Only the Brave: The Continuing Saga of the San Juan Pioneers

About the Book-

I haven’t read the book Undaundted yet, but I hear If you loved Undaunted then you will undoubtedly love this book series The Continuing Sga of the San Juan Pioneers. Only The Brave! As this standalone sequel to The Undaunted begins, four years have passed since the first Mormon pioneers made the harrowing journey to carve the Hole-in-the-Rock trail to the region of the San Juan River in southeastern Utah. In that time, the settlers have dug in deep to try to establish roots in this untamed and unforgiving desert, but life is still far from easy.

Four years have passed since the first Mormon pioneers made the harrowing journey to care the Hole-In-the-Rock trail to the region of the San Juan River in southeastern Utah. In that time, the settlers have dug in deep to try to establish roots in this untamed and unforgiving desert, but life is still far from easy. Biting winds, devastating floods, scorching heat, barren terrain, and tensions with everyone from Indians to outlaws to competing ranchers have threatened the pioneers ability to thrive or even survive.

But the call from Church leaders to establish peaceful, stable settlements in the volatile region still stands, so young Mitch Westland and his family must find a way to make a home amid the harshest of circumstances. They soon learn that their only chance of success lies in uniting together with the other faithful Saints including the Zimmers and their charming daughter, Edie. Can the families withstand the blows that seem to come every step of the way as they struggle against man, nature, and their own fears to heed a prophetic call? Many settlers will try to conquer that rugged territory, but only the brave will prevail.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elder Gerald N. Lund received his B.A. and M.S. degrees in sociology from Brigham Young University. He served for thirty-five years in the Church Educational System, and he served as a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy from 2002 to 2008. He is a prolific and bestselling author of both fiction and nonfiction and is best known for his historical novels, including The Work and the Glory series, Fire of the Covenant, The Kingdom and the Crown series, and The Undaunted. He and his late wife, Lynn, are the parents of seven children.

My Review- 

Wow is all I can say about this book. Ok, I will say more!  Unlike Undaunted it is a shorter book and a lot faster read.  I can’t believe how much research has to go into his writing.  While the story is fiction, a lot of the events are real, and some of the characters in the story are real. At the end of  each chapter he has a small excerpt about where that part of the story came from in history and how he got the idea to add it to the story. He tells what is made up and what is true.  I am amazed at what these pioneer families had to go through to settle the different communities.  I love the way Lund takes us on the journey with these families.  The details that he puts into this story is fascinating and really made me feel like I am right there watching it all unfold.  Living in Southern Utah I  gain more appreciation for the settlers who came down to this hot desert area to settle it. It could not have been easy. With crazy temperature and huge flooding rain storms this story became more real to me and helped me see an appreciation for those who settled in Southern Utah.  I also love that he added a sweet, yet simple love story between Mitch and Edie.  Who doesn’t like to read a good book with a little love story in it!  I do!

You can purchase this book HERE
on Amazon or HERE at Deseret Book