Treasured Grace by Tracie Peterson

I have always loved Tracie Peterson's historical novels.  Her writing draws me into the story, with accurate portrayals and rich characters; this book was no exception.  Set it the mid-1800's, a young woman finds herself caring for her two sisters after her parents have died.  Leaving her family home and marrying a minister out of convenience, she find herself on a wagon train heading towards Oregon.  I appreciated the main character Grace, for her wisdom of herbs and the healing properties they offered.  On the trail her husband dies and she stops at the Whitman Mission until they can proceed to Oregon.

From the Author:
 " Grace Martindale has known more than her share of hardship. After her parents died, raising her two younger sisters became her responsibility. A hasty marriage to a minister who is heading to the untamed West seemed like an opportunity for a fresh start, but a cholera outbreak along the wagon trail has left Grace a widow in a very precarious position.

Having learned natural remedies and midwifery from her mother, Grace seeks an opportunity to use her skills for the benefit of others. So when she and her sisters arrive at the Whitman mission in “Oregon Country,” she decides to stay rather than push on.

With the help of Alex Armistead, a French-American fur trapper, Grace begins to provide care for her neighbors, including some of the native populace. But not everyone welcomes her skills–or her presence–and soon Grace finds herself and those she loves in more danger than she imagined possible."

After Grace realizes that the native peoples are not the demons some people portray them as, she seeks to help them as well.  The white people were also equally vicious on their attacks of the natives. The story is fascinating and suspenseful and I did not want to put the book down; the only thing I found difficult was waiting until this summer for the next book in the series.  I would rate this 10 stars, out of 10.  If you like historical fiction, look for this book~it won't disappoint.

 
I would like to thank Bethany House for the opportunity to review this book.  I was provided this book in exchange for my honest opinion; I received no compensation for my review.

Noreen