Three years ago, an illness orphaned Henry and Caroline Salisbury. The harsh years at the orphanage have forged a strong bond between the pair.
But Henry’s about to age out.
He must choose whether to leave his only family behind in relative safety, or take her with him as he pursues dreams of owning a farm. Henry trusts that God has a plan for him, but little does he know that others have plans for him and his younger sister as well. He will need all his faith to find the right path.
Although this is the second book in the series, it can be read as a standalone.
Faith Blum is a wife, mom, administrative assistant for the Author Conservatory, author, and pianist. She’s published 30+ adventurous historical fiction books featuring realistic romance that strengthens your Christian faith. She has received an honorable mention in the Reader’s Favorite awards. When not writing, you can find her cooking from scratch, reading, spending time with her husband, or chasing her toddler.
Refreshing. Simple. Spiritual. Inspirational. All the Way My Savior Leads is a down-to-earth tale of Henry, an orphan with a big heart for his sisters, a love of farming, and a protective instinct. I’ve always had a special place in my heart for orphans, and this sweet story was certainly refreshing to read.
A few aspects I especially enjoyed:
The repetition of the titular hymn as the center point of the story. I appreciated that the hymn wasn’t just tacked on the end or mentioned once in the book but rather it truly was the theme. This hymn portrays such deep, powerful, beautiful truths, and I enjoyed hearing Henry singing various verses of the hymn as it applied to different situations in his life – a powerful portrayal of how meditation upon God’s truth shapes our character and behaviour. The incorporation of the hymn was very well done.
The non-standard plot. Instead of a structured plot in the background-build-conflict-climax-resolution format of many modern books, this book tells the simple story of Henry’s life from his parents’ deaths as a child all the way through to middle age. I found the unique style refreshing and beautiful, and I enjoyed reading the details of his early years and his later years.
The sweet cleanness of the story. It’s real, and sin is discussed, but in a way that promotes godly and wholesome meditations, rather than dwelling on sin and its details.
The characters. The young people are well-written and easy to relate to.
I would recommend this book to readers of all ages who enjoy Christian stories that refresh and uplift the soul.
All The Way My Savior Leads is another sweet tale from Faith Blum. The second in her Orphans of the West series, this follows Henry and his sister Caroline through loss, trials, and finally to a happy ending.
Henry was very likeable, right from the start. I loved this boy, whom I pictured as a little gangly and awkward like most of the teenage boys of my acquaintance. Blum writes him well; I sometimes find that teenage boys are portrayed badly, and this was a very good and well done image of the ever bizarre creature called a teenage boy.
Caroline and Hope are simply precious, as is Jimmy. I loved Emily's role and character. I would have liked to know more about the other boys, and more about the Carsons' - but Blum has another novel about the Carsons', so I guess I have some more reading to do?
All in all, I would recommend this for middle grade and up who are looking for a clean Christian fiction. It was sweet, a pretty easy read, and I enjoyed it.
Fourteen-year-old Henry Salisbury and his younger sister Caroline lived happily on a farm with their parents, that is, until their parents died of an illness. Underage and unable to pay back their parents’ debts, the two teens were forced into an orphanage. But at their age, who would want to adopt them—except to gain free labor or other unsavory reasons? Their hope of adoption dwindled until, three years later, Henry is given the chance to live with a kind, Christian family and learn to farm. Although, if he takes the wonderful opportunity, he will be leaving Caroline behind…
All the Way my Savior Leads is the second in Faith Blum’s Orphans of the West series. Like the first book, All the Way my Savior Leads follows an orphan through the different stages of his life rather than focusing on a single facet of it, for instance, the struggles of his adoption or his courtship of a young lady. As such, the novel does not follow a single, concise plot. However, his does not detract from the story.
The hymn that shares the title of the book is referenced throughout the story and ties the story to the title. The hymn functions as a source of comfort and prayer for the characters as the characters struggle through life’s trials. Faith in God is an essential part of the novel. Henry, especially, grows in faith as well as maturity throughout the story. His experiences were inspiring. He had many struggles, but he overcame them with God’s help.
All the Way my Savior Leads was a sweet novel I would recommend to fans of inspirational, historical fiction.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I received no compensation and all opinions are expressly my own.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I thought the historical aspect was well done and the characters were well written. I grew to care about the characters. I always like it when authors write characters that I can care about. This is a great, well written book that I could hardly put down.
I have a hard time saying no to review books from authors I enjoy. Often, I end up with more than I can handle (oops!), but one that I still think about with enjoyment from time to time is All the Way My Savior Leads.
Although this story may seem somewhat predictable to some people, and somewhat cliché with the fact that it is about orphans, I really enjoyed the book. Henry captured my heart right away, and his longing to do what was best for both his sister and himself was very good to see. Although life didn’t always turn out very good or easy for him, he tried to keep his focus where he knew it ought to be, and that was a great encouragement to me to do the same.
Just like I’ve enjoyed other books by this author, this one had good Christian content in it and a satisfying plot. Overall, a great read, and an encouraging story!
I requested a review copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.
Genre: western Christian slice-of-life Audience: Middle Grade
My summary: Henry must choose between staying at the orphanage with his sister or living on a farm. The book is structured more like an account of Henry's life than a plot with one main problem that must be resolved. Henry does face problems, but they are ordinary problems with ordinary solutions.
Positives The book includes messages about God that feel natural in the story. The themes of healing after loss are especially powerful. The characters are likable. The story has enough rise and fall of conflict and resolution that it kept me interested and invested. The book was very well written.
Negatives The characters felt a touch too perfect. The majority easily accepted difficult circumstances and responded first by trusting God. The characters all make good examples, but they felt too good to be relatable. For me, ordinary life as a storyline made the story not memorable. The book was good, but I never felt excited or moved by it.
I loved this faith filled story. I am often disappointed by so called Christian fiction where one of the characters might say a prayer or two in the book to classify it as Christian fiction. Ms. Blum, in contrast, displayed characters that were trying to live their faith daily. It was such an encouragement to me and a reminder in my daily faith walk.
I enjoyed the storyline and the characters and look forward to reading more in this series. You won't be sorry to give Ms. Blum's book a try
Strong guided faith led to a blessed life through thee hardest of times.
Although written using old settings, it pictured clearly how life was in the 1800s. This book has captured the reader who’s ne’er finished reading a book he started in his life. The song that Henry and Caroline sang gave the book the bright color. I’m not sure if this is a book review but I can’t stop praising God!
Wonderful book filled with trust in God, faith and belief. The story of two orphans, who are guided through life by their faith, and find a wonderful life. Characters are very deep and easy to identify with. The hymn, All the Way My Savior Leads Meguides these two orphans, and the others they meet, through the hardships and trials they encounter. Loved this book and couldn't put it down.
Seeking God's will and His grace can bring joy to the soul.
Siblings Henry and Carolyn lived their teen years in an orphanage. With strong Christian guidance from their parents who died from a terrible illnes, they endeavored to make the best of their circumstances. A beautifully written story that will touch hearts.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I felt it was a true story as I read. Henry is the example of a boy who allows God to follow Him through rough circumstances. He also is concerned for other children in the orphanage & works to lead them in God's path. It is an inspiring story that is beneficial to the soul.
How Does God take Henry from Orphan to Married Emily?
Faith Blum's "All the Way My Savior Leads (Orphans of The West Book 2)" follows Henry through tragedies, triumphs, to his Lifetime 💞. I ❤ that I got to see the Carsons' again, from "Lily of the Valley (Hymns of The West Book 4)". I Highly Recommend You 📖 Awesome, Poignant, Engrossing, Western, Historical, Christian Romance! ❤📖 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I loved singing along with the words to “Jesus lead me all the way” every time you put the song into your writing. At 83 I’ve known Gods leading. Great is His faithfulness. It’s January here in Chicago where I grew up, so I could feel all the cold felt by Henry. Bound together in Christ. Carrie
What a beautiful story of love and loss, of suffering and pain and of joy and peace. From a home to an orphanage.... Much change. From an orphanage to a farm. From love and family to joy and family. Beautiful story and all honor given to our Lord and Saviour.
Wonderful story. You get caught up in Miss Blum's books and you feel like you know the characters. I highly recommend this a book and all the books written by this author.
I liked the variety of characters. Their loyalty and strong moral centre and courage. I appreciated all the biblical references that are so encouraging. I enjoy this writer’s style.
This is a clean Christian book. I really enjoyed it. It shows us we can overcome so many things with a joy filled heart. Lean on God and he will not forsake you!
Henry and sister, Caroline are sent to an Orphanage.
This story has a lot of interesting events. Henry is too shy to tell the Carson's he has a sister. They had been sent to an orphanage after their parent's death. Henry has made lasting relationships from the orphanage.
A very well written and inspiring book. Very hard to take necessary breaks after starting the book. In so many ways emphasizes God’s love, watchcare, and direction in the lives of His children. Definitely a Blessing.
I really enjoy reading this book, with Scripture reference. This is a clean good family based love story. All the Way My Saviour Leads is a beautiful testimony song 😊
All the way My Savior Leads has a great plot, believable, interesting characters! Clean language & no blatant sex, makes it acceptable for readers of any age! I look forward to reading other books from this author. I liked how that old hymn was woven throughout he story.
I enjoyed the story, but I doubt things would have gone quite so smoothly for orphans. The natural flow of conversations into things of the Lord is nice, though.
From the first page I was drawn in to Faiths writing. I loved the Christian based theme & her proof that a great book can be clean & a total joy to read. I hated for it to end 😞
This is a good read about orphans in the 1800's, how they were treated and what they did to survive. The main characters are Henry and Caroline, brother and sister orphans that were orphaned in the wild west.
A gentle uplifting romance between 2 a Christians as they overcome the 1880 frontier. A light reading look at the challenges to life and the role faith gave them strength.
A sweet tale about orphans. I'd expected more to be written about the prejudices briefly mentioned but that was just skimmed. A better written story than Book 1.