Reviewed by Lynda Ochsner
Stephanie Grace Whitson’s Secrets on the Wind begins a new American Western series, "Pine Ridge Portraits." The setting is 1878 at Fort Robinson in northwestern Nebraska, and here we see a portrait of the day-to-day life at a military camp – and a glimpse at the greater historical excitement at the year’s end -- the tragic "Cheyenne Outbreak."
The main characters include Sergeant Boone, still grieving the loss of his wife, now deceased for two years; and the latest army recruits. He and Corporal Dorsey soon find a young woman, the captive of a lone cowboy in a dugout in the country. Though the woman, Laina Gray, at first appears crazy, she finds God’s love in the person of Granny Max, a former slave who now does laundry and ministers to the military and civilians through her life on "Soapsuds Row."
Though Sergeant Boone appears to be one of the main characters early on, he is surprisingly undeveloped. Along the way other characters are introduced, and the story gradually changes focus, enhancing these characters, who show greater growth and character development. Among these characters are Laina and Caleb Jackson (formerly Beauregard Preston), one of the new army recruits.
A second chance in life is offered to all the characters, a way to start over – a message for Laina, Caleb and others to learn. Yet through God’s grace some of the characters – but not all -- find it. Granny Max is the "rock" in the midst of all these troubled lives, individuals with their own "secrets on the wind."
This first installment of "Pine Ridge Portraits" beautifully depicts a nostalgic family/western life, with nice characters that develop close friendships and a sense of community, of family. Much of the story does not directly involve the military, but rather the people living at this camp. We come to love the families and individuals -- the O’Malley children and their puppy dog Wilbur, on Soapsuds Row; also the Doctor and his sheltered daughters, boy-crazy teenage Charlotte and younger sister Dinah. Camp Robinson is a generally peaceful place, an idyllic setting for Sunday afternoon picnics and Christmas-time sleigh rides. The characters themselves make the story, as they heal from past hurts and experience the grace of God in their lives.
Secrets on the Wind is an excellent start to this Christian western series, with an exciting ending and the promise of future books in the series.