Welcome to the third month of the Unlocking the Past 2021 Reading Challenge. This month focused on the Westward Expansion Period, and my choice of story was Trail of Fears by Sara R. Turnquist. Once you read my review, don’t forget to comment to be entered for your chance to win a copy.
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Trail of Fears by Sara R. Turnquist
Y’all, this book. I chose it because it covers a topic not often written about in fiction, nor is it often talked about in history more than a brief mention. While my family didn’t participate in the first Trail of Tears, they did the second during the latter half of the 19th century. It’s part of the reason why I don’t do the genealogy stuff. I could do parts of my family, but my mom’s family can only go so far back before much of our history becomes shrouded like some dark secret. Reading this book was like reclaiming a piece of my history that no one is willing to talk about. This book should seriously be required reading for every history class in America.
I am not an emotional reader. It takes A LOT for me to cry over a storyline. If an author can squeeze a few silent tears out of me, that is amazing. Y’all, I literally sobbed through the last quarter of this book. Trail of Fears did not shirk away from the hard truths of the Indian Removal Act. Through the story you walk through this pivotal point of history through the eyes of many crucial players: a senator and his aide, the captain of the group leading the Cherokees, the chief, the missionary’s parents, and of course the Cherokee heroine and white missionary hero. I have never seen such an even-hand, realistic portrayal of the struggles of all those involved and even the naivety of the real plight of all the Native Americans by the country at large. It was truly a book that brought a little talked about piece of history to life. This is one of those rare books that I want to shove into people’s hands and force them to read.
The romance story itself is not the usual story either. There are sweet moments, but it is definitely a love grown and tried through circumstances no one would wish to face. You know when you close the book, Thomas and Adsila will be able to survive anything because they survived the Trail of Fears together. I said it once, but I am saying it again, EVERYONE needs to read this book.
Genre: Historical Romance, 1850’s, Georgia
Plot Overview:
He’s a steadfast missionary. She’s a proud Cherokee. Can their love survive the brutal Trail of Tears?
Thomas Greyson believes God had called him to spread the gospel. He leaves his sheltered world behind to live among the native peoples and teach in their school. But as the government tightens its grip, not everyone is ready to listen to the gospel’s message of love… least of all the stubborn beauty who stole his heart. Adsila resists bending her knee to the white man’s God when Thomas seemingly tries to steal away the last remaining shreds of her heritage. Is she prepared to fight him tooth and nail? But when he stands with her people in the face of hardship, her soul begins to long for the curious stranger and his unshakeable faith. Against impossible odds and staggering loss, can Thomas and Adsila find the strength to follow their hearts’ true path? Trail of Fears is a stirring historical romance that captures the heartbreaking reality of the Trail of Tears. If you like spirited characters, personal journeys of faith, and enduring love stories, then you’ll adore Sara R. Turnquist’s gripping tale of survival and salvation.
What I loved: The honest, raw experience of reading this book. I feel like history has come alive in a way it never has before and I have a better understanding of a piece of history often rushed through in history classes. It was an emotional read that shook me and made me really think.
Favorite Character and Why: It is so hard to pick. The cast of characters in this book all worked together to make an experience I won’t forget.
Who would like this? Those who want an honest, hard look at a piece of history swept under the rug. Those who are concerned about the plight of others, their rights, and mistreatment. Those who want to read a story of love and faith developed and tried through adversity. And in my personal opinion, every single person in America.
Rating and Why: Six stars. I don’t give these out willy nilly guys. Very few EVER get that distinction. This story is unforgettable, raw, and exactly what every American needs to read to better understand our history, and how the plays forward into the present.
PURCHASE LINKS
Amazon Books-a-Million Book Depository Bookshop.org. Indiebound.org
Giveaway Time
To be entered to win a print copy of Trail of Fear by Sara R. Turnquist, comment with what book you read to meet this month’s reading challenge by midnight (EST) on April 7th. The winner will be emailed on the 8th and publically announced on the April 13th post. This giveaway is open to all legal participants locally and internationally. If the winner lives internationally, they will receive a copy through Book Depository where available. If not available, the winner will receive a $15 Amazon gift card. For extra entries, participate in the Rafflecopter giveaway below.
I read out of the embers by amanda Cabot. It was a great story. I will have to check this one out. Thanks so much.
How exciting. I haven’t read it yet, but it is on my TBR. I’ve got your entries put into my database.
My read was “The Road We Traveled” by Fitzpatrick. It was so interesting! I will have to check out your review book! Thank you!
I have heard so many good things about Fitzpatrick. I just picked one up from a library sale and I’m looking forward to reading it. I’ve got your entries put into my database.
I read Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers.
That one is a classic. I’ve got your entries put into my database.
I read Beneath a Golden Veil by Melanie Dobson. It’s about slavery and the treatment of slaves. It’s a good book.
Oh wow! I’ll have to check that one out. I love getting perspectives through fiction. I’ve got your entries entered into my database.
I read Beneath a Golden Veil by Melanie Dobson. It was set in California during the gold rush, but had a big emphasis on slavery.
I never thought about the relation between the two, but that isn’t surprising when you think about it. I’ll have to check it out. I’ve got your entries entered into my database.
Oh my! I read Beneath A Golden Veil by Melanie Dobson. And it was a very good book. It puts you in the position of a female slave from the very beginning, in a position that I would never want to be in. And builds the information about the characters along the way. I loved the storyline and will not soon forget this book.
And I put yours on my TBR 😀
Wow!!! I will have to read this one. I’d not really heard anything about it except its name. I’ve got your entries put in!
Crystal, thank you so much for your review! Your words mean so much to my author heart!!
As for me, I am reading a couple of Karen Witemeyer books…both set in Texas! They are such good reads!
You did an AMAZING job with that book. Seriously. Thank you for writing it. And Karen Witemeyer is ALWAYS a good choice. 🙂
Hi Crystal! I’m reading Amanda Cabot’s book. Oh, and I’ve also read Under This Same Sky by Cynthia Roemer. =) This book by Sara sounds amazing! You’ve hooked me.
LOL 😉 I happen to know Under This Same Sky is a wonderful read. 🙂 I’ve got your entries entered into my database.
thank you for the review by Sara Turnquist. I agree with you that this subject should be brought out in the open to make the readers realize that piece of history was left out. I was a history major in college years ago, and very, very little was mentioned about the American natives suffering! We need to have a better understanding of how the natives felt when the whites took advantage of them. I would love to read this book! My husband was a history buff and read all the books of that era but about the natives, very little was written.
I bet it was very difficult to find much written. I’m glad he had an interest though.
I know I saw earlier that you read Redeeming Love, so I’ve got your entries put into my database.
Crystal: I just read the excerpt of this book. Very well written, but on page 6, there was an error of one word in paragraph 7. It said “course”, but I think it should have been “coarse” as it was talking about the fabric fiber of the dress this girl was wearing. Did you notice that?
Barbara
There are some minor errors throughout this book as well as most books I read. Nothing is perfect despite there being many, many rounds of edits. We are all human after all. I just encourage you to give grace to the authors you read and to focus on finding the good instead of the mistakes in books you read. Even when I read books I don’t particularly like I try to focus on what others would like about the book and point those out.
Crystal:
Your point is very well taken! Thank you! I hope you were not offended but this is the first I ever came across that kind of error!
Barbara
Nope, not upset. I just always try to look for the best and ignore the rest.
Hi Crystal I read The Doctor’s Lady by Jody Hedlund. It was such and interesting story based on the first white woman who traveled west on the Oregon Trail.
I am checking my library now for Kara Lindquist’s book. I definitely want to read it. I am also going to tell my sister ( she teaches high school history) about this book.
Oh wow! I’ll have to check that one out. Sara Turnquist’s book does have a spiritual thread, so make sure your sister reads it first. I know sometimes that can get a book kicked out of being read in public school, but I think it could definitely be worked around. It’s a great book and totally worth reading. I’ve got your entries put into my database.
I had a hard time finding a book that I had, that I hadn’t read yet, that would match this topic! Most of mine anymore are either Revolutionary War and back or Civil War forward. But, the book I read was Winds of Change by Bodie and Brock Thoene. It’s the first of their Wayward Winds series and set during the California Gold Rush.
Yay! I’m glad you found something. It is definitely a harder period to find books. I’ve got your entries recorded!
I was able to read my book today, which is an unexpected joy as I haven’t been able to read so much lately. I read Prairie Song by Mona Hodgson.
I am so glad you were able to read a book! I’ve got your entries put in.
I read Braced for Love by Mary Connealy. It was about a year outside the time period (1870), but it was about settling in Wyoming. I really enjoy Mary’s books. They are informative and also entertaining. I love her sense of humor, and I needed that this month. I’ll try not to be a rebel in April–I’ll be a Yankee instead, since it’s Civil War time. I like to be on the winning side. LOL I hope I’ll have time to read a Civil War era book. I’m pretty booked with promoting, and I don’t think any of them are that time period.
I’m not super strict. I’d rather you find something you like to read. I’m going to have to look into Braced for Love. I own a lot of her books and love her writing, too. Read if you can, but don’t sweat it if you have to miss a month. 🙂 I’ve got your entires put in!
I read Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers and literally cried tears of joy, along with all the other emotions. I love this book, mainly because I am, in many ways, Sarah/Angel/Amanda. God even gave me my own Michael Hosea, a ministry to women in the adult entertainment industry, and a business selling products made by trafficking survivors to give back to organizations that fight human trafficking and support survivors. All for His glory!
Amen. I love that you support this ministry. We have one called Scarlet Hope near us. I didn’t hear about it until just before COVID, but it’s a ministry my second book will spotlight. I’ve got your entries put in. 🙂
I read Out of the Embers by Amanda Cabot. It was my first Cabot read and I really liked it.
Yay! I haven’t read her yet, but lots of people read this one. I’ll have to check it out. Your entries are put in.
I reread an story I had forgotten many details about – Love Comes Softly by Janette Oke. It was one of the very first Christian fiction stories I read as a teen. Started me on a journey that has been 1000s of books and still counting.
Oh wow! I haven’t read that since high school either. My first was When Calls the Heart. Life-changing for me. I’ve got your entries put in. I’m so glad you enjoyed the reread.
Trail of Tears sounds really interesting. I’m going to have to read it! I read Out of the Embers by Amanda Cabot. It was good as well, although it took me a while to connect with story-but that may have been my fault as I was only reading it in short bursts. There was good character building and I appreciated the thought that went into even minor characters and how the details worked together for the ending.
It really was a fascinating book. Lots of people read Out of the Embers. It does take me a lot longer to get into a book if I can only enjoy short bursts of reading, so I completely understand. I’ve got your entries added. 🙂
This sounds like a wonderful book! I love reading books that feature historical things that are rarely covered. I read A Bride in the Bargain by Deeanne Gist.
Oh, that is a fun book too, Megan! I haven’t read that one in years. It may be time to revisit it. I’ve got your entries added. 🙂