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Wildflowers #1
Finding Her Way
In 1848 women can expect a few bumps along the Oregon Trail. Corinne Temple, age seventeen, has a few ridiculous challenges to face outside the river crossings, snakes, Indians, accidental gunshots and finding enough privacy to be clean along the grimy trail.
When Corinne’s marriage of convenience gets less convenient she turns to some new friends in the wagon train who help her see the hope for the future. They teach her to take the time to dance and celebrate the small victories, to have faith and determination through the hardest things a person can face.
Corinne’s journey takes her from the cobblestone streets of fashionable Boston to the rugged mountains of the west, across rivers and deserts, from sea to shining sea.
A faithful heart gets this young woman through the hardest days on the trail, her skills and resolve show her and others how a woman can rise from circumstances and survive.
Join her as she discovers her own strength and resilience in … Seeing the Elephant.
(Previously released as Seeing The Elephant, revised, rewritten and professionally edited.)
When Corinne’s marriage of convenience gets less convenient she turns to some new friends in the wagon train who help her see the hope for the future. They teach her to take the time to dance and celebrate the small victories, to have faith and determination through the hardest things a person can face.
Corinne’s journey takes her from the cobblestone streets of fashionable Boston to the rugged mountains of the west, across rivers and deserts, from sea to shining sea.
A faithful heart gets this young woman through the hardest days on the trail, her skills and resolve show her and others how a woman can rise from circumstances and survive.
Join her as she discovers her own strength and resilience in … Seeing the Elephant.
(Previously released as Seeing The Elephant, revised, rewritten and professionally edited.)
234 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 3, 2011
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1737 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 306 reviews
January 21, 2019
5 stars English Ebook - Wauw I have to let the dust settle down. 🦋🦋🦋 review follows later. 🌷🌷🌷
August 20, 2016
Could have been good
This book could have been so many things but just kept missing the mark. First, it is full of grammatical errors and was obviously am written in first person and (poorly) changed at the last minute. There are several spots where it is both. A good editor, or friend to read through, would have been smart.
Second, the story lacked the right details for an Oregon Trail story. There were a few good scenes (finding the Indian tribe, river crossings, painting Independence Rock), but opportunities for major events were just glossed over, like mountain passes and the arrival in Oregon. It's like the author did only a little research.
Third, the characters were flat. Corinne had no faults. She valiantly succeeded each trail, even having her nasty husband conveniently die off. Giving her an odd skill, like healing and essential oils, is interesting but not character development. It just tied story bits together. Andrew was only nasty-mean. His journal was a poor story change obviously added only to help finish the story. Clive was the only character with a little depth. Maybe since he was older, his flaws were behind him and therefore he felt real.
Lastly, as a Christian romance (which I don't usually read) it missed the "God" mark. A few whispered prayers, some church attendance references and a few sentences about how God changed her life does not make a good Christian story. Corinne tells her Father on arriving in Oregon that God changed her but there is no difference in her personality. It feels like, similar to the change from first person, a few Christian phrases were added in at the last minute, just to change genres.
The author has potential, but needs help. Get a good editor, and a grammar checking software program. Thoroughly research your setting or go with a region you know. Develop characters before writing and don't change voice unless you rewrite the entire book. Be Christian or don't, but lukewarm, wishy-washy doesn't work. Take writing courses, get serious constructive criticism, edit and rewrite. Self publish doesn't mean you can be sloppy or lazy. I hope the other stories are better, but I won't waste my time.
This book could have been so many things but just kept missing the mark. First, it is full of grammatical errors and was obviously am written in first person and (poorly) changed at the last minute. There are several spots where it is both. A good editor, or friend to read through, would have been smart.
Second, the story lacked the right details for an Oregon Trail story. There were a few good scenes (finding the Indian tribe, river crossings, painting Independence Rock), but opportunities for major events were just glossed over, like mountain passes and the arrival in Oregon. It's like the author did only a little research.
Third, the characters were flat. Corinne had no faults. She valiantly succeeded each trail, even having her nasty husband conveniently die off. Giving her an odd skill, like healing and essential oils, is interesting but not character development. It just tied story bits together. Andrew was only nasty-mean. His journal was a poor story change obviously added only to help finish the story. Clive was the only character with a little depth. Maybe since he was older, his flaws were behind him and therefore he felt real.
Lastly, as a Christian romance (which I don't usually read) it missed the "God" mark. A few whispered prayers, some church attendance references and a few sentences about how God changed her life does not make a good Christian story. Corinne tells her Father on arriving in Oregon that God changed her but there is no difference in her personality. It feels like, similar to the change from first person, a few Christian phrases were added in at the last minute, just to change genres.
The author has potential, but needs help. Get a good editor, and a grammar checking software program. Thoroughly research your setting or go with a region you know. Develop characters before writing and don't change voice unless you rewrite the entire book. Be Christian or don't, but lukewarm, wishy-washy doesn't work. Take writing courses, get serious constructive criticism, edit and rewrite. Self publish doesn't mean you can be sloppy or lazy. I hope the other stories are better, but I won't waste my time.
September 20, 2011
A fast moving, family friendly adventure. From sea to shining sea. Explore young America with Corinne Temple, a young woman who learns how to face her challenges bravely in Seeing the elephant.
The new edition is now available and the grammatical issues have been addressed. I hope you enjoy the journey. ~ Leah
The new edition is now available and the grammatical issues have been addressed. I hope you enjoy the journey. ~ Leah
July 26, 2011
I really liked this book! I live in Wyoming not far from the Oregon Trail and loved reading about the settlers as they went thru the various places along the trail. The author had completed her research very well and it was factual to events and places. As for the people in the book, very real. I would like to read other books from Leah Banicki
July 1, 2018
Awesome book
I chose this rating because it kept my interest. I didn't want to put it down. Every chance I could I picked it up and read it.
I chose this rating because it kept my interest. I didn't want to put it down. Every chance I could I picked it up and read it.
June 7, 2017
This is supposed to have been professionally edited. Unfortunately, the writing is riddled with errors: missing words, changes in tense, changes to first person pov from third. There was little to the story other than Corinne's miserable journey. Many chapters followed the same structure - Corinne waking up, dealing with what the day brought and then the chapter ending with her going to sleep. There was insufficient conflict to keep me reading and I dnf'd at 36%.
December 7, 2017
Setting off on the Oregon Trail with a cold fish of a new husband seemed like the least of her worries but as the gruelling journey begins Corinne realises just what she’s taken on. She quickly immerses herself in her new role without support or love from her uncaring husband and she soon realises that her skills as a healer are in need but will the man who made it possible for her to travel block her from helping her friends and neighbours?
Corinne is a strong protagonist with a kind heart and the reader quickly learns to love her but her husband is another matter. Her friendships suffer while he seeks to crush her spirit but Corinne is made of stronger stuff and her caravan of travellers see that.
Banicki has researched the trail well and the sub-stories that happen along the journey are authentic to the historic setting and deeply emotive. I had to read quickly because I was desperate to know what would happen next. The book was thought-provoking.
Corinne is a strong protagonist with a kind heart and the reader quickly learns to love her but her husband is another matter. Her friendships suffer while he seeks to crush her spirit but Corinne is made of stronger stuff and her caravan of travellers see that.
Banicki has researched the trail well and the sub-stories that happen along the journey are authentic to the historic setting and deeply emotive. I had to read quickly because I was desperate to know what would happen next. The book was thought-provoking.
November 7, 2013
I got my free copy of this book in 2011 and – looking at all the positive reviews – I’m guessing their copy of this book was probably edited properly. My copy of this book, unfortunately, is in SERIOUS need of editing. In its current state it looks like it was written by a fifth grader. I tried reading this book, but five pages into it I was so confused and so tired of trying to fix all the tenses and trying to make sense of the narrative, that I just gave up. So, I can’t tell you if this is a good story or not, but looking at other reviews on here it probably is. I won’t know because deciphering an author’s writing while trying to read her book, is just no fun. I admire anyone who endeavors to write a book. I know it isn’t easy, so I’m not trying to insult the author. Not at all. I hope to one day read a properly edited version of this book.
August 18, 2020
Traveling from Boston to Oregon in 1848 by wagon train, can be a formidable task for anyone. For Corrine Temple, a seventeen year old young lady whose father has arranged a marriage for her in order to have safe passage on the trail so that they can reunite, well......it’s about to bring a whole level of hardship, trouble, heartbreak, and embarrassment she never imagined.
However, Corrine is soon making a name for herself among those she travels with in the wagon train, and with the Indians they meet up with, due to her knowledge and abilities of how to help people with flowers and plants she collects and makes into medicine to heals wounds or sickness. Her new husband is not so impressed; he isolates her from others, including her best friend with threats if she disobeys him, he calls her a child and expresses how foolish she is. Not only does Corrine face that ill mannered treatment that she must endure, but with it, all the emotional challenges of the Oregon Trail including accidents, illness, and death. How can she find her way and what waits for her at the end of this journey?
This is a powerful story of a young woman with high values, a future dream, and sheer determination that will evolve into greater strength in order to conquer the hardship of a loveless marriage, and the brutality of the Oregon Trail, with the deepest of love, and compassion for others along the way.
I listened to the AUDIO version of this story, and the narrator was absolutely brilliant. It was a well paced reading, enjoyable to listen to with character voices that were unique and distinguishable from one another.
I am pleased to recommend this historical fiction with a SOLID 5 STARS 🌟
However, Corrine is soon making a name for herself among those she travels with in the wagon train, and with the Indians they meet up with, due to her knowledge and abilities of how to help people with flowers and plants she collects and makes into medicine to heals wounds or sickness. Her new husband is not so impressed; he isolates her from others, including her best friend with threats if she disobeys him, he calls her a child and expresses how foolish she is. Not only does Corrine face that ill mannered treatment that she must endure, but with it, all the emotional challenges of the Oregon Trail including accidents, illness, and death. How can she find her way and what waits for her at the end of this journey?
This is a powerful story of a young woman with high values, a future dream, and sheer determination that will evolve into greater strength in order to conquer the hardship of a loveless marriage, and the brutality of the Oregon Trail, with the deepest of love, and compassion for others along the way.
I listened to the AUDIO version of this story, and the narrator was absolutely brilliant. It was a well paced reading, enjoyable to listen to with character voices that were unique and distinguishable from one another.
I am pleased to recommend this historical fiction with a SOLID 5 STARS 🌟
August 9, 2022
Acquired when Kindle edition offered free.
Did not know this was a reprint/republication of the earlier Seeing the Elephant until I began reading. If this new version has been professionally edited -- which I doubt, but then again, anyone can claim to be a professional editor -- it's no improvement over the original. Still some of the absolute worst writing I have ever tried to read. At least Theis was good for laughs, and he was only a teen-ager.
Did not know this was a reprint/republication of the earlier Seeing the Elephant until I began reading. If this new version has been professionally edited -- which I doubt, but then again, anyone can claim to be a professional editor -- it's no improvement over the original. Still some of the absolute worst writing I have ever tried to read. At least Theis was good for laughs, and he was only a teen-ager.
January 12, 2020
My Musings
While I really enjoyed the characters and the plot, and this book has a great deal of potential, the writing needs maturity. There is a lot of telling and not as much showing. Point of view jumps quite a bit as well. Happy 📚reading!
While I really enjoyed the characters and the plot, and this book has a great deal of potential, the writing needs maturity. There is a lot of telling and not as much showing. Point of view jumps quite a bit as well. Happy 📚reading!
June 8, 2011
Fact paced action, adventure. Never a dull moment, a quick and fun read.
October 31, 2011
I really liked this book. I love stories about wagon trains and the hardship, love and adventure. I am afraid I would have made a very poor pioneer, but I enjoy the books.
August 10, 2011
The story was really fun and I was never bored. I felt like I traveled the trail with the characters. I love getting to travel through history with a good book.
December 27, 2011
This is one of the first books I've read about the western wagon trails. Very interesting and told from a very good perspective.
July 15, 2022
4,5 stars - English Ebook
Spring 1848
Marrying a stranger is a bad idea...
Corinne had done it, but she wasn't thrilled.
How could she travel from Boston to Oregon territory... in a wagon... with a grumpy stranger?
She needed his protection, but could she stand his company long enough to survive the long journey ahead of her?
Corinne had taken his name, but after his cold attitude, she wasn't certain Andrew could ever win her heart. She could earn the friendship, and loyalty from those around her on the Oregon Trail, but could she ever earn her husband's respect?
She will have to lean on her faith and friendships to survive.
Traveling from Boston to Oregon in 1848 by wagon train, can be a formidable task for anyone. For Corrine Temple, a seventeen year old young lady whose father has arranged a marriage for her in order to have safe passage on the trail so that they can reunite, well......it’s about to bring a whole level of hardship, trouble, heartbreak, and embarrassment she never imagined.
However, Corrine is soon making a name for herself among those she travels with in the wagon train, and with the Indians they meet up with, due to her knowledge and abilities of how to help people with flowers and plants she collects and makes into medicine to heals wounds or sickness.
Her new husband is not so impressed; he isolates her from others, including her best friend with threats if she disobeys him, he calls her a child and expresses how foolish she is.
Not only does Corrine face that ill mannered treatment that she must endure, but with it, all the emotional challenges of the Oregon Trail including accidents, illness, and death. How can she find her way and what waits for her at the end of this journey?
This is a powerful story of a young woman with high values, a future dream, and sheer determination that will evolve into greater strength in order to conquer the hardship of a loveless marriage, and the brutality of the Oregon Trail, with the deepest of love, and compassion for others along the way.
Spring 1848
Marrying a stranger is a bad idea...
Corinne had done it, but she wasn't thrilled.
How could she travel from Boston to Oregon territory... in a wagon... with a grumpy stranger?
She needed his protection, but could she stand his company long enough to survive the long journey ahead of her?
Corinne had taken his name, but after his cold attitude, she wasn't certain Andrew could ever win her heart. She could earn the friendship, and loyalty from those around her on the Oregon Trail, but could she ever earn her husband's respect?
She will have to lean on her faith and friendships to survive.
Traveling from Boston to Oregon in 1848 by wagon train, can be a formidable task for anyone. For Corrine Temple, a seventeen year old young lady whose father has arranged a marriage for her in order to have safe passage on the trail so that they can reunite, well......it’s about to bring a whole level of hardship, trouble, heartbreak, and embarrassment she never imagined.
However, Corrine is soon making a name for herself among those she travels with in the wagon train, and with the Indians they meet up with, due to her knowledge and abilities of how to help people with flowers and plants she collects and makes into medicine to heals wounds or sickness.
Her new husband is not so impressed; he isolates her from others, including her best friend with threats if she disobeys him, he calls her a child and expresses how foolish she is.
Not only does Corrine face that ill mannered treatment that she must endure, but with it, all the emotional challenges of the Oregon Trail including accidents, illness, and death. How can she find her way and what waits for her at the end of this journey?
This is a powerful story of a young woman with high values, a future dream, and sheer determination that will evolve into greater strength in order to conquer the hardship of a loveless marriage, and the brutality of the Oregon Trail, with the deepest of love, and compassion for others along the way.
March 12, 2023
Just OK
Too many grammatical and punctuation errors. A spell checker will help with spelling but does nothing for making sense of how the words flow. Could someone have utilized an online grammar check or at the very least had someone actually review and edit the manuscript before publishing? The story had real potential but the reading level was low with lots of short choppy sentences that seemed stilted.
Too many grammatical and punctuation errors. A spell checker will help with spelling but does nothing for making sense of how the words flow. Could someone have utilized an online grammar check or at the very least had someone actually review and edit the manuscript before publishing? The story had real potential but the reading level was low with lots of short choppy sentences that seemed stilted.
January 13, 2022
Corinne is determined to reconnect with her father, who took the Oregon Trail West a few years ago. She's so determined that she's married a complete stranger to be her guide as she embarks on the epic journey herself. This book is a brilliant depiction of life on the Oregon trail, exploring joy, hardship, danger and love alike.
An authentic Western Frontier historical fiction, with an epic feel yet with an immensely fresh and readable style. This, along with a gripping plot and wonderful character development, made this book impossible to put down. Highly recommended. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
An authentic Western Frontier historical fiction, with an epic feel yet with an immensely fresh and readable style. This, along with a gripping plot and wonderful character development, made this book impossible to put down. Highly recommended. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
June 29, 2022
5 stars, Wonderful
FINDING HER WAY (WILDFLOWERS, #1)
by Leah Banicki
This was the first book I've read by Ms. Banicki, it was wonderful. I liked how it told the entire story of Corrine's life during the hardships on the wagon train and beyond.
I absolutely didn't care for Andrew or Sidney. They could have had one sentence about the two of them and that would have been enough for me.
I loved that there were so many quotable quotes in this book. I found myself making highlights every few pages and ended up with seventy-three highlights.
I purchased a free copy of this book on Kindle, what a blessing, I'll look for future books by this author.
Highly recommend. #findingherway #favoritebooks #leahbanicki #oregontrail #wagontrains #marriageOFconvienence #inspyfiction #inspirational #christianfiction #coverlove #strongfemaleprotagonist
FINDING HER WAY (WILDFLOWERS, #1)
by Leah Banicki
This was the first book I've read by Ms. Banicki, it was wonderful. I liked how it told the entire story of Corrine's life during the hardships on the wagon train and beyond.
I absolutely didn't care for Andrew or Sidney. They could have had one sentence about the two of them and that would have been enough for me.
I loved that there were so many quotable quotes in this book. I found myself making highlights every few pages and ended up with seventy-three highlights.
I purchased a free copy of this book on Kindle, what a blessing, I'll look for future books by this author.
Highly recommend. #findingherway #favoritebooks #leahbanicki #oregontrail #wagontrains #marriageOFconvienence #inspyfiction #inspirational #christianfiction #coverlove #strongfemaleprotagonist
April 28, 2024
Fun romance set on the Oregon trail
A sweet and unique romance along the Oregon trail. Corrine's growth was fun to watch and I cheered for her happy ending.
A sweet and unique romance along the Oregon trail. Corrine's growth was fun to watch and I cheered for her happy ending.
November 2, 2020
Oregon trail
A sweet simplistic story of a young women in the mid 19th century who crossed the Oregon trail and finds her happily ever after.Predictable and probably best suited for ages 12 through 16.
A sweet simplistic story of a young women in the mid 19th century who crossed the Oregon trail and finds her happily ever after.Predictable and probably best suited for ages 12 through 16.
February 13, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and learned a lot about the hardships suffered through and endured by those leaving the comfort of their homes and easy existence of their entertaining lives.
The way this story is written I felt as if I was experiencing all that was happening and sometimes it made me cry and at others laugh but all the while I was eager to find out what was going to happen next.
The main character is such a knowledgeable young lady and in her favor she is very willing to teach others the skills that she learned from her mother as well as to help heal those who needed it. She has a very generous heart and that comes through very clearly.
The men she is in contact with are mostly very nice except for one who drives her nuts with his forced and unwanted attention.
I loved the very refreshing and adaptable voice of Reen Vogel as she narrated this epic story in a very professional and interesting manner in the audio version.
These two artists, the writer and narrator, make a great team and I thank them for sharing this lovely, clean, exciting, enjoyable historical romance with me and I am happy to recommend it as great entertainment.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request, via Audiobook Boom, and have voluntarily left this review.
The way this story is written I felt as if I was experiencing all that was happening and sometimes it made me cry and at others laugh but all the while I was eager to find out what was going to happen next.
The main character is such a knowledgeable young lady and in her favor she is very willing to teach others the skills that she learned from her mother as well as to help heal those who needed it. She has a very generous heart and that comes through very clearly.
The men she is in contact with are mostly very nice except for one who drives her nuts with his forced and unwanted attention.
I loved the very refreshing and adaptable voice of Reen Vogel as she narrated this epic story in a very professional and interesting manner in the audio version.
These two artists, the writer and narrator, make a great team and I thank them for sharing this lovely, clean, exciting, enjoyable historical romance with me and I am happy to recommend it as great entertainment.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request, via Audiobook Boom, and have voluntarily left this review.
August 20, 2011
********************** I WON THIS ON GOODREADS *******************************
This book has AMAZING potential. I love the characters, the dialog, the story line, the history, EVERYTHING.
The ONLY thing this book needs is a good editor and the right publisher.
This book is right on track to be worthily compared to a Jannete Oke book. And that's the exact shelf it will go on in my home library, right next to the Jannete Oke books. (After I pass it around to a few friends :o)
And the only thing that would have been helpful to me is an explanation of the title. It is mentioned in the book in 3 or 4 different places, but without the historical background on what the term means and where it came from, I am lost on that part.
AGAIN, an AMAZING historical fiction book that Jannete Oke fans will relish in and appreciate.
I will be IMPATIANTLY waiting for the next book!!!
You have an absolutely charming, likable, loveable story here Leah!! Keep up the good work :o)
This book has AMAZING potential. I love the characters, the dialog, the story line, the history, EVERYTHING.
The ONLY thing this book needs is a good editor and the right publisher.
This book is right on track to be worthily compared to a Jannete Oke book. And that's the exact shelf it will go on in my home library, right next to the Jannete Oke books. (After I pass it around to a few friends :o)
And the only thing that would have been helpful to me is an explanation of the title. It is mentioned in the book in 3 or 4 different places, but without the historical background on what the term means and where it came from, I am lost on that part.
AGAIN, an AMAZING historical fiction book that Jannete Oke fans will relish in and appreciate.
I will be IMPATIANTLY waiting for the next book!!!
You have an absolutely charming, likable, loveable story here Leah!! Keep up the good work :o)
October 24, 2017
A "Life-Line" in History
The story of these brave souls who were so instrumental in the settling of our country provided me with hours of inspiring reading. I cried, laughed, cried some more, and then felt total peace as God's plans for these brave people came to be. It was ironic that we were driving from our Wyoming residence to our winter home in Southern California as I was reading about the wagon train progressing over the Oregon Trail. Much of the terrain we traversed reminded me of the wagons' path. How fortunate we are to travel 1200 Miles in 3 easy days.
A well written story, and I encourage readers of all ages to read this beautiful part of American history.
The story of these brave souls who were so instrumental in the settling of our country provided me with hours of inspiring reading. I cried, laughed, cried some more, and then felt total peace as God's plans for these brave people came to be. It was ironic that we were driving from our Wyoming residence to our winter home in Southern California as I was reading about the wagon train progressing over the Oregon Trail. Much of the terrain we traversed reminded me of the wagons' path. How fortunate we are to travel 1200 Miles in 3 easy days.
A well written story, and I encourage readers of all ages to read this beautiful part of American history.
December 22, 2018
Could have earned 5 stars BUT....
...the gross misuse of commas made the reading stumble. Jr. High students are taught the proper use of commas. All editors should know how, but too many do not!
The story was magnificent. The struggles that the animals and people in the wagon train endured was described but not in gross detail, thank goodness. It was still heartbreaking to read! Life today is far easier than what daring pioneers endured.
Tragedy abound and love blossomed as a young woman traveled from Boston to Oregan in the 1800s to join her father after a 3-year separation. Her life is expertly described by the author. There are surprises along the journey which help develop the woman's character and path in life.
Recommended reading.
...the gross misuse of commas made the reading stumble. Jr. High students are taught the proper use of commas. All editors should know how, but too many do not!
The story was magnificent. The struggles that the animals and people in the wagon train endured was described but not in gross detail, thank goodness. It was still heartbreaking to read! Life today is far easier than what daring pioneers endured.
Tragedy abound and love blossomed as a young woman traveled from Boston to Oregan in the 1800s to join her father after a 3-year separation. Her life is expertly described by the author. There are surprises along the journey which help develop the woman's character and path in life.
Recommended reading.
March 19, 2023
Taking place in 1848, a long journey from Boston to Oregon. What a grand trip this would be, but it was a wagon train of 100 wagons. The young lady of 17 had not seen her father for 3 years, and was living with her Aunt in Boston. She wanted so badly to see him again, but father did not want her traveling alone. He arranged for her to marry a stranger to protect her along the way. She was an amazing young woman who help the other travelers with her knowledge of natural medicinal ways she learned from her Mother and Grandmother. I found that so very interesting and a plus for me is that I love historical fiction. For me, this was a hard to put down book, and I look forward to reading all of Leah Banicki series of books.
June 5, 2011
In her novel "Seeing the Elephant," the effort Leah Banicki put into researching the lives and times of the brave souls traveling the Oregon Trail is very evident. Her decriptions of the route, scenery, difficulty and perseverance of the people looking for a new life "out west" make the book a very intriging read.
The characters are clearly defined and the action is fast faced which makes for a captivating story. There are some grammatical issues and misspellings but the errors do not take the reader's attention away from the story line.
All in all, Ms. Banicki did a masterful job of describing what "Seeing the Elephant" really means and I'm sure many people will enjoy this book.
The characters are clearly defined and the action is fast faced which makes for a captivating story. There are some grammatical issues and misspellings but the errors do not take the reader's attention away from the story line.
All in all, Ms. Banicki did a masterful job of describing what "Seeing the Elephant" really means and I'm sure many people will enjoy this book.
November 15, 2017
Good story, needs editing.
The first few pages seemed quite choppy, but quickly smoothed out into an enjoyable story. I promptly fell in love with Corinne, the main character.
The book continues to stutter in places, however, and break the mood of the story.
In several places poorly revised sentences or awkward phrasing left me confused. In others, the story would jump into and out of first person. And a good human proofreader is essential. Spell check cannot catch some things. For example, vial is not the same as vile.
With further editing and polishing, this could be a real gem.
The first few pages seemed quite choppy, but quickly smoothed out into an enjoyable story. I promptly fell in love with Corinne, the main character.
The book continues to stutter in places, however, and break the mood of the story.
In several places poorly revised sentences or awkward phrasing left me confused. In others, the story would jump into and out of first person. And a good human proofreader is essential. Spell check cannot catch some things. For example, vial is not the same as vile.
With further editing and polishing, this could be a real gem.
February 1, 2019
A Remarkable Journey
Corrines' travels were so interesting I read the book in one day. It was good to see that at times various Indian tribes were helpful to the wagon train. Love of family and importance of friends are beautifully described. The tale shows very realistically the hardships of the journey. The main character, Corrine, had an interest in the medicinal value of plants. This also added interest for the reader. This book is a good choice for anyone wanting a wholesome story regarding the early western area settling.
I will look forward to more from this author.
Corrines' travels were so interesting I read the book in one day. It was good to see that at times various Indian tribes were helpful to the wagon train. Love of family and importance of friends are beautifully described. The tale shows very realistically the hardships of the journey. The main character, Corrine, had an interest in the medicinal value of plants. This also added interest for the reader. This book is a good choice for anyone wanting a wholesome story regarding the early western area settling.
I will look forward to more from this author.
December 6, 2017
This book could have been good, but I couldn't get past all the grammatical errors. The first tip for any writer should be to pass a high school English class or at least to hire a proofreader. What does "grasping at the will to concur the rugged land" even mean? Think of the difference in meaning if one writes "verses a week" instead of "versus a week." The book is filled with those types of errors, in addition to myriad run-on sentences and missing commas. I can't believe I actually finished it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 306 reviews