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Alone in the Wilderness
Ronnie, a seventeen-year-old young woman was forced to travel alone after crossing several states by wagon train with her family. She was born Veronica, but her loved ones called her Ronnie. All but her father who could never seem to forgive her for being born a girl.
After her Grandmother died, he announced that he was selling the farm that his wife inherited and they were all moving west to apply for free land. No one completely understood his motive except Ronnie which made him even more hostile toward her.
They sold everything and started out with some of Grandpa’s prize sheep and a few Jersey cows that hadn’t freshened yet. The trail would be harsh and they wouldn’t have time to milk cows twice a day, was his reasoning.
Ronnie insisted on taking enough of the livestock to get them started when they settled knowing that Pa had no intentions of farming in Colorado. She just knew he was headed to California in search of gold. In her mind, they would need the animals for food no matter how difficult it would be to coax them along the grueling trail.
The sheep were the hardest to get moving each day and Ronnie ended up arriving in the new campsite long after the wagon train stopped for the night. With each mile, Pa became more agitated until he told her that if she insisted on wearing Grandpa’s overalls, she could make her own way along with the stinking sheep.
She did her best to continue to follow the trail left by the wagon train but it became harder each day. Her mother and siblings left things for her including a horse, rifle, and shells with a note that they would continue to leave things at the campsite each morning.
When it became apparent that she would no longer be able to push the sheep along, she sent a message with a man traveling on horseback trying to catch up with the wagon train. She told Momma that she would make her own way in the world and not to leave anymore along the trail.
After her Grandmother died, he announced that he was selling the farm that his wife inherited and they were all moving west to apply for free land. No one completely understood his motive except Ronnie which made him even more hostile toward her.
They sold everything and started out with some of Grandpa’s prize sheep and a few Jersey cows that hadn’t freshened yet. The trail would be harsh and they wouldn’t have time to milk cows twice a day, was his reasoning.
Ronnie insisted on taking enough of the livestock to get them started when they settled knowing that Pa had no intentions of farming in Colorado. She just knew he was headed to California in search of gold. In her mind, they would need the animals for food no matter how difficult it would be to coax them along the grueling trail.
The sheep were the hardest to get moving each day and Ronnie ended up arriving in the new campsite long after the wagon train stopped for the night. With each mile, Pa became more agitated until he told her that if she insisted on wearing Grandpa’s overalls, she could make her own way along with the stinking sheep.
She did her best to continue to follow the trail left by the wagon train but it became harder each day. Her mother and siblings left things for her including a horse, rifle, and shells with a note that they would continue to leave things at the campsite each morning.
When it became apparent that she would no longer be able to push the sheep along, she sent a message with a man traveling on horseback trying to catch up with the wagon train. She told Momma that she would make her own way in the world and not to leave anymore along the trail.
205 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 17, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 26, 2022
As a seventeen-year-old, Ronnie is a very level-headed girl, very practical. Her dad seems unnerved by her outspokenness. Her grandpa has been teaching her all about farming while her day works in town. After her grandparents die, the farm is deeded to her mom. But this is about the 1850s. So her dad decides to sell the farm. To Ronnie, this doesn't make any sense. She suspects that her dad is not interested in farming.
So they sell most of their things and only take what can fit in a covered wagon. Ronnie insists on bringing her prized sheep. But sheep are slower walkers than oxen. Finally, her dad says they won't wait for her and the blasted sheep. Her mom and siblings leave food and a horse for her. She decides she probably won't catch up and decide to find a place to settle down.
Her mom and siblings are furious with her dad. When he takes his turn at hunting, they leave some money and clothes for him and turn the wagon around to look for Ronnie.
They find each other, and the story is about how they prepare for winter and the rest of their lives.
So they sell most of their things and only take what can fit in a covered wagon. Ronnie insists on bringing her prized sheep. But sheep are slower walkers than oxen. Finally, her dad says they won't wait for her and the blasted sheep. Her mom and siblings leave food and a horse for her. She decides she probably won't catch up and decide to find a place to settle down.
Her mom and siblings are furious with her dad. When he takes his turn at hunting, they leave some money and clothes for him and turn the wagon around to look for Ronnie.
They find each other, and the story is about how they prepare for winter and the rest of their lives.
January 24, 2022
Never underestimate
Ronnie was left alone by a father that never understood her worth. Through faith and her grandpa training she make it on her own until she is reunited with her mom and sisters and brother. As always there is a happy ending. Except for a few editing errors this was a great story. Looking forward for another book from Jean.
Ronnie was left alone by a father that never understood her worth. Through faith and her grandpa training she make it on her own until she is reunited with her mom and sisters and brother. As always there is a happy ending. Except for a few editing errors this was a great story. Looking forward for another book from Jean.
March 9, 2022
Magnificent
A wonderful insightful story. Wonderful from beginning to the ending. A beautiful mother with a loving relationship with her children. A horrible father who did them the greatest favor by not wanting to be in their lives. Too selfish for this loving family. Great story and great author.
A wonderful insightful story. Wonderful from beginning to the ending. A beautiful mother with a loving relationship with her children. A horrible father who did them the greatest favor by not wanting to be in their lives. Too selfish for this loving family. Great story and great author.
December 28, 2022
good story
Loved the plot and the strength the characters had and as they grew watching the choices they made were true to their character. There was growth and a lot of family unity. I liked that the story unfolded realistically and the tension was believable. There was love and resolution. Would read more of this authors work.
Loved the plot and the strength the characters had and as they grew watching the choices they made were true to their character. There was growth and a lot of family unity. I liked that the story unfolded realistically and the tension was believable. There was love and resolution. Would read more of this authors work.
February 2, 2022
Alone in the Wilderness
I was so happy to find Jean L Kuhnke had written another book. I have been checking on Amazon to see if she had written anew book that i haven't read yet as i think i have read them all at least twice
I was so happy to find Jean L Kuhnke had written another book. I have been checking on Amazon to see if she had written anew book that i haven't read yet as i think i have read them all at least twice
February 5, 2022
Time to grow
Veronica is a young woman with wisdom beyond her years thanks to the influence of her grandparents. The story of her journey to adulthood and of her family is inspiring as well as engrossing.
Veronica is a young woman with wisdom beyond her years thanks to the influence of her grandparents. The story of her journey to adulthood and of her family is inspiring as well as engrossing.
July 13, 2022
1800’s life style with a proto- feminist message
A good story told in awkward prose. The gold is a red herring. ( you will understand that sentence after you finish enjoying this book!)
A good story told in awkward prose. The gold is a red herring. ( you will understand that sentence after you finish enjoying this book!)
May 26, 2023
Excellent story!
It was a great family story and their many hardships. A mom, three daughters and a son traveling West in a wagon trail. They have many adventures and how they survive. A family of faith!
It was a great family story and their many hardships. A mom, three daughters and a son traveling West in a wagon trail. They have many adventures and how they survive. A family of faith!
January 29, 2026
Great information
A really good story with plenty of good information on different aspects of farming. It did leave me with a question though; what happened to all the gold?!
Can't wait to read more of her work.
A really good story with plenty of good information on different aspects of farming. It did leave me with a question though; what happened to all the gold?!
Can't wait to read more of her work.
April 9, 2022
just love this author
She is a great story teller and she has the knack of getting you into her story. You can live as the precious family does and picture yourself there.
She is a great story teller and she has the knack of getting you into her story. You can live as the precious family does and picture yourself there.
April 29, 2022
Another good story by this author. Life's lessons are sometimes hard.
December 7, 2022
Wonderful story
Family love and the strong family tie. Everyone to read . I love the faith in God..I need the in good feelings inside.
Family love and the strong family tie. Everyone to read . I love the faith in God..I need the in good feelings inside.
January 12, 2024
Interesting story
I enjoyed reading it. The characters were fun and believable. It is a good clean story with a Christian background.
I enjoyed reading it. The characters were fun and believable. It is a good clean story with a Christian background.
January 30, 2026
I always know that if I pick up a Jean L. Kuhnke book, it will be uplifting and have a happy ending. Yay!
November 29, 2023
This book is a bit longer than other books by the author, and not much happens, but ultimately that is why I like it. It is a satisfying low-stress read.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews