a solitary Navajo with a
great talent for sculpture and pet coyotes he's raised since they were pups. While waiting for the parts to repair her vehicle,
she falls hard for Ben. But after a whirlwind affair, she returns home
believing that she and Ben could never really be together. Their differences—she’s
Jewish and he’s Navajo—are simply too great. This is an epic love story that I
had trouble putting down. A sad side note: this was the only novel Ms. Stein wrote
before passing away a few years ago. It’s a shame, because it’s quite simply
incredible.
