Jeanette Baker - Laura Baker
Baker, Jeanette - NELL (Sonnet - 2/99) (5)
Setting: Ireland, 1972
Eleven-year-old Jillian Fitzgerald, a privileged child descended from kings, is a delightful, sweet-natured English girl, whereas her older half-brother is a spoiled and cruel young man. She befriends the kennel keeper's son, Frankie Maguire, and she also has a very special friend that her parents think is imaginary. In reality, her friend Nell, whom Jillian can always count on to show up when she needs help, is from the past!
Nell, an English woman living in 1537, is in love with Donal O'Flaherty, an Irishman who returns her love. When her family is hanged by King Henry VIII, she flees with her young brother, the last of the Fitzgeralds. Nell is eventually taken to King Henry's court, all the while fearing for her little brother's life and hoping that O'Flaherty will come for her. She gets a little help from her longtime friend, Jillian.
Several years later, Frankie Maguire is accused of the accidental death of Jillian's brother. Frankie and Jillian have always loved each other, and she refuses to let him be taken away until she extracts his promise that he will come back for her. She goes off to boarding school and later hears that Frankie has escaped from prison. She assumes he has forgotten her...until they meet twenty years later.
I have heard so much praise about this book, and now I understand what all the commotion is about! NELL is beautifully written romance, set against a tapestry of Irish politics of the 1500s, as well as the current century's Catholic/Protestant problems in Northern Ireland. The characters are so richly drawn and fascinating that you won't be able to stop reading. Although the time travel element is incidental to the love stories and not a strong part of this book, it adds an interesting twist. NELL is a must read! ~Marilyn H. (mlyn@jps.net)
Baker, Laura - BROKEN IN TWO (St. Martin's Press - 10/99) (4)
Frank Reardon is an FBI agent who is sent to Indian Territory to investigate the murder of Eddie Honanie. Because Frank's wife was killed three years ago by Native American activists, he resents being back on any reservation, but feels the need to prove himself.
Believing the murder is tied to the theft of Indian art, Frank begins his investigation with Eddie's sister, Ella Honanie. She runs a trading post, which he thinks would be the perfect place to fence stolen art. Against his own wishes, the FBI man slowly finds himself getting involved with Ella's life and family...and that of the Hopi Indians. The Hopi believe that a man of honor will someday return a legendary tablet; and the murder and the events that follow convince them that Frank is the one destined to fulfill their prophecy and unite the Hopi and Navajo, two tribes who have been broken apart.
Frank and Ella encounter many inexplicable events that seem to verify Hopi prophecy, although both have long since stopped believing in magic and miracles. However, they come to care about each other and discover truths that help heal hurts from the past, along with their own broken souls.
BROKEN IN TWO is a well-written, unique novel that combines Native American mysticism with a realistic look at contemporary Native American life. Although the romance doesn't begin until late in the story, the relationship that develops between the hero and heroine is emotionally satisfying—along with mystery, suspense, and all the right elements for an excellent read. There aren't many authors writing contemporary Native American romance, but Ms. Baker fills that gap and provides stories with depth and substance. ~Karen Witkowski for Bookbug on the Web
Baker, Laura - LEGEND (St. Martin's - 1998) (4+)
When he was three, his tribe gave Jackson Walker up for adoption to a white couple. He had never returned until a serial killer began to ply his profession among the Native Americans. A Fed, Jackson is sent to solve the murders haunting the people of Navaholand, Arizona.
The prime suspect is Ainii Henio, who had the motive of avenging the death of her father who was killed by the last victim of the serial killer. Jackson, whose psychic abilities have made him one of the top investigators of impossible-to-solve cases, begins his inquiries with Ainii. However, both are stunned by the raw passion that flows between them. Still, she believes the killer is an evil shapechanger, while his Anglo education refuses to accept the ancient superstitions of the Navahos. With the chasm between their belief systems, the probability of a long-term relationship is remote, especially if a mass murderer has any say.
With only her second modern-day Native American romance, anyone gazing at the stars will realize that Laura Baker is heading on a path that ends at her being considered a LEGEND. Like her first novel, the story line is a marvelous romantic suspense that brilliantly merges Native American folklore with psychological terror, wrapped within a heated romance. Fans of the sub-genres need to read the works of Ms. Baker if they want to peruse some of the best Native American romantic suspense books in the last few years. ~Harriet Klausner
Baker, Laura - STARGAZER (St. Martin's Press - 1998) (3+)
Lonewolf, chosen from birth to lead his people, is a "stargazer"—he has visions of things to come. Unfortunately, he is unable to stop the inevitable death and destruction of his people in 1863. Desolate after losing his wife, child, and family, and rejected by his people because of his visions, Lonewolf seeks solace from the stars. He is transported through time to the modern-day world, where he meets Willow, a police officer who is half Navajo. His powers, when combined with hers, can help save the life of one very important and deathly ill little boy.
This book was a real page-turner for me because I was never quite sure where it was leading. It had its painful and touching moments, but there was also humor. I bought the entire time-travel idea (and liked how it was resolved in the end), and I admired both of the strong lead characters, who would do anything for the people they loved. STARGAZER is a rather short book and the story takes place in the span of six days, so the relationship between the hero and heroine developed quickly, but it worked for me because the author made me believe they were incomplete without the other. The love scenes are of the sweet variety, but there was enough sexual tension to keep me happy. ~Laurie S. (shallah@empire.net)
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