Passion's Vision

by Mary Adair

Overview

New Moon is a warrior. She and her husband fought together in many battles. Now she mourns the death of her husband whose life was taken by a white man. Her spirit is troubled by the vision of a white man soon to arrive in her village. Is he the one? Will she finally answer the blood cry? James Fitzgerald is an agent in King George's court. He is commissioned to blend into Dancing Cloud's village and uncover and botch the plans of a French agent creating discord and bloody conflict between the settlers and the Cherokee. Two warriors' from different worlds meet and clash. Soon it is revealed their survival depends on their ability to overcome their differences and defeat those who seek to destroy them both. Their growing love will demand nothing less than total surrender. Professional Reviews Passion's Vision Reviews(at)Sime-Gen 5 Stars Reviewers Choice A man and a woman separated by language and culture is the theme of many great love stories. Well, you can add another to the list. Sweeping, panoramic and steeped in historical detail, Passion's Vision stays close to the story at its heart, the growth of love and respect between a man and woman separated by language, customs and those who would seek to destroy them both--as they fight to deny the increasing admiration each has for the other while facing all odds to help the other survive. Ms. Adair deftly spins a tale that draws the reader into a world long past and the reader won't want to see the end of it. Leta Nolan Childers Jo Anderson: A Little Romance Author: Mary Adair This is the story of two strong, proud and compelling people. Their clash of wills and strong attraction to each other makes this a truly engaging love story. Passion's Vision is a remarkable portrayal of the Cherokee People. From the moment James enters the village you feel you are there with him. The rituals, the narrative of the war party and the details of village life are all incredibly absorbing. Mary Adair is able to draw the reader into a way of life that has long past, but she brings it alive for us with her writing. This talented author has written a story that is quite simply, irresistible. Passion's Vision Reviewed by Detra Fitch Huntress Book Reviews Author: Mary Adair *** Set in South Carolina. Contains explicit sex scenes. Here is one, which kept me tight with tension from page one till the ending! Author, Mary Adair shows her intensive research and knowledge of the culture and the ceremonies of these fascinating people! I could actually envision it all! An astounding piece of work by an author I expect to see much of in the future!*** Passion's Vision Painted Rock Reviews This is no light romantic romp in which time and place are mere window-dressings. Set in the Appalachian Mountains of South Carolina in 1734, a period of turmoil and violence in American history, this is a romance that triumphs the power of love to overcome heartache and the will of the human spirit to survive seemingly insurmountable odds. A wealth of historical detail and Cherokee customs and beliefs are expertly woven throughout the story to provide conflict to the romance, authenticity to the setting, and depth to the plot. The passionate romance is a choreographed battle of wills between a feisty opinionated, strong-willed heroine and an initially pompous and conceited but ultimately brave, decent, and compassionate hero. This couple deserves their hard won happiness. Passion's Vision is a story of substance sure to delight historical romance fans. Kathleen Langan

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781452884417
Publisher:	CreateSpace Publishing
Publication date:	07/25/2010
Pages:	236
Product dimensions:	5.24(w) x 7.99(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Mary A. Adair is an Amazon best selling author of Native American romances. Mary has done extensive research on several Native American tribes. One of here many sources is a book written in the 1700s by one of her husband's ancestors.

Passion's Vision is set in the Appalachian Mountains of South Carolina in 1734. This is a time in American history that is filled with violence and turmoil.
New Moon is the sister of Cherokee Chief, Dancing Cloud. She is a warrior in her own right and has accompanied her husband in many battles. He husband has been killed in one such battle and she has struggled overly long to accept his loss. The story begins with her confusion over a dream vision sent to her by the Great Spirit promising the arrival of another. The confusion comes from not knowing if this new arrival, a white man, is a gift or a curse.

James Fitzgerald is an agent in King George's court. He is commissioned to blend into Dancing Cloud's village and uncover and botch the plans of a French agent creating discord and bloody conflict between the settlers and the Native Americans.

The romance that ensues between these two strong and determined characters is set against a backdrop of one of the most tumultuous times in our history. It is a choreographed battle of wills between a feisty opinionated, strong-willed heroine and an initially pompous and conceited but ultimately brave, decent, and compassionate hero. Their enduring love and passion for each other is as strong as their will to survive.

PASSION'S PRICE is a poignant love story with a twist of humor. It is a next generation story filled with adventure and determination as well as self-realization and of course Romance.

CAPTIVE SPIRITS is a beginning to a Young Adult Fantasy series that also can be enjoyed by all adults.

Book three in the Passion's Series, Passion's Promise, will be published soon as well as a prequel to book 2 in the series.

Read an Excerpt

From Chapter One

"Damn it, Thomas, I thought you said we were in Cherokee Territory and would have safe passage!" James Fitz-Gerald yelled above the bloodcurdling whoops of their attackers.

"We are! And we do!" Thomas Brown yelled in answer. He aimed his flintlock and fired at an advancing warrior. "In fact, we're so close to Chota Town they can probably hear the racket." He tossed the gun aside and snatched a loaded one from Little Buffalo. "Keep'em comin', boy! Yer maw would be proud of you."

James fired and missed. With a curse, he tossed the gun to Buffalo. He had been in many dangerous situations but he had to admit, none quite as exhilarating as being pinned down by a dozen or two screaming natives. He leaned toward Thomas and yelled to be heard above the earsplitting noise, "Then why are they attacking us here, so close to a village?"

At that moment a particularly fierce looking native jumped up from cover and dashed toward them. James snatched up a tomahawk and sent it flying. The primitive instrument buried itself into the chest of the charging Indian who jerked back from the impact.

With what seemed inhuman strength, the Indian stumbled the last few steps before finally crumpling forward. James leaned back as the warrior fell. The dead body draped motionless across the log behind which James, Thomas, and young Buffalo crouched.

Thomas's gravely, ever complaining voice pricked at James. "I thought maybe you was goin' ta invite that one over fer tea," he snorted and reached up to push the body away. Thomas's hand froze halfway to its mark as Buffalo yelped in Indian fashion and scrambled forward. Before either man knew what the boy was about, Buffalo expertly, and with seemingly great enthusiasm, scalped the fallen warrior.

"Damn!" Thomas swore as he scratched at his ragged, gray whiskers. His gaze swung to James and his lips pulled back in a toothless grin.

James was glad he was far enough away not to smell Thomas's breath. What few teeth the man had left were black with neglect and decay.

"I guess I lied when I said this one was tame," he intoned with obvious pleasure.

Before James had a chance to ponder Thomas's propensity to increase his discomfort at every opportunity, a yell rent the air. Another warrior sprang up and charged.

Thomas quickly turned and fired. "I'd be careful if I was you, Fitz-Gerald." He glanced at Buffalo and then back to James. "Some savages take a special likin' ta red hair."

Buffalo looked proudly at Thomas as he stuffed the scalp into his waistband. With the blood still on his hands he reached for the spent musket.

James ignored Thomas and the boy as he aimed his fire- arm. This time he didn't miss.

The past ten years of James's life in the king's service had been a life spent alone -- a life filled with secret missions. The face of death was always neatly hidden behind the mask of civilization and clothed in miss-matched loyalties, a dark deadly puzzle to be figured out.

Now he was here, where death was a painted face with a gaping mouth and mobile tongue frantically pumping to fill the air with nerve shattering screams.

He'd never felt so close to death ... or so alive. Out here the two went hand in hand.

James smiled at Buffalo. "You know the scalp really belongs to me." Some might think their humor misplaced at a time like this but, having danced with death on numerous occasions, James understood the need for levity.

"You owe me. Remember?" the boy yelled back and tossed a fresh gun in his direction.

James snatched the loaded musket from the air just as he heard Thomas gasp. He saw Thomas crumple forward grasping at his shoulder. There was no time to examine his wound. James swung his musket around and fired. Another Indian fell.

"If we get out of this one alive, boy, you can have all the scalps!" he promised Buffalo with a yell.

"Look!"

James spun around at the sound of Buffalo's voice. He had known it would be only a matter of time before some of the warriors circled around to their rear.

He froze for the span of a heartbeat. Not fifty feet away an Indian woman stood, her face partially hidden from his view by the bow she held stretched and ready to let fly an arrow.

Quickly pulling up his musket, he pointed the barrel in her direction. James had never killed a woman. The muscle worked in his cheek as he aimed then suddenly searing pain shot up his arm.

As he fell to one side he looked at Thomas in disbelief. The old mad man had actually kicked him on the elbow sending his shot well wide of its mark.

Thomas gripped his bleeding shoulder as he choked out, "Cherokee!"

At that moment an arrow whistled past James's head and the Indian who stopped it stumbled over their barricade to land across one of his legs. A quick look back revealed the woman was gone.

Cherokee burst upon the scene. James would not have believed the din of earsplitting whoops could increase, but increase it did.

"Hot damn! I knew they would make it!" Thomas cheered through gritted teeth, then moaned just as enthusiastically.

James noted the pride that glowed in his partner's face. It appeared the old thorn in the flesh had a particular liking for this tribe.

"That's right, lad." Thomas chuckled as if he'd heard James's thought and then shifted himself to better wait out the battle. "These here are Dancin' Cloud's warriors."

Their attackers, as of one mind, slipped back into the trees and disappeared. The forest again turned into a troubled silence as the whoops died down and the Cherokee warriors followed the retreating renegades.

Buffalo wasted no time climbing over their arrow-laden barricade to scramble, knife in hand, to lift whatever scalps were still available.

Pushing himself to his feet James looked out at the scene before him. Bodies lay scattered about as the boy scurried, dipped and danced among the dead he further mutilated.

The stench of spent gunpowder and the coppery sweet odor of blood hung heavy in the early morning air to mix with the scent of forest mint and kicked-up soil. The scent of death mixed with the smell of life.

Remembering the woman James looked back once more. "That was a woman that popped up over there," he said, sounding stupid to himself.

"Sure was." Thomas whistled loudly, mimicking James's call to bring his mount. "Now where do you suppose that crazy horse of yours is? I imagine the mules are long gone by now and my Daisy along with 'um."

"They're not gone." Buffalo, who was back from his scalping excursion, intoned with awe.

Both men turned around to get a look at what could have so enraptured their young companion.

Walking gracefully toward them was a warrior whose size very closely matched James's own impressive physique. In one hand he gripped the lead ropes of both mules.

Amazingly the packs were still tied in place. Eagle, James's black stallion, followed docilely behind. Unfortunately, Daisy, Thomas's old mare, was not with them

James watched as the proud warrior squatted down in front of Thomas and examined his shoulder.

"You will live, old friend." the Indian announced as he stood and, with surprising gentleness, pulled Thomas to his feet.

* * *

New Moon stood before the open doorway of her summer lodge and peered into the dark interior. Behind her she could hear the excitement in the village; it crawled over her skin like a thousand ants. She breathed deeply of the scent of wood-smoke and roasting meat, but not even the comforting aromas that spoke of the safety of her home could quiet the uneasiness in her spirit.

His hair was the deep rich color of the great river's clay. Every nerve, every sense, told her he was the one. She could feel him now, drawing closer.

As if in response to her thoughts, the village quieted. Even the dogs that had moments before been yelping suddenly stilled. She did not have to turn around to know they were watching him. He would at this moment be coming through the gate of the tall wooden wall surrounding their community.

Editorial Reviews

... Sweeping, panoramic and steeped in historical detail, Passion's Vision stays close to the story at its heart, the growth of love and respect between a man and woman separated by language, customs and those who would seek to destroy them both--as they fight to deny the increasing admiration each has for the other while facing all odds to help the other survive. Ms. Adair deftly spins a tale that draws the reader into a world long past and the reader won't want to see the end of it.
—Simegen

Leta Nolan Childers

...This is no light romantic romp in which time and place are mere window-dressings. Set in the Appalachian Mountains of South Carolina in 1734, a period of turmoil and violence in American history, this is a romance that triumphs the power of love to overcome heartache and the will of the human spirit to survive seemingly insurmountable odds. A wealth of historical detail and Cherokee customs and beliefs are expertly woven throughout the story to provide conflict to the romance, authenticity to the setting, and depth to the plot. The passionate romance is a choreographed battle of wills between a feisty, opinionated, strong-willed heroine and an initially pompous and conceited but ultimately brave, decent, and compassionate hero. This couple deserves their hard won happiness. Passion's Vision is a story of substance sure to delight historical romance fans.
—Painted Rock Reviews Langan|8/99

Kathleen Langan