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Change and Cherish Historical #2
A Tendering in the Storm
A Story of Tender Truths About a Woman’s Desperate Efforts
to Shelter Her Family
Determined to raise her children on her own terms, Emma suddenly finds herself alone and pregnant with her third child, struggling to keep her family secure in the remote coastal forest of the Washington Territory. With loss and disappointment as her fuel, she kindles a fire that soon threatens to consume her, making a series of poor choices that take her into dangerous relationships.
As clouds of despair close in, she must decide whether to continue in her own waning strength or to humble herself and accept help from the very people she once so eagerly left behind.
Based on a True Story
to Shelter Her Family
Determined to raise her children on her own terms, Emma suddenly finds herself alone and pregnant with her third child, struggling to keep her family secure in the remote coastal forest of the Washington Territory. With loss and disappointment as her fuel, she kindles a fire that soon threatens to consume her, making a series of poor choices that take her into dangerous relationships.
As clouds of despair close in, she must decide whether to continue in her own waning strength or to humble herself and accept help from the very people she once so eagerly left behind.
Based on a True Story
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
61 people are currently reading
426 people want to read
About the author
Jane Kirkpatrick
68 books1,053 followersKirkpatrick brings us a story of one woman's restoration from personal grief to the meaning of community."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
July 3, 2025
A Tendering in the Storm by Jane Kirkpatrick follows Emma’s struggles after losing her husbandThe author does a great job bringing the hardships and loneliness of pioneer life alive.
I admired her strength and determination to survive in a world that offered her so few options as a widowed woman. The historical details were fascinating, especially the glimpse into communal societies and the challenges they faced.
The novel is about grief, survival, and faith. It is a historical fiction novel that dives deep into a character’s emotional journey.
I admired her strength and determination to survive in a world that offered her so few options as a widowed woman. The historical details were fascinating, especially the glimpse into communal societies and the challenges they faced.
The novel is about grief, survival, and faith. It is a historical fiction novel that dives deep into a character’s emotional journey.
January 31, 2014
Although I can't seem to really get into these books, I do enjoy them on some level. Reading about Emma's spiritual journey--and that of others around her--helps me to examine my own faith. I also appreciate the historical aspects of the novels.
The structure was a little different from the first book, in that a few chapters were written from another character's perspective. Both women mention a few times that they are writing in journals, though the book does not have that feel to it at all. Those comments seemed awkwardly thrown in and unnecessary. There's also a moment where Emma pulls an anecdote from the future that gives away part of the book, and that too was unnecessary and awkward.
To its credit, though, I went through quite a few emotions while reading this book: anger, frustration, helplessness, sorrow, fear, anger... oh wait, I already said that. Let me explain:
The insufferable male characters from the first book become more sufferable in this book, though they still have their moments. However, a new male character is introduced who makes the first two seem like perfect little lambs. He is absolutely infuriating. As for the sorrow part, there's a terrible shocking twist towards the middle. For not being attached to this book, I was pretty emotional from this point forward (outwardly so. My husband was a bit concerned).
Although my review thus far makes it sound pretty terrible, A Tendering in the Storm does has some joyous moments, and the ending is absolutely beautiful. It will take your emotions for a ride, but in the end it's all worth it.
*I received the Emma of Aurora trilogy free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
**Review originally posted on poetree.
The structure was a little different from the first book, in that a few chapters were written from another character's perspective. Both women mention a few times that they are writing in journals, though the book does not have that feel to it at all. Those comments seemed awkwardly thrown in and unnecessary. There's also a moment where Emma pulls an anecdote from the future that gives away part of the book, and that too was unnecessary and awkward.
To its credit, though, I went through quite a few emotions while reading this book: anger, frustration, helplessness, sorrow, fear, anger... oh wait, I already said that. Let me explain:
The insufferable male characters from the first book become more sufferable in this book, though they still have their moments. However, a new male character is introduced who makes the first two seem like perfect little lambs. He is absolutely infuriating. As for the sorrow part, there's a terrible shocking twist towards the middle. For not being attached to this book, I was pretty emotional from this point forward (outwardly so. My husband was a bit concerned).
Although my review thus far makes it sound pretty terrible, A Tendering in the Storm does has some joyous moments, and the ending is absolutely beautiful. It will take your emotions for a ride, but in the end it's all worth it.
*I received the Emma of Aurora trilogy free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
**Review originally posted on poetree.
July 18, 2008
I read all 3 books in this series, A Clearing in the Wild, A Tendering in the Storm and A Mending at the Edge. They follow a woman, Emma Wagner Giesy in her journey from Bethel, Missouri to Willipa, Washington and then on to Aurora, Oregon. She is part of a religious group led by a Wilhelm Keil. During this journey she learns a great deal about herself. I wanted to read this book as I volunteer with the Aurora Colony Historical Society. I did enjoy the book as it gave me a great look into the lives of these people and as a volunteer that information is great! However, it didn't capture my attention as much as I would have liked and the story moved along a bit slow for me. I felt the three books could have been condensed into one or maybe two. I think people get bored and turned off with the first book and never make it to the next two so they can read more as the story unfolds. I kept with it because it was a book about the very settlement I volunteer with. If this had not been the case I would have not continued reading that and I had to know the end, of course!
April 5, 2018
A Tendering in the Storm by Jane Kirkpatrick
Year: 1850s
Emma Giesy: Main character, first of two voices in the book
Christian Giesy: Love of Emma's life/1st husband
Jack Giesy: 2nd husband - emotional and drinking problems
Wilhelm Keil: Leader of the Bethelites
Louisa Keil: Wilhelm Keil's wife, second of two voices in the book
Locations: Washington territory/Aurora, Oregon
Second book in the Change and Cherish series, based on a true story about the Bethelites as this book calls them. This is a religious "utopian" society. (If you Google Bethelites you will not find this group. The true name is actually Aurora Colony Aurora Colony). It was more or less a socialist commune, founded in Pennsylvania by Wilhelm Keil, which moved to Missouri then the Pacific Northwest . This book is based on a true story of this sect, with Emma Giesy as the main voice throughout, Louisa Keil being the second voice.
In the first book Emma married the much older Christian Giesy who was directed by Wilhelm to scout a new territory to relocate the Bethel Colony from Missouri to the Pacific Northwest. When the Bethel colony arrived about a year later, Wilhelm wasn't satisfied with the Willapa area of Washington Territory that Christian had settled, so he and moved most of their colony further south, below what is now Portland.
In this book Emma is rarely happy. Her husband travels a lot for business, she abhors the leader of the colony, her in-laws don't like her, then tragedy strikes and her life turns upside down. Things go from merely acceptable to horrible.
This was a hard book to read. Emma isn't a terribly likable person. She still seems young, bases most of what she sees and does on her feelings, does not rely on the Lord, and always wants her way. She makes a decision about how to handle her unfortunate circumstances without seeking wise counsel. It was uncomfortable to read, and I found I was virtually unsympathetic toward her. She was impetuous and it caused her and her children a great deal of emotional damage.
The colony is lead by a megalomaniac who most followers seem to believe is God's mouthpiece, which makes me wonder why all these people followed him. I have the third book, but I don't think I don't know that I'm going to read it. This is not a feel good series. That's not necessarily bad, but it isn't fun to read. I need something a bit more uplifting right now.
I cannot especially recommend this except for someone who is good with difficult realism and for if you're interested in historical fiction for the sake of the history.
Year: 1850s
Emma Giesy: Main character, first of two voices in the book
Christian Giesy: Love of Emma's life/1st husband
Jack Giesy: 2nd husband - emotional and drinking problems
Wilhelm Keil: Leader of the Bethelites
Louisa Keil: Wilhelm Keil's wife, second of two voices in the book
Locations: Washington territory/Aurora, Oregon
Second book in the Change and Cherish series, based on a true story about the Bethelites as this book calls them. This is a religious "utopian" society. (If you Google Bethelites you will not find this group. The true name is actually Aurora Colony Aurora Colony). It was more or less a socialist commune, founded in Pennsylvania by Wilhelm Keil, which moved to Missouri then the Pacific Northwest . This book is based on a true story of this sect, with Emma Giesy as the main voice throughout, Louisa Keil being the second voice.
In the first book Emma married the much older Christian Giesy who was directed by Wilhelm to scout a new territory to relocate the Bethel Colony from Missouri to the Pacific Northwest. When the Bethel colony arrived about a year later, Wilhelm wasn't satisfied with the Willapa area of Washington Territory that Christian had settled, so he and moved most of their colony further south, below what is now Portland.
In this book Emma is rarely happy. Her husband travels a lot for business, she abhors the leader of the colony, her in-laws don't like her, then tragedy strikes and her life turns upside down. Things go from merely acceptable to horrible.
This was a hard book to read. Emma isn't a terribly likable person. She still seems young, bases most of what she sees and does on her feelings, does not rely on the Lord, and always wants her way. She makes a decision about how to handle her unfortunate circumstances without seeking wise counsel. It was uncomfortable to read, and I found I was virtually unsympathetic toward her. She was impetuous and it caused her and her children a great deal of emotional damage.
The colony is lead by a megalomaniac who most followers seem to believe is God's mouthpiece, which makes me wonder why all these people followed him. I have the third book, but I don't think I don't know that I'm going to read it. This is not a feel good series. That's not necessarily bad, but it isn't fun to read. I need something a bit more uplifting right now.
I cannot especially recommend this except for someone who is good with difficult realism and for if you're interested in historical fiction for the sake of the history.
August 21, 2013
A Tendering In the Storm" by Jane Kirkpatrick gets 4 stars from me! I gave it 4 stars because parts of it was slow reading but enjoyed the book. These books are based on a true story.
"A Tending in the Storm" is the second book in the Change and Cherish Historical series. My review for "A Clearing in the Wild is on a different post (May 9, 2013). " A Tending in the Storm" picks up where the first book leaves off.
This book is written in both Emma and Louisa (wife of the colony's leader) point of view.
Emma is a strong willed woman and has dreams of having her own home.
Emma is left a widow after Christian's drowning accident. She then discovers she is pregnant with her third child. She tries to hold the family together. It is hard for her , remember they are apart of a colony that Emma doesn't want to be a part of it. And she blames the colony life for Christian's death.
Emma's makes a choice to marry Christian's cousin Jack to keep her son Andy. But she soon learns that was not a wise choice. Emma has to face many challenges in this book, such as illness of both her son and herself. Her new husband is a mean guy.
Emma is forced to make another choice that she doesn't like to protect her 4 children. Yes she has a child by Jack.
I was surprised by the people who helped her escape Jack's.
Her choice is to go back to the colony, but she learns that maybe it wasn't always like she thought it was.
Emma's story is continued in "A Mending at the Edge"
I see Louisa as a different sort of person since reading her words, than I did in the first book. I had her pictured as a cranky person but she really did what she did because she believed in her husband and tried to help to help the colony.
I am going to start reading "A Mending at the Edge" and see what happens to Emma's and her children.
I hope to learn that her oldest son Andy fulfills his dreams and becomes a doctor. I also hope that Emma sees her parents again. These are dreams that are mention in this book but not fulfilled yet. So I will close this review so I can read the third book and found the answers to my questions!
"A Tending in the Storm" is the second book in the Change and Cherish Historical series. My review for "A Clearing in the Wild is on a different post (May 9, 2013). " A Tending in the Storm" picks up where the first book leaves off.
This book is written in both Emma and Louisa (wife of the colony's leader) point of view.
Emma is a strong willed woman and has dreams of having her own home.
Emma is left a widow after Christian's drowning accident. She then discovers she is pregnant with her third child. She tries to hold the family together. It is hard for her , remember they are apart of a colony that Emma doesn't want to be a part of it. And she blames the colony life for Christian's death.
Emma's makes a choice to marry Christian's cousin Jack to keep her son Andy. But she soon learns that was not a wise choice. Emma has to face many challenges in this book, such as illness of both her son and herself. Her new husband is a mean guy.
Emma is forced to make another choice that she doesn't like to protect her 4 children. Yes she has a child by Jack.
I was surprised by the people who helped her escape Jack's.
Her choice is to go back to the colony, but she learns that maybe it wasn't always like she thought it was.
Emma's story is continued in "A Mending at the Edge"
I see Louisa as a different sort of person since reading her words, than I did in the first book. I had her pictured as a cranky person but she really did what she did because she believed in her husband and tried to help to help the colony.
I am going to start reading "A Mending at the Edge" and see what happens to Emma's and her children.
I hope to learn that her oldest son Andy fulfills his dreams and becomes a doctor. I also hope that Emma sees her parents again. These are dreams that are mention in this book but not fulfilled yet. So I will close this review so I can read the third book and found the answers to my questions!
May 31, 2008
A Tendering in the Storm is a must-read for historical fiction lovers. If you want insight into the hardships from the 19th century pioneers who left everything to move west hoping for a better life, then you'll love this story. If you find oppressive religious groups intriguing, you'll want to check this story out. If you'd like to reflect on how few rights women had in the mid-1860s then this is the book for you! To quote a cliche, We've come a long way, baby!
After finding the author's bio and reading that she is a certified social worker, I now see where she got her insight for this book. No dysfunction is easy to understand. All people are complex. But there are certain truths that exist in human nature and the author insightfully captured them all. Her illumination of the human heart and certain domestic issues is superb. I can't say what those issues are or I'll blow part of the storyline, but I will say that the subtly of how people are lured from their good senses--because of sometimes desperate situations--is expertly shown in this novel.
I loved this story. It's real. It's deep. It's edgy...and it's not at all boring.
A Tendering in the Storm was published by Waterbrook and released in April 2007.
After finding the author's bio and reading that she is a certified social worker, I now see where she got her insight for this book. No dysfunction is easy to understand. All people are complex. But there are certain truths that exist in human nature and the author insightfully captured them all. Her illumination of the human heart and certain domestic issues is superb. I can't say what those issues are or I'll blow part of the storyline, but I will say that the subtly of how people are lured from their good senses--because of sometimes desperate situations--is expertly shown in this novel.
I loved this story. It's real. It's deep. It's edgy...and it's not at all boring.
A Tendering in the Storm was published by Waterbrook and released in April 2007.
August 18, 2011
I'm about half-way through and I just can't keep going. I read the first book in the series, and it was okay. What made me want to read the entire series in the first place is that it is based on an actual woman, her family and her close-knit religious community and I find their story fascinating. However, I feel like I'm reading the first book all over again. There is nothing happy or bright in either the first or second books. Everything is dark, depressing and dismal. Also, I find the author's way of writing a little strange and sometimes hard to follow. And to top it off, I find the main character completely unlikeable.
January 21, 2013
ehh...did not like it at all, kept on reading to try to figure out why Emma was so dang pig headed! I really like Jane Kirkpatrick books, but this one was not a good one.
October 16, 2020
This one was hard for me to read. As I watched Emma Giesy make one mistake after another thanks to her pride, I could only shake my head. Everything she did and felt seemed like something I would do in the same circumstances. I didn't like the way the religious commune and her inlaws treated her, especially when they cheated her out of her sons for so many months. I never fully understood why they wanted the boys and not her daughters, but if it were me, I'd feel exactly the same way she did: best to be totally independent than to be beholdin' to the likes of those folks. And the ultimate mistake of marrying a man who was controlling and abusive made me shudder. I'd like to think I wouldn't do that, but who knows?
I'm so glad things worked out in the end and the commune wasn't as bad as it had been painted through Emma's jaded mind, but so many times in the book, I found my self furious about what was happening to her. Again, it was hard for me to read. Excellent book, excellent writing. Just hard.
I'm so glad things worked out in the end and the commune wasn't as bad as it had been painted through Emma's jaded mind, but so many times in the book, I found my self furious about what was happening to her. Again, it was hard for me to read. Excellent book, excellent writing. Just hard.
August 3, 2013
Emma Wagner’s story continues as the family tries to find a way to thrive in the new land on the coast of Washington Territory. The mysteries of God make themselves apparent again in Emma’s life as she must deal with tragedies unforeseen. This middle section of the saga is the most heartbreaking to be sure and the book is aptly titled; you can really see how God is tenderizing the hard heart of this stubborn German woman. This is where your world view comes into crucial importance. How do you perceive your own trials? How much of what happens to you is just chance, how much is your own fault (reaping what you’ve sown), or is it in the sovereign plan and purpose of a loving God?
A main theme here is self-sufficiency and pride (doesn’t it always seem to come down to pride? So relentless). Emma is not one to learn things in the easy way. It seems she must err and suffer for it before she can let go of her own perceptions and insecurities. Truly, God backs her into a corner where she has very few choices, none of them pleasant. Trusting others is so very difficult (not without valid reasons) but ultimately we must learn that it is God alone in whom we must place our total trust.
I liked watching Emma learn how to change her thought life, the heart of our perceptions, behaviors and choices. When she found negative and doubting thoughts plaguing her, she would consciously pitch them away, telling herself, “No, I will not think that way!”
This book is every bit as good as the first; truly it is just one story, split into 3 books. Once you begin, you must continue on to the end. The fact that the story is based on real people just makes it that much more compelling.
A main theme here is self-sufficiency and pride (doesn’t it always seem to come down to pride? So relentless). Emma is not one to learn things in the easy way. It seems she must err and suffer for it before she can let go of her own perceptions and insecurities. Truly, God backs her into a corner where she has very few choices, none of them pleasant. Trusting others is so very difficult (not without valid reasons) but ultimately we must learn that it is God alone in whom we must place our total trust.
I liked watching Emma learn how to change her thought life, the heart of our perceptions, behaviors and choices. When she found negative and doubting thoughts plaguing her, she would consciously pitch them away, telling herself, “No, I will not think that way!”
This book is every bit as good as the first; truly it is just one story, split into 3 books. Once you begin, you must continue on to the end. The fact that the story is based on real people just makes it that much more compelling.
July 31, 2021
Book II in the Change and Cherish Historical Series--Emma Giesy, a strong-willed German American who had been a part of the Bethelites in Missouri and went west with her husband Christian in order to find a new settlement, faces new challenges of life after her husband drowns and she learns she is pregnant with her third child. Because she is so independent and determined to make it on her own, she doesn't see the care, concern, and consideration others from the colony wish to extend to her. When she feels as if she can't make it herself, she makes a rash decision, weaving her own threads, rather than waiting on God or accepting the love and aid of others, always misreading the offers given to her, feeling she's under obligation--and she doesn't want that either.
When she reaches the end of her rope regarding the protection of her children, she begins to find peace and joy--returning to her faith foundation too. Oh, but the pain she must endure before she gets to that point.
Kirkpatrick has allowed Emma to be a dynamic character--with strength, determination, deep longing, depth of emotion and thought. The plot is very complex. Using Louisa and Emma as narrators, Kirkpatrick weaves together to very different women in perspective, but very alike in their values. I can hardly wait to read the sequel.
When she reaches the end of her rope regarding the protection of her children, she begins to find peace and joy--returning to her faith foundation too. Oh, but the pain she must endure before she gets to that point.
Kirkpatrick has allowed Emma to be a dynamic character--with strength, determination, deep longing, depth of emotion and thought. The plot is very complex. Using Louisa and Emma as narrators, Kirkpatrick weaves together to very different women in perspective, but very alike in their values. I can hardly wait to read the sequel.
February 17, 2013
A Tendering in the Storm recounts a troubled time in Emma’s life. The colony has splintered. Keil is disappointed with the choice of Willipa for a homeland. He moves most of the colony to Aurora Oregon. The scouts and some of the colony members fracture into a small group remaining in Willipa. Back in Bethel Missouri many of the original colony, including Emma’s parents, have elected to stay and abandon the move west. Christian and Emma built a small cottage on a plot of their own land. Emma is delighted in having a home of her own, outside the colony’s rule. She cherishes her children and husband. Life is full of possibility. Christian’s sudden death breaks her heart and puts everything she holds dear in jeopardy. Christian’s family is not content to leave her alone to raise her sons. Their help feels overbearing to Emma, the more they push the more Emma withdraws into her grief. Eventually, in desperation, she makes a horribly poor decision. It will change her life. Jane Kirkpatrick manages to show Emma’s prickly independence along with her vulnerability. She is devoted to her children, willing to do anything to keep them safe.. Struggling to save her family and overcome her disastrous choice, Emma makes a bold move.
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September 4, 2007emma and her husband christian moved out to the washington territory with the missouri bethelites, under the leadership of whilhelm keil. emma and her husband have broken off a bit from the group, however, and moved to the coast where he is trying his hand at oystering. emma is a strong willed woman who resents much of the rule that this religious sect has on her, so her influence was what caused the split. emma may have to change her ways, however, when tragedy strikes and she is forced to learn to depend on others.[return]besides emma, kiel's wife louisa also shares some of her story, which adds variety as she is a much different character than emma. i found this story a bit hard to get into at first. it's the second of the series so i didn't have the back story, and the ways of this community and their old world speech took a bit of getting used to. emma is a very sympathetic character and the portrayl of her spiritual journey seems true to life, with a satisfying ending. anyone who is interested in the history of christian religious movements and sects like this one will find this one particularly interesting.
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April 4, 2009When you find yourself strongly tempted to pray for the characters in a book I think it safe to say the author has done a good job of character development! Such was the state I found myself in while reading a Tendering in the Storm...wanting to help the main character make good decisions, wanting to expose others bad behavior through prayer and having to remind myself they didn't exist and the story was already done.
Likewise, a sign of a good story line is when it inspires you to do something different in you own life. One scene in A Tendering in the Storm has Emma making a difficult journey on a mule when she barely had strength to stand. She got tough and did it.
I live on a remote ranch an hour from town and at the same time I was reading this scene, a horse got hurt and had to go to the vet. I, too, was extremely physically weak and felt unable. Then I thought, "If Emma can do it, I can do it!" So, I made the trip and did fine...in fact, by the end of the day, I felt better.
Thanks, Jane, for continuing to be a good steward of your incredible talent and thus impacting our lives. A Tendering in the Storm is your most compelling book yet.
Likewise, a sign of a good story line is when it inspires you to do something different in you own life. One scene in A Tendering in the Storm has Emma making a difficult journey on a mule when she barely had strength to stand. She got tough and did it.
I live on a remote ranch an hour from town and at the same time I was reading this scene, a horse got hurt and had to go to the vet. I, too, was extremely physically weak and felt unable. Then I thought, "If Emma can do it, I can do it!" So, I made the trip and did fine...in fact, by the end of the day, I felt better.
Thanks, Jane, for continuing to be a good steward of your incredible talent and thus impacting our lives. A Tendering in the Storm is your most compelling book yet.
August 31, 2013
I love Jane Kirkpatrick's books. She give a no nonsense look at the old
West. A lot of her books are set in the Pacific Northwest where I live so I enjoy the sense of knowing the area. This one takes place in future state of Washington but has ties to Aurora, Oregon where I've visited many times. On my next visit I will be seeing it through different eyes, looking for traces of Wilhelm and Louisa Keil and others. Bruceport and Woodard's Landing, Washington are now on my bucket list.
The first book in this series was "A Clearing in the Wild." I enjoyed that one so much I've started on A Tendering in the Storm. This is the continuing story of Emma Giesy and her life in the wilderness of the Washington Territory; carving out a home and a living and dealing with tragedy and triumph. Emma is a delightful character. She a strong-willed woman with a determination to make things go her way. Of course they don't; but she is up to the challenge even if it means suffering for it.
***
Finished this book a couple weeks ago. I enjoyed it and while the ending was somewhat of a surprise, it was a pleasant surprise. Good read, easy read but complicated characters that are interesting.
West. A lot of her books are set in the Pacific Northwest where I live so I enjoy the sense of knowing the area. This one takes place in future state of Washington but has ties to Aurora, Oregon where I've visited many times. On my next visit I will be seeing it through different eyes, looking for traces of Wilhelm and Louisa Keil and others. Bruceport and Woodard's Landing, Washington are now on my bucket list.
The first book in this series was "A Clearing in the Wild." I enjoyed that one so much I've started on A Tendering in the Storm. This is the continuing story of Emma Giesy and her life in the wilderness of the Washington Territory; carving out a home and a living and dealing with tragedy and triumph. Emma is a delightful character. She a strong-willed woman with a determination to make things go her way. Of course they don't; but she is up to the challenge even if it means suffering for it.
***
Finished this book a couple weeks ago. I enjoyed it and while the ending was somewhat of a surprise, it was a pleasant surprise. Good read, easy read but complicated characters that are interesting.
August 24, 2016
A book about pioneer life in the west -- when women had no rights, men owned the property, made the rules and women obeyed. Emma was a young widow with three young children to raise after her husband drowned helping someone in the water . She wanted to be independent without needing anyone's help but soon discovered she needed her community. Life was hard -- she milked the cows and goat, churned butter and cared for a garden. Widows were often not allowed to raise their sons by themselves and the sons were given to other family members. She wanted to raise her children herself and decided to accept a marriage proposal so the community would not try to remove her children. It was a loveless marriage arrangement and she soon became aware that her husband was violent and quite uncaring. For the safety and protection of herself and her children she devised a plan of escape. Fortunately she had a community that took her in and protected her.
May 9, 2007
In the 1st book in this series, we find a young girl who lives in a religious type of colony. It rather reminded me of an Amish settlement in that they didn't want any type of influence from the outside world. The colony operates on sort of a co-op type of system. They all help each other & take what they need. Emma, is always looking to be different. She doesn't want to be like all the other women. In this book, we see how Emma comes to terms with these feelings. She still doesn't agree with all of the colony's ways, but it's really in how you look at it. After she & her husband branch away from the main cluster of the colony, she begins to believe that she's found her way. Then, tragedy strikes & circumstances force her to realize that being with the colony is the best thing for her & her children. This book was very inspirational, & a wonderful read!
March 24, 2014
Strong-willed Emma Giesy finds she is pregnant again within weeks of losing her husband, Christian. She is determined to make it on her own with her children as she owns the home and land they’d worked so hard to develop. She finds over and over again she is unable to handle everything by herself.
Big Jack Giesy, a cousin to her late husband, wants to marry her, but she sees much about him that troubles her. As she fights trial after trial Jack is always there to count on.
Author Jane Kirkpatrick show us beautiful scenery, develops easy to relate to characters, and grips our attention with page turning drama keeping one up late into the night to unfold the mystery of what is to become of resolute Emma.
Big Jack Giesy, a cousin to her late husband, wants to marry her, but she sees much about him that troubles her. As she fights trial after trial Jack is always there to count on.
Author Jane Kirkpatrick show us beautiful scenery, develops easy to relate to characters, and grips our attention with page turning drama keeping one up late into the night to unfold the mystery of what is to become of resolute Emma.
July 12, 2008
I wanted to read this because it is based on factual history and the main character is headstrong, like me... it was hard to get into the book, but once I stayed with it, it was a very interesting look at community settlers in the Washington territory in the 1850's. Not a super book, but a good story - and Emma, the headstrong woman - she learned, as I keep having to, that it is better to think and pray first, then act, rather than act and realize you should have thought and prayed before hand...and sometimes, things and people are not quite what quick judgment makes you feel...things haven't changed all that much from the 1850's..
October 29, 2013
I enjoyed this book. The setting of the story is in the Northwestern part of WA. That was a draw for me to read the book. In many ways I could relate to the main character. I like historical fiction. This book fits the bill. I usually complain about the endings of the books I read. This one ended well, which in turn satisfied me.
This book is the second in a trilogy. I wish I had know there was a first book before I started reading the second in the series. However this book seemed whole and complete to me as I read.
I started reading this book about a week and a half ago. It was easy reading and a book I always wanted to pick up again after putting it down.
This book is the second in a trilogy. I wish I had know there was a first book before I started reading the second in the series. However this book seemed whole and complete to me as I read.
I started reading this book about a week and a half ago. It was easy reading and a book I always wanted to pick up again after putting it down.
December 12, 2015
I own this book and have picked it up and tried to "plow through it" on three different occasions; each time hoping I would like it better but I haven't. I love history and applaud authors who tackle it. The subject matter of this book captured me because I live in Missouri and am aware of some of the history of the German religious settlements. So what is wrong with this book? It plods along, there is nothing to redeem it, none of the characters are likable , the story line is gloomy and then the reader has to revisit the plot through the eyes of more than one character. I just can't fathom how some folks gave this 5 stars!
June 25, 2015
Because I live(d) in Willapa area for 13 + years, the subject of this book grabbed my attention in wanting to determine if the character's experience of Willapa mirrored my thoughts about the area. I think the author got the information correctly. It continues to be a source of fascination to me in learning how people of that pioneering time in the wilderness days of the region coped, especially with the geography. It is a place of beauty to be sure, however wet, constantly wet is the operative word. After some years, the gloom of overcast skies, wet weather sets in and looking for those sunny days is much like finding a diamond in it's many prisms.
August 13, 2014
Emma Wagner's saga continued in the 2nd installment of the series. Married to Jack Giesy and pregnant with her third child, she believed her young family would thrive in Washington territory once they've broken free from the religious community. She wanted to do it on her own and struggled to keep her family secure from harm. With loss and disappointment, it ignited a sparking fire in her, which led her into making poor choices and into dangerous relationships. As a cloud of despair swarmed in, she would have to decide on managing on her own or seek help from the people she left behind.
October 17, 2008
This is the continuation of Emma Wagner Giesy's story. The story takes an unexpected turn of events in this book, and then leads her to make dangerous liasons and relationships all in an attempt to keep her family together without the oversight of the stifling extended family. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat if for no other reason than wishing you could reach through the pages and 'knock' some sense into her head! I wanted to yell at her, "can't you see what he's doing?" and so on...another story to make me thankful for the updated place women have in our society!
March 7, 2012
I am a BIG Jane Kirkpatrick fan and have read about 6 of her books (all historical fiction). This is #2 in a series of 3--I loved #1! A Tendering in the Storm dragged on and on in the middle--but I really liked the end. I could identify with the stubborness of Emma who comes to realize that her stubborness has turned into foolishness and that being strong and independent is sometimes easier than asking others for help. In the end she learns that asking for help makes her wiser and more connected with others.
May 22, 2016
This story was a little different because the POV switches every chapter or two from Emma's and Louisa's. At first I wasn't sure if I was going to like that, but I actually enjoyed it quite a bit because I got to know Louisa more this way...and even understand why she is the way she is. There were some sad events and seeing how the people involved dealt with them was interesting.
I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.
I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.
January 17, 2017
In this second book I got a bit impatient with the character of Emma as she seemed almost paranoid about Christian's parents, fearing that they were trying to take her sons, especially the older one, away from her. She also makes the mistake of not taking her problems to the Lord and to people who could have given her good advice. Later one or two of these people express the wish that she had let them know what she was thinking. I liked the resolution of the second book and am very interested in what goes on in the next.
March 2, 2009
This is my second time reading this series. The first time through I hated the middle book. It seemed to dark. Emma quoted scripture but never listened to the spirit. Upon my second reading I better understood her character and her reasons for doing things. I felt it shows how we often make decisions based on our knowledge and pride rather than humbling ourselves and asking what God would have us do. I learned much more this time.
March 23, 2009
This is the second book in Jane Kirkpatrick's Change & Cherish Historical series. It picks up where the first book left off...Emma & her family in the Willapa Bay area in the Washington Territory.
After reading the fist couple of chapters, it appears that Jane is giving her readers another female's perspective on life being part of the Bethelite colony that ventured west.
After reading the fist couple of chapters, it appears that Jane is giving her readers another female's perspective on life being part of the Bethelite colony that ventured west.
April 29, 2008
It took me awhile to "get into it" probably because it's been over a year since I read Book 1 in this 3-book historical novel series. I love Jane Kirkpatrick's writing style and the way she weaves the love of God and spiritual truths throughout the story of very real people and their struggles in life. And she does it without being the least bit preachy!
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