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The Arkansas Valley #1
Toward A New Beginning
Although Sam Bartlett enjoyed a successful horse-supplying business in Independence, Missouri, he was none-the-less envious of the hundreds 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 and survival that is further complicated by: dangerous weather, raging river crossings, unique personalities in the wagons, hostile Indian attacks, hunger, water shortage vengeance, courage, romance, and biblical principles.
The determined traveler's abilitiy to effectively defend themselves is pushed to the very limits as One Eye's maurading warriors harrass and attack them repeatedly, with devastating results. With four of the train's beloved children having been taken captive, the inner strength of the beleagured 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, they are forced to return empty-handed. Against all that is held sacred, the members of the wagon train are forced to leave them 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 their children again now gone, it is the valor and ingenuity of the beautiful Comanche woman, Birsdong, that is yet to be heard from.
The trek quickly develops into one of extreme hardship and survival that is further complicated by: dangerous weather, raging river crossings, unique personalities in the wagons, hostile Indian attacks, hunger, water shortage vengeance, courage, romance, and biblical principles.
The determined traveler's abilitiy to effectively defend themselves is pushed to the very limits as One Eye's maurading warriors harrass and attack them repeatedly, with devastating results. With four of the train's beloved children having been taken captive, the inner strength of the beleagured 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, they are forced to return empty-handed. Against all that is held sacred, the members of the wagon train are forced to leave them 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 their children again now gone, it is the valor and ingenuity of the beautiful Comanche woman, Birsdong, that is yet to be heard from.
229 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 31, 2002
139 people are currently reading
429 people want to read
About the author
R. William Rogers
54 books8 followersOriginally from central California, I successfully made the transition to Colorado in 1981, and have remained here ever since.
I first began writing fiction in 1997 while on a bowhunting trip to the Sangre De Cristo Mountains of beautiful central Colorado. The desire to write that initial novel just kinda flared up after having read a few books by Author/Evangelist, Al Lacy. I wrote that first novel, MUSTANG JUSTICE, on a notepad with a pencil (well...a few pencils really). After receiving the usual rave reviews from the wife and family, I decided that I was a writer and steadfastly began entering it into the computer.
The next logical step was to have someone other than family read it. Boy, did that ever turn into a chore. Although that person liked it as well, her initial reaction was: 'Where did these people come from?' That question was answered satisfactorily after completing what had began as a tedious task at best, but quickly transformed itself into the exciting and joyous experience of writing the first three books in the Arkansas Valley Series: TOWARD A NEW BEGINNING, UNCERTAIN TIMES and SHATTERED DREAMS; MUSTANG JUSTICE turned out to be the fourth in the series.
Of course this entire endeaver had to've been Al Lacy's fault, because he lit a fire somewhere deep inside my soul after having consented to going to lunch with me and allowing me to pick his brain.
One thing led to another and I was eventually able to self-publish TOWARD A NEW BEGINNING, which was not only the first self-published work to become a finalist for the prestigious Christy Award, but won the 2003 award for 'Excellence In Christian Fiction'. Note: Mr. Lacy graciously wrote the introduction for that book.
Since then, I have written an additional sixteen(soon to be seventeen)books.
Once I complete the second installment in the Journeys of The Heart Collection, GIDEON HARTMAN,the first being STANTON, I have plans of embarking on another fact-based Christian Western series, to be titled: The Clarksons of South Park (that's in Colorado).
With that in mind, let it be said that my genre interests are not entirely limited to Christian Westerns. I have additionally written books in such genres as: Adventure, Sports (baseball), Civil War, Gold Mining, and other topics as the urge strikes me. So far my interests have been strictly fiction and will continue to be for the forseeable future.
Back in the day, I served five and a half years in the US Air Force, as a jet fighter mechanic, during the Vietnam conflict.
My wife of many years and I have five wonderful daughters and seven, count 'em, seven grandchildren. We now reside in Widefield, Colorado, with one of our grandsons, whom we adopted.
I am now mostly retired but for the past six years I have been driving a school bus for a school district in Colorado Springs. I have at times heard it said that that is 'The toughest job in the world.' As yet I have been unable to come up with a single viable argument to the contrary.
Please feel free to email me at: bobthebookbuilder@gmail.com with any questions, concerns or suggestions. I truly hope my work brings a little bit of joy into your life, but you may have to wipe away a tear from time to time in order to get there.
I first began writing fiction in 1997 while on a bowhunting trip to the Sangre De Cristo Mountains of beautiful central Colorado. The desire to write that initial novel just kinda flared up after having read a few books by Author/Evangelist, Al Lacy. I wrote that first novel, MUSTANG JUSTICE, on a notepad with a pencil (well...a few pencils really). After receiving the usual rave reviews from the wife and family, I decided that I was a writer and steadfastly began entering it into the computer.
The next logical step was to have someone other than family read it. Boy, did that ever turn into a chore. Although that person liked it as well, her initial reaction was: 'Where did these people come from?' That question was answered satisfactorily after completing what had began as a tedious task at best, but quickly transformed itself into the exciting and joyous experience of writing the first three books in the Arkansas Valley Series: TOWARD A NEW BEGINNING, UNCERTAIN TIMES and SHATTERED DREAMS; MUSTANG JUSTICE turned out to be the fourth in the series.
Of course this entire endeaver had to've been Al Lacy's fault, because he lit a fire somewhere deep inside my soul after having consented to going to lunch with me and allowing me to pick his brain.
One thing led to another and I was eventually able to self-publish TOWARD A NEW BEGINNING, which was not only the first self-published work to become a finalist for the prestigious Christy Award, but won the 2003 award for 'Excellence In Christian Fiction'. Note: Mr. Lacy graciously wrote the introduction for that book.
Since then, I have written an additional sixteen(soon to be seventeen)books.
Once I complete the second installment in the Journeys of The Heart Collection, GIDEON HARTMAN,the first being STANTON, I have plans of embarking on another fact-based Christian Western series, to be titled: The Clarksons of South Park (that's in Colorado).
With that in mind, let it be said that my genre interests are not entirely limited to Christian Westerns. I have additionally written books in such genres as: Adventure, Sports (baseball), Civil War, Gold Mining, and other topics as the urge strikes me. So far my interests have been strictly fiction and will continue to be for the forseeable future.
Back in the day, I served five and a half years in the US Air Force, as a jet fighter mechanic, during the Vietnam conflict.
My wife of many years and I have five wonderful daughters and seven, count 'em, seven grandchildren. We now reside in Widefield, Colorado, with one of our grandsons, whom we adopted.
I am now mostly retired but for the past six years I have been driving a school bus for a school district in Colorado Springs. I have at times heard it said that that is 'The toughest job in the world.' As yet I have been unable to come up with a single viable argument to the contrary.
Please feel free to email me at: bobthebookbuilder@gmail.com with any questions, concerns or suggestions. I truly hope my work brings a little bit of joy into your life, but you may have to wipe away a tear from time to time in order to get there.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
May 31, 2013
This is kind of like watching a Hallmark movie or Little House on the Prairie. The Indians definitely did not talk like these Indians. I won't be reading any more of the series.
(I do like Hallmark movies and I did like Little House on the Prairie :)
(I do like Hallmark movies and I did like Little House on the Prairie :)
August 2, 2015
Seriously, I know this happens in other genres, as well, but sometimes Christian fiction seems to be the worst about accepting bad books just because they talk about God. This book is set in the 1800s on a wagon train, and they talk like modern day hicks. Really! One of them said something, and then said, "Pun intended." I kid you not!
I know there was a story. All kinds of bad things happened to the wagon train, but I couldn't really tell you what those things are, because I was too busy rolling my eyes at the dialogue!
I know there was a story. All kinds of bad things happened to the wagon train, but I couldn't really tell you what those things are, because I was too busy rolling my eyes at the dialogue!
April 27, 2023
Sweet, sad, heartfelt story.
This is my first time reading a book by r. William Rogers and I have read hundreds of Christian novels. It truly is what I perceive was reality in the early to mud 1800’s. I have thoroughly enjoyed A New Beginning. You just never know what is going to happen next. I felt like I was living this story as I read it. I laughed and cried often. I look forward to reading your other books as well. Thank you for representing my God as well, that my friend was such a blessing. God bless you in all your endeavors with future stories.
This is my first time reading a book by r. William Rogers and I have read hundreds of Christian novels. It truly is what I perceive was reality in the early to mud 1800’s. I have thoroughly enjoyed A New Beginning. You just never know what is going to happen next. I felt like I was living this story as I read it. I laughed and cried often. I look forward to reading your other books as well. Thank you for representing my God as well, that my friend was such a blessing. God bless you in all your endeavors with future stories.
May 16, 2023
Use of "dialect" is always distracting to me - makes a book more difficult to read. It always takes away from my enjoyment of a book.
Always.
There were some interesting sections in this book but mostly it just wasn't for me.
Always.
There were some interesting sections in this book but mostly it just wasn't for me.
January 18, 2018
Loved this book. Will read more in the series.
August 18, 2018
I did learn from reading this book, studying the people, the times, their resilience, and their ability to trust in God.
July 8, 2020
A good plot driven story of the difficulties of travel on the Santa Fe Trail. I enjoyed the story, but I'd like to have gotten to learn more about the characters. An easy read.
April 6, 2022
Awesome
I loved this book from the very beginning. I would recommend this book to everyone. this is a awesome book
I loved this book from the very beginning. I would recommend this book to everyone. this is a awesome book
August 2, 2015
SUMMARY: This book won the Christy Award Winner for "Excellence In Christian Fiction."
Although Sam Bartlett enjoyed a successful horse-supplying business in Independence, Missouri, he was none-the-less envious of the hundreds 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 and survival that is complicated by: dangerous weather, raging river crossings, unique personalities in the wagons, hostile Indian attacks, hunger, water shortage vengeance, courage, romance, and biblical principles.
The determined traveler's abilitiy to effectively defend themselves is pushed to the very limits as One Eye's maurading warriors harrass and attack them repeatedly, with devastating results. With four of the train's beloved children having been taken captive, the inner strength of the beleagured 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, they are forced to return empty-handed. Against all that is held sacred, the members of the wagon train are forced to leave them 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 their children again now gone, it is the valor and ingenuity of the beautiful Comanche woman, Birsdong, that is yet to be heard from.
REVIEW: Western fiction is not one of my favorite genres, but I really enjoyed this book. This wagon train ran into so many different problems and was people by so many unique individuals that it made for a good read. The ending definitely leaves the reader hanging and pulls you into the next book in the series. The author wove Christian faith throughout the story and through many of the characters without it feeling forced. I particularly liked the crusty character of the wagonmaster yet underneath was a strength of character based on faith. I also enjoyed the sweetness of Birdsong as well as her knowledge and understanding of other people. My only complaint was the "western dialogue" as it took me a few chapters to feel comfortable with the author's use of it. Overall an enjoyable read and I will probably read the others in the series.
FAVORITE QUOTES:
"Just because a person has red skin, black skin or brown skin doesn't give you the right to lump that person into a pot with all the others you don't like...for whatever reason."
"He stressed that peace of mind came only through understanding that God does not give His children a task or situation that is too big or too intense for them to handle."
Although Sam Bartlett enjoyed a successful horse-supplying business in Independence, Missouri, he was none-the-less envious of the hundreds 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 and survival that is complicated by: dangerous weather, raging river crossings, unique personalities in the wagons, hostile Indian attacks, hunger, water shortage vengeance, courage, romance, and biblical principles.
The determined traveler's abilitiy to effectively defend themselves is pushed to the very limits as One Eye's maurading warriors harrass and attack them repeatedly, with devastating results. With four of the train's beloved children having been taken captive, the inner strength of the beleagured 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, they are forced to return empty-handed. Against all that is held sacred, the members of the wagon train are forced to leave them 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 their children again now gone, it is the valor and ingenuity of the beautiful Comanche woman, Birsdong, that is yet to be heard from.
REVIEW: Western fiction is not one of my favorite genres, but I really enjoyed this book. This wagon train ran into so many different problems and was people by so many unique individuals that it made for a good read. The ending definitely leaves the reader hanging and pulls you into the next book in the series. The author wove Christian faith throughout the story and through many of the characters without it feeling forced. I particularly liked the crusty character of the wagonmaster yet underneath was a strength of character based on faith. I also enjoyed the sweetness of Birdsong as well as her knowledge and understanding of other people. My only complaint was the "western dialogue" as it took me a few chapters to feel comfortable with the author's use of it. Overall an enjoyable read and I will probably read the others in the series.
FAVORITE QUOTES:
"Just because a person has red skin, black skin or brown skin doesn't give you the right to lump that person into a pot with all the others you don't like...for whatever reason."
"He stressed that peace of mind came only through understanding that God does not give His children a task or situation that is too big or too intense for them to handle."
January 25, 2016
Sam and Judith (Jay) Bartlett live in Independence, Missouri. He raises and sells horses and Jay keeps house and raises their son Tom. Sam really wants to head further west--following the hundreds of folks that he sees coming thru Independence. He convinces Jay that they should go west as well and start a horse business there. They finally head out as part of a wagontrain with 2 wagons--one for the family and one for all the things that Jay doesn't want to leave behind. They hire a young man who's called Stretch to drive the second wagon and he very soon becomes just like one of the family. This is the first book in The Arkansas Valley Series and is considered Christian fiction. I enjoyed the story of their journey and plan to read the next book in the series even though there's a little more emphasis on religion than I would normally like.
April 15, 2013
Toward a New Beginning was about a wagon train of families and the hardships that they faced. There were many ups and downs both in the content as well as the way I felt about this book. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was a fast read and it kept me interested from start to finish. The issues that I had with it were purely about the grammer used. The author seemed to go in and out of the period that the book was written in. It wasn't a huge issue, just something that was distracting while reading the book. Some of the modern words used just didn't fit for that period of time. I will read the rest of the books in this series because I am hooked on the characters and really want to know how they all fare in their new world.
November 29, 2015
This was one of the most disappointing books I've read all year, out of more than 300 fiction and non-fiction books! Seeing it was a Christy award winner, I truly expected more. The extensive errors in syntax and spelling were a distraction, the constant use of extraneous wording and colloquialism was poorly executed. The author used phrasing such as "he was fixin' to do some thinkin' on the subject" as part of the narration, instead of only in dialogue. I would recommend that any true fan of historical novels disregard the Christy award symbol and avoid reading this book.
November 11, 2016
As Sam and Judith (known as Jay) once again uproot and move further west, they and their young son, Tom, join a wagon train. As the first installment in a series, I felt the story was engaging and found myself rooting for this brave band of pioneers who join the family on the trek. Full of adventure, hardship, and Indian encounters, anyone who enjoys historical fiction for this time period would most likely enjoy this book.
October 29, 2012
Read on TDY trip with Larry to Baltimore - on Tiffany's kindle. Reminds me of the trek the Mormon pioneers. Hard to imagine walking all those miles and seeing nothing before you but wide open range and being totally dependent on the Lord to guide you - for safety and to find food and water sources.
May 28, 2015
This novel is a Santa Fe trail expedition. The trek quickly develops into one of extreme hardship and survival that is further complicated by: dangerous weather, raging river crossings, unique personalities in the wagons, hostile Indian attacks, hunger, water shortage vengeance, courage, romance, and biblical principles.
June 25, 2016
I tried very hard, twice, to get to the end of this book and finally gave up. The only way I could describe it is the author tried too hard to make it a western. I had to suspend belief too many times during their journey. The characters were not that great and I didn't see many historical aspects to it. Where are the descriptions, the 'feel' that you're on a wagon train.
December 27, 2020
Sam and his wife, Jay, and Tom, their son decided to move west and to start a new life. This books describes the life on the wagon train and the misfortunes that occurred to them on their way west.
It concludes when they arrive at their new destination. This book is the first of seven books in this series and I think everyone would be just as good. Would recommend this book
It concludes when they arrive at their new destination. This book is the first of seven books in this series and I think everyone would be just as good. Would recommend this book
August 1, 2013
I enjoyed this story. Songbird character made the story. Sad that the horses died from arrows. Some of those who went west must have believed God wanted them to journey n witness to others. This one written by a man's perspective.
January 12, 2014
Slow at first but got better as t book went along not the v best western I've r but n the wo
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May 22, 2014
A very good book
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
jolie2354@Yahoo.com
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
jolie2354@Yahoo.com
December 9, 2014
A good beginning.
In you are interested in the old west and the trials and tribulations the early settlers endured, then this. Is a great book. It is a easy read. It also shows the strong religious undertone that was in the Arkansas settlers.
In you are interested in the old west and the trials and tribulations the early settlers endured, then this. Is a great book. It is a easy read. It also shows the strong religious undertone that was in the Arkansas settlers.
November 30, 2012
quick, nice read.
February 10, 2013
A different twist for a historical novel. Sort of makes you think of what you might do in the same circumstances.
April 4, 2013
Good read, esp. with the Christian values.
August 17, 2013
A very simple story incorporating all the typical events rumored to have occurred while settling the west.
August 22, 2013
Ever read a book, knowing there will be a twist and the twist that happens is one you don't like? That happened in this book to me.
January 9, 2014
Good Read! Historical Fiction
February 18, 2014
Interesting!
I enjoyed the descriptions of characters and events very much! Similar stories could've happened thousands of times as new territories were explored.
I enjoyed the descriptions of characters and events very much! Similar stories could've happened thousands of times as new territories were explored.
February 28, 2014
excellent western with a bit of wholesome romance. I felt as if I were on the Santa Dr trail in a covered wagon, walking along side the characters.
October 23, 2014
Good book, just did not like how it ended
It was a good book, just did not like how it ended...Will definitely read more of the same types of these books...wow.
It was a good book, just did not like how it ended...Will definitely read more of the same types of these books...wow.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews