An intriguing moment of history: "Everything She Didn't Say" by Jane Kirkpatrick

about the book....

There is more than one way to tell a story . . . 

In 1911, Carrie Strahorn wrote a memoir sharing some of the most exciting events of twenty-five years of shaping the American West with her husband, railroad promoter and writer Robert Strahorn. Nearly ten years later, she's finally ready to reveal the secrets she hadn't told anyone--even herself.

Certain that her writings will be found only after her death, Carrie confronts the pain and disappointment of the pioneering life with startling honesty. She explores the danger a woman faces of losing herself within a relationship with a strong-willed man. She reaches for the courage to accept her own worth. Most of all she wonders, Can she ever feel truly at home in this rootless life?

New York Times bestselling author Jane Kirkpatrick draws out the emotions of living--the laughter and pain, the love and loss--to give us a window not only into the past but into our own conflicted hearts. Based on a true story.

my review....

Blending together actual pieces of history with a strong and admirable female character who often bucked the expectations of others to live out a life of adventure, "Everything She Didn't Say" is an intriguing tale indeed! Carrie is the kind of character that both male and female readers will enjoy reading about, showing deep courage and perseverance in the face of trials and hardships as she follows her husband into the wild west where true danger abounded. It is fascinating to view society through Carrie's eyes, especially looking at the position woman in general held in society, as modern day woman would likely respond very differently than Carrie did as the story unfolds! And yet I loved watching Carrie stand up for herself in her own way, and find a unique path forward in terms of the relationship that she had with her husband. The lessons she learns along the way are invaluable, especially learning to be content in all circumstances, as this is such a hard lesson for any of us to come to grips with. Although I appreciated what I learned about the settling of the West, it is the way Kirkpatrick explores marriage and what it means to love and experience grief and loss and still love is what really moved me. I closed this book with a fresh appreciation for the author's skill at exploring unique individuals from the pages of history and mining out truths from their lives that are still every bit applicable to our current situation today.

Kirkpatrick has once again used her research skills to bring history to life with characters that will long linger on your mind. Readers who have never had the chance to try one of her novels should absolutely consider doing so right away, and "Everything She Didn't Say" is a great place to start. Kirkpatrick's writing is beautiful and, though her novels don't move at a breakneck pace, they leave much for you to savour. I award this book a solid rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

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

about the author....

Jane Kirkpatrick is the New York Times and CBA bestselling and award-winning author of more than thirty books, including All She Left Behind, A Light in the Wilderness, The Memory Weaver, This Road We Traveled, and A Sweetness to the Soul, which won the prestigious Wrangler Award from the Western Heritage Center. Her works have won the WILLA Literary Award, USABestBooks, the Carol Award for Historical Fiction, and the 2016 Will Rogers Medallion Award. Jane lives in Central Oregon with her husband, Jerry. Learn more at www.jkbooks.com.

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