Jane Kirkpatrick Books In Order

Publication Order of Dreamcatcher Books

Publication Order of Kinship and Courage Books

Publication Order of Tender Ties Historical Books

Publication Order of Change and Cherish Historical Books

Publication Order of Portraits of the Heart Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

Jane Kirkpatrick is an American author best known for her inspirational books, both fictional and non-fictional. Even though many of her fans only know her as a writer, Jane is also a speaker and a teacher who has written many essays and articles.

And some of them have even won awards.

When Jane isn’t writing, she is giving one of the many humorous speeches she is now known for.

+Biography

Jane Kirkpatrick can trace her roots back to Mondovi, Wisconsin where she spent most of her childhood. Because so many of her cousins lived so close by, Jane’s life was filled with many interactions with her extended family.

This changed when Jane finally moved to Oregon in 1974 following the completion of her Social Work studies. Jane Kirkpatrick initially placed her focus on English while studying at the University of Wisconsin. However, she eventually changed her major to social work and even acquired a Master’s Degree in the field.

Life eventually took Jane to a ranch near the John Day River. By this point, she had already spent thirty years working in the field of Social Work. It wasn’t until she realized that she could sell so many of her freelance articles that Jane so fit to finally leave her job behind and settle down on a ranch with her husband.

Of course, with so many decades injected into the field, Jane found that leaving Social Work wasn’t so easy, and it was the first thing she started doing when the ranch became a financial burden; though she only worked part time at the reservation of Warm Springs.

This gave her plenty of time to get some writing done, not only at night but early in the morning before she began her chores.

The author’s first book, which she called Homestead’, explored her life at the ranch and the work she had put into building it. She finished it in 1991. Though that particular book wasn’t the hit she expected.

But Jane Kirkpatrick didn’t give up and eventually produced Sweetness to the Soul’, a book that began as the biography of a woman called Jane Sherar who had started a hotel, but then transformed into something else when Jane failed to find any substantial original source material.

Sweetness to the Soul’ was well received and it gave Jane the impetus to pursue her writing career seriously. She made it her goal to produce at least one book a year, something she managed to accomplish.

Even when her husband suffered a stroke in 2010, Jane found the strength to keep writing and promoting her books, even though the couple was forced to move.

+Literary Career

Jane Kirkpatrick primarily writes historical fiction. Jane does a lot of research for her books before she begins to write them. In fact, sometimes when she gets an idea, she will keep locked away in a file for several months and even years as she gathers information about it.

Jane doesn’t begin to write her stories until she is certain that she knows everything there is to know about the idea in question. Jane places a lot of emphasis on the factual elements of her story, calling them the spine of her book.

However, she also believes that the dialogue is just as important and that it can complement the historical facts; for this reason she injects a lot of effort into approximating the speech of her chosen time period as accurately as possible.

While she sometimes bases her characters on real people, she makes an effort to enhance them in some way, though she doesn’t shy away from creating new characters, even when they might be contrary to the history of her chosen time period.

To research her stories, Jane Kirkpatrick goes everywhere from libraries to museums. And she will also talk to experts on certain historical matters, not to mention those people that might be related to the historical figures she is writing about.

Even though Jane Kirkpatrick is a Christian, she tries hard to write novels that everyone will like and can be inspired by, even if they are not Christians. It is probably because of this that she is so much more popular than many other Christian writers.

Whereas as the average Christian author emphasizes the message over the story, Jane elevates the story above all else; as a result, her books have the capacity to appeal to everyone.

+Love to Water My Soul

This book by Jane Kirkpatrick tells the story of a white child who finds a place among Oregon’s Paiute People. Rescued by Indians when she was a child, Shell Flower’s world is shattered when she loses her home.

Finding her place in the world of the white man proves to be anything but easy. However, through her loss and sacrifice, Jane learns of God’s faithfulness as chances to find love are granted her.

This story is based on actual historical events. A white child fell from a wagon train and was raised by Indians. However, she was never one of them and they were unwilling to accept her.

As a result, she was largely mistreated, looking to the dogs for warmth and friendship. When her tribe comes to the conclusion that she might be bad luck, the girl is finally banished.

This story is quite sweet. The beginning sections are very emotionally heavy. However, things chance as the protagonist of the story is exposed to the wider world.

+A Gathering of Finches

Everyone thinks that Cassie Hendrick Stearns has it all: the amazing husband, the adorable child, the status. Cassie came to Oregon’s Wild and Rugged Coast in 1899 in hopes of finding fortune and prosperity besides an enterprising gentleman by the names of Lewis Simpson.

However, Cassie finds that all the money in the world has done little to quiet the fear and pain of her poor choices, not to mention her empty longing. Through unexpected love and guidance, Cassie soon learns that it is indeed possible to escape one’s past decisions.

This book paints a very vivid picture of Oregon in the 1900s. Jane Kirkpatrick draws upon genuine history to tell the story of sympathetic and flawed characters just trying to find their place in the world.

3 Responses to “Jane Kirkpatrick”

1. john newton hickox: 2 years ago

   Helloooooooo dearest Jane. I swore off Facebook several years ago. The very good news is that, while I probably miss a lot of interesting stuff, somehow the social media gods make sure I don’t miss the most important stuff. This reconnection to you is a most pleasant example, assuming that is, that your recovery in Cabo continues.

   Jennifer and I continue to thrive here at Harmony Park but it’s become clear I cannot keep up with all that comes with managing 38 acres of farmland here on the east shoulder of Mt Hood 10 miles up from Dufur. So we are selling our special paradise and moving to Portland to be closer to services and my children and grandchildren.

   I’m writing for several reasons but the easiest one to explain is that I want to read another of your books to Jennifer. I have no idea how to pick from so many options, so … which one do you recommend?

   Reply
2. Ralph V Watts Jr: 4 years ago

   I have been reading your book about your journey to Starvation Point to my wife and adult grandson after our morning devotions. We have really enjoyed having your story. Thanks for sharing. My wife and I have raised 18 children- 4 originals and 14 adopted special needs, medically fragile. The Lord has provided every step of the way. We can indeed identify with your ups and downs. Thank you.

   Reply
3. Verlaine Cutsforth: 4 years ago

   I have read and I own several of your books, obviously love them. Historical fiction with such accuracy is just wonderful. Thank you.

   Reply