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Two Frontiers
Two Frontiers takes readers into the heart of the Mexican–American War and into the hearts of Elizabeth and Daniel who face the challenges of two frontiers as they start their new lives together. Travel from Concord to San Antonio, march in America’s first war on foreign soil, and join the heartaches and joys of a young family just trying to define home.
Soon after their marriage, Elizabeth and Daniel adopt his niece and nephew after a family tragedy takes the lives of their parents. This newly formed family heads from Concord to San Antonio where Daniel joins his peers to fight for the rights of Texans to claim their homeland as their own. He joins the troops as they head into America’s first foreign war. Follow the soldiers on their march to Mexico City. Remain in San Antonio with Elizabeth as she faces her own challenges at home. Pray with each of them as they struggle to survive.
“Every evening I sit in my rocking chair looking out over my farm near Nashville. I settled here as a compromise between the society of Massachusetts that brought my mother so much joy and the wildness of the frontier in Texas that my father loved so purely. The rolling hills here remind me that hope rolls on forever. The hope coveted by many but possessed by few kept both my mother and my father alive through many days that should have crushed their spirits ….”
Soon after their marriage, Elizabeth and Daniel adopt his niece and nephew after a family tragedy takes the lives of their parents. This newly formed family heads from Concord to San Antonio where Daniel joins his peers to fight for the rights of Texans to claim their homeland as their own. He joins the troops as they head into America’s first foreign war. Follow the soldiers on their march to Mexico City. Remain in San Antonio with Elizabeth as she faces her own challenges at home. Pray with each of them as they struggle to survive.
“Every evening I sit in my rocking chair looking out over my farm near Nashville. I settled here as a compromise between the society of Massachusetts that brought my mother so much joy and the wildness of the frontier in Texas that my father loved so purely. The rolling hills here remind me that hope rolls on forever. The hope coveted by many but possessed by few kept both my mother and my father alive through many days that should have crushed their spirits ….”
158 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 25, 2016
212 people want to read
About the author
Chris Pepple
13 books9 followersI am a poet, a published author, and a writing consultant living in Germantown, Tenn. I am also a writer-at-large for Southern Writers Magazine. As a published author, my works include Looking, Seeing (2018), Without a Voice (2017), Two Frontiers (2016), Writing Your Faith Journey (2016), Look to See Me: A Collection of Reflections (2006) and Reflections on Suffering: Defining Our Crosses and Letting Go of Pain (2012).
I speak to writing groups on topics such as self-publishing, how to find your own creative voice and how to break writer's block. Along with speaking to writing groups, I also speak nationally to churches and nonprofit organizations on a variety of motivational and spiritual topics. Current speaking series: Writing Your Faith: A Guide to Leaving a Written Faith Legacy and Defining Suffering: Carrying our Cross and Letting Go of Pain. I also speak to young adults and senior high youth on being aware of domestic violence issues and dating violence issues which still affect so many families in our nation.
I speak to writing groups on topics such as self-publishing, how to find your own creative voice and how to break writer's block. Along with speaking to writing groups, I also speak nationally to churches and nonprofit organizations on a variety of motivational and spiritual topics. Current speaking series: Writing Your Faith: A Guide to Leaving a Written Faith Legacy and Defining Suffering: Carrying our Cross and Letting Go of Pain. I also speak to young adults and senior high youth on being aware of domestic violence issues and dating violence issues which still affect so many families in our nation.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 24, 2016
*I received this book after winning Pepple's Goodreads Giveaway* --yay me!
This successful piece of historical fiction is one for the lovers. We embark on a journey, literally, to the other side of the country, from Concord to San Antonio, providing readers with a sense of history we don't all together see too much, the Mexican American War. It was nice to find literature focused away from the East coast, during the era of National Expansion, with some transcendental trends flowing throughout. This love story allows readers to explore themes of commitment, support, bravery, and what it means to let idealisms go for the sake of your family, life, and future.
Elizabeth begins as your typical woman, suffering with little to no opportunity to find a sense of self outside her community. Her headstrong, independent demeanor is consistent with Victorian figures we are too familiar with (Jane Eyre, Elizabeth Bennet, Margaret Hale). We grow to truly love and respect her, even if her courageous decision to raise William and Rose (after the loss of their parents to fever) is selfish, a plea for independence from her father, Ethan (a respectable businessman eager to expand educational and economic success in the Northeast). After falling in love with the children's lone caretaker, their uncle Daniel, the two move to Texas with the kids, as per Daniel's infatuation and commitment to the procurement of the West.
Once there, Daniel's political and social position confronts him with a tough decision, as the Mexican-American war is reaching a boil and he longs to fight alongside his peers in securing their homes. Ultimately, he becomes a soldier, battles for their freedoms, and is victorious, returning home to his welcoming, understanding family.
The only reason I did not give this book 5 stars is due to its overly-romanticized ending. In the 21st century, readers are accustomed to a little heartbreak, a riveting twist that both shatters and shocks readers. I personally find that this Mexican-American wartime love story lacks that element of surprise to truly capture its reader and provide a story that surpasses others, and sticks out. Yes, we are given a bit of a twist as Samuel and Elizabeth fall ill, clinging to life in the same manner their loving counterpart, Daniel is (in Mexico after a battle injury), but it's not enough. I enjoyed that their lives were seemingly parallel, each growing, struggling, and persevering, but we still needed that extra something, a little more UMPH. Instead, Elizabeth and Daniel live happily ever after, Ethan overcomes his stubbornness in deflecting Daniel and his odd priorities (rekindling his relationship with his daughter), and all go on to do amazing and noteworthy things. It's a joy to read, but is it satisfying?
Regardless, I would definitely recommend this book to historical fiction lovers looking for their next romantic thrill. Thank you for the free copy and the warm message! Best of luck to this first-time novelist.
This successful piece of historical fiction is one for the lovers. We embark on a journey, literally, to the other side of the country, from Concord to San Antonio, providing readers with a sense of history we don't all together see too much, the Mexican American War. It was nice to find literature focused away from the East coast, during the era of National Expansion, with some transcendental trends flowing throughout. This love story allows readers to explore themes of commitment, support, bravery, and what it means to let idealisms go for the sake of your family, life, and future.
Elizabeth begins as your typical woman, suffering with little to no opportunity to find a sense of self outside her community. Her headstrong, independent demeanor is consistent with Victorian figures we are too familiar with (Jane Eyre, Elizabeth Bennet, Margaret Hale). We grow to truly love and respect her, even if her courageous decision to raise William and Rose (after the loss of their parents to fever) is selfish, a plea for independence from her father, Ethan (a respectable businessman eager to expand educational and economic success in the Northeast). After falling in love with the children's lone caretaker, their uncle Daniel, the two move to Texas with the kids, as per Daniel's infatuation and commitment to the procurement of the West.
Once there, Daniel's political and social position confronts him with a tough decision, as the Mexican-American war is reaching a boil and he longs to fight alongside his peers in securing their homes. Ultimately, he becomes a soldier, battles for their freedoms, and is victorious, returning home to his welcoming, understanding family.
The only reason I did not give this book 5 stars is due to its overly-romanticized ending. In the 21st century, readers are accustomed to a little heartbreak, a riveting twist that both shatters and shocks readers. I personally find that this Mexican-American wartime love story lacks that element of surprise to truly capture its reader and provide a story that surpasses others, and sticks out. Yes, we are given a bit of a twist as Samuel and Elizabeth fall ill, clinging to life in the same manner their loving counterpart, Daniel is (in Mexico after a battle injury), but it's not enough. I enjoyed that their lives were seemingly parallel, each growing, struggling, and persevering, but we still needed that extra something, a little more UMPH. Instead, Elizabeth and Daniel live happily ever after, Ethan overcomes his stubbornness in deflecting Daniel and his odd priorities (rekindling his relationship with his daughter), and all go on to do amazing and noteworthy things. It's a joy to read, but is it satisfying?
Regardless, I would definitely recommend this book to historical fiction lovers looking for their next romantic thrill. Thank you for the free copy and the warm message! Best of luck to this first-time novelist.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2016
Chris Pepple's Two Frontiers is rich in detail and has endearing characters in Elizabeth and Daniel. Readers will feel like they've visited the early 1800s and made new friends.
July 19, 2017
Loved it!! A must read if you love historical fiction!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews