Custodian of the Spirits by Bronwyn Long Borne, Rohret Buchner

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Left penniless after her husband's death, Fiona Lenihan and her two children set out for California in search of a fresh start. Ten years ago Fiona fled the Irish Potato Famine. She has crossed an ocean, so why not a continent? Kier Moran is a loner with a reputation for being the best tracker, best shot, and best guide. As a favor to his aging parents, he is leading their wagon train West, to the Santa Clara Valley, known as the Valley of Heart's Delight. Kier intends to deliver his parents safely to California then resume life under the sun and stars. But meeting Fiona Lenihan threatens his simple plan.

MY REVIEW

I will be honest and say that I picked this book for the cover because it looked interesting and I love reading about the Westward movement. How exciting and terrifying those days must’ve been compared to now!
I also will be honest and say that I was doubtful about the title. But, as I read on the title began to make sense to me. I liked how Kier explained to Fiona and me what that meant. Thank you Kier. 
The author chose this title well. 
I loved every minute of this book except the steamy parts of course. I skipped over those.  Oh and there was maybe but a couple of times in where God was mentioned for which I was disappointed but for the most part I thought the author done well with this book. . 
I finished this in two days because I wanted to savor it. I didn’t want the story to end.
I was able to experience the trip through the characters and “felt” the fear and could “see” in my minds eye like it was a movie that held me spellbound. I love books like that!
Generally I love the two main characters but this time I went for the secondary ones. They were interesting especially Doc and  his wife Libby. I felt that they were special people to have in the company.
I also got to enjoy “experiencing the Sioux camp.” 
The author has done a wonderful job in showing us that Indians are people just like us.  They were treated unfairly. 
I didn’t like how they were treated by the government. 
I’m giving this book 4 stars because as I’ve said before there was only a couple of times that God was mentioned.  Otherwise I would have given it 5 stars. 
My thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review and all opinions are my own!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bronwyn Long Borne is a nurse by day and writer by night. She grew up in Wyoming, where you can still see the wheel ruts carved into the land by the thousands of covered wagons headed west.

Her first novels are the self-published Shalemar Trilogy--Length of Days, Poetry of Days, and the forthcoming Wonder of Days--under the pen name Rohret Buchner.

Bronwyn and her husband live in Denver, Colorado. They share a love of food, wine, the mountains, and the arts.

Please visit www.bronwynlong.com to learn more about Bronwyn and her books.