The Memory Weaver: A Novel

Jane Kirkpatrick's newest novel is truly everything that makes historical fiction such a wonderful genre. Carefully researched and based on multiple accounts of true events, the book examines the life of Eliza Spalding - daughter of some of the earliest missionaries to the Nez Perce, survivor of a horrific attack that left 13 other people brutally murdered, and the first white child born in the Oregon Territory to survive.

The Memory Weaver may indeed be chock full of historical insight but it is certainly not a dull textbook! Kirkpatrick casts a fictional eye at Eliza's life and creatively fills in several gaps, including (most strikingly to me) the questions left between Eliza's account of her mother's death in 1851 and the sentence that followed it: "In 1854 I married Andrew Warren."

Though glimpses of romance dance throughout the story, this isn't the main focus. Instead, readers are swept up in a life that did in fact exist and taken with her on a journey that did in fact happen and, thanks to Jane Kirkpatrick's talented pen, we come to see Eliza and her friends and family as more than just a name on a page. She breathes, she cries, she laughs, she loves, she fears, she overcomes. This is the kind of story that makes me close the novel when I've read the last word, linger over it in my thoughts for a time, and then hunt down a text to find out more - to research the Spaldings and the Whitmans and the nightmare that changed everything for them all.

Kirkpatrick's writing skill peppers the book with lines that steal your breath at their poignancy, making even the most agonizing scene one of beauty and grace.

While not a light or easy read, The Memory Weaver is more than worth the investment. It is a book that will touch your heart in unexpected ways, full of characters who will do the same. The struggle of early missionaries and settlers sometimes gets lost in the romanticism of the time period, but readers won't find that to be the case here. Jane Kirkpatrick gives us an honest, emotional and grace-filled look inside a woman who lived - perhaps not happily ever after - but with great courage and grit and heart.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book.)

About the Book:
Eliza Spalding Warren was just a child when she was taken hostage by the Cayuse Indians during a massacre in 1847. Now the young mother of two children, Eliza faces a different kind of dislocation; her impulsive husband wants them to make a new start in another territory, which will mean leaving her beloved home and her departed mother's grave--and returning to the land of her captivity. Eliza longs to know how her mother, an early missionary to the Nez Perce Indians, dealt with the challenges of life with a sometimes difficult husband and with her daughter's captivity.

When Eliza is finally given her mother's diary, she is stunned to find that her own memories are not necessarily the whole story of what happened. Can she lay the dark past to rest and move on? Or will her childhood memories always hold her hostage?

Based on true events, The Memory Weaver is New York Times bestselling author Jane Kirkpatrick's latest literary journey into the past, where threads of western landscapes, family, and faith weave a tapestry of hope inside every pioneering woman's heart. Readers will find themselves swept up in this emotional story of the memories that entangle us and the healing that awaits us when we bravely unravel the threads of the past.

My Review:
As a young girl, Eliza Spalding Warren was held hostage, during a massacre, by the Cayuse Indians. Her memories if those days haunt her day in and day out. The only person to console her was her mother, but now she too is gone. At thirteen, Eliza must take care of her three younger siblings and her grieving father. Her life seems to drone on and on, that is until she meets Mr. Andrew Warren. Being only nineteen, Mr. Warren has a deep understanding about life in general. Not only that he makes Eliza feel special, like she is the smartest girl in the world.

Now a wife to Mr. Warren and a mother of two, Eliza finds herself at a cross roads of sorts. Her dear husband, can be quite impulsive, but this time he is beyond crazy. He wishes to leave their home and head out to the place of Eliza's past captivity. Memories of those days hit her harder and stronger unlike ever before, as she prepares to make a journey to the land that haunts her, with two children in toe.

The Memory Weaver is an amazing novel, based on the 1800s. This book will have you captivated all the way from the first page on. Jane Kirkpatrick is an epic author, I just love every book she has written. She is one of my all time favorite authors. So when I had a chance to read this book, I knew it was going to be a crazy good one.

**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from Revell.

For historical fiction that focuses on America’s pioneer years, Jane Kirkpatrick is outstanding. The Memory Weaver is based on the true account of Eliza Spaulding, daughter of pioneer missionaries Henry and Eliza Spaulding, who ministered to the Nez Perce Indians. In Jane’s capable hands, rich historical detail provides the backdrop for a narrative that beautifully conveys the hardships, emotions, commitment and sheer determination of these early missionaries and settlers to the Oregon Territory.

Jane has a way with words, evidenced in Eliza’s opening line: "My earliest memory is of laughter inside a waterfall of words." I enjoy reading about historical figures, can’t even begin to imagine all that they endured, and the young Eliza’s character is developed with a depth that I found fascinating. As the title suggests, memory is key in this story, as Eliza, haunted by flashbacks, begins reading her mother’s diaries and gradually pieces together memories of a massacre that she not only witnessed, but in which she was taken hostage. Eliza touched my heart when she said, “My shame is living when so many didn’t.”

I love these thought-provoking quotes that give not only a taste of Jane’s writing style, but the overall feel of story as well:

Reflecting at her mother’s graveside, Eliza says, "I didn't know then that the healing of old wounds comes not from pushing tragic memories away but from remembering them, filtering them through love, to transform their distinctive brand of pain."

Regarding her marriage to Warren: "I'd treat my marriage like Rachel's woodstove, working hard to keep the fire going, not too hot and not too cold, making sure the damper was closed so no outside winds could buffet or send a flame across the floor to burn things up."

And this is especially true: “Every day is a day that starts a new life, that requires knitting and going back to pick up lost stitches.”

The Memory Weaver is not a fast-paced narrative, but rather an in-depth look at Eliza Spaulding’s memorable life and the wonderful ministry of her family. Recommended to all who enjoy historical fiction.

Thank you to Revell for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Memory Weaver by Jane Kirkpatrick fictionalizes the life of Eliza Spalding Warren and her family. Unfortunately, in my opinion, it presupposes the reader's knowledge of the Spalding and Whitman families, and most crucially the Whitman Massacre of 1847 (also known as Walla Walla massacre). The way the story unfolds doesn't exactly clarify what happened in a timely way. One simply knows that the heroine--whom we meet as a teen--survived something horrible as a child, something that still haunts her day and night, something that left her broken inside. I will admit that the way the story unfolds probably helps build the novel's drama. But I was a little too confused for the first half of the novel to really find it satisfying.

The Memory Weaver essentially has two heroines. Eliza Spalding Warren (the daughter) and Eliza Spalding. Readers first meet Eliza Spalding Warren, the main character, as a teen. The novel chronicles her life from that point on, mainly focusing on her relationships with her father, her sisters, and her would-be husband, and later with her own children. Plenty of the novel is focused on her turbulent marriage. The second heroine is revealed solely through diary entries. For most of the novel, readers know more than the main character. It is only towards the very end of the book that Eliza Spalding Warren is given her mother's diaries to read. It is through these diary entries that glimpses of what happened start to come to light. If the book has a message, it is that there is always more than one way to "see" any given situation. And that memories can be distorted and miss out on important details. Eliza Spalding Warren rehearses the story of her life in her head, but, the way she remembers things doesn't exactly match well with how others remember it.

For those that enjoy historical fiction for the HISTORY, then this one may prove quite satisfying. For those that enjoy historical fiction mainly for strong romantic elements, then this one may prove quite unsatisfying. It is NOT a love story or romance. The focus is on the brokenness of the characters and the need for a Savior that delivers, redeems, and heals. None of the characters are necessarily "likable" and all are quite imperfect and flawed. That's almost the point. We're all broken; our lives are incredibly messy; none of us love others as we should; we are all impatient and frustrated; we all lose it sometimes; none of us extend mercy and forgiveness as we should. So the novel has strengths certainly. Readers can learn from what they read.

Fall means shorter days and wetter, colder weather. The workload slows down and I have more time for my favorite, cozy hobbies-like curling up on the couch with a warm cup of coffee and an engaging novel. My very favorite historical fiction author is Jane Kirkpatrick. I have been reading her books since I was a teenager. I so enjoy the way that she takes real women's stories from history and brings them to life, in a very real way. Plus, it's a huge draw for me, that as a fellow Oregonian, Jane's books are usually always set in Oregon. She weaves together the time and setting of the heroine's life with her inner life-her thoughts and feelings, victories and struggles. I am very impressed with the work Mrs. Kirkpatrick puts into researching the lives and personality of her heroines. Jane has a knack for making her characters vulnerable and believable. I come away from each of her books feeling like I have made a new friend from a different place and time. Here is how Jane herself describes her writing.

Jane Kirkpatrick's latest book, The Memory Weaver, may be my favorite title of hers yet. The enveloping story of Eliza Spalding Warren, set in Oregon Territory in the mid 1800's. The child of missionary parents, Eliza grows up along side Indians she trusts and loves. But when tragedy strikes, her family is forced to leave and feel betrayed by the people they've come to serve. Yet another disconcerting blow comes when Eliza's mother dies soon after. In the wake of so much loss, Eliza is left to find her way, while expected to be her demanding father's ministry assistant and raise her younger siblings. Feeling weighted down and hopeless, Eliza finds herself wooed away by a man with all the right words to say to a young woman who is only used to being valued for what she can contribute not who she is. Eliza enters her marriage knowingly naïve about some of her husband's character, but determined that it is better to start her own life than forever just being her father's helper. As Eliza faces the challenges that come with growing up, expedited by marrying very young, she only wishes her mother was still on earth to give her the advice she desperately needs. Then enters the intriguing element of having passages from her mother's diary interwoven thru out the chapters of the book. Eliza finds that her mother was a real woman with real struggles and how she found strength in the Lord.

This novel was the perfect way to start my fall reading binge! I've got some other great titles I'm working on and can't wait to share about in the coming weeks!

I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review.

Once again bestselling historical fiction writer, Jane Kirkpatrick, writes with the clarity and conviction she has committed to in writing several earlier books. As you can read in the synopsis, The Memory Weaver, tells the story of real-life Eliza Spaulding Warren within the backdrop of a traumatic incident at the hands of the Cayuse Indians during an 1847 massacre.

As a child, Eliza loved and was loved by another Indian community, that of the Nez Perce. The conflict within her after the Cayuse massacre left Eliza troubled and fearful at times as she wondered about the faithfulness of her Nez Perce friends. Jane Kirkpatrick uses this characterization to show the emotional scars left by such traumatic incidents. Much like PTSD sufferers of today, Eliza struggled day in and day out with the memories and fears as she brings her own children into the world and must watch over and care for them.

I believe this work presented the author with potential struggles meshing together what few historical facts remain of this time period in Oregon history with a fictional structure. As always what historical facts Jane provides her reader are well-researched and accurate (yes, I'm a fact checker!). Her ability to meld this into a work of historical fiction amazes me not only with The Memory Weaver but also her other writings.

As a Christian, I appreciated the way verses of Scripture and the faith of God's people during this time worked together to show them His protection and love just as we enjoy it today. Jane is a masterful writer sharing her faith through her words.

If you enjoy historical fiction, especially during the mid 1800s set during the building of the Pacific Northwest, you will enjoy any book Jane Kirkpatrick has written. Each is a little different from the others, and The Memory Weaver shares another beautiful story of overcoming trials and continuing on in the way a person feels led to go. Eliza Spaulding Warren was a strong young woman, and her story is one of hope, release, and redemption. I highly recommend this book to young and old alike.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed are solely mine.

Saturday, September 12, 2015
The Memory Weaver by Jane Kirkpatrick, © 2015

The Memory Weaver asks the question...how does trauma affect a marriage and a mother and a life and how do we allow love to transform a memory to bring wisdom rather than despair? What role can friends and family play in helping another heal from a tragedy? How much are friends and family affected by disasters experienced by someone they loved? Set in the Willamette Valley of Oregon and the land where Eliza was once held captive, this is the story of memory and how what we remember isn't always what really happened. This story will remind us all that love is more powerful than the fiercest tragedy and that we often judge ourselves harshly over things we cannot change. Forgiveness is a journey we can make together. --author Jane Kirkpatrick

I didn't know then that the healing of old wounds comes not from pushing tragic memories away but from remembering them, filtering them through love, to transform their distinctive brand of pain. ... Maybe I didn't even hear what I thought I did. Emotions wrap around memory. We don't recall the detail of our stories; we remember the experience.
--The Memory Weaver, 18

Brownsville, Oregon Territory ~ 1851
Eliza Spalding, oldest daughter, age 13 when her mother dies; siblings Henry 11, Martha 4, and Amelia "Millie" then 3. Always drawn to wildflowers, Eliza noticed more than daily chores or happenings; the indent of deer hooves, the quiet watch of an owl in a fir tree. Awareness.

"I don't believe in coincidences." Then I sermonized as though I knew all there was to know. "I believe the Lord sets our path and whatever befalls us has some meaning and purpose."
--Eliza, Ibid., 21

Andrew Warren, age 19, gravedigger when needed, hopeful future cattle spread owner. He is to learn a lot from Eliza, and she from him. Her father warns her not to keep company with any young man. Andrew has dreams. They include her.

Facts do little but annoy big dreamers, or make them more determined to show the naysayers wrong.
--Eliza, Ibid., 32

And the story weaves of the past ~ remnants remaining in the future.

“I really wanted to tell the story of how a tragic event affects not just the person in the middle of it but the people around it, the people who just stand and wait." --author Jane Kirkpatrick, blog

The Diary of Eliza Spalding
1850

You will need to read The Memory Weaver as the story surrounds the happenings and events so vivid for such a time as this. To meld warmth and remembrance to harsh realities to follow the path set before each of us individually, meandering together as course proceeds.

I enjoy Jane Kirkpatrick's chronicles of paths she has chosen to rediscover in lands she has known.

***Thank you to author Jane Kirkpatrick and to Revell Reads for sending me a review copy of The Memory Weaver. This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received.***

Kirkpatrick is a master at creating a good fictional account of a historical event. In this case it is the Whitman massacre, sometimes called the Walla Walla massacre, of 1847.

Our story centers on Eliza Spalding, daughter of Rev. Henry Spalding and Eliza Hart Spalding. They had accompanied Dr. Marcus Whitman and his wife in 1836 when they returned to the area deemed best for missionary work, near the present day city of Walla Walla, Washington. The Whitmans settled near the Walla Walla River while the Spaldings went a little farther east, at Lapwai (Idaho) ministering to the Nez Perce.

On November 29, 1847, the Whitmans and eleven others were killed. Around fifty women and children were captured and held for ransom. Details might be a bit unclear but it seems the Cayuse were upset at the measles outbreak that Whitman could not cure. There might have also been some Catholic missionary influence. Spalding, an anti-Catholic, might have believed the priests incited the Cayuse.

Young Eliza was staying at Waiilatpu when the massacre occurred, attending a school for white children. She witnessed the horror of the massacre and was one of the scores taken hostage. She was forced to act as an interpreter as she was the only one who could speak the Indian language. She was ten years old. The British paid a ransom after thirty-nine days and the hostages were rescued. Eliza was returned to her parents.

The novel begins when Eliza is a teen. Her father, fearing an attack at their location, had moved his family southwest to near Brownsville, Oregon. Her mother died in 1851 and Eliza, being the oldest at thirteen years old, cares for her father and her siblings. She still has difficulty with nightmare like episodes, remembering the massacre. She meets Andrew Warren, a cattleman a few years older than she. There is an attraction between the two but Eliza's father is opposed to a marriage until Eliza turns seventeen.

The novel progresses with Eliza's life. The reality of the massacre is revealed to us a little at a time as Eliza hesitantly mentions it occasionally. Interspersed here and there are excerpts from her mother's diary.

I found the way the actual historical events of the massacre were revealed in the novel was a bit confusing. Eliza misremembers some of what happened, which is entirely understandable. Part of Kirkpatrick's reason for writing the book the way she did, I think, is to help us see how traumatic events are remembered and how they affect one's present life. I appreciate that but found the process somewhat confusing. I would suggest the reader look over a historical account of the massacre to have it already in mind when reading this novel.

I am always amazed at the number of actual historical events Kirkpatrick is able to weave into her story. It brings to life a very troubled time in the Pacific Northwest. I recommend it to those who enjoy fiction based on historical fact.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.

When I was first offered the chance to review The Memory Weaver, I jumped at the chance. I was gruesomely fascinated with Indian attacks, the kind we all heard about over and over in the Little House series, but never saw much evidence of. However, when I started reading the book, it was definitely something different.

At first, I was somewhat confused by Eliza’s mother’s diary entries. I wasn’t sure what had happened, wasn’t sure where the family lived when they were written, and didn’t find them all that interesting. I skimmed many of the first ones but then at one point, they tell more of Eliza’s life as a survivor of a massacre and hostage situation. I suppose we are meant to see how Eliza’s memories as a little girl in a horribly traumatic incident are flawed, but I really didn’t get that from the diary entries.

Also, I finished the book to find the author’s note at the end. I think much of this information from Ms. Kirkpatrick would have helped me read the book with a far more lenient mindset. I understand why she may have kept it at the end, perhaps due to some “spoilers” but I would advise readers to flip to the back first and read her notes, even if just the first few pages, to see what kind of story you’re really diving into.

I did enjoy this book. I think it was fun to read a less fictionalized account than Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House series. I still am amazed at how women would have been in this time of pioneering, with understanding why a husband would need to be constantly on the move with his cattle to feel fulfilled. And I felt that the description of Eliza and Andrew’s secret courtship was absolutely thrilling – Ms. Kirkpatrick was spot on with her prose here and brought back all of the emotions I had at Eliza’s age.

As I’ve said before, I recommend The Memory Weaver to any fan of the Little House series. If you always wanted to read more about the Indian attacks on the frontier, pick this up. And if you’re just interested in the story of a mission family’s work with Native Americans, go ahead and read this book.

I was sent this book to review as part of my involvement with Revell. All thoughts are my own.

The Memory Weaver is based off of the true events of the Whitman massacre when a party of Cayuse and Umatilla murdered the missionaries Marcus and Narcissa Whitman and eleven others. Eliza Spalding Warren, the heroine of the novel, was a hostage of the Native Americans for a month and served as a translator at the tender age of ten. The author’s note at the end describes the tremendous amount of research Kirkpatrick put into the novel, and also shows her willingness to admit when she goes off the path of what history knows. Basically, The Memory Weaver is like a reimagining or an exploration of what Eliza Spalding Warren could have felt after surviving such a traumatic experience.

Kirkpatrick treats both sides of the matter evenly, showing and hinting at as many possible reasons for the massacre as possible, not placing the blame squarely on either the Cayuse or the missionaries but giving everything the same compassionate, open-ended look. I appreciated that Kirkpatrick tried to remain as objective as possible while dealing with such a complex, traumatic issue.

However, good showing of history and even-handedness aside, I did find The Memory Weaver a little boring. It was interesting in parts, but the format of it was not really my cup of tea. I’ve never gotten as into books that take place across years of someone’s life; I just prefer those that focus on a smaller period of time. So the broad coverage of twenty or so years of Eliza Warren’s life did not appeal to me as much, and thus I found the book a little tedious and boring.

I also thought that The Memory Weaver wasn’t incredibly substantial or memorable. I finished the book with a “So what?” on my lips, and maybe not everybody had that same question or maybe I’m missing something, but I felt that the book lacks a deeper meaning, something to really make it resonate. As it stands, it’s a good imagining of an historical event—but that’s all it is.

Disclaimer: This book provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The Memory Weaver
By Jane Kirkpatrick

Eliza Spalding Warren was a survivor of the Whitman tragedy of 1847 - a massacre that left her emotionally scarred. This is her story and how this experience set the course for not only her life but that of her parents, her brother, her sisters, her husband, and her own children.

Eliza has nightmares about her time as a hostage of the Cayuse Indians. Though she and a few others managed to survive this massacre - she is still a captive - a captive to her fears and her memories.

But the stability she has known and created is threatened when her husband determines to make a new start in the territory where Eliza's nightmare took place. Can facing the past bring her healing or will it make the wound deeper?

Memory is a funny thing - what we remember about an event can differ greatly from what truly was and is reality. Eliza's memories have shaped her life, but when the entries of her mother's journal are woven throughout this book takes on an added dimension. The story is fleshed out as we see Eliza's story through the eyes of both mother and daughter.

It is a story many are familiar with but only in regard to the lives that were lost - the Whitmans (Marcus and Narcissa). This story delves into the lives of those who survived and continued on. Those who refused, ultimately, to be held captive to their memories. But can one ever truly be free from the events that shaped one's life?

The Memory Weaver is a story that will touch you as Eliza come to terms with what she has experienced and fights for a future for those she loves. Fans of historical fiction will appreciate the complex depths and emotions found within this book. Another excellent book club selection if you are looking for a suggestion.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher Revell in exchange for my honest review.

"The Memory Weaver" perhaps finds Jane Kirkpatrick at her very finest, as I can confidently say that this is my favourite book by the author that I have read thus far. Kirkpatrick has succeeded at weaving the facts of history into a fascinating story. She employs expert pacing as she gradually releases more and more of the details of the harrowing experience Eliza had when she was held hostage as a young girl by the Cayuse Indians, interspersed with Eliza's experiences growing into adulthood. In the midst of the trials that Eliza faces, from her childhood tragedy to the conflict with her father and the struggles with her husband, we can see how God's hand is at work and he is there in the midst of the pain, even when Eliza doesn't realize it. Eliza's journey is an emotional one, one filled with doubt and pain and misunderstanding, but also with faith and hope at the same time. Kirkpatrick has created characters who live and breathe on the pages, and I have no doubt that readers will be able to glimpse pieces of their own struggles in Eliza's story. Really, I think that's what I love about historical fiction like this. Though times and circumstances may change over the ages, the underlying human experience is so common for all of us. We all experience pain and loss, tragedy and triumph. I am so thankful that Jane Kirkpatrick chose to bring Eliza to life for our generation, so that we can learn from her experiences and also celebrate with her as good comes out of all of the trials. I ended this book with tears in my eyes, having to pause and reflect on the story I had just read. If you love historical novels, then I encourage you to plan on reading this one for yourself.

Eliza's story is a keeper, one that is equal parts haunting, emotional, and triumphant, all at the same time. I award this novel a high recommendation and a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Eliza Spalding is the survivor of an Indian attack that took place in 1847. Her parents are missionaries to the Nez Perce Indians, bringing the gospel to them. Then tragedy strikes when another Indian tribe launches an attack. Many white people are killed, and Eliza and her family are forced by the missionary board to leave the Nez Perce. Eliza struggles with depression and flashbacks to the moments of the massacre. This trauma shapes her life. She performs certain things in a certain order and imagines the worst thing that can happen because she thinks that will ensure it won’t happen. She is also dealing with her mother’s death a couple of years ago, which placed her at the age of 13 as the woman of the house. She cooks, cleans and raises her three younger siblings. Her father also required her to travel with him as he distributed gospel tracts to other communities.
Her father leaves alone on a short trip and returns with a wife. This surprises everyone. His new wife knows nothing about living outside of a big city with no servants, so just when Eliza thinks she might get a reprieve from an abundance of work, her hopes are dashed. Furthermore, her parents had originally promised her a return to school in the East, but with her new step-mother’s inability to care for the family; this promise is gone as well. Her father plans on keeping Eliza at home until her youngest sister is married, which will be in another ten years. Eliza makes plans to avoid this, and realizes the consequences of her decisions.
This story was just okay for me. It started out slow and there isn’t a lot of action. It is a fictional tale based on a real person from the past. I can appreciate the research the author did and the writing flowed well throughout the story, but I just didn’t connect with Eliza. I’m not found of most stories told in the first person, so maybe that is why I didn’t make the connection with her. She did rely on her faith to see her through some difficult situations, which I found commendable. She also realized that she didn’t remember some things from her past the way they actually happened via her mother’s diaries.

The beautiful cover of this novel was what initially made me interested in seeing what the story was all about. Stories that include Native American interaction intrigue me as well, so that sealed the deal. What I found as I read was an interesting, biographical journey of Eliza Spalding Warren. This is not my typical style of book, but I was able to appreciate Eliza's physical, emotional, and spiritual journey that was detailed in this story.

This novel is not your typical Christian fiction, in that it really does read more biographically, and it was based on the true story of the Spalding and Warren families, along with other families who went out west as missionaries. Only a few of the details and letters were fictionalized. While there were some moments of intensity, it didn't have that rising action and falling action, that includes a building up of tension and climax, that most fictional stories have. There was very little romantic tension between Eliza and Andrew. I felt the loss of some much anticipated action.

On the other hand, the writing style did let you see inside all of the struggles and thoughts of Eliza. She had endured much in her life, from the time she was a child until she was an adult. I honestly had tears in my eyes as she faced the demons of her past and felt peace. That aspect of the plot was written excellently.

When I finished this book, my impression was that it was well written, and I loved the resolution that the main character experienced. The places and people were very well researched, and it showed in the writing...but not in a way that I felt overwhelmed by text that was way too wordy. If you like historical fiction that reads a lot like a biography, you'll love this book.

**I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**

"The Memory Weaver" is an emotional story of healing that takes readers on a journey through the western frontier. Jane Kirkpatrick introduces the real-life Saplding family, who served as missionaries to the Nez Perce and survived a deadly Cayuse Indian attack. Knowing that the plot is inspired by actual events makes the story more meaningful. Although this is a work of fiction, Kirkpatrick gives us a realistic vision of what life must have been like for Eliza as she grew into womanhood still haunted by visions of the Indian attacks.

"The Memory Weaver" spans a few decades from the beginning to the end, with a focus on family dynamics, memories, and healing. I was very drawn into the story initially, but, my engagement began to wane towards the end of the novel. The entire novel feels like a diary, letting us into the emotions of Eliza's daily life. The first half of the novel is more focused on details of Eliza's seemingly ever-changing life and her struggles with her impulsive husband. The pace started to feel slower as I went deeper into the second half as Eliza's memories and emotional healing took precedence. Eliza's healing is impactful and poses questions about how we perceive past events in our own lives. As Eliza discovers, her memories are not always accurate, and sometimes misconceptions create more pain than reality. Kirpatrick definitely provides readers with something to ponder and discuss.

I appreciate "The Memory Keeper" for its realism and historical focus. Eliza's story brims with perspectives of the American West that aren't always seen in fictional novels. Kirkpatrick does not romanticize life on the frontier or even the specifics of Eliza's life, like her marriage to Andrew Warren. Eliza's tale is one of many peaks and valleys, which combine to create a portrait of a true pioneer woman.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Eliza Spalding Warren, was a small child when taken captive by the Cayuse Indians during the Whitman Massacre of 1847, and it changed her life forever.

Based on a true story, this is a story of mother and daughter, both named Eliza, which I thought I should tell you right just in case it get's confusing. Eliza and her husband, Henry Spalding are missionaries to the Nez Perce at Lapwai, their daughter was born there and was raised among the people.

The story is told in two parts through the daughter's eyes, and also through the diary entries of her mother. Eliza remembers her late mother fondly, and struggles to accept her father's new wife Rachel, who has very few homemaking skills, leaving more of the housework and cooking to young Eliza.

Eliza has a true friend in Nancy Osborne, another girl who survived the massacre, but also not left unaffected. Though they never speak of their ordeal they do refer to their struggles and how no else can understand. I liked the relationship between her and Andrew, and though it has its ups and downs she is determined to stay the course and stand him.

Overall, a inspiring story, with many pearls of wisdom, though it was hard to read about how mean Eliza's father was to her. It explores many different relationships, and how the Whitman massacre affected Eliza for the rest of her life.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

"The Memory Weaver" by Jane Kirkpatrick is the author's latest historical novel this one about Eliza Spalding Warren who as a child was taken hostage by the Cayuse Indians during a massacre in 1847. After the death of her mother when she was a teen we start read about Eliza's current life, her memories of being taken captive and her mother's recollection of the events that her mother wrote in a diary. I am a big fan of Jane Kirkpatrick she is an excellent write of historical fiction. I love how she researches her main characters true history and intertwines it with her imagination so much so that I sometimes forget that I am reading a fictional novel. This was yet another book that I just could not put down. The powerful story of Eliza Spalding Warren is such a good one that I am having a hard time writing this review as I don't want to give away much of the story. Now I will admit I did not know anything of the Eliza's story so that for me made this book even more interesting. I think this one would be very good book for any high school girls studying about Oregon and missionaries in the 1800's. Eliza's quick decisions on marriage shows so much of what can happen in rash decisions both good and bad. Life does not always turn out how we thought it would turn out when we are teenagers and this book really highlights that. I will say though if you are not very religious or a Christian this novel of Jane Kirkpatrick has the most Christianity in it than any other of her novels but that is understandable since a lot of it takes place around missionaries. I highly recommend it as it is a very good novel that will intrigue you more on the story of Eliza Spalding Warren.

I was given this book from Revell a division of Baker Publishing Group for my honest review and not required to give a positive review.

his newest fiction release from Jane Kirkpatrick is based on the life of missionaries Henry and Eliza Spalding. They served the Nez Perce Indians in the Pacific Northwest. More accurately, it is based on their oldest child Eliza's (named for her mother) life after the Whitman Massacre in 1847. The Whitmans were fellow missionaries at a mission farther west. Eliza was witness to the massacre as a child and dealt with those memories much of her adult life. She happened to be at the Whitman mission when it occurred. She was taken hostage and as the only survivor who spoke the Nez Perce language, she was made to serve as interpreter between the indians and the missionaries. The attacking tribe was Cayuse but spoke the Nez Perce language.
The memories Eliza has are not all accurate, only the way she remembers them and much of her life after that was influenced by those memories. She grows into a strong independent young woman but struggles with her husband's desire to take his cattle to range in the area close to where the massacre happened.
From the back cover:
"Haunted by memories and hounded by struggle, Eliza longs to know how her mother dealt with the trauma of their ordeal. As she searches the pages of her mother's diary, Eliza is stunned to find that her own recollections tell only part of the story."

This is a well written novel with good dialogue and picturesque descriptions of the Pacific Northwest. I appreciated the care taken to ensure the grammer and sentence structure were accurate. It is told in the first person by Eliza with every few chapters being interspersed with pages from her mother's diary. It took me a few chapters to understand that all the diary writings are from Eliza's mother, with the bulk of the story being Eliza's telling of her life. Mother and daughter both named Eliza required a little more attention than I normally give. That's not a bad thing, though.
This is my first time to read a Jane Kirkpatrick novel. I was impressed with the talent and skill that is evident in her writing. It is difficult to write about history, making it a novel and still keeping the accuracy of the events, while fictionalizing some of the daily life and characteristics. Mrs. Kirkpatrick does a good job with that. I recommend The Memory Weaver and give it five stars.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell for the purpose of an honest, unbiased review. These words are my opinion.

Eliza Spalding Warren, was a small child when taken captive by the Cayuse Indians during the Whitman Massacre of 1847, and it changed her life forever.

Based on a true story, this is a story of mother and daughter, both named Eliza, which I thought I should tell you right just in case it get's confusing. Eliza and her husband, Henry Spalding are missionaries to the Nez Perce at Lapwai, their daughter was born there and was raised among the people.

The story is told in two parts through the daughter's eyes, and also through the diary entries of her mother. Eliza remembers her late mother fondly, and struggles to accept her father's new wife Rachel, who has very few homemaking skills, leaving more of the housework and cooking to young Eliza.

Eliza has a true friend in Nancy Osborne, another girl who survived the massacre, but also not left unaffected. Though they never speak of their ordeal they do refer to their struggles and how no else can understand. I liked the relationship between her and Andrew, and though it has its ups and downs she is determined to stay the course and stand him.

Overall, a inspiring story, with many pearls of wisdom, though it was hard to read about how mean Eliza's father was to her. It explores many different relationships, and how the Whitman massacre affected Eliza for the rest of her life.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

"The Memory Weaver" by Jane Kirkpatrick is the author's latest historical novel this one about Eliza Spalding Warren who as a child was taken hostage by the Cayuse Indians during a massacre in 1847. After the death of her mother when she was a teen we start read about Eliza's current life, her memories of being taken captive and her mother's recollection of the events that her mother wrote in a diary. I am a big fan of Jane Kirkpatrick she is an excellent write of historical fiction. I love how she researches her main characters true history and intertwines it with her imagination so much so that I sometimes forget that I am reading a fictional novel. This was yet another book that I just could not put down. The powerful story of Eliza Spalding Warren is such a good one that I am having a hard time writing this review as I don't want to give away much of the story. Now I will admit I did not know anything of the Eliza's story so that for me made this book even more interesting. I think this one would be very good book for any high school girls studying about Oregon and missionaries in the 1800's. Eliza's quick decisions on marriage shows so much of what can happen in rash decisions both good and bad. Life does not always turn out how we thought it would turn out when we are teenagers and this book really highlights that. I will say though if you are not very religious or a Christian this novel of Jane Kirkpatrick has the most Christianity in it than any other of her novels but that is understandable since a lot of it takes place around missionaries. I highly recommend it as it is a very good novel that will intrigue you more on the story of Eliza Spalding Warren.

I was given this book from Revell a division of Baker Publishing Group for my honest review and not required to give a positive review.

his newest fiction release from Jane Kirkpatrick is based on the life of missionaries Henry and Eliza Spalding. They served the Nez Perce Indians in the Pacific Northwest. More accurately, it is based on their oldest child Eliza's (named for her mother) life after the Whitman Massacre in 1847. The Whitmans were fellow missionaries at a mission farther west. Eliza was witness to the massacre as a child and dealt with those memories much of her adult life. She happened to be at the Whitman mission when it occurred. She was taken hostage and as the only survivor who spoke the Nez Perce language, she was made to serve as interpreter between the indians and the missionaries. The attacking tribe was Cayuse but spoke the Nez Perce language.
The memories Eliza has are not all accurate, only the way she remembers them and much of her life after that was influenced by those memories. She grows into a strong independent young woman but struggles with her husband's desire to take his cattle to range in the area close to where the massacre happened.
From the back cover:
"Haunted by memories and hounded by struggle, Eliza longs to know how her mother dealt with the trauma of their ordeal. As she searches the pages of her mother's diary, Eliza is stunned to find that her own recollections tell only part of the story."

This is a well written novel with good dialogue and picturesque descriptions of the Pacific Northwest. I appreciated the care taken to ensure the grammer and sentence structure were accurate. It is told in the first person by Eliza with every few chapters being interspersed with pages from her mother's diary. It took me a few chapters to understand that all the diary writings are from Eliza's mother, with the bulk of the story being Eliza's telling of her life. Mother and daughter both named Eliza required a little more attention than I normally give. That's not a bad thing, though.
This is my first time to read a Jane Kirkpatrick novel. I was impressed with the talent and skill that is evident in her writing. It is difficult to write about history, making it a novel and still keeping the accuracy of the events, while fictionalizing some of the daily life and characteristics. Mrs. Kirkpatrick does a good job with that. I recommend The Memory Weaver and give it five stars.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell for the purpose of an honest, unbiased review. These words are my opinion.

The Memory Weaver is Jane Kirkpatrick’s latest novel and once again she builds a story based on true people and events. This is the story of Eliza Spalding, the daughter of prominent Presbyterian missionaries with the Nez Perce in the Pacific Northwest.

Her parents worked closely with Dr. Marcus & Narcissa Whitman in the Washington territory, and 10-year old Eliza was there at the mission when they and 12 others are murdered by the Cayuse. Eliza acts as translator for a month for the 45 women and children who are held hostage and the Indians. Big task for a little girl.

The book starts Eliza when is 13 years old, her mother (also named Eliza) has died, and she is living in Oregon territory with her difficult father and younger siblings. While she continues to deal with flashbacks and memories, she meets and marries Andrew Warren and they have children.

The story asks the question, how does trauma affect a marriage, a mother, a life…?

Like many women, she longs to know her mother and her thoughts. When Eliza is finally given her mother’s diary, she is stunned to find that “what we remember isn’t always what happened.” Her mother’s diary corrects many of the things she thought she remembered and provided some context to other things.

This wasn’t a light-hearted or easy read. It’s a little somber and sad, but there are threads of joy, forgiveness, love, and hope.

Once I got into the book, I had a difficult time putting it down. Watching Eliza work through the memories – good and bad – was like watching a butterfly come free of its cocoon, or a flower slowly beginning to bloom. And it was worth it.

Disclosure: I received a free book from Revell Books in exchange for an unbiased review.

THE MEMORY WEAVER just didn’t strike a chord with me. But, in all fairness, I assume some of the responsibility for that. When I saw an endorsement by Romantic Times, I naturally thought there would be more romance in the book. In my opinion, what little romance was there was one-sided and disheartening.

Eliza Spaulding Warren’s life was tragic with very few uplifting moments. She’s taken hostage at a young age by Indians and forced to watch a massacre, her father disowns her for a time and withholds his love, and her husband is self-centered—among other things. It is only her faith in God, her love for her children, and the loving memory of her mother that keeps Eliza going. She is definitely an encourager to those around her, but so little encouragement comes her way.

Throughout the book, excerpts of Eliza’s mother’s diary is slipped in, which was one way of giving backstory. But to me, it broke up the continuity of a story I was already struggling to grasp.

I absolutely commend the author on the amount of research she put into the story. I’m sure for true lovers of historical novels, this is a valuable asset. Unfortunately for me, it just weighed down an already slow moving story.

Again, I take responsibility for reading a book outside my genre of choice, and I did finish the book because I so wanted to see Eliza happy. Unfortunately, in the end, I just felt sad for Eliza and the life that she led. But, if you are a history fanatic, and like reading stories penned more as a memoir, you most likely will enjoy THE MEMORY WEAVER more than I did.

Book provided for review purposes.

Available September 2015 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Jane Kirkpatrick, an author known for bringing history to life, has skillfully told the story of another strong woman, unknown to many, who helped pioneer our country. Eliza Spalding Warren was the first surviving white child born west of the Rocky Mountains. Her earliest memories were formed among the Nimíipuu, who were called Nez Perce by the white settlers, her parents being sent to Lapwai, Idaho by the Presbytery Mission Board at the request of the Nimíipuu.
Having formed only happy memories, things changed drastically for ten-year old Eliza. Spending time away from her family while being educated at another nearby mission, Eliza was taken hostage during an Indian massacre by those who were angry about the mission’s being built on sacred land and the mission doctor’s inability to save the natives from the pox. This became a defining moment in Eliza’s life, the memories of which encroached on her daily living for many years, well into her adulthood.
Kirkpatrick’s telling of Eliza Spalding Warren’s story helps the reader to realize that our memories often become tangled as they are being woven, tangled by misconceptions, tales of others’ memories, extreme emotions, and knots caused by the passage of time. Our own memories are woven into our lives, but it is up to us to decide whether or not they will define us as we continue to weave in new memories.
For fans of Kirkpatrick, The Memory Weaver won’t disappoint. For readers whom Kirkpatrick will be a new-to-you author, The Memory Weaver will have you reaching for another book by this author. May I recommend for you two of my favorites: A Light in the Wilderness and Mystic Sweet Communion (the book that led me to reach for another).

There are some books that touch your heart and you can't help but feel grateful for the oppurtunity to read them. Such was the case with The Memory Weaver by Jane Kirkpatrick.

In many ways, I found this book a difficult one to read. The story felt disjointed as it should, since I think it was meant to capture the way a traumatic experience shaped one girl's life. Events would trigger flashbacks where Eliza, the main character and narrator of the story, would be transported back to a time where she was held hostage with others by Native Americans and at 10-years of age, being the only one who spoke both languages, forced to translate. This one moment colors most of the way that she looks at her life.

This poignant story is told quite artfully. The language is eloquent and I truly felt I was listening to Eliza Spalding Warren tell her life story how she knew it to be--whether it was the way it happened or not. By the end of the book, I found myself examining my own life and while I don't have near the dark memory that she had, I wondered about the way my own memories have changed over time. Either way, this book offered up something wonderful to think about.

This was not a book to read for fun. It is a thought-provoking novel. It's one that has a somber tone through it--but there are certainly threads of joy, forgiveness, love and hope. I found the book hard to start reading after having put it down, but after a bit, I was immersed in the story and found it even more difficult to put down. This is a book that I think has a strong message and theme to it and is definitely worth picking up.

**I received a copy of this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.**

In this coming-of-age story of Eliza Spalding, we watch a girl become a woman in the fairly untamed region of the Pacific northwest. Daughter of missionary parents, Eliza carves out her way. Always dogged by memories of abduction from an Indian tribe close to the settlement where her parents ministered, can she find her way and heal from that incident so long ago?

This is the first novel I've read by Jane Kirpatrick. She clearly took great effort in researching the life and times of Eliza Spalding and her family and that of Marcus and Narcissa Whitman and the mission establishments in what is now Washington state and surrounding areas. The characters were real and Kirpatrick gave them voice and humanized them, even though this is a work of fiction.

I really appreciated the map and the cast of characters section at the beginning of the book. I'm not familiar much with the locale of the setting in the story and this greatly helped paint a picture in my mind's eye.

The structure of the book was a little confusing for me to follow. The "memory weaving" was done strategically using Eliza's mother's diary to almost preface or mirror what was going on in Eliza's life at the time. So, there was a lot of back and forth between memories and current story line. Then nearing the end of the book, Eliza has an epiphany...I can't say much more than that. But, by the end of the book, I found myself wanting to know "so what really happened"? Maybe a short blurb at the front of the book with the actual history surrounding the abduction, etc. would have been good. There was information at the back of the book, but I discovered this after the fact.

The characters of Eliza's sisters, father and Andrew were nicely peppered and unique in their own way adding spice to the story. They too have their own struggles we see.

The book is written in the first person. A nice touch given the intimacy (non-romantic) of the story line between mother and daughter and the inner struggle they each had.

This was a storyline that makes you think and puts you into the minds of two strong women. Put it during an exciting time of our nations growth and in a rare setting as well, you have the makings of an interesting read. I give it 4 stars out of 5.

(I was given this book for free by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

The description of this novel hints at a story in which an adult Eliza struggles to weave her memories of past hurt with current memories of hope while living in the very place she fears. This was the premise I was expecting, but not the one I found. In reality, The Memory Weaver begins in Eliza's teen years, and it is not until halfway through the book that even the first of the two children mentioned are born. It is farther still until Eliza and her husband move back to the place she was taken hostage.

While Kirkpatrick's way with words is beautiful and often times perfectly descriptive, I found the story lacking in any form of interesting plot. Toward the middle, there is a conflict between her and her husband which I found compelling and would have liked to take part more in the narrative. Outside of that, there were moments of interesting dialogue and interaction between characters, but it was overall mundane, daily activities only colored by Eliza's way of look at them.

The reason I give this as high as three stars is because Kirkpatrick's writing is beautiful in its conveyance of everyday life. As well, there were moments that genuinely held my interest and attention. However, for myself, the pretty descriptions were not enough to make me care about Eliza Warren. I have read other novels based on true historical figures in which I felt like the story came to life. The Memory Weaver did not do this for me.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The Memory Weaver, by Jane Kirkpatrick tells the story of Eliza Spalding, who is the daughter Presbyterian missionaries with the Nez Perce in the Pacific Northwest. Although I wasn’t aware of this before reading the book, it is based on true events that happened in 1847. The book starts when Eliza is a young teenager. Her mother has passed away, and she is struggling with memories of her kidnapping that took place when she was 10 years old at a mission with another family, who worked closely with her parents. When Eliza was taken, she served as a translator of the other captives, since she was the only one fluent in the language. While there is a focus on Eliza’s past, the book also looks at her relationship with her husband and family as she elopes and leaves her father.

The format of the book was different than what I was expecting, as there was a lot of remembering the past and reliving it through diary entries of Eliza, the mother. I was also expecting more romance, but there wasn’t much focus on that. Rather the book focuses on Eliza, both her past and her present. I also think I had to focus while reading this book, which made it a little longer of a read than what I’m used to. Overall, I would recommend this book to people who are interested in history.

This book was provided by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for my review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Memory Weaver by Jane Kirkpatrick is a true story based the life of Eliza Spalding Warren, the daughter of Henry and Eliza Spalding. Eliza's parents were missionaries to the Indian people and when Eliza was a young child she was kidnapped by the Cayuse Indians during a massacre. Eliza is now an adult, married and has children of her own. Her husband wants to move to a new territory, the same territory where Eliza was held captive.

Eliza is haunted by memories of her past and she begins searching through her mother's diary to see how her her mom dealt with what had happened. She begins to realize that things did not happen the way she thought they did.

When I read the prologue of the book, I just knew I was going to love this book! It was so well written and automatically pulled at my heart strings. Unfortunately, for me, the book soon lost it''s appeal. It was rather slow paced and it jumps from present to future. It goes from the mother's diary, to Eliza's memories, to present time, and at times I was confused.

I did like the early story of Eliza and Mr. Warren. Maybe because I'm a romantic at heart, but I can't even classify this book as a romance novel. It's more of a memoir. Even though it did not really suit my interest, I do think it is worth giving a chance. The author pens the novel very well and I love her style of writing. I just couldn't get into the story.

***Thank you to Revell publishing for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.

As I often say, the measure of good historical fiction is that it leaves you wanting to know more. The Memory Weaver, by Jean Kirkpatrick, does just that, in the interesting story of Eliza Spaulding Warren. As a young girl, Eliza was kidnapped and held hostage by Cayuse Indians, a situation that would scar any child. Years later, Eliza is still wrestling with her memories of that event, which come back to her in flashbacks.

As a young woman, Eliza meets and marries Andrew Warren, a charming but potentially feckless young man, who loves her but also gambling and drinking. Because she married against her father's wishes, for a time she is considered dead to him, and isolated from her two younger sisters. But he has his own issues to deal with, and her sisters eventually come to live with her.

The Memory Weaver is told by Eiza, but also through Eliza's mother's diaries (her mother is also Eliza), which gives us an interesting contract in perspective and memories. Does the younger Eliza really remember what happened? Is she right about who saved her and her family, and who to blame?

The story has a bit more religion than I would normally like, but given that Eliza's parents were Presbyterian missionaries, and that Eliza herself was very devout, it fits with the story. The author has included a great deal of detail in an epilogue, to help us know what is true in her story and what is fiction.

The Memory Weaver is a worthwhile read of an interesting time, and a story that most of us won't know.

“The Memory Weaver” is a historical novel that is a story of trauma, loss, discover, and the journey to healing for several characters within its pages. The heroine, Eliza Spalding Warren not only witnessed the massacre of several people she knew but was also taken hostage by the Indians. After her rescue and the later death of her mother, she experienced nightmares and was not entirely successful in coping with her memories. Her friend Nancy who had also experienced the traumatic event, had her own way of coping. Even Eliza’s husband had some serious problems due to guilt and grief over events in his own past.

“The Memory Weaver” does not move along as quickly and does not include as much dialogue as many novels but it is all the more authentic for that reason. The story moves from Eliza’s point of view to excerpts from her mother’s diaries. I particularly liked the way one point of view transitioned smoothly by the use of similar themes. For instance if one point of view ended with rain, the next one would begin with a reference to rain.

This novel shows how often our memories may not be accurate but can be influenced by so many things such as our maturity, hearing others’ stories about the same event, and even the passage of time. An emotional story of hope and healing, “The Memory Weaver” illustrates the restoration of relationships as each person comes to grips with the past. It is a faith-based story that is well worth the time it takes to read.

This book was provided for review by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Jane Kirkpatrick tells the story of the lives of missionaries Eliza and Henry Spalding from the viewpoint of their daughter, Eliza Spalding Warren, interspersed with diary entries of mother Eliza Spalding. The name factor could have been confusing, but Kirkpatrick did a good job of preventing confusion. The Oregon Trail and early 1800's are my favorite time period and place in history. The thorough research done by Kirkpatrick is apparent. I learned that spider webs were used to treat wounds, green wood combined with dry wood is necessary to create the most effective woodstove coals, and some women rode sidesaddle for the entire trip across the country, which to me says a lot about women's station in society and obedience to culturally acceptable rules of the time.

This is the first book by Jane Kirkpatrick that I've read. I chose it because of the time period, setting, and the author's reputation. The story is written in first-person from daughter Eliza's point of view. The title describes the storyline: the majority of Eliza's life and trauma is told, not shown, through memories of hers, her mother's, father's, and friends'. I would have preferred to have become part of the action that created the memories. This was not my favorite type of writing style, but because of the many positive reviews of all of Kirkpatrick's books, I intend to read another one.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This novel tells of one young woman's journey dealing with a traumatic childhood event and the repercussions it has on her entire life. Kirkpatrick is a skilled author who brings history to life with complex characters. I loved how complex all of the characters were, from Eliza herself, to both of her parents, and her husband. Although this story is based on real-life characters, I was not familiar with them, or the horrible incident that changed Eliza's life forever. The author did a wonderful job bringing the history to life in a way that was both realistic and heartfelt. This book really deals with not just trauma, but family relationships, as Eliza stumbles through her interactions with her father, stepmother, husband, and sisters. The friendship between Eliza and Nancy is especially welcome, as two survivors who cope in different ways, and the close bond a shared history gives them. I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys historical fiction. As someone who loves the details, I was especially gratified that the author had a note at the end explaining what was fact and how she fictionalized a real account. Her attention to detail and compassion for the characters was evident throughout the story.

I received this book from the publisher for the purpose of a review, but all opinions are my own.

This book is a fascinating historical fiction revolving around the life of Eliza Spalding Warren, who was just 10 when she was involved in the Cayuse massacre in which Marcus and Narcissa Whitman were both killed. Because of Eliza's fluency in Sahaptin, she was able to translate for the captives, and may have been instrumental in keeping a group of them alive. This book jumps in when she is 14, and her mother has recently died.

In this book, Eliza meets the man who is to be her future husband, Mr. Andrew Warren. A few years later, they elope together, and succeed in completely alienating her father from her. Although Andrew is known to be a gambler and drunkard, their marriage and life together seems to go surprisingly well. I found this a little hard to believe. However, Andrew does end up drunk and with a broken leg at one point in the story.

The most fascinating part of this story, I found, is the way it describes both Eliza, and her friend Nancy (also a survivor of the massacre) and their way of "dealing with" the trauma that happened when they were both children. This part was the most believable to me.

I did find this book a little difficult to read through. It alternates between Eliza's own life, and her mother's journal writings, and I felt that the writings were a bit too long at times.

I received this book free from Revell Reads (Baker Publishing Group) in exchange for an honest review.

Another Jane Kirkpatrick book that is so worth reading! I loved it! The story of the daughter of the Spalding missionaries to the Oregon territory is spellbinding, heart wrenching, and strong. The diary of Eliza's mother, Eliza Spalding is interspersed throughout the book which adds understanding and meaning to her life. History comes alive while Eliza's childhood and on appears on these pages. Her relationships with her father, siblings, and eventually her husband all are affected by her trauma during the Indian kidnaping and killing of people she knew. The author so aptly named this book as every day Eliza makes decisions and actions because of her past. I enjoyed reading about the day to day life of these pioneers to the West. The hardships weigh so heavily when there aren't the distractions that we have today. But maybe without the distractions we would need to deal with our emotions and memories. Both Elizas' faith brings them through the day to day and also the extraordinary. I highly recommend The Memory Weaver! Jane Kirkpatrick is definitely one of my favorite authors.

I received a copy of this book through Net Galley and I have given my honest opinion and review of The Memory Weaver.

This is a fictional story about the Spalding family, missionaries in the Oregon Territory during the 1850’s. It centers on Eliza Spalding and her life after the Whitman Massacre in 1847 where she was taken hostage. As with Eliza, most of the hostages lives were shaped for good or bad by what happened and also by their individual memories of what happened. It gives a glimpse into their lives and of the hardships they endured.

Although I enjoyed this story, it took me a considerable amount of the book to start enjoying. It is written in Eliza’s voice and at times the story appeared stilted and lacked emotion although when we were permitted glimpses into her mother’s diary, the writing did not seem this way. I did love how Eliza relied heavily on her faith to get her through and the scriptural references. Also, when Eliza realized that her memories may be tainted, it resonated with me because I find it amazing, even in my own family, what one person remembers is so different from another’s memories.

I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the life of the pioneers in the 1850’s and the hardships they went through. Also, the power of memories and how they shaped the characters’ lives is poignant and touching.

SUMMARY:
Witnessing a massacre at a young age, Eliza Spalding Warren was held hostage by the Cayuse Indians and forced to work as an interpreter as the only person who knew both languages. As time passes, memories shift which cause new insight and feelings into the past events. Based on a true story, New York Times bestselling author, Jane Kirkpatrick takes readers on yet another emotionally, thought-provoking read…

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
I loved the basis for this story positioned on real-life past events. Also interesting, the alteration of memories over time, through experiences and as more knowledge is gained. Not a light read but rather a deeper, stimulating read which made me ponder the events and recollections associated with them. Always well-written with bits of true situations included, Jane Kirkpatrick enthralls with each novel. Though not a huge fan of pioneer time-frames, The Memory Weaver was an exception for me…especially as I enjoyed the included author interview at the end. I look forward to her next novel.

RATING:
4 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of The Memory Weaver from Revell Publishing for my honest review*

This is another fabulous book by Jane Kirkpatrick that brings a true story to life! Eliza Spalding was the first white child born who survived west of the Mississippi. She lived in the Oregon territory with her parents, missionaries to the Nez Perce Indians, and she survived a massacre by the Cayuse Indians. She was actually held hostage for 47 days and was required, at the age of 10, to translate between the Indians and the settlers.

This book visits her life as a teen and adult. How would such an experience impact ones' life? Kirkpatrick uses diaries, documentaries, and tons of historical records to suppose Eliza's perspective throughout her life. She even interviewed descendants.

Like her previous book, A Light in the Wilderness, The Memory Weaver is a chance to step back in time and live beside those who participated in history. This is a fascinating story, and Kirkpatrick's website adds more information to a robust tale (check it out HERE). I was thrilled to see the reference to Letitia Carson, too (from A Light in the Wilderness)!

Definitely a must read for American History buffs.
Check out the book trailer HERE!

Jane Kirkpatrick delivers an in-depth story about the life of Eliza Spalding Warren. Very intriguing. Makes you want to learn more about this time in American History.
In 1847 she was taken hostage by the Cayuse Indians during a massacre. This is where the story began. This is where Eliza’s nightmares began.
Full of history and faith, this book will ignite feelings inside of yourself. It is a beautifully told story. I love Historical Fiction novels, but this one was a step above the others.
I loved how Eliza read her mother’s journals and tried to fill in the missing pieces. Reading her mother’s journals was the most enjoyable part of the book for me. I love learning the history behind this story that way.
Jane Kirkpatrick can really tell a great story. I was taken back to that time and really got to understand the lives of Christian missionaries back in those times. The choices that Eliza has to take will surprise you.
“The Memory Weaver” will be enjoyed by lovers of historical fiction all over the world.
I put down this book, knowing this story would not leave my heart too soon.

Jane Kirkpatrick is one of my favorite authors and I've been following her book trail for a long time. This book was anticipated for a while and when I received it, I dove in impatiently, looking for the "Jane" thing she does so well. Soon the story line wound me in and I read Eliza's story. It seemed to be so tragic. Eliza was scarred by events in her childhood. The memories held her life in a stranglehold, it seemed. And where was the "Jane" thing I search for?
Be heartened, fellow and future readers!!! What develops as Jane crafts this magnificent story is so moving and so important! Memories hold a certain truth but it seems that they can be fickle and withhold certain elements that would strengthen ones' understanding of the events as they happened. What emerges as Jane retells this story of this real person from history is a song of strength, love,bravery and the beautiful fragrance of forgiveness. I wish I could sit down with the elderly Eliza and hear her story and physically touch her strength. There it is! That's what Jane does.

Jane Kirkpatrick is such a talented author because the amount of historical research is incredible. There are few authors who are able to write a fictional story based upon a real person and not make it sound like a history book. I enjoy all of Jane's books because of their historical truths and this book was very good. At first I was a bit confused on the story line, things jump around a bit. The book goes between an old diary and the main story line. This book is based upon Eliza Spalding and her children. This isn't really a happy book since it is based upon real life but it shows the struggles of the times. The Indian history and how people really haven't changed that much when it comes to relationships and families.

For a rich historical read, I recommend. There were a few slow spots which is why I give it four stars.

I think some of Kirkpatrick's other books are better but this one is still good.

If you like faster moving books, you might not enjoy this one as much.

"Thanks to Revell for offering me a free copy in exchange for an honest review."

Yes, this story is based on real events, and that’s what makes it such a powerful and often heartbreaking tale. The massacre of 1847 was unfamiliar to me, even though the names Spalding and Whitman did sound vaguely familiar. Ms. Kirkpatrick’s intricately woven tale made me wish I had listened better in history class back in the dark ages, but I am thankful for her impressive research that brought Eliza’s story to life.
The Memory Weaver is not an easy, light-hearted read. Rather, it is a compelling study of personalities and how different people deal with tragedy and normal hardships of life, all wrapped in a story of faith. Eliza Spalding Warren was a strong woman, even in her weakest moments, and her story will stay with me for a very long time.
Not to missed are the author’s notes at the back of the book. The Memory Weaver is highly recommended, and I award it five stars.
Disclaimer: I was given a book by the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion, which I have given here.

Kirkpatrick has a gift of bringing history alive in the pages of her stories. Her deep research and attention to detail is remarkably evident in The Memory Weaver. Readers will find themselves very easily swept away to another time and place. Kirkpatrick wastes no words, but carefully weaves life lessons of faith into the dialogue and thoughts of her characters;
"I didn't know then that the healing of old wounds comes not from pushing tragic memories away but from remembering them, filtering them through love, to transform their distinctive brand of pain."
Eliza's story is told through her memories alongside the diary entries of her mother. Kirkpatrick seamlessly uses the two to reveal a period in history and a mission of which many may be unaware. This is a story of a woman whose strength and faith will challenge and encourage readers. You will be blessed in the time it takes to read this book.
*I received a complimentary copy of the book for the purpose of giving an honest review.

"The Memory Weaver" by Jane Kirkpatrick is a historical fiction novel that really brings the time period alive and the characters in the story. This story is a journey that Eliza is on to find peace and healing in her life. Eliza suffered a traumatic experience as a young girl and now circumstances in her life are forcing her to face and relive the trauma. Reading a diary Eliza discovers bits and pieces of her past and mixed in with her memories, Eliza discovers more of her past and also hope.
This is a well-written novel that is such an emotion filled read as it is a telling of trauma, struggles and eventual healing and peace. The relationships between the characters, including Eliza and her husband and relationships from the past play such a role in this story and it is an interesting read of humankind and life and tension in everyday life in the late 1800's.

*Thanks to the Revell Reads Program for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

The Memory Weaver is based on facts taken from diaries and other documented facts found on the life of Eliza Spalding, daughter of missionaries Henry and Eliza Spaulding. Knowing this was real life stuff, the story takes on a different meaning than one that is fictional. Starting from a young age, Eliza lived a very sad and tragic life. In this book, Jane Kirkpatrick weaves a story together that tells of the trauma this young lady faced, along with the peace and healing as she gets older and has a family of her own. I was in awe as I read the events that took place in Eliza's young life, and was amazed at how God took those things and made her the person she became. An awesome read that I recommend to everyone!
I received this book from Revell to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.

This author's prose dances along the page and transports the reader to Oregon Territory, pre-Civil War, where a coming-of-age Eliza Spalding is running her father's household and caring for her younger siblings in absence of their mother. She catches the eye of Andrew Warren, a young man working to build his own cattle spread. Tired of her smothering lifestyle, Eliza sneaks away with Andrew and elopes. But the marriage ahead is not exactly what Eliza had envisioned.

I enjoyed seeing the budding romance blossom and fight for survival during times of hardship. This is real, and Eliza fought valiantly. I did find some parts of the mother's journal confusing and hard to follow, but the Cast of Characters and the Oregon map at the beginning were very helpful, as I don't often read historical fiction.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction that's real and gritty. I give this book 3.5 stars!

With each Jane Kirkpatrick novel I read, I appreciate more and more her ability to bring history to life with her stories. In The Memory Weaver, Kirkpatrick explores the life of Eliza Spalding Warren, after surviving as a hostage of local Native Americans. As she returns to her family and continues to grow up, she remains haunted and affected by the memories and begins to realize the power and effectiveness of her memory. This story, presented in a way that seems realistic and authentic, intrigued me from start to finish, and I would certainly recommend it for fans of historical fiction. I enjoyed it with its thought-provoking aspects and look forward to reading more from Jane Kirkpatrick in the future.

Thanks to Revell Reads, I received a copy of The Memory Weaver and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

The Memory Weaver by Jane Kirkpatrick is a historical fiction based on true events. Eliza Spalding Warren had a tragic past. Her family were serving as missionaries to the Nez Perce. As she becomes an adult Eliza struggles with her past. Throughout the book we see Eliza trying to cope and move on from her past through different ways. When her husband wants to move to the very area where the massacre began Eliza finally comes face to face with her past.

Personally I didn't like the book. It was very hard to get into it. I didn't know what was going on through most of it, and I didn't connect at all with the characters. It was OK, but it's not one I'm going to recommend if you want a light reading. There is some pretty heavy stuff in this book. I also felt the time table in the book was rushed, especially when it gets to the last chapters.

*I was given this book in exchange for my honest review

An incredible read. Kirkpatrick is meticulous in her attention to detail of the history involved. What a teacher! Through the story of this amazing lady, she teaches us about both some horrific and some amazing events of the period. I am simply in awe at her skill. Besides weaving this wonderful tale, she nourishes our faith as she tells us about that of the characters, especially about the especially lovable and inspirational Mrs. Spalding. I also loved her account of the interaction between these early missionaries and the Native American tribes they interacted with and how they both taught them (in response to their own request to learn about The Book of Heaven) and learned so much from them. This is an unforgettable tale that reminded me of how I loved other books of hers and determined to find others I haven't yet read. Thank you, Ms. Kirkpatrick!

Although not exactly what I originally expected, Jane Kirkpatrick’s novel The Memory Weaver, was a historical fiction delight. This novel is about a young woman who has had a hard life and tries her best to make it better. The novel fluently transitions between the story of Eliza Spalding Warren and the diary of her mother, bring new depth and enlightenment to the story. Readers will enjoy this well-written and brilliantly crafted characters that also enrich the development of the storyline. I would recommend this novel to readers that have a deep love of historical fiction and would enjoy a story that takes place in the Washington and Oregon territories during in the mid 1800’s.

Genre: historical fiction; Christian fiction; romance
Publisher: Revell
Publication date: September 1, 2015
Number of pages: 336

A review copy of this book was provided by Revell Reads.

This book was slow, heavy-going and depressing at times. Poor Eliza the daughter didn't seem to have a happy life at all, starting with the massacre and hostage situation, her mother's death, her father's harsh treatment of her, the silly stepmother, the gambler-alcoholic husband, etc. It really was a difficult book to read because of one sad situation after another for Eliza. But her faith (and her children) kept her going. It seems to me that she finally found some peace and contentment at the age of 70 when she "retired" to the shores of Lake Chelan in north-central Washington state. The poor woman deserved it! After reading about Eliza's hardships, it made me glad that I wasn't a woman born in that time period!

Jane Kirkpatrick brings her readers a thoughtful, historical novel that is set in the mid 1800's. Eliza Spalding is a woman who has had a life marked with trials and has suffered the loss of her precious mother. Eliza's story is not the traditional romantic "boy meets girl and they live happily ever after" story, but instead is a more realistic novel that shows hardship and suffering throughout a person's life. The novel was honest, sad at times and sweet at other times. I enjoyed this book, as it was different than other books I read. The book was a little slower paced than some novels, but it was still not too slow that it lost my attention. The ending of the book was a blend of sadness and joy and I felt that it ended the book beautifully. I felt as if I had the opportunity to see all the characters grow over the years and I appreciated that. I would give this book a 4/5.

Jane Kirkpatrick is an amazing writer who knows how to take real research and morph it into a fictional story that rings absolutely true. The story of Eliza Spalding, who at 10 years of age llived through a horrible massacre in which famed missionaries Marcus and Narcissa Whitman were killed along with others and many women and children were taken captive including Eliza This event colored Eliza's life through many years, woven into her memories along with faith and love and reverence for her mother who died a few years later. How she overcame tragedy and what was basically post-traumatic stress syndrome to live a full and rewarding life is a marvelous story. Not only Eliza but her parents, siblings, husband and children are fully formed characters, with good points and flaws, highs and lows. This one will stay with you long after you have finished the book and put it away.

I actually had a hard time getting very interested in this story. I didn't like any of the characters very much and felt like there was a bit too much detail and some repetitiveness. The fact that this was based on the true life of Eliza was interesting and that she had survived a massacre and then been taken hostage and had to interpret must have been horrifying. She seemed to have a strong faith in God and tried to influence her husband for the better. She went through other tough circumstances and I admired her strength and determination to make the best of things. There were journal entries of her mother's every so often, but I didn't think those were that interesting, either. If you like history, especially about real people, you might want to check it out.

I received this book free from Revell in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoy Jane Kirkpatrick's books. They are authentic, honest, and enlightening. She doesn't romanticize history. She shows the grittier side, the not-so-pretty side, the earthy side. I like that. And she wraps the story around true history and historical figures.

Eliza Spalding was the first white child to survive birth in the Pacific Northwest. Taken hostage by Cayuse Indians while still a child, she returned to her family traumatized by the event. That trauma defined much of her life for many years. This is her story.

We're such a wimpy generation. We think we've got it so bad. We're pathetic. Reading about people like this, people who overcame incredible circumstances, people who dirtied their hands to scratch out a living ... reading this puts our meager lives into perspective. I highly recommend it.

The Memory Weaver by Jane Kirkpatrick is by far one of the best books that I have read in 2015. As an avid lover of historical, Native American and pioneer fiction I knew I had to read this book when I found it. This is a beautifully told story of life, tragedy and reflection on life.

This was not just any story. The story the pulls you in and makes you think about your own life and that of the characters. When you reflect on your own life how much of it is truly as you think it was? How much of your memories were influenced by other people or even your maturity at the time? I promise you will think long and hard.

I highly recommend this heartfelt story and cannot wait to read more books written by author Jane Kirkpatrick.

*ARC received via publisher in exchange for an honest review

As a young child Eliza Spalding Warren was taken hostage by the Cayuse Indians during a massacre in 1847. Now she is a mother of two young children with no mother to guide her in her marriage and child raising Her husband chooses to make a new start in another territory, which means leaving the only safe place she has known and her mother's grave; while returning to to the land of her captivity. Struggling with the memories that haunt her, Eliza longs to know how her mother dealt with everything that happened in her life. Reading her mothers diary brings her closer to how her mother dealt with the struggles that life dealt her as a missionary to the Nez Perce Indians. Also Eliza's journey toward healing takes he back to where the massacre happened and she is able to forgive the ones that she thought failed her.

While there were some good qualities about this book, like the development of characters and the fact that it seemed like it was well researched, I couldn't get into the story. I like to be drawn into the story, and for this book, that did not happen. The trauma Eliza experienced was well portrayed and realistic, but the rest of the story was too slow moving. The diary entries which a good part of the book is made up of, are necessary for background, but since there so many, they interrupted the flow of the story. For people who love historical fiction, this may well be an interesting read, but it just didn't captivate me at all.

Disclaimer:

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc

The Memory Weaver by Jane Kirkpatrick is a beautifully written, hauntingly emotional story that captivated me from the start. While this is a fictional novel, it is based on true historical events and I must say that Ms. Kirkpatrick did a fantastic job in bringing history to life!
Eliza's journey to healing is at times heart-breaking but through it all there is also simple joys, hope and a strong faith in God.

The Memory Weaver is a bit long but it is definitely NOT boring. Ms Kirkpatrick's attention to detail and her love of the Oregon Trail history comes shining through. I highly recommend this book!

Thank you to Revell and Netgalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Although this book had a slow beginning, by its close, the plot captivated me. The book's plot weaves alternating chapters from Eliza's present to the reading of her mother's diary. The similarities between the two are sometimes eerie, but the diary serves as the forgotten memory of the subject.

As a missionary's daughter who marries a man who desires to be a missionary, Eliza is forced to decide to go to the people who kidnapped her with her husband, or remain in civilization without her husband. Her decision will surprise you.

Based on a true story, the story will find you wanting to know more of the lives in this story. I encourage you to read The Memory Weaver, especially of you are a lover of history.

What makes Jane Kirkpatrick different from other Christian writers is that she either features real-life people or events in books. In this novel, she tackles the massacure of 1847 and the life of the only survivor, Eliza Splading Warren. Honestly, I knew absoutely knowing about the event that took place in 1847 until I read The Memory Weaver. Kirkpatrick must have done alot of research while preparing to write this novel as she goes into details about aftermath of the massacure for Eliza and how it has always haunted her ever since. Overall, The Memory Weaver is a finely written novel that is part historical fiction and part biography.

I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review copy provided via NetGallery in exchange for an honest review

Summary: The Memory Weaver

Eliza Spalding Warren was just a child when she was taken hostage by the Cayuse Indians during a massacre in 1847. Now a mother of two, Eliza faces a new kind of dislocation; her impulsive husband wants to make a new start in another territory, which will mean leaving her beloved home and her mother's grave--and returning to the land of her captivity.

Haunted by memories and hounded by struggle, Eliza longs to know how her mother dealt with the trauma of their ordeal. As she searches the pages of her mother's diary, Eliza is stunned to find that her own recollections tell only part of the story.

Based on true events, The Memory Weaver is New York Times bestselling author Jane Kirkpatrick's latest literary journey into the past, where threads of western landscapes, family, and faith weave a tapestry of hope inside every pioneering woman's heart. Get swept up in this emotional story of the memories that entangle us and the healing that awaits us when we bravely unravel the threads of the past.

Review:

I picked this book, because I grew up in the Pacific Northwest and history has always been my biggest love besides reading, and this covered both of my loves. I have heard of the Spalding’s before, and it was fun to read about Eliza; she was such a strong woman never giving up, when many women would have given up.

I loved how the romance was built up slowly and that even when Eliza knew her father didn’t approve of Andrew Warren, she still followed her heart. Andrew was like so many young men in that time frame, who wanted to do things their way and not follow their fathers’ wishes and dreams. When doing that it’s so easy to get caught up in the drinking and gambling. God uses people in so many ways, and you can see just what God had planned when he brought Eliza and Andrew together.

Flow, developments of characters were all spot on, I didn’t find any grammatical or punctuation errors, which is always a plus in my mind. The only reason I don’t feel this is a five-star read is for the fact it was easy to walk away and come back to it later.

Summary:

Would I recommend this book to others? YES

Would I read other books by this author? YES

Was this a Novel or Novella? Novel

Is the book priced correctly? For me no as I’m a budget reader I don’t buy any e-book over 5 dollars, so to me the e-book is over priced, but I’d gladly pay the paperback price, but won’t spend the money on the library binding. I think publishers should price more for the budget readers and not the high end people as everyone I know is a budget reader like myself as we are all on the low end of the middle class and don’t have much room in our month budgets for the more expensive books.

I absolutely love to read books based on true events and that is what Jane Kirkpatrick has done in the Memory Weaver. After facing horrific events in her childhood and now challenging events as an adult, Eliza turns to her mother's diary for comfort and inspiration. As she reads her mother's diary she is acutely aware that her own recollections of the events were not the entire story. This book was inspiring and heart wrenching. I lost my mother this past year and I would love to find a diary where I could connect with her again on this planet. What a gift to be able to delve into the memories and history of your mother through her very own words. I am glad I had the opportunity to read and review this amazing book. I highly recommend it.

I received a ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
For anyone who is a historical fiction fan, this is a book for you. The story is based on a true event that centers around a young girl whose parents were Protestant Missionaries in the 1980's. Eliza Spalding Warren was only ten years old when she was held captive by Indians for 39 days along with other settlers and missionaries. Her story is told in her first person voice along with interjections from her mother's journals. The trauma she suffered and the memories she kept played a part in how she led her life. I liked how the author did extensive research into this family's life and was able to portray a very spell binding tale of her life.

This book was achingly beautiful. Based on the real life daughter of missionaries, Eliza Spalding Warren, it follows her life and also features fictionalized diary entries from the daughter's mother, Eliza Spalding. There were parts that were heart breaking, but they were tempered and overcome by Eliza's triumphs. I was saddened to reach the end but now have a new desire to find out more about the Spaldings and their work. It does have a Christian influence, which makes sense with the book being about Christian missionaries, but it is not preachy of heavy handed. I would read it again. I received this book free from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.