Waterbrook Press (Trade Paperback), ISBN 1-57856-234-1
Warning: Those who haven't read the first two books in this trilogy, All Together in One Place and No Eye Can See (and incidentally cheated themselves out of two great books) should consider this review one long spoiler. Stop reading now, grab the first two books, then return to this review. The first books offer incredible depictions of a group of women who formed a sisterhood -- an essential circle -- based on their shared experiences of friendship, loss, fear, courage and faith.

Widowed Mazy Bacon quickly learns that dairy cows (and the cow brute [bull]) can rupture dreams and destroy hope. But so can other things like beginnings, and new experiences test her faith. Nevertheless, she works tirelessly to provide for herself and for the starving Native American women and children she takes under her wing.

Ruth Martin loses her dream of a horse dynasty in a horrible accident, but when she receives hope for a new a different future, she must find the courage to accept what the future offers. Even if it means moving to Oregon.

Elizabeth Mueller, Mazy's mother, fully appreciates the value of joy, life and love and moving on. Elizabeth bakes her way into hearts and into tomorrow, caring for abused Native Americans in her small area of California.

Suzanne Cullver, a blind former photographer, must learn to use other senses if she to protect her two little boys and create a safe haven for other abused women.

These and thousands of other women formed the essential circle that made America's great westward migration possible. These women spread their skirts to provide privacy for personal acts on the prairies. They spread their love and understanding to give shelter in more trying times.

Did I want this to be the last book in this inspirational series? No! I want to know what happened to the children, the children's children, and what happened to the quilt the original women pieced, with each woman sewing a block -- the quilt that was the physical embodiment of their trials and triumphs.

Please!

Patricia Lucas White

Patricia Lucas White's latest historical novel, To Last a Lifetime, was an Eppie finalist for 2003. To Last a Lifetime and two of her fantasy romances, the Sapphire Award-winning A Wizard Scorned and The Godmother Sanction, can be ordered through Hard Shell Word Factory. Her recent contemporary, PS, I've Taken a Lover, is available from Lionhearted Books.

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