Westering Women
A Novel
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4.4 • 160 Ratings
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
From the bestselling author of Prayers for Sale, Sandra Dallas' Westering Women is an inspiring celebration of sisterhood on the perilous Overland Trail
AG Journal's RURAL THEMES BOOKS FOR WINTER READING | Hasty Book Lists' BEST BOOKS COMING OUT IN JANUARY
“Exciting novel ... difficult to put down.” —Booklist
"If you are an adventuresome young woman of high moral character and fine health, are you willing to travel to California in search of a good husband?"
It's February, 1852, and all around Chicago, Maggie sees postings soliciting "eligible women" to travel to the gold mines of Goosetown. A young seamstress with a small daughter, she has nothing to lose. She joins forty-three other women and two pious reverends on the dangerous 2,000-mile journey west.
None are prepared for the hardships they face on the trek or for the strengths they didn't know they possessed. Maggie discovers she’s not the only one looking to leave dark secrets behind. And when her past catches up with her, it becomes clear a band of sisters will do whatever it takes to protect one of their own.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
The entertaining latest from Dallas (Some Place to Call Home) focuses on a motley group of women who form a bond traveling to California on the Overland Trail. In 1852 Chicago, Maggie sees a notice posted by a minister offering to lead "moral" women to the western mines of Goosetown in order to find husbands. Having been abused by her husband, Maggie sees the chance for a better life for herself and her four-year-old daughter, Clara. She's encouraged to join by Mary, a kind and capable woman who becomes one of her closest friends and a leader on the trail. After Mary concocts a story to help her bypass the requirements, Maggie sets off on a taxing journey during which the women are plagued by disease, attacks from Native warriors, and other hardships that bring them together. As trust grows, the others reveal their own agendas for having joined, such as a search for a sibling and a hidden pregnancy. The women learn to shoot, move their wagons through arduous routes, and fight off threats. There's not much nuance in the way the villains are portrayed, but readers will enjoy this modern take on the journey West that's rife with girl power.
Customer Reviews
Go West Ladies
Experience hardships, joy, death, birth and love in a story that will stay with you. This book is so much more than another “go west” story
Excellent story
I enjoyed reading this story and even became teary during the final chapter. The main and supporting characters are so well described they seemed real. The dangers they experienced and the personal losses and fears were impactful. Well done.
Heart clutching
One of the best books I’ve ever read. Interesting and educational storyline. True grit among women. Was sad when it was over.