Book Review: Across the Crying Sands

Title: Across the Crying Sands
Series: The Women of Cannon Beach
Author: Jane Kikpatrick
Publisher: Revell/Baker Publishing House
Date:  May 2025
Pages: 304
ISBN: 9780800746094
Category: Historical Romance, Romance, Fiction
Buy it:  https://amzn.to/43dxwbO
Review by: Trisha Smith

Review: 

I have always loved historical fiction books because I learn so much from them (I am a history nut) so was eager to dive into this story. And I am pleased to say that I was not disappointed by the story! Not only did I find myself transported back in time to a setting I was easily able to imagine, but I was able to connect with the characters on an emotional level. I was able to feel the pain of loss, to experience the struggles of family life, and to celebrate the victories. I did not realize this was based upon a real person until I went to write this review. Then I had to google Mary Edwards Gerritse to learn more about her. And I can report that I was even more impressed by author Jane Kirkpatrick and her storytelling skills after doing so because I didn’t find any discrepancies or outlandish creative liberties taken. This is why I LOVE historical fiction so much, especially when an author is as precise in her research as Kirkpatrick appears to be. I now have a new appreciation for women in that time period and have learned about a woman I had never heard of before. And what an amazing life she had! As for the writing itself, Kirkpatrick is a skilled author who can manipulate words in a spell-binding way. She craftily brought the characters to life, painted pictures of settings through masterful descriptions, and led me from page to page and chapter to chapter with creative word play. I can’t wait to read her next book! She is one author I definitely don’t want to miss out on reading in the future!