Cupid Reads Cedar Woman by Debra Shively Welch

Winner of the Best Native American Non-fiction for 2011

 Cedar Woman by Debra Shively Welch

Lena Cedar Woman Young Bear, a daughter of the Lakota Sioux, opens the first high-end Native American restaurant in Central Ohio. 

This is her story. 

Born in May Hill, Ohio, Lena Cedar Woman travels to Columbus at age 12 after tragedy befalls her family. Here, in the capital city, a chance encounter leads her to her destiny. 

Walk with her as she changes the lives and fortunes of those she loves.

Follow her to powwow where she meets her half-side.

Rejoice with her at the grand opening of her restaurant. 

Cedar Woman allows the reader to learn the ways, and some of the language of The People, while also offering romance and discovery.

Cedar Woman, by Debra Shiveley Welch, is the entertaining story of a young woman: Lena Cedar Woman Young Bear, who is a daughter of the Lakota Sioux. We first meet Lena as she performs a cleansing ceremony on her restaurant Cedar Woman the first high-end Native American restaurant in Central Ohio.

"Facing the west, she extended the smoking bowl and intoned: 'Grandfather of the West, this is Cedar Woman. I ask that you keep my feet true and on the Good Red Road. I ask that you guide me on this day, and all days, so that I may continue on this path. I ask that you help in my daily life. Mitakuye oyasin, we are all related.'"

As a young child Lena sees a hummingbird caught in a spider's web, and proceeds to let it free. This is no ordinary child, the town agrees, as the bird then seems to follow her around. Cedar Woman is the story of Lena's life as she journeys from her home as a young girl to Columbus, where chance encounters lead her to her life's true path - that of an extraordinary woman.

Fully researched, filled with plenty of facts about Native American life and references to actual ceremonies and Native American Prayers, Cedar Woman knows of which it speaks. Written authoritatively in a poetic image-filled manner, this story draws pictures for you of peoples' lives and interactions, masterfully showing that, in the end, we are what we were in the beginning "Mitakuye oyasin, we are all related."

As a delightful bonus, included with the book are recipes of many of the foods mentioned in the story, including Fried Deer Liver, Cowichcan Candy (salmon/maple syrup and brown sugar candy), and Buffalo Stew featuring wild turnips.

To help in the use and translation of the Native American language used in the book, Welch also includes a dictionary with the meaning and phonetics. There are three dialects in the Lakota language and there is no standardized spelling. Welch chose the spelling and pronunciation of the words in keeping with the dialect of her sister, Julie Spotted Eagle Horse Martineau, who is of the Lakota Plains Native Americans.

Finally, it is worth noting that a percentage of royalties are donated to "Operation Smile."

Fully entertaining, Cedar Woman is a story that reaches far beyond the boundaries of its pages.

Reviewer: Wendy Thomas, Allbooks Reviews. www.allbooksreviewint.com

Title: Cedar Woman

Author: Debra Shiveley Welch

Publisher: Saga Books http://www.SagaBooks.net

ISBN: 9781897512

Pages: 179

Price: $15.95

For more information: http://www.DebraShiveleyWelch.net

 

Amazon Buy Link 

Win This Beach Read from Author Debra Shiveley Welch, Cedar Woman

A big welcome today to Debra Shiveley Welch, award-winning author of a perfect-for-the-beach read, Cedar Woman available in print or e-book.


Thank you for being my guest today, Debra, and for generously offering the e-book copy of Cedar Woman to one of our lucky commenters. Readers, please leave a comment to be eligible to win this prize. Don't forget to leave your contact email addy.


Before we learn more about your book, please tell us how you spend your summers?


When summer arrives, my son and I like to go to powwows.  For us, it is a family reunion.  My sister, Julie Spotted Eagle Horse Martineau, often coordinates the events, and it's fun to meet up with her, her husband, son and our sisters, to enjoy great dancing, fantastic food and just an all out fun time.

My son, Chris, received his first regalia this summer.  Your regalia is decided by the type of dancing you wish to honor.  In my son's case, it is Men's Traditional.  So he wears a ribbon shirt, rawhide trousers, or chaps, and a "bustle" made of feathers.  His regalia is quite beautiful, and he is very proud of it.

The powwows take us to Iowa and Illinois, but we hope to begin attending events in Ohio and other states.

This sounds like an exciting interesting summer with lots of travel, fun, and family get-togethers. Now tell us about your story of romance.

Lena Cedar Woman Young Bear, a daughter of the Lakota Sioux, opens the first high-end Native American restaurant in Central Ohio. 

This is her story. 

Born in May Hill, Ohio, Lena Cedar Woman travels to Columbus at age 12 after tragedy befalls her family. Here, in the capital city, a chance encounter leads her to her destiny. 

Walk with her as she changes the lives and fortunes of those she loves.

Follow her to powwow where she meets her half-side.

Rejoice with her at the grand opening of her restaurant. 

Cedar Woman allows the reader to learn the ways, and some of the language of The People, while also offering romance and discovery.

Excerpt:

    Slowly, slowly, Mary walked to where a tight knot of people were grouped together in what would be the living room, but, in fact, was merely part of one room which served as kitchen, dining room and parlor.          

    She felt as if in a dream – as if she were walking in slow motion, or wading through deep water.  Her heart was pounding against her rib cage as she slowly advanced toward a single man standing apart from the others, a wild flower tucked in the button-hole of his plaid shirt, his pony tail neat and freshly groomed, and a sage wreath, identical to hers, adorning his head as well.          

    She did not hear the words spoken, or her own replies.  The Medicine Man/Justice of the Peace performing the ceremony, raised the Pipe and murmured some words.  Peter turned and tied an eagle plume to Mary’s hair, and still avoiding his eyes, Mary tied one to his.  The medicine man picked up a star quilt, and wrapped it about the couple.  Slowly, the newly weds turned to face their guests, and the reality of what had just occurred hit Mary with full force.  She had obeyed her mother and married.  Now was the time, now she must look into the face of her husband.          

    Hesitantly, oh so hesitantly, she turned toward him, and at last gazed into his eyes.

Where do we learn more about you and where to purchase your book?

The Debra Shiveley Welch Website is the link where all of my books can be purchased through multiple sources: Amazon, B&N, Nook, Kindle and there are links to the UK, France Amazon and link to a cyber store in India  on there.

Readers, leave a comment to be eligible for the drawing to win Cedar Woman, the story of a Native American woman and her family.