Mallory Tompkins wanted adventure. She found it when she headed west to Fort Larned. There she met the intriguing naturalist Matt Bower, a mute whose life was devoted to traveling and recording information about the plants and inhabitants of the western territories.

But Matt is not who he seems. When the real Matthew Bower died, Gold Eagle, a white man living as a Cheyenne, decided to study Matts journals and take on his identity to find out what was happening at the fort. He had no idea that a woman like Mallory would be waiting for him.

Lt. Charles Tierneys hatred of the Cheyenne is palpable. He will do whatever he must to get rid of them and take possession of Mallory. Only Matt Bower stands in his way.

When Mallory uncovers Gold Eagles secret, he cannot risk leaving her behind when he leaves the fort. Mallory becomes his hostage, traveling with him to the Cheyenne village.

Caught between ruthless men like Lt. Tierney and concerned generals, Gold Eagle and Mallory must fight for his people and their love.

Elaine Barbieri has been writing Indian romances for more than a decade and she is an expert at bringing Native American culture as well as the plight of the People to readers time and again in powerful, well-crafted tales. EAGLE is no exception. Readers will easily fall in love with Gold Eagle and wish they were Mallory. SENSUAL (Jan., 400 pp., $5.99)

—Kathe Robin