I saw that Sandra Dallas had a new book out called Westering Women. I am a big Sandra Dallas fan. Some of my all time favorite books are by her.   I LOVE Sandra Dallas. My favorite is likely Alice’s Tulips. I like the older ones best…  Tall Grass, The Diary of Mattie Spenser, The Persian Pickle Club. The newer ones I don’t like as much. I was hopeful that this is one I’d like.
![Westering Women: A Novel by [Dallas, Sandra]](https://i0.wp.com/images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/414gaXCdZuL.jpg?w=500&ssl=1)
I love books from this time period. I love books about traveling west by covered wagon so I was super excited for this. Along the way, I became a little disenchanted. At one point the people had to give up things to lighten the load and person gave up medicine. Really?? So when they needed medicine, there was none. Seriously, who would give away medicine.
The dialogue was a little choppy and predictable. At one point someone in the story starts acting up. Then there is a river crossing. I predicted that yep, she’s going to kill off this person…and, the author did. I found other things that were pretty predictable….losing a wagon crossing the mountains…one Indian attack. It’s like the author thought: “Hmm, I am writing a book about people traveling by covered wagon to California. There needs to be river death, an Indian attack, and the loss of a wagon…check, check and check.” It was about abused women too so of course there was a confrontation with the abuser too. Nothing was original, interesting or unique.
Here’s what Amazon had to say:
““If you are an adventuresome young woman of high moral character and fine health, are you willing to travel to California in search of a good husband?”
It’s February, 1852, and all around Chicago, Maggie sees postings soliciting “eligible women” to travel to the gold mines of Goosetown. A young seamstress with a small daughter, she has nothing to lose. She joins forty-three other women and two pious reverends on the dangerous 2,000-mile journey west.
None are prepared for the hardships they face on the trek or for the strengths they didn’t know they possessed. Maggie discovers she’s not the only one looking to leave dark secrets behind. And when her past catches up with her, it becomes clear a band of sisters will do whatever it takes to protect one of their own.”
Amazon readers gave the book 4.4 stars. I was not a fan. There were so many things that caught me up and had me puzzled and it was way to much like a Harlequin Romance. I also have a bad habit of comparing the books to previous ones I’ve read. So…I’m only giving it 3.5 stars. That is the lowest rating I’ve given a book that I actually finished. I told myself many times to just quit but this was a favorite author of mine. I kept hoping…I shouldn’t have.
Jo I decided to try Audiobooks. At first I did not think I would like it. But I adjusted just fine! You mention different companies you use. I looked under
“Jo Recommends”. But there was nothing listed about Audiobooks. When you have time could you please write a blog about this topic? Thank you.
Contact your local library most have some source of online library that offers audiobooks. If you live rural, go to the county library. With corona, many libraries are close but you can email them and ask for a card. I got on that way. Hoopla digital is one of the libraries that is easiest to use. You can go to their site and see if a library near you offers it. I also use Audible. I love Audible. Here’s a link for that https://amzn.to/3aTkHWE
I have fun into that problem of really liking an author and blooey the author goes stale but has to write in that genre because of a contract or something. It is something that happens occasionally. Hope she gets a fire built up and her enthusiasm returns for a really good book.
While dang!!!! I like her older stories too!
Have you read the Wagons West series by Dana Fuller Ross? Takes you from St. Louis west to the Pacific Ocean in 24 different books. Loved the series.
I completely agree !! I, too love Sandra Dallas, but this book was not up to her usual standards !
Hey, if you’re into westerns my friend just released a new book on Kindle (hard print in a week or so) her name is Heather Blanton and the new series is burning dress ranch , I believe…