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A Secret Refuge #3
The Long Way Home
When a disastrous decision by the trainmaster forces Jesselynn Highwood and her companions to separate from the wagon train, she races back to Fort Laramie to find a guide to take them to Oregon. But the guide has a far different plan, and following her heart, Jesselynn agrees to join him, her ragtag band in tow. Back east, Louisa Highwood and her brother Zachary are captured by Union soldiers for smuggling medical supplies into Richmond. Can Louisa find a way to obtain her brother's freedom before it's too late? The future of the Highwood family—and that of their beloved Twin Oaks—hangs in the balance. Will the war's end bring them together again?
1 pages, Audio CD
Published March 1, 2021
169 people are currently reading
620 people want to read
About the author
Lauraine Snelling
159 books2,031 followersAward-winning and bestselling author Lauraine Snelling has over 80 books published with sales of over 4.5 million. Her original dream was to write horse books for children. Today, she writes adult novels about real issues centered on forgiveness, loss, domestic violence and cancer in her inspirational contemporary women’s fiction titles and historical series, including the favorite, Blessing books about Ingeborg Bjorklund and family.
Lauraine enjoys helping others reach their writing dreams by teaching at writer’s conferences across the county. She and her husband Wayne have two grown sons, and a daughter in Heaven. They live in the Tehachapi Mountains with a Basset named Sir Winston ob de Mountains, Lapcat, and “The Girls” (three golden hens).
Lauraine enjoys helping others reach their writing dreams by teaching at writer’s conferences across the county. She and her husband Wayne have two grown sons, and a daughter in Heaven. They live in the Tehachapi Mountains with a Basset named Sir Winston ob de Mountains, Lapcat, and “The Girls” (three golden hens).
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February 14, 2016
I fell in love with A Secret Refuge series by Lauraine Snelling since the first book, Daughter of Twin Oaks, which started the saga of the Highwood siblings,who were in search of safety and peace in the Civil war-torn America. But the ending was rather disappointing; very rushed, hopping-to-finish type.
In book 1, Jesselyn, masquerading as a boy, was journeying with 3 of her freedmen, a freedwoman and her youngest brother, barely 3 yrs. old Thaddeus. Being the eldest daughter of plantation owner Joshua Highwood, who died of war injury, left Jesselyn with loads of responsibilities. Her mother Miriam had already passed away giving birth to Thaddeus. The wretched war took Adam, her eldest brother, the next Zachary being MIA for sometimes. Their biggest pride and joy were the thoroughbreds they reared in their stud farm, for which Twin Oaks was famous in the area. Joshua wanted his horses safe from the marauding army and Jesselyn had to take them somewhere safer, far away from Twin Oaks.
Before beginning her journey, Jesselyn send her two younger sisters, Louisa and Carrie Mae, to Richmond to their Aunt Sylvania, so we get to see their stories simultaneously. Jesselyn journeys pretty much into the unknown, not knowing if her Aunt Agatha and Uncle Hiram, who lived somewhere in Missouri, were even alive or not.
Along the way Jesselyn, now called "Marse Jesse" to fit her masquerade, saw more destruction, pain and misery of the war than she ever hoped to lay eyes on. It shakes her strong religious foundation that their mother instilled in them very badly. She questions God's wishes, feels angry at His apparent whimsy at the suffering of His children. She feels that it shows He doesn't care much by letting the suffering going on for so long. Only Meshach, one of her freedman and friend, would tell her otherwise; that she shouldn't lose faith and continue to hope for a better day.
The Highwoods' story continues in book 2, Sisters of the Confederacy, where Jesselyn found nothing but destruction in Missouri. Agatha has been left destitute after Hiram's death and Jesselyn now had one more mouth to feed in her little mishmash band of people, which also included an orphan girl named Jane Ellen and an orphaned infant named Sammy; both casualties of war. It seemed Meshach and Ophelia married sometimes in between the books, which was never mentioned, with Ophelia now in the family way. They'd also adopted little Sammy as their own.
All through their journey, Jesselyn had taken in soldiers as they found them, buried people after people and dodged several dangerous situations. One of those soldiers, before he went home, showed an interest in her after finding out her sex quite accidentally. He promised he'd join them again in near future. However, after months of separation, Jesselyn had to come to the decision that it will never work. Sgt. White's last letter confirming him unable to keep the promise only solidifies that.
In the meantime, Carrie Mae had gotten married in Richmond and has found herself in the family way. Louisa, on the other hand, continues her work as a volunteer nurse at Aunt Sylvania's, where they were keeping recuperating soldiers. When she was working at the hospital, she met a soldier, forming an instant attraction to him. Lt. Lessling seemed like the man she'd like to spend her life with. But he had to go away on an urgent summon from home. Unfortunately for Louisa, the dream of settling down remains a dream, when later in the story she hears of Gilbert's train being sabotaged. There were no survivors. I was heartbroken and wanted this to be untrue... :(
Around the same time she met Gilbert, Louisa stumbled upon Zachary in the hospital, unrecognizable with his severe head wound and other injuries. Even though he survives, he's not the same man anymore. Zachary has lost a lot both physically and emotionally, yet Louisa, Carrie Mae and Jesselyn when she learns of it in one of Louisa's letters, are all too thankful to God that their brother was alive!
Louisa's strong faith in God though shaken, never faltered throughout, but Jesselyn's needed time. Little by little it was being restored after months of counseling from Meshach. She was now in search of a wagon train which would take her to Oregon to start anew. They've received heartbreaking news of Twin Oaks being burned by the soldiers. After months spending in different caves to keep her people safe, Jesselyn was a little desperate for a home and a hearth of her own. And she wanted her friends Meshach, Ophelia, Daniel and Benjamin to be as free as God made them. Oregon promised all that and more, including their own lands. They plan to load wagons full with supplies, then start searching for a wagon train to take them there.
In the last installment, The Long Way Home, an Oregon-bound Jesselyn finds love in the most unexpected of places. She met the wagon master, Wolf Torstead, in book 2 and their relationship didn't begin on a sweet note. Wolf is half Sioux-half Norwegian, with best of both in his looks and bearing. He thought Jesselyn a "weakling" since he had no idea that she was girl, while she thought he was just grumpy and presumptuous. Of course it doesn't take long for Wolf to figure out why he was attracted to a young man named Jesse and love begins to blossom. ;)
Months on wagon trail teaches Jesselyn more of life's tough lessons. More death, more misery and the fact that evil can be found anywhere. But she also learns to co-exist with a band of strangers, the value of friendship and that a little kindness goes a long way. She makes some amazing friends, a part of whom remains with her even when she decides she's not going to Oregon after all. By then, she'd come to acknowledge that she'd fallen in love with Wolf. Wolf had given the wagon over to a new master so he can go in search of his own tribe. He was craving it, and though Jesselyn was an addiction, he needed to get it over with. As Jesselyn returns to the same fort where he left her, they find each-other again and decide to get married.
Honestly, I knew they shared an attraction but the whole thing was simply too rushed. I couldn't tell when they fell in love exactly since most of their time on the wagon trail were spend glaring at each-other. :/ There wasn't enough time given for a proper courtship to validate anything and suddenly they're married! I couldn't get my head to wrap around the suddenness of it all.
In Richmond, Louisa had already decided to fight her sadness by being more useful where her help was needed. On that quest, she makes Zachary go with her on a wild goose chase (of sort), in search of morphine to help lessen the misery of the wounded soldiers. Though the trips were very dangerous as they had to venture to enemy territory to get their supply, they'd managed to fool them with various disguises... until one day, when luck wasn't on their side. They're caught and taken to prison immediately. In there, Louisa meets a Major of the Union army, James Dorsey. I didn't remember James from book 1 where he briefly appeared; he seemed like an insignificant character. But James remembered Twin Oaks, though Louisa was at Richmond at that time. He had met Jesselyn there and instantly recognizes Louisa to be her sister. He tries his best to help them out in this mess where Zachary was sure to be hanged as a spy, something Louisa had no idea of.
Both siblings spend several weeks in prison, then Louisa, after being freed, spends days to save Zachary. I found her meeting with President Lincoln to be quite the momentous scene. The kind President was not deaf to the urgent pleas of a sister, and Zachary is freed soon thereafter. The whole idea of seeing the President was James', a fact Louisa remembers with gratitude.
Unfortunately, this whole incident changes Zachary into a bitter man. He was already fighting the demons of war (I'm sure he had PTSD) and the trauma of dealing with severe disabilities by living without an arm, a leg and an eye. He was trying to be helpful to his army in any way he could, and he blamed Louisa for taking even that away from him. He would've preferred a death by hanging rather than a life of guilt, living with a feeling of worthlessness. His world was already cloaked in darkness, now this feeling threatened to engulf him completely. His reaction to everything was so bitter and resentful that Louisa becomes overwhelmed. She beings praying for his soul. Back home in Richmond, Zachary begins to isolate himself from everyone. No amount of Louisa's prayers could help their once handsome, dashing and jovial brother back to his former self. :(
Meanwhile, Jesselyn's life was faring much better than it has been so far. She was married to the man she loved and now, finally all set to settle down to a place in Wyoming, which is closer to Wolf's tribe. A place Wolf himself has always planned on settling down in. Soon, Jesselyn finds herself in family way too, completing her happiness. Life was good, except for those letters from Louisa which brought both good news such as the birth of Carrie Mae's daughter, and the bad, like Zachary's fight with darkness. She continues to pray too, hoping much like Louisa that things would change.
Sadly I can't say the same for poor Louisa. It seemed that life has planned to rob her off of suitors. Anytime, any man shows an interest in her, he's called off to war, never to return again. After Gilbert's passing, Louisa didn't think she could love again. Though Major Dorsey would intrude her daydreams from time to time, she knew not to hope where an Union soldier was concerned. Even if he was kind and helped them. Even though James kept sending her letters in secret, on and off. They weren't love letters but they showed his regards, his hidden hopes for something more. Louisa couldn't reply, knowing if Zachary ever learns of it there'd be hell to pay.
At this point, the story jumps over a year and the war is finally over. It was way too abrupt comparing how detailed and connected the other chapters were, leaving me a bit dizzy. I've gotten so invested in the lives of these characters that I felt disappointed. We find that Aunt Sylvania, who had become quite ill over the recent years, had passed on. That Jesselyn has already had her baby, while Carrie Mae has had her second. Louisa remains at Sylvania's home in Richmond though they're now planning to return to Twin Oaks after 6 long years.
One fine day, Louisa finds herself on the way with an ever grumpy and distant Zachary. When they finally arrive, what's left of Louisa's heart is broken by the dilapidated sight of Twin Oaks. The destruction wasn't a reality until that moment; the knowledge that their home with so many happy memories was gone forever finally settling in. That infernal war seemed to have robbed them off so many things! Louisa didn't even know what she can hope for with Zachary in such a dismal state, without their precious horses to start the stud farm.
Then, as promised in another secret letter, James stops by to inquire after Louisa. But when Zachary spies on him, all hell indeed breaks loose. It was that time for Louisa where she had to make a monumental decision regarding her life. Should she stay back as Zachary demanded or leave with a virtual stranger she'd come to love despite all the odds pitted against them? Who, it seems, had fallen for her when she was fighting for the life of the same brother now threatening to banish her because of her association with a former Union soldier. Louisa was sick of this war and the toll it's taken on everyone. She was tired of living for the others. This time, she chooses to grab at that happiness that forever seemed to have been eluding her.
The epilogue was a sort of a reunion for the Highwood siblings, but not the way I envisioned it, taking place some years after Louisa's departure when Jesselyn finally returns to Twin Oaks with Wolf and Thaddeus. It seems Zachary is still living the same bitter, disillusioned life without any hope of ever recovering. Though the sisters have all happily settled down, Twin Oaks seems to have no hope of a recovery either, even with the Thoroughbreds Jesselyn brought along. She wasn't much welcomed either as Zachary strikes at Wolf for his mixed blood.
I was so so sad for Zachary when the story ends that I felt cheated out of a lot. The saga, to me, seemed unfinished, with questions hanging. It seemed to me that the author may have had intentions of giving Zachary his story, or at the least another installment but that never came to pass. He needs so much love in life! Someone to help him through his nightmares. :( And though I was extremely happy that Louisa was able to find love, I wasn't happy the way it was executed and how rushed the whole affair was. How she was never seen in the story again. I was hoping for something more wholesome for her. She certainly deserved that.
Saying that, I loved the daily struggles of the lives of the Highwoods and all the other characters. Recently, I've found myself being intrigued by the history of the Civil war in America and novels based on that; this series just intensified my interest. I'll end my review with the fervent wish that the author would someday write Zachary's story to give us, the readers, a closure. On a side note, I would recommend that you read the whole series back to back in order to get the most out of it. 4 stars.
Review UPDATE: I was cruising the author's website when I came across a free extended epilogue for "The Long Way Home", taking place in 1872. It broke my heart to learn that there was no redemption for Zachary after all. Guess I can forget about him ever getting his own story... :(
In book 1, Jesselyn, masquerading as a boy, was journeying with 3 of her freedmen, a freedwoman and her youngest brother, barely 3 yrs. old Thaddeus. Being the eldest daughter of plantation owner Joshua Highwood, who died of war injury, left Jesselyn with loads of responsibilities. Her mother Miriam had already passed away giving birth to Thaddeus. The wretched war took Adam, her eldest brother, the next Zachary being MIA for sometimes. Their biggest pride and joy were the thoroughbreds they reared in their stud farm, for which Twin Oaks was famous in the area. Joshua wanted his horses safe from the marauding army and Jesselyn had to take them somewhere safer, far away from Twin Oaks.
Before beginning her journey, Jesselyn send her two younger sisters, Louisa and Carrie Mae, to Richmond to their Aunt Sylvania, so we get to see their stories simultaneously. Jesselyn journeys pretty much into the unknown, not knowing if her Aunt Agatha and Uncle Hiram, who lived somewhere in Missouri, were even alive or not.
Along the way Jesselyn, now called "Marse Jesse" to fit her masquerade, saw more destruction, pain and misery of the war than she ever hoped to lay eyes on. It shakes her strong religious foundation that their mother instilled in them very badly. She questions God's wishes, feels angry at His apparent whimsy at the suffering of His children. She feels that it shows He doesn't care much by letting the suffering going on for so long. Only Meshach, one of her freedman and friend, would tell her otherwise; that she shouldn't lose faith and continue to hope for a better day.
The Highwoods' story continues in book 2, Sisters of the Confederacy, where Jesselyn found nothing but destruction in Missouri. Agatha has been left destitute after Hiram's death and Jesselyn now had one more mouth to feed in her little mishmash band of people, which also included an orphan girl named Jane Ellen and an orphaned infant named Sammy; both casualties of war. It seemed Meshach and Ophelia married sometimes in between the books, which was never mentioned, with Ophelia now in the family way. They'd also adopted little Sammy as their own.
All through their journey, Jesselyn had taken in soldiers as they found them, buried people after people and dodged several dangerous situations. One of those soldiers, before he went home, showed an interest in her after finding out her sex quite accidentally. He promised he'd join them again in near future. However, after months of separation, Jesselyn had to come to the decision that it will never work. Sgt. White's last letter confirming him unable to keep the promise only solidifies that.
In the meantime, Carrie Mae had gotten married in Richmond and has found herself in the family way. Louisa, on the other hand, continues her work as a volunteer nurse at Aunt Sylvania's, where they were keeping recuperating soldiers. When she was working at the hospital, she met a soldier, forming an instant attraction to him. Lt. Lessling seemed like the man she'd like to spend her life with. But he had to go away on an urgent summon from home. Unfortunately for Louisa, the dream of settling down remains a dream, when later in the story she hears of Gilbert's train being sabotaged. There were no survivors. I was heartbroken and wanted this to be untrue... :(
Around the same time she met Gilbert, Louisa stumbled upon Zachary in the hospital, unrecognizable with his severe head wound and other injuries. Even though he survives, he's not the same man anymore. Zachary has lost a lot both physically and emotionally, yet Louisa, Carrie Mae and Jesselyn when she learns of it in one of Louisa's letters, are all too thankful to God that their brother was alive!
Louisa's strong faith in God though shaken, never faltered throughout, but Jesselyn's needed time. Little by little it was being restored after months of counseling from Meshach. She was now in search of a wagon train which would take her to Oregon to start anew. They've received heartbreaking news of Twin Oaks being burned by the soldiers. After months spending in different caves to keep her people safe, Jesselyn was a little desperate for a home and a hearth of her own. And she wanted her friends Meshach, Ophelia, Daniel and Benjamin to be as free as God made them. Oregon promised all that and more, including their own lands. They plan to load wagons full with supplies, then start searching for a wagon train to take them there.
In the last installment, The Long Way Home, an Oregon-bound Jesselyn finds love in the most unexpected of places. She met the wagon master, Wolf Torstead, in book 2 and their relationship didn't begin on a sweet note. Wolf is half Sioux-half Norwegian, with best of both in his looks and bearing. He thought Jesselyn a "weakling" since he had no idea that she was girl, while she thought he was just grumpy and presumptuous. Of course it doesn't take long for Wolf to figure out why he was attracted to a young man named Jesse and love begins to blossom. ;)
Months on wagon trail teaches Jesselyn more of life's tough lessons. More death, more misery and the fact that evil can be found anywhere. But she also learns to co-exist with a band of strangers, the value of friendship and that a little kindness goes a long way. She makes some amazing friends, a part of whom remains with her even when she decides she's not going to Oregon after all. By then, she'd come to acknowledge that she'd fallen in love with Wolf. Wolf had given the wagon over to a new master so he can go in search of his own tribe. He was craving it, and though Jesselyn was an addiction, he needed to get it over with. As Jesselyn returns to the same fort where he left her, they find each-other again and decide to get married.
Honestly, I knew they shared an attraction but the whole thing was simply too rushed. I couldn't tell when they fell in love exactly since most of their time on the wagon trail were spend glaring at each-other. :/ There wasn't enough time given for a proper courtship to validate anything and suddenly they're married! I couldn't get my head to wrap around the suddenness of it all.
In Richmond, Louisa had already decided to fight her sadness by being more useful where her help was needed. On that quest, she makes Zachary go with her on a wild goose chase (of sort), in search of morphine to help lessen the misery of the wounded soldiers. Though the trips were very dangerous as they had to venture to enemy territory to get their supply, they'd managed to fool them with various disguises... until one day, when luck wasn't on their side. They're caught and taken to prison immediately. In there, Louisa meets a Major of the Union army, James Dorsey. I didn't remember James from book 1 where he briefly appeared; he seemed like an insignificant character. But James remembered Twin Oaks, though Louisa was at Richmond at that time. He had met Jesselyn there and instantly recognizes Louisa to be her sister. He tries his best to help them out in this mess where Zachary was sure to be hanged as a spy, something Louisa had no idea of.
Both siblings spend several weeks in prison, then Louisa, after being freed, spends days to save Zachary. I found her meeting with President Lincoln to be quite the momentous scene. The kind President was not deaf to the urgent pleas of a sister, and Zachary is freed soon thereafter. The whole idea of seeing the President was James', a fact Louisa remembers with gratitude.
Unfortunately, this whole incident changes Zachary into a bitter man. He was already fighting the demons of war (I'm sure he had PTSD) and the trauma of dealing with severe disabilities by living without an arm, a leg and an eye. He was trying to be helpful to his army in any way he could, and he blamed Louisa for taking even that away from him. He would've preferred a death by hanging rather than a life of guilt, living with a feeling of worthlessness. His world was already cloaked in darkness, now this feeling threatened to engulf him completely. His reaction to everything was so bitter and resentful that Louisa becomes overwhelmed. She beings praying for his soul. Back home in Richmond, Zachary begins to isolate himself from everyone. No amount of Louisa's prayers could help their once handsome, dashing and jovial brother back to his former self. :(
Meanwhile, Jesselyn's life was faring much better than it has been so far. She was married to the man she loved and now, finally all set to settle down to a place in Wyoming, which is closer to Wolf's tribe. A place Wolf himself has always planned on settling down in. Soon, Jesselyn finds herself in family way too, completing her happiness. Life was good, except for those letters from Louisa which brought both good news such as the birth of Carrie Mae's daughter, and the bad, like Zachary's fight with darkness. She continues to pray too, hoping much like Louisa that things would change.
Sadly I can't say the same for poor Louisa. It seemed that life has planned to rob her off of suitors. Anytime, any man shows an interest in her, he's called off to war, never to return again. After Gilbert's passing, Louisa didn't think she could love again. Though Major Dorsey would intrude her daydreams from time to time, she knew not to hope where an Union soldier was concerned. Even if he was kind and helped them. Even though James kept sending her letters in secret, on and off. They weren't love letters but they showed his regards, his hidden hopes for something more. Louisa couldn't reply, knowing if Zachary ever learns of it there'd be hell to pay.
At this point, the story jumps over a year and the war is finally over. It was way too abrupt comparing how detailed and connected the other chapters were, leaving me a bit dizzy. I've gotten so invested in the lives of these characters that I felt disappointed. We find that Aunt Sylvania, who had become quite ill over the recent years, had passed on. That Jesselyn has already had her baby, while Carrie Mae has had her second. Louisa remains at Sylvania's home in Richmond though they're now planning to return to Twin Oaks after 6 long years.
One fine day, Louisa finds herself on the way with an ever grumpy and distant Zachary. When they finally arrive, what's left of Louisa's heart is broken by the dilapidated sight of Twin Oaks. The destruction wasn't a reality until that moment; the knowledge that their home with so many happy memories was gone forever finally settling in. That infernal war seemed to have robbed them off so many things! Louisa didn't even know what she can hope for with Zachary in such a dismal state, without their precious horses to start the stud farm.
Then, as promised in another secret letter, James stops by to inquire after Louisa. But when Zachary spies on him, all hell indeed breaks loose. It was that time for Louisa where she had to make a monumental decision regarding her life. Should she stay back as Zachary demanded or leave with a virtual stranger she'd come to love despite all the odds pitted against them? Who, it seems, had fallen for her when she was fighting for the life of the same brother now threatening to banish her because of her association with a former Union soldier. Louisa was sick of this war and the toll it's taken on everyone. She was tired of living for the others. This time, she chooses to grab at that happiness that forever seemed to have been eluding her.
The epilogue was a sort of a reunion for the Highwood siblings, but not the way I envisioned it, taking place some years after Louisa's departure when Jesselyn finally returns to Twin Oaks with Wolf and Thaddeus. It seems Zachary is still living the same bitter, disillusioned life without any hope of ever recovering. Though the sisters have all happily settled down, Twin Oaks seems to have no hope of a recovery either, even with the Thoroughbreds Jesselyn brought along. She wasn't much welcomed either as Zachary strikes at Wolf for his mixed blood.
I was so so sad for Zachary when the story ends that I felt cheated out of a lot. The saga, to me, seemed unfinished, with questions hanging. It seemed to me that the author may have had intentions of giving Zachary his story, or at the least another installment but that never came to pass. He needs so much love in life! Someone to help him through his nightmares. :( And though I was extremely happy that Louisa was able to find love, I wasn't happy the way it was executed and how rushed the whole affair was. How she was never seen in the story again. I was hoping for something more wholesome for her. She certainly deserved that.
Saying that, I loved the daily struggles of the lives of the Highwoods and all the other characters. Recently, I've found myself being intrigued by the history of the Civil war in America and novels based on that; this series just intensified my interest. I'll end my review with the fervent wish that the author would someday write Zachary's story to give us, the readers, a closure. On a side note, I would recommend that you read the whole series back to back in order to get the most out of it. 4 stars.
Review UPDATE: I was cruising the author's website when I came across a free extended epilogue for "The Long Way Home", taking place in 1872. It broke my heart to learn that there was no redemption for Zachary after all. Guess I can forget about him ever getting his own story... :(
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 15, 2014
The Long Way Home by Lauraine Snelling is the third book of “A Secret Refuge” series that kept my attention all the way with excitement and adventure including family drama, traveling with a wagon train, a bear attack, imprisonment, weddings, Indians and establishing a new home. Although this is Christian fiction, it is not a predictable ending where all the loose ends get tied up. It is a family saga that emphasizes all are created equal regardless of geographic location or skin color. This takes place near the end of the Civil War and covers the effect the war had on both the lives of the south, the north and even the west. I enjoyed this entire series of light reading and was happy with the ending. I liked that not all the slaves were mistreated. My favorite characters in this series were Jesselynn, Thaddeus (her little brother), Meshack (a very smart, strong, Christian former slave) and Wolf (a half breed wagon master). I highly recommend this series if you enjoy reading about the Civil War era.
This is the 8th book I’ve read this year about the 1800’s during the Civil War era and I would rank it second to Michael Phillips’ Shenandoah Sisters series.
(Karen's review)
This is the 8th book I’ve read this year about the 1800’s during the Civil War era and I would rank it second to Michael Phillips’ Shenandoah Sisters series.
(Karen's review)
July 20, 2020
I loved these characters and felt their joy, pain, sorrow and love through the whole series. Their hardships became my hardships and their wavering faith has made me realize that we’re all human. A wonderful series that I couldn’t put down.
December 30, 2016
A delightful story of love courage and family ties !!
June 16, 2022
I am Elsa - YOU CAN’T MARRY A MAN YOU JUST MET.
Yes, I read all the other books in the series so I know that Wolf and Jessalyn knew each other for a while. And that they hated each other 99% of the last book, and only had maybe two nice conversations? Was seriously disappointed by this conclusion to the series.
Everyone is falling in love and getting married to people who they don't know - pretty much aside from their name. They've spoken the bare minimum of words to each other. There are so many big difference between them that are brought up then instantly dismissed, as the characters are so "in love".
Aside from this - which ruined it for me - I found myself skimming. Wolf & Jessalyn had no chemistry at all after they were married. The other characters were all a bit dull.
I would have liked to see more character development with Zachary, Louisa's and his plot were the only reason I got through the book. But his story ending didn't satisfy me. No one seemed to take his problems really seriously and help him, they just let themselves be pushed over by him...
Overall didn't enjoy, wouldn't recommend this series after this conclusion.
July 17, 2023
Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
Another Phenomenal Book in this Civil War Based Christian Historical Fiction Series!! So far this is my favorite series by Lauraine Snelling!! Alot of what was mentioned in this book was what my parents and i were told when we went on Tours at Gettysburg PA when we've been there on vacation.
The Characters were so fun and interesting to read about. Jesselynn is definately my favorite throughout the series.
The Setting was so interesting to read about since it made me feel like i was really there in Wyoming during The Civil War while reading, especially when the scenery was described.
Overall a Phenomenal Series!! I wish there was more books in this series but i can see why this was the last one of this series!! Can't wait to read more by Lauraine in the future!!
Review:
Another Phenomenal Book in this Civil War Based Christian Historical Fiction Series!! So far this is my favorite series by Lauraine Snelling!! Alot of what was mentioned in this book was what my parents and i were told when we went on Tours at Gettysburg PA when we've been there on vacation.
The Characters were so fun and interesting to read about. Jesselynn is definately my favorite throughout the series.
The Setting was so interesting to read about since it made me feel like i was really there in Wyoming during The Civil War while reading, especially when the scenery was described.
Overall a Phenomenal Series!! I wish there was more books in this series but i can see why this was the last one of this series!! Can't wait to read more by Lauraine in the future!!
Read
September 6, 2014I really enjoyed this book, the last in the series. I highly recommend it!
March 17, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this series! I was so sad when I finished. I remember while listening to this on audiobook talking back at one point, then laughing to something said, and then at another point tearing up. Such a good series.
April 20, 2024
This series was so good. I feel like it would make a great miniseries!
October 2, 2025
Slow, but good.
October 14, 2025
Good book to listen to on a trip
May 5, 2024
There are some things about Snelling's writing I really like, and some things I really don't. The way her characters are portrayed to honestly pray and pour out their hearts to God is something I was really struck by. The organization of the narrative overall, however, seems inconsistent.
This is the second time I have read this book. The first time was probably 8 or so years ago.
This is the second time I have read this book. The first time was probably 8 or so years ago.
January 11, 2021
This is book #3 in this series; although you 'can' read it independently I wouldn't recommend it as it starts right where book #2 left off at. And although Ms Snelling does fill the reader in somewhat you still wouldn't get the full effect of the story without books 1 and 2.
This story gives the reader a different outlook on the Civil War; one I never thought about. A family torn apart due to having to be sent away to fight some members killed, some missing and the women all wondering about them. All the while the oldest daughter has to do what she has promised her dieing father she'd save the Thoroughbred horses that has made their ranch. So after the war they can start over. She has sent her two younger sisters to live in a different town to be protected from the war again dividing what family is left. She goes against all her mother taught her to be and dressed in britches and cut her hair to live life as a man. She frees her slaves and a handful of them go with her as she crosses over in to the mist of the war with what few horses she has left to rescue them from the war; and her now freed slaves that are more family to her than her 'old slaves' trying to keep them alive from being hanged or beaten up if found. All the while finding people in need in the mist of her own worries of survival. She begins to loose Faith and starts to believe that God doesn't exists anymore. But the main gentleman she took with her his Faith is strong and that is how he survives with daily prayers and thanksgiving among all the strife they have to deal with. She turns to him on many occasions; when she feels she can no longer manage on her own. And when the group band together they do survive through...to do what they need to do next... Book 2 includes history on the Oregon Trail, as Jesse and her family have to join.
iIn the books about every other chapter, or every two chapters switches you from talking about Jesse and their travels and then back to the town of her younger sisters and their survival with their aunt. Again because of the war Louisa has to say a few lies to be able to go and volunteer at the hospital where "ladies" aren't allowed. Seeing things they shouldn't see of the men coming in and needing treatment. But widowed ladies are allowed. So she lives a lie to be able to do what she feels her heart is telling her to do and making a difference in many of the men's lives and helping the doctors all she can. In the meantime happiness does come to her in forms she never would imagine.
At the end of this book my first thought was 'really, it ended like that?" but then I thought about it and a contented smile came to me because this is life. Although this story was made up it was very much real life. All the struggles of survival during the Civil War. Very rarely do we now a day hear of those on the home front what they had to endure during the war or even about the soldiers that were sent home when they got injured. I, personally liked book 3 the most out of the three books. Book 3 then 1 then 2 if I had to put them in order of the way I liked them.
I had to wait a few weeks to read this last book of this series, I had forgotten a few things but then very quickly remembered with the suddle reminders the writer put in this book. So with this said I probably wouldn't recommend this as a single read, and would read it with the other books as it was written to be. But if you don't have the others don't just turn this one down, it's to good to be just sitting on a shelf unread. If you would like something 'different' and something to remind you that people do have to endure trials and it's okay to doubt your Faith as that is when God is carrying and protecting you. And He will bring the people in your life that you need at the time. Life goes on and it's what you want to make out of it as to what your future will be
This story gives the reader a different outlook on the Civil War; one I never thought about. A family torn apart due to having to be sent away to fight some members killed, some missing and the women all wondering about them. All the while the oldest daughter has to do what she has promised her dieing father she'd save the Thoroughbred horses that has made their ranch. So after the war they can start over. She has sent her two younger sisters to live in a different town to be protected from the war again dividing what family is left. She goes against all her mother taught her to be and dressed in britches and cut her hair to live life as a man. She frees her slaves and a handful of them go with her as she crosses over in to the mist of the war with what few horses she has left to rescue them from the war; and her now freed slaves that are more family to her than her 'old slaves' trying to keep them alive from being hanged or beaten up if found. All the while finding people in need in the mist of her own worries of survival. She begins to loose Faith and starts to believe that God doesn't exists anymore. But the main gentleman she took with her his Faith is strong and that is how he survives with daily prayers and thanksgiving among all the strife they have to deal with. She turns to him on many occasions; when she feels she can no longer manage on her own. And when the group band together they do survive through...to do what they need to do next... Book 2 includes history on the Oregon Trail, as Jesse and her family have to join.
iIn the books about every other chapter, or every two chapters switches you from talking about Jesse and their travels and then back to the town of her younger sisters and their survival with their aunt. Again because of the war Louisa has to say a few lies to be able to go and volunteer at the hospital where "ladies" aren't allowed. Seeing things they shouldn't see of the men coming in and needing treatment. But widowed ladies are allowed. So she lives a lie to be able to do what she feels her heart is telling her to do and making a difference in many of the men's lives and helping the doctors all she can. In the meantime happiness does come to her in forms she never would imagine.
At the end of this book my first thought was 'really, it ended like that?" but then I thought about it and a contented smile came to me because this is life. Although this story was made up it was very much real life. All the struggles of survival during the Civil War. Very rarely do we now a day hear of those on the home front what they had to endure during the war or even about the soldiers that were sent home when they got injured. I, personally liked book 3 the most out of the three books. Book 3 then 1 then 2 if I had to put them in order of the way I liked them.
I had to wait a few weeks to read this last book of this series, I had forgotten a few things but then very quickly remembered with the suddle reminders the writer put in this book. So with this said I probably wouldn't recommend this as a single read, and would read it with the other books as it was written to be. But if you don't have the others don't just turn this one down, it's to good to be just sitting on a shelf unread. If you would like something 'different' and something to remind you that people do have to endure trials and it's okay to doubt your Faith as that is when God is carrying and protecting you. And He will bring the people in your life that you need at the time. Life goes on and it's what you want to make out of it as to what your future will be
September 8, 2014
The Highwood family of Twin Oaks, Kentucky. All started with a strong faith in God, but the terrors of the Civil War test them sorely. Yet one by one, can they face their fears and choose to trust that God will never leave them or forsake them? The author frequently reminds us this war was about putting an end to judging people by the color of their skin, white or black or "red". We meet wise and kind people from each race, and scoundrels are not limited by color either. The sisters learn that there are horrors on both sides ... Instead of praying for the Confederacy to win, they learn to pray the war will end. Lauraine Snelling writes a compelling story, giving me interesting insights into this time. Who knew that women could knit as they walked alongside the wagons on the wagon trains?? I loved reading about how the travelers survived, living off the land, and overcoming so much. I cried with the deaths, hoped for reconciliation, and longed for each person to find love.
Spoiler alert!! Jesselynn - trying to escape the War, she is headed west on the Oregon Trail, leading her "family" - her young brother, Thaddeus, elderly Aunt Agatha, several former slaves and the last of the thorobreds from Twin Oaks. The responsibilities on her shoulders are overwhelming. Life takes several twists and her family ends up with Gray Wolf Torstead in Sioux country, Wyoming. Louisa - sent to Richmond at the beginning of the war, trying to help wounded soldiers, even making daring trips into enemy territory to get medicine for the wounded. Will she ever have a chance for love and marriage? Carrie Mae - spoiled, not deliberately unkind, but thoughtless & self-absorbed. Zachary - wounded and bitter, he cannot accept help and would rather be dead.
I will continue to choose Lauraine Snelling's books!
Spoiler alert!! Jesselynn - trying to escape the War, she is headed west on the Oregon Trail, leading her "family" - her young brother, Thaddeus, elderly Aunt Agatha, several former slaves and the last of the thorobreds from Twin Oaks. The responsibilities on her shoulders are overwhelming. Life takes several twists and her family ends up with Gray Wolf Torstead in Sioux country, Wyoming. Louisa - sent to Richmond at the beginning of the war, trying to help wounded soldiers, even making daring trips into enemy territory to get medicine for the wounded. Will she ever have a chance for love and marriage? Carrie Mae - spoiled, not deliberately unkind, but thoughtless & self-absorbed. Zachary - wounded and bitter, he cannot accept help and would rather be dead.
I will continue to choose Lauraine Snelling's books!
May 18, 2016
This is one of those books you don't want to put down, and I had many things going on to keep me from reading. I, at first, didn't like that the author went back and to between the two sisters--one or two chapters about Jesselynn and the family heading to Oregon on a wagon train, then one or two chapters about Louisa and the dilemma of not enough help or medicine for the wounded Confederate soldiers in her care. But I finally accepted that it was the only way to see how each sister was handling her situation. Their few letters help fill in the blanks. They both hope and dream of returning to Twin Oaks Plantation in Kentucky after the Civil War is over.
Jesselynn has to make a decision whether to continue on to Oregon or settle in Wyoming. Her dream of returning home with thoroughbred horses to rebuild her father's legacy is always foremost in her thoughts.
Louisa also longs for the war to be over so she can return home with her brother Zachary. As eldest surviving son, he should be responsible for the running of Twin Oaks. But he seems to be suffering from what today we would call post traumatic stress disorder. After he is caught with more than the medicines Louisa tries to smuggle back to Richmond, both are imprisoned in Washington. Louisa is released and manages to get him pardoned, but he didn't seem to appreciate it. He withdraws even more and even becomes hostile at times.
I would advise you to read the 3 books in order to get the most enjoyment.
Jesselynn has to make a decision whether to continue on to Oregon or settle in Wyoming. Her dream of returning home with thoroughbred horses to rebuild her father's legacy is always foremost in her thoughts.
Louisa also longs for the war to be over so she can return home with her brother Zachary. As eldest surviving son, he should be responsible for the running of Twin Oaks. But he seems to be suffering from what today we would call post traumatic stress disorder. After he is caught with more than the medicines Louisa tries to smuggle back to Richmond, both are imprisoned in Washington. Louisa is released and manages to get him pardoned, but he didn't seem to appreciate it. He withdraws even more and even becomes hostile at times.
I would advise you to read the 3 books in order to get the most enjoyment.
March 30, 2019
The final book of the series was good, but the end unsatisfying, even though perhaps realistic. The tension goes out of the Wolf/Jesselyn relationship once they are married - though I really liked the bear scene. I was curious, having read the Autobiography of Red Cloud, to see how Red Cloud would be portrayed - not bad, but it didn't ring totally true for where Red Cloud was with whites at this point. He later befriended some whites, but this account makes him less imposing than he really was. It might have made more sense to have Wolf be related to Spotted Tail, who had friendlier relations with whites and was more present around Fort Laramie. The narrative loses some of its former balance because there's a lot more left to resolve in Virginia than in Wyoming. The tension with Jesselyn and the Brule (not Ogalala) Sioux as far as them accepting her could have been brought out more - there wasn't much interaction at all. What did Wolf's mother think of her? We never really find out. The larger problems for the narrative are the last minute romances with Louisa - they felt thrown in, to make sure she had a man. And the need for the epilog, the sudden jump of years, was jarring. A contiguous story that had Jesselyn journey east earlier could still have tied up loose ends.
Again, overall an enjoyable narrative.
Again, overall an enjoyable narrative.
February 27, 2015
Jesselynn has anticipated returning home to her beloved Twin Oaks ever since leaving it during the cusp of the Civil War . This book sees her establish a new home and family of her own and also realizing her dream of returning to her childhood home of Twin Oaks. She has matured, however, and is now able to differentiate the difference between her child hood idealization of the concept Twin Oaks held for her as compared to the Twin Oaks after the war.
This book, indeed the series, is a good example of what happened to many of the southern plantation families during the Civil War. It exemplifies just how their entire lives were torn apart, never to return to any semblance of their former selves. This is a Christian book series as well, so most of the members of this family are leaning quite heavily on God for guidance during their times of turbulence.
This is the first of Lauraine Snelling's series that I have read and I enjoyed it so much that I plan to do some research on her and choose more of her work to read in the future.
This book, indeed the series, is a good example of what happened to many of the southern plantation families during the Civil War. It exemplifies just how their entire lives were torn apart, never to return to any semblance of their former selves. This is a Christian book series as well, so most of the members of this family are leaning quite heavily on God for guidance during their times of turbulence.
This is the first of Lauraine Snelling's series that I have read and I enjoyed it so much that I plan to do some research on her and choose more of her work to read in the future.
October 20, 2018
The Long Way Home is the conclusion to the A Secret Refuge series. The happiest of the three books, you get to see the ladies settled after their adventures. Jesselynn has a wonderfully romantic story that warms your heart and sets up a beautiful picture for her future after all of her struggles. Louisa's story has more adventure this time around. Even more so, her story holds heartbreak, struggles, and romance. Altogether all parts were very exciting and entertaining to read. Overall, the book seemed more like an explanation of where all of the characters ended up. The ending of the book was very rushed, and we were informed of a lot of important events in just as many sentences. The ending itself is very open ended with some very clear issues unresolved. While all of the details given were very pleasant and hopeful for the future, I would not have minded living in this world a little longer, and the ending left me craving another series in this world in the future.
September 20, 2012
I thoroughly enjoyed this 3 book series. I was so sad to have it be all done.
This was book 3 of Lauraine Snelling's A Secret Refuge series. This book picked up right where book 2 had left off while still bringing readers who hadn't read the last book in a while (or at all) up to date with the story line. The story kept me involved and interested until the very end. The only thing I didn't like was the way the last few chapters skipped thru many years very quickly while the rest of the book seemed to go into much more detail. Even so, it did not leave you hanging about most of the characters and tied up all the loose ends pretty well.
As usual, Lauraine Snelling's work did not fail to keep me on my toes while thoroughly enjoying the entire book as well as the two former ones in the series.
This was book 3 of Lauraine Snelling's A Secret Refuge series. This book picked up right where book 2 had left off while still bringing readers who hadn't read the last book in a while (or at all) up to date with the story line. The story kept me involved and interested until the very end. The only thing I didn't like was the way the last few chapters skipped thru many years very quickly while the rest of the book seemed to go into much more detail. Even so, it did not leave you hanging about most of the characters and tied up all the loose ends pretty well.
As usual, Lauraine Snelling's work did not fail to keep me on my toes while thoroughly enjoying the entire book as well as the two former ones in the series.
February 18, 2015
Couldn't put this book down - it was so exciting. Hated to see the series come to an end. Jesselynn getting married was a highlight and taking her group of people to settle in Wyoming was fun twist to the story. Glad Aunt Agatha forgave Jesselynn and married Nate Lyons. Louisa marrying the Major from the North was so romantic! Sorry to see the Zachary never overcame his bitterness - although being in the war and losing an arm, eye and foot would be devastating to live with. My favorite parts of the book was to read about Jesselynn and the people that moved with her to Wyoming. What a rough way to start out a homestead but they all worked together and made it work. I'm not sure I'm cut out to live off the land like they did though but it was fun reading about their adventures.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2017
I almost want to give this one a 2 star rating because of the very unsatisfactory wrap up. It was like, oops, the deadline is tomorrow, better bring it to a hasty closing. I don't see that there are any plans in the works for this series to continue, so it's not just that you have to wait for the next book for things to resolve. I feel like the story lines were all progressing at a certain pace, when, boom, everything got a very slap-dash treatment and that was that. The Jesselynn storyline was fairly well concluded, but her sister Louisa and brother Zachary? Seems like their storylines were still being developed at the same pace, when, nope! That's all she wrote and all you're gonna get, the end.
March 22, 2015
The final book in the Secret Refuge series continues where the 2nd left off. We find Jesse still on the wagon train for Oregon, wondering just how much she can trust the new wagon master and Louisa still in Virginia plotting ways to help the cause and the wounded soldiers she has in her care. Zachary has things up his sleeve that she knows nothing about. We hear a bit more of Carrie in this book but Louisa and Jesse still are the main characters.
I enjoyed this whole series and the author had me their in the civil war right along with her characters.
I enjoyed this whole series and the author had me their in the civil war right along with her characters.
August 9, 2017
WOW was it a long way to the end. In the book when Carrie Mae's baby was born, I thought about "Gone with the Wind" and the statement maid by Scarlett's maid Prissy. Carrie Mare's maid almost said the same thing. Then when the former slaves Mashak's baby was born and the farther raised the baby in the night, reminded me of roots.
In the book we went from 1863 to 1865 from the end of one chapter to the next.
We never found out what was Carrie Mae's second baby was.
I didn't like the ending.
In the book we went from 1863 to 1865 from the end of one chapter to the next.
We never found out what was Carrie Mae's second baby was.
I didn't like the ending.
August 13, 2016
I love Lauraine Snelling's writing, and when you get to a third book of a series you are pretty committed to the storyline and characters. However, this book was disappointing. I still enjoyed it, but it seemed like the author got tired of the story. All of a sudden the timeline went much faster (even skipping years). Even though the ending was more realistic than one that ties everything up nicely, I was disappointed.
July 26, 2016
I really enjoyed this series, but was disappointed that the author quickly skipped over several years of the characters' lives towards the end of the final book. Did the author get tired of writing? As a reader, I was invested in this story and purchased all 3 books. I feel that the final story could have had so much more depth and the characters certainly could have had more experiences than what the author hinted at in the final chapters. The author short changed herself and her readers.
December 13, 2014
I really enjoyed this trilogy overall, but was disappointed when years were skipped at the end, as if the author got tired of the story. This is the second series I've read by this author, and the first one, the Red River of the North series, I got bored with and did not finish... Because it goes on and on and on. I think there could have been a happy medium for this one. It didn't quite work as is.
May 30, 2015
I really liked this series, except that the last few chapters of The Long Way Home feel rushed & like only a sketch. After reading a lot of detail,covering nearly 3 books, the author seems to hurry to wrap it all up, covering several years in leaps & bounds. It feels rushed. I would have preferred another book to read all about the details of those years. I'm left feeling somewhat unsatisfied, after having invested so much time in this family.
July 9, 2021
A very interesting telling of life during the Civil War era.
This is an excellent Civil War trilogy. After having read it several years ago, I decided to read it again. So glad I did. It is very well written and holds your interest all the way through to the last page. I was sorry to have to leave the people, as they soon become good friends not just fictional characters on a page.
This is an excellent Civil War trilogy. After having read it several years ago, I decided to read it again. So glad I did. It is very well written and holds your interest all the way through to the last page. I was sorry to have to leave the people, as they soon become good friends not just fictional characters on a page.
July 15, 2011
I didn't care for the ending....left the reader hanging as far as the brother, Zachary, was concerned. Also thought the author tried to cram too many years into the last couple of chapters and confused me with the children that were born. Left me feeling like there should be a fourth book in the series, but there isn't.
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