True Love and Survival in the Alaskan Wilderness (Volume 1)

fantastic and captivating book. I'm sorry that it's finished. I often could not put it down. I have been to Alaska (though not in winter) and was intrigued about the places she mentioned that were familiar to me. What a treat this book was. Looking forward to another of her books. Bonnie Ward is a good writer and leads the reader right along with her in her adventures.

Very nice reading history / story of people venturing out into the wild, into Alaskan frontiers. Really enjoyed the facts and the emotions. Neither overblown yet given in a way that made the story wished to be continued and enjoyed.

I truly enjoyed reading this well written book about a young couple moving to Alaska, to live and experience such an exciting lifestyle. Their willingness to move to Alaska, while leaving family and friends behind in the lower 48, speaks volumes of their toughness and determination to succeed, which they both did.
The risks they took to live their daily lives, the rewards they shared, and the love they had for each other, is written so very well. This book is certainly one of my most favorite books I've ever read.

I really enjoyed this book . Bonnie's husband Sam has always wanted to live in Alaska and informs her they need to do this while they are still young. They quit their jobs, say goodbye to their families, gather up all of their belongings and make the long trip. Bonnie is a great writer and makes you feel like you are right there with the two of them experiencing life on this remote island in Alaska. What an adventurous life they had, not a dull moment. I love books that take me away and this one did just that!

A truly heart-warming story that is so well-written the scenery, smells, winds, sounds and more all came into my mind's-eye. I could feel the love between Sam and Bonnie, extraordinary people, outstanding in all their trials and tribulations. I hope Bonnie and/or Sam will write more books about their lives. I delighted in hearing all about their days in Alaska.

Bonnie Rose Ward is a wonderful writter. When I finished her book I looked to see if she had written another book. I would have purchased it in a heart beat. I love Alaska and have traveled there many times over the years. This book makes me want to go back and check out her island and her lake.

My joy in reading his reinforced my love of l
Alaska.... I lived in Homer on the Kenai Peninsula.....for three years....my son lives in Ninilchk just nearby..... The story tells my son's story so well!!!!! I miss Ak. every day to old to travel anymore....more's the pity... So enjoy this grand story!!!!

Great book, very inspiring! I learned a lot from Bonnie, not only about surviving in Alaska, but how to grow in your marriage and trust that God is still with you, even in the most remote of places. The book is filled with heartwarming, funny, and intense situations...I think anyone who picks it up will not regret it. Enjoy!

Rugged individualism, stamina, big hearts, and an abiding faith in God, are the treasures in this book. Settle back and take a break from the whiney neediness of today's entitlement minded. I was anxious to begin reading each night, and found myself wishing it was a much larger book.

Yikes! I couldn't have done what these people did...build a life on one of the windiest, most dangerous islands in Alaska. I would never have been able to cross that lake in the Winter to travel to and from their cabin. Each time, never knowing if they would make it.

I found this to be a very compelling read. Trying to imagine myself living like Bonnie and Sam in the wilds of Alaska is impossible. However their courage and faith that they could make it work was a testament to what one can achieve if we really believe we can.

Simply the best, most entertaining and feel-good book I've read in a long time. In addition to Mrs. Ward's great story-telling ability, you also pick up a lot of life lessons through their experiences. They never gave up, found the best in difficult situations and are a textbook in how to deal with people. If you like adventure, Alaska, wilderness, hunting, cooking, trapping, etc... this is a must-read. Congrats on all the awards this book has received. They were all well-earned.

Having no desire to live in the wilderness, I was lukewarm about the book. But once I started reading it I started to admire Bonnie and Sam's ability to deal with whatever hardships came along. A very entertaining story, hard to put down. Waiting eagerly for the sequel...

An adventure awaits you inside the very cover. Bonnie is very relatable as she lays out her first couple years of evolving into a wilderness woman. It is a story of love for a husband and following him to the ends of the earth and living the life that most of us only dream of. This quickly became an instant favorite of mine. A quick read, as you thumb through the pages, to see what happens next. I laughed, cried and shared in their exciting times. Very hopeful for the sequel- as it can only get better from there!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book it was easy to get lost in Bonnie's words. Sometimes the never-ending praise of Sam became annoying but it was her story so I got over it. I would highly recommend to all who like this sort of adventure writing. I would have liked to have known who was responsible for the moose meat run in with the law and what ever happened with Nels after the animal shooting?

I thought this couple were amazing... to just sell up and move to what most people think of as an inhospitable part of the world was so gutsy to say the least but, that's just what they did, and the curve balls that were thrown at them that they had to overcome were just astounding. A great book.

I really enjoyed reading about their faith and love, despite the many hardships they endured. I cannot imagine living such a rough, primitive life, but admire their ability to do so. I could never leave my family, not knowing when, if ever, I would see them again. Very long story!

I thought this couple were amazing... to just sell up and move to what most people think of as an inhospitable part of the world was so gutsy to say the least but, that's just what they did, and the curve balls that were thrown at them that they had to overcome were just astounding. A great book.

I really enjoyed reading about their faith and love, despite the many hardships they endured. I cannot imagine living such a rough, primitive life, but admire their ability to do so. I could never leave my family, not knowing when, if ever, I would see them again. Very long story!

This was a solid read on a couples adventure / struggle / success in building their dream and living their life the way they wanted to. I hope they still live there today.

It was a great insight into some of their challenges and thoughts during the process. I applaud them for their determination.

I and my husband absolutely loved this book. We could not get enough. I had told my husband about this interesting book about a couple and there adventure in Alaska. He said in the evenings when I would be reading it , read to me. So every evening I would read a few chapters . He has to be up very early for work the next morning but he as well as myself enjoyed each chapter so much we could not put it down. I have recommended the book to my Daughter. Thank you for writing such an interesting book about your life. We loved it!
M. Smith Idaho

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A lovely story of adventure, faith & love. Everyone who ever dreamed of starting over in a new life should read it. Through hard work and perseverance, Bonnie & Sam proved you can make those dreams into reality. Hope we get a sequel, I want to know what happens next!!

I've read many books about the "Alaska" experience. This one was truly unique because it was the first I've ever read that was written from a woman's perspective. I enjoyed Bonnie's story tremendously and it was a very easy read .

Found Bonnie's book one night while surfing the store ,finished it the next day. I loved it. Even though my Kindle is full of e books, I have never written a review, Winds of Skilak deserves an attempt. A lot of writers could give us a true adventure, full of danger, happiness, sadness, but its the way she tells the story. Her honesty and dedication grabs you from the beginning. I only have one author that I have read their works more than once, Mark Twain. Bonnie Rose Ward just got added to this list.

Absolutely loved this book - could not put it down - I felt like I was right there living the dream with Bonnie & Sam - such a wonderful life experience and a blessing to read - thank you for writing it and making your dream possible for those of us that did not have the opportunity you and Sam had - it was a delight to read and I could just see the cabin and Lake Skilak and the mountains - your writing brought us right there on Caribou Island - thanks once again for being an inspiration to us all

The book makes the reader feel like he is actually experiencing the hardships & joys of living on Caribou Island. Enough suspense to keep the reader's interest. On the down side, I was left with with some unanswered questions e.g. how did they start their jeep in the sub-zero temperatures? Also, what happened to their neighbor, Nells? Did they later make up after Nells shot their animals?

Having known Sam and Bonnie personally and having spent quite a bit of time on Caribou Island on Skilak Lake, Bonnie has truly captured the spirit of that hauntingly beautiful place. Her strength and courage in the face of adversity is inspirational. Not only does her book teach us about wilderness adventure and survival but it teaches us about love and faith and good wholesome living. Bonnie writes authentically from her heart and it comes through on every page. This book is a treasure. Thank you Bonnie.

I considered moving to Alaska in my hippie days but you would need to totally trust your partner as Bonnie does with Sam in the book. I wasn't blessed with that type of relationship. I hope Bonnie continues to write about all the years they spent in Alaska. I was left wanting to read more and more about their lives.

I like survival themed books and this one did not dissapoint me, I was just hoping for some more remote experience, for a story about living years without civilization and living off by the land. The characters did have a tough time, no doubt, but they still ventured to the city at leat once a month, had some visitors and never faced starvation or death if something went wrong. Still a nice read.

I truly enjoyed this book. Bonnie's writing put me in mind of a "Little House on the Prairie" feel, but more grown up. The only thing that was a bit off putting was her blind obedience to her husband. That guy made some risky and foolish moves and was lucky no one was killed. That being said, I found myself rooting for them in all of their adventures.

Really enjoyed the book! Very interesting perspective as most books in this genre are written by a man and it opened my eyes to a completely different point of view. Giving my wife a copy for her birthday in hopes that it inspires her to follow my goofy dream!

I gave the book a 4 instead of a 5 because the chapters were so short that I feel I was left with a lot of unanswered questions, luckily the author has been really responsive on facebook!

A change of pace, nothing like my usual reading fare. This young woman becomes a wilderness pioneer right in front of your eyes. Give it a chapter or two and you will be hooked. The cast of characters include bears moose and a wolf or two. Reads like a letter from an old friend.

I really loved this book. It was really interesting and seemed so real. I could just imagine all the events experienced. I know I could never live like that, but it was just such a wholesome read. I would highly recommend it for teens. It's so full of good values, good honest work, and satisfaction with their accomplishments. A real winner!!!