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Where Heaven Begins
With rough miners for shipmates, Elizabeth Breckenridge sets sail to search for her brother in Alaska, wild with the 1890s gold rush. When she falls overboard midjourney, she is rescued by a man very unlike her minister brother--Clint Brady, a cynical bounty hunter who shoots to kill. Together, this unlikely couple struggles to survive the rugged dangers of the beautiful Alaskan frontier. Unexpectedly, Clint comes to love her, and proposes. Elizabeth returns his love, but unless she can help Clint see that heaven is no abstraction in the sky, the grip of the past could cost them a future together....
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
31 people are currently reading
285 people want to read
About the author
Rosanne Bittner
85 books623 followersI am a USA-TODAY best-selling author with 41 years, 76 books, and numerous writing awards behind me. My major genre is historical romance. I have always written for standard publishers but am now writing strictly for Amazon so I have more freedom to write real history. My most recent publication is SHADOW TRAIL, the 6th book in my Outlaw Hearts series. I also wrote and published my first full-length contemporary story, DANCING BENEATH YOU, in September 2022, a romance involving mystery and a depiction of reservation life in the Badlands of South Dakota. My best sellers are my SAVAGE DESTINY series (7 books) and my OUTLAW HEARTS series. See my website (www.rosannebittner.com) for details on all my books - most available for Kindle and in print. I am known for great love stories filled with real history and high emotion. I have also written many Native American stories, all based on real history.
I love American history. For those of you who have not yet read my books, my stories are generally set in the American West of the 1800s and feature vividly described, historically accurate settings that span the US from Missouri to California, from Canada to Mexico. Many of my books portray the poignant history of our Native Americans, and though the characters are my own, I use real historical locations and events in all my novels. I have also written about the French & Indian wars, American Revolution, the War of 1812, the war with Mexico (the Alamo), and the Civil War.
National magazine ROMANTIC TIMES has called me the "Queen of Western Romance" and an "emotional powerhouse." My husband and I have traveled the west for nearly 40 years and I have visited just about every location mentioned in my books.
Visit my website at www.rosannebittner.com and my Facebook Author page. And be sure to join Rosanne Bittner's Heart of the West Street Team! Happy reading!
I love American history. For those of you who have not yet read my books, my stories are generally set in the American West of the 1800s and feature vividly described, historically accurate settings that span the US from Missouri to California, from Canada to Mexico. Many of my books portray the poignant history of our Native Americans, and though the characters are my own, I use real historical locations and events in all my novels. I have also written about the French & Indian wars, American Revolution, the War of 1812, the war with Mexico (the Alamo), and the Civil War.
National magazine ROMANTIC TIMES has called me the "Queen of Western Romance" and an "emotional powerhouse." My husband and I have traveled the west for nearly 40 years and I have visited just about every location mentioned in my books.
Visit my website at www.rosannebittner.com and my Facebook Author page. And be sure to join Rosanne Bittner's Heart of the West Street Team! Happy reading!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
August 4, 2012
I loved the characters and the realness of the relationships. The book is a reflection of how God sees other people and how, as Christians, we are called not to judge but to love others as He does.
July 10, 2019
Fast read..good description of what it was like to travel to Yukon Territory in the 1800’s.
August 16, 2013
I don't normally read inspirational romance but picked up this book because of my interest in the Klondike gold rush.
A bit slow, a bit boring, a bit preachy. Ended up skimming to finish. Surprised to find swear words in an inspirational.
However, my biggest complaint is lack of historical accuracy. I would expect that an established author would do proper research. The author mentions in her foreword that she relied for her facts on one book. This book was set in 1897, at the start of the stampede, but she sets her story in the fall of 1898, towards the end of the stampede. In between, almost 100,000 people had hit the trails in search of gold.
A few examples of things that bothered me: There is no sense of the overcrowding, of the masses of people fighting their way through the wilderness. The couple pass the border into Canada carrying a gun (not allowed without a permit) with little provisions (rule of one ton per person strictly enforced). Dawson City, which by that time had a population of 30,000 is described as a primitive village. Gold mining, which was panning the creeks in the summer and digging tunnels on the banks in the winter is described as dynamiting the mountaintops.
I could go on an on, weather conditions (there is not much snow in late summer), lack of daylight (nights are still quite light in August)...
For anyone interested in the Klondike gold rush, try Maggie Osborne's "I do, I do, I do. " Much more enjoyable and historically very accurate.
A bit slow, a bit boring, a bit preachy. Ended up skimming to finish. Surprised to find swear words in an inspirational.
However, my biggest complaint is lack of historical accuracy. I would expect that an established author would do proper research. The author mentions in her foreword that she relied for her facts on one book. This book was set in 1897, at the start of the stampede, but she sets her story in the fall of 1898, towards the end of the stampede. In between, almost 100,000 people had hit the trails in search of gold.
A few examples of things that bothered me: There is no sense of the overcrowding, of the masses of people fighting their way through the wilderness. The couple pass the border into Canada carrying a gun (not allowed without a permit) with little provisions (rule of one ton per person strictly enforced). Dawson City, which by that time had a population of 30,000 is described as a primitive village. Gold mining, which was panning the creeks in the summer and digging tunnels on the banks in the winter is described as dynamiting the mountaintops.
I could go on an on, weather conditions (there is not much snow in late summer), lack of daylight (nights are still quite light in August)...
For anyone interested in the Klondike gold rush, try Maggie Osborne's "I do, I do, I do. " Much more enjoyable and historically very accurate.
June 12, 2009
I have been reading Christian fiction for about 15 years............I have NEVER read a Christian fiction book with four letter words! I was appalled - I will not read this author again, nor any Steeple Hill books - what are they thinking????
August 4, 2009
inspirational romance. i enjoy a story where characters have to face adversity in nature. christian aspect was a tad too naive and perhaps a little preachy.
March 2, 2011
I've read this book about 10 times..
May 27, 2015
Sweet, beautiful story that takes us across the country to Alaska. Clint and Elizabeth captured my heart and made me smile! Always love the adventures Rosanne Bittner takes us on!
September 6, 2014
Where Heaven Begins is such a beautiful uplifting book. As only Rosanne Bittner can write, She has penned a sure historical inspirational classic. Great book.
January 8, 2020
Not you usual read by this author....
This is not your usual read by this author, although it was a sweet and funny storyline that had me laughing out loud at times. Rosanne kept this love story clean, considering the heroine is a preacher's daughter. I liked it, it was sad at times and almost had me in tears, I would read more books like this.
This is not your usual read by this author, although it was a sweet and funny storyline that had me laughing out loud at times. Rosanne kept this love story clean, considering the heroine is a preacher's daughter. I liked it, it was sad at times and almost had me in tears, I would read more books like this.
February 12, 2023
This was a quick read that I enjoyed. I thought the characters were interesting and the setting was equally as interesting. I thought that Mrs. Bittner brought up some very valid points and thoughts regarding christianity that a lot of people don't think about.
I would consider reading a few more of her books that are insperational as well.
I would consider reading a few more of her books that are insperational as well.
September 1, 2019
God is good.
Well written.Adventure and hardships and danger.Lots of faith in God. A bounty hunter who lost his way.Love and a girl who God used to help this bounty hunter changing both of their lives.
Well written.Adventure and hardships and danger.Lots of faith in God. A bounty hunter who lost his way.Love and a girl who God used to help this bounty hunter changing both of their lives.
November 2, 2020
If you want to read a Christian book, read this one. Well written for sure. I don't usually read Christian books but somehow I read this one.
I lent it to my neighbor who is having a slightly rough time emotionally right now. This book will help her and lift her Christian Spirit.
I lent it to my neighbor who is having a slightly rough time emotionally right now. This book will help her and lift her Christian Spirit.
June 24, 2018
Despite being excessively preachy to the point of nagging it’s a decent love story. The final conflict was overly simplistic. For being the catalyst it could have been so much more fulfilling.
January 31, 2019
Where Heaven Begins
I love your stories I just couldn't put it down. I have ordered another book. I thank you so very much for the books I have read. Ada G.
I love your stories I just couldn't put it down. I have ordered another book. I thank you so very much for the books I have read. Ada G.
February 5, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. It was a good read with a historical twist that kept me on the edge of my seat.
Want to read
July 19, 2020elibrary
October 23, 2012
Where Heaven Begins By Rosanne Bittner
The book begins August 4, 1898
Elizabeth Breckenridge has just been informed by the church deacons that she must leave Reverend Selby's residence because of an incident that was not her fault. Now, left alone in the world with her parents dead and her brother in Alaska, she has an uncertain future.
Elizabeth has decided to go to Alaska to find her brother, Peter, who is a minister of a church in Dawson.
Her journey begins at the wharf in San Francisco as she prepares to board the Alaskan Damsel. Elizabeth sees all kinds of people also waiting to board: Chinese, Negroes, painted women, a couple of men that might be Eskimo as well as the men searching for gold. She has never been around people of different races even though her father did minister to everyone.
Elizabeth's purse is robbed by a man and as she is yelling, another man comes to her rescue and retrieves her bag. His name is Clint Brady, a bounty hunter who is going to Alaska to get a criminal.
Now the adventure and hardships begin. Clint and Elizabeth are the main characters of the book.
Where Heaven Begins is filled with quotes from the Bible and Elizabeth prays all the time. I found it a fast moving and page turning book. I will give it a five star because it really kept my attention. A book of history, love, hardships, emotions, patience and tolerance.
You can find the author at: www.rosannebittnr.com
Leona Olson
mnleona.blogspot.com
http://mnleona.blogspot.com/2012/08/w...
The book begins August 4, 1898
Elizabeth Breckenridge has just been informed by the church deacons that she must leave Reverend Selby's residence because of an incident that was not her fault. Now, left alone in the world with her parents dead and her brother in Alaska, she has an uncertain future.
Elizabeth has decided to go to Alaska to find her brother, Peter, who is a minister of a church in Dawson.
Her journey begins at the wharf in San Francisco as she prepares to board the Alaskan Damsel. Elizabeth sees all kinds of people also waiting to board: Chinese, Negroes, painted women, a couple of men that might be Eskimo as well as the men searching for gold. She has never been around people of different races even though her father did minister to everyone.
Elizabeth's purse is robbed by a man and as she is yelling, another man comes to her rescue and retrieves her bag. His name is Clint Brady, a bounty hunter who is going to Alaska to get a criminal.
Now the adventure and hardships begin. Clint and Elizabeth are the main characters of the book.
Where Heaven Begins is filled with quotes from the Bible and Elizabeth prays all the time. I found it a fast moving and page turning book. I will give it a five star because it really kept my attention. A book of history, love, hardships, emotions, patience and tolerance.
You can find the author at: www.rosannebittnr.com
Leona Olson
mnleona.blogspot.com
http://mnleona.blogspot.com/2012/08/w...
Read
August 20, 2015Elizabeth Breckenridge leaves her home in San Francisco and naively heads for Dawson, Yukon in the middle of the Gold Rush. On the docks, she meets bounty hunter Clint Brady who ends up saving her from multiple escapades until they finally team up to get over White Pass and to Dawson.
VERY preachy Christian fiction, but interesting story of the Gold Rush. Clean.
VERY preachy Christian fiction, but interesting story of the Gold Rush. Clean.
November 7, 2010
This is a great book. Comparable with the likes of Julie Lessman & Karen Wittemeyer. Can't believe it hasn't gotten more attention than it has. Pick it up today!
August 21, 2011
excited to see this story set in alaska's gold rush republished last year!
November 12, 2012
I love the way a woman of faith has such an influence for good on a man stuggling to find himself.
February 23, 2013
Awesome read!
April 1, 2013
Definitely not my cup of tea!
February 19, 2014
Way too predictable....would never read another one of this author's books again!
April 14, 2014
Lovely story and inspirational.
I'm amazed on others comments about being too "preachy."
Really?
I'm amazed on others comments about being too "preachy."
Really?
May 18, 2014
With rough miners for shipmates, Elizabeth Breckenridge sets sail to search for her brother in Alaska, wild with the 1890s gold rush.
April 26, 2017
Really great story.
January 7, 2016
Where Heaven Begins is such a beautiful uplifting book. As only Rosanne Bittner can write, She has penned a sure historical inspirational classic. Great book.
June 12, 2012
Lovely story - most enjoyable read.
abandoned
December 31, 2017I had to drop this title after the main character started making racist remarks to the effect that God couldn’t love minorities. I just can’t handle that in a title I’m reading for leisure/pleasure.
I’d already been put off by the overly religious content. Within the first 20 pages, I’d already been subjected to 5-8 Bible verses and preaching. I don’t mind Christian elements in a book I’m reading, but when it’s as in your face as this, I just can’t enjoy it.
I’m a fan of Bittner’s western HRs and to see this other side to her writing was disheartening to me. Maybe this was just a bad example of her religious fiction; I don’t know. But I just couldn’t enjoy it. The author may have intended the reader to dislike this early on. Maybe she intended to make it a part of her main character’s emotional and maturing growth. But I just can’t find it in me to partake in that journey when I dislike the lead this much already.
I’ll probably stay away from Bittner’s religious fiction and just stick with her westerns. They have their flaws too but they’re far more enjoyable.
I’d already been put off by the overly religious content. Within the first 20 pages, I’d already been subjected to 5-8 Bible verses and preaching. I don’t mind Christian elements in a book I’m reading, but when it’s as in your face as this, I just can’t enjoy it.
I’m a fan of Bittner’s western HRs and to see this other side to her writing was disheartening to me. Maybe this was just a bad example of her religious fiction; I don’t know. But I just couldn’t enjoy it. The author may have intended the reader to dislike this early on. Maybe she intended to make it a part of her main character’s emotional and maturing growth. But I just can’t find it in me to partake in that journey when I dislike the lead this much already.
I’ll probably stay away from Bittner’s religious fiction and just stick with her westerns. They have their flaws too but they’re far more enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews