Watchers on the Hill

Pine Ridge Portraits #2

by Stephanie Grace Whitson

Pine Ridge Portraits book 2, the sequel to the bestselling Secrets on the Wind. Readers will be charmed and inspired by the story of Charlotte Valentine, who, in her earlier years, was a ¼irtatious young beauty in search of an army of¹cer to marry. But the passage of years has made Charlotte a different woman, one in desperate need of a safe haven. Her return to Fort Robinson, Nebraska, brings one surprise after another, including the appearance of two former beaus. Trusting God to heal the wounds of her past and being able to move forward in faith become the greatest challenges Charlotte has ever had to face.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Historical, Romance, Christian Romance

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

A native of southern Illinois, Stephanie Grace Whitson has lived in Nebraska since 1975. She began what she calls "playing with imaginary friends" (writing fiction) when, as a result of teaching her four homeschooled children Nebraska history, she was personally encouraged and challenged by the lives of pioneer women in the West. Since her first book, Walks the Fire, was published in 1995, Stephanie's fiction titles have appeared on the ECPA bestseller list numerous times and been finalists for the Christy Award, the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, and ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year. Her first nonfiction work, How to Help a Grieving Friend, was released in 2005. In addition to serving in her local church and keeping up with two married children, two college students, and a high school senior, Stephanie enjoys motorcycle trips with her family and church friends. Her passionate interests in pioneer women's history, antique quilts, and French, Italian, and Hawaiian language and culture provide endless story-telling possibilities.

Reviews

[D Dyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started this book with a decent amount of trepidation, Christian fiction is not exactly something I read frequently and while this book will not cause me to change that significantly I did find it light and enjoyable. The writing is clear, the sentences not particularly poetic though definitely well-constructed, the religiosity of the characters while very clear isn’t particularly preachy or evangelical in tone and the characters are decently drawn. Whitson right more interesting female characters than her male ones who are mostly either villainess or a bit flat but the women in these books definitely keep things a bit more interesting than they otherwise might have been.

[Breeana Wright · Rating 1 out of 5]

Okay, I definitely need a break from Christian novels after this one, for GOODNESS sake.

I feel like there was not enough dialogue and like I was often reading journal-entry-type stories. I didn't really feel like I could truly relate to these characters and feel/experience what they were feeling and experiencing.

EXCEPT for the part when Laina lost her baby and she and her husband struggled. My heart went out to Laina when he neglected her completely because he was so caught up in his own hurt and disappointment for the loss of their son. When she needed him and his love the MOST, he could not see past his own feelings and pulled away from her, and even became bitter towards her. I cried.

But GOOD HEAVENS... this author really had a "mission" to preach the "Good Word", according to non-denominational Christianity and I found myself skipping sooooo many paragraphs where characters would pray or talk about the Bible or their belief in God... good grief.

I'm a very religious person, I think the main thing that bothered me was the whole SUBTLE GOAL and ULTERIOR MOTIVE of the author to convert her readers, or at the very least preach to them. If she would've stated on the front cover or first page her OBJECTIVE, I probably could've read it much more easily, expecting all the Christian preaching, etc. Just give it to me STRAIGHT. Ugh.

(Why did I even read this to begin with? Because the library was closing and everything I wanted was already checked out, so I just grabbed something at the last minute.)

[Catherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Skip to chapter 3 if you don't want to hear about Charlotte being victimized and her cruel inlaws holding her down. I don't think you'll miss much. I wonder why this author puts out such violence and victimization in chapters 1 and 2. So anyway, I was pretty disgruntled with the ending of the first book - so forgive my attitude. I just read this because I like sequels. I do not know why the author has to put her characters through such hard things - perhaps to be real? Little too real for me. I mean, I know there has to be some drama but... OK, Will is interesting and so is CJ. Charlotte is much changed and I like how she and Laina become friends.

[Carol Greenwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happiness comes at last for Charlotte.

Charlotte's life took a lot of unexpected twists and turns. Ten years after going east with her mother and sister, she finds herself a widow with a ten-year old son. She cannot believe how unhappy she is with her circumstances. Her mother-in-law is intolerable and as controlling as her dead husband had been. She hasn't heard back from her father. Charlotte finally decides to run away, back home to her father and Fort Robinson.

[Joleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn’t horrible, it just wasn’t good. Far too long for what little "real" story there was. There were inciting incidents within to add tension, but they were peripheral to the story as a whole, adding length not substance.

Not a favorite in this series. Ended abruptly with little history to set up book three.

Because all the books are standalone stories, personally I’d skip this one.

2.5

[Nancy Yohe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spiritual strength

The second book in the Pine Ridge Portraits made me appreciate the first book more than I had when I read it. This book focuses on the spiritual strength of the main characters through some very challenging times including, domestic violence, trauma and loss. Their trust in God brings hope and peace and love. However I was a bit disappointed in the love story. There just didn’t seem to be any passion.

[Anita Schrott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watchers on the Hill

This book deserves a five star rating. Kept my interest all the way through. This author can spin a great tale, with wonderful characters I feel I know by the end. Yet, she still leaves room for surprises. Thank you. This is my second book by this author, and it won't be my last.

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this one was as good as the first in the series. At the beginning Charlotte is living in the East and her husband has died. She decides to take her son and her maid (who is her friend) back to Nebraska and her father without anyone knowing back East. Man does her life change when she gets back to Fort Robinson.

[ken fussell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Add this book to your must reeds!

I am thoroughly enjoying these books in series about times of days gone by where love and God's love interminable to make life work out best in spite of circumstances.

[Tisha N. Ewen-Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome Read!

Great book for folks who may have lost their faith due to tragedy or loss! Lots of reminders about the Sovereign God and His love for us regardless.

Awesome sequel to Secrets on the Wind! Can’t wait to read Book 3!!

[Christina Sinisi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had some unexpected twists and turns.

One of them hurt a bit too much and I'm not sure I'd recommend this to any mother--too
close to home.

I did enjoy the research and the understated romance.

[lilly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is for someone that is into Christian westerns. I personally thought it was a decent book but I also personally wouldn't read it again....I have the physical copy of this book so I will leave it on my shelf and if I happen to come across someone interested, I'll let them read it.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love that women’s issues are present even tho it’s set in historical period

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Jerri Gennaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watchers On The Hill. Book 2

I really have really enjoyed this wonderful book. I have downloaded the next book in the series and look forward to reading it.

[Nancy Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book!!

I enjoyed this book. It was funny, dad, and entertaining. I am ready for the third book of this series.

[S. Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as great as book #1, but worthy of a 4 star rating! Well rounded characters, and a good continuation of the first story but 10 years later. Going on to book #3 in the series...

[Deedee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to audio on my kindle.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would give any of Stephanie Grace Whitson's books at least 4 stars just because I appreciate her clean and moving style of writing. I enjoyed Watchers on the Hill as much as I did the first book in the series ( Secrets on the Wind ) and I'm really looking forward to the third book ( Footprints on the Horizon )

In Watchers on the Hill, I enjoyed getting reacquainted with old "friends" and meeting new characters. As with all of Stephanie's books, I had my own idea about how the story would run, and then second-guessed myself. Sometimes my instincts with her stories are correct - other times I'm TOTALLY surprised! Nevertheless, I'm always satisfied in the end :)

Thank you, Stephanie, for another great read!

[Jeanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is the second book in this series.. I also loved this book except for the last part, a little too drawn out with Charlotte and Nathan, I feel she could have put more into the story if she had told more of after they married and moved to their ranch instead of all that slow stuff before ..To me that spoiled the book, it was like all of a sudden the story was just over, and your left hanging?? So I thought it would pick it up in the next book but it doesn't, in fact all the main characters are dead and gone and the kids are grown and old!! I wasn't ready for that..Although Stephanie is a good writer and the story line is good and she keeps your interest with it..Sorry about the spoilers..but it's hard to give a review without putting in a spoiler or two..

[Dianne Sidebottom · Rating 5 out of 5]

an interesting story with complex dramas. Letters that were never delivered or received. Men who want sons n yet some destroy their sons. Horses being something to respect n love or feared. Chairs in ones life can have a story of there own, the school room, the front porch, office, kitchen etc. Babies that are lost and grieved over. Questioning God "why" and to get past the disappointment. Wanting to quit because you can't go on because you see yourself as weak n having no strength to endure anymore. Can't live our lives through the children but do our best for them. Sounds like a sorry mess how the Cheyenne n other first nation people were treated in Nebraska.

[Christin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my least favorite of the three in this series. I really didn't like the first person CJ to start and I was bummed that so much time had passed between the 2nd and 3rd book. I also thought the main heroine and her love interest sure fell in love without talking a whole lot... which is a little odd. Otherwise, I loved the redemptive storyline and thought it was a really neat perspective for WWII in America. A little on the slow side, but I think that's just how Ms. Whitson writes. LOTS of character development, very little movement in the story.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a true sequel to Secrets on the Wind because it continues the stories of Laina, Caleb, Nathan Boone and Charlotte. I thought the story dragged on way too long towards the end.

The narrator's (Ruth Ann Phimister) voice is very unconventional, but suits the story so well.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite as good as the first book, perhaps, or as good as the Dakota Moon series, but I liked it. I like how her books, though involving romance, aren't extremely mushy (kissing, etc.) or self-oriented. There's some meat in them, some depth to the characters, some growth. Not as much as some, perhaps, but overall pretty good.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you took my advice and was thinking about reading " Secrets On the Wind" by Stephanie Grace Whitson you have to read " Watchers on the Hill" also.It is just as great as "Secrets". It really is a continuation of " "Secrets" ten years later. Another 5 star book and also great truths are explored in it's pages!

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pine Ridge Portraits book 2, the sequel to the bestselling Secrets on the Wind. Readers will be charmed and inspired by the story of Charlotte Valentine, who, in her earlier years, was a 1/4irtatious young beauty in search of an army of cer to marry. But the passage of years has made Charlotte a different woman, one in desperate need of a safe haven. Her return to Fort Rob

[joyce lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

good sequel to the previous book. even more "drama" i believe, so more interesting story lines

again, great imagery and characters, also. definitely made the Wild West come alive for me, w/OUT being unrealistic

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful. Set in the late 19th century, it is a story of family, life on the range, life in the military, love, agony, loss, confusion, resolution - ALL of life. Each chapter is preceded by a verse from the Bible. I now want to read all of her books!

[betty curtis · Rating 1 out of 5]

Started to read 4 pages out and it's blank who knows where it pick up at

Would not recommend this book to anyone that has a kindle love the first one very disappointing not to be able to read this o w

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another easy read. The life stories of the characters remind me to be grateful for the things I have and my life as it is. There are always struggles in life; what matters is how we deal with them.