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Prairie Winds #1
Walks the Fire
.Jesse King doesn’t want to go west, but her husband has never been all that concerned with what his wife wants.
When tragedy strikes, Jesse is rescued by the Lakota Sioux, among whom she finds unexpected peace, a sense of belonging, and the love of a lifetime.
A compelling tale of one woman’s extraordinary faith as God leads her from prairie schooner to tepee, from tepee to frontier fort and on to a growing state capitol.
When tragedy strikes, Jesse is rescued by the Lakota Sioux, among whom she finds unexpected peace, a sense of belonging, and the love of a lifetime.
A compelling tale of one woman’s extraordinary faith as God leads her from prairie schooner to tepee, from tepee to frontier fort and on to a growing state capitol.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1994
446 people are currently reading
1013 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Grace Whitson
54 books340 followersA native of southern Illinois, Stephanie Grace Whitson has lived in Nebraska since 1975. She began what she calls "playing with imaginary friends" (writing fiction) when, as a result of teaching her four homeschooled children Nebraska history, she was personally encouraged and challenged by the lives of pioneer women in the West. Since her first book, Walks the Fire, was published in 1995, Stephanie's fiction titles have appeared on the ECPA bestseller list numerous times and been finalists for the Christy Award, the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, and ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year. Her first nonfiction work, How to Help a Grieving Friend, was released in 2005. In addition to serving in her local church and keeping up with two married children, two college students, and a high school senior, Stephanie enjoys motorcycle trips with her family and church friends. Her passionate interests in pioneer women's history, antique quilts, and French, Italian, and Hawaiian language and culture provide endless story-telling possibilities.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
January 7, 2022
This book, and the other two books in the trilogy....So beautiful!. These books were gifted to my mother 13 years ago. After my mother was finished with them, she gave them to me. I think I've read the whole trilogy about 4 times, if not more. I absolutely love these books. I love the story, and the history, and the characters. I love Jesse, and I rejoiced with her, and mourned with her and hoped with her on her journey in life. I love Rides The Wind, and Two Mothers, I love Old One, and Prairie Flower, and I definitely loved Lisbeth, Mrs. Augusta Hathaway and Joseph.
I can't really say what it is about these books that make me come back to them time and time again, I really can't. I do know that these are just amazingly wonderful, heartwarming, tragic, yet hope filled books. They ARE Christian Fiction books so if thats not your thing, you probably won't like them, but growing up in church...although I DO prefer other genres, sometimes its nice to read a book that isn't sex and violence filled with no swearing. Just like sometimes, all I want to do is watch the Hallmark Channel. There is something about leaving reality for a bit for something you can just...sit back and relax and enjoy.
I love these books, I don't know why its been so long since I've read them last...probably about 5 or 6 years. This is a trilogy that I totally give 10 Stars!
I can't really say what it is about these books that make me come back to them time and time again, I really can't. I do know that these are just amazingly wonderful, heartwarming, tragic, yet hope filled books. They ARE Christian Fiction books so if thats not your thing, you probably won't like them, but growing up in church...although I DO prefer other genres, sometimes its nice to read a book that isn't sex and violence filled with no swearing. Just like sometimes, all I want to do is watch the Hallmark Channel. There is something about leaving reality for a bit for something you can just...sit back and relax and enjoy.
I love these books, I don't know why its been so long since I've read them last...probably about 5 or 6 years. This is a trilogy that I totally give 10 Stars!
January 7, 2021
I usually complain that Christian fiction isn’t Christian enough, but this one might be a step too far in the other direction 😄 Jesse is a little too pious and perfect now and then but I found it refreshing to read about someone so devout. I really enjoyed this book and religious or not it was a great adventure!
October 12, 2011
3.5 stars really.
The best thing about being in a book club (especially one where the members take turns choosing the book for the month) is reading a book you really wouldn't pick on your own. This is one of those I would have passed by, if for not other reason then my to-read list is to long as it is. In my pre-goodreads days I read a LOT of "inspirational" or Christian fiction and I sort of got tired of it. I was ready for a different genre and I have pretty much stayed away from it since (with a few exceptions). This book avoided some of the things I tend to dislike in the genre so it gets points from me for that.
So the book itself. My feelings about this book sort of worked like a light-switch. I was either interested in reading it and interested in what was happening to the main character, or I wasn't at all. It wasn't so much my mood or desire to read the book turning on and off, it was the book itself. There were parts that kept me well entertained, or interested, and parts that sort of felt like filler. It's almost like the author had a list of great things she wanted the character to experience. Things that pushed the story and the character development forward. After writing and developing these ideas, it seems to me like she added a lot of filler that did very little except put in a lot of words to say "time passed and she lived her life."
That being said the major plot points really interested me. I was a little frustrated with how sad the book was. I wasn't really looking for a sad book, but there you go. I got around that frustration and by the end I had come to like the main character. I'm glad I went ahead and finished this book, even if I probably won't look for the second book in the series.
The best thing about being in a book club (especially one where the members take turns choosing the book for the month) is reading a book you really wouldn't pick on your own. This is one of those I would have passed by, if for not other reason then my to-read list is to long as it is. In my pre-goodreads days I read a LOT of "inspirational" or Christian fiction and I sort of got tired of it. I was ready for a different genre and I have pretty much stayed away from it since (with a few exceptions). This book avoided some of the things I tend to dislike in the genre so it gets points from me for that.
So the book itself. My feelings about this book sort of worked like a light-switch. I was either interested in reading it and interested in what was happening to the main character, or I wasn't at all. It wasn't so much my mood or desire to read the book turning on and off, it was the book itself. There were parts that kept me well entertained, or interested, and parts that sort of felt like filler. It's almost like the author had a list of great things she wanted the character to experience. Things that pushed the story and the character development forward. After writing and developing these ideas, it seems to me like she added a lot of filler that did very little except put in a lot of words to say "time passed and she lived her life."
That being said the major plot points really interested me. I was a little frustrated with how sad the book was. I wasn't really looking for a sad book, but there you go. I got around that frustration and by the end I had come to like the main character. I'm glad I went ahead and finished this book, even if I probably won't look for the second book in the series.
March 23, 2018
4+ Stars
The first half of this book was most definitely a 5 star experience for me. Whitson pulled me through a variety of emotions. However, the second half just did not hold me as fast. It was still a good read but not as gripping.
I am interested to see what happens in Book 2!
The first half of this book was most definitely a 5 star experience for me. Whitson pulled me through a variety of emotions. However, the second half just did not hold me as fast. It was still a good read but not as gripping.
I am interested to see what happens in Book 2!
March 27, 2018
Walks the Fire by Stephanie Grace Whitson
Timeframe: 1800s
Jesse King: Widowed after being separated from a wagon train heading west
Rides the Wind: Lakota brave who found her
Two Mothers aka Soaring Eagle:: Rides the Wind’s son
LisBeth: Jesse’s daughter
Locations: Prairies of Nebraska
What an amazing book. I couldn’t put it down. Seems as though I’ve read a lot of books with Indians lately, but none better than this. A very different romance!
A bit of a synopsis:
What impressed me so much was how Ms. Whitson integrated Christianity into the story. Rides the Wind had been taught by a missionary the things of Christ, and had Jesse read from the Bible he was given. Her life had not been easy, but the Word and the promises within kept her encouraged, and gave her strength throughout everything.
This was joyous at times and heartbreaking at others, but she was sustained by love from those around her and from her Lord telling her, “Do not fear”.
I can’t wait to read the second in the Prairie Winds series: Soaring Eagle.
Timeframe: 1800s
Jesse King: Widowed after being separated from a wagon train heading west
Rides the Wind: Lakota brave who found her
Two Mothers aka Soaring Eagle:: Rides the Wind’s son
LisBeth: Jesse’s daughter
Locations: Prairies of Nebraska
What an amazing book. I couldn’t put it down. Seems as though I’ve read a lot of books with Indians lately, but none better than this. A very different romance!
A bit of a synopsis:
What impressed me so much was how Ms. Whitson integrated Christianity into the story. Rides the Wind had been taught by a missionary the things of Christ, and had Jesse read from the Bible he was given. Her life had not been easy, but the Word and the promises within kept her encouraged, and gave her strength throughout everything.
This was joyous at times and heartbreaking at others, but she was sustained by love from those around her and from her Lord telling her, “Do not fear”.
I can’t wait to read the second in the Prairie Winds series: Soaring Eagle.
October 13, 2025
Grandma Lay Rec #2. Did not get my gander or completely tater my tots - Hallmark vibes were too strong and way too Little House on the Prairie scented for my tastes. Also, the characters all have perfect faith and make exactly zero mistakes ever in their life, but shoot, it was nice to read from the perspective of perfect people. All three stars attributed to Rides the Wind, the HOTTEST dude on the frontier hands down. As much as Rides the Wind is super hot and amazing, the author described his "cinnamon cheeks" way too much lol.
March 27, 2024
This was a well written Christian historical fiction story. I don't read Christian fiction as a rule, but this one was a wagon train story, so I gave it a try. One of the first characters in the story is Dr. Whitman. I had read a book about the Whitman massacre in Oregon territory, and the reader will hear of this too. There are other events and historical figures mentioned in this story that make it more believable and entertaining.
October 21, 2023
Loved this story. Really a 4.5. Want to read the next in the series
March 15, 2019
I read this probably 20 years ago and loved it. This reread I enjoyed as well. The first half of the book is 5 stars, and while the second half isn’t nearly as good, it’s still kept my attention. This is a book I’d like to have on my shelf.
Edited to add: The story of Rides the Wind and Walks the Fire could have been expanded greatly. The next two books are unnecessary, to be honest.
Edited to add: The story of Rides the Wind and Walks the Fire could have been expanded greatly. The next two books are unnecessary, to be honest.
September 10, 2021
A young woman sets out onto the Nebraska prairie bound to Oregon with her husband and son. Things soon turn to trouble and Jesse King is sent on a different path.
I enjoyed the relationship between Jesse and Rides the Wind. The story not only revolves around that relationship but the life of Jesse King. The reader will laugh and cry with her.
Stephanie Grace Whitson did an amazing job with researching the history of Nebraska and specifically Lincoln, Nebraska. After living there for six years, I loved learning how the town came about.
Walks the Fire does start out slow but after the first few chapters it starts to pick up. Also, there is some head hopping which was normal around the time the book was first published.
I enjoyed the relationship between Jesse and Rides the Wind. The story not only revolves around that relationship but the life of Jesse King. The reader will laugh and cry with her.
Stephanie Grace Whitson did an amazing job with researching the history of Nebraska and specifically Lincoln, Nebraska. After living there for six years, I loved learning how the town came about.
Walks the Fire does start out slow but after the first few chapters it starts to pick up. Also, there is some head hopping which was normal around the time the book was first published.
March 29, 2018
This book is about the tensions between tribes & settlers. It is also about getting along with others of all races. includes Custer's last stand. It is a sad comentary on how we treated the tribes & never even tried to get along but took their land & ousted them out! It is about mixed whites & indians labeled half breeds. Our white race are culpable to blacks & indians! We broke many peace treaties & then expected the indians to be civil! This story is about a Locoda brave & a white woman marrying & the love they had with each other. A lot of tears shed over this book! Stephanie makes you feel like you are there.
October 5, 2020
3.5. I also read this book at the recommendation of a friend and, while I didn’t like it as much as she did, it was a good read. I love the subject manner and enjoyed the Lakota section the best, as the Native American way of life is beautifully drawn. Jesse’s life story is so sad, but likely on point. I would have liked fewer large, uncharted year gaps and more detail of these missing links.
I am a Christian but read little Christian fiction. Jesse’s faith is admirable but very ‘in your face’. I almost gasped at how quickly she moved from grief at her son’s sudden death to complete Biblical acceptance. Perhaps that happens, but not in my experience!
I am a Christian but read little Christian fiction. Jesse’s faith is admirable but very ‘in your face’. I almost gasped at how quickly she moved from grief at her son’s sudden death to complete Biblical acceptance. Perhaps that happens, but not in my experience!
August 18, 2011
Much too SAD for my taste! By the middle of the book I was thinking she was maybe going to end up happy but after..SAD...after sad...it still didn't end very happy:(. I think the author is VERY talented, and I KNOW the pioneers had HARD, hard, lives...but this book was MUCH too sad for me to enjoy. I do NOT like to be depressed after I read a book. I will not read anymore from this series, but I would like to read something else from this author.
September 26, 2012
i think i tried reading this a few years earlier, and couldn't do it, because the storyline, well,it sucks.she's a widow.i mean wth.
idk why i bother with inspirational-aka dry-romance.idk why christian/ inspirational romance books instantly means boring, dry and humorless. but it does.
its funny they don't go into detail-at all-about things and yet we gotta read about her nursing the guys child.um, gross! you go into disgusting detail about that but not about what we actually want to read about.
&what kind of romance is this anway?! u were married and had a kid &then they died.so you get with an indian who is also widowed &has a kid.wth?!
i love books that conveniently forget to mention on the back of the book that he already has a kid.&that she was married.&had a kid.
i picked up this book before &im now remembering why i didnt read it.
already flipped to the ending.her&him didnt even end up 2gether?!
ugh.i've seriously gotta stay away from these books.
how come the only people that get with indians in movies or books are widows.&women with orange hair.i mean wth?!
ugh.just ugh.
so the indian-&i can only guess its whats his face that the main character gets with-has his hand on this beautiful young squaws shoulder.if it wasnt for his injured leg i can just hazard a guess at what was about2 happen.&i dont think they were joining in the dancing.
if his injured leg hadnt have kicked in,they would have went off and did it.
what's christian about this?!
i mean dont christians wanna be with one person. like you marry someone and stay with them forever? not end up widowed and get with something who's also widowed.so u have to feed his child.yuck.
that was like a regular romance book except this lacks in everything like adventure, comedy, excitement, a smidgen of interest, character personality and plot originality.
i mean both characters in this series-lisbeth &jesse-are widowed and then get with an indian.wth?! do they all have to be widows?!
is her husband supposed to be rude&mean? cuz he's comin off rlly weak.&just stupid. thats a sad attempt at a bad guy.
-get an insult we can actually understand.&in plain english,plz. "nymph, in thy orisons, be all my sins remembered." even that is said in this bible-y way.
"some even spoke english, but that brought lil comfort to jessie, who viewed the indians as godless creatures 2be feared &avoided @all costs." -just love a character that hates indians. i mean, seriously.do u even want us2 like this character?
4sum reason, anytime sum1 writes about little kids,they make em sound so stupid. like "he seemed impervious 2the bumpin of the wagon &squealed w/delight most of the day,peekin @jesse over the back of the wagon box,pointing to rabbits that popped out from behind bushes or rocks." ugh. i dont like kids anyway,so this is just annoying.
omg r u gunna mention nursing the freakin kid every time u do it?! GROSS!
this girl is already irritating the crap out of me. she hates indians-points taken immediately for that-cries &begs her husband, who she doesnt rlly seem2 like, not 2cross the river.then she "became phsyically ill&bent over double, sobbing." hate whiny weak characters.who becomes so worried that they throw up? i feel like stuff like that is just what authors write, not things that actually happen2 ppl.
i thought jesse was gunna sneak along grain 4their horses cuz her husband was2 stupid 2 get sum. but she duznt.
things that sound stupid-"man alive!" "i swan!"
i love the things lil children seem2 be able2 do. u make him seem like a baby, because he's makin all these gurgling, bubbly noises &his mom still nurses him.so i find it quite extraordinary that he cud climb up from the back of the wagon 2the seat up front.
her husband is talkin about his son-"i may not have kept him safe...but i'll make sure the dang coyotes leave him in peace now." its so crude &just disgusting 2 picture coyotes gettin the body.
&then we go on2 read about jesse movin the body around.&struggling with it.ugh!
"i can do my work so much better, &be of much more use2 u, after i have spent time w/ the lord." i certainly don't mind comments about god or when characters pray.its in a lot of romance books. but inspirational/christian romance books put comments in there about the bible,praying, and god wayy too much.i dont like repition of any kind. &that gets old incredibly fast. &that comment doesnt even make any sense.its like authors like this arent christians.they're crazy christians.their whole way of thinking is just bizarre &out there.their whole world is centered around god.they eat, sleep,& breathe god.&they look down on ne1 who isnt like them.like they think they're the antichrist if they aren't the same way.&i hate that. they also just want to push their ways on other ppl.it irritates me wen ppl write about god like this,becuz then it makes me hate stuff like that, and i hate that.
"perhaps more,she thought, he does not have the comfort of the lord." wow,u think ur sooo superior. that just hit me so wrong.like he was grieving more becuz he dint have a strong bond w/god.like u.
-"as her body demanded to feed the child that was gone." duz ur body rlly do that??
he tells u 2get into the wagon &she "dropped her shawl on the prairie, grabbed the wagon side, hauled herself up." why wud u drop ur shawl? was it on purpuse or an accident?
how wud she know he was a siox warrior?
"homer? no,not homer any longer,yet it had been homer only a lil while ago." ur husbands dead on the ground &u dont have any feelings.u talk about his lifeless body-i think its a body.its hard2 tell becuz of this poor writing-n such an impersonal, detached way.
shes being taken by indians &put on his horse but her prayer isnt for escape but 2 "keep me on this pony." most ppl n her situation wud pray 2 fall off &die.so she cud escape the indians.but not her. for this d.a. its all about her pain.
i hate characters that get caught up over a lil soreness. "the soreness n her back &legs made her cry out in pain.she stumbled,tried2 stand but cud not." omg.this is annoying!!
just love characters that keep throwin up.&screaming.
then she says "death wud bring welcome relief from the torture of riding w/every muscle agonizing as each stride jarred her weary body." not that death wud bring relief from bein captured by ppl u hate,but so u cud stop ridin because of ur sore muscles.STOP WHINING ABOUT BEING SORE.
i almost feel like im gunna be sick.if i hear about this dumba** nursin a kid one more time im gunna freakin scream.this shudnt be n a book @all,much less a romance book.
wut is this authors problem? u freakin sicko.
why wud he pretend 2drop her just2 catch her.
"cud it be that he duz not plan2 kill me after all?but then...no,death wud be preferred 2sum things." 1st of all,that writin sucks.2nd,u mean it wud be preferred 2ridin w/ur sore body? becuz thats paramount n here.
she gets n his teepee &then is like "jesse spotted the reason she had ben brought here" wen she sees the baby.who just immediately knows shes brought2 nurse the child?!
"jesse felt her body respond2 the cries &looked down,embarrassed by the dampness beginnin2show thru the bodice of her dress." &then "jesse looked away,pretendin not2 understand,but the wail persisted-she turned2look @the child.the wail stopped momentarily wen the childs eyes met hers." she then touches the child&then "instinct took over" &she feeds the child.just unfastens her bodice n front of them.
why wud u wanna nurse the guys child,who isnt urs? wuts romantic about this?!
&wuts up w/this character &nursing? duz ur body even rlly do that crap? line up w/ur kids ppl.jessee can &will nurse them all! this is just repulsive.
u get captured.u c a child. &r immediately derailed.
&these authors act holier than thou,but just how christian is openin ur dress2 nurse n front of ppl?
he drags her2 his teepee &these girls r smilin&noddin.&i thought they knew he was gunna get w/her.but oh no,so not the case.she was gunna nurse his child.how freakin sweet.
i nvr understand why authors write things like this.why write sumthin unless u kinda wanted it2 happen 2 urself?
"as dusk arrived,the indian came back." i dint know he left.cuz the author dint mention it.
not only duz the plot suck but the writin duz2.who wants 2get w/a guy who already has a kid? &who just lets a kid nurse from them? she acts like its enjoyable.she fell asleep &the kid was still nursin.
i feel like the way she writes about the indians &the things they do arent realistic.
"waxed eloquent" seems extremely modern4this time period.much less 4an indian2 say.
"i am certain time will calm his heart," &here four skies paused&winked @those around him, "time &a good woman."
i was confused about who she was gunna end up w/.i got rides w/the wind(w/the limp) confused w/howling wolf(the blamer).had2 check back of book just2 clear it up.why put it in howling wolfs perspective sometimes? so confusing!
indian sayin "crazy." seems wrong.downword spiral does 2.&"i told u so" speech.
she seems2 adjust well2 indian life.i mean2 claim2 hate them&yet nurse babies when they're foisted @u.&u smile wen u envision urself n indian clothes.
"she has much milk.she did not want2 give it,but i made her." the old womans eyes softened, "i think she likes the child.rides the wind has named him 2mothers.she will stay." @that,old1 said, "enuff! u will c her 4urself." why wud u say enuff?! no1 sed nething.&jesse obvs. wanted2 feed it.its not like she refused.&u did not "make her." gah this writin sucks.
she seemed2 be adjusting2 indian life completely.carryin the baby around n the lil backboard thing. the whole thing just rlly irritated me.she dint seem2 mind that life @all so i dint believe her wen she sed "she found herself n such an unbelievable situation that all her energies were used2 cope w/it."
&i knew she dint care about homer,but it was still rlly dislikable wen she sed "she wondered @the lack of emotion she felt @the thought of him." he wasnt that bad.
"old1 pointed2 the child &sed "wableinca." jesse repeated the word.she pointed a finger@herself. "wakanka." jesse parroted the word." bad writin becuz u dint clarify who pointed@themselves.
she seems2 enjoy indian life becuz she nurses the child,goes plant hunting&then goes2 sleep w/o a word of complaint.&she hasnt mentioned escape once.
shes teachin u words-"pangi." &u call out "pow-gay!" 1st of all, that wasnt funny n the slightest. 2nd,why r u tryin2 adjust? most ppl wud have already tried escape now.its unrealistic.
-"you tell words in book." why is it italicized like that?!
"had she rlly heard her own language?no,she thought,it was only the wind...or my own dream..or..." so stupid!
i feel like this storyline is just a lil 2 convenient.like she had a husband and child. but to eliminate those bothersome aspects,her son conviently-&stupidly-dies. then her husband dies. she got rid of them both and then it paves the way for her to fall in love with an indian.why even have her be married &w/ a kid if ur just gunna kill them off? that was so unnesecary.&i hate ppl that r already married w/kids.ugh! this storyline just sucks.
she's ben given a choice2 leave&she act.has 2 stop2 consider it.wth.&of course her sister wudnt miss her,her family was glad she got married&she has nowhere2 go so shes all gung-ho 2stay.&the family crap came out of nowhere.we had no knowledge of ur careless family.&no,i dont feel srry4u. n fact,i dont like u @all.
u hated the indians.u call them savages as u agree2 stay w/them.&u decide2 stay.idk why.its completely unrealistic.&this story sucks.ive nvr read another like it&i dont want 2ever again.
u randomly sayhe shud smile more becuz u arent scared of him then.i dint realize u were ever scared of him.&she wanted him2 hurry &get back so he cud communicate w/her.hes gone half the time.u've talked2 him like once.&then u pray2find the words 2describe the bible2 him.&4u 2 understand their language.how stupid! god forbid u cant explain things right.this girl is DUMB.
shes actin like a baby cuz she cant make a fire&ppl r laughin.&actually flinches wen she finds out the women called her Woman Who Makes No Fire.thats not even insulting.like who cares?@
"workout" is SO modern.
'jesse struggled2 no just wut2 read,until rides the wind solved the problem.
"is not all of it from god?"
"yes it is all from god."
"then you tell it all."'
ugh!this book is full of crap.jesse gets hung up on idiotic things.
wut was this about??-
"jesse remembered old one's laughter as she&her son had butchered the buffalo.she remembered the look of disbelief on rides the wind's face."
wut?! idr that.&wut did that have2 do w/wut rides the wind asked u-which was ur fear ur horses.
"a dark red star nearly hidden by her forelock explained the ponys name." no1 had sed the ponys name.
u get mad@the horse &kick it &then u get dumped off.like an idiot.&then cry.like an idiot. this girl is WEAk.
"jesse wondered.how is it,old 1,that u always no my secrets?she gestured until old1 understood." how wud u gesture that?
theres a fire&i think jesse is about2 do sumthin.but she duznt.she grabs Two Mothers,gives him to old1.idk wut a parfleche is,but it must contain her bible,otherwise she'd nvr bother.i thought she was gettin sumthin2 scoop water2throw on the fire w/.but oh no.that wud be2 much like a herione.
her 1st concern upon waking is about 2mothers.not how bad she was hurt.but about 2mothers.why wud he be hurt?! hes not the kid who was actually near the fire.but i 4got,u prob.just wanna feed him, becuz ur obsessed w/that.
the only reason she prob saved that kid was becuz he was a kid.she's particularly sensitive 2 children.im surprised she dint immediately insist on feedin 2mothers,even tho she's hurt.becuz thats the kind of "acts of heroine" u get w/this girl.
&WHY wud the author choose to burn her characters hair? ugh!
sumtimes he sounds like an indian.other times it seems wrong.
jesse wakes sumtime after the fire&then we flip the pg2 "prairie flower was the bearer of the news." i thought sum1 had died.but it was that Rides the Wind loves her.that was so random &done n such a crappy way.
every time rides the wind duz sumthin his mom brings it up2 jesse.like "a new wife gives the mother n law moccasins." or "u have his fav horse."
'prairie flower spoke the unspeakable. "then if u cannot c that he cares4 u n wut he does, u must c it n wut he has not dun." the unspeakable? rlly?
"it is the wifes job." she blushed, realizing that she had used a wrong word-the word wife,instead of the word4woman." we're not stupid.u dint need2 clarify that.this writin is just terrible n every way.
"i will tell u how it is w/lakota.wen a man wishes2take a wife..." &then the author skips over wut he says.
it was supposed2 be a good moment wen he tells her of the buffalo robe custom &wraps it around her.but it wasnt.becuz this writin sucks.
sounds wrong that he'd talk like this-"whether she is my fav,i cannot say."
"there is 1 thing the lakota brave who wishes a wife duz that i have not described."
theres abs.no way he'd want jesse as a wife.at all.shes so stupid.shes not funny.shes weak.
indian saying "celebration" sounds off.
she gets all defensive about the bible-of course-&basically becuz he isnt white & has dif religion. "god says2 obey the way of the ppl.among the whites,the way of the ppl is w/a minister." shes basically sayin obey the whites&no1 else.
u dont have much of a reaction wen he basically admits he wants2 marry u.u act.kind of protest.but wen he walkss away,u "watch him walk away w/a singing heart.he cares 4me..he cares4 me..he cares!" btw,u sound like an idiot.
dint even no she loved him or he liked her.or felt@home there.or that god "gave her comfort thru homer wen lil jacob died." u dint seem2truly care about homer@all.&now ur only concerned about havin a minister 2marry u.
prairie flower&old1 r talkin like white women b4 the weddin.
she agrees2 be married &they're about2 ride thru the village.then she slides down off horse &hides her face.-"but2 b led b4 the entire village...2 have every1 watchin..i have given u my heart.but i cannot tell the village how i feel.it is n here." she puts his open palm over her heart. "it is24 u2no.it is not4 them." -when u get married,u walk down the aisle n front of ppl,so how is this ne dif? this character is2 dumb2 comprehend.
i dont believe shes "given him her heart." becuz she nvr mentioned she loved him.inspirational romances suck.this character sucks.this author sucks.
jesse says things that shes nvr mentioned b4.
&why wud ther ebe "murmurs of approval" wen he declared he was gunna marry her?who wud approve of that?
indian just talks like a white guy.he repeats the vows while lookin n2 her eyes.&that just seems so like a white guy.&he dint evem stumble over the words.&all these "shall's."
"but god was there.&he was pleased." how do u no that?
hate wen ppl have already ben married cuz they start swappin tales of their dead wife/husband.
he speaks like a white man.shes speakin like an indian all of a sudden.wth.
she was actin a lil slutty wen she came2 him n the nite 2tell him she wanted2 marry him.&then kisses him not so chastely.so im confused as2 why u'd completely skip over the sex part.i mean, idt it even happened the way the author duznt mention it.
the song about howling wolf seemed wrong-"come&see howling wolf."
"the love of god found a willing vessel in rides the wind,whereby it cud flow 2jesse."
"jesse rushed outside, mounted red star&rode away, thinkin all the while of the savagery of howling wolf. he must be punished." i thought she was ridin away2 yell@him,but then we move on 2 l8r that evening.
wen hepzibah-great name-looks up&sees the guy it says-"there stood howling wolf" as if she already knew who he was.instead of "there stood an indian."
hag.
"he added another course jest."
rides the wind.horse named wind.like Rides his Horse.
we dont no the progess shes made until u just up&say u've ben there4 yrs,speak good lakota,ride bareback.
"she found that she rlly did not care2defend herself or her adopted familys ways2this young,foolish woman." -u were old wen u gotthtere&u were foolish.
shes suddenly speakin like an indian&usin terms like ur ppl.
she turns2go &hes standin rite behind her&she isnt surprised or scared.
"i lived among the whites for 21 of their yrs.as they count time."
"best-beloved."
"god had filled the emptiness w/his luv poured out thru Rides the Wind." its like he cant just luv u.its gotta be gods luv goin thru him.
"my father."
"it was a valiant fite,but rides the wind realized as he fell against the cliff wall that it was useless.2much blood had been spilled."
think they're talkin about a fierce battle? nope.a battle w/eagles. mom&dad bird fightin.&then the babies.it was laughable.
she jumps from perspective2perspective n this bk w.no warning.
talks about killin animals in a way thats just wrong.like its just natural.
im not sure why he drowned the baby eagles.&if they're babies then why did they fight so good?or carry him from cliff?
why wud u kill his horse&hurt him,especially after he was JUST hurt a couple pgs back?
i thoght rides the wind had died3 dif times cuz she kept sayin "he lay still." &then i thought he was alive becuz she sed "i will need help 2care4rides the wind." so imagine my surprise wen i turn the pg2 find him dead.not even halfway thru.wth is the rest of the bk about?! who writes a bk where main character dies?sum1 dies &gets ovr it lightning quick.
this bk has abs.nothin goin4 it except that its about n.a.'s.
just becuz ur pregnant u suddenly cant do nething.u cant cook so u let old lady do it.u cant walk cuz ur feet swell in the heat.since wen duz that make u an invalid?
boy these ppl bounce back like rubber.
idk why i bother with inspirational-aka dry-romance.idk why christian/ inspirational romance books instantly means boring, dry and humorless. but it does.
its funny they don't go into detail-at all-about things and yet we gotta read about her nursing the guys child.um, gross! you go into disgusting detail about that but not about what we actually want to read about.
&what kind of romance is this anway?! u were married and had a kid &then they died.so you get with an indian who is also widowed &has a kid.wth?!
i love books that conveniently forget to mention on the back of the book that he already has a kid.&that she was married.&had a kid.
i picked up this book before &im now remembering why i didnt read it.
already flipped to the ending.her&him didnt even end up 2gether?!
ugh.i've seriously gotta stay away from these books.
how come the only people that get with indians in movies or books are widows.&women with orange hair.i mean wth?!
ugh.just ugh.
so the indian-&i can only guess its whats his face that the main character gets with-has his hand on this beautiful young squaws shoulder.if it wasnt for his injured leg i can just hazard a guess at what was about2 happen.&i dont think they were joining in the dancing.
if his injured leg hadnt have kicked in,they would have went off and did it.
what's christian about this?!
i mean dont christians wanna be with one person. like you marry someone and stay with them forever? not end up widowed and get with something who's also widowed.so u have to feed his child.yuck.
that was like a regular romance book except this lacks in everything like adventure, comedy, excitement, a smidgen of interest, character personality and plot originality.
i mean both characters in this series-lisbeth &jesse-are widowed and then get with an indian.wth?! do they all have to be widows?!
is her husband supposed to be rude&mean? cuz he's comin off rlly weak.&just stupid. thats a sad attempt at a bad guy.
-get an insult we can actually understand.&in plain english,plz. "nymph, in thy orisons, be all my sins remembered." even that is said in this bible-y way.
"some even spoke english, but that brought lil comfort to jessie, who viewed the indians as godless creatures 2be feared &avoided @all costs." -just love a character that hates indians. i mean, seriously.do u even want us2 like this character?
4sum reason, anytime sum1 writes about little kids,they make em sound so stupid. like "he seemed impervious 2the bumpin of the wagon &squealed w/delight most of the day,peekin @jesse over the back of the wagon box,pointing to rabbits that popped out from behind bushes or rocks." ugh. i dont like kids anyway,so this is just annoying.
omg r u gunna mention nursing the freakin kid every time u do it?! GROSS!
this girl is already irritating the crap out of me. she hates indians-points taken immediately for that-cries &begs her husband, who she doesnt rlly seem2 like, not 2cross the river.then she "became phsyically ill&bent over double, sobbing." hate whiny weak characters.who becomes so worried that they throw up? i feel like stuff like that is just what authors write, not things that actually happen2 ppl.
i thought jesse was gunna sneak along grain 4their horses cuz her husband was2 stupid 2 get sum. but she duznt.
things that sound stupid-"man alive!" "i swan!"
i love the things lil children seem2 be able2 do. u make him seem like a baby, because he's makin all these gurgling, bubbly noises &his mom still nurses him.so i find it quite extraordinary that he cud climb up from the back of the wagon 2the seat up front.
her husband is talkin about his son-"i may not have kept him safe...but i'll make sure the dang coyotes leave him in peace now." its so crude &just disgusting 2 picture coyotes gettin the body.
&then we go on2 read about jesse movin the body around.&struggling with it.ugh!
"i can do my work so much better, &be of much more use2 u, after i have spent time w/ the lord." i certainly don't mind comments about god or when characters pray.its in a lot of romance books. but inspirational/christian romance books put comments in there about the bible,praying, and god wayy too much.i dont like repition of any kind. &that gets old incredibly fast. &that comment doesnt even make any sense.its like authors like this arent christians.they're crazy christians.their whole way of thinking is just bizarre &out there.their whole world is centered around god.they eat, sleep,& breathe god.&they look down on ne1 who isnt like them.like they think they're the antichrist if they aren't the same way.&i hate that. they also just want to push their ways on other ppl.it irritates me wen ppl write about god like this,becuz then it makes me hate stuff like that, and i hate that.
"perhaps more,she thought, he does not have the comfort of the lord." wow,u think ur sooo superior. that just hit me so wrong.like he was grieving more becuz he dint have a strong bond w/god.like u.
-"as her body demanded to feed the child that was gone." duz ur body rlly do that??
he tells u 2get into the wagon &she "dropped her shawl on the prairie, grabbed the wagon side, hauled herself up." why wud u drop ur shawl? was it on purpuse or an accident?
how wud she know he was a siox warrior?
"homer? no,not homer any longer,yet it had been homer only a lil while ago." ur husbands dead on the ground &u dont have any feelings.u talk about his lifeless body-i think its a body.its hard2 tell becuz of this poor writing-n such an impersonal, detached way.
shes being taken by indians &put on his horse but her prayer isnt for escape but 2 "keep me on this pony." most ppl n her situation wud pray 2 fall off &die.so she cud escape the indians.but not her. for this d.a. its all about her pain.
i hate characters that get caught up over a lil soreness. "the soreness n her back &legs made her cry out in pain.she stumbled,tried2 stand but cud not." omg.this is annoying!!
just love characters that keep throwin up.&screaming.
then she says "death wud bring welcome relief from the torture of riding w/every muscle agonizing as each stride jarred her weary body." not that death wud bring relief from bein captured by ppl u hate,but so u cud stop ridin because of ur sore muscles.STOP WHINING ABOUT BEING SORE.
i almost feel like im gunna be sick.if i hear about this dumba** nursin a kid one more time im gunna freakin scream.this shudnt be n a book @all,much less a romance book.
wut is this authors problem? u freakin sicko.
why wud he pretend 2drop her just2 catch her.
"cud it be that he duz not plan2 kill me after all?but then...no,death wud be preferred 2sum things." 1st of all,that writin sucks.2nd,u mean it wud be preferred 2ridin w/ur sore body? becuz thats paramount n here.
she gets n his teepee &then is like "jesse spotted the reason she had ben brought here" wen she sees the baby.who just immediately knows shes brought2 nurse the child?!
"jesse felt her body respond2 the cries &looked down,embarrassed by the dampness beginnin2show thru the bodice of her dress." &then "jesse looked away,pretendin not2 understand,but the wail persisted-she turned2look @the child.the wail stopped momentarily wen the childs eyes met hers." she then touches the child&then "instinct took over" &she feeds the child.just unfastens her bodice n front of them.
why wud u wanna nurse the guys child,who isnt urs? wuts romantic about this?!
&wuts up w/this character &nursing? duz ur body even rlly do that crap? line up w/ur kids ppl.jessee can &will nurse them all! this is just repulsive.
u get captured.u c a child. &r immediately derailed.
&these authors act holier than thou,but just how christian is openin ur dress2 nurse n front of ppl?
he drags her2 his teepee &these girls r smilin&noddin.&i thought they knew he was gunna get w/her.but oh no,so not the case.she was gunna nurse his child.how freakin sweet.
i nvr understand why authors write things like this.why write sumthin unless u kinda wanted it2 happen 2 urself?
"as dusk arrived,the indian came back." i dint know he left.cuz the author dint mention it.
not only duz the plot suck but the writin duz2.who wants 2get w/a guy who already has a kid? &who just lets a kid nurse from them? she acts like its enjoyable.she fell asleep &the kid was still nursin.
i feel like the way she writes about the indians &the things they do arent realistic.
"waxed eloquent" seems extremely modern4this time period.much less 4an indian2 say.
"i am certain time will calm his heart," &here four skies paused&winked @those around him, "time &a good woman."
i was confused about who she was gunna end up w/.i got rides w/the wind(w/the limp) confused w/howling wolf(the blamer).had2 check back of book just2 clear it up.why put it in howling wolfs perspective sometimes? so confusing!
indian sayin "crazy." seems wrong.downword spiral does 2.&"i told u so" speech.
she seems2 adjust well2 indian life.i mean2 claim2 hate them&yet nurse babies when they're foisted @u.&u smile wen u envision urself n indian clothes.
"she has much milk.she did not want2 give it,but i made her." the old womans eyes softened, "i think she likes the child.rides the wind has named him 2mothers.she will stay." @that,old1 said, "enuff! u will c her 4urself." why wud u say enuff?! no1 sed nething.&jesse obvs. wanted2 feed it.its not like she refused.&u did not "make her." gah this writin sucks.
she seemed2 be adjusting2 indian life completely.carryin the baby around n the lil backboard thing. the whole thing just rlly irritated me.she dint seem2 mind that life @all so i dint believe her wen she sed "she found herself n such an unbelievable situation that all her energies were used2 cope w/it."
&i knew she dint care about homer,but it was still rlly dislikable wen she sed "she wondered @the lack of emotion she felt @the thought of him." he wasnt that bad.
"old1 pointed2 the child &sed "wableinca." jesse repeated the word.she pointed a finger@herself. "wakanka." jesse parroted the word." bad writin becuz u dint clarify who pointed@themselves.
she seems2 enjoy indian life becuz she nurses the child,goes plant hunting&then goes2 sleep w/o a word of complaint.&she hasnt mentioned escape once.
shes teachin u words-"pangi." &u call out "pow-gay!" 1st of all, that wasnt funny n the slightest. 2nd,why r u tryin2 adjust? most ppl wud have already tried escape now.its unrealistic.
-"you tell words in book." why is it italicized like that?!
"had she rlly heard her own language?no,she thought,it was only the wind...or my own dream..or..." so stupid!
i feel like this storyline is just a lil 2 convenient.like she had a husband and child. but to eliminate those bothersome aspects,her son conviently-&stupidly-dies. then her husband dies. she got rid of them both and then it paves the way for her to fall in love with an indian.why even have her be married &w/ a kid if ur just gunna kill them off? that was so unnesecary.&i hate ppl that r already married w/kids.ugh! this storyline just sucks.
she's ben given a choice2 leave&she act.has 2 stop2 consider it.wth.&of course her sister wudnt miss her,her family was glad she got married&she has nowhere2 go so shes all gung-ho 2stay.&the family crap came out of nowhere.we had no knowledge of ur careless family.&no,i dont feel srry4u. n fact,i dont like u @all.
u hated the indians.u call them savages as u agree2 stay w/them.&u decide2 stay.idk why.its completely unrealistic.&this story sucks.ive nvr read another like it&i dont want 2ever again.
u randomly sayhe shud smile more becuz u arent scared of him then.i dint realize u were ever scared of him.&she wanted him2 hurry &get back so he cud communicate w/her.hes gone half the time.u've talked2 him like once.&then u pray2find the words 2describe the bible2 him.&4u 2 understand their language.how stupid! god forbid u cant explain things right.this girl is DUMB.
shes actin like a baby cuz she cant make a fire&ppl r laughin.&actually flinches wen she finds out the women called her Woman Who Makes No Fire.thats not even insulting.like who cares?@
"workout" is SO modern.
'jesse struggled2 no just wut2 read,until rides the wind solved the problem.
"is not all of it from god?"
"yes it is all from god."
"then you tell it all."'
ugh!this book is full of crap.jesse gets hung up on idiotic things.
wut was this about??-
"jesse remembered old one's laughter as she&her son had butchered the buffalo.she remembered the look of disbelief on rides the wind's face."
wut?! idr that.&wut did that have2 do w/wut rides the wind asked u-which was ur fear ur horses.
"a dark red star nearly hidden by her forelock explained the ponys name." no1 had sed the ponys name.
u get mad@the horse &kick it &then u get dumped off.like an idiot.&then cry.like an idiot. this girl is WEAk.
"jesse wondered.how is it,old 1,that u always no my secrets?she gestured until old1 understood." how wud u gesture that?
theres a fire&i think jesse is about2 do sumthin.but she duznt.she grabs Two Mothers,gives him to old1.idk wut a parfleche is,but it must contain her bible,otherwise she'd nvr bother.i thought she was gettin sumthin2 scoop water2throw on the fire w/.but oh no.that wud be2 much like a herione.
her 1st concern upon waking is about 2mothers.not how bad she was hurt.but about 2mothers.why wud he be hurt?! hes not the kid who was actually near the fire.but i 4got,u prob.just wanna feed him, becuz ur obsessed w/that.
the only reason she prob saved that kid was becuz he was a kid.she's particularly sensitive 2 children.im surprised she dint immediately insist on feedin 2mothers,even tho she's hurt.becuz thats the kind of "acts of heroine" u get w/this girl.
&WHY wud the author choose to burn her characters hair? ugh!
sumtimes he sounds like an indian.other times it seems wrong.
jesse wakes sumtime after the fire&then we flip the pg2 "prairie flower was the bearer of the news." i thought sum1 had died.but it was that Rides the Wind loves her.that was so random &done n such a crappy way.
every time rides the wind duz sumthin his mom brings it up2 jesse.like "a new wife gives the mother n law moccasins." or "u have his fav horse."
'prairie flower spoke the unspeakable. "then if u cannot c that he cares4 u n wut he does, u must c it n wut he has not dun." the unspeakable? rlly?
"it is the wifes job." she blushed, realizing that she had used a wrong word-the word wife,instead of the word4woman." we're not stupid.u dint need2 clarify that.this writin is just terrible n every way.
"i will tell u how it is w/lakota.wen a man wishes2take a wife..." &then the author skips over wut he says.
it was supposed2 be a good moment wen he tells her of the buffalo robe custom &wraps it around her.but it wasnt.becuz this writin sucks.
sounds wrong that he'd talk like this-"whether she is my fav,i cannot say."
"there is 1 thing the lakota brave who wishes a wife duz that i have not described."
theres abs.no way he'd want jesse as a wife.at all.shes so stupid.shes not funny.shes weak.
indian saying "celebration" sounds off.
she gets all defensive about the bible-of course-&basically becuz he isnt white & has dif religion. "god says2 obey the way of the ppl.among the whites,the way of the ppl is w/a minister." shes basically sayin obey the whites&no1 else.
u dont have much of a reaction wen he basically admits he wants2 marry u.u act.kind of protest.but wen he walkss away,u "watch him walk away w/a singing heart.he cares 4me..he cares4 me..he cares!" btw,u sound like an idiot.
dint even no she loved him or he liked her.or felt@home there.or that god "gave her comfort thru homer wen lil jacob died." u dint seem2truly care about homer@all.&now ur only concerned about havin a minister 2marry u.
prairie flower&old1 r talkin like white women b4 the weddin.
she agrees2 be married &they're about2 ride thru the village.then she slides down off horse &hides her face.-"but2 b led b4 the entire village...2 have every1 watchin..i have given u my heart.but i cannot tell the village how i feel.it is n here." she puts his open palm over her heart. "it is24 u2no.it is not4 them." -when u get married,u walk down the aisle n front of ppl,so how is this ne dif? this character is2 dumb2 comprehend.
i dont believe shes "given him her heart." becuz she nvr mentioned she loved him.inspirational romances suck.this character sucks.this author sucks.
jesse says things that shes nvr mentioned b4.
&why wud ther ebe "murmurs of approval" wen he declared he was gunna marry her?who wud approve of that?
indian just talks like a white guy.he repeats the vows while lookin n2 her eyes.&that just seems so like a white guy.&he dint evem stumble over the words.&all these "shall's."
"but god was there.&he was pleased." how do u no that?
hate wen ppl have already ben married cuz they start swappin tales of their dead wife/husband.
he speaks like a white man.shes speakin like an indian all of a sudden.wth.
she was actin a lil slutty wen she came2 him n the nite 2tell him she wanted2 marry him.&then kisses him not so chastely.so im confused as2 why u'd completely skip over the sex part.i mean, idt it even happened the way the author duznt mention it.
the song about howling wolf seemed wrong-"come&see howling wolf."
"the love of god found a willing vessel in rides the wind,whereby it cud flow 2jesse."
"jesse rushed outside, mounted red star&rode away, thinkin all the while of the savagery of howling wolf. he must be punished." i thought she was ridin away2 yell@him,but then we move on 2 l8r that evening.
wen hepzibah-great name-looks up&sees the guy it says-"there stood howling wolf" as if she already knew who he was.instead of "there stood an indian."
hag.
"he added another course jest."
rides the wind.horse named wind.like Rides his Horse.
we dont no the progess shes made until u just up&say u've ben there4 yrs,speak good lakota,ride bareback.
"she found that she rlly did not care2defend herself or her adopted familys ways2this young,foolish woman." -u were old wen u gotthtere&u were foolish.
shes suddenly speakin like an indian&usin terms like ur ppl.
she turns2go &hes standin rite behind her&she isnt surprised or scared.
"i lived among the whites for 21 of their yrs.as they count time."
"best-beloved."
"god had filled the emptiness w/his luv poured out thru Rides the Wind." its like he cant just luv u.its gotta be gods luv goin thru him.
"my father."
"it was a valiant fite,but rides the wind realized as he fell against the cliff wall that it was useless.2much blood had been spilled."
think they're talkin about a fierce battle? nope.a battle w/eagles. mom&dad bird fightin.&then the babies.it was laughable.
she jumps from perspective2perspective n this bk w.no warning.
talks about killin animals in a way thats just wrong.like its just natural.
im not sure why he drowned the baby eagles.&if they're babies then why did they fight so good?or carry him from cliff?
why wud u kill his horse&hurt him,especially after he was JUST hurt a couple pgs back?
i thoght rides the wind had died3 dif times cuz she kept sayin "he lay still." &then i thought he was alive becuz she sed "i will need help 2care4rides the wind." so imagine my surprise wen i turn the pg2 find him dead.not even halfway thru.wth is the rest of the bk about?! who writes a bk where main character dies?sum1 dies &gets ovr it lightning quick.
this bk has abs.nothin goin4 it except that its about n.a.'s.
just becuz ur pregnant u suddenly cant do nething.u cant cook so u let old lady do it.u cant walk cuz ur feet swell in the heat.since wen duz that make u an invalid?
boy these ppl bounce back like rubber.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 26, 2023
."Jesse King doesn’t want to go west, but her husband has never been all that concerned with what his wife wants.
When tragedy strikes, Jesse is rescued by the Lakota Sioux, among whom she finds unexpected peace, a sense of belonging, and the love of a lifetime.
A compelling tale of one woman’s extraordinary faith as God leads her from prairie schooner to tepee, from tepee to frontier fort and on to a growing state capitol."
Wow, what a book. This story pulled me in, almost from the start. There are so many characters though, it did feel a bit overwhelming for a while, until I got them straight in my head.
This is mainly about Jessie King, but I loved the other characters too. Jessie had so much loss in her life, and so much hurt, but also so much Joy. There are so many emotions in this book.
Although I love Christian Historical Fiction, this is completely not what I am used to, but I am so glad I took a chance to read this.
There is scripture right through this book and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
I did think this book ended a bit abruptly though, but I know there are another 2 books in this series.
I have been in a bit of a slump lately with reading, but this has def helped.
I read this via Kindle Unlimited.
When tragedy strikes, Jesse is rescued by the Lakota Sioux, among whom she finds unexpected peace, a sense of belonging, and the love of a lifetime.
A compelling tale of one woman’s extraordinary faith as God leads her from prairie schooner to tepee, from tepee to frontier fort and on to a growing state capitol."
Wow, what a book. This story pulled me in, almost from the start. There are so many characters though, it did feel a bit overwhelming for a while, until I got them straight in my head.
This is mainly about Jessie King, but I loved the other characters too. Jessie had so much loss in her life, and so much hurt, but also so much Joy. There are so many emotions in this book.
Although I love Christian Historical Fiction, this is completely not what I am used to, but I am so glad I took a chance to read this.
There is scripture right through this book and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
I did think this book ended a bit abruptly though, but I know there are another 2 books in this series.
I have been in a bit of a slump lately with reading, but this has def helped.
I read this via Kindle Unlimited.
April 22, 2018
I almost didn’t finish this book. I must have set it aside two or three times. The first two or maybe three chapters were just so slow and I didn’t really see what they added to the story. It turned out to be a tender love story between a Lakota brave and a widowed pioneer woman he saves and takes to his camp. She learns to love Rides the Wind and his infant son whose mother has died. The story highlights the extreme differences between the cultures and the prejudices against the Indians. The young woman, Jessie, earns the name Walks the Fire for her bravery. Even with the threat of the white man threatening their existence, the couple are happy. It comes to an end abruptly and Jessie finds herself back with her own people, facing another cultural adjustment, but now she has an infant daughter to protect from the taint of being a half-breed. It is, in many ways, a sad story but also a story of love and hope. It was well written. I enjoyed it once I got into it.
February 13, 2020
I absolutely loved this story---it's beautiful, inspiring, and totally heart-tugging. The title character, Walks the Fire, begins her life as Jesse King, and through Ms. Whitson's descriptive writing, the reader will walk with Jesse through the joys and heartbreaks of life, from the age of 21 to about 60. There's much sadness, but there is also abounding hope, as our heroine puts all her days into the Lord's hands. There are so many wonderful characters, and I really came to love them, especially Walks the Fire, Rides the Wind, Prairie Flower, Soaring Eagle, and LisBeth. Each chapter begins with a Scripture passage pertaining to what that chapter is about. I really love that focus on God's Word! From the very first page of this book, I was hooked and really couldn't put it down. I will definitely be reading the remaining books in this series, as well as others of Ms. Whitson's works.
January 7, 2024
Wow what a truly amazing book!
Faith, family, American heritage and so much more is shown in this book!
When I started this book I thought I was diving into a light romance that would end in an happily ever after. But that didn’t happen, instead this novel exceeded my expectations and surprised me.
This novel covers tragedy and love and more tragedy! It reminded me so much of love comes softly!
Walks the fire / Jesse king
Wow what an absolute amazing character. She is so beautiful and he heart is so pure. She had a faith that would put anyone to shame. Reading about her gave me encouragement!
Walks the wind
Wow wow wow he was an amazing person. I found myself wishing he was real and that his faith was as well! I loved this character so much.
Two mothers
I really wish Jesse king could have reunited with him!
Lisbeth
She is such a sweet character. The author portrayed a teen so well!
If you’re looking for a light romance THIS IS NOT THE BOOK FOR YOU!
Faith, family, American heritage and so much more is shown in this book!
When I started this book I thought I was diving into a light romance that would end in an happily ever after. But that didn’t happen, instead this novel exceeded my expectations and surprised me.
This novel covers tragedy and love and more tragedy! It reminded me so much of love comes softly!
Walks the fire / Jesse king
Wow what an absolute amazing character. She is so beautiful and he heart is so pure. She had a faith that would put anyone to shame. Reading about her gave me encouragement!
Walks the wind
Wow wow wow he was an amazing person. I found myself wishing he was real and that his faith was as well! I loved this character so much.
Two mothers
I really wish Jesse king could have reunited with him!
Lisbeth
She is such a sweet character. The author portrayed a teen so well!
If you’re looking for a light romance THIS IS NOT THE BOOK FOR YOU!
October 4, 2024
The only interesting part of the story was when she lived with Sioux Indians, everything else seemed like a filler. Not much was going on at all, except she just did this or did that. You get a feeling like it’s an introduction and you’re waiting for the story to start but it never does.
What really bugged me about this book is the writing. Point of view can change 3 times in one paragraph! To me that’s an indicator of amateur writing. She would even switch point of view to a passing character that is mentioned only a couple times in the story! Ugh. It also seems that towards the end of the book Lisbeth became the main character and Jesse is just her mother in background, although the author still switches point of view to her here and there.
Also, there is constantly new characters popping up as if it’s still the beginning of the story and there is not enough time to develop and flesh them out.
What really bugged me about this book is the writing. Point of view can change 3 times in one paragraph! To me that’s an indicator of amateur writing. She would even switch point of view to a passing character that is mentioned only a couple times in the story! Ugh. It also seems that towards the end of the book Lisbeth became the main character and Jesse is just her mother in background, although the author still switches point of view to her here and there.
Also, there is constantly new characters popping up as if it’s still the beginning of the story and there is not enough time to develop and flesh them out.
August 7, 2018
4.5 Stars.
At first I thought the characters lacked development or something akin to "closeness". The storytelling is a bit distant as it is told in third person... yet, I realize after finishing the book this is well chosen as it allows for various characters to take precedence. I actually felt so much reading this book. Unlike many, this is a saga that spans decades and generations and while I at first wanted "more" from the first characters, I later learned the writing is actually ingeniously executed.
I recommend this novel. It is achingly real and shows the highs and lows faced by one particular character.
At first I thought the characters lacked development or something akin to "closeness". The storytelling is a bit distant as it is told in third person... yet, I realize after finishing the book this is well chosen as it allows for various characters to take precedence. I actually felt so much reading this book. Unlike many, this is a saga that spans decades and generations and while I at first wanted "more" from the first characters, I later learned the writing is actually ingeniously executed.
I recommend this novel. It is achingly real and shows the highs and lows faced by one particular character.
March 31, 2018
I know the author quilts as she shows many finished pieces of works on her fb page which I follow. I do not quilt but appreciate the talent n patience. As for this story of Jesse's adult life who also quilts through the different seasons in her life, is amazing reading. Being a sole parent and teaching God's value to her child n then letting her daughter go into her new life. A number of sensitive issues were written in the story n depression , grief, sorrow were difficult emotions to battle through dealing with relationships. I would like to read the sequel.
April 23, 2018
Historical and interesting
I enjoyed reading this book and found it easy to get invested in the characters and their lives. The time that passes throughout the book is rarely consistent and that sometimes threw me off until I got settled back in to reading the story. Sometimes you are reading a somewhat day by day account and then time may jump to several months or even a year later. I loved how strong the lead character's faith was and found it to be a great reminder for those trying times in my own life.
I enjoyed reading this book and found it easy to get invested in the characters and their lives. The time that passes throughout the book is rarely consistent and that sometimes threw me off until I got settled back in to reading the story. Sometimes you are reading a somewhat day by day account and then time may jump to several months or even a year later. I loved how strong the lead character's faith was and found it to be a great reminder for those trying times in my own life.
August 9, 2018
A wonderful account of faith and faithfulness.
An account of trials, hopes, faith and faithfulness. As our early settlers make their way across the country and into the west, we meet Jesse, young wife and mother. Her life and many challenges take us on an incredible journey that inspires us to see beyond the obvious and to seek strength in a steadfast faith that believes in our loving Father, whose ways are not our ways, but who walks the path with us as we make our way home.
An account of trials, hopes, faith and faithfulness. As our early settlers make their way across the country and into the west, we meet Jesse, young wife and mother. Her life and many challenges take us on an incredible journey that inspires us to see beyond the obvious and to seek strength in a steadfast faith that believes in our loving Father, whose ways are not our ways, but who walks the path with us as we make our way home.
June 20, 2019
Jesse King is fearful. Her husband, Homer, has decided they should join the wagon train heading to Oregon. Homer is twice her age and treats her as a wayward child. Homer listens to no one, not his wife, the wagon master, or his fellow travelers. But when tragedy strikes, it strikes twice for Jesse. Her life takes a dramatic turn and she finds herself leaning into her faith, the scriptures and prayer. And she influences not only her life, but the lives of those around her. I couldn't put this book down and am looking forward to the next book of the series.
November 7, 2024
When the world is too loud and heavy, I will usually indulge in some sort of Christian novel - mostly because they are usually lighter-feeling, and follow a straight-forward, not overly disgusting plot. No surprise, graphic *grapes*, mostly kind, non-realistic people, etc.
That is what I was hoping from this book. Instead, I found the gross side of Christian novels. Completely full of racism, an abundance of ignorance, and a sub-standard plot besides. I can't recommend NOT reading this book enough, just....maybe pick something else?
That is what I was hoping from this book. Instead, I found the gross side of Christian novels. Completely full of racism, an abundance of ignorance, and a sub-standard plot besides. I can't recommend NOT reading this book enough, just....maybe pick something else?
Read
December 23, 2024Easy read. Jesse's baby dies on the wagon train west. Then her husband is killed in a buffalo stampede. She is "rescued" by Lakota indians. Falls in love with the Lakota that helped her. After a few years, he dies. She goes back to live with Americans on the frontier. Has his baby then in another few years encounters the Lakota tribe that saved her. She helps them escape the US army and has to leave in fort. Finds a new home in Lincoln, Nebraska. Raises her daughter. When daughter gets married and moves away, Jesse dies. No need to read more books in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2018
It's not quite 4 stars for me, but definitely better than three. It had a slow start but I'm glad I hung in there. This is a story of the pioneer spirit, love found, love lost, but mostly of faith in something greater than oneself. Jesse is steadfast throughout all her ordeals in her faith that God has his eye on her and his plan is working out. I found the biblical references throughout the book uplifting.
March 30, 2021
I read this series in reverse and am kind of glad I did - it didn't take anything away from the stories. Red Bird - Soaring Eagle and ending with Walks the Fire. I like the Native American history along with westward settling. I think Walks the Fire didn't flow quite as well as the others did and jumped into things without explanation, at times. I recommend the series as a whole though and enjoy the way this author writes.
February 8, 2022
I mostly enjoyed it because I like the YP book Indian Captive a lot and I knew that it would be similar. I'm not sure what was up with so many of the characters not being able to have children I thought that was odd here and there. Also the fact that her daughter that she had after the Lakota hubby died was so well behaved was a bit of a stretch I thought. Includes interesting insights on half native American/ half Caucasian children and African Americans in the early west.
February 9, 2023
I borrowed this book from the library since it was recommended by other Christian fiction readers and WOW this story was AMAZING and had me crying by the end. The story follows the adult life of Jesse and my favorite quote from the whole book is from her when she's teaching her daughter, "We don't have Papa here to take care of us but our heavenly Father knows and cares, so we'll just tell Him about it and wait to see what He thinks needs to be done." How honest, simple, and profound.
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