Rating: 
Summary: One of the best books I ever read
Review: This is a truly wonderful book that I have read at least 5 times. It's has eveything...The characters all come to life and you feel like they are family. I was so sad at the end with what happens to Jack( I have cried evey time I read the book )but I was even more unhappy that I don't know what happened to Sarah & her family for the rest of their lives. I loved the journal style of how it was written as you could really feel not only all of Sarah's thoughts and emotions but most of the people she knew. I just can't say enough good of how well this book was written. I've been trying to find a way to tell the author how greatful I am she shared this true to life story based on her own family. Just today I found another book she has written, while I am sad it's not a continuation of Sarah's story, it sounds like it will be rewarding as well.
Rating:
Summary: Sorry to come to the last page
Review: I thought this was an excellent book about where I presently live Tucson, Arizona. Sarah's life in the form of a journal kept me turning pages. It was like reading Belva Plain's Evergreen all over again, I wanted to continue on with the characters, to read more, and not come to the last page. I really enjoyed the writer's style using the journal format. It gave me a good perspective of life from Sarah's eyes and the adventures she endured. We do plan to utilize this book for our local book club. There are questions for review at the end of the book. I found that helpful.
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Summary: My personal "Book of the Year", I dedicate this to Mom
Review: Mom, this is to thank you for introducing me to the "covered wagon days", for giving me _Jubilee Trail_ by Gwen Bristow, and introducing me to the life long interest and love for those women and men that pioneered the west. There is no doubt that this book wins book of the year for me. I wish I could urge everyone to read this novel, for it is one of the most entertaining books I have ever read. Nancy Turner has brought the Arizona Territory in the late 1800's alive, and the impression of it will literally be so vivid, you will feel as if you made a movie in your mind with the read. As other reviewers have expressed, you cannot put this book down. I guarantee you will care deeply for the characters and their experiences will be unique to us in this time period. It is obvious extensive and accurate research went into her preparations. In many ways, this accuracy is what brings this book to life and transplants the reader into the very time period to make the story more of an experience than a simple novel read. An accurate accounting of Sarah Prine, a young woman moving into the Arizona territories with her family, her life is revealed in a diary format, but richly endorsed with her marvelous gift for story telling, humor and feisty spirit. You can not help but unite behind all of her endeavors, loving those that love her and feeling equally betrayed and traumatized by those who do the same. This is a strong woman, and her experiences are intense. This is no fairy tale, it is an accounting of all the life experiences a young woman must face on her own in a new land constantly besieged by the lawless and coping with Indians fighting to retain their ancient lands for their own. Gripping accounts of attacks during their migration to the Territories are told along with the struggles the people had to maintain their families and cope with the incredible demands of the journey. Interestingly, disgust was levied at husbands who impregnated their wives prior to and on the trail. Military escorts were forced to make those ill and in labor travel, unable to afford the luxury of ceasing the migration due to indian threat and cold weather impeding their progress. This is a powerful novel and I cherish the thought that women like Sarah lived, loved and founded homes in the great American West.
Rating:
Summary: A fantastic Book
Review: This book was a real treat. If you have read or enjoyed anything by Sandra Dallas in the past you will love this. I can only recommend that you dont start this thinking well I'll read a few chapters and do something else. This book is a page turner. The trials and tribulations of Sarah Prine and her family are riveting. I can't imagine any lady not falling in love with Captain Jack Elliot.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant.
Review: I'm a reader, not a writer so if it's plot and character insights you want you'll have to look elsewhere. If it's a utterly unforgettable book you're looking for this is it. Simply brilliant.
Rating:
Summary: Hugely entertaining
Review: I love books with strong characters, and Sarah, namesake of the book, lives up to all the reader's expectations. She is feisty, she is brave, and she lives through all the horrors you expect in a richly detailed historical drama of pioneering Americans. And to make it all the more entertaining, it is her diary. This is very appealing to all of those who like to see in the secret hearts of our characters - what better way but to read their diary? The writing of the diary itself is masterful. Sarah's literacy improves with the years, making the book easier to read. And along the way she meets and at first scorns the man of her dreams, who is definintely one of the more romantic male characters of recent fiction. Overall it is the most enjoyable book I have read in ages. It is fast, it holds your attention and it is a fine love story. What more can a reader want?
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Summary: I couldn't put it down!!
Review: This is one of the best books I have ever read. If you enjoy Janet Oke or Jane Kirkpatrick you rhen here is another author you should try. I was really surprised at how this story got a hold of me and wouldn't turn lose. It is one of those books you try to put out of your mind while you are cooking dinner, but just can't stop thinking about it. This would be a good book for a book club. I found at the end the author has included a list of questions to discuss. I will loan this book out later. For now I will hold on to it. It is one I will look forward to rereading.
Rating: 
Summary: Enjoyable...but break out the Kleenex if you're a softy!
Review: The author does a wonderful job of creating authentic-sounding characters, and the narrative is gripping. However, I wound up feeling somewhat amused/exasperated by all the terrible disasters that strike--pioneer life was incredibly rugged and often exacted a tragic toll, but Turner just piles it on. That's a very small quibble, though...overall, I really enjoyed this book, and recommend it to people who enjoy history and first-person narratives (and aren't overly picky about good grammar).
Rating:
Summary: Compelling page-turner!
Review: The chronicles of Sarah Prine's trecherous trek to the Arizona Territories is no less than spectactular. Turner's ability to vividly describe her characters through the eyes of Miss Prine is exquisite, and the stories she weaves for the protagonist are both interesting and captivating. This is one of the rare novels I would rate a 5 -- higher if that were possible!
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Summary: Your are there
Review: This book is well written and gives the feel of "your are there" which escapes many historical works. A fascinating story of early life on the Arizona frontier with real feelings and real hardships. Soon I suppose we will see them in a "reel setting," i.e. movie. Hope so.
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