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A Dream Fulfilled
Settlers of South Park - #1
A Brief Description:
Life on the wind-swept eastern Kansas plains in the 1850’s was tenuous at best. Add to that, marauding bands of thieving Comanches, and a fella would start having notions of moving his clan the heck out of there.
With the last of his cattle having been taken by the thieving redskins, Jacob Clarkson and his family load as much of whatever they can into a couple of wagons and set out on a much anticipated journey in hopes of relocating their once-prosperous cattle ranching endeavor to the high-mountain grasslands of present day Colorado.
The journey proves to be fraught with dangers, some of which are of the harsh weather and high water variety, while others are man-made.
The journey becomes even more difficult after the rescue of a young lady who had been taken captive by a trio of banditos. Their intent had been to trade her to the Utes, who freely roamed the area, but first the Mexican outlaws have to find and get her back from the gringos who have spoiled their plans.
Through all of this, the Lord remains in charge and adds to the mixture, a helping of tender romance and true love between the rescued girl, Becky, and one of Jacob and Emily’s twin sons, Seth. Not to be outdone by his brother, Sam manages a romance of his own after a mix-up in homestead filings helps to bring him and Liz together while their families remain steadfast in their struggle to gain a toehold in the savage land that is the previously unsettled grasslands of the South Park Basin of central Colorado.
A Few Reader Reviews:
4 out of 5 stars: Accurate, Interesting Historical Western Fiction
By Roger L Thomas - on Jan 22, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
I just finished A Dream Fulfilled. It is a good Western and exceptionally accurate historical fiction. Readers expecting the West as the movies portray it may be surprised to read a more true-to-life story about how the South Park area of Colorado was settled. (And, yes, that’s where the name used on the TV show came from!) Mr. Rogers writes of a family going West to seek a better life, along the way facing the dangers any traveler of that era might encounter- rain, floods, outlaws, and Indians. I found it interesting reading, with enough “hooks” by the end of the story to provide a lead in to the next books in this series. I look forward to finding out what is in store for the Clarksons, Walter Carnes, and a couple of budding romances. I also have read Mr. Rogers’ Cripple Creek trilogy, which I recommend, and I am pleased to see that he may publish a fourth book in that series.
The facts in A Dream Fulfilled- places, historical events, and many background characters- are absolutely correct. Some facts I already knew, as a resident of Colorado. Being curious, and a bit of a skeptic, some facts I looked up. As a published writer myself, who is currently working on his own historical fiction novel, I know from experience the difficulties of weaving a good story into actual history without tripping over the facts. Mr. Rogers- keep up the good work, sir!
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5 out of 5 stars: West, The Land of Dreams
By Amazon Customer - on July 30, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
I enjoy reading Mr. Rogers' book as I have most of the books I've read from him. I enjoy a good western with some adventure and a good story line. This was a little slow on adventure but the story was very entertaining. The Christian background of this book makes for comfortable reading. You still have all the kidnappings, gun battles, hardships of travel, and romance without all the filth found in many books today. I would recommend it for anyone to read even children. Good book.
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4 out of 5 stars: A Dream Fulfilled
By Unknown - on Nov 4, 2013
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
The book held my interest and was a page turner. The religious connotations were much to my liking. My friends who enjoy good Romance and western action would enjoy it.
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5 out of 5 stars: EXTREMELY Good Reading
By Kindle Customer - on Sept 11, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
This was my first reading of this author, but it certainly will not be the last!! I thought it was well scripted and I was able to keep the people connected with each other by couples. It also kept the Lord included but not in a preaching "Hell Fire" manner. Mister Rogers spoke of Him in the way people would be expected to refer to Him in their every day lives asking for His guidance. It let's outhers see Him through their actions and mannerisms.
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5 out of 5 stars: Wonderful Read!!
By Rose - on Sept 25, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
A truly wonderful read about early settlers of Colorado's South Park. It tells of a family's journey in the 1850's to resettle their lives as they are forced out of Kansas by the turmoil of the region.
There is plenty of suspense and drama without the constant gun fights, rather the battles are for survival. Great beginning of a new series, enjoy your, read.
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4 out of 5 stars: A Dream Fulfilled - Settlers of South Park #1
By Susan C. Figueroa - on Aug 30, 2013
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
I really enjoyed this book along with others I've read written by r. William Rogers because it's nice to read stories where the Lord is viewed as a loving God and I admire people who can openly praise the Lord without making their faith an object of display for all the wrong reasons, as the characters he portrays never do. I think I would give 5 stars if the author realized that sometimes our prayers aren't answered quite as speedily as these pioneers or settlers have theirs answered and if he showed them being strong about accept answered prayers that are sometimes no. It's was to get attached to the characters r. William Rogers portrays. Reading the #2 book now.
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4 out of 5 stars: Recommended
By karen j chism on Oct 6, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Entertaining light read. I would recommend this book for any and all ages that enjoy middle 1800's and a peek into the trials of those seeking a better life out west. There is indians, banditry, romance and christian faith but all were kept to a clean but realistic level . . . never over done. I loved all the southern and western expressions many of which took me back to rememberance of my daddy who was born in 1895.
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5 out of 5 stars: Dreams become reality for a family in Colorado.
By Jennie Pandergast on March 9, 2018
Enjoyed this book based in Colorado. The Clarkson family dream was coming true. Their family was growing as well. It was good to start another series by this author. Looking forward to reading more in both series. Old west books have always been a favorite of mine.
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