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Dry Creek Historical #1
Calico Christmas at Dry Creek
Her Fresh Start Cost Her Everything
The Montana territory was supposed to be the land of dreams for Elizabeth O'Brian. But when influenza claims her husband and baby, Elizabeth doesn't know if she can go on. Then a stranger approaches her with a plea she can't ignore.
Jake Hargrove is desperate. His brother's death left him in charge of his two part-Sioux nieces—one an infant. Jake knows the baby can't survive the harsh Western winter without a wet nurse. A marriage of convenience with this grieving mother seems to be the only answer. Fighting for the acceptance of their charges gives Jake and Elizabeth new purpose. With the Christmas season approaching, dare they hope that they could also receive the gift of love?
The Montana territory was supposed to be the land of dreams for Elizabeth O'Brian. But when influenza claims her husband and baby, Elizabeth doesn't know if she can go on. Then a stranger approaches her with a plea she can't ignore.
Jake Hargrove is desperate. His brother's death left him in charge of his two part-Sioux nieces—one an infant. Jake knows the baby can't survive the harsh Western winter without a wet nurse. A marriage of convenience with this grieving mother seems to be the only answer. Fighting for the acceptance of their charges gives Jake and Elizabeth new purpose. With the Christmas season approaching, dare they hope that they could also receive the gift of love?
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First published May 1, 2008
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About the author
Janet Tronstad
85 books304 followersJanet grew up in the wide open spaces of rural Montana and now lives in the urban spaces of Pasadena, California. She's used both of these locations in her books. Her Dry Creek, Montana series numbers over twenty novels now and her Pasadena books, The Sisterhood of the Dropped Stitches, number four.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
October 28, 2014
Although this plot seemed very close to the plot of the book by Janette Oke, “Love Comes Softly,” I still enjoyed reading this story.
What I loved: I appreciated the fact that Elizabeth tried so hard to accept and help the children Jake was raising even though she just lost her husband and daughter to the fever. Several times in the story, she came up with ways to help the town’s people accept and overcome the fear of Jake’s nieces who were half Indians. Her every concern was for the happiness of the children. I also loved the way Jake cared about the girls even though they were his brother’s children and were part Indian, in a time when Indians were feared.
What I didn’t like: I know Elizabeth was grieving the loss of her husband and daughter, but for some reason, I couldn’t see that grief. Even though she seemed to completely lose herself in the task of taking care of her new family, it would have seemed more real if she had grieved a little more for the loves of her former life. Even changing to wearing black was not something she seemed to want to do but something she did out of respect for her husband.
Over all, I give this book five stars. Anyone who loves historical romances, young and old, would like reading this book.
What I loved: I appreciated the fact that Elizabeth tried so hard to accept and help the children Jake was raising even though she just lost her husband and daughter to the fever. Several times in the story, she came up with ways to help the town’s people accept and overcome the fear of Jake’s nieces who were half Indians. Her every concern was for the happiness of the children. I also loved the way Jake cared about the girls even though they were his brother’s children and were part Indian, in a time when Indians were feared.
What I didn’t like: I know Elizabeth was grieving the loss of her husband and daughter, but for some reason, I couldn’t see that grief. Even though she seemed to completely lose herself in the task of taking care of her new family, it would have seemed more real if she had grieved a little more for the loves of her former life. Even changing to wearing black was not something she seemed to want to do but something she did out of respect for her husband.
Over all, I give this book five stars. Anyone who loves historical romances, young and old, would like reading this book.
January 19, 2020
Calico Christmas at Dry Creek by Janet Tronstad
The story starts with Elizabeth mourning her husband and child's deaths, from the flu. She believes she is next, but that is not the case.
Jake comes asking for help, an infant needs mothering and nursing, and Elizabeth is the only person who can do that.
He asks her to marry him in order to take care of the baby and his neice Spotted Fawn.
Elizabeth agrees to a temporary union.
Elizabeth goes back and forth from grief at Matthew, her first husband's death, and growing affection for Jake.
It seems that a big part of the book was centered on hatred and prejudice at the Native American Indians, and the new settlers in Montana. Both Jake and Elizabeth are staunch supporters that the injustice go away.
I enjoyed the book like I have enjoyed the other books by this author. I will continue reading this series and other books she's written.
I would recommend this book for fans of historical Christian romance novels.
back cover
The Montana territory was supposed to be the land of dreams for Elizabeth O'Brian. But when influenza claims her husband and baby, Elizabeth doesn't know if she can go on. Then a stranger approaches her with a plea she can't ignore.Jake Hargrove is desperate. His brother's death left him in charge of his two part-Sioux nieces--one an infant. Jake knows the baby can't survive the harsh western winter without a wet nurse. A marriage of convenience with this grieving mother seems to be the only answer. Fighting for the acceptance of their charges gives Jake and Elizabeth new purpose. With the Christmas season approaching, dare they hope that they also could receive the gift of love?
The story starts with Elizabeth mourning her husband and child's deaths, from the flu. She believes she is next, but that is not the case.
Jake comes asking for help, an infant needs mothering and nursing, and Elizabeth is the only person who can do that.
He asks her to marry him in order to take care of the baby and his neice Spotted Fawn.
Elizabeth agrees to a temporary union.
Elizabeth goes back and forth from grief at Matthew, her first husband's death, and growing affection for Jake.
It seems that a big part of the book was centered on hatred and prejudice at the Native American Indians, and the new settlers in Montana. Both Jake and Elizabeth are staunch supporters that the injustice go away.
I enjoyed the book like I have enjoyed the other books by this author. I will continue reading this series and other books she's written.
I would recommend this book for fans of historical Christian romance novels.
back cover
The Montana territory was supposed to be the land of dreams for Elizabeth O'Brian. But when influenza claims her husband and baby, Elizabeth doesn't know if she can go on. Then a stranger approaches her with a plea she can't ignore.Jake Hargrove is desperate. His brother's death left him in charge of his two part-Sioux nieces--one an infant. Jake knows the baby can't survive the harsh western winter without a wet nurse. A marriage of convenience with this grieving mother seems to be the only answer. Fighting for the acceptance of their charges gives Jake and Elizabeth new purpose. With the Christmas season approaching, dare they hope that they also could receive the gift of love?
December 24, 2008
There were a lot of modern sensibilities throughout, but it was still solidly written. I appreciated Elizabeth's difficulty in getting through her grief at the loss of her husband and child and the bad guys (her husband, the town harpy) were layered and not totally evil. No easy solutions to the problems presented, but there were hopeful ones appropriate for the time and season. I really liked it, and Krissy, I think you will too.
I'm really surprised at how much I enjoy the Love Inspired series. They seem to be consistently good, even across authors, which I've not found in other lines.
I'm really surprised at how much I enjoy the Love Inspired series. They seem to be consistently good, even across authors, which I've not found in other lines.
November 11, 2016
While I enjoyed this Love Inspired read I do feel like with most of these little books the emotional angst that the major characters are going through takes up too much of the story and becomes quite repetitive and by the end when all is resolved is just when the read is getting good. Calico Christmas did have a nice winter Christmas feel to it and I thought the knowledge of dyeing materials to be a added interest. Some of my favorite parts were Annabelle and Higgins and the added touches about Virginia; and after the last page all I could think about was where did Colter take off to?
November 13, 2017
It never fails, around this time of year, I start craving sappy old-timey Christmas stories, which are a bit hard to find. This one appear because of the whole frontier / pioneer aspect, but the religious aspect was more irritating then expected. Additionally, it focused less on the parts I would have liked: living on the frontier and the surviving day to day aspects, and much more on the town and the other people in it.
Over all, this did not meet my needs, and I will keep looking.
Over all, this did not meet my needs, and I will keep looking.
December 10, 2020
All For the Love of Jake
She had been a Wife and Mother to Matthew and Rose, on the trail to a new home, when the fever took them from her. Fifteen days later she remarried Jake and became a Mother and wife to another family. She felt guilty but with the kindness Matthew never had, Jake won her heart. This probably could have happened in real life in those days. It was very interesting.
She had been a Wife and Mother to Matthew and Rose, on the trail to a new home, when the fever took them from her. Fifteen days later she remarried Jake and became a Mother and wife to another family. She felt guilty but with the kindness Matthew never had, Jake won her heart. This probably could have happened in real life in those days. It was very interesting.
November 18, 2017
I LOVED this book and was hooked from the beginning. I really enjoyed the fact that there was more to the story than just the usual back and forth between the 2 main characters. I love how the author has a more natural approach and both characters allow things to fall into place as opposed to fighting it the whole book. Really enjoyed this book, definitely recommended!
November 26, 2021
This is the first book I've read in a while that focuses on this era and this part of America, and it was fun and well researched.
One more to go before I finish my backlog of Harlequin Christmas books.
One more to go before I finish my backlog of Harlequin Christmas books.
July 10, 2019
A wonderful love story that also tells some Montana history.
August 21, 2023
Loved this book
December 15, 2014
Elizabeth O'Brien came west with her husband and baby daughter to start a store. The influenza took Matthew and Rose. Now she is just waiting in her wagon to die. Only it seems to be taking a long time to happen.
Jake Hargrove has been left with his 2 Lakota-Sioux half-nieces to bring up. Spotted Fawn is 9, but the other girl is just a baby who needs a wet nurse. Elizabeth is his only hope ~ he just wasn't expecting her to be quite so young...or so pretty. He offers a marriage of convenience, with the promise that she can leave in the spring if she wishes. It isn't long though before Jake is hoping he can convince his wife to stay, and for her to be his true wife, and for them to provide a forever family for the girls.
A lovely story set during the Christmas season. I liked how the theme of redemption was shown, and also how the schoolchildren learnt that we are all different colours on the outside (be it skin, hair or eye colour) but all the same on the inside. I loved how this theme was brought out through Elizabeth's skill of dying fabric.
Now reading Colter and Virginia's story (friends of Jake and Elizabeth) in
Jake Hargrove has been left with his 2 Lakota-Sioux half-nieces to bring up. Spotted Fawn is 9, but the other girl is just a baby who needs a wet nurse. Elizabeth is his only hope ~ he just wasn't expecting her to be quite so young...or so pretty. He offers a marriage of convenience, with the promise that she can leave in the spring if she wishes. It isn't long though before Jake is hoping he can convince his wife to stay, and for her to be his true wife, and for them to provide a forever family for the girls.
A lovely story set during the Christmas season. I liked how the theme of redemption was shown, and also how the schoolchildren learnt that we are all different colours on the outside (be it skin, hair or eye colour) but all the same on the inside. I loved how this theme was brought out through Elizabeth's skill of dying fabric.
Now reading Colter and Virginia's story (friends of Jake and Elizabeth) in
October 2, 2019
This is a great story and book. The Montana territory was the land of dreams for Elizabeth. Never having a family until she married Matthew and gave birth to Rose. When they died of influenza she wanted to die too, but she did not. Instead she lived and when Jake proposes Marriage to get a mom for his Indian nieces and one is an infant Mary who needs nursing she agrees. He tries to buy her a wedding ring but she refuses.They are married the same day by the preacher with 2 witnesses. Jake takes them back to his cabin. Elizabeth holds him to his promise of being married only in name and not sleeping together.Jake is impressed with Elizabeth's ability to love his nieces and make their cabin a home. When they send Spotted Fawn who is about 9 years old to school even though she is dressed just like them, the school kids are cruel to her and it divides the town and even the church. As partners Elizabeth and Jake work on breaking teh towns people of their prejudices, but it is Spotted Fawn anda towns boy who totally disarm their prejudices. Jake is such a good husband Elizabeth does not want to leave him, but by loving Jake is she being disloyal to her dead husband and Baby? This is an wonderful story of loss and love. Can Elizabeth love another family?
January 6, 2010
I love Janet's Dry Creek series with Love Inspired, but this is a Love Inspired Historical--going back to the early days of Dry Creek and Miles City. It's a Christmas story, but you could read it any time of the year.
In 1879 Elizabeth O'Brien is a young widow who loses her husband and baby to influenza not long after coming to the Montana territory. Jake Hargrove is desperate, looking for someone to nurse his baby niece and help him with her older sister--little girls who are half-Sioux, orphaned not long after Jake's brother asks Jake to take care of them when their mother dies. Jake has never been married and must find help quick--and no one else will take little girls who are half-Indian.
I love the details in this story--of Elizabeth's expertise in cooking and dyeing cloth, of the harsh realities of living in the Northwest and how to survive, mourn, of prejudice and fears and relying on God.
In 1879 Elizabeth O'Brien is a young widow who loses her husband and baby to influenza not long after coming to the Montana territory. Jake Hargrove is desperate, looking for someone to nurse his baby niece and help him with her older sister--little girls who are half-Sioux, orphaned not long after Jake's brother asks Jake to take care of them when their mother dies. Jake has never been married and must find help quick--and no one else will take little girls who are half-Indian.
I love the details in this story--of Elizabeth's expertise in cooking and dyeing cloth, of the harsh realities of living in the Northwest and how to survive, mourn, of prejudice and fears and relying on God.
July 31, 2015
Dry Creek (Historical)
Book 1
I've read every one of the contemporary Dry Creek books and loved them. This is the first in the historical line, and we get to discover the origins of Mrs. Hargrove's family (She's in most of the Dry Creek books). The author writes this in the same tone she writes the Dry Creek. I find the tone rather simplistic and unique - hardly believing sometimes how simple these people seem...and how easily people change their minds. But I really liked reading this book.
Marriage of Convenience stories are always good. I love watching a man and woman come together for a greater purpose then falling in love...This family was of mixed race since Jake's nieces were Indians (their father was a half-breed, but their mother was a whole). The author does well in the prejudice line. I found the drama surrounding the church/school entertaining and sadly very realistic.
Book 1
I've read every one of the contemporary Dry Creek books and loved them. This is the first in the historical line, and we get to discover the origins of Mrs. Hargrove's family (She's in most of the Dry Creek books). The author writes this in the same tone she writes the Dry Creek. I find the tone rather simplistic and unique - hardly believing sometimes how simple these people seem...and how easily people change their minds. But I really liked reading this book.
Marriage of Convenience stories are always good. I love watching a man and woman come together for a greater purpose then falling in love...This family was of mixed race since Jake's nieces were Indians (their father was a half-breed, but their mother was a whole). The author does well in the prejudice line. I found the drama surrounding the church/school entertaining and sadly very realistic.
April 6, 2011
I really enjoyed this book. "Frontier life" stories are often fun with the added dimensions of the hardships of living in such primitive and harsh conditions. I really enjoyed Jake and Elizabeth's characters. I thought they showed good character building and strengthening. The romance was more gradual as they worked together to deal with the rest of the plot, but it was good. It was also a good amount of Christian theme. Sometimes authors get preachy, but this one was great - just the right touch of learning how to accept God's will and desires for us. The side characters were very realistic and human - always an added bonus. I would love to read more of this.
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June 18, 2013
Very clean entertaining christian story. The story focuses mostly on gaining acceptance for Jake's nieces, who are mostly native american, not on the relationship between the new couple or their adopted daughters. Elizabeth's troubles are lightly touched upon. The pain of losing her infant and husband is only nodded at. The guilt she carries for not having loved her spouse is explored a bit more. Jake is just a shadow in the background even though he's the hero. I left the book not know much about him other than he loved his nieces and wife. The main villain is not as evil as we think in the beginning, but bad enough to garner a great deal of animosity. Side characters are likable. While this book is enjoyable, I would have liked to know a everyone a lot more.
All read
All read
December 31, 2015
This was such a great book! I thought it was funny, how Elizabeth prepared for her burial but couldn't seem to die. There was just something comical, yet sad at the same time, since she's lost her husband & baby. I enjoyed reading about the plants that make different colored dyes. I've used a couple myself, just for fun. I only disliked the ending for Colter & Virginia, as their romantic dilemma was left unsolved. My favorite part of the story us how Spotted Fawn win the hearts of her schoolmates & I enjoyed seeing Mrs Barker's heart thawing at the end. A great inspirational historical romance!
September 2, 2016
One of my very first Love Inspired books (but by no means the last!), I greatly enjoyed this tale of love slowly discovered between a couple thrown together by circumstance, and the precious children in their care. However, while I was enraptured by the evolution of Elizabeth and Jake's love story, it was the quieter, more subtle connection between the saloon owner Colter and Virginia, the innocent singer he employs that tugged most fervently on my heartstrings, and I can't wait to read the rest of their story in Mistletoe Courtship!
April 22, 2012
Very unusual beginning that captivated me, then the story takes a twist I would never have expected. This book continually surprises with every page that is turned, and the ending will bring tears to your eyes!
July 23, 2009
very good
June 28, 2011
I liked the story...it showed a lot about how to deal with prejudice and deal with grief and anger
February 16, 2012
I've enjoyed it very much.
This romance has great characters and an excellent plot.
This book is a Page-turner and I recommend it to anyone looking for a well-written romance!
This romance has great characters and an excellent plot.
This book is a Page-turner and I recommend it to anyone looking for a well-written romance!
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April 3, 2012I always enjoy Janet's books!
July 18, 2012
This is a long book and a little more well behaved then I usually read but still a really good read.
October 15, 2012
One of the first families of Dry Creek - Jake Hargrove and his story. Love it.
April 9, 2020
I don't have the words to really do it justice
December 31, 2014
This was a beautiful story, I don't get into historical books much, but this was a very sweet story of love,loss, family, community, and communion of race
October 23, 2015
An easy read with predictable challenges and ending. I was looking for something quick and without a lot of depth, I was not disappointed.
April 18, 2022
Good read. Unexpected ending
November 30, 2023
Great christmas story with a great message.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews