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Sojourn: In the Land of the Burning Ember
It may be the Roaring Twenties, but Martha has never ventured beyond her prairie hometown of Weyburn, Saskatchewan. When she sets her sights on a new life in New York City with her husband, August, she imagines opportunity, independence—and perhaps a chance to reconnect with the family her deceased father left behind.
Instead, she finds herself bound for something altogether a remote farm in Brazil. Far from everything she knows, and with questions beginning to shadow the man she thought she understood, Martha must rely on her wit, her courage, and a stubborn streak she’s never lacked.
Because if this journey proves anything, it’s that Martha is about to discover exactly what she’s made of.
Instead, she finds herself bound for something altogether a remote farm in Brazil. Far from everything she knows, and with questions beginning to shadow the man she thought she understood, Martha must rely on her wit, her courage, and a stubborn streak she’s never lacked.
Because if this journey proves anything, it’s that Martha is about to discover exactly what she’s made of.
295 pages, Paperback
Published May 17, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review
September 27, 2026
4.5 stars from me. As a writer I appreciate the work, research and imagination that went into this book. There are so many untold stories that make us wonder. Brin has penned one wildly creative scenario as to what happened to her great grandparents on their one year sojourn to Brazil in the 1920's. Canadians and Americans at the time rarely traveled there. What was their plan, their experience, and why had they come back? It was a great family mystery that needed someone to take a stab at.
I loved the intertwinement Brin braids of historical hot spots, time and invention. Hearing about the building plan of the great Christ that towers over Rio, welcoming everyone with open arms. Babe Ruth as a happenstance benefactor for the tired honeymooners? The telling descriptions of the route between Saskatchewan to early New York, then across the sea, Martha meets all kinds of people. Then its into the jungles for them. Food, drink, bugs and survival while dealing with the mobbish man who ran everything.
Martha- had change on her mind, but maybe not this much change.
This story hits on the social reliance that women had on their husbands, the limitations of their opportunities and what is possible if one pushes the boundaries of social acceptance to ask for help and share ones story.
I loved the images in the back and how much I learned about the history and place at the time.
Historical fiction with a twinge of "What If."
History, found family, perseverance and a real fine dally into what could have happened to her ancestors. I could totally see it all unfolding just as she described.
I loved the intertwinement Brin braids of historical hot spots, time and invention. Hearing about the building plan of the great Christ that towers over Rio, welcoming everyone with open arms. Babe Ruth as a happenstance benefactor for the tired honeymooners? The telling descriptions of the route between Saskatchewan to early New York, then across the sea, Martha meets all kinds of people. Then its into the jungles for them. Food, drink, bugs and survival while dealing with the mobbish man who ran everything.
Martha- had change on her mind, but maybe not this much change.
This story hits on the social reliance that women had on their husbands, the limitations of their opportunities and what is possible if one pushes the boundaries of social acceptance to ask for help and share ones story.
I loved the images in the back and how much I learned about the history and place at the time.
Historical fiction with a twinge of "What If."
History, found family, perseverance and a real fine dally into what could have happened to her ancestors. I could totally see it all unfolding just as she described.
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review