"I applaud Ms. Skarie in skillfully and sensitively building new bridges of understanding about the sad and terrible time when the white man destroyed the Native American culture, land and spirit. The spiritual awareness of the author comes through clearly to help the reader discover a greater view, the whole view from the higher worlds of spirit, where we are not white, red or black; where we are not even human, but where we are completely soul.

"I highly recommend this book for anyone with a love for the Native American culture and a thirst for more depth and knowledge of it in a very pure form."
- Debbie Johnson, Best selling author of Think Yourself Thin and Think Yourself Loved

Bloomsbury Review of books, July/August 2000:

Red Willow is a 16-year-old Shoshoni girl who lives with her tribe in the Rocky Mountains near what is now the Missouri River, in Montana. She is not a typical Shoshoni maiden: She knows how to use weapons and is very outspoken. Red willow often hears the call of her Spirit Guide and believes that her destiny is to be a powerful medicine woman who will serve her people.

The novel begins in the season of melting snow, or the beginning of spring 1807. Red Willow is drawn to the The Sacred Mountains where her grandfather, a respected shaman, insists she must go to fulfill her quest (consisting of four days of no sleep, food, drink, or speaking: it is supposed to allow a clear vision of an event in the future). Many members of her tribe believe that only warrior of the Shoshoni-not girls or women-go on spirit quests. But Red Willow is determined not to be stopped and sets off on her journey with Wind Chaser, her dog, and her strong and faithful stallion. Good Thunder.

In Red Willow's Quest Heidi Skarie displays a talent for mystical and spiritual writing. She explains the meaning and symbolism for each tradition mentioned, then adds action, adventure, and romance, bringing them all together into one powerful epic. Ultimately, Red Willow must make a challenging decision that will considerably change her life and conclude this intense novel. I enjoyed Red Willow' Quest from beginning to end.

Review by Kristen Woodruff

Colorado Libraries, Vol. 27 No. 3, Fall 2001:

This Native American story is about Red Willow, a sixteen-year-old Shoshoni girl who lives with her family and tribe in the early 1800s in what is now Montana.

Red Willow's Quest refers to her spiritual journey to the sacred Mountains where she hopes to learn the secret ways of becoming a medicine woman. This is very difficult because she must face the opposition of most of her tribe at a time when girls and women did not go on spirit quests. She is also faced with wild animals, enemy warriors, and dangerous white trappers. Her helpers along the way are her faithful dog-wolf companion, Wind Chaser, and her strong pony, Good Thunder.

The other main character, Masheka, a Kootenai warrior, offers his protection and help. The story is well written and rings true. Ms. Skarie has a wonderful voice for the character and obviously has extensive knowledge about the life and customs of the Shoshoni tribe.

Young teenage girls would enjoy reading this book because of Red Willow's strong character and the nature of the challenges she faces, and boys would enjoy it because of the dangerous adventures of both Red Willow and Masheka.

Adults who enjoy historical fiction that contains spirituality and mysticism would also find it interesting. There is a short bibliography that includes material for children and adults. This is Ms. Scarie's first book. In a recent interview she said she is at work on another historical adventure story. I will look forward to its appearance.

Review by by Sandra Avery, Reference Librarian, Jefferson County Public Library

The Edge Magazine, August 2000

Author Heidi Skarie possesses that rare power I find so inspiring in a writer, the power to return to us the deepest, most authentic parts of ourselves. This dramatic past-life adventure and surprising triumph of Red Willow, a rare Shoshoni Indian Shaman who is a woman, helps all those striving to be true to themselves!

Red Willow struggles against the pressures from her suitor, Masheka, and those of her tribe to conform to the traditional ways of an Indian squaw make her character come to life. Red Willow inspires us when she faces Masheka and says, "I was taught that the more obstacles a person encounters the closer they are to truth."

Skarie's gift of re-living her past life delights the reader with new insights of the Shoshoni Indians, and their lives in the breathtaking beauty of the great American Northwest. Following her inner voice, Red Willow journeys to a sacred Indian cave where her life's mission is revealed to her. Red Willow then finds the courage to face wild animals, hostile tribes and enemy warriors in order to fulfill her Quest. Skarie is a welcome addition to the arena of visionary authors. I look forward to reading more from this fresh new talent.

- Paul Baker, author of "What do Chinese Dream About."

Midwest MUSE, August 2000

The world of the Plains Indians has always been a powerful draw for me. When the movie Dances with Wolves came out I went to see it three times. So, when I found out Heidi Skarie's book, Red Willow's Quest, was set in the early 1800's in the Rocky Mountains I was eager to visit that world again.

Red Willow's Quest is the story of a young Shoshoni girl beginning her spiritual journey to become a medicine woman. The descriptive narration reads much like the passages of her diary giving the reader an intimate look inside Red Willow's mind, heart, and soul.

Red willow struggles to step free of the confining boundary society had, and still does, set for a woman. Everything, including the rugged landscape becomes an obstacle, attempting to stop her from achieving her goal. Red Willow's greatest obstacle, however, was her awakening feelings of love for a Kootenai warrior. That love interfered with the path she thought her life should take.

Thank you, Heidi, for a chance to go back to that time and learn about a heroine whose spiritual culture graced every facet of life.

Mpls. St. Paul Magazine

I highly recommend Red Willow's Quest by Heidi Skarie of Minnetonka, Minnesota.

The story is about a sixteen-year-old Shoshoni girl who doesn't fit in with the women in her tribe. She likes to go on vision quests, three-to four-day solo trips in which Red Willow connects with the spirit world through fasting and other rituals. She believes the quests will lead her in the right direction in life.

"On one of her quests, she meets Masheka, a man from another tribe. Red Willow and Masheka become friends, and before she knows it, he wants to take her back to the tribe to be his wife. But this clashes with everything she's ever seen in her visions about her future. As the story unfolds, Red Willow faces many problems before she comes to realize what matters most in life."

- Hannah Olson, Mpls. St. Paul Magazine

"A powerful spiritually invocative story about a woman taking her power."
- Lynn V. Andrews, best selling author of Medicine Woman and Love and Power

"An authentic, gritty tale of survival and spiritual triumph set in the wild splendor of the early American west. A sensitive, unromanticized portrayal of Native American life that offers timeless lessons for infusing everyday life with Divine guidance."
- Jan Whiteley, author of The Shimsara

"Exquisitely stretches the spirit as the reader travels along on Red Willow's sacred, heartfelt Vision Quest to find her unique gift. Constantly challenged, she must fine how to give her gift at the right time, place and to the right people. The rich imagery engages mind, body and spirit to experience soul's search for true fulfillment by following its highest wisdom to embrace the freedom of divinely human love. Heidi Skarie is a welcomed addition to the arena of visionary authors. Looking forward to reading more from this fresh new talent."
- Alamaia Will, author of Wind Dancing in the Light and Sound and Guiding into the Light and Sound of the Afterlife.

"I just want to thank you for writing this Native American story from a female point of view and making it as realistic as possible. It must have taken lots of research.Amazingly, several days after reading it, I am still glowing with Red Willow's story and the lessons she imparted to me. I identified with her in many ways, because of my own experiences. I believe Red Willow has given me deeper respect for myself and other women.

It's not easily put in words, but I feel awakened to the sacred inherent awareness of purpose I felt as a child. She reinforced or validated ways I used to look inwardly for guidance. And she valued her inner guidance enough to follow it.. Red Willow reminded me of the strength and love of aloneness, and that respect for self (and my inner worlds) is part of Soul awareness. I stand straighter, believe in myself and take my own quest more seriously. I'm sure many women, young and old, will be lifted by your telling her tale in Red Willow's Quest."
- Valerie, a reader in TX

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