Review of Bear Woman Rising

[Bertha Jackson]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Bear Woman Rising" by Dorothy Staley.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Have you ever met someone you have an instant connection with that makes you friends for life? After spending six years working at the Arctic Research Camp's laboratory, Jesse Bookman travels to Washington, DC, to start a new job. Traveling through the Yukon Territory, Jesse stops at Whitey's Roadhouse and finds more than she was looking for. Kara Björnson, her husband, Danny, and their two-year-old daughter, Kalina, live in one of Whitey's cabins each summer. All summer long, they gather supplies and prepare to travel to their cabin, which is 40 miles away. There is an abandoned gold mine ten miles past their cabin where Danny has staked a claim. What makes these two women connect? What could a single woman and a married woman with a small child have in common? Read Bear Woman Rising: Two Women One Journey by Dorothy Staley to get the answers to these questions.

Dorothy Staley has done a fantastic job with character development by explaining each character's background and lifestyle. I could easily visualize the Eskimos walking across the snow-packed ground or Jesse wiping road dust from her face. Dorothy Staley made nice transitions between present events and memories between Kara and Jesse's stories. Friendships were evident regardless if the characters were folding laundry together, drinking coffee, or going for a walk. The author's use of poetry and song lyrics to show the characters' emotions throughout the book is commendable. I became emotional while reading this book because I sensed the characters' fear when a moose ran in front of their vehicle, or someone got lost during a blizzard. Not only that, I had to laugh when a character's priority was beer before business. I enjoy books that do not tell me how to feel but make me feel the emotion.

With its fast pace, I did not find anything to dislike while reading this action-packed book. A professional editor has edited the book and missed only a few minor errors. These errors did not detract from my reading enjoyment.

I am thrilled to give this fantastic book 4 out of 4 stars. Learning about the Yukon Territory and the Klondike Gold Rush was interesting. I have no reason to give this book a lower rating.

I recommend this book to mature readers who enjoy inspirational books involving love, friendship, scientific research, and folklore that are hard to put down and require you to have a box of tissues close by. Sensitive readers may want to avoid this book if a few prayers, descriptive sexual content, and non-borderline profanity are offensive to them.

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Bear Woman Rising
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[Amy Luman]

This book really speaks to me. My best friend has a school-age child and I haven’t had one for several years, yet we have lots to discuss. I am also very appreciative of the description of characters and events.

[Jennifer Coxon]

This sounds like a really appealing book. I too enjoy a book that makes me feel rather than tells me what to feel, it is a skill.

[Okorji98]

Dorothy Staley has done a fantastic job with character development by explaining each character's background and lifestyle. Great review.