What a powerful, eye opening read. I knew about "The Trail of Tears", but not of the land, Oklahoma!

This is a dual time read, and I loved how the author seamlessly wove this story together.

Be sure to read the author's notes at the end!

This read opens your eyes to the greed that goes through the ages, and those that have never have enough, and don't care about whom they hurt getting it. Unfortunately, in the early 1900's it was children, and we though the eyes of the author meet this children and get to know some of them.

There are surprises, and then wow surprises, and most you won't see coming!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Ballantine Books, and was not required to give a positive review. ( )

5 stars, Searching for Freedom in Oklahoma

SHELTERWOOD
by Lisa Wingate

This is a dual timelines book about three little girls who are desperately trying to escape from a dangerous man and find love and freedom in Oklahoma in 1909 and some mysterious children's skeletons found in a cave in 1990.

There is a lot of mystery in this book, it leaves you wondering if the children's skeletons belong to the three little girls. That part made it harder for me to read and really get into the story.

I really liked the Ollie and Valerie characters.

Quotable Quote: "I'm female, which in general does you no favors in the NPS system. If you're harassed, hazed, ogled, propositioned, whatever, you're expected to tough it out, deal with it yourself, grow a thicker skin, and move on." A lot of women have had to deal with things like this in our history.

Highly recommend to any mystery lover.

I received a complimentary copy of #shelterwood from #ballentinebooks #lisawingate I was not obligated to post a review.

#christian #inspirational #historicalfiction #diverse #dualtimelines #adultfiction #mystery #nps #nationalparkservice #abandonedchildren #hope #escape #horsethieftrailnationalpark #choctawnation #oklahoma #triggerwarning #OklahomaLandRun #netgalley ( )

A mesmerizing tale, masterfully told, based on authentic history, with a mystery.
This dual timeline story set in southwestern Oklahoma, swings between 1909 and 1990, featuring some real people and tragic events affecting the lives of children, particularly Native Americans. The mystery is solved as the timelines connect and the truth is finally revealed. I loved the ending and learned so much about this little known history. The author's in-depth, well-researched story draws attention to some brave women, particularly Kate Barnard, who championed the cause of orphans and neglected, abused children in the early 1900's. It was both sad and inspiring.
Terrific read from start to finish. Highly recommend! 5 stars

(An ebook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.) ( )

I have been a fan of Lisa Wingate since her release of the book Before We Were Yours. Her ability to weave a story with multiple characters using different time periods is expertly done. Shelterwood did not disappoint. I could not put this book down. From the very beginning we are introduced to the main characters of Valerie, who has recently relocated to be a law enforcement ranger at the Horsethief Trail National Park, and Olive, a young 11 year old girl living in less than ideal conditions with a drug addict mother and a shady stepfather. As the story unfolds we learn of the young Choctaw girl that Olive tries to protect as they embark on a journey to find a safe place where their stepfather can't find them. Valerie, being a widowed single mother, trying to settle into her new position is thrown into an investigation where children's bones were found in a cave, people come up missing and the local population is less than happy that the park is opening. We are introduced to multiple characters who have stories of their own to discover from the people Olive and Nessa meet to the characters Valerie comes across as she tries to unravel the mysteries she has found herself in the middle of! It's truly a thrilling, exciting and emotionally charged experience! I love this book.

This book combines all the elements that I love in a good historical fiction. Olive lives in 1909, things are very different in her world as they are for Valerie in the present day. It contains strong characters that are uniquely crafted. The research this author does is amazing and the details she weaves into her stories pull you into the world she has created. I found myself emotionally invested in the lives of Olive, Nessa and Valerie. I loved the character of Sydney as well, she is a unique young girl with a personality you can't help but love, who was orphaned and now is living in a group home waiting for her brother to come and take her out of there after her grandmother had health issues.

Each character in this book has a story of their own. I absolutely loved this book! ( )