Thursday, April 16, 2020

About the Book

Book: One Hundred Valleys

Author: Bonnie Leon

Genre: Historical Romance

Release Date: March 15, 2020

After the death of her mother, Emmalin Hammond discovers she is not the heiress she’d always assumed she’d be. The revelation exposes her fiancé true intentions when he withdraws his marriage proposal, leaving Emmalin heartbroken and humiliated. When she discovers the father she believed to be dead is still alive and living in the Oregon Territory she decides it is time to meet the man who has been hidden from her all of her life.

Accompanied by her Uncle Jonathon she sets out for the Oregon Territory in search of answers and hoping for a renewed relationship with her father. When tragedy strikes, she confronts the terrifying challenge of completing her quest alone. Faced with few options, she entrusts her life to a mountain man named Jacob Landon who agrees to transport her to a small settlement in Southern Oregon called Deer Creek, a place also known as the Land of One Hundred Valleys.

Emmalin is not prepared for the hardships of life in the Oregon wilderness. Each day presents a new challenge. Newfound friends, including the reserved Jacob Landon, come alongside to help her adapt and she gradually finds her way. Yet, she feels out of place. Should she brave the arduous journey back to Philadelphia and the life she once knew or remain and hope for something better in the Oregon wilderness?

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MY REVIEW

One of the things that drew me to this book was the adventure across country in the late 1850’s. I loved how vividly the author describes the terrain and the danger that Emmalin faced. The story reminded me of my grandfather so much. He traveled by wagon to homestead his land in Oklahoma. The stories he told me were very similar to the one in this book with storms, Indians, hunting for food and months on the trail. I fell in love with the way the author writes with such power and emotions.

I have not heard of this author before, but she is now on my list as a favorite of mine. Her writing explodes on the pages as she brings the characters to life. It was easy for me to like a Emmalin. Her desire to reconnect with her father is a journey of reconciliation, forgiveness and trust. She has lost her faith and I enjoyed reading how she was open about being angry at God.

Jacob is a wonderful character with compassion for the Indians. He has lived on his own for awhile but he has deep connection to the Indians . I am always sad when I read how land was taken away from the Indians and forced to live on reservations. I am part Comanche and this part of the story really made me emotional. The author does an outstanding job of showing both sides of this part in history . Jacob also has strong faith and his talks with Emmalin about God were very honest without being pushy.

There were a few times in the story where I tired of Emmalin going back and forth about staying in Deer Creek or returning home. I knew exactly what she needed to do but she wouldn’t listen to me. Yes I hollered at her as she rocked back and forth with her decision. Oh my goodness that girl needed to see what was right in front of her. I loved how the story shows us how important family is and how forgiveness releases joy in your life.

I have enjoyed every minute I spent with Emmalin on her journey to find her father and experience the pioneer days . It is an emotional story that allows readers to see the hardship Indians endured as their land was taken away. Jacob teaches us to look past the color of skin and see the heart of people while showing Emmalin a simpler way of life. Don’t miss this epic tale of the Wild West where God is always there to guide His people.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

About the Author

Bonnie Leon is the author of twenty-two novels, including the recently released Return to the Misty Shore, the popular Alaskan Skies and bestselling The Journey of Eleven Moons. Bonnie’s books are being read internationally and she hears from readers in Australia, Europe, Poland, and even Africa. She enjoys speaking for women’s groups and mentoring up and coming authors.

Bonnie and her husband, Greg, live in Southern Oregon. They have three grown children and seven grandchildren.

More from Bonnie

Why this story?

In the spring of 1980 my husband and I, our two-year-old son, and our infant daughter left city life in Washington state and moved to Southern Oregon. We gave up our community of friends and family along with my husband’s reliable and well-paying job. Our friends thought we were crazy, but we were determined that Oregon was where we belonged. We were scared but not deterred.

I think the change in my own life as a young woman had a lot to do with why I wrote this story of Emmalin Hammond. To be sure, Emmalin’s level of difficulty and danger is distinctly different than mine, but there are similarities. We both experienced adventures, joy, and, yes, even danger.

Oregon has been my home for forty years now, and I am glad my husband and I made the decision to move here. We’ve had a good life in this wild and beautiful country. Sometimes I wonder about the women who made that choice during the nineteenth century. Emmalin set out on her harrowing journey to Oregon in the spring of 1855. Many who began that journey did not make it across the plains and desserts of America.

When I put down roots in Douglas County, Oregon I was thrilled to be here, but the changes weren’t all easy. The old farmhouse we lived in had more broken windows than intact ones. It was mouse infested. The plumbing needed major repair. And yet I loved it. The countryside was lush and green, and the rolling hillsides were dotted with farm animals, wildlife, and broad-limbed oak trees. There were wild blackberries sprawling along the farm’s fences and fresh fruit in our orchard. It looked much the same as the Oregon Emmalin discovered in my story, One Hundred Valleys.

I loved hard work and spent a lot of time splitting logs for our only heat source—a wood burning stove—felling trees on our new property, and working alongside my husband in our vegetable garden.

I had run-ins with things like poison oak and skunks, but that did not dampen my enthusiasm as a new Oregonian. I loved picking wild blackberries, fishing the high mountain lakes, hiking mountain trails, and fishing the North Umpqua river. I cherished those days as a farm wife and mother. Those were the best years of my life. I have never regretted our move to the beautiful land of one hundred valleys in Southern Oregon.

I am thankful for the early explorers who challenged the wilderness in the Oregon Territory more than a century ago. It is their courage and determination that made it possible for me and my family to live and thrive in this beautiful place.