What We Carry With Us

New Hope #1

by Karen J. Hasley

The inhabitants of New Hope, Nebraska, have done their best to put the Civil War with all its turmoil and devastation behind them. By 1878, the town is prospering. Three daily railroad stops. Groceries, feed and grain, hardware, and leather goods readily available. Bank, doctor's office, café, and barber shop. Its own church and school, preacher and teacher. A civilized community with all the marks of progress. That's what the hard-working members of the Merchants' Association believe until the day New Hope's telegraph agent – young Eddie Barts – disappears, and suddenly life in New Hope changes. Widow Ruth Churchill, barber and owner of the town's finest boarding house, has lived and loved in New Hope for over a decade. She calls it home and its citizens friends. Five years after the death of her beloved husband, Ruth has managed to find peace and a kind of happiness. But with the disappearance of Eddie Barts, Ruth will find her world and her life turned upside down. Despite all the trappings of civilization, something – someone – evil is hiding in New Hope. For years, unknown to anyone but one relentless searcher, a wicked man of violence and deception has been living behind a mask of respectability. Before his mask is ripped off, Ruth will experience suspicion, doubt, danger, and fear. Her own life will be at risk. Her own heart, too. Because along with terror and grief comes love. They live side-by-side. When it's all over, New Hope, Nebraska, will never be the same. And neither will Ruth.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Ebooks, Historical, 19th Century, Westerns

251 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 6, 2017

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice story. Book 1 of series.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I noted that I had read an earlier book by this author and found it too 'sweet', but this novel is an absolute cracker of a story.

Beautifully rich details, characters who come alive on the page, a mystery that (for once) really had me gripped from the start to the end.

Fabulous story. And fabulous writing.

[Bonnye Reed]

TheFussyLibrarian

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just an excellent "who-done-it" read. I have just read it for the second time and still looked forward to finding out who killed Eddie Bates.
If you have never read this author before, time to start now and this might be a good book to pick for your first selection!

[Gerrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 out of 5 stars

[RedRedtheycallmeRed · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure what made me pick this book, maybe it was the rural setting that made me remember all my 8th grade Nebraska history. It's part murder mystery, part historical, part romance, all enjoyable.

I especially liked Ruth, she was awesome! A widow in her late 20's who runs TWO businesses: a boarding house that she inherited from her mother, and the barbershop that her late husband owned. She's a bit of a novelty (a female barber, oh my!) to the train travelers who come through the town, but she's respected and liked in her community. Ruth is hard working, a friend to almost all, and someone who voices her opinion when she has something to say.

I appreciated the fact that this wasn't a "wild west" type book, gunshots in New Hope were almost unheard of, and crime was rare. Murder shocked the town, and unfortunately showed some of the townspeople's true colors. The ending was intense and satisfying.

I'll definitely be reading the next book in the series.

[Dean McIntyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

WHAT WE CARRY WITH US by Karen J. Hasley -- The author has written a highly enjoyable tale, a combination of murder mystery, historical fiction, and romance. Set in the rural Nebraska town of New Hope following the Civil War, this is neither a Civil War nor a western tale. Ruth, a widow, owns the local boarding house and barber shop, where she cuts hair. The town is peaceful, growing, adding businesses and train stops. The young man who runs the local telegraph office disappears, and residents fear the worst. His body is eventually found and the search for the killer begins. The killer has been living unknown and unsuspected among the town's residents, and suspicions grow as to his identity. A man shows up in town who has been relentlessly searching for this killer for years. He establishes himself as the sheriff, continues his search, and gradually builds a love relationship with Ruth. This is an excellent plot, wonderfully drawn characters, lots of tension and suspense.

[Tricia Hungerford · Rating 5 out of 5]

New Hope Series Book 1

I've read many books in my lifetime. I usually fly through them, having learned speed reading before the term was invented. My favorite genre has usually been Westerns, but not limited to something more eclectic. Never have I had the patience to get past the beginning of what l perceived to be slow read, not a dry, dreary story. I almost missed out on what turned out to be one of the most thought provoking, exceptions of a lifetime. This author has the most unusual gift of taking your hand and walking you through life with consideration, awareness and love for all of humanity with only the words of a book.

[Julie Aldige · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspense From Start To Finish

I read this in three sittings. Page by page, I sat on the edge of my seat trying not to read at breakneck speed to find out what would happen next. Hasley’s prose, her sense of place paints the small Nebraska town with such familiarity that the reader knows every store, street & business and home as well as the residents. Character development is vivid and immediate.
The plot is fast paced and suspense builds with each turned page. This captivating story will haunt me for a long time.

[Ajoyful1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time reader-not the last time

I loved this book. Rich and full of a great story about a small frontier town. Got to love the characters as if they were my own friends, especially Ruth. Clean and profanity-free shows that the author is a great storyteller, no gratuitous content required. I picked it up whenever I had free time, it was so engrossing. Now that it’s over I’ll look for the next one.

[Kim Braman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very easy and adventurous read! Everyone should read more Karen J Hasley

Her characters are believable no matter the situation. The writer actually makes you CARE about each character, no matter if they are a long lost killer or a new kid in the school room, you will remember happily long after you put the book down.

[Chappy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the mystery and the daily life of Ruth. She's a woman ahead of her time, very strong willed but gentle enough to take on a homeless child. She'd known love before but what she finds with Silas is special. This is a slow-burn historical and I was hoping for more heat. Fade-to-black sex scenes aren't my thing.

[Sharon Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruth and Silas

This is a story of mystery and romance in a small town in Nebraska shorty after the Civil War. Written as if Ruth is talking to you, this book gave me the wonderful feeling that I was getting to know a new friend. The whole town was a cast of interesting people, but someone among them was a murderer. I enjoyed this book very much and recommend it.

[sandra lee kurjiaka · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful story teller. I felt like Ruth was my friend and felt sad to leave her at the last pag

Compelling story teller. The small town life seemed authentic, the characters were real. Loved that people were not written bigger then life. I will look for additional books by this gifted story teller

[Jesse Frank Shouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

I liked the homey way this was written. It's a relaxed story even while the suspense built. Don't know how to better express my thoughts except to say I enjoyed this book very much.

[Kathleen Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

New Hope is an apt name

I love historical novels for helping me "live" in these distant times. A good town full of neighbors........and tragedy strikes fear in the townspeople. What a good read....mystery, a little romance and well turned storyline.

[Beverly Grahamq · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many textures, insights

One of the best books I have read in a long time. Hasley is a wonderful author. This is the third book of hers that I have read. Now I am headed back to read more....

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than I expected

Better than I had expected for a short read. Good sense of place and historical context. Believable characters and nicely plotted story. I will read more from this author.

[Judy Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well-written, engrossing suspense/romance/historic novel. Recommend for anyone who likes that combination. I've recommended it for my husband to read and I seldom like a book enough to recommend to him.

[Alison Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story

I am a real sucker for Pioneer type stories and this didn't fail to please. Grammatically correct,
It was a pleasure to read. T he characters came to life and the picture of a mid West
Settlement felt real

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a terrific book. I have read quite a few books by Karen Hasley and they have all been very good. Her writing is descriptive and she moves a story along in a believable manner. This book did have a small amount of romance but not enough to be bothersome.

[Lynn Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully woven story

Loved the characters which were described so that you could picture them and their hopes and fears. The story had some slower moments, but overall a good tale-the ending was unpredictable.

[Margaret H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic as always. Really great main character studies. This particular book seemed slightly on repeat with the main characters thoughts. Still a wonderful book and fantastic author.

[Linda Rae Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Good suspense Good romance. Good history. Loved the characters and the plot. I love western romance beyond reason and this is a fine example

[Linda Bange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read!

Not the sort of book I usually read, but it is very well written and I enjoyed it immensely. Check it out!

[Linda Rhyne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read

I like this author. I like her strong, plucky women. Good mystery, too. Will read book number two next. Have read all six of the Laramie series and recommend those.

[Judy Hannigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A talented author. This is fourth book I've read and enjoyed. Her work is thoughtful, consistent, and well-written. I highly recommend.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good story. Set in late 1900th century in Western Nebraska. Well researched and written. Great pioneer love story.

[mike harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!!

Really enjoyed reading this wonderful book. It wasn't too over the top. It was just a lovely story. Can't wait to read the next.

[Donna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not finish