Toggle navigation

About A Clearing in the Wild

The first book in the Change and Cherish trilogy from the CBA bestseller and WILLA Literary Award Winner, Jane Kirkpatrick.

Young Emma Wagner chafes at the constraints of Bethel colony, an 1850s religious community in Missouri that is determined to remain untainted by the concerns of the world. A passionate and independent thinker, she resents the limitations placed on women, who are expected to serve in quiet submission. In a community where dissent of any form is discouraged, Emma finds it difficult to rein in her tongue--and often doesn’t even try to do so, fueling the animosity between her and the colony’s charismatic and increasingly autocratic leader, Wilhelm Keil.

Eventually Emma and her husband, Christian, are sent along with eight other men to scout out a new location in the northwest where the Bethelites can prepare to await “the last days.” Christian believes they’ve found the ideal situation in Washington territory, but when Keil arrives with the rest of the community, he rejects Christian’s choice in favor of moving to Oregon.

Emma pushes her husband to take this opportunity to break away from the group, but her longed-for influence brings unexpected consequences. As she seeks a refuge for her wounded faith, she learns that her passionate nature can be her greatest strength--if she can harness it effectively.

About Jane Kirkpatrick

Jane Kirkpatrick is a bestselling, award-winning author whose previous historical novels include All Together in One Place and Christy Award finalist A Tendering in the Storm. An international keynote speaker, she has earned regional and national recognition for her stories based on the lives of actual people, including the prestigious Wrangler Award from the Western Heritage Hall of Fame. Jane is a Wisconsin native who since 1974 has lived in Eastern Oregon, where she and her husband, Jerry, ranch 160 rugged acres.

Product Details

384 pages | Published by WaterBrook

On Sale Date: Apr 18, 2006

Trim Size: 5-1/2 x 8-1/4

Carton Quantity: 24

Press Release

Details below for Jane's May 2006 Speaking Schedule

WHEN: Friday, May 5 and Saturday, May 6
WHERE: Hot Lakes Retreat Center near La Grande, OR
WHAT: A retreat to celebrate the stories of hardiness and hope as the Manual Family steps onto a cloud of faith believing they will not fall through.
VENUE: Open to men and women, Jane will lead this retreat focused on healing stories from Western landscapes and grace in our lives. Come see the progress made as the Manual Family seeks to follow their call to restore this historical site to its former glory and make it once again a healing place.
DETAILS: Open to all interested persons. Call for details.
CONTACT: Marcia Dashiell, www.hotlakesprings.com

When: May 7th, 1:00-3:00 pm
Where: Sherman County Historical Museum; 220 Dewey Street, Moro, OR 97039
What: A Signing of Jane's newest book A Clearing in the Wild
Event: Jane will sign and chat with visitors to the museum. Remember its the weekend before Mother's Day. Bring your mom to visit one of the country's great museums (It's won awards that say that's true!) and meet Jane and have a book signed at the same time. The Museum opens for the season on May 1.
Contact: Phone: 541-565-3232 Fax: 541-565-3080 Email: info@shermanmuseum.org 

When: May 13, 2006
What: Mother Daughter Luncheon
Where: Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, Lake Havasu City, AZ
Venue: Jane's been invited to speak and sign her books at the Mother Daughter Luncheon in Arizona. This is the church Jerry attended when he lived in Lake Havasu. It's also the church event Jane had to cancel last year due to Jerry's cancer surgery. So she's delighted to be invited back!
Contact: Lee Nord www.mtolive@ctza.com(928)855-2299

When: May 20, 8-noon
WHAT: Oregon Christian Writers
Where: Northwest Christian College, Eugene, OR
Event: Join Jane as she speaks twice about "Writing in Wilderness Places" sponsored by the Oregon Christian Writer's Association. See the link to find out more. http://www.oregonchristianwriters.org/

WHEN: Saturday, May 27 from 4 to 6 p.m.
WHERE: Hood River, Oregon
VENUE: Book Stop
ADDRESS: 13 Oak Street in downtown Hood River
DETAILS: Here's a perfect way to spend the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. First, drive to gorgeous Hood River for the day. Go to the beach and watch the windsurfers on the Columbia River. Then head downtown to window shop and eat a wonderful meal. Finally, top off the perfect day by going to Book Stop, a new family-owned bookstore in downtown Hood River, to meet Jane Kirkpatrick, hear her talk about her new book, A Clearing in the Wild, and then have the opportunity to buy autographed copies of Jane's books.
CONTACT:Book Stop at 541-386-7867 or www.gorgebookstop.com

WHEN: Monday, MEMORIAL DAY, MAY 29th from 10:00 to 1:00
WHERE: Wasco, OR
VENUE: Book signing at the Train Depot, part of the Memorial Day events and supporting the Wasco Community Library
DETAILS: Wasco holds an old fashioned Memorial Day event with a parade, vendors, activities for kids of all ages. Jane will be signing her books outside near the historic train depot in Wasco. Come join her.
CONTACT: Wasco Community Library

Contact Publicist