Customer Reviews

A Tendering in the Storm (Change and Cherish Historical Series #2)

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Jane Kirkpatrick captures the spirit and nature of the Northwest during this time period. I live in the Northwest and have often visited Aurora,OR,now a thriving Antique shopping area with museums, and the Willapa Bay area in Washington State. Her novels in this series are so factual that sometimes you feel that she must have time traveled there to capture the real story instead of writting a work of fiction. Emma's courage and protection of her children shows how few options a widow had without the programs and government assistance that we have today. The other theme in this book that spoke to me was how often Emma, just like me, try to do the "right" thing instead of turning to God to give us his direction. Often we get mad at God and decide to take things into our own hands. The author puts so many layers into her writings that make the story stay with you long after you finish the book.Thank you for another great read! Keep them coming!
Kathleen in Oregon

A Tendering in the Storm is the second book in the series, and the one that broke my heart. Emma and Christian are working on oyster farming in their home of Willapa, Washington, while the rest of Father Keil's group is living in the Aurora Colony in Oregon. Tragedy strikes leaving Emma alone and struggling to survive in the remote wilderness with three children. Again, Emma asserts her independence, this time to her entire family's detriment. I spent the entire book rooting for Emma and proud of her striving to take care of herself indepent of the colony so when she needs to turn to someone for help, at first I was disappointed. Then I did some soul searching and came to realize just how much like Emma I am. I don't like asking other people for help and will often resist doing so until I (and others) are suffering because of my stubborn pride. Emma hates owing anything to the colony and others and nearly breaks herself trying to keep the scales even, but comes to discover that we are stronger when we lean on each other. This is true of faith as well. There is absolutely nothing we can do to even the score with God. He loves us, He died for us, and He saved us. End of story. No amount of works can make us worthy, and this is a huge hurdle for me and my faith. I have a hard time accepting God's love, because I know it comes with the acceptance of my weakness. Like Emma, that's not easy for me. I learned so much about myself and faith from this book.

Jane Kirkpatrick's award-winning writing makes A TENDERING IN THE STORM, the second installment in the Change and Cherish historical series, a pleasure to savor.

As the story continues from book one, A CLEARING IN THE WILD, readers find the feisty Emma Wagner Giesy living in the mid-1800s in the Washington Territory with her husband, Christian Giesy, and little ones Andy and Kate. The young couple has made some breaks with the German American religious colony they came with out West, but not enough distancing for Emma's taste. Wilhelm Keil, the leader of the Missouri Bethelites colony, has settled the majority of the group in a different location in Oregon, which he's dubbed "Aurora Mills" after his daughter. The story is told through the eyes of both Emma and Louisa in first-person, alternating chapters.

Kirkpatrick deftly shows the conflict for Christians of that time period between a desire for security and absolute certainty in how to live a Christian life and the need for independence, and embracing the messiness and mystery of faith. Wilhelm, the powerful leader of the colony and last word on all religious matters, is a more sympathetic figure here than he was in book one, but still shows the positive and negative effects of what happens when power and religious authority are invested in one person. Emma is his antithesis --- rebellious, independent and longing to do things her own way. In her character, we see the problems of Christians who disassociate themselves from community and try to do everything themselves. In Louisa's, we see the pitfalls of insecurity and giving up our independence.

Both ways of living are flawed yet also somewhat attractive. Through them, Kirkpatrick shows how giving up thinking for ourselves and letting someone else do it for us can lull us into a false sense of security, and alternatively, how refusing to let our Christian community keep us accountable for decisions we make and offer perspective and help can lead to other sorts of disasters. The secret, it seems, is somewhere between what Emma desires and what the community desires, which is the tension that holds much of the series together.

Characterizing the novel is an excellent sense of the place and time period in which these two women lived. Kirkpatrick weaves in mentions of local plants Emma might have foraged for, such as wild celery, wild raspberry roots and wapato (Indian potatoes) and includes interesting sketches of different plant uses. Historical details abound, culled from Kirkpatrick's research into the true-life story of Emma on which the story is based. Family letters, photographs, artifacts and help from her modern-day descendants give Kirkpatrick's work a ring of authenticity but, at the same time, doesn't get in the way of good fiction or interrupt the flow of the narrative. A difficult balance --- and one that Kirkpatrick admirably achieves.

Plenty of disasters are on the way for Emma, and readers will wince at some of the choices she makes. Many will applaud, however, Emma's strong belief that being a woman does not make her less than a man (as the patriarchy of her colony implies) and that it is important to question the theology that the colony has been relentlessly spoon-fed by Wilhelm. Readers will enjoy seeing Emma's gifts unfold and watching her grow as a woman of faith and as a mother who cares deeply for her children. Historical fans won't want to miss this series.

--- Reviewed by Cindy Crosby

A Tendering in the Storm is a must-read for historical fiction lovers. If you want insight into the hardships from the 19th century pioneers who left everything to move west hoping for a better life, then you'll love this story. If you find oppressive religious groups intriguing, you'll want to check this story out. If you'd like to reflect on how few rights women had in the mid-1860s then this is the book for you! To quote a cliche, We've come a long way, baby!

After finding the author's bio and reading that she is a certified social worker, I now see where she got her insight for this book. No dysfunction is easy to understand. All people are complex. But there are certain truths that exist in human nature and the author insightfully captured them all. Her illumination of the human heart and certain domestic issues is superb. I can't say what those issues are or I'll blow part of the storyline, but I will say that the subtly of how people are lured from their good senses--because of sometimes desperate situations--is expertly shown in this novel.

I loved this story. It's real. It's deep. It's edgy...and it's not at all boring.

A fictionalized true story doesn't always hit the mark, but Jane Kirkpatrick has got the gift! In the first book, "The Clearing in the Wild", one felt the harsh northwestern weather, tempered by the breaks of warmth and beauty that made it all worthwhile. And, what is more appealing than a heroine with an indomitable spirit! "A Tendering in a Storm" was eagerly awaited, as the story of Emma lingered long after the first book was back on the shelf. The story doesn't disappoint - as it just points out the reality that not everyone lives up to expectations, and sometimes the most heartfelt conviction must be set aside to do the right thing for those we love. Emma is a remarkable, strong, resiliant woman, and in these books, we learn how difficult it was to possess and hold on to those attributes in pioneer days. Could any of us show that strength if confronted with Emma's obstacles? It makes us ask the question. I love this series - it reminds me a bit of another written by Janice Woods Windle, about the "True Women" of the Texas "Hill Country" - two other fictionalized accounts based on real women fighting against unbelievable odds. Read these two while you're waiting for Kirkpatrick to write the third in this series. I'll be watching for it!

This is an excellent read! I've read all of Jane's books & this is right up there with my favorites! Emma, the main character, everyone can identify with. I finished reading the book yesterday & can't quit thinking about Emma & the life she led & how knowing that could make my choices better. The story takes a twist you don't expect & keeps your interest. Definitely read this one! Can't wait for the next one in 2008! Thanks for writing Jane!!!!

Jane Kirkpatrick's A Tendering in the Storm is based on a true story, and in it, Kirkpatrick has woven the threads of Emma's life into a touching novel which leads us along life's journey with a woman whose actions are often clouded by her own interpretations.

But Emma is not the only one who misjudges others. As the community struggles to build a fledgling town in a rugged land, Emma fights to build her own life out of an unforgiving wilderness. Choices, both good and bad, are made, and Emma and the community must work to live with, or change, the consequences.

While the historical and cultural details make are delightful, the reader will most often be struck by the fact that Emma's choices are not that different from those we each must face in our lives today.

Reviewer: Marjorie Smith

In 1857 in Willapa Bay, Washington Territory the tragic death of her beloved spouse Christian Giesy, leaves his widow Emma alone to raise their preadolescent children though their respective families offer to help her. The religious order she and Christian used to belong to before the group moved south to the Oregon Territory also offers to help her if she relocates, but she declines as their severity and intolerance made life untenable when she belonged.

However, her best proves not good enough as her pride of demonstrating she is a strong capable mother reaches the point where she may be hurting herself and her children. Emma prays to God for guidance as she realizes she must choose between accepting the help of others that she and her family need or put them at risk.

Apparently based on a true mid nineteenth century account, this Americana historical is a fascinating tale of the maturing of a headstrong woman whose allows her pride to interfere with what is best for her children especially with a baby born after her spouse's death. Although the religious sect led by Kiehl seems to have become tolerant and kinder since the events of A CLEARING IN THE WILD, readers will enjoy this entertaining look at a person who changes as she cherishes the preciousness of life she learns it takes a village to raise children.

Harriet Klausner

In 1856 newly married Emma and Christian travel from their home in Missouri to the new frontier - Willapa Bay, a settlement close to the coast in Washington. Emma and Christian settle several days journey apart from their main German religious community, which makes daily survival more difficult for the couple, but gives Emma a small degree of independence from the rigidly controlling arm of the religious commune. When Christian is taken away from Emma, and she has to survive with 2 small children, pregnant with her third, there are many events that unfold that are exciting and fascinating to read about. The plight of women in that day and age and situation was amazingly difficult....where they were often treated like small children - opinions not only discounted but punished. Surprising since they had to be so strong and capable to raise a family under often impossible conditions.

Chapters are told from the point of view of three people: Emma, her sister Catherine - still living at home in Missouri, and Louisa - the wife of the controlling religious commune leader. There were times when I was very anxious to get back to Emma's voice, however, especially when her sister was speaking.

This unpredictable story, based on a true one, has it all - adventure and survival in a new frontier, history, love, hate, compassion, cruelty, family, friendship, struggles with faith. I loved the way issues with God and faith were presented without being sappy or preachy, and with characters fully developed to portray each with their strengths and weaknesses, beauty and ugliness, regardless of their degree of faith. I find that rare in a book such as this. And it's nice to read something once in a while that's not full of obscene language and exploitative sex - another rarity today. I stayed up long into the nights reading this story, completely absorbed, and will look for more by this author..I enjoyed it thoroughly and recommend it highly!

I can not believe my good luck in finding Jane Kirkpatrick's books to read on my kindle. After reading the first book in this series I was hooked. THIS ONE IS EVEN BETTER. Cant wait to read the next and sadly the last in this series. Thank you Jane.