"EXCELLENCE IN CHRISTIAN FICTION"
Toward A New Beginning
Arkansas Valley Series - #1
A Brief Description:
Although Sam Bartlett enjoyed a successful horse supplying business in Independence, Missouri, he was nonetheless envious of the hordes of folks who passed through on their way west. Unable to stand it any longer, he convinces his wife, Judith, to pull up stakes, pack up their three year old son, Tom, and accompany him on a journey that turns out to be much more than either of them could have imagined.
The trek quickly develops into one of extreme hardship that is further complicated by savage weather, dangerous river crossings, water shortages, unique personalities among members of the wagon train, and constant harassment at the hands of marauding Comanches.
The ability of the determined travelers to effectively defend themselves is pushed to the very brink as One Eye's warriors attack them repeatedly with devastating results.
With four of the train's beloved children having been taken captive, it is then that the inner strength of the beleaguered pioneers is sorely tested and a handful of the men set out to recover the children.
After valiant attempts to rescue their children fail miserably, the would-be rescuers are forced to return empty-handed. Against all that is held sacred, the members of the wagon train have no choice left to them but to leave their children behind while they do their best to evade the heathens and continue their struggle for survival with barely enough water left to keep the animals going.
With all hope of ever seeing the children again now gone, it is the ingenuity of the beautiful Comanche woman, Birdsong, that is yet to be heard from.
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A FEW READER REVIEWS:
5 out of 5 star: Well written
Ricardo Sayiso - on April 15, 2018
This is a very good look at how life was like on a westward bound wagon train. I'm looking forward to reading the second book in the series.
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5 out of 5 stars: I LOVED THIS BOOK
Sunset Reader March 30, 2018
IT HAD EVERYTHING IN IT. LAUGHTER, LOVE, DEATH ,AND MOST IMPORTANTLY GOD WAS IN THE MIDST OF THEM ALL THE TIME. IT TAKES FAITH TO MOVE TO ANOTHER PLACE THAT YOU FEEL GOD IS LEADING YOU TOO. EVEN MORE TO WITHSTAND ALL THE TRIALS AND TROUBLES YOU WILL HAVE TO GO THROUGH. YOU CANNOT GIVE UP! THESE PEOPLE WERE STRONG AND THE STORY PROVES HOW STRONG THEY WERE. COULD YOU DO IT? WItH GOD, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE. YOU WILL LOVE THIS BOOK TOO.
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5 out of 5 stars: Take a Trek with a Wagon Train
By Roger L Thomas - on April 2, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition
I recently finished the third book in Mr. Rogers’s Cripple Creek series, and I have been dropping hints about a fourth book. In the interim, I “figgered” it was time for a change. I went southeast geographically in Colorado and about two decades into the past, to read Toward a New Beginning, book one of the author’s Arkansas Valley series.
Mr. Rogers had obviously done the research on this series, as he did with the Cripple Creek series.
Prior to the completion of the railroad in 1880, the Santa Fe Trail was the route of choice for many wagon trains headed for the Arkansas River valley and a new life. Such was the case with Sam Barnett, his wife, and their toddler son. The wagon train was populated by an interesting assortment of folks also headed for a new life. I found the interaction between characters- remember, essentially strangers thrown together for the duration of a tough journey- to be entirely believable.
Wagon trains often had to deal with bad weather, swollen streams, and Indian attacks. This collection of wagons had more than its share of all that, plus a kidnapping and some bad blood between the white men and the Indians that was resolved in a way that seemed plausible but tension-filled until the end.
And, as a book in the “Christian Western” genre, the book proves that a writer can pen a good story without having to resort to gratuitous sex, profanity, and violence!
Three things that I appreciate in any historical fiction:
1) Historical accuracy;
2) Believable characters; and
3) A page-turner of a plot
Mr. Rogers scores on all three. For fans of the old West, Toward a New Beginning is a good read.
***
5 out of 5 stars: Another Great Western
By Henry G. - on May 10, 2013
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
As an author myself, I enjoyed this western quite a bit. It was the story of a wagon train headed into the west where people wanted to start a new life. I really enjoyed the way the author wound the love of the two main characters into the theme of the story. Of course, there was another couple who fell in love while on the wagon train going west. You had some curious 'meanies' on the trip. Of course, during the hardships of the trail, their 'mean' streak became friendship. When it came time for the Indians to attack the wagon train and do their dastardly deeds, he was able to lead you into it in some small subtle ways that started keeping you on the edge of your seat. My greatest love of the book was that he was able to portray to love of Jesus Christ as a lifestyle and not just a 'Sunday School' thing. No dirty words, no lewd story lines. I absolutely loved it. It is well worth the read. I would heartily recommend it to all age groups.
***
5 out of 5 stars: I couldn't put the book down...
By Linda Sanderson - on January 8, 2013
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
This book was very well written. It has just the right amount of adventure, romance and a very strong Christian foundation throughout the entire book. I couldn't wait to start the second book in the series!
***
4 out of 5 stars: Enjoyed
By Alan Nelson - on March 6, 2013
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
This was a good, fast moving book. This was a book that starts and brings in God and how he works in our lives. It has a couple of twist that you won't see coming. Enjoy the book. Hope there are more in the series.
***
5 out of 5 stars: Great book
By Jonathan Wear - on December 25, 2012
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Being that this book as free, I wasn't expecting too much, however, this was a great story. I may continue the series once I finish the series I'm on.
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5 out of 5 stars: Sweet, clean story.
By deloris - on May 26, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
I found the book to be without what I consider nasty words. It was a good story without vulgarity. I like books that I consider clean.
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4 out of 5 stars: A very good book
By Patricia Trimble - on May 21, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
it is a very good book. It has a lot of fun and true facts in it. It is a good story plot. And with hardly any bad words in it makes it easy to use and enjoy. It is also very captivating it will hold your interest at the same time it fills you with the wonder of what is going to happen next. It does have a little of everything in it that you would expect from a good western. Read it I think you will enjoy it.
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