Whispers in the Wind (Wild West Wind) [Paperback]

Lauraine Snelling (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2012 | Series: Wild West Wind (Book 2)

Book Two in Lauraine Snelling's Exciting Wild West Wind Series

After fleeing North Dakota and the now defunct Wild West Show, Cassie Lockwood and her companions have finally found the hidden valley in South Dakota where her father had dreamed of putting down roots. But to her dismay, she discovers a ranch already built on her land.

Cassie's arrival surprises Mavis Engstrom and forces her to reveal secrets she's kept hidden for years. Her son Ransom is suspicious of Cassie and questions the validity of her claim to the valley. But Lucas Engstrom decides from the start that he is in love with her and wants to marry her.

Will Cassie be able to build a home on the Bar E Ranch and fulfill her father's dream of raising horses, or will she be forced to return to the itinerant life of her past?

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

"Are you telling me this ranch is not ours?"

Mavis Engstrom shook her head, wishing for a way to erase the anger she could read on her son's face. "No, that is not what I am saying. I said the ranch belongs to Cassie Lockwood too."

"How can this be? You've never mentioned it before." Ransom's jaw snapped off anything else he was going to say.

"No, I haven't, and that is my fault, but I couldn't see any sense in worrying about something that might never happen." Mavis scrubbed her sweaty hands down the sides of her full apron. "This is a long story, so I'll put supper on the table and then we can talk."

"This better be good," Ransom muttered as he grabbed the canvas wood carrier and stomped out to the front porch to bring in wood for the fireplace.

Mavis crossed to the front window, wishing she'd been able to convince Cassie Lockwood to stay longer. Cassie Lockwood, the daughter of Adam Lockwood. What a wonderful surprise. But Cassie and her guide, Chief, had elected to return to their camp closer to town. Amazing how she had recognized in the old Indian the young man who had guided her not-yet-husband, Ivar Engstrom, and his new partner, Adam Lockwood, in their search for both gold and land. What a long story she had to tell. Where to begin? --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

She's Come This Far.... Must She Turn Back Now?

After fleeing North Dakota and the now defunct Wild West Show, Cassie Lockwood and her companions have finally found the hidden valley in South Dakota where her father had dreamed of putting down roots. But to her dismay, she discovers a ranch already built on her land.

Cassie's arrival surprises Mavis Engstrom and forces her to reveal secrets she's kept hidden for years. Her son Ransom is suspicious of Cassie and questions the validity of her claim to the valley. But younger son Lucas decides from the start that he is in love with her and wants to marry her.

Will Cassie be able to build a home on the Bar E Ranch and fulfill her father's dream of raising horses, or will she be forced to return to the itinerant life of her past?

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (August 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764204165
• ISBN-13: 978-0764204166
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1.1 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (83 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #304,372 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lauraine Snelling, an award-winning author of fifty-plus books with sales of over 2 million copies, also writes for a wide range of magazines and teaches at writers' conferences across the country. She and her husband make their home in Tehachapi, California.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#66 in Kindle eBooks > Religion & Spirituality

#66 in Kindle eBooks > Religion & Spirituality

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Whispers in the Wind October 19, 2012

By Its Time to Read Mamaw

Format:Paperback

Cassie Lockwood's journey is over. She has found the ranch her father had told her so much about. He had bought the ranch in partnership with his best friend Ivar Engstrom. Adam's widow Mavis welcomed her with open arms but her grown sons have reservations about the partnership of their father and Cassie's father. Mavis and Ivar had never mentioned anything about owning only half of the ranch and their children.

Ransom has his concerns with the fact that this important piece of information was never mentioned until the day Cassie and her friends show up to claim her inheritance which was half of the Bar E Ranch. Mavis had not only withheld the fact that Adam was a partner in the ranch but that she had also been in love with Adam Lockwood before she married their father. She has not revealed the later to anyone.

Has Cassie come all this way just leave in order to preserve the peace within the Engstrom family? They are the true definition of family and love and she does not want to cause them problems.

Book two was so much better than book one. I felt more connected with the characters and story. The character Chief has become Cassie's shadow and protector even more so since the death of Adam Lockwood. Micah is the animal handler that came along with them in hopes of finding a place to plant his feet. Then there is Runs Like A Deer the Indian woman they found injured on their journey and she has made them her family. All of these people have become a family unit.

Mavis Engstrom is the glue that holds them all together including the addition of Cassie's little family. Her young daughter Gretchen is a mini Mavis in the making. Mavis's son Lucas gets ahead of himself most of the time though it is usually with the best of intentions. Her son Ransom is very protective of his family and the ranch. He is a hard nut to crack. But once he cracks it is all good. Her son Jess is off at college and Mavis is not sure how he will react to news that half the ranch belongs to someone else.

The author told a heartwarming tale of coming home and uniting a group of people that God had meant to be together for the better of all of them. It is all there love, family, unity, determination and trust in God and their fellow man.

I wanted the story of these beautiful people to continue. Looking forward to reading more.

I highly recommend this book.

Disclosure
I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House for review. I was in no way compensated for this review. It is my own opinion.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Cassie Lockwood's Journey Continues December 3, 2012

By Coffee Ramblings TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback

Cassie Lockwood returns in book two of the Wild West Wind series from author Lauraine Snelling. Cassie had traveled in the Wild West show that her father co-owned. With her shooting and riding skills, she became a major attraction for the show. After her father died, ticket sales declined and the show was cancelled. Before the bank investors could repossess her wagon and horse, she discovered a land deed belonging to her father. It seems he owned some land in North Dakota. Cassie packs her belongings and heads to the land of her father's dreams.

Whispers in the Wind continues Cassie's journey to North Dakota, where she finally arrives at the hidden valley, only to discover that someone else has already built a ranch on the land. The family includes Mavis Engstrom and her three children, who may now lose their home because Cassie is the rightful land owner.

Cassie learns a startling discovery that Mavis's husband had co-owned the land with her father. Now she must try and share the land with these strangers.

Mavis's oldest son, Ransom, doesn't trust Cassie. Her daughter, Gretchen, is more accepting of Cassie as she has always wanted an older sister. The youngest son, Lucas, more than accepts Cassie, as he has fallen madly in love with her.

Fulfilling her father's dream of building a ranch and raising horses, might be harder than what Cassie has ever dreamed of, but with her faith and determination she plans on building a home on Bar E Ranch.

I loved the first book in the series, Valley of Dreams (Wild West Wind), so naturally I was eager to signup to review the second book courtesy of Bethany House Publishers. I actually read Whispers in the Wind in early October, but I've been busy, so my review is coming later than I originally planned. I have read several Christian historical fiction series that focuses on a new set of characters in each sequel, but the Wild West Wind series follows the same main character, Cassie, as she settles in North Dakota to live out her late father's dream. The sequel introduces several new characters, including a love interest for Cassie. Once again, author Lauraine Snelling has written a remarkable novel with likeable characters and a believable plot. Her creative use of descriptions made me feel like I was back in the early 1900s. Overall, I loved reading Whispers in the Wind, and I can't wait to read book three!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Story! September 25, 2012

By Autumn

Format:Paperback

Whispers in the Wind is the second book in Lauraine Snelling's Wild West Wind series. Cassie has finally made it to the Black Hills of South Dakota, only to discover some other family has built a ranch on her father's property. With nowhere else to go Cassie confronts the Engstrom family. Ransom and Lucas Engstrom are furious that their mother never told them that their father had a partner and now his partner's daughter has shown up to claim half of the ranch. Mavis invites Cassie and her traveling companions to stay at the cabin on the far end of the ranch. Now that Cassie and her loved ones have a home she must still figure out a way to earn money. Cassie might have a lot to learn about ranching, but she can earn money trick riding and shooting. Now only if she can find a way to perform, prove to Ransom that she belongs on the ranch and protect her family from the town's prejudice.
I am so impressed with Snelling's knowledge of the era. I love authentic and well-researched novels and Snelling does an amazing job of depicting ranching in 1906. The intensity of Cassie finally arriving and confronting the Engstroms was very intense and I loved watching the characters interact and reluctantly come together. Cassie's desire to protect her family and provide for them at any cost is fierce. The Engstrom brothers couldn't be more different and Cassie is confused by the emotions they each evoke. The danger, love story and struggle to make her father's dream come true make Cassie's story an enjoyable one. I am very excited about the next installment in the series.
Provided by the Publisher for Review