DNF at 20%
Struggled with the audio and I lost interest quickly. I don't think I'm the audience for this one. I'm sad because I love Oregon History

“The future would take care of itself, Mary decided. They were all writing a new chapter in their lives with its good days and bad. What mattered was not that there were unpleasant chapters, but that they were writing this story together.”

Across The Crying Sands is the first book in a new trilogy titled ‘The Women of Cannon Beach.’ Author Jane Kirkpatrick was inspired by the real-life history of one of the first female mail carriers in Oregon. In the 1890s, Mary Gerritse delivered mail via packhorse in this isolated section of the North Oregon Coast, from Tillamook to Cannon Beach.

This new-to-me author explores the universal themes of loss, grief, and friendship, and then showcases them through the lens of a newly married couple and homesteading in a rugged part of the Western USA.

My sole purpose in reading this book was to learn more about a pioneering woman who chose a career and a family at a time when this wasn’t common. However, I realized that I had more in common with Mary than I initially thought. Don’t pass on this book thinking that because it focuses on homesteading or because the main character is married with children, you won’t be able to identify with the characters. I promise you’ll find this a layered and complex read. Yes, Mary had 4 children in quick succession, and, although I can only imagine what a handful this must have been, it was the lens with which she viewed marriage that I identified with most. There were many instances where either Mary or John could have thrown in the towel and said, “Marriage isn’t what I thought it would be.” But they were two committed people who grew up (Mary was a young bride), matured, changed, and then eased into a life completely different from what they had imagined or planned. Mary could have focused on what she’d lost (her identity, her independence, or her purpose), or her guilt at needing to ask for help, or what her husband thought of her (embarrassed that she sought employment, that he couldn’t trust her alone on the homestead, or that she made poor decisions), but she knew she needed adventure, so she hired a nanny and “went to sea in a sieve.”

I appreciated learning about the origins of Tillamook, remittance men, and the definition of grace.

My takeaway: don’t overlook the power of resilience and fight for whatever you need to keep your sanity.

Mary is someone I admire, so I’ll be watching out for book 2 in this series.

I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.

I appreciated this book, especially knowing it’s based on a true story. That definitely made it more compelling. There’s something powerful about reading real-life experiences, and that element gave the story added depth. That said, it didn’t completely hold my attention all the way through, which is why I gave it a slightly lower rating.

Jane Kirkpatrick does a nice job of bringing the characters to life. You can really feel what they’re going through, which speaks to her strength as a writer. The beginning drew me in quickly. I was eager to find out whether the three main characters would survive.

As the story progresses, it focuses primarily on Mary. She marries, suffers the heartbreak of losing a baby, and later takes on the tough job of carrying the mail. Watching how all of this unfolds is part of the journey, and I’ll leave that for you to discover on your own.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary ebook from the publisher through NetGalley.

The Crying Sands is book one of the series The Women of Cannon Beach and became available May 20, 2025.

Historical fiction readers will be excited to read the beginning of a new series by this well loved author. Based in Oregon, the realities of the,struggles Mary's life had as a young wife and mother. Mary is to be admired for her determination and resolve. Looking forward to reading the next in the series and finding out about Mary's birth family. Recommended.

Across the Crying Sands is the kind of historical fiction that doesn’t just transport you—it roots you in the grit, grief, and quiet courage of one unforgettable woman.

Mary Edwards Gerritse is a heroine for the ages. Her journey through loss, identity, and impossible terrain felt deeply human and incredibly inspiring. After facing heartbreak no woman should have to endure, she doesn’t retreat—she climbs cliffs, defies expectations, and becomes the first female mail carrier on the Oregon coast. Based on a true story, this novel pulses with authenticity and heart.

The writing is rich with atmosphere—windswept beaches, towering forests, and the relentless, beautiful wilds of Oregon. But what stayed with me most was Mary’s resilience and rediscovery of joy in the unlikeliest of places.

If you love stories about brave women, untamed frontiers, and the healing power of purpose, this is a must-read.

I love that Jane Kirkpatrick tells stories about real life people in history. This one is a story of Mary Edwards Gerritse, a woman who was adventurous and wanted more beyond her traditional role as a wife and mother. Mary and her husband John have been through a lot, living on the Oregon coast in the late 1800s. Mary is a very determined woman who wants more than just typical motherhood....she wants adventure, purpose and to learn about her family's past.

She becomes the first female mail carrier in her region during that time and takes on the treacherous postal route of the "crying sands beach area". She definitely defied the expectations of her time, reminding you that sometimes you take a risk for what your dreams are, even as a young mother, and that's ok to pursue those dreams. Would recommend. I related to her feelings of wanting more than just being a stay at home Mom too. She was looked down upon for leaving her children with her family to watch them while she went to work with her husband. For me, I can understand wanting that fulfillment outside of just those things and found it relatable.

Looking forward to book 2 next April.

Read if you like:

- Stories about real people in history
- Strong, independent women in history
- Frontier and pioneer life
- Themes of pursuing dreams, careers and
- Overcoming and walking through grief
- Atmospheric settings on the Oregon coast

Thank you to the publisher for a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Two truths came frequently to mind as I read Across the Crying Sands: 1) as I’ve long suspected, there is no way I would have survived as a pioneer, and 2) if John were my husband I would have purse whomped him with a saddlebag several times over by the end of this story. Haha! In all seriousness though, I have such admiration for real life women of the frontier who blazed more than one sort of trail for those that came after them. Even ‘just’ (and I use that word lightly) the wives and moms who held down the homestead, did the chores, raised the kids, played the role of protector and hunter and gatherer and doctor and teacher, while their husbands were employed away from home for days or weeks or even months on end. Mary Edwards Gerritse is one such heroine, and I enjoyed meeting her on the pages of Jane Kirkpatrick’s latest novel based on true events.

It’s been a minute since I’ve read a novel by this author, only since I gravitate more toward romance, but this cover, the setting, the description, and the fact that it’s the first in a series grabbed my attention. Kirkpatrick excels at bringing to life the stories of pioneer women who showed great strength in turbulent circumstances, and Across the Crying Sands is a prime example. Mary Gerritse is young and somewhat naive, but her witty personality (with a little sass thrown in for good measure) and adventurous soul serve her well when marriage and motherhood – and proving up a claim – don’t match her idealistic expectations. My heart went out to her more than once, though I also questioned several of her choices. (However, considering we’ve already established that I wouldn’t survive on the frontier, my opinion about Mary’s decisions doesn’t mean a whole lot lol) The secrets that her parents, particularly her mother, are keeping from her raised my investment in Mary’s story and I am really engaged in how this will play out in the next book. Another reason I’m looking forward to book two? Mary’s Native American friend Jewel, whom I loved so much. I can’t wait to see where her story goes from here too, especially with how Kirkpatrick leaves Jewel’s subplot in this one.

Bottom Line: Across the Crying Sands by Jane Kirkpatrick takes us to the Pacific Northwest frontier and paints a realistic and inspiring portrait of the women who loved and lost and toiled and made a life for themselves and their families against insurmountable odds. The coastal setting gave a new spin to the pioneer theme, with different challenges that gave me a fresh perspective on the rugged beauty of that area of the country (which is on my bucket list to visit) and what it took to settle it. While there were moments I got frustrated with Mary and especially John, I was nonetheless invested in their marriage and rooting for their family to thrive. And the two side characters I really loved – Jewel and Herbie – have me eager to see where their respective stories will take them in the next book(s). Kirkpatrick’s writing is smooth and poignant as she brings to life the stories of frontier women who are strong but still relatable to our more fragile selves. If you love stories like that, and if the beach calls your name, and if you don’t mind that everything isn’t wrapped up in a tidy bow at the end, then you need to read Across the Crying Sands too!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

I loved being in the Pacific Northwest in the 1890's as the characters progress towards more updates. It was interesting to see the thoughts behind the roads that were laid and how mail was distributed.



I loved Mary and her fierce determination and resilience to survive amidst a harsh climate. She took a lot of risks in order to achieve her dreams.



There seemed to be a lot of loose ends but maybe those will weave together in the next book?



Thanks to the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.

Thank you Revell for this arc.

I loved the idea of this book more than I ended up liking it as a whole. Looking for something different, I hoped to see more of Mary as a mail deliverer but like a lot in the story, little of this is actually seen. What I did enjoy is the fact that a woman’s discontent with a traditional role in life is shown in a historical setting as well as a bit of her standing up for her right to do something she finds fulfilling.

Mary is a vibrant woman who initially radiates joy off the page. She tells John that she wants to be involved in the family decision making, something that takes him aback a bit. It’s just the start of them learning and working at their marriage. The book mainly focuses on Mary but from little bits of John’s POV, it’s clear that this concept is totally new to him. He balks a bit and has some stubborn pride about asking for help but he does listen to Mary even if at times his choice to take jobs for money causes friction between them.

There is lots of detail about living in a developing part of the country. Several people have big development plans for the area which is contrasted to the traditional way of life of the Clatsop people. One of Mary’s dear friends is a Native woman who drifts in and out of the story and ends the book as a mystery which I guess is to be solved in book two.

Another thread involves something in Mary’s family past which is hinted at before a few bits of information are dropped only for the whole thing to fade into the background. Another plot thread left unfinished involves an English “remittance man,” his hotel plans, and the life he left in the UK. More for book two, I guess, but I dislike that all of these are left with no resolution.

So most of the book is about Mary, her getting used to the back and forth of marriage and motherhood before she sticks to her guns and gets more of the life she not only wants but needs. Mary does love her husband – mostly, unless he’s leaving her to handle a farm and four children under the age of seven while he’s off for months at a job. She also loves her children but yay that the tiring reality that busy mothers face in trying to juggle all of this is allowed to be seen. Mary also seems to be dealing with a bit of postpartum feelings along with the exhaustion. I honestly can’t remember the last historical era book I read with that.

But something about the way the book is written kept it a little bit at a distance for me. Several of the characters are rather flat and fade in and out of the narrative. The inspirational aspects are fairly light until Mary’s miscarriage when suddenly a new character appears who gives her a heavy dose of religion, some of which didn’t sit well with me.

I like the frontier aspect of the story and that Mary is a strong person who ends up demanding what she wants from life, which is to be more than a wife and mother. Sometimes the pace is fairly slow but then life in the 1890s was slow. The unfinished stuff and sudden glopping of religion didn’t work for me, though. C

Based on the real-life story of Mary Gerritse, the first female mail carrier along the northern Oregon coast, “Across the Crying Sands” covers her story from the time she is betrothed to her Dutch immigrant husband John to her life as a young mother to four children. She and her husband struggle to create their homestead as the lure of sea travels beckons her husband and her need for companionship and the sight of Cannon Beach entice her to take a mail route—unheard of for a woman during her time. Long before paved roads and automobiles, Mary rides on her faithful and steady horse, Prince, draped with the mailbags on its back. They hug the cliffs and traverse the trails highlighting the danger of frontier life in the wild Northwest. Aside from her adventures on horseback, Mary also deals with a mysterious photograph found at her parents’ house. Who are the sad children staring into the camera lenses?
The slow, steady pace of the story matches the horse’s gait as it carries Mary along her mail route. Mary’s “uncommon” views on her role as mother and wife challenge norms of the day and may leave readers with a sense of disenchantment—if they were expecting a more traditional homestead wife. Nevertheless, it’s a wonderful glimpse into local Oregon history and the mystery and saga continue in the planned upcoming books in the series.

A wonderful historical read based on the lives of real Oregon pioneers. The first in a new series, The Women of Cannon Beach, introduces multiple people whose lives intertwined along the northern Oregon coast.

The author's impeccable research comes through as historical figures come to life, and makes it feel like stepping back in time. Mary was like many women--facing the challenges of early married life, motherhood, and difficult times as an early homesteader. It was easy to relate to her struggles yet inspiring to see how she rose above with the help of family, friendships and faith. This author always highlights the lives of interesting people I have never heard of before and leaves an impression of how a seemingly ordinary person, who chose to do the hard thing, could make an impact for good on generations to come.
Looking forward to more books in the series. Recommend for historical inspirational fiction fans. 4.5 stars

Wow! What an amazing book! The title is what captured my attention right away. They crying sands is an appropriate name as later revealed. It starts off with an almost devastating disaster. There are secrets kept by many of the characters that threaten their relationships. The setting in Oregon represents a tough but satisfactory existence.

Mary - she's strong physically and mentally. She's a hard worker and often has too much on her plate. John- hm. I liked him, then I didn't, and then he became a better man by the end. I admire him for trying to be the provider for his family, but sometimes the cost to his family was too much. Jewell is a jewel! She's a faithful friend, always showing up at just the right time. I hope she's in the next book!

There are a lot of questions raised that are unanswered, but the cliffhanger promises that more will be revealed.

I was provided a complimentary copy of the book from Revell via Netgalley through Interviews and Reviews. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The subject matter of this book is very interesting. I was especially intrigued by the fact that it was based on a true story. This is the first of a series and there are a lot of questions left unanswered. Which was quite frustrating as a reader, as they are teased quite a few times throughout the story. Also, a lot of the story is included on the back cover synopsis, which I felt gave a way a lot of what is to come. I had trouble connecting with the main character and we aren't really given time to get to know her husband who is adamant against her working an "adventurous job", but suddenly changes his mind and the entire story shifts. I really struggled with this. I wanted to love it, I love frontier stories and being based on a true story was a bonus for me. But this was not my favourite. Sorry.

Book Review: Across the Crying Sands
A promising premise with too many unanswered questions and plotlines

By Mandy Crow

Blame it on my Missouri roots and my deep love of Laura Ingalls Wilder, but every once in a while I find myself wanting a historical novel set on the frontier. So, when I saw Jane Kirkpatrick’s book Across the Crying Sands, the first in her upcoming “The Women of Cannon Beach” series, I knew I had to get my hands on an early copy so I could review it before its May 20 release date.

Across the Crying Sands is set in the Pacific Northwest in the late 1800s and focuses on Mary Edwards Gerritse and her husband, John. The book opens as the young couple is planning their wedding and follows them through early marriage and the travails of having and raising children as well as carving out a life for themselves. Mary, creative and energetic, nurtures a pioneering spirit, seeing her marriage as an avenue to adventure, but feeling stifled in her role as a mother and wife, often spending weeks and months alone trying to make a go of it on their homestead claim as John works as a mail carrier, helps build a road to bring people to Cannon Beach and works as a sailor.

There’s also an element of mystery that’s introduced early on concerning Mary’s nervous and slightly OCD mother, Amanda. Amanda off-handedly refers to Mary as “Minnie,” leading to questions about Mary’s parentage and true family of origin. At one point, Mary discovers a photo of a woman and some children, but Amanda snatches it away and it’s only mentioned maybe once or twice in the novel after that.

And, for me at least, that’s the major issue with Across the Crying Sands. I understand that it is the first in a series and as such, designed to introduce plotlines that won’t be fully fleshed out until later books—but there are too many threads left dangling in this first novel. The mystery of Mary’s family of origin and Amanda’s desire to keep it hidden are a big part of the first part of the novel, then basically forgotten. Mary’s friendship with a native woman, Jewell, is a big component of the novel, then Jewel disappears (literally, it’s a plot point) and that’s only mentioned off-handedly when Mary can’t find her the two times she tries to look for her. John, Mary’s husband, who has been utterly against Mary pursuing adventurous jobs outside of their home, has a sudden change of heart after a traumatic event—but that change of heart happens “off-camera” and it’s a bit unfulfilling for readers, at least this one.

I think Jane Kirkpatrick’s series has promise and could be an interesting diversion in future days, but Across the Crying Sands introduces too many plot points and doesn’t deliver on enough of them for me to get in a hurry to seek out the remaining books when they release. While I enjoyed the pioneer setting and frontier tone, the characters felt a little two-dimensional, especially Mary’s mother and father, and in some ways, her husband, John. If you enjoy pioneer novels, definitely give it a try, but be aware it may leave you frustrated and a smidge unfulfilled.

The Bookery Rating: 📙📙
Across the Crying Sands has a lot of promise and worth the read if you enjoy historical, Christian fiction—but introduces too many plotlines that won’t be fully completed until future books in the series, which could leave readers feeling unfulfilled and confused.

This is a cover that caught my attention right away. Why? Because that's my beach! That's my beautiful Cannon Beach that I grew up visiting. So many years walking in that exact spot with those rocks. Of COURSE I'm going to read this new book by the fabulous Jane Kirkpatrick!

This book goes back to a time when the coast was still being settled. When the roads were only just being created to tie the coastal cities together. When tourism at the beach was still rapidly brighter gleam in investors' eyes. oh I enjoyed reading the names of the towns I know so well. Seaside. Tillamook. Cannon Beach.

And even though those cities are gaining attention as tourist destinations, a good chunk of this book explores the fact that much of the Oregon Territory is still unsettled and available for homesteaders if they can last.

the book begins with Mary the day before her wedding. So excited to start her new life with her beloved husband. And the book ends after several of her children have been born so you get to see a good span of years in her life. She's got major ups and downs as the reality of her marriage and what her husband has promised vs delivered arises. And also the book explores the frustration Mary feels when she's left behind with the children to "do all the work" of settling a homestead while her husband gets to leave it behind as he earns his way. She comes to the realization that she's not cut out to be left behind and fill a traditional role as wife and mother. She longs for adventure.

the book addresses Mary leaving her children behind with her mother for weeks/months as she rides a pack horse to deliver mail. As she works as a cook for the construction crew.

The plot also adds in the mystery behind who Mary actually is as we see her mother's point of view as she is hiding Mary from the truth of her childhood. Who is the man who keeps trying to find Mary? What is in the notes that Mary's mother keeps burning without reading?

The third POV is from Mary's husband as he tries to reconcile his love of Mary, his role as a husband, his perceived role of her as a wife and Mary's own personality. The things he loves most about her are the things that are also causing her to drive him crazy.

So I personally didn't really like Mary. I just couldn't relate to her burning desire for fulfillment outside of her life as wife/mother in regards to being willing to LEAVE THEM behind with her mother for weeks and months on end to pursue her need for adventure. I mean this was the partially tamed Oregon territory! It just turned me off of the story and I put the book down several times.

There is faith woven into the story as usual for the author's books.

4 Stars. Very historically sound. But I kept being able to put it down.
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my ARC of this book. All opinions are 100% my own.

5 stars, Good Friends and Family Secrets

ACROSS THE CRYING SANDS (WOMEN OF CANNON BEACH SERIES, BOOK ONE)
by Jane Kirkpatrick

This is the story of Mary and John, a young couple in love, who are engaged to be married. They will be homesteading on the rugged coast in the late 1800s, on the Oregon near Astoria.

They are good friends with Herbert (Herbie) who is a younger son from England, who is trying to make his own fortune.

Mary's best friend is Jewell, who is a Clatsop-Nehalem Indian who lives with her beloved grandfather, near Mary.

As I read this book, I felt like every five pages, I was marking qq (quotable quotes) The way with words of this author is quite fascinating. Quotable Quotes: ...stomach trolls and bone sprites...and thought thieves...; ...vowing to be there, no matter how...; ...Holy Jumblies...; ...taking care of a dog is like preparing your heart for loss, same with a horse...; ...sleeper wave...; ...(a baby being born) was more monumental than delivering a stove...

Every book of Jane Kirkpatrick's that I've read, I've liked. I love most of them. She has a unique way of blending fact and fiction together into a compelling story. Her stories all have a strong female protagonist, drawing you into their story, so you wish you could be just like them. Her stories are standalones.

Highly recommend.

I received a complimentary copy of #AcrosstheCryingSands from #JaneKirkpatrick #NetGalley #Revell I was not obligated to post a review.

#pacificnorthwest #Indians #standalone #bingedbook #strongfemaleprotagonist #ClatsopNehalemIndians #AstoriaOregon #PortlandOregon #Oregon #lighthouses #mystery #tsunami #inspirationalfiction #inspyfiction #ChristianFiction #BakerPublishing #packhorsemailcarrier #WomenofCannonBeachSeries #England #homesteading #lossofchild #basedonatruestory

This is a unique look at the history of Canon Brach in Oregon. I look forward to going again to see the cannons found since the last time I was there. Read on….
The main character is based on the real life of an extremely strong woman. I admit I was cringing at all the red flags in her marriage, but things seemed to settle down and work out.
There is a lot of history in this story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

As always I love this author's stories. She never disappoints.
I connected with Mary right away. The things she wanted and didn't get. I understood that pain very well. I also loved her resilience and willingness to stay by John no matter what. I appreciated the need for each other and I loved how they worked as a team.
I've been to some of the places described in this story. It was great to revisit them again only in the comfort of my home lol.
This is an interesting story and one that you won't want to put down.
I'm giving this book a solid 5 stars for the adventure that Kirkpatrick created for me. I highly recommend
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine