I won this book in a giveaway but never received it so I finally just purchased it myself and I am glad that I did. This book was one of the best and hardest reads that I have had. It was the best because the story of Jemima Perkins and the trials she lived through while being able to hold on to her faith was astounding and it was a hard read due to the circumstances she went through were too close to struggles I have had in my own life. I found myself wanting to run the other direction yet continuing to turn page after page to see what she would do. The ending was far from what I expected and one that I am not used to seeing but it was based on a true story of the Perkins family during the blizzard on the Great Plains between 1887-1888. I don't give a book 5 stars very often but this one certainly earned it.

Like a few of the others, I was unable to download this book in a format that was readable. (Epubs are best for me.)

I won this book through Early Reviewers. Sadly, I wasn't paying attention when I requested it, because I didn't realize it was in a format I couldn't utilize. My apologies to the provider of the giveaway, and I'll have to get a copy of the book elsewhere and read it.

I looked forward to reading this book about a major blizzard in American history. It centers around a young couple who move from a wealthy life to a homesteading life and some of the struggles they face. The main event is a horrific blizzard that strikes unexpectedly. However, the character development is poor and leaves them seeming very shallow. Hopefully, this writer will improve with practice.

From the synopsis:

"Jem Perkins has it all – money, a fine house, a handsome husband, and a new baby boy. But when her family fortunes turn, Jem’s husband Seth leads her to a new home: a sod house on a Nebraska homestead.

It is a season of growth for Jem as she reluctantly confronts her new realities: back-breaking labor, dangerous illness, and mind-numbing isolation. She learns to embrace her new role as a capable woman and marriage partner and discovers an awareness of God’s hand in her life.

Then, on January 12, 1888, the history-making Children’s Blizzard sweeps across the land, ushering in a season of hardship she never expected. Can Jem’s confidence, marriage, and new-found faith weather the storm?"

I received this e-book through LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program.

Initially, the description sounded interesting to me. I like to read books from this era to learn about what it was like to live during this time period.

I tried many times to sit down and get into this book. I just could not do it. I'm sure it's a great book but, it just could not hold my interest and was really not my cup of tea. ( )