The Horse Tamer's Challenge

Before Rebecca Bennett's father dies, he makes her swear to do two things: find his lost gold mine and find her sister, Amy, who was kidnapped by Indians, and if Rebecca cannot rescue her, she must kill her. To aid her quest, Rebecca turns to Lucas Swallow, an Indian, who, as it turns out, her father had saved as a boy. Soon, they get word that Rebecca's sister is alive but insane; meanwhile, romance blossoms between Rebecca and Lucas. Meanwhile, mercenaries bent on snagging the Bennett gold are stalking the pair. When Lucas realizes that the only way for Rebecca to fulfill her promise is for her to feign being his captive, he knows that there is almost no chance that they will come out alive. Though both Rebecca and Lucas are deeply stereotypical and their romance is a yawner, Aalborg's depiction of various native cultures offers a nice departure from the standard cowboys and Indians fare. (Feb.)