The final book in the three book series of the Sarah Prine saga puts a nice finish on the tale. Not quite as moving as the previous novels, this one still packs an emotional punch, because you have already invested so much into these characters and care so much about what happens to them from here.

I love the way Nancy Turner spins out the story with so much humor and caring. It is a little over the top to think that all these events would happen to one person, but that is the nature of pioneer life, I suppose, a lot of disasters heaped upon disasters, natural and manmade.

There was one particular passage in the novel that felt as if it were written for me, since I have been the object of a shunning for some time now by someone who handles her problems by refusing to address them. Sarah’s reaction was perfect–how do you get “over and done with your fussing” like that?

I don’t understand this nor cotton to it in any way. I can see being angry with folks. Shoot, I’d about hang Chess on the laundry line any day of the week, but I don't shun him. Shunning’s
no way to get over and done with your fussing. It just drives in a sword that won’t come out unless the person holding it pulls first.

I am a bit sad to say goodbye to Sarah and her family. I am delighted I read the books. I enjoyed them immensely.


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This is the last book in Nancy Turner's splendid trilogy about Sarah Agnes Prine. I disagree with the few reviews I've read where readers thought less of the second book in the series. Each book was excellent, and I didn't find any of them less than the first one. The story progresses through each book, through Sarah's life and the events of that time and her family. Fascinating.

It's hard to tell someone else what's so good about these books. They are just phenomenal in some quiet way. There's plenty of action, never a dull time in those days. I enjoyed this set of stories so much that I bought and gave the set as a gift before I was quite finished with the last one.

The synopsis can be found elsewhere online. I prefer to read books "cold", knowing little about the story ahead of time. The opinions of others shouldn't color mine. I do check ratings in various places, though, so I can spend my time with good books. This series is well worth the time, and if you enjoy the books as much as many do, it won't take you long to read them. I can enthusiastically recommend these books. The writing is a treasure, too.

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The real Sarah Prine is third from the left. Young girl is Nancy's mother at age 11. The tallest lady is Nancy's grandmother, teller of stories and baker of pies, and the lady on the far right is Nancy's great- great grandmother, Roxie Virginia Stockman Reed." (Did we meet Roxie in the book?)

Does anyone know what was the name of Nancy E Turner's grandmother?

While reading: I'm 26% done with The Star Garden: Sarah has not gotten any more appealing. She has become an old stubborn annoying nag actually — Jul 17, 2015 12:37PM

Wow she was not behaving like that lovely strong girl from the first book. To the contrary she was a jealous little controlling bitch.

The way she behaved was appalling sometimes.

I still did enjoy the read. Not sure what to give this book. I gave book2 3.5 but I think I should give this one 3.5 and that one 3 stars.

Yet again there are storylines that began but she forgets to end them.

The way she was with whatshisname her new love was annoying. Yes I want him, no I do not. Very ridiculous. I did enjoy her going to school but then what happened there was written so badly, I wished she would not have gone in the end.

It also felt the author tried to recreate the end of book 1 where some readers were crying because of who she killed. This time she killed or nearly killed a few likeable characters but I was not crying and I admit to crying at the end of These is my Words.


From the start I started to not like Sarah as much. The way she behaved with the woman from the coach (Mrs Charity) that was not the Sarah we knew. Sarah who was always fair.
O and what happened to the man with the golden eyes

quote

I nearly bumped him. He stood taller than Udell or Rudolfo or any other man in there. His hair was blond as new corn silk, with fair skin and golden-green eyes. I'd never seen a person that color before.
When I read that I thought this would be her new lover. She would get rid of Udell because he was too weak.

Another thing. I loved Mary Pearl and how weird what happened to her. Her mum was so upset about her not being married and he might not wait for her, then to let him marry Mary's sister without letting Mary know? Weird weird.
Okay end of spoiler (better call it end of rant ;) )

Well to be fair I still did enjoy the read. Not sure what to give this book.
I gave book2 3.5 but I think I should give this one 3.5 and that one 3 stars.

Book 1 is outstanding. loved it. Book 2 not so much because it was so unrealistic, everything bad that could happen did happen and more. Book 3 is better than book 2 but all 3 are enjoyable reads. ( )

For my complete review, visit: http://amindwandering.blogspot.com/20...

The third in the Sarah Agnes Prine series (These Is My Words) The Star Garden: A Novel of Sarah Agnes Prine picks up a few months after Sarah's Quilt: A Novel of Sarah Agnes Prine and the Arizona Territories, 1906. The truce is broken as Maldonado starts gun-running into Mexico and conspires with the railroad to steal her land. Her love life picks up with her new neighbor, further sparking Maldonado's ire, and her sons bring home their own love interests to keep it interesting. An all out range war ensues.

This volume focuses a great deal on the dynamics of the Prine family and Sarah deciding first if she loves Udell Hanna and then if he loves her or just wants a wife for his house. The self-protective caution life has forced upon Sarah over the years serves Udell in poor stead. As is the case with turbulent romances, communication degenerates to an all-time low and Sarah resigns herself to widowhood for the rest of her life. Even so, Udell proves himself.

Nancy E. Turner's characters are well-written and lovable. The reader becomes as attached to the third generation as is Sarah herself. Her aged are venerable, vital to the family's survival and bereaved when lost. I especially appreciate the fact that she assaults the middle generation with their own new beginnings. Even parents of grown children cherish dreams and make journeys of self-discovery. Every phase of life means change which the family must face as a whole.

While both these books are written in Ms. Turner's inimitable style and strong voice, I found them somewhat less compelling than her first book. Perhaps because Sarah is more mature, more seasoned, more certain of herself and less passionate about the men in her life. Neither Moldanado nor Hanna claimed center stage as did Jack Elliot.

While there are plenty of life-and-death situations and the books are full to the brim with heartbreak, neither book is the white-knuckle ride that was These Is My Words. But then, that seems the way of maturing. You grow up, you stabilize, you start to get some ballast so that when the worst gales rage, you aren't at the mercy of the wind quite as much. Trouble is, you get too much ballast and you swamp.

Bottom Line: While neither are the tear-jerker of her first book, Sarah's Quilt and The Star Garden make welcome additions to Sarah Agnes Prine's story. Ms. Turner steps up and delivers everything the reader came to expect with These Is My Words. ( )

Continues the saga started in These Is My Words and Sarah's Quilt. Same spunk and continued moving tale of a determined, independent woman of the time. ( )