Brigadier General Jonathan Carleton has pledged his allegiance to newly elected commander of the rebel army, General George Washington. But his heart belongs to fiery Elizabeth Howard, who charms British officers by day and by night delivers their secrets to the Sons of Liberty. Their plans to marry are put on hold, however, when Washington orders Carleton to undertake a perilous journey deep into Indian territory, while Elizabeth continues spying on the British. Within weeks she learns that Carleton has been captured by the Seneca. Despite all attempts to find him, his fate remains shrouded in mystery.
Enslaved by the Seneca, Carleton is finally rescued by a band of Shawnee and taken into Ohio Territory, where he is adopted as the warrior White Eagle and rises to become war chief. Drawn into a bitter war against white settlers who threaten to overrun Shawnee lands, he must walk a treacherous tightrope between a rival who will stop at nothing to destroy him, the seductions of a beautiful widow . . . and the longing for Elizabeth that will not give him peace.
Forced to abandon Boston, British General William Howe prepares to unleash an overwhelming invasion force against the badly outmatched American army at New York City. With battle looming, reports begin to filter in that a new Shawnee war chief named White Eagle is setting the western frontier aflame, leading devastating raids against both British and American outposts in Ohio Territory.
“Native Son is an intensely moving story, impeccably researched and excellently written. It is an intricate look into some aspects of the birth of our nation, and the struggles and temptations faced by two unforgettable characters. J. M. Hochstetler expertly weaves a tale of historical fiction with a romance that must survive the trials and dangers of the times. Outstanding!” —Erika Osborn
"Elizabeth Howard and Jonathan Carleton defied overwhelming odds against their love, struggling to hold on to each other against the backdrop of a revolution. Before they can rest and enjoy their time together, however, General Washington [sends] Jonathan ... into Indian Territory to secure the loyalty of the Natives for the American forces, a task he is uniquely suited for based on childhood ties to the Shawnee. Elizabeth is asked to stay behind and continue her work as a spy, gaining the intelligence from British loyalists that the General needs. Both of the lovers confront great dangers, yet hold on to the faith and hope that they will be together once more.
"As with Daughter of Liberty, I am once again struck by the ability of Hochstetler to paint honest, even-handed portraits of people at war. She uses the keen eye of a historian to develop truthful relationships and concerns. This novel goes beyond the fighting in the colonies and travels into the lands of the Iroquois, Seneca, and Shawnee Indians, illustrating the author's obvious comprehension of a community both noble and brutal."Soon after the novel begins, Jonathan and Elizabeth find themselves wrenched apart by the continuing needs of their countrymen. Deft moves between these two characters and their respective adventures build a suspenseful and portentous mood.
"Native Son spends more time on Jonathan and his plight than in the previous novel, exploring his inner turmoil after being captured by Mohawk Indians, who plan to collect the substantial reward on his head from the British. As Jonathan lives and interacts with the different Indian tribes, his previous ties to the natives are strengthened. In addition to being torn between his love for Elizabeth and his loyalty to the American cause, his capture creates another quandary for Jonathan as he tries to balance his allegiances for the newly forming nation and the embattled Indians. His faith in God's plan for his life is what keeps him alive, trusting that He will guide him in the best way possible.
"Elizabeth once again faces great danger, and although she doesn't participate in battle as she did in Daughter of Liberty, there are some very tense moments as she travels between her home in Boston and General Washington's headquarters. Her espionage duties are made more difficult by the suspicions of the British officers that Elizabeth might have participated in the daring escape of a captured American officer. She has to work doubly hard in this novel to win their trust. ... Despite my concern that Native Son was not going to do end as I would prefer, I still read it and found it to be an engaging, gripping novel." --Erin Valentine
“Hostiles seize Jonathan and carry him into the wilderness. When Elizabeth hears the news, she can’t decide which to fear more—that the natives will brutalize him or that they will sell him to the British for the price on his head. But what really becomes of him she never would have guessed. Tense moments abound in this tale of intrigue, adventure and romance set against the compelling backdrop of the birth of a nation.” —Romantic Times BookClub
