Journey of Dreams- Dreams have a way of infusing themselves into our souls–becoming an indivisible part of who we are. Five lives irrevocably change when their greatest longings become their new reality–and for one, vice versa.The Journey of Dreams series is Contemporary Christian Fantasy, exploring the delights of our hearts and how the Lord meets them.——————————-In my … them.
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In my dreams, I had always imagined wandering through meadows of golden, calf-high grasses that swayed in a gentle breeze. The dream recurred often—one I’d loved since my childhood. Sitting on the fire escape of our fourth-floor apartment in Pittsburgh, I’d escape into the woods of Wisconsin, the prairies of Kansas, and eventually the little town of De Smet, South Dakota, as I lived and breathed the adventures of Laura Ingalls. However, of all those places, the Kansas prairie somehow infused itself into my soul. I dreamt of the swoosh of the grasses, the musical sound of the cottonwoods when their leaves rustled in summer winds, and clear skies with only small tufts of clouds to mar their azure perfection…Some things we read in books, whether prose or poetry, and think we understand. However, until you’ve stood in a sea of grasses undulating like the waves of the ocean in the morning breeze, you cannot possibly begin to understand what the phrase, “sea of grass” means. As I stood, watching the rise and fall of the blades dancing in unison to a tune inaudible to me, a rush of contentment washed over me. In this vast sea of nothingness, I knew I had come home.
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Jessa Davidson enjoyed a lifelong fascination and desire for life on the prairie. However, she never expected that fascination to become reality. A far cry from her apartment in Pittsburgh, the world of Prairie is more than just a change in geography–it’s a change of life. In Prairie, Jessa examines the innermost parts of her soul and discovers desires she never knew she had.
From the moment she awoke, transported from the cold Pennsylvania winter, on the sunbathed summer prairie, she knew her life would never be the same.
The people of Prairie welcomed her and accepted her–almost without question, but so much of her life changed in that moment–her hopes, dreams, values, and the absolutes of things like time–that she feared accepting her new life as reality.
Is Prairie the dreams of her life come true–or her worst nightmare> Is it real? Is it permanent? Or will she awake to discover that she’s lost her mind–or worse, her life?
And the biggest question on Jessa’s heart? Does she care?
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Reading books by Chautona Havig gives me joy, and Prairie lived up to my expectations. The characters, scenery, and plot kept me interested. Jess a Davidson wakes up in the place of her dreams one day in the prairie. The people she encounters bring to life the ideas of Christian love.
This Christian fantasy novel is the first book in the Journey of Dreams series. I could not put this book down, in typical fashion for a book by Chautona Havig. I found myself wanting to visit Prairie myself. The ambiance of the place along with the people appears to be warm and welcoming. Ms. Havig builds wonderful worlds that draw you in and make you feel you are actually there.
I definitely recommend reading this book. So check it out for yourself.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but it in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
If ever a book was meant for me this one is it. I can’t believe how on point this story is for me. I am a huge fan of Little House on the Prairie. I have always loved that time period where people lived in a small town and had farms. Neighbors helped each other and families spent time together. I have wished so many times that my life was different. How many times have you said that you wish your life was different? Let’s unwrap this story together as we step into a place where there is no concept of time.
Jessa wakes up in a field filled with everything you would imagine from being on a farm. She has no concept of where she is and how she got there. Now I had to let that sink in. Did she just land Somewhere over the Rainbow? My heart beat a little faster as I took in everything that Jessa did. She was in the place she thought her life would be better at. Meeting the people in Prairie made her unsure of what was happening. Everyone helped each others out , they welcomed strangers yet seemed so removed from the world we know.
The simplicity of this place was heartwarming. I loved when Jessa is talking to Graham about going to church. His explanation is so on track that it hit me in the face. “How do you expect to eat at the Lord’s Table, feed on His Bread, and nourish yourself with one another if you never partake.” Well I think God just smacked me in the face with that statement. We need to surround ourselves with like minded people and fellowship at church. Why do we lose sight of God wanting to have a relationship with us?
The story is one that awakens an urgency within me. I pray from this day forward that I trust God with everything in my life. I want that childlike faith again and that hunger to be in His presence. Let Him settle my restlessness and be content where I am. Allow me to be joyful in the midst of a storm and give grace to others without judgment. Show me that the desires of my heart I have already received and remind me of the blessings of patience, family and unconditional love.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Prairie begins the Journey of Dreams series by Chautona Havig. This author has the talent to write any genre and this one is no different. I am not a huge fan of fantasy and / or science fiction genre of books. However, this one was a good read. It was unique and I found it to be refreshing to read something a little bit different. I enjoyed reading Jessa’s story. It was interesting what she learns and how she grows. A good faith filled tale.
I am giving Prairie four and a half stars. I recommend it for readers who enjoy reading clean fantasy fiction. I look forward to reading the next book from the Journey of Dreams series, Highlands. This one is most definitely worth a read.
I received a paperback copy of Prairie from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
Well, this was a very interesting fantasy story. First off, this is an author Havig story so I knew I was in for a ride, but I think out of all of her novels I have read this one might just be the quirkiest. It was a good read. I was pulled in from the very beginning with Jessa. The atmosphere came alive in my mind’s eye and so did Jessa’s confusion, even her peace.
I have not read a fantasy like this one before. Sometimes with fantasy I get confused as I try to imagine the new world the author is describing. Not so with Prairie. Prairie was a world very similar to ours. It was certainly different, just in ways that I was not expecting. I will leave that for the next dear reader to experience.
The lesson of contentment was a powerful one. Even a bit convicting. Contentment I have come to believe is a choice the we must make each day. Sometimes I fail, miserably, and I think this story shows what that could look like if we lived in Prairie. Lace that up with Jessa coming to terms with her childhood, her abandonment of her father, the death of her beloved mother, and some of her poor choices she made while still in our world and you have a good soul searching novel that has you looking deeper into your own life.
I was provided a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
Okay, so if you’ve read any of my reviews you know that fantasy is just not something I love. I mean, it’s something my kids love but it’s just not my cup of tea. But you also should know that Chautona Havig is one of my favorite authors and I will read anything written by her.
This is the second fantasy-type book I’ve read by Chautona Havig and I have to say that I love it as much as the first one I read by her.
So where to start?
In Prairie, our main character wakes up to find herself in a different world. A world that she’s only dreamed of. Think of Little House on the Prairie, but not. Slight problem, she can’t go back to her world.
I loved getting sucked into this new world and can’t wait to read what comes next.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
Prairie by Chautona Havig is yet again another genre of book this author chooses to write. She can write suspense, romance, women’s fiction and now fantasy. This book was different from the others I’ve read of hers and equally entertaining. The author has a way with descriptions, a way of bringing the reader into the action and scenes and a way of letting the author experience life from the point of view of the protagonist. This was a very interesting story. It took me a little to get into it because it was a different genre and type of book than I’m used to, but I’m glad I experienced it, and I’m glad there’s another in the series. The series title, Journey of Dreams, is very accurate.
I received a complimentary copy of this book by the author, the opinions are strictly mine. I was under no obligation to review the book.