
Heaven’s Sky: 
It’s 1935. Clarissa Wilding refuses to leave her homestead, despite the ravages of drought and relentless dust storms plaguing the Kansas plains. The competing influence of a local pastor and a helpful stranger plant seeds of doubt about her decision. With her husband away looking for work, the elements and poverty threaten to overcome her resolve to stand firm, especially when her wealthy estranged sister from New York surprises her with a visit. The sisters must work together to answer the challenges of living in the dust bowl years. Courage and surrender build in both their hearts, while the ultimate test makes each of them face what really matters in life.
The Pruning: 
Clarissa Wilding and her family have just arrived at the train station in Kennewick, Washington. Their decision to move from the drought and dust storms on the Kansas plains seemed like a good one, until Clarissa sees her husband Frank embrace his half-brother William—the man who has offered them the chance to start fresh on his vineyard.
Clarissa knows this man, but by a different name. And it is obvious that William also recognizes her, though he says nothing of their past together.
The Wilding family settles into a cottage on the farm. Frank is thrilled to be back on a productive farm, having lost their crops to the relentless dust storms back home. He is anxious to rekindle his relationship with his brother, but doesn’t understand Clarissa’s resistance to William. Frank is eager to learn the grape and fruit growing business and hopes his work ethic will please his brother. But he is disturbed to see that William has not held on to the Christian teachings of their mother, but instead is angry and resentful of his drunken father, Frank’s step-father.
Both parents are deceased, but unpleasant memories linger for both Frank and William, even after William explains he changed his name to be rid of his father’s reputation.
Clarissa cruelly discovers that you cannot always escape your past. A clandestine meeting is about to test her faith, and expose secrets that could challenge her marriage.
Will Clarissa and her husband cling to God’s promise for a new beginning? Or be destroyed by tragedies and trials.
my point of view:
Bonus review post today – two books for the ‘price’ of one, lol! Honestly, these two stories combine for one of the best reads I have had in a while! 1935 Kansas during the drought seems like a very sad time, indeed, and Jan Cline brings this era to life vividly in Heaven’s Sky. I admit, it is a period of history I truly knew very little about, but I have learned quite a bit from this story, to the point it even had me googling the dust storms and hardships people faced then.
What really got to me was how Clarissa was so determined to stay ‘planted’ in Kansas through everything, even her husband leaving to try and find work. I was honestly a little frustrated with her in the beginning….but it was definitely worth continuing the story! When her sister Treena shows up along with a drifter, Elijah, the story takes on a whole new level for me. Elijah reminds me there are angels placed here on earth for a season in our lives – just when we need them the most! I have always considered myself a fairly independent woman, and reading how Clarissa and Treena learn to deal with such difficult circumstances to prevail in the end was absolutely inspiring.
While Heaven’s Sky had a lovely ending, I could not wait to dive right in to The Pruning, for these character’s were quickly finding a place in my heart. Little did I know just how embedded they would become! This second book takes on a whole different set of problems, ones I could not have imagined while reading the first book! Life in Washington State is a definite reprieve from the dust storms, but there is a whole other storm a brewing with Clarissa’s inner circle.
There is a lot more suspense in this story, and it kept me on the edge of my seat. I don’t want to give too much away of the details, but let me tell you this much – I adore Frank. He is probably one of the best male character’s I have come across in Christian Fiction, he absolutely touched my heart! Keep reading to the end of the post to see how to enter for a chance to win a copy of EACH of these stories in ebook versions!
Jan is an author and speaker from the Pacific Northwest. She is a former writer’s conference director and speaks at writer’s conferences and writer’s groups in the region. Her love for history and writing combine to bring the stories of America’s past to life in the women’s fiction genre. She is passionate about researching, and the travel it requires to learn about the interesting places and people in her stories.
Jan enjoys golf, crafts, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Jan’s website: https://jancline.net (sign up for her newsletter and receive a free short story)
You can also see info on Jan’s speaking topics on her website.
Social Media links:
Facebook: Jan Cline Author
Twitter: Jan_Cline
Other books by Jan:
Emancipated Heart, a novel
A Heart Out of Hiding, a women’s self-help book
Heaven’s Sky, book 1 of the American Dreams series novels
Jan Cline is so generous to offer a giveaway ebook version of BOTH stories to one of our amazing readers! Simply comment on this post and tell us what your favorite season is! Contest will be open for one week from publication of this post and winner will be notified via email.
My favorite season(s) is a toss-up between Spring (seeing the beautiful flowers pop up after a long winter) and Fall (fresh cool mornings and evenings after a long hot summer)!
Thanks for the chance to win these books. They sound very very interesting!
Hi Terry, I so agree. Thanks for sharing and good luck!
Thank you so much for stopping by, Terry! We do not get much of a Spring or Fall in Florida, pretty much a Summer and couple weeks of slightly cold, back to Summer, lol!
I think I like summer best when we can go on more “hikes”, or walks at our local park along the river, where we see many different kinds of songbirds! Although, on the other hand, I enjoy more time to read CF books during winter months:) Thanks for a wonderful opportunity to enter a giveaway! Would love to win print books of these excellent stories!
Hi Lual, Thanks for stopping by. I like your thoughts about snuggling up with good books for winter.
Beautiful reasons behind loving two seasons, Lual! I am so glad you shared with us today!
My favorite season would be spring. We do not have hard winters, but I still enjoy the warmer weather, before the hot days of summer arrive. These books sound good. Thanks for the give-a-way offer.
I love a real Spring as well, Cindy, everything so fresh and new!
Hi Cindy! I’ll trade you winters!! Thanks for stopping by.
Hello! Once again, Paula, your review makes me want these books!! My favorite season is Winter, cause it’s the only Florida is cooler!! And, that’s not a guarantee it will be, just that it should be!
Hi Trudy, My daughter says the same thing about North Carolina winters. : ) Thanks for commenting.
Yes, Trudy! Winter in Florida……..sigh, at least it gets cooler than August here, hahahaha! You are so sweet, I hope you get the chance to read them!
Lol, I like your BOGO offer 😉
My favorite season is Spring!
I would choose Fall if I’ve lived somewhere else than Cali…
Hi Natalya, Falls are beautiful in the Northwest. Come visit sometime!
LOL, thank you, Natalya! I miss the Spring and Fall in Florida too!
Fall I like the changing colors of the trees,the smell and the cooler weather.
Me too, Susan. We’ll be traveling to the east in a couple weeks and I hope to see some Fall colors.
Hi, Susan! I absolutely adore the Fall growing up in the Northeast! Not so.much here in Florida, lol! Thank you for sharing!
my favorite season is spring…because after the longwinter where everything is dead…cold and gray…spring brings new life…brings color and life…streams running from winter’s thaw the birds chirping,and buds opening to reveal what was hidden inside.
I agree, Sheila. I love seeing everything come alive. Sometimes winters get me down. Spring makes it all better!
Beautifully said, Sheila! We don’t have quite to dramatic a Spring here in Florida, but I remember them from living in NJ!
Another amazing review Paula. I’m not normally a historical reader but you have definitely peaked my interest! I’ll be checking these out!
My favorite season is spring. I like the thought out everything fresh and new. We celebrate Easter and Christ’s resurrection. Rebirth.
I am glad I peaked your interest, Erica! Hope you get the chance to read them!
Thanks for stopping by, Erica. I hope you do check out my books. I try hard to make history interesting and real.
My favorite season is Spring. I love to see the flowers blooming and the leaves budding on the trees. For me, Spring represents a new birth and a second chance to life.
I agree, Amanda! Something so fresh and new about the Spring!
Hi Amanda, I love the new birth analogy. We all need to feel that way once in a while. Blessings!
I truly love the hope and beauty of Spring. Everything is starting to bloom and we are begining to hope for summer. Both of these books sound very interesting to read from the review about them. Thanks do much for a chance
Thank you for visiting with us, Rory! I agree the freshness of a Spring can be so lovely!
Hi Rory, spring is all about hope! Thanks for the reminder.
Hi Rory, Thanks for the reminder about hope! So true.
Spring is my favorite season!
I have family in Washington state and would love to read a book sets there.
Spring is becoming a clear winner, lol! I have always wanted to see the Pacific North West too!
thanks Patty, Washington is a beautiful state with lots to do! And yay for spring!!
I want to give a huge thank you to Jan Cline for being so generous and offering both of these books as a giveaway! I am so thrilled to announce the random draw winner for BOTH ebooks is Shelia Roy! Jan Cline will be contacting you directly via email to get these sent to you! Thank you to everyone who participated, and keep checking back for more giveaways soon!