One day, Devon Daniels, a young librarian in the small town of Doe Hill, is mysteriously drawn to a particular romance novel, Sprit of the Hawk. Before this day, she never really took an interest in such novels, for after having experienced a few bad relationships in the past, love seemed to be the furthermost thing from her mind. During the course of the day, she tried very hard to dismiss the novel from her mind, but after finding it virtually impossible to do, she takes the novel home.

Once there, she becomes intrigued with the handsome warrior that stares at her from the novel s front cover and soon finds herself lost in the folds of his story. Her yearning thoughts lead her to his Cheyenne village, to his people, and inevitably to him. Devon becomes totally mesmerized with the warrior, Thunderhawk, and her dreams of him become more intense more intimate. Her desire to be with him ultimately makes her a captive of her dream world.

One stormy day, on her drive home from the library, Devon is involved in a car accident and is rendered unconscious. In an ironic turn of events, at that very same moment, she unknowingly travels far back in time to Thunderhawk s world.

Returning from a hunting trip, Thunderhawk discovers Devon s lifeless body and hastily takes her to his village in order to properly care for her. His decision to bring Devon among his people is met with great disapproval, for the Cheyenne people carry much hatred for her kind. After a few days, Devon awakens to find herself in Thunderhawk s lodge only this time everything is so real. Now, as she lingers in the Cheyenne village, she is faced with many trials and tribulations that she must endure, against her will, in order to survive.

Being a strong, independent woman of the nineties, Devon does not easily fall to the demands of the Cheyenne people, nor does she allow Thunderhawk to tame her without a fight. During this time, Devon learns that Thunderhawk has a wife and she is with child. This newfound knowledge leaves her searching for an escape. Thunderhawk, on the other hand, wishes to have Devon for a second wife, but is quickly challenged and denied his reward. His wife, Running Brook, warns him to stay away from Devon, and Devon, in turn, boldly refuses his advances. But Thunderhawk loves a challenge and is determined to win Devon s heart. Thus, the story holds many conflicts on this matter.

During the course of the story, Devon befriends Thunderhawk s younger sister, Dawn Star. With their friendship securely bound, Devon finds the will to survive the dangers of a savage land, the strange customs of a savage tribe, and the unrelenting seduction of a savage man.

Now called Sunflower by the Cheyenne people, Devon searches for a path that will lead her home, but fears that it may be lost to her forever because of the dream she wished for. It was her desire to be swept up in the arms of her dream warrior, and without a doubt, she had been granted that wish. Only the heart of her dream warrior belonged to another, and in no way could she reveal her true feelings for him now. Somehow, she had to find the path that would lead her from Thunderhawk s world, if not, she feared that the love she held for him would be discovered, and in turn, she would be made to suffer the consequences.

Devon s story is filled with many heartfelt emotions, and it will without a doubt, tug at your heartstrings.

I have lived in Indiana for the past twenty years, but I was born and raised in Pennsylvania. Thirty years ago, I married my high-school sweetheart, Tim Ingersoll. We have two children a daughter named Stephanie and a son named Tim II. We have a precious two-year-old grandson named Matthew, a son-in-law named Daniel, and a daughter-in-law-to-be named Audrey. The extended members of our family include; a seven-year old shepherd named Leia, a twelve-year old finch named Michael, and two granddogs named Danny and Abbie.

I enjoy the simple pleasures of life. I collect teddy bears, dolls, and old books and such. My favorite television show is The Walton s. One of the greatest thrills of my life was when I got to meet the creator of the show, Earl Hamner Jr., at Walton s Mountain. I can relate to the show and its characters because I came from a very large family as well, and more often then not, things were tough. When I was younger, I always dreamed of something better, but now that I am older, I have come to know that I already had the best. My family was all that I ever needed.

During one phase of my life, I became lost in the shadow of my younger brother s death to suicide. It was an extremely painful time for me, a time when I felt that my heart had actually broken. Then one day, in a miraculous turn of events, I managed to pull myself from the depths of my depression by penning my emotional thoughts to paper. In the continuation of my healing process, I became a published poet, a short story writer, and a novelist. I have received several awards for my creative works, also two congratulatory letters from the White House, as well as, recognition in various newspapers.

My beloved grandmother calls me "her tenderheart." My editor says that I have a gift for expression and imagination and that I am a compassionate soul. My goal as a writer is to leave the reader with a sense of fulfillment and lasting memory, and I believe I have accomplished just that in the creation of Once Upon a Dream. The completion of my novel left me yearning to write another. Thus, I am now penning my next novel, Sacred Moon.

The Year---1799

Thunderhawk was riding down from the hills, on the way back to his village, after an unsuccessful day of hunting. From a distance, he caught sight of what looked to be a person lying face down on the ground.

He kicked his heels sharply into Smoke s flanks, urging him to a full gallop.

Stopping just short of the motionless body, Thunderhawk jumped down from his horse and stepped forward with understanding caution.

As Thunderhawk gathered the woman in his arms, he discovered a large, rather swollen bruise on her head. Her body contained several cuts and bruises as well. Thunderhawk knew that the woman had to be tended to just as quickly as possible or surely she would die.

Ever so gently, he lifted her into his arms then turned to place her on his horse. He would take her directly to his village. There, she would be properly cared for.

Just before mounting his horse, Thunderhawk caught sight of something lying on the ground close to where he had found the woman. With great curiosity, he leaned forward and retrieved it. Puzzled by what he had found, Thunderhawk examined it with intense observation, but was quick to realize that he knew nothing about the strange object. He did, however, decide to carry it along with him. Surely such a small object could bring no harm to his people, he thought.

As Thunderhawk rode through his village with the white woman in his arms, he was met with curious stares and loud chatter. He brought Smoke to a sudden halt at the front of his lodge and hurried inside, leaving the others behind to wait in wonderment.

Thunderhawk urgently called out many commands while making his way to a bed of furs at the far end of the room. He carefully laid the woman down and was soon given the things he had asked for. He placed a cold cloth on the woman s bruised head, then began wiping the blood from her wounds with another.

"Go to the lodge of Grey Fox and bring him to me," Thunderhawk ordered the younger of the two that stood beside him. "This woman is in need of a greater power than mine."

The young girl obediently left the room and soon returned with Grey Fox the village medicine man.

"This woman will live," Grey Fox announced after a hasty examination. "She will lie in darkness for a time, but she will see the light of day again. You can do nothing more for her. She must find her own way."

Thunderhawk nodded in response to Grey Fox s words of wisdom; yet as he watched the old man walk away, his face wore a look of concern.

"The woman must open her eyes," Thunderhawk murmured. "I must find out who she is and where she came from. I will not rest until I do."