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Coming back to Nebraska to complete her education, Carrie Brown plans to return to teach on the Lakota Indian reservation and to marry Soaring Eagle, the Lakota Sioux she has known since childhood, but the intrusions of western society and a romantic rival force Carrie to reevaluate her own life and her relationship with God. Original.

276 pages, Paperback

First published May 7, 1997

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334 people want to read

About the author

Stephanie Grace Whitson

54 books340 followers
A 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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5 stars
488 (62%)
4 stars
184 (23%)
3 stars
93 (11%)
2 stars
9 (1%)
1 star
8 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
Profile Image for Ash.
383 reviews39 followers
February 5, 2020
This book....oh my goodness.

I've read these books so many times, but I can't say that I remember being as emotionally invested as I have been this time around. The last 50 pages or so had me bawling like a baby, and don't get me started on that ending. So many happy tears.

This book is so beautiful. I am so in love with these books, and the characters, oh my goodness, I love the characters. Red Bird and Soaring Eagle, my loves! I love them. These books in general, are just amazing. They are amazing stories, that bear amazing messages. There is Faith, and Hope, Love, Enduring, Compromise...and you know what I found to be a very big plus? These books didn't need sex, drugs, swearing, or heavy graphic violence to get the message across. I read books that often have some, if not all those things, but it really is nice to get away from it sometimes.

I say it again, I can't believe its been so long since I've reread these books. I am going to have to make it an annual affair, for I dearly missed these long lost friends.

come find me:
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IG: ash.reads Twitter: @ReadsAsh
Profile Image for April.
965 reviews32 followers
March 26, 2018
Book 3 - A wonderful conclusion to the series! ~ 4.5 Stars!

This series is somewhat like attending a symphony, the music rises and falls, building and building into a wondrous crescendo! Here at the end, all I can say is read it! This series moved me, bringing tears and smiles; along with moments and words that are faith builders. So glad that I gave it a chance!

Red Bird is a wonderful conclusion to the series! I love that Whitson doesn't shy away from the trials and struggles, and the questions that arise from these. She brings us through shining a light on the truth of God's unfailing love, His grace and His faithfulness. Beautifully woven story!
Profile Image for Savannah Dawn Marie.
14 reviews7 followers
November 18, 2021
❤️ I needed to hear the truths that were spoken about in this book! PRAY for guidance. WAIT on the Lord. TRUST the Maker.❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
99 reviews
February 10, 2019
Wonderful story

I have enjoyed all 3 books in this series. The storytelling was rich and captivating. The spiritual journey of the characters was a lesson in having faith through life’s difficulties and trials. Life was not easy for any of them, yet they all came to have much closer ties God as they struggled with the things life threw at them. God’s paths for them were all different, but still closely intertwined with one another, each helping others find their way to a true, deep relationship with God, choosing to wait upon His will as opposed to picking their own choices. The stories have hit me at a time when I am seeking that sort of relationship and not really knowing how. These books were like a guide book on how to find and live as God intends us to. To take that big step from knowing and believing to feeling and following at the very core of your being. Thank you!
307 reviews1 follower
March 25, 2018
Loved the first book and loved the 2nd and 3rd. ARE THERE MORE???????? I am a practicing Christian and well versed in the scriptures but this author gave me more to think about. I highly recommend these books!!! The stories were so well put together and the scriptures gave them so much MORE meaning. There were sad parts because things happened that I would not have ever thought would happen. Her knowledge of the Indian customs and history is amazing. A friend of mine has already order these books due to my recommendations.
Profile Image for Rachel.
52 reviews
October 27, 2025
I really enjoyed this series. I hate to see it end. I’ve loved reading about the characters and how they grow throughout the book. The only character I wish it would’ve said a little more about what happened to them is Sarah. Stephanie Grace Whitson is a fabulous storyteller and I can’t wait to read more books by her!

*** edited to add: I must not have been the only one wanting to hear more about Sarah Biddle! I just found out that SGW has another series called Keepsake Legacy and the first book in the series is called “Sarah’s Patchwork” and is about Sarah! Can’t wait until it comes in the mail!!!
35 reviews
June 2, 2018
Red Bird Prairie Winds Book 3

I Chose five stars because there no ten star selection! I loved and enjoyed every sentence in this book and the other two in the Prairie Winds series that came before. The only disappointing thing was it had to end and there were no more in that series. I recommend this to anyone who loves historical novels. It caught my attention from the first page to the last in all 3 books.
34 reviews1 follower
January 3, 2020
Red Bird( Prairie Winds 3)

I put 4 stars on because this book, I didn’t always remember the people that I was reading about. Or maybe because the book was too religious for me! But, I read the whole book trying to decide what I was going to write at the end. I wish there would have been another book added to this series instead of skipping over their lives without telling more about them as she did in the other books. MaryReadAmazon Customer &Goodreads.

Profile Image for Dianne Sidebottom.
1,433 reviews15 followers
April 20, 2018
Continuing story of Soaring Eagle with Little Carrie Brown all grown up. I was crying with tears and unable to read my kindle but I read the story in a day. There was a strong spiritual component to the story and I'm left to wonder about trusting God and what he has for me at this time? Well written and happy to have read the series. Follow Stephanie on fb and see the wonderful quilts she finds.
5 reviews
May 1, 2018
A wonderful series by Stephanie Whitson. All three books are well-written, full of inspiration, and entices you to read the next book in the series. While these books are christian fiction, it was easy to imagine how life was in the wild west many years ago and the effect on the lives of those living there.
Profile Image for Joyce kick.
1 review
June 19, 2018
The Author

I like the way you included many different characters and told how they got thru life. The Indian the cowboy the humble the disabled the poor children and the spoiled rotten and how they were able to change their lives for the better and included God always and each book carried on with their lives . Thanks!
520 reviews11 followers
September 3, 2018
While I enjoyed the first two books of the series, this one was a harder finish for me. There was so much repetition and not a lot of engagement between the characters. I found the age gap between Red Bird and Soaring Eagle to be a bit unbelievable as well.
I still love the evangelistic emphasis, but felt like the plot and chemistry of the characters was a stretch.
3 reviews
November 19, 2019
Great read especially for those struggling with accepting the will of God

Another great book by Stephanie Grace Whitson! I really appreciated the selection of scriptures throughout the book and how she takes us thru the process of finding God from different perspectives especially in the face of loss.
262 reviews2 followers
March 7, 2021
I found out as I finished this book that it was the third in a series. That explained some of my confusion in the lack of clarity of some of the characters, as I assume they had been introduced in the previous books. Overall, I still enjoyed this book as it is the story of figuring out how to live Gods plan vs your own plan and learning to live life in a new way.
Profile Image for Shelly Dabbs.
267 reviews1 follower
March 6, 2024
I loved the whole series but this one seemed to wrap up too quickly. It was a given that the two characters would end up married but with only a few pages to list the children & their passing, just seemed like it was cut too short. Would have liked to know what their lives were life once they married.
733 reviews3 followers
May 4, 2019
Red Bird

I loved this story, I was disappointed that the book was to short, it should have included thier married life. I recommend every one to read her books, I look forward to reading more of her books KATTIE.
85 reviews1 follower
May 31, 2021
Awesome !!!!

This was the last of the 3 series. All three were so good. The books show how we stole the land from the Indians and then forced them to learn our ways. I think the whites persecuted the Indians worse than any people on earth. Sad, but a mighty read.
Profile Image for Readingintheweehours.
319 reviews45 followers
January 21, 2023
so much more than a story

I love how Stephanie’s characters develop in their walk with the Lord. Her stories are not predictable, but they are wonderfully human.

I’d love more time with Red Bird and Soaring Eagle, but I’m so glad for the journey. ❤️
23 reviews
March 3, 2017
End of family experience on the plains. Multi-cultural experience. Great book.
9 reviews1 follower
March 21, 2018
Good series

Enjoyed this series very much. Learned more about seeking God's will. Thank you for your faithful service to our Lord's work.
Profile Image for Margaret Nelson.
1,612 reviews
March 31, 2018
Very satisfying conclusion to the series! Whitson has done another great job in writing about this time in history and making it come alive.
Profile Image for Luann.
10 reviews
April 14, 2018
What a great ending to the series! I had a hard time putting it down!
34 reviews
July 25, 2018
By Hershey Lady

I have loved all three books of Prairie Winds Books. Stephanie Grace Whitson is one of my favorite authors. I am anxiously awaiting her next book.
Profile Image for Susan.
338 reviews1 follower
October 10, 2019
Great series

I loved this series of three books about Nebraska, the Lakota Indians and brave strong women. It was well written and made me cry! Now THAT is something.
Profile Image for rob.
398 reviews2 followers
October 26, 2019
Beautiful

This book was a lovely ending and great closure to this that book series of love, redemption, growth, and faith.
558 reviews1 follower
June 26, 2020
So awesome!! Best of the 3 in the series. I'd give it a 6. Such a great story!! Such great characters! I listened to this on audible with a few tears at the end.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews

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