Jane Kirkpatrick, A Land of Sheltered Promise

Jane Kirkpatrick, A Land of Sheltered Promise - Part 1 Faith. In 1901, in Oregon, seventeen-year-old Eva Bruner is exhausted even before the outcome of the murder trial that her husband sheepherder Dee faces. He admits to killing Tom Reilly so the guilty verdict does not surprise her as he is sentenced to life in prison. Alone on their station on the Muddy Ranch to raise their infant son, everyday Eva prays for a miracle.

Part 2 Hope. In 1984, devout Episcopalian Aussie Cora Thompson arrives in Oregon planning to abduct her six-year-old granddaughter Charita nee Charity because Cora's daughter Rachel, now called Ma Razi, is an active leader in a cult. While Cora enters the communal compound on the site of the Muddy Ranch, the INS indicts leaders on violations and a new form of intimidation, at least in America, salmonella bio-terrorism, shakes the area.

Part 3 Charity. In 1995, though she preferred staying in Portland, Jill Hartley accompanies her husband on a visit to the Bartletts who were like parents to her Tom. The Bartletts show Jill the abandoned, despised Muddy Ranch where they dream of a place where the Young Life Christians from around the world can attend camp. Almost two years later, a skeptical Jill makes the dream come true.

These three novellas connected by the Muddy Ranch in Oregon and based on real stories are terrific tales that star courageous women willing to sacrifice for the good of another while turning to God and Jesus to help them. The parable of using the land and eceiving a second chance ties together these well-written stories that inspire the audience to believe in Jesus and that good deeds matter.

Water Brook, Apr 2005, $13.99, 400 pp.

ISBN: 1578567335

Harriet Klausner