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When the Heart is Right
When Washington D.C. socialite Alessandra O’Quinn is diagnosed with tuberculosis, she must face certain death at home, or leave everything she knows to seek a cure in the dry desert air of New Mexico.
Arriving at her new home, Alessandra is introduced to the local Taos Indians. Most importantly, she is introduced to shaman Manuel Mondragon. Renowned among his people as a leader and a healer, Man is handsome, intriguing… and promised to a young Taos Indian girl.
Man informs Alessandra her sickness is caused by her spirit. As she learns how to heal her body, Alessandra finds herself fighting to save her true self, as well as her heart.
In 1920s New Mexico, these aren’t the only battles she will fight. With Alessandra’s connections and knowledge of politics, she joins the local people in the fight against the Bureau of Indian Affairs for the rights to Blue Lake, where the tribe believes their ancient culture was created out of the sacred waters. As a place of ritual worship, the lake is essential to their religion and everyday life.
Set against the rich cultural background of the Taos Indians, this story of politics, male domination, racism, and love against all odds will capture your attention from the very first page until the unanticipated ending.
**PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED UNDER THE TITLE INDIAN AFFAIRS**
Arriving at her new home, Alessandra is introduced to the local Taos Indians. Most importantly, she is introduced to shaman Manuel Mondragon. Renowned among his people as a leader and a healer, Man is handsome, intriguing… and promised to a young Taos Indian girl.
Man informs Alessandra her sickness is caused by her spirit. As she learns how to heal her body, Alessandra finds herself fighting to save her true self, as well as her heart.
In 1920s New Mexico, these aren’t the only battles she will fight. With Alessandra’s connections and knowledge of politics, she joins the local people in the fight against the Bureau of Indian Affairs for the rights to Blue Lake, where the tribe believes their ancient culture was created out of the sacred waters. As a place of ritual worship, the lake is essential to their religion and everyday life.
Set against the rich cultural background of the Taos Indians, this story of politics, male domination, racism, and love against all odds will capture your attention from the very first page until the unanticipated ending.
**PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED UNDER THE TITLE INDIAN AFFAIRS**
Hardcover
Published March 19, 2019
About the author
Parris Afton Bonds
84 books52 followersI am dancing on sunshine that you are visiting my little part of Parris's paradise here on Goodreads.
I write for the reckless at heart Not surprisingly, I identify with my novels' characters, both the protagonists AND antagonists. I suffer with their angsts and bewilderments and rejoice in their joys and triumphs.
And I believe that if we heroically hold fast to our own vision for ourselves in our journey’s confrontations and challenges, Life WILL surely manifest our dreams and goals and visions, as it does for my characters in my novels.
***
Parris Afton Bonds is mother of five sons and author of nearly fifty published novels. She is co-founder and first vice president of Romance Writers of America, as well as, co-founder of Southwest Writers Workshop,
The Parris Award was established in her name by the Southwest Writers Workshop to honor a published writer who has given outstandingly of time and talent to other writers. Prestigious recipients of the Parris Award include Tony Hillerman and the Pulitzer nominee Norman Zollinger.
Declared by ABC's Nightline as one of the three-best-selling authors of romantic fiction, the award winning Parris Afton Bonds has been featured in major newspapers and magazines as well as published in more than a dozen languages. A New York Times best seller, she donates her time to teaching creative writing to both grade school children and female inmates ~ both of which are captive audiences.
I write for the reckless at heart Not surprisingly, I identify with my novels' characters, both the protagonists AND antagonists. I suffer with their angsts and bewilderments and rejoice in their joys and triumphs.
And I believe that if we heroically hold fast to our own vision for ourselves in our journey’s confrontations and challenges, Life WILL surely manifest our dreams and goals and visions, as it does for my characters in my novels.
***
Parris Afton Bonds is mother of five sons and author of nearly fifty published novels. She is co-founder and first vice president of Romance Writers of America, as well as, co-founder of Southwest Writers Workshop,
The Parris Award was established in her name by the Southwest Writers Workshop to honor a published writer who has given outstandingly of time and talent to other writers. Prestigious recipients of the Parris Award include Tony Hillerman and the Pulitzer nominee Norman Zollinger.
Declared by ABC's Nightline as one of the three-best-selling authors of romantic fiction, the award winning Parris Afton Bonds has been featured in major newspapers and magazines as well as published in more than a dozen languages. A New York Times best seller, she donates her time to teaching creative writing to both grade school children and female inmates ~ both of which are captive audiences.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 22, 2020
For Alessandra O’Quinn, her Tuberculosis was a death sentence, living in Washington in the early 1920’s. As many had done since the mid 19th century, seeking a cure, she decided to leave the comfort of high society life and travel to the dryer desert air of New Mexico. Taking her son, without her the knowledge of her Senator husband, she sets out with hope and trepidation.
What she discovers, amongst the Taos Indians, was her reason for living. Especially after meeting Manuel Mondragon, Bear Heart as he known within his tribe, where he is a healer, their Shaman. The two of them know that each has found their soul mate, though there are many hardships that face these two lovers. Not the least being the tribes battle with the BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs) for the rights of the tribe to have their sacred area at Blue Lake granted to them. Alessandra is caught up in this fight, using her political connections to gain access to the higher echelons of power for justice for ‘her’ Indians
As one of America’s most lauded Romance writers, Parris Afton Bonds may not be thrilled to learn that I enjoyed the historical side more than the romance. In saying that though, I have certainly learned totally new and unique ways to describe the act of love making. Plowing delicate folds? It is no wonder that this author has her legion of devout fans.
A truly wonderful book, set against the background of this historical turmoil, that delivers a story that needed to be told. It’s not the first Historical Romance that I have read and absolutely loved, and it won’t be the last, especially from this prolific word spinner. Next up will be The Brigands.
Totally deserving of five ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ golden stars for a truly absorbing read.
What she discovers, amongst the Taos Indians, was her reason for living. Especially after meeting Manuel Mondragon, Bear Heart as he known within his tribe, where he is a healer, their Shaman. The two of them know that each has found their soul mate, though there are many hardships that face these two lovers. Not the least being the tribes battle with the BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs) for the rights of the tribe to have their sacred area at Blue Lake granted to them. Alessandra is caught up in this fight, using her political connections to gain access to the higher echelons of power for justice for ‘her’ Indians
As one of America’s most lauded Romance writers, Parris Afton Bonds may not be thrilled to learn that I enjoyed the historical side more than the romance. In saying that though, I have certainly learned totally new and unique ways to describe the act of love making. Plowing delicate folds? It is no wonder that this author has her legion of devout fans.
A truly wonderful book, set against the background of this historical turmoil, that delivers a story that needed to be told. It’s not the first Historical Romance that I have read and absolutely loved, and it won’t be the last, especially from this prolific word spinner. Next up will be The Brigands.
Totally deserving of five ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ golden stars for a truly absorbing read.
December 13, 2022
This story is a slow burn, but it takes the reader inside a fight for life and for a way of life.
Allesandra O'Quinn, wife of an illustrious Senator, has Tuberculosis. She is dying. Her only option is to relocate to a dry arid climate, which turns out to be Taos, New Mexico. In a frantic and bold move, Allesandra defies the strict dominance of her husband and her father by withdrawing her son from the private school he attends and taking him with her to Taos. After all, they won't know for several months that she's taken the boy.
The story is set in the 1920s. Women have just recently been granted the right to vote. Men rule.
Taos is far removed from the fast-paced life Allesandra had become accustomed to in Washington.
While it is physical healing Allesandra seeks, it is the healing of her mind and soul that she finds, along with an unlikely romance with a Pueblo Indian Shaman, Manuel Mondragon.
As she learns about the honest and sleepy way of life of the Indians, she opens her heart and mind to magic, to shamanistic journeying, and to an earth-shattering love like she's never known.
The relationship between Allesandra and Man is complex and bold.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs is corrupt. The Indians and their beautiful way of life are disregarded when greed and power surface. But Allesandra will fight for them. She knows how politics works. And she is willing to sacrifice everything to save what rightfully belongs to the Indians.
This is a time in history when men were superior, and they ruled with no tolerance for dissidence.
I loved Allesandra's strong character. She doesn't back down, even when she loses everything she holds dear.
If you are looking for a feel-good romance story, this is not the book for you. However, if you love a complex story that tackles tough social issues, you will enjoy When The Heart Is Right.
Allesandra O'Quinn, wife of an illustrious Senator, has Tuberculosis. She is dying. Her only option is to relocate to a dry arid climate, which turns out to be Taos, New Mexico. In a frantic and bold move, Allesandra defies the strict dominance of her husband and her father by withdrawing her son from the private school he attends and taking him with her to Taos. After all, they won't know for several months that she's taken the boy.
The story is set in the 1920s. Women have just recently been granted the right to vote. Men rule.
Taos is far removed from the fast-paced life Allesandra had become accustomed to in Washington.
While it is physical healing Allesandra seeks, it is the healing of her mind and soul that she finds, along with an unlikely romance with a Pueblo Indian Shaman, Manuel Mondragon.
As she learns about the honest and sleepy way of life of the Indians, she opens her heart and mind to magic, to shamanistic journeying, and to an earth-shattering love like she's never known.
The relationship between Allesandra and Man is complex and bold.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs is corrupt. The Indians and their beautiful way of life are disregarded when greed and power surface. But Allesandra will fight for them. She knows how politics works. And she is willing to sacrifice everything to save what rightfully belongs to the Indians.
This is a time in history when men were superior, and they ruled with no tolerance for dissidence.
I loved Allesandra's strong character. She doesn't back down, even when she loses everything she holds dear.
If you are looking for a feel-good romance story, this is not the book for you. However, if you love a complex story that tackles tough social issues, you will enjoy When The Heart Is Right.
July 10, 2019
A MYSTICAL, PASSIONATE JOURNEY BACK TO THE HEART
For Washington D.C. socialite Alessandra O’Quinn, life looks very bleak. She’s not only suffering from tuberculosis, but her life and marriage have become stagnant and unrewarding. When she decides to seek a cure for her body’s ills, she doesn’t realize how lost she is in heart and soul.
Her senses begin to awaken during her journey from Santa Fe to Taos, New Mexico. The road is dangerous, and the landscape is primitive and untamed. Bonds’ lovely, lyrical descriptions gave me a new appreciation of the magnificence of the natural world. I was also drawn into the story and the events that followed.
The raw splendor of Alessandra’s new environment helps loosen the tight, restrictive boundaries of her stifled world. Even though she’s frightened by her journey into the unknown, she begins to breathe more fully again. A deeper mission, one that involves going beyond the restraints of her normal view of life, soon calls to her.
When a shaman named Manuel Mondragon steps into Alessandra’s life, there’s an immediate spark of passion between them. Still, taking a chance on her heart and on herself is not easy for Alessandra. As the relationship matures, Man helps Alessandra to not only understand herself more intimately, he also helps her to understand the mysteries that govern his life.
WHEN THE HEART IS RIGHT is the story of Alessandra being roused from her conditioned upbringing and entering a realm she’d never experienced before. That realm is governed by the heart and soul. It’s a place where true, selfless love takes precedence. It’s a story of passion and mystery between two people who come from totally different world views. It’s also a story about the politics and racism of the period, and how the lives of the people involved are deeply affected. When all the elements are woven together, it’s a beautifully written, deeply felt story, told by an author who infuses each word with her own passion.
For Washington D.C. socialite Alessandra O’Quinn, life looks very bleak. She’s not only suffering from tuberculosis, but her life and marriage have become stagnant and unrewarding. When she decides to seek a cure for her body’s ills, she doesn’t realize how lost she is in heart and soul.
Her senses begin to awaken during her journey from Santa Fe to Taos, New Mexico. The road is dangerous, and the landscape is primitive and untamed. Bonds’ lovely, lyrical descriptions gave me a new appreciation of the magnificence of the natural world. I was also drawn into the story and the events that followed.
The raw splendor of Alessandra’s new environment helps loosen the tight, restrictive boundaries of her stifled world. Even though she’s frightened by her journey into the unknown, she begins to breathe more fully again. A deeper mission, one that involves going beyond the restraints of her normal view of life, soon calls to her.
When a shaman named Manuel Mondragon steps into Alessandra’s life, there’s an immediate spark of passion between them. Still, taking a chance on her heart and on herself is not easy for Alessandra. As the relationship matures, Man helps Alessandra to not only understand herself more intimately, he also helps her to understand the mysteries that govern his life.
WHEN THE HEART IS RIGHT is the story of Alessandra being roused from her conditioned upbringing and entering a realm she’d never experienced before. That realm is governed by the heart and soul. It’s a place where true, selfless love takes precedence. It’s a story of passion and mystery between two people who come from totally different world views. It’s also a story about the politics and racism of the period, and how the lives of the people involved are deeply affected. When all the elements are woven together, it’s a beautifully written, deeply felt story, told by an author who infuses each word with her own passion.
August 15, 2026
Wow! The ending.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews