This was a fantastic historical fiction about a group of women, 1 child and 2 ministers who, in 1852 travel the Overland Trail west to CA. in search of husbands and fortunes. It turns out there are many reasons the women decided to leave and there is a hidden strength in their actions. As you would expect they face many obstacles and hardships which unites them and forces their strength to be repeatedly tested. It was a beautiful testament to women and their ability to survive. The descriptions made you feel as if you were in the desert and i felt a commonality with the characters who were believable. I would definitely give this a strong 4.5*
Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.

I finished this yesterday since it was so good. I finished it around 1 am or so I am sleepy today but so worth the read. I love Sandra Dallas and I am always looking for more new books by her and this one surely didn't disappoint!.
All I can say is just WOW!! What a powerful story!! I'm just totally floored about this story!! OOOOOOHHH I'm just so excited about this book y'all!!
This author is just wow! I love her writing style amid the cussing we can do without but I supposed it was how they talked even back then. Especially if they were angry.
Some very valuable lessons are learned along the trail as the women make their way to California. These are remarkable women that I"m talking about. Their strength, courage, and stamina oh my and a million other things too.. There was one in particular that I didn't like cause she thought she was too good to pull her share. People like truly amaze me. I mean, what do they expect? Just to sit there and look pretty? Like Mary said in the story, " I think not." Mary was my favorite person in the whole book. I Iiked the other women well enough too.
My family and I went West following Rt 70 which is the old Oregon Trail because we were going to California too. I had a great time and there were so many things to see along the way. It took us a week where it took the pioneers 5 months. I think my favorite part of the trip was the Rocky Mountains where we went horseback riding in Estes Park. We left a day early as they were calling for a blizzard the next day and didn't want to get caught up in the mountains. We did get to see the Great Divide and it was still covered with snow.
Through this wonderful book I got to see what it might have been like for the women that took this trip.
I laughed, cried and held my breath because this book was just wonderful. You never know who may pop up in the story.
I loved what the ministers said about everyone running from something. Thing is, I believe most of us are running from God because we don't want to face Him. But, He is a loving God. All He wants is our hearts.
I hope that whoever reads my reviews on my blog will follow Jesus if they're not already. It made me sad for some of the characters in the book who died without knowing Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Are you saved?
I surely hope so!!
I give this book 5 stars! Sandra has done an amazing job and she kept my attention through the whole book
I strongly recommend this book. NO compensations were received and all opinions are my own.

I received a complimentary copy of Westering Women from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Fantastic book! I was addicted from the beginning! Maggie and her traveling companions were so easy to love and worry about! These ladies attempted a difficult journey that was fascinating (and so real it was almost stress inducing) to follow. I enjoyed every bit of this novel! I will look for more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

A wonderful story about women and their treatment in the 1800's to better themselves they take life's hardships and face them with inner strength by travelling across the country from Chicago to California. You'll enjoy learning how they rise to the challenge. You'll cheer them on and cry with them at their losts.

4 stars

I received a complimentary e-book copy of this book from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Sandra Dallas, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

This is the third book by Sandra Dallas and it was just as enjoyable as the previous two!! Sandra Dallas has written a LOT of historical fiction and the premise of this book was intriguing! Women traveling from Chicago to the California gold fields in 1852 in search of husbands.

The story starts in Chicago as the women are recruited by two ministers (one married minister) to travel on the long and arduous journey. The novel has INCREDIBLE character development which I love so very much. The story was of heartache, pain, and perseverance and was very interesting to read. The writer writes very descriptively and detailed which makes one really feel the story being told.

Definite RECOMMEND especially those who like historical fiction.

Westering Women by Sandra Dallas is an entertaining study in what it was like to be a woman in 1852, the time of the gold rush in California. Not much time is dedicated to the story once they reach the gold fields and the gold miners.  Rather it is a story of their travelling the Overland Trail and the trials and hardships they experienced going over mountains and through the desert in an almost all female wagon train.  The characters are interesting and believable.  You will find no weak women here. All are strong in their own ways. This could be listed as a young adult historical novel. Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this novel.  Sandra Dallas has been a favorite since I read The Diary of Mattie Spenser.

I have enjoyed Sandra Dallas' books for many years, but I think this one, Westering Women, is one of her best. She tells the story of a wagon train made up almost exclusively of women who are headed to California to find husbands. The women are from different social classes and join the group for varied reasons, but the hardships they endure as they cross the Overland Trail create bonds that cannot be broken. My mind was engaged from the first page, thinking about their drive and determination and the challenges they faced every day. I worried about them, rejoiced with them, and came to care about their lives and futures. This is a book that should not be missed!

I loved this book! As usual, Sandra Dallas writes a great story. A few things were a bit predictable, but it didn’t ruin the book.

Rating (on a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being excellent)
Quality of writing: 5
Pace: 5
Plot development: 5
Characters: 5
Enjoyability: 5
Ease of Reading: 5

Overall rating: 5 out of 5

I loved this book from the first paragraph. The richness of each character was skillfully written to the point where you wanted to know each and every one of them; wanted them to be your friends. The harshness of the cross country trek to the gold fields of California forged a strong bond between these women that would not be broken over time. It also gave each of them a self-confidence and will of iron that was unheard of in women in the 1800”s. These characters were so well developed that I celebrated their accomplishments as if I had experienced them myself and tears streamed down my face when they met with tragedy. This was a book I didn’t want to end.

This is the first book that I have read by Sandra Dallas, but the cover and book description appealed to me so I was happy to have the opportunity to read it. I am so glad I did because the author penned a compelling novel that held my interest throughout.

The women who signed up to take the 2000-mile journey to California were brave souls to say the least, sure some were fleeing from abusive relationship but the danger and hardships they face on their travels are definitely not for the faint of heart. I have to say I admired them for leaving a life of certain cruelty and misery by taking the chance for trying to find a better and brighter future. The hardships the group faced were heartrending but I kept rooting for the ladies because I started to care about them and wanted them to live long, happy, safe lives.

The women shared an unbreakable bond as they grew closer, experiencing unimaginable loss along the way but they were there for each other through the painful loss of lives, what few personal possessions they had managed to take with them but they kept looking forward in search of happiness.

Ms. Dallas has written a gripping story with compelling characters and gained a new fan with this novel. I look forward to reading more of her work.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely are my own.

Sandra Dallas has done her research. The story develops very effectively in a well constructed scenario. The characters are well developed and Dallas does a fine job of storytelling.

A beautifully written book. This is the story of a group of women traveling west to become brid3s for miners. Many of the women are escaping a variety of issues...abusive relationships, prostitution, gender prejudices. During the journey they all bond together and their strengths are tested multiple times. I loved this.

I really didn't enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. I thought it might be a historical romance, but there was very little romance at all. In fact, there were NO "good guys" in it until the very end, all of the men before that were all vile and wicked. Except for the ministers that led the wagon train, none of the men in this story were good. The story itself was all about the hardship of traveling across the country on a wagon train, as a group of women.There was also a good amount of swear words in it that I wasn't expecting. The story was okay, but if you are looking for a romance, this is not your story.

I have read and enjoyed every Sandra Dallas' book,
and was excited when I saw this was coming and thrilled to read an ARC.

Ad for Young Women, manageable age, high moral character, fine health
willing to travel to CA to search of good husband
want to instill God and righteousness in westernmost part of country

Which leads us to a Meeting- Chicago, Illinois on February 22, 1852
deciding to travel 2,000 miles 2 women meet, see something in the other;
become fast friends, even living together before they leave for California.

A diverse group of women come together and form a strong sisterhood.

I felt like I was on trail beside them, descriptive writing had me immersed in the story.
I was even reading as my device was dying, trying to plug in while kept reading as didn't want to stop!

Westering Women by Sandra Dallas is an amazing historical fiction novel set 1852 and tells of the months-long quest of 39 women traveling with two ministers from Chicago to Goosetown, California with the understanding of potential marriage to goldminers living there.

This is much more then just a historical read. This is a story of second chances, redemption, acceptance, love, creating your own family, selflessness, perseverance, and heart. These women (and William and Joseph) did not realize how strong, capable, independent, and valuable they truly were until they were forced to make this harrowing journey and find a strength in themselves and each other that they did not know existed.
I love that none of these characters were perfect. Everyone had flaws, had a past, and most seemed to be running from something, or themselves.
I loved Maggie, Mary, Bessie, Evaline, Sadie, Winnie, Dora, Penn, Caroline, William, and Joseph. Except for a few sad instances, I feel everyone found their happiness and purpose. The ending was awesome and fitting. I didn’t want it to end.

5/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

This review has been submitted to my GR account immediately and will be posted to my Amazon, Bookbub, and B&N accounts upon publication.

Loved the way this book carried me along on the trail! It was real and beautiful experience. Thank you for the great story!

Writing: 4/5 Characters: 5/5 Plot: 3.5/5

Another great novel of the Historical West by Sandra Dallas.

This story brings to life a “wagon train of spinsters” as they make their way from Chicago to California ostensibly seeking good, Christian men to marry. Under the leadership of two preachers, the motley crew of women tackle a five-month trip across prairies, mountain ranges, and deserts in a race to cross the Sierras before winter sets in.

Dallas excels at writing women — their lives, thoughts, and relationships with each other. Starting the journey as a disparate set of individuals — each with something they are anxious to escape — they become more of a family than most have ever had: a real “band of sisters.” The story is set in beautifully described natural scenes and is suffused with well-researched details of life in that time and place: what they ate, how they cooked, what they wore, how they washed clothes, and what they valued. Topics are introduced from multiple perspectives: Mormon polygamy, engagement with Indians, racial injustice, and even different “models” of Christianity. A lot of fairly horrifying men populate the stories, but quite a few wonderful men as well. While I find her action scenes a little terse, I was instantly absorbed by her characters and their journeys — both physically across the country and internally to become a tight community of strong, self-reliant, confident women.

In today’s post I will be discussing my most recent read titled Westering Women by Sandra Dallas. St. Martin’s Press publishing provided me with a free copy for an honest review and there is a lot to say about this novel. The book was quite a roller coaster of emotional hardship and triumphs that I couldn’t put it down. It was really that good. ♥


Westering Women will be available for release on January 7th, 2020 written by New York Times Best Selling author Sandra Dallas and I couldn’t recommend it more! After reading about sixty percent of the novel, an event occurred that made me so angry in the book I almost decided to stop reading it altogether; however, that didn’t happen. It was at that point I decided to give the book 3 out of 5 star review. I took a break for a few minutes and found myself needing to finish the rest of the story. I am glad I stuck it out because I absolutely loved the ending. By the time the book was finished I realized that 3 out of 5 stars wouldn’t do for many reasons. The book deserved more than that.

Despite my anger at some of the events in the novel, the book concluded itself rather well and I had to keep reading. Any book that makes a reader feel like they must finish and find out how it all ends despite being pissed off at the book deserves a 5 out of 5 star review. That is the simple truth of how I see it. Please enjoy my in depth review below and leave your comments about whether this is a novel that may interest you as a reader. Note: Copies aren’t available until the first week of January but you can make a Pre-order if it sparks your attention or pick it up later! I would recommend to those who love a good historical fiction and would like to see some very powerful women.

If you ever wondered what it would be like to literally walk two-thousand miles from Chicago to California through desert, prairies, and mountains. Then this is a must read!

Sandra Dallas is an excellent writer. Let me be very clear on that because in my opinion I read true talent and well thought out writing during this novel. Westering Women pulled all my heartstrings. Readers follow the fascinating and encouraging story of some very brave women. The sisterhood they form on a perilous journey from Chicago to the gold rush miners in California is priceless. I always love a good historical fiction and this one really captured my mind. In truth I had some doubts about the quality of the story but the book’s description left me feeling hopeful that this would be a really good reading experience. The thought of an adventure, drama, hardship, strength, and history thrown all into one package is irresistible to me, and there wasn’t even a love story involved!

Maggie “Hale” or Kaiser is the main character and she learns about a church offering free passage to California for young single women to find husbands. The mission is to civilize the camps of gold miners and prosper on dreams that carry people west. This is perfect for Maggie and her four year old daughter Clara is on the run fleeing from a past best left in the dust of the prairies where nothing can hurt their future. Maggie’s character is in Chicago and technically she is on the run and without revealing some spoilers that will be best read for yourself, she is the kind of character you just love to love. Maggie doesn’t realize the strength she has inside of herself, always being a meek and a kind women. It is throughout an adventure of her lifetime full if tragedy and finding friendship that she finally learns her potential. Life will never be the same again.

The most surprising part of the novel was the women in wagon train. They all sign up to go on this journey to seek husbands yet none of them really has an interest in actually getting married. Each women has her own unique reason for wanting to go all the way to California and the fact it is a five month journey involving a two-thousand mile walk doesn’t seem to deter anyone. Many are motivated by escaping the unsavory abuse from those in their life, to find a loved one, to protect those they do love, and all have a purpose. Despite their individual goals for the journey these women must rely on each other in order to survive and reach California. They become quite a force defending their party against attacking Indians, people after them, devastating dangers, hunger, and thirst all while continuing on the trail west. What these women go through really is inspiring and the author does an amazing job bringing each of their unique personalities and stories alive for the reader. The book really has it all!

I wish I could provide more details on what made me so angry about the book but I’m afraid that is nearly impossible without dropping some serious spoilers that readers should learn themselves; however, I can say that this book is filled with tragedy at every turn during the grueling and highly dangerous journey from Chicago to California.

Historical novels are not my first book of choice, but I love the stories of the wagon trains and the shear guts it took to travel and settle in the west. That and the author made me take a second look. I have read Sandra Dallas before and like her style very much. Her ability to pull you into the story so much that the beauty of the details are inbedded in your minds eye and you feel like you are seeing the landscape and that you know the people who are traveling with you. I loved the women portrayed in the story, Mary being my favorite. The determination and strength it took to go West is an inspiration even today. I really liked this book and the story it tells. Thank you netgalley for gifting me the arc. The review is my personal opinion.