Steve Stephens – författare

Everything was taken from Undina. Her home, her horse, her dreams… it was all gone. At 14, she was forced from the fjords of Iceland by violent volcanic eruptions. At 23, she was forced from the tall pines of Lily Lake in Ontario by poor crops and heartbreak. She settled in the rugged lands of the Dakota Territory in 1881 with Jakob, whose alcoholism wreaks havoc on her life and those of her children. Every day was a challenge. Unbelievable tragedy struck her time and time again, and it almost destroyed her.Undina refused to give up. With grit and determination, she built a life in the wilderness and is saved by her writing, courage, and the love of her father. This is the story of a female Icelandic poet who embraced beauty and found hope in the New World. Undina and Jakob became a part of a new Icelandic community which promoted faith, art, and progressive social issues. Then, it all fell apart. She held onto a relentless hope and became an example of survival regardless of what she had to face.This is a gripping journey of standing strong and finding light amid darkness. Though the night might be black, the stars can provide a sparkling beauty which carries one forward to a series of new dreams. The harder life became, the deeper her poetry went. In the end, she found a way that went beyond what anyone thought possible."A World Away From Home" is based on the true story of Helga Baldwinsdottir, the Icelandic poet who wrote under the name Undina. This work includes hundreds of her poems, translated into English for the first time. They capture her joy and playfulness alongside her pain and struggle as she embraces both life and death. This historical fiction explores the drama of an adventure-filled life intermixed with the poetry of her own words.Undina overcame the most difficult of situations. She stretched beyond all that was hard and heartbreaking to that place where she truly thrived. This strong woman learned to embrace tragedy and melancholy, turning it into a wellspring of creativity, beauty, and ultimate meaning.Here is the unknown story of one of the strongest and most tragic figures of Iceland, and perhaps of all literature. Once you''ve met Undina, you will never forget her.

Blanche, a 16-year-old whose adventurous spirit won''t allow her to accept anything but a life full of wondrous experiences, is always ready for what comes next. Meanwhile, Walter, a 23-year-old mechanic and musician, is determined to find his fortune in gold. Their lives couldn''t be more separate until an accident in their small Oregon town brings them together.These two ordinary people embrace the world together—facing the hard realities, failures, and trauma that life throws at them. Through it all, the two never give up on their dreams, believing something magical is just around the corner. With devotion and stubbornness, they pursue each other''s passions and embark on a journey in search of fortune.During their time together, they shared a lifetime of wounds and wonders, thousands of dances, and many disappointments along the way, and when they inevitably fall in love, the world is turned upside down. Their love never fades, their music is always sweet, and on their search for gold, they find something far greater in value than what can be found in the mines.

"Further from Home" picks up the tale of Undina, an Icelandic poet grappling with the heart-rending loss of her daughter. As the sequel to "World Away from Home," the narrative sees Undina journeying back to Canada, where a charming Icelandic cowboy helps reignite her passion and purpose. The year is 1902, and they traverse the continent to start anew on a small Oregon farm. Yet, an unrevealed secret brings forth another tragedy, leading Undina to question her fate. Amid the tumult, Undina pours her soul into raising her three children, each with their unique paths, trials, and profound affection for their mother.In 1912, they seek solace in Christmas Lake Valley''s high desert. There, Undina experiences love anew, and her family flourishes, until another twist of fate tests their mettle. Even as life tosses her from one storm to another, Undina''s poetry, filled with hope, becomes her sanctuary. Alone but not forgotten, she discovers that her homeland of Iceland will always remember her. "Further from Home" is an untold story of resilience, love, and the enduring spirit of an Icelandic poet. It is the second installment in the captivating "Restless Journeys" series.

Lizzie Perry made a mark in Oregon history by taking unpopular stands with courage and compassion. She confronted Dr. Whitman at his Mission and Dr. McLaughlin at Fort Vancouver for their patronizing relationship with the tribes. She raised a family in the wilderness while providing medical care to whoever asked. This sensitive woman defended the Cayuse Five at their trial, hid Chief Thunder Sky from murderous white settlers, assisted the survivors of the Bear Creek Massacre, encouraged Chief Paulina when a posse was determined to kill him, and prayed for Chief Joseph as he fled the army on his long Trail of Tears. Her closest friends were Indians at a time when this was seen as treason to her white community. Lizzie''s story is wrapped up with her relationships with three amazing Indian women: her belief in Red Quail, her struggle to save Butterfly, and her forty-year friendship with Gentle Bird. She respected, defended, and protected many of the Oregon tribes while insisting that, "what we are doing to the tribes is not fair or right." For many years, these tribes watched over her farm in case the white settlers discovered her aid and allegiance to the Indians. They swore their protection to her and her family.Lizzie told people that her specialties were bullets and babies, but she never turned down medical care regardless of who the person was, however great or small their need. Her conviction was that all people were special and that the worst failing was not to help them. The governor of the state applauded her "lifetime of kindness." A respected writer of the time wrote that she answered "…the call of Indian and white man by foot, by horse, and by canoe…" wherever she was needed. Hummingbirds and bear claws were symbols of help and healing, and these were the symbols of Lizzie Perry. This heroic story shows the strength and determination of a real pioneer woman as she settled in the American wild west.