Westering Women by Sandra Dallas

Book Description

From the bestselling author of Prayers for Sale, an inspiring celebration of sisterhood on the perilous wagon-trail west

"If you are an adventuresome young woman of high moral character and fine health, are you willing to travel to California in search of a good husband?"

It's February 1852, and all around Chicago Maggie sees the postings soliciting "eligible women" to travel to the gold mines of Goosetown. A young seamstress with a small daughter and several painful secrets, she has nothing to lose.

So she joins forty-three other women and two pious reverends on the dangerous 2,000-mile journey west. None of them are prepared for the hardships they face on the trek through the high plains, mountains, and deserts. Or for the triumphs of finding strengths they did not know they possessed. And not all will make it.

As Maggie gets to know the other women, she soon discovers that she’s not the only one looking to leave dark secrets behind. And when her past catches up with her, it becomes clear a band of sisters will do whatever it takes to protect one of their own. From the bestselling author of Prayers for Sale, an inspiring celebration of sisterhood on the perilous wagon-trail west

"If you are an adventuresome young woman of high moral character and fine health, are you willing to travel to California in search of a good husband?"

It's February 1852, and all around Chicago Maggie sees the postings soliciting "eligible women" to travel to the gold mines of Goosetown. A young seamstress with a small daughter and several painful secrets, she has nothing to lose.

So she joins forty-three other women and two pious reverends on the dangerous 2,000-mile journey west. None of them are prepared for the hardships they face on the trek through the high plains, mountains, and deserts. Or for the triumphs of finding strengths they did not know they possessed. 

And not all will make it.

As Maggie gets to know the other women, she soon discovers that she’s not the only one looking to leave dark secrets behind. And when her past catches up with her, it becomes clear a band of sisters will do whatever it takes to protect one of their own. 

My thoughts:

This is the first book that I have read by Sandra Dallas, but the cover and book description appealed to me so I was happy to have the opportunity to read it.  I am so glad I did because the author penned a compelling novel that held my interest throughout.

The women who signed up to take the 2000-mile journey to California were brave souls to say the least, sure some were fleeing from abusive relationship but the danger and hardships they face on their travels are definitely not for the faint of heart.  I have to say I admired them for leaving a life of certain cruelty and misery by taking the chance for trying to find a better and brighter future.  The hardships the group faced were heartrending but I kept rooting for the ladies because I started to care about them and wanted them to live long, happy, safe lives.

The women shared an unbreakable bond as they grew closer, experiencing unimaginable loss along the way but they were there for each other through the painful loss of lives, what few personal possessions they had managed to take with them but they kept looking forward in search of happiness.

Ms. Dallas has written a gripping story with compelling characters and gained a new fan with this novel.  I look forward to reading more of her work.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley.  Opinions expressed in this review are completely are my own.