Three stories of how love can triumph over tragedy. These three stories were inspiring and full of hope as you read of how 3 pioneer women in the 1800s make a new life for themselves in the Oregon frontier. There are bad things that will happen to good people, and some things that you can't see how they can overcome, but the author does a great job of showing how the Lord can and will care them if they just put their faith and trust in Him, He will never leave them. Two of my favorite quotes are:
". . . God wants to be involved with our daily lives, our struggles, and our joys.. . . .But sometimes we have to struggle. Those are the times when we really learn to trust God. To have faith that even if things don't turn out the way we expect or hope they will, we still have a God who loves us and who wants to hold us while the hurting lasts."
"God doesn't do evil to people to test them. But in the aftermath of that evil, we have some tough choices to make. Do we trust God? Do we allow His still waters to restore us? Or will we fight and kick and wallow in the mire of self-pity until we destroy ourselves?"
I enjoyed each of these stories and once I started reading one, I couldn't put it down until I finished it. I also liked the way the author tied each story with the next one, so you felt as if it was a complete book.
In 'But for Grace' Star Campbell runs away from Luke's Saloon when her mother dies, straight into the arms of Michael. Although these two don't exactly hit it off at first, God will teach both Star and Michael to see each other with the eyes of God's grace. I enjoyed seeing the excitement and preciousness of Star's eyes being opened to the love of the Lord in this story.
In 'Everlasting Hope' widowed young Hope sets out to save her son from self-destruction by taking a wagon train to Oregon. The problem is she needs a husband to join the train, so she 'buys' one, Andy, to help her make it to Oregon as her husband. Watching these two get to know and trust each other with their feelings gives one everlasting hope.
And in 'Beside Still Waters' Eva's heart belongs to Jonesy, but just when they discover this love something tragic will happen to Eva. They must both discover that restoration can be found beside the still waters of God's relentless love.
I highly recommend these stories! ( )

Although based on religion, which I don't do, I did enjoy this book tremendously. The idea of living during old west times has always intrigued me. ( )

This book contains the stories of three separate Oregon women : Star, Hope, and Eva. The three are united by difficult experiences, trust issues, and the convenient location of the perfect man for them in their life when they are most in need. In the first story, "But For Grace," Star escapes from the saloon where her mother was employed, but is hunted by the proprietor who is determined to find her and bring her back. Next, "Everlasting Hope" tells of a widow who takes a wagon train to Oregon in an attempt to save her family. Lastly, Eva experiences a trauma and pushes away the ones she loves most.

This book was pretty much as expected: nice, dependable, a little predictable, but not bad. It's a comfort read more than anything else. ( )

But for Grace**
Everlasting Hope*
Beside Still Water* ( )