Bess: A Pioneer Woman's Journey of Courage, Grit and Love

Bess: A Pioneer Woman's Journey of Courage, Grit and Love by Charles Cranston Jett

Frontier life would be difficult for a man or a family, but for the collective imagination to conceive of a lone woman braving such a stark and unforgiving land is nearly impossible. This is an engrossing tale about Bess, a highly motivated and determined young woman who lives on the frontier. The entire historical narrative is accurate and enthralling. There is something quite remarkable about Bess, she stands apart from the traditional pioneer woman. The lone image of Bess on the cover is suffused with a brave solitude that resounds within the pages of the story.

Charles Cranston Jett has created a phenomenal storyline that offers a radical challenge in disproving the stereotypical prototype of a woman in the early 1900's. The reader will follow the emotional roller coaster of the heroine's struggle in combating the tremendous changes throughout her journey.

"She lay in bed for a moment, taking deep breaths. Today is the day I will be leaving my home in search of another, she thought. She took a deep breath—and the thought did not frighten her—it excited her."

The research that Jett has done breathes a dual tone of truth and fantasy for the reader.

"Doc went inside the house and came out with the 30-30 rifle, but by the time he started down toward them, the coyotes had already run off. What was left of the sheep was mostly the hindquarters, so Doc brought the carcass back to the homestead and severed the hind legs because they had been untouched and could be used by the family."

There is an abundant cluster of hope and joy that the reader will hold close to his or her heart when reading this book.

"Afterwards, they held a social gathering right in the middle of the street in town. Everyone could get something to eat from the food that members of the audience had brought for all to share. It had been a great day in Haley. Life on the prairie is good. Thought Bess."

I was surprised at the way this book gripped my attention. The author allows for a sustaining exuberance and expressed devotion in his creative diction. There is a reminder of the legacy of traditions, principles, and commitments that exist in our history. This inspirational story engenders all readers to pursuing their dreams and evokes subtle reminders of the human struggle that never ends.

Charles Cranston Jett is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and the Harvard Graduate School of Business. He is the author of two other new books: "Wanted: Critical Skills!" and "Career Crises and the Doom Loop".

Bess: A Pioneer Woman's Journey of Courage, Grit and Love by Charles Cranston Jett, 2017 ISBN 978-1-4787-6486-1, 978-1-4787-6517-2

The Summoned King: Book One of The Kalymbrian Chronicles (Volume 1)

The Summoned King: Book One of The Kalymbrian Chronicles (Volume 1)  by Dave Neuendorf

A young man finds himself in the middle of a fantasy realm that holds every fear, joy, and desire that one can possibly imagine. James Madison Young, the protagonist of this story, is summoned into an uncertain place, where he must learn to adapt quickly and force an entire kingdom to rebuild itself against the powerful cabal of treachery and deceit that works to undo everything that James attempts to restore.

As James is married off to the naive princess and crowned king, the reader gets a glimpse of an innately sharp, well-read young man. 

" 'Our government should not be in the business of subsidizing religions. Every religious group should be responsible for raising its own funds. I understand that the network of temples is being funded with tax money. I’m going to proclaim a new law prohibiting use of government funds for religious purposes, and further prohibiting any government interference with religious observances or anyone’s application of religious principles in his personal or business life.' "

Dave Neuendorf clearly interweaves the politics within this fantasy realm with American history. The more the story continues to develop, we see James become a stronger leader with principled ideas that are not popular with the Council of Advisers. 

But what regime change was ever quiet?

" 'Regulating sin isn’t a function of government as I see it. Drunkenness, prostitution, drug use, and the like are unwholesome and harmful to society, but attempting to stamp them out by law only stimulates rebellion. Once a spirit of rebellion is accepted by the culture in one case, it paves the way for more serious rebellion. That’s what happened back in my home country when the government outlawed alcohol. Laws need to be enforceable.' " 

I was glad to see magic incorporated into this fantasy story. Neuendorf has captured the mythic and disruptive nature of a true teenager, intentionally setting a scene for an archetypal sense of righting a great wrong that can only be done by the untainted, idealistic view of a young adult. I look forward to the next installment that will give readers a further glance into this extraordinary realm that the author has created.

Dave Neuendorf is a Java software development consultant who published "The Summoned King: Book One of The Kalymbrian Chronicles (Volume 1)" in February 2016. He and his family live with their two dogs, a Samoyed and a Siberian Husky, in Aurora, Indiana.

The Summoned King: Book One of The Kalymbrian Chronicles (Volume 1) by Dave Neuendorf, 2016 ISBN 978-1523973569