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Torn Between Worlds
Rich with vivid details, this meticulously researched action adventure transports the reader to an 1849 wagon train. Not a formulaic romance. A must-read for fans of historical westerns or women's fiction.
Born of Indian blood, Lydia is the adopted daughter of a poor white farmer. Viewed as a savage, she is ostracized by the isolated Ozark community. Outcast from social events, she lives in the shadows of society.
When violence against Lydia’s family escalates, she realizes that attempts to live by her mother’s teachings, ‘being a lady so society would accept her’, had been a failure and her presence was now endangering her adoptive parents. She does not belong in Possum Hollow. She is tied to another land.
In the summer of 1849, Lydia sets out on the California Oregon trail with her neighbors and Joe, the blue eyed gun-slinging trail boss, hoping to find the Indian family she does not know, a home, and a place of acceptance. The moccasins her mother gives her, saved since childhood, are the only clue to her heritage.
The emigrants must endure a precarious existence of river crossings, cholera, stampedes, and a new kind of prejudice. Despite the challenges, Lydia’s strength and courage grow. Romance blossoms. Although a sharp-tongued red head also lays claim to the trail boss. When fierce Sioux warriors visit camp, not once, but twice, specifically to trade for her, having heard of her heroism for rescuing a drowning boy, tensions between the two sides increase. Lydia has always been unafraid of Indians, despite stories of massacres and scalpings, but even she becomes uneasy.
Not being truly white nor truly Indian, Lydia belongs to neither world. To find happiness, Lydia must choose between life with her Indian family and the white man she loves.
When violence against Lydia’s family escalates, she realizes that attempts to live by her mother’s teachings, ‘being a lady so society would accept her’, had been a failure and her presence was now endangering her adoptive parents. She does not belong in Possum Hollow. She is tied to another land.
In the summer of 1849, Lydia sets out on the California Oregon trail with her neighbors and Joe, the blue eyed gun-slinging trail boss, hoping to find the Indian family she does not know, a home, and a place of acceptance. The moccasins her mother gives her, saved since childhood, are the only clue to her heritage.
The emigrants must endure a precarious existence of river crossings, cholera, stampedes, and a new kind of prejudice. Despite the challenges, Lydia’s strength and courage grow. Romance blossoms. Although a sharp-tongued red head also lays claim to the trail boss. When fierce Sioux warriors visit camp, not once, but twice, specifically to trade for her, having heard of her heroism for rescuing a drowning boy, tensions between the two sides increase. Lydia has always been unafraid of Indians, despite stories of massacres and scalpings, but even she becomes uneasy.
Not being truly white nor truly Indian, Lydia belongs to neither world. To find happiness, Lydia must choose between life with her Indian family and the white man she loves.
305 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 6, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 18, 2020
Good Reading
This is a great story line. It has a Strong female protagonist and enough action to keep one turning pages to see what will happen next. If you like a love story with adventure, you'll love this book.
This is a great story line. It has a Strong female protagonist and enough action to keep one turning pages to see what will happen next. If you like a love story with adventure, you'll love this book.
April 21, 2020
Good
A so fearful read of two peop!e caught between two worlds...love wins out. Beautiful story of a man and woman
A so fearful read of two peop!e caught between two worlds...love wins out. Beautiful story of a man and woman
July 22, 2020
If you enjoyed 1000 White Women, you will enjoy this book! I met the author at a local club. This is her first novel, and I'm impressed. First impression at beginning of book was of just another 'hot romance' novel. Not so. Good character development, very interesting details of the journey west, adventure, and a fun read. So glad I met Linda Chalk and bought the book! Torn Between Worlds
April 22, 2021
Historical romance well written
A very well written story, with many historical references, and beautiful scene descriptions. Lydia is a strong female protagonist who has survived many hardships. A gripping story...
A very well written story, with many historical references, and beautiful scene descriptions. Lydia is a strong female protagonist who has survived many hardships. A gripping story...
May 23, 2020
Great read
I loved this book ! 1st time I read by this author though and I wasn’t disappointed. I felt like I was reading a book from Roseanne bittner, that’s how good it was. if you’re looking for a good love story light sex scenes which I appreciated and lots of romance this is your book. Lydia was shunned in her white community being raised by white parents who loved her very much. then Joe came along and together they headed out to California on a wagon train where she was treated a little bit better. Lydia always had hopes of finding her true parents which she finally did . Joe was in with her and she loved Joe. Joe came back for her and they finally got married and had a child. This was a really good book it was hard to put it down at times. This author is really good I especially liked how she got the life and Lydia’s family at the Indian village in the book that was my favorite part of the story.
I loved this book ! 1st time I read by this author though and I wasn’t disappointed. I felt like I was reading a book from Roseanne bittner, that’s how good it was. if you’re looking for a good love story light sex scenes which I appreciated and lots of romance this is your book. Lydia was shunned in her white community being raised by white parents who loved her very much. then Joe came along and together they headed out to California on a wagon train where she was treated a little bit better. Lydia always had hopes of finding her true parents which she finally did . Joe was in with her and she loved Joe. Joe came back for her and they finally got married and had a child. This was a really good book it was hard to put it down at times. This author is really good I especially liked how she got the life and Lydia’s family at the Indian village in the book that was my favorite part of the story.
January 3, 2021
Really enjoyed this book,
February 17, 2020
Both Worlds Were torment
As an indian child rescued and raised by a white couple. She was shunned and treated with contempt. Always wondering about her native family she decides to join a wagon train heading west. So much detail on the journey and the wagon master who she had fallen in love with. There are surprises that I wont go into detail you will not be disappointed.
As an indian child rescued and raised by a white couple. She was shunned and treated with contempt. Always wondering about her native family she decides to join a wagon train heading west. So much detail on the journey and the wagon master who she had fallen in love with. There are surprises that I wont go into detail you will not be disappointed.
April 27, 2020
A young Indian girl trying to fit in a white world.
Raised in a white world a young Indian girl tried to fit in. She dresses and lives like a young white lady. Why can't she feel like she belongs. She spends her life dreaming of her indian heritage and glimpses of an attack in an Indian village is this a vision of a nightmare?
Raised in a white world a young Indian girl tried to fit in. She dresses and lives like a young white lady. Why can't she feel like she belongs. She spends her life dreaming of her indian heritage and glimpses of an attack in an Indian village is this a vision of a nightmare?
May 5, 2020
So-so....
I was excited about this book, it seemed promising. I must admit to being disappointed. The characters were weak, hard to like. The words were written at a third grade level. Aside from one paragraph discussing his organ, there's nothing a young teen should not read. I felt as if the book had potential but just not enough development. It was rather predictable and dry.
I was excited about this book, it seemed promising. I must admit to being disappointed. The characters were weak, hard to like. The words were written at a third grade level. Aside from one paragraph discussing his organ, there's nothing a young teen should not read. I felt as if the book had potential but just not enough development. It was rather predictable and dry.
August 2, 2025
Finding a home in your arms
A young Indian girl is raised by white parents, they had found her wondering in the desert . While the parents loved her, the town people
treated her very badly, She loved her parent's, but always wondered. Where she came from? Read about her finding love with a white man
Finding her birth family
A young Indian girl is raised by white parents, they had found her wondering in the desert . While the parents loved her, the town people
treated her very badly, She loved her parent's, but always wondered. Where she came from? Read about her finding love with a white man
Finding her birth family
August 7, 2024
Very good book! Enjoyed all the history
June 23, 2025
Very interesting and seemingly accurate historical western romance novel. The details of life back then was fascinating. A good love story.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews