Laura's Shadow
by Allison Pittman
Pub Date 01 Aug 2022
Barbour Publishing,Barbour Fiction
Christian| Historical Fiction| Romance


I am reviewing a copy of Laura's Shadow through Barbour Publishing and Netgalley:



One Conversation at a Time Leaks Family Secrets!


This was the year 1890 in De Smet, South Dakota 


DeSmet's young women live by two rules: don't go out in a snowstorm, and don't fall in love with Cap Garland. Mariah Patterson only obeyed one command. With no interesting suitors or means of support, Mariah finds herself orphaned and struggling to scrape a living with her brother Charles. While she knows Cap sees the world through the torch he carries for Laura Ingalls, she throws caution to the wind and lays her feelings at Cap's feet. It is Mariah's belief that her love for Cap will break both bonds, and she is willing to risk everything to prove it. 
 
1974, De Smet, South Dakota  


Trixie Gowan is a member of the fourth generation of Gowan women living in the sprawling farmhouse outside of De Smet. Well a former resident. Having recently moved to Minneapolis, she writes ads for a neighborhood paper edited by Ron Tumble. Even though she lives in the city and works there, she is still called Prairie Girl by her co-workers. As a result, she created a comic strip titled "Lost Laura" about a bespectacled girl in a calico dress coping with city life. Having grown up in a household that prohibited her from mentioning the name, Laura Ingalls, the name is a quiet rebellion. Her great-grandmother Mariah's declining health brings Trixie home for a visit, but two things might just keep her there: Dr. Campbell Carter's bedside manner, and GG's family secret that seems to be spilling out of her mouth one conversation at a time. 


I give Laura's Shadow five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

This is book 9 of the Doors to the Past series, Christian Historical Romance read. The story takes place in South Dakota with the years of 1974 and 1890's. Trixie is now working for a newspaper in Minneapolis, creating a comic strip called Lost Laura. When her grandmother takes ill, she goes back to South Dakota. During the visit her grandmother starts to talk of the past, 1890'era and family secrets. What does these secrets mean for Trixie? What will this mean for her future? Can she handle the secrets and the past?

I would recommend this book to anyone that loves a great mystery read. It takes you back and forth from 1970's to 1890's and keeps you turning the pages. I love these books!! Each book of the series is a stand alone read, and when you read one, you will want to read the rest. I can't get enough of theses books. It is hard to do a review because you don't want to spoil anything.....can't wait for the next one.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, "Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.

What an inventive story by taking very minor characters from the Little House on the Prairie series and giving them a story of their own. Certainly folks within the pages existed on their own or as an amalgam of people Laura encountered. This one, though, was creative.
We follow GG, the great grandmother of Trixie, who is on her deathbed. She has a wish to tell her story to someone and chooses Trixie. In the late 1800s, GG was a student of Laura Ingalls Wilder when she first became a teacher. She was nearly the same age as GG and so very lucky compared to GG. With few eligible men around, they unknowing are entwined with the same guy, "Cap" who is really Oscar.
It is a hardscrabble life on the prairie and GG reflects that in her story of life in her 20s. Cap is smitten with Laura. Laura, as we know, loves Almanzo. GG pines for Cap.
Trixie creates a comic strip that is ready for syndication and it is based on Laura, but in modern day settings.
This is a delightful story which I enjoyed as a fan of the Little House series.

I was completely surprised by this dual timeline book - in a good way! I have loved all things Laura Ingalls Wilder since I was an itty bitty girl of 5 years old. So I was a little apprehensive going into this one, fervently hoping Laura’s history wasn’t reimagined. Fear not, faithful Laura fans. Laura’s part in the story is short and sweet and stays in the background. Yes, the 1890’s main character, Mariah, isn’t Laura’s biggest fan, but that’s more an outcome of misunderstanding and youthful envy. The two young ladies never have a real chance to get to know each other or become friends.
I was enthralled with Mariah’s story during both time periods and fell in love with the 1974 Mariah - Grandma GG to Trixie. And by the way, Trixie is a wonderful character as well. She’s fun, loyal, independent and spunky. She has 2 men vying for her attention and she stands her ground with both. Trixie, her mom, her grandma, and her great grandma GG are a family of women I couldn’t help but love and cheer for. The romantic scenes were not descriptive as this is a Christian publisher, and the story is not preachy or overtly religious. It would appeal to any reader who likes history, family, and women’s stories.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Two timelines…with family secrets. And a connection to Little House! This was a very enjoyable read.
Many thanks to Barbour Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

De Smet, South Dakota 1890 & 1974
Mariah Patterson came from a very poor farm family. She fell in love with a family friend who just happened to be in love with someone else. Mariah’s life will not turn out as she hoped. Trixie Gowan is the great granddaughter of Mariah Patterson. She’s called home when her great grandma is supposedly on death’s door and find herself brought into a family secret. Trixie is about realize that this will change their family forever. As Trixie figures out the family mystery that revolves around the animosity Mariah has for the famous author Laura Ingalls Wilder. These two women will see how the past effects of living in Laura’s Shadow will change the future.

Allison Pittman’s Doors to the Past book Laura’s Shadow is the ninth book in the series. These books have a unique look into the how the past effects the future and connects two family members who didn’t know there was a connection or had heard stories about a past relative and revolves around a famous United States Landmark. This book follows the lives of a woman and her great granddaughter as a family secret is revealed. This story revolves around the area best known for where Laura Ingalls was the favorite childhood author and why there is an animosity toward the woman’s former teacher. There is heartbreak, love, discord, and drama as the women in a family deal with the coming loss, love of each other and the men in their lives. A woman looking to find her way into the cartoon syndicated world just may find inspiration wrapped up in a family secret. Allison Pittman’s Doors to the Past story is a unique take on telling of characters around a famous person and the area they lived but not being focused on the famous character with Laura’s Shadow. As you are taken into the past reliving Mariah’s life story and following along as Trixie tries to unravel the family secret, the reader is going to be kept guessing just what the secret is and why she there is the dislike of Laura Ingalls Wilder. You’re also kept wondering which man Trixie just may choose for her future love either the former boyfriend or the boss. The Doors to the Past series is a unique way to connect two generations of family and find out about Landmarks throughout the country.

This was different from any other book I have read. I am not generally a fan of time slip novels but it worked in this story. I enjoyed the references to Laura Ingall's. I don't know if this book will be for everyone but the writers style was very engaging.

I thought this book was a good book. I liked how it took us back in time to see what life was like for someone who knew Laura Ingalls Wilder. I thought the story was well told. I also liked how it showed us the next generations and how one decision effected them. I liked getting a glimpse into the past and I thought it was interesting to see how hard life was for people who lived on the prairie.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

I Was Drawn In To This Dual Timeline Book By The Link To Laura Ingalls…

I am a huge Little House on the Prairie fan. I wasn’t quite sure how I’d feel about possible tainting of Laura. It was made very clear Mariah had issues with her. I realized while reading it wasn’t necessarily a bash on Laura book. Whew!

I really enjoyed the dual timeline and the generations represented. All carrying their own secrets and hang ups. The story grabs you and holds on. I wanted to talk to people about it. My husband was like go on get it out! I told friends to read it quick so we could talk. It has stayed with me for many days and was hard to start my next book!

I love the authors writing voice and the story sucked me in from page one. I couldn't put this book down. I read both General market and Christian fiction and I did find one scene not necessarily suited for a christian fiction book. That is the only reason it wasn't a five star read for me. Overall I really did enjoy the writing and the story!

I wanted to love this one because I was a huge Little House fan growing up. The books not the TV series which to me was nothing like the books. I also had a crush on Cap Garland not Alamnzo so I thought that this one would have been up my alley. It wasn't. It was dual time which I love, but in this one I couldn't stand the heroine of the more more modern time. And when the historical heroine was a fictional heroine in love with a historical hero it didn't work for me. And then the whole love tringle aspect between the historical heroine and Cap Garland and Laura Ingalls which I don't remember from the books. Not to mention things in the book ruining aspects of my childhood love of the series.

It was well written and well researched but if like me you were a fan of the book series as a kid maybe skip this one.

Different take on a beloved character. I've really enjoyed other books by author Allison Pittman. This one is well written and a compelling dual-timeline story. I read it in a day, but unfortunately Laura's Shadow was not my cup of tea.

I wanted to like it. And I did like the present day story line. I honestly don't know how Trixie in the present day story turned out so normal after the women in her family made such poor choices in their love lives, and she had no male role models to speak of. The one brief time that her great grandmother had with Laura Ingalls left her great grandma bitter towards Laura for decades. As much as I liked the relationship between GG, the great grandmother and Trixie, there was not much character development for GG. No getting over her bitterness, no realizing she should forget about a selfish cad from her youth, no gratitude or realizing love until it was too late..

I love how author Allison executes this dual line of Trixie, who goes to visit her sick grandma, Moriah, and uncovers the truth about why Laura Ingalls' name is forbidden in this household. While the author keeps it clean, there is un marital sex by a lost young lady wanting so much to be loved by a certain Captain. As the truth unraveled, the more I was wrapped around its threads and didn't want to let go. I also liked that, like her grandmother, Trixie had the attention of two men and I was thrilled with Trixie's final choice!

I wanted to like this story, I really did. But it was irreverent to the Little House stories, and it contained inappropriate content for Christian Fiction (in my opinion of course). It painted beloved literary figures in poor light. And the content was questionable and seemed a bit unnecessary. Premarital relations? Dating your boss? I feel like this book was borderline, and although I finished it, I won’t be recommending it to others. I ADORE the Little House books, so I am glad I gave it a shot.

This series has been hit or miss for me, some were really interesting, some were just okay. This was a mixture of both for me because at the beginning, I didn’t really care for it, but, I kept reading and found myself enjoying the storyline more and more.
Overall, I think the author took the character on an interesting albeit an unusual journey.
I received a copy from Netgalley through the publisher. Opinions are my own.

Since I had read and loved all the books in the Doors to the Past series, I had high expectations for this one. Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed. I really tried to like this book because of the link to Laura Ingles Wilder and because of the author, but I just could not get completely vested in it or stay tuned in. I was also surprised by some content depicting loose morals that I do not expect in Christian fiction. On the positive side, the dual timeline is well-executed, and I appreciated the author’s descriptive prose and clever writing style. The premise of the story is unique and interesting. All in all, this was just an ok read for me.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley with no obligation to write a positive review.

This was a really interesting story. I am a big Little House on the Prairie fan so it was fun to see Laura Ingalls in this book.

Both storylines were very interesting and I enjoyed getting back to both of them. It was fun having a storyline in 1974, usually when you read these types of books they set in a present time so this was a different twist.

The cast of characters was wonderful in both storylines as well. I liked getting to know them.

Overall a very good read.

Grab your copy at your local bookstore, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christianbook.com or your favorite retailer.

A copy of this book was given to me through Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.

Set in the world of Laura Ingalls Wilder, this dual timeline story draws in a few minor characters from the Little House world and tells a bittersweet tale that touches four generations of women. I loved the Little House books as a child and have recently picked them up again as an adult so I was excited to see a new to me author setting her tale of unrequited love, secrets, and a later generation romance in that world.

Laura’s Shadow is part of the Doors to the Past collection of standalone stories written by various authors who each set their historical fiction in a famous living or fictional character’s world.

In 1974, Trixie Gowan lives in Minneapolis and works for a small newspaper as an ad artist and part time comic strip artist with her ‘Lost Laura’ comic about country girl living in the big city. She’s happy and content with her life just as it is, but then she gets a call from a big syndicate paper about Lost Laura and a call from back home in De Smet, SD. Her great grandmother has taken a turn for the worst. GG has been proper and reserved, but adamant that there is no mention of Laura Ingalls Wilder in her hearing all Trixie’s life, but Trixie learns that GG has kept secrets and now, at the end, she unfolds this little by little.

In 1890, Mariah Patterson lives with her brother Charles and holds a secret torch for handsome, fun Cap Garland. Oscar ‘Cap’ Garland whose mother ran the boarding house where they stayed for a bit, who comes to their small town to play baseball with his De Smet team, and who is kind, but has eyes for another young woman, Laura Ingalls. Laura is part of the social set and a pretty, vivacious girl while Mariah is tongue-tied and a wallflower. Oh course Cap doesn’t return her love. Instead only good, kind Merrill Gowan waits in the wings wanting a woman who doesn’t want him.

Laura’s Shadow tells a bittersweet story for Mariah and shows Trixie that she can have something more than contentment if she looks around and takes notice. All along, I felt sorry for Mariah because she refused to give a different man a chance and I suspected she was mixing up infatuation with love because she didn’t really understand love and had never felt it since her mother died when she was young and her pa was an alcoholic who also died while she was a teen though she is close with her brother.

The big secret was not that hard to work out though there are some details to fill in that gave nuances to the story. I liked seeing how going home and learning Mariah’s story started to make a difference in Trixie’s life. She, unlike her GG, had the high school sweetheart ready to hand and suddenly notices the comfortable and close relationship with Ron back in the city. I don’t enjoy love triangles, but I never really felt that there was a competition for Trixie once she gave it some thought. It was funny to see her quirky grandmother and mother trying to manage Trixie’s affairs.

The four generations of women portrayed in this one along with the two different types of romances in the time frames were wonderful character and relationship developments.

As to the setting of the classic children’s story and the real historical place, it was obvious the author did her homework and brought it all to life nicely. The author portrayed the people who were often minor characters of the stories, but also the real life people they were in their activities and connections.

All in all, I was glad to have come across this one. It sits within several genres because of the dual time line- historical fiction, women’s fiction, inspirational fiction, and even romance so it will likely have appeal to a wider range of readers who want more in the world of Laura.

Goodness. Where do I even start with this one? I fell straight in love with Laura's Shadow. Usually when I read split time, I enjoy one timeline over the other, but not in this case. Mariah and Trixie were both wonderful characters, and I loved each moment spent with them. Mariah has the toughness of the prairie locked in her bones, and if I could sit down to talk with her for an hour, I might never leave. I can only imagine the stories she could tell. Which is quite an accomplishment from a fictional character. I found a few parallels between the story worlds that I thought were unique, and it was Trixie's viewpoint that finally brought the story full circle. Allison Pittman writes stories of hope and love but not without heartbreak and faith. I'm enamored with how it all came together in this tale. I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

What a great book! This is a historical fiction novel at its finest but also a dual timeline novel and part of the Doors to the Past series! Can it get much better than that? Well, add in Laura Ingalls and I’m hooked!

I grew up reading the Little House books (and watching the TV show) much like the author of this story. I longed to be more like Laura. Well, now I’m a grown woman with kids of my own and I actually find myself wanting to be more like Ma Ingalls now! Bring on all the preserving and mending and baking etc.

But really there is a resurgence right now in women who want to be like those of yesteryear. They’re romanticizing it. This story isn’t doing that. It’s actually bringing out the other side of the pioneer life. The hardship and the real of what life was like.

And yet, there is romance of course!
I loved this story and really hope you take the chance and give it a read. You’ll love the dual timeline aspect. It’s great and doesn’t leave you with whiplash as you go back and forth. The past and the present are connected over the years and will both capture you within their depths.

This book is part of the Doors to the Past series. I’ve read them all. I’ve loved them all. And I loved this one too. I am forever in the debt of who ever came up with the idea for this series because they have all captivated me and made me fall in love with dual timeline historical fiction novels.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.