On My Nightstand - All Together in One Place by Jane Kirkpatrick

This is another oldie, but goodie. The last two stories have dropped into my lap, introducing me to these talented authors. Jane Kirkpatrick is now on my radar screen big time.

"All Together In One Place" is the story of Mazy Bacon, a young wife, whose husband gets the urge to move out to Oregon. Although her mother accompanies them, she's a woman torn from the place where she's put down roots.

Facing hardships crossing the prairie, the unthinkable occurs. A plague sweeps through the wagon train, killing most of the men. Will the widows press on toward California and Oregon or will they return home?

Jane Kirkpatrick explores the personalities of these women, and reveals little by little what makes them tick. The setting, details, and practical duties of daily life flow from the author's pen through the vehicle of dialogue, internal monologue, and scenes.

Within the romantic historical genre, this is the first prairie story I've read. As I sample the different sub-groups, my appreciation grows for the many authors represented. If you haven't already sampled Jane Kirkpatrick's books, I highly recommend this one.