The time is 1895 and life is hard. Survival depends on staying one step ahead of the weather, food supply, heat source, health and Native Americans in the case of those brave enough to try and settle a harsh place. Debra Holland provides a well-illustrated landscape of what was probably typical in her fifth book of the Montana Sky series. HEALING MONTANA SKY speaks to the issues farmers faced on their rather secluded ranches.

In HEALING MONTANA SKY, Debra Holland paints a bleak picture of securing a future for a family. So many battles to wage, so few resources. Childbirth is often life threatening. Child rearing is often secondary to tending the farm. And yet Holland makes sure to equally showcase how people learn and adapt. Her main characters are very different in their backgrounds but they share a basic humanity that is the core of their ability to fashion a family. Our characters are challenged by the meager tools at their disposal, lack of formal education and finance. These are good people that value the sanctity of marriage and their religion.

Debra Holland illustrates her mastery of the life and times of the 1890's. She wields a sharp sword in her duel between her amazing endearing characters and the undeveloped land they choose to call home.

HEALING MONTANA SKY is about the compelling need to merge two families in order to survive -- a true marriage of convenience -- necessity. A widow with two children, no place to live, and scant resources. A widower with an infant whose life is in the balance.

Debra Holland painted a vivid verbal masterpiece with HEALING MONTANA SKY. It's okay to jump into this series with this story that has no issue with standing on its own.