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A Dream Unfolding: Prescott Pioneers Book 1 Kindle Edition

4.5 out of 5 stars 884 ratings

Prescott Pioneers Series #1

The promise of a new life and a chance to start over…

Hannah Anderson had the life she always wanted, married to the man of her dreams. When her husband’s brother gets in trouble with the law, the town turns against them, shattering her perfect life. Now they are left with only one choice—to head west to the Arizona Territory in the hopes of creating a new life. Will the journey be worth the cost?

Will Colter, after burying his father, is forced to leave the ranch he has called home for nearly thirty years. The journey is dangerous, challenging him and his men. Will he find the new life he was hoping for?

Or, is there a new dream quietly unfolding before their eyes?

In the mid-1860s, these pioneers to Prescott, Arizona Territory have big dreams for their future. Will the cost be worth it? What heartache awaits them on their journey? Will they lose their faith?

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From the Publisher

Will the wilderness take everything or will some part of her dream survive?
Discover the Prescott Pioneer Series
A Dream Unfolding (Prescott Pioneers Book 1)
A Heart Renewed (Prescott Pioneers Book 2)
A Life Restored (Prescott Pioneers Book 3)
A Hope Revealed (Prescott Pioneers Book 4)
Prescott Pioneers: The Complete Series (4 book box set)
Customer Reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars 884
4.6 out of 5 stars 535
4.4 out of 5 stars 463
4.6 out of 5 stars 513
4.5 out of 5 stars 129
Price $0.00 $0.99 $0.99 $0.99 $9.99
ebook
paperback no data
number of books 1 1 1 1 includes all 4 books in the Prescott Pioneers series

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

This Christian Historical Romance Fiction novel follows the journey of a couple, Drew and Hannah Anderson, as they travel from Cincinnati, Ohio to the newly created Arizona Territory in 1863. In their search for a new life, they encounter many dangers and joys along the way. They meet the governor of the territory and travel with his party, witnessing several historical events.

The story also follows Will Colter's journey from Texas to the Arizona Territory when he is forced to leave his home. As this rancher drives his cattle across the wilderness, he and his men run into life-threatening situations. Throughout the move his dreams for his new ranch solidify. 

Once the main characters arrive in the Arizona Territory, their paths cross and they must learn to adapt to wilderness living. Things are not exactly what they thought. Each character is challenged to rely on God to face dangers in a new, wild territory.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B004GNFT5I
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Desert Life Media, LLC; 2nd edition (January 6, 2014)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 6, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 722 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 354 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 884 ratings

About the author

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Karen Baney
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I love writing. Whether it is contemporary cowboy romance or historical fiction set in my beloved state of Arizona, my novels always tell an engaging story of flawed characters in needed of second chances, redemption, or they must overcome personal trials. I love finding ways to weave real history and real settings into my stories.

My husband, Jim, and I live in Gilbert, Arizona with our two dogs, Bella and Daisy. We enjoy traveling throughout the state finding new adventures which often end up influencing the stories I write. We also are very active at Rock Point Church in Queen Creek, Arizona.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
884 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this historical fiction book well-written and easy to read, with a believable story of pioneer life. The characters are inspired by true events, and customers appreciate the faith-based content and emotional depth, with one review noting how it draws readers in from the first words. Customers praise the visual quality, with one review highlighting the detailed depiction of wagon train life.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

149 customers mention "Story quality"146 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, describing it as a good clean narrative with believable depictions of pioneer life.

"...n't mention it before I do so now that this story is threaded throughout with reference to Bible study, and reading with emphasis on a Godly life..." Read more

"...All-in-all this is an AWESOME book!!! And I can't wait to get started on the next one . . ...." Read more

"...While the wagon train ride events are unfolding, the author reveals a separate storyline, in about every other chapter, that involves the Colter..." Read more

"...Even though this is a work of fiction, you feel as if your getting a bit of a history lesson as well,because some of the events that take place in..." Read more

89 customers mention "Historical accuracy"89 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the historical accuracy of the book, describing it as a beautiful and great love story.

"...It is a beautiful historical novel taking you back to the wild west, Arizona Territory...." Read more

"...One more final thought . . . I love how she gave a "history" lesson without losing my attention. She described everything perfectly...." Read more

"Karen Baney has crafted an inspirational and heart-warming Christian Historical Romance in her debut novel, A DREAM UNFOLDING (Prescott Pioneers #1)...." Read more

"...They feel that life is fabulous except that she can't seem to get pregnant ... but they are so very much in love...." Read more

61 customers mention "Writing quality"50 positive11 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, finding it well-crafted and easy to read, with one customer noting its detailed descriptions.

"...Scenes were so well developed and described that I felt I was right there with them . . ...." Read more

"...situations such as romance and death, but A DREAM UNFOLDING is written in a clean, "rated PG" format...." Read more

"...She created an interesting story, wrote in such a way that made this book difficult to put down and shows us a strong Christian message through her..." Read more

"...I very highly recommend this book. It's beautifully written with captivating charaters and a great story...." Read more

52 customers mention "Character development"50 positive2 negative

Customers love the characters in the book, finding them well-written and feeling connected to them, with one customer noting how the author expresses their deep feelings effectively.

"...I loved how the author described the love between Drew and Hannah, one of passion but respect and honorable...." Read more

"...I found myself laughing, crying and even furious with the characters...." Read more

"...to create a clean, uplifting, Christian story that was inspired by true events and characters, during a period in our nation's history that held..." Read more

"...I loved the characters in this story, their emotions are so heartfelt, and their faith so strong, it literally jumps off the page...." Read more

34 customers mention "Faith"34 positive0 negative

Customers find the book faith-inspiring and uplifting, with one customer noting how the spiritual references enhance the narrative.

"...threaded throughout with reference to Bible study, and reading with emphasis on a Godly life but more than that it leads one to remember who we are..." Read more

"Karen Baney has crafted an inspirational and heart-warming Christian Historical Romance in her debut novel, A DREAM UNFOLDING (Prescott Pioneers #1)...." Read more

"...While it is an inspirational story it would easily appeal to anyone who enjoys reading the trials and triumphs of the westward journey...." Read more

"...way that made this book difficult to put down and shows us a strong Christian message through her characters' lives that they come together and..." Read more

22 customers mention "Emotional content"22 positive0 negative

Customers find the book emotionally engaging, with one mentioning how it draws readers in from the first words and another noting how it makes them feel in the moment.

"...I found myself laughing, crying and even furious with the characters...." Read more

"...to the novel now takes place, and the author does a great job keeping the reader captivated by revealing just morsels in each chapter of what might..." Read more

"...I loved the characters in this story, their emotions are so heartfelt, and their faith so strong, it literally jumps off the page...." Read more

"...It was sad in some places, hopeful in some and some twists in others. The author did well to incorporate the Arizona Territory into the storyline...." Read more

18 customers mention "Interest"18 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging, with several noting they were captivated from the beginning and kept interested throughout.

"...They are headed for different towns and Karen did a good job of keeping you interested to where you don't want to put the 'Kindle' down...." Read more

"...Karen didn't miss a thing when she wrote this book. She created an interesting story, wrote in such a way that made this book difficult to put..." Read more

"...It had everything that you look for in a wonderful, adventurous and loving story. The activities of the characters are very realistic...." Read more

"...tale of wagon trains, new settlers and cowboys offered a glimpse into an intriguing world, but didn't deliver on all levels. The pace was patchy...." Read more

17 customers mention "Visual quality"12 positive5 negative

Customers appreciate the visual quality of the book, describing it as beautifully breathtaking, with one customer highlighting its excellent depiction of life on a wagon train and another noting its realistic portrayal of landscapes.

"...Scenes were so well developed and described that I felt I was right there with them . . ...." Read more

"...It was harsh but beautiful. The premise for the story was sound and the author has obviously researched extensively...." Read more

"...could pull that off, given the following: Awkward writing, very often confusing, and I had to re-read passages quite often...." Read more

"...The author paints a perfect picture of the beauty in this city and I could clearly visualize how gorgeous the scenery was, especially for the..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2012
    A Dream Unfolding by Karen Baney is book one in her Prescott Pioneers series. It is a beautiful historical novel taking you back to the wild west, Arizona Territory.

    The novel begins in Cincinnati, Ohio, 1863, where we meet Drew and his wife, Hannah Anderson. The action of the story begins immediately with a wounded man being brought in to Drew's office as he is a doctor with his wife, Hannah, being his assistant, attending to a man who had been shot. Well, it turns out that Drew's brother was part of the group that robbed this bank where the man was injured and is alot of trouble. Drew's brother has been in a lot of trouble for a long time but this time Drew cannot rescue him nor does he want to be rescued. But during this time, since Drew's brother was part of the group that attempted to rob the bank of the townspeople, now the townspeople who had been their friends for years and been to his clinic are turning against them because of Drew's brothers actions, as if blaming them for his conduct. This leads to the care of his patients dwindling. Decisions are needed to be made by Drew as to how he will be taking care of both of them since his patients are seeing someone else. He had hoped that the townspeople would have changed their behavior towards them but they hadn't. So the decision is made by Drew to move out to the Arizona Territory, hoping to restart their lives where this part of their lives can be put behind them and start anew.

    From the beginning, you are easily taken in by these characters. I fell in love with both of them. Then we are taken on a trip out west to the Arizona Territory following this wagon train with its struggles, hardships on this trail out west, many seeking the same hope, new life and prosperity. I loved how the author described the love between Drew and Hannah, one of passion but respect and honorable. You just can't help being drawn into their love for each other. They anticipated each other needs, and attended to them without thought. Too bad current marriages could not be as pleasant.

    But as too often, the travel out west takes on a different direction than what was anticipated. Hannah is not pleased at all to be moving this far west, but Drew insists that he believes they are being led by the Lord but Hannah has her doubts, to be taken so far away from where she had been raised is too much for her and she begins to withdrawl from Drew but thankfully along the way the tension between them melts and the wall comes down. Travelling on this trail is hard work both of them unaware of what is involved, each of them separately dealing with things that bothered each of them in dealing with such a move. Both dealing with their own emotions concerning this ordeal that was not expected nor wanted in their lives. All this due to the trouble that Drew's brother had brought upon them.

    But nicely interwoven is another story in a different part of the country in Texas. This would be the Colter family. We are introduced to Will, Reuben and Julia Colter, who have lost their mother and now just lost their father. Will is not sure what to do. He has always since a young boy wanted to beginn a ranch of his own one day. The tensions between himself and his brother, Reuben has always been a problem and now it really rears it's ugly head. Upon the reading of the their father's will, the ranch is left to the older brother, Reuben and half the cattle to Will. Reuben who has disliked his younger brother, takes this time to tell him that now that their father has been buried and the will read, it is time for him to move on. Will is floored but it was not unexpected. His only concern is for his sister, Julia. At this time, he couldn't bring her with him because he was just getting started himself and besides, Reuben wouldn't hear of it. So with great sadness he says his goodbye to his sister whom he doesn't know if he will ever be able to see again and sets out himself destined for the Arizona territory.

    I felt very connected to the characters, especially Hannah. I cried for her and with her during her struggles and loses but also smiled and cheered her on when she was able to see her way through her mourning and see that God does have a plan for each of us in His timing not ours. If I hadn't mention it before I do so now that this story is threaded throughout with reference to Bible study, and reading with emphasis on a Godly life but more than that it leads one to remember who we are in God's eyes. That the struggles in this life that we face we do not face them alone. That hope can be found in the scriptures that will strenthen our faith and moves us to trusting God more in our lives and with our lives.

    I am almost done with this book and ready to purchase the second book in the series which I have no doubt will be just as good or better. So don't wait any longer, go ahead and purchase this book it is worth the money many times over.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2013
    Karen Baney has crafted an inspirational and heart-warming Christian Historical Romance in her debut novel, A DREAM UNFOLDING (Prescott Pioneers #1). She covers wagon train rides, cattle drives, and military expeditions - oh my! Her research of these true events is evident by both the author's descriptive details of setting throughout the book in the different places of Ohio, Texas, and Arizona, and by Baney accurately illustrating many of the challenges pioneers encountered during the 1860s.

    Reminiscent of the LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE books and TV shows, Baney's first novel in a four-book series covers many adult situations such as romance and death, but A DREAM UNFOLDING is written in a clean, "rated PG" format. Author Baney also incorporates in almost every chapter some mention of God or a Scripture passage, but not in a way that is overbearing. These spiritual references enhance, and truly fit, how a character during that scene is feeling about God's Plan in his or her life--and whether or not they want to trust God's Grand Design at that particular moment.

    The story opens in Ohio, where Dr. Drew Anderson and his wife Hannah live. The doctor's brother Thomas causes trouble, leading the townsfolk to become angry with the Andersons by association. This leads Drew to decide to start a new life far away from home, in the newly formed Arizona Territory. How to get there? By wagon train, of course. This type of travel is quite a challenge for a man with soft hands, and for a woman who has never cooked over an outdoor fire--having to use buffalo dung, no less, when wood sources are not available.

    During the trail ride, the Andersons become friends with the Lancasters, who include widowed mom Betty, and her adult son Paul who is also a widow. They intend to open a boardinghouse and restaurant in Arizona. Betty, who is in her fifties, has been on wagon train trips before, and teaches and encourages the younger ladies how to make do with what's available while traveling through wilderness that offers few chances for food supplies, and little in the way of protection from the weather--and Indians.

    About six weeks into the trip, the wagon train stops to restock at Fort Larned, Kansas. Here, another wagon train camp is encountered, those traveling with the governor of the Arizona territory. Another important character to A Dream Unfolding is introduced at this point, Lt. Joshua Harrison. Dr. Anderson is asked to take care of Lt. Harrison after the soldier receives a bullet wound.

    While the wagon train ride events are unfolding, the author reveals a separate storyline, in about every other chapter, that involves the Colter family. Texas cattle rancher Ed Colter passes away, leaving behind his teen daughter Julia, and his sons who are in their thirties, oldest Reuben, and second-born Will. Ed's will decrees his oldest son gets the ranch house and land, so Reuben--who has never gotten along well with his younger brother--demands that Will move off the property pronto. Will, who inherited half of the herd of Longhorns, gathers up what men and supplies he can in order to lead a cattle drive to Arizona to try to make a new life there.

    The main members of the wagon train ride cross paths with those from the cattle drive when they all are in Arizona, the first encounter occurring at the Lancaster's boardinghouse. An interesting twist to the novel now takes place, and the author does a great job keeping the reader captivated by revealing just morsels in each chapter of what might come as one continues to turn the pages. It is during this point in the story that the characters slowly realize they must trust God's Plan--and not their own--even at times of deepest despair, and even if His Design is not the exact answer the characters expected from prayers.

    When I read the last page of A DREAM UNFOLDING, my very first thought was, "What a lovely book." I hardly ever use the word "lovely," and it might seem strange that a Western tale would be described as "lovely," but that really is how I felt when the story ended. I was impressed by the author's ability to create a clean, uplifting, Christian story that was inspired by true events and characters, during a period in our nation's history that held many more instances of struggles and sadness triumph and happiness.

    I had read author Baney's Christian Contemporary Romance NICKELS before I read A DREAM UNFOLDING. Although I enjoyed NICKELS, as novels set in the present day are usually what I read, I admit I liked this Christian Historical Romance better. In fact, I've already purchased the second book in the Prescott Pioneers series, A HEART RENEWED, which the summary reads is about Julia Colter, the young sister of the Texas ranchers from this book.

    If you enjoy novels about passionate pioneer doctors, handsome Texas ranchers, upstanding military men, and strong frontier women, and stories that have an underlying theme about God's Plan, then you'll love the #1 book in Karen Baney's Prescott Pioneers series, A DREAM UNFOLDING.

Top reviews from other countries

  • Tazzii
    5.0 out of 5 stars What a great book!!
    Reviewed in Australia on December 20, 2016
    Although there are references to christianity throughout this book (I am not religiously inclined) I found this book to be one of the best, well written books I have read for quite a while. A glimpse into the life endured by many pioneers of a country and the hardships that would have been endured and the stamina of the people of the times. (not many people could do it today)
    A wonderful journey right to the end. I actually read the Aurthors Note which I dont normally do and it was also interesting and shows the committment of the author of this book.
    A must read, you wont be disappointed.
  • thepipsta
    5.0 out of 5 stars addictive
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 28, 2013
    Great. Can't wait to read the next book, brilliant free read. Couldn't put it down, very addicted. Read it now
  • Vianne Culbert
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read
    Reviewed in Canada on July 4, 2015
    I really liked how balanced this story was. There was tragedy but also triumph. Through it all Hannah trusted God even though she lost her faith for awhile. God never left her.
  • Jean Gilbert
    4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyed the adventure
    Reviewed in Canada on January 19, 2023
    This is the first time I have read this author and I really enjoyed this story. It was well written and had a good faith message. Looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series.
  • read-along-with-sue
    4.0 out of 5 stars Rewarding
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 22, 2012
    I downloaded this copy for free. Its the first book to a sequel. I'd never heard of this author before but the write up about the novel intrigued me. I wasn't disappointed by any means.

    The opening of the book takes you right into the story. Its well told, well thought out and well researched. I could follow the authors writing throughout. I've finished this book and will now write a review on the next.

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