Jane Kirkpatrick

Based on historical characters and events, A Gathering of Finches tells the story of a turn-of-the-century Oregon coastal couple and the consequences of their choices, as seen through the eyes of the wife, her sister, and her Indian maid. Along the way, the reader will discover reasons to trust that money and possessions can't buy happiness or forgiveness, nor permit us to escape the consequences of our choices. The story emphasizes the message that real meaning is found in the relationships we nurture and in living our lives in obedience to God.

Returning to her Midwest roots, award-winning author Jane Kirkpatrick draws a page from her grandmother's photo album to capture the interplay between shadow and light, temptation and faith that marks a woman's pursuit of her dreams. She took exquisite photographs, but her heart was the true image exposed. Fifteen-year-old Jessie Ann Gaebele loves nothing more than capturing a gorgeous Minnesota landscape when the sunlight casts its most mesmerizing shadows. So when F.J. Bauer hires her in 1907 to assist in his studio and darkroom, her dreams for a career in photography appear to find root in reality. With the infamous hazards of the explosive powder used for lighting and the toxic darkroom chemicals, photography is considered a man's profession. Yet Jessie shows remarkable talent in both the artistry and business of running a studio. She proves less skillful, however, at managing her growing attraction to the very married Mr. Bauer. This luminous coming-of-age ta

Based on historical characters and events, Love to Water My Soul recounts the dramatic story of an abandoned white child rescued by Indians. Among Oregon's Paiute people, Shell Flower seeks love and a place of belonging...only to be cast away from her home. A remarkable story of God's constancy and provision for all lovers of history, romance and faith...Based on historical characters and events, Love to Water My Soul recounts the dramatic story of an abandoned white child rescued by Indians. Among Oregon's Paiute people, Shell Flower seeks love and a pace of belonging...only to be cast away from her home. In the years that follow, she faces a new life in the world of the white man--a life filled with both attachment and loss--yet finds that God faithfully unites her with a love that fills all longing in this heartwarming sequel to Jane Kirkpatrick's award-winner, A Sweetness to the Soul.

Based on historical characters and events, A Sweetness to the Soul recounts the captivating story of young, spirited Oregon pioneer Jane Herbert who at the age of twelve faces a tragedy that begins a life-long search for forgiveness and love. In the years that follow, young Jane finds herself involved in an unusual and touching romance with a dreamer sixteen years her senior, struggles to make peace with an emotionally distant mother, and fights to build a family of her own. Filled with heart-warming insight and glimpses of real-life pain, A Sweetness to the Soul paints a brilliant picture of love that conquers all obstacles and offers a powerful testimony to the miracle of God's healing power.

"I love when a book illuminates a small slice of history that has relevance to our lives todayeven better when it does so with interesting characters and a compelling story. Emma Giesy is a woman with flaws and attributes we all can relate to and whose journey is one that easily could have taken place today." Judith Pella, bestselling author of seven series, including Daughters of Fortune series "Jane has a gift for breathing simple beauty into the lives of remarkable historical women characters. InA Mending at the Edge,Emma comes off the page and shows readers an unforgettable picture of a very unique Oregon community. I love living within view of Mt. Hood even more now that I better understand those who shaped the tenacious beginnings of this region." Robin Jones Gunn, author of the bestsellingGlenbrooke Seriesand the Christy Award-winningSisterchicksnovels "Jane Kirkpatrick's knack for stitching history and fiction together is as skillful as the quilts she writes about in the Change and Cherish Historical Series.A Mending at the Edgeis a satisfying ending to an absorbing series that manages to stay true to the past while relating remarkably well to today's modern women."Tina Ann Forkner, author ofRuby Among Us "InA Mending at the Edge, Jane Kirkpatrick completes the literary quilt of the Emma Wagner Giesy trilogy, piecing together the historical fabric of Emma's personal story with that of the Aurora Colony. Emma's efforts to find a houseand a homein this communal society in Oregon once again reflect the conflict of individual and community needs represented in Kirkpatrick's earlier two works in the Change and Cherish Historical Series. Based on a solid historical framework of the Aurora Colony and the broader social, political, and cultural landscape of the 1860s, Kirkpatrick offers a story of hope and achievement that captures the spirit of giving, sharing, and receiving central to 'mending' within a communal settlement." James J. Kopp, communal historian and Board Member of Aurora Colony Historical Society "Jane Kirkpatrick artfully weaves this story for us, rather like Emma and the women of Oregon's Aurora Colony weave together their quilted existence as well as their personal quilting projects.Her masterful placement of the fresh-turned phrase and the graceful metaphor enriches this captivating and yet disquieting story of mid-19th century pioneer women whose lives are so very different from oursor are they?" Sarah Byrn Rickman, author ofNancy Love and the WASP Ferry Pilots of World War II,The Originals,andFlight from Fear

Strong-willed Emma Giesy and her husband leave a close-knit German religious community of the 1850s to work and live independently in the remote coastal forest of the Washington Territory, but when Emma suddenly finds herself alone and pregnant with her third child, her poor choices leave her wondering if an angry God has abandoned her to the consequences of her willfulness. Original.

Young Emma Wagner chafes at the constraints of Bethel colony, an 1850s religious community in Missouri that is determined to remain untainted by the concerns of the world. A passionate and independent thinker, she resents the limitations placed on women, who are expected to serve in quiet submission. In a community where dissent of any form is discouraged, Emma finds it difficult to rein in her tongue-and often doesn't even try to do so, fueling the animosity between her and the colony's charismatic and increasingly autocratic leader, Wilhelm Keil. Eventually Emma and her husband, Christian, are sent along with eight other men to scout out a new location in the northwest where the Bethelites can prepare to await "the last days." Christian believes they've found the ideal situation in Washington territory, but when Keil arrives with the rest of the community, he rejects Christian's choice in favor of moving to Oregon. Emma pushes her husband to take this opportunity to break away from the group, but her longed-for influence brings unexpected consequences.As she seeks a refuge for her wounded faith, she learns that her passionate nature can be her greatest strength-if she can harness it effectively.

Out of the Wilderness...Three Women. Three Eras. Three Miracles. 1901 Plagued by loneliness on the Big Muddy Ranch, a sheepherder's wife awaits the outcome of her husband's trial for murder. He is sentenced to life in prison-and she to life without him. But a startling event could redeem their pasts and transform their future. 1984 Against a backdrop of attempted murder, federal indictments, and the first case of bio-terrorism in the U.S., one woman seeks to rescue her granddaughter from within the elaborate compound of a cult that has claimed the land. 1997 On the much-reviled, abandoned cult site, one woman's skepticism turns to hope when she finds that what was meant to destroy can be used to rebuild-and in the process realises a long-held dream. For three women seekers united across time, a remote and rugged stretch of land in the Pacific Northwest proves to be a place where miracles really happen-and the gifts of faith, hope, and charity are as tangible as rocks, rivers, and earth. Based on True Stories.

The gripping third installment in Kirkpatrick's acclaimed Tender Ties series! As the 1840s bring conflict to the Pacific Northwest, Ioway Indian Marie faces ever-increasing challenges. Can unconditional love empower her to meet her struggling neighbors' needs and hold together the threads of her unraveling family? 410 pages.

Continuing the Tender Ties Historical Series, Every Fixed Star brings readers more of the dramatic, fictionalized account of Marie Dorion: the real-life woman who was the first mother to cross the Rocky Mountains and remain in the Northwest. In Book Two of the series, Marie learns the value of a tender heart, the faith of distant friends, and the act of holding life's circumstances in open hands. Following the family tragedy, the great battle for survival, and the test of faith described in A Name of Her Own, Marie relocates her family to the Pacific Northwest territory's Okanogan settlement. The year is 1814 and, as is customary of her life out West, Marie faces constant challenges simply to keep her children clothed and fed. Yet inside each challenge awaits a gift to be unwrapped. Countless times, Marie has proven herself a survivor. Incredibly, she must now endure further realizations of a woman's fears: an abrupt ending to love, distance from friends, the disappearance of one child, the consequences of another's poor choices. Through it all, Marie is tempted to believe that she doesn't deserve God's love in the everyday places.When blessings arrive, she struggles to accept them, fearing they will be followed by more difficult challenges. But ultimately, the threads of past friendships and their prayers, a faithful love, and her own service to others all lead her to God's gift of a full and abundant life.

With two young sons to raise, Marie Dorion refuses to stay behind when her husband heads west with the Wilson Hunt Astoria expedition in 1811. Facing hostility and hardship, she finds friendship with Lewis and Clark interpreter Sacagawea and fights to keep her family together---and alive---trusting in the God who carries those he loves. 390 pages.

Ruth Martin had a dream: to become an independent woman and build a life in southern Oregon for herself and her children. But when her friend Mazy's inaction results in a tragedy that shatters Ruth's dream, Ruth must start anew and try to heal her tender wounds. Her friends are also moving on. Mazy wrestles with her understanding of what faith and family really mean; Tipton discovers that marriage requires more than she's ready to give; and Suzanne's challenge is to keep seeing with new eyes. Together, the turn around women travel to arenas of untested promise where they'll find a hope that sustains them and relationships they'll cherish all their days.

In 1852, a close-knit community began their westward trek along the Oregon Trail. Only 11 women survived the journey--this is their remarkable story. In NO EYE CAN SEE, the women courageously begin rebuilding their lives in Shasta City, California. Blind Suzanne Cullver refuses offers of assistance--unwittingly risking her children's safety! Can a young stage driver help them all see God's providence?

Set in turn-of-the-century Florida, this frontier saga traces the life of Ivy Cromartie Stranahan, the first English-speaking teacher in the region, as she struggles to teach school in the Seminole Nation and lead Indian families to Christ. Ivy is disliked by tribal leaders in spite of her obvious love for their children, yet she eventually overcomes their resistance and serves as their spokesman in negotiations with the U S government. Already scarred by her mother's tragic death in childbirth, Ivy overcomes her husband's suicide and other devastating disappointments to share her faith with her adopted people and eventually earn their love.