Faith Themes in Against the Wind: Count Your Blessings, Not Your Fears

Faith runs quietly through this novel. One theme stood out in particular: count your blessings, not your fears. It's so easy to be overcome by fear today, one host noted. Even watching the news can stir up anxiety. Her answer? Focus on the positives.

Childbirth losses in the story sparked another faith conversation. Book two includes several heartbreaking deaths of babies. Such losses were common in that time period, and they still happen today. Yet these moments remind us that we are not in control. And that is okay, because the One who is in control knows what He is doing.

Christian Historical Romance Meets Small-Town Drama

Opal's Delivery and a Sweet Namesake

Opal's labor scene gave us plenty of laughs. Her nervous husband had no idea what to do. Wisely, Louisa sent him out to tend the horses. Later, she asked him to bring in the laundry from the line. Of course, it came back covered in horsehair! Through it all, Louisa handled the situation beautifully. Afterward, the couple named their baby after her, which we found so sweet.

Grief, Blame, and a Heartbreaking Loss

Not every moment was light, though. Louisa witnesses the sudden, accidental death of a young man. Earlier, she and Josh had given him work rather than see him hanged as a horse thief. In her sorrow, his mother blames Louisa for not saving him. One reader had to set the book down for a while. The mother had already lost her husband. Now she has lost her son, too. Grief looks different for everyone, and this scene shows it.

Prejudice Against a Woman Doctor in the 1800s West

Much of the town distrusts Louisa simply because she is a woman doctor. Tragically, a mother and baby die in childbirth after refusing her help. Louisa admits she couldn't guarantee she would have saved them. Still, she had experience delivering babies, so the chance was there. For one host, this bias was the most heartbreaking part.

Snakes, Bees, and Suspense in Sweetwater Crossing

Suspense builds as someone torments Louisa throughout the book. Some scenes had us gripping our seats. At one point, she finds a snake in her office. Josh comes barreling in when he hears her scream, only to say it's just a snake. Our reaction? "Oh don't ever tell me it's just a snake." Honestly, one host admitted she probably would have passed out. Later, Louisa ends up locked in with bees, knowing a single sting could kill her. Without giving anything away, we agreed someone went to extremes. As one reader joked, what is in the water down there?

The Tea Room, Rocking Chairs, and a First Kiss

Josh's tea room plans delighted us. He even wants rocking chairs outside the stores, where men can sit while the women shop. Anyone who has seen a mercantile hallway lined with rocking chairs knows that tradition lives on! We loved that Amanda Cabot included this detail.

That tea room excitement also leads to Josh's first kiss with Louisa. Sweet as it was, the timing left us with mixed emotions. He still believed he was engaged, after all! Understandably, we wondered what Louisa was supposed to make of it.

Gertrude's Baby and Lingering Series Mysteries

Gertrude's baby also sparked discussion. We won't share his name, since that would give too much away. Some of us found her attachment odd. One reader already had suspicions back in book one, and this scene deepened them. Clearly, Sweetwater Crossing still holds a few secrets!

Louisa's Favorite Dessert: Chocolate Cake with Lemon Filling Taste Test

Here's a fun detail from the book: Louisa's favorite dessert is chocolate cake with lemon filling. Curious whether the combination was real, we tracked down several recipes. Then we baked one from scratch, using a Hershey's baking book for the cake. The verdict? Mixed, to put it kindly. One taster said it reminded her of Pledge! Jamie enjoyed both flavors, though it wouldn't be her favorite. Everyone, however, raved about the frosting. All told, we weren't huge fans of the pairing.

Red Flag or Green Flag? Louisa's Two Suitors in Against the Wind

Louisa technically has two suitors in this story. So we played a round of red flag, green flag. Josh earned green flags for controlling his anger when people mistreated Louisa. He also took her ideas seriously, praised her wise advice, and consoled her when things went wrong. Above all, he brought her joy on the tough days. Her other suitor fared far worse. He insisted it isn't proper for a woman to be a doctor. Instead, he suggested she should be a midwife. In the end, our verdict was clear: Josh was just really great all around.

Our Coffee Ratings for Against the Wind

• Mystery: Not much of a mystery in this one
• Suspense: Mocha (someone torments Louisa throughout)
• Inspiration: Espresso
• Drama: Latte (there's a lot of it!)
• Romance: Present but subtle
• Overall: 3 out of 3 Lassos

Listen to the Full Against the Wind Book Discussion

Ready to return to Sweetwater Crossing? Listen to Episode 218 for the whole conversation. To learn more about the author and her books, visit Amanda Cabot's website.

Reading With a Purpose: The LiteraryScape Book Club

Want more than one episode? The LiteraryScape Book Club welcomes you into a full community of faith-filled readers. Membership costs just $7 a month or $70 for the year. Plus, 10% of every book club membership and every order goes to Destiny Rescue. This organization rescues children from human trafficking and walks with them through rehabilitation. Rescuing and restoring one child takes about $1,500. Together, we're working toward $70,000 to help rescue 47 kids in 2027. Learn more and join the LiteraryScape Book Club.

Until next time, happy and blessed reading!