This is the second in the trilogy of historical novels of pioneer adventure with The Gentle Gamblers being the first. It takes place in Northern Alberta and the stories are true - taken from the memoirs of the characters involved. The MacIntosh Family has left the prairies where they were dried out, hailed out and starved out and load all they have on a boxcar looking for a homestead where the burgeoning family of nine can settle down but there are many hardships to face, hard times but funny incidents as well. The children do not know that they are poor and they enjoy every day even though it may sometimes be difficult.
Donald, the father of the family, can not find a homestead but he locates homes to rent. Every year Sadie has another baby and they make room in the little house. Willie, one of the boys, peeks through a crack in the floor and in horror watches his baby sister being born.
A former priest who lives alone on a homestead covets the boys in the family as he watches them grow and work. Even the truant officer gets into the act demanding that Donald send his older boy to school - it is against the law to keep them working on the farm when they should be in school.
And the dreaded pneumonia strikes the family - there is no way to fight the disease.
Excerpt
"Aren't we going for another load of hay?" Johnny asked as the man approached him.
"Not yet," Rasmussen said gruffly, "we're going to rest awhile first." And he gently but firmly pressed Johnny down to the hay on his back.
Professional Reviews
Legacy Books, AB
A very engrossing saga of a Canadian family in search for the fulfillment of their dreams - well written historical novel, very human and compassionate."
Publisher of Black Hat Publishing
The Tender Years,Part two of a trilogy will help the reader to appreciate more highly and preserve the very best of their traditional values.We celebrate with the characters their accomplishments and feel their losses when tragedy strikes.
The Barrhead Leader
From straightforward, raw survival and the constant threat of tragedy to moments of real prosperity and happiness, this family is plunged into one ordeal after another. But always with an intrinsic hope that pulls them through.
Fleeing from a scorned past,Catherine Merit struggles with her failing medical practice and a rich man's obsession of her.Book Four in the Indignities Series
Available Now! Rated 5 ***** by readers and listeners.
Sweet Revenge is a romantic tale of a spirited woman and a lusty bloke. However, can they both fight against their bitterness for each other to free up their passions?
