One Against the Wilderness

by Tom Roulstone

When Deirdre O'Connor receives news of her father s death, she is forced to leave her luxurious home in Boston and sent to build a new life with her aunt and uncle Mormon converts who plan to follow the Saints west. Immediately, Deirdre is thrust into the challenges and hardships that confront the pioneers, and she finds that she must come to understand her beliefs, her goals, and the desires of her heart in a way she never has before. One Against the Wilderness is a story of love, loss, faith, and courage that chronicles the triumphs and tragedies of one young woman caught up in the Saints journey west.

Genres: Historical Fiction

272 pages, Paperback

First published August 25, 1996

About the author

Tom Roulstone was born in Donegal, Ireland and lived for a time in Glasgow, Scotland. With his parents and two brothers he immigrated to Canada, landing at Halifax on his thirteenth birthday. He joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Toronto, Ontario when he was eighteen and served a mission in western Canada. He has a BA in history from Brigham Young University and MA in history from Utah State University. After teaching college history for almost a quarter of a century, Tom took early retirement to pursue a writing career. He and his late wife Betsy have six children. In 2005 Tom married Serenity Borrowman. They currently live in Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Tom’s most recent novel,"Reluctant Soldier, Reluctant Saint,"is set during the Utah War and the building of Camp Floyd. He also has seven short Westerns on Amazon's Kindle website as well as his "Passage of Promise" series, published by Covenant communications.

Reviews

[Kristie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall interesting, unique plot. Felt the ending was a bit rushed.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great story of a woman who lost it all, mother, father, and home at the age of 16. She then sets out on a journey to meet up with her Mormon aunt and uncle from Boston to the West coast where she believes her assumed death father will be. She has many adventures along the way that bring her attitude about life and others to maturity. She comes from a proper and proud background with no religious loyalties, but comes through to the Salt Lake valley with a testimony of the gospels truthfulness due to her aunt, uncle and Josh Logan. He is a 19 year old who she snubbed at first, but learns to admire for his convictions and strength.
She is stranded in a cave after an indian attack on her wagon. The indians take away her pregnant aunt and shot her uncle in the head. She escapes to a cave and is there 4 months during the winter months with only her uncle's emergency packs and her faith that what the prophet Brigham Young promised would come to pass...that she would be reunited with her family in Zion and that she wouldn't be alone during her trial of faith, but that the Lord would be with her. This was a book that was hard to put down till you found out what happened to Deirdre O'Connor.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a coincidence to be reading this story as we celebrate the pioneers reaching the Salt Lake Valley this month. The historical accounts gave the story dimension and a more realistic feel--some really great characters!

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is actually really good! I learned a lot and had my testimony re-strengthened about the pioneers. It was a book that I would read every chance I got.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Nadine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good, but some of Deirdre's experiences did not seem real--were too easy.

[Elaine Dahl LaRocque · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tom was my Sunday School teacher here in Trail Ward.