by Genevieve Graham
Series: The MacDonnells #3
Genres: Historical Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
The Cherokee call her Shadow Girl. A white woman adopted by Indians, Adelaide is haunted by the dark dreams she hides—of her murdered family, of the men she fears, and most of all, of the ones that foretell the future. After her visions cause her to make a terrible mistake, she renounces her power and buries her dreams deep in her soul. Until Jesse Black is captured by the tribe. His life is spared because the Cherokee believe his warrior spirit belongs to their fallen brother. Though he hates all Indians, Adelaide illuminates their way of life for him, just as he shines light into her shadowed heart. But when her dreams return, Jesse must help her face them…or die trying…
Last year I read and enjoyed Sound of Heart book two in Genevieve Graham’s MacDonnells series and truly enjoyed the tale. In Somewhere to Dream we meet Adelaide, a young white woman adopted by the Cherokee Indians and named Shadow Girl. Mini review: authentic, heart-warming and powerful.
We meet Adelaide and her sister Maggie after they and their family are attacked by a group of outlaws and rescued by a group of Cherokee. The two young girls are mended and accepted into the tribe. Struggling with visions and a terrible mistake, she shuts herself off from her gift until a young white man is captured and accepted into the tribe. The tale that unfolds is both heart-warming and brutal. I literally consumed this tale, and found myself fascinated by both the characters and the world around them.
Adelaide is named Shadow Girl by the Cherokee and rightly so. She prefers to live in her sister’s shadow, lives in fear from the past and fears her powerful dreams that foretell of things to come. You cannot help but feel for this young girl, as she struggles to overcome and embraces the Cherokee people. Jesse Black is a young white man, filled with anger. His eyes have often appeared in Adelaide’s dream, and she is drawn to him. Jessie is captured by the Cherokee, but Soquili believes he is his brother’s spirit reborn, and he is accepted into the fold. The two are thrust together; learning from each other and members of the tribe. I enjoyed getting to know some of the tribe members and their beliefs. Graham brought them to life and captured their spirit.
Graham beautifully captured these two damaged souls in Somewhere to Dream. Their histories are gut wrenching and sadly stories that occurred all over the untamed West. She takes us into the daily lives of the Cherokee, their beliefs and even dealings with the white man. The relationship that develops between Jesse and Adelaide is slow building. It finds its foundation on trust and healing. Graham allows us to see both sides of the struggle to claim the West, the cultural obstacles and heartaches. I personally would have liked another two hundred pages and greater detail of the period and the Cherokee culture, but Graham did an excellent job of portraying them. She doesn’t skimp on the brutal reality of this cold wilderness, and while not overly detailed it ripped at my heart and made me cringe. To see a culture so loving and in the next breath so violent was frightening. At its core Somewhere to Dream is a spiritual journey of healing, acceptance and ultimately love.
Somewhere to Dream is filled with love, heartbreak and realism. It is a breathless journey through history to the wild plains of America and one not to be missed. Other books in the MacDonnells series are Under the Same Sky, and Sound of Heart taking you from Scotland to America in the 1700s.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Anna
I was planning on keeping it for myself. Then I read your comment on would I give it as a gift. I guess if I won it would make a good gift for someone I know. I would hope they would let me read them when they were finished.
kimbacaffeinate
ooh good idea 🙂 Anna
kimberlybuggie
This sounds like a pretty cool read. I’m glad you would recommend it. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Kimberly 🙂
Jana Leah
Both. Thanks for the giveaway.
kimbacaffeinate
Good luck Jana 🙂
Pamela D
This sounds like an interesting romance. I usually keep to the regency era, but I might have to check this one out.
If I win the prize, and I think I would keep some items for me and share some of them with my friends. 🙂 Gotta share the love!
kimbacaffeinate
It is always more fun to share, and I love the Regency best, but like these little diversions into America.
Felicia S. (
So this is totally a book I would pick up based on the cover. It is such a throwback cover that I think I am just a little bit in love!
kimbacaffeinate
I like the cover too 🙂
Michelle
You sold me with your mini review alone. I know this may sound strange but lately I have been having a problem with characters seeming inauthentic. I never even knew that would be a problem I would be having with a book, but I am happy to see that you enjoyed this one.
Also, on a side note, I haven’t read the art of letting go but I read the excerpt and I liked it so much that I had to put it up on my blog. AND I bought a copy for myself. I have no idea when I will be able to squeeze it into my TBR but the review will be coming up sometime… lol
kimbacaffeinate
I want that book…LOL and thanks for your comments on Somwhere Dream.
Lily B
Well that sounds very different. I love untamed West stories and these characters sounds like they made the book deep and exciting! Always love good character writing.
kimbacaffeinate
This was delightful, and thanks for all the lovely comments today Lily <3
Heidi
I haven’t read a book featuring Native Americans in forever. This sounds like a good one, and I totally love that choker necklace she is wearing on the cover!
kimbacaffeinate
*scrolls up to look at choker again* Yes, I agree it is nice, course it’s probably made of animal bone..hehehe.
A Voracious Reader
I haven’t read this author. Will need to add this series to the ol’ TBR. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Ooo you are in for a treat my dear. Thanks 🙂
Melissa (Books and Things)
I have stayed away from books like this because they often bastardize a culture and I usually don’t like it. However, this one seems much more sensitive even though there isn’t enough culture. 🙂 Your review convinced me to give this author a try in this kind of romance! I’ve read a couple of her other historicals and enjoyed them a lot. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
No she did a wonderful job of showing the Cherokee people, and while it isn’t always glamorous it is authentic.
Janice Hougland
I haven’t read anything by Genevieve before but most certainly will now. I purchased one of her books yesterday on Amazon. I can hardly wait to read it! Thanks for this post. I love early American historical romance…there is not enough written about America in that genre. Thanks!
kimbacaffeinate
I enjoy this genre and American setting as well Janice. Sadly I do not think there is nearly enough fictional tales written about it. Enjoy and I hope you like Graham’s work.
Tammy
Keep it but after I’m done reading the books donate them to my local library.
kimbacaffeinate
I am all like what?!? Then I realized you were answering a question on the rafflecopter. I think that is a wonderful idea! Good luck Tammy 🙂
Candace
This sounds pretty good! I haven’t read a ton of books with a theme like this, so it would be a nice change of pace. And I like books with Native Americans, as long as it’s authentic feeling (like you said it is).
If I won I would probably keep it! At least until after I read them myself!
kimbacaffeinate
Graham weaves facts into her tales making them feel authentic.:)
aurian
Hmm this sounds right up my alley, adding it to the wishlist.
kimbacaffeinate
I do believe you would enjoy this as well as the other books in this series Aurian. 🙂
Debbie Haupt
Oh wow I love these kinds of novels
thanks for the contest
and it’s mine all mine hehehehehhe 😉
kimbacaffeinate
hahaha, you are too funny Debbie..good luck!
Mary
When I was younger, I used to devour these kinds of stories (I seem to remember one particularly passionate Johanna Lindsay…) but they just make me sad these days. I suppose because I know more of the history of that time. Still, this one sounds really good!
kimbacaffeinate
This was a dark time, but I do find the Cherokee’s beliefs, spirits and interaction to be fascinating.
kindlemom1
I don’t know a whole lot about the Cherokee culture but this one sounds like you really enjoyed it!
kimbacaffeinate
Thank you Ali, I have read quite a few books for this time period and each time I learn something new.
Jenea
The Cherokee culture is so interesting. Adelaide and Jesse sound like they need each other. Sounds great!
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed Jenea, I find there culture and beliefs to be fascinating.
Jeann
Wow, the whole exploration into Cherokee culture would be interesting here. Sounds really different!
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed and like I said I would have loved 200 more pages of those details 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
Okay, this one is different. Now I am intrigued. I love the cover, it feels old-timey but works.
kimbacaffeinate
does it feel 1700’s..lol. This was interesting, I cannot imagine living in the West during this period.
Tanja
I like the cover for this one so pretty. Also I don’t remember reading a book about 1700 and that should be really interesting. Great review, Kim 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
thank you Tanya, this was interesting 🙂
Lauren
Wow, this is unlike any story I’ve ever read. It sounds like it could be a quite intense, emotional read. But I’m glad to hears there’s a slow-developing romance as well. Wonderful review, I’ll have to add this to my TBR list!
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Lauren, her books are very well done 🙂