What the Heart Knows

by Kathleen Eagle

Book Overview

A secret son. A lost love. A dangerous job. A frightening risk. A second chance at the happiness their hearts were once afraid to share. Thirteen years ago, alone and secretly pregnant, Helen... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0380803097
• ISBN13: 9780380803095
• Release Date: June 2000
• Publisher: Avon Books
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 4.4" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

A nice return to a familiar setting

While I enjoyed KE's last two books, I didn't find them up to the same caliber of her earler work. This book was a nice change. Both hero and heroine have secrets. Both have a Past with a capital "P." Their lives cross after twelve years of separation, and after a halting start, their relationship accelerates - only to take a detour when the secrets are finally revealed. As with her earlier novels, KE manages to impart some useful information about the culture in which she places her characters as she tells her story. It's been interesting to watch how the issues have evolved over time - like reading a little bit of history - and something that I've enjoyed immensely, and that I missed in her last two books. Additionally, she does a good job of telling the story from more than one point of view, without chopping it up or confusing the reader. I appreciated the fact that I didn't have to slog through the love-misunderstanding-fight-make up scenario that seems to be an obligatory part of the plot conflict in countless other works of this genre. KE's characters have depth, affection, sensuality, behave like adults and not spoiled adolescents, and make me want to meet them in person - an impossibility, of course, but a good measure of how well they were created! If you are a fan of her earlier novels, you will probably enjoy this story as well - I'm happy to recommend it.

Eagle's writing soars!

I just finished WHAT THE HEART KNOWS. Wow! This is a great read. I've only read a couple of K. Eagle's books previously and enjoyed them, but this book is over the top. It's a great "secret baby" book, but the kicker is the baby is a 12-year-old boy who is almost as tall as Reese Blue Sky, his NBA all-star father. Reese is a Lakota Indian and one of the things I especially liked was looking at the world through his eyes. Prejudice and discrimination are all around us, but as a member of the white majority I find it hard to really understand (although I sympathize) with those who have to suffer it. Through this book, I got a close look at the way Indians see white people and how they feel about being stereotyped. But foremost, it's a great love story. Helen Ketterling is the mother of Reese's son and the way she tries to explain her decision to keep her baby a secret is a haunting tale of love gone wrong and opportunities for happiness lost. But maybe not forever. I won't give away the ending. See it for yourself. I plan on buying at least 2 more copies. One each for my niece and my office manager. A great way to "suck up" at work!hmw

Absolutely Fabulous - as always

Kathleen Eagle is by far the best romance writer ever. Her stories have characters that you can identify with, and who are very likable. What the Heart Knows is no different. There is no pushing away and pulling back by the characters - it's a love story, without the typical head games characters play. Her male characters are always tender, compassionate, and understanding. They are men you can understand why the women love. Reese Blue Sky is fabulous. He knows what he wants - to do right by his father, to keep his newly found family, to hang on to his lost love - and you want that for him.Mrs. Eagle - keep up the great work. There's only one book I haven't read and I can't wait to pick it up. I most especially can't wait for your next one.

Best Romance of '99

Another great story from the pen of Kathleen Eagle! The characters were memorable and the plot is really nothing new but Eagle seems to make it work: the summer fling,the secret child that results but there's plenty of other stuff going on as well. WHERE THE HEART IS is a great lovestory, full of insight, passion and folklore. The book doesn't really grab you until your several chapters into the story. The sexual banter between the hero and heroine seems to be Ms. Eagle's trademark and you'll find it in almost all of her stories. I enjoy it. Her characters leap right off the page. There are no silly conflicts to keep the lovers apart and several scenes made me grin. Some readers may find the folklore boring but I found that it enriched the story. Also, the hero plays professional basketball! If your not familiar with Kathleen Eagle, I wish there were words that I could say to convince YOU to read her. And if your already familiar with her work, you won't be disappointed. WHERE THE HEART IS, is simply one of the most beautiful lovestories of last year. I am eagerly looking forward to reading Ms. Eagles next masterpiece. And a note to Ms. Eagle: I hope we don't have to wait long! Ok, I've said all the nice things, now buy this book! Also, I **highly** recommend REASON TO BELIEVE and SUNRISE SONG.

Eagle soars with this Native American tale

At the Bad River Sioux Reservation, someone kills Roy True Star for loudly speaking to his tribe's council to not renew their casino contract with Ten Star. Roy's oldest son Reese, a former professional basketball superstar, returns home to take over his father's role on the council. Though a non-believer who was alienated with his father, Reese finds Roy's spirit guiding him. Helen Ketterling works for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. She goes undercover, working as a dealer at the casino to confirm complaints of wrong doing. She never forgot the heated romance with Reese thirteen years ago that led to a son he does not know he sired. The spark between them remains strong, but their torrid past, her present secrets, and an uncertain future due to a powerful enemy make this couple seem doomed to failure again. Best selling author Kathryn Eagle, renown for her poignant Native American tales, scribes an interesting second chance at love tale using gambling on an Indian Reservation as a backdrop. The story line consists of several intriguing subplots that blend into a cohesive and insightful look at the reservation casino business. The lead protagonists are a wonderful duo and the support cast provides depth and conflict, especially between the old ways and the Anglo ways. Ms. Eagle soars high with this angst-laden tale.Harriet Klausner