by Debra Holland
My Review
I usually listen to Ms. Holland's books on audio I do not think I have read any by her books. I really enjoyed reading this as with her audios she pulls you in and takes you to another place in time in the past where she holds your interest and entertains you like few authors can. This is a real heart breaker two people losing the people they love who is their world have to come together to make a new family to safe the family they have. This is a very touching read of time gone by where things move fast to overcome what happens. You do not have time to grave you must do what is best for the here and now. Just as with the mail-order brides as times past you grow closer and love will come. You have to overcome a few issues of getting to know each other but time heals all pain.
Ms. Holland always gives you a wonderful read with stories that are believable as she spins a story with wonderful caring characters that you will come to love. Starting over is never easy but doing that with total strangers along with small children can be hard. Ms. Holland shows you their pain as they overcome issues and become a family. There is nothing more heart breaking than watching how the Indians were treated. This author shows you a side where the white man few they might be do care about them and try to help them. She gives you a story of two families becoming one as they put each other and the children first.
Erik learns that a wife is more than a person to take care of but one who work together to a common goal. That marriage is more than love or friendship but a partnership where love will grow. He learns sometimes giving is more as is taking what that person gives you to make a united front. He finds women are not weak but strong and can help carry the load. He has much to learn as this new wife shows him a side of a woman that he has never seen. He might have lost so much with losing his wife in childbirth but he has gained so much more.
Antonia learns how to give what her new husband needs. She is strong and a hard worker. She still must learn that who you are inside makes you beautiful. She must learn to trust and share along with saying what she feels. She is living a life in a dead woman place who in her eyes must have been prefect. As she show her new husband what working together is like she must also learn to trust him with her secretes knowing he will not judge her.
This was a well thought out story that the author put lots of time into. It is believable with wonderful characters who show the true meaning of family as they overcome issues and become one. I do have to say Antonia speech got to me I found myself correcting her than laughing at myself for doing it. She is trying to better herself and learn the correct ways, Antonia really is a wonderful character who gives so much as she takes on a whole new world than what she is use to. I loved seeing the little horses again I have come to love them dearly in each story that Ms. Holland writes.
This is one author is that is my go to. I know she will give me a wonderful entertaining read that will leave me with a smile on my face as she takes me down the path and twist her way to my heart. She always does her research her facts are right on the money. She spins a tale of truth, love and family. Her characters are well balanced with a wonderful mixture. This is a book about survival when times are tough you do what you have to. The pain of losing a love one and how to overcome it. You never forget your first love but find there is more love to give. It is a book about family, team work, honor, love, and dreams. It is what America was built on. If you are looking for a wonderfully well written story you have found it. I hope you love this author as much as I do. She gives you a wonderful story that will leave you with a smile on your face.
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Book Description
After a grizzly bear kills Antonia Valleau’s trapper husband, she packs her few worldly possessions, leaves her home in the mountains of Montana, and treks to nearby Sweetwater Springs, seeking work to provide for her two young sons.
Reeling from the loss of his wife during childbirth, Erik Muth must find a nursing mother for his newborn daughter to survive. For their children’s sake, Erik and Antonia wed, starting a new life together on his farm on the prairie. But it’s no easy union. Antonia misunderstands Erik’s quiet personality. He finds her independence disconcerting. Both hide secrets that challenge their growing intimacy.
When Indians steal livestock from farms around Sweetwater Springs to feed their starving tribe, the outraged townsfolk demand retaliation. Erik and Antonia must work together to prevent a massacre. Will a marriage forged in loss blossom into love?
About the Author
Debra Holland is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of the award-winning Montana Sky Series (sweet, historical Western romance) and The Gods' Dream Trilogy (fantasy romance.)
Debra is a three-time Romance Writers of America Golden Heart finalist and one-time winner. In 2013, Amazon selected Starry Montana Sky as one of the Top 50 Greatest Love Stories.
When she's not writing, Dr. Debra works as a psychotherapist and corporate crisis/grief counselor and is the author of The Essential Guide to Grief and Grieving, as well as Cultivating an Attitude of Gratitude, a Ten Minute Ebook. She's also a contributing author to The Naked Truth About Self-Publishing.
Debra lives in Southern California with her dog and two cats, who keep her company while she writes. You'll often see pictures of her animals on Debra's social media pages. Join her newsletter list and receive a free download of the ebooklet, 58 Tips for Getting What You Want From a Difficult Conversation at http://drdebraholland.com
BOOK LIST
MONTANA SKY SERIES
In Chronological Order:
1880s
Beneath Montana's Sky
Mail-Order Brides of the West: Trudy
Mail-Order Brides of the West: Lina
Mail-Order Brides of the West: Darcy
Mail-Order Brides of the West: Prudence
Mail-Order Brides of the West: Bertha (Feb 2016)
1890s
Wild Montana Sky
Starry Montana Sky
Stormy Montana Sky
Montana Sky Christmas
A Valentine's Choice
Painted Montana Sky
Glorious Montana Sky
Healing Montana Sky
Sweetwater Springs Christmas
Sweetwater Springs Scrooge
Mystic Montana Sky (Summer 2016)
2015
Angel in Paradise
THE GODS' DREAM TRILOGY
Sower of Dreams
Reaper of Dreams
Harvest of Dreams
The God's Dream Trilogy Box Set
TWINBORNE TRILOGY
Lywin's Quest
THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO GRIEF AND GRIEVING
CULTIVATING AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE