Review, Guest Post, and Giveaway: Crooked Paths Straight by Elizabeth Wehman

 

About the Book

Book: Crooked Paths Straight

Author: Elizabeth Wehman

Genre: Historical Fiction

Release date: June 2021

This is a continuing story of the Baker family who settles in the Michigan Territory in 1833. Establishing the new settlement requires stamina, endurance, compromises with the natives, and most of all a strong trust in God and His provisions. Each character in Crooked Paths Straight is confident that their individual paths will lead to happiness and security, yet when trials arise…they soon realize that God’s path is best. This is the second book in the Newburg Chronicle series.

 

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts:

Crooked Paths Straight is the second novel in the historical story of the Baker family and their journey of establishing a frontier settlement in Michigan. As I read stories like this, I am always amazed at the strength and the gumption that our ancestors had to populate and settle this great nation of ours. Theirs was not an easy task and I am not sure any one of us alive today would have the fortitude that they had when we live fairly comfortable lives with conveniences at our fingertips. 

The settlement is growing and of the newcomers is John and his wife Abigail. John is Aaron's brother and Aaron is very surprised to see them. After receiving some devastating news and Abigail almost dying, John is truly happy to see his brother again. However, Abigail is not happy to be there, and she is most determined to go back East. So, the whole family is tested in their love of Christ as Abigail does all she can to make things unpleasant.

There is a lot happening in this story and a few characters to keep track of. But I was quickly immersed in this family's life and that of their extensions. From love triangles, to weather, to sickness, tensions with the Native Americans, and all sorts of danger, and even sacrifice, this family stayed strong and kept trudging along. I look forward to the next installment and how they continue making a civilization in the wilds of Michigan.

I received a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

About the Author

This is Elizabeth’s sixth novel and her second complete historical which pulls out her love of research. Her books concentrate on Michigan history, especially in her county along the banks of the Shiawassee River. Elizabeth has lived in Michigan her whole life where she has raised three children and will soon welcome the birth of her first granddaughter. She loves capturing not only the early history of the state but the amazing aspects of living in the Great Lakes state.

 

More from Elizabeth

After working as a newspaper reporter, I soon realized that the best part of writing articles was the research. When I began writing historical fiction, I realized it pulled in that element to the extreme. I then fell in love with history but especially the elements of searching through a cemetery for a specific character, finding significant paragraphs in a newspaper article about a particular family, and then sitting down to fictionalize the details I found. It was fun to mix history with fiction.

 The Baker family, in the The Newburg Chronicles series, came to life in an era that doesn’t always get much attention in the historical fiction scene…the 1830s. This was the beginning of many small settlements in Michigan due to the opening of the Erie Canal. Settlers would travel the canal into Detroit by steamboat and then purchase oxen in the city to move inland. Often they’d only have a map with their property outlined and would then have to blaze a trail west and north to find that property to build a home and farm the land…often sight unseen.

 The trips inland were grueling and filled with many unknowns including Indians, rough river crossings, swarms of mosquitoes, and howling wolves. What they’d discover was a vast wilderness with trees to gird, cut, and use to build their homes. They’d then need oxen to help prepare the soil to plant crops. Daily chores were exhausting for not only the men but also the women and children.

How did they survive? How did families work together to establish a farm? Did they get help or were they all alone? If you enjoy learning about the early settlers of a new territory, The Newburg Chronicle series is for you!

Blog Stops

lakesidelivingsite, February 5

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 6

Back Porch Reads, February 6

Texas Book-aholic, February 7

Inklings and notions, February 8

For Him and My Family, February 9

deb’s Book Review, February 10

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 11

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 11

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 12

Connie’s History Classroom, February 13

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, February 14 (Spotlight)

Pause for Tales, February 14

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, February 15

Lots of Helpers, February 16

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 17

CarpeDiem, February 18

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Elizabeth is giving away the grand prize package of a copy of Crooked Paths Straight and also a $50 gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/19bc5/crooked-paths-straight-celebration-tour-giveaway