Change & Cherish Series: A Mending at the Edge Blog Tour and Giveaway

Author Bio: Jane Kirkpatrick is the best-selling author of two nonfiction books and fourteen historical novels, including the popular Kinship and Courage series. Her award-winning writing has appeared in more than fifty publications, including Sports Afield and Decision. She’s won the coveted Western Heritage Wrangler Award, an honor shared by such writers as Larry McMurtry and Barbara Kingsolver. Jane is a licensed clinical social worker as well as an internationally recognized speaker. She and her husband, Jerry, ranch 160 acres in eastern Oregon.

My Take: I used to read a LOT of historical and Christian historical fiction. I burned out on the genre. It became predictable (always a perfect heroine in the midst of terrible historical settings who someone comes out unscathed)....and the weren't always very accurate when I did further research. I like accuracy. I've never read any books by Jane Kirkpatrick. When the offer came to review the 3rd book in this series, I did some research on the topic and the author. My interest was piqued. These books follow Emma Wagner Geisy's life in a religious community in Bethel, MO. She is the only woman to travel with the scouts as they moved out to the Pacific NW and eventually settle in Aurora, OR (very near to my family stomping grounds). I was surprised I'd never heard of this community. I wanted to read the series. Waterbrook graciously offered a copy of book one and two in the series, along with a copy to read, and two giveaway copies of the new release (released 15 Apr). I took them up on the offer.

I read these books quickly. The topic was interesting to me, the issues wrestled with are real, the location (NW) was near and dear to me, the characters are fun and fiesty, and the characters and events are accurate. At the back of each book is a section with resources and such. I loved the way Jane Kirkpatrick uses REAL people as the main characters, rather than setting made up individuals into a historical setting. Everything I've later researched has pointed to the accuracy of this series.

It seemed timely that I'd finish reading A Mending at the Edge on our camping trip and come home to hear the news of the FLDS, the story of another religious community. Arielle got interested in these books and also devoured them all. The second book is a bit darker than I'd have chosen for Arielle, but it is real and history and it isn't too early for her to begin thinking about the consequences that hasty decisions can have. We're sending this series on to Bre to read. Krista gets Crime Scene Jerusalem. ::snort::

If you would like to win a copy of A Mending at the Edge (book 3 in the series) leave a comment with contact info. We'll pick a winner on Friday. I'm paying postage on this one so one winner will be from the 48 contiguous states and the other from anywhere esle (if no one from HI, AK, or elsewhere enters it will go to a second winner in the lower 48).

A Clearing in the Wild
Spirited young Emma Wagner chafes at the constraints of her 1850s religious community, which values conformity over independent thought, especially in women. Skeptical of the colony’s growing emphasis on preparing for “the last days,” Emma clashes with their increasingly autocratic leader—and faces the unexpected consequences of pursuing independence.

A Tendering in the Storm
This lyrical novel, based on an historical figure of the 1800s, follows the spirited and intelligent Emma Giesy, who achieves her goal of separating her family from the repressive religious community in which she grew up. But unexpected and dire consequences leave her family—and her faith—struggling to survive.

A Mending at the Edge
This richly textured novel, the third in the acclaimed Change and Cherish series, follows the historical figure of Emma Wagner Giesy, who chafes under the restrictions of her 1860s religious colony. When her bid to belong in her unique way unravels her most precious relationships, she seeks new ways to stitch meaning into her life.

If you'd care to read more about the Aurora Colony go Here....You can also read Jane's Blog or visit her website. Another on my 2008 Reading List.