Delores Topliff’s Wilderness Wife is this week’s Reader Friday. Here’s the first line: “Indian Country, Central Canada, 1810. I kneel at the river cleaning the fish our Tom catches for our winter supply.”
But first the photo and Scripture verse. This is actually a new verse to me. I don’t know how I’ve missed it, but I came across it in a devotional last week. And I immediately thought of this photo taken in Natchez of the sun setting over the Mississippi.
Now onto Delores Topliff’s Wilderness Wife.
I don’t usually read historicals but this one was so compelling that I couldn’t put it down. Here’s the cover and back cover copy:
How do you continue living when life collapses around you in a single day?
Marguerite Wadin MacKay believes her 17-year marriage to explorer Alex MacKay is strong—until his sudden fame destroys it. When he returns from a cross-Canada expedition, he announces their frontier marriage is void in Montréal where he plans to find a society wife—not one with native blood. Taking their son, MacKay sends Marguerite and their three daughters to a trading post where she lived as a child. Deeply shamed, she arrives in time to assist young Doctor John McLoughlin with a medical emergency.
Marguerite now lives only for her girls. When Fort William on Lake Superior opens a school, Marguerite moves there for her daughters’ sake and rekindles her friendship with Doctor McLoughlin. When he declares his love, she dissuades him from a match harmful to his career. She’s mixed blood and nine years older. But he will have no one else.
After abandonment, can a woman love again and fulfill a key role in North American History?
My take:
Wilderness Wife was a fascinating look at wilderness life in the Pacific Northwest and Canada. Delores Topliff’s lyrical style draws the reader in and keeps them turning the pages until the end. The story is set against the backdrop of conflict between the Hudson Bay and North West fur trading companies. She skillfully weaves the love story between John McLoughlin and Marguerite into this conflict and their journey to the Pacific Ocean.
I loved how Marguerite always chose what was right over what she may have wanted. She didn’t believe she deserved John McLoughlin, but he would marry no one else. I really enjoyed this book based on a real person.
Wilderness Wife is a captivating story that will educate the reader as well as entertain. Before reading, I had no idea of the hardships people endured in the Northwest and in Canada. Much like Maguerite’s long hair, the historical details are accurately braided into the story.
You can read it in KU or buy it on Kindle.
Delores Topliff's Wilderness Wife is my Reader Friday post. Be sure to check out this captivating story about the Mother of the Pacific Northwest. Leave a comment and I'll enter you in a February drawing for a book from my library. Share on X
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Comments 49
Wilderness Wife sounds like a sweet story but a rugged one, too. Good review! Love the photo and verse.:-)
Author
Marguerite McLoughlin’s life was anything but easy, Priscilla. I am now fascinated with learning more about her.
Congratulations on your new book, Delores! And, thank you Pat for the great review.
A beautiful photo, Pat. Isn’t it wonderful how many times we can read Scripture and still find parts that speak to us in a new way.
“Lacey Lee Jefferson was worried. In fact, she was borderline terrified.” is how “Following the Trail” by Lynette Eason starts. This is part of the K-9 Search and Rescue series. As with all Lynette’s books, this one draws you in from the start. While many clues are dropped, I’m almost at the end, and I still don’t know who the murderer is.
Author
Tim, I read through the Bible each year and almost daily I find something new in the verses I read. Delores has a lyrical style that is so well suited for historical stories. And I just bought Lynette’s book, Following the Trail.
Thanks, Tim. I was so glad to discover and tell Marguerite’s story!
I love historicals so this sounds like one I would enjoy. Thank you for sharing. Blessings
Author
Lucy, I believe you’ll really enjoy it. I did!
I have purchased Delores’ book Wilderness Wife and am eager to read it. I can’t imagine the struggles a woman would have had back then, but I will have a much better idea after reading the book.
I, too, loved the verse and photo you chose!
Author
I believe you’ll really enjoy Wilderness Wife, Suzanne!
Thank you, Suzanne. I sincerely hope you enjoy.
Wilderness Wife has intrigued me since I first read about it. I’m looking forward to reading it.
The photo is stunning. The precision of how God created each layer of color in this sunset totally amazes me. It’s gorgeous. Would have loved to have seen it in person.
Although not my favorite Psalm, I’m rather partial to Psalm 65, since it’s been my car tag for the last 20 years!
Author
So glad you enjoyed the photo and verse. I do like Psalm 65, especially verse 9. I thought about you a minute ago when snow began falling in my yard, wishing it would go north to someone who would appreciate it. lol It must have because it’s gone now. Did you get it?
You got snow!!! No, it must have blown the other way. We have 46 degrees and rain off and on. If your snow comes back, send it back to me.
Author
It was only a little dandruff from the clouds…but if any comes this way, I’ll be sure to send it on!
Sounds like a great read. I love reading about women of strength & courage. Especially, when based on real people.
Author
Lisa, Marguerite was truly strong and brave. I think you’d enjoy the book.
Oh, Pat, I can’t wait to read Wilderness Wife and your review makes me all the more in-a-hurry to get started. Love the picture and verse too — a great one to dwell on in the unsettledness of current world events. Praises that He is still in control! Have a great day.
Author
Thanks, Rhonda. Yes. Prayers are going up for Ukraine and its people. You’ll enjoy Wilderness Wife. 🙂
This sounds like an interesting book. Thanks for the review.
Author
It is very interesting, Gloria. Glad you stopped by!
Pat, read that verse in KJV and it may give insight why you have missed it. The first half of it doesn’t read at all like the NIV. That is a beautiful sunset! Love it!
That sounds like a very interesting book. When I read that the woman was nine years older than the doctor, my mind flashed to a funeral I attended on Monday. To the best of my memory, it’s the first time I ever attended the funeral of a centenarian. My uncle’s first wife died in 2002. He remarried in 2005. His second wife was fourteen years older than him. She passed her 100th birthday in November and died last week.
I finished reading Mel Odom’s Renegade last night and haven’t started another book yet. I think I have a book waiting to be proofread.
Author
Edward, I was trying to think if I’d ever attended the funeral of an centenarian, and I don’t believe I have. So glad you enjoyed the photo and verse.
Very interesting! Dr. John McLoughlin passed away at age 75 but though 9 years older, she outlived him and was able finally to receive U.S. repayment of the life savings they spent to help starving and sick Oregon Trail immigrant pioneers, etc. It’s quite a story!
Thank you so much, Pat, for featuring Wilderness Wife. I was so glad to discover and then write Marguerite’s story!
Author
It’s my pleasure, Delores. From questions I’ve asked in the past, many of my readers enjoy historical books, and I believe they will love yours. Thanks for hopping on!
nice setting
Author
It is and a great book!
I adore these types of stories. Sounds like a good one.
Author
I think you’d enjoy Wilderness Wife, Gail!
Thank you Pat for your beautiful photos and their Bible verses. I’ve look forward and enjoy them every week.
I also want to congratulate Delores on her new book Wilderness Wife! To the book’s review I wish to add the depth of Marguerite’s emotional strength, her unwavering faith and her ability to forgive stays long after the last page is read. Never have I felt I knew a character so well. Delores did this remarkable Christian woman justice in all ways. Thank you Delores for bringing
her to us.
Author
I wish I’d thought to add those thoughts to my post, Debra! Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. And thank Delores for chiming in!
Debra, thank you. I believe the book is even better since you read it but you make me VERY happy!
sounds like a great book! sheliarha64(at)yahoo(dot)com
Author
It is, Shelia! Good to ‘see’ you here!
This sounds very intriguing, Delores. Congrats on the new book.
Thank you. I’m so thankful I was led to Marguerite and could tell her story. Congratulations to your writing, too!
Author
Hey, Sally Jo! Good to ‘see’ you here. I think you’d enjoy Delores’ book.
Thank you for sharing!
Author
You’re most welcome, Natalya!
It sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
Author
Hi Diana! I love sharing books I enjoy! Thanks for stopping by.
I enjoy historical fiction and this sounds especially good. Thanks for a wonderful review!
Author
Hi Connie! Glad you enjoyed my review. Good to see you here.
Historical is my favorite genre, and those set in the Pacific Northwest are of particular interest 🙂 I also like learning a bit of real history in fiction. This book sounds great!
The scripture sounds like a song we sometimes sing in church, probably taken right from this verse!
Author
Trixi, I think you’d really enjoy Delores’ book. She is very accurate in her historical settings. 🙂 There is a song based on this verse, too.
Sounds like a great read. I am putting this on my TBR list!
Author
Great, Linda! I think you’ll enjoy it. 🙂
Love the scripture and photo!
Thank you for sharing Wilderness Wife! Sounds like a must read.
Author
Thanks, Caryl. I think you’d enjoy Wilderness Wife!