Enter
INTERVIEWS & REVIEWS
  • Home
    • About >
      • Mission Statement
      • FAQ'S
      • Review Us!
    • Contact
  • Interviews
    • Interview Requests
  • Reviews
    • Book Submissions
  • Team Members Only
    • Children's Books
    • Contemporary Fiction
    • Historical Fiction
    • Mystery/Suspense
    • Young Adult
    • May Nominations
  • Book of the Month
    • January Nominations
    • February Nominations
    • March Nominations
    • April Nominations
  • Our Reviewers
    • Marta Aldrighetti
    • Anna Bottoms >
      • Carolyn Bryant
    • Trinity Caver
    • Laura J. Davis >
      • Jeanette Durkin
    • Elizabeth Eckmeyer
    • Kristina Hall >
      • Joy Hannabass
      • Adriann Harris
      • Demetria Head
      • Raechel Helwig
      • Charity Henico
      • Mindy Houng
      • Monica Huyser
    • Heather L. Jones
    • Linda Klager
    • Beverly Laude >
      • Diana Lea
      • Tammy Lunsford
    • Rebecca Maney
    • Rick Norris
    • Trixi Oberembt
    • Lori Parrish >
      • Deanne Patterson
    • Kimberlee Sams >
      • Connie Porter Saunders
      • Paula Shreckhise
      • Katie Slocum
      • Amy Smelser
      • Katelyn Sponaugle
      • Emily Stephens
    • Laura Thomas >
      • Winnie Thomas
    • Billi Varela >
      • Diana Varela
      • Elisha Varela
      • Juanita Varela
    • Ewurabena Wilson >
      • Conny Withay
      • Cheryl Wood
  • 2024 Book of the Year Winner
    • 2024 Book of the Year Finalists
  • 2023 Book of the Year
    • 2023 Book of the Year Finalists
  • 2022 Book of the Year
    • 2022 Book of the Year Finalists
  • 2021 Book of the Year
    • 2020 Book of the Year >
      • 2020 Book of the Year Finalists
    • 2021 Book of the Year Finalists
  • 2019 Book of the Year
  • 2018 Book of the Year
    • 2018 Finalists
  • For Writers
  • Home
    • About >
      • Mission Statement
      • FAQ'S
      • Review Us!
    • Contact
  • Interviews
    • Interview Requests
  • Reviews
    • Book Submissions
  • Team Members Only
    • Children's Books
    • Contemporary Fiction
    • Historical Fiction
    • Mystery/Suspense
    • Young Adult
    • May Nominations
  • Book of the Month
    • January Nominations
    • February Nominations
    • March Nominations
    • April Nominations
  • Our Reviewers
    • Marta Aldrighetti
    • Anna Bottoms >
      • Carolyn Bryant
    • Trinity Caver
    • Laura J. Davis >
      • Jeanette Durkin
    • Elizabeth Eckmeyer
    • Kristina Hall >
      • Joy Hannabass
      • Adriann Harris
      • Demetria Head
      • Raechel Helwig
      • Charity Henico
      • Mindy Houng
      • Monica Huyser
    • Heather L. Jones
    • Linda Klager
    • Beverly Laude >
      • Diana Lea
      • Tammy Lunsford
    • Rebecca Maney
    • Rick Norris
    • Trixi Oberembt
    • Lori Parrish >
      • Deanne Patterson
    • Kimberlee Sams >
      • Connie Porter Saunders
      • Paula Shreckhise
      • Katie Slocum
      • Amy Smelser
      • Katelyn Sponaugle
      • Emily Stephens
    • Laura Thomas >
      • Winnie Thomas
    • Billi Varela >
      • Diana Varela
      • Elisha Varela
      • Juanita Varela
    • Ewurabena Wilson >
      • Conny Withay
      • Cheryl Wood
  • 2024 Book of the Year Winner
    • 2024 Book of the Year Finalists
  • 2023 Book of the Year
    • 2023 Book of the Year Finalists
  • 2022 Book of the Year
    • 2022 Book of the Year Finalists
  • 2021 Book of the Year
    • 2020 Book of the Year >
      • 2020 Book of the Year Finalists
    • 2021 Book of the Year Finalists
  • 2019 Book of the Year
  • 2018 Book of the Year
    • 2018 Finalists
  • For Writers

Book Reviews​

12/1/2019

0 Comments

One More River to Cross

 
Picture
Author: Jane Kirkpatrick
​Genre: Historical Fiction

Adversity can squelch the human spirit . . . or it can help us discover strength we never knew we had.


In 1844, two years before the Donner Party, the Stephens-Murphy-Townsend company leaves Missouri to be the first wagons into California through the Sierra Nevada. They enjoy a safe journey--until October, when a fierce mountain snowstorm forces difficult decisions.

The party separates in three directions. Some go overland around Lake Tahoe. Others stay to guard the heaviest wagons. The rest of the party, including eight women and seventeen children, huddle in a makeshift cabin at the headwaters of the Yuba River awaiting rescue. The months ahead will be long and at times terrifying. But with friendship, family, and enough courage to overcome their fear, these intrepid pioneers will discover what truly matters in times of trial.

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Reviewer: Marta Aldrighetti

In the year 1844, a group of families of Irish-Canadian-Missourians start a long journey from Iowa to Alta California. It's a long trip, with troubles, mountains and rivers to cross, pregnant women, small children to tend, cold and snow to complicate the situation. The families must split up in small groups, the wagons must stay behind.

The story is well written and not boring. There are many characters, but they are well-developed. It is an incredible true story of people who had courage, faith, the wisdom of working together and dreams of creating a new life in a new land.

This book was provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group, Revell Division, through Interviews & Reviews.


Picture
Reviewer: Tiffany Crosby

Until I read this book, I was unaware of this captivating snippet of American history. I had heard about the Donner Party (who hasn’t) but hadn’t heard of their predecessors who had also set out for the west as pioneers.

The different personalities of each member of the traveling party emerge quickly. I could feel the weight of the decisions that had to be made and the enormity of the risks taken in pursuit of a better life. The harsh realities of life in the 1840s is exposed through the personal stories of each individual and through the recounting of the daily tasks required just to survive. Each person is tested along the way as they try to forge an identity amidst the uncertainty of life in unknown territory. The women are especially challenged to break free from the bondage they’ve lived under pursuant to the cultural norms of their day. As afflictions mount and the necessities of life become harder to come by, you see people’s inner character start to emerge. You see fortitude and resiliency and courage nourished by faith overcome fear. You see how important it is to maintain hope and a sense of purpose to sustain the spirit. You heart melts as love starts to heal wounds of bitterness and anger and life lived together in difficult circumstances breaks down barriers and builds bonds. You almost feel like you’re eavesdropping as intimate stories are shared and life-altering memories are created.

You become so invested in the characters that you want a positive ending. You begin to feel disappointment as one trial follows another. As is often the case, the dream that propelled them forward and sustained them through many difficulties did not match the reality they would encounter once they arrived at their destination. The shattered illusion would become yet another trial they would have to face, and they would face it as they’ve faced everything else – together as a family. And you will cheer while wondering if just possibly they’re could’ve been another way for them to reach that outcome.

If you want a book that will draw you into an obscure piece of American history and leave you wanting to know more about this time period this is it. 

This book was provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group, Revell Division.


Picture
Reviewer: Abigail Thomas

“They had gotten on a craft called faith and pushed out on the river. Sometimes the stream flowed calm and restful and sometimes it meandered and swirled the craft about. But it always took them to where they needed to go.”

I would say that Jane Kirkpatrick neatly sums up her book, One More River to Cross, in the quote above. Traveling cross-country in a wagon train, the Stephens-Murphy-Townsend party learned that living on faith is a powerful thing. Faith is what got them through winter snows in an unknown territory, when food was sparse but bellies needed to be fed. At times it was all they could really feed on.

In the beginning of the book, the party starts out together, already on their journey, and you are given a small glimpse into the lives of those who travel. As the story continues, the group begins to break off into smaller ones, choices needing to be made, families and friends split. Their journey becomes one of survival.

Jane Kirkpatrick does a wonderful job showing the struggles these characters go through and how their faith is tested. When some begin to lose hope, there’s always someone else to press them forward, urging them on. Fear is evident; fear of loss, of death. Questions are raised, choices questioned. Did they do the right thing by splitting off? Did they go the right way? Should they have even made this journey?

Faith, in the end, wins.

The author walks you through the journey right beside her characters, and though there are many to keep straight, I found it easier to remember who was who as I traveled along with them, though at times I did have to remind myself before continuing on. The map and the list of groups with who is in which, were very helpful as I became acquainted with this story, and I found myself revisiting them, the map especially.

If you’re looking for a novel that shares a piece of our history, one that is filled with strong women, family struggles, community, hope, trust, and faith, then this is a read I would definitely recommend.

This book was provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group, Revell Division.

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    Action/Adventure
    Amish Fiction
    Anthology
    Bible Study
    Biblical Fiction
    Children
    Christian Living
    Christmas
    Church History
    Contemporary Fiction
    Contemporary Holiday Romance
    Contemporary Romance
    Cookbook
    Devotionals
    Dual Time
    Dual-Time
    Dual-time Romance
    Fantasy
    Fiction
    Gothic Historical Romance
    Historical Fiction
    Historical Holiday Romance
    Historical Mystery
    Historical Romance
    Historical WWII Fiction
    Inspirational Fiction
    Marketing
    Marriage
    Memoir
    Missions
    Mystery/Suspense
    Poetry
    Prophecy
    Regency Romance
    Romantic Suspense
    Science Fiction
    Self Help
    Self-Help
    Social Issues
    Spiritual Growth
    Spiritual Warfare
    Theology
    Thriller/Suspense
    Time Travel Romance
    Women's Issues
    Young Adult

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016

Services

Interviews
Reviews
Our Reviewers
For Writers
Book Submissions

Support

Contact


© COPYRIGHT 2016. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Disclaimer
FTC DISCLAIMER: All the books reviewed on this site are given to us for the express purpose of review. They are provided by publishers, publicists, authors and agents. None of our reviewers were required to write positive reviews and none of them were paid monetarily. All opinions are those of each individual reviewer. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”