Everything She Didn't Say - Book Review

In 1911, Carrie Strahorn wrote a memoir entitled 

Fifteen Thousand Miles by Stage, 

which shared some of the most exciting events of 25 years 

of traveling and shaping the American West with her husband, 

Robert Strahorn, a railroad promoter, investor, and writer. 

That is all fact. 

Everything She Didn't Say imagines Carrie nearly ten years later 

as she decides to write down what was really on her mind 

during those adventurous nomadic years.

Certain that her husband will not read it, 

and in fact that it will only be found after her death, 

Carrie is finally willing to explore the lessons she learned along the way, 

including the danger a woman faces of losing herself 

within a relationship with a strong-willed man 

and the courage it takes to accept her own 

God-given worth apart from him. 

Carrie discovers that wealth doesn't insulate a soul 

from pain and disappointment, 

family is essential, pioneering is a challenge, 

and western landscapes are both demanding and nourishing. 

Most of all, she discovers that home can be found, 

even in a rootless life.

My Thoughts

Everything She Didn't Say

is a memoir within a memoir.

It is a fiction story 

based upon the life of Carrie Adell Strahorn

and her many travels and adventures with her husband.

Here was a woman newly married 

with dreams of having children and a home to call her own,

but after saying her vows,

Carrie's life was completely different from what she dreamt of.

Carrie, also called "Dell" by her husband,

traveled across the West for twenty-five years,

and during those years Carrie remained ever the lady

with her feminine attire of long skirts, high necks,

bustles, and hats with feathers.

Carrie made the most of her life

and was a constant companion to her husband.

She was incredibly dedicated and committed to her marriage

even when it wasn't always pleasant and pretty.

As I read Everything She Didn't Say

I couldn't help but admire Carrie's tenacity.

She was amazingly courageous 

during a time that was difficult on both men and women.

She made the most out of what was given her

and she made it count in the lives of others.

Carrie was a rare gem

that touched the lives of many.

Everything She Didn't Say

is an enthralling story filled with rich history.

The reader will be touched and inspired

by the lives of the pioneers

who helped build the western part of our country.

If you enjoy historical fiction

than this book is for you, my friends.

The author, Jane Kirkpatrick,

does not disappoint.

Her stories are well-written and thoroughly researched.

** I was given a free copy of this book from Revell Publishers for an honest review.

All thoughts are my own. No other compensation was received. 

Thank you Revell! **

About the Author

Jane Kirkpatrick is the New York Times and CBA bestselling 

and award-winning author of more than thirty books, 

including All She Left Behind, A Light in the Wilderness, 

The Memory Weaver, This Road We Traveled, 

and A Sweetness to the Soul, 

which won the prestigious Wrangler Award 

from the Western Heritage Center. 

Her works have won the WILLA Literary Award, 

USABestBooks, the Carol Award for Historical Fiction, 

and the 2016 Will Rogers Medallion Award. 

Jane lives in Central Oregon with her husband, Jerry. 

Learn more at www.jkbooks.com.