The Year the Stars Fall by Elizabeth Wehman Book Review and Giveaway


In the spring of 1833, newlywed Betsey Baker-Swain’s simple life changes when she and her husband, Aaron, make a hasty decision to join Betsey’s family on a move from Pennsylvania to Michigan Territory.

Along the way, rainstorms, freezing temperatures, seasickness, and lack of privacy pale in comparison to what the family will encounter once arriving at their destination. Soon, daily trials will include ear-piercing howls of wild wolves, bad weather, clouds of mosquitoes, and disturbing situations with the natives. Even then, Betsey wonders if this trip will finally quench her father’s adventurous spirit.

Over the next year, the Baker family will gain incredible strength, divine trust, and unexplainable courage, but will it be enough to keep them at the tiny cabin by the twisting Shiawassee River? Will uncertainty overtake their determination or will God’s intervention sustain them enough to become a part of the history of a new land?

Book:  The Year the Stars Fell

Author: Elizabeth Wehman

Genre:  Christian Historical Fiction

Release Date: April 14, 2020

MY BOOK REVIEW

I was so excited to be given the opportunity to read Elizabeth Wehman's new book "The Year the Stars Fall", book one in the Newburg Chronicles series. 

Wehman takes us back to 1833. The story is based on real-life events. Betsy Baker Swain and her husband, Aaron make a fast decision to go with her family from Pennsylvania to Michigan territory for cheap and to make a good living. As you know the pioneering days brought had many conflicts. As you know there weren't a limited amount of trains, no cars, planes to anywhere they wanted. They dealt with rough terrain, cold temperatures, wild animals mosquitos and so much more. If they need help with anything they are screwed because they don't have neighbors nearby. They also had to worry about Native Americans, the Chipwea 

The book also brings up the conflict caused by the Cass Land Agreement and the government's offer of cheap land in what's now Michigan.

The family also had to worry about communication with the Chippewa Natives Americans.  Wehman reveals details about the family contribution to the settling of New Newburg and events in 1833. I learned about the Leonid Meteor shower that looked as if the sky was falling and is visible across much of the USA in November 1833. Wehman did her research and it showed. I felt like I was reading a biography book about Betsy Baker-Swain and Aaron's life journey. It is an inspiring book full of dreams, hopes, and faith. The story is centered on trusting God. It isn't a preachy story. I can't wait to read more from this series. 

"Celebratelit sent me this book for my honest opinion." 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elizabeth Wehman’s writing career spans over thirty years and encompasses curriculum, periodical, journalism, and novel writing.

Her dream has always been to write novels and Elizabeth launched her first contemporary fiction, Under the Windowsill, in 2014. Since then, she’s added four titles to her shelf. They include: Promise at Daybreak, Just a Train Ride, Mere Reflection, and her latest complete historical work, The Year the Stars Fell.

She found the historical genre to be filled with rabbit trail research as well as walks through bygone cemeteries. The pioneers, of the early nineteenth century, reflected an amazing stamina and a determined courage to venture into the unknown. The Year the Stars Fell is based on a forgotten village established in the Territory of Michigan in 1833. She fell in love with the Baker family and the information she discovered about them gave way to folklore and tales of the early homesteaders. Two future novels are planned that will include the continuation of the nineteenth-century farming community. The series will be called, ‘The Newburg Chronicles’.

In her spare time, Elizabeth loves to read and enjoys being out in nature. Her favorite places are digging in her flower garden, listening to the birds as they herald a new day, or taking a walk on the country roads surrounding her home in Michigan.

Elizabeth has been a trucker’s wife for over thirty years which helps supply the needed solitude to produce extraordinary stories. She has three grown children, four grandpuppies, and two sons-in-law.

Her Website: Click Here

More from Elizabeth

My “Stars” book began to emerge after doing research about the county where I live, here in Michigan. On an information discovery about another book, I came across the story of the Baker family. They were highlighted as the one of the first farming families to enter Michigan Territory in 1833. Hosea Baker brought his entire family from Pennsylvania to settle on 600 acres in an area beside the Shiawassee River.
Joining him there were his wife, Sally, his grown son Ambrose, his daughter and her husband, Betsey and Aaron Swain, and some younger daughters. While there, they hooked up with a boy named Alexander Stevens. Their first year included: building a home and barn, clearing and planting the first crops in the county, setting up a household, and Betsey giving birth to the first recorded child in the county. Betsey and Aaron named their new baby, Julia.
So much intrigued me about their story. I was excited to flesh it out with the help of short excerpts written in a Shiawassee County history book from 1888. From these short tidbits about the family, I soon embellished a story which is a mere glimpse into what their story could have included during their first year as settlers in a vast wilderness.
Much of the story is from my own imagination, but many of the highlights include the excerpts written about the family in 1888. After writing their story, I now feel a specific kinship to them.  This is my first complete historical fiction work. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it.


GIVEAWAY

To celebrate her tour, Elizabeth is giving away the grand prize package of a copy of The Year the Stars Fell and a $25 gift card to Baker Book House in Grand Rapids, which can be used online!!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the links below to enter.


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Comments

  1. Thank you for sharing your review and the book and author details, this sounds like an excellent read.

    ReplyDelete

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