Change and Cherish Series by Jane Kirkpatrick

Here's a new (to me) series that might intrigue you if you are in to historical fiction (and I am) or Oregon history circa Civil war days. Especially helpful is that the third book is now out and you won't have to go crazy waiting to find out what happened! Here's a bit about each of the books:

A Clearing in the Wild

Spirited young Emma Wagner chafes at the constraints of her 1850s religious community, which values conformity over independent thought, especially in women. Skeptical of the colony’s growing emphasis on preparing for “the last days,” Emma clashes with their increasingly autocratic leader—and faces the unexpected consequences of pursuing independence.

A Tendering in the Storm

This lyrical novel, based on an historical figure of the 1800s, follows the spirited and intelligent Emma Giesy, who achieves her goal of separating her family from the repressive religious community in which she grew up. But unexpected and dire consequences leave her family—and her faith—struggling to survive.

A Mending at the Edge

This richly textured novel, the third in the acclaimed Change and Cherish series, follows the historical figure of Emma Wagner Giesy, who chafes under the restrictions of her 1860s religious colony. When her bid to belong in her unique way unravels her most precious relationships, she seeks new ways to stitch meaning into her life.

And though it won't be terribly helpful to you if you haven't read the first two, I do have a copy of A Mending at the Edge to giveaway to a commenter (though you can buy all of them through the links on their titles). So let me know. Do you like Historical Fiction? What time period? Personally I like anything that teaches me something I didn't know without the use of an actual history book. I've read so much about the Civil War and the years leading up to it, that it didn't really occur to me that there was a whole other part of the country pretty separated from it. Yes, there is always history to be learned. And an interesting story besides. What could be better?

Ah, yes, some ice cream with it!