Santa Fe Woman

Wagon Wheels #1

by Gilbert Morris

Ever since her mother’s death, twenty-two year old Jori Hayden has lived safely under the shelter of her wealthy father. But when the severe economic depression of the 1800s destroys the family’s fortune, the Haydens must venture west together along the Santa Fe Trail in search of a new livelihood. With her father in poor health and her Aunt Kate–a dedicated Christian–keeping charge over the younger siblings, Jori hires Chad Rocklin right out of prison to lead their wagon train. And in a journey marked with danger at every turn, romance, faith, and family prove to be the biggest fortunes of all.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Romance, Christian, Fiction, Westerns, Historical

217 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

also published under the name Gilbert L. Morris

Gilbert Morris was one of today's best-known Christian novelists. He lived in Gulf Shores, Alabama, with his wife, Johnnie. He is the father to Lynn Morris and Alan Morris

Series:
* Adventures of Kerrigan Kids
* American Century
* Appomattox Saga
* Barney Buck
* Bonnets and Bugles
* Cheney Duvall, M.D. (with Lynn Morris)
* Cheney and Shiloh: The Inheritance (with Lynn Morris)
* Chronicles of the Golden Frontier
* The Creole (with Lynn Morris)
* Danielle Ross Mystery
* Daystar Voyages
* Dixie Morris Animal Adventures
* Far Fields (with Robert Funderburk)
* House of Winslow
* Jacques and Cleo: Cat Detectives
* Katy Steele Adventures (with Alan Morris)
* Lady Trent Mystery
* Liberty Bell
* Lions of Judah
* Lone Star Legacy
* Omega (with Lynn Morris and Alan Morris)
* The Price of Liberty (with Robert Funderburk)
* Reno Western Saga
* Seven Sleepers
* Seven Sleepers: The Lost Chronicles
* Singing River
* Spirit of Appalachia (with Aaron McCarver)
* Too Smart Jones
*

Reviews

[Ronda Tutt · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delightful read - I love reading about how it was in the 1800's when wagons, horses, and the fear of indians were part of life. Economic times during the depression were hard on many folks, some survived and some didn't.

The ones who survived were the ones who usually sold everything they had and moved on to different parts of the country. The Hayden family did exactly that. From Little Rock Arkansas they ventured west to Santa Fe New Mexico in search of a new life and in search for a new business of transporting everyday goods to parts of the country where they werent in great supply of except when the French brought them across seas for trade.

The Hayden's grew closer to god, grew up for the wiser, and even found love.

I would definitly reread this book in the future.

[Deidre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful look back in time and an excellent story!

[Cheryle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever since her mother’s death, twenty-two year old Jori Hayden has lived safely under the shelter of her wealthy father. But when the severe economic depression of the 1800s destroys the family’s fortune, the Haydens must venture west together along the Santa Fe Trail in search of a new livelihood.

With her father in poor health and her Aunt Kate–a dedicated Christian–keeping charge over the younger siblings, Jori hires Chad Rocklin right out of prison to lead their wagon train. And in a journey marked with danger at every turn, romance, faith, and family prove to be the biggest fortunes of all.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's difficult to develop a real interest in a story when you don't really feel anything for the characters. That was my problem with Santa Fe Woman. It was an okay read, but I've read much more interesting fiction about people going West. Also, many of the events (including the ending) to this book were exceedingly predictable.

[Blabby Gabi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS BOOK!!! The writing is great and really captures your attention:) A sweet, clean romance:) Recommend it!!

[Debbie Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story about a wagon train and all the prep and challenges.

[Sally Mander · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rocky start

SANTA FE WOMAN

Fortunes lost and fortunes gained. A rocky road to get there, though. Survival through Indian country, but fully worth it.

[Tamara Tilley · Rating 4 out of 5]

SANTA FE WOMAN is the story of Jori Hayden and her affluent family from Little Rock. Raised in the lap of luxury, Jori is stunned to find out the depression of the 1800’s has ruined her father’s financial status. With really no alternatives, the Hayden family plans to head west on the Santa Fe Trail in search of a new life. Chad Rocklin is recommended to the Hayden family as the man that could lead them safety across the rough and sometimes dangerous west, of course, Jori has to bail him out of jail first. Jori doesn’t allow her instant dislike for Rocklin to alter her family’s plans. They need to go west and Rocklin is the man that can take them there.



SANTA FE WOMAN was predictable but a good read nevertheless, filled with an array of characters you enjoy getting to know. Some of the plots and situations seemed to mirror those in A MAN FOR TEMPERANCE which I found a bit unoriginal, but my love for westerns allowed me to overlook the similarities and enjoy the story that unfolded between key characters.

[Deliasue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a western love story. This is a great one, a God fearing woman leaves with her family for santa fe after loosing their home and business, the depression did awful things to families. But this one stuck together and won, accepting strays along the way to add to their extended family.
Even Kate an older lady found love in Good News. A heartwarming story of love in the old west.

[Kathleen]

Sante Fe Woman

Book was a good easy read but there were a few things that weren't believable; first the reference to zombies....really did they even "know" about zombies back then? And brain surgery recovery was a little quick...but I guess if you chalk that up to another miracle it's believable.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite kind of story!

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

“A pretty nice standalone novel .”

[Haley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the other ones. I like them much better, but this was alright. ;0

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Trying to find a clean romance I ventured into the Christian lit realm again. This one was a little less preachy and a pleasant read. Not great literature mind you, but okay.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this was a light reading, I enjoyed thinking about how it was in "pioneer" days from this story.

[Janell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Predictable. An easy read. I still liked it.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good story, nothing spectacular.

[Mary Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

This makes me wonder how sanitized this wagon train tale has been made; yes, there were a few trouble spots. However, I would expect many more on a 800+ mile journey by wagon train.

[Sue Hittle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the story. Sort of a quick ending. Wish he had developed the travel into Santa Fe more. Missed opportunity.

[Frances Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Christian fiction

G Morris is one of my favorite authors. No surprises in this clean novel about three romances developed during wagon train trip to Santa Fe.

[Julie Holdsworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good one

Gilbert Morris. Has done it again. Interesting and likable characters that grow and improve through the plot. Worth the price and the time.

[Arnetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding! Interesting characters, interesting settings. The reader gets to see how the characters change during the journey west. Loved it!

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really gripping! I can hardly wait to get the rest in the series!