ONCE UPON A KISS
Gladiators, cowboys, knights, dukes, princes and rogues. The heroes we love all in one set.
Amazonhttp://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MZA76O4
B&N http://tinyurl.com/hkwr58a
Kobo https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/love-historicals-presents-once-upon-a-kiss
iBookshttps://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1195459460

This week's featured book is LOVE & LIES By
Gina Danna.

Rome 100 CE
 
Conquered, beaten, sentenced to die in the Colosseum, Ganius of Gaul escapes his execution only to find himself enslaved as a gladiator. His rise to champion ensures his life, but does nothing to lessen his desire for vengeance against the Roman soldiers who destroyed all he knew.
 
Locked into a repugnant betrothal, the beautiful Roman Aurelia turns to her brother’s champion gladiator for help. Promising him his freedom if he helps her escape, Aurelia soon discovers she wants not only Ganius’s help, but to capture his heart as he’s captured hers.

In love with his sworn enemy, Ganius realizes Aurelia is the key to his freedom. But to take her with him would risk both their lives, yet leaving her behind to be a pawn in her brother’s machinations is a wretched alternative. Ganius must choose - love of a Roman or freedom to make the Romans pay. This is a fight the champion gladiator might lose...
 
 
 EXCERPT
 
Rome 100 CE – The Colosseum
 
Aurelia sat rigid on the bench, quiet as a mouse, like the rest of the crowd. The Celt, condemned to die with his countrymen, stood victorious on the sands. He was the one with that mark upon his arm. Her gaze riveted to him, amazed, appalled and so attracted to him that it sent a thrill through her.

Suddenly, the stands burst into applause and demanded for him to live.

The man stood, in the midst of a filthy, blood-covered arena, the remains of the dead and dying lay around him. He was covered in sweat, blood and sand. His muscles—prominent from fighting the gladiators—were corded, detailed like the statues of the gods, and the effigies of dead victorious gladiators, both forms standing virtually nude throughout the city. But he was living, breathing, on fire. When he shot a glance up at the podium, where the Emperor’s appointee sat in his absence. Even Aurelia could see the flames of violence tangible in his stare. She could not pull her eyes off.

Aurelia’s brother had secured them the box seats next to the podium, quite a sign of position she usually didn’t give a moment’s consideration, but today was more than thankful because they were very close. She gazed at the Celt and in the sunlight, despite his dirty appearance, his eyes glowed, the color like amber in the brightness.

He looked like a god.

“Caius,” she whispered to her brother. “Don’t you need a new man for your stable of fighters?”

He laughed. “What a strange thing for you to say, dearest.” He looked beyond her to see her fascination. “Aurelia…”

“Oh Caius, can you imagine? He defeated three gladiators! The odds stood against him!”

“They were not from the best house…”

“But they were gladiators,” she argued and bit her lip. “Brother, the man must be blessed by the gods to have won so, and to win over the crowd to spare his life.” She gave him her innocent but pleading look. With the exception of severing her betrothal, he never denied her anything.

“She is right, Caius,” Aulus joined in. “I could have him trained. His winnings would bring you considerable coin.”

Caius looked at her. His eyes narrowed. They darted to the Celt in the arena and back to her. The air grew heavy as she waited, though the longer he took to say a word usually meant she won. Holding her breath, she silently prayed to Jupiter.

Caius’s lips slowly curled up into a smile. “So be it. Aulus, let us see if we can’t alleviate the state of her impertinent prisoner.” He kissed her cheek. “And my darling sister, don’t push me for any more extravagant dresses or jewelry, for I fear this animal may take many coins to train before I see the favorable results.”
​
As he walked away, Aurelia’s gaze returned to the man on the sands. As the property of her brother, a slave, she’d have easy access to see the mark on his arm. Her lips curved at what other opportunities might be available to own a man so blessed by the gods… 

This weeks featured book is
​NEVER TEMPT A ROGUE
by Christy Carlyle
​
​An infamous rogue meets his match in a feisty chaperone who has all but given up on love.
 
Felicity Beckett’s uncle has tasked her with one goal for Lord and Lady Forsythe’s country house party. Keep her innocent cousin away from the notorious rake, Lord Lindsay. The man’s Rogue’s Rulebook has earned him the most scandalous of reputations, but no one warned Felicity how irresistible a rogue can be.
Alex Evering, Lord Lindsay, agrees to attend his aunt and uncle’s party for a bit of enjoyment before embracing the duties of his newly inherited title, but he loathes their scheme to redeem his reputation and marry him off to a proper young lady—until he meets Miss Beckett.
 
Excerpt 
 
“Lord Lindsay, there will be no more of these. If you send any further unwanted communications, I will tell Lord and Lady Forsythe of your outrageous behavior.”
 
He was surprised she could say so much when fury stiffened every line of her body.
Perhaps he was as debauched as he pretended to be in The Rogues’ Rulebook, because her ire aroused him. He liked the way it made her lips quiver and infused her cheeks with blood. When her eyes sparked, he could smell anger curling off her like the burn of an electric charge after a lightning storm.
 
“I have no idea who sent that or what it says.” He didn’t need to examine the folded missive to know it had nothing to do with him. “I assure you, I’ve only arrived half an hour ago and spent much of that time on this balcony. I haven’t sent a note to anyone.”
 
She faltered, her sensual mouth quivering even more in her uncertainty. A mad impulse made him want to claim those lips, use her trembling moment of doubt to break through her fury. Now, when he might taste all that passion.
 
Unfolding the letter in her hands, she held it up in front of him, a wall of paper between them.
 
“Is that not your initial? Signed with an L. That’s you.”
 
“It is not. My name is Alexander, though my friends call me Alex.” He tipped his head toward her and caught a whiff of vanilla. “I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume we’ll become friends. You may call me Alex.”
 
He’d never been more eager to hear a woman say his name, to watch her mouth form the word, her pink tongue playing over the syllables. A wave of lust rocked him as he considered what else he could teach her to do with her tongue.
 
She glanced at the paper in her hand and then up at him, studying his face as if attempting to decide whether or not he could be trusted.
 
“What’s your name?” He knew enough of decorum to realize their whole encounter was inappropriate, but he was damn well going to know her name. She was the first indication that coming to his aunt’s house party might have been a good decision.
 
“My name is irrelevant, my lord.”
​
“I’m very sorry to hear that. Your parents were cruel to name you such a thing. A lady like you deserves a much prettier name.” He couldn’t resist teasing her. Later he’d be a gentleman, perhaps even apologize for his behavior, but now, when this woman stood looking at him as if she’d like his head on a spike, he could only think of ways to make her eyes to flare again.
 
“My name,” she bit out, her straight white teeth clenched in a grimace, “is Felicity Beckett.”
 
Laughter rumbled up his chest. “Felicity?” He looked at her lovely flushed face and roared with mirth. He hadn’t laughed in six months, and it felt freeing and glorious. “You do know what that word means, don’t you?”
 
She scowled. “I assure you I am very happy when men like you don’t provoke me.”

 

ONCE UPON A KISS
Gladiators, cowboys, knights, dukes, princes and rogues. The heroes we love all in one set.
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MZA76O4
B&N http://tinyurl.com/hkwr58a
Kobo https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/love-historicals-presents-once-upon-a-kiss
iBooks https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1195459460
​

This week's featured book is
PRESENTING LADY GUS
By Sydney Jane Baily

​Augusta Brenville needs a husband, preferably a wealthy one, to save her beloved estate. Unfortunately, holding onto her inheritance seems impossible when nary a suitor remains standing, nor alive for that matter. That is until a seasoned captain arrives, daring and intrepid . . . and a tad uncivilized for the lady’s liking.
 
For the sake of owning Thornbury Castle, Captain Rolf is willing to marry its rather awkward yet endearing mistress, regardless of her penniless state. First, however, he must thwart an assassin with a penchant for poison, fire, and arrows. Can he keep both himself and his betrothed alive until their wedding day?
 
Excerpt
 
Augusta sighed. So much for first impressions. She knew she looked ridiculous now and momentarily considered whether to pull the rest of her pins out and wear her hair all unfashionably down or try to put the three errant locks back up? Before she could make more of a mess, Millie had pinned her curls to resemble the rest of her hairstyle.
To top it off, Augusta’s knees stung terribly where they had come in crushing contact with the stone walkway. At least her future husband now knew what to expect in the way of beauty and grace.
Her husband! She raised her eyes to him. He was tall, as a royal army officer should be. He was young, too, perhaps in his late twenties or early thirties--praise be, she muttered. He was not ugly, nor did he look cruel. He was, however, dirty—extremely so. His hair, which hung long around his neck, was coated with dust from the journey and his face was smeared with grime, as were his worn clothes. Not at all what she’d hoped from a wealthy suitor.
Why had he not bathed at an inn the night before or at least stopped to wash in one of the many streams round about the area? For certainly, by the look of his wet pants, he had crossed a few on horseback. At the very least, he could have spat on a cloth and wiped his face.
Still, she smiled as he took her hand. She looked down to see how her hand looked in his and was shocked to see black under his fingernails. She swallowed and looked up at his face. It was pleasant, even handsome under the grime, she reminded herself. She heard Rolf clear his throat.
“Lady Brenville, reports of your beauty and charm do not do you justice.”
She couldn’t stifle the laugh. It broke from her, and she nearly choked. Poor man, what a thing to say, clearly rehearsed and so demonstrably wrong. As if anyone had ever reported anything of her beauty and charm. She laughed until tears came to her eyes. He was nervous, too, she realized. What a relief.
Rolf looked disconcertedly toward her father, who merely shrugged, hardly helping with his round face in a false smile. Finally, it appeared that Rolf understood he had not offended her, and he smiled too.
Augusta’s laughter died instantly. Buggers! She couldn’t help but stare at the dark hole where a tooth should be. At least it was not right in the front of his mouth. Some might view the gap on the left of his smile as quite dashing. And most likely, she consoled herself, he could whistle well.

Her name is Nakio. It means puddles in the Hawaiian language, and despite the x-ray stare, she is the sweetest, most lovable pup in the world. She loves to give kisses and cuddle and hang out between us on the couch. Every morning she jumps on the bed to give up wake-up kisses.

It was really hard losing Indio, but this girl has softened the jagged edges of our grief and given us reason to laugh again. I swore I wouldn't get another dog after Indio. Then I said, well okay, but not for a long time. But after 10 weeks we couldn't stand it any longer. The house was empty. Our hearts were empty. So we went to the Big Dog Ranch Rescue "just to look". And there she was, this 3-4 year old raggedy-looking, underweight Husky with the piercing eyes and sweet demeanor. Two days later we went back for a second look, and we were, as they say, dead meat. We filled out the application and 3 days later brought her home. For 2 weeks I painstakingly combed out all the matting from her fur. I've never felt fur like this. It feels like velvet. And there's lots of it, but having had Malamutes for 25 years I'm accustomed to dog hair flying around like snow. With 2 square meals a day she has fattened up nicely. At her weigh-in last week she gained 4 1/2 lbs and is now a healthy 51.5 lbs. When you watch her walk from behind, she swishes that butt like Marilyn Monroe. She's been with us now almost 2 months and it's like she was always here. We're a pack again.

I like to think she is Indio's gift to us. If it weren't for my big ole bear, this girl wouldn't be here. You could say what was lost has been found.

​I am excited and proud to be part of this new boxed set from the Love Historicals authors.

While many boxed sets consist of previously published stories, HEARTS AFLAME consists of four brand new, never-before-published stories. Jill Hughey, Catherine Kean, Anna Markland and I worked for two years developing the concept around a common theme. This collaboration follows the Rowan family from the siege of Paris by Vikings, through medieval Scotland and England, to early 20th century colonial Kenya and centers on a palindrome etched into an ancient red disk that changes the course of their lives.

We hope you come to love reading about the Rowan family as much as we loved writing about them.

You can learn more about the individual authors by visiting the Love Historicals site http://www.lovehistoricals.com 

Rowan's Legacy by Jill Hughey
When Vikings attack Paris and kill her father, Fia is trapped, in danger and far from home. Rowan’s rescue of her may only renew the bitterness of the betrayal that ended their friendship years ago. With no choice but to be saved by the last person she ever wanted to see, Fia is forced to confront the truth of what really happened in the past. Dare she accept Rowan’s friendship again, or is it possible an even more intimate connection awaits with the man she swore to hate forever?

Passion's Fire by Anna Markland
Brigandine Lordsmith has been a boy for as long as she can remember, obliged to work in her father’s forge as his apprentice.
Matthew de Rowenne burns with resentment when King Henry sends him to quell an uprising in Galloway…and expects him to marry a Scot.
But Matthew can never marry. The stone’s legacy promises fire will consume his bride.

A Legendary Love by Catherine Kean
Tavis de Rowenne doesn’t believe in curses. However, when a freak accident almost causes Lady Helena Marlowe, his intended, to drown, he wonders if his ancient cloak pin just might be damned. Helena vows never to see or speak to Tavis again, but when her father falls ill, Tavis might be the only one who can save him. Does she dare to trust the roguish Scot with dangerous secrets, especially when he’s determined to win her heart?

Love Remembers by Nancy Morse (me)
Julia Rowan traveled to Africa soon after the Great War ended to photograph the wildlife migration, but something happened that sent her back to America with no memory of the past. Now she has returned and turns to Jonathan Shane for help. Struggling to save his coffee crops from the worst drought in decades and bitter over Julia's unexplained absence from his life two years earlier, he is reluctant to open his heart to her again,yet unable to refuse her plea for help. As they journey deep into the African bush in search of answers to unlock her memory, will the legacy of the ancient stone Julia wears around her neck lead her to destruction or into the arms of the only man she has ever loved?

HEARTS AFLAME is available on Amazon at only 99 cents. http://www.amzn.com/B01EG1U6PC

Also available in paperback. 

I am excited and proud to be part of this new boxed set from the Love Historicals authors.

While many boxed sets consist of previously published stories, HEARTS AFLAME consists of four brand new, never-before-published stories. Jill Hughey, Catherine Kean, Anna Markland and I worked for two years developing the concept around a common theme. This collaboration follows the Rowan family from the siege of Paris by Vikings, through medieval Scotland and England, to early 20th century colonial Kenya and centers on a palindrome etched into an ancient red disk that changes the course of their lives.

We hope you come to love reading about the Rowan family as much as we loved writing about them.

You can learn more about the individual authors by visiting the Love Historicals site http://www.lovehistoricals.com 

Rowan's Legacy by Jill Hughey
When Vikings attack Paris and kill her father, Fia is trapped, in danger and far from home. Rowan’s rescue of her may only renew the bitterness of the betrayal that ended their friendship years ago. With no choice but to be saved by the last person she ever wanted to see, Fia is forced to confront the truth of what really happened in the past. Dare she accept Rowan’s friendship again, or is it possible an even more intimate connection awaits with the man she swore to hate forever?

Passion's Fire by Anna Markland
Brigandine Lordsmith has been a boy for as long as she can remember, obliged to work in her father’s forge as his apprentice.
Matthew de Rowenne burns with resentment when King Henry sends him to quell an uprising in Galloway…and expects him to marry a Scot.
But Matthew can never marry. The stone’s legacy promises fire will consume his bride.

A Legendary Love by Catherine Kean
Tavis de Rowenne doesn’t believe in curses. However, when a freak accident almost causes Lady Helena Marlowe, his intended, to drown, he wonders if his ancient cloak pin just might be damned. Helena vows never to see or speak to Tavis again, but when her father falls ill, Tavis might be the only one who can save him. Does she dare to trust the roguish Scot with dangerous secrets, especially when he’s determined to win her heart?

Love Remembers by Nancy Morse (me)
Julia Rowan traveled to Africa soon after the Great War ended to photograph the wildlife migration, but something happened that sent her back to America with no memory of the past. Now she has returned and turns to Jonathan Shane for help. Struggling to save his coffee crops from the worst drought in decades and bitter over Julia's unexplained absence from his life two years earlier, he is reluctant to open his heart to her again,yet unable to refuse her plea for help. As they journey deep into the African bush in search of answers to unlock her memory, will the legacy of the ancient stone Julia wears around her neck lead her to destruction or into the arms of the only man she has ever loved?

HEARTS AFLAME is available on Amazon at only 99 cents. http://www.amzn.com/B01EG1U6PC

Also available in paperback. 

These were our last moments together. The light was fading from your eyes. I held you tight and buried my face in your neck. I told you that my life changed the minute you came into it as a seven-week-old pup, that I’m a better person for knowing you, that because of you I learned things like tolerance and responsibility and forgiveness. And joy. Most of all, joy. I spoke your name. Hey Indy. Hey Buggy. Did you see me? Did you know I was there? Could you feel my love wrapping itself around you like angel wings? Did you know that saying goodbye was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do? Did you forgive me? I held on tighter, as if I could keep you here with me always with the strength of my embrace. I crooned to you and told you how very much I loved you as my tears fell against the soft fur of your face. You must have known. You must have. Because I could feel your love and your thanks even as you slipped away. And you were gone, leaving me with a memory that will burn forever in my heart of the most beautiful, sweetest, silliest and kind-hearted dog I have ever been honored to know. Rest peacefully my big ole bear and carry my love with you to wherever it is that dogs go. A great big piece of me is going with you, just so you know I’m there.

​Thank you, Indio, for being the best friend anyone could ever have and for letting me be a part of your life, just as you will forever be a part of mine. For any good I may have done in life, you were my sweetest reward.

In this case, the R stands for Rushing. And that's what I'm doing. Rushing to finish LOVE REMEMBERS, my contribution to the HEARTS AFLAME an anthology featuring stories by Anna Markland, Jill Hughey, Catherine Kean, and me that follow the Rowan family from the 9th century to the early 20th and how an ancient palindrome etched into a disk of red glass changes the course of their lives. The set will be up for pre-order on May 10th with a release date set for May 24th. My story is written except for the elusive ending. It's out there somewhere. I just have to find it.

I'm also rushing to finish RESTLESS WIND, Book 3 in my Native American Wild Wind Series that follows the adventures of trader's daughter Katie McCabe and Lakota warrior Black Moon. I'm hoping for a release date in May and still have quite a bit of work to do on the book.

After that, I'm planning a five-part western historical series about the Kincaid brothers of Texas, and then Book 3 in my Soul Searchers Paranormal Series about the ongoing love/hate relationship between vampires Pru and Nicolae.

Then it will be another stand-alone Native American historical romance. 

I have my work cut out for me, but honestly, there's nothing else I'd rather be doing.

​Okay, back to work. The R word calls.

Today I welcome Joyce DeBacco, author of women's fiction, who's not afraid to tackle emotional issues and who gives us characters you can really care about.

Hi Joyce, tell us about your book:
 
Running a successful resort in present-day Montana has its challenges for the Storm family. Falling in love is only one of them.
In Book 1 we meet Bonnie who runs the resort with the help of her grown children. Son Richard is scholarly and level headed. Nicknamed the money man by his brother and sister, he keeps the family business afloat. Brawny Nick handles the day-to-day operations. Then there’s daughter Andi who hasn’t yet found her niche. Andi is strong-willed and used to getting what she wants—until she doesn’t. When Bonnie learns their newest hire Luke is the illegitimate son of her dead husband, she feels threatened. Learning that Andi has taken a liking to him forces her to take steps that endanger her life and the resort’s future.

In Book 2, a killer is caught, a rift develops between the Storm brothers, and Andi goes to great lengths to get the man she wants.

In Book 3, the family finds the path to love riddled with potholes; in one case even bullet holes. In spite of the obstacles, one Storm says, “I do,” and another, almost.

Book 4, releasing in mid-April, will tie up loose ends for all the Storms. Whether they’re happy endings or sad endings remains to be seen.
Storm Country is presented in serial format with the story in each book continuing into the next one.
 
What inspired you to write this book?
 
I love to explore the intricacies of families, what makes them bond or become estranged, how they’re alike and how they differ. This series was inspired by my memories of a favorite TV show I used to watch many years ago. I based my characters on the people in the show but gave it a whole new spin with new characters and situations appropriate for the current time period.
 
What kind of research was involved?
 
Because so much of it is based on family situations the only research I needed to do was to learn about the terrain, the weather, and the wildlife of the area.
 
Author Bio:
 
After reading women’s fiction for many years, I knew I wanted to create stories of my own. As the mother of four grown daughters, I’m familiar with the problems women face finding love, raising children, and stepping back when necessary. My books place an emphasis on love and family dynamics with a touching love story threaded through each. I’m happiest when I’m secluded in my office creating new worlds and people to populate them. When I’m not taxing my brain with plot, structure, and grammar, I like to sew, particularly quilts. When I really want to rest my brain, I sprawl out in front of the TV and try to stay awake.

For information about all my books, please visit my website, ​http://www.joycedebacco.com. And while you’re there, sign up for my mailing list on the contact page to learn about new releases, ARCs, or sales.

You’ll also find me on Twitter: ​https://twitter.com/JoyceDeBacco
My Amazon author page: http://amzn.to/HiU6Qv 
and Facebook: http://on.fb.me/NwUnQz
 
Buy links:
 
Book 1: Amz US: http://amzn.to/1QAzd88  Amz UK: http://amzn.to/1HYDuB9
Book 2: Amz US: http://amzn.to/1PsL6bR  Amz UK: http://amzn.to/1ndJlZj
Book 3: Amz US: http://amzn.to/1QxR7p5  Amz UK: http://amzn.to/1L7joWG
Book 4: Expected release in mid-April
 
Excerpt:
 
This scene occurs after Andi’s horse throws her, and she breaks her leg. A local mountain man finds her unconscious and brings her to his cabin in the woods where he sets her leg. This is the second day.
 
Blinking the sleep from her eyes, she stared at him. “You shaved,” she said, stunned to see skin on his face instead of hair.
Smiling, he ran his hand over his clean shaven cheeks and chin. “No one can mistake me for Big Foot now.”
Amazed by the transformation, Andi openly stared. She had no idea how incredibly good looking he was under all that hair.
He handed her a plate. “Hungry?”
She looked at his hand as he offered her breakfast, surprised to also find his fingernails clean and neatly trimmed. He even appeared to be wearing a fresh change of clothes and didn’t smell anymore.
“How long was I asleep?” she asked.
“Long enough for me to get most of my chores done. I still have to scrape that bear hide, but that can wait.” He nodded toward the plate on her lap. “Eat up now. I have a surprise for you.”
She grinned. “My crutches?”
“Ah, you spoiled my surprise.”
“How could it be a surprise? You said you were making them today.”
“I didn’t think you’d remember. You were too busy pestering me with questions when I told you.”
Andi stuck her fork in her egg yolk, then dunked her “ham” in it. Although the meat still had a gamey taste, it filled the empty spot in her gut.
“So what kind of work did you do before you became a—a hermit?” she asked.
“Would you believe I was an accountant?”
She giggled. “No, I wouldn’t. Come on, now, really.”
He thought a moment. “Okay, how about an actor in adult films?”
She burst out laughing. “As private as you are? No, I don’t believe that either.”
“A politician?”
“Nope.”
“A wilderness guide?”
“Okay, now that I believe. Were you really?”
He grinned. “Yes, I really was.”
“So why’d you give it up and move out here?”
“Why not?”
“Don’t you have a family?”
His smiling eyes darkened. “No,” he said, rising abruptly. “Look, if you’re through playing twenty questions, I’ll bring in your crutches.”
 

 

Thanks, Joyce. Good luck with the books, and come back any time.

So, here it is, my latest Native American historical romance. You'll find it on my Books page, but I  wanted to feature it here, as well.

Last year I was asked by my community History Club (of which I'm a member) to do a presentation about the fight for women's rights which led to the passage of the 19th Amendment. I did a ton of research, only to be told that the wife of the club president was going to do the presentation herself. Oh well. Around that time I started writing BENEATH AN IRON SKY. I knew who the hero was, but the heroine eluded me. Then I had one of those light-bulb moments. She's a suffragist. Of course. So with all that research under my belt, I created the characters of Philadelphia (Del) Stratton and her Aunt Abigail, a die-hard suffragist at a time when suffragists were thought to be haggard old maids.

Anyway, I was also intrigued by the possibility of two youngsters bonding, only to be separated, and reunited years later as adults. Would the bond be as strong? Would they have outgrown each other? But hey, this is romance, so what do you think?

BENEATH AN IRON SKY is a story of  women's rights, Indian rights, and a love that bridges two worlds at a time when those worlds were at war.

In 1880 Eleven-year-old Philadelphia (Del) Stratton meets fifteen-year-old Crow Eagle, a rebellious Lakota boy, at the Carlisle Indian School in Pennsylvania where her father is an instructor. Wrenched from his people on the reservation and brought to Carlisle to become Americanized, the reluctant but deep bond the belligerent boy forms with the idealistic young girl is severed when he returns to his people.
 
Nine years later they are reunited when Del’s fight for women’s suffrage takes her to Dakota Territory on the verge of statehood. There, Crow Eagle, now a strong warrior, is waging battle to retain his people’s way of life and keep their hope alive through the Ghost Dance. And the friendship that began years earlier blossoms into a forbidden love that will not be denied.

                                ***

Here's an excerpt:

“I want you to come with me,” he said flatly.

It was not what she expected. Her heart gave an involuntary flutter. Was this his way of telling her that he loved her?

“I need someone to speak to the white men for us. Someone who is not afraid.”

Del stared back at him with a frozen expression, overcome with the disappointment of knowing that the only reason he wanted her to go with him was for that reason and not because he loved her.

Flooded with sudden pain, she exclaimed, “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

“You must come,” he said. “You must see what is happening to my people. You must speak to the white men.They will listen to you.”

She swung her slender legs from the bed and went quickly to light a lamp, turning the wick up to its fullest. The passionate spell woven in the dreamy moonlight was broken by the harsh light that spilled into the room. “You think you can seduce me into doing your bidding?”

“Seduce? What is this seduce?”

“It means you used my body to get what you wanted from me.”

He smiled grimly. “Did you not use my body, too?”

Del felt the scalding shame of his words. “You are insufferable,” she snapped.

“I do not know this word,” he said. “But I think I do not like it.”

“You came here for one reason,” Del said accusingly. “To get me to speak to the white men. I presume you mean the commissioners.”

“Yes. But I also wanted—”

“I will not do it,” she said adamantly, cutting him off.

She marched across the room to the window, swiping her blouse from the chair and hastily shrugging back into it, her fingers shaking as she buttoned it. Nodding angrily toward the window, she said, “You can leave the way you came in.”

Crow Eagle stood without moving. His face wore an expression she’d never seen before, black and scowling, cold and set. His stare unnerved her, and for the first time in her life she was afraid of him.

Despite the fury she saw building in his eyes, she stood her ground. “I will not go with you.”

He came toward her with alarming suddenness, causing the flame in the lamp to leap, sending shadows dancing over the walls. Seizing her arm in a ferocious grip, he said threateningly, “You will come.”

Before Del could voice another objection, he circled her waist with one strong arm, cutting off her breath as his other hand clamped down over her mouth.

Hauling her up off her feet, he threw one leg over the sill and climbed through the window with the struggling woman trapped in his arms.

She kicked and thrashed about so much that it took some doing getting her onto his pony’s back, but when she was finally planted firmly in front of him, he gave a sharp kick to his pony’s flanks and tore out of Buffalo Gulch at a gallop.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B019BGILAE
https://smashwords.com/books/view/600211