The second edition of my Casting Call blog series looks at Follow the Stars Home, my Native American historical romance.In 1879, a military captain named Pratt opened a boarding school for Native American children. The school's motto: Kill the Indian, Save the Man. In other words, students were taught to abandon their Native American heritage and lifestyle. To accomplish this, the school forbade them to speak any language but English, forced the boys to cut their hair though in their culture this was done in mourning.
Pratt talked parents into sending their children to the school by convincing them that learning the ways of whites would empower them, and enable them to better negotiate with whites. When parents hid their children away during Pratt's later visits, reservation officials retaliated by withholding rations or outright threatening the parents.
Eighteen-year-old Quiet Thunder wants a life with Black Bear, but on her own terms. Independent and strong-willed, she's frustrated by Black Bear's immaturity. Vanessa Hudgens seemed perfect. She's petite but feisty, beautiful and daring. Vanessa supposedly has a Native American heritage.
Somewhat of a prankster, Black Bear is sure of the path he's on, and who he wants to travel it with: Quiet Thunder. He's known since the Sun Dance that initiated him to manhood. When he finally decides to win her love, he relies on his heart to speak through a flute, or siyotanka. In Lakota lore, the flute’s sound resembled the call of an elk, powerful medicine supposed to make a man irresistible to the woman he loved.And who's more irresistible than Ashton Kutcher? Like Vanessa, Ashton is supposed to be a descendant of Native Americans.
Tomorrow's post will delve into the story elements for Follow the Stars Home.
