The Sweet Blue Distance

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars | 833 ratings

Price: 21.58

Last update: 09-19-2024


About this item

A young midwife travels west to the New Mexico Territory to care for women in need and faces dangers more harrowing than the ones she’s fleeing in this epic tale of survival, redemption, and love from Sara Donati, the international bestselling author of the Wilderness series.

1857. In a bid to outrun her past, Carrie Ballentyne accepts a nursing position with a doctor in the New Mexico Territory. She knows the journey from New York to Santa Fe will not be easy, but she relishes the adventure. However, nothing could have prepared her for the wilderness she encounters. Its vastness and power are awe-inspiring, stunning in both beauty and brutality. To endure, she must learn to rely on her fellow travelers—and one enigmatic man in particular. As the small, tight-knit group tackles challenge after challenge, she feels her heart opening to this rugged land—and the people willing to risk so much for one another.

The trip west is only the beginning of Carrie’s challenges, though. In Santa Fe, she compassionately and respectfully helps women bring new life into the world, making her beloved among new mothers. Soon, however, she realizes that her employer and his wife are keeping secrets from her, and she must ferret out the truth to protect their young daughter. But to save the little girl she’s come to cherish, Carrie will have to confront the demons in her own past—a feat that will take all of her bravery and the help of the man she’s come to love and depend on above all others.

With its vivid descriptions of the breathtaking western landscape and its irresistible characters, The Sweet Blue Distance is the unforgettable story of one woman’s courage to heal herself, her family, and the women entrusted to her care.


Top reviews from the United States

Nana Steele
5.0 out of 5 stars a lovely read that I couldn’t put down once I started
Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope Sara continues this story. My only struggle was the mix of Spanish words with no translation included. I was constantly looking up the words in English. Having a glossary at the end of the book did me no good,Until I got to the end of the book. By then, I had already googled the translation. I so want to hear more of the family stories. Loved this story from beginning to end. Great characters and wonderful history
Jan
5.0 out of 5 stars great continuation of the story
Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2024
So much detail, so much explanation. Beautiful detail. Such history, a really great read. Loved catching up with the Paradise Valley people.
Sheilah
4.0 out of 5 stars High Expectations
Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2024
I read several reviews of The Sweet Blue Distance and most reported that this novel was a great read. I, too, found it to be engaging and full of interesting surprises. I am a fan of this period. The book moves along at a fairly fast pace and keeps one interested. However, there were some lags in the story that were repetitious and unnecessary. If one likes an entertaining story that is not too cerebral, this is the one.
mz johansen
5.0 out of 5 stars I did not want this book to end!
Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2024
I have become rather tight-fisted in giving any book a 5 star review in recent years. I read a lot of excellent books, but most fall into 3-4 star categories lately. It has been some years since I read a book by Sara Donati, but goodness has she been working hard and “The Sweet Blue Distance” is well worth 5 stars !

I. Loved. This. Book!! I did not want this book to end…I just wanted to keep reading more of this wonderful story!

Written about New Mexico Territory prior to the American Civil War, this book is sweeping in almost every way! A remarkable story with a very skillfully driven plot that is peopled with characters that you actually want to meet and talk with! I relished every minute that I spent within the pages of this story. A sequel simply has to happen!

Thank you Ms.Donati for crafting such a thoroughly enjoyable read….now please write some more!
S. Geary
5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting
Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2024
I loved this book. Exciting, great characters and heartwarming. Having lived in Santa Fe County in NM, I especially loved learning some of the history of the area. Please write a sequel!
Steven T. Russell
5.0 out of 5 stars A Longtime Favorite, Back Again!
Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2024
This has been an enthralling, enlightening, and entertaining series. Long may it run! Another installment is more than welcome, it is warmly treasured. Strong women and resolute men fightupstream against the currents, challenges, and constraints of their places in time.
Carol H
4.0 out of 5 stars Errors?
Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2024
I have always enjoyed the Wilderness series and have re-read them several times. I'm enjoying this book because the author always makes me feel I'm in the story, observing from a distance, and she always creates interesting characters. However, (someone correct me if I'm wrong), I'm wondering about a couple of errors I've noticed and I'm only on page 121. First, the author twice writes that Nathaniel was married 3 times and that his 2nd wife was Mohawk, with whom he had Hannah. I don't remember Nathaniel having a wife prior to Sings from Books. How can the author not remember this? Secondly, Carrie states that when she was 11, her Grandmother Elizabeth died and bequeathed her a book and her parents stated there was a purpose to this particular book she was given. From reading the epilogue in The Endless Forest, I'm pretty sure that Simon Ballentyne died before Elizabeth Bonner, as Elizabeth put Simon's death notice in her paper. Third, I believe the proof reader errored as it was written that Carrie had an Uncle Eli who taught them the old woodland skills up in the Adirondack Mountains, but I'm thinking it should actually have been Uncle Gabriel (on page 121). Eli Ibarra is the character that Carrie is talking to about her aunts and uncles. I hope these are the only errors I encounter as I had really been looking forward to this book being published! I've given this book only 4 stars due to what I consider blatant errors. I'm still hoping to enjoy the rest of this book!
Finnegan
3.0 out of 5 stars Excellent historical, less exciting and minimal women's rights
Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2024
I appreciate the extensive research and sensitivity to cultural matters and people's privacy. The author focused on getting the political climate correct for Americans and Mexican Americans, loosely, and the discrimination. However, I missed the ubiquitous focus on women's rights and the development of Carrie's voice and relationships. I did not get to bond with the main character as much. This book was more distant, less first person narrative. It was also less exciting, less action, less multiple relationship building. Some of it was there but it didn't feel the same, more detached. I loved the last 2 books so much... have reread the entire series multiple times. I suppose it's hard to let go of them. It's a good, enjoyable book but I am unlikely to reread it.

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