Prairie Song by Mona Hodgson
Synopsis:
The first step in a challenging journey is often the one that means the most.
Though it means saying goodbye to the beloved friends and spiritual mentors of her St. Charles, Missouri quilting circle, Anna Goben is certain that she needs to enlist her family in the Boone’s Lick Company wagon train. The loss of her beloved brother in the Civil War has paralyzed her mother and grandfather in a malaise of grief and depression and Anna is convinced that only a fresh start in the Promised Land of California can bring her family back to her. Although the unknown perils of the trail west loom, Anna’s commitment to caring for her loved ones leaves no room for fear—or even loving someone new.
During the five-month journey, trail hand Caleb Reger plans to keep a low profile as he watches over the band of travelers. Guarding secrets about his past and avoiding God’s calling on his life, Caleb wants to steer as far from Anna as she does him, but she proves to be just as he assessed her from the beginning— independent, beautiful trouble.
Led by a pillar of hope, the group faces rough terrain that begins to take a toll on their spirits. Will the wilderness of suffering lead them astray, or will the gentle song of love that echoes across the prairie turn their hearts toward God’s grace and the promise of a new home?
Thoughts:
Prairie Song is the first book in Mona Hodgson’s Hearts Seeking Home series. The novel, set in St. Charles, Missouri in 1866, begins a journey across the country with Boone’s Lick Company wagon train. Before you head west, I encourage you to read The Quilted Heart novellas. These prequel novellas introduce you to the diverse cast of characters.
After the Civil War, some residents choose to remain in St. Charles. Others bid farewell to their family and friends and head toward the Promised Land of California. Their journey is full of trials and tribulation, but faith and hope keep them moving forward.
In Prairie Song, Mona Hodgson paints a vivid picture of life on the prairie. Life on the wagon train is filled with dreams, but also fraught with despair. When fears arise, faith overcomes. The spiritual thread, woven so beautifully into this story, adds to its richness and depth.
Being introduced to the characters in the novellas, I felt like I was catching up with old friends as I read Prairie Song. I loved this beautiful, heartfelt novel and look forward to continuing the journey through the Hearts Seeking Home series. Prairie Song is a journey you don’t want to miss!
Biography:
Married forty-one years to her leading man, Mona from Arizona lives in the Southwest where trees have arms instead of branches and salsa is a staple. When Mona Hodgson isn’t writing or speaking, she’s playing Wii games with her Arizona grandson, spending time with her mom, picnicking, texting her sisters, or chatting on Skype with her grandchildren in Africa.
Mona Hodgson is the author of nearly 40 books, historical novels for adults and children’s books, including her popular Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek Series, The Quilted Heart novellas, and Hearts Seeking Home Series. Her children’s books include bestseller, Bedtime in the Southwest, six desert and princess Zonderkidz I Can Read books, Real Girls of the Bible: A 31-Day Devotional, and her six I Wonder books. Mona’s writing credits also include several hundred articles, poems and short stories, which have appeared in 50 different publications. Mona is a speaker for women’s groups, Christian women’s retreats, book clubs and reading groups, schools, and conferences for writers and librarians.
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