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A Bend In The Road

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Just when she thought her future was settled, Loretta learned that her new husband was only trying to spite his parents for their controlling nature and was not at all interested in having a wife. For three years she endured his neglect and forced poverty until her presence was requested by the high and mighty in-laws. To her shock, she learned some disturbing news that put her in a sticky situation. Living a long way from any family, she was forced to direct her own path taking her even farther from the security of loved ones. Just as she was about to plant roots, she heard from her absent husband with a threat to find her if she didn't return the money his parents paid her to disappear. Again she was uprooted and went even farther west into territory where it would be difficult to find her.

176 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 10, 2019

46 people are currently reading
36 people want to read

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Jean L. Kuhnke

93 books29 followers

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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Profile Image for Julia.
21 reviews
January 6, 2026

A Bend in the Road completely won me over. I loved the historical western mountain setting and the sense of starting over in a rugged, unforgiving place. Loretta’s story was especially powerful — after her husband betrayed their marriage, leaving her with nothing for food or warmth, she could have become bitter, but she didn’t.

Instead, she’s given the opportunity for an annulment and heads west to begin again, building her own ranch and slowly finding her way back to God. I loved watching her learn to lean on Him rather than live in fear. Her friendships with Bertha, Mazy, Bart, and the retired log campers added so much warmth and heart to the story, showing how healing often comes through community.

What stood out most was Loretta’s spiritual growth — her choice to trust God not to harden her heart, to receive His love, and to open herself up to friendship and eventually a new man on her logging camp ranch. This was a hopeful, faith-filled story about resilience, forgiveness, and second chances. A truly uplifting and satisfying read.
Profile Image for Brandi Raae.
259 reviews9 followers
November 16, 2020
After experiencing abandonment and an annulment of marriage, Loretta must make her own way in the world. Though dangerous to travel alone, she finds good people along the path to her future home - an old, unused logging camp. And what good neighbors she finds in Pioneer Peak who help her turn the logging camp into a ranch. She’s content to stay unmarried, and after an accident that scars her face, she’s sure she’ll never experience becoming a wife and mother.

I'm drawn to historical fiction in which a woman is forced to make her own way due to difficult circumstances. I liked the setting and cast of characters, especially sweet Loretta. Despite the trials she's faced, she embraces life and continues to trust God. Lovely story. However, as a self-published book, it could have used another edit before being published.
7 reviews
January 18, 2020
A SATISFIED LIFE

What a welcome relief to read such a remarkable and uplifting story of how God works to bring good from what was once evil. Loretta saw hope instead of despair and set out to create a life of meaning. As she faced hardship she persevered trusting that God would guide her to where she belonged. She also shared with the older loggers her home and resources while appreciating their memories of the logging camp. When Loretta and Hollies realized that friendship had turned to love the respect and caution they exhibited was an added brave to the story. It was with joy I finished the book feeling that they indeed had a very satisfied life!
13 reviews
August 12, 2020
Loved this book!

Jean Kuhnke is one of my favorite authors. I have to say she does not follow the cookie cutter patterns of so many books. Her stories are filled with strong, independent women who insist on making their way in the world. And along the way they find love, but that is not the focus.
Loretta went through a loveless marriage where she was abandoned in poverty. When the way opens up for her to leave that marriage, she takes it as a challenge to make her way out West.
40 reviews
September 21, 2020
Love Around the Bend

A beautiful plot and characters really make a book! This book had both!! Loretta was afraid to trust Hollis after Nolan turned out to be a spoiled rich boy.
His deeds finally caught up with him.
He used people up and kept on living, and had the nerve to come after Loretta. He had a wonderful wife, but he and his parents saw that too late. Loretta kept God in her life even through the hardships. She had her share, but the ending was pure love and integrity with Hollis, her children, their families and wonderful friends!!
21 reviews1 follower
September 28, 2020
Hope and Faith

This was a great book of hope and Faith. Unfortunately I read it in one day so now I have to wait for my next chance to get another of this author's books. Lory's Faith at always looking forward and hope of leaving the bad in the pass makes me want the live by her example. Finding Hollis after all she went through was a blessing for her. I can't wait to read one of Jeans next stories.

25 reviews
October 18, 2020
A Bend in the road

It was more than a bend really. Nolan was just a ungrateful spoiled rich kid that never grew up. His parents especially his mother was his problem. The author show that by putting your faith in the lord and hard work gives many riches that money can’t buy or provide. Very heart warming story. Wish a series could come of it. The sister needs her own novel.
8 reviews
December 19, 2019
Always like a Jean Kuhnke book!

I chose this rating because it is a good book and a great story. Jeans books are always clean with no sex or bad language, but with romance. All her stories have good overcoming evil. They are set in historical times and I always learn so much about how people lived back when.
11 reviews
January 30, 2020
Great book!!!

I love this book!!! It was awesome reading about Loretta and all she had to go through. A very strong woman. I highly recommend this book to anyone and ALL of Jean L Kuhnke's books!!! Buy one or ten today! :) You won't regret it!!! I currently own 70 of her books if that tells you about how good they are! :) Trust me, once you try one, you will buy them all! :)
23 reviews
October 3, 2020
Another good one from Jean Kuhnke.

Her stories are always good, heartwarming . About people acknowledging that with God , all things are easier to bear. She always has such a good story to tell. The thing I had a problem with were typographical errors, sometimes a wrong word, etc. and that was a distraction.
316 reviews3 followers
June 10, 2021
A very encouraging happy story of love

Loretta was a woman who looked at the bright side of things, never the bad side. Life did not treat her fairly always, but God was always there to protect her and to know she was not alone. God blesses Loretta more than she could ever dream. You will enjoy all of her challenges, so happy reading.
13 reviews
March 27, 2022
A beautiful Story!

A book hard to put down. . An old fashioned love story well written and leaving you wanting the lives of Hollis and Loretta to continue on and on. I especially appreciated being able to read a story line without language and explicit sex scenes. Thank you Jean Kuhnke for this wonderful book. I look forward to reading more from you.
Profile Image for Cleo A. Hanson.
179 reviews3 followers
December 18, 2019
Keep the faith and it sustains you.

Through trial and tribulations Loretta kept her faith. She triumphed over her problems and God provided for her. Excellent book - the characters came to life thru the authors skills.
187 reviews4 followers
January 1, 2020
A really good book

This was a real page turner. I can't wait to read more books by this author. Sometimes i just reread one they are so good and i rarely reread a book but i like this author that much
58 reviews1 follower
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September 23, 2020
Wonderful book

Each of Ms. Kuhnke’s books I have read have a similar story line but I never tire of it because each is somewhat different. I look forward to reading another one of her books.
2,788 reviews2 followers
December 28, 2020
Consider this a must read!

The manner in which the storyline is laid out the reader will become entranced with the characters and the challenges as they unfold. So much to love about this book.
Profile Image for alfred rusenstrom.
17 reviews1 follower
March 26, 2021
I really enjoyed the story I read the book to n one day

I would recommend the book very highly. I showed how we should never give up when life doesn't go our way and to always keep God in our life. 💯😀
11 reviews
May 17, 2022
A lady with a failed marriage and neglect. A turn in Circumstance changes everything. Now the neglected has the opportunity for great change. From rags to riches and off to the west. Very good book with unexpected changes and Opportunities . love this book and author.
859 reviews2 followers
December 20, 2019
Romance

A Bend in The Road by Jean L. Kuhnke. I enjoyed this story very much. Loved the characters and the storyline. The romance between Hollis and Loretta was sweet.
Profile Image for Maryk Adams.
189 reviews2 followers
December 30, 2019
Exceptional Story

Exceptional Story of trouble and triumphs, with the help of God. Having faith in people, family, and friends and going where God guides us.
4 reviews
April 26, 2020
Wonderful Read

I really enjoyed this book A good read and helped me really think of God
‘s Love he has for all of us that prays and puts our trust in him.
85 reviews
September 27, 2020
Great Book!

I loved the story of Loretta (Lory) and was thrilled that she found her happy ending with Hollis.
This was such a great Christian book!
Profile Image for Donna Brookmyer.
9 reviews7 followers
September 29, 2020
Great book

This was a very good book. I couldn't stop reading until the end, even reading until early in the morning.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews

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