Skip to main content

Review: Home on the Range

Home on the Range book cover on blue background

It's always a pleasure to discover new Christian fiction to me, especially historical fiction that helps me learn more about how people persevered during difficult times and were able to overcome their circumstances through God's help. Home on the Range by Taryn Oakley is a story that falls into this setting in late 19th century Kansas amid the bustling growth and travels along the railway.

Many thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Book Synopsis

In the land of promise, can two lives fulfill one legacy with love?

1891. Lenna Adler—destitute but not desperate—becomes the prize bride in a drunken poker game to one of Chicago’s lecherous men, a man who will stop at nothing to collect what he’s owed. In a hastened escape, Lenna boards the Atchison, Topeka, and Sante Fe Railway to Verona, Kansas determined to carry out her parents’ dream, with or without God’s help. The reputation at the Elton Hotel and the small town provide safety and peace for Lenna at last, not to mention a budding fancy with an honest cowboy.

Lee Ellis has ranched the Flint Hills since he was a boy. The rolling landscape dotted with cattle is his paradise. All that’s left is finding someone to share it with, and he’s sure God’s brought her on the noon train. But when forced to confront a past he’d rather forget, his character and trust with his newfound love, Lenna, are at stake. Will she be able to lean on her recently awakened faith and forgive his family’s history, believing the man he is...or will she soon be on the next train out of town?

Source: Amazon

Book Thoughts

Joining Lenna Addler in her escape to a better life, I appreciate that I had a front-row seat to her bravery and determination to follow her parents’ legacy. The sprinkles of German were a reminder that her family sacrificed so much in order for her to experience the American dream. As a result, it was easy to admire her persistence in mastering her work at the Elton Hotel while navigating challenging relationships. Having her encounter Lee Ellis—an earnest man shrouded in mystery yet desiring to do what is right—was a delight as it was evident that they both helped each other walk in integrity before God.

In reading the author's notes, I enjoyed learning more about the meticulous standards of hotel waitstaff and how hard Leena worked to serve others. Although she encountered hardships, loss, and threats, her attitude was refreshing as she and Lee worked through issues of trust and forgiveness. Coupled with powerful sermons at church, this book was a reminder that God does not have us walk through the darkness alone. If you enjoy reading about the hospitality industry, especially in late 19th century America, this sweet romance balances the toil of pioneer life with the joy of God's ultimate provision.

Book Summary

  • Format of book: 📱
  • Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Recommendation: 👍
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Christian Book Review Programs

Over time, I've been on the hunt for Christian book review programs that readers can join. As a result, I've been able to compile the following list which may be of interest if you are seeking review copies of Christian books. This list mostly applies to print and ebooks, although some publishers offer audiobooks as well. If further information is available for any of the publishers below (or any missing publishers), please let me know as I am happy to update this list—thank you! Please note that you can also search for these publishers on NetGalley and other review sites in case there are no review programs available or you don't qualify for one 😊 Christian Publishers B&H Publishing Group Previously offered the B&H/Lifeway Blogger program which has since closed Availability: Professors and instructors Link:  B&H Academic Book Requests Baker Publishing Group Availability: U.S. and Canadian residents Genre: Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction Imprints: Bet...
8 comments
Read more

Happy Chinese Language Day!

Today is Chinese Language Day! It’s a day that has meaning for me because I speak a Chinese language (a language that isn't easy to learn as an adult), so I'm grateful I didn't have to go through the process of mastering tones later in life! At the same time, I acknowledge that it also brings about mixed emotions when I reflect on my journey of language discovery. Despite Chinese being my first language, I still feel like an outsider to the culture and world because I don’t speak the main Chinese languages that everyone thinks of. It’s been one of my pet peeves over the course of my life where a lot of non-Chinese people have attempted to guess what I speak, maybe not realizing that there are so many languages that exist (guessing for other people doesn’t always bode well 🫠). Lacking Mandarin and only knowing select phrases in Cantonese, this feeling of separation from other Chinese people is even more pronounced in living overseas as part of the Chinese diaspora. While...
4 comments
Read more

Review: Uncluttered Faith

Whenever I see a new Joshua Becker book, I read it. Make that a Christian book and I'll read it even sooner. Uncluttered Faith is perhaps the clearest and most unapologetically Christian book I've seen on the topic on minimalism and it's where the author's pastoral heart shines through the most. This book releases in February 2026 and is one that connects an intentional life to Gospel teachings in a way that is inspiring and attainable for believers. Many thanks to WaterBrook & Multnomah and  NetGalley  for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Content to be aware of : mentions of contemplative spirituality authors, brief mention of monks and nuns Book Synopsis A transformative guide to experiencing the fullness of God's promises through the power of minimalism—from the bestselling author of The More of Less and The Minimalist Home. Consumerism competes for our attention daily—from social media influenc...
Post a Comment
Read more