Review: Absorbing Historical!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 26, 2013
After reading this author's first book, I was left totally amazed about every aspect of the book; story, characters, and historical detail that came from superb research. The second book in the New Beginnings Series did not disappoint. Once again the characters, where they lived, where they travel, and who they engage with in their lives, is spellbinding.Sara and Sam are beginning their family and are once again surrounded by supportive friends as they and those around them face numerous challenges in this sequel. Their faith will be tested many times, changing lives forever. The upcoming birth of their first child is a tense time, as Sara has lost several children in her previous marriage. I won't be a spoiler because the author flawlessly explains the painstaking journey Sara and Sam take to get medical answers.As a registered nurse, whose work was as a research nurse at the University of Chicago, I find this author's writing about science, medicine, nursing and midwifery in the late 1800's astounding! No stone is unturned as the author even goes into detail about the Canadian government's institution of regulation of physicians during this period. Sara has much knowledge, but no formal education. It is interesting to see the struggles of the caregivers against a system, while living in an a settled area, growing in population, but still a wilderness, highly in need of those with healing knowledge.The telling of the 1885 Metis Rebellion (those people of American Indian/Euro-American descent) is extremely interesting. The author chose to write of this rebellion through letters from friends of Sara and Sam. We learn of the result and physical pain of war from a young lady Catherine, who disguises herself as a young man in order to become a "dresser" assisting a frontline physician. Through her writing we see an innocent who gains knowledge and wisdom of the care of the wounded and resulting aftermath of the price of war. Charley, an officer with the 90th Battalion, writes in intricate detail of each battle through the eyes of a frontline soldier. Not only does the reader get a sense of time and place, but also of weaponry and tactics. Each letter Sara and Sam receive draws the reader in, making them feel as if they were there. I found this way of the telling of the war to be brilliant!As I read each book, I learn so much about Canadian history and that it is rich and colorful, paralleling and crossing over American history. This author is a treasure. I feel Ms. Logeot is becoming the Canadian James Fenimore Cooper of our time. I know I will be absorbed for a full day reading book three and will anxiously await the next book. I highly recommend this series!