Edge of the Wilderness

Book two covers a lot of territory - some of the top Indians are offered jobs as escorted scouts for the Army. Daniel Two Stars has finally gotten out of a living hell prison and is wearing an Army uniform and hunting renegade Indians. Genevieve LaCroix is serving as caregiver for Simon's children and orphaned baby Hope who was rescued by Gen and Daniel after the death of her parents. The conditions of the Indians is deplorable - most of the children have died. Thousands are still sick, starving prisoners. Simon Dane buries himself in Indian missionary work but is frustrated at his limited resources. Simon is falling in love with the beautiful half-breed Dakota Indian, Blue Eyes (Gen) and even though she respects him in return, her heart still belongs to her true love, Daniel Two Stars who she believes is dead.Elliott Leighton, Ellen's brother, enters the storyline and has one goal in mind - to prevent his sister's children from being raised in the wild West, OR by an Indian mother. He has been discharged from the Army after losing one arm and having his long hair turn white overnight. He travels to Simon's home to retrieve the children, having no idea the changes that await for him.Jeb Grant is a pivotal figure in this book. He is a farmer who just cannot bring himself to hate all Indians and he opens his heart and his farm to questionable Indian activities.Simon and Elliott accidentally run into Daniel while traveling in a storm during an illness, and after learning that Gen is engaged to Simon, Daniel asks both men to promise not to tell her and to forget they ever saw him. This is NOT going to be easy to do but Daniel determines to leave her alone so she can have a better life. Simon has a strange illness that persists, and among his many nurses are Mother Friend, Daniel, Elliott and Genevieve.The devastation of the good Indian's homes and villages by soldiers and renegade Indians leaves families separated and thousands homeless, injured, starving and defeated. Several major questions are answered in this book:1. Will Gen marry Simon even though they both know her heart belongs to the memories of Daniel Two Stars?2. What will happen to an angry Elliott when he visits the Crow reservation?3. What happens to Daniel who was reported as hanged? Will he ever see Blue Eyes again?4. What is the fate of 5 orphaned children, including baby Hope?5. Which is stronger, love, committment or duty? Is it possible for Simon, Blue Eyes(Gen) and Daniel to make the right choices in spite of their hearts?I felt that Stephanie Grace Whitson reflected some of the pain of her own life in this book. Love, death, grief, faith, loyalty, overcoming and doing the right thing were foremost in the intrigue and interest this second book held. I give this book at least 15 stars for the mystery and suspense it generates particularly in the last 25 pages. Excellent writing skills Steph!Book three in this series is due out in late 2001 and I am planning to order it well in

At the end of Valley of the Shadow, Ellen and Two Stars are both dead. Simon has undergone a spiritual renewal with influence of Gen, and he now needs a wife and mother to his children. Gen slowly begins to accept the death of Daniel Two Stars, and promises to Simon that she will try to love him, while he promises to take it slowly. Far away, Daniel Two Stars lingers in a prison for rebel Indians, being put there by mistake with others who have also accepted the Christian faith. Miraculously, he is released, only to eventually find out that Gen is promised to Simon. He makes Simon promise never to tell Gen the truth, and resolves to lead his life without his beloved Gen. Whitson's master storytelling skill is evident as she weaves the differing stories of Gen and Two Stars, as well as those of Miss Jane and the Major and the orphaned twins into one riveting novel. This is a great read, a must for those who are fans of Whitson and historical fiction, as well as for those who like to read about the power of God in people's lives.