Saturday, February 11, 2012

Walks Alone by Sandi Rog - Must Read

by Dina Sleiman

Last year as I composed my favorite book list, I so wanted to include Walks Alone by Sandi Rog. One tiny problem. It hadn't been released yet. As a WhiteFire editor, I enjoyed an advanced preview. But now it's available for ebooks, and this is definitely one you'll want to get your hands on A.S.A.P. From the gorgeous cover, to the hot Indian hero, to the thrilling romantic storyline, to the emotional and spiritual depth, this book has it all. And since I technically served on the editorial staff, I'm going to let someone else gush about it for me. But first let me just say that when I finished this novel the very rare thought, "I wish I wrote that," went through my head. Which pretty much puts Sandi up there with Francine Rivers, Lisa Samson, and Roseanna White in my book. And I will also tell you that when I got to the scene where Anna was bathing near the waterfall while White Eagle stood by ready to capture her, I was 100% sold on this book.

Okay, enough. Enjoy!

A Cheyenne warrior bent on vengeance.

A pioneer woman bent on fulfilling a dream.

Until their paths collide.

After fleeing her abusive uncle, Anna is determined to reach the city of her dreams. But White Eagle and his fierce warriors take her prisoner. Anna attempts a harrowing escape, but her savage captor is determined to have her at all costs and forces her to be his wife. Has God forgotten her, or does He have plans of His own?

A man with a boot in one world and a moccasin in the other, White Eagle is disillusioned with his faith after a minister leads a massacre on his peaceful tribe. Where is his God? He’s definitely not with the white men who are slaughtering his people. But White Eagle also can’t give in to the idolatry practiced by his fellow tribesmen. Only the Truth can set him free.

And it’s found in beautiful Anna’s carpetbag.

Review by Diana Flowers: (you can see more of Diana's reviews at Overcoming Through Time)

Sandi Rog has crafted an unforgettable, gripping tale of a young Dutch woman who comes to America to find her dream, and ends up in the savage wilderness abode of the Cheyenne Indians! Ten year old, Anna van Stralen has left her homeland of Holland, along with her beloved widowed father, to find their dream in Colorado Territory. Upon reaching America's shore, Anna's father passes away and she is left in her abusive uncle's care for six long, miserable years. Anna, however, never loses sight of her dream, and scrimps and saves every penny until she is able to catch a train to Denver, far away from her uncle. Because of her naivete, something goes terribly awry, and Anna finds herself on the back of a horse, held captive by the fearsome Cheyenne, and headed into the savage wilderness home of the Indians.

White Eagle is disturbingly handsome, with mesmerizing blue-green eyes, and speaks English better than Anna. In exchange for Anna's freedom and safe passage to Denver City, she agrees to a platonic marriage to White Eagle, a kindhearted but fierce man as well, with a terrible, haunting secret. As Anna learns to live alongside of these gentle, but strange people, she learns some valuable lifelong lessons about prejudice, the color of a man's skin, and the true beauty that lies within a person.

Who is this tenderhearted, but deceitful, fierce man she has married, called White Eagle, and will she ever make it to the place of her and her father's dreams? Is the answer to all of her dreams right inside of her carpetbag? Will she ever be able to let go of her bitterness towards God because of the abuse she has suffered? Will White Eagle find forgiveness in his heart towards the white man, and find peace with God?

Sandi Rog has written a beautiful story of forgiveness and forbidden love--heartrending, exciting, and heartwarming--it's all in there. White Eagle is based on a true character in our country's history, who Sandi Rog gleaned a lot of the Cheyenne's cultural practices from, and lends to the authenticity of the storyline. With a deep spiritual thread throughout, a lot of twists and turns, and a climactic, satisfying conclusion, this one will definitely have the reader burning the midnight oil! Very nicely done, Sandi Rog!

And here's where you can get Walks Alone:

Also, as some of you may know, Sandi has spent the last year fighting (and praise the Lord winning) a rough battle with cancer. She is still tired and recovering. So let's all help her by supporting and spreading the word about this amazing book. Learn more about Sandi at her blog: http://sandirog.blogspot.com/  And check out Sandi's other awesome books set in the Roman empire as well: The Master's Wall and Yahshua's Bridge.

Do you like Indian heroes or immigrant heroines? How about a Colorado setting? If you have any thoughts or questions for me or Sandi about the book, please leave us a comment.
                                                                            

20 comments:

  1. This makes me more frustrated as Walks Alone is on my Kindle and I haven't gotten to it yet. Argh!


    I know I'm going to love it from everything you've said and it's storyline. And because I know Sandi's writing!
    I think she wrote this before she went to her biblical era settings for The Master's Wall and Yahushua's Bridge. How's that for two completely different places to park your brain?

    Thanks Dina, and congratulations Sandi on another winner!

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  2. Yes, Deb, I think she wrote this quite a while ago. From a historical perspective, it's really incredible, and looks at a side of history most Christian romance avoids.

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  3. What a great surprise to see Walks Alone mentioned here! Thank you Dina, and thank you again, Diana for such a lovely review. It makes me want to read my own book! LOL

    (I tried leaving a comment already. I hope this goes through!)

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  4. Hi, Sandi. Glad you were feeling well enough to stop by today :)

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  5. Oh, this book is so wonderfully done and contains all of the elements I love - romance, action, adventure, suspense, and so much more! Deb, you're in for such a treat. And I wholeheartedly agree with Dina - WA looks at a slice of history overlooked in the CBA yet so needed. Nothing cliche or trite about it and the history is impeccable. I know readers will love the story for its uniqueness and the heartfelt emotion. Love seeing it highlighted here:) Can't wait till it's out in book format, too! Prayers with Sandi and her precious family!

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  6. Laura, I love the way your books look at Native American history too. Every time I think "American set historical" my mind immediately goes to slaves and Indians. Then my agent says no. LOL! My new book has some subplot stuff involving both slaves and Indians. Hopefully it will slip by since it isn't the main point of the book.

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  7. Dina, what a great endorsement. Thank you also for posting Diana's review. This sounds like a wonderful book. I have it on my Nook wishlist so I can see what you've been raving about in the secret underground inky cave.

    Sandi, God bless you! I'm praying you'll get your strength back very soon and that you'll be in complete remission!

    By the way... that cover is simply ... wow. I just can't find the words. It's simply amazing.

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  8. Suzie, I'll tell you a secret. Roseanna did that cover herself. She knew exactly what she wanted and just went for it.

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  9. She is so awesome. Her talent is endless, isn't it? ;-)

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  10. Well, I know we sold one book here, Sandi. My friend Sharon grabbed it based on the post today!

    I have three books going (reading) and then Walks Alone will pop up next in queue.

    I'm so glad you were feeling well enough to stop in Sandi as you are still receiving treatments. What a testimony to God's grace and your courage this last year has been. And kudos to WhiteFire for grabbing this one up!

    Nice to see Laura here. Say hello to Red Shirt for us!

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  11. This one sounds really good. I'm all for hunky heroes! :D

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  12. Oh, DeAnna, you will not be disappointed ;)

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  13. I've got this on my kindle and haven't read it yet...it sounds so good! What an endorsement, Dina. Thanks for sharing!

    Roseanna did the cover? WOW. It's gorgeous!

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  14. We are so blessed to have Diana Flowers as our Senior Reviewer at Overcoming Through Time - With God's Help and we are looking forward to having Sandi Rog visit with us soon. We are SO THRILLED about her testimony of God's help in her battle for her life! This book sounds amazing and awaits me on my Kindle. Great review, Diana!

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  15. Sandi, you are so welcome! Thank YOU for writing such a wonderful book. You really should read it. LOL!

    Thank you, Carrie. I'm the blessed one! I'm also looking forward to Sandi's visit on Overcoming Through Time-With God's Help very soon.

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  16. Hi Carrie and Diana, thanks for stopping by. And thanks again, Diana, for letting us use your review.

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  17. Sheesh, how did I miss this when it posted? It's like I had a busy weekend or something . . . oh wait--two birthday parties and a trip out of town. Yep! =)

    I have to agree with Dina and Diana and Laura on Sandi's awesomeness. This was definitely a no-brainer for WhiteFire, especially since I, too, am a sucker for Native American hunky heroes! We immediately nixed any cover that didn't have him on there at least a little. ;-)

    And thanks on the cover compliments! Sandi's actually the one who knew exactly what she wanted, based on that fake cover I did for Dina's back in the day. So we hired a fabulous costume designer, my niece played the part of beautiful Anna, and away we went! As all the elements came together, we knew exactly when we'd hit upon HIT, from font to arrangement to photo selection. Gotta say I'm tickled with how well it turned out. =)

    Goooooo, Sandi!

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  18. That would be "hit upon IT" not hit. Oy.

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  19. Hi,
    Thanks for the awesome review! I have read 'The Master's Wall' and I am really looking forward to reading this book as well. I do not have a kindle, so I am unable to download it. When does the print version come out?

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  20. June 15th. You can pre-order now, though.

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