Annie Hudson already has one foot out the door. She has responded to a mail order bride advertisement and now needs to figure out how to get all the way to Oregon.
When her older sister Louisa learns about her plans, she enlists the other two Hudson sisters to her side. They refuse to let Annie make the trip alone, and soon four women--and one teenage boy--are driving their wagons westward.
Each of the Hudson sisters has to reconcile what she had expected her lives to be with the adventure she is now choosing.
Will the sacrifice be enough to give them the future they’ve always wanted?
All the books in the Courage on the Oregon Trail series take place within the same wagon company's trip west and run concurrently. They can be read in any order.
I loved this book! It shows the courage and determination of the Hudson Family as they traveled from their comfortable home and enjoyable work responsibilities in Virginia. This was to encourage and aid Annie to join her fiance, whom she met via mail correspondence. He was living in Oregon. The author, A.T. Butler writes a memorizing story of their trip there and how they coped with a true adventure to get there. Their route was through mountainous areas and different climates as they followed their caravan through the USA. Their relationship with each other improved significantly as they met new challenges and worked as a team. I will certainly read A.T. Butler other books to follow the Hudson's continuation of their new lives in Oregon. I highly recommend this book!
The Hudson women are women who grow and face the the trials of crossing a continent with quiet courage. The incredible hardships of the journey are vividly described and the inevitable losses movingly depicted.
The story line is about a brave woman who changes her attitude after experiencing the difficulties of traveling the Oregon trail with her family. The younger sister’s goal is to leave Virginia to marry a man who advertised for a wife. I expected to read about that relationship but the book ends about two pages after they meet. The next book in the series is not a follow up. Very disappointing.
When Annie received Isaacs cross-continent marriage proposal she left home immediately to join him, and forged her way through what would be impossible difficulties traveling the Oregon Trail, had it not been for her three sisters joining her. I enjoyed reading this third book about the Sullivan-Mills Wagon Train and the individual people who bonded together to, against all odds, make the arduous trek to a new and better life in Oregon.
A family of sisters go on the origon trail to find a new life. Annie is to be wedded to her husband she wrote to and she has never met him.it is a tale of courage and family love right throughout this book. Nice to read about the very strong people and the difficulties they endured. Strong faith displayed throughout this book
So interesting to read the story of a family of girls crossing the United States to go to Oregon.
So many trials, sorrow and calamities surrounded the sisters on their way to the Oregon territory! They never knew what would happen next on their journey!
To be fair, this is book three of the series, which means I didn't read book one or two.
It is billed as a romance and an adventure, but that may be stretching it.
It takes place during the hey day of the push west and mail order brides. Book three is all about the trip to Oregon when the youngest sister, Annie, signs up to be a mail order bride. All three sisters, plus widowed sister in law and son head west.
Louisa as the oldest has no redeeming character arc, she spends the entire time telling everyone how things are going to be including the men. Strangely, the men obey. (Improbable)
It's just as believable as a sheltered thirteen year old boy who's never driven a team of oxen can suddenly handle a team and a heavily laddened wagon across rugged terrain of the Oregon Trail.
Add into the hard to accept things is a wagonmaster allowing a gaggle of single women to join up.
The groom who ordered the mail order bride happens to be the appropriate age, decent looking, and a thoughtful, caring man who only wants to bring his bride happiness.
Despite the preachy elements about God, Jesus, etc., the characters showed a lack of compassion as they pass a fellow wagon train member penned under a wagon. Their goal is not to lose time and rush past him. (Never mind most men who ordered a bride where toothless prospectors.)
The bride to be, Annie, is a wimpy gal who refuses to stand up to her overbearing sister, Louisa. She tells herself that Louisa means well and only wants to look after her. In the end, life is good because she has a man to look after her when her sister no longer can. (Gag.)
Now, this would be a good book for young children studying the Oregon Trail in school. Language is simple while exposing the hardship of traveling west. There's no cursing, sex scenes, although death is rampant. I assume some adults would find it entertaining, too.
A simple tale of resilience and love, set against the backdrop of the American wild west. The journey of four women and a young boy across the continent in the hope of a better life.
I know of this period from history and social science articles but to read about it in a story gives a human and emotional perspective to the struggles of the immigrants.
I love historical fiction and I haven't yet read any books about traveling on the Oregon Trail so I was excited to read this book. While the book captured the grit and monotony and tragedy that occurred on the trail, I expected more. While Louise and Annie's characters were the primary ones, their stories became a little repetitive with Louise being too controlling and Annie not making any decisions on her own or standing up for herself. The third sister, Josie, was hardly mentioned at all. I thought the personalities of the family members could have been expanded on a bit more. Also, they were traveling through some beautiful countryside and I was hoping for descriptions of what they were seeing and experiencing. Lastly, the book ended before the end of the journey and I was left wondering how they settled in their new homes.
Very informative and told in a relatable story. They didn't just move across the country. They walked the whole way. Physically and emotionally exhausted each day.
This book started well and degenerated from there. There are three sisters (Louisa, Josey, and Annie), a widowed sister-in-law, and her thirteen-year-old son (Margaret and Lawrence). Annie wants to accept a mail-order bride proposal, requiring her to travel to Oregon (from Virginia). She was engaged to a man who died six years earlier, and she needs a new start.
Louisa, wh and loves her sisters, has cared for the family since their parents died. Although Louisa has a thriving seamstress business, she realizes that Annie needs a fresh beginning and she immediately starts planning for the trip to Oregon. The problem is that a little bit of Louisa goes a long way; before long, I couldn't bear to hear what she had to say next.
There are several improbabilities. First, wagon trains never took unmarried women across the continent. Period. A thirteen-year-old boy would be no help where it would count (repairing a broken wheel, shooting against Indians, taking a night shift to watch for Indians, etc.).
Although Louisa KNEW herself to be saved (by God), I couldn't believe her lack of compassion when tragedy befell others. Annie was Louisa's doormat; if Louisa hadn't started getting things to go, Annie would still be sitting in Virginia, thinking over things. Other than the constant sector of death on the trail, this book was dull. All the strife was between know-it-all Louisa and her downtrodden sisters. Annie was going from one person caring for her (Louisa) to another (her intended husband, Isaac in Oregon).
The goal of this book is to show how Annie comes into her own (giving up her doormat status), and Louise learns to let others do some living on their own. Thus, this is a study of character. Each sister (and nephew) starts at one level in Virginia, waiting for Louisa to do their thinking. However, each sister becomes more of her own person over several months on the trail.
Nothing was wrong with this story; I wasn't in the mood for a character study.
I must commend A.T. Butler. Her stories are so engaging and they get you so immersed that it feels impossible to stop reading once you have started. I have read three of her books now and they all have had that same effect.
Fronteir Sisters tells the story of four sisters and a nephew: Louisa (the oldest), Josie, Annie (the youngest), Margaret (their widowed sister in law), and Lawrence (Margaret's son). Louisa is strong-willed and is always looking out for her sisters and making decisions for them, especially Annie who is quiet and timid. So when Annie answers an ad for a mailorder bride, Louisa decides that she would accompany Annie on the long trip to Oregon, and their sisters join.
What I love about this story is watching how Annie grew in confidence during the difficult journey. While Annie was becoming stronger and learning to speak up for herself, Louisa softened, learned that it is okay to accept help, and learned how not just to feel compassion but also how to show it. It was beautiful to watch them all grow as strong and resilient individuals. Seeing Annie finally meet her prospective husband, Isaac, in the end made the journey worth the effort and challenges.
My one regret, however, was that Louisa died. I wish she could have made it to Oregon and seen it for herself.
Overall, I would say that Fronteir Sisters was a worthy read. Very well written!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Interesting, I just noticed that this was Book #3 in the series. Will have to find the first two. I enjoyed this story. It was interesting to have a view of a wagon train from the woman's point of view. 1850 - This is a story of 3 sisters, their sister-in-law and her 13 yr old son, The Hudsons. The youngest sister, Annie has informed her oldest sister that she has had an offer of marriage from a man across the country in Oregon. The oldest sister, Louise, has always taken it upon herself to guide her younger sisters lives and has done so since their parents died as well as their brother. So it is a shock to hear that Annie has even had a proposal of marriage, even though she's 24 years old. However, turns the shock onto Annie by deciding that the whole family will up and sell their family home in Virginia and join a wagon train travelling the Oregon Trail. Without a man in the family other than 13 year old Lawrence, the Wagon Trail Boss is hesitant to take them on, but Louise convinces him they will pull their share of the workload and not be a burden on others. This is also a discovery of self and their relationships are sometimes put on the line. A quick read and I will pick up the next book to continue reading the story.
I received this book from the author via Book Sirens and I enjoyed it very much. this story has a different perspective of the Oregon Wagon Trail that the same journey in Faithful Trail and adds to the enjoyment of the book. Annie Hudson is a mail order bride and has to travel to Oregon to wed her future husband. Her older sister Louisa decides that the whole family should go too so Louisa, Josie and Annie together with their sister in law, Margaret, and nephew 13 year old Lawrence buy two wagons, ups sticks and joins the trail to start a new life. The journey changes their lives forever and brings out aspects of their characters that surprise them. Lawrence changes from boy to man in the journey. their interaction with other members of the wagon train makes them kinder, wiser and stronger. they endure hardships, fortitude and monotony along the trail. and have to deal with Indians, food shortages, death along the way. It highlights the bravery of the pioneers and makes you appreciate what they went through in those times. It was interesting to see tat it is the same journey with a very different viewpoint. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Taking The Oregon Trail To A New Life This is an emotional western adventure about four young women and a teenage boy taking the Oregon Trail to a new life. This is the third book in the series and shares events and characters with the other stories. The author brings the hardship and monotony of the very long journey to life as she chronicles the hardships that anyone can understand. From lack of forage for the oxen to lack of bare necessities to Native Americans wanting their cut of the booty in the wagons, it is all like the reader is there. The second-guessing the choice in going west, the loss of family members, the leaving of personal treasures along the road, she presents the emotions in a true-to-life manner. I truly enjoyed this book and can't wait for the next episode. I received this ARC for free from the author and this is my honest opinion.
The Hudson sisters of Norfolk Virginia have a decent life, but memories of too many loved ones who died to soon kept a melancholy cloud over them. When youngest, Annie, announces that she wants to marry a stranger in Oregon, her sisters are resistant to the idea. They can't let baby sister go west alone, and soon they all prepare to go. None of them dreamed that the distance and work load would be so difficult, except for Josie who has read the guide book many times. As the dangers only grows, and losses become so great, can Annie change her ways to become a leader? With so little food or water,, how could they avoid being stopped by deadly snow?
Each book starts at the beginning of the trip to Oregon with all traveling on the same train. A.T. Butler managed to do this without the same major events getting old. This one is about four sisters and boy, is Louisa bossy and a know-it-all. Yet she is right most of the time. Annie is the youngest and a widow. Margaret is also a widow and has a son. She is a sister by marriage. And Josie is the final sister. Their travels across the plains and mountains are difficult but possible due to Louisa's careful planning. I'm still enjoying these books and do recommend. This missed 5 stars due to two poor content errors.
These were such committed people, proud and strong. They were up early and had a days worth of work done before leaving their campsites and then walking for miles . Many died along the trail and were buried and left behind. How terrible for the families to continue the journey without their !over ones . The sisters made it to Oregon mostly because Louisa, the eldest seemed dipped in starch she was so strong. She taught the others how to never give up. I highly recommend this book to young adults thru well....I'm almost 85 and I loved it. Must read.
This 3rd book in the series of life on the wagon train journey to Oregon is also a close study in the different and sometimes colliding personalities of the Hudson sisters as they struggle to make sense of the hardship and heartbreak during their hazardous journey. Domineering Louisa only wants the best for her family , but Annie is just starting to realize what she is capable of herself. Strength....forged through fear ,deprivation and adversity is at the core of this evolution of our heroines personalities , so necessary for their new lives on the American frontier. This author is good at promoting self reflection
This is a neat story about wagon train journey in 1850 to Oregon. When Annie Hudson answers a mail order bide ad from a man in Oregon, she confides in her older sister, Louisa. Louisa decides that she, sister Josie and widowed sister in-law, Margaret with her 13 year old son Lawrence should all make the trip to Oregon. The author graphically describes the difficult journey that cost the life of big sister, Louisa, near the end of the of the trip. It’s interesting and is pretty much a page turner.
I've lived in Oregon most of my life, studied the Oregon trail and even lived along side part of it and walked portions of it myself. So I guess it makes books like this one "come to life" more easily as you can almost picture how rough it would have been to cross and even then the stories most likely wouldn't come close. But I did love the interaction between all the sisters in this one and how the trail helped each one grow into themselves. I look forward to reading others in this series.
The same story, told from the different perspectives of its characters, is quite an intriguing concept for a series. I was worried it would start to feel stale, but three books in it still seems fresh and unique.
Because of the first two books, I knew the passing of one of the main characters of this book was inevitable, and yet it still came as a shock and was the most painful loss of all the stories to date. I legit cried and had to stop reading to gather myself.
There are some proofing errors in the book that are a bit annoying, but overall it's a fast and straightforward read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Three sisters, their sister-in-law and nephew travel from Virginia to Oregon, face dangers, deaths, Indian raid, along with the struggle of walking oxen teams across the country. They mature in many ways, learn more about each other and others in the wagon train. One sister is oldest and raised her sisters and brother; she's also bossy and doesn't like being questioned. They all learn from her determination and persistence what they need for the journey.
This was a really long, pretty accurate, story of a family move across the country from Virginia in the mid 1800s. Fascinating family dynamics and a good feel for how mind‐numbing, long, and dangerous the trek was. My father's family migrated to North Dakota in the 1800s and then to Oregon in the early 1900s , I was intrigued with the "how‐to" aspect and thoroughly enjoyed the tale.
Annie just accepted what others decided. She had gone through the trauma of losing both parents, her brother and her fiancé, it was just easier to adjust than to speak up. When she responded to an ad placed by a man in Oregon who wanted a wife, her older sister began to arrange for the rest of the family to accompany her west. The farther west she went, the more Annie began to share her wants and needs. She found an inner strength she did not know she had.
Absolutely fascinated by this book. Loved the sister dynamic. At first, I found Louisa irritating but my attitude changed as she grew as a person. I found myself on the Oregon Trail with these sisters. The author's research is obvious by the details of the wagon train. Unexpected twists. Seeing all the sisters step up to the challenge, especially Annie made me keep turning pages. I didn't want it to end. I wanted to know what the Hudson sister's life would be like in Oregan.