The Story Behind Hawk's Honor

 

I cherished my childhood summers at the family cottage on a lake in Michigan. The neighbor next door, a member of the local Chippewa tribe, would thrill us with the legends and dances of his people. He taught us the importance and spirituality regarding the balance of nature. His stories of people who could shift from human to animal at will inspired me to write my own versions.

 After writing Eagle Dance, a red-tailed hawk appeared in my yard after a storm and spent the day with me to rest. The large bird sat on the tongue of our snowmobile trailer studying me with dark eyes, rimmed with gold. Through a mist the creature shifted into an incredibly sexy Native American man. With a mischievous grin, he moved in a graceful manner to sit on a fallen log. Jamie Hawke introduced himself as a Chippewa and a Marine.

 He quickly consumed a plate of chocolate chip cookies and entertained me with adventures he shared with his best friend in MARSOC. Hawks often have a difficult time finding the perfect mate and his ends up being his commander. Eventually, he might have to choose between love and honor. After the enjoyable afternoon, he shifted and flew towards his next mission. Madame Eve’s 1Night Stand might help him sort out his feelings. We shall see.

Please enjoy Hawke’s story. I’ve placed a few Easter Eggs in this story and a few teasers of who gets their story told next. Reach out to me at maryquast@gmail.com

Ask The Author: How did you become interested in Native American lore?

 

After the Civil War, my great-great grandfather, Gardner Avery left his New York regiment to settle with his wife, Helen Greenleaf Kern, in Jamestown, a rural area near Grand Rapids, MI.  He kept a diary, which remains in the family, of his daily activities & expenses. On the land he purchased to farm, a tribe of Native Americans resided. The couple let the Potawatomi continue to live and hunt on the land. Over time they developed close friendships with many of the tribal folk. My grt-grt-grandmother became very close to the Medicine Woman of the tribe who taught her the use of herbs in food and healing. The Avery’s interest in the art of the tribe eventually led to learning their customs and legends. Through stories shared around meals they learned the Spirituality of the Native Americans. 

At the time, Grand Rapids was one of the first large scale trading posts used by the Ottawa, Potawatomi and the Chippewa. My ancestors learned valuable information from their relationships with these tribes which lead them to have a successful farm and healthy family.

Despite the Avery’s wishes, the government forced the tribe off the land and into a reservation.  According to family legend, my gt-gt-grandmother and her dearest friend spent the last days together.  After hugs and many tears, she stood in a field and watched the tribe travel until they were out of sight.

The information, stories, and traditions my ancestors learned has been passed down through the generations. I grew up listening to the stories my grandmother told of visiting the farm and her grandparents. She also shared aspects of the Native American Spirituality and showed us how similar it is to Christianity.

In the 1950’s, my grandparents purchased property and build a cottage on Coldwater Lake, not far from Mt. Pleasant, MI. My family spent many summers at the cottage where we collected arrowheads we found in the sand pits. A Chippewa family owned a cottage near ours and our our families spent quality time together.  "Indian Dave” was a teacher and kept all the children captivated with stories, games, dances, and traditions while we sat around a bonfire. My favorite tales were those of Spirit Animals. In each book in the Legend of the Spirit series, his words live.

Teaser from Hawk's Honor

I love how a big, bad Marine can be rendered speechless. Enjoy this unedited clip.

His head swiveled to meet her smile. She crossed her arms in front of her chest. With a tilt of her head, she raised an eyebrow.

“Wh…what?” When did he start stuttering? “But… tha…that’s…”

“Wow, did you get a head wound? Do you need me to talk slower? Try to keep up, Hawke.” She smirked and slowed her speech. “I’m staying with you. I’m your date, Jamie. Madame Eve hooked us up for tonight.”

“No!” He shook his head as panic set in and he struggled to breathe. “You…you’re… I’m…oh, no. Fuck.”

In the last few years, he faced the enemy, injury, and death but in the last two minutes he’d become a bumbling idiot.