A Discovering Diamonds Review of: Sarah’s Secret by Beverly Scott

A Western Tale of Betrayal and Forgiveness by Beverly Scott

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Western / Romance

Early 20th Century

United States

Sarah’s Secret: A Western Tale of Betrayal and Forgiveness is a story of Sarah, a mother who is widowed at the turn of the 20th century, left with five children to raise. Feeling alone and abandoned, she decides to make the journey from the barren New Mexico territory back to her home in Nebraska. After settling back in with her extended family in Nebraska, Sarah soon discovers that her deceased husband, Sam, had lived a different life before their marriage. This secret life not only haunted Sam when he was alive, but it also affected Sarah and her children after his death.

The author did well weaving historical facts into the three story sections that unfold the tale of Sarah’s and Sam’s lives. From the descriptions of the barren New Mexico desert to the wild streets of Dodge City, Kansas, Scott paints pictures of the past that bring life to the story’s characters and their frontier adventures.

Growing up west of the Mississippi, and being fortunate to have heard the stories of the late 19th century and early 20th century women in my own family, helped me to appreciate the struggles faced by this young mother who was left to raise five children. Each chapter was a reminder of how women helped to define the true essence of the pioneer spirit.

Although in the end, the story came together, the transition from the first section, that describes Sarah’s journey home, to the second section that provides back-story about Sam, was initially puzzling since the second section opens by describing Sam’s first life under a different name. It was toward the end of this second section that the puzzle pieces of Sarah’s life are realized. After reading the second section I went back to reread the first section with more appreciation and understanding.

In general, however, the story was an insightful tale of one woman’s journey and the experiences she had that defined her strength. It was easy to feel compassion for Sarah as she overcame obstacles and found ways to succeed throughout her life. 

© Cathy Smith 

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