Nancy Larsen-Sanders – författare

CLAIRE COLLIER IS AN AUTHOR and university professor who has just retired to live on the family ranch with the goal of finishing her fourth book while caring for her brother, James, who has been stricken by Alzheimers disease.

When Claires husband dies suddenly, her life is thrown into upheaval. As Alzheimers threatens to take over her own brain, a dangerous, masked man moves about the Kansas countryside, haunted by painful memories and pent-up revenge that lead him on a path of brutalizing innocent people and killing animalseven raping a young girl. Meanwhile, despite the obstacles that line her journey of grief, Claire manages to send her book to the publisher and stays close to her brother through his devastating illness. But the horrifying events taking place in the countryside dredge up unspeakable memories from nearly fifty years ago and, as Claire begins drowning in the darkness of depression, she must seek help through counseling and medication.

Just as Claire makes a choice she thinks puts her back in control, she suddenly realizes the attacker is out to get her.

Strong-willed Deborah Nelson has already endured much in her life. As the Great Depression invades northwest Kansas in 1930, Deborahs denial cannot stop the raw emotions that spread their pain through her once predictable life. Christian, her husband of six years, has disappeared without a trace, leaving Deborah to care for their boys and farm in a mans worldone made even more challenging by threatening, unpredictable weather.

Determined not to wallow in self-pity, Deborah finds comfort in knowing her childhood Indian mentor would want her to take responsibility for her land. After rejecting her fathers demands that she return to Minnesota, Deborah bravely faces her cruel reality. Haunted by dreams that her husband is dead and by the racist remarks of Sheriff Stoddel, who believes she and her little boys are Indians, Deborahs world could not be more challenging. But just as the investigation into Christians disappearance leads to suspicions about both Deborah and family friend Victor Whitesong, a revenge-seeking deputy makes maters much worse.

In this poignant historical tale, one woman must call upon all her strength to face life on her beloved land without the love and protection of her missing husband.

It is 1931 in Fremont County, Kansas, and Deborah Nelsons husband, Christian, disappeared months ago. But Deborah has no time to feel sorry for herself. Two children need her love, livestock require feeding, and farm crops must be tilled. Deborah is desperately trying to survive in a mans worldan especially challenging task for a woman believed to be an Indian.

Even after a drought begins to cause dire conditions, Deborah refuses to leave, for her soul is still connected with the land. She decides she must sell her cattle and stop planting wheat and then finds herself fighting a field fire that comes close to burning her farmstead and threatens the life of her old friend. Things go from bad to worse when she, her children, and the community experience the first horrifying dirt storm of the drought. Deborah partners with her closest neighbors to share labor and valuable resources, not realizing that very soon, one neighbor will leave her with five more mouths to feed and a promise he may not be able to keep.

The Marrow of Life continues the saga of one womans determined journey through the hardships of the Depression and Dust Bowl era as she slowly comes to the realization that she must turn to others for help.

As a drought and the Great Depression continue to ravage Fremont County, Kansas, Deborah Nelson is attempting to raise seven boys, with the help of her neighbors and the spirit of her beloved friend, Grandfather Blue Sky. With her husband, Christian, missing for two years, Deborah has had no choice but to learn to rely on herself in uncertain and challenging times.

Even as black blizzards rage throughout the plains, Deborah is still determined not to return to Minnesota where life is sure to be easier. Thankfully, her bachelor neighbor, Victor Whitesong, has agreed to share parenting responsibilities, relieving some of her burden. Encouraged by the county agent, Deborah implements Roosevelts conservation programs on her land. Tensions escalate as the KKK wreaks havoc on the community, forcing it to take action. Deborah and Victor fall in love. But they must keep their relationship secret, fearing the sheriff, who already abhors Deborah and suspects they caused harm to her husband, even though his body has never been found.

In this continuing historical saga, Deborah is about to discover the depths of racial prejudice when she opens her heart to her Indian friends and changes the dynamic of her family once again.

On a frigid January night in 1937, a fierce windstorm arrives in an already ravaged western Kansas, bringing with it the most tragic of Deborah Nelsons experiences with the Depression and Dust Bowl on her western Kansas farm.

Deborah has already seen more than her share of hardship in the years since her husband, Christian, disappeared and left her a single mother in charge of their farm. For six years, Deborah and her neighbors, Victor Whitesong and the Goodmans, have valiantly battled relentless windstorms with limited success.

Now, as a new year of drought and dust begins, Deborah rides out to check her fences and finds a neighbors child dead in a drift of dirt. Sadly, it is only the beginning of more challenges. Measles hits the communitys children, including Deborahs son. Desperate for help, Deborah must send her remaining children away. Emotional and health problems worsen in the community. In the meantime, she must deal with Sheriff Stoddel, who hates her because he believes she is Indian. He is convinced she and Victor have killed Christian. The only saving grace is her loving relationship with Victor, as she hopes for rain and prays that a world war is not imminent.

Sky Bird continues the saga of one womans struggle to endure adversity and find joy in the uncertainty pervading America in the late 1930s.