These is My Words subtitled “The Diary of Sarah Anges Prine 1881 - 1901, Arizona Territories,” by Nancy E. Turner, was inspired by the Arizona author’s original family members. The novel is rich with authentic details about the early settlers of Arizona Territory.
As a sixteen year-old girl traveling to the southwest with her family, Sarah sees and endures enough harrowing action to last a lifetime, but it’s only the beginning of Sarah Prine’s amazing life. She loses beloved family members on the trail and by the time they reach their destination, exhausted, the diminished family struggles to carve out a life.
Sarah marries a neighboring homesteader and has a child, but is soon widowed. Army Captain Jack Elliott, who led the wagon train, occasionally weaves into their lives. Sarah, busy with a horse ranch her late husband started, is often overwhelmed with caring for her child, never-ending work and loneliness.
At first resisted, an enduring love eventually develops and Sarah’s life changes, though her responsibilities increase. A woman of true grit, humor and fierce determination, Sarah faces life challenges in surprising and creative ways.
The book is in the form of a journal and is a vivid historic account of Arizona pioneer life. It is the first of a three-book series and is followed by Sarah’s Quilt and The Star Garden. These is My Words, Winner in the Arizona Author Award and Finalist in the Willa Cather Literary Award, is an exceptional read.
