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Far West: The Diary of Eleanor Higgins

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Nel Higgins is the sixteen-year-old daughter of Frank Higgins, a deranged Lutheran pastor. After Nel’s mother passes away, she finds herself and her sister, Annie, at the mercy of her father in Yankton, Dakota Territory, 1876. Bereft and frightened, Nel knows, deep in her heart, that neither she nor Annie will survive unless they can escape his evil clutches. Then, when unforeseen circumstances lead to Frank's sudden death, the two girls soon board the famous riverboat, the Far West. Once on board, Nel finds herself following the path of American destiny toward Fort Abraham Lincoln, Custer’s Last Stand and the Battle of the Little Bighorn! Readers and early reviewers are comparing this Historical Romance novel to FOREVER AMBER and THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN. It is filled with action, adventure, sorrow and joy and showcases the strength, fortitude and danger of the American frontier.

298 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 19, 2016

22 people are currently reading
4 people want to read

About the author

Linell Jeppsen

40 books34 followers
Linell Jeppsen is a writer of science fiction and fantasy. Her vampire novel, Detour to Dusk, has received over 44- four and five star reviews. Her novel Story Time, with over 125- 4 and 5 star reviews, is a science fiction, post-apocalyptic novel, and has been touted by the Paranormal Romance Guild, Sandy’s Blog Spot, Coffeetime Romance , Bitten by Books and 64 top reviewers as a five star read, filled with terror, love, loss, and the indomitable beauty and strength of the human spirit. Story Time was also nominated as the best new read of 2011 by the PRG! Her dark fantasy novel, Onio (a story about a half-human Sasquatch who falls in love with a human girl), was released in December 2012 and won 3rd place as the best fantasy romance of 2012 by the PRG reviewers guild! Onio also sports over 50- 4 and 5 star reviews!
Her latest novel, The War of Odds, won the IBD award for fantasy fiction and boasts 18- 5 star reviews since its release in February of 2013.
She is also in a collaborative effort with the Welsh author, J. Bryden Lloyd in, The Guardians- a science fiction, serialized thriller with over 30 reviews here and in the UK!
Her latest effort, The Beginning of the Story (Story Time Prequel) is a must for those of you who loved Story Time.
… and now- Deadman’s Lament- a Western novel of Retribution and Revenge!

For more information about Linell Jeppsen and her novels, visit http://neljeppsen.weebly.com, or http://www.worldcastlepublishing.com/...

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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Profile Image for Summer.
40 reviews1 follower
May 26, 2016
An excellent story of Eleanor Higgens' troubled, but adventurous life. This well-written tale pulls you into the time and place--the 19th century western frontier--effortlessly. This is engaging historical fiction with an array of interesting characters, ranging from likable to despicable. I found it hard not to keep on reading as I peered into the pages of Eleanor's diary and experienced her story as it unfolded. There's plenty of character development for those who like character-driven fiction, and plenty of action for those who prefer that! Aspects of this book would also appeal to those who enjoy coming of age stories and romance. Something for just about everyone in the wonderful book! A book well worth reading. Five Stars!
Profile Image for Rick  Farlee.
1,153 reviews10 followers
May 3, 2021
This book is a well written series of diary entries that span approximately seven months of adventure which center around Custer’s slaughter at The Little Big Horn... (If this was made made into a movie, it would probably be considered a “Chick Flick”.)
Profile Image for Casey.
1,537 reviews6 followers
August 26, 2018
A very fine piece of writing

Too few Western novels are written from the perspective of a woman. Linell Jeppsen did an excellent job in this one.
1,249 reviews23 followers
June 20, 2016
HUMAN MISERY

This is both sad with a miniscule of happiness. The author touches the evils men heap upon themselves. The patriarch of the family John Higgins is preacher of fire and brimstone-Lutheran-he beat his family merciless, using the Bible to legitimise the beatings. This man's last beating of his wife,was because she dared to question him when he told the family on the way home, that the elders were sending him to California to combat the ministerial of the Catholic Church. He punched his wife and his second oldest daughter Eleanor,knocking her over and with all this going on one of the packages was torn showing a very pretty pink. velvet material, the preacher became even more kicked his daughter in the chest which either bruised or fractured her rib. The wife never recovered from this beating and took to her bed
She eventually committed suicide as well as killing her son. The taps domestic violence, narcissism,prostitution,segregation. You have public lynching of an entire Black family on the accusations of two white scouts of United States Army who seem to have murky background. The author writes General George Custer-narcissistic egotistical self under estimated Sitting Bull, and the Indian Nations who strategically out flanked
him and his generals. The so called preacher has now become a wanted for murder, not for his wife and son, but for conniving prostitute. He also murdered his daughter's father-in-law, robbed and burned his business down. Tried to rape his youngest daughter if Eleanor hadn't hit with an iron skillet he would have succeeded. You should read this 'THE DIARY OF ELEANOR HIGGINS' to see how evil domestic abuse and whatever else
I've written. It's will make you mad as HADES, but it also shows how resilient you become when YOUR fighting for the right to live. I like this Author, Linell Jeppsen. I like the stand that is taken regarding human rights and morals.
2 reviews
July 6, 2016
Good portrayal of life in the Dakota and Montana Territories at the time of the Battle of the Little Bighorn

Although this book is a romance novel it is an interesting series of cameos of life along the Missouri in the weeks leading up to Custers last stand. Social mores, economic conditions, fashion, the lack of rights of women are all examined. If there is a fault here it is lack of depth. Msg. Jepson needs to learn when to use "I" and when to use the objective "me".
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews

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