Distant Dreams

Ribbons of Steel, Book 1

By: Judith Pella, Tracie Peterson

Narrated by: Marnye Young

The year is 1835, and Carolina Adams finds herself enchanted by an unlikely suitor: the railroad. Frustrated by society's expectations upon her gender, she longs to study more masculine subjects and is thrilled when her father grants her a tutor.  

James Baldwin arrives to serve as Carolina's teacher, but of more importance, he is to court Carolina's beautiful older sister, Virginia. 

Will expectations - and Virginia's Southern charm - elicit the hoped-for proposal? Or will James and Carolina dare to acknowledge the mutual interests and feelings growing between them?

©1997 Judith Pella and Tracie Peterson (P)2019 Tantor

Carolina and James

I liked how James stood true to self and did not marry for convenience. I also liked the relationship between Carolina and her father. I loved that her father did not wavier in his faith and allowed Carolina to seal her faith in God Almighty.

Historical accuracy and heartfelt romances!

Really like the character development and historic accuracy. Definitely leaves me wanting to follow up with next book

It's a Man's World...NOT! said Carolina Adams

An awesome tale of a young girl just coming of age where a young lady was expected to learn the arts of homemaking and social climbing. Carolina's inquisitive mind and her stubborn nature thought otherwise.

I did not know I was starting a mini series

I should’ve paid more attention and didn’t realize I was getting into a series. I like to read a book and be done. Now I have to listen to more books to see what happens, to me that is aggravating. The book is good and well written. I would like to note about Tracey Peterson, that every book of hers I have read, somebody has to die. I don’t know if she has an infatuation with death.

The Southern Jane Austen

This book reminds of Jane Austens life ,in the sense like in Georgian England and the Antebellum South woman were not supposed to be. educated beyond grammar school.But as in Jane Austens family ,Jane
was encouraged to use her God given graces .In this case her writing
Where as the young lady Carolyn Adams (Whoes mothers calling is to prepareCarolyn to presented to society ,at the age of 16 ,and then,prepare her marriage .Unlike ,this case ,[For I do not know if this reflects all Antebellum southern society)How ever in England you are not
presented till your 18.You. have a sponsor .
Whereas in Carolyns case ,her sister, Virginia between 16-18 she has refused many. callers.,is now at 18 on the verge of spinsterhood
Both her father and mother have great love for each other and their
children .But their love is tested ,when Carolyns,father engages a tutor so Carolyn can quench her thirst for knowledge especially, for learning
about the r.r.Thiz tutorJames , is the intended husband for Virgini
Her father's response, to her mother's concern about what society's views of Carolyns desire to go beyond what is expected in terms of female
knowledge ,To not worry about what society thinks ,but;about what God
thinks and His will.
The reason ,I did not give it 4 stars,is a personal bias
I do not appreciate cliff hangers !