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26 April 2014

Lisa Carter's Beneath a Navajo Moon


Beneath A Navajo Moon
by Lisa Carter
Abingdon Press 2014
Reviewed by Teresa S. Mathews

5 Stars*****

What a beautiful story this is, you can't ask for a more picturesque setting than the red rock walls of Cedar Canyon, Arizona on the Navajo Reservation. Here the story opens with Olivia Thornton sneaking out of the Cedar Canyon Mission School at dawn to think and pray. Olivia is highly disturbed at the ill treatment of the Navajo children by the hands of the ones that should be showing them the love of Christ. So deep in thought was Olivia, she never heard the man that came up behind her and clamped his hand over her mouth; the man that would forever change the course of her life.

Erin Dawson, cultural anthropologist, and daughter of Missionary parents, has been intrigued by the story of a distant relative that went missing in 1906 while a teacher at the Cedar Canyon Mission School. Erin is basing her dissertation on finding out more on Olivia so when she secures a job at the Information Center in town she takes that as a sign this is where she is supposed to be.

Adam Silverhorn a Cedar Canyon Police Officer is a man on a mission to rid the Reservation of the drugs that are destroying his people. Adam will stop at nothing to do what has to be done. So when Erin shows up he checks her out in more than one way. There is something about this sweet wholesome woman that draws him to her.

When Erin's car breaks down in the middle of nowhere and her cell phone has no signal Erin walks to the only place nearby to seek help. The local honky-tonk wasn't the best place for Erin to walk into but she didn't have much choice so she bravely goes in. Almost as soon as she enters Erin is accosted by several men, she is thankful when the dangerously handsome Adam Silverhorn comes to her rescue whispering in her ear to go along with the story she is one of his many girlfriends. Holding her close Erin notices he reeks of alcohol but when he pulls her in for a kiss to carry out the charade there is nothing there but the taste of peppermint. What is this larger than life man up to? Could he be just another cop on the take or is he a man who will do anything to catch the ones responsible for the drugs that are showing up here on his sacred homeland?

The more time Erin spends with Adam the more intrigued she is with him, there is so much more to this man than he lets on. He seems to be torn between two worlds; the sin filled one his vindictive grandfather wants to lure him into and the one his godly mother and uncle have raised him to believe in. Will Erin be able to help him choose between right and wrong? Both have decisions to make that may take them down very different paths.

Having been introduced to Lisa Carter's writing after reading her debut novel Carolina Reckoning I knew I was in for a treat with this one. Let me tell you I was not disappointed!! Once again Lisa has woven a tale with beautiful words and descriptive scenery that will draw you in and make you feel as if you are there seeing everything first hand. I also loved how Lisa tied in Olivia's story with modern day life on the Reservation. You can tell a lot of research went into this book. Thanks Lisa for all the hard work! I can't wait for your next story!


***Thanks to Abingdon Press and NetGalley for providing me 
a copy of this in exchange for my honest opinion.***


You may purchase this book and others by Lisa at AmazonCBD, and Barnes and Noble and other bookstores.




20 comments:

  1. Love that this story is set in Cedar Canyon, Arizona, as that is on my list of places I would LOVE to visit in the US!! Whenever the Lord chooses to bless me in doing so that is... Although I surely hope this is not God's only way of having me 'visit' lol! Thank you for that wonderful review TERESA, 'Beneath A Navajo Moon' sounds so fabulous... It's going to the top of my Amazon Wishlist!! :)

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    1. NOELA I won't it be grand when you get to come visit? I can't wait for that day! :-) Lisa is a fantastic writer that made me feel like I was right there sharing this beautiful place with the characters!

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  2. Wonderful and enticing review, TERESA! I was raised in Tucson, Arizona and lived there until I was 20. I recently watched a documentary about the plight of the Navajos on the reservations. It was so sad to see the poor treatment this regal Indian tribe has endured from the very beginning. :(

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    1. DIANA I hope one day I can visit Arizona, not sure I would want to encounter some of the wildlife there but the scenery would be grand!

      You would think that the Native Americans would be treated better after all they have been through. It's so sad!

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  3. What a wonderful review. This sounds like a wonderful book and one I need to add to my TBR stack. Thank you for sharing.
    Blessings

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    1. KATRINA thanks for droppin in with me today! I hope you do get to read this book, it was very enthralling! Lisa is a terrific author!

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  4. I would love to read it sounds so romantic and also I have visited Arazons so know what it's like over there in the beautiful desert.
    oh.hello.hiya@gmail.com

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  5. DANIE I'm so jealous that you have been to Arizona, maybe one day I'll get to visit there too! Yes this does have a nice romance between Erin and Adam! :-) It will keep you guessing to as to what is coming next too! It certainly is a great read!

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  6. What a great review of what sounds like a great book. Will have to check out Lisa's books -- they surely sound great and if 'mom' loves them I'm sure I will love them too! :)

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    1. MARIAN all of Lisa's book are wonderful and I KNOW you will like them. :-)

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  7. Sounds like an interesting book. I have been to Arizona, but it has been awhile and I have only seen a very smLl pRt of the state. Another book to put on that TBR pile...
    Vicki

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    1. VICKI if I had been to as many place as you I would probably forget where I had been! lol You are blessed to be able to see so many different cities. Thanks for dropping by! :-)

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  8. Sounds like a great and intriguing story. I'm looking forward to reading it!

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    1. Hi KAY this book is very intriguing!! I hope you get a chance to read it! Thanks for dropping by! :-)

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  9. The book sounds great I loved your descriptions
    Please have a terrific day
    God bless u
    Chris

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    1. CHRIS it's good to "see" you! Thanks for coming by today! :-)

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  10. Teresa - thanks for the wonderful review of "Beneath a Navajo Moon"!!

    The cover is beautiful!! Sounds like a wonderful book with an unusual story line!! Like you - I like weaving both time periods together, and I have always had sympathy for the Native American. I don't think the U.S. has treated them fairly, "The Trail of Tears" is one example of such injustice.

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  11. BONNIE you are so right about how the Native Americans were treated. I have read stories about the Trail of Tears and wondered if any of my relatives were forced to move. My mom's Grandmother was American Indian, we think it is Cherokee but are not 100% sure.

    Thanks for coming by, it's always fun "chatting" with you! I hope you get to read Lisa's books soon, I know you will love them! :-)

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  12. Hello girls. Always glad to visit OWG. And nice to meet another author I've not known. I love books about Indians. And, that cover is an eye-catcher. I have always hated that the Indians were treated so bad.I also have some Indian in my ancestry on both sides of the family. Just wish I had more information on them. My great-grandparents moved to Texas from the Carolinas. This looks like a very good book and will take these dear friends word that it is. Hope to read it at some time. Maxie

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    1. Hi MAXIE I too love books about Indians and LISA has written a really great book. Hopefully you'll get to read it soon! Thanks for coming by and making my night! :-)

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