September Wind

by Kathleen Janz-Anderson

SEPTEMBER WIND is a story about a young girl with a yearning so great that even the worst of obstacles do not dampen her spirit. Even through many of her losses, there is something magical as we follow her journey.

Wise beyond her years, Emily has a fight that would make a burley man run, or at least should have. Yet, she is a gentle spirit who’s first love, in its beautiful yet sometimes awkward moments, will make us cry and take us back to our own.

We travel with her as she escapes across country on a train in search of the one person she hopes will embrace her and help her out of a terrible mess that could ruin her life for good. Yet, nothing comes easy.

We become part of her world, and forget the troubles of our own. We watch her grow into a lovely young woman, and cringe when her backcountry lifestyle allows her into the Palace of lust, greed, deceit, and even murder, a place she hates, and yet is mesmerized by.

Precious moments throughout the book with those she barely knows, and those she comes to love will melt our hearts. There are times when we want to push her into another direction, and yet we want to stay with her to see where it all leads.

Genres: Coming Of Age

489 pages, ebook

First published February 20, 2013

About the author

Kathleen Janz-Anderson's writing career began when she bought a guitar and started writing songs and poetry to get through the long winter nights in North Dakota. She has written six books and is working on SW book III and several more, including a memoir about her writing journey.

Up-to-date books: https://www.amazon.com/September-Wind...

Reviews

[Francene Stanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of incredible forgiveness.
I loved September Wind's plot, which swept me into a bleak world through the simple thoughts of Emily, a young girl living on a farm. The writing style seems natural and unforced this way. I didn't want to set the book aside. Full of tumultuous heartbreaks with very few happy times, the story transported me into other shoes as young Emily worked her way through a shattering childhood. Circumstances were different in the 1950s, but very few girls were forced to act as slaves for their families. The modern reader might find greater insight about former times, and yet empathize with her plight. Emily handles a huge work load with never a complaint.
In her teenage years, she is ready to leave the farm for good. An exciting world waits. But before she escapes, she must do her chores. A traumatic event upends her dreams and she travels with only one thought on her mind—escape to the big city. When she arrives, what's a naive girl to do? Of course, she's taken advantage of.
The story finishes in a highly satisfactory way, leaving me with a smile at the end. The deeper meaning of the way the main character's positive attitude influences those around her becomes very clear. Most of all, September Wind is a story of forgiveness.
On her website bio, the author Kathleen says: "What this thirteen year-old found that Saturday morning was something we all have, a voice inside that urges us to press on. The best we can do is to put our hearts and souls into what drives us, and then let go." http://www.kathleenjanzanderson.com

[Scott Spotson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boy, the author knows how to spin a yarn. It is a long book, yes, but it's enjoyable. No matter what she is writing about - it could be a scene in a kitchen of cooking in a farmhouse with relatives, or a picnic with children in the back of a mansion, even the mundane is fascinating to read. And there are a lot of quiet scenes in this book, in order to build up character.

So why not five stars? I think, as for me as a reader, it has to do with pacing. The first 20% of the book, while well written, up to the point where Emily leaves the farm, was probably not so necessary that it couldn't be compressed as a backstory and then as series of strategically placed flashbacks, like the author did so effectively in later chapters.

I love Emily as a character, and yet I felt at times misfortune followed her so much that I wondered why so much was written about such scenes. For example, the oppressive times at the farm, the Palace "ladies entertainment," and Mr. Schillings' claustrophobia-inducing mansion. These all seem to take about the first 80% of the book. The last 20% of the book, Emily finally finds freedom, and I did love the trial. I was able to take a breath of relief, finally, when Emily is able to tell her side of the story.

Yet, I can't deny the author's story-weaving is so addictive. She writes well. Maybe there's a method to her madness!

[Jessica Tornese · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lengthy tale, not meant for one sitting. At first, I was taken aback at the choppy scenes in the beginning of the book. What I realized, is that Anderson is trying to fit so much of the main character's journey into the book, she only gives glimpses of the initial struggles and challenges to give room for the larger, more important details later. The story has a few twists that are interesting, covering delicate topics like race, teen rape, and the dysfunctional family. Emily, the protagonist in the story, goes through many transitions in her young years. While she struggles with being alone, alcoholism, relationships, and guilt, she learns life is hard, especially when you don't have a family to lean on. Anderson brings a tender end to the story, wrapping up all loose ends, and bringing the reader a sense of closure and hope after all the main character has been through. I applaud Anderson's efforts to write such a detailed journey and focus on character growth as she has. Her depiction of life in this time period seems pretty fair to me- I would have liked to see more development in a positive way for Emily's relationships with men. While she does gain a father, and manages forgiveness of others, I wish she could have won out in love a little earlier in the book.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

September Wind by Kathleen Janz-Anderson is hard to put down, but it’s not a book for one sitting. You’ll want to savor the meticulously rendered scenes of life in the 1940s and 50s. The author’s detailed narrative made the tragedies that befell Emily, the protagonist, just heart-wrenching.

Emily’s mother dies at childbirth and she is raised by her grandparents. When her beloved grandma dies, Emily is thrust into the role of cook, laundress, and housecleaner to her grandfather, uncles, and distant cousin. Her grandfather is an alcoholic tyrant and Emily is a slave. And Emily’s life keeps getting worse. Her dear friend Haity, from school, dies. Daniel, her first young love, moves away. Emily is brutally raped. When she turns 18, instead of escaping the farm to start a new life as an independent woman, she’s a fugitive, heading for San Francisco.

Emily’s life on the run is what you’d expect: the naive young woman is taken advantage of. But Emily has true resilience and is able to overcome, grow, and change. There’s a surprising twist at the end, which I won’t spoil for you, but it did make me see the story arc in a completely different light. This hopeful story is definitely worth reading.

[K.C. Sprayberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily comes into the world the night her mother dies and spends most of the next nineteen years living a life most would wither under. Yet, she finds solace in books, despite not being allowed to go to school. Once she escapes, she believes that she's free. But how free is free when you past is determined to drag you back?
Kathryn Janz-Anderson's book about a young woman's life growing up in the forties and fifties resonates and speaks out to all women. The sheer drudgery Emily faces day and day out, the outright hatred she endures without know the reason would be enough to bow even the strongest back, yet Anderson crafts the story in such a way that the reader cheers for this plucky young woman as her upbringing leaves her open to all kinds of problems. The tightly-woven plot allows the reader to breathe at points, and then hold in that breath as they cheer for Emily, and cry with her.
September Wind is a wonderful tale about growing up in the world after Senator McCarthy's communist witch hunts without relying on this bit of history. I highly recommend this novel for all readers.

[Misha Almira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily is a brave and lovable young woman with a triumphant spirit, forced to overcome obstacles in a frequently heart wrenching life. I became so involved with the characters in this well written story, and could not stop reading it! This story is beyond captivating, and highly satisfying. I will definitely read more from this author.

[Mical · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that's a bit different. I enjoyed it but felt it was a bit drawn out in places. Lots of drama. It's a story of a girl that's loyal to her family but the family that's abusive to her. It's not a light read.

[David Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

After September Wind's short prologue, we meet the main character Emily and her family in their rural community in the year 1950. One can suppose our first meeting with her is at a low point in the young girl's life. The two loving female figures in her life now gone, she lives the life of a modern day Cinderella, tending to her unappreciative male relatives. Harsh, right? But life's tragedies aren't done with Emily. The years that follow give her infrequent and brief glimpses of potential joy, along with a series of bleak heart- wrenching events. I won't provide any spoilers here, but I will advise you to keep some tissues at hand (or do as I did and insist to your better half that something's in your eye). Some decisions made by the young woman had the father in me wanting to plead with her- No, please don't...but Emily would not listen! Like Emily, I soldiered on, hoping all would turn out for her-somehow. I thoroughly enjoyed the read and it is my first story by the author. It won't be my last.
Do you love strong female characters who face heartache, and tribulations? A protagonist who learns young to fend for herself, yet manages to emerge all the stronger? Then September Wind is the book for you. I felt it was very reminiscent of one of my favorite modern authors. Although the plot was totally different, the pacing, the setting, the timeline and the strength of the main character reminded me of Baldacci's book "Wish You Well." The author takes her protagonist in a totally different direction, however. I highly recommend this read. Do yourself a favor and pick it up soon.

[Vi Corbean · Rating 3 out of 5]

September Wind

Good story, but way too holes. Like nothing finished. Pain at times to read from the hurt this girl went through. No justice for her. Yes happy ever after...maybe until he leaves. Un answered

[Toni L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't give many 5 stars unless it is really
good, and this was. Kept me interested
to see what would happen and it didn't
disappoint. Will there be another
segment to the story.

[Pauline Aguilar · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a long book and dragged a bit but overall decent storyline until she figured out who her dad was. The trial part wasn't very interesting and I hoped for a much better ending. The interracial thing really didn't seem like a good fit with the rest of the story.