Santa Fe Woman (Wagon Wheel Series #1) [Paperback]

Gilbert Morris (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2006

Ever since her mother’s death, twenty-two year old Jori Hayden has lived safely under the shelter of her wealthy father. But when the severe economic depression of the 1800s destroys the family’s fortune, the Haydens must venture west together along the Santa Fe Trail in search of a new livelihood. 

With her father in poor health and her Aunt Kate–a dedicated Christian–keeping charge over the younger siblings, Jori hires Chad Rocklin right out of prison to lead their wagon train. And in a journey marked with danger at every turn, romance, faith, and family prove to be the biggest fortunes of all.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Gilbert Morris is among today's most popular Christian writers, his books having sold nearly six million copies worldwide. A former pastor and English professor, he specializes in historical fiction and won a 2001 Christy Award for the Civil War drama Edge of Honor. Morris lives with his wife in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Product Details

• Paperback: 326 pages
• Publisher: B&H Fiction (September 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805432892
• ISBN-13: 978-0805432893
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #887,487 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gilbert Morris is among today's most popular Christian writers; his books having sold nearly six million copies worldwide. He specializes in historical fiction and won a 2001 Christy Award for the Civil War drama Edge of Honor. Once a pastor and English professor who earned a Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas, Morris lives with his wife in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Wild wild west, April 15, 2007

By 

Deborah "Books, Movies and Chinese Food" (Fairfax, VA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Santa Fe Woman (Wagon Wheel Series #1) (Paperback)

Jori Hayden's family has lived a comfortable lifestyle. She herself is pretty much a Daddy's girl, getting everything she's wanted. But then due to an economic depression, her father loses all his money forcing the family to have to move out west. To find their way on the Santa Fe Trail, the family must have a guide. Jori finds one in ChadRocklin, a prisoner she bails out of jail. The two clash over everything but the Haydens must listen to him if they want to survive in the harsh conditions of the road West.

As much as I enjoyed this book, why do I feel deja vu when reading it? Is it because I've read this plot in several of Gilbert Morris's other books? I guess after over 200 books things start to blend together. I am 100% certain there have been characters named either Praise God or Revelation that go around asking people if they are believers in Jesus in other Morris books. And I know that the story about the guy who can't read, the woman teaches him, they end up getting married was used in book 6 of the House of Winslow series. I guess to a new reader of Morris this is not a big deal. I did enjoy this book very much, as I have his others. Once again there is a lot of historical fact researched for the story. I do enjoy learning while reading and since I enjoy American history, Morris' books are usually spot on about facts. I like mixing real events and people with fictional characters to show what could have happened, and it also gives a new way to look at history. I just felt the characters in this book were rather one dimensional and predictable. If you want a historical western story, this is a good book. However I would recommend Morris' CheneyDuvall series or the Appomattox Saga if you haven't read any of his books before.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learn History, Enjoy a Book, October 21, 2007

By 

Jamie C. Darzi - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Santa Fe Woman (Wagon Wheel Series #1) (Paperback)

I have read a few of Gilbert Morris' books from the Lions of Judah series. I hadn't read any of his American history books. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and actually pulled out reference material to read more about the Sante Fe Trail. I was surprised to find that most of the things I read were also in the fictional account of Sante Fe Woman. It's so much more fun to learn about history when given a romantic story line to go along with the facts.

I found the book to be entertaining but not over the top. By three-quarter's of the way through the book, you pretty much knew how everything was going to end up. It was still fun to get to the end though. After reading this book, I plan to pick up more of Gilbert Morris' books.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Pleasant Read, October 24, 2007

By 

Tamara Tilley (Hume Lake, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Santa Fe Woman (Wagon Wheel Series #1) (Paperback)

SANTA FE WOMAN is the story of Jori Hayden and her affluent family from Little Rock. Raised in the lap of luxury, Jori is stunned to find out the depression of the 1800's has ruined her father's financial status. With really no alternatives, the Hayden family plans to head west on the Santa Fe Trail in search of a new life. Chad Rocklin is recommended to the Hayden family as the man that could lead them safety across the rough and sometimes dangerous west, of course, Jori has to bail him out of jail first. Jori doesn't allow her instant dislike for Rocklin to alter her family's plans. They need to go west and Rocklin is the man that can take them there.

SANTA FE WOMAN was predictable but a good read nevertheless, filled with an array of characters you enjoy getting to know. Some of the plots and situations seemed to mirror those in A MAN FOR TEMPERANCE which I found a bit unoriginal, but my love for westerns allowed me to overlook the similarities and enjoy the story that unfolded between key characters.