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Monday, February 7, 2022

Crooked Paths Straight

 


This is a continuing story of the Baker family who settles in the Michigan Territory in 1833. Establishing the new settlement requires stamina, endurance, compromises with the natives, and most of all a strong trust in God and His provisions. Each character in Crooked Paths Straight is confident that their individual paths will lead to happiness and security, yet when trials arise…they soon realize that God’s path is best. This is the second book in the Newburg Chronicle series.

 My thoughts: I haven't read many books set in the early 1800's and set in Michigan, so this book was a treat in more ways then one! I enjoyed the historical aspect of the story, as well as the fictionalized family that is set in the rural and rugged territory. I can only imagine how difficult and rewarding it would of been to be one of the first settlers in an area! 

I highly recommend reading this series in order, so to fully appreciate the characters and story. This is a wonderful series to pick up and enjoy!

I received this book from Celebrate Lit. This is my honest review.

Click here to get your copy! This post contains affiliate links.

 

About the Author

Argus Press Photo - PathsThis is Elizabeth’s sixth novel and her second complete historical which pulls out her love of research. Her books concentrate on Michigan history, especially in her county along the banks of the Shiawassee River. Elizabeth has lived in Michigan her whole life where she has raised three children and will soon welcome the birth of her first granddaughter. She loves capturing not only the early history of the state but the amazing aspects of living in the Great Lakes state.

 

More from Elizabeth

After working as a newspaper reporter, I soon realized that the best part of writing articles was the research. When I began writing historical fiction, I realized it pulled in that element to the extreme. I then fell in love with history but especially the elements of searching through a cemetery for a specific character, finding significant paragraphs in a newspaper article about a particular family, and then sitting down to fictionalize the details I found. It was fun to mix history with fiction.

 

The Baker family, in the The Newburg Chronicles series, came to life in an era that doesn’t always get much attention in the historical fiction scene…the 1830s. This was the beginning of many small settlements in Michigan due to the opening of the Erie Canal. Settlers would travel the canal into Detroit by steamboat and then purchase oxen in the city to move inland. Often they’d only have a map with their property outlined and would then have to blaze a trail west and north to find that property to build a home and farm the land…often sight unseen.

 

The trips inland were grueling and filled with many unknowns including Indians, rough river crossings, swarms of mosquitoes, and howling wolves. What they’d discover was a vast wilderness with trees to gird, cut, and use to build their homes. They’d then need oxen to help prepare the soil to plant crops. Daily chores were exhausting for not only the men but also the women and children.

 

How did they survive? How did families work together to establish a farm? Did they get help or were they all alone? If you enjoy learning about the early settlers of a new territory, The Newburg Chronicle series is for you!

Blog Stops

lakesidelivingsite, February 5

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 6

Back Porch Reads, February 6

Texas Book-aholic, February 7

Inklings and notions, February 8

For Him and My Family, February 9

deb’s Book Review, February 10

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 11

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 11

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 12

Connie’s History Classroom, February 13

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, February 14 (Spotlight)

Pause for Tales, February 14

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, February 15

Lots of Helpers, February 16

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 17

CarpeDiem, February 18

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Elizabeth is giving away the grand prize package of a copy of Crooked Paths Straight and also a $50 gift card!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/19bc5/crooked-paths-straight-celebration-tour-giveaway

8 comments:

  1. Crooked Paths Straight sounds like an intriguing read, thanks for sharing it with me! Thanks for sharing your review, Inklings and Notions! Have a spectacular day!

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  2. This sounds like a great read and one that I am going to enjoy.

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  3. Thank you for sharing your wonderful review!

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  4. I like reading books in a series in order so I'll read the other one first.
    Thanks for the contest.

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  5. This series is set only a couple of hours' drive from where I grew up, and I've been in the area, so that makes this series fun!

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  6. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this book, I like the cover and synopsis and am looking forward to reading this story myself

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