After the battle of Little Big Horn, newly widowed LisBeth King Baird returns to Lincoln, Nebraska, only to discover that her mother is also gone. Grieving, she must pick up the threads of life and begin again.
A native of southern Illinois, Stephanie Grace Whitson has lived in Nebraska since 1975. She began what she calls "playing with imaginary friends" (writing fiction) when, as a result of teaching her four homeschooled children Nebraska history, she was personally encouraged and challenged by the lives of pioneer women in the West. Since her first book, Walks the Fire, was published in 1995, Stephanie's fiction titles have appeared on the ECPA bestseller list numerous times and been finalists for the Christy Award, the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, and ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year. Her first nonfiction work, How to Help a Grieving Friend, was released in 2005. In addition to serving in her local church and keeping up with two married children, two college students, and a high school senior, Stephanie enjoys motorcycle trips with her family and church friends. Her passionate interests in pioneer women's history, antique quilts, and French, Italian, and Hawaiian language and culture provide endless story-telling possibilities.
Love, Love, Love, Love, LOVE these books. Oh my goodness. I don't even want to take the time to write a review for this because I want to get started on Red Bird.
There was a lot of tragedy in Walks The Fire...book two: Soaring Eagle has a few sad parts...but its mostly about forgiveness, and having faith. We lose a few characters in this book, but we meet a few new characters, and their stories are just as interesting. This book follows Lisbeth in her POV, along with 'Aunt' Augusta, Joseph, and a few new friends. This book also follows Two Mothers, who is now an adult, and who was also renamed halfway through the first book. He goes by Soaring Eagle. His story is....a very interesting perspective. I found his chapters to be incredibly eye opening, as he moves along in the new way of life, in a new world. His chapters, we get to meet a very lovable new character, Carrie. I love Carrie, she is just the sweetest little thing. Book three is hers, Carrie is Red Bird, and I am really looking forward to revisiting her story. I love these characters, I love the story, I love the setting, I love the writing...I pretty much love everything.
I love the ending of this....I just found it to be so emotional, and profound and full of love and faith and hope. Absolutely love it! And the complete opposite of book one, which ended in sadness and tragedy.
I liked this even more than the first book. LisBeth is more relatable than her mother was and Soaring Eagle is a fascinating character. The Wild West in fiction is usually a very tough place with hard, mean people, so I love how this version is much kinder without feeling unrealistic. I’m sure there were nice people even then.
Book 1, had me caught up in the first half and its grip loosened on me in the second half. In Book 2, Soaring Eagle, I was engaged but not gripped to start but the last half... WOW, excellent writing! Compelling, moving and so worth the read! I am eager to begin Book 3, Red Bird!
***(Note: Amazon/Goodreads have mislabeled Book 2 and 3. So for those looking to read this series Soaring Eagle is the 2nd Book in the series).
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book, Walks the Fire, and this sequel was amazing too. The characters seemed like real people, who had real trials to overcome. The strong theme of faith in Christ enhanced the story for me. I look forward to the third one, Red Bird.
So so sooooooo good! I'm very eager/excited to now read the last book of the three in this series! This series has proven to be uplifting, real and wholesome and the story lines stay in my mind throughout the day. Fantastic!
The story starts in June, 1876 at the Battle of Little Bighorn, a.k.a. The Battle of Greasy Grass, a.k.a. Custer’s Last Stand And Lincoln Nebraska, 1876-1878
Main Characters
Soaring Eagle: Lakota Sioux brave a.k.a. Jeremiah Soaring Eagle King LisBeth King Baird: Widow of soldier MacKenzie Baird MacKenzie Baird and Jesse King aka Walks the Fire: LisBeth’s dead husband and her mother Augusta Hathaway: Owner of Hathaway House Hotel Sarah and Tom Biddle Tom Calloway: Emotionally damaged soldier David Braddock: Wealthy man from Philadelphia who just knew Lisbeth was the woman he was to marry Abigail Braddock: David's mother Joseph Freeman: Owner of town's livery
I’ve had this book for years and something held me back from reading it…The cover, I think. I just didn’t want to read another difficult, lengthy Indian story. But a few days I felt it was time. And I have to say, this book was amazing! The characters, the coincidences, the timing, the hurting hearts, the sweet relationships, the gospel being shared many times. Oh my.
Jim, a broken man with guilt that actually changed his appearance reading underlined words in a Bible… "They washed over him in such a wave that he was physically shaken. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. . . . And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”
When Lisbeth was concerned about people learning, she was half Lakota… "Augusta interrupted her. “LisBeth, I’ve always believed that there’s only one color that matters. Red. The blood of our dear Savior."
The story was about a Lakota brave who realized by the locket on the dead man's body that he had just killed his half sister's husband.
It was about a grieving woman not ever being able to trust the God everyone else praised.
It was about a black free man who affected everyone around him.
It was about a little blue-eyed girl who saw a lonely Indian brave and knew he could use a friend.
It was about two young orphans Augusta took in and became indispensable.
It’s about a love story, a lovely surprise to this reader who cheered for them at the end.
And the ending? Oh my.
I have to add, page 12 had the most beautiful obituary I’ve ever read. I want that when I die. 😁
Such a good book. I’m going right into the next (the last) book of the series because I don’t want to miss this!
When I took a children’s writing class, I was warned of using the same initial for several character names as it would be confusing. I was reminded of this when I was confused of who Augusta, Abigail, and Agnes were. Also, proofreading apparently missed two errors where I had to re-read the paragraphs to understand them and realized the mistakes. Not a fan of “flashback” books either. Did not realize when I bought this book that it was book 2 of a series. Felt like I missed out somewhat in not knowing the gist of book 1.
I love books about the wild West and how the settlers struggled but managed to glean an awesome life there. The settlers and the Indians struggled but managed to live together. Ms. Whitson wrote a wonderful book with a great Christian message as well. Thank you.
I listened to this book on audible. I read the first book last year and loved it. I've been meaning to read the sequels and this second is a wonderful extension of the initial story set in the American west during the mid to late 1800s. Artful writing and realistically wonderful characters make this an exciting and inspiring story that I really enjoyed.
Second in the series that I ended up reading in reverse - that worked out okay in this case, but I really wish there was a way that series books were labeled so I could tell they were part of series. I enjoyed the native American notes and the era these books were written - as the west was developed and life with and for the Indians evolved.
The second book in a series of three continues to follow a White and Indian family who are intertwined by two children - an adopted Indian son and a mixed race daughter. It is a well written complicated story that doesn’t offer simplistic or easy answers to social issues. I rated both books five stars because the characters are so real and the story is fantastically told.
I had questioned whether I should take a break before pursuing the second book in this series. I loved the first book, but I wasn’t sure my heart could take much more.
I’m so glad I continued on. This second book was well worth the wee hours of the night as well.
Another wonderful story by this author. Lizbeth married the man I hoped she would. This author is a great storyteller and does her research also. Highly recommend any and all books by this author.
I don't often come across a series of books in which each one is just as good as the one before. I have really enjoyed the Prairie Winds series so far and look forward to reading Red Bird!
All the storylines come full circle and it is a lovely representation of the gospel. I love how the author confronts prejudices of the time and investigates juxtaposition of the West vs. East, poor vs. wealthy.
This was an excellent book to snuggle up to at night.
I liked everything in this book. It still seems that I have seen a movie of this story or a book.Each of the characters in the story become Christians. That is good! I hope Carrie comes back into the story to see Soaring Eagle.
This book was just a little too slow for me and while I appreciate the characters coming to know God personally, I got tired of reading sermon after sermon. I mainly kept reading because of The supporting characters though not all of those questions were answered.
It took me much longer to read this book than it should have - it was so very slow in getting to the plot - the last 2 chapters were worth reading - if it had not been chosen by my library book club I would have put it on the DNF shelf. The 1st book in this series was good!
Very well written. Story moves along very well. Love the mention of the past history from the first book in the series. Characters show real caring to each other & the pasts that they have had. On to book 3.
Absolutely loved this book. So full of emotion. I was laughing one minute and crying the next. An absolute must read for anyone who loves good Christian reading.
I know I liked how brother n sister met for the first time. Changing times n cultures must be a huge feat. Liked this story must catch Red Bird's story.