A dream of a better life...A tragedy aboard a wagon train...
A tentative agreement...
Will it lead to love for two seeking hearts?
Hoping to escape the poor conditions of 1880 New York, Tarsie
Raines and her friends Joss and Mary Brubacher and their two children
set off for Kansas aboard an unusual wagon train. But when tragedy
strikes on the trip across the prairie, Tarsie is thrown into a
partnership with Joss that leaves them both questioning God and their
plans for the future.
As their funds dwindle and nothing goes as planned, will they give up and go their separate ways? Or will God use their time in Drayton Valley in a way they never expected?
My Thoughts
Another reviewer has said, "Sawyer treats readers to love stories that speak to the heart." I wholeheartedly agree with that assessment . . . and it perfectly describes A Home in Drayton Valley!
From the very beginning of the story, I fell in love with Mary and with Tarsie, but not so much with Joss. In fact, there were times I even hoped the fates of the individual characters would turn out differently than they did. But as the story progressed, Kim carefully crafted the plot in such an engaging way that I was caught up in longing for the best for each person as they learned lessons about life and love and God's directions.
The harsh realities of life sometimes brought a tear to my eyes, and the sweet pleasures brought a smile to my lips. Whatever turns the story took, my heart was touched, and I wasn't really ready to end this journey with the new friends I made along the way.
The last few times I've read a book by Kim Vogel Sawyer, I've thought, "but she still hasn't topped In Every Heartbeat." Now . . . well, I'm not sure I'm ready to make a call on that one. Something I am sure of is that I highly recommend A Home in Drayton Valley.
Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for providing this book free of charge in exchange for my honest review.
Kim Vogel Sawyer is the author of nineteen novels, including
several CBA and ECPA bestsellers. Her books have won the ACFW Book of
the Year Award, the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, and the
Inspirational Readers Choice Award. Kim is active in her church, where
she leads women's fellowship and participates in both voice and bell
choirs. In her spare time, she enjoys drama, quilting, and calligraphy.
Kim and her husband, Don, reside in central Kansas, and have three
daughters and six grandchildren. She invites you to visit her Web site
at www.kimvogelsawyer.com for more information.
Thank you very much for your kind review. Joss was so broken...but God is in the business of healing. :o) I'm glad you enjoyed the story. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean, Kim. It is so easy in real life not to "fall in love with" the most broken of people because they can appear so mean and hurtful in their brokenness. I'm so thankful that God is willing to heal all of us -- and we're pretty much all broken somehow. And He can also give us the ability to love even those who hurt us and those we care about.
DeletePlease keep sharing your heart-touching stories!