Snow Flower

About the Book

Ista Sihu was found amid the burnt out rubble of a wagon train.  The shaman who found the baby only kept it because his wife had recently lost a babe.  It was to be a gift to her to help her heal.

Returning home with the babe he was surprised to find it was a worthless girl child, not the boy child he had hoped it would be.  Remembering the vision quest he had, shortly before finding the child, he thought that he was meant to have this child.  His dream quest spoke of a bridge between the red and white worlds.  A warrior woman.

Ista Sihu was raised as an Indian child.  She thought she was Indian, even though her skin was not the color of the others.  Parts of her, not exposed to the sun, were much paler.  She was competitive with the boys and plagued with dreams of being a warrior.

Discussing her dreams, one day with her father, they both became convinced that she was this awaited bridge.  A plan was formed to educate her in how to be a warrior.  This plan was to be carried out in secret as much as possible.  Her mother was not pleased to hear of this turn of events.  Her mother insisted that she learn women’s duties as well.  Her shaman father felt she should learn shaman duties as well.  Their plans for her were ambitious, but fit in well with her plans.  Her father set about choosing a warrior good enough, and trustworthy, to train her in warrior ways.

Grow with Ista Sihu.  Struggle with her training to be a warrior; her waiting acceptance as a warrior; to be a good shaman, as was her father; and share her vision dreams.  Bear her pain and shame at being raped, beaten, and bearing a child without an acknowledged father.  Feel the love growing between her and the chief’s son.  Feel the warped love of the other warrior that wishes for her to be his wife, and learn what he does to try and capture her heart.

Learn of the white man’s attempts to rescue white children from the grips of their Indian captors.  Their tenacity to uncover the white woman they have heard tales of and how providence has kept her out of their clutches.  One lone Indian scout for the white man is determined to find this white woman and hunts her relentlessly.  When he finally discovers who she is providence, again steps in, to remove her from his grasp.

Ista Sihu’s name is declared as Snow Flower, to indicate she is the bridge to the white man’s world.  The members of her village rally around her, believing the vision dream to be their salvation.  That Snow Flower WAS their salvation.  She becomes a respected member of their village, as a shaman, a warrior, a wife, and mother.  She is content with her lot in life and willing to be this bridge.

Feel the tragedy and grief of her loved ones and village, when this bridge fails to accomplish what was meant to be.

About the Author

LINDA MUNN, currently on sabbatical from the working world, is busy following her dream. She and her companion are enjoying this time together. Devoting her time to her writing has kept her busy. Hawk is her fourth published work. Other works available are: Snow Flower; H.A.L.; and Hear Me Roar.