What do you think?
Rate this book
Pine Ridge Portraits #3
Footprints on the Horizon
Whitson here moves forward in time to WWII. A Nazi soldier has come to Fort Robinson as a prisoner of war. When he meets the daughter of a local rancher, he falls in love but doubts there can be any future for an American girl and a German POW. Far from home and ostracized by those around him, the soldier comes to know the God who loves unconditionally. Can the woman do so as well? Pine Ridge Portraits Book 3.
320 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2001
About the author
Stephanie Grace Whitson
53 books346 followersA native of southern Illinois, Stephanie Grace Whitson has lived in Nebraska since 1975. She began what she calls "playing with imaginary friends" (writing fiction) when, as a result of teaching her four homeschooled children Nebraska history, she was personally encouraged and challenged by the lives of pioneer women in the West. Since her first book, Walks the Fire, was published in 1995, Stephanie's fiction titles have appeared on the ECPA bestseller list numerous times and been finalists for the Christy Award, the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, and ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year. Her first nonfiction work, How to Help a Grieving Friend, was released in 2005. In addition to serving in her local church and keeping up with two married children, two college students, and a high school senior, Stephanie enjoys motorcycle trips with her family and church friends. Her passionate interests in pioneer women's history, antique quilts, and French, Italian, and Hawaiian language and culture provide endless story-telling possibilities.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
June 2, 2022
I truly enjoyed this book.
Not only did I learn more about history, but had my need for forgiveness refreshed. The multiple story lines meshed very well and there was more than one hero and heroine who stepped up in the face of hardship. So much to be admired and emulated.
God bless those who sacrificed so much for the side of right and/or what they believed to be right. We all can only do the best we can.
Not only did I learn more about history, but had my need for forgiveness refreshed. The multiple story lines meshed very well and there was more than one hero and heroine who stepped up in the face of hardship. So much to be admired and emulated.
God bless those who sacrificed so much for the side of right and/or what they believed to be right. We all can only do the best we can.
January 30, 2021
I’m impressed by how she can write about such dark subjects (this one had everything from disability and depression to nazis and terrorism) while still making it so pleasant to read and somehow find good endings that feel real and believable!
September 17, 2022
This is the 3rd and last novel in the series Pine Ridge Portraits by Stephanie Grace Whitson. I enjoyed it more than I did the 2nd novel in the series.
The author dealt with some serious issues in this novel. One of the characters in the book, Henry Frey, has come back from WWII with a badly burned face and falls into deep despair when his young daughter rejects him because of his appearance.
Another issue dealt with was the attitude of the people in the community toward German prisoners of war being allowed to work on the ranches.
One of my favorite characters in this novel was Ben Hale, a minister was the epitome of a loving, caring father, husband and pastor. He tries to help in any way he can but never is never condemning of people who fall short. I also really enjoyed seeing the way his wife Clarissa changed as the book progressed from being a very judgmental, rigid, and uncaring person in many ways to a person who began to shed her prejudices and become involved with people much more.
There are 2 love stories in this novel---one between a 17 year old girl and a German prisoner of war and one between two older people who have loved each other their whole lives but had never married each other.
As always, Whitson has included spiritual messages throughout the novel but never in a 'preachy' manner.
The author dealt with some serious issues in this novel. One of the characters in the book, Henry Frey, has come back from WWII with a badly burned face and falls into deep despair when his young daughter rejects him because of his appearance.
Another issue dealt with was the attitude of the people in the community toward German prisoners of war being allowed to work on the ranches.
One of my favorite characters in this novel was Ben Hale, a minister was the epitome of a loving, caring father, husband and pastor. He tries to help in any way he can but never is never condemning of people who fall short. I also really enjoyed seeing the way his wife Clarissa changed as the book progressed from being a very judgmental, rigid, and uncaring person in many ways to a person who began to shed her prejudices and become involved with people much more.
There are 2 love stories in this novel---one between a 17 year old girl and a German prisoner of war and one between two older people who have loved each other their whole lives but had never married each other.
As always, Whitson has included spiritual messages throughout the novel but never in a 'preachy' manner.
July 31, 2019
Another solid though not in my opinion spectacular read. The religious views of the characters is definitely more overt in this book though Witson still doesn’t cross over into uncomfortably preachy territory. The transitions from one point of you to another were fluid and handled well and the characters were pretty much all well-drawn. I thought that the fire near the books clothes was a bit of an obvious plot device and foreshadowed a bit too much but this was definitely still enjoyable if not a book I’ll be returning to repeatedly.
September 4, 2019
OK, this one was good! I suspect you could read this one stand alone. There are large portions of time when CJ is just filling in background. It is a blending of many different person's stories, but
I don't understand why she uses first person sometimes and then switches to third person.
There was a German POW camp at Fort Robinson and the town had varying reactions to labeling them as Nazi's or just young men complying with a mad man in Germany. Very happy at how Clarissa changed a bit without becoming the fakey minister's wife with a little girl voice. Really liked how Hank was treated and the book came through for me.
I don't understand why she uses first person sometimes and then switches to third person.
There was a German POW camp at Fort Robinson and the town had varying reactions to labeling them as Nazi's or just young men complying with a mad man in Germany. Very happy at how Clarissa changed a bit without becoming the fakey minister's wife with a little girl voice. Really liked how Hank was treated and the book came through for me.
September 8, 2020
I always know if I pick up a Stephanie Grace Whitson book I will like it. Footprints on the Horizon is a perfect example of that. And the narrator, Ruth Ann Phimister? Very good.
Gentle love story, actually two, not without their hardships, but satisfying nonetheless. CJ took some getting used to, and honestly, so did her sister Clarissa. But Dieter and Bruno were terrific characters and so was Helen, who stuck with her man even though he was a difficult person most of the way through the book.
Just an aside: Because it was an audiobook I can’t go back to do a word search to find out the reason for the title. I don’t remember any footprints, nor horizons per se, but I’m sure there was a phrase spoken by some wise person, or a verse quoted that has to do with the title.
This was set in Nebraska near Fort Robinson where German POWs were kept. Fascinating storyline.
I’ve no difficulty recommending this to anyone.
Gentle love story, actually two, not without their hardships, but satisfying nonetheless. CJ took some getting used to, and honestly, so did her sister Clarissa. But Dieter and Bruno were terrific characters and so was Helen, who stuck with her man even though he was a difficult person most of the way through the book.
Just an aside: Because it was an audiobook I can’t go back to do a word search to find out the reason for the title. I don’t remember any footprints, nor horizons per se, but I’m sure there was a phrase spoken by some wise person, or a verse quoted that has to do with the title.
This was set in Nebraska near Fort Robinson where German POWs were kept. Fascinating storyline.
I’ve no difficulty recommending this to anyone.
April 2, 2020
A couple of points..
Christian aspect - most Christian fiction Books are goodie—-life as a Christian is not any different that for others, but with a philosophy to abide by. Each chapter had a Bible verse that was just good common sense advise... as is most of the Bible. Not preachy, but teaching.
Prisons of War from German were in a prison in the little town In Nebraska. WWII injured soldiers came home. Having different people react to the different aspects of forgiveness, acceptance and love was eye opening.
For a book to be a 5 for me it needs to be book that could be read 50 years from now and would be ‘current’. Although not a total 5, the stories of the different characters brought an as[etc of war that I have never seen before.
Christian aspect - most Christian fiction Books are goodie—-life as a Christian is not any different that for others, but with a philosophy to abide by. Each chapter had a Bible verse that was just good common sense advise... as is most of the Bible. Not preachy, but teaching.
Prisons of War from German were in a prison in the little town In Nebraska. WWII injured soldiers came home. Having different people react to the different aspects of forgiveness, acceptance and love was eye opening.
For a book to be a 5 for me it needs to be book that could be read 50 years from now and would be ‘current’. Although not a total 5, the stories of the different characters brought an as[etc of war that I have never seen before.
November 5, 2018
Footprints on the Horizon
Gave the book a five, like the last two. This writer holds my interest with historic details of the period of time. The characters are complete and have real problems, that through faith are dealt with, not magically disappear. I really liked how the older woman, Mrs. Koch, was instrumental in Hank Frey's final healing process after his return home from the war with horrid burns. Many times our elders have wisdom. I'm sorry it wasn't brought out and dealt with who started the fire. But, overall, great read. Thank you!!
Gave the book a five, like the last two. This writer holds my interest with historic details of the period of time. The characters are complete and have real problems, that through faith are dealt with, not magically disappear. I really liked how the older woman, Mrs. Koch, was instrumental in Hank Frey's final healing process after his return home from the war with horrid burns. Many times our elders have wisdom. I'm sorry it wasn't brought out and dealt with who started the fire. But, overall, great read. Thank you!!
November 13, 2024
I wasn’t sure at first glance how I felt about this book, especially since there would be more of a time lapse from the second book. It took me a little bit to adjust to writing from multiple character’s perspectives, but it was wonderful to have! I did start a little slow, but by the halfway point, I feel like things just moved so quickly that I didn’t want to put the book down! I appreciate Stephanie’s writing so much as it’s engaging and helps me disconnect from everything around me. My mind creates such detailed visuals, it’s like I’m creating a movie as I read.
August 14, 2018
PW Dieter Brick and Westerner Jo find love. During the war
Another generation, another time, but true to Stephanie Grace Whitmore, This author writes as if she is talking to the reader in all the books I've read;I have become a great fan. Hiring PW's against fellow western citizens plans to work her ranch & farm brings hurts & jobs to Will & CJ, scarred by the war & burns Bank ; Whitmore brings descendants to the home front wars. Great book!
Another generation, another time, but true to Stephanie Grace Whitmore, This author writes as if she is talking to the reader in all the books I've read;I have become a great fan. Hiring PW's against fellow western citizens plans to work her ranch & farm brings hurts & jobs to Will & CJ, scarred by the war & burns Bank ; Whitmore brings descendants to the home front wars. Great book!
April 8, 2021
Love one another
I enjoyed this book. There was more than one story line which kept it interesting. Jo and Deiter, CJ and Will, Helen and Hank, Clarissa and Ben. The war had people choosing sides and judging each other without knowing them. In the end, it boiled down to loving one another as God commands. It was heartwarming and scary, uplifting and challenging. I would have given it a 5 but I wanted to know what happened to the man who set the fire.
.
I enjoyed this book. There was more than one story line which kept it interesting. Jo and Deiter, CJ and Will, Helen and Hank, Clarissa and Ben. The war had people choosing sides and judging each other without knowing them. In the end, it boiled down to loving one another as God commands. It was heartwarming and scary, uplifting and challenging. I would have given it a 5 but I wanted to know what happened to the man who set the fire.
.
August 23, 2017
Pine Ridge Portraits ( all 3 books) are definitely Good Reads
Stephanie Grace Whitson obviously knows God,s Word intimately. She is a genius at showing how His Word applies to our every day life in both good and bad situations.. Very heart warming, true to life, stories for those of us longing for excellent Christian books.
Stephanie Grace Whitson obviously knows God,s Word intimately. She is a genius at showing how His Word applies to our every day life in both good and bad situations.. Very heart warming, true to life, stories for those of us longing for excellent Christian books.
April 8, 2019
I enjoyed this series and this story. Who our enemy is at times affects us all different. ( I hear the stories here in Australia how local people treated enemy nationalities in our towns during war times) liked a few of the secondary characters like Stella, towards the end Hank, Bruno. I did wonder what happen to Vernon as there was no follow up after the fire ?
February 20, 2020
A great story of how faith looks when the world is upside down. Also a good lesson that we don't always fall in love with who our parents want us to and it does not always look the best thing at the time but turns out to be. And of course, trusting God in the long haul and not just the short time. His time is always different than ours.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2020
Wonderful Historical fiction
Footprints on the Horizon is spellbinding! Set in the Midwest during World War two, a feisty horse and a German prisoner of war meet up and life changes for everyone involved. This is a must-read for horse lovers, as well as Christian lovers of historical fiction.
Footprints on the Horizon is spellbinding! Set in the Midwest during World War two, a feisty horse and a German prisoner of war meet up and life changes for everyone involved. This is a must-read for horse lovers, as well as Christian lovers of historical fiction.
December 4, 2024
Wow, this one was as good as the first two. It is now World War II and Fort Robinson has now split into three separate areas. Most importantly it houses German prisoners. CJ is now a grown woman and is running the ranch. Her sister is married to the Baptist minister, and they have 2 girls, one is married and the other, Jo, is a senior in high school.
October 26, 2018
A fitting ending to a wonderful series. Kept my attention even though I had read the series before.
The series is a great inspirational read. I would recommend them to anyone who likes historical fiction. I give the complete series an A+.
The series is a great inspirational read. I would recommend them to anyone who likes historical fiction. I give the complete series an A+.
June 12, 2021
Good Story
This was a good book and could stand alone. I was disappointed that we did not hear much (at all) about the characters in the last 2 books. I would have enjoyed more on them. Leaves you to wonder about them.
This was a good book and could stand alone. I was disappointed that we did not hear much (at all) about the characters in the last 2 books. I would have enjoyed more on them. Leaves you to wonder about them.
June 26, 2017
Very good! I loved the story and the characters!
October 26, 2018
Foot prints on the Horizon
A great story, a wonderful job telling how some people learned compassion and forgiveness in a very difficult time. I recommend it to everyone.
A great story, a wonderful job telling how some people learned compassion and forgiveness in a very difficult time. I recommend it to everyone.
January 16, 2019
I think this is a great book.
January 20, 2019
Wonderful series!
February 18, 2019
Great writing. Very interesting storyline.
November 17, 2021
3.5 Stars...
Read
January 28, 2022Didn't like.
July 15, 2024
Such an amazing writer
Great character development , I felt like I was right there with them I really enjoyed the series and writing style
Great character development , I felt like I was right there with them I really enjoyed the series and writing style
July 24, 2022
The last book in a 3 book series. Each book covers another generation of the family.
Interesting and strong female characters. Historical time frames in America. Old west themes. Includes war scenes. Not for the politically correct or woke generation. Christian references.
I thoroughly enjoyed this series and recommend it for anyone interested in historical fiction!
Interesting and strong female characters. Historical time frames in America. Old west themes. Includes war scenes. Not for the politically correct or woke generation. Christian references.
I thoroughly enjoyed this series and recommend it for anyone interested in historical fiction!
May 27, 2016
My first book by Stephanie Grace Whitson, and the first one I read in the Pine Ridge Portraits series, Footprints on the Horizan captured my imagination from the start and did not let go until the last page. I am a huge fan of authors who can take a well-known historical event and tell it from a different perspective, one that people don't know much about, and Stephanie accomplishes that in a wonderful fashion here. I adored the large cast of characters and how they all intersected with each other, the fact that it's told from at least ten different points of view, and of course every single one of the love stories, of which there were around 4-5. Though Helen and Hank were definitely the most poignant, as they struggled to overcome the terrible challenges the war had dished out, the more quieter romances were also equally enjoyable.
The growing friendship and bond established between Jo and Dieter was wonderfully and subtly crafted throughout the book, but one of my absolute favorite elements is how Stephanie unpacks the conflicted thoughts and feelings the German POWs experience as everything they thought they knew is turned upside down. Getting to check in on the two little scamps from the second book in the series as grown-ups was another thing I greatly loved, along with the delightful friendships which sprung up, such as the one between a German POW and his Jewish guard, the preacher and the town war hero/recluse, and a man and a horse. Speaking of horses, they played an important and awesome role in the story too.
Although Stephanie has quite a few story-lines going at once, none of them end up overpowering each other, but instead all mesh together to create an intriguing and emotionally engaging glimpse into some of the many different aspects of the home front during WW2.
The growing friendship and bond established between Jo and Dieter was wonderfully and subtly crafted throughout the book, but one of my absolute favorite elements is how Stephanie unpacks the conflicted thoughts and feelings the German POWs experience as everything they thought they knew is turned upside down. Getting to check in on the two little scamps from the second book in the series as grown-ups was another thing I greatly loved, along with the delightful friendships which sprung up, such as the one between a German POW and his Jewish guard, the preacher and the town war hero/recluse, and a man and a horse. Speaking of horses, they played an important and awesome role in the story too.
Although Stephanie has quite a few story-lines going at once, none of them end up overpowering each other, but instead all mesh together to create an intriguing and emotionally engaging glimpse into some of the many different aspects of the home front during WW2.
January 1, 2015
SUMMARY: Whitson here moves forward in time to WWII. A Nazi soldier has come to Fort Robinson as a prisoner of war. When he meets the daughter of a local rancher, he falls in love but doubts there can be any future for an American girl and a German POW. Far from home and ostracized by those around him, the soldier comes to know the God who loves unconditionally. Can the woman do so as well? Pine Ridge Portraits Book 3.
REVIEW: Although this book is part of the Pine Ridge Portraits series, I found it easy to read as a stand alone. I found it quite interesting, as I did not realize that the US actually had German POW camps here in the US during the war. It must have been difficult from both sides for them to go out in work details to the farms and ranches in the area. My favorite character in this book was Helen. A strong woman, she continued to fight for her husband and her family through painful circumstances brought on by the war. Yet she never lost her loving and caring attitude both towards her husband and towards the POW's she came in contact with. My favorite part was definitely the interplay between the horses Buster and Ned as well as Dieter's relationship with Buster. Dieter was definitely a German "horse whisperer."
FAVORITE QUOTES: "God could have turned the flames. He could have---- "But he didn't," Daddy said gently. "Why?" "Sometimes, instead of calming the sea, He calms us."
"It's the Lord's job to rule. It's mine to let Him. We can trust HIm to do all things well, in light of eternity, not in light of our selfish desires." "I can't see it." "If you could see it, it wouldn't be faith."
REVIEW: Although this book is part of the Pine Ridge Portraits series, I found it easy to read as a stand alone. I found it quite interesting, as I did not realize that the US actually had German POW camps here in the US during the war. It must have been difficult from both sides for them to go out in work details to the farms and ranches in the area. My favorite character in this book was Helen. A strong woman, she continued to fight for her husband and her family through painful circumstances brought on by the war. Yet she never lost her loving and caring attitude both towards her husband and towards the POW's she came in contact with. My favorite part was definitely the interplay between the horses Buster and Ned as well as Dieter's relationship with Buster. Dieter was definitely a German "horse whisperer."
FAVORITE QUOTES: "God could have turned the flames. He could have---- "But he didn't," Daddy said gently. "Why?" "Sometimes, instead of calming the sea, He calms us."
"It's the Lord's job to rule. It's mine to let Him. We can trust HIm to do all things well, in light of eternity, not in light of our selfish desires." "I can't see it." "If you could see it, it wouldn't be faith."
November 12, 2007
I can see this novel made into a television series. I'm not kidding! When I first saw the cover I wasn't sure I'd like the story despite the intriguing summary on the back of the book. But I wasn't disappointed. The characters were rich and the drama contained real-life conflict that kept me reading. I was totally into this story and fell in love with the different romances as they occurred in their unique settings. One of a married woman and her battle-scarred husband, the other of a woman who denied herself true love until old age, and the most amazing story of all...the woman who falls in love with the "enemy" who is a brother in the Lord.
I just love stories with such impossible barriers, yet the love of Christ breaks through as long as His children follow His will and not their flesh, which is often deceptive and leads to heartache. Forgiveness and looking beyond the outward appearance are strong themes in this novel. You will be holding your breath in several places and swiping tears from your eyes in others. If you want to read a story that will move your heart and warm your spirit, then you will want to read Footprints on the Horizon. Trust me!
I just love stories with such impossible barriers, yet the love of Christ breaks through as long as His children follow His will and not their flesh, which is often deceptive and leads to heartache. Forgiveness and looking beyond the outward appearance are strong themes in this novel. You will be holding your breath in several places and swiping tears from your eyes in others. If you want to read a story that will move your heart and warm your spirit, then you will want to read Footprints on the Horizon. Trust me!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews