This novel, set in 1858 in New Mexico Territory, serves as a bridge between the Wilderness series of novels and the first two novels of the Waverly Place series.
Backstory: 1845
Callie Ballentyne is a young girl when her life is upended and she must leave the only home she knows. With her mother – recently widowed – and her younger brother Nathan she moves to Manhattan. Lily Ballentyne remarries, a well-to-do old family friend, and they settle down in a large house on Waverly Place. Callie never learns to like the city, but she and her brother respect their step-father (if not their step-sister Margaret), and school is a welcome distraction.
At fifteen Callie enters into a midwifery apprenticeship with her cousin Amelie Savard. She attends nursing school as well, because her patients and their children need more than one kind of care.
When she has been employed by the New Amsterdam Charity Hospital for six years, the director brings her a letter from his brother-in-law, Dr. Samuel Markham of Santa Fe in New Mexico territory. Dr. Markham is looking for a nurse and midwife to join his practice. To the person who can meet his rather unusual requirements he offers a modest salary and room and board with his family. The requirements are unusual but they appeal to Callie.
Dr. Markham requires someone who is not put off by living far from civilization, with few amenities. The landscape is harsh; the person who joins his practice will have to be comfortable traveling on horseback to see patients. The patients are poor, and most of them have no English. A willingness to learn Spanish is a non-negotiable requirement. The Navajo, Apache and Kiowa and other tribes sometimes attack wagon trains and settlements, so this midwife must be courageous, committed and able to handle weapons. At the same time, she will be living side by side with Indians of many tribes — primarily the Puebloan – and she must be ready to learn about their cultures without assumptions or prejudice.
Opening: 1857
With Nathan as a traveling companion, Callie sets out for Santa Fe. The first part of the journey is by train. The rail system reaches only as far as St. Louis, and from there they board a packet on the Missouri River. Once they reach the Kansas border they must join a wagon train.
Callie will find Santa Fe to be full of unexpected contrasts. It is a town dominated by two forces: first, the Army, which is there to protect the citizens from Indian raids and to keep the territory under American control.[1]It is less than ten years since Mexico surrendered the lands first colonized by the Spanish Empire hundreds of years before. At this point in time, New Mexico territory includes what is now New … Continue reading
In the course of the journey west and finding a place for herself in Santa Fe, Callie finds she can no longer evade the repercussions of the events which made her mother leave Paradise for Manhattan. While she struggles with unresolved loss, she develops a relationship with Eli Ibarra, half Basque, half Pueblo Indian. Callie has to learn what it means to be Indian in the west.
In Santa Fe Callie deals with racial, religious and ethnic conflicts, with slavery and with women’s mental and physical health, and with the political chaos of a nation on the brink of Civil War.
References
| ↑1 | It is less than ten years since Mexico surrendered the lands first colonized by the Spanish Empire hundreds of years before. At this point in time, New Mexico territory includes what is now New Mexico, Arizona, and a good portion of California. |
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Oh, it’s so lovely. I can’t wait for it to be published so I can keep on reading about the Bonner progenies. Love, xx
Hope you’ll find it worth the wait, Siti.
Was the name of tge book Little Birds changed to Sweet Blue Distance? I was very excited to see the different title as i just finished Sweet Blue Distance and was anxious to find out what happened to Nathan and Lulu.
Sorry for the confusion. The marketing people are prone to interfering with titles, though every time I warn them that people will get turned around. I’m still working on Waverly Place no. 3. Going as fast as I can. Hope you’ll find it worth the wait.
Can’t wait to read the book. Love your work.
I love it!
I am really excited to read this book.
Very much looking forward to reading this one.
I can’t wait! Your books are my favorite!❤️
Beautifully layered from the onset. I eagerly await this next novel, thank you for this delicious snippet. All the best~
Looking forward to reading this book!
Very excited for this story between the two series and to see how they all got there! This sounds like it’s going to be a great read.
Looks like something I am dying to read. Watching for the publishing date. Thanks for sharing.
It sounds amazing. I can’t wait to read more about Callie’s story …and Lily’s.
This is so tantalizing. Makes waiting even more difficult — but I will as I have no choice! Thank you, thank you in advance.
Swoon. I am looking forward to this, and send you deep sleep, lots of inspiration, a pain free back, and elves that cook and clean.
I like the way you think.
I am sure I will enjoy this book as thoroughly as I have enjoyed your other works.
Thank you for sharing! I can’t wait to read the rest of it.
Can’t wait for it to be published I’ve read all of your work😊
Thank you for bringing us into this brave new world with your amazing characters. My reading glasses will be ready for the marathon read. Irene C.
Sounds amazing! Thank you
It’s going to be fabulous educational and exciting. Brilliant as always Sara Donati. Well worth the wait.
Interesting start. I’ve been to Sante Fe and loved the terrain far more than I liked the town. I particularly like the connection for Callie. Living close to wilderness alongside the indigenous peoples. Following the history of NM is a great catch too. It intrigues me.
I am so excited for this bridge novel as I love these characters and their stories.
So excited for the next piece of the Ballentyne story. Looking forward to the adventures of Lily, Callie, and Nathan living in a time of unrest, and transition where the influence of church and state, and diversity amongst people will play a huge part.
Can’t wait to read Little Birds!
Thanks for this much. It’ll be wonderful to read. Your books are so well researched.
I hope this will be available soon. I love your work and Little Bird holds so much promise.
Thank you.
It’s exciting to see the Bonner tribe in a new and yet still wild setting! Seeing it connect to Waverly Place makes it feel like everything coming together to see the big picture! I can’t wait to dive in when it comes out!
I am looking forward to reading this!!!
I am so excited to read this addition to the Bonner story. Having lived most of my life in Santa Fe, NM, it will be an especially enjoyable read. Thank you for these historical stories. I have learned so much from them. When might the book be published?
Temptress! Tantalising taste of treats to come in Little Birds
I am so excited about this book, I too have read all of the series and am anxiously awaiting Little Birds.
This is such exciting news. I have devoured everything this wonderful author has written. Can’t wait to fall back into this world.
I have loved, read and reread your books for years. The Bonner’s feel like they are family. Can’t wait for your new book.
I am so excited to read this story about Callie… so happy that I can be a part of this family and the stories you share 🥰
You are so kind. Thank you, Gemma.
CoVid retired me from substituting at the high school where I taught for 35 years and subbed for another 12 years. Then surgery sidelined me for months. I started your eight novels at the end but quickly remedied that….and have just finished Where the Light Enters for the second time. I love the historical background as much as the characters….and as much as I love The Last of the Mohicans film that I shared with my American Threads (English and History) classes. Thank you, Sara/Rosina for the many hours of pleasure in reading your novels. I am so excited to hear about Little Birds. Thank you so much.
Vicki Hackett
What a wonderful compliment. Vicki. I’m sorry you’ve had such a chaotic time, but pleased if my books helped you through. Thank you.
Will there be a novel after the into the wilderness’s, the endless forest, where all the characters are still living, and where their is a summary at the end of the endless forests, showing what hapens to all those characters i.e. when nathaniel dies, and when Elizabeth dies, and all what happens to most of them, because I think this amount of summaries would be very interesting in reading the full accounts of each of them. I absolutely enjoyed these books and would love to see one, as described above, to help blend the into the wilderness series and the waverly place series, I see you are writing ‘little birds’ about Lily’s daughter and hannah’ daughter – Callie and Amelie, hope to see more about the other characters during this time, please.
That’s an interesting idea. Certainly some of what you’re hoping for will be fulfilled by Little Birds. Thanks for your support, kathy.
Oh my gosh! What a great teaser!! Can’t wait to read it!
I’ve read the series twice and also the two new books. Eagerly await the next book. Any idea when it goes to publisher??
You books are spectacular- well researched for the times!
I, too, adore the Wilderness series, having just finished my second time through. I would love for you to expand the stories of the lives of the Bonner children and family of Runs-From-Bears. I just hate for that series to end! It is one of my favorites of all-time. You could create spin-off series for each child which would thrill your audience! I hate to beg but I’m begging. LOL Each time I finish one of your books I am sad that it’s complete. Thank you for blessing your readers with such fantastic reading entertainment!
Your support and enthusiasm give me a boost. I’d have to live to 110 to write all those stories, but hey. I’ll do what I can.
Can. Not. Wait.
As a child of the west I look forward to this so much. One of my favorite novels is James Mitchner’s Centennial, a big book of great characters just like your books are. Can’t wait!
Cannot wait – this story will be amazing. Be well – Write on!
Discovered your books in a bookstore in Central FL about 10 years ago…. Read the first Into the Wilderness book and have never stopped – your characters and story have become so much of the fabric of my life – the characters are inspirational, as well as, human and colorful and loveable… thank you for these amazing stories – so looking forward to Little Birds
I love ALL of your books. Read “In to the Wilderness” over 20 years ago and discovered the rest of the series just a 5 years ago. I have read all of them at least 3 times! Your new series is also dear to my heart and I’ve read them each 3 times. Honestly YOU are a wonderful author! Diana & Outlander has nothing on you ( I like those books but LOVE yours). Can’t wait for Little Birds! XO
thank you so much for your kind words and support… I’m honored to be held in such high regard. Back to work, so you won’t have to wait so terribly long for the next one.
Sara/ Rosini…your ability to write ,create and weave a story is a gift that I’m very glad you have been able to have the patience to do…it’s more than a story to your readers.
I’m sure the others will agree that you have created another world for us ,that we can escape to by opening a book or listening to audiobooks. While reading or listening your writing is so brilliant that I felt like I was watching from the sidelines.
I can’t explain it very well except I’ve felt that I know what it was like first hand to be there and listen to them talking while I was either listening or reading.Maybe I have a fertile imagination ,but I think it was your attention to detail and verbal nuances between characters.Narrator for Wilderness series was brilliant.
I thankyou for sharing your writing with us and look forward to this new book and many more.
I too was devastated when the wildernesses series finished.I felt like a chapter of my life had closed. Lol maybe I need to get out more 🤪,but I love losing myself in a book.
I’m also torn between someone turning the series into movie or mini series like outlander.
It would be fantastic for you to be recognised more by the global exposure and financial gain for you would be a great reward ,but on a readers level, I think I would struggle to accept the casting of characters and then they would start changing the story line and that would spoil it for millions of readers.
Anyway sending you good health and peaceful vibes to enable you to keep writing
😉
Your support and kind words about my work mean a great deal to me. Sometimes writing is pretty lonely and you wonder why the heck you thought you could write another novel. I’ll remember your comments the next time that happens. Thank you.
I echo all your other readers sentiments!! Yours are books I can read again and again.
The characters are like my family and each new book is like a letter received from them.
Take care, I am patiently waiting.
Daisy in New Jersey
Daisy — many thanks. I’m writing as fast as I can and hope you’ll find the next novel worth the wait.
I usually read a book and then donate it to a little library we started in an inn in NJ. However, your series is one I have kept intact for myself and I return to it continuously. Historical fiction is my favorite style of literature. I majored in English and have admired those of you who are able to create what I enjoy so much. I am a consumer, not a creator. I so appreciate your talent.
Hi Sharon. Thank you for taking the time to write. It’s an incredible boost to hear from thoughtful readers, and especially good to know that you’ve held on to my novels. I hope you’ll let me know what you think of the next one.
best
s/r
I’ve just today read about your new book to come out in 2023. I can’t wait and I agree with all the others who have written here. I have all your books under your Sara name, and I love telling friends about them. My neighbour and good friend has just read the first 2 books in the Wilderness series and has asked me if I also have the next book. Of course I have. She is hooked too. Keep writing. You are absolutely fabulous and I enjoy your books tremendously. Thank you.
Thanks Sue for taking the time to write and for your generous support. What would I do without readers like you?
I just want to say thank you and keep writing I have alot of time on my hand being I’m battling Cancer so I listen to alot of audio books and every time I finish 2 series of books I find myself back in the wilderness saga I need my Curiosity fix.Is there an update on the next books and will your ever dip back into the wilderness series and give us a book that led to the epilog.You are in my top 3 most enjoyable authors period thanks for the great books.
Thank you for your support, Kevin. I hope your health improves quickly so you can go wandering in the wilderness.
Dear Sara/Rosina,
Thank you for sharing your writing talents with us! I am excited for the new novels and look forward to the new Bonner family adventures. What about the rest of the Bonner Clan? Daniel and Martha? Gabriel and Annie? How did Birdie die? Hannah and Ben’s other children? I have so many questions….I wish you sunny skies, warm breezes, a computer with out issues, and an easy way for you to put your stories together! You have created an amazing series and I will continue to be a devoted reader!
Hi Deb — Thanks so much for your support and enthusiasm. Many of the questions that you raise are resolved in the next novel, The Sweet Blue Distance, coming April 2024. That includes information about the children and grandchildren that have confused you. And me.
I just read that you are writing a new novel – Little Birds. Im listening through the Wilderness series and am looking forward to Little Bird. Love your characters and their adventures. Sincerely Kim
The title Little Birds got changed, as often happens, by the marketing people. Now it’s called The Sweet Blue Distance, and was published April 2024. Still working on Waverly Place no. 3.