1054 ratings | 21 reviews | avg rating:3.32

CK’s Year In Books

CK’s 2024 Year in Books

Take a look at CK’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.

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CK Van Dam’s Followers (22)

CK’s Bookshelves

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read (1099)
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Nathan

3,391 books | 144 friends

Sherri

1,229 books | 71 friends

Deb

54 books | 168 friends

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56 books | 35 friends

Liz Moss

80 books | 171 friends

Carolegene

297 books | 8 friends

Gavin Wigg

104 books | 66 friends

Kristi Golden

48 books | 51 friends

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2025 Reading Challenge

2025

READING

CHALLENGE

CK Van Dam has read 95 of 100 books.

95%

CK Van Dam

Goodreads Author

Born

in Sioux Falls, The United States

Website

https://www.ckvandam.com/

Genre

Historical Fiction, Romance

Member Since

May 2013

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Amazon best-selling author CK Van Dam is a daughter of the Dakota prairies who creates stories about the strong women who have built our nation and our world.

Van Dam’s first novel, Proving Her Claim, received two Spur Awards from Western Writers of America. Lone Tree Claim, the second in the On the Dakota Frontier series, was named a Distinguished Favorite in Western Fiction by Independent Press Awards. Medicine Creek Claim received First Place in Women’s Historical Fiction by Best Book Awards. Iron Horse Claim is the fourth in her series of historical novels.

When the Chokecherries Bloom, written for Middle Grade readers, is the story of Shining Water who first appears in Proving Her Claim.

Visit her website at www.ckvandam.com
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Combine Editions
CK Van Dam’s books

Average rating: 4.36 · 2,322 ratings · 112 reviews · 5 distinct works • Similar authors

	Proving Her Claim (On the Dakota Frontier, #1) 4.35 avg rating — 1,006 ratings — published 2022 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Lone Tree Claim (On the Dakota Frontier, #2) 4.32 avg rating — 652 ratings — published 2023 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Medicine Creek Claim (On the Dakota Frontier, #3) 4.37 avg rating — 444 ratings — published 2024 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Iron Horse Claim: On the Dakota Frontier 4.59 avg rating — 165 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	When the Chokecherries Bloom 4.16 avg rating — 55 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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CK Van Dam's Blog

Conversations about books and dogs

Having just spent two days at a holiday arts and crafts show, I had plenty of time to chat with attendees.

One observation from the event: many people wear their hobbies and interests on t-shirts that make for good conversation starters. For instance, I chatted with a woman who was wearing a “I love dogs and books” shirt. Since we had those interests in common, it was easy to start up a conversati

Series by CK Van Dam

On the Dakota Frontier (3 books)
by

CK Van Dam (Goodreads Author)

4.35 avg rating — 2,102 ratings

CK is Currently Reading

CK Van Dam is currently reading

Katherine

by Anya Seton

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Nov 24, 2025 04:54AM

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CK Van Dam rated a book liked it The Queen's Grand Arena by Vincent S. Tobia	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Dec 03, 2025 03:11PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Queen's Grand Arena by Vincent S. Tobia. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Queen's Grand Arena by Vincent S. Tobia <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
CK Van Dam made a comment on Luca Moretti’s review of Iron Horse Claim: On the Dakota Frontier " Thank you so much, Luca. I loved writing Lizzy's story...and I'm so happy that you enjoyed the book. ...more "
Dec 02, 2025 11:29AM · see review
CK Van Dam started reading The Queen's Grand Arena by Vincent S. Tobia	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Nov 29, 2025 02:43PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Queen's Grand Arena by Vincent S. Tobia. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Queen's Grand Arena by Vincent S. Tobia <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
CK Van Dam is currently reading Katherine by Anya Seton	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Nov 24, 2025 04:54AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Katherine by Anya Seton. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Katherine by Anya Seton <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
CK Van Dam rated a book it was ok The Three (The Three, #1) by Sarah Lotz (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Nov 23, 2025 05:43AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Three by Sarah Lotz. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Three by Sarah Lotz <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
CK Van Dam made a comment on Daniel Anderson’s review of Iron Horse Claim: On the Dakota Frontier " Thank you, Daniel, for highlighting homesteaders' need to support one another. That was central to Iron Horse Claim. ...more "
Nov 20, 2025 04:58AM · see review
CK Van Dam liked Daniel Anderson's review of Iron Horse Claim: On the Dakota Frontier: "Seven chapters in, and I feel like I’ve moved onto Lizzy’s farm myself. What touched me deeply was her constant balance between independence and community. When she said water wasn’t just for her cattle but for all her neighbors, that hit me hard esp" Read more of this review »
Nov 20, 2025 04:57AM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Iron Horse Claim by CK Van Dam. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Iron Horse Claim by CK Van Dam <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
CK Van Dam made a comment on Matthew Wilson’s review of Iron Horse Claim: On the Dakota Frontier " Thank you, Matthew. I learned a lot about windmills while writing Iron Horse Claim! Pioneers always struggled to make the prairies bloom. I'm glad you ...more "
Nov 20, 2025 04:57AM · see review
CK Van Dam liked Matthew Wilson's review of Iron Horse Claim: On the Dakota Frontier: "By chapter six, I was fascinated with the whole windmill idea. I’ve read plenty of westerns, but very few that talk about innovation like this. Lizzy dreaming of windmills in the middle of a drought reminded me that pioneers weren’t just enduring the" Read more of this review »
Nov 20, 2025 04:56AM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Iron Horse Claim by CK Van Dam. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Iron Horse Claim by CK Van Dam <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
CK Van Dam made a comment on Joshua Taylor’s review of Iron Horse Claim: On the Dakota Frontier " Thank you, Joshua. As I research the stories of actual women homesteaders, I'm struck by their strength and resilience. I wanted Lizzy to stand for th ...more "
Nov 20, 2025 04:55AM · see review