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    A Light in the Wilderness
    A Light in the Wilderness
    A Light in the Wilderness
    Audiobook10 hours

    A Light in the Wilderness

    Written by Jane Kirkpatrick

    Narrated by Karen Chilton

    4.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    Letitia holds nothing more dear than the papers that prove she is no longer a slave. They may not cause white folks to treat her like a human being, but at least they show she is free. She trusts in those words she cannot read--as she is beginning to trust in Davey Carson, an Irish immigrant cattleman who wants her to come west with him. Nancy Hawkins is loathe to leave her settled life for the treacherous journey by wagon train, but she is so deeply in love with her husband that she knows she will follow him anywhere--even when the trek exacts a terrible cost. Betsy is a Kalapuya Indian, the last remnant of a once proud tribe in the Willamette Valley in Oregon territory. She spends her time trying to impart the wisdom and ways of her people to her grandson. But she will soon have another person to care for.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRecorded Books, Inc.
    Release dateSep 2, 2014
    ISBN9781490656311
    A Light in the Wilderness
    Author

    Jane Kirkpatrick

    Jane Kirkpatrick is the author of twenty books and is a two-time winner of the WILLA Literary Award. Her first novel, A Sweetness to the Soul, won the Western Heritage Wrangler Award, an honor given to writers such as Barbara Kingsolver and Larry McMurtry. For twenty-six years she "homesteaded" with her husband Jerry on a remote ranch in Eastern Oregon.  She now lives with Jerry, and her two dogs and one cat on small acreage in Central Oregon while she savors the value of friendship over fame.

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    Reviews for A Light in the Wilderness

    4.5/5

    54 ratings16 reviews

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    • 5/5
      I loved this book, I enjoyed the history. I recommend.
    • 5/5
      Tuesday, September 9, 2014A Light in the Wilderness by Jane Kirkpatrick, © 2014A Stand-Alone Novel by Jane Kirkpatrick ~ Journey with Letitia, Nancy, and Betsy to freedom. Based on a true story, imagined.I have always loved the depth of Jane Kirkpatrick's novels centered on amazing go-for-it women who resisted society to carve a life amid turmoil and hard conditions, continuing on with determination to more than survive. Letitia Carson is one of these women. A pioneer who set the country's beginnings that none could take from her.It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.--Galatians 5:1A Light in the Wildernessthe words bring to mind for meWilderness ~* a place we haven't been before *~Light ~* darkness cannot put it out *~dictionary ~ wildernessa part of a garden set apart for plants growing with unchecked luxuriance;luxuriant ~ growth or productiveness; rich abundance; lushness~ bring to light, to discover or reveal~*~It is 1842 when Letitia leaves Kentucky for Missouri with William and Sarah Bowman to care for their children. William's father had signed her freedom papers before he died, that she is no longer a slave. Following the birth of their sixth child, the Bowmans prepare to leave Missouri and continue west on the Oregon Trail.During their time in Missouri, Letitia's path continues to cross with Davey Carson, an Irish immigrant. He has represented peace to her. Letitia overhears the Bowmans saying Davey has been left without someone to cook, clean, and tend his animals after losing in court to the charge he mistreated the girl previously working with him. Enough had been taken from Letitia [li-tish-uh] ~ gladness. She indeed lives up to her name. Letitia chooses to stay behind, to the chagrin of Mrs. Bowman only because of the responsibility she will now have to take for her family. Davey tells Letitia he will be joining the wagon trains west after the first of the year. They agree they wish to remain together. They make their vows in August, and following her people's custom, jump the broom together.Davey and Letitia make the agreement she is to travel as his hired-on, instead of presenting Letitia as his common-law wife. At the time of their crossing, she is carrying their child. She asks him to give her a signed paper that his property will go to her and her children should he become deceased, to secure her ownership. Unable to read, she cannot inspect the signed papers he gives her.On the trail, Davey elects to leave their current company to join with another train that is progressing faster. Letitia must leave her friend, Nancy Hawkins. Nancy's husband is a doctor and Letitia has helped by birthing babies amid other duties on the journey. Letitia and Nancy look forward to meeting again further on the Oregon Trail.Betsy and her grandson live in the area Davey and Letitia will be settling and claiming land. She has been teaching Little Shoot to be self-sufficient learning their rich Kalapuya Indian heritage in the ways to hunt, gather herbs and other plants for food, and making a shelter so he can sustain his own life and that of his future family. Letitia shares her cheese and butter making skills, as she and Betsy add to each other's resourcefulness.Based on a true story, imagined, Jane Kirkpatrick brings these strong character women who seek to go forward. They share their lives in acceptance and friendships amid squander and changes made bringing illness, uncertainty, and challenge to their every day. Their inner strength stands as others are not so fluid and reliable in their lives. They indeed have rich abundance beyond measure.~*~This is the first book I've written with much of the research completed before the story was brought to me. Thirty years previous, two former Oregon state university students Janet Meranda and Dr Bob Zybach discovered the court records and never forgot Letitia's story. They brought it to me believing a novel would tell it best. Their research and progress on a nonfiction book about her and Davey's life can be followed at Friends of Letitia Carson. --author Jane Kirkpatrick***Thank you to Revell Reads for inviting me on the book tour for Jane Kirkpatrick's first stand-alone novel, A Light in the Wilderness, based on a true story. This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received.***
    • 5/5
      Every time I read a book by Ms. Kirkpatrick, I always say the same thing, “I love it!” Her books are so amazing, and if it is even possible it seems she continues to outdo herself with each new one! I had a couple sleepless nights because of this book; I couldn’t put it down! The author is a master at writing historical fiction. Letitia and many other characters are real people that Ms. Kirkpatrick intensely researched. It makes the book even more enjoyable knowing these people really existed. As with her other books, the story seems as if it was written by the characters. I found myself forgetting many of the details are fiction. Letitia is a black woman that has been freed by her master. She treasured and guarded the parchment paper that declared her legally a free woman. The word freedom she knew was used loosely as there were still many dangers, prejudices, and restrictions imposed by society. Not everyone acknowledged her as free, and certainly not an equal with a white person. Her family was gone and her cow Charity was her prized possession. She took great pride in the fact she had paid for her, but also Charity was more than that. She was the only living breathing thing that Letitia could love and draw comfort from.In 1842 she leaves front Kentucky, heading to Missouri with the Bowman family as a paid employee. Mrs. Bowman still treated her like a slave in most ways. They were heading to Oregon and Letitia had heard it was a state that wanted to join the Free states. She hoped to start a life of her own there. A large group of people are gathering in Missouri to go in groups with special guides to help them make the difficult journey.There an Irish immigrant named Davey Carson took her in to work for him after she lost her job at the hotel. He was a man of compassion and loved Letitia. He asked her to be his wife and she accepted. Whites could not legally marry blacks then, so both being Christians they had their own ceremony before the Lord. Their relationship is definitely rocky at times. I saw through her eyes the life of a freed black woman of that time. It wasn’t a pretty picture. People were so cruel and condescending; it is hard to imagine anyone treating another person that way. She found a true friend in Nancy Hawkins who was also heading to Oregon with her large family. Nancy and her husband Zach, a doctor, accepted Letitia as a person and saw her value. As if being black was not enough of a challenge, the trip to Oregon was arduous, exhausting and grueling. Just surviving was extremely difficult without adding the unexpected problems that arose. It took a huge amount of faith, courage, and perseverance to make the journey. Many died but there was no time to grieve for their loved one as they had to bury them and move on. I was shocked at how hard daily existence was on the trail. All she had to do to simply cook, bath, wash clothes, try to sleep, take care of her family when they were sick, exhausted me just reading it. All this done in the wilderness in or around a wagon! The spitefulness and rejection of the other women was unreal. There wasn’t even simple kindness. I remember one part where they ladies spread their skirts and turned their backs so they could take turns getting in the middle of the circle and use the bathroom unexposed. Poor Letitia had to go out away into bushes alone, risking being attacked by a wild animal or Indians!! It really made me think about the conditions the settlers endured. I can’t imagine having to use the bathroom like that and many women gave birth while on the trail!More adversities and suffering met them in Oregon. There a Kalapuya Indian grandmother, named Betsy, and her grandson befriended Letitia. Giving her not only friendship but helping her when she had no one. Betsy understood the condemning attitude from society because the Indians were look down upon as were the blacks. Letitia’s remarkable strength in facing anything life dealt her really made an impression on me. She never gave up or backed down in spite of disappointment, pain, or setbacks. Knowing she really lived such a life was inspiring. I thought of how easily we give up now. This is an amazing, amazing story! It is constantly moving and developing with such intensity and many surprises. You WILL want to read it! Thank you Jane Kirkpatrick for another incredible book!I received this book free from Revell Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
    • 4/5
      Good trouble Letitia
      I like the story but the characters are very frustrating
      Letitia is so naive thinking all is well being a free slave has a slave you would think she would stay clean of white people but no she actually marry one and think things would be better i guess with no education you stick with what you know
      Now Davey Carson is the worse he did nothing to protect Letitia and the children i wonder why she continues to be with him he annoys the hell out of me i am not surprise how the white folks treats Letitia the more things change the more they remain i will read from this writer again
    • 4/5
      I received an advance reader copy of this book from NetGalley.com

      "New York Times bestselling novelist weaves the dramatic story of a freed slave who has lost her husband and her freedom papers and must find a way to survive in the wilderness of the Oregon Territory." This description in NetGalley caught my attention.

      Historical fiction is one of my favorite book genres and I am particularly interested in strong women overcoming adversity. I noted that this was also cited as a work of Christian fiction so I wasn't expecting something classical like My Antonia (Willa Cather) but maybe Little House on the Prairie.

      Kirkpatrick provided a delicate but honest handling of the plight of freed slaves; freedom having a far different definition for people of color. Letitia, provided freedom papers by her dying slave master, struggles in a purgatory between human being and chattel. Furthermore, she faces every women's plight of second class citizenship. Despite these invisible chains, Letitia makes a life for herself that in the end provides her with some small comforts.

      The author has conducted excellent research on the harshness of frontier life and travel . The story focuses primarily on women and their roles in a frontier family. Life for frontier women as wives and mothers left me angry, frustrated, and full of compassion. There's no Hollywood story-line here. Life was hard, harsh and totally unforgiving.

      Hidden in the wilderness there was light as suggested in the title. Letitia formed a few close friendships that soothed her and helped her forge ahead. Her red-haired Irish immigrant common-law husband was not a highly likable character but he did in the end bring her to a world where Letitia found a better life. I think I would have liked to be a friend of the real-life Letitia and I thank the author for the opportunity to meet her in this fictionalized way.

      I particularly liked the author's epilogue material with the skeletal facts unearthed in census and public records of Letitia Carson that formed the framework of this novel.
    • 5/5
      The cover is enough to make you want to pick this book up for a read, but then the read itself is better than the cover.
      Letitia, a freed American slave, clings to the papers that declare her freedom. Though she can not read the words they are etched in her heart. This sliver of paper is her freedom, it is her proof that she belongs to no one. But that paper does not ease the battle of proving that she should be free. It does not stop the mistreatment, the misunderstanding, the rudeness and hardships she will face - but it reminds her that there is hope and something better.

      Stepping into a new life throws Letitia into a friendship with two other women from very different backgrounds with very different lives. On their individual journeys to new homes and new futures they find themselves bound together. All trying to settle the past and all trying to make a future. Suspicion, heartache, pain these things melt away as these women forge a friendship that will forever change their lives.

      Pick this book up, then pour yourself a glass of iced tea and curl up for a good read. This author has created a story that will draw you in. She has created characters so filled with life that they seem to leap from the pages and embrace you. As a reader the emotional thread of this novel will draw you in and you will contemplate the injustices and experience the grace.

      Get ready, get set, go - - - For an adventure of friendship, forgiveness, and coming to terms with the past in order to create a future.

      Thanks to the publisher - Revell for this review copy in exchange for my personal unbiased review of the boo
    • 4/5
      This work of historical fiction revolves around Letitia, former slave but now a free woman, and the people in her life. Letitia makes her way west, under the protection of Davey Carson, an Irish immigrant. Along the way, she becomes friends with Nancy Hawkins, wife of a doctor, and Betsy, a Kalapuya Indian. One thing these women share is an indefatigable spirit in the face of extreme trials. Facing numerous hardships, they nevertheless persevere, even when circumstances seem hopeless. Well told, this tale, based on a true story, will captivate and enlighten you with the struggles faced by people who settled the west.
    • 4/5
      The story of a freed slave woman traveling west, based on the lives of actual people. Although somewhat simplistic, this book gives a taste of the treacherous journey to Oregon territory by wagon train, specifically by Letitia, a former slave. Despite being married to a white man her basic rights are threatened and she faces extreme prejudice, loss of her rightful property and possibly her freedom. Letitia must try to make a life for herself and her two children despite the obstacles she faces. This book explores many areas of history, civil rights and perception. It is an interesting chronicle of the times.

      I received my copy from netgalley.com
    • 5/5
      This novel is based on the life of a real woman, Letitia Carson, a freed black woman, who traveled the Oregon Trail during the 1840's along with her Irishman husband, Davey, to settle into Oregon Territory to make new lives for themselves and raise a family.Letitia holds the dear the papers that prove that she is no longer a slave, even though she cannot read them. She agrees to go west with Davey, hoping that she will finally feel safe and will no longer have to prove herself to anyone, and be free of the prejudices she still faces in Missouri, despite the fact that she is legally a free woman.Making the journey with the Carsons are Dr. Zach Hawkins and his wife Nancy, who does not want to leave her settled life in Missouri, but she loves her husband so deeply that she will follow him anywhere, even when the journey causes terrible loss. She sees beyond the color of Letitia's skin and the two woman become dear friends, sharing triumphs and losses with each other.I really enjoyed this story, and I liked the character of Letitia right from the start. She was willing to stand up for herself at a time, when women, both black and white, rarely did, and knowing that this was based on true events made the story all the more richer. The author did an excellent job with her research. She also mentioned in her notes at the end of the book that another author is currently working on a biography of Letitia Carson, and I would very much like to read it when it is published.
    • 4/5
      A Light in the Wilderness is a historical fiction that is based on fact. The main character, Letitia, actually existed. The principle points of history and her part in them actually happened although the minute details have been lost over time. However, official records contain enough information that along with the well-researched facts of events of that time period, the author's fictionalization makes this character and other main players in the story, come alive. The book is well worth the time to read. I highly recommend it.Letitia was a former slave for the Bowman family in Kentucky. Before the senior Bowman passed on, he freed her and provided her papers to prove her status. Later, when the younger Bowman and his wife moved to Missouri, she went with them. They bartered with her, trading her care of their children for a place to live. During her years in Missouri, she obtained a job at a local hotel doing the laundry, making up the rooms and occasionally serving drinks in the evenings. She also possessed the skills of a midwife. With her savings she bought her own milk cow and earned a little more income selling the milk. For a person with such a tiny stature, she had a big heart and a strong, determined, enterprising personality. In the pre-civil war days, life was especially hard for free blacks. They were often despised by slaves and whites alike. But Letitia was proud of her status as a free woman. She valued and carefully guarded her papers at all times.In the purest sense of the term, this book is not really a romance. There are romantic elements in the story, but my opinion is that Davey and Tish stayed together because he was kind, generous and needed a partner, while Tish needed his protection and security and was fond of him. She didn't mind providing him with children. I consider this tale more of a historical fiction than a romance. Still, their relationship provided a catalyst for change toward maturity in their lives. Letitia grew in confidence about her place in life, while Davey settled down a bit more to be a responsible husband and father. However, that restlessness of his got him into trouble one last time and cost him his life. The author, Jane Kirkpatrick, is a true storyteller. She created characters that were easy for me to empathize with. I felt fear and anger and sadness for all the unfairness Letitia faced in her life. I rejoiced when she discovered true friendship with neighbors with whom they traveled to Oregon. I felt the pain she went through when people turned their backs on her because of her skin color, and after Davey died. I could understand Davey's wanderlust, and yet felt Tish's frustration when he left her and their children a couple months at a time when it hit him. I could feel justified anger and frustration with Tish in her fight to keep her home after Davey had passed on. I was completely wrapped up in the story. Those are the signs of a good storyteller.I read a lot of historical fiction works, and yet there were several facts revealed in this book I had never heard before--some things about living in Missouri in that time period, some new information about the trip to Oregon over the mountains and through dangerous territory, and definitely about Oregon itself during its formation years. One way the author shares tidbits of history and viewpoints is through the narration. But what stood out most to me was how the author shared perspectives through her characters' thoughts. I admire how the author accomplished this; she even pushed the envelope a bit using this method. By sharing a person's point of view about the harsh realities they faced, the author presented conflict and resolution while still remaining within the confines of compassionate Christian fiction. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from The Book Club Network on behalf of Revel, a division of Baker Publishing Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
    • 4/5
      Based on a true story, A Light in the Wilderness follows a former slave, Letitia, beginning shortly after she receives her papers declaring her a free woman. But freedom is relative, and of course she faces discrimination (by today's standards) before and after she starts her journey west on the Oregon trail. She starts her journey with Davey Carson, a white man with whom she has a relationship, though they cannot marry under the laws of the time. Like any couple, they don't see eye-to-eye but have a love and respect that endures their trip across the country and settling on the frontier of Oregon. The northwest might be easier than living near the Mason Dixon line, but still has its issues. Letitia comes to depend on two strong women, one white and one American Indian who broaden the sense of community in the book.Beautifully written, A Light in the Wilderness has solid female characters and Kirkpatrick paces the story well. The book was impressive on its own, and only more so after reading the notes at the end and realizing how closely she was able to keep the book to the historical facts that the book is based upon. Leticia keeps her faith in front of her as we all hope we would in difficult circumstances.
    • 5/5
      Letitia, a free slave, "marries" a white immigrant, Davey Carson. While their union is not legally recognized, she feels a bond for him, and hopes that he feels the same for her. When the pair decide to travel west, the story turns into a real life Oregon trail story. Interspaced with Letitia's story, is the story of Nancy Hawkins. A woman who befriends Letitia and accepts her freedom. This was a well written and engaging book. I was fascinated by Letitia's story and her court cases towards the end of the book. I would love to read more by this author, overall, highly recommended.
    • 5/5
      Jane Kirkpatrick is a phenomenal writer to pen such fiction from truth into a beautiful work of art. This “truth is stranger than fiction” novel takes place during the 1800’s, following a harrowing wagon train venture from Missouri to Oregon. A personal note here – I am well acquainted with the areas of Oregon Ms. Kirkpatrick wrote about, which brought visual enjoyment during my reading.Letitia is a strong black woman, full of wisdom and dreams. Her dream of freedom from the buckles of slavery is ongoing, even though she received her papers of freedom in Kentucky. Frankly, prejudice against the color of one’s skin is abhorrent to me – I’ve never understood slavery. Letitia will not be stopped! The reader will discover immediately that this courageous young woman turns the other cheek to adversity and faces life with everything within her.Recently, I read in an interview with Jane Kirkpatrick that the wedding scene between Letitia (Tish) and Davey Carson, an Irish immigrant, had to be discreet and meaningful considering they were breaking the law. The wedding was sweet and joyful, even a bit of humorous relief when a Jewish peddler happened upon the scene, including stomping on the glass as is done in Jewish weddings. This is one of my favorite scenes. Davey was kind to Tish, although he was of a male mind of that time period. Soon after, a thorn begins in Tish’s side when Davey’s grown son appears in the picture, jealous, hateful, and prejudiced. He does not stick around long when he decides to take another route to Oregon. Another constant thorn in her side is Greenberry Smith, mean spirited and murderous, intent on making Tish’s life miserable. Tish wants Davey to draw up a paper willing his property to her and her children should he become deceased. He is reluctant because he does not know how to read and write, a fact he keeps to himself. He finally comes up with something that appeases Tish for the time being. Among the characters is the dearly loved milking cow Charity that Tish owns, in whom she can safely confide, and does so many times. Tish is pregnant when the trek to Oregon begins. She is mid-wife to many, but alone when her baby daughter Martha is born. The children love her as she entertains them with great stories. Her closest friend is Nancy Hawkins, a quilter who treasures the loom made for her by her husband. The determination and inner strength of the women on the wagon train amazes me…I can scarcely comprehend their depth.It is difficult to be succinct about this beautiful story. One of the impractical events that occurred was when Davey inadvertently lost Tish’s freedom papers and his document. Tish had hidden them in a flour barrel that Davey exchanged for a full barrel. But Tish was to find out within time that the document Davey made up was of no value – which she felt a betrayal on his part.Finally, Tish made it to Oregon City alone. Davey met her there after helping with other matters regarding the wagon train. Davey did not stay around much, as he got gold rush fever and headed to California several times. Settling in Oregon reveals much more – Tish found joy in meeting a Kalapuya Indian woman named Betsy and her grandson. Davey and Tish had a baby son, Adam born around 1853. Davey, Jr. enters the picture again in Oregon, causing her frustration. Hardship is a daily word, but Letitia’s trust and faith in God were chiefly imperative to getting through each day. Letitia’s valor brought her through a lawsuit with a white man over her property. She was known as one of the first free black slaves to enter Oregon. I enjoyed Ms. Kirkpatrick’s novel because of the history and culture of the 1800’s. This free child of God is definitely the Light in the Wilderness. Thank you to Revell for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
    • 5/5
      A Light in the Wilderness is an informative read, historical fiction based on a true story that will simply touch your heart. This is the story of three strong women whose lives are woven together with unexpected events that changed their lives forever.1840’s – Letitia is leaving Kentucky as a free woman, no longer a slave, and she has papers to prove it. She is on her way to Missouri where she wouldn’t have to be afraid anymore. Good things happen to Letitia in Missouri. She has earned money as a midwife and becomes friends with Nancy Hawkins, delivering her baby. She also becomes friends with Davey Carson, an Irish immigrant, who treats her with kindness. Davey is always cheerful and seemed to be an easy man to be around. Davey offers Letitia an arrangement – to marry her, but not legally because it is forbidden for a white man to marry a black woman. But Letitia and Davey soon discover that freed blacks are not wanted in Missouri and they begin to make plans to start a new life in Oregon. It seemed like Oregon had good things to offer and half the town was heading west. Letitia and Davey are ready to begin a grand adventure together, moving to a place where slavery had never been known, and if she was mistaken for a slave, she had her papers proving that she was free. Together, Davey and Letitia plan for Oregon, to start their life together, and the story unfolds as they begin their arduous journey, a journey filled with challenges, tragedy, and survival. Being a black woman on the Oregon Trail took a lot of strength and courage for Letitia, and she was constantly fighting for acceptance. But Letitia realizes that freedom is having the courage to do what must be done. Nancy Hawkins, a very warm and genuine woman who befriends Letitia, is traveling with her husband and children on the Oregon Trail. It is an extremely difficult journey for Nancy when tragedy strikes her family. Nancy is a very likable and well developed character in the story. I connected to her immediately.Betsy is a Kalapuya Indian woman in Oregon. She cherishes her grandson, Little Shoot, and teaches him to survive. I’m sorry to say that I didn’t find this character interesting and never connected to her. This is a compelling and achingly sad read and a story that you’ll not soon forget. Jane Kirkpatrick has a way of drawing you into this era of time with her descriptive writing and realistic characters. This is an excellent historical read and one of my favorites for 2014. My rating is 5 stars. “You can say ‘slave.’ I ain’t one, though I was, and yes it tainted who I is, but I’s free, always was even when owned. Free in my thinkin’. Free as a child of God.”“Maybe that was what freedom meant, being in a place where one didn’t fear.”I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions shared are my own.
    • 5/5
      Thank you to the publisher, Revell, via NetGalley, for the digital copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.The talented Jane Kirkpatrick did a ton of research to write this historical-fiction novel. It's based on a true story in the mid-1800's about Letitia Carson, a former slave living in Missouri who had been given papers indicating she was a free woman. She falls in love with a white man and decides to accompany him to Oregon where she believed she would be treated like a free woman. They were married by reciting their vows holding a Bible since it was illegal for whites and blacks to marry.This novel tells of the many hardships the courageous Letitia endured being the only black person in the group of pioneers headed to Oregon traveling on the Oregon Trail. Very few people knew she and Davey Carson were married so it was assumed she was his slave.There are three strong women in the novel including Letitia; a friend (Nancy) she made by being a mid-wife to Nancy; and Betsy, an Indian woman she met in Oregon. Their lives are interwoven expertly by Ms. Kirkpatrick. Some interesting minor characters add immensely to the story.The pioneers who migrated to settle the West were very brave, resourceful, and adventurous. There were so many difficulties with their food supplies, the weather, breakdowns of their wagons and equipment, Indians, etc., it's a wonder so many of them survived. The author captured the overall scenario of what happened not only on the trip out West but what happened once they arrived in Oregon.Highly recommended with 5 Stars.
    • 3/5
      I liked this book. The author did a good job of telling this story in the late 1880s. I like reading stories of the old west and people migrating from the East to the West like to Oregon. Just like the Oregon trail with everyone traveling for fortune and new beginnings. However while the book summary indicates to three stories, I felt that the book was more focused on Letitia. So of course I grew a closer connection with her than I did with the other two women. Which I found Letita to be very interesting and have a great story to share. She was a strong character. Again while the focus really seemed to be on Letita, I thought Nancy was good. She was kind and caring. Someone I did look forward to reading about was Betsy's story but little bits seemed to be written about her. This was sad. Overall, a nice read.