A Dream Unfolding: Prescott Pioneers Audiobook (Unabridged)

" Hannah and Drew Anderson were upstanding citizens in Cincinnati, Ohio. Drew was a doctor and had all the patients he needed to make a good living for him and his wife and hopefully children the would have. Hannah loved being Drew's wife and could hardly wait to become a Mother. Until that time she kept busy helping her husband out in his practice whenever needed, even if it meant ruining meals and having to start over at the drop of a hat. They had many good friends and thought they would always be at home in Cincinnati. That is until Drew's brother caused problems, he and his brother had not spoken in a long time but when his brother and two other men robbed the bank in town and shot the banker things drastically changed. Drew takes care of the banker but when the town finds out that his brother was one of the robbers, they turn against Drew and Hannah. Their closest friends, who are supposed to join them for dinner after church, won't sit by them, they notice everyone in the congregation is sitting on the opposite side of the church, they are all alone. Drew and Hannah each have their own thoughts about possibly moving since Drew no longer has any patients and knows he can't make a living staying there. The problem is they each have different ideas of where to go, but Drew goes ahead and starts making plans to go west to Arizona without talking about it until things are set in motion. Hannah is upset and grudgingly goes along with his plans, but with hard feelings, making for a long trip. Drew has never driven a wagon or shot a gun, both of which you need to know how to do to travel in a wagon train, Hannah has, but Drew won't let her help. Needless to say, things are pretty quiet between them on that trip west. During the long trip they can't seem to talk about their problems even though they still love each other Will Coulter is happy with his life until his Father dies and his older brother basically kicks him off of their family property. The property is left to Reuben, they have to divide the cattle and horses along with some cash, and his sister Julia is left in Reuben's care. Reuben never cared about the ranch and Will knows he will just run it in the ground. Will worries about Julia because Reuben only cares about himself, not his wife, kids or Julia. He's afraid Reuben will 'sell' Julia into a marriage to a man not worthy of her, but there's nothing he can do. Will hires his dad's ranch foreman Ben, along with some ranch hands to travel to Arizona, but not nearly as many as he feels he needs. He picked Arizona after finding some papers in his Father's things after he died. There are two storylines to follow and you wonder how they go together besides heading to the same state. They are headed for different towns and Karen did a good job of keeping you interested to where you don't want to put the 'Kindle' down. The wagon train and Will and his crew and stock all reach Arizona, but you will have to read the book to find out how it all 'pans' out. I definitely recommend this book and look forward to reading the other three in the series, A Heart Renewed and A Heart Restored are already out, and A Hope Revealed is coming soon. "

" I really enjoyed this book. It was a break from the books I have been reading lately. I have always had a soft spot for either books with cowboys or books that have people in covered wagons traveling to a land unknown to them other than the recomendation they might read in a newspaper by someone who was supposed to have made the trip there and knew the land. It is always a situation where the people who decide to pick up and move, in this case Hannah has to go with her husband, as that is what they did, to the new land and it is never as easy or as quick a trip as is outlined in the paper. They always find themselves unprepared for Indians, drought, food shortages, wood shortages for starting fires to cook with, etc. They have to make do, and make it through. That is where the story is always interesting. These are the people who built up the lad across the United States, and how they did it is always a good read for me. Especially when the author is so well prepared to write such a book as this author was. She did her homework and knew what the people traveling would need to take, leave, purchase, what they would run into on their trip, etc. When a book is written this well it is always interesting to me. I really enjoyed this book. It is in inspirationg tone to the book, if reading books that have quotes from the bible, and have a story that is to inspire you to believe also is not your bag than this book is not for you. I just think it is refreshing. Here is the description from the back of the book: The promise of a new life and a chance to start over… Hannah Anderson had the life she always wanted, married to the man of her dreams. When her husband’s brother gets in trouble with the law, the town turns against them, shattering her perfect life. Now they are left with only one choice—to head west to the Arizona Territory in the hopes of creating a new life. Will the journey be worth the cost? Will Colter, after burying his father, is forced to leave the ranch he has called home for nearly thirty years. The journey is dangerous, challenging him and his men. Will he find the new life he was hoping for? Or, is there a new dream quietly unfolding before their eyes? PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: This Christian Historical Romance Fiction novel follows the journey of a couple, Drew and Hannah Anderson, as they travel from Cincinnati, Ohio to the newly created Arizona Territory in 1863. In their search for a new life, they encounter many dangers and joys along the way. They meet the governor of the territory and travel with his party, witnessing several historical events. The story also follows Will Colter’s journey from Texas to the Arizona Territory when he is forced to leave his home. As this rancher drives his cattle across the wilderness, he and his men run into life-threatening situations. Throughout the move his dreams for his new ranch solidify. Once the main characters arrive in the Arizona Territory, they must learn to adapt to wilderness living. Things are not exactly what they thought. Each character is challenged to rely on God to face dangers in a new, wild territory. "

" This book is responsible for getting me hooked on historical fiction! And it struck a personal note with me, in its exploration of the age-old question, "How can a loving God allow terrible things to happen, *especially* to His children?" It was a good read, intellectually and spiritually. "

" very good gave you a good fell for life on the wagon train. Also life in the early Arizona territory. All sweetenede with a nice romance. "

" Love this series and I can't wait to read them all. I am excited to find a great author and look forward to more books by her. "

" I enjoyed this book, it was different. "

" It was so much fun reading a novel about a place where I live. It was a really fun book. "

" Many events change the course of our lives daily - as the characters have a major life change, events happen that lead you on many twists and turns down the road. Pick this one up to add to you summer reading list. "

" It was OK - I kind of figured out early on who would wind up together, but it was a good story "

" I really enjoyed this book. It was very well written. I loved all the characters and can't wait to continue on with their journeys in the next books. I also liked the fact that the author included so much actual historical facts that were so very interesting. Great book! "