Inspired by her husband's Lakota Sioux heritage, Eagle (The Last Good Man) illuminates the injustices and stereotypes visited upon Native Americans in this politically charged yet temperate romance. Determined to write the story of her career, freelance journalist Heather Reardon tracks down Native American Kole Kills Crow, a retired Native American rights activist and prison escapee who doesn't wish to be found, in a Minnesota dive. Heather spends a few nights with Kole in his remote cabin as his "hostage" before he finally agrees to be the subject of her article and head one last campaign to bring the plight of his people to the public's attention. During their journey south to Hollywood, the attraction between Heather and Kole turns to love, but first Kole must put the ghosts of his past to rest and find out who wants him dead. Heather and Kole exchange a bevy of one-liners—some witty and some downright corny ("You're nuts." "They come with dessert")—and their chemistry is only a degree above tepid. Overall, this novel succeeds more in piquing the reader's social conscience than in lifting the romantic soul. Agent, Steven Axelrod. (May)
