Book Review: One More River to Cross

From The Back:

Adversity can squelch the human spirit . . . or it can help us discover strength we never knew we had.
In 1844, two years before the Donner Party, the Stephens-Murphy-Townsend company leaves Missouri to be the first wagons into California through the Sierra Nevada. They enjoy a safe journey--until October, when a fierce mountain snowstorm forces difficult decisions.

The party separates in three directions. Some go overland around Lake Tahoe. Others stay to guard the heaviest wagons. The rest of the party, including eight women and seventeen children, huddle in a makeshift cabin at the headwaters of the Yuba River awaiting rescue. The months ahead will be long and at times terrifying. But with friendship, family, and enough courage to overcome their fear, these intrepid pioneers will discover what truly matters in times of trial.

My Reflections:

I usually gobble up Jane Kirkpatrick's works, this one, however, left me a little Parched.

Normally historical dramas tickle me pink, I love the cohesion of fact and fiction intermingling. This story was factually intriguing and kept me turning the pages, I did, however, find the multitude of characters confusing and this fact along with the sheer misery that was never-ending sunk my enthusiasm a tad. 

Set in the American West in the 1840s this tale is based on a  true store by Donna M Wojcik It was a footnote actually, posted in the "Brazen Overlanders of 1845" Years later Jane Kirkpatrick decided this was going to be the basis of her new novel. This is so awesome and I love these types of stories. 

Perhaps it is my mind frame at the moment or that the story was just so sad and cold and hungry that I felt bleak. This coupled with my terrible memory for names, and with them being so similar, I well felt a little lost at times! Thankfully Kirkpatrick includes an index on pages 11, 12 and 13. So, in short, I loved the context of the story but got lost in the process. Please don't let my review sway you though, because you may love a story that has not been sugar-coated, the grit of these settlers is beyond anything we have ever endured. You may love a multitude of characters, your dendrites may just be more complex and developed!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Jane Kirkpatrick

Jane Kirkpatrick is the New York Times and CBA bestselling and award-winning author of more than 30 books, including Everything She Didn't Say, All She Left Behind, A Light in the Wilderness, The Memory Weaver, This Road...

Continue reading about Jane Kirkpatrick

Book Review: All She Left Behind

From the Back:

"Once again, Jane Kirkpatrick creates a bold and inspiring woman out of the dust of history. Jennie's triumph, in the skilled hands of one of the West's most beloved writers, leaves its mark on your heart."--Sandra Dallas, New York Times bestselling author

Already well-versed in the natural healing properties of herbs and oils, Jennie Pickett longs to become a doctor. But the Oregon frontier of the 1870s is an unforgiving place--especially for a single mother. To support herself and her young son, Jennie finds work caring for an older woman. When her patient dies, Jennie discovers that her heart has become entangled with the woman's widowed husband, a man many years her senior. Their unlikely romance may lead her to her ultimate goal--but the road forward is uncertain. 

My Reflections:
Stories with history and substance always delight my senses, this one was a real treasure!
Filled with drama and heart-tugging reality. "All she Left Behind," will move readers to re-evaluate their notions about the bonds of love and the journey to get there. 

I absolutely adore Jane Kirkpatrick's ability to research women of the past and embody their essence into the pages of her novels. Rich with texture and emotion this book will touch your heart and propel the pages forward with ease. 

This story was raw with emotion for me, having just lost a loved one to addiction, the storyline hit its mark with clarity. Addiction affects families everywhere, it's nothing new as we see with the plot in this novel, it is heartbreaking and tears families apart.  

Jennie is a single mother whose strength and determination are inspiring and uplifting. Her story starts out slowly but subtly builds into a well thought out and rounded plot.There were some unexpected twists and turns, and I truly enjoyed being part of Jennie's journey.

Kirkpatrick also delves into the aspects of divorce, a women's role in business and health care, all in the historically accurate time period of the 1800's! 
If you are looking for a moving story centering on faith, overcoming one's past, never giving up all the while living with grace and love, this story is for you!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Jane Kirkpatrick

Jane Kirkpatrick is the New York Times and CBA bestselling author of more than 30 books, including A Light in the Wilderness, The Memory Weaver, This Road We Traveled, and A Sweetness to the Soul, which won the prestigious Wrangler...

Continue reading about Jane Kirkpatrick

Book Review: This Road We Traveled

From the Back:

"An unforgettable story of hardship, survival, and the bonds of family, based on true events. Tabby's indomitable spirit proves that women, as well as men, helped to tame the West."--Suzanne Woods Fisher, bestselling author of Anna's Crossing

Tabitha Brown refuses to be left behind in Missouri when her son makes the decision to strike out for Oregon--even if she has to hire her own wagon to join the party. After all, family ties are stronger than fear.

Along with her reluctant daughter and her ever-hopeful granddaughter, the intrepid Tabitha has her misgivings. The trials they face along the way will severely test her faith, courage, and ability to hope. With her family's survival on the line, she must make the ultimate sacrifice, plunging deeper into the wilderness to seek aid. What she couldn't know was how this frightening journey would impact how she understood her own life--and the greater part she had to play in history.

My Reflections:

Set in the 1840's Jane Kirkpatrick's newest novel titled "This Road we Traveled," is just the kind of book that excites me.
I absolutely adore books written about the wagon trail. Right from my early reading experiences this time period and setting has inspired and encouraged me throughout the ruts and broken dreams of my life's journey.
This story is so unique from other Oregon wagon trail stories I have read. The historical background and character development really drew me in and I became instantly entwined with the great challenges and tragedy these pioneers faced.

The story centers around matriarch Tabitha Brown who is mother and grandmother to the family. Tabitha or Tabby for short is a fiercely independent sort who wants to help to support her family in any way she possibly can. Tabby's vibrant faith and strength coupled with unimaginable courage are exemplary!

I enjoyed that this story was told by different perspectives; mother daughter and granddaughter. You really get to experience the kaleidoscope of dynamics all taking place at the same time. It made me really ponder the different stages of ones life and how the perspectives motivated or hindered ones life story.
Will I be regretful and bitter as I age or will I be reflective and content, able to open up to the younger generation with love and compassion?
Such great concepts to ponder.
So this book was so much more than a historical fiction read for me, it was enlightening and encouraging as well as a great story to relax with.

It is no surprise that Jane Kirkpatrick is well known for her moving and historically accurate writing. It is always a joy to read a well-written novel and "This Road we Traveled" is certainly a worthy read.

THE AUTHOR

Jane Kirkpatrick

1. Jane Kirkpatrick is the New York Times and CBA bestselling author of more than twenty-five books, including A Sweetness to the Soul, which won the coveted Wrangler Award from the Western Heritage Center. Her works have been...

   Continue reading about Jane Kirkpatrick