Wilted Dandelions

by Catherine Ulrich Brakefield

High-spirited Rachael Rothburn is eager to leave her luxurious life in Buffalo, New York, to share the gospel with Native Americans in the Oregon Territory. But the missionary alliance requires their missionaries to be married and Rachel has no husband or suitors. When Dr. Jonathan Wheaton, another missionary hopeful, learns about the restriction, he is desperate to find a wife. He offers Rachael a marriage of convenience and she agrees. After a hasty wedding, the pair sets off for the west knowing little about each other. Together they battle raging rivers, hostile Indians, sickness, treacherous mountain trails, and more. But as the seeds of love begin to grow, Jonathan’s jealousy and pride threatens to be an even greatest danger than anything they find in the west. Can they overcome the challenges and discover a true and lasting love?

Genres: Christian Fiction

284 pages, Paperback

First published May 29, 2015

Reviews

[Tamara Clymer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book filled with interesting historical facts, but even better fictional characters. Highly recommend.

[James Brackbiel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catherine's book is refreshing and a delight to read. Her characters seem to have a life of their own. Wilted Dandelions is very accurate with its historic landmarks and trails. Through its pages, Catherine takes you on a journey alongside her primary character Rachael Rothburn as she and her new husband Jonathan Wheaton literally carve out their way to the west while holding on to their faith in Christ and each other.
This book is well worth reading! Thanks Catherine for another winner

[Kathleen Rouser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wilted Dandelions, by Catherine Ulrich Brakefield, is not just another historical Christian romance, but also an adventure. Rachael Rothburn, the daughter of a US senator in New York desires to more than anything to take the good news of Jesus Christ to the Umatilla tribe of Oregon territory. Fired up by a revival meeting, all the determined Rachael needs is a husband to be allowed to join the mission.

She is charmed by Dr. Jonathan Wheaton, but barely hopes he would marry her, let alone ever love her. To her surprise, he asks her father for her hand.

When these two stubborn people embark on a marriage of convenience and take a dangerous journey west, they must learn to rely on Jesus Christ and each other, but jealousies and doubts sometimes get in the way.

While Rachael and Jonathan are people of immense faith in Christ, they are also genuinely flawed characters, who make mistakes like any believer. The dangers they face along the trail, even threats of human trafficking, are plenty and realistic. They will keep you turning the pages to see how each situation resolves.

Wilted Dandelions is a story that exemplifies the importance of the Biblical values of trust, honesty, and sacrificial love in a marriage. You will cheer for Rachael and Jonathan to overcome their shortcomings and hope they will learn from their mistakes.

Brakefield paints a picture of westward travel in the 1830s with a rich, poetic palette of historical detail. The author’s equestrian knowledge shows through as she details the care of horses, their strength, and resiliency on this perilous journey.

If you’re looking for a well-written, high-tension Christian romance and adventure set against the backdrop of America’s Second Great Awakening, then this book is for you.

[Edward Arrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this quote from the heroine in the story because it is so much like many Christians today: “I’m still such a babe in Christ. Will I ever stop seeking my desires and reasoning it is God’s will that I satisfy my own whims?” Can you relate? I certainly can. I have been there, haven’t you? Some readers may find they are still in the throes of it. I enjoyed the book as the heroine finds herself in one jam after another because of her head-strong ways. The hero doesn’t fare any better except he is a very large man who is better equipped to ward off the attacks of others. It is quite an interesting tale of a small group called to be missionaries to the Indians in the Oregon Territory. The author keeps the reader questioning whether they will ever make it to the area to which they have been appointed. Not only must they overcome the dangers of travel by wagon and horseback in the early 1800s and the possibilities of attack by warring Indian parties, but the fur traders and trappers with whom they are traveling are a real source of danger for the women. Temptations and attacks are rampant, but much of it is internal rather than external. I recommend the book. In fact, you will have to read it if you want to know what wilted dandelions have to do with a missionary journey.

[Kathy Heare Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

NOT WILTING BENEATH ADVERSITY
What a beautiful and inspiration of God's love and His endurance. Along this journey into the wilderness, with a strong desire to be missionaries and bring God's word to Indians, these individuals all learn more about themselves and faith in God. They face multiple adversities but continue onward towards what they feel is a God called mission field. The plot kept me captivated and the pages turning as this story unfolds. The cast of characters are as diverse as the landscape they travel from New York to the Oregon territory. The dialog includes scripture and the sharing of God's word but isn't done in a preachy way. The journey opens the eyes of each individual as to how God works in their life and those they are close to. Disclosure: I received an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions, and ratings are my own.

[Kim Hampton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had an interesting subject, but it seemed like parts of it were not believable, and parts were not explained well enough. I also had a hard time keeping up with the characters.

[Joan Arning · Rating 3 out of 5]

Catherine Brakefield has written an interesting fiction account of two missionary couples making the trip to Oregon to join the well-known missionaries, the Whitmans. The female protagonist was rather gullible but survived the trip! The book shows how God can use us in spite of our mistakes! I won an e-book of Wilted Dandelions through the CrossRiver Author Christmas Blog Party. This is my honest opinion.

[Joy Melville · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is the beginning of another author to add to my fave author shelf in the VERY NEAR FUTURE!

GREAT STORY!

A lot of depth without becoming in the least tedious!

[Robin Melvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like a good character driven historical novel. This one did not let me down. It has history, suspense, and romance. I appreciated the strong faith message too.

[Bhriv · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wilted Dandelions was a great read! I enjoyed the way the author developed the characters a long the trail. Rachael and Jonathan married so they could be missionaries in the west. It was a marriage of convenience. I liked how the author brought twists and turns along the way. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading other books by Catherine Brakefield.
I was given this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this wasn't my favorite, it will appeal to those who like a clean romance and the Western Frontier. The author is very descriptive and detailed.

[Elaine Stock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one gripping, compelling read. Wilted Dandelions by Ms. Brakefield had me eagerly turning pages and sighing over the love story premise as well as taking comfort in the spiritual message. Her characters of Rachael and Jonathan were well rounded and had me seeing the story pan out before me as if a movie. I highly recommend this novel and look forward to reading more from this author.