Taming the Wild Wind [Kindle Edition]

Donita Kathleen Paul (Author)

Book Description

Ida has always gone her own way like a gentle breeze, drifting through social barriers as if they weren't even there. Like the breeze, her comings and goings are hard to keep track of, and her family assumes Ida's activities are the same as the other society debutantes of Pittsburgh. When she responds to the wilder wind of the Oklahoma prairie, she recognizes the untamed quality in her personality. She also comes to realize that even the wild wind has a Master. She submits to the hand of her Creator, her loving Heavenly Father, and allows Him to tame her willful nature.

Product Details

• File Size: 338 KB
• Print Length: 159 pages
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005IIRB1K
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #341,402 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The Wordsmith Journal: Reviewed by Shawna Williams July 3, 2012

By The Wordsmith Journal Magazine

Format:Kindle Edition

Ida Meade has come to Oklahoma to fulfill her responsibilities as the wife of a missionary. The problem is she isn't married. Her wedding was postponed and fiancé, John Newcomb, detained due to his boss's illness, but John requested Ida go on without him.

Despite rumors of ghosts, Ida takes up residence in an abandoned farmhouse with plans to turn it into a school for the Indian children living nearby. Her companions, three dogs, keep her company as she mends fences, cleans the house, and waits for the Indian Agent who was supposed to meet her upon arrival some two weeks earlier.

Jeremiah Griggs was expecting a Mr. and Mrs. Newcomb, not an unmarried woman out of her element with a stubborn streak to boot. But Ida's determination, open-mindedness, people skills, and ability to play a mean fiddle quickly win the admiration of the townsfolk and the Indian community. So with the promise that her fiancé will soon be joining her, Jeremiah decides to let her stay on.

As the two work together, Ida discovers a deep respect and love for the Cherokee people. She also feels the same for Jeremiah, and though she tries to suppress it, she feels much more. Jeremiah appreciates her independence and intelligence. With him, Ida doesn't have to hide or pretend, but can be her true self. She wants that sort of honesty in her marriage, but how can she have it when John is nothing like Jeremiah? And if she doesn't marry John she won't be able to stay on this land or with the people she's come to love.

I'm normally not a huge fan of 19th Century romance. I don't have anything against it, it's just that usually it doesn't capture me. However, this book did. I think it's because Ms. Paul took great care in developing out the characters, and while on the surface the rugged cowboy and independent socialite seem typical, Ms. Paul found unique angles that gave the characters depth and individuality. Ida never comes across as a spoiled brat. Her independence is far more than lip-service. And while I won't say she's never a damsel in distress -- because every good story needs one of those moments -- she's certainly not a helpless one. Jeremiah, though rugged and tough, isn't over the top with his actions in handling the villain or the heroine. I tend to refer to that quality as sap, and I can whole-heartedly say that this story is sap free.

I also appreciated how the spiritual element was delivered through characters. It felt very organic; never artificial, preachy, or force-fed. It flowed in gently and with grace, which is something else I very much appreciated.

This book is really something any age can enjoy. There's nothing content wise that would be considered risqué. Nothing was avoided for the sake of keeping the story clean, the plot just never ventured that direction.

The story is character-driven. There's some action, but that's not the driving force. Readers who look for that might not enjoy it to the degree I did. For those who like mystery, there's an element of intrigue woven into the story with the ghosts. I really liked the angle the author took. Even though it's an historical, I think most readers, despite their genre preference, will find relatable elements that make this an entertaining read.

The Wordsmith Journal strives to guide readers to books of personal interest, with the understanding and respect that what appeals to some may not appeal to others. Therefore we attempt to keep our reviews focused on content, genre and style. The rating is necessary to make use of Goodreads and Amazon. It reflects the reviewer's own level of enjoyment, but the review is intended to be informative for the benefit of all readers.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Historical Fiction October 8, 2011

By Deborah M. Allen

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Ida Meade is out of her element. A Pittsburgh debutante, she travels alone ahead of her fiance to begin setting up an Indian school. Her family is blissfully unaware that the outwardly obedient Ida led a double life in Pittsburgh, consorting with the servants and their families, which fed her desire for daring adventure.

Alone in the Oklahoma Territory, with the promised Indian agent nowhere in sight, Ida must manage to do everything on her own, including living in a house the town folk claim is haunted. She longs for the day her reserved fiance will finally finish his business obligations to join her and begin their married life. But despite having to do without servants for the first time in her life, Ida is energized by the wildness of her surroundings.

Jeremiah Griggs, the Indian agent is disconcerted to find Ida alone in the remote schoolhouse. He can't figure out why her fiance would send such a beautiful woman alone into the wilderness. Jeremiah fights his attraction to Ida, knowing she's off limits. But as mysterious occurrences build into outright danger, Ida needs him more than she realizes, and far more than she's willing to admit.

Taming the Wild Wind is the best kind of historical romance. Highly recommended!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A purpose! April 6, 2013

By Rita Massey

Format:Kindle Edition

I have loved Donita K Paul's books and this one is no exception! Wonderful story of a strong woman drawing close to God and finding His purpose for her life.

More About the Author

Donita K. Paul retired early from teaching school, but soon got bored! The result: a determination to start a new career. Now she is an award-winning novelist writing Christian Romance and Fantasy. Her website is http://www.donitakpaul.com/author/bio.html.