Those that didn’t want to continue towards the treacherous Rocky Mountains, stopped at the tiny town along the river, and the name Last Chance, stuck. Now, the town wasn’t so small. There were several hundred people living in the small city, which was surprising since there was no railroad that came through the town.

The Blizzard Brides (The Blizzard Brides #1)
by Christine Sterling

Last Chance Nebraska. Howe can one just not fall in love with a town with a name like that?

And....the cover art!

The Blizzard Brides is a survival story, loosely based on real life events occurring in Nebraska in the 1800's.

Heather and the other women of the town are mail order brides and their husbands have gone on a hunting trip, leaving their families to fend for themselves. They are due back shortly when a deadly blizzard descends on the town, enveloping it and leaving behind both tragedy and new beginnings.

Apparently this is the beginning of a series. I didn't even know that before I read this. I found this on Amazon and it looked good so I read it. It is on the short side, a bit less then 100 pages.

I found the characters to be engaging and the story both horrifying and tragic. I admire how the atmosphere succeeded in transporting me there. I really felt like I was in that storm, in the little schoolhouse. This story is heavy on atmosphere and is written beautifully.

I however do not like reading about animal brutality and warning: there is a bit. There is a great deal of death in this short story as many people...and animals...perish in the storm. That was tough to read about.

Since the women are mail order brides, they are told they must remarry or leave the town. The women place an add for new husbands...and are shocked by the response.

That is how it ends but I am not a strong series per son so I may or may not go on. I will say the story is lingering in my mind. I found the charm of the small town and the townsfolk's love for each other quite touching. But survival stories usually are not my thing.

It does make me think about how things used to be. And what I would have been like during those times as well as what some of my friends and family members would have been like as well. I bet you will find yourself in thought about that if you choose to read this.

Sometimes I think life was so much simpler then but other times it looks like it must have been much harder. It is almost like reading about a different planet. But, when reading Historical Fiction, I do love books that can transport me to the location and The Blizzard Brides most certainly does just that.

Many people have said Nebraska is the real wild west! I would like to visit there someday.

Faith and healing plays a huge role here. This is the second book I have read with those themes this year and we are only two days into the new year! If I am honest though, the other book 'The doorman" is more my style.

Recommended to fans of Historical Fiction. ( )