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Inspired by a true story, A Legacy for Mary Ann is a gripping historical saga about one woman's extraordinary resilience on the American frontier. Mary Ann lived through the Civil War, the dust storms of Kansas, and the relentless hardships of the Oregon Trail. Unable to read or write, she relied on her sharp memory and visionary dreams to guide her family through danger and uncertainty. But when tragedy struck, her prophetic warnings weren't enough to change fate. Forced to depend on every ounce of strength she took on her most critical role, helping nature itself complete its course.
Written by her descendant, Eve Whittall, this debut novel brings to life the courage, endurance, and spirit of a forgotten pioneer woman.
Perfect for fans of historical fiction, pioneer sagas, and strong women who shaped history.
Awesome story, I couldn't put it down. I can hardly wait to read her next one. So muc history and I learned so much more about my family. My grandpa was Van Burton Pickens.
Absolutely fabulous story! I was so enthralled I couldn't put it down, can't wait for her next book and hope they make a movie from it. Great read highly recommend it, you won't be disappointed
About the Author Eve Whittall grew up in California, where she received her early education before leaving American River College to get married and then to raise three daughters. As the years passed, she continued her advanced education in the fields of business and art, her two favorite subjects. She eventually opened a flower shop in Hermiston, Oregon, and was an active member of the chamber of commerce.
As the years passed, she entered the field of local city government. She became a city manager, working at three Oregon cities during her career, and spent several years as executive director for chambers of commerce. When she retired, she and her husband moved to a small island in the Puget Sound area, where she continued to pursue her interest in genealogy, only to find it challenging to hold an audience's attention with her beautifully crafted charts of names and dates. She became inspired to put the ancestral information into story form so that others could grasp and remember who their ancestors were as real people. She settled on one woman to focus on: her great-grandmother, Mary Ann Williams Pickens. After years of research, writing, printing, and discarding reams of draft material and overcoming false starts, she completed her first book, a story of Mary Ann from beginning to end. The story also provides connections to her ancestors. A Legacy for Mary Ann, the Reluctant Pioneer, was finally published in August 2025, thanks to the guidance of many people and encouragement along the way.
