Wild Heart on the Prairie (A Prairie Heritage, Book 2)
The Thoresen brothers, Jan (Yahn) and Karl, have left their native land of Norway and braved many perils and hardships to bring their families to America—the land of freedom and hope. Like thousands of others, Jan and his wife Elli long for the opportunity of a better life and a future for their children.
After enduring an ocean crossing and the arduous journey west, they encounter a land so vast and wide that it defies mastery. Jan finds that his struggles are not only with the land, but with a restless and unmanageable heart. Will Jan find a way to overcome this wild land or will the prairie master him?
Author’s Note: Wild Heart on the Prairie is told in two parts. Part 1 of Wild Heart on the Prairie takes place prior to A Rose Blooms Twice. Part 2 of Wild Heart on the Prairie is the companion to A Rose Blooms Twice and recounts some of the same events of A Rose Blooms Twice, but from Jan’s perspective.
Together these two books, A Rose Blooms Twice and Wild Heart on the Prairie, form the foundation of the series, A Prairie Heritage. I hope you enjoy the stories of these unique and instrumental individuals, Jan and Rose.
—Vikki Kestell
A Prairie Heritage:
Book 1: A Rose Blooms Twice, FREE eBook
Book 2: Wild Heart on the Prairie
Book 3: Joy on This Mountain
Book 4: The Captive Within
Book 5: Stolen
Book 6: Lost Are Found
Book 7: All God's Promises
Book 8: The Heart of Joy
Book 9: Rose of RiverBend
“Vikki writes the kind of faith-filled fiction that hooks you within the first few pages, will not let you go until you have finished, and leaves you wishing for more.”
—Janis Braun, Seattle, Washington
“Her books are not just for 'chicks'! I was amazed how engrossed I became in the lives of Vikki's characters, and how much I could relate to their situations.”
—Ed Dunne, Los Angeles
“Be prepared to put life on hold. That's all I have to say!”
—Rebecca H., New Jersey
“You will laugh, you will cry but, most of all, you will be uplifted.”
—LaTisha Holland, St. Augustine, FL
Reviews (181)
Don't let this series slip away from your library!
There are so many reviews, and all I can add is that "I love this series" ! I am a better person for reading all of them and don't want them to stop. I can say so many good things but words fail me, and I ask the author to please write more Prairie Heritage stories! Five Stars and more to the Author. ***
Historically accurate story about the settling of a part of Nebraska
This historical romance is the story of the immigrants who settled the prairie in Nebraska close to my home in Omaha. It tells their story from landing in America, riding the train in a freight car with all their animals and possessions (I did not know that was done!), arriving in Council Bluffs Iowa, the end of the railroad line for the area, (and my home town), crossing the Missouri River and taking care of business in Omaha, and finally settling NW of Fremont (another town I lived in for several years). I found it all historically accurate and enjoyed reading the little bit about these familiar towns and their role in the settlement of the rest of Nebraska. There are few stories about Nebraska, all the pioneer stories having the settlers only going through it on their way to Colorado, California, Oregon, etc, so I really loved reading this book and book 1 "A Rose Blooms Twice". There were so many struggles and sacrifices for the Nebraska settlers, some were truly unique that other areas of the country never had to face. I think many will enjoy this story and learn some new information too! The Thoreson family struggles brought some tears, but their faith and love was overcoming.
An amazing author. Book #2 is a great follow on to A Rose Blooms Twice
How do you write the same story about the same time using two different main characters? By writing two novels! Vicki did that with this second in the series. She tells the same tale from another perspective. Reading the first bk "A Rose Blooms Twice" does not spoil this story. It complements it. As a novelist myself, I am amazed by how she interwove the two stories. My hat is off to you, Ms. Kestell, and I bow to your talent. Thanks for a great read. Now on to #3!
Historically Accurate Novel
I truly loved this book! The detail about the travel from Norway to Nebraska was amazing. I, too, had ancestors that made the same journey to Nebraska in the 1800's, and I was fascinated with the knowledge of the author. The characters were interesting and likeable, and I cried when some of them died (I never cry!). The plot had many twists and turns and I never found it boring. Highly recommended.
Jan Takes Responsibility Seriously, But Will He Ever Have Joy Again?
After reading A Rose Blooms Twice and loving it, I was eager to start Wild Heart on the Prairie. I was slightly put off at the beginning, but soon totally fell into this story also. It is Jan's point of view for much of the story that was told in book one. Again, I had to used many tissues for the tears, but there were happy and funny times also. I really did enjoy the story. Jan was such a good man I like the way Vicki Kestell weaves is God's Word and direction so smoothly and not in a preachy way. I certainly do recommend this series.
Perspective
From one persons perspective in one book to another character with a complimentary perspective in the next book. It is a new type read for me and quite joyful though tears flowed (from me) many times throughout. I can’t wait for the next step (book/legacy) expecting the same. It’s all about network whether it be wires or wireless or the legacy that we all have an opportunity to experience. I pray mine shines bright, not about me, but with Him that I represent.
Told and Recounted
When the Thoresen family immigrates to Nebraska from Norway, they come with more than most for their new start, but they don’t speak English. Even with their supplies, the prairie isn't an easy place to live. The sod has grassroots a foot deep, which makes plowing difficult; all kinds of storms blast the land; drought is always threatening; and locusts can devastate everything. Amid this environment, tragedy is bound to hit. I liked the plot and the characters, especially Jan. However, most of the story was told and not shown, so, instead of becoming involved with what was happening, I stood on the outside observing. With so much head-hopping and rapid changes in point of views, it was almost dizzying, especially in the first half of the book. It was over-packed with too many minute details, like several lists of what they brought and what they bought. At times it wandered all over the place. For example, Soren was talking to a neighbor, it was not following his point of view, there was no one around to hear them, but we see and hear their conversation. In addition, I doubt the ladies would have been canning in the remote Nebraska location in 1866. They also knew a lot about disinfecting and boiling to sterilize. It was first published as LAND OF DUST AND TEARS. This book had a lot of potential, but I didn't find it quite as good as A ROSE BLOOMS TWICE. For one thing, the ending was very weak. It basically just ended without much of a conclusion at all.
So that’s where Jan comes in
I just have a problem with a series that takes stories out of sequence. I understand from reading Girls from the mountain that the driving character here is Rose, do she leads off and we backfill with Jan’s tale and then pick it back up in book 3. As stand alone you would never know but observing the story this book is out of sequence. But as usual, historically and spiritually accurate and uplifting
Wonderfully tied together, Loved It!
I was expecting a prequel, and was pleasantly suprised to find it also overlapped with "A Rose Blooms Twice" giving a new perspective on the original story line. (Note:make sure you read the original first as part 2 of this book will be a spoiler for Rose if you don't) I just re-read the series, so really, I already knew the major plot points of this book, but Vikki beautifully draws you into the story so that when major points you were expecting happen, you hold your breath waiting for the outcome. It was like watching your favorite movie after years, knowing how it will end but having forgot details and having the joy of seeing how things will unfold once more. I love the development of the original characters, the flaws and changes that they went through to become the beloved people of the future story line, as well as the new characters that you quickly grow to love. And once again, the imagery of the book puts you into the scenes, from sights to smells and sounds described beautifully. I just don't know if this or Rose is my favorite now...as they are so perfectly intertwined...I'll need a special copy that puts both together chronologically now!
Pretty Good!
This book is the second in a series, and I did not read the first book. This book is stand-alone, however, so I did not feel disoriented while reading it by having missed the first. The story was interesting, and most of the characters and dialog were easily believable for the time and place, although, strangely, Rose was a little flat and one-dimensional, I thought, unlike the rest of the characters. The book was long, too, by modern standards--so much so that I wondered if the author was attempting to write an America-based KRISTIN LAVRANSDATTER! There were a relatively few copy-editing errors, primarily occasional punctuation and spelling, but once, a milk goat was given a pronoun sex change! :D
