First Dawn

Judith Miller's First Dawn is based upon the settlement of two western Kansas towns in the post civil war era.  Nicodemus was predominately settled by African American sharecroppers from Kentucky while Hill City was being settled by Caucasians. Although the story is fictional, the author notes that she made every attempt to accurately portray the harsh circumstances of the frontier settlers.

The story revolves around a small group of first settlers led by Ezekiel Harban and his three daughters, Thomas Grayson, a young man with a secret past, and Miss Hattie, the group's matriarch. The group was sold parcels of land near a town called Nicodemus; however,  when they arrive at an open prairie, they find no buildings and limited supplies. The settlers that stay and fight for the dream of landownership and freedom struggle to survive their first winter on the prairie.

Coinciding with the settlement of Nicodemus is the settlement of Hill City where Dr. Samuel Boyle moves his family. The doctor soon develops a relationship with the people of Nicodemus that bonds his family and the two frontier settlements together.

A Tendering in the Storm

A Tendering in the Storm by Jane Kirkpatrick is part of her Change and Cherish Historical Series. Although the main character is Emma Giesy, some chapters are written from Lousia Keil's point of view. Since I find switching characters and point of view with chapters distracting, I didn't get lost in the story as I do with those that glide effortlessly between the characters.

However, it is a compelling story about the struggle of a strong-willed German American living inside a religious community and the desperate choices she makes so she can raise her children her way. A good reminder that our way isn't always the best way and may, in fact, hinder the blessings God has planned for our lives.

Seminole Song

Seminole Song by Vella Munn is a story about the struggle of Seminole Indians and runaway slaves living in the Everglades during the 1830s. Growing up near the Everglades and a Seminole Indian reservation, I'm always drawn to books about both topics.

 The story focuses on Panther, the war chief of the Egret clan of Seminoles, Winter Rain, half Seminole and half runaway slave, Gaitor, a runaway slave who is Panther's closet confident, and Calida, a runaway house slave who escapes a cruel plantation owner and former army officer. Army generals, angered by the Seminoles who help runaway slaves, refuse to live on reservations, and conceal themselves in the swamps, offer a false treaty to the tribal chiefs. Meanwhile, the cruel plantation owner rejoins the army under the false pretense of helping the army round up the Seminole clans so he can pursue capturing Calida.

One of the unique aspects of this book is the little-known alliance between the Florida Seminole Indians and runaway slaves just prior to the Civil War. It also examines the prejudice and injustice white plantation owners and army soldiers inflicted upon both the Seminoles and the slaves struggling for freedom. From the very beginning, I was struck by the cruelty, hate,and inhumane treatment white men dispensed while they referred to the Seminoles as savages and the slaves as animals.

Troublesome Creek Series Book Review

Jan Watson's Troublesome Creek was the winner of the 2004 Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel Contest. She has since written two more books about her main character, Copper, and if you like historical fiction, you'll love this series.

The book begins in 1881 in the Kentucky mountains and transports the reader back to a simpler time. I laughed when Copper's stubborn ways got her into trouble because I've been there so many times myself. And, my heart mourned when she faced tragedy and loss because I've been there too.

Escape into Copper's world and prepare to be enthralled for many hours of reading pleasure.