For the DEFIANCE of a nation. For the DEFENSE of a tribe. For the LOVE of a war woman.War woman Fierce Mink has loved Tall Bull as long as memory. He is beauty and power, but in the secret pockets of her spirit, he is vastly more. He is the brave to whom she swore her heart, the friend to whom she owes her life, and the chief to whom she will never be bound. Soon, he will be required to take a … to take a wife, but lamentably, Mink is severe, intimidating, hard-bitten by war—qualities a man appreciates in combat, not so under the bearskins. But perhaps it’s best he’s blind to her, for he clings viciously to the Beloved Path, and unbeknownst to him, she has joined her fire with Jesus.
Since his youth, Chief Tall Bull has treasured Mink. Even now, in their turbulent refugee world, she is comfort; she is home. Better yet, she shares his passion to preserve the Beloved Path and his fight to start anew in a land where they are no longer hunted. Then, a startling omen: before the blood moon, Tall Bull must make restitution for his transgressions, or the spirits will take payment. From her. A tragedy he would die to prevent.
Another portent looms—that of a horde of bluecoat soldiers pecking at their borders, threatening to drive the Red Stick Defiance into uninhabitable swamps. The Defiance will not go quietly, and as Tall Bull prepares for a brutal strike, he realizes the bluecoats aren’t his only enemy, and Mink’s life isn’t all he stands to lose.
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Gardner’s rich and vibrant storytelling speaks to the mind, heart, and spirit. The historical time period, the divergence of cultures, and each individual’s story are intriguing, immersive, and compelling.
Mink is a deliciously multifaceted character… bold, fearless, fierce Red Stick warrior, fledgling Christ-follower, insecure, love-struck woman.
Tall Bull is an unintentional master of mixed messages. His actions are often in opposition to his heart’s desire and he seems to inadvertently and repeatedly sabotage himself with his pride and temper.
If you haven’t picked up this saga yet, I implore you to do so! Start soaking up the devotion, passion, and faith within these stories today! Be reminded of the diversity of cultural traditions within the Church and encouraged by our unity in Christ. Our God is Lord of All and there is no people group beyond His reach.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.
WOW, WOW, WOW! April Gardner has done it again! From the very first sentence until the very last, I was captivated and held spellbound!
Mink is a war woman in the Creek Nation. She has sworn protection, devotion, and love to Tall Bull and is viciously loyal to him. She has loved him with her whole heart forever, but Tall Bull does not share her belief in Jesus Christ and that’s the one thing in which she will not yield. Will the horrors of war, starvation, and death of loved ones bring them closer together or push them further apart?
Sometimes it takes losing all we hold dear, to make us realize how precious the things we have really are.
One of the best Historical fiction on the ways, customs and superstitions of the American Indians that I have read. Gardner certainly has researched and brought her characters to life……This book is the story of Fierce Mink a Muscogee Senior Warrior and Chief Tall Bull. Mink has loved Tall Bull all her life, since a small child when she followed him everywhere he went. He has taught her how to become a great warrior. He thinks of her as a sister and is devoted to her. Thinking herself homely, she has resigned herself to being the protector for her “heart” and watching him wed another. There is so much detail of the Indian life, wars and enemies to hold you spellbound. How they obtained their food during the lean times. Also how they chose their mates. It also ends beautifully…… I highly recommend this book to all who loves reading about the ways and tribal customs of the American Indian. I was gifted this book and my review is in my own words, loved it.
Once again, the author drew me into this book with the ease of a magician. Her lyrical treatment of each scene, rich in metaphors, is second to none and she seems to have a true understanding and respect for First Nations people and their traditions and culture. This is Mink and Tall Bull’s story – one that I was originally sceptical about reading. I had met them before in other books, and frankly, Tall Bull wasn’t easy to like back then. But somehow, by her masterful glimpses into his inner man, I was swung over to his side with true empathy. I’m at a loss for other words. When a book just won’t leave your mind long after the last page has been read – that’s when you know it’s genuinely excellent. Since this is book five in a series, I highly recommend reading the other books first. Even though I am a fan of the series, I did find some of the people and battles hard to keep straight. Fortunately, the author did include a cast of characters, a glossary, and other interesting supplemental material, which helped. That being said, I was so captivated by the ‘real’ story of these two heroic and honourable people, that the other details really didn’t matter to me in the end. The thought that came to mind was that this entire series needs to be made into a TV mini-series.
Bravo to Mrs. April Gardner for this beautiful Native-American Novel. Do not pick this one up for a quick read. It is very lengthy and deep. Mrs. Gardner carries the reader away with breathtaking and gripping prose. Many scenes throughout the story are intense as was the time period and setting. The historical accounts are rich, detailed and accurate as much as possible. The author explains in more accuracy how the history and fiction work together in the “Author’s Notes” at the end of the book. The gospel is well presented throughout the chapters. The love story is achingly beautiful. The pain, loss and desire are penned so gracefully. I caught myself holding my breath more than once. The political unrest and battles/war were a little confusing for me, if not hard to follow but all in all I loved it! I HIGHLY recommend Love the War Women to historical fiction enthusiast especially those interested in Native-American culture.
This was a lovely read, rich in tradition, and true to culture and setting. I did not read the previous books. I’m sure this would have been a smoother read if I had. The story is still beautiful and haunting. I loved the tender side of Tall Bull, as he spoke of his feelings for Mink. I loved Mink’s faith and her steadfast love for Tall Bull. Just a wonderful read!
Love this author and her series on the Creek Indians! This book will take you into the world of a woman warrior! She is brave, loyal, and fierce! Mink loves her tribe, her God, and her “heart” , Tall Bull! Learn about traditions, ceremonies, and customs of the Creek nation. Looking forward to more books by this author.
April Gardner has written a book rich in history, and with deep knowledge of the Native American culture; their customs, traditions, and even speech patterns. The story flows in a poetic way, and the characters are both profound and intense. While you’ll instantly love some of the personalities, others will take a while to warm up to as they grow and have heart changes. Some you won’t like. Ever. And that’s okay. Gardner did a fabulous job of bringing all of them to life.
When I first started this book, I knew it would be good if it compared to the other books in the series. But it went so far above my expectations. I was reading as fast as I could simply because I needed to see how situations were resolved. Edge of the seat is the perfect way to describe Love the War Woman. And you will love her; the strength, honesty, and loyalty shown is incredible. And yes, this is book five in the series, but you could read it as a standalone with very little trouble.
If you enjoy Christian historical fiction and are interested in other cultures, you will love this book!
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was not required to leave a review.