Hannah Fowler is cut from the cloth that made this country great. She is big, homely, strong and brave. She faces life's challenges with the grit that a pioneer woman had to have in order to survive the harshness of life (circa 1770).
Hannah and her father, Samuel, are traveling to Boone's fort when Samuel's ax slips and cuts a deep gash into his leg. Hannah does her best to nurse him and provide meat for them to survive. Tice Fowler crosses her path and comes to assist them. Unfortunately, Samuel dies and Tice and Hannah travel on to the fort. They come to have mutual respect for one another and become friends.
At the fort, Hannah is uncomfortable with the close surroundings. She longs for the open air of the woods. As single women are rare at the fort, men approach her to offer marriage. Hannah couldn't be more miserable, so in desperation and because she knows and trusts Tice, she asks him to marry her and take her with him to his land.
The two build their log home, cultivate the land and plant. They both hunt to provide meat and needed pelts in order to have the required purchase price for the homestead. So many trials and adventures await them.
If you live in this country, you likely have ancestors that date back to these times. This is true for our family and as I read this story, I felt the strength of character these men and women had to have in order to carve out their homes and build a future for their children and this country.
Do yourself a favor and check this book out at the library, or better yet, order it for your bookshelf. Hannah Fowler left a lasting impression on me and the book is one of my treasures. By the way, my husband read it and loved it too!
I have Hannah Fowler in my TBR pile. I've heard good things about it all around. I like that you reviewed an "oldie but goodie" :)
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