Customer Reviews

Breathe: A Novel of Colorado (Homeward Trilogy)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(25)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Odessa's story is satisfying and uplifting. I am not a Christian myself, but I know what it is like to lose people you love and to recover from illness. It is satisfying to read about a person pulling her life back together after things have gone so terribly wrong.

The characters are good. I especially liked Reid the sheriff. His internal dialog makes sense in a twisted, narcissistic way.

The romance was very clean. This is a book you can let your daughter read.

So I guess it is a pretty good book!

Fans of Lisa Tawn Bergren's other books will enjoy the fast paced action in this first of a new trilogy set in 1883 Colorado Springs. Like her earlier books, every page has the characters in constant action. The plot is out of the ordinary, primarily set in a sanatorium for consumptives (tuberculosis patients) rather than the typical "nice girl meets nice boy in normal life" scenario.

The title 'Breathe' has a double meaning: The main character must regain her health and learn to breathe freely again physically. Secondarily, the main character and her brother and sister must take a chance to break out of the expectations of family and society and learn to breathe free, to follow the goals of their own hearts.

The three face multiple challenges, one fighting a deadly disease, another fighting unwanted romantic attention, and the third literally fighting in a boxing ring, all against the backdrop of a newly settled western frontier. Somehow Lisa Bergren manages to weave all of these plots and subplots into a believable and entertaining story. From the first scenes of the book to suspicious murders to silver mine claims to mountain chase scenes to the suspenseful ending, this book has an energy that keeps the pages turning.

The author never uses any crude language and everyone keeps their clothes on. And while the dangers that are faced elicit prayers for safety and strength and faith, the book doesn't lapse into preaching. The setting is different and interesting and well researched by the author, who herself lives in Colorado Springs. If you are looking for a good clean mystery with a touch of romance, I highly recommend this book.

I do not normally read Christian fiction but had heard that this was going to be a great book. I handed it off to my mother who was interested in an ARC and curious about what a non preachy Christian novel would entail. These are her words, and I have to say I find myself wanting to read about Odessa.

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When I was offered the opportunity to read a "Christian" book, I must admit that I was simply okay with it - not thrilled, but not dreading it either. I simply was under the misconception that Christian books might be stereotypical, preachy and perhaps a tad bit boring. Wow, was I ever mistaken. "Breathe" by Lisa T. Bergren is simply a great novel - Christian Reading or otherwise.

Bergren brings life and depth to each of her characters. The three lead characters, Odessa, Dominic and Moria who are all siblings, each could be someone we know, but they have many qualities that make them even more fascinating. I found myself totally relating to Dominic and understood his struggle each time he tried to reign in his temper, his desire to release his tension by street fighting, and even felt the satisfying burn each time he threw down a shot of whiskey. There was no condemnation, just sheer understanding.

Bergren also brings Odessa's struggle with consumption to life in ways we can comprehend. You don't feel sorry for Odessa, you just keep pushing on with her, always encouraged with each step toward progress. Dialogue is always smooth and smart, and you learn so much about her inner strength and fascinating character.

And Moira, dear Moira, cannot every woman relate to her in some way?. You find yourself cheering her on but also cringing in concern and even fear that she may be out of her league with some of these "wild west" settlers.

Bottom line, it's a page-turner! I couldn't put it down. The underlying mystery keeps you on edge. You are compelled to find out who is behind everything and who else will die. All the while you enjoy the strengths of the lead characters as they come to life in such true form. Best of all, it looks like there will be two sequels. I look forward to reading them as soon as they are released!

Note: I was ready to forgive the author for what I assumed was a stereotypical "surprise" that Bryce was painting for a picture. I am relieved to say I was wrong. It just made his character even better than the wonderful person I fell in love with.

4 1/2 stars!

"Breathe" is the first Volume of the Homeward Bound Trilogy which chronicles Three Siblings Odessa, Moira, and Dominic who move West after a TB epidemic devastates their family. Each volume will chronicle the trials and tribulations each face in their new surroundings.

This volume's focus is on Odessa who has come to the Sanitorium in Colorado Springs to recover from Tuberculosis. There she meets another patient who owns a Silver Mine in the area. One night she hear's a commotion in the neighbors room as he is attacked and vainly she tries to reach him. She finds herself in danger as the villains seek to silence anyone who can stop their plans to take over the mine.

There are subplots with Dominic and Moira as they adjust to their new surroundings. Moira's is the most interesting as she loves to sing but life on the stage is just not proper for a Woman of her social standing. This conflict gets her into much trouble and will be the basis I bet for the second volume 'Sing'.

I enjoyed the story quite a bit. I found the settings to be pretty authentic and as I'm doing a Colorado in the 1860's RPG online called "Cripple Creek" right now authenticity means a lot.

The book is free of vulgarities and has a certain charm like the novels of the time period its set in. Its Christian mores and message is not preachey and even non Christians will enjoy the story. While the author is no Louis Lamour nor Zane Grey I think I will eagerly await volumes 2 and 3.

David C. Cook publishers has started putting a "Good Read Guarantee" on certain books and "Breathe" is one of those books. My belief is that they will not be giving any money back on this book - it is a good read and much more! "Breathe" is the first book in a new trilogy about Dominic and his two younger sisters and their travels to the new town of Colorado Springs in around 1860 in search of healing for his sister Odessa who is near death from consumption. They Dominic and Moira take her to a sanatorium by Pike's Peak and hope that she will finally find health from the disease that stole 4 younger brothers from them already. In the process Odessa finds love, murder and mystery waiting for her at the sanatorium while Dominic and Moira find adventures and love (or lack thereof) waiting for them as well. We see viewpoints of all 3 siblings pretty equally in this book even though it is really Odessa's story. We have 2 more books to come over the next year and I eagerly await them both to see where life is going to take these siblings as they go their separate ways now.

One of the best things in this book (besides the mystery that will keep you in your seat til the end) is how she really took me back to the early days of Colorado Springs. You could see the mountains and scarcely touched land, breathe the crisp, cool air and walk the mountains with Odessa as she did. I loved this book and would highly recommend it to any fans of historical fiction!

Breathe is my first foray into Ms. Bergren's writing, and I'm thinking it won't be my last. She has created a lovely story with beautifully vivid imagery, wonderful characters with depth, and a sweet love story. A love story not only between two recovering consumption patients but also a love story to Colorado. Like Tamera Alexander before her, you can see Ms. Bergren's love for her home state in her writing. It is a locale ripe with opportunities for works of fiction, apparently...

Dominic, Moira and Odessa St. Clair venture to Colorado in hopes of finding a cure for the consumption that has ravaged their family. The title "Breathe" is very appropriate for this trio. Dominic needs to learn to take a few breaths to calm his temper before always jumping into an argument with his fists. Moira needs to learn to think and "breathe" before making hasty decisions that could risk her safety. And Odessa needs to literally slow her breathing to a steady rhythm to avoid further coughing fits. But soon all will be breathing and moving towards a new life, love and future.

The story focuses on Odessa who is on the brink of death but arrives just in time to begin treatment at the renown local sanitarium that boasts remarkable recovery rates. Here Odessa meets two men who are in recovery. Sam is a sweet older gentleman who immediately takes a liking to Odessa. He is a matchmaker at heart, seeing the possibility between her and his friend and fellow patient, Bryce. Bryce and Odessa fall quickly for each other- mostly in the aftermath of dealing with a string of tragedies surrounding a silver mine, including Sam's murder.

The bad guys are pretty easily discernable and the plot follows a fairly predictable path. But neither take away from the story enough to lessen the draw to keep reading. It is definitely a hard one to put down! I am eager to read more of this promising series!! There is enough suspense, mystery, intrigue and romance to keep you enthralled to the very end. ;-) The only reason it's not a 5 star read for me is because it's not one that I would be drawn to re-read. Having read the next book in the series, Sing, this book is much better. (Moira doesn't come off as very likeable whereas Odessa is a more relatable heroine.)

Fans of Tamera Alexander's Fountain Creek Chronicles and Timber Ridge Reflections will enjoy Ms. Bergren's Breathe. Anyone who enjoys a good historical should enjoy as well. Though Breathe is classified as Christian fiction it is not overly preachy in the least.

I tried very hard to become interested in this plot, in these characters but I just never could. I really enjoy reading novels set in the 1800's in the American West and was looking forward to finding out more about Colorado Springs since that area of the country is unfamiliar to me. This book did give me insight into the people who helped found the city.

The title of the book comes from the mental encouragement consumpitves had to constantly give themselves, breathe, try to take one more breath. The information contained in this book about the treatment of consumption (today known as tuberculosis) was new for me and I found those aspects quite interesting. It seems unusual that a lung disease would be cured or even moved into remission by having patients placed outside in the cold for certain periods of the day and giving them very large quantities of food to eat. Especially when that diet consisted mostly of varied sources of protein. I do not know the medical reasoning behind why this area of the country became so well known for its sanitoriums for consumptives but it evidently did. Surely the altitude and air purity had a great deal to do with it.

This book was not a pleasurable reading experience for me because I never made any kind of connection with the characters. They all felt very flat to me, I couldn't catch that spark of interest which makes me want to keep reading about a particular person. I didn't care about any of them. Even the mystery which is part of the plot and the people behind the crimes which were committed could not pique my interest. The Christian aspects of the book were not a problem because I knew they would be there before I started reading. I was also rather disappointed in the descriptions of the landscape itself. Nothing I read in this book made me want to go to Colorado. That is truly a shame because I know what a visually extraordinary part of the United States this location is.

I understand that this author has written many other books and anyone who is a fan of her other works will undoubtedly enjoy this book also. Sadly, this just wasn't the right book for me.

I bought this book at Amazon.com . Amazon.com has so many items not just books but just about anything you could want.This book is simply wonderful. It has romance, danger, friendship and the fantastic descriptios of Colorado! Makes you feel like you're right there with them. The main character, Odessa, believes her family is cursed with the 'consumption'. She had 5 brothers to die of it and her father decided to send her and her brother and sister to Colorado to a clinic that heals the 'consumption'. Out from under their father's thumb they try their wings and face their own demons. You cry , you laugh,and you can almost feel along with them. Great read !!

The main reason I decided to read this book was because it's placed in Colorado Springs 1883. I grew up in the Springs, & enjoy reading about it's past even if it is fiction.
You get to know a small family of two sisters & one brother who travel from Philly to Colorado in hopes of saving the consumptive sister. They each have their own battles to overcome. All three are young & are learning to find themselves.

I didn't realize when I got this book that it is a Fiction/Christian/Historical novel. This genre makes it a very "clean" novel. There is no cursing, sex scenes, or excessive violence. There is romance but totally G rated & the same goes for the violence, if one could really call it that. I feel that this is a book that the whole family could participate in. It may not be very interesting to the kiddies though. There is a decent amount of praying by the characters that took some getting used to. It didn't make the story bad, just different for me.

If you are interested in a book of this genre, I think you will thoroughly enjoy it. The story is captivating & intriguing. There are mysteries to be solved, lives to be lived, love to be gained and the journey of self discovery. If you are really against all things religious, I strongly suggest you stay away from this book. If you are not a "Bible Thumper" don't turn your back just yet, this is a good story to read religious undertones or not.

I'm not sure I will purchase the 2 remaining books in the trilogy when the come out, but I would consider borrowing them from the library.

Absolutely, postively WONDERFUL! Wow! I loved this start to Lisa's series, The Homeward Trilogy.

From page 1, I was captured. The first chapter immediately starts with the sadness angle of the story. I felt Odessa's struggles with consumption as if I had taken a step back into time and was the one who was sick. It was in the beginning, during Dess's hardships, that I felt the tug at my heart for her. She quickly became my friend. I was praying for her in the beginning to get well, over come the consumption and push on with her life. In fact, if I closed my eyes, I became Odessa. WOW!!! Again, so powerful!

I loved getting to know Odessa's siblings, Moira and Domonik as well, but still Odessa was the one that pulled my heart strings! I DID NOT WANT TO PUT THE BOOK DOWN!!! It was a mixture of sadness, faith, hope, and mystery. This is the kind of book that I look forward to reading over and over again. Page turning material to the end!

So, I HIGHLY recommend that you get a copy of this skillfully written start to a wonderful series, become friends with these wonderful characters. It is truly worth the time and transportation into time to read it! You are sure to be as engrossed in this book and love all the characters of this AMAZING 5 star book by a wonderfully talented author who gets two thumbs up for a heart capturing, compelling story!