First Dawn (Freedom's Path Series #1) [Paperback]

Judith McCoy Miller (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2005

Lured by the promise of "real" freedom and a new town to call their own, sharecroppers Ezekial Harban and his three daughters leave behind remnants of slavery in the war-torn south and set off for Nicodemus, Kansas. When they arrive, they are shocked to see that little of what they were promised actually exists. Many head back home, but Ezekial and his daughters are determined to build a new life in the stark territory. Dr. Boyle, a newly arrived doctor in neighboring Hill City, is called to deliver a baby in Nicodemus. He and his family are moved by the plight of the settlers there and vow to help. But the white pioneers of Hill City face problems, too. When the lives of these two families intersect, neither town will ever be the same. Freedom's Path Book 1.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Miller, coauthor with Tracie Peterson of the popular Bells of Lowell series, offers a historical novel all her own. In 1877 Kansas, prospectors have developed two new towns: Nicodemus is to be settled by former slaves, and Hill City will be inhabited by white folks. The Harban family, hard-working African-Americans, are disappointed when they arrive in Nicodemus and find that it boasts only "wretched" lean-tos and eight small campsites. Similarly, Samuel Boyle, a white physician from Kentucky, moves his family to Hill City and is stunned when he finds that the supposed "town" is really just "a few houses and several sad-looking buildings." The womenfolk, especially, yearn for the comforts of civilization, and a few unmarried gals pine for beaux they left behind. But sustained by a strong work ethic and a firm faith in God, the pioneers begin to settle into their new environment. Boyle finds that his medical services are badly needed in Nicodemus, and as he shuttles between the two towns, he and his family begin to develop relationships with some of the black settlers. The novel has its share of implausible coincidences (apparently the sine qua non of CBA historical fiction), but these usher the story to its climax and a reasonably satisfying conclusion. (July)
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From Booklist

Miller's name is familiar to Christian fiction readers as Tracie Peterson's collaborator in the Bells of Lowell series. Here she begins her own series, called Freedom's Path, about pioneers in Kansas in the late 1870s. The white community of Hill City is represented by Dr. Samuel Boyle, who is surprised at the primitive conditions he finds there but remains determined to soldier on. More interestingly, because it has rarely been treated in fiction, Miller portrays the town of Nicodemus, settled by ex-slaves called Exodusters. There are the usual loves and losses typical of romantic historicals here, the usual overwrought action, the usual rewards for faith and hard work. But Miller's original material points to a superior series.

John Mort
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 379 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers; Reprinted edition (July 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764229974
• ISBN-13: 978-0764229978
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #843,750 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Judith is an award winning and best-selling author of historical fiction for Bethany House Publishers. With a love of history, a dash of romance and a touch of mystery, Judith transports her readers to another time and place. Her passion for history and love of God keep her inspired. Judith and her husband are empty-nesters who live in the Flint Hills of Kansas. Judy blogs with four other historical novelists at www.writespassage.blogspot.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars entertaining Christian historical saga, July 6, 2005

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: First Dawn (Freedom's Path Series #1) (Paperback)

In 1877 Kansas, two new segregated towns are formed out of the Great Prairie: The former slaves are to live in Nicodemus while the whites settle in Hill City. Many former slaves hearing about the new opportunity take their family to relocate, but arrive to find a tent city with abject campsites to call home. Most are disappointed and return to their former homes. One of the newcomers Ezekiel Harban decides stay although his three daughters have doubts.

Former Kentucky physician Samuel Boyle brings his family to Hill City, but his new home is devastating as there is not much more than a few abodes and "several sad-looking buildings." His accompanying family members miss their old Kentucky home with the social atmosphere especially potential boyfriends. Though going back is quite the temptation, their faith in the Lord by the Boyle family and others provide them with the encouragement to make their new home work. Meanwhile Boyle's provides medical care to both towns and soon he and his family form friendships with black settlers like Ezekiel.

Christian historical readers will enjoy this fine Reconstruction Era tale with its insightful look at the period and especially the obvious parallels to the Exodus. The story line overuses improbable happenstances to move the plot forward, but sub-genre fans will not care because the cast is solid especially the lead males whose friendship bonds starting with the birth of a newborn and solidified by their beliefs in God. Judith Miller in her solo debut (see Lights of Lowell series co-written with Tracie Peterson) opens her Freedom's Path series with an entertaining Americana saga.

Harriet Klausner

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful historical fiction, February 11, 2006

By 

Teresa Slack "Fiction Author" (http://www.teresaslack.com) - See all my reviews

This review is from: First Dawn (Freedom's Path Series #1) (Paperback)

I am more a fan of contemporary fiction than historical fiction, simply because historical tends to cover the same subjects over and over again. First Dawn was refreshingly different. I had never heard anything on this topic covered in fiction before. There's no need to go into extensive character and plotting study since you can read that in the other reviews listed here. Suffice it to say, this book was an interesting read. It took a few chapters for me to get entrenched into the story, but once I did, I couldn't turn pages fast enough. I am anticipating more on this series and from this author.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great historical, July 11, 2006

By 

Barbara Warren - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: First Dawn (Freedom's Path Series #1) (Paperback)

This is the first book in Judith Miller's Fredom Path series, set in Kansas, July 1877. After the Civil War ended, life was hard for the freed slaves. When William R. Hill, a white land purveyor, tells the members of the First Baptist Church about the wonders of the great Solomon Valley, the former slaves are excited at the prospects of being landowners. They purschase their land, sight unseen, load up what they can take with them, and set out for Nicodemus Kanss. Jarena Harban never believed the glowing description of the land given by Mr. Hill, but her father, Ezekiel, longs to be a landowner. Since her mother died, Jarena has helped raise her twin sisters, Grace and Truth. She can't refuse to go with them. Thomas Grayson, a man with a price on ihs head is traveling with the group, and Jarena is attracted to him, although her heart belongs to the man she left behind. When they reach Nicodemus, the weary travelers are shocked to find no town, no trees, no water. Nothing but scrubby brush, dry buffalo grass, miles of flat prairie, and winter is coming on.
Dr. Samuel Bolyle, has never liked living in Kentucky. A transported northerner, he is disgusted by the way some of the whites treat their sharecroppers. He too falls for Mr. Hill's description and uproots his family, moving them to Hill City, which is close to Nicodemus, but reserved for whites. He finds a tiny ramshackled town and house waiting for them, not at all what he was led to expect.
First Dawn is the story of a desperate group of people and their trust in a merciful God. I truly enjoyed this story of the Harban and Boyle families. Looking for more from this talented writer.