Katie runs away from an abusive husband and ends up as a cook for a logging camp up in Michigan. Along with enjoying the story, I learned about the logging industry back in the day...and that I am very glad I was not a cook for said industry. Waking up at 2 am to cook isn't really my cup of tea.
This is a modern day retelling of the story of Ruth and Boaz...but replace a Mexican daughter in law and a post civil war time period. Add in a creepy and dangerous next door neighbor, Mexican dancing and hilarious cultural confusion and you have this beautiful and exciting story.
Cassie's days as a trick rider for a wild west show end suddenly when her dead father's best friend gambles away the proceeds and runs for the hills. She, along with an old friend "Chief" and a wrangler named Micah, heads west to land that her father had dreamed of farming.
I have read quite a bit of Amish fiction when I had little ones, but don't remember enjoying any of them as much as I did Paradise Valley. In 1921, the government jails 5 Amish men and takes their children for their refusal to enroll them in public school. After the men agree to put their children in school they are released and the children are returned. Unwilling to live with this, Caleb Bender buys land in Mexico and pioneers the way for their fellow community members to come. However, bandits and lawlessness keep things a little bit less than perfect. I never cry in books anymore, but I teared up twice in this one. I just finished this one tonight. It was so good I almost feel like I need to observe a "day of silence" before I begin something else!
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