A Home in Drayton Valley

Heart of the Prairie #9

by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Fed up with the poor quality of life in 1880 New York, Tarsie Raines encourages her friends Joss and Mary Brubacher to move with their two children to Drayton Valley, Kansas, a booming town hailed in the guidebook as the land of opportunity. She offers to help with expenses and to care for Mary and the children as they travel west by wagon train. But when tragedy strikes on the trip across the prairie, Tarsie is thrown into an arrangement with Joss that leaves both of them questioning God and their dreams for the future. As their funds dwindle and nothing goes as planned, will Tarsie and Joss give up and go their separate ways, or will God use their time in Drayton Valley to turn their hearts toward him?

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Christian, Historical, Fiction, Audiobook

Audio CD

First published October 1, 2012

About the author

Award-winning, bestselling author Kim Vogel Sawyer told her kindergarten teacher that someday people would check out her book in the library. The little-girl dream came true in 2006 with the release of Waiting for Summer's Return. Kim's titles now exceed 1.5 million copies and are available in six different languages. A former elementary school teacher, she now enjoys a full-time writing and speaking ministry. Kim's passion lies in writing stories that point the reader to a deeper, more intimate relationship with God. When Kim isn't writing, you'll find her traveling with her retired military hubby, spoiling her granddarlings, petting the cats, quilting, or--as time allows--participating in community theater. You can learn more about Kim's writing and speaking ministries at her website, KimVogelSawyer.com.

Reviews

[Kate Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I borrowed this from the library because it looked interesting.

I read the blurb and guessed at what would happen.

I started reading it and knew what was going to happen.

And I still loved it and need a copy because this book is not about the events but about the people. I think I’ll review the characters…

Mary
Mary was so sweet and hopeful and kind. I’ll hide this spoiler in case you didn’t guess it, but Mary dies of breast cancer ¼ of the way through the book. *cries* She was truly an inspiring character, and I loved how she touched lives in small ways throughout the book. I want to be her when I grow up.

Tarsie
She was a feisty one! :D Very different from Mary, but loving and strong in the Lord. I really liked her character, especially how even though she was a strong Christian she still struggled with loving the unlovable. Her short prayer throughout the book was so real. ;)

Joss *cries*
I understood Joss so well, and he broke my heart. Struggling with addiction, incapable of loving or being loved (though he longs for both), and afraid of being close to his family for fear of hurting them. The author wrote him in such a way that I wasn’t repulsed by him but instead was rooting for him to turn to God for a heart change. One of my favorite parts was when he finally did the right thing with a huge lie he told Tarsie, even though the truth was painful and humiliating for both of them. Beginnings…

Simon and Ruth
The most darling couple to ever walk the pages of a book. I loved their healthy, friendly relationship and their courage to stand against the racism in their culture--both classic racism and reverse. Their joy and strength in the Lord were contagious. <3 At first, I was uncomfortable with the portrayal of their dialect since some authors’ use of that has made their African American characters seem unintelligent (looking at you, Mark Twain), but I grew to see it as a celebration of their culture since Tarsie’s Irish accent was written out as well.


This book wasn’t just a pioneer story or a romance or even both. It showed how painful and strong and Christlike love can be. It showed how hard and how slow transformation can be. And it showed how Christ breaks through the mess of racism, addiction, and lies.

Since this book deals with some hard topics, I would not recommend it to younger readers. There was some rampant racism portrayed in one character’s point of few including use of the word “negro”, though the author did a good job showing this as wrong and balancing it out with Mr. Tollison’s respect for Simon. Some of Joss’ thoughts of what his father would say or do in his situation were inappropriate, and Joss thought so but they were still mentioned. Some passing mentions of leering men, “getting pleasure” from women, and “husbandly rights”. In the romance area, there were some more descriptive touches than I’m used to reading about, but everything was kept appropriate. Also, there was a one sentence allusion to a wedding night, but it was in the proper context and worded to cast it as the beautiful thing God means it to be.

Best quote: “He can, Joss! And He does! But…” She gathered her courage and placed her fingertips gently on his taut arm. “He loves you too much to leave you as you are, because He knows you can’t be happy wallowin’ in sinful behavior.” He stepped away from her touch. “And just how does He change a man, Tarsie?”

Altogether, I was happily surprised by this book, and it has helped cement Kim Vogel Sawyer as one of my new favorite authors. ;)

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really well-done portrayal of some of the issues in the 1920s, from alcoholism to race relations. I really enjoyed these characters, and wow did KVS end up selling me on a hero that began by being very unsympathetic!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much that I couldn't put it down! I started it around 11 pm last night & it's 4:53 am as I type! I'll miss my sleep later, but I couldn't find a good stopping point, so I just kept on reading!

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of Kim Vogel Sawyer's best novels to date! Reminded me of Janette Oke's classic Love Comes Softly, only better, if that's even possible ;-)

[Anna |This Curly Girl Reads| · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kim Vogel Sawyer is such a talented author! This story deals with some serious topics (addiction/alcoholism, abuse trauma, loss), and yet I never felt depressed (sad yes, but not depressed!). There were so many relatable reminders of the genuine hope we have in our faithful Savior.

Characters: Mary and Tarsie’s friendship touched my heart! Then there was Joss, who made me so frustrated at times. Still I wanted him to find Christ and the fulfillment that He alone can give. Lastly, I adored Ruth and Simon! They added so much to the story and were the best kind of side characters.

Themes: obeying the Lord no matter the consequences stood out to me the most. This theme woven expertly through this story. What a practical and convicting reminder! There were also life lessons on depending on the word of God and trusting him to answer prayers.

Romance: though I didn’t feel like the romance took front seat In this story, because of so many other issues being dealt with, it’s definitely a love story! Simon and Ruth are married and very affectionate with each other (hugs, kisses, touches). The other aspect of romance was also kept clean (Note: there are subtle mentions about wondering about marriage intimacy and one passing comment that hints about that, so I’d recommend it for 18+. Personally, I am really particular about keeping sexual things appropriate and I felt like this was handled very discreetly).

Faith: as mentioned in the themes, this story is full of practical Christian living. Mary, Tarsie, Simon, and Ruth all have a deep personal faith. I loved that🥰

Conclusion: I found this book to be encouraging and enjoyable.

Content/trigger warning: cancer, racism, alcoholism

[Mom2nine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Formulaic Christian romance. The man is muscular and good-looking and all alcohol is evil. It is okay to marry a non-Christian and hope to love and pray him to faith. Dangerous proposition and one that I would rather my daughters did not rely on, esp after having friends for whom it did not turn out well. Sorry, but Sawyer has done better with other novels.

[Maureen Timerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this fast pace read of living in 1880's Kansas. The author takes us from the streets of poverty in NYC to the shores Mississippi River Kansas.
Tarsie Raines loves her friend Mary Brubacher and gives her her life savings to get her out of NYC. Mary turns around and makes her husband Joss take Tarsie with them.
We experience taking the train and then wagon train to the promise land of Kansas. We meet prejudice head on with the wagon master being black. Joss has had a hard bringing up, his Mom died when he was young, and his father was really abusive, and of course passed on his hate.
We also experience the unconditional Love of God and others that Tarsie has for Mary and her family. Accepting another woman's family?
I did love Simon's family, and Tarsie's acceptance of them...what great friends they become.
The ending was a little to unbelievable, with Tarsie being in the right place at the wrong time, but of course I did like how things worked out.

I received this book through Bethany House Bloggers Program, and was not required to give a positive review.

[Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a lot about a journey, not only physically but also for the characters emotionally. For a lot of the book Joss is in a dark place emotionally and spiritually, and even though those surrounding him are believers, his attitude and actions brings the rest of the characters trials and turmoil. From this perspective it is not a very happy book. It is more about faith and love growing through the struggles. However despite his negative attitude, the depth of faith and the lessons shared by the other characters are an uplifting aspect that carry you through the dark moments of the story. Toward the end, it seemed like Tarsie was being deliberately obtuse when it came to why Joss wanted her to stay. I appreciate her perspective, but after repeated conflicting interactions with other characters it seemed like she should have been more aware of what was really going on. Overall, it was a good story, and the message of faith is really strong. I just don’t think I can label it as one of my favorites because the relationships have such negative interactions for most of the book.

[Arnetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her books are always feel good books with happy endings. The characters have lots of struggles and tragedies but they always make it through with the help of God. Always uplifting, her books are a joy to read.

[Karen Fredhoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome!

I absolutely loved this book! I couldn't put it down. It was full of faith,joy, the real pains of life and Gods shining light. Awesome!

[Rachel Brand · Rating 4 out of 5]

GENRE: HISTORICAL ROMANCE
PUBLISHER: BETHANY HOUSE
PUBLICATION DATE: OCTOBER 01, 2012
RATING: 3.5 OUT OF 5 – GOOD

PROS: Bravely introduces the hero’s first wife alongside the heroine; historical details about travelling by wagon train and race relations; marriage of convenience story is a favourite in the genre

CONS: Simple misunderstanding keeps hero and heroine apart for a while; Ruth and Simon felt a little too caricatured and perfect; Joss’s struggles with alcohol could have been approached better

Tarsie Raines knows that her best friend, Mary Brubacher, is never going to recover from her illness if she continues to live in New York City. After a lot of encouragement, Mary and her husband agree to uproot their family and relocate to Drayton Valley, Kansas, where they hope the quality of life will be better. Mary begs Tarsie to travel with them, much to Joss’s annoyance. He can’t understand why Mary needs to bring her friend with them on the journey. But Mary knows that her illness is far worse than Tarsie and Joss realise, and that it’s unlikely that she’ll live to see Drayton Valley. Before they arrive in their new home, Mary makes Tarsie promise to care for her husband and children, should she die.

Burying her best friend along the trail was hard enough, but taking on the responsibility of a husband and children with barely a day’s notice only adds to Tarsie’s struggles. As much as she loves Mary’s children, she can’t imagine ever coming to care for the harsh, unfriendly Joss. But she decides to make an effort to Mary’s sake, and that of the children. As they settle in Drayton Valley and hunt for work and a home, Tarsie continues to struggle with her new role as Joss’s wife. Will their marriage ever become anything more than one of convenience? Or even worse: will their marriage even survive?

Although I’ve truly enjoyed some of Kim Vogel Sawyer’s older novels (Waiting for Summer’s Return and A Hopeful Heart), I’m finding that I don’t enjoy her newer works quite as much. I went into A Home in Drayton Valley hoping that it would hark back to Kim’s earlier novels, especially as marriage of convenience plots are among my favourite romantic storylines. While I initially felt that A Home in Drayton Valley was stepping out from the conventionality of some of Kim’s more recent novels, particularly in introducing the reader to the hero’s first wife rather than starting the story after he became a widower, I became frustrated with some details as the story moved along. Ultimately, I’d have to say that I was impressed with some of the aspects that the storyline explored, but the book still had its fair share of flaws.

What most surprised me about the start of A Home in Drayton Valley was that the relationship between Tarsie and Mary (Joss’s wife) is explored before the novel touches on the connection between Tarsie and Joss. Although it’s obvious that Mary is very sick and close to dying, Kim still managed to make me care about Mary and what would happen to her family once she was no longer living. But did this stop me from caring about Tarsie and wanting her relationship with Joss to develop after Mary’s death? Not at all. In fact, I think introducing Mary at the start of the story, rather than skipping ahead to the time after her death means that the reader wants Joss and Tarsie to fall in love and to raise Mary’s children because they know that this was what Mary wanted. Introducing Mary and keeping her present for almost a quarter of the novel was a brave move on Kim’s part, but I think she executed it well.

Although I’m a big fan of historical romance novels, particularly prairie romances, I’ve actually not read many books which feature wagon trains. I appreciated the depth of detail offered about life on a wagon train and the difficulties of relocating from a city to a distant prairie town. Even if I don’t always love every aspect of the plot or characterisation in Kim’s novels, I know that I can rely on her to provide realistic descriptions of life in a certain location and time period. I loved the details about Tarsie setting up her new home and Joss’s work at the vineyard. And although the novel also featured some details about race relations in this period, they never felt at all preachy, and never overshadowed the main storyline.

Joss is initially reticent about even conversing with a black man, and again, I think this was a brave move on the author’s part. It’s hard to sympathise with a racist character, even if you know that his attitudes weren’t unusual given the time period and his upbringing. Surprisingly, Joss’s initial attitude towards Ruth and Simon, a black couple who he and Tarsie eventually become friends with, didn’t make me dislike him, and it made his character seem all the more realistic.

There were times when Simon and Ruth felt a bit too perfect and thus seemed a little caricatured. Although it was encouraging to read about an older couple helping Joss and Tarsie through their marital difficulties, and with Joss’s parenting, they didn’t seem to have any flaws or problems of their own. By the end of the book, I found myself wishing that Ruth and Simon had a few faults in order to make them seem more believable.

One of my other frustrations with the story was the issue that kept Tarsie and Joss apart towards the end of the novel. I won’t go into too many details, but I’ll just say that I’m not a big fan of conflicts that can be resolved in a simple conversation, and I wish the conflict at the end of A Home in Drayton Valley had centred around something more solid than a misunderstanding and false assumptions. By the end of the book, the situation felt like it had been dragging on for quite a while and I felt like shouting at the characters, “Just talk to each other and get together already!”

Ultimately, my main problem with A Home in Drayton Valley is not the final conflict or the characterisation of the secondary characters, but the way that Joss’s problems with alcohol are dealt with. While there are some books that deal with the topic of alcoholism in a sensitive manner, the way alcohol in general is discussed in this book left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Not only because I’m a Christian who does drink alcohol and found the anti-alcohol message in the novel quite offensive and entirely misinformed, but because I felt that the solution to Joss’s problem wasn’t really a solution at all.

This part of the story basically goes as follows: Joss is an alcoholic yet works in a vineyard, and Tarsie is worried that this will pose more of a temptation for him. Simon knows that if he votes for prohibition, he and all the other men at the vineyard will lose their jobs. Then there’s an incident in which Joss gets drunk again, and Tarsie and Simon agree that they must vote for the prohibition of alcohol so that Joss can no longer buy alcohol to get drunk on. I’m sorry, but banning alcohol doesn’t solve the problem, it just takes away the object of temptation. What happens if Joss moves to a state where alcohol isn’t outlawed, or if alcohol is allowed back into the state of Kansas? Will he be able to control his urges, or just slip back into his old patterns? All they’re doing in banning alcohol is taking away the substance that people are abusing, rather than teaching them not to abuse it. This whole situation could have been dealt with a lot better, but instead, it just ends up giving the message that drinking alcohol leads to drunkenness and that it’s the alcohol that’s the source of the problem, not the people who abuse it.

Although A Home in Drayton Valley did have some original aspects that I enjoyed, I wished some parts of the story had been approached differently. I do think Kim Vogel Sawyer stepped away from some of her more conventional plots in this book, which made for an interesting change. But while A Home in Drayton Valley was mostly an enjoyable, easy ready, there were some flaws that I couldn’t ignore and a couple of them spoiled my reading experience a little.

Review title provided by Bethany House.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely Christian fiction book, really! One of the best parts in the story was when Reverend Mann said: God’s ways aren’t our ways, Joss. Sometimes He uses unexpected means to bring about His will. But I do know this, everything He does is out of love for us. It’s to make us stronger or draw us closer to Him. …

This book shows the effects of worldly cares and sins on individuals, both born again and rejectors of Jesus Christ. Kim Vogel Sawyer did a masterful work in giving thoughtful insight into relationships and how what we do, or don’t do, affects many, many people.

It begins in New York city, the 1880s, with the main character, Tarsie Raines, wanting to move out to Drayton Valley, Kansas, to escape the miseries in New York.
Stuck in New York, in a lower-income apartment, working as a seamstress, and her friends, Joss and
Mary, and their 2 children, are living in low-income tenement apartments, with filthy streets and many troubles in the neighborhoods. Mary worked washing other people’s laundry, and her husband was a dock worker, eking out a living. They move out to Kansas, riding in a wagon train.

Other characters, just as interesting and vital to the story, show up later in her book. These are Simon and Ruth Foster, he a vineyard tender on a wealthy businessman’s property. Devout Christians, dependable workers, they truly show faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. His wife was another good example of
trust and faith in God.
What I liked a lot was Tarsie’s self-control in taming her bad temper, and retorts towards Joss.
Ah, if only there were MORE female characters like Tarsie, in today’s Christian fiction. Thank you,
Kim, for Tarsie’s story.
Kim also has a knack for describing scenes, so it’s easy and fun to get involved in the settings and
surroundings. I could almost see the dilapidated wagon tumbling over in the storm. I could see the dingy
interiors of the New York apartments, and the little faces of the children, Emmy and Nattie.

Kim Vogel Sawyer wrote a lot of bible references into her story, and THE best part was where the reader is told how to be born again. THAT’S WHAT CHRISTIAN FICTION should ALWAYS INCLUDE! Amen!

Thanks Kim, write more stories like this one!

[Becca Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook of this story and thoroughly enjoyed it. The narrator did a good job of matching her voice to the energy to the story and altering her voice for different characters. I have to be honest that I struggled with the pitch of her voice particularly during specific accents, but I had no issues with her regular reading voice.

I can honestly say that I was shocked by the turn of events multiple times in this story. It easily held my attention and had my mind deeply thinking. I am one of those readers that tends to think deeply when it comes to putting myself in others shoes of characters. Sometimes it leads to happiness, anger, jealousy, sadness, etc–but it always challenges and grows my level of empathy. This is specifically one of those stories that I fought the empathy, while feeling convicted to change my thinking. You’ll have to read for yourself to fully understand what I mean by that.

One sign of the times that really stuck with me was a comment made about Joss having to choose which is worse–giving-in to a black man or giving-in to a woman. It’s not uncommon to hear of the racial prejudices of the time period or about the fight for women’s rights, but it was a unique perspective to read a story where the two prejudices find themselves pitted against each other. All of this was while trying to find a soft-spot for the character wrestling with the thoughts.

I always say a book that can make me feel something is worth the read, but this is a book that not only made me feel but think. I’d recommend giving it a read if you haven’t done so before and you enjoy historical fiction and historical romance.

[Massanutten Regional Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shelby, Village patron, June 2017, 3 stars:

Tarsie, an Irish girl living and working in a sweatshop in NYC had learned herbal medicine from her aunt. She had a sick friend Mary, who depended on her for her herbal cures. Tarsie would have given anything to to get Mary and her two children out of NYC to a healthier place. She gave Mary and her family all her hard-earned savings to go to Drayton Valley in Kansas. Mary was so dependent on Tarsie and her herbs, they insisted she come along too. They joined a wagon train. Mary died just as they reached Kansas. She made Tarsie promise to take care of her children and marry her husband, Joss. When Joss heard of Mary's last wishes he agreed, but got a bartender to pretend to be a minister to marry them. Joss had problems showing his love, even to the children. Finally Joss revealed the marriage was not legitimate. Only after Tarsie left, did Joss understand he needed her and had fallen in love with her. They were finally legally married to the delight of Mary's children.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this book through my RB Digital App. It finishes up the series that I was reading by this author. I love westerns so was interested from the beginning when they decide to move to Kansas and have to join a wagon train. Joss' bitter feeling with it being an "all black" group fits right into how feelings were during this time period. Trail was hard on Mary and it was sad that she died right as they made it to Kansas. After they got to Kansas, I couldn't leave this book alone. So many things happening with Tarsie and Joss. The black neighborhoods and the white neighborhoods was another sign of the times. It would have been hard for Simon to stand up to the crowd when they came to tell them to send the white children away. When Tarsie takes off and Joss ends up in jail, you wonder how the author is going to make it so they get together in the end. And when I got to the end, I didn't want the story to end. Love this author.

[Diana C. Kobylak · Rating 5 out of 5]

The setting is 1880’s beginning from life in cramped and smelly New York then to Kansas. Tarsie is a single young woman whose best friend Mary is married to a man with a temper and drinking problem. Mary is dying of cancer, but at the suggestion of Tarsie, she convinces her husband Joss to travel to Kansas, away from temptation and a new start for her children. On the journey, right before her death, Mary asks a promise from Tarsie. To look after and love her two children and Joss unconditionally and show them the love of God. Tarsie does this patiently and sacrificially, until she realizes that a one way love for Joss is not enough. Complications arise and the plot of the story moves the reader toward conflict and resolution. God is faithful to work everything out for the good of those who love Him.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

If there was an option to give 10 stars, I would give this 10 stars!
I don't even know where to begin. I'm having a hard time finding the words to write this review :)

This book was so beautifully written that it has left me thinking. I know, it's a historical romance novel. But it was so much more than that. It was a story of redemption, reconciliation and forgiveness, a story of how someone who thinks "how could God possibly love me because of all the bad things I've done" and how God got of hold of their heart and changed them, a story of how one's prejudices change and so much more!
Every character became my favorite, each in their own way.
I don't usually cry in books. If a book makes me cry, then I know the author did a great job! haha!
I cried more because of the encouragement I felt that the characters said.

[Jodi Deters · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wish I could just make notes here for my own reference that were not public.

While the story was pleasant enough and well written, most of the women were not respectful to men. Nor did they try to be.

The messages presented in the story also tended to be legalistic at times and the plot was not very realistic.

I appreciated her attempts at theology, though I did not fully agree with her statements, especially the ones that tended toward legalism.

[Nora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the storyline was fairly predictable, the specifics along the way provided a description of the journey west, as a white family traveling with a caravan of black families. The fact that the blacks already had voting rights in the 1880s, and women did not, juxtaposed with the fact that literacy was very low among the blacks, made for interesting times. Not allowing black children in the schools perpetuated the problem.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A honestly true and miraculous story.

I love the stories Kim Vogel writes . She has become one of my favorite authors. The story pulls you in the first two pages and it is difficult to put the book down. This at our is very realistic, and so many passages seem to relate to my own family from Missouri. Any one would enjoy it's marvelous lessons. Thank you Kim.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was a hard one for me to get into. I liked Tarsie okay, but didn't like Joss at ALL at first, so that made for difficult reading for me. But, once Simon and Ruth entered the picture with their examples of faith and trust in the Lord, things started to pick up, and I ended up really enjoying this book!
4.5 stars

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start by saying how much I loved this story. I think it is one the best ones written by Kim Vogel Sawyer. I was able to listen to the audio version and it just enhanced the pleasure. The story line covers some very hard subjects, cancer, death, alcohol and prejudice to name a few. But I loved the way Kim was able to draw hope out of the darkness.

[Vickie Jameson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good book! Well written, strong, engaging characters, themes of God's mercy, grace love and His power to change lives, strength in adversity and the promise of His blessing when we choose to follow His will even when it's the hard choice. Looking forward to reading more books by this author.

[Vikki Vaught · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book . I became enmeshed from the first page to the last. Loved the characters and the plot. There’s a great message of God’s power ti transform one’s life when one gives themselves up to him. I’m so happy I found this amazing book. Happy reading/listening!

[Lydia &#x1f4da;&#x1f3a8;&#x1f3b5; · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was ok. I am glad i read it but there were some things I didn’t particularly like especially with Joss not being so nice to his new wife and his own children. I thought he could have been a lot less demanding. Overall though it was a pretty interesting story.

[Leah Cochran · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't finish reading this book. It was not bad, just predictable. I enjoy Kim Vogel Sawyer books but I think I have read enough of the fictional history in the Kansas praire books from her.

[Terry Yaceyko · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really didn't like this story - didn't finish it actually.

[Deborah Hecht · Rating 4 out of 5]

She's a very good writer.

[Bria Buny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

CL e-book. Sweet story ok