Review: Prairie Song by Mona Hodgson

Title: Prairie Song
Author: Mona Hodgson
Publisher: Water Brook Press
Pages: 303
ISBN: 978-0-307-73116-6
Release Date: August 6th 2013

Synopsis:

The first step in a challenging journey is often the one that means the most. 
 
Though it means saying goodbye to the beloved friends and spiritual mentors of her St. Charles, Missouri quilting circle, Anna Goben is certain that she needs to enlist her family in the Boones Lick Company wagon train. The loss of her beloved brother in the Civil War has paralyzed her mother and grandfather in a malaise of grief and depression and Anna is convinced that only a fresh start in the Promised Land of California can bring her family back to her. Although the unknown perils of the trail west loom, Anna’s commitment to caring for her loved ones leaves no room for fear—or even loving someone new. 

During the five-month journey, trail hand Caleb Reger plans to keep a low profile as he watches over the band of travelers. Guarding secrets about his past and avoiding God’s calling on his life, Caleb wants to steer as far from Anna as she does him, but she proves to be just as he assessed her from the beginning— independent, beautiful trouble.

Led by a pillar of hope, the group faces rough terrain that begins to take a toll on their spirits. Will the wilderness of suffering lead them astray, or will the gentle song of love that echoes across the prairie turn their hearts toward God’s grace and the promise of a new home?

Review: 
 Prairie Song is the first book in the Hearts Seeking Home series. The characters in this book are characters that were first featured in Mona Hodgson's The Quilted Heart Stories. When I started reading, Prairie Song didn't feel like book 1 in a series because of the history of these people in the story, but the history of the people is explained in a quick and smooth fashion.

Anna Goben felt a push to marry her good friend who was apart of a wagon train moving west, however, Anna knew, her friend could only be her friend and she backed out of the wedding. Anna still wanted a fresh start for her mother and grandfather. Her family has been in a constant state of grief upon finding out her brother had been killed in the Civil War. Anna takes on the burden and grief of her family, to the point of hiding her family's secrets at all cost. So to get away from the gossip of the only home she has really ever known, Anna has her family set out west. Anna is strong girl and has taken on more responsibility than anyone of her age. The story follows her through her decisions to help her family move forward and be the support that they need in the physical and spiritual sense.

Prairie Song is a very moving story about overcoming grief, addiction and the pain it brings to a family, and forgiveness, plus knowing that none of those things can't happen without relying on God. All of these trials are hard things to face, but the story handles them well. There were just a couple of things that did take away from the story a little bit. When I started reading, my idea of the time frame was longer then what I thought this book was going to be. The book only spans two months instead of the five mentioned in the synopsis and it made me question the pace of the book, but knowing that this is the first of the series now, helps.

 Too Read!
4 out of 5
For more info on Prairie Song please check out Water Brook Press.

About the Author:

Mona Hodgson is the author of Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek Series and The Quilted Heart Novellas. Mona's writing credits also include nearly thirty children's books, including Real Girls of the Bible: A Devotional, Bedtime in the Southwest, and The Princess Twins and the Tea Party. One of Mona's favorite things to do, besides writing or eating dark chocolate, is to speak at women's retreats and conferences. Mona lives in Arizona with her husband, Bob. For upcoming news, you can check out Mona Hodgson's Web Site.





Thank you to Blogging For Books, I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for an honest review.