Great Historical Romance- A must Read Book

By Dee Smith                              on July 22, 2015

I just finished reading Wilted Dandelions and I loved Catherine's development of the main characters especially Rachel and Jonathon's and Saul. The book is beautiful with descriptive words of the struggle of settling the West and the dangers early missionaries faced to spread the Gospel. It is also a tender love story and shows the difficulty and hidden secrets behind unexpressed love. This book could easily be a made for television historical fiction drama. If you love the West and its early settlement, plus a wonderful love story, you will buy the book and love it like I did.

Worth reading twice and giving copies as gifts.

By Peggy            on August 21, 2015


Worth Reading Twice! I couldn't put the book down. I was truly impressed at the masterful job Catherine did in weaving the Living Word throughout the lives and conversations of her characters. She expertly depicts the close relationship the early missionaries must have had with God in order to successfully endure the trials and dangers they faced in bringing the Gospel of Jesus to the lost. Their love and willingness to share the gift of salvation at any cost, is evident as Catherine colorfully describes the challenges they encounter and determination they display. I'm looking forward to the sequel. I'm buying it for my Kindle and I've already given copies of the paperback to my daughter and daughter in laws!

By Chris Pon    February 1, 2016

Format: Paperback

Wilted Dandelions starts off with a chance meeting of two people with a strong desire to work as missionaries. So full of love for Christ that they were willing to embark on a marriage of convenience to meet the requirements of "married couples only" and to fulfill what they believe is God's will for their lives. It is a delightful unique story embellished with love in a historical setting.

By Kathleen Rouseron January 30, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Wilted Dandelions, by Catherine Ulrich Brakefield, is not just another historical Christian romance, but also an adventure. Rachael Rothburn, the daughter of a US senator in New York desires more than anything to take the good news of Jesus Christ to the Umatilla tribe of Oregon territory. Fired up by a revival meeting, all Rachael needs is a husband to be allowed to join the mission.
She is charmed by Dr. Jonathan Wheaton, but barely hopes he would marry her, let alone ever love her. To her surprise, he asks her father for her hand.

When these two stubborn people embark on a marriage of convenience and take a dangerous journey west, they must learn to rely on Jesus Christ and each other, but jealousies and doubts sometimes get in the way.

While Rachael and Jonathan are people of immense faith in Christ, they are also genuinely flawed characters, who make mistakes like any believer. The dangers they face along the trail, even threats of human trafficking, are plenty and realistic. They will keep you turning the pages to see how each situation resolves.

Wilted Dandelions is a story that exemplifies the importance of the Biblical values of trust, honesty, and sacrificial love in a marriage. You will cheer for Rachael and Jonathan to overcome their shortcomings and hope they will learn from their mistakes.

Brakefield paints a picture of westward travel in the 1830s with a rich, poetic palette of historical detail. The author’s equestrian knowledge shows through as she details the care of horses, their strength, and resiliency on this perilous journey.

If you’re looking for a well-written, high-tension Christian romance and adventure set against the backdrop of America’s Second Great Awakening, then this book is for you.

Another Wilted Dandelion Review from
Ruth Holt


Just want to share: We have a published author who attends our church. Her name is Catherine Brakefield and she recently released this book, Wilted Dandelions. I enjoyed reading it and I might add it read like a good Hallmark movie with actual history added in; she and her husband Ed took a trip out west and followed Jonathan and Rachel's trail. Congratulations on your nomination, Cathy! I hope you win that award!Type your paragraph here.


By Cathie         on August 13, 2015

I enjoyed reading this book from the minute I picked it up. It was a true page turner, I couldn't put it down. Catherine did a wonderful job of keeping the readers interest.It was refreshing to read such a good Christian book.

By Hannah Ulrich on January 30, 2016

Wilted Dandelions easily transplanted me into the past! I am always a sucker for a good love story! The best part was the weaving of God's word and message throughout. An inspirational story of love honoring the father! If anything I thought it ended too soon, and could have kept reading!

Great Historical Romance!!

By Rebecca B.           on August 10, 2015

I loved reading Wilted Dandelions! If you enjoy Historical Romance novels, don't pass this one by, it is a book you won't want to put down! The author did a marvelous job of introducing the characters and building on who they were throughout their fascinating journey in this story of love, romance, and faith! The author did an amazing job of creating a picture in my mind of just what life would have been like on the trail West for the early pioneers. I can't wait for the sequel!

NOT WILTING BENEATH ADVERSITY

By Red Rabbitt                       on September 2, 2015                 Format: Kindle Edition

What a beautiful and inspiration of God's love and His endurance. Along this journey into the wilderness, with a strong desire to be missionaries and bring God's word to Indians, these individuals all learn more about themselves and faith in God. They face multiple adversities but continue onward towards what they feel is a God called mission field. The plot kept me captivated and the pages turning as this story unfolds. The cast of characters are as diverse as the landscape they travel from New York to the Oregon territory. The dialog includes scripture and the sharing of God's word but isn't done in a preachy way. The journey opens the eyes of each individual as to how God works in their life and those they are close to. Disclosure: I received an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions, and ratings are my own.

page 243 "Christ's love woven into their marriage commitment had made them one ...

By JOYCELYN MANCIER       on July 22, 2015

Wilted Dandelions by Catherine Ulrich Brakefield is a book that you can not stop reading once you've started. The plot keeps you expectantly in suspense as to what will happen next in descriptive adventures plus all the personal relationships of the characters who come to see God's forgiving grace in their lives and growing in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I was encouraged reading about married couples who seek the Lord first. page 243 "Christ's love woven into their marriage commitment had made them one body."

Needless to say I was spell bound reading this great book from the beginning to the end which totally portrayed the truth in God's word, concerning our relationships to Him and also how it pleases God to take on His character by treating others as Christ treats us.


Captivating!

By Patricia Wasylyna                     on August 9, 2015

This was a wonderful book! The kind that keeps you up way too late at night because you can't put it down! The characters were intriguing and easy to fall in love with. The story kept you captivated with the adventure, love, hardships, and human frailties of this group of passionate, yet imperfect, missionaries as they traveled an incredible journey.Catherine allows you to share their hearts as well as their experience to the point that you feel a part of their adventure. Their story opened my heart and mind to the pages in the history of this country that were most likely never written, but experienced by other brave people who shared their passion and traveled their journey. This is a book that I will be giving and recommending to many!

By Charle Neon    November 12, 2015


I really enjoyed reading this book. Cathy has done a good job. She makes you feel like you are experiencing the dangers and trials along with them. I reccommend it as a well written historical love story. Good job, good read!!