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Grace Martindale has known more than her share of hardship. After her parents died, raising her two younger sisters became her responsibility. A hasty marriage to a minister who is heading to the untamed West seemed like an opportunity for a fresh start, but a cholera outbreak along the wagon trail has left Grace a widow in a very precarious position.

Having learned natural remedies and midwifery from her mother, Grace seeks an opportunity to use her skills for the benefit of others. So when she and her sisters arrive at the Whitman mission in “Oregon Country,” she decides to stay rather than push on.

With the help of Alex Armistead, a French-American fur trapper, Grace begins to provide care for her neighbors, including some of the native populace. But not everyone welcomes her skills–or her presence–and soon Grace finds herself and those she loves in more danger than she imagined possible.

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My Thoughts

I have to admit that I was a bit surprised to see mention of the Whitman mission in the first book of a new series. Anyone who has heard of this place knows it is not a happy tale and the thought of an entire series in this setting doesn’t exactly inspire warm fuzzies. However, the Whitman mission is simply the backdrop for a portion of the story (not the focus) and the author melds fact and fiction with style and grace.

Grace Martindale has a heavy load to bear but she is more than willing to sacrifice her own happiness to protect and provide for her two younger sisters. Grace is a compassionate and teachable young woman. She is intelligent, brave, and hard-working. Grace is a big sister after my own heart.

Alex Armistead is a quiet, steady trapper who has years of experience with natives and other early inhabitants of the Oregon Country. He and his friends know the flood of settlers will change their lives irrevocably yet they choose peace and acceptance. Under the buckskins, Alex is a gentleman at heart.

This story of sacrifice, strife, and survival shines a spotlight on a tragic chain of events in our nation’s history yet the light of hope and love shines brighter in the darkness. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys frontier tales and stories of the early Oregon settlements! What a promising start for this new series!

I requested the opportunity to read this book through the publisher. The opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

Tracie Peterson is an award-winning, best-selling author of over 100 books. Having given her heart to Jesus at the young age of six, Tracie has always felt called to some form of ministry, and writing fulfills that mission field.

Tracie Peterson Throughout her writing career, Tracie has found time to speak at writer’s conferences where she has a special heart for new authors. She is often joined by her husband Jim, whose background in history offers new authors insight into research. Besides teaching at conferences, Tracie also at one time managed Barbour Publishing’s Heartsong Presents book line – overseeing the production of 52 books a year. Tracie teaches at women’s conferences around the country and shares her testimony and insight for Christian living through the eyes of an author passionately in love with her Heavenly Father.

Tracie was awarded the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for 2007 Inspirational Fiction and the 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award from American Christian Fiction Writers. Her books have won numerous awards for favorite books in a variety of contests, including USA “Best Books 2011” Awards, best Religious Fiction for Embers of Love!

Making her home in Montana, this Kansas native enjoys spending time with family–especially her three grandchildren–Rainy, Fox and Max.