Whitehorse [Mass Market Paperback]

Johnny has publicly denounced the Senator's assert duplicity that has destroyed the Apache economy, which heavily invested in the Apache Casino and Resort Development firm that has since failed. Johnny plans to expose Foster as the force behind the bankruptcy. When Johnny and Leah meet for the first time since her father ended their relationship, the sparks still fly between them, but he has never forgiven her betrayal. Still he knows that he still loves Leah. While Johnny drives with his girl friend, another vehicle deliberately knocks them off the road. His girl friend dies and Johnny is injured. Johnny strongly feels the Senator is behind the vehicular homicide. He also knows that exposing the vile person probably ends his chances of reconciling with Leah.

WHITEHORSE is an exciting romantic suspense novel that highlights what can happen to Native Americans when the casino fails to turn a profit. The story line is intriguing, but no different from several other identical plots that have appeared on the market in the past few years. The lead characters are a warm couple whose star-crossed love will garner reader empathy. Katherine Sutcliffe writes an action-packed, dilemma-laden Native American romance that will please her myriad of fans.

Harriet Klausner

Johnny Whitehorse is a modern day Apache Native American who happens to also be very successful. He has a law degree, is known far and wide as a very famous model, and also is a popular actor. In addition, he owns several thriving businesses and is very active in politics as he fights for the rights of his people, the Mescalero Apache. Yes, it sounds like a bit much for someone to achieve by the mere age of thirty but that thought never occurred until now - as I write this review. I was so immersed in Johnny's character that I didn't think about his overwhelming success in nearly everything. However, Johnny has experienced at least one great failure that he cannot seem to forget and that was losing his first love, a senator's daughter by the name of Leah.

Leah Foster Starr is a practicing large animal veterinarian, the mother of a disabled child with cerebral palsy, divorced, and unfortunately, the daughter of a senator. She has never gotten along well with her father, particularly after he forced her to break off her relationship with Johnny Whitehorse, her first love, and seemingly, her only love. She has moved back to the town where she grew up and is barely making enough money to support herself, her son and his live in caretaker, and pay for all his medical bills and equipment. She grabs happiness wherever she may - particularly with her son, but life is hard and we find her expressing her anger and frustration at life more than a little in the opening pages of the book. She knows that Johnny is occasionally back in town and hopes fervently not to see him. She believes he hates her - he certainly has reason to do so. And she knows without doubt that she doesn't hate him in the least.

Johnny is back in town. He now owns the horse ranch Leah's father had once owned. Once he sees Leah again, after twelve years, it is not long before he realizes he can't leave her alone. They both fight, uselessly, their mutual attraction and find themselves caught up in some pretty serious complications. But this story, although primarily a romance, is also about so much more. We read about the plight of many Native Americans, the joys and sorrows of a child with cerebral palsy, and some of the intricacies of horse racing. Not all of this can be addressed in depth in one novel, but Sutcliffe is successful in bringing together many scenarios to produce a novel that is rich in experience of many subjects we don't often see written in romance novels. It was totally engrossing and even had an element of suspense. The chemistry between Johnny and Leah is strong and consistently present throughout. The sensual scenes are a strong 4.0 out of 5.0 (see More About Me for rating guidelines).

Overall, Whitehorse has won a place on my keeper shelf. After a string of reading humdrum novels, it was great to find I hadn't lost my interest in romance reading - I had just not chosen the right book. I now am looking for more books from Sutcliffe's backlist. She has proven to be an author I can count on to deliver a great story and delicious romance.

Johnny Whitehorse is a successful actor and model, as well as the owner of Whitehorse Farm, but his success seems to be bittersweet because those who meant the most to him are not there to share it. Johnny files a lawsuit and is representing thousands of Native Americans who feel their money is being mismanaged by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and if that isn't enough some of the shading dealings lead right back to Leah's father, Senator Foster.

Before the dust settles on this one, someone will be dead, some won't know whom to trust, and others will see the truth for what it is. The ending is very satisfying.