Courage & Compromise

Homestead #2

by Stephen Bly

Hot days of a western Nebraska summer have caused the water to recede and the corn to grow on the Bowers homestead. Jolie Bowers throws herself into the role of a teacher at a one-room schoolhouse, spending every spare moment with Tanner Wells as theylook forward to their wedding.

A torrential September rain brings the sod roof down on top ofthe Bowers one night, the train tracks are washed out, and there is trouble with the railroad over shipping rates. Both sides in theconflict round up gunmen to enforce their position. Mr. Bowers gets arrested in Lincoln for starting a riot. A handsome widower, StrathYarrow, suddenly appears, and Jolie hardly has time to sort out her true feelings. 

Genres: Westerns, Historical, Historical Fiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published April 14, 2003

About the author

Stephen Bly (August 17, 1944 - June 9, 2011) authored 100 books and hundreds of articles. His book, THE LONG TRAIL HOME, (Broadman & Holman), won the prestigious 2002 CHRISTY AWARD for excellence in Christian fiction in the category western novel. Three other books, PICTURE ROCK (Crossway Books), THE OUTLAW'S TWIN SISTER (Crossway Books), and LAST OF THE TEXAS CAMP (Broadman & Holman), were Christy Award finalists. He spoke at colleges, churches, camps and conferences across the U.S. and Canada. He was the pastor of Winchester Community Church, and served as mayor of Winchester, Idaho (2000-2007). He spoke on numerous television and radio programs, including Dr. James Dobson's Focus on the Family. He was an Active Member of the Western Writers of America. Steve graduated summa cum laude in Philosophy from Fresno State University and received a M.Div from Fuller Theological Seminary. The Blys have three sons: Russell (married to Lois) and father of Zachary and Miranda (married to Chris Ross) and mother of Alayah, Michael (married to Michelle), and Aaron (married to Rina Joye) and father of Keaton and Deckard. A third generation westerner, Steve spent his early years working on ranches and farms.

Reviews

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Homestead series by Stephen Bly. I was not familiar with this author until I stumbled upon this series at out local used book store; and how glad I am for that. This second book was just as good and inviting as the first one. Jolie is a memorable character; her family and sister Essie will not soon be forgotten. The small town and the many homesteader characters in the book offer much insight into humor, love, friendship and what it means to be family. I appreciate also that the usual dose of sadness that can come along with Pioneer living and frontier life has been left out of this book; it was a much welcome read.

[Ralynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

really like this series it reads fast and has a good story.