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The Great Northwest #1
Empire Builders
Steel tracks and the lure of the sea led them to Washington Territory, but only a few would triumph.
Ember Ridgeway is the vivacious, pampered niece of railroad tycoon Mack Ridgeway. Orphaned at a young age, Ember's struggle for identity in a world of greed leaves her feeling empty and alone. But then Tavish Wilder enters her life, and Ember's dreams began to include the one thing her uncle's money can't buy.
Tavish Wilder's driving ambition is to rise up as a powerful timber baron in the Northwest territories. But life in the train camps is a world away from his dreams, and the road to success is riddled with treachery.
Mack Ridgeway is determined to climb his way to the top of the Northern Pacific railroad no matter what the cost. With his son by his side, he plans to rule the Northwest and rid the rich timberland of any who would stand in his way.
Their dreams brought them together. Would tragedy and deceit drive them apart?
Ember Ridgeway is the vivacious, pampered niece of railroad tycoon Mack Ridgeway. Orphaned at a young age, Ember's struggle for identity in a world of greed leaves her feeling empty and alone. But then Tavish Wilder enters her life, and Ember's dreams began to include the one thing her uncle's money can't buy.
Tavish Wilder's driving ambition is to rise up as a powerful timber baron in the Northwest territories. But life in the train camps is a world away from his dreams, and the road to success is riddled with treachery.
Mack Ridgeway is determined to climb his way to the top of the Northern Pacific railroad no matter what the cost. With his son by his side, he plans to rule the Northwest and rid the rich timberland of any who would stand in his way.
Their dreams brought them together. Would tragedy and deceit drive them apart?
334 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1994
About the author
Linda Lee Chaikin
47 books236 followersLinda Chaikin is a Christian fiction author with a focus on historical fiction. She sometimes publishes using the name L.L. Chaikin.
Linda was the youngest of 10 children and her father died shortly after she was born. She wrote her first full-length novel with pen and paper at the age of 14 - this novel was later rewritten as Wednesday's Child, part of the Day to Remember series.
She met her husband, Steve, in a Bible study, and they were married 6 months later. They both went to Multnomah School for the Bible, now known as Multnomah Bible College and Biblical Seminary in Portland, Oregon.
Linda was the youngest of 10 children and her father died shortly after she was born. She wrote her first full-length novel with pen and paper at the age of 14 - this novel was later rewritten as Wednesday's Child, part of the Day to Remember series.
She met her husband, Steve, in a Bible study, and they were married 6 months later. They both went to Multnomah School for the Bible, now known as Multnomah Bible College and Biblical Seminary in Portland, Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 1, 2018
Drama.
That's the first word that comes to mind when I think of this book. I had really enjoyed book 2 in the series so thought I'd like book 1. Parts of it I enjoyed. The first half wasn't bad except that I don't really like reading about Indian attacks and how they torture their captives. (not very descriptive though, thankfully!)
Then I reached the 2nd part. It felt as though the author didn't know what to write so she just dumped in a bunch of drama, added in the always handy solution for more conflict by making sure the characters didn't communicate or talk things over, and jumped from one thing to the other in a fashion that left a lot untold. Some of the time I was left feeling like I had missed something. Other times I couldn't figure out why these characters, who are supposedly good Christians, didn't talk about things directly but skirted the subjects and never really get anywhere.
The history of the railroad and it's ups and downs was interesting. The romance was a clean as far as that goes. There were some good Christian points, some Bible reading, verses quoted, and some praying.
If you like drama in books (Indian attacks, Custer and the 7th cavalry, men being shanghaied, thieves, murder, liars, evil sea captains, and such) mixed with history and some Christian things, you might like it. I didn't.
That's the first word that comes to mind when I think of this book. I had really enjoyed book 2 in the series so thought I'd like book 1. Parts of it I enjoyed. The first half wasn't bad except that I don't really like reading about Indian attacks and how they torture their captives. (not very descriptive though, thankfully!)
Then I reached the 2nd part. It felt as though the author didn't know what to write so she just dumped in a bunch of drama, added in the always handy solution for more conflict by making sure the characters didn't communicate or talk things over, and jumped from one thing to the other in a fashion that left a lot untold. Some of the time I was left feeling like I had missed something. Other times I couldn't figure out why these characters, who are supposedly good Christians, didn't talk about things directly but skirted the subjects and never really get anywhere.
The history of the railroad and it's ups and downs was interesting. The romance was a clean as far as that goes. There were some good Christian points, some Bible reading, verses quoted, and some praying.
If you like drama in books (Indian attacks, Custer and the 7th cavalry, men being shanghaied, thieves, murder, liars, evil sea captains, and such) mixed with history and some Christian things, you might like it. I didn't.
June 2, 2026
I was sure that this story would be spread out into a trilogy, until the very end when pretty much all the loose ends were tied up. Still, I was surprised upon learning that no other book follows these characters--don't they have more lessons to learn?? But due to the often-summarizing nature of the writing, it did pretty much cover the gamut of ups and downs of Tavish's life.
In light of the ending, I understood and appreciated the plotline and events of the story, and the time devoted to them. Still, in the middle, I frequently felt rushed. The book started in 1871 at the Chicago Fire, and finished in Gold Creek, Montana, 1883. The main character underwent massive changes, some of which we saw a tiny snippet; some we saw a larger glimpse; others we saw a greater glimpse in the sum of several scenes; and one section of his life was completely enshrouded in secrecy, even after the beginning of the book was entirely focused on him. The POV switched not often, but just enough to toss my loyalties around like a disgruntled ship.
That leads me to the musing of the characters, all of whom I pretty much liked--or thought I could have sympathies for, in regards to the antagonist(s). I really think it would be preferable for each of the POV characters to have their own book. When one certain event occurred, I spent the rest of the book pouting because I felt cheated out of my favorite character's plot arc.
Although there were disappointing aspects and parts that left a bad taste in my mouth, the book was a good one. Linda Lee Chaikin has a knack for creating incredible characters, causing one to grin in the most unlikeliest of circumstances. Ah, well, not everything can be a winner.
In light of the ending, I understood and appreciated the plotline and events of the story, and the time devoted to them. Still, in the middle, I frequently felt rushed. The book started in 1871 at the Chicago Fire, and finished in Gold Creek, Montana, 1883. The main character underwent massive changes, some of which we saw a tiny snippet; some we saw a larger glimpse; others we saw a greater glimpse in the sum of several scenes; and one section of his life was completely enshrouded in secrecy, even after the beginning of the book was entirely focused on him. The POV switched not often, but just enough to toss my loyalties around like a disgruntled ship.
That leads me to the musing of the characters, all of whom I pretty much liked--or thought I could have sympathies for, in regards to the antagonist(s). I really think it would be preferable for each of the POV characters to have their own book. When one certain event occurred, I spent the rest of the book pouting because I felt cheated out of my favorite character's plot arc.
Although there were disappointing aspects and parts that left a bad taste in my mouth, the book was a good one. Linda Lee Chaikin has a knack for creating incredible characters, causing one to grin in the most unlikeliest of circumstances. Ah, well, not everything can be a winner.
May 14, 2020
The book was enjoyable as the story was well-written preventing a fantastical, unreachable romance. The author created a beautiful story of the growth in both characters. It shows the danger of wealth and power, especially seen in their relationship.
My only negative of the book is that I would have enjoyed another book centered more on their time apart. But I also understand the author's focus on the progression of their relationship over the years and driving home the lesson of what pride can destruct.
Beautiful overall and inspirational but a thrilling read as well.
My only negative of the book is that I would have enjoyed another book centered more on their time apart. But I also understand the author's focus on the progression of their relationship over the years and driving home the lesson of what pride can destruct.
Beautiful overall and inspirational but a thrilling read as well.
January 19, 2019
This was a cute story! There was not a whole lot of depth to it and some of the jumps in the characters’ feelings didn’t really make sense to me. We didn’t see the character growth we were just shown it from end of the extreme to the other. I would have liked to see more about the Indian girl they explained her away and she shouldn’t have even gotten a charter to herself to be honest. It was a decent Christian romance but not all that great.
July 29, 2020
This book reminds me of Jesus meets John Wayne. The main characters speak about their Christian faith, but continue to do many un-Christian things. It takes place in the West and Northwest of the US during the 1870's about railroad and lumber tycoons.
March 14, 2023
Love this author but not this book. I hardly ever start a book and not finish it....I could not get through this book much less a sequel book.
October 6, 2016
I liked the historical fiction aspect and many of the characters, except Ember. I thought she was extremely irritating. The other issue that bothered me was that some of the biggest challenges and issues Tavish faces are just skipped right over and not explained how he reached his destination or anything.
June 17, 2013
I like the historical fiction aspect but felt so frustrated off and on during the book on the romance aspect. There were a few moments where the book seemed to drop off for me, but I kept in mind that I wanted to see how the romance plot was fulfilled in the end.
March 18, 2007
Pretty good book, (whether that's in spite of or because of the flat, sappy romance, I don't know)
The characters are decent, despite bearing overtly romance novelish names.
The characters are decent, despite bearing overtly romance novelish names.
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December 3, 2008YA Cha
March 15, 2010
I read this a long time ago, so I barely remember the book, but I know I liked it. I'll have to read it again and give a real review.
February 8, 2012
Fun but definitely not as good as Chaikin normally is. The story shifted too quickly and some parts seemed just there for the transition. Characters were fabulous though, and the plot was awesome.
July 23, 2015
Very interesting to read about the Pacific Northwest and the railroad. I enjoyed the intertwine of the history and fiction.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews