Book review: Her Sanctuary by Tracy Garrett

Blurb:

Abandoned in River’s Bend, Missouri, by the members of an uncharitable wagon train headed west, Maggie Flanaghan finds herself in trouble with nowhere to turn. But in the citizens of the small town, she discovers friends and acceptance upon the death of her dear father—and catches the attention of the town’s most eligible bachelor. When her past threatens to destroy her happiness, she must choose to flee or fight for the sanctuary of a good man’s love.


Kristoph Oltmann hadn’t planned on still being alone with no wife and partner to share his life. He thought Maggie Flanaghan was the answer to his prayers, but her secret past makes her unsuitable as a preacher’s wife. Can he believe Maggie has been heaven-sent in spite of her predicament? Can he be HER SANCTUARY, even as she is exactly what he longs for—a haven for his heart?

My review:

We all know that saying about what assumptions do. I even recently read a book that was about assumptions and the problems they cause. Did I listen to the lessons learned? Nope - which is why I took too long to go back River's Bend and read the last story (which btw... I'd love to see more stories from River's Bend, Ms. Tracy Garrett!! Ya know, if you're taking requests, lol). I wasn't sure how a preacher would be portrayed as the hero in the story, and that made me pause and assume things. And left me pleasantly satisfied by the end.

I also don't know what the deal is lately, but it seems like I can't get away from death and heavy grief lately (whether in stories or real life). And while I read the blurb before starting this book, for some reason, it didn't click for me what was going to happen till I was already invested in the story, so off I went on another journey through grief and loss with Maggie.

I loved how Maggie had the inner strength that pushed through every hurt and trial set before her. I love how she struggled a bit, but knew deep down her worth. I could identify so well with her and felt her hurt and struggles and desires.

I loved how Kris wasn't the typical preacher character you see in western stories. He had a strength and a presence about him that complimented the strength he drew from God. He also was wise enough to quickly see his mistakes (aka his own assumptions) and rectify them. Loved how he was able to see Maggie for who she really was and pursued her, breaking down both her and his own defenses to give each other the home that they desperately needed.

This story touched on some sensitive topics - loss of loved one, prejudice, forgiveness, compassion. All were handled with care.

I also enjoyed catching up with the other couples of River's Bend - made me want to go back and revisit them again.

If you're looking for a story that'll make you feel and think, but yet deliver a precious and heartwarming love story, this is one to pick up, along with all the other River's Bend stories (as I believe this is technically the last one in the series).

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The Steamboat Arabia

163 years ago on September 5, the Steamboat Arabia struck a submerged tree trunk and sank.

From the St. Louis Republican newspaper, September 9, 1856:  

"The officers of the LIghtning Line packet Cataract inform us of the sinking of the steamer Arabia in the Missouri River, one mile below Parkville [Missouri]. She went down in fifteen feet of water. The accident occurred on Friday evening at 8 o'clock. The Arabia was on her way to Council Bluffs and Omaha City with a good trip of freight and passengers. It is said the boat will be a total loss - some of the freight may be saved in a damaged condition. The Cataract went alongside the Arabia and took off some of the cabin furniture, and what freight was on the boiler deck, and put it off at Parkville. The Arabia was owned by Captain Terrell, her commander, and Mr. Boyd, clerk. She had been running several years and was probably worth $10,000. We presume she was insured, but have not learned to what amount." 

The Arabia was a typical western steamboat. A twin side-wheel steamer, she was built long and flat to carry maximum cargo. Measuring 171 feet long, with three decks and a wheelhouse above the water line, she plied the waters of the mighty Missouri River, pushing upstream at more than 5 miles per hour.

The 200 tons of supplies she carried were bound for general stores and pioneer settlements to the north and west.

On August 30, she left St. Louis headed for Sioux City, Iowa, by way of Kansas (present-day Kansas City, MO), Weston (MO), St. Joseph (MO), and Council Bluffs (IA).  The Missouri River was wide and shallow and her rushing muddy waters hid dangerous snags—tree trunks that had fallen into the water when the river undercut their roots. Going full steam upriver against the current the Arabia struck the trunk of a large submerged walnut tree that smashed her hull open. She sank fast, until only the wheelhouse was visible, and that quickly broke up in the current.

All the 130 passengers and crew got off safely, but the cargo was buried in sand and mud at the bottom of the Missouri. Over the years, the river changed course with the floods and dry times, layering the site of the wreck under successive years of dirt. When the Arabia was finally located in 1986, she lay in a farmer’s corn field half a mile from the current river’s course and under 45 feet of dirt—and below the water table.

It took 4 months and twenty (20) irrigation wells pumping out up to 20,000 gallons of water per minute to get to the Arabia. A team of family and friends brought up boxes, barrels and crates of frontier merchandise, both necessities and available luxuries, items meant for General Stores all along the river: castor oil, needles, nutmegs, windowpanes, brass and silver locks and keys, eyeglasses, syrup bottles, rubber overshoes and wedding bands; jars of pickles that were still edible (yes, one of the team tried one); French perfume that still held it’s scent thanks to the ambergris that was a main ingredient; carpenter’s tools; a Frozen Charlotte figurine; buttons and scissors; even over one million Venetian glass beads meant as trade goods.

Today, in Kansas City, Missouri, there is a unique museum, built to house the Arabia and the artifacts that have been recovered. Set as a cornerstone for the River Market—a gathering of vendors selling fruits, vegetables, seeds, hand-me-downs, bbq and some rather fine coffee—the Arabia Steamboat Museum offers a wonderful glimpse into life on the frontier in the middle of the 19^th century.

The museum was built specifically to house this collection and it's still a work in progress. Though there are thousands of items already cleaned and displayed, the lab runs almost daily, cleaning, preserving and cataloging the amazing number of artifacts. The latest estimate is another fifteen years of work await the lab techs on the Arabia’s cargo. And last year they found another steamboat buried in another farmer’s field.

You can watch as a boot is coated with preservative so it won’t dry out after a century under water. You can dab on a bit of the French perfume that their scientists recreated from the bottles found among the cargo (minus the ambergris, thank goodness).

Much of my River's Bend series came from my visit to the Steamboat Arabia Museum. If you’re ever in Kansas City, I highly recommend this museum. I know we’ll be returning soon—there was just too much to see in one visit.

Tracy

Book reviews for River’s Bend by Tracy Garrett

I was delighted to discover Tracy Garrett's fictional world of River's Bend MO and how many of her books are all connected around the town.  And while there's no specific series order, the three stories showcased below initially bring the world to life.

Blurb:

Two sweet River's Bend Stories

Wanted: The Sheriff --- Martha Bittner may be considered a spinster at twenty-seven, but she’s not planning to stay that way. For four years, she’s wanted the sheriff of River’s Bend, Missouri, to notice her as more than a friend.

No Less Than Forever --- Rebekah Snow Redmann barely survived her abusive husband’s attack. Though she was given to him to pay her father’s debts, she’d rather die than go back. Then she ends up in the care of the handsome local doctor.


My Review:

This is a charming duo of stories based out of River's Bend, both quick, easy reads. Tracy Garrett excelled at capturing my curiosity with the secondary characters as well, leaving me delighted that there's more stories from River's Bend to discover.

Wanted: The Sheriff
Martha and Matthew's story quickly grabbed my attention and kept me hooked in their story, even though I wasn't fully intending on starting it right at that second! But once I got started, I didn't want to stop! Matthew's the town sheriff and was quite an attractive mix of manly-lawman and considerate-gentleman. Martha was a charming mix of innocent and brazen - just enough to keep Matthew on his toes around her. Watching their dance to fall in love left me smiling sweet.

No Less than Forever
We first meet Franz and Rebekah in the previous story and you can tell right away that there is something special between them. Rebekah's past breaks your heart, but she proves there's strength behind her vulnerability as she heals both physically and emotionally. Franz is the ideal man for her, with his compassion, his gentleness, his understanding, and his attention. Their journey to their hea is filled with heartache, but then turns a corner and gifts you with a quiet beauty all its own.

.~.~.~.~.~.~.

And for Valentines day, we'll meet up with Matthew's friend Jericho and his woman, Mary.


Blurb:

When a man who believes he’ll never have a home and family…

Former U.S. Marshal Jericho Hawken should have been shepherding a wagon train to new territory, but he unwillingly left them vulnerable to a vicious raider. The murder of the settlers he was supposed to be guarding is the hardest thing he’s ever had to face…until he meets the sister of one of the settlers.

…finds a woman who has lost everything…

Instead of a joyous reunion with her brother, Maryland Henry has come to River’s Bend to take responsibility for her three orphaned nieces. Fired from her teaching position and with no other family on whom to rely, Mary believes Jericho Hawken is responsible for all her woes. Or is he what she’s been searching for all along?

It takes a lot of forgiveness and a few fireworks to realize that together their dreams can come true.


My Review:

Oh! Another River's Bend novella!! I'm lovin' this world Tracy Garrett has built around the little town of River's Bend Missouri. With each story I find, it's like getting to revisit a charming little town and enjoying every moment!

This time, we get to meet Mary, who's struggling through her grief of losing a huge part of her family who she was depending on to reconnect with and settle down by. But now she faces having to raise his three orphaned daughters - and then keep pushing through as her world continues to crumble around her. Needless to say, her struggles and attitude makes your heart hurt for her.

Jericho is dealing with some demons from his past, and then not so recent past. So when he crosses paths with Mary, there's quite a few snaps, crackles, and pops to maneuver through. But Jericho isn't one to shy from a challenge or do what's right, even if it's hard... especially when he's trying to put at least one of those demons to rest. He's human like everyone else, but has a heart of gold.

I was swept away in their story and loved watching them travel the path of forgiveness and determination to make it to their happily ever after. These two definitely needed each other, and the family they created with the three girls. My heart was happy-sighin' by the end.

.~.~.~.~.~.~.

Her Sanctuary is the full length novel for River's Bend, and I am very much looking forward to reconnecting with everyone and fallin' in love with a new couple.


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