Beneath the Bending Skies by Jane Kirkpatrick

About the Book

Mollie Sheehan has spent much of her life striving to be a dutiful daughter and honor her father’s wishes, even when doing so has led to one heartbreak after another. After all, what options does she truly have in 1860s Montana? But providing for her stepfamily during her father’s long absences doesn’t keep her from wishing for more. 

When romance blooms between her and Peter Ronan, Mollie finally allows herself to hope for a brighter future–until her father voices his disapproval of the match and moves her to California to ensure the breakup. Still, time and providence are at work, even when circumstances are at their bleakest. Mollie may soon find that someone far greater than her father is in control of the course of her life–and that even the command to “honor thy father” has its limits.

About the Author

Jane Kirkpatrick is the New York Times and CBA bestselling and award-winning author of 40 books, including The Healing of Natalie Curtis, Something Worth Doing, One More River to Cross, Everything She Didn’t Say, All Together in One Place, A Light in the Wilderness, The Memory Weaver, This Road We Traveled, and A Sweetness to the Soul, which won the prestigious Wrangler Award from the Western Heritage Center. Her works have won the WILLA Literary Award, the Carol Award for Historical Fiction, and the 2016 Will Rogers Gold Medallion Award. Jane divides her time between Central Oregon and California. Learn more at http://www.jkbooks.com.

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My Thoughts

I am always drawn to books by Jane Kirkpatrick because they are based on true stories.  She pens novels with such fantastic historical research and depth that brings these stories to life.  The pace of this novel is a little slow, but that really allowed me to get to know the characters, history, and setting well, and I liked the detail the author provided.  I was also impressed with the great spiritual growth and truths in this novel and found my own faith strengthened simply by reading and reflecting.  The journey that Mollie embarks on with her romance instead develops her faith in a real and raw way.  The cover to this novel is gorgeous and is but a small reflection of the wonderful words that lie beneath.  I highly recommend this book!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishing.  Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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The Healing of Natalie Curtis by Jane Kirkpatrick

About the Book

After classically trained musician Natalie Curtis faces a career downfall, she joins her brother on the Western frontier.  There she discovers the beautiful music of the indigenous Native Americans.  However, she soon realizes that their music is under attack and in danger of extinction after an American law prohibits them from singing, dancing, or speaking their native tongue.  Based on a true story, this remarkable tale follows Natalie’s fight to preserve the customs of the Native Americans.

About the Author

Jane Kirkpatrick is the New York Times and CBA bestselling and award-winning author of 40 books, including Something Worth Doing, One More River to Cross, Everything She Didn’t Say, All Together in One Place, A Light in the Wilderness, The Memory Weaver, This Road We Traveled, and A Sweetness to the Soul, which won the prestigious Wrangler Award from the Western Heritage Center. Her works have won the WILLA Literary Award, the Carol Award for Historical Fiction, and the 2016 Will Rogers Gold Medallion Award. Jane divides her time between Central Oregon and California with her husband, Jerry, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Caesar. Learn more at http://www.jkbooks.com.

My Thoughts

What a fascinating story!  I really like how Jane Kirkpatrick typically writes stories that are based on true historical characters.  Natalie Curtis is an incredible woman who was passionate about the indigenous Native Americans.  This book contains great depth as Natalie faces great trials, but also develops tenacity as she fights for what she believes in.  I enjoyed reading about her personal journey and thought the author did a good job of giving us a fictional perspective of this amazing woman.  I did think parts of the story were a little slow and occasionally this read more as non-fiction than fiction, but I think that the book is well written and worth reading.  I think that if you like novels that focus on the history and the story, then this book is for you!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishing.  Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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Something Worth Doing by Jane Kirkpatrick

Abigail Scott gave up her career as a schoolteacher in 1853 when she married Ben Duniway.  However, after her husband is injured, she returns to work to support the family.  It does not take her long to realize that women need a stronger voice, so she devotes the rest of her life to fighting for women’s rights.

I love Jane Kirkpatrick’s stories because she does a fantastic job of researching her history! This particular novel is based on a true story, which is very fascinating.  I was intrigued by all the history surrounding women’s rights and felt that the story was well researched and well written.  The tone of this story is more serious than other fictional works I typically read, but I did learn a lot.  I think the book was a little dry at times.  I appreciate the author’s hard work in writing a character that is flawed, with mistakes along her journey, but she still triumphed and paved the way for women.  Overall, I liked this book, although I think those who like history and even nonfiction works may enjoy this more than others.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishing.  Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

One More River to Cross by Jane Kirkpatrick

Several families leave Missouri in 1844, heading west to California through the Sierra Nevada. But along the way, a winter storm forces them to separate into different groups.  As they each face their own struggles by either waiting for rescue or journeying on, they are pushed to the limits of what they can handle.  They must rely on faith to carry them through the toughest of winters and circumstances.

This book has truly heart touching stories of trials and survival in the harsh conditions of 1844. The author does such a good job with her research, which shows in her exquisite details, and paints scenes that allow you to really envision the primitive and wild west.  I would classify this story as heavy on historical content.  The characters discover what is truly important in life and the lessons they learned along the way are lessons that modern readers can even use to apply to their own lives today.  Although this book is fiction, it gives a glimpse into what could have transpired during such a difficult time.  I liked this book, but would definitely categorize it as a heavier novel, and recommend it to those who like historical fiction.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishing.  Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Everything She Didn’t Say by Jane Kirkpatrick

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Carrie Strahorn marries an adventurer, somewhat expecting but never truly imagining that their lives would be spent exploring a greater part of the West and writing articles to people in the East to encourage them to populate the wilder part of America in the late nineteenth century.  She initially finds the moving about frequently exciting but soon her heart desires something more—a permanent home and family.  Feeling alone in her thoughts, she turns to journaling to express her feelings.  And as she writes, she discovers more about herself.

This book gives readers an interesting and unique perspective into the life of a pioneer lady at the turn of the twentieth century as she explores the Wild West with her husband. It is set up almost like a memoir within a memoir and expresses her deepest desires among the pages.  The novel is an excellent story of history, full of details that are interesting and thought provoking.  I very much liked Carrie and found myself connecting with her. I thought the chapters felt detached from each other.  I did not find an overarching plot or theme but rather felt as if I was reading a historical journal.  However, it is well written and if readers like novels heavy in history, this is for you!

I received a copy of this book from Revell Publishing in exchange for an honest review

The Road We Traveled by Jane Kirkpatrick

Tabitha Brown wishes to join her family on their quest out west on the Oregon Trail. But her son thinks she will only be a burden to the group. Her daughter, Pherne, on the other hand, desires to remain at her beloved home and the grave of her dear son rather than venture into the unknown. Pherne suspects, however, that her daughter, Virgilia, is excited to transverse the Oregon Trail into a new world out west. As the three women begin a new journey, they will discover new courage and grow in their faith, despite the many trials that meet them on the trail.

Jane Kirkpatrick does a great job researching historical details and incorporating them into a readable storyline. It was interesting to read about the hardships of the Oregon Trail from the perspectives of three different individuals, even across several generations. It was easy to visualize the scenes and settings. I thought that sometimes the historical details overshadowed the depth of the characters and hindered my ability to connect with them on a richer level. Nevertheless, this story is recommended to those who enjoy historical fiction.

I received a copy of this book from Revell Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

The Memory Weaver by Jane Kirkpatrick

Eliza Spalding Warren struggles with feelings of displacement after her captivity by the Cayuse Indians during a massacre in 1847 and the death of her mother a few years later. Wanting to find love and acceptance, she impulsively makes a decision that forever changes her family dynamic. But this choice has consequences. Now she is facing a move back to the territory where she spent her captivity. Desperate for comfort, she finds her mother’s diary in the attic and spends time reading of her mother’s struggles in a new land, surprised to find similarities in their circumstances. As Eliza learns to trust and grow despite her surroundings, she finds peace and healing in her past and her future.

This novel is full of interesting history. It is especially fascinating because the author based much of the facts on real events. I appreciated the author’s ability to tell the story without romanticizing the plot in any way, making it as realistic as possible. One part of the novel that made the plot a little choppier was the chapters of Eliza’s mother’s diary interspersed among Eliza’s story, despite the fact that it was interesting to read about the parallels in both of their lives. Overall, I really liked the characters, especially Eliza. I also enjoyed the author’s writing style, which flowed well. The story moves quickly as it occurs over many years, but the development of the characters does not make this feel rushed. A novel recommended for its great historical depth!

I received a copy of this book from Revell Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

A Light in the Wilderness by Jane Kirkpatrick

Letitia, an African American woman in the Southern United States during the mid 1800’s, knows that the free papers given to her by a previous owner are priceless, but she realizes they do little to encourage whites to treat her as an equal. Yet Davey Carson, an Irish immigrant, is kind towards her and gradually earns her trust. She soon finds herself traveling west with him in hopes of building a new life, one in which she can make decisions for herself, perhaps even own a bit of property. While preparing for the journey, Letitia meets generous Nancy Hawkins, a white woman who looks beyond the color of Letitia’s skin to her strong and courageous soul. The two women bond together as they struggle to overcome a great many trials during their crossing west. Upon arriving, they befriend an elderly native Kalapuya Indian named Besty, who offers to help her new friends settle into the foreign land. All three women possess spirits that grow stronger in the face of adversity as they carve out lives in a land and a culture not accepting or forgiving towards some.

A Light in the Wilderness, according to the author’s detailed post note, is based on a true story. The extensive historical research collected during Ms. Kirkpatrick’s writing is a testament to the raw, authentic plotline. Although this book may be difficult to absorb due to some of its grim material, Ms. Kirkpatrick is to be applauded for telling a story that has trials but weaves in a message of hope and justice. The characters have true courage in the midst of real adversity and their inner strength shines through the pages more than once. A few plot points jump without proper explanation and a bit more detail may have allowed the story to flow better. However, the accounts and journey of these strong women is interesting and worth learning. This novel is recommended for those who enjoy history and wish to read how the events transpired without having the less satisfying portions of history glossed over or ignored.

I received a copy of this book from Revell Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

Sincerely Yours by Jane Kirkpatrick, Amanda Cabot, Laurie Alice Eakes, and Ann Shorey

Sincerely Yours is a novella collection of four short stories in which four young women find their lives changed after receiving a letter signed with the valediction, “sincerely yours.”  This common theme ties the four stories together nicely, despite the very different time periods and plots.  The new paths of each woman entail exciting adventures among rivers, drawing rooms, inns, and hospitals and will perhaps even lead to everlasting love.

Moonlight Promise by Laurie Alice Eakes

Camilla Renfrew responds to a letter from a friend who offers protection after a false accusation leaves her running from the law.  She finds herself drawn to the mysterious captain of a steamboat bound for her destination.  The setting of the first story is interesting and the dangers involved for both characters make the plot exciting.  However, the flow of this novella is a little choppy and forced, pushing the characters toward each other in an awkward fashion.  Although not uncommon for a novella, the ending was a bit too neat and unrealistic.

Lessons in Love by Ann Shorey

Marigold Montgomery Bentley uses her initials when writing articles for a popular magazine, causing everyone to assume she is a man.  However, when the editor writes her a letter asking to meet, M. M. Bentley finds herself desperately trying to continue the rouse to save her writing career.  This is the most well-written and enjoyable of the four novellas.  The characters are likable and the plot is entertaining even as it gives its readers a glimpse into women’s roles in the late nineteenth century.  As is the case with most novellas, the romance is quick and tidy, but the inward strength of the characters and their complimentary life goals makes their love believable and sweet.

One Little Word by Amanda Cabot

Lorraine Caldwell receives a letter from her brother for the first time in several years and the note of pleading in his tone causes her to join him at the remote and beautiful Lilac Inn.  Instead of spending a short time with her brother as intended, Lorraine instead discovers she is attracted to the mystifying carousel carver and thus extends her stay as she discerns what matters most in life.  This particular novella is fascinating as it details the unique process of creating a carousel.  The descriptions allow the reader to visualize the beautiful colors and hard work involved in the creation of the carousel.  The love between the characters develops quickly and the ending is rather unrealistic in its neatness, but the short story is enjoyable.

A Saving Grace by Jane Kirkpatrick

Grace Hathaway travels to save her friend from a remote and mysterious hospital after the woman’s young daughter sends a letter begging Grace for help.  Upon her arrival, Grace discovers the hospital promises rapid healing but instead only serves to harm the patients; she thus seeks the help of a doctor who has a secret of his own.  Although this novella at first seems mysterious and exciting, it quickly becomes almost creepy as Grace discovers the horrible practices used to “cure” the patients.  The plot is not enjoyable and the horrifying conditions and physiological mind games of the hospital do not create a pleasant scene for romance.  This short story could stand alone as the tone was so different from the lighthearted and sweet storylines of the first three novellas. (This author is offering a giveaway! See the details here: http://janeswordsofencouragement.blogspot.com/)

 

I received a copy of this book from Revell Publishing in exchange for an honest review.