Rose of RiverBend

by Vikki Kestell

The poignant and unforgettable conclusion to the series, A Prairie HeritageFall 1923. After a thirteen-year absence, Rose Thoresen is returning to her beloved RiverBend. It may well be her final visit. Edmund O’Dell, Rose’s son-in-law, has accepted the job as head of the Chicago Pinkerton office. As he prepares to move his family from Denver to Chicago, Rose faces a difficult Will she continue at Palmer House where she has led many fallen women to Christ and mentored them in their faith, or will she give up this ministry and follow her daughter and grandchildren to their new home? I am seventy-four years old, Lord, and I believe that the work you entrusted to me when we founded Palmer House should now pass to Sarah and Olive. By your grace, Lord God, they are ready to assume this great and wonderful responsibility. I pray you make them fruitful branches in your kingdom, always abiding in the vine, Christ Jesus. As for me? I will go with my daughter Joy and her family to Chicago and pour what love, strength, and time I have left into Joy and her children. Rose asks only one thing of her son-in-law. “Edmund, when we take the train east, I would like to stop in RiverBend and spend several days there. I have not seen my friends and Jan's family in many years.” Not since Jan left us and entered heaven. O’Dell readily agrees to Rose’s request. As the train chugs into RiverBend’s little station, Rose knows the time she spends here will be filled with cherished memories, the sweet entwined with the bittersweet. Father, thank you for the precious days before me. In them all, please help me to love without measure and bring glory to your name. A Prairie Book 1: A Rose Blooms TwiceBook 2: Wild Heart on the PrairieBook 3: Joy on This MountainBook 4: The Captive WithinBook 5: StolenBook 6: Lost Are FoundBook 7: All God's PromisesBook 8: The Heart of JoyBook 9: Rose of RiverBend“Vikki writes the kind of faith-filled fiction that hooks you within the first few pages, will not let you go until you have finished, and leaves you wishing for more.”—Janis Braun, Seattle, Washington“Her books are not just for 'chicks'! I was amazed how engrossed I became in the lives of Vikki's characters, and how much I could relate to their situations.”—Ed Dunne, Los Angeles“Be prepared to put life on hold. That's all I have to say!”—Rebecca H., New Jersey“You will laugh, you will cry but, most of all, you will be uplifted.”—LaTisha Holland, St. Augustine, FL

251 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 2, 2021

About the author

Vikki Kestell’s passion for people and their stories is evident in her readers’ affection for her characters and unusual plotlines. Two often repeated sentiments are, "I feel like I know these people," and "I'm right there, in the book, experiencing what her characters experience."

Vikki holds a PhD in organizational learning and instructional technologies. She left a career of twenty-plus years in government, academia, and corporate life to pursue writing full time. "Writing is the best job ever," she admits.

Also an accomplished speaker and teacher, Vikki and her husband, Conrad Smith, make their home in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Want to be notified of new book releases? Sign up for Vikki's newsletter on her website, http://www.vikkikestell.com/, or connect with her on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/TheWritingOfV..., or follow her on BookBub, https://www.bookbub.com/authors/vikki..., or right here on Goodreads.

Reviews

[MiLena Balthrop · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved "Rose of RiverBend" because I had questions about how Rose spent her twilight years. This novel answered that question. It also gave me an even deeper respect for Rose, a lady I met in Vikki Kestell's Prairie Heritage series.

Rose Thoresen is a woman who made her way in the Nebraska prairie when it was being settled. It was from that pioneer spirit that readers learned what a strong woman Rose was. Tragedy brought her West, but strength and determination made her stay.

This book begins shortly after Rose has left the Palmer House, a home for young women who had been lured into prostitution. Vikki Kestell writes Christian fiction, but she never shies away from hard topics, like girls who were tricked into moving West and then forced into prostitution.

Rose continues working with young women in "Rose of RiverBend." This time Lucy and Hester benefit from Rose's wisdom.

"Rose of RiverBend" is a tribute to Rose Thoresen, an example for all who follow Christ, and a seed planted in nonbelievers of what life in Christ can offer. I highly recommend "Rose of RiverBend" written by Selah award winner Vikki Kestell.

[ELIZABETH SABINS · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fine addition to this beloved series.

Spending more time with the Thoresons is such a pleasure! Rose and Jan Thoreson's legacy of godly men and women constantly surprised and delighted me. Like having a reunion with a dear friend. This ninth book in this series made me stop often to consider my Christian walk. I genuinely enjoyed this book.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t even begin to express how much I love this whole series, including the Girls From the Mountain series. So very many emotions from despair to elation, the depth of character development, subject matter involved. I wanted to move to RiverBend to be near the Thoresen family. Just a beautifully crafted series pointing toward Jesus.

[Martha · Rating 3 out of 5]

The style of this story felt very telling to me, and I struggled to enjoy it as much as I wanted to. The topics dealt with, with sexual abuse being a topic discussed, was handled well, and I liked how it was not shoved under the rug. However, I felt as if I was told the story, rather than experiencing it, which led to the lower stars.

[Rick Howe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Living daily by faith in God

Love these stories of strong believers, the trials of this life, the hope of heaven clearly and sensitively lived out before people in life stories without hope. Lost become found and are loved by God and His dear ones. Wrap your heart with these stories ; God's redemption stories.

[Sonja Holt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read! Lovely picture of Christ's work I a surrendered heart!

As always, God speaks thru the fictional work of Vicki Kestell. What a beautiful series! Praise God for his redemptive work!

[Lillie Langlois · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rose ❤️

I am overwhelmed with this one! I have cried and prayed through this book. I felt the Holy Spirit encouraging me and convicting me to surrender all to Him. I give God the glory for the author and the gift he has given her. Thank you, Vikki. ❤️❤️

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding! Wonderful!

A beautiful ending to a rich and wonderful series. It has been a true joy to follow Rose through tragedy and triumph. Through tears and laughter. Faith filled fiction is exactly the right description.

Thank you Vikki, for this beautiful series.

[Santina Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rose of Riverbend

Delighted to read this last book of her Heritage Series. I love the way she incorporates scripture into all of her writings. I’ve read all her books and only wish there were more.

[Bruce Dinsman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tissues anyone?

Oh this was a tear jerkin completion of this story line back where it began. Rose is always a force to b reckoned with because she always commits everything to prayer.

[Mrs K M Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written

It is the first time I've read anything from this author I first read A prarie heritage and I was hooked reading all in the series in two days couldn't out then down beautiful written and an enthralling read.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a good story it is sad in place but then so is life. rose and joy and edmund and family are moving to chicago but stop in river bend to see the family there. very well written and the people are very well written also

[Vikki Vaught · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely finish for this remarkable character. Glad I found this one in Kindle Unlimited. While her writing can be termed preachy and it is, I still love it. As a Christian, scripture is always a pleasure to read. Happy reading!

[Eileen Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing ending

This book was just the ending this series needed. I have throughly enjoyed reading this book as it tied up all the loose ends of the various parts of the stories in this series.

[Jackalyn]

Very good. The last (ninth) book in the Prairie Heritage series, it sort of "wraps up" some of the stories from the earlier books. Although sometimes dealing with unpleasant topics, all in all, it is a well written and very interesting series.

[Wendy Koonz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect way to wrap things up...

This book was awesome! I feel like this book gave me closure in regards to Rose's character. I cried throughout reading it.

[Debbie Senft · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last in the series. Wonderful books by a Christian author. Simple but very heartwarming to read.

[Merry D Hale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring

This is a beautiful godly story without being preachy. It leaves me feeling inspired to be more like Rose myself.

[Pamela Baker · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a hard time getting into this one. I didn't detect anything that could be a plot until I was 35% in. If you like to mix in a little fiction in your Bible study, you'll like this book.

[Jsmh · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last of Prairie Heritage. Sigh. One of the best series I've ever read. Wonderful series.