In 1837 a young Quaker girl learns that her bridegroom-to- be has decided to call off the wedding. Accordingly she leaves New York State with her father and heads west to build a new life. This WOMAN OF COURAGE is Amanda Pearson; her father, now in his fifties, is a minister and a cabinet maker. They intend to travel to where Reverend Spalding brings the Good News to the Nez Perce Indians. However, even Fort Laramie in Wyoming seems a long way from home, and all they own is carried by two mules.

The rigours of the Oregon Trail prove too much and the Lord takes Amanda's father. Keeping her promise to continue, even if it means wearing trousers, the girl experiences doubts as to her mission. Her guide, Harvey, knows a lot about the tribes and their ways of life, but Amanda is alone and desperate by the time she's discovered by mountain man Buck McFadden. He brings her to the cabin home of a couple he knows. With white women few in the wild country, marriages between white men and Native women are commonplace, and trapper Jim has traded blankets and a rifle for Mary, who tends Amanda as she recovers from injuries and exposure. The Quaker's trials are far from over, though.

I enjoyed getting to know the characters and seeing how the people lived. When someone is badly injured by a bear, Jim uses animal tendons to sew up the wounds and a comfrey herb poultice to clean the injuries and speed healing, with willow bark tea for pain. Mary has been abused by Jim in the past, but with Amanda's influence and his own conscience active, he turns around his attitude. As for Buck, who keeps red-tailed hawks, he surprises himself by how strongly he protects Amanda from unwelcome advances. The Blackfeet and Nez Perce are still forces to be reckoned with, and a Rendezvous is held for trading. The hugely admirable Amanda turns out not to be the only WOMAN OF COURAGE in the rugged mountains. I read with bated breath.

Wanda Brunstetter has written many books, some about the Amish community. In this adventurous romance she invites us to consider what inspires us to lead a good life and help others, as well as asking whether a respectable appearance is all that matters or if deeds count for more than words. WOMAN OF COURAGE is a well-written tour de force from this experienced author.