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Victoria Murata

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Journey of Hope: A Novel of Triumph and Heartbreak on the Oregon Trail in 1852 Kindle Edition

by Victoria Murata (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.2 2,462 ratings

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When the invitation comes for a new life and urgency calls for better opportunities, how does one answer?

History is peopled with those who have left the comfort of the known world to embark on journeys where their footprints have left permanent markers on the future. Against impossible odds they have followed their dreams, trusting in the unseen providence that births a new land from the womb of the old world behind them, and in their journeying, they come to realize that everything that exists has needed their participation. Their lives already lived are held in reverence by those who come after and who hold them up like beacons illuminating the wide and timeless expanse of eternity.

In Journey of Hope, three young women leave Independence, Missouri in the spring of 1852 on a wagon train bound for the Oregon territory. Brenna and her family are Irish immigrants. Rebecca travels with her large family from Iowa. Emily is a young bride traveling with her husband, Ernest. Daily life on the wagon train is challenging. Cholera is rampant, crime not unheard of, and death is an ever present visitor. Six months and two thousand miles later they reach their destination much changed from who they were when they started. Their hopes and fears are realized in unforgettable experiences of love and loss. Through it all they form a bond with each other that will last a lifetime and encompass the vast and untamed regions of the heart.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Victoria Murata resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she retired from teaching English and history for thirty years. Historical fiction is her favorite genre, and she always supplemented her classroom history studies with historically accurate novels about the time period. She spends her time between her book club and her writing group, her children and grandchildren, and traveling with her husband.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0091MDFO6
Publisher ‏ : ‎ CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (August 23, 2012)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 23, 2012
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 796 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 280 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #227,358 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #426 in Christian Westerns (Books)
- #972 in Christian Westerns (Kindle Store)
- #1,295 in U.S. Historical Fiction

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4.2 2,462 ratings

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Victoria Murata

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It will come as no surprise that Victoria Murata loves reading and writing, and while she's always been an avid reader, she's only written seriously since she retired from teaching. Now that she has the time and leisure to write, she often spends hours at her computer constructing stories.

She lives in Albuquerque NM, close to her daughter and two of her four grandchildren, and she travels to Minnesota to visit her son and his family often. She is active in her church, and writing and art also keep her busy. She belongs to a couple of writing groups and a book club.

She grew up in the 50's and 60's in a college town in Minnesota, close to the Mississippi River. Her childhood was free and fun and under the watchful eyes of her parish priests and nuns. After college and a couple years teaching in rural Minnesota, she moved to the southwest where she married, had children, and taught mostly middle school.

Victoria believes that people have stories in them that need to be written down.

"Writing is cathartic, and sometimes others will want to read what you write. But don't write for others. Write for yourself because you love it!"

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4.2 out of 5

2,462 global ratings

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Journey of Hope

Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2022

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I've been reading books about the Oregon trail some historical and some with more fiction than fact. One item in this story was interesting, my family are part of the pioneers that came to Oregon. My connection is the Miller family , thief baby was born in route ,Martha Miller "Mattie" . This was my unrest grandmother. Very strange. I thought this was an interesting storyline it had everything to keep you wanting more page by page. I had a hard time putting the book down. The interaction of the cast was great. The flow of the writing was on point. Thanks for a very entertaining story.

2 people found this helpful

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Pamela Saunders Morris

A typical story about traveling the Oregon trail

Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2013

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I liked this story, but it was another typical Oregon trail tale of the hardships these people endured. At times I was a little bored but continued reading. In the end, I was glad I finished it. It's always interesting to read about the life & times of days gone by. I don't know how those people endured all they did back then. Many of them died as they trudged onward to find free land and a new life. They had to cross dangerous rivers, climb up & down steep terrain, and fend off Indians. They ate pretty much the same food day after day during this 6 month journey. This particular story's main character, Emily, came from a rich family and had never had to do hard work in her life until she took this journey with her husband. Things went terribly bad for her, but in the end she changes and becomes a better person. Love blossoms amongst many of the travelers in this tale. There are happy moments as well as many sad ones. If you like reading about life in the 1850s, this book will probably be of interest to you.

2 people found this helpful

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Reader in Malone

Wow-excellent read about life on the Oregon Trail

Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2014

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I really enjoyed this book.

I read several reviews where people were upset about the characters, and gave low ratings because of it. There are a lot of families/characters to keep track of, and you don't find out a ton of information about them, but I don't think that was what this book was all about. It was only meant to discuss this six month time in their lives--so why would you expect to know every bit of detail about every single character? There were some characters that you did read some of their story, and when you did, it helped the plot.

There were descriptions of the trail, and areas the wagon train went through. Not all areas were described in great detail--again, another complaint I'd read about--but the detail was enough for the reader to get a sense of what they were going through, and where they were headed.

Spending six months with a group of people, especially in the harsh conditions they endured, would naturally draw some people close together. That happened here, with several marriages. Also, due to the harsh conditions, several people died. Again, it makes sense that this would happen.

Not everyone on these wagon trains would be good characters, and there was one unscrupulous character. I'm glad he got what was coming to him, and it was a surprise, because I had no idea he would turn out to be what he was. I won't spoil anything by telling you what happened!

I also appreciate a well written, and well edited book. If there were errors in it, they weren't glaring at me and I missed them.

I started this book today, and decided I wasn't going to bed until I finished it and reviewed it. I highly recommend this book!

9 people found this helpful

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Mr max

Wondering who target audience is...4+ star if for YA

Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2013

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I enjoyed this authors style of writing overall. This was a light read for me, one evening, and drew me in to finish it. Also, I continued to think of the characters after reading the book, which is always a sign of good writing.

If this had been specifically marked as a young adult novel, I would have given at least 4 stars, maybe even 5. (If it was and I missed it, my apologies). I can see the appeal to the YA audience.

As an avid adult reader however (150+ books a year), there was little depth in the presented history or character development. It was very much like throwing a whole bunch of feel good and a little bit of tragedy into a box and tying it up with one big feel good ribbon.

I would love to see this author write a YA, or even adult, novel focusing on a young woman horse trainer and going into some depth, wow, I think it would be a big win! (If you've read the book you will understand).

29 people found this helpful

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libraphile

Wonderful novel

Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2023

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Although I wasn’t too sure about one character in the prologue, the journey made a difference. I also liked the way the author introduced problems that helped the characters ( with the help of other characters) become better people. As the title tells you there are heartbreaking times and events, but I liked the ending.

One person found this helpful

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Verlin E. Sandlin

Dreams Realized; Sorrows Experienced

Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2014

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This book captured my interest with its variety of characters and wholesomeness. Written in a simple style it is easily understood for even a youth but imaginative enough for adults. The author tied up all the loose ends in a neat and loving package as though giving a gift to loved ones. I would have rated the book a four and half were the rating available. Very good read.

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Althea Hillier

Overcoming despite tragedy.

Reviewed in Canada on March 27, 2014

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Journey of Hope: A novel of Triumph and Heartbreak! Victoria Murata couldn't have chosen a more appropriate title for her book. The long journey to Oregon would present its challenges. As they left the homeland, no one could ever have imagined what this trip would cost them - and not only financially. True there are two sides to every coin. On one side there was excitement, joy, marriages and new-born babies. Flip the coin and you will see sickness, death, disappointment and despair. On this trip, Emily experienced both sides of the coin. The epidemic of cholera had robbed her of her loved ones. An unexpected letter had sent her to the depth of despair. What else could she do but marry Mr. Brown who was holding some unfortunate information over her head? She would soon find out what an awful man he was. How could she live a life like this? Fortunately for her, the tide turned. She was free of this man and discovers she is well situated for life. I'll leave you to read the details of this interesting novel of courage in the midst of tragedy. Do you enjoy a good, fast-moving story? You've got it here.

One person found this helpful

MRS L E BRIGHTWELL

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 6, 2015

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VERY GOOD. STILL READING IT HOPE THE END IS AS SPELL BINDING AS THE BEGINNING

Hoener, Birgit

Lovely well told story

Reviewed in Germany on March 4, 2015

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From the cover picture, and reading the summary of this book, I thought at first: oh well, just another romance story set in the "Wild West". After reading the first chapter, this impression was reinforced a bit, and I thought, oh, young married couple on way to Oregon, spoilt young wife, this will be about how she's changed.
Yes, it was, but it started to be so much more! I don't know how historically correct the story is, but I could very well imagine this is what the settlers had to endure. The characters were well defined, as were the difficulties of the treck and of so many people living together, working together for over 6 months in a confined space, enduring whatever life threw at them.
A very well told story with interesting characters which I came to love (and loathe, some of them)while reading this. Actually, I could picture in my mind one of the old Western style movies, and a cast of John Wayne, Kirk Douglas, Jimmy Stewart, Maureen O'Hara etc etc as cast for the characters.
Definitely a recommendation from me.

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