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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review
4.0
Woman of Courage by Wanda E. Brunstetter takes us on a journey to Dansville, New York in 1837. Amanda Pearson, a young Quaker woman, is excited to marry her fiancé, Nathan Lane the next day. Then Nathan stops by and tells Amanda that he has fallen in love with another woman and is canceling their wedding. Amanda decides to join Reverend and Mrs. Spalding on their mission in spreading Christ’s word to the Nez Perce Indians. Her father is joining her on the long, perilous journey to the Oregon Territory. Harvey Hanson is their guide for their trek with his knowledge of the wilderness and the various Indian tribes. In Wyoming Territory, Amanda becomes ill and is rescued by trapper, Buck McFadden. He takes her to Jim and Mary Breck’s cabin to recover. Mary becomes Amanda’s friend and the first Indian she converts. Jim and Buck want nothing to do with Amanda’s religion. Buck has received terrible treatment from white men who claim to be Christians and prefers his solitary existence. He is attracted to Amanda and he cannot help but overhear what she shares with Mary about God. This has been a life altering journey for Amanda and she has yet to reach her final destination. What does the future hold for Amanda? Come along for the dangerous expedition in Woman of Courage.
Woman of Courage: Collector’s Edition Continues the Story of Little Fawn has a beautiful cover. The book contains Woman of Courage plus the story of Little Fawn, an Indian child that Amanda raises. I found both stories to be well-written. The author captured the time period and the hazards of traveling west. Woman of Courage is different from Wanda E. Brunstetter’s Amish novels (in a good way). Amanda is strong, Quaker woman who is intent on sharing Christianity with others especially the Nez Perce Indians. She lives a Godly life and is an example to others. Amanda’s journey is difficult and there are fatalities along the way. Most women would return East when given the opportunity, but Amanda is determined to be a missionary. The authors descriptions of the scenery, the various types of lodgings, how the people lived on the frontier, the clothing worn, and the people brought the story alive for me. I could visualize Amanda’s journey. It was interesting to learn about the herbal medicines utilized during this time period. People in the west did not have access to a physician and it was important to know the healing properties of the herbs and other floral/fauna in their area. It also helped them to flavor their dishes and know what to avoid (do not want to poison anyone by adding the wrong type of mushroom to their stew). The pacing of the story varied. There were some slow sections, but it did not detract from this inspirational novel. I could tell the author did her research on the Indians based on her descriptions. I liked learning about the different tribes, how they lived and their beliefs. I appreciated that the author gave us Little Fawn’s story. It is amazing that any woman survived out west during this time period. Woman of Courage is a realistic story that will keep you reading late into the night.
Woman of Courage: Collector’s Edition Continues the Story of Little Fawn has a beautiful cover. The book contains Woman of Courage plus the story of Little Fawn, an Indian child that Amanda raises. I found both stories to be well-written. The author captured the time period and the hazards of traveling west. Woman of Courage is different from Wanda E. Brunstetter’s Amish novels (in a good way). Amanda is strong, Quaker woman who is intent on sharing Christianity with others especially the Nez Perce Indians. She lives a Godly life and is an example to others. Amanda’s journey is difficult and there are fatalities along the way. Most women would return East when given the opportunity, but Amanda is determined to be a missionary. The authors descriptions of the scenery, the various types of lodgings, how the people lived on the frontier, the clothing worn, and the people brought the story alive for me. I could visualize Amanda’s journey. It was interesting to learn about the herbal medicines utilized during this time period. People in the west did not have access to a physician and it was important to know the healing properties of the herbs and other floral/fauna in their area. It also helped them to flavor their dishes and know what to avoid (do not want to poison anyone by adding the wrong type of mushroom to their stew). The pacing of the story varied. There were some slow sections, but it did not detract from this inspirational novel. I could tell the author did her research on the Indians based on her descriptions. I liked learning about the different tribes, how they lived and their beliefs. I appreciated that the author gave us Little Fawn’s story. It is amazing that any woman survived out west during this time period. Woman of Courage is a realistic story that will keep you reading late into the night.
quillathe_23's review
3.0
Overall I thought it was a good story. There were inconsistencies with realistic occurrences throughout the book and I often felt it lacked depth. I enjoyed the story and tried to overlook the pieces that I felt were difficult to look past. If you are looking for a realistic historical Christian fiction then you'll be about 75% happy.
booklvr10's review
5.0
This is the second time I've read this book but this time, I read it with the addition of Little Fawn's story.
The characters were great and there was a lot of detail, making me feel like I was in the story.
This isn't Wanda's typical Amish book, this is a story about a young Quaker lady trying to make it to the mission in Oregon Territory to teach the Nez Perce about the Bible. She has to over come many obstacles, struggles, and heartache but soon finds her way with the help of friends.
The characters were great and there was a lot of detail, making me feel like I was in the story.
This isn't Wanda's typical Amish book, this is a story about a young Quaker lady trying to make it to the mission in Oregon Territory to teach the Nez Perce about the Bible. She has to over come many obstacles, struggles, and heartache but soon finds her way with the help of friends.
icygrl7's review
5.0
I received this book free from Net Galley for my honest review.
Woman of Courage was a really awesome read and I can’t say enough about it. I loved, loved, loved Woman of Courage. I could not put it down once I started reading. It is well written and really kept my attention. Woman of Courage is the first book that I have ever read by this author and it will certainly not be the last. I look forward to reading many more books by her. Woman of Courage is Amanda’s story. It follows her from San Francisco to Oregon and all her hardships and triumphs along the way.
Amanda’s life is just about perfect. She is about to marry the perfect man and she is very happy. All of that is about to change when her fiancé shows up at her place the night before their wedding. When he breaks off their engagement she is devastated and is unsure of what to do. Then she finds her purpose and calling. She decides she wants to go west and work with the Indians in Oregon. As she travels she loses a lot including her father and her tour guide. Along the way she also learns lessons and has opportunities to share the love of God with others. As she impacts each person’s lives they are also impacting hers. When she faces adversity will she rise to the occasion and truly become a woman of courage? Or will she find that things are too tough on her?
I really loved Woman of Courage and felt it was well written. It was a very emotion read as well because the author is able to draw you into the past. You are able to experience life through Amanda’s eyes and through some of the many other characters. I really liked Amanda’s character because she lived up to the title of the book. She was a very strong lead and never let go of her convictions even when times went from bad from to worse. I liked that she seemed to bounce back from everything. I like that it illustrated how faith can get you through everything. I also liked Buck McFadden. I thought he was a bit flawed due to his past but he was perfect for Amanda. I like that the relationship between he and Amanda grew and triumphed over all the obstacles that were thrown in their way. I like that they were unequally yoked at first and I also like how his entire story played out across the pages. He was able to triumph over his past. I also enjoyed most of the other secondary characters with the exception of the ones we are not supposed to like. I would highly recommend Woman of Courage to those who enjoy reading historical Christian Romances. I would highly recommend this writer to anyone who loves this genre as well. I know I will be running out to get more of her books soon.
Woman of Courage was a really awesome read and I can’t say enough about it. I loved, loved, loved Woman of Courage. I could not put it down once I started reading. It is well written and really kept my attention. Woman of Courage is the first book that I have ever read by this author and it will certainly not be the last. I look forward to reading many more books by her. Woman of Courage is Amanda’s story. It follows her from San Francisco to Oregon and all her hardships and triumphs along the way.
Amanda’s life is just about perfect. She is about to marry the perfect man and she is very happy. All of that is about to change when her fiancé shows up at her place the night before their wedding. When he breaks off their engagement she is devastated and is unsure of what to do. Then she finds her purpose and calling. She decides she wants to go west and work with the Indians in Oregon. As she travels she loses a lot including her father and her tour guide. Along the way she also learns lessons and has opportunities to share the love of God with others. As she impacts each person’s lives they are also impacting hers. When she faces adversity will she rise to the occasion and truly become a woman of courage? Or will she find that things are too tough on her?
I really loved Woman of Courage and felt it was well written. It was a very emotion read as well because the author is able to draw you into the past. You are able to experience life through Amanda’s eyes and through some of the many other characters. I really liked Amanda’s character because she lived up to the title of the book. She was a very strong lead and never let go of her convictions even when times went from bad from to worse. I liked that she seemed to bounce back from everything. I like that it illustrated how faith can get you through everything. I also liked Buck McFadden. I thought he was a bit flawed due to his past but he was perfect for Amanda. I like that the relationship between he and Amanda grew and triumphed over all the obstacles that were thrown in their way. I like that they were unequally yoked at first and I also like how his entire story played out across the pages. He was able to triumph over his past. I also enjoyed most of the other secondary characters with the exception of the ones we are not supposed to like. I would highly recommend Woman of Courage to those who enjoy reading historical Christian Romances. I would highly recommend this writer to anyone who loves this genre as well. I know I will be running out to get more of her books soon.
55_sallymander's review
5.0
Wow! Wanda Brunstetter proves without a doubt, that she is capable of switching from her beloved Amish Christian novels to slam bang right into the middle of 1837! Love, Love, Love this book with the bonus of Woman of Hope along with Woman of Courage set in a beautiful Collector's Edition.
Amanda Pearson is a Quaker woman who has been jilted. She prays and decides that her life would be better spent traveling from her home in New York and all that she knows and travel to Oregon Territory, where thee Spaldings have set up their mission to help lead the Nez Perce Indians to know God and Jesus, to help them learn to live in the "white world" and help out however she can.
This novel follows Amanda's life and her adopting Little Fawn, a Flat-head Indian baby.
In the bonus novel, Woman of Hope, we follow Little Fawn's life when she is a headstrong seventeen year old Indian maiden. She has a lot of the impulsiveness, that you see with almost anyone of that age.
This is a historical Christian fiction book with a lot of information about the Nez Perce and the Flat-head Indian tribes. I was provided a copy by Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
Amanda Pearson is a Quaker woman who has been jilted. She prays and decides that her life would be better spent traveling from her home in New York and all that she knows and travel to Oregon Territory, where thee Spaldings have set up their mission to help lead the Nez Perce Indians to know God and Jesus, to help them learn to live in the "white world" and help out however she can.
This novel follows Amanda's life and her adopting Little Fawn, a Flat-head Indian baby.
In the bonus novel, Woman of Hope, we follow Little Fawn's life when she is a headstrong seventeen year old Indian maiden. She has a lot of the impulsiveness, that you see with almost anyone of that age.
This is a historical Christian fiction book with a lot of information about the Nez Perce and the Flat-head Indian tribes. I was provided a copy by Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
michellef's review against another edition
4.0
Woman of Courage is a historical fiction novel by author Wanda E Brunstetter. I read an ARC of this novel, the publish date was December 1, 2018. (I am a bit late reading it).
My favorite character was 22-year-old Amanda Pearson, whose mother died giving birth to her. Amanda wanted to keep her promise to her dad and go to Oregon Territory to share the Word of God with the Nez Perce’ Indians.
It humored me that no matter how many times Harvey Hanson asked Amanda to say you instead of thou or thee she just couldn’t help herself. Harvey wanted her to talk like a normal person so he could understand her. One day after lightning struck, killing both Harvey and his horse, Amanda was alone in the wilderness on the way to Oregon Territory.
My favorite quote is a prayer, “Dear God, please give me the strength and courage I need for this day. Be with me and calm my anxious heart as I continue this journey.” (p. 45 – this quote may not be in the published version).
The author did an exceptional job writing about the everyday challenges of living in the wilderness along the Oregon Trail. The plan of salvation is explained by the Bible (Romans 10:9).
Even though this novel has close to 400 pages it is fast-paced and kept me reading throughout the day. Did this novel meet my expectations? As much as I enjoyed the novel I was disturbed that the question of whether the Indian’s Great Spirit was the same as God kept coming up. I do not believe that the Great Spirit is the same as God. Once it was mentioned to the Indians that now that they are Christians they need to refer to God as God and not Great Spirit. As a whole, I enjoyed the novel.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
My favorite character was 22-year-old Amanda Pearson, whose mother died giving birth to her. Amanda wanted to keep her promise to her dad and go to Oregon Territory to share the Word of God with the Nez Perce’ Indians.
It humored me that no matter how many times Harvey Hanson asked Amanda to say you instead of thou or thee she just couldn’t help herself. Harvey wanted her to talk like a normal person so he could understand her. One day after lightning struck, killing both Harvey and his horse, Amanda was alone in the wilderness on the way to Oregon Territory.
My favorite quote is a prayer, “Dear God, please give me the strength and courage I need for this day. Be with me and calm my anxious heart as I continue this journey.” (p. 45 – this quote may not be in the published version).
The author did an exceptional job writing about the everyday challenges of living in the wilderness along the Oregon Trail. The plan of salvation is explained by the Bible (Romans 10:9).
Even though this novel has close to 400 pages it is fast-paced and kept me reading throughout the day. Did this novel meet my expectations? As much as I enjoyed the novel I was disturbed that the question of whether the Indian’s Great Spirit was the same as God kept coming up. I do not believe that the Great Spirit is the same as God. Once it was mentioned to the Indians that now that they are Christians they need to refer to God as God and not Great Spirit. As a whole, I enjoyed the novel.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
soulkissed2003's review
5.0
Amanda Pearson is a young Quaker woman living in New York in 1837. Her plans to marry Nathan Lane fall flat when he informs her – the day before their wedding – that he is in love with her best friend, Penelope! Hurt, Amanda prays and feels that God is leading her to travel west, to share her Christian faith with the Nez Perce Indians. Her widowed father joins his only daughter for the journey.
A journey west in those rough times was a dangerous one, however. Soon, her father's heart fails, and she finds herself helping their travel guide bury Papa alongside the trail. Not long afterwards, a terrible lightning storm rages, felling a tree that kills her guide. Alone in the wilderness, Amanda becomes ill. Thankfully, a man named Buck McFadden finds her and brings her to his friend's home. His friend Jim Breck, a harsh mountain man, and his wife, Mary, care for Amanda until she is well.
Amanda's presence soon brings change to the lives of all concerned. Her new friends each have a background story of pain and frustration, and difficulty trusting others. In her focus on trying to bring her Christian faith to her new friends, the young Quaker woman finds herself growing and maturing as well, and realizes she has just as much to learn as she feels that they do! What I enjoyed best about this book is that, while the Christian theme was strong, it was not overbearing. It was clear that the message was that the best way to reach others is to be willing to accept them as they are and to listen to their stories. I also liked the respect given the Native Americans and their beliefs.
I would categorize this novel as a faith-inspired historical romance. I loved how Amanda was such a strong female character, especially for that time period, when women may not have necessarily been viewed as being able to function on their own without a man caring for them in the rugged wilderness. The story went along at a nice pace and kept me eager to find out what was going to happen to each of the main characters. It was one of those books that you are sorry to see come to an end, because it was just plain enjoyable to read.
The novel was published in 2014 through Shiloh Run Press. ISBN 978-1-61626-083-5. Suggested retail price is $14.99 in the United States. I quite enjoyed this read and I think others will as well.
A journey west in those rough times was a dangerous one, however. Soon, her father's heart fails, and she finds herself helping their travel guide bury Papa alongside the trail. Not long afterwards, a terrible lightning storm rages, felling a tree that kills her guide. Alone in the wilderness, Amanda becomes ill. Thankfully, a man named Buck McFadden finds her and brings her to his friend's home. His friend Jim Breck, a harsh mountain man, and his wife, Mary, care for Amanda until she is well.
Amanda's presence soon brings change to the lives of all concerned. Her new friends each have a background story of pain and frustration, and difficulty trusting others. In her focus on trying to bring her Christian faith to her new friends, the young Quaker woman finds herself growing and maturing as well, and realizes she has just as much to learn as she feels that they do! What I enjoyed best about this book is that, while the Christian theme was strong, it was not overbearing. It was clear that the message was that the best way to reach others is to be willing to accept them as they are and to listen to their stories. I also liked the respect given the Native Americans and their beliefs.
I would categorize this novel as a faith-inspired historical romance. I loved how Amanda was such a strong female character, especially for that time period, when women may not have necessarily been viewed as being able to function on their own without a man caring for them in the rugged wilderness. The story went along at a nice pace and kept me eager to find out what was going to happen to each of the main characters. It was one of those books that you are sorry to see come to an end, because it was just plain enjoyable to read.
The novel was published in 2014 through Shiloh Run Press. ISBN 978-1-61626-083-5. Suggested retail price is $14.99 in the United States. I quite enjoyed this read and I think others will as well.
xakyr's review against another edition
2.0
FTC DISCLAIMER: I RECEIVED AN E-ARC FROM THE PUBLISHER THROUGH NET GALLEY. I VOLUNTARILY OFFER MY HONEST REVIEW OF THE BOOK, THOUGH IT IS NOT EXPECTED OF ME! RECEIPT OF THIS BOOK IN THIS MANNER DOES NOT AFFECT MY OPINION OF THE BOOK OR THE CONTENT OF MY REVIEW!
While I am normally a fan of Ms. Brunstetter's work, this was a definite miss for me! The language seemed pretentious, despite it's authenticity to the times, especially since Amanda had been asked several times to leave it off! I had a hard time believing the plot overall, but most especially in the spiritual conversions that happened over the course of the story, possibly because I found the plot so dry and boring! The characterization felt flat to me, and I couldn't really engage with the characters, or bring myself to care about them over the long term. Other reviewers have suggested better stories instead of this one, so I think I'll be seeking those out instead.
While I am normally a fan of Ms. Brunstetter's work, this was a definite miss for me! The language seemed pretentious, despite it's authenticity to the times, especially since Amanda had been asked several times to leave it off! I had a hard time believing the plot overall, but most especially in the spiritual conversions that happened over the course of the story, possibly because I found the plot so dry and boring! The characterization felt flat to me, and I couldn't really engage with the characters, or bring myself to care about them over the long term. Other reviewers have suggested better stories instead of this one, so I think I'll be seeking those out instead.
audiobooks_sweettea's review
5.0
Wanda Brunstetter never ceases to amaze me! She is a brilliant Amish fiction author, and captivates her readers with each story. This book is a Quaker story, not Amish but her brilliance shines through just the same way. Each page turn brought me closer to the heart of the story, and left me with amazing messages from God. If you want a story that will warm your heart and stay with you for a long time to come, grab this story now. Wanda Brunstetter will not disappoint with this fabulous 5 star read.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under not obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under not obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
audiobooks_sweettea's review against another edition
5.0
Wanda Brunstetter never ceases to amaze me! She is a brilliant Amish fiction author, and captivates her readers with each story. This book is a Quaker story, not Amish but her brilliance shines through just the same way. Each page turn brought me closer to the heart of the story, and left me with amazing messages from God. If you want a story that will warm your heart and stay with you for a long time to come, grab this story now. Wanda Brunstetter will not disappoint with this fabulous 5 star read.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under not obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under not obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*