*This review contains minor spoilers from the early portion of the book*

Well written with an authentic voice and a wry humour, Bountiful Creek transports the reader to nineteenth century America, apparently effortlessly – which of course is both the mark of a great book and a great writer.

In 1861, Martha Somerville is 18, and delighted to receive an offer of marriage from Wilby Winterborne - but she is no silly romantic, and it is very clear that Wilby has his hands full. Despite having admired him from an early age, she sets him a challenge. He must raise $50 to buy a parcel of land to farm and settle in one place rather than follow the nomadic-like lifestyle he has enjoyed up until then. But Martha does not expect him to do all the work himself. She sets off with her ailing housekeeper/surrogate mother Elizabeth to Columbus, Ohio to visit Elizabeth's mother in an attempt to find a cure for her persistent cough. Martha does not accompany Elizabeth philanthropically, however, she has a plan to raise the money she and Wilby need.

Bountiful Creek tackles some of the burning issues of the day. Martha and Elizabeth are helped along the way by a runaway slave – a good and decent man - only to meet him again shackled, roped and dragged south – despite having reached the supposed safety of Ohio. The Union and Confederate Armies amass either side of the Ohio river, and the road is very clearly not a safe place for two women travelling alone.

Adventure, mortal danger, war, runaway slaves more honorable than the so-called gentlemen, tricksters, hustlers – Martha meets every challenge to varying degrees of success, but it is love that proves to be her greatest challenge and you will keep turning to the last page to find out how she fares.

I am grateful to Steven B Weissman for providing me with a free copy of Bountiful Creek in exchange for my honest, non-reciprocal review.