Never Waste Tears

by Gloria Zachgo

Each had their own reason to leave everything they knew. The land was free—the true price—was often high, where opportunities and tragedies were in equal abundance. Those who were strong, didn’t waste their tears, but used them wisely to help wash away their grief.Joined together through friendship and family relations, Rebecca, Nathan, Hannah, Carl, and Sarah tell one story—each in their own voice. Never Waste Tears travels with them on their trek to homestead on the lonely Kansas prairie, where they pave the way for generations to come. They individually share their own dreams, challenges, heartaches, and guilt.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Romance

407 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2014

About the author

It’s a natural for Gloria Zachgo to write stories with Kansas settings. She grew up on a farm in Lincoln County, where she attended one of the last one-room schoolhouses in the country. After graduating from Brown Mackie Business School, she married her high school sweetheart.
Living out of state for several years, Gloria and her husband moved back to their Kansas roots. While their children were young, she ran a small business out of their home. It was when her children left the nest, that she pursued a lifelong dream and took various art lessons.
Always wanting to learn new things she joined a creative writing group in 2006, and soon found she had a passion for writing fictional short stories. One particular short story was written on the prompts of a gingerbread man and a small toy horse. It led to her first novel, The Rocking Horse. “I knew there was more to the story. I kept seeing the image of a young woman, all alone, with a quirky little toy trying to give her a message.”
“I love writing about ordinary everyday people and their struggles with what life deals them.”
Gloria certainly did write about the struggles of ordinary people in her second novel, Never Waste Tears. She lets five individuals each tell their own story of what Kansas looked like in the 1860s, when the land was free, but the true price was often high.
Gloria’s characters often completely take over their own destination. In her latest novel, Hush Girl: It’s Only a Dream, Nicki Reed is no exception. Gloria simply wrote what Nicki felt as she delved into her past.
Gloria Zachgo and her husband currently reside in Wichita, Kansas. To learn more about Gloria feel free to visit her website – www.gloriazachgo.com

Reviews

[Helen Hollick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has received a Discovering Diamonds Review:
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs

"...an excellent job developing characters that are true to the time period "

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartwarming story of courage in the face of incredible adversity. Four young people find their way West to the plains in the post-Civil War era. Survival is paramount and this story portrays a realistic view of day to day life on the prairie with its loneliness, hardships, and triumphs.
Beautifully written, it draws you into the era and into the character's lives. It's so hard to imagine the incredible strength of character it must have taken to endure. This book brings the pioneer experience into focus in a very human way.
I liked the use of a multiple point of view in telling the story. The different perspectives added so much to how the characters reacted to the difficulties and gave the book a greater sense of reality.

[Gloria Zachgo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm the author of "Never Waste Tears". I've given it a five star rating because I had so much fun writing it. I hope those who read it get the same amount of enjoyment.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Never Waste Tears" is a historical novel which takes place during the beginning of the Civil War in 1860's Kansas.

Written from multiple characters points of view in a diary format, it easily keeps the reader's attention. The author is in control of the dialogue well enough so that it is not confusing, and also does not restrict the personalities of the characters. The characterizations are written expertly enough that you feel what they feel. Individual voices are written skillfully - it starts to feel as though the reader is present in the setting, listening to each one instead of reading it.
A solid, strong interest plot with plenty of events and action occurring to keep the reader interested.

Gloria Zachgo is one of those authors that can write anything, and write it well. I have had the privilege of reading her first novel, The Rocking Horse , which is one of the best suspense novels I've ever read. (If you haven't read it, you need to).
I highly recommend anything this author writes!

(A copy of this novel was provided by the author for the purposes of an honest review. Thank you Gloria Zachgo for the pleasure of reading and reviewing your work.)

[Liza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never Waste Tears from Gloria Zachgo is set during and after the American Civil War, and follows five people as they travel West to claim free land in Kansas. It starts with Nathan and Rebecca on the day the war started, they are both only children at this point so don't really know each other. Because he is the youngest, Nathan is left to take care of the family business and his mother.

When the war ends and his father comes home a changed man, he was against every thing Nathan had done and made Nathan unhappy, after marrying Rebecca they head West for a better life. While travelling they meet Carl and Hannah and decide to settle with them. But are they happy?

The book is written as diary entries from each of the main characters, which made it a little difficult to follow at times, but did provide some insight into the different ways people see things. I was fascinated in the history and learning how people lived during this period.

[Jamie U · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway. I enjoyed this difficult and heart breaking story of two families who traveled out west to settle in the prairie lands. All the characters were enjoyable but I specifically felt drawn to Rebecca and my heart broke for her. I'm not sure I would have been cut out for that life either. My heart just broke for her. I've also just seen there is a 2nd book "Never Waste Dreams" that I will look forward to reading it as continues the story.

[Jan Wallert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Never Waste Tears. I felt like it was probably an accurate description of the hard life the settlers lived, complete with heartbreak. Because the main characters were the narrators, it was easy for me to become involved in their day-to-day lives. I have read that the author may return to this story and take it further. Count me in!

[Sandra Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspense in Daily Life of 1860 Frontier

Gloria Zachgo captured the 1860 pioneer in rural Kansas in a manner that would not let me put down the book. The hopes, disappointments, and challenges of her characters are realistic. The characters are not modern characters sat in a rough environment. They portray the real settler and the challenging life they faced.

[Georgianna Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never Waste Tears is a historical novel by Gloria Zachgo, it takes place in the 1800’s. The first part is just as the announcement of civil war between the North and South is declared. Told in journal format, it describes the times and feelings of several people and their lives.
The story begins in Ohio as civil war is declared. It takes Nathan’s father and two brothers off to war leaving Nathan (13) and his mother to run the family mercantile store by themselves. Nathan learns to haul and lift supplies around by himself, and to eventually take over the accounts due to his mother’s lack of education in math.
It’s also told from Rebecca’s point of view as her journal describes growing up in a well to do family, her mother trying to educate her in the art of becoming a gentle woman. She plays the piano very well and does needlepoint. She and her friend Martha miss seeing Nathan in school and church, now that he spends all his time at the store.
Later as the war goes on, the children grow up and mature. Nathan discovers a large attraction for Rebecca, but her mother doesn’t really consider his “suitable” for her daughter. He learns to win her father and mother’s approval, and Rebecca falls in love with him.
Due to circumstances, I don’t want to spoil the book. He and Rebecca move out west to begin a new life as a farmer. He planned on going to Nebraska but ended up settling in Kansas to avoid danger with the Indians. It didn’t work, they had danger in Kansas as well, but that’s another spoiler.
The journals add the points of view of Carl and Hanna Taylor as the couples go west on a wagon train.
The descriptions are filled with speech variances of each character, if they weren’t labeled, you could probably still tell who was journaling due to the differences in the way they talked or thought.
This isn’t filled with fancy romance or contrived villains. This is fiction, but a well thought out story of the reality of life in this time period. It describes people, situations, many of the things people faced while traveling by covered wagon to a destination they knew little about. It has true danger, perilous situations, emotional battles, post war problems, and much more.
It was a truly interesting and action packed read. It felt so real, I found myself going through the troubles and trials with them. They became my good friends and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Life on the prairie wasn’t for the weak.
If you like emotional and well written adventure that rings of actuality, give this wonderful story a read! I really enjoyed it.

Copy supplied by author

[Steph Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a free copy of this book. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*

From the start Never Waste Tears reminded me of the Little House on the Prairie books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, not just because of the homesteading aspect of the plot, but also the honest, hardworking children running stores and farms speaking directly to the reader through their own narrative segments.

I loved how we are initially introduced to Rebecca and Nathan only, in alternating slots, then Carl and Hannah, and eventually Sarah, are added as the story progresses. This gives you a real chance to get to know the characters individually rather than having them all introduced at once.

I found this especially helpful with Rebecca, as she was the character I struggled most to empathise with; coming across as somewhat spoilt and childish at times, and unable to see other’s views or understand their feelings. It is worth noting that Rebecca’s point of view is mainly represented through excerpts from her diary, rather than the direct thought/oral recount style from Nathan and the other characters, which perhaps sets up more of a narrative distance from her, isolating her as effectively as the landscape does.

The further we follow the story and characters, the more it became about adult relationships and hardships, and began to read more like Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca than Laura’s childhood adventures on the prairie. I liked that the secrets and mysteries introduced were not wrapped up neatly and presented to the reader, but we were merely shown events from the character’s limited views and left to make up our own minds about the truth of events.

I know what I believe, or would like to. But I don’t give spoilers, so you will just have to make your own minds up! This is an intimate historical fiction, with lots of depth of feeling. Not an easy emotional read, but hard to put down!


Rebecca’s Diary…

April 12, 1862 – Church bells were ringing early this morning when I awakened. At first I thought it was Sunday morning and I would be late for church. But Mother said it was to mark the anniversary of the war and a tribute to all who had lost someone the last year. It will make Martha sad again. Even the songs Mother wanted me to practice today seemed sad and melancholy. She said I play the piano as well as she does. I have been practicing on a song of my very own when she is not at home. I will surprise her one of these days. It’s a happy song.

– Gloria Zachgo, Never Waste Tears

(Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog)

[Audiobookreviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. This book is a B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree.



Never Waste Tears is a historical fiction of the aftermath of the civil war on some families and the move westward for young and old. This story focuses on Nathan, Rebecca, Carl, Hannah and Sarah as they move to Kansas where the land is available for the taking and plentiful. They leave all that they knew and loved behind. After the Civil War men didn’t return whole, they were missing parts of themselves and for those that stayed behind, there was a lack of understanding.

Told in their own voice we are privy to their reasons for leaving home and making Kansas their new home – love, peace, freedom. Each person struggled with their new role in life and their new home – the dangerous trek via wagon train, Indian attacks, brutal weather and loneliness. Not everything went smoothly and for Rebecca, a young woman of privilege, the loneliness weighed heavy on her mind.
“The teacups are from my mother’s finest set of china.” She took a long breath of fresh air, gave another shudder, and opened her eyes. “Hannah, Let’s have a cup of tea now. Will you have tea with me?”

In a land where everything was scarce and must be conserved, even tears were not to be wasted.

“My mama always taught me and Sarah that tears was not to be wasted. She also said they was needed when a loved one passes. She said they helped wash away some of the grief. I had always heeded Mama’s words and had never been one to weep when things didn’t go my way, so ears never come easy for me … We talked of how our mama would not approve of so many tears. Then I told her how many tears mama had shed that year of her life, and we cried some more.”

Gloria Zachgo’s novel is well written with characters that build themselves through their own voices. Uniquely told, this novel is an easy read with a depth that pulls at one’s heart strings and a realization that we as humans endure a lot for the ones we love.

Vividly told, Zachgo weaves the story skillfully and solidly. Readers connect with the characters through her writing style – readers are placed into the story through the minds and passions of each main character. This is an excellent book that demonstrates the hardship of the 1800’s. This book is highly recommended.

WordsAPlenty gives Never Waste Tears a 5-star review!

[Tracy Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

An imagined account of post-civil war settlers in Kansas, Never Waste Tears reads like the real thing and leaves you thinking, yes, those must be exactly the kinds of people who made homes here when Kansas as a state was just beginning. Rebecca and Nathan are newlyweds, and their story begins when they are just children. Nathan stays behind to help his mother mind the store when his father and two older brothers leave to fight. They meet Carl, a war survivor, and his wife Hannah on the wagon train. These first person accounts pull the reader through a long, hot summer on the very empty plains. Seasons change and the settlers are tested, physically and emotionally. I appreciated that the voices of these settlers felt authentic, and the Native Americans, though only present at a distance from the storyline, were not treated as the stereotypical bad guys in this story. The reader does not hear from Skinner, the leader of the wagon train, as a first person voice, but his view of both sides of the settler/native coin is apparent and he even goes so far as to defend the native point of view. Never Waste Tears is like taking a glimpse into our past. It was easy for me to feel Nathan’s desire to farm and claim his own spot of land. I empathized with Carl’s feeling of well-being in the wide-open spaces. I could imagine the loneliness a woman without close neighbors might feel in those pioneering days of yore. Thumbs up all around for an excellent book. I recommend it. It’s a good read.

[Roberta R. Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never Waste Tears is a historical novel set in post-civil war Kansas. It tells the stories of two families who struggle to rebuild their lives and follow their dreams. The author took a creative approach of using a diary / narrative style to tell the story. She labels the character who is speaking, but it’s almost unnecessary because each voice is so consistently distinct. The unique syntax made me feel like I had time-traveled back to the year 1861, riding in covered wagons, living in dirt-walled homes, tasting cold cornbread and feeling the winter wind bite my face. The author captures life on the Kansas prairie in an authentic and heartfelt way, her characters are real, multi-dimensional people. Gloria Zachgo is a talented writer and I hope to read many more of her novels. Buy this book today.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fine historical fiction book is a page turner. I read the nearly 400 page oversized paperback in 2 days. The story of five people who homesteaded in the Ellsworth, KS area a few years after the Civil War is told in journal style, using the five individual voices. Ms. Zachgo has done a fine job in using this technique as the story flows easily as it moves from one character's voice to another. The story opens in Ohio during the Civil War. As Rebecca and Nathan matrue and fall in love, they make the decision to move West to Nebraska. On the way, they meet another young married couple who are going to homestead in Kansas. The two couples file claims next to one another and face the trials and joys that come with settling new territory. The reader is afforded a slice of history and a good story, as well. The book is self-published and available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never Waste Tears, by Gloria Zachgo, is the story of five people who traveled to Kansas to make a new life after the Civil War. Their story is told alternately in each of their voices and clearly presents their perspectives on their new lives. Just as they each had their own reasons for leaving family and the places they had known as home, they also had hopes and dreams for a new future. Vividly described is the constant hardship they faced and how they dealt with it. The reader follows the well developed characters through their tragedies and successes.
The author is a gifted story teller who has crafted a memorable novel about memorable characters. This is a book well worth reading.

I received this book free of charge and I give this review of my own free will.

[Nancy]

I added this book a few days ago but relied on memory for the title and got it wrong! This is a wonderful historical fiction book that is told in the distinct voices of the five main characters. It gives the reader a realistic picture of what homesteading in western Kansas was like in the late 1860's. I found it to be a real paget turner. Although it is nearly 400 pages, I finished reading it in two days. Kudos to author, Gloria Zachgo, for writing such a good story.

[Tricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I found myself thinking about the characters and what the future held for them. I could not put this book down. It was a great read and I felt like I was right beside them in their struggles and their joys. It took a strong person to be a pioneer on the Kansas prairie. Bravo to author Gloria Zachgo! Excellent work! I can't wait to read your next book!

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gloria Zachgo has written a well thought-out outline for what could become a wonderful book if it could be more fleshed out.

Read full review in the 2015 April issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[gj indieBRAG · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are proud to announce that NEVER WASTE TEARS by Gloria Zachgo is a B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree. This tells a reader that this book is well worth their time and money!

[Jim Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big Risk, Big Reward
Never Waste Tears, a historical novel by Gloria Zachgo, is a moving story of pioneers on the Kansas prairie. By using a diary format to tell the personal stories of the individuals, Zachgo successfully keeps the novel—with its tension—moving forward.
Zachgo took a huge risk and it paid off. Her characters speak in a historically appropriate dialect that’s engaging to the reader.
Never Waste Tears is an exemplary book written by a talented author. I’ll miss the courageous pioneers with their perseverance, but I’ll look forward to more books by Zachgo.
--Jim Potter, author of Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never Waste Tears
by Gloria Zachgo

I enjoyed this historical fiction in the form of journal entries. It follows several people, couples and singles that make their way to Kansas after the civil War. The struggles and happy moments are shared. I didn't want to put it down, because I wanted to know what was coming next.

This book was recommended by a librarian friend that knows the author.I must say "Thank You," for the entertaining read.

[Michelle M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. I felt like I got to know the characters in such a way that made them family. I can't imagine the struggles that settlers went through during that time. They really were strong individuals. I highly recommend this book and will for sure be setting this aside for a re-read later!

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Also never waste a day

The story of Rebecca and Nathan making a life together after the war that cost so many their own lives. As they travel West towards Indian country, what will happen to the wagon train? Will they make it to their destination safely? Will they make it “happily ever after””?”

#GoodreadsGiveaway

[Connie White · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fictional account of pioneer Kansas as recorded through journals of five characters. Excellent representation of the history of the time, and wonderfully written. This is the author's second novel, and I look forward to reading more of her works.

[Mary Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the development of characters. The setting and time in history was brought to life. Wii explore other books by author.

[Tiffany Tinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book on goodreads. Very interesting read.